Amid tensions over U.S. tariff hikes, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has declared that “national interest comes above all else—India has no permanent friends or enemies.”

Speaking on defense growth, Singh said India does not view any country as an enemy but will not compromise its people’s interests.

He highlighted India’s defense export boom—from less than ₹700 crore in 2014 to ₹24,000 crore today—signaling the country’s rise from a buyer to a major supplier.

“Under self-reliance, India now builds all its warships domestically, and the Navy has pledged not to buy from abroad,” he added.

The statement comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian products.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed increasing the retirement age for pilots on international flights from 65 to 67, citing rising global demand for air travel and a shortage of pilots. The proposal will be discussed at the UN’s ICAO General Assembly starting September 23. IATA recommends that flights with pilots over 65 must include a second pilot under 65. U.S. pilots’ unions oppose the change, citing safety concerns. ICAO previously raised the retirement age from 60 to 65 in 2006.

Amid rising U.S. tariff pressures, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Tokyo to attend the two-day annual summit beginning Friday.

The visit is expected to strengthen strategic relations between Japan and India, with discussions focusing on rare mineral partnerships and Japanese investment in high-value sectors in India. Meanwhile, both countries plan to discuss enhanced cooperation under the regional security alliance framework. Modi’s visit is also seen as a key step in strengthening the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Venezuela has launched a massive military drill in response to the deployment of a U.S. naval fleet in Latin American and Caribbean waters. President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of eyeing Venezuela’s natural resources and seeking to fragment the nation.

Maduro said a formal complaint has been lodged with the United Nations over the U.S. violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Under his direct supervision, thousands of Special Revolutionary Operations Forces participated in the exercise, showcasing advanced combat maneuvers, mountain warfare, and live-fire drills with modern weaponry.

“The Venezuelan people are ready to resist imperialism. The gringos want our wealth; they want to break our country into pieces,” Maduro declared. He announced that another nationwide drill will take place later this week.

Earlier, the U.S. had dispatched three destroyers, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and 4,500 naval troops to Venezuelan waters in a mission officially described as countering drug trafficking. In retaliation, Venezuela deployed warships along its coasts and mobilized militias across the country.

China is preparing for its grand Victory Day Parade on September 3, commemorating 80 years since Japan’s WWII surrender. This year, President Xi Jinping will share the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un—marking Kim’s first appearance at an international forum alongside world leaders.
Leaders from 26 nations are expected to attend. The event will feature a 10,000-strong military parade showcasing China’s latest weaponry. While invitations have been extended broadly, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung has confirmed he will not attend. However, leaders from Iran, Indonesia, Belarus, and Pakistan are expected to join.

Marking one year of Bangladesh’s Commission on Enforced Disappearances, rights group Fortify Rights has called for full accountability for all disappearances that occurred under Sheikh Hasina’s government, describing them as a hallmark of her “brutal authoritarian rule.”
In a statement, the group’s director John Quinley stressed that victims’ families and survivors must receive compensation. Fortify Rights interviewed 10 survivors, relatives of victims, and a lawyer, some of whom described being held at the infamous secret detention center known as “Aynaghar” before being released after Hasina’s ouster.
Many of the disappeared were members of opposition parties, particularly BNP and Jamaat. The commission has already registered over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearances, with hundreds still missing.

Pakistan has demolished a protective dyke next to a major dam to relieve water pressure caused by heavy rainfall, but the move has submerged one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, Kartarpur Sahib.
Punjab Disaster Management spokesperson Mazhar Hussain confirmed that the dyke was deliberately destroyed to safeguard the dam infrastructure.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry also revealed that India had given advance diplomatic notice before releasing water from its dams. Still, relentless rainfall across northern India led to an abnormal surge in Pakistan’s eastern rivers—the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—forcing authorities to issue a high flood alert across Punjab province.

Bangladesh is vying for a Category-C membership seat at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. Ahead of the vote, Foreign Affairs Advisor M. Sakawat Hossain briefed diplomats, highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic maritime significance and ongoing infrastructure projects.
He noted the construction of a deep-sea port in Matarbari, along with three other seaports and 52 inland river ports contributing significantly to the country’s maritime sector. “Bangladesh is playing a strong role in the international maritime arena,” he said, emphasizing that 95% of the nation’s trade occurs via sea. Hossain urged diplomats to support Bangladesh’s bid, highlighting the country’s leadership in environmentally sustainable shipping and ship recycling initiatives.

