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Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has officially appointed veteran diplomat Dr Manal Hassan Radwan as advisor and special envoy for negotiations and peace efforts. The appointment marks a significant milestone in advancing women’s leadership within the Kingdom’s diplomatic corps and signals Riyadh’s expanding role in mediating regional and international crises.&nbsp;Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, commended the appointment on social media, describing it as a "proud milestone for women in the Kingdom" and a pivotal step forward for female representation in global governance and peacebuilding efforts.<h2>Who is Dr Manal Hassan Radwan?</h2>&nbsp;With a quarter-century of expertise in multilateral diplomacy, international negotiations, and strategic foreign policy. Prior to her selection as special envoy, she served as minister plenipotentiary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her domestic advisory roles include serving as an advisor at the Foreign Ministry since 2017, an advisor in the Office of the Minister of State for African Affairs, and an advisor directly within the Foreign Minister's office starting in 2021.&nbsp;Her international postings encompass key positions across major global diplomatic hubs. Between 2012 and 2017, Radwan served at Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Her foreign tenure also includes work at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC focusing on political and congressional affairs and representing the Kingdom at the Permanent Mission to the League of Arab States in Cairo.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-pakistan-turkey-defence-secretariat-mecca-pact-1788197184561">Pakistan to lead secretariat in Riyadh under Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact</a>&nbsp;In recent years, Radwan has spearheaded critical mediation and peace portfolios. She served as head of the Kingdom's negotiation team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concentrating on regional security, West Asia peace revivals, and international nuclear diplomacy. In May 2025, she led the Saudi delegation at the United Nations preparatory session for the High-Level International Conference on the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mecca-pact-why-pakistan-may-have-emerged-weaker-in-the-conflict-with-india-1787930090357">Mecca Pact: Why Pakistan may have emerged weaker in the conflict with India. WION DECODES</a><h2>Dr Radwan’s academic background</h2>&nbsp;Dr Radwan holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Political Science and Government from George Washington University. She earned a second Master’s degree alongside a PhD in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate diploma in International Human Rights Law from the American University in Cairo.&nbsp;In her new mandate, Dr Radwan will lead international dialogues, coordinate diplomatic peace initiatives, and represent the Saudi Foreign Ministry in bilateral and multilateral peace talks across global forums.

Saudi Arabia has appointed Dr Manal Radwan as a special envoy for negotiations and peace efforts. Learn more about the diplomat’s profile. 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has officially appointed veteran diplomat Dr Manal Hassan Radwan as advisor and special envoy for negotiations and peace efforts. The appointment marks a significant milestone in advancing women’s leadership within the Kingdom’s diplomatic corps and signals Riyadh’s expanding role in mediating regional and international crises. Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, commended the appointment on social media, describing it as a "proud milestone for women in the Kingdom" and a pivotal step forward for female representation in global governance and peacebuilding efforts. Who is Dr Manal Hassan Radwan? With a quarter-century of expertise in multilateral diplomacy, international negotiations, and strategic foreign policy. Prior to her selection as special envoy, she served as minister plenipotentiary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her domestic advisory roles include serving as an advisor at the Foreign Ministry since 2017, an advisor in the Office of the Minister of State for African Affairs, and an advisor directly within the Foreign Minister's office starting in 2021. Her international postings encompass key positions across major global diplomatic hubs. Between 2012 and 2017, Radwan served at Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Her foreign tenure also includes work at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC focusing on political and congressional affairs and representing the Kingdom at the Permanent Mission to the League of Arab States in Cairo. Also read: Pakistan to lead secretariat in Riyadh under Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact In recent years, Radwan has spearheaded critical mediation and peace portfolios. She served as head of the Kingdom's negotiation team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concentrating on regional security, West Asia peace revivals, and international nuclear diplomacy. In May 2025, she led the Saudi delegation at the United Nations preparatory session for the High-Level International Conference on the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Also read: Mecca Pact: Why Pakistan may have emerged weaker in the conflict with India. WION DECODES Dr Radwan’s academic background Dr Radwan holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Political Science and Government from George Washington University. She earned a second Master’s degree alongside a PhD in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate diploma in International Human Rights Law from the American University in Cairo. In her new mandate, Dr Radwan will lead international dialogues, coordinate diplomatic peace initiatives, and represent the Saudi Foreign Ministry in bilateral and multilateral peace talks across global forums.

Saudi Arabia has appointed Dr Manal Radwan as a special envoy for negotiations and peace efforts. Learn more about the diplomat’s profile.

Meet Dr Manal Radwan: Saudi Arabia names woman as peace and negotiation envoy

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS Summit 2026 is about much more than a multilateral meeting in New Delhi. If Xi does arrive, his presence at the September 12–13 summit would mark his first visit to India in seven years and provide the clearest public signal yet that Beijing and New Delhi are trying to stabilise a relationship damaged by the 2020 border clashes. Reuters has reported that Chinese officials are preparing for the trip, including security and hotel arrangements, although Beijing has not formally confirmed Xi’s attendance.&nbsp;But the bigger question is: why now? The answer lies in months of quiet diplomacy and a series of practical bargains between India and China, from the Line of Actual Control to direct air links, border trade and Chinese supplies of strategically important commodities. And behind all of this is another factor: India’s attempt to protect its strategic room for manoeuvre at a time when its relationship with Washington is becoming more complicated.<h2>The border came first</h2>The most important piece of the India-China reset remains the LAC. The 2020 clashes transformed bilateral ties. Military deployments and a prolonged standoff along the disputed Himalayan frontier pushed the relationship to its lowest point in decades. The October 2024 disengagement agreement became the first major opening. It did not resolve the boundary dispute, but it created space for both governments to begin rebuilding political and economic engagement.&nbsp;Since then, Delhi has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquility along the border are essential for the broader relationship. That remains a crucial Indian red line. Even in August 2026, amid reports of another patrol-related confrontation, India reiterated that border peace is critical to bilateral ties. This distinction matters. India is not abandoning its security concerns or suddenly treating China as a partner. Instead, Delhi appears to be pursuing a more calibrated approach: manage the border dispute, prevent another military crisis and selectively restore engagement where Indian interests are served.<h2>Then came the economic bargaining</h2>The thaw has also been built around very practical issues. In August 2025, India and China agreed to work towards restoring direct flight connectivity, facilitating visas, reopening designated border-trade points and easing trade and investment flows.For India, however, connectivity was only one part of the equation. Beijing also indicated that it would address Indian concerns over supplies of fertilisers, rare-earth minerals and magnets, and tunnel-boring machines, commodities and industrial inputs where Chinese dominance can create vulnerabilities for Indian manufacturers and infrastructure projects.&nbsp;That is where the relationship gets particularly interesting. India's China policy since 2020 has broadly sought to reduce strategic dependence on Beijing while simultaneously recognising that completely decoupling from the world's manufacturing giant is neither practical nor necessarily desirable. The emerging formula is therefore closer to ‘de-risk, not disengage’. India wants alternative supply chains and greater domestic capacity. But it also wants critical Chinese supplies to keep moving when they are necessary for the Indian economy.<h2>Direct flights are more than just connectivity</h2>The agreement to resume direct flights also carries diplomatic significance. For years, the India-China relationship became increasingly insulated from normal people-to-people contact. Tourism, business travel, academic exchanges and other interactions were disrupted after the pandemic and the border crisis. Restoring flights and easing visas is therefore part of rebuilding the infrastructure of the relationship itself. It does not mean the trust deficit has disappeared. Rather, it suggests that both sides have concluded that permanent confrontation is too costly.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-latest-eu-state-cautioned-by-india-over-arms-for-pakistan-gets-assurances-from-brussels-1788418519449">Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels</a><h2>The SCO groundwork mattered</h2>The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has provided another important diplomatic channel. The SCO platform allowed Modi and Xi to engage at a time when neither India nor China was ready to present the bilateral relationship as fully normalised. That gradual process of leader-level engagement has helped create the political space for the next stage: Xi potentially travelling to New Delhi. The trajectory has been visible since the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan in October 2024 and the subsequent diplomatic push to stabilise ties. India and China also agreed to support each other’s BRICS presidencies, China backing India’s 2026 summit and India supporting China’s 2027 summit. So the BRICS meeting is not appearing out of nowhere. The groundwork has been laid for months.<h2>But there is a Washington angle too</h2>This is perhaps the most consequential part of the story. India's engagement with China is taking place against a complicated relationship with the United States. Washington remains a critical strategic and economic partner for New Delhi, particularly on defence, technology, supply chains and the Indo-Pacific. But tensions over trade and tariffs have complicated the relationship.&nbsp;At the same time, China has become one of the most important targets of Washington's economic and strategic pressure. That creates an unusual convergence between Delhi and Beijing. India does not want to become part of a US-China confrontation.And China has little interest in seeing India move completely into an American strategic camp. That does not mean India is switching sides.&nbsp;Quite the opposite. New Delhi's approach is better understood as strategic autonomy: maintain strong relations with Washington, deepen ties with other partners, and simultaneously stabilise relations with Beijing where Indian interests demand it. The India-China discussions have themselves reflected this broader outlook, with both sides stressing multilateralism, a rules-based trading system and a multipolar world.<h2>What does Xi want?</h2>For Xi, coming to Delhi would also carry several benefits. First, it would demonstrate that the China-India relationship is moving beyond the post-2020 confrontation. Second, Beijing has an interest in ensuring that BRICS remains cohesive as the grouping expands and becomes a more important platform for the Global South.&nbsp;Third, China's relationship with India cannot be managed entirely through the border. The two countries are competitors in Asia, but they also share interests in trade, multilateral institutions, energy security and the broader question of how global power should be distributed. Xi's presence would allow Beijing to send a message that China and India can compete while simultaneously maintaining dialogue.<h2>What does India want?</h2>For Delhi, the calculation is equally straightforward. India wants the border to remain stable. It wants critical Chinese imports, particularly rare earths and other industrial inputs, to remain accessible. It wants greater connectivity and trade without returning to the pre-2020 model of deep economic dependence.&nbsp;And it wants room to manoeuvre internationally. That makes Xi's potential visit less a symbol of “India and China are friends again” and more a symbol of something far more pragmatic: India and China have decided that managed competition is preferable to uncontrolled confrontation.<h2>The BRICS test</h2>That is why Xi's expected arrival in New Delhi matters. The BRICS Summit will put Modi and Xi in the same room at precisely the moment when both countries are testing whether their fragile reset can survive strategic competition. The border remains unresolved. Trust remains limited. China remains a major security challenge for India.&nbsp;But the channels of communication are reopening. Flights are being restored. Trade mechanisms are being revived. Critical supplies are back in the conversation. Border-management mechanisms are being strengthened. And the two sides are preparing for another round of high-level engagement. So when Xi potentially arrives in Delhi, the headline may be BRICS 2026.&nbsp;But the real story will be the bargain underneath it: India and China are not ending their rivalry. They are trying to make it manageable — while ensuring that neither Washington nor Beijing gets to dictate the limits of India's strategic choices.

Why is Xi Jinping coming to India for BRICS 2026? Here’s how LAC disengagement, direct flights, rare earths, fertilisers and US tensions shaped the thaw

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS Summit 2026 is about much more than a multilateral meeting in New Delhi. If Xi does arrive, his presence at the September 12–13 summit would mark his first visit to India in seven years and provide the clearest public signal yet that Beijing and New Delhi are trying to stabilise a relationship damaged by the 2020 border clashes. Reuters has reported that Chinese officials are preparing for the trip, including security and hotel arrangements, although Beijing has not formally confirmed Xi’s attendance. But the bigger question is: why now? The answer lies in months of quiet diplomacy and a series of practical bargains between India and China, from the Line of Actual Control to direct air links, border trade and Chinese supplies of strategically important commodities. And behind all of this is another factor: India’s attempt to protect its strategic room for manoeuvre at a time when its relationship with Washington is becoming more complicated. The border came first The most important piece of the India-China reset remains the LAC. The 2020 clashes transformed bilateral ties. Military deployments and a prolonged standoff along the disputed Himalayan frontier pushed the relationship to its lowest point in decades. The October 2024 disengagement agreement became the first major opening. It did not resolve the boundary dispute, but it created space for both governments to begin rebuilding political and economic engagement. Since then, Delhi has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquility along the border are essential for the broader relationship. That remains a crucial Indian red line. Even in August 2026, amid reports of another patrol-related confrontation, India reiterated that border peace is critical to bilateral ties. This distinction matters. India is not abandoning its security concerns or suddenly treating China as a partner. Instead, Delhi appears to be pursuing a more calibrated approach: manage the border dispute, prevent another military crisis and selectively restore engagement where Indian interests are served. Then came the economic bargaining The thaw has also been built around very practical issues. In August 2025, India and China agreed to work towards restoring direct flight connectivity, facilitating visas, reopening designated border-trade points and easing trade and investment flows. For India, however, connectivity was only one part of the equation. Beijing also indicated that it would address Indian concerns over supplies of fertilisers, rare-earth minerals and magnets, and tunnel-boring machines, commodities and industrial inputs where Chinese dominance can create vulnerabilities for Indian manufacturers and infrastructure projects. That is where the relationship gets particularly interesting. India's China policy since 2020 has broadly sought to reduce strategic dependence on Beijing while simultaneously recognising that completely decoupling from the world's manufacturing giant is neither practical nor necessarily desirable. The emerging formula is therefore closer to ‘de-risk, not disengage’. India wants alternative supply chains and greater domestic capacity. But it also wants critical Chinese supplies to keep moving when they are necessary for the Indian economy. Direct flights are more than just connectivity The agreement to resume direct flights also carries diplomatic significance. For years, the India-China relationship became increasingly insulated from normal people-to-people contact. Tourism, business travel, academic exchanges and other interactions were disrupted after the pandemic and the border crisis. Restoring flights and easing visas is therefore part of rebuilding the infrastructure of the relationship itself. It does not mean the trust deficit has disappeared. Rather, it suggests that both sides have concluded that permanent confrontation is too costly. Also Read: Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels The SCO groundwork mattered The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has provided another important diplomatic channel. The SCO platform allowed Modi and Xi to engage at a time when neither India nor China was ready to present the bilateral relationship as fully normalised. That gradual process of leader-level engagement has helped create the political space for the next stage: Xi potentially travelling to New Delhi. The trajectory has been visible since the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan in October 2024 and the subsequent diplomatic push to stabilise ties. India and China also agreed to support each other’s BRICS presidencies, China backing India’s 2026 summit and India supporting China’s 2027 summit. So the BRICS meeting is not appearing out of nowhere. The groundwork has been laid for months. But there is a Washington angle too This is perhaps the most consequential part of the story. India's engagement with China is taking place against a complicated relationship with the United States. Washington remains a critical strategic and economic partner for New Delhi, particularly on defence, technology, supply chains and the Indo-Pacific. But tensions over trade and tariffs have complicated the relationship. At the same time, China has become one of the most important targets of Washington's economic and strategic pressure. That creates an unusual convergence between Delhi and Beijing. India does not want to become part of a US-China confrontation. And China has little interest in seeing India move completely into an American strategic camp. That does not mean India is switching sides. Quite the opposite. New Delhi's approach is better understood as strategic autonomy: maintain strong relations with Washington, deepen ties with other partners, and simultaneously stabilise relations with Beijing where Indian interests demand it. The India-China discussions have themselves reflected this broader outlook, with both sides stressing multilateralism, a rules-based trading system and a multipolar world. What does Xi want? For Xi, coming to Delhi would also carry several benefits. First, it would demonstrate that the China-India relationship is moving beyond the post-2020 confrontation. Second, Beijing has an interest in ensuring that BRICS remains cohesive as the grouping expands and becomes a more important platform for the Global South. Third, China's relationship with India cannot be managed entirely through the border. The two countries are competitors in Asia, but they also share interests in trade, multilateral institutions, energy security and the broader question of how global power should be distributed. Xi's presence would allow Beijing to send a message that China and India can compete while simultaneously maintaining dialogue. What does India want? For Delhi, the calculation is equally straightforward. India wants the border to remain stable. It wants critical Chinese imports, particularly rare earths and other industrial inputs, to remain accessible. It wants greater connectivity and trade without returning to the pre-2020 model of deep economic dependence. And it wants room to manoeuvre internationally. That makes Xi's potential visit less a symbol of “India and China are friends again” and more a symbol of something far more pragmatic: India and China have decided that managed competition is preferable to uncontrolled confrontation. The BRICS test That is why Xi's expected arrival in New Delhi matters. The BRICS Summit will put Modi and Xi in the same room at precisely the moment when both countries are testing whether their fragile reset can survive strategic competition. The border remains unresolved. Trust remains limited. China remains a major security challenge for India. But the channels of communication are reopening. Flights are being restored. Trade mechanisms are being revived. Critical supplies are back in the conversation. Border-management mechanisms are being strengthened. And the two sides are preparing for another round of high-level engagement. So when Xi potentially arrives in Delhi, the headline may be BRICS 2026. But the real story will be the bargain underneath it: India and China are not ending their rivalry. They are trying to make it manageable — while ensuring that neither Washington nor Beijing gets to dictate the limits of India's strategic choices.

