New York marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a striking drone display over New York Harbor, recreating the Twin Towers in the night sky. The tribute, titled “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor,” used 2,977 illuminated drones, representing each person killed in the 2001 attacks. The drones first appeared as individual lights before coming together to form the outline of the original World Trade Center towers. The free public art installation was developed with input from 9/11 survivors, victims’ families and first responders. The emotional display honoured those who died while highlighting New York’s resilience and unity.

Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned as the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia regional director amid fraud and forgery allegations. Wazed, who began her five-year term in 2024, was placed on unpaid administrative leave in 2025 after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against her. The WHO also investigated allegations involving travel expenses, academic credentials and land ownership. Wazed has denied the allegations, saying a travel reimbursement issue was an administrative error and disputing the other claims. In her resignation letter, she said she had lost trust in WHO leadership and cited prolonged unpaid leave. (PC: The Indian Express)

Several US military aircraft were reportedly damaged in an Iranian missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to CBS. One A-10 Thunderbolt, known as the Warthog, was hit and lost a wing, while around eight F-15s suffered light damage but were returned to service, the report said. US forces launched more than 30 Patriot missiles during the attack. Jordan said its air defences detected 20 ballistic missiles, intercepting 18, while two struck unpopulated areas. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility, describing the attack as a response to recent US strikes on Iranian tankers. (PC: NDTV)

At least five people have died and 86 remain missing after a fire broke out on the MV June Aster ferry near Coron in the Philippines. The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the blaze erupted at 18:45 local time on Wednesday. Coastguard footage showed the ferry engulfed in flames as rescuers pulled people from the sea. Forty-three people have been rescued, with seven taken to a hospital in nearby Culion. Survivors said the fire may have started in the cargo hold, while some passengers were reportedly not wearing life jackets. The cause remains under investigation. (PC: BBC)

A seafarer was killed in an incident involving the Gibraltar-flagged tanker Hercules Star while at anchorage off Dubai, charterer Peninsula said Wednesday. Peninsula confirmed one fatality but provided no details on the cause. One crew member remains missing, while a team is searching; other crew members are accounted for. Assessments from security sources suggested the vessel may have been hit by a drone. UKMTO reported a vessel listing 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, indicating water ingress after an attack by an unknown projectile. Security sources said the location was close to Hercules Star. Another tanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil was struck by a drone. (PC: X)

Iran reportedly used new electro-optical missiles against US warships for the first time on Wednesday, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intensified attacks on American forces in the region. The IRGC launched overnight attacks targeting US forces in Jordan and 10 American ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The missiles were reportedly fitted with electro-optical seekers using cameras and light sensors to track targets more precisely, potentially without GPS. US Central Command confirmed the attacks but said the attempts against the ships failed. Iranian missiles targeting a US base in Jordan were also intercepted. The escalation followed US strikes on five Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted a US Navy warship, prompting Tehran’s retaliatory attacks. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has promised that the government would grant $5,000 to every American if Republicans retain control of Congress in the upcoming November midterm elections. Trump made the pledge on Thursday while speaking at a first-of-its-kind, two-day Republican midterm convention in Dallas. The event placed Trump at the center of the Republican campaign ahead of the elections. His promise links the proposed payment directly to Republican success in retaining Congress, making the announcement a significant campaign message. The pledge was delivered as Republicans prepare for the November midterms, with Trump using the Dallas convention to rally support and place himself prominently in the party’s campaign efforts for all voters. (PC: Getty Images)

Pakistan has reportedly warned Iran, conveying a Saudi request to rein in Yemen’s Houthi allies after attacks on Saudi Arabia injured 73 people and struck an airbase and oil infrastructure. The warning comes amid escalating Iran-US attacks on Gulf shipping and growing fears over global energy supplies. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said spillover into Saudi territory could activate a security arrangement involving Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad, although officials stressed Pakistan’s role would focus on defending Saudi Arabia. Islamabad urged Tehran to use its influence to stop Houthi attacks, but an Iranian official said Iran does not control the group. However, two Iranian sources reportedly said Tehran recently instructed the Houthis to attack Saudi Arabia and promised funding and weapons. (PC: NDTV)

Several US military aircraft were reportedly damaged in an overnight Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to CBS. One A-10 Thunderbolt, known as the Warthog, was struck and left with a missing wing, while roughly eight F-15 fighter jets sustained light damage but were returned to service. US forces in Jordan launched more than 30 Patriot missiles to defend against the Iranian attack. The strike followed US attacks on five Iranian oil tankers, carried out after Iran targeted a US Navy warship. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently claimed attacks on eight tankers and two warships, including the Jordanian base. Tehran condemned the US tanker strikes and launched retaliatory attacks against American military assets.

Iran claimed it attacked a dozen vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including two US vessels, eight oil tankers and 10 “non-compliant vessels”, while expanding a prohibited zone into parts of the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported vessels subjected to disabling fire. Iran claimed strikes on a US base in Jordan after attacks destroyed five Iranian oil tankers; Jordan said it intercepted 18 missiles. Brent crude closed at $101.21 as disruption intensified. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned tanker strikes would continue if Iran attacks US ships, while Donald Trump predicted the war could end after the midterms. Officials warned it could continue. (PC: Reuters)