The parents of 16-year-old Adam Rayne have filed a lawsuit in a California court against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, accusing ChatGPT of contributing to their son’s suicide.

According to the complaint, within six months of use, ChatGPT had become Adam’s “only friend.” In one disturbing exchange, the chatbot allegedly advised him to hide suicidal thoughts from his family.

The lawsuit claims that ChatGPT:

Reinforced Adam’s feelings and validated his darkest thoughts.

Encouraged even his most harmful, self-destructive ideas.

This is not the first such case. A similar lawsuit was filed in Florida last year.

An OpenAI spokesperson expressed condolences, stating the company is reviewing the allegations, while also reiterating previous cautions:

“Overdependence on ChatGPT can reduce the need for genuine human connections.”

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched missiles at Israel, claiming the attacks are in protest against Israeli aggression in Palestine and in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The Israeli military said one missile fired from Yemen was intercepted. The Houthis had previously halted attacks during a two-month truce in Gaza but resumed operations after Israel launched new offensives.
In response, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi-controlled ports and Sana’a airport. The recent bombardments caused heavy damage and civilian casualties in the capital.

North Korea has advanced its nuclear program to the extent that it can now produce between 10 and 20 nuclear weapons each year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday.
According to the Peace Research Institute, the country has already developed around 50 warheads and possesses fissile material sufficient for up to 40 more nuclear bombs.
President Lee blamed the previous administration’s hardline policies and lack of diplomacy with Pyongyang for enabling North Korea to expand its nuclear arsenal unchecked.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet Kim Jong-un later this year, while also preparing for renewed trade talks with South Korea. Lee made his first official visit to the White House on Monday.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has ruled out any plans to normalize relations with Israel, citing the ongoing occupation of the Golan Heights.

“Our conflict with Israel is fundamentally different from that of other Arab states. The Abraham Accords were signed with countries that had neither occupied land nor direct confrontation with Israel. Syria’s situation is different—our Golan Heights remain under occupation. At this moment, normalization is not on the table,” al-Sharaa said.

He emphasized that Damascus’s priority is stabilizing southern Syria under the 1974 UN-mediated disengagement agreement or international supervision.

Al-Sharaa is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in September, making him the first Syrian president to do so since 1967. “This participation itself sends a message—Syria is no longer isolated and is returning to the arena of international diplomacy,” he noted.

Relations between Syria and the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and European nations have reportedly improved significantly in recent months.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the Gaza war is nearing its conclusion, saying he believes the conflict will reach a “final end” within two to three weeks.
“This war must end,” Trump said on Monday, citing rising deaths, starvation, and worsening humanitarian conditions.
While his administration has repeatedly pledged to help end the conflict, Washington has simultaneously approved billions in arms sales to Israel and rejected international moves to recognize a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital killed at least 21 people, including six journalists, with reporters from Reuters and Al Jazeera among the victims.

Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League and Awami League vandalized doors and windows of the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. The attack was reportedly led by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad, and Ibadur Rahman Chowdhury, along with nearly 50 activists.

New York police quickly dispersed the attackers and detained two individuals, though they were later released. The consulate is considering legal action against those involved.

Consul General Mohammad Mozammel Haque stated that the matter would be discussed with higher authorities before a decision is made, adding, “This involves diplomatic immunity. We are in contact with local law enforcement and have already informed Mayor Eric Adams.” Intelligence agencies have begun investigating and are collecting video footage of the incident.

Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Mexico, has condemned the recent attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York, allegedly carried out by Awami League-backed miscreants.

He urged immediate legal action against the perpetrators and expressed confidence that Bangladeshi diplomats in the U.S. would work with relevant authorities to ensure accountability.

“The host country is responsible for ensuring the security of all Bangladeshi missions abroad,” he said, adding that such “shameful assaults by supporters of fallen autocrats” are unacceptable on U.S. soil, a key partner in Bangladesh’s democracy and development. Ansari assured full cooperation to colleagues in addressing the incident.