Xi Jinping’s expected India visit for BRICS 2026 follows a quiet India-China reset over the LAC, flights, rare earths and trade, amid US tensions

Xi at BRICS Summit: US factor, LAC normalisation and other variables ahead of Chinese president's likely visit

The 18th BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship from 12–13 September. Officials say it will bring together the bloc’s 11 members, partner countries and outreach invitees. The theme of the Summit this year is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.&nbsp;So, as India gears up to host the BRICS Summit, we take a look at how the group was formed and the purpose of the block.&nbsp;BRIC origin&nbsp;BRIC was originally an economic concept that later transformed into a political and diplomatic grouping. In 2001 Jim O'Neill, then chief economist at Goldman Sachs identified four large emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India and China that he believed would play an increasingly important role in the global economy.&nbsp;Later the BRIC countries saw potential in cooperating on issues such as:&nbsp;<ul><li>Reforming global financial institutions like IMF and World Bank</li><li>Increasing the influence of emerging economies</li><li>Expanding trade and investment among themselves</li></ul>&nbsp;It is then that in 2006 the foreign ministers of the BRIC countries first met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. About three years later, the first BRIC leaders' summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.&nbsp;<h2>BRIC becomes BRICS</h2>&nbsp;A year later, in 2010, BRIC countries invited South Africa to join the group, and from 2011 onward the acronym became BRICS, with the "S" standing for South Africa.&nbsp;Since then it has continued to grow. Beginning in 2024, the group admitted several new members with the aim of strengthening cooperation among emerging and developing economies and promoting a more multipolar international order.&nbsp;<h2>Purpose of the block</h2>&nbsp;Promote economic cooperation and trade has been one the major ideas of the BRICS. Reforming global governance institutions and increase the voice of developing countries in international affairs has been the other motive of the group.&nbsp;It also encourages investment through institutions such as the New Development Bank, formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS nations.&nbsp;Cooperation on issues related to energy, technology, health, and sustainable development is also BRICS' main point of focus.&nbsp;Today, BRICS with a significant share of the world's population, economic output, and natural resources is one of the most influential block among the emerging economies.&nbsp;

It is in 2006 the foreign ministers of the BRIC countries first met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, which was followed  by BRIC leaders' summit in Russia, in 2009.

The 18th BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship from 12–13 September. Officials say it will bring together the bloc’s 11 members, partner countries and outreach invitees. The theme of the Summit this year is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. So, as India gears up to host the BRICS Summit, we take a look at how the group was formed and the purpose of the block. BRIC origin BRIC was originally an economic concept that later transformed into a political and diplomatic grouping. In 2001 Jim O'Neill, then chief economist at Goldman Sachs identified four large emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India and China that he believed would play an increasingly important role in the global economy. Later the BRIC countries saw potential in cooperating on issues such as: Reforming global financial institutions like IMF and World Bank Increasing the influence of emerging economies Expanding trade and investment among themselves It is then that in 2006 the foreign ministers of the BRIC countries first met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. About three years later, the first BRIC leaders' summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. BRIC becomes BRICS A year later, in 2010, BRIC countries invited South Africa to join the group, and from 2011 onward the acronym became BRICS, with the "S" standing for South Africa. Since then it has continued to grow. Beginning in 2024, the group admitted several new members with the aim of strengthening cooperation among emerging and developing economies and promoting a more multipolar international order. Purpose of the block Promote economic cooperation and trade has been one the major ideas of the BRICS. Reforming global governance institutions and increase the voice of developing countries in international affairs has been the other motive of the group. It also encourages investment through institutions such as the New Development Bank, formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS nations. Cooperation on issues related to energy, technology, health, and sustainable development is also BRICS' main point of focus. Today, BRICS with a significant share of the world's population, economic output, and natural resources is one of the most influential block among the emerging economies.

It is in 2006 the foreign ministers of the BRIC countries first met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, which was followed &nbsp;by BRIC leaders' summit in Russia, in 2009.

How BRICS went from a Goldman Sachs idea to a geopolitical force. WION DECODES

Kuwait on Thursday (Sep 3) said that it was confronting hostile missile and drone attacks from Iran, a day after US President Donald Trump renewed hostilities in the West Asia. Kuwait advised residents to follow security and safety instructions, adding that any explosions heard in the country were due to air defense systems intercepting hostile targets. The strikes were targeted at US bases in Kuwait, Iranian state media outlet IRIB said. Trump had said the strikes in Iran would not last “too long,” but US will be prepared to strike Iran whenever it wants. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary ​of State Marco Rubio are trying to keep the Iran conflict relatively “quiet” until the elections are over, Reuters reported.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;<blockquote>“I don’t think it will [war] be very much longer ... I don’t know how much more they [Iran] can take,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, describing the American strikes against Iran on Tuesday as a “very heavy attack,” adding that the US was prepared for further military operations “any time we want.”</blockquote>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-retaliatory-strikes-with-missiles-and-drones-iranian-media-1788294861231">Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack</a> Meanwhile, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a potential attack from Tehran would be "one of their last decisions," as he addressed the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip and threats from Iran during a visit to the Afiki Daat Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot on Wednesday. “Pay attention also to what is happening with Iran,” said Netanyahu. “They are attacking and threatening everyone, but not here, because they already know what the significance of an attack against Israel would be.” Netanyahu also addressed the situation in Gaza, claiming that Israel has altered the security reality in the region. “We control a wide area in the Strip and are acting against those who threaten us. Just yesterday, we took out Hamas’s Shin Bet chief, and there is no one raising their head in Gaza,” he said.

Kuwait’s army said it was confronting Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iran reportedly targeted US bases in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Trump warned the conflict would continue, while Netanyahu said an Iranian attack on Israel could be one of Tehran’s last decisions.

Kuwait on Thursday (Sep 3) said that it was confronting hostile missile and drone attacks from Iran, a day after US President Donald Trump renewed hostilities in the West Asia. Kuwait advised residents to follow security and safety instructions, adding that any explosions heard in the country were due to air defense systems intercepting hostile targets. The strikes were targeted at US bases in Kuwait, Iranian state media outlet IRIB said. Trump had said the strikes in Iran would not last “too long,” but US will be prepared to strike Iran whenever it wants. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are trying to keep the Iran conflict relatively “quiet” until the elections are over, Reuters reported. Also Read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' “I don’t think it will [war] be very much longer ... I don’t know how much more they [Iran] can take,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, describing the American strikes against Iran on Tuesday as a “very heavy attack,” adding that the US was prepared for further military operations “any time we want.” Also Read: Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack Meanwhile, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a potential attack from Tehran would be "one of their last decisions," as he addressed the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip and threats from Iran during a visit to the Afiki Daat Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot on Wednesday. “Pay attention also to what is happening with Iran,” said Netanyahu. “They are attacking and threatening everyone, but not here, because they already know what the significance of an attack against Israel would be.” Netanyahu also addressed the situation in Gaza, claiming that Israel has altered the security reality in the region. “We control a wide area in the Strip and are acting against those who threaten us. Just yesterday, we took out Hamas’s Shin Bet chief, and there is no one raising their head in Gaza,” he said.

Kuwait’s army said it was confronting Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iran reportedly targeted US bases in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Trump warned the conflict would continue, while Netanyahu said an Iranian attack on Israel could be one of Tehran’s last decisions.

Iran targets US bases in Kuwait; Netanyahu warns Tehran attack could be ‘one of their last decisions’

Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that there is no “real solution” to end the war in Gaza, while directing the Israeli military to begin devising a mechanism for the Palestinians’ departure. “There is no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration,” Katz said. He claimed that “80% [of Palestinians in Gaza] want to migrate; it’s checked constantly in surveys.” Katz did not specify which “surveys” he was referring to. He also said that Israel is waiting for the green-light from US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-greece-3-billion-defence-deal-achilles-shield-1788171336265">Israel, Greece sign €3 billion defence deal to build 'Achilles' Shield'</a>&nbsp;Katz said the Israeli government was “fully prepared to move [Palestinians] out if it becomes possible—by sea, by air, by every way possible.” “What’s delaying it is that the accepting countries want US support,” Katz said. “Every country that is willing wants American backing. Currently, President Trump didn’t cancel this; he froze it. All the Arab countries came to him due to their pressure on this matter.” Katz said “the moment will come” when “it becomes clear that&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;is not meeting its commitment” to the Phase 2 disarmament-and-withdrawal roadmap agreed to by the Palestinian militant group in July.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-israel-tensions-escalate-as-ankara-hits-back-at-netanyahu-over-erdogan-attacks-1788097833818">Turkey-Israel Tensions Escalate As Ankara Hits Back At Netanyahu Over Erdogan Attacks</a>&nbsp;Additionally, former British ambassador to the UN Jeremy Greenstock accused former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair of asking the Palestinian Authority (PA) to remove any mention of the word 'Palestine' from schoolbooks. Greenstock, who held the ambassador role between 1998 and 2003 and then served as Special Representative for Iraq, made the claims while on the David Hearst Podcast on Wednesday.&nbsp;"[Blair] recently, I understand, was asked by the Board of Peace to go to Ramallah and ask to remove from the Palestinian curriculum any mention of the word Palestine if they were to be treated by the Board of Peace as capable of coming to an agreement with Israel to end the current conflict that had stemmed from 7 October onwards," Greenstock told Hearst, recalling information he allegedly received from a ministerial level source."

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel has plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and is awaiting US President Donald Trump’s approval. Katz said the plan could move Palestinians by sea or air, while critics called it ethnic cleansing.

Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that there is no “real solution” to end the war in Gaza, while directing the Israeli military to begin devising a mechanism for the Palestinians’ departure. “There is no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration,” Katz said. He claimed that “80% [of Palestinians in Gaza] want to migrate; it’s checked constantly in surveys.” Katz did not specify which “surveys” he was referring to. He also said that Israel is waiting for the green-light from US President Donald Trump. Also Read: Israel, Greece sign €3 billion defence deal to build 'Achilles' Shield' Katz said the Israeli government was “fully prepared to move [Palestinians] out if it becomes possible—by sea, by air, by every way possible.” “What’s delaying it is that the accepting countries want US support,” Katz said. “Every country that is willing wants American backing. Currently, President Trump didn’t cancel this; he froze it. All the Arab countries came to him due to their pressure on this matter.” Katz said “the moment will come” when “it becomes clear that Hamas is not meeting its commitment” to the Phase 2 disarmament-and-withdrawal roadmap agreed to by the Palestinian militant group in July. Also Read: Turkey-Israel Tensions Escalate As Ankara Hits Back At Netanyahu Over Erdogan Attacks Additionally, former British ambassador to the UN Jeremy Greenstock accused former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair of asking the Palestinian Authority (PA) to remove any mention of the word 'Palestine' from schoolbooks. Greenstock, who held the ambassador role between 1998 and 2003 and then served as Special Representative for Iraq, made the claims while on the David Hearst Podcast on Wednesday. "[Blair] recently, I understand, was asked by the Board of Peace to go to Ramallah and ask to remove from the Palestinian curriculum any mention of the word Palestine if they were to be treated by the Board of Peace as capable of coming to an agreement with Israel to end the current conflict that had stemmed from 7 October onwards," Greenstock told Hearst, recalling information he allegedly received from a ministerial level source."

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel has plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and is awaiting US President Donald Trump’s approval. Katz said the plan could move Palestinians by sea or air, while critics called it ethnic cleansing.

'Ready to relocate Palestinians from Gaza if Trump gives green light': Israel Defence Minister Katz

Belgium has assured India it will not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, Indian officials said, after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue with his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, in New Delhi on Thursday. The assurance came as Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever paid the first visit by a Belgian head of government to India in two decades, accompanied by Francken and a large industrial delegation. Ten agreements between Belgian and Indian defence firms were due to be signed, covering ammunition plants, naval mine-hunting systems, rockets, electro-optical sights and other equipment.&nbsp;Officials said Singh used the meeting to press a point New Delhi has made repeatedly to European partners: that closer industrial ties with India should not sit alongside military co-operation with Pakistan, which India accuses of backing cross-border terrorism. Pakistan based terrorists have been responsible for number of terror attacks in India. Belgium is the latest country to receive that caution after similar messages were delivered to Japan, the Netherlands and Italy.&nbsp;During Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visit to Delhi last month, India urged Japan to keep advanced defence technology out of Pakistani hands, citing the legacy of the A.Q. Khan network and past nuclear and missile transfers to Pyongyang. Defence minister Singh told Francken that the two countries had “the potential to further expand their partnership amid a period of great geopolitical and economic turmoil”. “The world is witnessing a time of great geopolitical and economic turmoil. Most of it is not our doing, but we have to handle the challenges. In such situations, meeting a friend and partner like you provides a useful opportunity to exchange views and perspectives,” he said.&nbsp;A Belgian government note issued with the visit set out the industrial package. Liège firm New Lachaussée is to supply Tembo Classic Engineering with a production line capable of about 100 million rounds of ammunition a year, a project valued at €50 million. Exail Belgium will provide autonomous mine-countermeasure “toolboxes” for vessels being built by Larsen &amp; Toubro; the first phase covers 12 ships and could grow. Thales Belgium will assemble 70mm rockets in India with Kalyani Strategic Systems, with the first fully Indian-made rocket expected in early 2027.&nbsp;Other talks involve FN Herstal on weapons and counter-drone systems, Pitagone on vehicle barriers, drone-maker Sol.One, OIP Sensor Systems on sights for the Arjun tank, John Cockerill Defense on a turret for the high-altitude Zorawar light tank, visualisation firm Octave with Bharat Electronics, and marine-engine maker Anglo Belgian Corporation with Kirloskar. India wants technology and co-production under its Make in India drive while trying to limit European hardware and know-how reaching Islamabad.

