The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS summit reaffirms the members’ commitment to reforming global governance through a fairer and more effective multilateral system. The states highlighted the UN’s central role and pledged to uphold multilateralism, multipolarity and international law, including the UN Charter.
The leaders of BRICS member states and governments adopted the New Delhi Declaration of the group’s 18th summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced. He said no member had raised objections and that the 2026 declaration was unanimously approved.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged BRICS to act as a peacemaker in the Middle East conflict during an address to the bloc’s summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi for a summit centred on trade, investment and global conflicts. As wars and tensions with the United States challenge the bloc, it is seeking a larger role in shaping the global agenda for emerging and developing countries.
Speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Xi Jinping said the group has become the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. He urged members to deepen AI cooperation, uphold peace and stability, promote civilizational exchanges and help guide the international order toward greater justice and equity.
Donald Trump’s efforts to weaken BRICS through tariffs and economic pressure may instead encourage countries to reduce their dependence on US-centred markets, finance and the dollar. BRICS is not a unified anti-US alliance, but its diverse members are cautiously expanding local-currency trade and payment links to limit their exposure to American leverage.
Leaders of the 11-member BRICS bloc are meeting in New Delhi on Saturday to expand economic cooperation and seek a larger role for emerging powers in global affairs. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are testing the group’s ability to stay united.
The BRICS cooperation mechanism, formally launched in 2006, opened a new chapter in cooperation among major emerging economies. As the world undergoes profound changes, BRICS is amplifying Global South countries’ calls for better governance, greater security and the right to development.
Premier League leaders Manchester City visit Manchester United for the first derby of the 2026-27 season, with new boss Enzo Maresca facing his first major test. City have nine points from three league games, while United have four. Opta gives City a 44.2% chance of winning, compared with 31.6% for United and 24.2% for a draw.
Premier LeagueManchester derbyManchester UnitedManchester City
Bulgarian authorities are investigating a fire at an EMCO munitions storage facility and whether it is connected to a similar explosion at another company site in August. EMCO has ruled out human error, while investigators are considering possible sabotage. No casualties were reported, and police said there was no danger to residents.
US President Donald Trump says he believes Iran was “probably” responsible for Friday’s attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, which forced it to shut down. He also says the Houthis have asked his administration not to intervene in Yemen.
China is marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March, the 12,000-kilometer retreat that became a defining moment in its history. Enrique Dussel, director of Mexico’s Center for Chinese-Mexican Studies, says its legacy helped shape China’s long-term development strategy, modernization, high-quality productive forces and stronger institutions.
A source tells The Associated Press that San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan signed a contract extension during the offseason that will keep him with the team for the long term.
Kyle ShanahanSan Francisco 49erscontract extension
Surf is one of several dating apps moving away from endless swiping and encouraging potential matches to meet in person and share experiences together.
Persistently high inflation is pushing the Federal Reserve toward a rate increase, with the odds of a hike at next week’s meeting rising sharply. Donald Trump opposes the move.
Apple has opened preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max ahead of their September 18th release. The phones use the A20 Pro chip, come in four colors, and start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively. Apple offers unlocked models, financing, and trade-in credit, while Best Buy and Walmart initially list carrier-locked versions.
Yemeni government forces say they carried out air strikes on Houthi fighters, vehicles and weapons near Mocha and along the Mocha-Dhubab road after the Houthis seized the strategic Red Sea coast, the city and Mayun island. Government officials described the fighting as a “battle for survival”.
Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen are celebrating after taking control of the Red Sea coast in a rapid offensive against the internationally recognised government. Government forces have responded with strikes on Houthi positions as the fighting intensifies.
During a trip to Ireland for a golf tournament, US President Donald Trump said he would love to see the Republic of Ireland and British-run Northern Ireland eventually unite. The British government said there was no majority support for another referendum at present. Trump also predicted that the US war with Iran and trade conflict with Canada would end soon.
Donald TrumpIrish unificationNorthern IrelandUS-UK relations
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s office said Saturday that his position on Irish unification remains unchanged after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “love” to see a united Ireland.
