Ethiopia fighting intensifies in Tigray as pro-government forces claim advances toward Mekelle
An armed group aligned with Ethiopia's government has said it is close to taking full control of the northern Tigray region, as residents reported federal forces moving closer to the regional capital, Mekelle. The claim was made by the commander of the Tigray Peace Forces late on Thursday and could not be independently verified. It comes amid renewed fighting that has spread across parts of northern Ethiopia after weeks of rising tension.The commander said Tigray People's Liberation Front forces had been wiped out, while the TPLF chairperson, Debretsion Gebremichael, acknowledged that federal forces had occupied some parts of the region.... [Continue Reading]
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Protests in India demand resignation of election chief over voter roll revision
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in India, demanding the resignation of the country's chief electoral commissioner over a disputed voter roll revision. The demonstrations were led by the Cockroach Janta Party and activist groups, with a rally in Mumbai intended to launch a wider wave of protests nationwide. In New Delhi, police blocked a separate gathering at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, and detained some opposition leaders who were heading there.The dispute centres on allegations that the voter roll revision amounted to electoral manipulation and was carried out in a way that favoured Prime Minister Narendra... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Flydubai cockpit attack, Ukraine fighting and global tensions dominate noon brief
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the captain said he was attacked in the cockpit by his co pilot, with the aircraft later landing safely and the pilot describing the moment in detail. đź”—In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia said a drone hit an electricity distribution station in Medina that supplies power to the Prophet's Mosque, while the Houthis denied carrying out the attack. đź”— Jordan is also being urged to consider its response as a former interior minister warned that the West Bank situation is moving beyond isolated security... [Continue Reading]
Jordan urged to weigh response as West Bank escalation deepens
A Jordanian politician and former interior minister has warned that developments across the West Bank are moving beyond isolated security measures and into a broader territorial shift. In remarks published on 2 October 2026, he argued that settlement expansion, land confiscation, movement restrictions and repeated displacement are combining to reshape the territory. He said the cumulative effect could undermine the prospect of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state.The comments focused on what he described as a growing pattern of Israeli control over land, water resources and grazing areas, alongside military operations in several parts of the West Bank. He said... [Continue Reading]
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French high school protests spread as about 400 schools close
French high school protests have widened further, with about 400 establishments expected to close as the movement continued to spread across the country. Fires damaged the entrances to two schools in Paris on Friday, while remote classes were planned in some areas, including Marseille. The unrest began last week in the Paris region and has now reached multiple cities, with students blocking access to schools and confronting police.Education Minister Edouard Geffray said nearly 400 high schools out of 3,700 nationwide were expected to be closed on the day, and he blamed what he called ultra-violent fringe groups for holding the... [Continue Reading]
Saudi coalition says Medina power station was hit as Houthis deny attack
The Saudi-led coalition has said a drone struck an electricity distribution station in Medina that supplies power to the Prophet's Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites. The allegation was made as fighting intensified in Yemen and witnesses reported explosions in the Houthi-held capital, Sana'a. The Houthis denied the accusation, saying they had not targeted Islamic holy sites.Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the Taibah electricity distribution station was hit at 5:11 am on Tuesday, and that investigators had found evidence linking the attack to the Houthi movement. He said the assessment was based on an after-action review and wreckage... [Continue Reading]
UK counter-terror police arrest sixth suspect as RAF Fairford inquiry widens
Counter-terrorism police in the United Kingdom have arrested a sixth suspect in the investigation into a security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Officers said a 25-year-old British-Iranian man was detained in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Police also searched two properties in the London area as part of the same inquiry.The arrest follows the detention of five other men in their twenties earlier in the week, all of whom have since been released on bail while inquiries continue. Investigators said the case began after unusual activity was reported near the airbase, including masked men, parked vans and... [Continue Reading]
Putin renews nuclear warning over Kaliningrad as NATO drills continue
Vladimir Putin has renewed his warning that Russia could use all weapons in its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if Kaliningrad or other Russian territory comes under direct attack. He said the issue would arise if there were a direct strike on the Russian Federation, and linked the warning to what he described as escalating statements about the Baltic enclave. The comments come as NATO continues military drills near Kaliningrad, which the alliance has described as defensive exercises.The warning sharpens an already tense standoff over the Russian exclave, which lies between Poland and Lithuania. Putin said Moscow would face retaliation if... [Continue Reading]
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EU holds emergency talks amid US diesel export standoff