Belgium has assured India it will not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, officials said after Rajnath Singh met Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken. The assurance came during PM Bart De Wever’s India visit, alongside 10 defence agreements

Belgium has assured India it will not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, Indian officials said, after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue with his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, in New Delhi on Thursday. The assurance came as Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever paid the first visit by a Belgian head of government to India in two decades, accompanied by Francken and a large industrial delegation. Ten agreements between Belgian and Indian defence firms were due to be signed, covering ammunition plants, naval mine-hunting systems, rockets, electro-optical sights and other equipment. Officials said Singh used the meeting to press a point New Delhi has made repeatedly to European partners: that closer industrial ties with India should not sit alongside military co-operation with Pakistan, which India accuses of backing cross-border terrorism. Pakistan based terrorists have been responsible for number of terror attacks in India. Belgium is the latest country to receive that caution after similar messages were delivered to Japan, the Netherlands and Italy. During Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visit to Delhi last month, India urged Japan to keep advanced defence technology out of Pakistani hands, citing the legacy of the A.Q. Khan network and past nuclear and missile transfers to Pyongyang. Defence minister Singh told Francken that the two countries had “the potential to further expand their partnership amid a period of great geopolitical and economic turmoil”. “The world is witnessing a time of great geopolitical and economic turmoil. Most of it is not our doing, but we have to handle the challenges. In such situations, meeting a friend and partner like you provides a useful opportunity to exchange views and perspectives,” he said. A Belgian government note issued with the visit set out the industrial package. Liège firm New Lachaussée is to supply Tembo Classic Engineering with a production line capable of about 100 million rounds of ammunition a year, a project valued at €50 million. Exail Belgium will provide autonomous mine-countermeasure “toolboxes” for vessels being built by Larsen & Toubro; the first phase covers 12 ships and could grow. Thales Belgium will assemble 70mm rockets in India with Kalyani Strategic Systems, with the first fully Indian-made rocket expected in early 2027. Other talks involve FN Herstal on weapons and counter-drone systems, Pitagone on vehicle barriers, drone-maker Sol.One, OIP Sensor Systems on sights for the Arjun tank, John Cockerill Defense on a turret for the high-altitude Zorawar light tank, visualisation firm Octave with Bharat Electronics, and marine-engine maker Anglo Belgian Corporation with Kirloskar. India wants technology and co-production under its Make in India drive while trying to limit European hardware and know-how reaching Islamabad.

Belgium has assured India it will not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, officials said after Rajnath Singh met Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken. The assurance came during PM Bart De Wever’s India visit, alongside 10 defence agreements

Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels

Amid the ongoing election campaign, scheduled for October 27, Israeli political strategist Moshe Klughaft claimed that the real story of the campaign isn't just what candidates say, but what actually dominates public conversation. His remarks followed after Sara Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, claimed that Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats party, had prior knowledge of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack in which more than 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered, resulting in to launched the war that still continues to this day. The development followed with Golan's defamation suit against Sara Netanyahu for spreading conspiracy theories and her counter-defamation suit against him. Golan is a former deputy IDF chief of staff, who donned his IDF uniform during the Hamas attack on October 7 and drove to the Supernova music festival in the South to help. Sara's statement against Golan did not appear scripted, but it came after she was shown a clip of Golan cheering on protesters who demonstrated with noise outside the Tel Aviv hair salon where she was sitting in March 2023, during the judicial reform protests. This comes with another clip in which he denied as disingenuous her subsequent statement that threatened her. In response, Sara stated that Golan should be embarrassed "by a situation in which you are throwing your weight around against a woman in a hair salon." She later contrasted the picture of a senior military man confronting a woman in a salon on that day. "When you are a military officer of such high rank and claim that you fought on October 7, you were already there early in the morning, already dressed and prepared; at a very early hour, when others did not know, such as the prime minister," she said. Later she questioned, "In general, who is the prime minister who needs to know that a war is breaking out? Why inform him?" She left the thought unfinished, yet its meaning was hard to overlook, particularly given that her husband has repeatedly stated in various forums over recent days that the outcome would have been drastically different had he been woken at 3 a.m., when senior security officials were reviewing indications of a potential attack. This is precisely where matters get complicated, as multiple distinct claims are being lumped together under the emotionally loaded terms "betrayal" and "conspiracy." Sara was asked directly: "What do you say about the betrayal theory?" "I don't want to discuss it," she replied. "I don't subscribe to any theories, and I don't know. I support a genuine commission of inquiry."<h3>Sara claims Golan chose not to alert Netanyahu</h3>A more extreme interpretation of the conspiracy theory doesn't suggest that anyone actively colluded with Hamas, but rather that certain figures within the country's security establishment, Golan among them, were aware an attack was imminent and intentionally chose not to alert Netanyahu, driven by a desire to weaken or topple his government. No evidence has surfaced to back this claim. After Sara's statement in the interview prompting the prime minister to release a short video clip stating that he has repeatedly been questioned whether there was a betrayal and has continuously answered that there was not. "I don't think there was a betrayal," he said. "I think there was a failure - a major failure - reflected in what happened during the night and morning before the attack." In another video, he elaborated that there were multiple warning signs prior to the October 7 attack that were known to IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar, and Military Intelligence chief Aharon Haliva. A meeting among top security officials took place around 3 a.m., hours before the assault began at 6:29 a.m., yet Netanyahu was not roused from sleep. He is now pushing this very question, why he wasn't woken, to the forefront of public debate. According to Netanyahu, the explanation lies in a protocol that was submitted to the High Court of Justice. He claims that Bar pushed for sustaining a moderate, low-profile level of alertness to avoid triggering a "miscalculation," while steering clear of larger-scale action that could ignite an avoidable clash. "This group believed that Hamas was deterred," Netanyahu said. “They did not believe Hamas would attack. So they were concerned that if they woke the prime minister - excuse me, 'that madman,' me, right? - they knew exactly what I would do. They knew I would deploy the air force there, mobilise the entire IDF, and not allow anyone to approach the fences - they would be killed immediately. So they said that this would lead to an attack or to an exchange of fire with Hamas, and that had to be prevented. If they had awakened me, everything would have looked different. That is the story of October 7. That is the story.”

Yair Golan is a former deputy IDF chief of staff who donned his IDF uniform during the Hamas attack on October 7 and drove to the Supernova music festival in the South to help.

Amid the ongoing election campaign, scheduled for October 27, Israeli political strategist Moshe Klughaft claimed that the real story of the campaign isn't just what candidates say, but what actually dominates public conversation. His remarks followed after Sara Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, claimed that Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats party, had prior knowledge of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack in which more than 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered, resulting in to launched the war that still continues to this day. The development followed with Golan's defamation suit against Sara Netanyahu for spreading conspiracy theories and her counter-defamation suit against him. Golan is a former deputy IDF chief of staff, who donned his IDF uniform during the Hamas attack on October 7 and drove to the Supernova music festival in the South to help. Sara's statement against Golan did not appear scripted, but it came after she was shown a clip of Golan cheering on protesters who demonstrated with noise outside the Tel Aviv hair salon where she was sitting in March 2023, during the judicial reform protests. This comes with another clip in which he denied as disingenuous her subsequent statement that threatened her. In response, Sara stated that Golan should be embarrassed "by a situation in which you are throwing your weight around against a woman in a hair salon." She later contrasted the picture of a senior military man confronting a woman in a salon on that day. "When you are a military officer of such high rank and claim that you fought on October 7, you were already there early in the morning, already dressed and prepared; at a very early hour, when others did not know, such as the prime minister," she said. Later she questioned, "In general, who is the prime minister who needs to know that a war is breaking out? Why inform him?" She left the thought unfinished, yet its meaning was hard to overlook, particularly given that her husband has repeatedly stated in various forums over recent days that the outcome would have been drastically different had he been woken at 3 a.m., when senior security officials were reviewing indications of a potential attack. This is precisely where matters get complicated, as multiple distinct claims are being lumped together under the emotionally loaded terms "betrayal" and "conspiracy." Sara was asked directly: "What do you say about the betrayal theory?" "I don't want to discuss it," she replied. "I don't subscribe to any theories, and I don't know. I support a genuine commission of inquiry." Sara claims Golan chose not to alert Netanyahu A more extreme interpretation of the conspiracy theory doesn't suggest that anyone actively colluded with Hamas, but rather that certain figures within the country's security establishment, Golan among them, were aware an attack was imminent and intentionally chose not to alert Netanyahu, driven by a desire to weaken or topple his government. No evidence has surfaced to back this claim. After Sara's statement in the interview prompting the prime minister to release a short video clip stating that he has repeatedly been questioned whether there was a betrayal and has continuously answered that there was not. "I don't think there was a betrayal," he said. "I think there was a failure - a major failure - reflected in what happened during the night and morning before the attack." In another video, he elaborated that there were multiple warning signs prior to the October 7 attack that were known to IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar, and Military Intelligence chief Aharon Haliva. A meeting among top security officials took place around 3 a.m., hours before the assault began at 6:29 a.m., yet Netanyahu was not roused from sleep. He is now pushing this very question, why he wasn't woken, to the forefront of public debate. According to Netanyahu, the explanation lies in a protocol that was submitted to the High Court of Justice. He claims that Bar pushed for sustaining a moderate, low-profile level of alertness to avoid triggering a "miscalculation," while steering clear of larger-scale action that could ignite an avoidable clash. "This group believed that Hamas was deterred," Netanyahu said. “They did not believe Hamas would attack. So they were concerned that if they woke the prime minister - excuse me, 'that madman,' me, right? - they knew exactly what I would do. They knew I would deploy the air force there, mobilise the entire IDF, and not allow anyone to approach the fences - they would be killed immediately. So they said that this would lead to an attack or to an exchange of fire with Hamas, and that had to be prevented. If they had awakened me, everything would have looked different. That is the story of October 7. That is the story.”

Yair Golan is a former deputy IDF chief of staff who donned his IDF uniform during the Hamas attack on October 7 and drove to the Supernova music festival in the South to help.

Sara Netanyahu's October 7 remark sparks defamation battle with former IDF officers; hijacked Israeli election agenda

Born in Japan and raised in Nepal during her early childhood, Aditi Paudel developed a love for reading from a remarkably young age. Her earliest memory of reading dates back to preschool, when her grandfather handed her a newspaper filled with intricate Devanagari script. To the surprise of those around her, Paudel was able to make sense of the text. Years later, her passion for reading has grown into a commitment to promoting literacy. The 17-year-old high school senior in Tokyo has now been appointed Japan’s first literacy ambassador, according to a report by The Japan Times.&nbsp;Paudel’s appointment is part of a global program run by the World Literacy Foundation, a nonprofit headquartered in Australia. Around 900 young people aged 16 to 25 from 101 countries are taking part in the initiative. Although the program has been running for 12 years, Paudel is the first ambassador representing Japan, according to Andrew Kay, CEO and founder of the World Literacy Foundation.&nbsp;The initiative aims to connect young people worldwide and encourage them to become advocates for literacy in their own communities. Kay said participants are being encouraged to get “involved and waving the flag for literacy in their community,” while Paudel was selected “for her leadership, passion for literacy, and commitment to empowering young people in Japan.” Kay also highlighted Paudel’s interest in language and its role in shaping her advocacy. “Her curiosity about English shaped thoughtful advocacy, strengthening the program’s global voice and cultural reach,” he added.<h2>From Nepal to Japan: A lifelong love of books</h2>Paudel returned to Japan when she entered third grade. Adjusting to a new environment also meant relearning Japanese, and books became an important part of that process. Her love for reading had already been nurtured by her father, who regularly bought her books. She developed an early interest in fantasy literature and remembers falling in love with Enid Blyton’s The Wishing-Chair.&nbsp;Her reading journey eventually expanded beyond fiction. Reading Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography, I Am Malala, sparked a strong interest in female empowerment and the importance of ensuring that women around the world have access to education and literacy. Paudel also works with children with disabilities and plans to collaborate with the Shanti Volunteer Association to collect and donate books to Asian countries with lower literacy rates, including Nepal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-trump-ending-iran-war-operation-fury-naming-ends-hegseth-extends-troop-plan-to-2027-as-prez-appears-tired-ahead-of-midterms-1788419791056">Is Trump ending Iran war? 'Operation Fury' naming ends, Hegseth extends troop plan to 2027 as prez appears tired ahead of midterms</a><h2>Literacy as a gateway to opportunity</h2>Having experienced the benefits of strong reading skills and access to education herself, Paudel believes literacy extends far beyond simply being able to read and write. She describes literacy as “something that helps you open doors for more opportunities,” highlighting its role in helping people realize their potential.&nbsp;Her perspective is also shaped by her family background. Paudel has experienced firsthand how access to private education influenced the course of her life. “My parents grew up in a completely opposite environment. They did not have a childhood like this,” she said. “Being literate is so important because even though you have the potential, you can never unlock it if you do not have literacy.”<h2>Young people are reading less</h2>Paudel’s advocacy comes at a time when reading habits among young people in Japan are changing. According to a recent study by the Benesse Educational Research &amp; Development Institute and the University of Tokyo, around half of elementary, junior high and high school-age children in Japan do not read books. Andrew Kay said fewer young people are now reading for pleasure and enjoyment, a trend he believes could have serious long-term consequences.&nbsp;“As far as embedding themselves in a novel or reading something that really takes a little bit more effort, that is becoming a rarer thing,” he said. Kay also raised concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence. With AI tools capable of providing quick answers, people may increasingly bypass the process of researching information, reading deeply and developing their own understanding of complex ideas. “It’s turning our clock back 150 years … where most people couldn’t read or would have limited ability to read,” he said of the decline of book reading as a mainstream pursuit. These challenges, he believes, make initiatives such as the World Literacy Foundation’s ambassador program even more important.<h2>Paudel’s Advice: Find a book that connects with you</h2>As a teenager herself, Paudel understands the distractions that compete for young people’s attention, particularly social media and smartphones. “You will always be more inclined to go for your phone rather than a book,” she said. Rather than encouraging young people to work their way through a predetermined list of classic literature, Paudel believes the best way to develop a reading habit is to start with something personally meaningful.&nbsp;Her advice is simple: find a book or subject that connects with you. Reading, she believes, should not only be enjoyable but should also challenge readers to see the world from broader perspectives. For Paudel, literacy is ultimately about much more than words on a page. It is a tool for unlocking potential, creating opportunities and empowering people to shape their own futures.

