Iran is facing a worsening economic crisis as the Iranian rial has plunged beyond the historic 2 million mark against the U.S. dollar on the open market. The sharp currency collapse comes amid renewed international pressure, escalating sanctions, and growing concerns over inflation and economic instability. President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the hardships facing ordinary Iranians, describing the situation as a full-scale economic and security war. As businesses and households struggle with rising prices and a weakening currency, questions are mounting over Iran's economic future and its ability to withstand mounting external pressure.

Iranian Rial hits historic low: Pezeshkian admits Iran faces 'many problems' 

A 28-year-old Indian national from Punjab's Kapurthala district, Gurdeep Singh, was fatally shot in Brooklyn, New York, during a suspected robbery attempt while out on a late-night pizza delivery. Singh, who moved to the United States years ago to support his family back home, was rushed to a local hospital with multiple gunshot wounds where he was pronounced dead.


28-year-old from Punjab's Kapurthala district shot dead while delivering pizza

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defied a direct request from CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani by making a high-profile appearance at a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 youth tournament in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Montagliani had urged Infantino to stay away to prevent his presence from overshadowing the youth event amid an escalating internal governance crisis.


Infantino visits Caribbean despite VP's request to stay away

Syria has urged Israel to alter its regional security policy, calling for a new bilateral security agreement centered on full state sovereignty and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territory seized following the fall of the Assad regime. Amid high-level, U.S.-mediated de-escalation talks in Jordan following recent airstrikes. 


Syria wants Israel to change policy, seeks new security agreement

Key European and international backers of Ukraine have gathered for an emergency high-level summit as the Russia-Ukraine war intensifies significantly. Facing a severe depletion of vital air defense interceptors—such as U.S.-supplied Patriot missiles—Ukrainian leadership is pressing allies for immediate military assistance and heightened economic pressure on Moscow.


Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Qatar's real GDP will shrink by 8.6% in 2026. This marks the sharpest economic contraction among Gulf economies, driven by regional conflict disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and damaging key liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.

Qatar's GDP is forecast to shrink 8.6% in 2026

A 32-metre twin-masted sailing ship is bringing Caribbean rum, coffee and cocoa to Amsterdam without relying on an engine. The Tres Hombres, operated by Fairtransport, uses wind power to transport cargo across the Atlantic, offering a low-emission alternative to conventional shipping.

Carrying around 40 tonnes of cargo, the vessel is reviving centuries-old sailing techniques for modern, sustainable trade.

Amsterdam: sailboat 'Tres Hombres' ships Caribbean cargo 

A 17-year-old Indonesian teenager dressed as Superman has joined volunteer firefighters battling wildfires on Borneo. Rudiyansah, who learned firefighting alongside his father, now grabs a hose and helps tackle the flames in his striking superhero outfit. Nearly 95,000 hectares of land burned across Indonesia in July, amid a worsening wildfire and haze crisis.


Indonesia wildfires: Superman-clad teen helps fight Indonesidan wildfires 

The Houthis are projecting a new form of sea power in the Red Sea, relying not on large warships but on missiles, drones and asymmetric tactics. Their attacks and threats against commercial vessels have disrupted shipping through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, raising costs and forcing some vessels to reroute. The campaign has highlighted how non-state actors can challenge global trade routes using relatively low-cost technology, reshaping maritime security calculations across the Middle East.

Houthis disrupt shipping through critical maritime chokepoint 

Regional tensions reach a boiling point as Tehran issues a direct threat to target American economic interests and commercial assets across the Middle East. With military posturing intensifying and shipping lanes under heightened scrutiny, the risk of a broader conflict between the US and Iran has escalated significantly.


US-Iran war: Tehran threatens to target American economic interests 

Lebanon's fragile economic recovery is facing another major blow, with the world bank warning the country's economy could contract this year.
The latest Israel-Hezbollah war is adding to the economic strain. Inflation is also expected to climb higher.

Lebanon economy set to shrink 6.4%

Qubo is betting on how smart security will be driven by AI, not just hardware. The company is also expanding into connected cars and smart-home devices. On this edition of Big Business Bet, Wion’s Kanishka Sarkar gets in conversation with Qubo CEO Nikhil Rajpal to find out the strategy behind this expansion.

Qubo’s big smart-tech bet

The United States is planning to pay 725 million dollars toward its debt to the United Nations, a move that could provide some much-needed breathing room to an organisation facing a severe cash crunch. But here's the bigger picture: the U.S. Still owes the UN several billion dollars. The UN says Washington is behind by more than 4 billion dollars, while latest reporting puts the overall figure at around 5 billion dollars, including regular UN operations and peacekeeping.


US plans $725 mn payment toward UN debt

A Hindu trader, Rakesh Kumar, was shot dead by unidentified armed men at his shop in Noshki, Balochistan. Police said the attackers entered the shop in the Qadirabad area and opened fire when Kumar resisted before fleeing the scene. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Balochistan: Hindu businessman shot dead by armed men

Donald Trump has warned that he could face impeachment if Democrats regain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. Trump urged voters to treat the elections as a referendum on his agenda while backing Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham in South Carolina’s August 25 runoff.

