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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
Yemen’s army says it has taken back important hills near Taiz city during ongoing fighting with Houthi rebels in the southwest. The clashes have caused more than 120 deaths since the Houthis launched a new offensive along the Red Sea coast.
Key Facts
Yemeni government forces recaptured al-Khazan and al-Makahna hills in Jabal Habashi district near Taiz.
Fighting has continued for two days in western Taiz and southern Hodeidah, both near the Red Sea coast.
More than 100 fighters from both sides have died since the offensive began on Thursday.
Several civilians were killed or injured by a ballistic missile that hit a restaurant in al-Makha city.
Houthis aim to control hills overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and al-Makha port to strengthen their coastal position.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is strategically important for regional control.
Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July as part of their military strategy.
Government reinforcements have arrived to try to stop Houthi advances in western Taiz.
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The United Nations General Assembly voted to replace the traditional world map with a new version that shows Africa's size more accurately. The new map was supported by 164 countries, while the United States voted against it, and six countries abstained.
Key Facts
The current widely used map, called the Mercator projection, distorts the size of countries and continents.
On the Mercator map, Africa appears about the same size as Greenland, but Africa is actually 14 times larger.
The Mercator map was created in 1569 and was useful for European explorers but is not accurate for showing true sizes.
The Equal Earth projection is a newer map created in 2018 that shows countries at their correct sizes.
The African Union, representing 54 African countries, adopted the Equal Earth map in February 2024.
Togo sponsored a UN resolution called "Correct the Map" to replace the traditional map at the UN level.
The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor; the US was the only country to vote no, and six countries abstained.
The UN vote is not legally binding but may influence the maps used by many global organizations.
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Severe flash floods caused by a glacier collapse hit Nepal, killing over 1,000 people and trapping many workers in hydropower projects. Meanwhile, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Lebanon, and Palestine caused damages and casualties, with missile attacks and violence reported in several areas.
Key Facts
Nepal experienced deadly flash floods after a glacier collapse sent ice, rock, and mud through the region.
More than 1,000 people have died in Nepal due to the floods.
Rescue teams are working to save trapped workers at hydropower projects buried in mud.
The Himalayas are warming twice as fast as the global average, increasing risks of floods and landslides.
A painting stolen by the Nazis during World War II has been found in Argentina and must be returned to its legal owner, the heir of the Jewish art dealer who lost it. The painting was discovered in a house linked to the daughter of a Nazi official, and the couple agreed to return it in exchange for avoiding prosecution.
Key Facts
The painting is called "Portrait of a Lady" and was stolen over 80 years ago by the Nazis.
It belonged to Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, who lost many artworks after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1940.
The artwork was found in a house near Buenos Aires that belonged to Patricia Kadgien, daughter of a Nazi fugitive.
Patricia Kadgien and her husband were charged with hiding the painting but were allowed to avoid prosecution by returning the painting.
The painting will be temporarily shown at the Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires to raise awareness.
Kadgien and her husband must also donate about $3,185 to local hospitals as part of the agreement.
Experts are unsure who exactly painted the artwork, attributing it to different Italian artists from the late baroque period.
The painting was first spotted in photos of a property sale posted online in August 2025.
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A U.S. strike hit a home where a wedding celebration was taking place in Kuhestak, a small town in southern Iran. The strike killed five people, including children, and injured more than 60 others.
Key Facts
The strike happened late Tuesday evening in Kuhestak, southern Iran.
The target was a home where women and children were gathered for a wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom had not yet arrived when the explosion occurred.
Five people died, including a 4-year-old boy, a 16-year-old, and two women.
Over 60 people were wounded, and another woman died later in hospital.
The U.S. Vice President said the strike is under investigation.
The town is near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway.
The strike caused significant damage to the home’s structure and surrounding area.
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After a serious crash on the A66 in Middlesbrough, two police officers and five young men died. The area faces a big police operation focused on organised crime, but many local young people say they do not trust the police and disagree about the presence of gangs.
Key Facts
On August 22, a Volkswagen Passat driven the wrong way on the A66 hit a police vehicle head-on.
Police officers Matthew Blades (37) and Tom Clough (38) were killed in the crash.
All five people in the Passat, aged 17 to 23, died as well.
Four of the five young men had a total of 30 previous convictions for crimes like car theft, drug possession, and assaulting police officers.
More than 20 people in Middlesbrough and nearby areas have been arrested related to serious organised crime.
Two gangs are believed to be involved in recent violence in the area.
Young people in Grangetown say they do not trust police and dispute claims about gangs.
One family’s house was attacked on the night of the crash, increasing local fear and tension.
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Rescue teams in Algeria are trying to save a 10-year-old boy named Ayoub who fell into a well that is 80 meters deep. The accident happened two days ago in El Ghassoul, a town in southwest Algeria.
Key Facts
Ayoub is a 10-year-old boy from El Ghassoul, Algeria.
He fell into an 80-meter-deep well.
The fall occurred two days before rescue efforts were reported.
Rescue teams are actively working to save him.
The location of the incident is in southwest Algeria.
