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+1 source·20 August 2026 · 21:14 UTCBreaking

Pakistan challenges court order on Imran Khan hospital move as ex-PM is taken from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad

The Supreme Court's three-judge panel ordered the move within 48 hours, citing a constitutional obligation to safeguard the prisoner's life and health. Khan's lawyers say the 73-year-old suffers from poor eyesight and other conditions, and an eye specialist will be involved in his treatment.

+2 sources·20 August 2026 · 20:17 UTC

US imposes fresh sanctions on Hezbollah, redesignating it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for service to Iran's Quds Force; Treasury also targets 10 cash smugglers

The redesignation updates Hezbollah's 2001 listing to explicitly link it to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a move separate from forthcoming Iran sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans a Monday press conference on 'the toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.

·20 August 2026 · 19:24 UTC

PM Modi calls for wider engagement with universities and youth to bring new, unconventional ideas after high-level meeting

The call came during PM Modi's ongoing outreach to younger generations, emphasizing that such engagement can birth fresh perspectives. He urged officials to break silos and involve youth more directly in policymaking.

·20 August 2026 · 19:20 UTC

'Government deceived us': Jharkhand students say as high court stays exam cancellation; leaders announce effigy burning of CM across 24 districts

Manch leader Kunal Pratap Singh alleged that neither the advocate general nor any senior advocate appeared in court to defend the government's stand, calling it a 'trap' to end the protest. JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who broke his fast after 16 days, respects the court's decision but remains committed to fighting corruption and irregularities.

·20 August 2026 · 18:48 UTC

USCIS expands public charge rule for green card applicants from September 18; receipt of means-tested benefits like food stamps may count against them

The new guidance replaces the Biden-era framework with a broader case-by-case assessment, following DHS's rescission of the 2022 regulations. USCIS will weigh five statutory factors—age, health, family status, assets, and education—when determining inadmissibility.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 18:48 UTC

Report alleges Hegseth hid Iran strike damage as USS Lincoln sailors struggle; Trump threatens Iran with 'economic warfare' and cuts off talks

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed over 260 days, with the reported damage linked to resupply problems, raising concerns over sailor exhaustion and morale. The Pentagon denies the allegations, while Trump's threat of 'the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION' has already spiked oil prices, with Brent crude up 2.4% to nearly $94 a barrel.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 17:26 UTC

Texas Governor Greg Abbott proposes banning H-1B visa holders and foreign influence in public schools; 'Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas'

Dallas ISD, the state's top H-1B sponsor, had 171 approved applications between July 2025 and June 2026, and officials warn that eliminating these teachers would require more Texans in the teaching pipeline. Abbott's proposal also targets foreign gifts, citing Austin ISD's acceptance of hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatar for Arabic instruction.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 17:26 UTC

US designates American citizen Min Zin as wrongfully detained in China; State Department calls for his release ahead of Xi's Sept. 24 visit

Secretary Rubio determined the designation after an extensive review, citing repeated interrogations and isolation for nearly 11 weeks. The move comes as Trump is set to host Xi Jinping on Sept. 24, and rights groups urge the US to press for Zin's release, with Youlin Chen also designated wrongfully detained.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 17:26 UTC

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea drills near end; South Korea condemns launch, convenes emergency security meeting

Seoul called the launch a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions and demanded an immediate halt. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the missiles are believed to be 600 mm multiple rocket launchers, which Pyongyang has described as able to deliver tactical nuclear warheads.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 17:26 UTC

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis claim drone attacks on Najran airport and Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia; Saudi confirmation pending

The Houthis' military spokesman Yahya Saree said the drones 'successfully carried out two military operations,' targeting a 'sensitive Saudi enemy site' at the airport and the Aramco facility. Iran's Revolutionary Guards earlier warned Saudi Arabia would be 'unable to contain' the Houthis as they escalate attacks.

·20 August 2026 · 17:26 UTC

Harry and Meghan return to Britain this month to send children to school; royal commentator says they're 'walking back into a lion's den prepared'

The couple's return comes after Harry lost his legal battle against the Daily Mail last month, during which he said the tabloid made Meghan's life 'an absolute misery'. An anonymous aide called the decision 'absolutely baffling', noting they escaped, fought, lost, and now return to face the press again.

+4 sources5 updates

20 August 2026 · 19:36 UTCHarry and Meghan plan to keep Montecito mansion as they relocate to Britain; children Archie and Lilibet to start school there in September 20 August 2026 · 07:13 UTCPrince Harry and Meghan Markle will return to the UK, signaling a potential end to their rift with the royal family.+2 more reports

·20 August 2026 · 16:49 UTC

Pakistani MP alleges UAE hotel allowed only Indians and Americans after flight cancellation during US-Iran war; calls behavior 'extremely inappropriate'

PTI's Qaiser urged Pakistan's government to use diplomatic channels with Emirati authorities. Separately, actor Saba Qamar recounted being stopped in Tbilisi due to her Pakistani passport while her Indian crew was allowed to proceed, calling the experience humiliating.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 16:49 UTC

Pilot killed after Cessna 150 collides with Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near Carlisle runway; both troopers survive

The collision occurred during a training exercise, and the Cessna 150, a two-seat trainer, was destroyed. One trooper pushed out a window to help the other escape, and Gov. Josh Shapiro said, "Tonight could've been much worse."