EU energy officials are meeting on Friday amid a growing standoff with the United States over diesel prices and the possible use of strategic reserves. The talks come after reports that President Donald Trump threatened a 90-day ban on US diesel exports unless France and Germany release 120 million barrels from their stockpiles. The dispute has sharpened as fuel costs remain elevated and policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic look for ways to steady the market.The European Commission said the emergency meeting of member states would take place early in the day, while EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said... [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens Iran over flydubai attack link as UAE probe widens
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would be hit very hard if it is found to be linked to the attack on a flydubai flight to Israel. He made the comments as investigators in the United Arab Emirates continued to examine whether the incident involved terrorism, after passengers helped stop the aircraft from crashing and it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The flight later carried its mostly Israeli passengers on to Israel.Trump told reporters at the White House that, based on what he was hearing, the answer to whether Iran was involved was yes, while stressing... [Continue Reading]
Israeli drone strike in southern Gaza and settler shooting near Ramallah kill two Palestinians
An Israeli drone strike in southern Gaza and a settler shooting in the occupied West Bank have killed two Palestinians, according to medical and official Palestinian statements. The Gaza strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, while the West Bank killing took place in the village of Yasuf, north of Ramallah. The incidents came as violence continued across both territories on Thursday.In Gaza, the body of Tamer al-Hamayda, 42, and three wounded people were taken to Nasser Medical Complex after the drone strike, medical personnel said. The strike hit a tent used by displaced... [Continue Reading]
FlyDubai flight bound for Israel plunges after in-flight stabbing, landing safely in Saudi Arabia
A FlyDubai aircraft carrying 174 people was forced into an emergency situation after the copilot allegedly stabbed the pilot while the plane was flying near Israel. The aircraft, which had departed Dubai and was heading to Tel Aviv, reportedly dropped about 4,300 metres in 30 seconds before the situation was brought under control. It later landed safely in Saudi Arabia.According to the supplied material, the attack took place when the plane was already close to Israel and flying over Jordan. Israeli authorities said the copilot tried to take control of the aircraft and intended to bring it down, while the... [Continue Reading]
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Day News Recap: Ukraine under renewed attack as Middle East tensions and global probes deepen
Russia stepped up pressure on Ukraine with drones hitting Kyiv’s Pivdennyi bridge and disrupting public transport, while officials said overnight strikes also damaged sites in Kyiv, Odesa and other areas in a heavy combined assault on the energy grid. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting frontline positions as the attacks intensified. 🔗 🔗In a separate warning that underlined the wider confrontation with NATO, Russia said it could use its full arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if the alliance tried to cut off Kaliningrad. Moscow is also planning a sharp rise in defence spending in 2027, with government documents reportedly showing 17.1 trillion... [Continue Reading]
Algeria lower house approves death-penalty bill for forest arsonists after deadly wildfires
Algeria's lower house has approved a penal-code amendment that would allow the death penalty for certain arson-related offences, following deadly wildfires in the country's north-east. Members of the National People's Assembly voted to back the change on Thursday, according to the supplied material. The measure now moves to the upper house, the Council of the Nation, before any final ratification by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.The amendment would apply to anyone convicted of acts seen as undermining public security and order, national unity, or economic and environmental stability. Tebboune called for the change in September after wildfires killed at least 12 people,... [Continue Reading]
Flydubai co-pilot allegedly stabs captain in mid-air incident over Saudi Arabia
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced into an emergency response after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during the journey, according to the supplied report. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 people when the incident unfolded on Wednesday morning. The plane later landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew intervened.The report says the aircraft descended rapidly, dropping to about half its altitude within a minute as it approached Jordanian airspace. It also emitted an emergency distress signal during the incident. A second pilot on board then took control and completed the landing... [Continue Reading]
WA Police ban at least six protesters from Perth defence expo security zone
Western Australian police have barred at least six people from protesting inside the security zone for next week's Land Forces defence expo in Perth. The event is due to open on Tuesday at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and is expected to draw about 20,000 delegates. The bans were issued before the expo begins, as police start using new temporary powers granted under legislation passed last month.The people affected have received letters from police telling them they are excluded from the security area. A letter seen by the ABC warned that entering the zone could lead to arrest, a... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Russia escalates Ukraine warnings as Gaza toll rises and Iraq mission ends
Russia has warned NATO it could use its full arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if the alliance tried to cut off Kaliningrad, as Moscow also stepped up its assault on Ukraine with a major strike on the energy grid that killed at least seven people and left winter power supplies under fresh strain. đź”— đź”—There is still no sign Vladimir Putin is preparing to stop the war, according to the latest assessment of his public remarks, reinforcing the view that Moscow is doubling down on its full scale invasion rather than seeking a settlement. đź”—In the Middle East, Israeli strikes in... [Continue Reading]
UAE Justice Ministry youth council holds session on youth and digital crime prevention