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A study of 171,134 patients in the U.S. found that autism diagnoses in girls and women increased significantly after 2020, while diagnoses in boys and men stayed steady or declined. The research suggests this rise is due to better recognition of autism in females, who have historically been diagnosed later than males.
Key Facts
Researchers analyzed health records from 171,134 patients between 2016 and 2024 at a Midwestern U.S. health system.
Autism diagnoses increased in girls and women after 2020, across all ages studied.
Boys and men had stable or decreasing autism diagnosis rates during the same time.
Girls and women were diagnosed on average 3.4 years later than boys and men (15.7 years vs. 12.3 years).
Delay in diagnosis can limit early access to support and services that improve quality of life.
Females often mask autism traits by copying social behaviors, making diagnosis harder.
Autism in females often shows as internal issues like anxiety or depression, not disruptive behaviors.
Other conditions such as ADHD and fibromyalgia are often found alongside autism, so people diagnosed with these may benefit from autism screening.
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This weekend, the German state of Saxony-Anhalt holds elections where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in the polls and may take power, a first since World War II. The AfD is viewed by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency as a far-right extremist group that promotes racist ideas, but the party denies these claims and threatens to change or remove the intelligence agency if elected.
Key Facts
Saxony-Anhalt is a state in eastern Germany with Magdeburg as its capital.
The AfD is leading with 41% support, ahead of the Christian Democratic Union's 23%.
The AfD was founded in 2013 as an anti-European Union protest party but has shifted far right.
Since 2023, the AfD Saxony-Anhalt is officially classified as a far-right extremist group by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency.
The agency says the party promotes racist ideas and exclusion based on ethnicity and religion.
Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's top candidate, denies the agency’s assessment and calls it political weaponization.
The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt supports strict immigration limits and plans to deport many immigrants.
Siegmund and his associates have connections to banned neo-Nazi groups and far-right meetings.
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The recent deal involving Venezuelan oil is seen as a model for how the U.S. might approach talks with Iran. Instead of just asking for policy changes, the U.S. aims to gain direct influence over Iran’s energy resources using economic pressure.
Key Facts
The U.S. made an oil agreement with Venezuela.
This agreement involves using economic power to influence oil resources.
The deal could guide future U.S. talks with Iran.
The approach focuses on controlling energy resources, not just policy changes.
Economic leverage means using financial or trade power to achieve goals.
Iran is a key country with significant oil reserves.
The U.S. wants to use a similar strategy to manage Iran’s oil sector.
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The United Nations report states that Israel forcibly removed over 33,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps in January 2025. The UN warns this could be considered a crime against humanity, while Israel rejects the report and calls it misinformation.
Key Facts
In January 2025, Israel conducted a military operation called "Iron Wall" in three West Bank refugee camps: Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm.
Israeli forces displaced all residents of these camps, totaling more than 33,000 Palestinians.
The operation involved airstrikes, bulldozers, and explosions that damaged homes and infrastructure.
Water, electricity, and humanitarian aid were cut off during the military action.
The displaced people were not allowed to return to their homes as of July 2026.
The UN report suggests these actions may amount to crimes against humanity, including collective punishment and ethnic cleansing.
Israel denies wrongdoing, calling the UN report biased and inaccurate, citing security concerns about terrorism.
The West Bank has experienced increased violence since the conflict between Israel and Hamas started in October 2023.
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A couple held their wedding ceremony in the Philippines despite heavy flooding. The bride cut her gown shorter so she could walk through the water inside the church.
Key Facts
The wedding happened in the Philippines during severe flooding.
Floodwaters inside the church reached waist height for the bride.
The bride shortened her wedding dress to walk through the water.
The couple chose to continue with their wedding despite the difficult conditions.
The event shows how people adapt to extreme weather situations for important life moments.
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A high-ranking Russian police officer, Colonel Sergei Shalaginov, was found dead after falling from a ninth-floor window in Yekaterinburg shortly after he resigned. His death follows a pattern of mysterious deaths among Russian officials since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Separately, a Russian general linked to an attack on a children’s hospital in Ukraine survived an assassination attempt.
Key Facts
Colonel Sergei Shalaginov was the former deputy head of the Center for Combating Extremism in the Sverdlovsk region.
He was found dead outside a building in Yekaterinburg after falling from a window.
Shalaginov had recently resigned and reportedly refused a promotion.
Russian media report varying accounts; some say suicide after disputes, others say no conflict within his organization.
Many Russian officials and businessmen have died in similar unexplained incidents since the war began.
Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich was shot in an assassination attempt in the Saratov region but is in critical condition.
Varpakhovich was linked to a missile strike on a children’s hospital in Ukraine in July 2024.
Russian authorities have opened an investigation into the shooting of the general.
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The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,100 Israelis and took about 250 hostage, continues to influence Israeli politics as elections approach. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism for not preparing the country, and the attack’s memory shapes political debates and election campaigns.
Key Facts
The Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, killed 1,139 Israelis and captured about 250 people.
This attack remains a central issue in Israel’s upcoming elections in late October 2026.
Critics accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu of ignoring warnings and failing to prepare Israel for the attack.
