Islamic Republic of Pakistan — a South Asian nation
The State Department has said it will revoke B‑1 and B‑2 business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who have sought or are seeking asylum. Officials say revocations will be coordinated with DHS, done on a rolling basis, and would not automatically trigger immediate deportations.
England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been removed from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan while the Cricket Regulator investigates a Derby nightclub incident in which footage shows him in handcuffs. He remains in consideration pending the investigation; Sonny Baker is called up to replace him.
Forecasters have confirmed a very strong El Niño that has pushed Pacific sea-surface temperatures well above typical thresholds. The Met Office and other agencies say the event is unprecedented in modern records, will raise global average temperatures and is already changing weather patterns — bringing wetter, stormier conditions to parts of north‑west Europe and increasing drought risk across the tropics.
England has dominated Pakistan in a swift win, with Joe Root returning as captain and bowlers Tongue and Robinson delivering with the ball. Brook misses a century, but roots and Cox contribute big, setting up a decisive victory.
England has thrived in a commanding opening three days of the Rothesay Test, with Joe Root restoring captaincy, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson excelling with ball, and Jofra Archer contributing both bat and ball as Pakistan crumble for 135 in the second innings after a 409-run first-innings lead.
A glacier-triggered flash flood on the Bhote Koshi river has left hundreds missing in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, as officials say rescue teams are expanding their search and neighboring Tibet reports major casualties. Power, transport and river banks remain under threat as authorities warn of possible secondary floods.
England has scrapped the midnight curfew for both Test and white-ball squads under new leadership. Joe Root is guiding a return to adult responsibility and a cohesive culture as England faces Pakistan in Headingley, with Stephen Fleming taking over as red-ball coach. Interim coach Marcus Trescothick leads the squad in the interim.
England captain Joe Root has led a robust, player-driven discussion setting out on- and off-field expectations as a series against Pakistan continues. Brydon Carse’s late-night incident has triggered a regulator inquiry and team sanctions, amid a pattern of off-field episodes over the past year. Tongue and others emphasise moving forward and focusing on cricket.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has left the Middle East after a record nonstop deployment of more than 200 days and is scheduled to make a brief stop in Thailand for rest and logistical support for about 5,000 sailors and Marines. Reports this month have raised concerns about morale, mental health and supply shortages aboard the carrier; Pentagon officials have disputed those accounts.
The landslide on the Nepal-Tibet border has triggered massive floods and widespread casualties. Officials say dozens dead and hundreds missing, with Nepal and China coordinating search-and-rescue efforts as authorities assess potential causes and downstream risks.
Global stocks have rallied this month after officials reported progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a string of strong corporate earnings has bolstered investor sentiment. Treasuries and oil prices have fallen as traders pare back expectations for near-term Fed hikes; strategists warn valuations and one-off earnings boosts limit further upside.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Houthis have launched repeated drone, missile and naval strikes that have damaged Yemen’s Mocha port, killed dozens and forced the port’s suspension. The group has claimed a drone hit on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, while Yemeni government forces have mounted counter‑attacks across multiple fronts.
The United States is circulating a nine-page questionnaire to NATO members and other allies, seeking to gauge support for its approach to defense and deterrence. The document asks whether allies have publicly supported US policy, whether they have placed restrictions on US access to bases, and whether they have aligned with the aim of strengthening “strong, clear, and quiet” messaging. Bloomberg reports the questionnaire reflects a push to involve allies in a broader Middle East strategy.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defence and deterrence. Signed August 7, it marks a shift toward regional security coordination as US involvement in the Middle East becomes more constrained, with analysts noting the pact may empower regional partners without fully replacing Washington’s role.
The Hundred's rebranding under private owners has aimed to broaden appeal with bold branding and new identities, including Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. While ventures like free merchandise activations have boosted engagement, questions remain about sustainability, fan loyalty, and the economics of franchise cricket as competition nears its finals.
England has built a 195-run lead at Headingley as Jordan Cox leads a productive day with 73, Brook and Lawrence adding half-centuries, while Usman claims wickets for Pakistan. Sam Curran faces a groin injury and will miss the third Test.
Kushner and Board of Peace envoys are engaging Hamas in Egypt to press for the 15-point Gaza plan. Netanyahu maintains disarmament conditions, while international mediators call for progress on the roadmap amid unfolding battlefield events.
France hosts Prince Mohammed bin Salman as leaders discuss diversifying energy and transport routes, including maritime and rail projects, amid regional and Middle East stability efforts. The Franco-Saudi partnership council is being convened to solidify cooperation.
Survivors of the Gatumba refugee camp massacre, 22 years on, are urging Burundi to reopen credible investigations, cooperate with regional and international mechanisms, and ensure accountability for those responsible. The clashes highlight ongoing failures to deliver justice for identity-based violence in the region.
Kushner and a U.S. envoy delegation have met Hamas leaders to advance the Gaza roadmap. Netanyahu maintains disarmament is a precondition for any Israeli withdrawal. Regional powers back mediators as talks accelerate toward a schedule for implementation.
The 60-day window for a comprehensive Iran-US peace deal has expired. Talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain unsettled as both sides accuse the other of violations. Trump has publicly claimed a backchannel with Iran’s IRGC, while Iran and Oman pursue a route to restore shipping lanes.