The Youth Council of the Ministry of Justice organised a youth-led session in Abu Dhabi titled "The Role of Youth in Preventing Crime and Addressing Emerging Crimes in the Digital Age." The event was held on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice , Abu Dhabi 2026. The session was framed around the role of young people in strengthening legal and digital awareness, contributing to justice systems, and addressing challenges linked to artificial intelligence, online fraud, and the promotion of illicit drugs through digital platforms. It brought together Dr Noora Alshamsi, an artificial... [Continue Reading]
Israeli strikes kill at least seven in Gaza as ceasefire tensions deepen
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least seven Palestinians in separate attacks across the enclave, according to health officials and medics cited in the supplied material. The latest incidents were reported in Gaza City, Khan Younis and near Qarara, adding to a series of deadly strikes during the ongoing conflict. Among those killed was a local journalist, Mohammad Al-Najar, who died near a mosque in Khan Younis.In Gaza City, medics said an airstrike on an apartment killed one woman and wounded her husband and several others. Another strike on a vehicle in the Tel Al-Hawa neighbourhood killed at least... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Russia escalates Ukraine strikes as Iraq pullout ends and Gaza ceasefire frays
Russia intensified pressure on Ukraine with its largest attack on energy infrastructure since spring, killing at least six people and injuring 33, while Kyiv said the strikes were hitting power systems and civilian life across the country. Separately, Ukraine's economy minister said air raid alerts are costing the economy about $45m an hour as businesses are forced to stop work. đź”— đź”—Ukraine's Zaporizhstal steelworks has been shut down indefinitely after four waves of Russian missile attacks in August and September, underlining the damage to industrial capacity as the war grinds on. Moscow also warned NATO it could resort to nuclear... [Continue Reading]
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Pentagon says US troop withdrawal from Iraq is complete
The Pentagon has said the final United States and coalition troops deployed to Iraq for the anti-ISIL mission have left the country. The departure was described as an orderly exit from Erbil Airbase in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The announcement marks the end of a long withdrawal process and a further step in Iraq's security transition.Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell said the remaining US troops, other international coalition forces and equipment had all departed from Erbil. He said the move represented the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIL as an organised military threat in Iraq and across the... [Continue Reading]
Oil flows through Strait of Hormuz recover as Iran-US talks continue
Crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered to nearly 80% of pre-war levels, according to the latest tanker-tracking data cited in the supplied report. The improvement comes as Iran and the United States, with mediators, continue efforts to end seven months of hostilities. Even so, the waterway remains far from normal, with tanker insurance costs and wider geopolitical risk still elevated.The report says Middle East crude exports reached an estimated 16.328 million barrels per day in September, the highest level since the war began in late February. Flows through the Strait of Hormuz itself were expected to reach... [Continue Reading]
EU police chiefs meet at Europol to address security threats
Law enforcement and police chiefs from the EU and beyond convened at Europol headquarters between 28 and 30 September 2026 for the European Police Chiefs Convention 2026. The event brought together senior policing officials to discuss major global security threats and coordinated responses through common action. The convention focused on artificial intelligence, lawful access to data, disinformation in disorder campaigns, prevention of radicalisation, and customs cooperation. These were the stated subjects of the flagship Europol gathering. More than 500 police chiefs and delegates from 59 countries and 15 international organisations took part. Among the organisations named were INTERPOL and the... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Russia warns NATO over Kaliningrad as Kyiv, Somalia and Mexico face fresh crises
Russia has warned NATO it could resort to nuclear weapons if the alliance tried to cut off Kaliningrad, the Baltic exclave that sits between Poland and Lithuania, sharpening tensions with the West. đź”—Ukraine said four people were killed in overnight Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and nearby areas, including two women and a 14 year old child, as energy infrastructure was also hit. đź”—In the Middle East and aviation, a FlyDubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an emergency alert was transmitted shortly after takeoff, with the aircraft later landing safely.... [Continue Reading]
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South Korea demands apology over DMZ blasts as North Korea denies planting mines
South Korea has demanded a formal apology from North Korea over landmine explosions in the Demilitarised Zone that injured three soldiers earlier this month. The latest exchange centres on the western section of the border buffer zone, where the blasts took place on 21 September near the military demarcation line. Seoul says the incident was a clear violation of the armistice that ended active fighting in the Korean War.Kang Hyunwoo, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff's director of operations, said the military strongly urged Pyongyang to apologise and take responsible measures to prevent a repeat. Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul... [Continue Reading]
Hurricane Polo Brings Flooding and Structural Damage After Category 3 Landfall in Mexico
Flooding and damage have been reported in parts of Mexico after Hurricane Polo made landfall as a Category 3 storm. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to affected areas, with streets submerged in water in some locations. Images from the scene also showed residents clearing fallen branches and debris from their properties.Several buildings were damaged, including roofs that collapsed under the force of the storm. The available reports do not give a full count of affected homes or businesses, but the visual evidence points to widespread disruption in the areas hit by the system. The storm's impact was... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Russia intensifies Kyiv strikes as Iraq sees end of US troop presence