Netanyahu has pushed back by blaming senior defense officials for not informing him sooner.
Opposition figures demand an independent inquiry into the government’s security failures before the attack.
Netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption, and losing the election could affect his legal situation.
Israeli media have repeatedly covered the attack, deeply embedding it in public memory.
The attack has been used to justify military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties.
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Two industry groups are investigating JL Partners, a polling firm linked to Reform UK, for not clearly saying who paid for three polls. The polls favored Reform UK, and undercover reporters revealed possible efforts to hide donations that might be against UK election laws.
Key Facts
JL Partners ran polls for Reform UK without naming the party as the client.
The British Polling Council and Market Research Society are reviewing JL Partners for breaking rules.
Undercover reporters acted as donors who paid JL Partners over £30,000 for polling.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage praised the polls and discussed ways to hide where donations came from.
Only people on the UK electoral roll can legally donate to political parties, so these donations may be illegal.
Reform UK suspended two senior staff filmed in the investigation.
The polls showed negative views of the Labour government and support for Reform UK rising among some voters.
JL Partners admitted to “informal rule-bending” in handling one poll and not disclosing the client.
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Argentina’s President Javier Milei is using the country’s claim to the Falkland Islands to push for sanctions against an oil project near the islands. He praised President Donald Trump after Trump questioned the US’s usual support for the UK’s control of the islands, amid worsening relations between Trump and the UK government.
Key Facts
Argentina claims the Falkland Islands, called Las Malvinas in Argentina, but the UK has controlled them since 1833.
The US has traditionally supported the UK’s claim to the Falklands.
President Trump publicly questioned this US position, which Argentina sees as an opportunity.
President Milei announced plans to block the Sea Lion oil project near the islands, calling it illegal.
The Sea Lion project involves UK and Israeli companies and is expected to start oil production in 2028.
Milei threatened stronger sanctions on companies working on the project and increased military funding near the islands.
The Falklands conflict between Argentina and the UK led to a war in 1982 with hundreds of soldiers killed.
A 2013 vote showed nearly all island residents want to remain a British territory.
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A Russian drone hit the building of Ukraine’s domestic intelligence service in central Kyiv, causing injuries to five people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack targeted the chief’s office and called for a response while asking NATO countries for more air defense support.
Key Facts
A Russian drone struck Ukraine’s domestic intelligence headquarters in Kyiv.
Five people were injured in the attack.
The strike targeted the office of the agency’s chief.
President Zelenskyy announced the attack and ordered a response.
Ukraine is requesting additional air defense help from NATO allies.
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A Russian drone struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) headquarters in Kyiv, hitting the office of the security chief. Ukrainian President Zelensky said he ordered a strong response, while emergency services helped those affected. US envoys connected to President Trump are visiting Moscow and Kyiv soon to try to advance peace talks.
Key Facts
A Russian drone hit the SBU headquarters in central Kyiv on Friday afternoon.
The drone targeted a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad; Zelensky spoke to him after the strike.
Five people were reported injured in the attack, according to Kyiv’s mayor.
The Russian defense ministry also reported attacks on ships near Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa.
Russia has recently increased drone strikes on Ukraine, using faster drones that are harder to stop.
The strike on a government building in Kyiv is rare and shows increased accuracy of Russian drones.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend to continue peace talks.
These envoys are working under President Donald Trump’s administration to help end the conflict.
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Several major US space companies decided not to attend a French space summit after a call with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The White House warned them that the meeting might push policies unfavorable to US companies, leading the companies to pull out despite France's invitation and encouragement to participate.
Key Facts
The French space summit was organized by President Emmanuel Macron to discuss space strategy and cooperation.
US space companies invited included SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, K2, and Starcloud.
The White House OSTP held a call with these companies, advising caution about attending the summit.
US officials were concerned the summit might push policies on space communication spectrum that could harm US business interests.
The White House did not order the companies to skip the event but suggested it might not benefit them to go.
France's space minister Philippe Baptiste urged US firms to attend, emphasizing the summit's importance.
Most US companies chose to withdraw, prioritizing their relationship with the US government, a key customer.
This situation may strain US-Europe space cooperation and could lead Europe to favor non-US space products.
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Russian attacks using jet-powered drones have increased civilian deaths in Ukraine, with dozens killed in recent strikes. Ukraine reports high Russian troop casualties and slowing Russian territorial gains, while preparing for a possible large new Russian troop draft.
Key Facts
On August 29, 38 civilians died in the village of Myla when Russian drones hit an ammunition depot.
Another 12 people were killed in attacks across Ukraine on September 1.
Russia has increased the use of jet-powered drones, which fly faster and are harder to stop than older drone types.
Ukraine shoots down over 90% of slower propeller drones but only about 60% of jet-powered drones.
Russia suffered about 42,000 casualties in August, similar to July and higher than June, according to Ukrainian military reports.
Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia may conscript 300,000 new troops soon.
Fighting is intense in the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, with Russia controlling part of it but Ukraine resisting strongly.
Ukraine regained about 130 square kilometers of land in August, while Russia gained about 90 square kilometers, much less than last year.
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