US President Donald Trump met Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House in Dublin on September 12, 2026, and said he would “love to see” a unified Ireland.
Russian strikes have hit several parts of Ukraine, killing at least 11 people, with Odesa particularly badly affected. Kyiv is also pursuing an operation against Russia’s “shadow fleet” in an effort to choke off a key source of war funding.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a candid, in-depth exchange on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, reaching what China described as important consensus that the two countries should be partners rather than rivals. Xi urged expanded cooperation, balanced handling of economic and trade concerns, parallel progress on bilateral ties and border issues, and closer coordination in multilateral frameworks.
Xi Jinping received a red-carpet welcome in New Delhi as he arrived for India’s Brics summit, his first visit to the country in seven years. The gathering is seen as the biggest step towards reconciliation since the deadly 2020 Himalayan border clash, while Beijing and Delhi publicly ease tensions and quietly compete for influence within Brics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open a BRICS summit in New Delhi tasked with finding common ground, even as the escalating Middle East war threatens to create new divisions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the BRICS summit and talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to footage shown by Indian television channels.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is traveling to New Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade turbulence and energy security are expected to dominate the two-day meeting, while Xi’s visit is being watched as a major step in the cautious thaw between China and India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks on Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, as relations between the two countries move from conflict toward a cautious thaw.
Chinese President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His entourage includes Cai Qi, director of the CPC Central Committee General Office, and Wang Yi, China's foreign minister.
Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Xi Jinping is travelling to New Delhi for the BRICS summit and is expected to hold face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Saturday, according to New Delhi’s foreign ministry. The visit comes six years after a deadly military clash between China and India.
Xi JinpingNarendra ModiBRICS summitChina-India relations
Speaking at the BRICS summit in India, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Global South countries need stronger representation on the UN Security Council. He said expanding the council to include representatives from Asia, Africa and Latin America could give the process of improving the United Nations a boost.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told the BRICS summit that the IMF, World Bank and WTO were created under entirely different political and economic conditions, making reform of global economic governance institutions long overdue. He said the institutions are struggling to adapt as business activity increasingly shifts toward emerging markets.
Speaking at the BRICS summit in India, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the UN Charter remains the key source of international law. He said Russia places particular importance on preserving and strengthening the United Nations’ central role in international affairs.
Vladimir PutinUnited Nationsinternational lawBRICS
Chinese President Xi Jinping said BRICS members must advance cooperation on artificial intelligence. Addressing the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, he urged countries to seize the initiative and expand practical collaboration in the emerging field. Xi also welcomed BRICS participation in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to support industrialization, research breakthroughs and deeper industrial and supply-chain cooperation.
Speaking at the BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the group’s countries possess immense intellectual and technological potential. He described this as a significant advantage, and possibly the most crucial factor under current conditions.
Israel’s destruction of homes and infrastructure has left Palestinians in Gaza dependent on hourly generator rentals for basic needs. In Gaza City, residents share mobile generators to power water pumps, while fuel, repairs and rental costs rise. The lack of electricity also forces families to pay laundries for everyday chores.
Speaking at the BRICS summit in India, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the move toward a multipolar world is encountering difficulties and opposition from those who divide the world into a “blooming garden” and a “wild jungle.” He said the unipolar system is fading as power shifts toward new growth centers in the Global South and East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in December. Russia says it is too early to confirm where or when such talks could take place.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would attend the G20 leaders’ summit in Miami in December and meet Vladimir Putin there if the Russian leader also attends. His comments came as U.S.-led efforts seek to bring Ukraine and Russia back to negotiations, with energy and grain ceasefires discussed as possible first steps.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Miami. The Kremlin says it has not decided whether Putin will attend and instead demands that Zelensky travel to Russia for talks. Putin has repeatedly rejected proposed face-to-face meetings intended to help end the war.
In an exclusive DW interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would travel to Miami and meet Vladimir Putin if the Russian president attends the G20 leaders’ summit in December. Zelenskyy said results, rather than words, would matter, described Ukraine as well positioned for negotiations, and urged European allies to provide more air-defense support.
