Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of attacking the Saudi-owned supertanker Sidr in the Strait of Hormuz, killing two Filipino sailors. Saudi shipping company Bahri said the vessel was involved in a security incident late Monday while transiting the waterway. Maritime security firms reported that Sidr and the South Korean-owned Senegal Prosperity, each carrying two million barrels of Saudi crude, were struck by unknown projectiles near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. Iran has not directly responded to the allegation and said two tankers caught fire after hitting mines on an unauthorised route. The incident came amid escalating US-Iranian military exchanges. (PC: BBC)

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust on September 2 appointed Air Marshal (retired) Jeetendra Mishra, who led the IAF’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, as its first full-time CEO. Mishra, 60, was selected from 5,585 applicants through a two-month process. The move comes as the trust seeks more professional administration amid allegations of donation pilferage and financial irregularities. Mishra retired on April 30, 2026, and will oversee temple operations, devotees, security and financial systems. The trust also appointed three new trustees. Its 2025-26 accounts showed Rs 237 crore income and Rs 1,882 crore available funds. (PC: India Today)

The EU and NATO have vowed to step up pressure on Russia after Germany blamed Moscow for a failed drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, calling it a “new escalation” on European soil. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia was growing increasingly reckless, while NATO chief Mark Rutte pledged full solidarity with Germany. Moscow denied responsibility and demanded evidence. Germany announced retaliatory measures, including closing the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, prompting Russia to shut German Goethe-Institut centres. EU ministers are now discussing tighter sanctions, visa restrictions and action against Russia’s “shadow fleet”. (PC: BBC)

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has alleged political vendetta after his name was deleted from Punjab’s draft electoral rolls under the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and marked “permanently shifted”. Chadha, who quit AAP and joined the BJP in April, said his voter ID remains registered in Mohali and claimed the AAP was using state machinery against leaders who left the party. He said the protected-list provision for public representatives was violated. Punjab’s claims and objections window remains open until September 12, while final rolls are expected in October. The deletion does not affect Chadha’s Rajya Sabha membership. (PC: India Today)

Photos of missing loved ones hang outside Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Hospital as families desperately search for relatives after Nepal’s devastating August 26 flash floods. The disaster has killed more than 1,200 people, while over 4,000 remain missing, according to the latest figures cited in the report. At least 161 bodies remained unidentified at the hospital as of September 2, with doctors struggling to collect fingerprints or other identification marks. DNA samples are being collected, while unidentified bodies are temporarily buried for possible exhumation. In hard-hit Nuwakot, families are also holding symbolic Hindu funerals using straw effigies for missing relatives.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf slammed the United States after a reported strike hit a wedding in Sirik, southern Iran, killing five people and wounding several others. “If a power acts like Satan, picks targets like Satan, and kills like Satan, it’s Satan,” Ghalibaf said, accusing Washington of responsibility for the attack. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also condemned the United States, describing it as “Satan America”. The US had not immediately commented on Iran’s allegations. The reported strike came amid escalating conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East.

The upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi has sent five-star hotel prices soaring, with several luxury properties fully booked and available rooms costing up to Rs 2.55 lakh a night. The summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, drawing official delegations, business travellers and international media to the capital. ITC Maurya listed some rooms for September 12 at up to Rs 2.55 lakh, while rooms at Shangri-La Eros cost up to Rs 1.50 lakh. Taj Mahal Hotel, Taj Palace, The Oberoi and other luxury properties reported limited or no availability for key dates. (PC: First Post)

India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province, calling it a disturbing attack on a minority place of worship. Minority representatives and local residents alleged that the temple was razed to make way for a madrassa on or near the temple land. India said the incident reflected an “alarming” failure by Pakistani authorities to protect religious heritage and safeguard places of worship belonging to minorities. The strong reaction came on September 2 as concerns grew over the reported demolition and the protection of minority religious sites in Pakistan. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that Moscow is supplying Iran with “necessary equipment” and other assistance during its war with the United States. Putin made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1. He did not specify the equipment or say whether it included military supplies. Pezeshkian said he was certain Iran would win. The leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation, while Putin praised Iran’s “courage and resourcefulness” and highlighted growing economic and trade ties.

A viral video from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek shows Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif quickly approaching Russian President Vladimir Putin after the leaders’ group photograph. As Putin appeared to leave the podium, Sharif moved towards him, reached out, held his hand and spoke with him. The hurried interaction prompted online users to jokingly describe it as “Wait for me?”, although there is no indication Sharif actually said those words. The moment drew attention alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with Putin and a brief exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The clip also revived memories of a viral Sharif-Putin moment at last year’s SCO gathering in Beijing.