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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
The United Nations General Assembly approved a new world map projection that shows Africa's size more accurately compared to traditional maps. This change encourages countries and organizations to use the Equal Earth map, which better reflects the true size of continents, especially Africa.
Key Facts
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution to promote the use of the Equal Earth map projection.
The vote was 164 in favor, 1 against (the U.S.), and 6 abstentions.
The new map shows Africa as much larger than on the old Mercator map, where it appeared smaller.
The Mercator map, made in the 16th century, distorts sizes, making places near the poles appear bigger and Africa smaller.
The Equal Earth map keeps the true proportions of continents by following Earth's shape more closely.
The resolution does not force anyone to stop using the Mercator map but encourages switching to the more accurate one.
African countries and groups led the campaign for this change to improve education and global understanding.
Experts say the Mercator map is mainly useful for sea navigation but not for representing real land sizes.
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A state election took place in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, where the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has a chance to win the governorship for the first time in the country’s post-World War II history. The AfD hopes to win an absolute majority in the regional parliament, but forming a government depends on whether other parties pass a vote threshold and refuse to work with AfD.
Key Facts
The election was held in Saxony-Anhalt, a region in eastern Germany with 2.1 million people.
The far-right AfD party is the largest opposition party in Germany’s national parliament.
AfD’s candidate for governor is Ulrich Siegmund, who aims for an absolute majority in the state legislature.
Mainstream parties have refused to form coalitions with AfD due to its classification as a right-wing extremist group by German intelligence.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has led Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years.
AfD’s success is seen as a test of voter dissatisfaction with the national government and the economy.
The CDU incumbent governor Sven Schulze rejects cooperation with AfD and faces challenges if AfD wins the most seats but not a majority.
AfD needs other parties like the Social Democrats and Greens to fail to reach 5% of votes to increase its chances of winning an absolute majority.
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Heavy rain from Typhoon Saudel caused a mudslide in eastern China’s Jiangxi province, killing three people and leaving nine missing. Over 5,300 people were moved to safer areas due to the storm’s impact.
Key Facts
A mudslide hit a village in Suichuan County, Jiangxi province, early Saturday.
The mudslide damaged about twelve houses.
Rescuers found two bodies on Sunday; one person had died earlier, raising the death toll to three.
Nine people are still missing after the mudslide.
More than 5,300 people were relocated to safer places in China.
In Hunan province, two people died due to rain-related disasters like landslides.
Typhoon Saudel made two landfalls in Zhejiang province on August 28 and one in Fujian province on September 3.
Zhejiang and Fujian provinces are neighboring areas to Jiangxi province.
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A Chinese man named Lu Haitao was rescued from a flooded tunnel in Nepal 10 days after a deadly flood killed over 1,300 people. Lu was found inside a hydropower tunnel, taken to a hospital, and is now in stable condition, bringing relief to his family in China.
Key Facts
Lu Haitao was trapped for 10 days in a 225-meter (740-foot) hydropower tunnel in Nepal after devastating floods on August 26, 2026.
The floods likely happened because a glacier collapsed in Nepal, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving nearly 4,900 missing.
On the Tibet side of the border, 31 people died and 531 were reported missing due to the floods.
Rescuers evacuated Lu by helicopter, and he is now in stable condition in a hospital.
Lu had traveled from Henan province, China, to Nepal for work in carpentry; this was his first job overseas.
His family experienced great anxiety during the search and used news reports and translation tools to stay updated.
Lu’s rescue was seen as very lucky amid the widespread disaster.
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A fuel tanker exploded in western Iran near the city of Sanandaj, killing 11 people and injuring 7. The accident happened after the tanker hit other vehicles and caught fire, reportedly due to faulty brakes.
Key Facts
The explosion occurred near a traffic police station close to Sanandaj, about 400 km west of Tehran.
Eleven people died and seven were injured in the incident.
The tanker hit other cars before bursting into flames.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials said the explosion was caused by a faulty brake system on the tanker.
In 2018, a similar accident in the same area killed 15 people and injured four.
Iran has over 17,000 road death cases every year.
Experts say unsafe vehicles, ignoring traffic rules, and weak emergency services contribute to many road deaths.
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Iran said it struck an unmanned U.S. vessel trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising conflict between the two countries. The U.S. military recently hit three Iranian oil tankers after missiles targeted Navy ships, increasing tensions in the region.
Key Facts
Iran claimed it attacked an unmanned U.S. vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to missile attacks on Navy warships.
Fighting began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February 2026 and continues despite a ceasefire declared in June.
Both sides have been targeting military and economic assets, including oil shipments and communities near the Strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway crucial for global oil supply.
At least five people were killed in a recent U.S. strike on southern Iran.
The Trump administration is combining military action with financial measures against Iran.
Iran uses a secret fleet to move its oil to buyers despite sanctions and blockades.
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An Egyptian court sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others to death for drug trafficking. The court found them guilty of running a criminal group that made and sold narcotics, and sentenced nine others to life in prison.
Key Facts
Sarah Khalifa, a TV presenter known for a crime program, and 11 others were sentenced to death by hanging.
