Israel's military has confirmed for the first time that its soldiers fired at a car carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed along with six relatives in Gaza in 2024. Hind initially survived and pleaded for help during a phone call with Palestinian Red Crescent operators. An ambulance sent to rescue her was also hit, killing two paramedics. The Israel Defense Forces said it has opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of Hind, her family and the paramedics. The IDF will also investigate the killing of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker, in Rafah in 2025. (PC: BBC)

The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice after its defence authorities detected two ballistic missiles allegedly launched from Iran. Abu Dhabi said the incident threatened regional security, while Tehran denied launching the missiles and rejected the UAE’s accusations. The dispute comes amid rising tensions over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments. US President Donald Trump has claimed the United States has “total control” over the waterway, while Iran insists it retains control. The developments further raise concerns about regional stability and global oil supplies. (PC: X)

The UAE has suspended all trade, financial transactions and other activities with Iran until further notice, citing regional security concerns and escalating tensions. UAE Foreign Ministry official Afra Al Hameli said Abu Dhabi rejected allegations about its economic ties with Tehran but reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, cooperation and regional integration. The move follows the UAE’s detection of two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on August 18, which the Defence Ministry said targeted maritime navigation before falling into the sea. Iran denied responsibility. The latest developments come amid worsening US-Iran tensions, with Donald Trump saying no talks are underway and the US naval blockade remains in force around Iran and waters.

Pakistani cleric Allama Naseer Madni has claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed sent 10,000 terrorists to Jammu and Kashmir. Madni made the statement on August 14 while addressing a gathering linked to the banned outfit in Bahawalnagar. The claim, which has not been independently verified, has renewed scrutiny of Saeed’s alleged role in militant mobilisation against India. Saeed, a UN-sanctioned terrorist, founded LeT, which has been linked to major attacks including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Indian authorities have also named him in the Pahalgam terror attack investigation, with the NIA filing a supplementary chargesheet against him in July. (PC: ANI)

A boat disaster on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe has killed 68 people after 22 additional bodies were recovered, police said on August 15. The ferry capsized on August 11 amid heavy winds while carrying far more passengers than its authorised capacity of 90. It reportedly had 114 adults, five crew members and an unspecified number of children aboard. At least 18 children were among those killed. Most passengers were local villagers and fish traders. Survivors said the vessel began taking on water shortly after departure. Rescue teams continue searching the lake for remaining victims and investigating the accident. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has called the Strait of Hormuz “new US territory” in a post on Truth Social. He also said the US has “total control” of the key waterway. Iran, however, said the strait will remain closed until Washington meets its demands. Tehran wants the US naval blockade lifted, oil sanctions removed and Iranian assets abroad unfrozen. The dispute has increased tensions between the two countries. The strait is a major route for global oil shipments. The situation worsened after an unknown projectile hit a vessel, damaging its engine room and leaving one crew member injured.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defences detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on Tuesday. The missiles were heading toward the UAE. Officials said one missile fell outside the country’s territorial waters, while the second fell inside them. UAE authorities said the country remains on high alert and is ready to respond to any threat. Residents in Dubai and other parts of the UAE received missile warnings on their phones. It was the first such alert in several weeks. The government urged people to follow official updates and avoid rumours. The incident comes amid rising tensions between Iran and Gulf countries.

US President Donald Trump said there are currently no talks or negotiations with Iran, contradicting earlier reports of back-channel communications between Washington and Tehran. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the US naval blockade of Iran remained “in full force and effect” while asserting that the Strait of Hormuz was “open and operating.” He also claimed that all mines in the strategic waterway had either been removed or detonated. Trump’s statement appears to conflict with recent reports of indirect diplomatic contacts between the two countries. His remarks come amid continued tensions over Iran, the naval blockade and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which remains central to the wider US-Iran standoff.

The UAE issued an emergency missile warning for Dubai after its air defence systems detected a missile threat targeting the country, amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) advised residents to move to safe locations and take necessary precautions. Authorities also reported sirens and loud explosions in Dubai shortly after the alert. Initial reports suggested Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and/or Yemen’s Houthi group could be behind the reported missile launch, though the article does not establish responsibility. The warning came after a June 2026 interim US-Iran agreement expired on August 17 without a permanent settlement, while military and maritime tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: News18)

#   US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to surrender as a 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding expired without a permanent agreement. Trump has maintained pressure on Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. He has also warned Oman against obstructing US efforts related to the waterway. Trump said the US has cleared mines from the strait and that it is open and operating, while Iran has disputed Washington’s position and demanded conditions for reopening the route. The collapse of the agreement has raised fears of renewed tensions and further disruption to shipping and global oil markets. (PC: The Indian Express)