A Gulf federation driven by oil wealth, diversified to a global trade and security hub.
Haaretz has published book excerpts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas planned a major operation; Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and failed to inform security chiefs. Netanyahu has denied the call, instructed lawyers to sue Haaretz, and opponents say the report deepens election campaign scrutiny.
Iranian naval forces have captured a US Dive‑LD autonomous underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command has said the drone malfunctioned more than a day earlier and carried no classified sonar or radar. Manufacturer Anduril has confirmed the loss and called the system attritable.
The Iran‑aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands in the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait this week, including Mocha, Mayyun (Perim) and the Hanish islands, after government forces withdrew. Saudi and pro‑government forces have launched air strikes in response. The offensive has killed hundreds, displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
A growing wave of identity-data breaches is shaping a new privacy landscape. Reports show multiple incidents involving ID verification firms and data brokers, exposing driver’s licenses, passports and other sensitive documents. Investigations note authorities are stepping in while firms scramble to contain the fallout.
Global government bond yields have risen to multi‑decade highs this week after renewed US–Iran fighting pushed oil toward $90–$97 a barrel and revived inflation fears. Governments from the UK to the US and Japan have paid higher borrowing costs; central banks are signalling tighter policy and markets are pricing more rate rises, lifting mortgage and corporate loan rates.
The Pentagon inspector general has published a costly update on Operation Epic Fury, estimating $33.4 billion in costs through June, with $22.3 billion spent on expended munitions. The report notes strategic inventory shortfalls and bottlenecks in munitions resupply, while authorities say procurement and stockpiling measures are being streamlined.
Netanyahu has faced sustained political pressure as he heads into a parliamentary election. Critics say he relies on victimhood rhetoric and populist tactics to deflect scrutiny, amid new reporting and shifts in opposition dynamics that could reshape Israel’s political landscape.
Global shipping faces higher costs and longer routes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz persist and Arctic routes gain attention amid climate-driven ice melt. Regulators warn of a two-tier system as supply chains adapt to new chokepoints.
Iranian state media report missile strikes on oil tankers as U.S. forces strike back at Iranian vessels; the flare-up follows a tense cycle of attacks and counter-strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, with regional powers warning of broader consequences.
Norway has proposed legislation that would criminalize trade with Israeli settlements, including East Jerusalem, aiming to press Israel on international law amid rising settlement activity. The bill, backed by the government, would punish individuals and companies trading with settlements with prison terms of up to three years; consultations close on Sept. 19.
Qatar has pressed for unimpeded Hormuz shipping and is coordinating with China as regional diplomacy intensifies. Doha says reopening the Strait must be unconditional, while mediation efforts continue amid stalled US-Iran talks and renewed attacks.
Oil prices have climbed with Brent above $95 and WTI near $93 as fighting in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping routes. Analysts say supply fears and demand shifts, particularly from China, are shaping the rally. Markets are also awaiting inflation data and policy signals as bond yields rise globally.
Ukraine has warned airlines and insurers that expanding Ukrainian drone strikes have made Russian airspace unsafe for civilian flights. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is not targeting civilian aircraft but that "drone‑infested skies" require airlines to rethink routings. Moscow has called the warning "state terrorism" and pledged to protect airports and keep services running.
The UAE has granted a presidential pardon to Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who faced a 10-year prison sentence and a 200,000 dirham fine in Abu Dhabi. The pardon follows extensive international scrutiny and his extradition from Lebanon in 2024-2025.
Adidas faces backlash after an Israel-only campaign featuring Shalev Biton, an ex-soldier who lost a leg, prompts boycott calls amid Gaza war coverage. Adidas says the posters were local to Israel and not a global campaign, while activists accuse the brand of normalising violence. The controversy follows similar criticism of Ralph Lauren’s campaign featuring Gal Gadot.
The West Bank is facing a surge in settler violence as international attention mounts. US Ambassador Huckabee has met Palestinian Americans in Turmus Ayya, calling for accountability and stating there is no plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Britain, France and Canada announce sanctions on settlement-linked activity, signaling growing international pressure on Israel. The political landscape in Israel remains unsettled as elections approach.
