Your helper

Monday, August 17, 2026

Iran Warns Of ‘Fully Offensive’ Posture As Trump Rejects Extending Ceasefire

Iran has warned that it will adopt a “fully offensive” military posture after efforts to negotiate a permanent end to its war with the US stalled, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday. The warning came as Washington ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire agreement, raising fears that the conflict could intensify. Progress towards renewed peace talks has also stalled, while efforts to restore oil tanker traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz have failed to advance. The deadlock threatens to prolong the conflict that began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. The Iranian official said Tehran was prepared to take action if diplomacy failed, including a “timely and precise” military strike aimed at breaking the US naval blockade. Iran also warned that tensions could rise across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updates-tehram-says-60-day-us-talks-timeline-lost-relevance-blames-washington-for-violations-of-memorend-1862522">Iran Says 60-Day US Talks Timeline ‘Lost Relevance’, Blames Washington For ‘Violations’</a> <h2>Iran Warns Of Action In Strait Of Hormuz</h2> “Iranian entities must be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region, as Iran will be ready to make decisions and take action on difficult decisions,” the official said. A memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 had set a 60-day deadline for Iran and the US to reach a broader agreement covering Tehran’s nuclear programme and US sanctions. The arrangement called for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts”. However, the agreement quickly came under strain over the issue of control of the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway had carried about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the war, making the dispute a major obstacle to efforts to secure a lasting settlement. Asked on Monday whether Washington was seeking to extend the interim agreement reached in June, US President Donald Trump said it was not. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u3s92ruiTZg?si=QOxyvqHr4p7jpjfb" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/uIZcnjl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Threatens To Bomb Oman Over Strait Of Hormuz Reopening Efforts</a> <h2>Back-Channel Contact With IRGC</h2> One potential opening for diplomacy emerged through reported back-channel contacts between the Trump administration and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has gained greater influence during the war and controls significant parts of Iran’s armed forces and economy. Axios, citing two sources familiar with the discussions, reported that former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard spoke with an Iraqi Kurdish leader who has close links to the IRGC. Through that intermediary, the US reportedly conveyed a message to IRGC commander Gen Ahmad Vahidi. Fox News later reported that Trump confirmed the contact in a telephone interview. The Trump administration has reportedly questioned whether Iranian negotiators involved in formal talks have the authority to speak on behalf of the IRGC, according to Axios. Reuters has separately reported that Vahidi had emerged as a pivotal figure during the conflict. Axios said Vahidi responded that he was aligned with the Iranian negotiating team. Despite the uncertainty, Trump's son-in-law and special envoy Jared Kushner said in an interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Monday that communication between Washington and different parts of the Iranian government was extensive. “I can't go into the details of it, but I will say that the conversations between the US government and different areas of the Iranian government at all areas is probably more robust than it's maybe ever been,” Kushner said.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-tehran-warns-of-fully-offensive-posture-as-trump-rejects-extending-ceasefire-1862556

Trump cites India's voter cards to make case for SAVE America Act

Washington, Aug 18 (PTI): India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently asked the US administration how elections in America can be held without a valid photo identification card, President Donald Trump said, making a case for mandatory photo IDs for every US voter to curb "electoral fraud".Trump, in a post on Truth Social, further said less than one per cent of voters in India used postal ballots in the recent general elections, and every voter had a valid photo identity document.The US president made these remarks to drum up support for the SAVE America Act which would require Americans to show proof of citizenship to register to vote, impose a nationwide voter identification requirement and severely limit voting by mail."Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration — How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID," Trump wrote. "India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than one per cent voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document." "We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now," he asserted.Trump has been insisting on passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, claiming the move would curb electoral fraud.However, both Democrats and Republicans are divided over the issue, and the US Senate adjourned for a five-week recess earlier this month without any concrete steps for its passing. PTI SKU ARB ARB(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-cites-india-s-voter-cards-to-make-case-for-save-america-act-1862555