Uganda is holding the funeral of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba, who took the throne at age 3 in 1995 and died of cancer at 34. A royal clan committee selected his cousin Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as successor, but the king’s immediate family says his will named an unidentified son born out of wedlock, fueling a succession dispute.
Uganda lays ‘boy king’ Oyo to rest amid succession row
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🐶 Indian researchers train dogs to sniff cancer with help of AI
An Indian startup is training dogs to sniff human breath for cancer, and using AI to analyse the dogs' brain activity, respiration and body language after sniffing the masks — turning their reaction to the scent into data.
🐶 Indian researchers train dogs to sniff cancer with help of AI
An Indian startup is training dogs to sniff human breath for cancer, and using AI to analyse the dogs' brain activity, respiration and body language after sniffing the masks — turning their reaction to the scent into data.
Police in North Rhine-Westphalia have released bodycam footage of officers arresting alleged power saboteur Daniel V. The video shows police drawing their weapons as new details emerge in the case.
Russian strikes in Ukraine have reportedly killed four people and hit a steel plant as well as residential areas. Smoke was seen rising over Kramatorsk after an airstrike.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland for a two-day visit. His itinerary includes meetings with the prime minister and president, along with plans to attend the Irish Open at his family’s golf resort.
President Donald Trump arrived in Dublin on Saturday for talks with Ireland’s president and prime minister. The weekend visit is also centered on a major golf tournament at a course he owns on the country’s Atlantic coast.
President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland on Saturday morning for talks with the country’s leaders before attending a tournament at one of his golf courses.
US President Donald Trump is arriving in Dublin for several high-level meetings with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. He will also meet Irish President Catherine Connolly, described as a former left-wing firebrand, with trade, golf and Gaza on the agenda.
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Ireland for a two-day visit. He is due to meet President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin before attending the Irish Open at his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare. Irish authorities have prepared one of the state’s largest security operations, while protests are expected in Dublin and Doonbeg.
Donald Trump has arrived in Dublin for a two-day visit that includes talks with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, as well as golf at his Doonbeg course. Connolly has previously been sharply critical of Trump, prompting competing hopes in Ireland about how directly she will challenge him.
Donald Trump arrived in Ireland on Saturday under tight security for a two-day visit combining diplomacy and golf. The trip again blurs the boundary between his presidency and personal business interests.
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Ireland’s leaders on Saturday before attending a golf tournament this weekend. The trip marks a shift from his recent focus on the Iran war and his party’s effort to retain power in November’s midterm elections.
Germany’s Welt am Sonntag cited intelligence reports directly linking the failed drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. A suspect whose GRU ties were known to German authorities was not monitored after entering the country. Russia has denied involvement.
China is facing a demographic crisis as its ageing population grows and birthrates and marriage registrations fall to record lows. Authorities are promoting marriage and family formation while traditional matchmaking is being redesigned for modern life, from popular theme-park matchmakers to agencies organising dating events for singles.
On Sept. 12, Ukraine celebrates Borshch Day, honoring the centuries-old dish that remains a central pillar of Ukrainian identity and family traditions.
On Sept. 12, Ukraine celebrates Borshch Day, honoring the centuries-old dish that remains a central pillar of Ukrainian identity and family traditions.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said BRICS needs an ambitious agenda for the next 20 years and a mechanism to preserve continuity and implement its decisions. Opening the bloc’s leaders’ meeting, he proposed improving internal working mechanisms and tracking progress on initiatives and agreements reached in the Troika format.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged BRICS members at the summit in New Delhi to jointly develop 10 proposals for reforming global governance and produce a roadmap by the next summit. He said Global South countries are on the front lines of global crises but remain sidelined in decisions affecting them, calling for a shift from a “pyramid of privilege” to a partnership platform.
US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran would end “very soon” while answering reporters’ questions during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin. Trump added that oil prices would come tumbling down once the war ends.
🇬🇭 Ghana's larger-than-life coffins tell the stories of the dead
A giant fish, shoe or bottle of Fanta probably won’t appear on many undertakers’ coffin catalogues. But in Ghana, particularly in Ga communities, these are just a few of the eclectic creations set to breathe life into any funeral.
