News

The Lebanese Army said a soldier was seriously wounded and three civilians were injured after an Israeli drone targeted a military vehicle in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The strike coincided with artillery shelling, two explosions and intensive flights by warplanes and drones over several areas of southern Lebanon early on Wednesday.

Three people, including a child, were killed and 7 others injured in Russian attacks on Kyiv and its surrounding area, while Ukraine said it had downed 5 ballistic missiles and 155 drones. Moscow, meanwhile, said its defences had shot down 384 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Heatwaves and drought have exposed archaeological features beneath fields surrounding the ancient Roman city of Aventicum in Switzerland’s Vaud canton. Surveys conducted by drones revealed remains of baths, houses, roads and a structure that may have been a temple, helping archaeologists update site maps and correct historical records maintained for decades.

A Flydubai aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia after its flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and contact was lost following the transmission of emergency codes, one of which indicated unlawful interference. While an Israeli official denied that the incident was a hijacking, initial reports suggested a fight in the cockpit or between crew members.

UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to Riyadh, the first by a senior Emirati official to the kingdom since public differences emerged between the two countries over Yemen.

Russian African Corps forces helped Niger’s military council regain control after a mutiny in Niamey in late August. Nigerian writer Taiwo Hassan says the intervention strengthens Moscow’s influence, but could deepen Sahel states’ dependence on external protection and threaten the independence of their security and political decisions.

The United States will end its formal military operations in Iraq on 30 September, after moving personnel and equipment from Erbil. Washington will retain intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities in the region, reposition forces in Jordan and keep personnel to protect its diplomatic missions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Moscow’s response after a meeting between the German and Russian foreign ministers showed it was unwilling to hold serious talks to end the war in Ukraine, stressing that Berlin would continue supporting Kyiv for a long time if Russia refused to return to the negotiating table.

The United States condemned acts of violence in the West Bank and called for investigations and prosecution of those responsible after more than 100 settlers attacked Jalud village, setting fire to buildings and vehicles. The attack coincided with further assaults in al-Mughayyir village and criticism from Israeli opposition leaders of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf objected to aspects of a government decision that extended legal and regulatory deadlines affected by the war, asking President Masoud Pezeshkian to rectify the violation and inform him of the outcome. While the objection centres on how the deadlines were amended, researchers and politicians say the dispute does not yet represent a rift between the two men.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a strategy that includes increased security funding for Jewish synagogues, stronger Jewish history education in schools and support for organisations working to prevent hate crimes. The announcement came amid continued criticism of his views on Israel, while Israel’s consul general in New York attacked the plan and called on the mayor to change his rhetoric.

Navigation data and court records show that three tankers taken under US control travelled from Asia to the Atlantic and are still carrying about 6 million barrels of Iranian crude. Meanwhile, other tankers intercepted by US forces remained in Asian waters, with some later recorded as having discharged their cargoes near Malaysia and the Strait of Malacca.

Tehran has signalled that it may act pre-emptively if preparations for a new attack against it are confirmed, while US Vice-President JD Vance said an agreement remains possible provided Iran honours its commitments. The escalation comes amid continuing regional mediation efforts and reports of a new incident involving a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Estonia said a fire that broke out in August at a facility belonging to Milrem Robotics was a sabotage operation orchestrated by Russian intelligence, following an investigation lasting more than two months. Moscow denied the accusation, while European countries expressed solidarity with Tallinn and linked the incident to a series of attacks targeting facilities supporting Ukraine.

Fighting has intensified in northern Ethiopia as federal forces advance into Tigray and take control of five towns, while clashes escalate in Afar to retake Abala and Eribti from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and its allies, amid UN warnings of a widening conflict and rising numbers of wounded people and displaced residents.

Settler attacks have increased in Hebron, Jerusalem, Beitunia, Jalud and southern Nablus, alongside restrictions imposed by Israeli forces at checkpoints and gates. The United Nations has documented more than 1,600 attacks since the beginning of 2026, amid widespread damage to property and agricultural land and disrupted access to services and places of worship.

King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri as Morocco's prime minister and tasked her with forming a new government after the Authenticity and Modernity Party came first in the parliamentary elections, winning 97 of 395 seats. Mansouri faces the task of building a parliamentary coalition while overseeing Morocco's preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

US President Donald Trump said Iran was experiencing a major collapse, predicting that the war would soon end with a US victory and lower fuel prices. His remarks came as mediators led efforts to reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid continuing disagreements over the nuclear programme, sanctions and the sequencing of reciprocal steps.

King Mohammed VI has tasked Fatima Zahra Mansouri with forming Morocco’s new government, making her the first woman to head it. Her appointment came a week after the Party of Authenticity and Modernity topped the legislative elections with 97 seats, amid a turnout of 38%.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, during a visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. The meeting discussed relations between the two countries and developments in the region.

Israel imposed a week-long closure on the West Bank, alongside a system of more than 300 checkpoints among hundreds of obstacles restricting movement for 3.4 million Palestinians. The effects include preventing workers from reaching their jobs, obstructing patients and medical teams, and forcing residents to take longer routes between cities and towns.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas leaders based outside the Gaza Strip remain on the “target list”, referring to a previous strike in Qatar. His threat came after the announcement that Izz al-Din al-Bik, commander of the northern Gaza Brigade of the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an Israeli air strike targeting Gaza City.

Amnesty International said it documented killings, torture, enforced disappearances and looting during joint operations by the Malian army and Russian personnel between June 2023 and December 2025. It said most victims were Fulani, Arabs and Tuareg, and that civilians were killed in drone strikes.