·20 August 2026 · 16:49 UTC

UAE suspends all trade with Iran, citing regional escalations, as US declares economic warfare on Tehran; experts say move signals alignment with Washington

Experts say the suspension is a message to Iran over attacks on Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, but halting direct trade may still allow billions in sanctioned oil revenue to reach Tehran via opaque shell companies in China and Hong Kong, according to FDD's Max Meizlish.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 16:07 UTC

Karnataka CM Shivakumar, in Amit Shah's presence, commits that except 5 TMC for drinking, Mekedatu dam water will be for Tamil Nadu; 'dam built only for you, not us'

Shivakumar also called for a shift from 'water sharing to water cooperation,' citing the June 25 meeting with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CMs as a 'historic landmark.' He stressed that every riparian state's legitimate needs are accepted, but cooperation must be reciprocal, protecting Karnataka's lawful share under tribunal awards.

·20 August 2026 · 15:28 UTC

Russian missile and drone barrage kills at least 16 in Ukraine's Kyiv region; hits recorded at 28 locations as air defenses strained

Zelenskyy said Russia had been preparing the attack for a long time, combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to damage civilian infrastructure. Poland activated its air defense systems, while Romania reported a drone crash and Moldova confirmed an airspace breach.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 15:28 UTC

Veteran BNP leader Mirza Alamgir elected 23rd president of Bangladesh; oath ceremony set for Friday evening at Banga Bhaban

The 78-year-old, who served as local government minister and BNP secretary general under PM Tarique Rahman, will be sworn in Friday evening at Banga Bhaban. Former Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus congratulated Alamgir, and the Election Commission will publish the result in an official gazette today.

·20 August 2026 · 15:28 UTC

Miami food entrepreneur Roger Duarte killed in Kenya helicopter crash; all seven aboard, including pilot, died

The Eurocopter EC130 B4 went down near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County at 9:13 am local time, and Kenyan aviation authorities are investigating the cause. Duarte, 42, had built George Stone Crab and My Ceviche, and was called the 'Stone Crab King' by Bloomberg.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 14:00 UTC

Kim Yo Jong calls South Korea's reaction to Trump's drills cut 'double-dealing remarks' as Lee praises move toward dialogue

Kim Yo Jong also dismissed Seoul's description of the reduction as 'nothing but a lame excuse,' while Trump said Monday he received a response from Kim Jong Un after the drills cut. The joint exercises were set to end Friday.

·20 August 2026 · 14:00 UTC

Chinese, Turkish military aircraft land at Pakistani airbases over 60 hours, sparking defence transfer speculation; sources call it coordinated

The airlift reportedly moved drones and other defence matériel, though details remain unverified. Turkish officials said nearly 200 Pakistani engineers are already involved in the KAAN fifth-generation fighter programme, with talks to formally include Pakistan set to begin.

·20 August 2026 · 14:00 UTC

El Nino strengthens faster than forecast, with WMO expecting a strong event and US forecasters seeing over 90% chance of a very strong one; damage already widespread

WMO projects Pacific sea-surface temperature anomalies to exceed 2.9°C, with El Nino peaking between September and December. Indonesia saw nearly 95,000 hectares burned in July, while India's monsoon deficit remains at 12% as of August 19, threatening crops and food security.

+2 sources·20 August 2026 · 13:50 UTC

Cauvery, NEET, delimitation dominate South CMs' meet with Amit Shah; Tamil Nadu's Vijay pushes united South, Karnataka's Shivakumar seeks 1971 Census basis

Karnataka CM Shivakumar sought restoration of the state's tax share from 3.6% to 4.7%, citing an estimated loss of Rs 65,000 crore over six years. Kerala CM Satheesan flagged that the state bore nearly 90% of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY costs, spending Rs 1,493 crore while receiving only Rs 151 crore from the National Health Authority.

·20 August 2026 · 13:41 UTC

US ambassador's Kashmir visit, calling it 'an important part of India', reignites Pakistan row as Foreign Ministry summons charge d'affaires over 'strong demarche'

Gor's two-day trip to Srinagar and Ladakh was the first standalone visit by a serving US ambassador since 2019, and he said Washington was reconsidering its 'do not travel' advisory for the region. Pakistan thanked Trump for his offer to help resolve the Kashmir question, urging consistent public language.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 12:25 UTC

Supreme Court forms five-member committee led by ex-SC judge Subhash Reddy to probe student protest violence; panel to prioritize allegations against female protesters

The committee will examine allegations of excessive force, including pellet guns and lathi charges, and will also assess damage to public property and injuries to police. The court directed the HPEC to submit its first interim report at the earliest, with the next hearing set for September 10, 2026.