At least three people, including a child, were killed when Russia launched another overnight wave of strikes on Kyiv and surrounding regions, underlining the renewed intensity of the campaign against Ukraine. đź”—Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia steelworks, Zaporizhstal, has been shut down indefinitely after four waves of Russian missile attacks in August and September, while the economy minister said air raid alerts are costing the country about $45m for every hour businesses are forced to stop work. đź”— đź”—In Iraq, the last remaining US troops have left the country, ending a military presence that began in 2003 and completing a withdrawal agreed in... [Continue Reading]
G20 trade ministers meet in Milwaukee amid tariff tensions and limited breakthrough hopes
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended Washington's trade approach in Milwaukee on Tuesday, saying the administration is "not anti-trade." He said countries are facing similar challenges linked to global overcapacity and what he described as non-market policies. The comments came as G20 trade ministers opened two days of talks in the city, with tariffs and trade frictions expected to dominate the discussions. The meeting brings together officials from the Group of 20 major economies, including China, India, Russia, Japan, Germany and France, as well as the European Union and the African Union.Analysts quoted ahead of the talks said they did... [Continue Reading]
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Malaysia begins repatriating Myanmar nationals amid UN and rights warnings
Malaysia has begun sending back about 1,500 Myanmar nationals from detention centres, according to the supplied material, as it launches a wider repatriation plan covering 5,000 people. The first group was processed at Lumut naval base before boarding buses under police escort to the Majlis Perbandaran Manjung stadium, where the operation was under way on Tuesday. The move has prompted renewed concern from the UN and rights groups, who say some of those returned could face danger in Myanmar.The interior ministry said the repatriations were part of a government plan to resolve what it called a long-standing "legacy issue" involving... [Continue Reading]
Iran urges US voters to reject Trump allies as troops leave Iraq
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stepped up its political messaging to Americans as United States forces were due to withdraw from their remaining bases in neighbouring Iraq. In a 26-page letter published on Monday, the force urged US voters to remove President Donald Trump's allies from Congress and reject support for Israel and military intervention abroad. The intervention came as Qatar continued shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the seven-month war between Iran and the United States.The letter, which was published by Iranian media, called on Americans to use their political power to change the direction of US policy. It... [Continue Reading]
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Qatari PM condemns Gaza atrocities and says ceasefire commitments are being violated
Qatar's prime minister has sharply criticised the conduct of the war in Gaza, saying the situation there is unjustified and that whoever is responsible should be treated as a war criminal. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani made the remarks in an interview on Tuesday, speaking about the conflict and Qatar's role as a mediator. He said the response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel had gone beyond what could be justified.He said hospitals and schools had been targeted and argued that nothing could justify the scale of destruction. Sheikh Mohammed also said more than... [Continue Reading]
UN extends Haiti gang suppression force mandate until March 2027
The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti until 31 March 2027. The decision comes as armed criminal groups continue to control much of Port-au-Prince and violence remains stubbornly high. China, Russia and Pakistan abstained from the vote.The force is currently operating at about 30% of its intended size, with around 1,500 troops on the ground and a further 4,000 expected in the coming months, according to the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, who co-sponsored the resolution. Waltz said the council was trying to do something "genuinely different"... [Continue Reading]
South Africa launches emergency response after 12 women killed near Johannesburg
South Africa's president has announced a national emergency response after the bodies of 12 women were discovered in an area east of Johannesburg over a two-month period. The deaths have triggered widespread concern about violence against women in a country that already faces one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. The announcement came on Tuesday as authorities faced pressure to respond to the scale and apparent clustering of the killings.Cyril Ramaphosa said the government would begin a multidisciplinary, national-level response to the murders. He said there had been four arrests in connection with the case, but... [Continue Reading]
US sanctions 10 entities over alleged support for Iran's military procurement
The United States has sanctioned 10 individuals and companies across China, Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia, accusing them of helping procure weapons and parts for Iran's military. The action was announced by the US Treasury on Tuesday and is part of a wider campaign to restrict Tehran's access to global markets. Officials said the measures are intended to make it harder for Iran to rebuild weapons programmes.The Treasury said the sanctioned network included representatives and technology firms based in China, Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, while three of the designated entities were in Iran. It said the group had... [Continue Reading]
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Trump rejects AI safety cooperation with China after Xi summit
Donald Trump has rejected calls for the United States to work with China on artificial intelligence governance, saying such cooperation would help Chinese firms catch up. He made the comments in Washington while speaking at an event to launch an AI-powered government website, shortly before hosting a lunch with AI industry leaders at the White House. The remarks came after he said he had discussed AI with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit last week.Trump said he did not want to do much on the issue with Beijing, arguing that a joint approach would give China access to knowledge... [Continue Reading]
