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As of September 8, 2025, US President Donald Trump has presented a new ceasefire proposal to Hamas amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The plan demands Hamas release all 48 Israeli hostages on day one in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and negotiations to end the war. Israel has accepted the terms, but Hamas insists on a full Israeli withdrawal and war cessation before releasing captives. The conflict continues with intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza City.
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Since September 6, 2025, multiple subsea fiber-optic cables in the Red Sea near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have been cut, causing widespread internet slowdowns and increased latency across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa. Key cables affected include SEA-ME-WE-4, IMEWE, and FALCON GCX. Microsoft and NetBlocks confirm traffic rerouting but warn of ongoing delays. The damage coincides with regional tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
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Yemen's Houthi rebels launched multiple drones targeting Israel, hitting Ramon Airport near Eilat. The attack injured eight Israelis, with Israel intercepting some drones but failing to stop all. This escalation follows recent attacks and the killing of Houthi officials, intensifying regional tensions amid ongoing Gaza conflict.
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On September 9, 2025, Israel launched a missile strike in Doha targeting Hamas political leaders, killing five members including a Qatari security official. The attack, condemned internationally and by Qatar as a violation of sovereignty, risks undermining US-backed Gaza ceasefire talks. The US expressed regret over the strike's location but affirmed the goal of eliminating Hamas. Qatar's prime minister is engaging US officials to address the fallout.
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UN staff in Yemen were detained inside a Sanaa compound by Houthi forces, including five Yemenis and 15 international personnel. Some staff were released after questioning. The UN is seeking to resolve the situation amid ongoing tensions and accusations of espionage by Houthis.
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Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, killing at least six people, including a Qatari security officer. The attack occurred during ongoing ceasefire negotiations and drew widespread international condemnation. The US and Qatar are discussing regional security responses amid rising regional instability.
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On September 25-26, 2025, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Houthi military and intelligence sites in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, killing at least nine people including civilians. The strikes followed a rare Houthi drone attack on southern Israel's Eilat that wounded 22. The conflict is part of ongoing hostilities linked to the Gaza war, with the Houthis targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.
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Houthi drone strikes breached Israel’s defenses, hitting a southern airport and injuring one. In Yemen, strikes killed dozens, including journalists, damaging key sites like the National Museum. The conflict highlights ongoing regional escalation linked to the Gaza war, with both sides targeting infrastructure and media outlets.
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Western diplomats reveal the US has lobbied to prevent a UN nuclear resolution targeting Iran from passing, threatening to cut funding to the IAEA if the resolution proceeds. Iran defers action on the draft, amid escalating tensions over its nuclear program and recent Israeli strikes on Iranian sites.
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Alex O'Keefe, a Black screenwriter and Democratic speechwriter, was forcibly removed and handcuffed by MTA police on a Metro-North train after a dispute over his sitting position. The incident, captured on video, raises concerns over racial profiling and police conduct in New York transit. O'Keefe alleges racial bias, while authorities cite rule violations. The event has sparked social media outrage and discussions on racial justice.
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A Dutch-flagged cargo ship, Minervagracht, was hit by an explosion in the Gulf of Aden, injuring two crew members and causing a fire. The attack, attributed to Houthi rebels, marks a significant escalation in their targeting of shipping amid ongoing regional tensions and the Gaza conflict.
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Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Eilat, Israel, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. The drone fell in the city center, injuring 22 people, with two seriously hurt. Israel warns of a harsh response amid ongoing tensions in the region.
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A Houthi missile struck the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, causing significant damage and injuring two crew members. The attack, the most serious in the region since 2023, follows a pattern of Houthi assaults linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict and regional tensions. The crew was evacuated, and the ship is on fire and adrift.
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Over recent days, Iran-backed Houthis launched multiple drone and missile attacks against Israel, primarily targeting Eilat. Israeli defenses intercepted all threats, but the attacks have heightened tensions. The Houthis have increased attacks since October 2023, with Israel responding with strikes in Yemen. No injuries or damage have been reported so far.
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The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Chinese entities aiding Iran's oil exports, including a refinery and terminal, amid ongoing efforts to curb Iran's revenue. The move targets shadow fleet vessels and a Chinese petrochemical terminal, intensifying pressure on Iran's economy despite its continued oil exports.