Trump felicitates lifeguard who saved Indian American kid from surf waves

Washington, Aug 17 (PTI): US President Donald Trump on Monday felicitated a 16-year-old lifeguard who saved a 10-year-old Indian-origin boy from getting washed away at a California beach last month.Trump welcomed the lifeguard, Ryder Williams, and his family members, and the young boy Nathaniel Rai, his sister Layla and his father Sumit Rai at the Oval Office in the White House."I want to congratulate Nathaniel Rai for coming through an ordeal. That means you are going to have good luck in life,” Trump said.“You are very lucky I was not on service that day,” Trump said in jest to Nathaniel, as he lauded William for the daring rescue.On July 25, Williams saved Nathaniel from the powerful waves that engulfed him at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California.“He's a real hero,” Trump said, referring to Williams, who was seated on a chair next to him.Williams’ parents, Shane and Shannon, and another lifeguard, Aaron Bonin, who assisted in the rescue, were also present at the Oval Office.The video of the daring rescue, which went viral on social media, was noticed by Trump, who announced that he would invite the lifeguard and his family members to the White House.“It's an amazing thing. And he is a real lucky guy, too. God was watching you,” the president said, referring to Nathaniel.Williams said he saw the child lose his footing in ankle-deep water about 20 yards from the tower he was assigned to and ran to rescue him.“In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training. We are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can. So I really was thinking about how to get the boy out of the water as fast as I can,” Williams said.Nathaniel’s father Sumit said he was grateful to the lifeguards for saving the life of his son.Trump said the visitors will also be shown around President Abraham Lincoln’s bedroom, which he used as his office and Cabinet Room—where he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. PTI SKU AMS(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-felicitates-lifeguard-who-saved-indian-american-kid-from-surf-waves-1862554

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Trump Backs 'Islamic NATO'; Praises Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan For 'Big, Bold First Step'

US President Donald Trump on Sunday backed the newly signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, describing the pact as a “big, bold, and important first step”. Signed on August 7, the agreement brings three major Islamic nations closer on defence cooperation and has drawn comparisons with Nato's collective defence principle. The emerging grouping has also been dubbed “Islamic Nato” because of its resemblance to Nato's core defence commitment. Trump welcomed the agreement in a post on Truth Social, saying it demonstrated that “the Middle East is coming together” and would allow countries in the region to defend themselves “in a more meaningful way”. <h2>Trump Hails Three-Nation Defence Agreement</h2> “Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” Trump wrote in his post. He said the pact showed how the Middle East was moving towards greater unity and suggested that the participating countries would now have a stronger ability to defend themselves. “Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP — WOW,” Trump added. <h2>Pact Signed By Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani leaders</h2> The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The pact has brought Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan closer in the defence sphere and has prompted comparisons with Nato's collective defence framework. Its perceived similarity to that principle has led to the informal description of the three-country grouping as “Islamic Nato”. Trump's endorsement comes as the agreement marks a significant step in closer defence ties between the three nations.  

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/mecca-agreement-donald-trump-praises-saudi-arabia-turkiye-pakistan-defence-pact-middle-east-coming-together-1862405

Former Afghan Security Official Shot Dead By Unknown Gunmen In Pakistan’s Quetta

Karachi, Aug 16 (PTI) A prominent former Afghan security official was shot dead in Pakistan on Sunday, according to a police officer. Haji Hazrat Ullah alias Rorad Achakzai, who had migrated to Pakistan in 2021 after the Taliban takeover, was killed near his home in Quetta, Adil Shah, the police officer in the area, confirmed. According to the police, armed men riding motorcycles opened fire on Achakzai while he was taking a walk in the Killi Raisani area near his home, killing him on the spot. Shah said Achakzai was a prominent local anti-Taliban commander and militia leader of the Achakzai Pashtun tribe in Southern Afghanistan, which includes Kandahar province. He led an anti-Taliban tribal movement around the Spin Boldak and the Kandahar border regions with Pakistan before moving to Quetta. He said police are still investigating whether it was a matter of old enmity or the commander was targeted because of his past in Kandahar province. The motive for the killing and the identities of those responsible remain unclear. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. In another incident on Sunday, two labourers were killed when a vehicle was targeted by militants some kilometres from Quetta. The labourers were killed, and three others were injured in an IED blast that targeted their vehicle. Senior Superintendent of Police Asif Ghafoor said the IED had been planted by the roadside and was detonated when the vehicle carrying a contractor and four workers passed through on the road. He said the contractor was taking the labourers to the area for construction work on tube wells. Security forces have launched a search operation to trace those involved.  (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/former-afghan-security-official-anti-taliban-commander-haji-hazrat-ullah-shot-dead-in-pakistan-quetta-1862386

Iran Offers $30,000 Bounty To Capture Or Kill US Soldiers; Double Reward For Women