They were found guilty of running an organized gang that made and sold drugs.
The case involved 28 defendants and over 750 kilograms of narcotics.
Nine people received life sentences, and seven were acquitted.
The group reportedly imported materials to make synthetic drugs and hid them in homes.
Investigators also found illegal guns and ammunition with the drugs.
The court followed legal steps by consulting a religious leader before giving the death sentence.
Khalifa was also sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting her driver in a separate case.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino avoided questions about his future and re-election at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. He faces pressure after a failed plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors, legal challenges, and efforts from European football groups to replace him.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino is the current FIFA president.
He proposed a plan to sell World Cup commercial rights to private investors, which was worth $20 billion.
The plan faced strong opposition from many FIFA member nations, including European countries.
The proposal was quickly dropped within four days after it was revealed.
UEFA (European football body) and others are leading efforts to remove Infantino before the next FIFA election.
Legal cases and accusations of a "smear campaign" are ongoing between FIFA and UEFA.
Infantino has not confirmed whether he will run for a fourth term as FIFA president.
He emphasized focusing on football and development instead of discussing his future at the tournament.
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Experts say the Tower of London could be put on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in danger unless the City of London Corporation changes its local plan. Historic England wants limits on tall buildings near the Tower to protect its heritage, while the City argues this could hurt economic growth.
Key Facts
The Tower of London may be listed as a World Heritage Site in danger if current plans continue.
Historic England advises changes to the City of London Corporation's draft City Plan 2040 to limit tall buildings near the Tower.
The City of London Corporation wants more office space and sets a target of adding at least 1.2 million square feet by 2040.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook paused the plan’s report in June to review the impact on the Tower.
Historic England says their proposed changes would still allow the City to reach its office space goals.
The City of London Corporation says delays and proposed changes harm investor confidence and economic growth.
Local inspectors will write a letter to the Corporation to move the plan forward after further hearings.
Tower Hamlets Council thinks the Corporation’s current safeguards are sufficient, but supports reducing harm to the Tower.
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The Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park has been closed all summer because of a technical problem. A broken pump was fixed, but the software that controls the water system failed, so the fountain remains dry.
Key Facts
The Diana Memorial Fountain opened in 2004 to honor Princess Diana.
It has been closed since early July due to a pump failure and then a software problem.
The pump draws water from a local underground source called a borehole.
Royal Parks, the charity that looks after Hyde Park, said the fountain will likely have water again in a few weeks.
The fountain is a popular spot for visitors to cool off during hot weather.
The fountain shares its water supply with other sites in London’s Royal Parks.
The fountain has had other closures, including soon after opening due to injuries and in 2005 for repairs.
The fountain cost £3.6 million and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Eight airports in Indonesia, including the main international airport near Jakarta, stopped operations after the Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted and released ash into the sky. The ash disrupted flights and affected over 22,000 passengers, while authorities warned ships to stay away from the area around the volcano.
Key Facts
Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted on Saturday with lava and loud sounds heard from far away.
Two more eruptions happened on Sunday, and ash spread to nearby airports.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta stopped flights from early morning until late afternoon Sunday.
Seven other airports in Indonesia also suspended operations due to volcanic ash.
Over 22,000 passengers and 209 flights, including international routes, were affected.
Authorities set up alternative airports for landings in several cities.
Weather modification efforts like cloud-seeding were planned to make rain and clear ash.
Ships must avoid a 3 km area around the volcano for safety because of volcanic activity.
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An investigation by Al Jazeera found that 17 companies connected to Israeli settlements have contracts with the UK government worth 2.1 billion pounds. This happens even though the British government has said it wants to take a stricter stance against illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Key Facts
17 companies tied to Israeli settlements have contracts with the UK public sector.
These contracts are worth a total of 2.1 billion pounds.
Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law by many countries.
The UK government has stated it plans to be tougher on illegal settlements.
The settlements are located in the occupied West Bank territory.
Al Jazeera conducted the investigation revealing these contract details.
The findings raise questions about the UK’s policy and actions on this issue.
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US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Kyiv after having a three-hour talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House called the talks detailed, but people in Ukraine remain doubtful that the meetings will lead to a peace breakthrough.
Key Facts
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours.
After these talks, the envoys went to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
The White House described the discussions as "substantive," meaning detailed and meaningful.
Despite the talks, there is skepticism or doubt in Ukraine about whether these negotiations will solve the conflict.
The article focuses on ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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Nigel Farage, leader of the U.K.’s Reform party, says he was not paying attention during a conversation about political donations caught in an undercover investigation. Two senior party aides resigned after they were filmed discussing how to arrange donations, and the party is now investigating the matter.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage is the leader of the U.K.’s Reform party.
An undercover journalist posed as the son of a wealthy American wanting to donate to the party.
Farage said he was busy campaigning and did not know all the details during the filmed conversation.
British law permits only U.K.-registered voters or companies to donate legally to political parties.
Two party aides, James Orr and Dan Jukes, resigned and denied any wrongdoing.