Evan Gershkovich says he was 'lured into a trap' before Russian arrest
US journalist Evan Gershkovich has described the moment he was detained by masked men in Russia in 2023, saying he believed he had been lured into a trap. In his first interview in the UK, he said the arrest in Yekaterinburg began when a group of about half a dozen masked men entered a restaurant and told him, "I think we booked that table." He said the encounter quickly turned into an arrest by the FSB, Russia's domestic security service. Gershkovich said he was in Yekaterinburg, about 1,600km east of Moscow, meeting someone he thought was a source for a... [Continue Reading]
Argentina threatens legal action over Falklands Sea Lion oil project amid two-week ultimatum
Argentine President Javier Milei has given the United Kingdom two weeks to stop the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands or face legal action at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. He said Argentina would ask the Hamburg-based maritime court to order a halt to the project if work continues. The warning marks a fresh escalation in a long-running sovereignty dispute over the British-administered territory.According to the reported statement, Milei described the project as the illegal exploitation of Argentine resources and said his government would not accept what he called irreversible damage. The companies developing... [Continue Reading]
Israeli settlers torch two homes in Jalud village in occupied West Bank
Israeli settlers attacked two homes in Jalud, a village south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and set them on fire, according to local sources cited in the supplied material. The homes belonged to the Al-Tubasi family. The attack took place hours after the family had returned under an Israeli court decision following nearly two months of forced displacement.The fires caused extensive damage to both homes, the sources said. The report also said Israeli forces were present in the area and provided protection to the settlers. Additional military reinforcements were sent to Jalud during the incident, according to the... [Continue Reading]
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Myanmar airstrike kills at least 49 near market in Rakhine state
The death toll from an airstrike near a market in Myanmar's Rakhine state has risen to at least 49, according to the Arakan Army and a senior rescue official. The attack took place in Kyauktaw township, in territory controlled by the armed group, and injured 58 others. The strike hit a busy civilian area around noon local time, according to the accounts provided.The Arakan Army said a fighter jet dropped two bombs near the local market, killing vendors, shoppers and pedestrians. Wai Hun Aung, a senior rescue official in Rakhine, confirmed the casualties and said the market was the region's... [Continue Reading]
US import ban on Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycles takes effect amid trade dispute
A US ban on several Canadian imports, including alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles, has come into force, marking a new step in the trade dispute between the two countries. The measure affects goods shipped from Canada to the United States and follows a breakdown in trade talks earlier this month. It comes after the Trump administration announced the restrictions in executive orders signed on 8 September.The latest action is being enforced in response to Canada's tariffs on a range of US goods. According to the supporting material, the US says the move is tied to what it describes as continued... [Continue Reading]
India releases American Matthew VanDyke and six Ukrainians after months in jail
India has temporarily released American Matthew VanDyke on bail and freed six Ukrainian nationals after more than six months in detention over allegations linked to weapons and drone smuggling. VanDyke returned to the United States on Saturday morning and reunited with his family, according to a family spokesperson. The releases mark a significant development in a case that had drawn attention in both India and the United States.VanDyke, 47, was detained in March by Indian authorities along with the six Ukrainians. Prosecutors earlier this month declined to bring terrorism charges against him and the others, instead formally accusing them of... [Continue Reading]
France declares Gironde megafire extinguished after 69 days
France has declared the massive wildfire in Gironde extinguished after burning for 69 days in the southwest of the country. The fire began in July near the village of Saumos and spread across a wide area of forest land before being brought under control on 1 August. Authorities said the blaze is now out after continuing to smoulder underground for weeks.State services said the Saumos forest fire burned 42,000 hectares this summer, including 37,296 hectares that were destroyed. They also said no deaths were reported. The fire forced the evacuation of around 224,000 people and sent a thick plume of... [Continue Reading]
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North Korea envoy speaks at UN General Assembly wearing Kim family brooch
North Korea's vice foreign minister, Kim Son Gyong, addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday while wearing a brooch featuring the faces of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung. The appearance drew attention because the two former leaders are treated in North Korea as eternal leaders and their images are commonly used in official settings. Kim used the speech to restate Pyongyang's position that its nuclear status is permanent.During the address, Kim said North Korea's nuclear status cannot be reversed and argued that the country's arsenal is necessary to protect sovereignty and security. He... [Continue Reading]
DRC politician beaten to death after Ebola radio appearance in Butembo
A senior figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's ruling party has been beaten to death in Butembo after appearing on a radio programme about Ebola prevention, according to a party statement. Marie-Celestin Karondwa, who served as acting president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress federal executive committee in the city, was attacked on Sunday after speaking publicly about measures to limit the spread of the disease. The party said the attackers also stole his belongings and set his house on fire.The UDPS federation in Butembo said Karondwa later died from his injuries. It said he had... [Continue Reading]
