US Forces Clear Iranian Mines In Strait Of Hormuz, Declare Shipping Route Open

UPDATED: Aug 28, 2026 08:47 ISTThe United States Central Command announced that military forces have cleared sea mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the international shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the route open. U.S. forces utilized Navy divers, Navy SEALs, and air power across military branches to clear the sea mine threats over several months. During this period, forces assisted over 1,500 vessels carrying more than 750 million barrels of oil through the strait. Despite the clearance, commercial traffic through the waterway remains below pre-war levels, while international maritime advisors and allies urge caution amid ongoing shipping concerns. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSHaryanvi Singer Shot Dead Outside Gym In UP's Shamli; CCTV Captures 18 Rounds Fired By AssailantsA Haryanvi singer was killed in broad daylight outside a gym in the Aryapuri-Nalpatri area of Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh. Four assailants arriving on motorcycles fired over 18 rounds at the victim while he was inside his vehicle, before fleeing the scene. Newly emerged CCTV footage has captured the sequence of events, showing the assailants firing a barrage of bullets and running away from the spot, providing key evidence to help track down the accused. Uttar Pradesh Police have launched a massive search operation across multiple departments to apprehend the identified suspects. Responsible parties in Sonipat have claimed the attack stemmed from personal rivalry. Authorities are also investigating potential links to gang rivalry and entertainment industry connections, as source reports indicate police are close to capturing the suspects involved in the incident.Union Minister Holds Talks With Anti-Quota Protesters After Jantar Mantar AgitationA Union Minister held a round of talks with representatives of the Reservation Hatao Andolan following demonstrations held at Jantar Mantar. The delegation previously met with the Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, who assured them that their demands would be presented to central government leaders. The anti-quota group is demanding systemic changes to the reservation framework, advocating that affirmative action be determined primarily by economic status rather than caste criteria. Additional demands raised by the movement include the establishment of a National Commission for the General Category, the complete rollback of University Grants Commission caste equity rules, the abolition of the creamy layer concept to make reservation need-based, a review of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, and the expansion of benefits under the Economically Weaker Sections category. Although no final breakthrough was reached during the initial discussions, both sides agreed to hold another round of meetings to continue dialogue on the matter.Himalaya Glaciers Melting Fast | Nepal Flood Disasters | Rising Climate Risk For IndiaA report highlights the alarming impact of climate change on the Himalayan mountain range, which is warming twice as fast as the global average. The rapid melting of glaciers and rising temperatures pose severe risks of avalanches, flash floods, and cloudbursts across the region, impacting countries like Nepal, Tibet, and India. Nepal alone has lost one-third of its ice cover over the last thirty years, with glaciers disappearing sixty-five percent faster between 2011 and 2020 compared to the previous decade. Out of Nepal's more than two thousand glacial lakes, twenty-one are classified as extremely dangerous. The recent catastrophic flooding around Bhote Koshi highlights this threat, with experts suggesting an avalanche—rather than seismic activity—caused recorded tremors. Beyond natural factors, human activities such as unregulated construction and hydropower dams further weaken the fragile mountain slopes. The report serves as a critical warning for governments to ensure due diligence and address ecological vulnerabilities affecting interconnected river systems across South Asia.Gen Z Voices Counter Rahul Gandhi, Congress Claims On ‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’, CJP & Hijab DebateIn an interview, social media user and Gen Z youth Samantha shared her views on the 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' website, countering claims made by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. She described the website as a fact-based effort rather than a satire or BJP-sponsored initiative, dismissing Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's claims of it being linked to a 'Modi mitra mandali'. Samantha addressed Rahul Gandhi's remarks on patriarchy and Manusmriti, calling it biased to target only Hinduism while avoiding other religions. Sharing her experience as an MBA student at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), she critiqued the wearing of hijab and niqab in professional management settings, arguing that it limits women's career advancement. Furthermore, she dismissed the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) as a manufactured movement funded by political elements, contrasting it with the Jharkhand Movement, which she described as an organic protest focused transparently on government exam reforms without defaming the nation.