Iran's military has announced a bounty of $30,000 for citizens who capture or kill US military personnel, with the reward doubled to $60,000 for Iranian women. Iranian Army chief Amir Hatami announced the reward, saying the plan was drawn up following a "large number of requests" from people seeking to participate, AFP reported, citing Iran's state news agency IRNA. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5-AEDjcysc?si=F7oTfijj8aImcjjp" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3>$30,000 Reward For Capturing Or Killing US Personnel</h3> Hatami said anyone who captures or kills and hands over an American soldier would receive a reward of $30,000, or 5 billion tomans, from the Iranian Army. "Anyone who kills or captures and hands over an invading American military personnel will receive a reward equivalent to $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army," Hatami said. He did not specify when or where such an action against US personnel would take place. Hatami also announced a higher reward for women. "Courageous Iranian women who carry out such an action will receive double the reward," Hatami said. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-update-kyiv-launches-one-of-its-biggest-drone-attacks-moscow-region-targeted-1862373">Ukraine Launches One of Its Biggest Drone Attacks On Russia, Moscow Region Targeted</a> <h3>Weapon To Be Bought At Double Price</h3> According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, Hatami said the person carrying out the attack would receive additional benefits. He said the weapon used to kill a US soldier would be purchased at twice its price, while the individual would also receive a new weapon. "The individual's weapon will also be kept in a planned museum," Hatami added, according to the report. The Iranian Army chief also claimed that the war had exposed US claims about its military strength. He supported Iran's demand for Washington to withdraw from the Middle East and said the US no longer had permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz. "America no longer has the authority it once had," Hatami said, according to The Jerusalem Post. He claimed the conflict had weakened Washington's military dominance and encouraged other countries to explore alternative ways of securing themselves. <h3>Trump’s Hormuz Remark Also Draws Iranian Response</h3> Hatami also criticised US President Donald Trump's statement that the Strait of Hormuz would be declared "territory of the United States" after Iran's defeat. He accused Trump of attempting to portray the US as victorious despite what he described as Washington's declining global standing. The Iranian commander-in-chief also warned US bases in West Asia, saying Tehran would not allow facilities that posed a threat to Iran to resume operations in neighbouring countries. According to The Jerusalem Post, Hatami claimed US forces had effectively been driven out and would no longer be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/bangladesh-sets-2-conditions-for-pm-tarique-rahman-s-india-visit-seeks-hasina-extradition-1862368">Bangladesh Sets 2 Conditions For PM Tarique Rahman’s India Visit, Seeks Hasina Extradition</a> <h3>Ceasefire Deadline Approaches</h3> The announcement comes as a 60-day deadline under the US-Iran Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 17, approaches. Under the agreement, Iran and the US had agreed to a temporary ceasefire and to continue negotiations towards a permanent solution after 40 days of fighting that began on February 28. However, the ceasefire has remained fragile, while talks have not progressed. The two countries have instead exchanged sporadic fire, with fighting largely centred in southern Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly 17 US military personnel have been killed since the beginning of the US-Iran war. All of them were killed outside Iran, including in countries such as Iraq and Jordan.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-offers-30-000-bounty-to-capture-or-kill-us-soldiers-double-reward-for-women-us-iran-war-1862384

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Israel President Herzog, PM Netanyahu greet India on Independence Day

Herzliya (Israel), Aug 15 (PTI): Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated India and its people on the 80th Independence Day, calling for strengthening the “beautiful friendship” between the two countries. “On behalf of the State of Israel, I warmly congratulate President @rashtrapatibhvn, Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the wonderful people of India on your 80th Independence Day!” Herzog posted on X. “I hope that we will continue to strengthen this beautiful friendship between Israel and India,” he said.Congratulating India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the two countries’ innovation and friendship are “boundless”, but the “best is yet to come”.“Congratulations to India and to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi on your 80th Independence Day”, Netanyahu posted on X shortly after the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening.“India and Israel achieved independence one year apart. We are two ancient nations that seize the future together to bring a better life for our people”, the Israeli Premier noted.“Our innovation and friendship are boundless. The best is yet to come!”, he said.Official communiques are generally put on hold in Israel during Sabbath, so the message came out only on Saturday evening. The Israeli Foreign Ministry also extended its greetings. More than 400 Indians from all over Israel descended on this northern coastal city in Tel Aviv district to celebrate Independence Day. The enthusiastic crowd made it to the venue in the morning despite the early start in view of the “historic journey of the Suryapath Tiranga” with the Indian mission in Israel passing the baton to the one in Egypt. Ambassador J P Singh hoisted the Tricolour amid patriotic slogans from the crowd. The ceremony started with the singing of Vande Mataram, marking the 150th anniversary of the national song. Singh also felicitated the winners of “Know India Quiz” and of the photography competition “India Through My Lens”. Meanwhile, the Indian community in Israel has planned several events across the country to celebrate Independence Day. The Bhartiya Gorkha Association of Israel has organised a special function at Rothschild Street in Tel Aviv, inviting members of the community. More than 40,000 Indians are estimated to be working in various sectors of the Israeli economy, with reports of many more waiting to join the workforce. The Indian mission also organised a short cultural programme following the flag hoisting. PTI HM GSP RD RD RD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/israel-president-herzog-pm-netanyahu-greet-india-on-independence-day-1862268