UK signals tougher sanctions and trade measures over Gaza and West Bank
The United Kingdom has said it will take a tougher stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Minister Ed Miliband pledging new sanctions and restrictions linked to illegal settlements. He made the announcement at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where he said the government would "match words with action" in response to the situation in the Palestinian territories. Miliband described the Israeli government's actions as "a stain on the conscience of the world" and said the ruling party had reset its approach under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.Miliband said the planned measures would target... [Continue Reading]
Ben-Gvir joins hundreds of Israelis at Al-Aqsa compound as holiday restrictions tighten
Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday under police protection, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir among those taking part. The incursion took place on the third day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a period that has repeatedly seen heightened restrictions and tensions around the site. Streets and intersections around the Old City were closed as the visit unfolded, according to the Jerusalem governorate.The governorate said about 900 people entered the compound in the morning, and reported that some danced in circles and sang inside the courtyards. Ben-Gvir said: "We are the... [Continue Reading]
Bangkok flooding continues as disaster declaration covers all 50 districts
Parts of Bangkok remained under water on Monday after days of heavy rain overwhelmed the city's drainage system. The flooding has affected streets, homes and transport links across the capital, with some areas still difficult to access. In Bang Kapi, residents were seen wading through knee- and waist-deep water to collect essential supplies, while small boats were used to reach shops.Officials said some parts of the city recorded more than 30 centimetres of rain, with around 300 millimetres falling in 48 hours in sections of the capital. Authorities declared a disaster across all 50 districts and made Monday and Tuesday... [Continue Reading]
Serbia calls snap parliamentary election for 25 October amid student revolt
Serbia has moved to an early parliamentary election on 25 October, after President Aleksandar Vucic announced the vote in response to months of student-led protests and wider political pressure. The election had originally been due in December 2027, making the new timetable a significant acceleration of Serbia's political calendar. Analysts quoted in the supplied reporting say the decision is intended to reduce political risk rather than settle the crisis.The protests have been driven by anger over a 2024 railway-station canopy collapse that killed 16 people, with student demonstrators accusing the authorities of negligence and corruption. The unrest has continued for... [Continue Reading]
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At least 28 killed in separate mass shootings in South Africa
Twenty-eight people have now been confirmed dead in two separate mass shootings hours apart in South Africa, according to police. The attacks took place in the Johannesburg area on Saturday evening and near Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday, leaving 25 others injured. No arrests had been made by Sunday morning, and investigators said the motives remained unconfirmed.In the Johannesburg attack, eight gunmen stormed a bar close to the city and opened fire on customers outside before continuing the assault inside. Police said 18 people were killed there and 14 more were injured, while the attackers also torched... [Continue Reading]
Trump-Xi Taiwan arms row deepens after ambassador says China was asked about buying US weapons
US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China would be interested in buying American weapons during their meeting in Washington last week, according to remarks attributed to US ambassador to China David Perdue. The claim adds a new layer to an already sensitive dispute over Taiwan, where Washington has been weighing a delayed arms package worth $14bn. It also comes as Beijing continues to oppose US arms sales to the island.Perdue said Trump raised the idea while discussing US weapons sales more broadly, telling Fox News that the president asked Xi whether China would like to... [Continue Reading]
Northern Ireland Drumcree parade blocked by protesters in Portadown
Hundreds of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, County Armagh, on Sunday, preventing a contentious Orange Order parade from going ahead. The Drumcree procession had been due to proceed for the first time in 30 years after late legal challenges, but the route remained blocked as police vehicles stood nearby. The scene drew in senior political figures and revived one of Northern Ireland's most sensitive parade disputes.Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protesters, while Orange Order members and Democratic Unionist Party politicians gathered about a mile away waiting for the road to clear. The supplied report says most... [Continue Reading]
Powerful nor'easter floods US Northeast as outages rise and storm lingers
The nor'easter continued to flood low-lying areas in New Jersey and New York City on Sunday, while strong winds and heavy rain left tens of thousands of homes without power across the Northeast. Tidal surges swamped coastal neighbourhoods in New Jersey, and streets in Howard Beach in Queens were inundated as the slow-moving storm pressed on into a second day. The weather system was expected to linger through Sunday, with impacts extending into New England.Officials and weather forecasters said the storm had already produced more than 10cm, or 4 inches, of rain in some parts of New Jersey since Friday.... [Continue Reading]
Israel revokes Dutch diplomats' status as settlement goods ban takes effect