Trump warns Republican supporters at a rally in South Carolina 

India is producing more graduates than ever, but a new NITI Aayog paper points to a major gap between degrees and jobs. The report says only 8.25% of graduates are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications, highlighting a deeper mismatch between education, skills and industry needs.

NITI Aayog flags a widening gap between education, skills & job

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of opening a “Pandora’s box” by targeting Russian economic infrastructure with drone strikes. Putin warned that Moscow would retaliate against Ukraine’s “most sensitive economic sectors” as Kyiv steps up attacks on oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure linked to Russia’s war effort.

Russia-Ukraine war: at least 13 killed in Ukraine & Russia following overnight strikes 

The Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP) has reached a major milestone with the final bridge segment linking Malé and Villingili officially installed. The India-backed mega infrastructure project is now more than 75% complete.

The 6.74-kilometre Thilamalé Bridge network will connect Malé with Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi, improving inter-island connectivity and easing congestion in the densely populated Maldivian capital.

India is supporting the project with $500 million in funding, including a $100 million grant and a $400 million line of credit. Indian company Afcons Infrastructure is executing the project.

Maldives: Greater Male Connectivity Project is more than 75% complete

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying 24 crew members sank in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha. Two survivors have been rescued, while the Indian Coast Guard and Navy continue searching for 22 missing crew members.

Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks off Odisha coast, rescue mission ongoing

Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour marked the traditional Qixi Festival, often called China's Valentine's Day, with a spectacular 2,000-drone light show that illuminated the city skyline.

Hong Kong: luminous spectacle marks China's valentine's day

Qubo is moving beyond traditional security cameras with AI-powered protection, connected-car technology and a wider smart-home ecosystem. In this edition of Big Business Bet, WION’S Kanishka Sarkar speaks to Qubo CEO Nikhil Rajpal about India’s changing CCTV market, new security standards, the dashcam boom, Hero Group backing and Qubo’s global ambitions.

Big business bet | Qubo CEO on the new rules of India’s CCTV market 

Big Business Bet | Qubo CEO on the new rules of India’s CCTV market

Four new ministers and two state ministers joined Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet on Friday evening, with their portfolios yet to be announced.

Newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir administered their oaths at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

Bangladesh: six ministers sworn-in to Tarique Rahman's cabinet 

Optimism rises among Jammu and Kashmir tourism stakeholders as the U.S. considers easing its travel advisory, a move expected to restore international traveller confidence and boost the local economy.

US travel advisory review raises hope for J&K tourism

New 50% U.S. tariffs on some Canadian goods have taken effect after last-minute talks between Washington and Ottawa failed to reach a deal. Canadian PM Mark Carney vowed to match the tariffs “dollar for dollar” as the trade standoff escalates. The duties affect around $20 billion worth of Canadian exports, including products ranging from hockey sticks to cement.

 Canada-US talks fail to avert new US tariffs

India’s manufacturing sector is growing rapidly, but that growth is creating an unexpected problem: the country is importing even more goods needed to make products at home.


India’s manufacturing boom widens trade gap 

Sugar prices are at record highs across India, and the sharp rise is now forcing the government to take emergency measures. Over two months, domestic sugar prices have risen by nearly 40 percent. The government says ethanol diversion is not responsible for the spike. Instead, the center points to lower production, weather damage, festive demand, and speculation.

 Sugar prices surge nearly 40% in two months

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has accused the federal government of contempt of court. The allegation follows authorities moving Khan to a state-run hospital instead of a private facility ordered by the Supreme Court, and rushing him back to prison within hours.

Imran Khan's party alleges 'contempt of court' by Pak govt

The Jharkhand High Court issued an interim stay on the Hemant Soren government's notification that cancelled appointments made through the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level) and CDPO (Child Development Project Officer) examinations.

Jharkhand student protest: HC grants interim stay on JSSC-CGL, CDPO appointment cancellation 

CJP leader Abhijit Dipke has warned of a protest at Jantar Mantar after the party alleged an attack during its visit to a government primary school in Jaipur’s Rampura Kanwarpura village. The incident reportedly followed opposition from local residents to the team’s visit.

Rajasthan: Cockroach Janta Party slams Rajasthan police as 'mute spectator' |

Rajasthan: Cockroach Janta Party slams Rajasthan police as 'mute spectator'

A new study has raised concerns over cross-border pollution affecting southern states, highlighting how air pollution can travel across state boundaries and impact air quality and public health. The findings underline the need for stronger coordination between states, better monitoring and effective measures to tackle pollution at its source. Watch this report for the latest details and what the study reveals.


New study flags cross-border pollution in southern states

Pirates Hijack Vessels Off Yemen and Somalia: Maritime security forces are responding to a disturbing resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa after armed groups seized two commercial vessels in separate attacks. According to reports, a total of 22 Indian nationals are among the captive crew members. The first incident involved the Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker M.T. Sibu 1 (also known as the Seamull), which was boarded by six armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden roughly 30 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast.

India's Kenya mission: all seafarers are safe

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