Aditi Paudel, 17, becomes Japan’s first literacy ambassador, promoting reading, education, youth empowerment and literacy opportunities worldwide

Born in Japan and raised in Nepal during her early childhood, Aditi Paudel developed a love for reading from a remarkably young age. Her earliest memory of reading dates back to preschool, when her grandfather handed her a newspaper filled with intricate Devanagari script. To the surprise of those around her, Paudel was able to make sense of the text. Years later, her passion for reading has grown into a commitment to promoting literacy. The 17-year-old high school senior in Tokyo has now been appointed Japan’s first literacy ambassador, according to a report by The Japan Times. Paudel’s appointment is part of a global program run by the World Literacy Foundation, a nonprofit headquartered in Australia. Around 900 young people aged 16 to 25 from 101 countries are taking part in the initiative. Although the program has been running for 12 years, Paudel is the first ambassador representing Japan, according to Andrew Kay, CEO and founder of the World Literacy Foundation. The initiative aims to connect young people worldwide and encourage them to become advocates for literacy in their own communities. Kay said participants are being encouraged to get “involved and waving the flag for literacy in their community,” while Paudel was selected “for her leadership, passion for literacy, and commitment to empowering young people in Japan.” Kay also highlighted Paudel’s interest in language and its role in shaping her advocacy. “Her curiosity about English shaped thoughtful advocacy, strengthening the program’s global voice and cultural reach,” he added. From Nepal to Japan: A lifelong love of books Paudel returned to Japan when she entered third grade. Adjusting to a new environment also meant relearning Japanese, and books became an important part of that process. Her love for reading had already been nurtured by her father, who regularly bought her books. She developed an early interest in fantasy literature and remembers falling in love with Enid Blyton’s The Wishing-Chair. Her reading journey eventually expanded beyond fiction. Reading Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography, I Am Malala, sparked a strong interest in female empowerment and the importance of ensuring that women around the world have access to education and literacy. Paudel also works with children with disabilities and plans to collaborate with the Shanti Volunteer Association to collect and donate books to Asian countries with lower literacy rates, including Nepal. Also Read: Is Trump ending Iran war? 'Operation Fury' naming ends, Hegseth extends troop plan to 2027 as prez appears tired ahead of midterms Literacy as a gateway to opportunity Having experienced the benefits of strong reading skills and access to education herself, Paudel believes literacy extends far beyond simply being able to read and write. She describes literacy as “something that helps you open doors for more opportunities,” highlighting its role in helping people realize their potential. Her perspective is also shaped by her family background. Paudel has experienced firsthand how access to private education influenced the course of her life. “My parents grew up in a completely opposite environment. They did not have a childhood like this,” she said. “Being literate is so important because even though you have the potential, you can never unlock it if you do not have literacy.” Young people are reading less Paudel’s advocacy comes at a time when reading habits among young people in Japan are changing. According to a recent study by the Benesse Educational Research & Development Institute and the University of Tokyo, around half of elementary, junior high and high school-age children in Japan do not read books. Andrew Kay said fewer young people are now reading for pleasure and enjoyment, a trend he believes could have serious long-term consequences. “As far as embedding themselves in a novel or reading something that really takes a little bit more effort, that is becoming a rarer thing,” he said. Kay also raised concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence. With AI tools capable of providing quick answers, people may increasingly bypass the process of researching information, reading deeply and developing their own understanding of complex ideas. “It’s turning our clock back 150 years … where most people couldn’t read or would have limited ability to read,” he said of the decline of book reading as a mainstream pursuit. These challenges, he believes, make initiatives such as the World Literacy Foundation’s ambassador program even more important. Paudel’s Advice: Find a book that connects with you As a teenager herself, Paudel understands the distractions that compete for young people’s attention, particularly social media and smartphones. “You will always be more inclined to go for your phone rather than a book,” she said. Rather than encouraging young people to work their way through a predetermined list of classic literature, Paudel believes the best way to develop a reading habit is to start with something personally meaningful. Her advice is simple: find a book or subject that connects with you. Reading, she believes, should not only be enjoyable but should also challenge readers to see the world from broader perspectives. For Paudel, literacy is ultimately about much more than words on a page. It is a tool for unlocking potential, creating opportunities and empowering people to shape their own futures.

At just 17, Aditi Paudel has become Japan’s first literacy ambassador, championing reading, education and opportunities for young people worldwide

Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador

An IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru was diverted to Muscat on Thursday (Sep 3) after a crew member required urgent medical attention, the airline said. IndiGo flight 6E 1302, which was operating from Doha to Bengaluru, was diverted to Muscat after a crew member had a medical emergency, the airline said in a statement.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/six-detained-after-alleged-vandalism-at-abhishek-banerjee-s-camac-street-tmc-office-in-kolkata-1788418302563">Six detained after alleged vandalism at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street TMC office in Kolkata</a>&nbsp;The crew member was attended to by a medical team after the aircraft landed in Muscat and is now feeling better, IndiGo said. The airline said an alternate aircraft and a new set of crew members had been arranged to take the passengers to Bengaluru.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;Passengers on board the diverted flight are currently waiting in Muscat for their onward journey. IndiGo said it is providing refreshments and regular updates to passengers while arrangements are being made for the replacement aircraft.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alarming-apathy-india-demands-probe-restoration-of-century-old-hindu-temple-destroyed-in-pakistan-1788370087472">Alarming apathy: India slams Pakistan over century old Hindu temple destruction</a>&nbsp;The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused by the diversion and said it was making efforts to minimise disruption to passengers.&nbsp;“The safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft remains our top priority at IndiGo,” the airline said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-s-first-ceo-retired-air-marshal-jeetendra-mishra-is-a-kargil-veteran-helmed-west-command-during-op-sindoor-1788358961656">Ram Temple’s first CEO Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (Retd.) is a Kargil veteran, helmed West Command during Op Sindoor</a>&nbsp;

An IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru diverted to Muscat after a crew member suffered a medical emergency. Passengers received refreshments while waiting for a replacement aircraft and crew.

An IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru was diverted to Muscat on Thursday (Sep 3) after a crew member required urgent medical attention, the airline said. IndiGo flight 6E 1302, which was operating from Doha to Bengaluru, was diverted to Muscat after a crew member had a medical emergency, the airline said in a statement. Also read: Six detained after alleged vandalism at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street TMC office in Kolkata The crew member was attended to by a medical team after the aircraft landed in Muscat and is now feeling better, IndiGo said. The airline said an alternate aircraft and a new set of crew members had been arranged to take the passengers to Bengaluru. Also read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' Passengers on board the diverted flight are currently waiting in Muscat for their onward journey. IndiGo said it is providing refreshments and regular updates to passengers while arrangements are being made for the replacement aircraft. Also read: Alarming apathy: India slams Pakistan over century old Hindu temple destruction The airline apologised for the inconvenience caused by the diversion and said it was making efforts to minimise disruption to passengers. “The safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft remains our top priority at IndiGo,” the airline said. Also read: Ram Temple’s first CEO Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (Retd.) is a Kargil veteran, helmed West Command during Op Sindoor

An IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru diverted to Muscat after a crew member suffered a medical emergency. Passengers received refreshments while waiting for a replacement aircraft and crew.

Doha-Bengaluru IndiGo flight diverted to Muscat after crew member falls sick. What really happened?

Latest News Today Live Updates: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has arrived in India on his first official visit and is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with bilateral ties, trade and cooperation expected to be on the agenda. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Modi’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid renewed efforts to push for peace talks in the Ukraine conflict.In India, masked men allegedly ransacked and looted Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Kolkata. The Ram Temple trust has also appointed its first CEO, with a woman trustee taking on the key role.Meanwhile, the US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, with Tehran accusing Washington of killing four people at a wedding in a strike it called a “war crime”, while the US has denied targeting civilians.Stay with us for more latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which went viral with its political satire movement that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the role of Union Education Minister, is now facing a challenge from a new party, ‘Cockroach Janta Party - Democratic’. The new faction has been founded by activist Manish Brahmbhatt, who has accused the original CJP of being “sold out and politicised” following the success of its Jantar Mantar protest. Brahmbhatt has claimed that the CJP has now become ‘Team Kejriwal’, referring to Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cjp-sold-out-and-politicised-new-cockroach-janta-party-democratic-faction-challenges-abhijeet-dipke-kejriwal-1788445343362">Read more.</a>

‘CJP sold out and politicised’? New ‘Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic’ challenges Abhijeet Dipke

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in India with a unique diplomatic gift in mind for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the chocolate replica of Delhi’s iconic India Gate failed to make it through the journey. Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday, De Wever revealed that he had planned to present Modi with a sculpture of India Gate made entirely from Belgian chocolate. The replica, however, did not survive the trip to India.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-belgian-pm-planned-unique-gift-for-pm-modi-but-it-melted-away-on-journey-to-india-1788442292821">Read more.</a>

Watch: Belgian PM planned unique gift for PM Modi, but it melted away on journey to India

In a significant peace initiative, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Kyiv on Thursday that India is ready to contribute in any way possible to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Jaishankar made the remark after his counterpart from Kyiv said that Ukraine expects a “new dynamic” in diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war as international engagement resumes.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">Read more.</a>

India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit

Central government offices located in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 as the national capital gears up to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. According to an official memorandum issued on Thursday (Sep 3) by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, all Central government offices in the vicinity of Delhi and New Delhi will remain shut given the scale and arrangement requirements for the high-level summit.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-central-govt-offices-to-remain-shut-on-sep-11-as-india-hosts-brics-summit-all-you-need-to-know-1788437271620">Read more.</a>

Delhi Central govt offices to remain shut on Sep 11 as India hosts BRICS Summit – All you need to know

India will announce the final details of its Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after Washington agrees to offer preferential tariff terms over India's competitors, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. "As soon as the US is able to give us the preferential rate in comparison to our competition, we will finalise the BTA and announce the final details," Goyal said, addressing a national workshop on the Leveraging FTAs Outreach program.

India-US trade deal hinges on preferential terms from US, says Piyush Goyal

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday has removed Minister Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect. The move comes after remarks made by her daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, targeting Revanth Reddy and Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/revanth-reddy-sacks-konda-surekha-from-telangana-cabinet-amid-row-over-daughter-s-remarks-1788435114153">Read full story</a>

CM Revanth Reddy sacks Konda Surekha from Telangana Cabinet amid row over daughter’s remarks

Belgium has assured India it will not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, Indian officials said, after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue with his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, in New Delhi on Thursday. The assurance came as Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever paid the first visit by a Belgian head of government to India in two decades, accompanied by Francken and a large industrial delegation. Ten agreements between Belgian and Indian defence firms were due to be signed, covering ammunition plants, naval mine-hunting systems, rockets, electro-optical sights and other equipment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-latest-eu-state-cautioned-by-india-over-arms-for-pakistan-gets-assurances-from-brussels-1788418519449">Read full story here</a>

A Delhi court has granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday in an alleged multi-crore sewage treatment plant (STP) tender scam being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB). The court’s detailed order is awaited.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aap-s-satyendar-jain-gets-bail-in-delhi-jal-board-linked-corruption-case-know-details-1788429262267">Read More</a> &nbsp;

AAP’s Satyendar Jain gets bail in Delhi Jal Board-linked corruption case. Know details

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to India for the BRICS Summit 2026 is about much more than a multilateral meeting in New Delhi. If Xi does arrive, his presence at the September 12–13 summit would mark his first visit to India in seven years and provide the clearest public signal yet that Beijing and New Delhi are trying to stabilise a relationship damaged by the 2020 border clashes. Reuters has reported that Chinese officials are preparing for the trip, including security and hotel arrangements, although Beijing has not formally confirmed Xi’s attendance.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/xi-at-brics-summit-us-factor-lac-normalisation-and-other-variables-ahead-of-chinese-president-s-likely-visit-1788426519607">Read More</a>

The 18th BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship from 12–13 September. So, as India gears up to host the BRICS Summit, we take a look at how the group was formed and the purpose of the block.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-brics-went-from-a-goldman-sachs-idea-to-a-geopolitical-force-wion-decodes-1788426723174">READ MORE</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (September 3) that Moscow maintained contacts with the U.S. administration and remained in favour of restoring its relationship with Washington.

Putin says contacts with US continue

Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever, says, "The exchange of the Letter of Intent we have just witnessed gives that cooperation a new framework — from government-to-government contacts and military exchanges to research, innovation, co-development, and hopefully co-production. And alongside it, a series of additional defence-related MOUs are being concluded during Minister Francken's mission, bringing companies and institutions from both countries closer together. Because security, too, is something we strengthen by working with partners we can trust. And the same is true for our economies. Prime Minister Modi and I had a very good discussion about trade and investment, and about the broader changes taking place in the world today and the economy of today. My country believes strongly in free and fair trade. For us, open markets are not just an abstract principle; they are part of our economic DNA and the basis of our prosperity..."

Belgium PM over trade and investment 

Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever, says, "Recent years have shown us how quickly supply chains can be disrupted and weaponised, how geopolitical instability can affect our energy and our economies, and how excessive dependencies can become vulnerabilities. Our course rejects two false choices. Firstly, we do not choose protectionism. But neither do we accept naive dependencies. We have done so for far too long. And secondly, we certainly do not believe that the answer is to retreat economically behind our own walls and our own borders. Our answer is strategic openness. Diversification is not decoupling. It means more reliable suppliers, access to more markets, stronger connections, and more trusted partnerships. He adds, "The successful conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement is a major milestone. It would be a happy ending of the year 2026 to see the signature in Belgium, and we would have the honour of receiving Prime Minister Modi in my country. We want to go all in as Belgium to ensure that this agreement is translated into concrete action and tangible results for our citizens... We already have 235 Belgian companies investing in India. Around 95 Indian companies are already present in Belgium. Our bilateral trade in goods stands at 9.4 billion euros, and I think there is a margin for a lot of growth."

Belgium PM on geopolitical instability

The Iranian Red Crescent Society sought the International Criminal Court (ICC) to probe a missile attack launched by the United States that hit a wedding party in the southern town of Kuhestak, claiming the lives of at least four people and wounding dozens. In a letter to the court on Wednesday, the humanitarian group stated that the attack warrants “an independent, impartial, thorough, and effective investigation” given the “civilian character of the location”. Those killed were two women and two children, aged four and 16. An Iranian official said most of the wounded were also women and children.

Iran Red Crescent demands ICC probe into deadly US strike on wedding party

Israeli forces have moved into Halta village, located in Lebanon's southeastern Hasbaiyya district near the border with the occupied Golan Heights, and encircled several homes in the area. The incursion came after Israeli forces contacted a local municipal council member and the village's mayor, adding that several residents were prevented from leaving their houses.

Israeli Forces Advance Into Lebanese Village, Surround Homes Near Golan Border

Egypt and China have stated that establishing Palestine as a sovereign nation, independent of Israel, continues to be "the central issue in the Middle East." During a joint statement issued as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Cairo, both nations reaffirmed their "categorical rejection" of any efforts aimed at displacing Palestinians from their homeland, "under any pretext or designations."They also called for the implementation of the ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip, ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian aid, and enabling the Palestinian Authority to resume governance “as soon as possible.”