Israel has said it will revoke the diplomatic accreditation of Dutch officials based in the occupied West Bank after the Netherlands began enforcing a ban on goods from Israeli settlements. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the officials have seven days to surrender their Israeli-issued diplomatic papers. After that period, he said, the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted to them by Israel will expire.The move follows the Dutch government's decision to start enforcing restrictions from September 22 on goods imported from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. According to the supplied material, the Dutch measures... [Continue Reading]
Afghanistan says 28 fighters killed in Nuristan border clash with Pakistan-linked accusations
Afghanistan says its forces killed 28 fighters in the eastern province of Nuristan after cross-border fighting with a group it says had entered from Pakistan. The Taliban-run Ministry of Defence said the clash took place on Sunday and was confirmed in a statement posted online. Pakistan rejected the allegations and denied any role in the incident.The Afghan defence ministry said the fighters crossed the border from Pakistan before the confrontation. It also alleged that most of those killed were former Afghan government security personnel recruited by Pakistan's intelligence services with promises of asylum and paid work abroad. The ministry further... [Continue Reading]
At least 12 killed in suicide bombing at police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan
At least 12 people were killed and 30 wounded in a suicide bombing at a roadside police checkpoint in Pakistan's northwestern Dera Ismail Khan district, according to police. The blast hit near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday. Police said most of those killed and injured were security personnel, with passersby also among the casualties.Local police chief Safdar Baloch said the injured included police officers, customs personnel and two civilians. Rescue 1122 said teams from the Darazinda station reached the scene and began relief work, including medical assistance and transfers to hospital. No group... [Continue Reading]
Iran says it no longer trusts talks with Washington amid war and sanctions dispute
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States, as Iran waits for a response to a new proposal aimed at ending the war and easing pressure on its economy. In remarks aired on Saturday, he said Iran does not know on what basis an understanding can be reached with Washington after previous rounds of talks were followed by attacks and sanctions. He also said Qatar and Pakistan are relaying Iran's messages to the United States.Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were in the United States this week for the United Nations gathering of... [Continue Reading]
Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi drones and missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait
Saudi Arabia's coalition said on Saturday that it intercepted two drones launched towards the Riyadh area and two ballistic missiles targeting Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The announcement came as the coalition said it was monitoring and tracking missile and drone threats directed at the kingdom. The incident adds to a series of cross-border attacks linked to the Yemen conflict.Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said air defences shot down the drones and missiles before they reached their targets. The supporting material does not say whether any damage or casualties were caused. It also does not give details on the launch... [Continue Reading]
Gaza families shelter in damaged buildings at risk of collapse
Families in Gaza City are living inside damaged buildings that local rescue teams say could collapse, as repeated displacement leaves many with nowhere safer to go. One family is sheltering in a partially collapsed apartment near Palestine Square, where a tent has been pitched beneath a roof broken open by concrete and exposed steel. The case highlights the wider housing crisis across Gaza after years of war and severe damage to homes and infrastructure.The family's situation became more urgent after the Palestinian Red Crescent and Civil Defence visited last week and warned them to leave the building. The apartment belongs... [Continue Reading]
India election commission legitimacy under scrutiny amid internal divisions
India's election commission is facing fresh scrutiny after reporting said internal disagreements emerged over changes to the voter database. The allegations have intensified a wider political dispute over whether the country's electoral system remains impartial and credible. The issue is now being discussed not only as an administrative matter, but as a test of confidence in one of India's most important democratic institutions.According to the reporting, the chief election commissioner repeatedly overruled concerns raised by the two other commissioners about the integrity of ongoing voter-roll changes. The claims were published after an investigation based on internal documents and interviews, and... [Continue Reading]
Yemen leader calls for mobilisation and offers amnesty to Houthi defectors as fighting shifts toward Bab al-Mandeb
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi has called on people to mobilise and join the government-aligned armed forces as the conflict shifts toward the western Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb strait. In a recorded speech on Friday, he also pledged amnesty for any Houthi fighter who defects to government forces. The appeal came after government losses on the western Red Sea coast and as the Houthis pressed advances toward the strategic waterway.Al-Alimi said Yemenis should rally around the armed and security forces and enlist through official channels. He said the amnesty would take effect immediately for those... [Continue Reading]
Fire on Greek cargo ship near Mykonos prompts evacuation
A fire broke out on the deck of a truck ferry sailing north of Mykonos on 25 September, prompting an emergency response at sea. The vessel was carrying 28 staff and one passenger, all of whom were evacuated safely using lifeboats. Authorities said the blaze required an extensive firefighting operation.The Hellenic Coastguard said it was not yet clear how the fire started. The incident was reported while the ferry was underway north of the island, which lies in the Aegean Sea and is one of Greece's busiest maritime areas. No injuries were reported among those on board, according to the... [Continue Reading]
At least 13 killed as military plane crashes near homes in Kenge, DR Congo
