US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate Committee that Pakistan, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are developing nuclear-capable missile systems that could reach the United States. She said the intelligence community assesses expanding threats, with total missiles rising from 3,000 to over 16,000 by 2035, and highlighted advanced Russian and Chinese systems designed to penetrate US defenses. Gabbard warned Pakistan’s long-range programme may include ICBMs, while Iran could develop such capability before 2035. She added North Korea’s cyber thefts, including $2 billion in 2025, fund weapons programmes. She also said US strikes have degraded but not destroyed Iran’s regime, which continues regional attacks. CIA John Ratcliffe Europe risk.

Qatar has condemned Iran’s strike near its main gas facility, calling it a “direct threat” to national security. State firm QatarEnergy said missile attacks hit Ras Laffan Industrial City and caused “extensive damage.” Fires were reported at the site after the strike. The attack followed Iran’s warning that it would target energy infrastructure after earlier strikes on its own facilities. Tensions remain high across the region. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles and drones. Strikes and alerts were also reported in other countries as the conflict widened and energy sites came under focus. (PC: HT)

The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged as rising oil prices linked to the Iran war increase economic uncertainty. The key rate remains at 3.5% to 3.75%. Officials said the situation in the Middle East has made the outlook unclear. “The implications… are uncertain,” the Fed said. Higher oil prices have already pushed fuel costs up in the US. This may raise inflation and reduce spending. Policymakers are moving cautiously despite pressure to cut rates. Forecasts now show inflation at 2.7% this year. Most officials still expect at least one rate cut later this year. (PC: BBC)

Two explosions were reported in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh as tensions rose in the ongoing war. Authorities said air defences were responding to missile and drone threats. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of retaliation after Ali Larijani’s killing, saying “criminals will have to pay soon.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also issued a “firm and clear warning” targeting energy infrastructure. Israel said it carried out wide airstrikes in Tehran and other areas. The United States confirmed strikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has spread across the region, with attacks reported in multiple countries. (PC: HT)

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has named Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan among the gravest nuclear threats facing the United States. Testifying before a Senate panel, Gabbard warned that missiles capable of striking America could surge from approximately 3,000 currently to over 16,000 by 2035. She highlighted deepening military coordination between North Korea, Russia, and China as a serious concern. On Iran, Gabbard stated its nuclear enrichment programme was "obliterated" in June 2025 strikes but cautioned Tehran retains significant proxy capabilities and would likely rebuild its arsenal if the regime survives. The remarks came despite Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif recently praising Trump as a regional peacemaker in Washington. (PC: India Today)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the assassination of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, killed in an Israeli overnight airstrike on Tehran. Pezeshkian mourned the deaths of Khatib, senior security chief Ali Larijani, and military commander Aziz Nasirzadeh, alongside family members, calling the strikes "cowardly assassinations." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, stating that Prime Minister Netanyahu had authorised the IDF to eliminate any senior Iranian official without requiring additional approval. Khatib had served as Iran's top intelligence chief since 2021. The killings follow Israel's confirmation of Ali Larijani's death and Basij commander Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, as the US-Israel-Iran war enters its third escalating week. (PC: X)

Microblogging platform X faced a global outage on Wednesday evening, with users unable to refresh timelines or open links. The issue spread quickly, with thousands reporting problems in India and the United States. Downdetector showed a sharp rise in complaints within minutes. Many users said notifications were still coming, but feeds would not load. The app displayed a message: “Cannot retrieve posts at this time. Please try again later.” This suggested a wider system issue. Users moved to other platforms to check updates. The company has not yet shared the reason or timeline for a fix. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said Nato members are making a “foolish mistake” by refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war. He said most allies do not want to get involved and added, “we don’t need any help.” Trump said they “should’ve been there” but called their absence “not a big deal” and “unfair” to the US. He also criticised the UK for not supporting US-Israeli strikes. Several European leaders said they do not want to join the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains tense, with attacks on ships and limited oil movement. (PC: BBC)

Iran said it will target energy facilities across the Gulf after its South Pars gas field was hit. State media reported damage to gas infrastructure in southern Iran. The field, shared with Qatar, is the world’s largest. Tehran named key sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar as potential targets. Qatar blamed Israel for the strike, calling it “dangerous and irresponsible.” The warning comes as the conflict widens. Iran also reported attacks on ships in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. The United States said it struck Iranian missile sites to protect shipping routes. (PC: HT)

Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks targeting central Israel, including densely populated areas, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict. Explosions were reported as Israeli air defense systems intercepted several incoming projectiles, though some caused damage and casualties. The strikes come in retaliation for recent Israeli attacks that killed top Iranian leaders, including Ali Larijani and reportedly Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib. Tensions continue to surge across the Middle East, with repeated cross-border strikes, rising civilian impact, and fears of a wider regional war intensifying. (PC: Times Now)