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China advances its climate goals with a focus on resilience and renewable energy, while the US and Europe face criticism for insufficient action. Meanwhile, global efforts to address air pollution and hunger remain underfunded, highlighting disparities in climate and development priorities amid rising inequalities.
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Recent updates to the Henley Passport Index show notable declines for the US, UK, Pakistan, and India, while China and several Asian countries have improved their rankings. The US has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time in 20 years, reflecting changing global mobility and diplomatic shifts.
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Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, a senior Houthi military figure sanctioned by the UN, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The attack occurred amid ongoing Yemen conflict and Gaza ceasefire, with the Houthis vowing to continue their resistance against Israel and other enemies. The death was announced days into the Gaza ceasefire.
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A Cameroon-flagged tanker, the Falcon, was hit by an unknown projectile off Yemen, resulting in a fire and damage. The ship was abandoned at sea, with 24 crew evacuated and two fatalities. The incident follows recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, linked to regional tensions and ongoing conflicts.
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Houthi security forces entered a UN compound in Sanaa, Yemen, detaining staff and raising tensions. Despite assurances of safety, ongoing arrests and accusations of espionage threaten humanitarian efforts amid Yemen's decade-long civil war and regional instability. The UN calls for immediate release.
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As of October 19, 2025, Israel has received two more bodies of hostages from Hamas under a US-brokered ceasefire, bringing the total to 12 of 28. Israeli PM Netanyahu has linked reopening the Rafah crossing to the full return of hostage remains, while Hamas warns closure delays recovery efforts. The ceasefire's second phase, involving Hamas disarmament, remains unresolved amid ongoing tensions.
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As of October 26, 2025, a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains fragile amid ongoing tensions. Despite the truce starting on October 10, both sides accuse each other of violations, including Israeli airstrikes killing dozens of Palestinians and Hamas attacks killing Israeli soldiers. Aid deliveries have been intermittently halted and resumed. Negotiations continue involving US and regional mediators on disarmament and governance.
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Satellite images reveal a nearly 2,000-meter runway on Zuqar Island, Yemen, believed to be linked to UAE military expansion. The site enhances surveillance and logistical capabilities in the Red Sea region amid ongoing tensions involving Houthi rebels, regional powers, and international shipping routes. The purpose and potential use remain unclear.
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Yemen remains deeply affected by the Gaza war, with the Houthis continuing attacks on Israel and Israel targeting Yemen. Regional dynamics are shifting as Yemen's secessionist movements and alliances with Israel and the UAE complicate the conflict's landscape. Diplomatic efforts face significant hurdles.
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On October 30, 2025, the Trump administration set the US refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, a historic low compared to Biden's 125,000. Priority is given to white Afrikaners from South Africa, citing humanitarian concerns. The move has drawn criticism from South Africa's government and refugee advocates, who reject claims of 'white genocide' and warn of humanitarian consequences.
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Daylight saving time ends this weekend in many regions, with clocks set back an hour. New Stanford research supports adopting permanent standard time, citing health benefits linked to circadian rhythm alignment. The change impacts sleep, health, and international coordination, especially between Europe, North America, and Israel.
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The Houthi-controlled government in Yemen has detained at least 55 UN and aid workers, including recent arrests of staff from the World Food Programme. The group accuses some of espionage linked to Israel, while the UN condemns the detentions and calls for their immediate release. The situation escalated after a deadly Israeli strike in Sanaa killed senior Houthi officials.
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Entisar Hammadi, a Yemeni model and actress, was detained in Sanaa in February 2021 and sentenced to five years on charges widely regarded as false. She was released this weekend after nearly five years in prison, highlighting ongoing repression of women under Houthi rule amid Yemen's civil war.
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Amnesty International renews scrutiny over a US-led airstrike on a Yemeni prison in Saada on April 28, which killed at least 61 Ethiopian migrants. The strike, part of an escalation under Operation Rough Rider, is under investigation for potential violations of international law, with no US explanation provided.
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On November 6, 2025, Somali pirates attacked and seized the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite in the Indian Ocean, over 1,000 km off Somalia’s coast. The 24 crew members locked themselves safely in the ship’s citadel. The pirates, armed with machine guns and RPGs, reportedly operate from a hijacked Iranian fishing boat. EU naval forces are responding amid rising piracy linked to regional instability.