Since early September a renewed round of strikes has escalated between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. forces have struck multiple Iranian oil tankers and maritime targets after Iranian missile launches at U.S. ships. Iran has fired ballistic missiles that Jordan says it intercepted, and Tehran has warned it will target U.S. bases and oil infrastructure while facing acute economic strain and disrupted oil exports.
The Israeli ministers have floated plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza, while seeking U.S. approval on departures. Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian and other foreign ministers condemn the move as a risk to peace. The proposals follow earlier statements by Israeli officials and come amid a wider war in Gaza.
OPEC+ has kept October output targets unchanged while it reviews capacity and sets 2027 baselines, amid Iran disruption and discussions on unwinding current cuts. The group plans to pause further increases in Q4 as it evaluates members' capacity and future quotas.
Palestinian rights groups report increased casualties and displacement as Israeli ministers push for hardline measures; Western states expand arms exports while debates over sanctions deepen. The pieces highlight the diverging international responses to the Gaza crisis.
The UAE’s UAE-US AI Campus is shifting from a 10-square-mile Abu Dhabi campus to a network of data centres across the UAE. Authorities aim to protect facilities from drone and missile attacks, with underground options explored. OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, Cisco and Stargate partners say work continues as geopolitical tensions influence plans.
Bloomberg reports that ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming is personally overseeing the development of a new AI model, with internal teams pooling resources and computing power behind the effort. Separately, a Tokyo-based chip designer is aiming to deliver samples of its latest AI-ready processors to customers in H1 next year, signaling a push to tailor chips for AI workloads.
New Mexico’s name remains unchanged as lawmakers urge Apple and Google to keep the state labeled New Mexico on maps. President Trump has sparked a broader renaming conversation by suggesting changes to Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, and now New Mexico, drawing swift pushback from state officials and lawmakers.
The US-backed Plan for Gaza’s post-war governance has progressed in principle, with a 6-month recovery program outlining 71 projects. But Israeli opposition and political dynamics ahead of October elections are delaying disarmament and broader reforms; smaller projects to repair critical infrastructure are moving forward.
Iran's state media has touted a new missile test against a US warship, with Tehran claiming a turning point in its defense. The US has hit Iranian oil tankers in response, and both sides warn of further escalation as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
The Houthis have targeted civilian and energy facilities in southern Saudi cities, injuring dozens. A coalition spokesperson has condemned the attacks as dangerous and vowed to take all necessary measures to deter the group amid renewed hostilities near Bab al-Mandeb.
A global analysis of 204 countries shows that while exposure has fallen in wealthier nations, the number of people exposed has risen in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. The study links second-hand smoke to millions of deaths and emphasizes stronger tobacco controls.
A leadership change at the National Elections Commission raises questions about preparations for December polls as South Sudan continues a delayed transition under the 2018 peace agreement. Cabinet amendments and UN warnings underscore concerns over credible, inclusive elections.
The FIFA president has been under pressure as FairSquare renews its complaints, accusing Infantino of abuses of power, neutrality violations and governance failures. The case follows the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme and Balogun’s World Cup red-card reversal, with FIFA’s ethics process urged to act swiftly.
Iran's war-related actions and Western sanctions have intensified, with Iranian missiles hitting targets near Jordan and U.S. retaliatory strikes in the Gulf. The U.S. and allies have broadened sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, labeling the move as a sweeping effort to isolate Tehran’s economy.
New York City is preparing for the UN General Assembly week as Prime Minister Netanyahu returns to address the body. Officials say protests are anticipated amid calls by New York’s mayor to arrest Netanyahu under an ICC warrant, though the city lacks authority to do so. Israel defends the visit, while observers warn of heightened security and urban disruption.
A blast in Idlib's Sarmada area has killed and injured civilians as authorities investigate a depot storing weapons and unexploded munitions. Civil defense teams are assessing the site and working to secure surrounding areas amid a pattern of explosions linked to stockpiles left from years of conflict.
Iran has claimed to have struck the US Al-Azraq base in Jordan with missiles, while Jordanian forces say 18 of 20 ballistic missiles have been intercepted, with two falling in uninhabited areas. The attack follows a broader escalation linked to US actions in the Strait of Hormuz, widening the conflict to Jordan.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi. The leaders have committed to a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” resolution of their long-standing border disputes and to tackling India’s structural trade deficit with China. Their meeting follows more than a year of diplomatic thaw.
Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, accusing Abu Dhabi of repeated "provocative and hostile" actions. The foreign ministry has given the UAE ambassador 48 hours to leave and has closed Algerian airspace to UAE aircraft while allowing commercial flights to and from Algiers until end-2026.
The Boring Company has raised $3 billion in a funding round led by the United Arab Emirates, valuing the company at $23 billion. The round boosts plans to dig more than 150 kilometers of tunnels in the UAE, with other investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, and Baron Capital. The funding follows recent activity in Las Vegas and Nashville as the company pushes to turn Musk’s tunneling vision into a global transit network.
The United Arab Emirates has announced a €40 billion investment package in Germany, announced during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit. The plan spans AI, digital infrastructure, energy, and defense, including about 1 GW of new data-center capacity and €10 billion for Bavaria. An investment council will facilitate public-private ties as bilateral non-oil trade nears €16 billion.
A fire at Furaha and Ujamaa schools in Bukavu, DR Congo, has killed at least 24 children with many more injured. The blaze destroyed roughly 300 homes in Kadutu; authorities say the cause remains unknown amid Congo’s security challenges and a new spike in Ebola cases.
BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi as tensions over US tariffs and dollar dominance shape the bloc’s cohesion. Washington’s use of tariffs and financial leverage is prompting BRICS members to seek greater economic independence, while the dollar’s reserve status remains strong.
Xi Jinping arrives in New Delhi for BRICS leaders, with Modi hosting talks alongside Putin, Pezeshkian, and others. The summit focuses on expanding BRICS influence, accelerating trade in national currencies, and aligning on energy, food security, and global governance amid shifting geopolitics.
Lloyds Banking Group has refused to proceed with a mortgage for Emma Kamio, citing adverse media linked to her daughter’s Palestine Action activism. Kamio says her business and family life have suffered amid the debanking and previous account closures, with further tensions around her daughter’s case.
Oman has postponed a planned regional meeting on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Gulf states expected to discuss future management of the strait. Tehran and Muscat have been pursuing a regional framework, amid sanctions, blockades, and rising oil prices. Bahrain says it will not attend until diplomatic ties with Iran resume. The pause preserves room for dialogue while signaling regional actors seek stability.
The Houthis have captured Mokha and Mayun (Perim), extending their reach near a key shipping lane. The developments threaten flows through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global oil and cargo, while Saudi exports remain stressed by past disruptions and shifting routes. Authorities note ongoing tensions and potential further escalation.
The Houthis have seized the Red Sea coast and three strategic islands, while Saudi Arabia shuts the East-West pipeline and Iraq closes border crossings amid attacks blamed on drones from Iraq. The moves threaten oil shipments and push prices above $100 a barrel as regional tensions escalate.
The U.N. Security Council has extended the Darfur arms embargo for one month as negotiations continue on potential changes. The United States is pushing for a countrywide ban and stronger sanctions on arms flows and aid workers, while Russia and other members push back. The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
BRICS leaders are gathering in New Delhi as Modi hosts Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian and other members. The summit faces divisions over Ukraine, Iran, and global economic shifts, with discussions on currency use and global governance reforms.
The opposition coalition C64 has mobilized protests in Kinshasa and other cities as Congo faces Ebola-related restrictions and an escalating eastern conflict. Police have dispersed demonstrations and clashes with pro-government supporters, while the government defends the right to protest within constitutional limits. A constitutional change proposal looms amid a broader crisis environment.
BRICS leaders have called for restraint and warned against actions that could escalate tensions in the Middle East as negotiations among member states and partners proceed. The New Delhi summit has produced a joint statement focused on civilian protection, sovereignty, and stable energy and trade flows, while highlighting divisions within the bloc on how to address the US-Israel conflict.
China will lead a BRICS open-source AI community to support development of large language models, host seminars, and build an open AI ecosystem. Xi also proposes a BRICS digital cloud platform, digital-skills training, and youth exchange programs as the bloc expands its tech footprint.
Neom defeats Al-Hilal 2-0, ending Hilal’s 47-game league unbeaten run. Neom’s win follows a string of strong performances that emphasize youth development and sustainable growth in Saudi football.