🇬🇭 Ghana's larger-than-life coffins tell the stories of the dead
A giant fish, shoe or bottle of Fanta probably won’t appear on many undertakers’ coffin catalogues. But in Ghana, particularly in Ga communities, these are just a few of the eclectic creations set to breathe life into any funeral.
Many BRICS countries have a worldview close to Russia’s and understand the mistakes currently being made by European authorities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He noted that their approaches may contain certain nuances, while stressing that Russia’s key concern is its president’s vision.
Work on the BRICS summit’s joint statement is continuing as experts finalize language acceptable to all sides, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said. He assured that the summit would end with a final document or concluding statement.
A clandestine cryptocurrency farm is hidden in the lush mountains of central Mexico beside a little-used gravel road. Few people venture close enough to hear the loud mechanical whirring coming from the site, drawing attention to possible cartel funding.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi continued their table-top discussions while traveling together by car, using the private time to address the most important and sensitive issues. He also praised the term “car diplomacy” for such trips.
A growing Canadian consumer movement to buy domestic goods and shun U.S. products is changing supermarket shelves, prompting grocers to improve country-of-origin labels and find new supply sources.
The next US-mediated Israel-Lebanon talks, planned for Rome, have been postponed until October as Israeli forces continue strikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said there would be no new negotiations with Israel for now. Explosions and shelling hit Nabatieh and nearby areas, where attacks have killed at least 29 people over the past two weeks.
Aoun says Lebanon’s position remains unchanged, with an Israeli withdrawal, the return of prisoners, the return of displaced people and reconstruction identified as key demands.
On a sunny morning in June, the author walked to work alongside a quadruped robot and drew unusual attention from strangers. People took photos and asked whether it belonged to the author, whether they had built it, and whether it was being used for surveillance. Dogs kept their distance, with some barking or growling.
South East Water Ltd. is reconsidering its plan to raise debt through the capital markets after initial discussions with bond investors stalled over pricing.
OpenAI says an advanced model solved the Navier–Stokes problem, a landmark question involving fluid flow, but the claim has unsettled mathematicians. Critics say the heavily resourced company is disregarding established norms and intensifying rivalries. OpenAI denies that Tristan Buckmaster’s Codex prompts influenced the result, though he remains skeptical.
OpenAIartificial intelligencemathematicsNavier–Stokes problem
OpenAI drew attention this week by announcing a solution to a mathematics problem whose roots stretch back 200 years. Almost immediately, however, two mathematicians said the result may have been taken from their own work; one of them works for rival Anthropic.
Most Americans are expected to pay substantially more each month for health insurance next year, whether their coverage comes through an employer, Obamacare or Medicare.
Researchers examined Parks Canada data from 2010 to 2023 on aggressive wildlife encounters and the activities people were undertaking. They found many incidents occurred during quiet pursuits such as hiking, walking and sightseeing.
The Senate is scheduled to return Monday after a five-week recess, but it remains unclear whether Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell will return after being absent from the Capitol for three months because of health issues.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that the evolving war in the Middle East and Gulf region has inflicted serious losses on people there and does not serve the international community’s common interests. Speaking at the BRICS Summit, he called for de-escalation, an end to hostilities, political settlement and a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire.
A Hong Kong court sentenced two pro-democracy activists to seven years in prison and a third to five years for organising vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre. Judges accused them of breaching China’s constitution by calling for an “end to one-party dictatorship.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi that member countries should stand firmly on the right side of history. He urged them to advance innovation, preserve peace and stability, promote mutual learning among civilizations and improve global governance, while warning of war in the Middle East and Gulf region. China will assume the BRICS presidency next year.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that China will assume the BRICS presidency next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit. He made the announcement at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
President Xi Jinping announced at the BRICS summit in New Delhi that China will assume the group’s presidency next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit. He said China would use the opportunity to build consensus and work with all parties to plan for the future, ushering in what he called BRICS cooperation’s “third golden decade.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin’s warning that deploying European troops to Ukraine would mean war with Russia reflects Moscow’s position. He stressed that this is not a “red line,” but a position communicated to the entire world, especially Europeans, in an extremely specific and clear manner.