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Yemen's Houthis have indicated a pause in their attacks on shipping and Israel, aligning with the Gaza ceasefire. However, they have not officially declared an end to their campaign, warning of resumption if Gaza is attacked again. The group’s actions have impacted Red Sea shipping and detained UN staff.
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An 18-year-old IDF soldier, Cpl. Ermias Bahata, collapsed and died during training in southern Israel. Suspected to be an allergic reaction, his death is under investigation. This rare incident follows a previous IDF allergy-related death in 2015.
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The UN World Food Programme warns that 318 million people will face crisis-level hunger or worse in 2026, more than double 2019 figures. Funding shortfalls threaten aid efforts, with only half of the $13 billion needed likely to be received. Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability drive the crisis, with famine declared in Gaza and Sudan.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with former President Trump, highlighting enduring strategic interests despite past controversies. The meeting signals continued close ties, with MBS positioning himself as a regional peacemaker and reformer, amid ongoing regional conflicts and economic challenges.
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Former US spy Jonathan Pollard met with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee in July at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The meeting, kept off official schedules, was confirmed by Pollard and has sparked controversy, with US officials alarmed by the breach and questions about approval. Pollard criticized US officials' handling of Middle East peace efforts and accused some of working against Israeli interests.
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The Houthi-controlled court in Sanaa sentenced 17 individuals to death for espionage linked to US, Israeli, and Saudi intelligence. The verdict follows accusations of spying that allegedly led to attacks killing dozens. The sentences are appealable, amid ongoing tensions over Yemen's security and regional conflicts.
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Israel has targeted and killed Hezbollah's chief of staff, Haytham Tabatabai, in Beirut, escalating tensions amid ongoing Israeli strikes and Lebanese calls for disarmament. The attack follows a year of ceasefire violations, with fears of further escalation as regional tensions rise, especially with Pope Leo XIV's upcoming Lebanon visit.
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The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region erupted on Sunday, sending ash clouds across Yemen, Oman, India, and Pakistan. No casualties reported, but villages are covered in ash, affecting livestock and travel. The eruption is the first in 12,000 years, with ongoing regional impacts.
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Turkish authorities arrested three defence company executives on suspicion of spying for foreign powers, initially linking them to the UAE, but later removing that detail. The suspects are accused of attempting to share employee biographical data. Turkey's defence exports increased significantly in 2024, driven by military drone sales.
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Recent eruptions from unmonitored, dormant volcanoes highlight the risk of overlooked threats. Experts warn these hidden volcanoes, often in remote regions like Ethiopia and Mexico, can cause widespread climate and societal disruptions, yet remain poorly monitored compared to famous volcanoes like Yellowstone.
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Severe drought across East Africa, especially in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan, has led to critical water shortages, livestock losses, and food insecurity. Governments and aid agencies are calling for urgent international support to prevent humanitarian catastrophe, with recent efforts showing some progress in Sudan but worsening conditions elsewhere.
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Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated the group retains the right to respond to Israel's killing of top commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai, warning of potential renewed conflict. Qassem called for Lebanon to prepare a defense plan amid ongoing tensions and Israeli strikes, while expressing hope for peace during Pope Leo's visit.
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Houthi rebels announced the release of 10 mariners, including Filipinos and Indians, after claiming Oman took custody of them. The ships targeted in recent attacks, which have sunk vessels and killed mariners, saw a temporary ceasefire during the Gaza conflict. The situation remains tense with ongoing maritime threats.
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A Pentagon investigation concluded that Hegseth, a former Fox News host, did not improperly declassify information but violated policy by using personal devices for official communication. The report also highlighted concerns over sharing sensitive military details via unsecured apps, prompting calls for improved security training.
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Pentagon Inspector General reports US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used his personal Signal device to transmit sensitive information about Yemen strikes, raising concerns about security and judgment. The investigation, which has not yet been made public, clears Hegseth of classified information sharing but highlights protocol violations amid bipartisan scrutiny.
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The Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized control of most of Hadramout, a resource-rich province in eastern Yemen, amid ongoing clashes with government forces. The move signals a potential shift toward Yemen's division, risking a renewed civil war. Negotiations are ongoing, but the situation remains volatile.