The Guardian, Independent and BBC report Trump has overseen a security maneuver after reports of a heightened Iranian threat. The White House has not confirmed details, but officials describe increased protective measures and a temporary relocation using decoy assets to prevent targeted attacks.
President Trump has announced an "economic D‑Day" against Iran, warning that any country or company that provides a "lifeline" to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Treasury officials have signalled stepped-up secondary sanctions. Markets have reacted: crude prices have risen and US equities have fallen this week.
The BNP-backed Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has won the presidential election with 255 votes to 88 for Oli Ahmed in a 349-seat parliament. The vote follows the resignation of President Shahabuddin and marks a new phase in Bangladesh’s political landscape as Tarique Rahman moves to lead a two-thirds majority government. Hasina remains in exile in India, with a return planned for December.
A cluster of reports flag growing climate risks, highlighting El Niño-driven rainfall shifts, aid cuts, and innovative water solutions. Pakistan and Somalia face stressed water systems and rising malnutrition as drought and floods intensify, while Rwanda advances climate-health warning systems.
The Supreme Court has ordered Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for examination within 48 hours, provoking security measures outside the hospital. Khan and his wife were sentenced to 17 years in prison last year, and protests have followed his detention since 2023.
Geis’s remains have been located by local volunteers during a Broad Peak recovery effort. The expedition, led by Nirmal Purja, was the group’s first attempt on an 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan. The search began after an avalanche swept the expedition away from base camp on July 30. Authorities say the rescue is ongoing and expectations remain cautious.
England’s home Ashes schedule excludes Headingley for the next two summers. Notably, Nottingham’s Trent Bridge will host the northerly match in 2027, with Headingley and Old Trafford out of the men’s rotation. England’s win over Pakistan at Headingley secures momentum, but fans face years without a Headingley Test.
A federal judge has vacated a policy that would have blocked immigrant visas to 75 countries, ruling Secretary of State Rubio exceeded his authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act. The decision reinforces consular officers’ control over visa eligibility and sparks renewed debate over the administration’s immigration agenda.
Australia has secured an innings-and-51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Mackay, leveling the series at 1-1. Mitchell Starc sparked the rout, taking 6-12 in the first innings and 4-39 in the second, finishing with 10 wickets for the match.
France and Saudi Arabia have signed a €6bn agreement to build three theme parks near Cergy‑Pontoise, northwest of Paris, led by Qiddiya Investment Company. One park has been described as manga‑themed and inspired by Dragon Ball Z. The project has been presented as creating about 22,000 jobs and will open in stages over several years.
Iran’s top security leadership has defended a memorandum of understanding as the best path to end the conflict, arguing it preserves dignity and national interests while warning neighboring states against joining the U.S. economic pressure. The 60-day deadline for a resolution has lapsed without a breakthrough, and Tehran is signaling readiness to retaliate if neighbors align with sanctions. Separately, violence in the occupied territories continues amid regional tensions.
A group of former international cricket captains has written to Pakistan's prime minister urging a court-ordered medical board—including Khan’s own doctors—to assess his health and vision impairment. They call for weekly family visits and timely treatment, saying the process must reflect basic decency and court directions.
The United States has announced an expansive set of secondary sanctions aimed at cutting Iran off from global financial systems, targeting digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Tehran warns the move will deepen economic pain; both sides warn of further escalation as oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile.
England fast bowler Brydon Carse is under investigation by the Cricket Regulator after an incident in Derby. He has been removed from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan and replaced by Sonny Baker. The ECB says the Regulator will establish the facts as videos circulated online show Carse in handcuffs outside a Derby venue. No charges have been brought. This follows a string of off-field incidents afflicting England’s players this summer.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced new economic measures designed to squeeze Iran’s economy and isolate Tehran further. Iran’s leadership warns against entrenchment, while markets react to currency pressures and potential retaliation. The move follows Trump’s public calls for economic D‑Day and a broader strategy of secondary sanctions.
The war between the US and Iran continues with new sanctions and diplomatic moves. Pakistan’s Munir visits Tehran to push for de-escalation and the reopening of Hormuz. Iran vows retaliation to sanctions while international leaders call for peace.
The United States has expanded its sanctions campaign against Iran, aiming to sever economic lifelines and isolate Tehran further. Beijing rejects unilateral penalties and pledges to protect its interests, while analysts weigh the risks of Chinese retaliation amid upcoming US-Chinese talks.
Iran and Oman have agreed a framework to create a temporary navigational corridor and a joint mine‑clearance project for the Strait of Hormuz, and they have opened technical talks on a permanent route, traffic management and information‑sharing. Tehran says full reopening remains conditional on US concessions and has tied the plan to wider war demands.
A fire on the third floor of the maternity ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad has killed 14 newborns and injured several others. Rescue services faced delays, and investigators are examining the cause, with officials saying the hospital’s air-conditioning unit is implicated. The tragedy has sparked a national outcry over safety protocols at major public hospitals.
A fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad has killed 14 newborns and injured others. The blaze began around 6:45 a.m. after an air-conditioner compressor exploded in the nursery. Rescue teams are cooling the site as authorities investigate the cause and fire-safety measures.
Festivalgoers in Buñol throw tomatoes in a crowded melee that lasts about an hour, with police dispersals using pepper spray briefly. The event traces back to a 1945 food fight and has evolved into a major international attraction, drawing participants from around the world. Attendance exceeds 20,000 as tourists from India and beyond participate.