The party called the investigation an “entrapment” by climate activists.
The Reform party has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
Farage said the party did not take illegal money and removed the aides after the footage aired.
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The Labour defence committee chair says recent threats from Argentina's president about the Falkland Islands show the UK should increase its military spending to 3% of its economy by 2030. The UK government has faced mixed messages about this target, and President Donald Trump also suggested the US might change its stance on the islands' ownership.
Key Facts
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, threatened actions regarding the Falkland Islands, claiming "winds of change" favor Argentina’s claim.
Labour MP Tan Dhesi argued the UK should raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 to protect the islands.
The UK prime minister initially seemed to support this defence funding target but later the government clarified it was not a firm commitment.
The UK has committed instead to NATO’s target of spending 3.5% on defence by 2035.
President Donald Trump suggested the US might reconsider its neutral position on the Falklands due to lack of British support for his conflict with Iran.
Javier Milei said oil companies working near the islands without Argentina’s approval would face sanctions in Argentina.
UK ministers stated the Falkland Islands would remain under British control as long as its residents want that.
The issue reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and debates over UK defence spending.
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Twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi were arrested in Iran for joining protests against the government in January. Taraneh has been sentenced to death, and Romina received a 25-year prison term; their family has not seen them since the sentencing.
Key Facts
The twins were 19 years old and still in high school when they were taken from their home by masked men linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
They joined mass protests in January against the Iranian regime, which involved millions of people.
After being arrested, the twins were reported to have suffered physical abuse, including hair being pulled out and bruises.
Taraneh was reportedly threatened with the rape of her sister Romina if she did not confess.
Taraneh has been sentenced to death by hanging, while Romina has received a 25-year prison sentence.
Iran has executed over 500 people this year, including protesters from the January demonstrations and at least 16 women.
The UK and 30 other countries condemned the executions, calling them efforts to silence opposition.
The twins' family continues to seek information and has faced threats for speaking out against the regime.
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Voters in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt will choose their state government in an election where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party may become the first far-right party to govern a state since World War II. The AfD is leading in polls, but it needs an absolute majority to take power without forming a coalition.
Key Facts
The Saxony-Anhalt state election is scheduled for Sunday, with the AfD polling ahead of other parties.
The AfD is a far-right, anti-immigrant party led by 35-year-old Ulrich Siegmund.
If the AfD wins an absolute majority, it would be the first far-right party to govern a German state since World War II.
The AfD campaigns for deporting migrants, banning LGBTQ pride flags in public schools, and stopping new wind farms.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency calls the AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt chapter "right-wing extremist" with links to nationalist groups.
The state's election is seen as a test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government, whose Christian Democrats (CDU) are the second-largest party in polls.
Germany’s voting system encourages coalition governments, so an AfD majority would be unusual.
If the AfD does not get a majority, a CDU-led coalition under current state leader Sven Schulze is likely.
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Australia’s eastern states are experiencing unusually high temperatures for early spring, with Brisbane expecting its hottest September day since 2019. Fire bans have been issued in parts of Queensland and New South Wales due to the hot and dry conditions, while a cool change is expected to bring relief soon.
Key Facts
Brisbane is forecast to reach 34°C, which would be its hottest September day since 2019.
Ipswich suburb Amberley recorded 35.7°C in early afternoon.
Fire bans are in place for Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, and greater Sydney due to fire risks.
Eastern Australia had its third-warmest winter on record, with temperatures 1.8°C above average.
A cold front recently brought strong winds, rain, and storms to south-eastern Australia.
Warm early spring temperatures set records in parts of New South Wales.
Severe weather warnings included damaging winds that caused accidents with jumping castles in NSW and Victoria.
A cooler, wetter weather pattern is expected to arrive soon, lowering temperatures and bringing rain to some areas.
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A volcanic eruption at Mount Anak Krakatoa caused the suspension of 209 flights at Indonesia’s main airport near Jakarta, affecting over 22,000 passengers. Flights were halted due to volcanic ash in the air, disrupting travel to several international destinations, while no tsunami warning was issued.
Key Facts
Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted late Friday night and continued erupting on Sunday morning.
Volcanic ash in the airspace near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport caused flight suspensions.
A total of 209 flights were canceled, impacting more than 22,000 people.
The flight pause mainly affected routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.
Authorities extended the flight suspension until 13:30 local time (06:30 GMT).
No tsunami warning was issued following the volcano's recent eruptions.
The health minister advised people in nearby areas to stay indoors and wear masks to avoid ash-related health problems.
Anak Krakatoa is a volcano in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra, and has been active since it formed after the 1883 Krakatoa eruption.
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Flames came out of the left engine of a Qantas plane soon after it took off from Queenstown, New Zealand. The plane was safely redirected and landed in Christchurch without injuries.
Key Facts
The incident happened on a Qantas flight going from Queenstown to Sydney.
Flames appeared from the plane’s left engine shortly after takeoff.
The plane was diverted to Christchurch, New Zealand.
It landed safely in Christchurch.
No injuries were reported.
Videos of the flames were posted on social media.
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