At least 13 people have been killed after a military aircraft crashed near homes in Kenge, in the southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The plane was travelling towards the capital, Kinshasa, from Kikwit when it suffered a technical malfunction. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft came down in a residential plot and burst into flames.Officials said the aircraft was carrying military personnel and civilians, including senior officers. Remy Saki Bokinda, the province vice governor, said there was no landing strip available in Kenge, which contributed to the crash site being in a populated area. He said... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan warns Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross red line as Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs meet
Pakistan's prime minister has said any Houthi threat to Mecca or Medina would cross a red line, as military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met in Riyadh to discuss closer defence coordination. Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said an attack on the Muslim holy cities would be a line that "must never be crossed".Sharif described the attacks as "deplorable" and said the group's alleged targeting of Mecca had "outraged Muslims across the globe". The Houthis, who... [Continue Reading]
UN expands database of firms linked to Israeli settlements
The United Nations human rights office has added 61 companies to its database of businesses linked to activities connected with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The latest update brings the total number of firms on the list to 214, spread across 11 countries. The office said the database is intended to identify companies involved in activities that may contribute to adverse human rights impacts in the occupied territory.The UN published an 18-page report explaining the rationale for the additions and removals. It said 126 businesses were assessed in the latest review, and that five companies... [Continue Reading]
Poland raises air-defence posture after alleged Russian airspace incursions
Poland has raised its air-defence posture after what it described as repeated alleged Russian incursions into its airspace in recent weeks. The move comes as Warsaw says it is expanding protection of the country's airspace and increasing air force activity, including F-16 aircraft and helicopters. Officials say the measures are intended to secure the eastern part of Polish airspace and respond to what they see as a growing pattern of pressure.Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had decided to expand airspace protection after the latest Russian provocations and acts of aggression. The Polish Air Force launched preventive air patrols on... [Continue Reading]
Israeli shelling continues in southern Lebanon as PM demands withdrawal at UN
Lebanon's prime minister has called for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and for the ceasefire to be fully enforced, as shelling, demolitions and an air strike were reported on the ground. Nawaf Salam made the appeal in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. His remarks came as fresh explosions and fires were reported in several areas of southern Lebanon.According to the supplied report, a large explosion was heard near Taybeh and Deir Siryan, while an Israeli air strike hit a valley between Froun and Ghandourieh and triggered a large... [Continue Reading]
Sudanese refugee arrivals surge into eastern Chad as UN warns of funding shortfall
More than 55,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into Chad this year, with arrivals into the country's eastern border areas rising sharply in recent days, according to the UN refugee agency. The agency said about 400 people a day are now entering via Adre and Tine, around 20 times the rate seen in previous months. It said the increase is adding pressure to an already strained humanitarian response in eastern Chad.UNHCR said the surge has accelerated over the past week and is outpacing available support. The agency said the Tine transit centre is under severe pressure and is currently hosting more... [Continue Reading]
Kazakh officials detained after Caspian Sea training deaths as investigation widens
Five senior military officials have been detained in Kazakhstan after 14 service members died when they were swept into the Caspian Sea during a combat training mission, authorities said. The detentions came as investigators examined decisions made during the organisation and execution of the exercise, including whether safety requirements were followed and whether weather conditions were properly taken into account. Officials said the incident happened some 43km from Aktau in south-western Kazakhstan.Those detained include the chief of staff and first deputy commander of Kazakhstan's Naval Forces, two military unit commanders, and the commanders of a marine company and a boat.... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo warns UN risks becoming a 'charade' during Paris visit
Pope Leo has warned that the United Nations and other multilateral bodies are in crisis, using a speech in Paris to question whether international dialogue is still serving the common good. Speaking at the headquarters of UNESCO, the UN culture and education agency, he said diplomacy risked becoming a "charade" rather than a path to peace. He also raised concerns about artificial intelligence and the possibility of "losing our humanity".The pontiff made the remarks during a weekend visit to France, while the UN General Assembly was taking place in New York. He said that those in power sometimes invoke the... [Continue Reading]
Hawaii warns of catastrophic flash flooding as Hurricane Nolo nears Big Island
Authorities in Hawaii have warned of catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding on the Big Island as Hurricane Nolo moves close to the island. The alert comes as the storm strengthens and tracks near one of the state's most populated islands. Officials say the main risks now include extreme rainfall, mudslides and dangerous flooding in steep terrain.The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an alert for possible catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding this weekend. The National Hurricane Center said Nolo could bring as much as three feet of rain, with maximum sustained winds of up to 80 mph. The... [Continue Reading]
THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMP’S WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trump’s 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]