Russian strikes have killed three civilians and wounded dozens in Ukraine, according to local officials. Putin has also warned Europe against sending troops to the country.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that the continuing changes in the Middle East and Gulf region have brought serious losses to people there. He said the war does not serve the shared interests of the international community.
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te reportedly said China was distorting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, arguing that it concerns only the People’s Republic of China’s representation at the UN and has nothing to do with Taiwan, which he called a “sovereign independent nation.” The Taiwan region’s Labor Party and New Party presidents responded that there is only one China and reunification is the trend.
Taiwan party leaders criticize Lai for distorting historical facts
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🇵🇭 Christmas arrives early in the Philippines as 'ber months' begin
In a Manila market, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures hangs from the ceiling of a shop that is already stacked high with Christmas decorations, despite the holiday being four whole months away.
🇵🇭 Christmas arrives early in the Philippines as 'ber months' begin
In a Manila market, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures hangs from the ceiling of a shop that is already stacked high with Christmas decorations, despite the holiday being four whole months away.
The Paris Criminal Court sentenced two men over the violent 2023 burglary of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessia Elefante at their Paris apartment. Ilyas Kherbouch received nine years in prison and an €80,000 fine, while Moktar D received five years, with two suspended. A third defendant was acquitted.
Saudi Arabia has shut a critical oil pipeline after it was hit by drones launched from Iraq. The move comes as attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels this week further tighten Middle Eastern supplies and threaten to worsen the global energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack. Iraq confirmed the strike originated from its territory, launched an investigation and closed a border crossing with Iran. No group has claimed responsibility, while the shutdown adds to disruptions facing Saudi oil exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran was probably behind an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that forced the closure of the kingdom’s East-West pipeline, a major route for exporting crude while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz.
Drones from Iraq attacked Saudi Arabia’s East–West pipeline and set it ablaze. The route is crucial for sending Saudi oil to the Red Sea while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, and the incident could push oil and fuel prices even higher.
Saudi Arabia shut its critical East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after multiple attacks on Thursday, the Energy Ministry said. The pipeline serves as an alternative route for shipments unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia says several drones launched from Iraq struck its East-West oil pipeline, causing injuries and damage and prompting a precautionary shutdown. The attack came as Houthi forces expanded their control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Saudi Arabia has closed its crucial East-West oil pipeline after Thursday’s attack, putting an important alternative route for Gulf crude exports at risk. Iraq’s foreign ministry said the country has decided not to retaliate for now.
Saudi Arabia has closed its critical East-West oil pipeline after drones launched from Iraq struck it. Iraq said the attack originated in Maysan province, bordering Iran, removed the area’s military commander and opened an investigation. Riyadh said it would not retaliate for now.
Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack. Riyadh says the strike originated in Iraq. The pipeline had enabled Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline after the vital conduit came under aerial attack amid the widening Middle East war. The move comes as the Houthis tighten their control over shipping in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia condemned attacks by several drones launched from Iraq against the East-West oil pipeline near Medina and Riyadh, saying the strikes caused casualties. Riyadh decided not to retaliate at Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s request, but said it reserves the right to take all measures to protect its sovereignty, national security and economic facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry says sections of the East-West oil pipeline near Medina and Riyadh were shut down as a precaution after several attacks, which injured several people. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, while U.S. intelligence sources did not rule out drone strikes from Iraq by pro-Iranian groups.
Saudi Arabia says several drones originating from Iraq struck its East-West oil pipeline near Riyadh and Medina, causing injuries and material damage and prompting a temporary shutdown. Riyadh is holding off retaliation at Baghdad’s request. Iraq condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into those responsible.
Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq attacked its East-West pipeline. A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said Riyadh would not retaliate for now at Iraq’s prime minister’s request, while reserving the right to take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty, security and critical facilities.
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities are facing criticism over new measures said to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges. They are promoting alleged risks for Taiwan residents traveling to the mainland and asking travel agencies to collect tourists’ personal information, prompting concern on the island.
