A Bloomberg investigation, cited by NDTV, reports that an internal Pentagon review found outdated intelligence, incorrect site classification and heavy reliance on AI contributed to the February 28 strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran. Two Tomahawk missiles struck the school, killing more than 150 people, including at least 123 children, according to the report. The site had once been part of a military compound but had operated as a school for years, while older intelligence continued to classify it as an IRGC facility. US personnel reportedly relied on Palantir’s AI-enabled Maven system during an accelerated targeting process. The Pentagon investigation remains unpublished. (PC: Reuters)

Saudi Arabia issued emergency warnings on September 24 after its National Early Warning Platform alerted residents in Mecca and several other regions to a “potential danger.” Alerts covered Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu, Tabuk and Taif. Saudi Civil Defense advised residents and visitors to remain indoors, move to secure interior areas away from windows and glass, avoid open spaces, rooftops and balconies, and follow official instructions. People outdoors were told to seek shelter in nearby buildings or behind solid barriers. The alerts were later lifted, with authorities providing no immediate details about the nature of the potential threat. The warnings came amid heightened regional tensions. (PC: X)

8 US sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its lengthy deployment, the US Navy said. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed the figure in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The sailors included crew members and personnel from the carrier airwing, destroyer squadron and other units. The carrier had been deployed since November and is now returning to the US. Families had raised concerns about poor conditions and mental health. The Navy said five chaplains and several mental health professionals were available. It also acknowledged temporary plumbing and water problems, while denying a wider mental health crisis.  

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the ban on drinking alcohol in football stands could be removed. He called the rule “unfair” because similar restrictions do not apply to fans at sports such as rugby and cricket. Alcohol has been banned in view of the pitch in England’s top five men’s football leagues since 1985. Burnham said the rule could be changed through trials. The Football Supporters’ Association welcomed his comments. However, the UK Football Policing Unit warned that changing the rules without proper consultation would be “incredibly rash”. Officials said alcohol can contribute to violence and disorder among some football supporters.  

Sensitive parts from an Australian F-35 fighter jet were diverted to Hong Kong while being shipped to the US, according to people familiar with the incident. The parts included a cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door. Both were made by Lockheed Martin and had radar-absorbing material. The shipment reportedly stopped in South Korea before being sent to Hong Kong. Chinese authorities later took possession of the parts and have not returned them. The Pentagon said it is working to recover them and investigate the incident. Two US congressional committees are also reviewing the case. Lockheed Martin said the parts were unserviceable and considered low risk.  

Iran may expand the conflict to the Indian Ocean if the US launches another attack, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned. Yahya Rahim Safavi said the war could spread from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and beyond. The warning comes amid tensions over key shipping routes. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has already fallen. Any wider conflict could affect India, which depends heavily on imported crude oil. Higher shipping and energy costs could also hurt trade. India imports more than 88% of its crude oil.

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the White House. Judge Timothy Kelly ordered their press access restored for 14 days while the outlets challenge the ban in court. The three organisations had sued after their reporters’ White House credentials were revoked. The administration argued that the outlets’ reporting raised national security concerns and accused them of publishing false information. Kelly said the outlets were likely to succeed in showing that the administration had failed to provide adequate due process. He also questioned the national security justification cited by the administration. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. It was the first time a US president received a Chinese leader at the airport. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac. The welcome included a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honour cordon and US and Chinese flags. Two B-1 bombers also flew over the base. Xi is visiting Washington for three days. He will attend a formal ceremony and state dinner. Talks are expected to cover trade, technology, Taiwan, Iran and security issues.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of recruiting citizens from 47 countries through “deception and tricks,” including Indians. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he urged countries to protect their nationals and said, “Do not let Putin drag you into this war.” India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri said 227 Indians had been recruited by Russian forces. Of them, 139 have been discharged and 51 have died. Zelensky also urged India, China and Turkey to reduce energy trade with Russia. He said cutting Russia’s oil revenue could limit Moscow’s ability to continue the war.  

Eight US Navy personnel assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a deployment that included combat operations against Iran, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The attempts involved sailors across the carrier, air wing, destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers and embarked aviation units, rather than only the carrier itself. Between 6,000 and 7,000 personnel served across the group, which spent more than six months at sea. Cao said no service member died by suicide during the deployment. The disclosure has intensified concerns about prolonged operations, limited port visits, combat stress and the mental health of sailors and available support. (PC: X)