Russia and Ukraine traded strikes on energy targets on Tuesday, hours after US President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to stop such attacks. Russia launched around 200 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing two people. Petrol stations in Kyiv and energy sites in other regions were hit. Ukraine, meanwhile, struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian forces also targeted drone production sites. Trump had said both countries agreed not to attack each other’s energy infrastructure. However, the latest strikes have raised fresh doubts over efforts to reduce fighting between Russia and Ukraine.  

Two sailors are missing after an oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman said. Twenty-three crew members were rescued from the Panama-flagged 'El Gaia'. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room after the attack. The vessel was later towed towards an Omani port. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed the tanker hit a naval mine. However, the US military rejected the claim and said the vessel was hit by an Iranian missile and later by a drone. The incident adds to growing tensions in the key waterway used for global oil shipments.  

A US government watchdog report has revealed the heavy cost of America’s war with Iran. The conflict has caused major damage to US military bases across the Middle East. Dozens of American aircraft and drones were also damaged or destroyed. The report said the war created shortages in advanced weapons and exposed problems in replacing munitions. Damage to US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE was estimated at $184 million. The State Department also spent more than $11 million evacuating around 9,000 Americans. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier said the conflict had cost $37.5 billion.  

Russia and Ukraine exchanged strikes on energy targets Tuesday, hours after US President Donald Trump said they had agreed to stop such attacks. Russia launched 200 drones overnight at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing two people and striking petrol stations, energy and port infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, struck an oil refinery in Syzran, Russia’s Samara region, along with drone production facilities in Taganrog and Oryol. The attacks came despite Trump’s announcement of an agreement to halt strikes on energy targets, casting fresh doubt on his peace push. The strikes showed both sides continuing attacks on strategic energy and military-related infrastructure, hours after the understanding. (PC: Times Now)

Saudi Arabia reportedly held talks with Israel, mediated by US Central Command, on intelligence support to counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks, according to Israeli outlet Walla, citing diplomatic sources. Riyadh’s request focused on intelligence to better understand Houthi military positions and assess potential operations. Bloomberg also reported Saudi Arabia approached Britain for help pushing the Houthis away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protecting oil facilities. Britain said it would work with partners to maintain regional stability. The Houthis have intensified attacks, including a drone strike on oil pipelines and pumping facilities that forced a partial operational halt. They recently captured Mokha and nearby islands, gaining greater leverage over the strategic waterway. (PC: AFP)

US diesel prices have climbed to record levels just as American farmers begin harvesting corn and soybeans, putting further pressure on already tight farm budgets. The national average reached $5.85 per gallon on September 4 before rising to $6.05 per gallon, according to AAA. That is about 60% higher than the roughly $3.76 average before the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February. Farmers depend heavily on diesel to run combines, tractors and trucks and to transport crops. Rising fuel costs come alongside higher prices for fertiliser, seeds and equipment, squeezing profits and forcing some farmers to delay work. (PC: The Times of India)

As Houthi rebels tighten their grip on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and strike Saudi soil, Riyadh has reportedly sought intelligence assistance from Israel, approached indirectly through US CENTCOM, to help secure the vital waterway. The request comes even as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye remain bound by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August. However, Pakistan's Foreign Office has clarified the pact is defensive in nature, ruling out any immediate military response to the Houthi attacks. The Houthis have already seized Mocha port and Perim Island, threatening a key global shipping route and Saudi oil exports. (PC: India Today)

The United States has publicly confirmed, for the first time, that it has deployed a weapon in Earth's orbit. US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the "on orbit" weapon was needed to protect American forces from hostile action, speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference. He gave no details on its capabilities or deployment date. The admission follows years of warnings about Russian and Chinese programmes targeting US satellites. A 1967 treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in space, but other military capabilities remain unregulated. The disclosure comes as the US pushes its "Golden Dome" missile defence system. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump has dismissed warnings about artificial intelligence, saying claims that AI could turn against humans are false. In social media comments Monday, Trump rejected concerns about rogue AI and argued that efforts to limit the technology are part of what he called a “sick conspiracy.” He said the idea of AI taking over the world and harming people is untrue. Trump also compared warnings about AI’s potential dangers to concerns about climate change, which he said he does not believe. His remarks come amid debate over risks posed by increasingly advanced artificial intelligence and calls from some technology figures and researchers for safeguards and limits on its development.

A newly released US government watchdog report details the impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran, highlighting shortages of advanced weapons, munitions resupply bottlenecks and extensive damage to American military and diplomatic facilities across West Asia. Covering April 1 to June 30, the report was compiled by inspectors general from the Pentagon, State Department and USAID. It found strategic inventory shortfalls and pressure on advanced missiles and defensive interceptors. Hundreds of buildings at US installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan were damaged or destroyed. Dozens of aircraft and drones were also destroyed or damaged, including up to 30 MQ-9 Reapers and several KC-135 refuelling aircraft. (PC: Reuters)