Britain’s famed devotion to a good cup of tea is being tested by rising heat as the climate changes. The warmer conditions are reshaping familiar eating and shopping habits on the country’s high streets.
No hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic 103 days into the season, establishing a new record for the longest wait. A powerful El Niño is being blamed for strangling fledgling storms.
Banks are developing tokenized deposits to make cross-border business payments faster and keep customers’ funds within their systems. DBS and Citi’s New York office reportedly completed a dollar payment between Singapore and the United States in minutes on Sept. 5 using SWIFT’s digital ledger. The approach could reduce costly prefunding, while helping banks protect currency-conversion and lending fees.
Claude is being misused across areas ranging from hacking to bioweapons. The US disrupts the internet’s biggest black market, a Conti ransomware hacker receives a prison sentence, and Meta fails to stop AI-generated videos of child abuse.
About 1.2 million people in Zambia could face acute food insecurity from October through March because of an El Niño-related drought, government official Patrick Kangwa said. Southern Zambia is forecast to receive below-normal rainfall during the 2026/2027 rainy season, prompting authorities to activate contingency plans.
Angela Skujins writes this Friday newsletter from Riga after spending several days in the Baltics, taking in beetroot soup, battlefield tactics and the vibrant spirit of Riga’s people.
Saudi Arabia halted oil transfers through a major pipeline after it was hit by drones. Houthi forces also seized a strategic port and an island in Bab el-Mandeb from Yemeni government troops. Iran, which supports the rebels, said it was not involved in the attacks.
Houthi political bureau member Hizam al-Assad says international shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains safe and routine, rejecting concerns about a possible blockade. He also confirms that the movement has completed an operation to control areas and districts near the strait in western Yemen, calling it an internal effort to assert Yemeni sovereignty.
Aid workers say nearly 50,000 people have been displaced after Iran-backed Houthi forces rapidly seized towns along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast, including the strategic port of Mocha. Roads have been cut and villages emptied as civilians flee renewed frontline fighting. The struggle for the Bab al-Mandab strait risks turning Yemen’s conflict into a prolonged war with global trade and energy consequences.
Houthi forces seized strategic Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait after Yemeni government troops withdrew overnight, a day after capturing the Red Sea port city of Mocha. The gains expand Houthi control along Yemen’s western coast and intensify pressure on the United States, Gulf oil shipments and global crude prices. Houthi claims about maritime safety and downed Saudi aircraft could not be independently verified.
South Africa is seeing a sharp fall in routine childhood immunisation. The share of infants under one recorded as receiving no vaccines rose to 36.3% between January and April 2026, while first-dose coverage fell to 67% in 2025. Health officials cite misinformation, missed opportunities in clinics, supply problems and population-data issues. Measles and diphtheria outbreaks have followed, while African coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Russia currently has no joint economic projects with the United States, and it remains unclear whether any will be launched before a settlement in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He argued that trade, economic and investment cooperation should resume as soon as possible, while noting that some US officials say a settlement must come first.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said restoring trade and economic cooperation with the United States would bring significant benefits to both sides. However, he said there are currently no practical mechanisms for cooperation and no joint projects have been implemented, despite strong interest at the corporate level.
🇨🇳 Supporters pay respects to founder of Communist China
Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong line up in his hometown to pay tribute -- holding portraits, leaving huge floral tributes and singing revolutionary songs.
🇨🇳 Supporters pay respects to founder of Communist China
Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong line up in his hometown to pay tribute -- holding portraits, leaving huge floral tributes and singing revolutionary songs.
Diesel prices in Portugal have reached a record high, prompting many Portuguese drivers to cross the border to refuel. The trend is becoming even clearer after Spain’s government introduced a 20-cent-per-litre discount, making Spanish diesel the second cheapest in the EU.
The Minutes Reader extension turns the original page into a focused reading view and translates articles and video subtitles on demand. It is in limited beta.
TASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-12 12:14
BRICS leaders meet in India as wars and US tensions test the bloc
Xi hails BRICS’ importance in fostering emerging markets’ cooperation
Trump may be BRICS’s best recruitment agent
Wars in Ukraine and Iran set to dominate BRICS summit