China, Egypt back Palestinian sovereignty; raise alarm over displacement from their homeland

The Union government has cleared a Rs 2,077.18 crore project to four-lane a 31.02-km stretch of National Highway 327 in West Bengal's Darjeeling district, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on X. The approved stretch runs from Bagdogra through Panitanki and Kharibari to Galgalia, cutting through the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow strip of land often called India's "Chicken's Neck" that links the country's mainland to its entire Northeast region.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-approves-rs-2-077-crore-for-four-laning-of-nh-327-through-strategic-siliguri-corridor-1788420845522">Read more</a>

Centre approves Rs 2,077 crore for four-laning of NH-327 through strategic Siliguri corridor

Its midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has not much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports including in Wall Street Journal suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started it all on February 28. Meanwhile, Trump's so-called Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-latest-news-india-and-world-live-updates-pm-modi-to-meet-belgium-pm-doval-putin-talks-us-iran-conflict-and-more-1788410285041">Read more here</a>

Is Trump ending Iran war? 'Operation Fury' naming ends, Hegseth extends troop plan to 2027 as prez appears tired ahead of midterms

A flood-like situation in at least 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh has surfaced, with 22 districts battling inundation. Authorities have continued rescue and relief efforts, evacuating 1,528 people to safer locations. The affected districts are: Ayodhya, Badaun, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Farrukhabad, Azamgarh, Ballia, Barabanki, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Hapur, Hardoi, Kasganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Unnao and Varanasi, among others.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/floods-hit-31-up-districts-nearly-1-528-people-evacuated-so-far-rescue-ops-in-full-swing-1788412152093">Read more here</a>

Floods hit 31 UP districts, nearly 14,000 affected in Chitrakoot; rescue ops in full swing

Delhi recorded 90 dengue cases in August, marking the highest monthly count of the year, according to the latest Municipal Corporation of Delhi report. The report also indicated an increase in malaria and chikungunya cases this month. As per data till August 29 this year, the capital recorded 311 dengue cases, 119 malaria cases and 22 chikungunya cases. However, no death has been reported so far due to any of the three diseases. Last week alone, 39 dengue cases have been recorded in Delhi.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-records-highest-monthly-dengue-count-this-year-with-90-cases-in-august-check-total-casualties-1788415383280">Read more here</a>

Delhi records highest monthly dengue count this year with 90 cases in August

A shootout in Kyiv between the intelligence and security services in which three officers were reportedly injured has left the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fuming. Blasting both the departments (SBU and GUR), Zelensky called the situation “absolutely shameful”. The State Security Service (SBU) is Ukraine’s internal security service, while the GUR or HUR is its armed forces counterpart and also carries out military activities and special operations.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chaos-in-ukraine-s-kyiv-zelensky-calls-shootout-between-spy-services-absolutely-shameful-1788414090257">Read more here</a>

Chaos in Ukraine's Kyiv: Zelensky calls shootout between spy services 'absolutely shameful'

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging President Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, sharply criticising his leadership of the Pentagon. Tillis intensified his criticism following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s resignation, which came after repeated disagreements with Hegseth over the removal of senior military officials, including Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-thom-tillis-calls-on-trump-to-fire-pete-hegseth-over-his-inept-management-of-military-1788412160618">Read more here</a>

Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls on Trump to fire Pete Hegseth over his 'inept management' of military

US President Donald Trump has said he is “happy” that Prince Harry and Meghan have left the United States and returned to Britain, renewing his criticism of the couple and their relationship with the British royal family. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he had never been a fan of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and accused them of treating the royal family with “great disrespect.” “I was not a fan,” Trump said, adding that he had a “good relationship” with the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Trump also singled out Meghan for criticism, saying he did not like the way she had acted and describing her as “terribly disrespectful”.

Trump's blunt message for Harry and Meghan as former Royal Family members return to Britain

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was awarded Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight over the Line of Control (LoC) on February 27, 2019, has quit the Indian Air Force and joined a private airline, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. He left the IAF on March 31 and later joined Fly91, a regional carrier, the officials said asking not to be named.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-air-force-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-who-shot-down-pak-fighter-jet-retires-takes-up-private-job-1788409998009">Read more here</a>

Fighter pilot Abhinandan who crashed in Pakistan and shot down F-16 quits Indian Air Force, joins private airline

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raghav Chadha on Thursday accused Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of a "political vendetta" after his name was marked under the "shifted" category in the state's draft electoral roll. Chadha, a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab who was among seven of the 10 AAP members of the upper House to defect to the BJP in April, has been a voter in Mohali.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/political-vendetta-bjp-mp-raghav-chadha-s-name-deleted-from-punjab-sir-draft-list-he-blames-aap-1788414435673">Read here</a>

Raghav Chadha claims name ‘shifted’ in Punjab draft electoral rolls, AAP denies hand

US state secretary Marco Rubio does not believe India and Iran are currently negotiating a trade deal. He made the assertion when asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/sco-summit">SCO</a>) Summit in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek.

'Don’t think India, Iran are making deal': Top Trump official on PM Modi meeting Masoud Pezeshkian

Rajasthan High Court acting chief justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has denied all allegations levelled against him by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, calling them “baseless” and saying they were made out of “animosity”.

Rajasthan HC acting Chief Justice slams SC judge's graft charge

The military conflict between the United States and Iran has experienced a severe escalation following a U.S. missile strike that hit near a residential home hosting a wedding ceremony in Kuhestak, Sirik County

US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, with Tehran accusing Washington of killing four people at a wedding in a strike it called a “war crime”

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer, bringing a former senior Indian Air Force commander into the top executive role as the body overseeing the Ayodhya Ram temple restructures its administration

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Temple Trust

A group of armed masked men ransacked and looted Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Kolkata’s Camac Street in the early hours of Thursday. Banerjee called the attack outrageous, unacceptable, and a disgraceful assault on the rule of law. He alleged that police did not respond to calls and emails for at least two hours and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the attack.

Masked men allegedly ransacked and looted Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Kolkata

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2024 to share direct details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine.&nbsp;

NSA Ajit Doval Meets Russian President Vladimir Putin In Moscow; Russian President To Visit India Soon

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi on 2 September 2026 for a three-day official visit. He is holding high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, 3 September 2026, to expand economic, defensive, and strategic cooperation. This marks De Wever’s first official visit to India since taking office in February 2025

Belgium Prime Minister to arrive in India on first official visit

Latest News India and World LIVE Updates: PM Modi, Belgian PM Bart De Wever’s India visit, Doval-Putin talks on Ukraine, the attack on Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata office, the Ram Temple trust’s new CEO and the escalating US-Iran conflict are among the top developments.

Latest News Today Live Updates: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has arrived in India on his first official visit and is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with bilateral ties, trade and cooperation expected to be on the agenda. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Modi’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid renewed efforts to push for peace talks in the Ukraine conflict. In India, masked men allegedly ransacked and looted Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Kolkata. The Ram Temple trust has also appointed its first CEO, with a woman trustee taking on the key role. Meanwhile, the US-Iran conflict continues to escalate, with Tehran accusing Washington of killing four people at a wedding in a strike it called a “war crime”, while the US has denied targeting civilians. Stay with us for more latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Latest News India and World LIVE Updates: PM Modi, Belgian PM Bart De Wever’s India visit, Doval-Putin talks on Ukraine, the attack on Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata office, the Ram Temple trust’s new CEO and the escalating US-Iran conflict are among the top developments.

Latest News India and World LIVE Updates: PM Modi to meet Belgium PM, Doval-Putin talks, US-Iran conflict and more

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war?<h2>Operation Fury naming officially ends</h2>The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. &nbsp;An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News.Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over.&nbsp;"The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time.Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed</a><h2>What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war</h2>Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week.The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes.Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months.The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment.&nbsp;The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year."<h2>As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma</h2>US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme."I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social.Some of his aides &nbsp;warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want".Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-retaliatory-strikes-with-missiles-and-drones-iranian-media-1788294861231">Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack</a>&nbsp;According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation.&nbsp;But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own."What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report claimed that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war? Operation Fury naming officially ends The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over. "The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time. Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week. The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers. Also read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes. Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months. The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment. The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year." As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme. "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social. Some of his aides warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want". Also read: Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation. But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own." What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report hinted that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, one question is increasingly becoming part of the political conversation in Washington: What happens to Donald Trump if Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives? The answer is more complicated than simply saying Trump would be impeached. A Democratic victory in the House could give the party the constitutional power to launch impeachment proceedings against the president. But impeachment is not the same as removal from office, and Democrats would face a much higher hurdle in the Senate if they wanted to actually remove Trump.&nbsp;Here is everything you need to know.<h2>Can Democrats impeach Trump if they win the House?</h2>Yes. The House of Representatives has the constitutional power to impeach federal officials, including the president. A simple majority vote in the House is enough to approve articles of impeachment. That means Democrats would not need Republican support in the House if they win enough seats to control the chamber and their members remain united.&nbsp;The 2026 midterms are particularly significant because all 435 House seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold a very narrow House majority, making control of the chamber one of the central battles of the November elections. But winning the House would not automatically trigger impeachment. Democratic leaders would still have to decide whether to pursue impeachment, what allegations to investigate and whether there is enough support within the party to move forward.<h2>What exactly does impeachment mean?</h2>One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the issue is that impeachment immediately removes a president from office.It does not. Think of impeachment as the House formally charging the president. The House investigates alleged misconduct and can approve articles of impeachment by a simple majority. If those articles pass, the process moves to the Senate. The Senate then conducts an impeachment trial. For Trump to actually be removed from office, two-thirds of senators present must vote to convict. That is a considerably higher threshold than the one required in the House.<h2>Why would Trump's removal be much harder?</h2>This is where the political mathematics become crucial. Even if Democrats take control of the House, they would need a sufficiently large Senate majority, or Republican senators willing to break with Trump, to reach the two-thirds threshold required for conviction. The Senate has 100 seats, so if all senators are present and voting, 67 votes would be required for conviction. A Democratic House majority therefore could potentially impeach Trump, but it would not by itself have the power to remove him.This distinction is likely to become an important part of the 2026 midterm debate.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-thom-tillis-calls-on-trump-to-fire-pete-hegseth-over-his-inept-management-of-military-1788412160618">Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls on Trump to fire Pete Hegseth over his 'inept management' of military</a><h2>Trump has already been impeached twice</h2>Trump is not new to the impeachment process. During his first presidency, the House impeached him twice. The first impeachment, in 2019, involved allegations related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine. The second came in January 2021, when the House impeached Trump over the charge of incitement of insurrection following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.&nbsp;Trump was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions. In his second impeachment trial, 57 senators voted to convict while 43 voted not guilty, falling short of the 67 votes required for conviction. A future impeachment would therefore be unprecedented in the sense that it would be a third impeachment of the same president.<h2>Are Democrats actually promising to impeach Trump?</h2>This is where the politics get murkier. Some Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups have pushed impeachment arguments, while Democratic leaders have been more cautious about committing the party to an immediate impeachment effort.Republicans, meanwhile, have increasingly made the possibility of a Democratic House impeachment a campaign issue.&nbsp;House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has warned that Democrats could move to impeach Trump if they regain the House, while Democratic leadership has not formally committed to such a strategy. The issue could therefore become a major Republican argument during the midterm campaign: that voting for Democrats could mean congressional investigations and potentially another Trump impeachment.<h2>What could Democrats do besides impeachment?</h2>A Democratic House majority would have another extremely powerful tool: congressional oversight. House committees could investigate Trump's administration, subpoena officials and demand documents and testimony. Recent reporting indicates that House Democrats are already considering aggressive oversight strategies should they regain control, including using Congress' spending authority to pressure administration officials and Trump's associates to cooperate with investigations. That means a Democratic House victory could produce a major increase in investigations even if Democratic leaders ultimately decide not to impeach Trump.<h2>So, could Trump actually be removed from office?</h2>Possible, but much harder than simply winning the House. The process would essentially require three major steps:1. Democrats win control of the House.2. The House approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority.3. The Senate convicts Trump by a two-thirds vote.The first two steps could theoretically happen with Democrats alone if they control the House and maintain party unity. The third step would almost certainly require a significant number of Republican senators to join Democrats, unless the Senate's future composition were dramatically different.<h2>Why the 2026 midterms matter</h2>The political stakes are therefore much bigger than simply determining which party controls Congress. The midterms will determine control of the House and Senate during the second half of Trump's presidency. Recent polling has shown political vulnerability for Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released August 31 put Trump's approval rating at 33%, while Democrats showed higher enthusiasm for the midterms than Republicans in the survey. That does not guarantee a Democratic takeover. But it helps explain why the possibility of a House flip, and what Democrats might do with that power, is already becoming a major campaign issue.<h3>The bottom line</h3>If Democrats win the House in 2026, they would have the constitutional power to impeach Trump. But a House victory would not automatically remove him from office. Impeachment would require a simple House majority; removal would require a two-thirds Senate conviction. So the real question on election night may not simply be “Who won the House?” It could be: “Who controls the House, who controls the Senate, and how many senators are willing to break with Trump?”

Can Democrats impeach Trump if they win the House in 2026? Here’s what the Constitution says, how impeachment works and why removal requires the Senate

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, one question is increasingly becoming part of the political conversation in Washington: What happens to Donald Trump if Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives? The answer is more complicated than simply saying Trump would be impeached. A Democratic victory in the House could give the party the constitutional power to launch impeachment proceedings against the president. But impeachment is not the same as removal from office, and Democrats would face a much higher hurdle in the Senate if they wanted to actually remove Trump. Here is everything you need to know. Can Democrats impeach Trump if they win the House? Yes. The House of Representatives has the constitutional power to impeach federal officials, including the president. A simple majority vote in the House is enough to approve articles of impeachment. That means Democrats would not need Republican support in the House if they win enough seats to control the chamber and their members remain united. The 2026 midterms are particularly significant because all 435 House seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold a very narrow House majority, making control of the chamber one of the central battles of the November elections. But winning the House would not automatically trigger impeachment. Democratic leaders would still have to decide whether to pursue impeachment, what allegations to investigate and whether there is enough support within the party to move forward. What exactly does impeachment mean? One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the issue is that impeachment immediately removes a president from office. It does not. Think of impeachment as the House formally charging the president. The House investigates alleged misconduct and can approve articles of impeachment by a simple majority. If those articles pass, the process moves to the Senate. The Senate then conducts an impeachment trial. For Trump to actually be removed from office, two-thirds of senators present must vote to convict. That is a considerably higher threshold than the one required in the House. Why would Trump's removal be much harder? This is where the political mathematics become crucial. Even if Democrats take control of the House, they would need a sufficiently large Senate majority, or Republican senators willing to break with Trump, to reach the two-thirds threshold required for conviction. The Senate has 100 seats, so if all senators are present and voting, 67 votes would be required for conviction. A Democratic House majority therefore could potentially impeach Trump, but it would not by itself have the power to remove him. This distinction is likely to become an important part of the 2026 midterm debate. Also Read: Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls on Trump to fire Pete Hegseth over his 'inept management' of military Trump has already been impeached twice Trump is not new to the impeachment process. During his first presidency, the House impeached him twice. The first impeachment, in 2019, involved allegations related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine. The second came in January 2021, when the House impeached Trump over the charge of incitement of insurrection following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Trump was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions. In his second impeachment trial, 57 senators voted to convict while 43 voted not guilty, falling short of the 67 votes required for conviction. A future impeachment would therefore be unprecedented in the sense that it would be a third impeachment of the same president. Are Democrats actually promising to impeach Trump? This is where the politics get murkier. Some Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups have pushed impeachment arguments, while Democratic leaders have been more cautious about committing the party to an immediate impeachment effort. Republicans, meanwhile, have increasingly made the possibility of a Democratic House impeachment a campaign issue. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has warned that Democrats could move to impeach Trump if they regain the House, while Democratic leadership has not formally committed to such a strategy. The issue could therefore become a major Republican argument during the midterm campaign: that voting for Democrats could mean congressional investigations and potentially another Trump impeachment. What could Democrats do besides impeachment? A Democratic House majority would have another extremely powerful tool: congressional oversight. House committees could investigate Trump's administration, subpoena officials and demand documents and testimony. Recent reporting indicates that House Democrats are already considering aggressive oversight strategies should they regain control, including using Congress' spending authority to pressure administration officials and Trump's associates to cooperate with investigations. That means a Democratic House victory could produce a major increase in investigations even if Democratic leaders ultimately decide not to impeach Trump. So, could Trump actually be removed from office? Possible, but much harder than simply winning the House. The process would essentially require three major steps: 1. Democrats win control of the House. 2. The House approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority. 3. The Senate convicts Trump by a two-thirds vote. The first two steps could theoretically happen with Democrats alone if they control the House and maintain party unity. The third step would almost certainly require a significant number of Republican senators to join Democrats, unless the Senate's future composition were dramatically different. Why the 2026 midterms matter The political stakes are therefore much bigger than simply determining which party controls Congress. The midterms will determine control of the House and Senate during the second half of Trump's presidency. Recent polling has shown political vulnerability for Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released August 31 put Trump's approval rating at 33%, while Democrats showed higher enthusiasm for the midterms than Republicans in the survey. That does not guarantee a Democratic takeover. But it helps explain why the possibility of a House flip, and what Democrats might do with that power, is already becoming a major campaign issue. The bottom line If Democrats win the House in 2026, they would have the constitutional power to impeach Trump. But a House victory would not automatically remove him from office. Impeachment would require a simple House majority; removal would require a two-thirds Senate conviction. So the real question on election night may not simply be “Who won the House?” It could be: “Who controls the House, who controls the Senate, and how many senators are willing to break with Trump?”

