A report by Jefferies Bank said the 50% US tariffs on India were linked to Donald Trump’s failed attempt to mediate in the India-Pakistan conflict. The report described the move as a result of Trump’s “personal pique” after India rejected foreign involvement in Kashmir talks. India has always opposed third-party mediation. The White House earlier claimed Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for ending conflicts worldwide. The report also noted agriculture was another reason, as India refuses to open its sector to US imports. India called the tariffs “unjustified and unreasonable.” Jefferies warned this could push India closer to China. (PC: NDTV)

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been removed from office by the Constitutional Court. Judges ruled she violated ethics during a leaked June phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. In the call, she called him “uncle” and criticised the Thai army, sparking anger amid border tensions. The court said her actions “appeared to align with Cambodia” and damaged public trust. Paetongtarn, daughter of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, insisted she was trying to save lives. She is the third Shinawatra leader forced out of power. Parliament will now choose her successor from registered candidates. (PC: BBC)

In Minneapolis, a gunman opened fire on children praying inside Annunciation Church, killing 2 and injuring 18. Officials said the attacker, 23-year-old Robin Westman, was “obsessed with killing children” and left hate-filled writings on weapons. Victims were identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. Families remembered them as joyful and loving. Police said the suspect had no known mental health treatment and used legally purchased guns. FBI called it domestic terrorism. Witnesses described children running out, bleeding and begging for help. The attacker died from a self-inflicted shot. Officials urged action against assault weapons. (PC: BBC) 

Russia conducted its first successful naval drone attack against a Ukrainian ship, targeting the reconnaissance vessel Simferopol in the Danube River delta. The medium reconnaissance ship, built at Kuznia na Rybalskomu shipyard in Kyiv, was launched in April 2019 and entered service in 2021. The vessel represented Ukraine's largest naval commission in over a decade and was equipped with advanced surveillance capabilities including radio, electronic, radar, and optical reconnaissance systems. The attack resulted in at least one crew member killed and several injured, with search efforts ongoing for missing sailors. This strike marks a significant escalation in naval warfare tactics, demonstrating Russia's adaptation of Ukraine's own successful drone boat strategies for offensive operations in strategically important waterways. (PC: Moneycontrol)

Robin Westman, 23, killed two children and wounded 17 others at a Minneapolis Catholic church before taking his own life. In a manifesto posted on YouTube before the attack, Westman expressed regret about his gender transition, writing "I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself." His handwritten journal, encrypted in Russian Cyrillic script and English, detailed struggles with his appearance and transition decisions. Westman had attended the same parish school as a student in 2017, going by Robert then. Armed with three guns, he fired through stained-glass windows during Mass. Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed the shooter died by suicide at the church's rear.

Late on August 28, 2025, a devastating combined drone and missile attack by Russian forces struck Kyiv, killing at least 21 people—among them four children—and wounding dozens more across the city’s ten districts . The bombardment included nearly 600 drones, decoys, and over 30 missiles, making it one of the most significant strikes since the war began . Critical infrastructure suffered heavy damage: the EU mission's headquarters and the British Council's offices were among the targeted sites . The EU and UK have strongly condemned the attack, summoning Russian diplomats, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called for harsher sanctions and noted the assault reflected Moscow's continued rejection of peace talks. (PC: Reuters)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II crashed at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on January 28, 2025, after the pilot engaged in a tense 50-minute mid-air conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers to resolve a landing-gear malfunction. Efforts to troubleshoot included two "touch and go" attempts, but hydraulic icing—caused by water-contaminated fluid—caused the nose and right main landing gear to freeze in a skewed position, triggering false "on-ground" sensors. The jet spiraled uncontrollably, compelling the pilot to eject safely. Investigators cited poor oversight of hazardous-material handling and crew-and-engineer decision-making as contributing factors.

Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed 21 people, including 4 children, and damaged the European Union’s mission office. A five-storey building collapsed, and dozens were injured. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed outrage, saying missiles landed within 50 meters of the EU delegation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Russia of “sabotaging hopes of peace,” while Ukraine’s President Zelensky called for tougher sanctions. Germany, the UK, and the EU summoned Russian diplomats. The strikes followed massive drone attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. Zelensky said Russia had chosen “ballistics instead of the negotiating table.” EU sanctions are being expanded. (PC: BBC)

The Minneapolis school shooter, Robin Westman, 23, who killed 2 children at Annunciation Catholic School, left disturbing messages on weapons. Videos from Westman’s deleted YouTube channel showed guns and magazines with words like “Kill Donald Trump,” “Nuke India,” “Israel must fall,” and “For the children.” Officials confirmed the messages were authentic. Westman, who legally purchased the weapons, fired dozens of rounds before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot. Journals written in Cyrillic were also found. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem called the writings “deeply sick.” President Trump ordered flags at half-staff nationwide to honor the victims of the 146th US school shooting. (PC: Screengrab from X)

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Indian families should have 3 children to ensure population stability. Speaking at an event marking 100 years of RSS, he argued that India’s fertility rate of 2.1 is not enough, since “in births, after 2 it becomes 3.” He warned that communities with a fertility rate of 2.1 may slowly disappear. Bhagwat added that having 3 children keeps both parents and children healthy, while also controlling population growth. His remarks come as India’s fertility rate has dropped to 1.9, below the replacement level, according to the UN’s latest population report. (PC: India Today)