Could Democrats impeach Donald Trump if they retake the House and the Senate in 2026? Here’s how impeachment works and why removal would be much harder

Trump impeachment looms over 2026 midterms: What happens if Democrats win the House and Senate

Russian President ​Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (Sep 3) that Russia was winning the war in Ukraine and portrayed the Ukrainian leadership as "terrorists" with ‌whom Moscow could not negotiate. Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks inside Russia had inflicted real damage and said that drones posed a particular challenge. The Russian president also said that ​Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning to airlines that Ukrainian drones would effectively shut down Russian airspace sounded like "state terrorism" and that Moscow would find a way to respond ‌if it ⁠happened.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inside-c430l-the-alleged-secret-russian-mission-to-help-iran-with-supersonic-missiles-1788329402775">Inside C430L: The alleged secret Russian mission to help Iran with supersonic missiles</a>&nbsp;Speaking at a news conference after a summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said that it was not possible to negotiate with “terrorists.” He also said that Moscow was open to talks aimed at ending, rather than freezing, the war, and restated its willingness to talk to US President Donald Trump's envoys. "If someone makes, or can make, a tangible contribution to this process, we are all in favour," Putin said. "The only thing we would want to avoid is ​the process spinning its wheels pointlessly. ​However, if someone is capable ⁠of bringing something positive to these negotiations - which, as we understand it, are currently somewhat frozen - then, generally speaking, we are not opposed." "I have no doubt the enemy will crumble." Rumours that Russia would be forced to order a new military mobilisation were "utter nonsense," he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/russia-ukraine-war-zelensky-issues-warning-says-russian-airspace-airports-not-safe-1788325530323">Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky issues warning, says 'Russian airspace &amp; airports not safe'</a>&nbsp;PM Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting takes place at a critical time for India as New Delhi seeks to balance its longstanding strategic partnership with Russia, its ties with Iran and its ongoing engagement with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is winning the war in Ukraine and claimed Moscow’s battlefield advances are accelerating. He called Ukraine’s leadership “terrorists” but said Russia remains open to talks aimed at ending the war

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (Sep 3) that Russia was winning the war in Ukraine and portrayed the Ukrainian leadership as "terrorists" with ‌whom Moscow could not negotiate. Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks inside Russia had inflicted real damage and said that drones posed a particular challenge. The Russian president also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning to airlines that Ukrainian drones would effectively shut down Russian airspace sounded like "state terrorism" and that Moscow would find a way to respond ‌if it ⁠happened. Also Read: Inside C430L: The alleged secret Russian mission to help Iran with supersonic missiles Speaking at a news conference after a summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said that it was not possible to negotiate with “terrorists.” He also said that Moscow was open to talks aimed at ending, rather than freezing, the war, and restated its willingness to talk to US President Donald Trump's envoys. "If someone makes, or can make, a tangible contribution to this process, we are all in favour," Putin said. "The only thing we would want to avoid is the process spinning its wheels pointlessly. However, if someone is capable ⁠of bringing something positive to these negotiations - which, as we understand it, are currently somewhat frozen - then, generally speaking, we are not opposed." "I have no doubt the enemy will crumble." Rumours that Russia would be forced to order a new military mobilisation were "utter nonsense," he said. Also Read: Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky issues warning, says 'Russian airspace & airports not safe' PM Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting takes place at a critical time for India as New Delhi seeks to balance its longstanding strategic partnership with Russia, its ties with Iran and its ongoing engagement with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is winning the war in Ukraine and claimed Moscow’s battlefield advances are accelerating. He called Ukraine’s leadership “terrorists” but said Russia remains open to talks aimed at ending the war

Russia is winning on battlefield, will not negotiate with 'terrorists': Putin

A shootout in Kyiv between the intelligence and security services in which three officers were reportedly injured has left the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fuming. Blasting both the departments (SBU and GUR), Zelensky called the situation “absolutely shameful”. The &nbsp;State Security Service (SBU) is Ukraine’s internal security service, while the GUR or HUR is its armed forces counterpart and also carries out military activities and special operations.&nbsp;After the incident, Zelensky called prosecutors and investigators to discuss the matter. He also removed a senior SBU officer from his job.&nbsp;“Here in Ukraine, shooting is only permissible at Russian occupiers in defence of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. and added, “Our state will not perceive any other shootout as something that anyone is allowed to do.”&nbsp;Both the agencies have been asked to explain the cause of the incident to the public.&nbsp;Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, said, “It’s important to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.'&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-thom-tillis-calls-on-trump-to-fire-pete-hegseth-over-his-inept-management-of-military-1788412160618">Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls on Trump to fire Pete Hegseth over his 'inept management' of military</a>&nbsp;“No one has the right to kidnap servicemen with impunity, open fire on the streets of our cities, give and carry out criminal orders," he added.&nbsp;<h2>Why did the shootout happen?</h2>&nbsp;On Wednesday morning, shots were exchanged between members of the intelligence and security services. Videos that emerged from the site showed soldiers filling the streets. Three people were injured in the incident.&nbsp;Though the cause of the shooting is still not clear, Ukrainian media say that the clash centred on Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps that draws its forces from dissident Russian citizens.&nbsp;It is said that on Tuesday, Kaplunov had been abducted by unknown individuals from outside his home. Its leaders appealed for help from both the SBU and the HUR.&nbsp;On Wednesday morning, the SBU released a statement saying its officers had thwarted a Russian plot to kill “one of the leaders of the Russian opposition political movement”.&nbsp;A few hours later, SBU released another statement saying that its officers had come under attack during their investigation of the plot.&nbsp;The agency alleged that Armed men opened fire on the SBU investigative team as they attempted to conduct a search at a building in the capital. Taking to Telegram the agency said that the men “belong to one of the units of the armed forces of Ukraine”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Though the cause of the shooting is still not clear, Ukrainian media say that it happened after the abduction of Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps that draws its forces from dissident Russian citizens.

A shootout in Kyiv between the intelligence and security services in which three officers were reportedly injured has left the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fuming. Blasting both the departments (SBU and GUR), Zelensky called the situation “absolutely shameful”. The State Security Service (SBU) is Ukraine’s internal security service, while the GUR or HUR is its armed forces counterpart and also carries out military activities and special operations. After the incident, Zelensky called prosecutors and investigators to discuss the matter. He also removed a senior SBU officer from his job. “Here in Ukraine, shooting is only permissible at Russian occupiers in defence of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. and added, “Our state will not perceive any other shootout as something that anyone is allowed to do.” Both the agencies have been asked to explain the cause of the incident to the public. Dmytro Lytvyn, a communications adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, said, “It’s important to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.' ALSO READ: Republican Senator Thom Tillis calls on Trump to fire Pete Hegseth over his 'inept management' of military “No one has the right to kidnap servicemen with impunity, open fire on the streets of our cities, give and carry out criminal orders," he added. Why did the shootout happen? On Wednesday morning, shots were exchanged between members of the intelligence and security services. Videos that emerged from the site showed soldiers filling the streets. Three people were injured in the incident. Though the cause of the shooting is still not clear, Ukrainian media say that the clash centred on Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps that draws its forces from dissident Russian citizens. It is said that on Tuesday, Kaplunov had been abducted by unknown individuals from outside his home. Its leaders appealed for help from both the SBU and the HUR. On Wednesday morning, the SBU released a statement saying its officers had thwarted a Russian plot to kill “one of the leaders of the Russian opposition political movement”. A few hours later, SBU released another statement saying that its officers had come under attack during their investigation of the plot. The agency alleged that Armed men opened fire on the SBU investigative team as they attempted to conduct a search at a building in the capital. Taking to Telegram the agency said that the men “belong to one of the units of the armed forces of Ukraine”.

Though the cause of the shooting is still not clear, Ukrainian media say that it happened after the abduction of Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps that draws its forces from dissident Russian citizens.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging President Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, sharply criticising his leadership of the Pentagon. Tillis intensified his criticism following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s resignation, which came after repeated disagreements with Hegseth over the removal of senior military officials, including Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff.&nbsp;Tillis praised Driscoll’s tenure, describing him as “the right man at the right moment to lead our Soldiers and Army civilians,” while expressing frustration over what he sees as Hegseth’s mishandling of the Defense Department. “I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country. He is intimidated by competence and retreats to ginning up culture wars instead of soberly attending to the vital work of our national defense and the health and well-being of our fighting force,” Tillis posted on social platform X.&nbsp;Tillis’ criticism is particularly notable because he cast a pivotal vote last year in support of Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary. He is now asking Trump to select a new Pentagon chief. “I urge the president to find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it,” Tillis said. The North Carolina Republican also accused Hegseth of weakening the military’s senior leadership by removing or pushing out a series of high-ranking officials.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;Among those officials are Gen. Chris Donahue, the top U.S. Army commander in Europe; former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. CQ Brown Jr.; Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top officer; Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff; and Gen. James Mingus, Army vice chief of staff. Tillis also highlighted Driscoll’s work with George on the Army Transformation Initiative, which aimed to accelerate the deployment and integration of unmanned aircraft systems into Army operations.&nbsp;“Our understanding and assumptions of warfare are being challenged in places like Ukraine and Iran, and Dan understands the old way of doing business no longer applies. He and General George began a transformative period of innovation in how we array our forces and equip our Soldiers. He challenged our legacy approach to manning and procurement,” Tillis wrote. “Most of all, he cared deeply about the men and women in our Army formations and quickly earned their respect,” the North Carolina senator added of Driscoll.

Sen. Thom Tillis urges President Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, criticizing his Pentagon leadership after Dan Driscoll’s resignation

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging President Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, sharply criticising his leadership of the Pentagon. Tillis intensified his criticism following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s resignation, which came after repeated disagreements with Hegseth over the removal of senior military officials, including Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff. Tillis praised Driscoll’s tenure, describing him as “the right man at the right moment to lead our Soldiers and Army civilians,” while expressing frustration over what he sees as Hegseth’s mishandling of the Defense Department. “I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country. He is intimidated by competence and retreats to ginning up culture wars instead of soberly attending to the vital work of our national defense and the health and well-being of our fighting force,” Tillis posted on social platform X. Tillis’ criticism is particularly notable because he cast a pivotal vote last year in support of Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary. He is now asking Trump to select a new Pentagon chief. “I urge the president to find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it,” Tillis said. The North Carolina Republican also accused Hegseth of weakening the military’s senior leadership by removing or pushing out a series of high-ranking officials. Also Read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' Among those officials are Gen. Chris Donahue, the top U.S. Army commander in Europe; former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. CQ Brown Jr.; Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top officer; Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff; and Gen. James Mingus, Army vice chief of staff. Tillis also highlighted Driscoll’s work with George on the Army Transformation Initiative, which aimed to accelerate the deployment and integration of unmanned aircraft systems into Army operations. “Our understanding and assumptions of warfare are being challenged in places like Ukraine and Iran, and Dan understands the old way of doing business no longer applies. He and General George began a transformative period of innovation in how we array our forces and equip our Soldiers. He challenged our legacy approach to manning and procurement,” Tillis wrote. “Most of all, he cared deeply about the men and women in our Army formations and quickly earned their respect,” the North Carolina senator added of Driscoll.

Senator Thom Tillis urges Trump to fire Pete Hegseth, accusing him of inept Pentagon management after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s resignation

Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt Lopez has emerged as a key intermediary in energy arrangements involving Caracas and Washington. Betancourt, 46, leads North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), Venezuela's second-largest private-sector oil company.&nbsp;Born in Caracas in 1980 and educated at Suffolk University in the United States, Betancourt initially accumulated significant wealth during the administration of former President Hugo Chavez. Through his co-founded energy firm, Derwick Associates, he secured at least 11 no-bid government contracts to build thermoelectric power plants during Venezuela's acute power crises in the late 2000s. The contracts, which earned his cohort the local label "bolichicos" referring to young businessmen who grew wealthy under the Bolivarian government later drew public scrutiny and anti-corruption complaints over alleged price inflation, though no formal convictions were handed down in Venezuela.&nbsp;Over the past decade, Betancourt diversified his international portfolio through the O'Hara Administration investment group. His business ventures expanded into European start-ups, financial services, and consumer retail, most notably acquiring a controlling interest in the Spanish e-commerce sunglasses brand Hawkers.&nbsp;Betancourt faced international legal scrutiny. Financial authorities in the United States, Switzerland, and Spain initiated investigations into potential money laundering, currency exchange fraud, and alleged kickbacks connected to state oil firm PDVSA. In 2025, he faced temporary travel restrictions in the United Kingdom following extradition requests from European authorities. However, Swiss restrictions were lifted, and a Spanish High Court case was subject to ongoing jurisdictional appeals. Betancourt has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.&nbsp;Betancourt’s standing shifted as NABEP scaled its production capacity in Lake Maracaibo and the Orinoco Belt, pumping approximately 200,000 barrels per day. Under new bilateral agreements aimed at developing Venezuelan crude reserves, NABEP secured long-term development rights, positioning Betancourt as a central operational liaison connecting private American energy investors with local infrastructure assets.&nbsp;<h3>About US-Venezuela oil deal</h3>&nbsp;Energy firms signed a raft of multi-billion-dollar deals with Venezuela on Wednesday (Sep 3) following an agreement granting the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's oil reserves. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright travelled to Caracas to oversee the contracts, which are valued at "tens of billions of dollars". Wright characterised the agreements with Chevron, GE Vernova, and Italy's ENI as "critical in starting this ball rolling of peace, opportunity, and prosperity". President Donald Trump praised the broader pact as the "biggest oil deal in world history" as Republicans prepare for competitive November midterm elections driven by rising domestic fuel and living costs.

Venezuelan tycoon Alejandro Betancourt is at the center of the US-Venezuela oil deal. Here is who he is and why his involvement is raising questions.

Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt Lopez has emerged as a key intermediary in energy arrangements involving Caracas and Washington. Betancourt, 46, leads North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), Venezuela's second-largest private-sector oil company. Born in Caracas in 1980 and educated at Suffolk University in the United States, Betancourt initially accumulated significant wealth during the administration of former President Hugo Chavez. Through his co-founded energy firm, Derwick Associates, he secured at least 11 no-bid government contracts to build thermoelectric power plants during Venezuela's acute power crises in the late 2000s. The contracts, which earned his cohort the local label "bolichicos" referring to young businessmen who grew wealthy under the Bolivarian government later drew public scrutiny and anti-corruption complaints over alleged price inflation, though no formal convictions were handed down in Venezuela. Over the past decade, Betancourt diversified his international portfolio through the O'Hara Administration investment group. His business ventures expanded into European start-ups, financial services, and consumer retail, most notably acquiring a controlling interest in the Spanish e-commerce sunglasses brand Hawkers. Betancourt faced international legal scrutiny. Financial authorities in the United States, Switzerland, and Spain initiated investigations into potential money laundering, currency exchange fraud, and alleged kickbacks connected to state oil firm PDVSA. In 2025, he faced temporary travel restrictions in the United Kingdom following extradition requests from European authorities. However, Swiss restrictions were lifted, and a Spanish High Court case was subject to ongoing jurisdictional appeals. Betancourt has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Betancourt’s standing shifted as NABEP scaled its production capacity in Lake Maracaibo and the Orinoco Belt, pumping approximately 200,000 barrels per day. Under new bilateral agreements aimed at developing Venezuelan crude reserves, NABEP secured long-term development rights, positioning Betancourt as a central operational liaison connecting private American energy investors with local infrastructure assets. About US-Venezuela oil deal Energy firms signed a raft of multi-billion-dollar deals with Venezuela on Wednesday (Sep 3) following an agreement granting the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's oil reserves. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright travelled to Caracas to oversee the contracts, which are valued at "tens of billions of dollars". Wright characterised the agreements with Chevron, GE Vernova, and Italy's ENI as "critical in starting this ball rolling of peace, opportunity, and prosperity". President Donald Trump praised the broader pact as the "biggest oil deal in world history" as Republicans prepare for competitive November midterm elections driven by rising domestic fuel and living costs.

Venezuelan tycoon Alejandro Betancourt is at the center of the US-Venezuela oil deal. Here is who he is and why his involvement is raising questions.

Inside US-Venezuela oil deal: Who is controversial business tycoon Alejandro Betancourt?

For the second time, US lawmakers hit out at China and birth tourism on Wednesday during hearings on birthright citizenship, a constitutional right maintained by the Supreme Court in June, still remaining under challenge from the Trump administration. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, stated that the demand for US citizenship for the children of China has led to unscrupulous companies helping these individuals for profit. On Wednesday, the Judiciary hearing was asked to examine June’s birthright decision of the Supreme Court in Trump vs Barbara and explore possible legislative responses, followed by Tuesday’s House Oversight session on birth tourism. A Republican from Texas, Brandon Gill, stated on Tuesday that foreign nationals exploited the concept of birthright citizenship, including those from adversarial nations such as China and Russia. “China is definitely an adversary to this nation [that] has worked in many ways to undermine us,” added Michael Cloud, another Texas Republican. “We could spend a whole half an hour or hours actually on that.”<h3>Birth tourism and “anchor babies”</h3>Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, noted that allegations related to birth tourism and “anchor babies” amounted to hallucinations. “Setting aside the fact that the Republicans’ own witnesses cannot show actual proof that birth tourism happens on any meaningful or widespread basis, any congressional response certainly does not involve upending constitutional fundamentals,” she added. According to a press release published on its website, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform stated that approximately 26,000 babies are born each year to women holding tourist visas, while roughly 70,000 births in 2023 involved women residing in the US as temporary visitors. No federal dataset currently tracks birth tourism, and the existing estimates vary considerably, suggesting the practice is uncommon. Penn State researchers estimated that birth tourism made up less than 0.3 per cent of all US births in every year between 2014 and 2024. Data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention shows nearly 3.6 million births were recorded in the US in 2023. Even using the Oversight Committee's own figures, births linked to temporary visitors would account for under 2 per cent of that year's total births.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-federal-judge-blocks-trump-administration-s-new-birthright-citizenship-order-1788401827728">US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order</a> The report noted that public perception often frames birth tourism as particularly associated with wealthy Asians families. However, it pointed out that Hispanic mothers actually make up the majority of birth tourists. During his second term, Trump has aimed at both legal and illegal immigration, impacting nearly every aspect of the system—from tightening visa rules for skilled workers and students to expanding ICE's presence. On the first day back in office in 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to withhold recognition of citizenship for children born in the US to parents who were undocumented or on temporary visas. However, the Supreme Court, in Trump vs Barbara, ruled 6–3 to block this executive order, affirming that children born in the US to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are still entitled to citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. After the ruling, Trump hit out at China with a post and said, “I would like to congratulate President Xi, and the Great Country of China, on their massive Birthright Citizenship WIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote. In a recent development, Trump signed two executive orders in August, directing officials to probe suspected birth tourism operations, considering legal action against firms for such practices and strengthening visa screening. The other order asked to increase the categories of children who are not entitled to birthright citizenship, directing federal agencies to analyse the rest of the legal restrictions.&nbsp;

A Republican from Texas, Brandon Gill, stated on Tuesday that foreign nationals exploited the concept of birthright citizenship, including those from adversarial nations such as China and Russia.

For the second time, US lawmakers hit out at China and birth tourism on Wednesday during hearings on birthright citizenship, a constitutional right maintained by the Supreme Court in June, still remaining under challenge from the Trump administration. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, stated that the demand for US citizenship for the children of China has led to unscrupulous companies helping these individuals for profit. On Wednesday, the Judiciary hearing was asked to examine June’s birthright decision of the Supreme Court in Trump vs Barbara and explore possible legislative responses, followed by Tuesday’s House Oversight session on birth tourism. A Republican from Texas, Brandon Gill, stated on Tuesday that foreign nationals exploited the concept of birthright citizenship, including those from adversarial nations such as China and Russia. “China is definitely an adversary to this nation [that] has worked in many ways to undermine us,” added Michael Cloud, another Texas Republican. “We could spend a whole half an hour or hours actually on that.” Birth tourism and “anchor babies” Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, noted that allegations related to birth tourism and “anchor babies” amounted to hallucinations. “Setting aside the fact that the Republicans’ own witnesses cannot show actual proof that birth tourism happens on any meaningful or widespread basis, any congressional response certainly does not involve upending constitutional fundamentals,” she added. According to a press release published on its website, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform stated that approximately 26,000 babies are born each year to women holding tourist visas, while roughly 70,000 births in 2023 involved women residing in the US as temporary visitors. No federal dataset currently tracks birth tourism, and the existing estimates vary considerably, suggesting the practice is uncommon. Penn State researchers estimated that birth tourism made up less than 0.3 per cent of all US births in every year between 2014 and 2024. Data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention shows nearly 3.6 million births were recorded in the US in 2023. Even using the Oversight Committee's own figures, births linked to temporary visitors would account for under 2 per cent of that year's total births. Also read: US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order The report noted that public perception often frames birth tourism as particularly associated with wealthy Asians families. However, it pointed out that Hispanic mothers actually make up the majority of birth tourists. During his second term, Trump has aimed at both legal and illegal immigration, impacting nearly every aspect of the system—from tightening visa rules for skilled workers and students to expanding ICE's presence. On the first day back in office in 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to withhold recognition of citizenship for children born in the US to parents who were undocumented or on temporary visas. However, the Supreme Court, in Trump vs Barbara, ruled 6–3 to block this executive order, affirming that children born in the US to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are still entitled to citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. After the ruling, Trump hit out at China with a post and said, “I would like to congratulate President Xi, and the Great Country of China, on their massive Birthright Citizenship WIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote. In a recent development, Trump signed two executive orders in August, directing officials to probe suspected birth tourism operations, considering legal action against firms for such practices and strengthening visa screening. The other order asked to increase the categories of children who are not entitled to birthright citizenship, directing federal agencies to analyse the rest of the legal restrictions.

A Republican from Texas, Brandon Gill, stated on Tuesday that foreign nationals exploited the concept of birthright citizenship, including those from adversarial nations such as China and Russia.

US lawmakers renew attack on China as birthright citizenship debate intensifies

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a veiled warning India and other countries against helping Tehran generate revenue or bypass American sanctions. Rubio made the remarks during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Show. He was asked about Modi's meeting with Pezeshkian and whether New Delhi was looking to establish a new trade arrangement with Tehran.&nbsp;"Well, I don't think there's a trade deal between India and Iran," Rubio said, while acknowledging that countries have the sovereign right to shape their foreign policies and maintain diplomatic relations with Iran. However, Rubio said Washington would take action against countries that assist Tehran in circumventing US sanctions or create financial mechanisms that allow Iran to generate revenue.&nbsp;The warning comes as the Trump administration intensifies its economic pressure campaign against Iran. Washington has cautioned countries and businesses continuing commercial dealings with Tehran that they could face secondary sanctions.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called "Operation Economic Outcast" on August 24, describing the campaign as an "economic D-Day" aimed at cutting off Iran's remaining economic lifelines.<h2>Rubio's veiled warning to India and other countries</h2>Rubio said the US was aware that several countries maintain diplomatic and other forms of contact with Iran. He noted that Washington itself has engaged with Iranian representatives during previous negotiations and discussions. "I mean, we've met with elements of the Iranian regime as well, in terms of some of these discussions that have occurred and there's been contact with them," he said.&nbsp;At the same time, Rubio distinguished between maintaining diplomatic relations with Tehran and undertaking economic activities that Washington believes could undermine its sanctions regime. "I think what ultimately happens though is, and the President's been very clear - is no country should be helping Iran evade sanctions. No country should be out there helping them create mechanisms by which they can generate revenue that they will then use to sponsor terrorism and try to build a nuclear weapon," Rubio said. "And if countries decide to do that, then we're going to have to sanction them too," he said.<h3>Modi-Pezeshkian meeting in Bishkek</h3>Rubio's comments came shortly after Modi met Pezeshkian during the SCO summit in Bishkek. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Iran relations, including expanding and diversifying bilateral trade. They also exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, regional tensions and the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers.&nbsp;"Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors. We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace," PM Modi said in a social media post. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's longstanding position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.&nbsp;The safety of commercial vessels was also a key issue during the meeting. With the regional conflict affecting maritime traffic, Modi stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce. "Calling for safeguarding the freedom of navigation and commerce, he emphasised that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers must not be harmed under any circumstances," the ministry said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coast-guard-jet-carrying-dhs-secretary-markwayne-mullin-makes-emergency-landing-after-engine-failure-1788403522901">Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing after engine failure</a><h3>Pezeshkian seeks India's diplomatic support</h3>Pezeshkian, meanwhile, thanked India for its support and cooperation and called on New Delhi to use its diplomatic relationships to contribute to easing tensions in West Asia, according to an Iranian readout of the meeting. "From the very beginning of our administration, our efforts have been focused on ensuring peace and security and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations," Pezeshkian said.&nbsp;The Iranian president criticised Washington's approach towards Tehran, arguing that the US had opted for confrontation rather than diplomacy. "Unfortunately, instead of making use of diplomatic mechanisms, the Americans have chosen the path of war, insecurity and imposing their will through force," he said. Pezeshkian said Iran did not want war and maintained that Tehran's priority was protecting its people while creating the conditions necessary for peace and regional stability. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has remained committed to the obligations it has undertaken within the framework of the agreements, but unfortunately, the American side has failed to fulfill its commitments," he said.<h3>Iran rejects US sanctions pressure</h3>Tehran has rejected Washington's latest sanctions campaign, accusing the US of violating international law and attempting to pressure other nations into restricting their dealings with Iran. "No honourable state that values its sovereignty and national interests will accept the normalisation of such gross lawlessness and systematic bullying," Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

Marco Rubio issued a veiled warning to India and other countries against helping Iran evade US sanctions after PM Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a veiled warning India and other countries against helping Tehran generate revenue or bypass American sanctions. Rubio made the remarks during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Show. He was asked about Modi's meeting with Pezeshkian and whether New Delhi was looking to establish a new trade arrangement with Tehran. "Well, I don't think there's a trade deal between India and Iran," Rubio said, while acknowledging that countries have the sovereign right to shape their foreign policies and maintain diplomatic relations with Iran. However, Rubio said Washington would take action against countries that assist Tehran in circumventing US sanctions or create financial mechanisms that allow Iran to generate revenue. The warning comes as the Trump administration intensifies its economic pressure campaign against Iran. Washington has cautioned countries and businesses continuing commercial dealings with Tehran that they could face secondary sanctions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called "Operation Economic Outcast" on August 24, describing the campaign as an "economic D-Day" aimed at cutting off Iran's remaining economic lifelines. Rubio's veiled warning to India and other countries Rubio said the US was aware that several countries maintain diplomatic and other forms of contact with Iran. He noted that Washington itself has engaged with Iranian representatives during previous negotiations and discussions. "I mean, we've met with elements of the Iranian regime as well, in terms of some of these discussions that have occurred and there's been contact with them," he said. At the same time, Rubio distinguished between maintaining diplomatic relations with Tehran and undertaking economic activities that Washington believes could undermine its sanctions regime. "I think what ultimately happens though is, and the President's been very clear - is no country should be helping Iran evade sanctions. No country should be out there helping them create mechanisms by which they can generate revenue that they will then use to sponsor terrorism and try to build a nuclear weapon," Rubio said. "And if countries decide to do that, then we're going to have to sanction them too," he said. Modi-Pezeshkian meeting in Bishkek Rubio's comments came shortly after Modi met Pezeshkian during the SCO summit in Bishkek. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Iran relations, including expanding and diversifying bilateral trade. They also exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, regional tensions and the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers. "Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors. We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace," PM Modi said in a social media post. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's longstanding position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The safety of commercial vessels was also a key issue during the meeting. With the regional conflict affecting maritime traffic, Modi stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce. "Calling for safeguarding the freedom of navigation and commerce, he emphasised that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers must not be harmed under any circumstances," the ministry said. Also Read: Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing after engine failure Pezeshkian seeks India's diplomatic support Pezeshkian, meanwhile, thanked India for its support and cooperation and called on New Delhi to use its diplomatic relationships to contribute to easing tensions in West Asia, according to an Iranian readout of the meeting. "From the very beginning of our administration, our efforts have been focused on ensuring peace and security and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations," Pezeshkian said. The Iranian president criticised Washington's approach towards Tehran, arguing that the US had opted for confrontation rather than diplomacy. "Unfortunately, instead of making use of diplomatic mechanisms, the Americans have chosen the path of war, insecurity and imposing their will through force," he said. Pezeshkian said Iran did not want war and maintained that Tehran's priority was protecting its people while creating the conditions necessary for peace and regional stability. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has remained committed to the obligations it has undertaken within the framework of the agreements, but unfortunately, the American side has failed to fulfill its commitments," he said. Iran rejects US sanctions pressure Tehran has rejected Washington's latest sanctions campaign, accusing the US of violating international law and attempting to pressure other nations into restricting their dealings with Iran. "No honourable state that values its sovereignty and national interests will accept the normalisation of such gross lawlessness and systematic bullying," Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a veiled warning to India and others against helping Iran evade sanctions days after Modi met Iranian President Pezeshkian

Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'

Energy firms signed a raft of multi-billion-dollar deals with Venezuela on Wednesday (Sep 3) following an agreement granting the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's oil reserves. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright travelled to Caracas to oversee the contracts, which are valued at "tens of billions of dollars". Wright characterised the agreements with Chevron, GE Vernova, and Italy's ENI as "critical in starting this ball rolling of peace, opportunity, and prosperity". President Donald Trump praised the broader pact as the "biggest oil deal in world history" as Republicans prepare for competitive November midterm elections driven by rising domestic fuel and living costs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-court-sets-trial-date-for-venezuela-s-nicol-s-maduro-and-wife-drug-trafficking-case-1784782621747/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-court-sets-trial-date-for-venezuela-s-nicol-s-maduro-and-wife-drug-trafficking-case-1784782621747/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The agreements have prompted fierce criticism regarding Venezuelan sovereignty. Detractors accuse Trump of coercing the nation after US forces removed former President Nicolás Maduro in a raid and warned interim leader Delcy Rodríguez to comply. Wright rejected allegations that Washington is "stealing Venezuelan oil," asserting that the US is deploying technology and capital to develop idle resources. Rodríguez similarly denied surrendering state assets, arguing the partnerships are necessary to secure critical investment that will yield $209 billion in national profit over 25 years and fund jobs, public services, and infrastructure.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-interim-leader-details-phone-call-with-us-marco-rubio-following-deadly-twin-quakes-1782014185358">Venezuela interim leader details phone call with US’ Marco Rubio following deadly twin quakes</a>&nbsp;The multi-company deals allow foreign firms to expand their local footprint significantly. Chevron expects its $7 billion project in the Orinoco Belt to more than double output within five years, while ENI secured exclusive rights to the Junín 5 oil field. GE Vernova will work to repair Venezuela's fragile power grid. Wright projected national oil production would exceed 2 million barrels daily by the end of the decade.&nbsp;Scrutiny has also focused on Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, who has been linked to a past PDVSA corruption scandal. His firm, North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), is the second-largest private producer in Venezuela, and the U.S. government is acquiring a 35 per cent stake under the new terms. Wright defended the arrangement, citing NABEP's proven production record.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/venezuela-to-jamnagar-that-s-a-naughty-question-mea-secretary-responds-to-reporter-on-india-s-oil-trade-1780574046339">Venezuela to Jamnagar? 'That's a naughty question' MEA Secretary responds to reporter on India's oil trade</a>&nbsp;The pivot marks a complete reversal of the anti-imperialist, nationalised energy policies established by late socialist leader Hugo Chávez. Concerns linger that Washington is entrenching former Maduro loyalists without pressing for rapid democratic reform. Both Trump and Rodríguez dismissed calls for immediate elections, stating the country is "not ready yet" following the recent shift in power.

US energy firms sign landmark multibillion-dollar deals in Venezuela following Washington's historic crude reserves agreement. 

Energy firms signed a raft of multi-billion-dollar deals with Venezuela on Wednesday (Sep 3) following an agreement granting the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of the country's oil reserves. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright travelled to Caracas to oversee the contracts, which are valued at "tens of billions of dollars". Wright characterised the agreements with Chevron, GE Vernova, and Italy's ENI as "critical in starting this ball rolling of peace, opportunity, and prosperity". President Donald Trump praised the broader pact as the "biggest oil deal in world history" as Republicans prepare for competitive November midterm elections driven by rising domestic fuel and living costs. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-court-sets-trial-date-for-venezuela-s-nicol-s-maduro-and-wife-drug-trafficking-case-1784782621747/embed The agreements have prompted fierce criticism regarding Venezuelan sovereignty. Detractors accuse Trump of coercing the nation after US forces removed former President Nicolás Maduro in a raid and warned interim leader Delcy Rodríguez to comply. Wright rejected allegations that Washington is "stealing Venezuelan oil," asserting that the US is deploying technology and capital to develop idle resources. Rodríguez similarly denied surrendering state assets, arguing the partnerships are necessary to secure critical investment that will yield $209 billion in national profit over 25 years and fund jobs, public services, and infrastructure. Also read: Venezuela interim leader details phone call with US’ Marco Rubio following deadly twin quakes The multi-company deals allow foreign firms to expand their local footprint significantly. Chevron expects its $7 billion project in the Orinoco Belt to more than double output within five years, while ENI secured exclusive rights to the Junín 5 oil field. GE Vernova will work to repair Venezuela's fragile power grid. Wright projected national oil production would exceed 2 million barrels daily by the end of the decade. Scrutiny has also focused on Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, who has been linked to a past PDVSA corruption scandal. His firm, North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), is the second-largest private producer in Venezuela, and the U.S. government is acquiring a 35 per cent stake under the new terms. Wright defended the arrangement, citing NABEP's proven production record. Also read: Venezuela to Jamnagar? 'That's a naughty question' MEA Secretary responds to reporter on India's oil trade The pivot marks a complete reversal of the anti-imperialist, nationalised energy policies established by late socialist leader Hugo Chávez. Concerns linger that Washington is entrenching former Maduro loyalists without pressing for rapid democratic reform. Both Trump and Rodríguez dismissed calls for immediate elections, stating the country is "not ready yet" following the recent shift in power.

US energy firms sign landmark multibillion-dollar deals in Venezuela following Washington's historic crude reserves agreement.&nbsp;

Energy boom: US firms secure historic multibillion-dollar Venezuelan crude deals

The upcoming midterms convention of the Republican party in Dallas, Texas, will provide an opportunity for donors to click pictures with US President Donald Trump for $88,600. Not only that, but the Republican National Committee’s event on September 9 and 10, will also have the chance to join the president at a roundtable event by paying a whopping amount of $250,000, according to a report. The move is aimed at raising funds for the party.&nbsp;And if this is heavy on your pocket, there is also an opportunity to click pictures with Vice President JD Vance for less the half than the president at $35,000. While his roundtable will cost $75,000 per person, reported Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;Generally, parties hold national conventions in the summer prior to a presidential election, not for the midterms. This is done to formally crown their nominee for the White House.&nbsp;There are also reports of members of the House of Representatives being charged a higher price ( $25,000) to be there. Some top-tier tickets are priced at $100,000. There's also been criticism of the convention for involving corporate sponsors.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-federal-judge-blocks-trump-administration-s-new-birthright-citizenship-order-1788401827728">US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order</a>&nbsp;Defending the high cost of attendance, Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, finance chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee, while speaking to TMZ DC argued that it is a way of ensuring everyone plays their part and contributes.&nbsp;The GOP needs to “make sure that we’re supporting other candidates who are in very tough, competitive races around the country,” said Duyne.&nbsp;The timing of the event is also being questioned as kicks off on the same day as the NFL season opener and concludes just one day before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.However, the RNC says it is optimistic and expects roughly 30,000 people to turn up. They also say that an amount of $42 million has already been raised to fully fund the event.&nbsp;

There is also an opportunity to click pictures with Vice President JD Vance for lesser amount at the upcoming midterms convention of the Republican party in Dallas, Texas.

The upcoming midterms convention of the Republican party in Dallas, Texas, will provide an opportunity for donors to click pictures with US President Donald Trump for $88,600. Not only that, but the Republican National Committee’s event on September 9 and 10, will also have the chance to join the president at a roundtable event by paying a whopping amount of $250,000, according to a report. The move is aimed at raising funds for the party. And if this is heavy on your pocket, there is also an opportunity to click pictures with Vice President JD Vance for less the half than the president at $35,000. While his roundtable will cost $75,000 per person, reported Wall Street Journal. Generally, parties hold national conventions in the summer prior to a presidential election, not for the midterms. This is done to formally crown their nominee for the White House. There are also reports of members of the House of Representatives being charged a higher price ( $25,000) to be there. Some top-tier tickets are priced at $100,000. There's also been criticism of the convention for involving corporate sponsors. ALSO READ: US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order Defending the high cost of attendance, Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne, finance chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee, while speaking to TMZ DC argued that it is a way of ensuring everyone plays their part and contributes. The GOP needs to “make sure that we’re supporting other candidates who are in very tough, competitive races around the country,” said Duyne. The timing of the event is also being questioned as kicks off on the same day as the NFL season opener and concludes just one day before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. However, the RNC says it is optimistic and expects roughly 30,000 people to turn up. They also say that an amount of $42 million has already been raised to fully fund the event.

There is also an opportunity to click pictures with Vice President JD Vance for lesser amount at the upcoming midterms convention of the Republican party in Dallas, Texas.

Photo with Trump to cost $88,000 at Republican party's midterm convention: Report

A Coast Guard jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and several senior Department of Homeland Security officials made an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon outside Washington, DC, after one of its engines failed. The pilot of the C-37A reported the engine failure to air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and requested an immediate emergency landing. "We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA," the pilot told the airport's control tower, according to an audio recording of the communication. The pilot also informed controllers that the aircraft had 14 people aboard and approximately 2.5 hours of fuel remaining.&nbsp;The C-37A is the military version of a Gulfstream V business jet and is routinely used to transport senior Coast Guard and DHS officials, including the homeland security secretary. The Department of Homeland Security oversees the Coast Guard. Mullin later confirmed the emergency landing in a post on X, praising the Coast Guard pilots for their handling of the situation. "The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism."&nbsp;"After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands," he added. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport said the aircraft landed safely and was inspected by emergency personnel before leaving the runway. "The airport said in a statement that the plane landed safely, was thoroughly checked by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel then proceeded off the runway."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-federal-judge-blocks-trump-administration-s-new-birthright-citizenship-order-1788401827728">US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order</a>&nbsp;The incident also highlights previous concerns about the age and condition of the Coast Guard's executive aircraft. Last year, DHS said the aircraft was 22 years old and faces significant avionics and communications obsolescence issues. DHS's fiscal year 2025 spending plan requested approximately $50 million to replace the aging Coast Guard executive jet used to transport senior officials. The proposal faced scrutiny from lawmakers, including Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, who questioned Coast Guard leadership about the proposed purchase during an appropriations hearing.&nbsp;During a May 20 Senate hearing, then-Secretary Kristi Noem defended the request, saying the existing aircraft had been in service beyond its usable hours. Several days later, Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and LaMonica McIver of New Jersey questioned DHS officials over why replacing the executive aircraft was being prioritized over upgrading older Coast Guard aircraft used for search-and-rescue operations.&nbsp;By October 2025, the Coast Guard had increased its request from approximately $50 million to nearly $200 million for two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft, drawing additional scrutiny from members of Congress. The first new jet was delivered in January, while the second had not yet been delivered to DHS at the time of Wednesday's incident. It remains unclear why the new aircraft was not being used for the secretary's trip.

Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing near Washington, DC, after an engine fails mid-flight

A Coast Guard jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and several senior Department of Homeland Security officials made an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon outside Washington, DC, after one of its engines failed. The pilot of the C-37A reported the engine failure to air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and requested an immediate emergency landing. "We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA," the pilot told the airport's control tower, according to an audio recording of the communication. The pilot also informed controllers that the aircraft had 14 people aboard and approximately 2.5 hours of fuel remaining. The C-37A is the military version of a Gulfstream V business jet and is routinely used to transport senior Coast Guard and DHS officials, including the homeland security secretary. The Department of Homeland Security oversees the Coast Guard. Mullin later confirmed the emergency landing in a post on X, praising the Coast Guard pilots for their handling of the situation. "The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism." "After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands," he added. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport said the aircraft landed safely and was inspected by emergency personnel before leaving the runway. "The airport said in a statement that the plane landed safely, was thoroughly checked by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel then proceeded off the runway." Also Read: US Federal judge blocks Trump administration's new birthright citizenship order The incident also highlights previous concerns about the age and condition of the Coast Guard's executive aircraft. Last year, DHS said the aircraft was 22 years old and faces significant avionics and communications obsolescence issues. DHS's fiscal year 2025 spending plan requested approximately $50 million to replace the aging Coast Guard executive jet used to transport senior officials. The proposal faced scrutiny from lawmakers, including Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, who questioned Coast Guard leadership about the proposed purchase during an appropriations hearing. During a May 20 Senate hearing, then-Secretary Kristi Noem defended the request, saying the existing aircraft had been in service beyond its usable hours. Several days later, Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and LaMonica McIver of New Jersey questioned DHS officials over why replacing the executive aircraft was being prioritized over upgrading older Coast Guard aircraft used for search-and-rescue operations. By October 2025, the Coast Guard had increased its request from approximately $50 million to nearly $200 million for two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft, drawing additional scrutiny from members of Congress. The first new jet was delivered in January, while the second had not yet been delivered to DHS at the time of Wednesday's incident. It remains unclear why the new aircraft was not being used for the secretary's trip.

Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin made an emergency landing near Washington after losing an engine during the flight

Coast Guard jet carrying DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin makes emergency landing after engine failure

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant operational gain in its ongoing efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, with the discovery of 3 suspected illegal refining sites, 6 reservoirs and approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across operational areas in Rivers and Delta States.&nbsp;The discoveries were made in separate operations conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on 31 August 2026, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities. The operations also uncovered illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.&nbsp;The combined discoveries represent a substantial disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the storage and processing infrastructure required to sustain the illegal trade. The identified sites, facilities and recovered products were appropriately handled in accordance with established procedures.The latest successes demonstrate the Nigerian Navy's ability to maintain pressure across multiple operational areas while denying criminal networks the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.&nbsp;

The Nigerian Navy discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO in Rivers and Delta states. The operations on August 31 also uncovered refining equipment and storage facilities.

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another significant operational gain in its ongoing efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, with the discovery of 3 suspected illegal refining sites, 6 reservoirs and approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across operational areas in Rivers and Delta States. The discoveries were made in separate operations conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on 31 August 2026, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities. The operations also uncovered illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil. The combined discoveries represent a substantial disruption to illicit petroleum activities, particularly the storage and processing infrastructure required to sustain the illegal trade. The identified sites, facilities and recovered products were appropriately handled in accordance with established procedures. The latest successes demonstrate the Nigerian Navy's ability to maintain pressure across multiple operational areas while denying criminal networks the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.

The Nigerian Navy discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO in Rivers and Delta states. The operations on August 31 also uncovered refining equipment and storage facilities.

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