In a recorded message, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that "the first operation struck sensitive targets in Riyadh” while the second “struck the Aramco company in Yanbu.”

“Both operations, with the help of God Almighty, achieved success, resulting in massive fires breaking out at the targeted sites," he alleged.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence described the attack as a failure. Spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said a ballistic missile targeted Riyadh in a dawn strike but was "successfully intercepted and destroyed" by Saudi air defences.

Oil company Aramco had not commented on reports of an explosion at its fuel depot near Riyadh’s international airport. The Saudi Ministry of Defence said there were "no reported casualties or damage to personnel or critical infrastructure."

The Saudi Civil Defence had earlier announced on Saturday "the activation of early warning in Riyadh and Al-Kharj" before later declaring that the threat had ended.

The attacks come amid fighting across several Yemeni governorates between government and Houthi forces.

The conflict widened in recent days following a Houthi assault in western Taiz and southern Hodeidah towards Mokha and Bab al-Mandab in the country's southwest. Government forces later expanded their operations to other fronts, including Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda.

Tensions intensified on July 13 after the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for a strike on the runway at Sanaa International Airport.

However, the Ministry of Defence of Yemen's internationally recognised government claimed its forces had struck the airport runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.

The strike caused a flight carrying a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral ceremony for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to divert to Hodeidah.

The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northern Yemen since 2014, while the Yemeni government and allied forces control areas in the south and parts of the north. The conflict has killed thousands of people and caused a major humanitarian crisis.

Protester Naor Kapolnik called for broader political change beyond replacing Netanyahu, criticising the government's conduct during the war and the deaths in Gaza . Another demonstrator, Ori Harish, accused the government of refusing to take responsibility for its actions and failures.

Other protesters called for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 attacks, equal burden-sharing and a constitution. Demands for such an inquiry have featured prominently in recent anti-government protests.

Some demonstrators also raised concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election, calling for the vote to remain fair, secret and free from interference.

In July, the Knesset approved in a first reading a separate proposal to establish a “state-national” commission to investigate the October 7 attacks and the circumstances surrounding them.

“We love our country, today and always,” organiser Hassana Soumaila said. “For us as Muslims, this is a duty. We have no weapons other than our prayers.”

The gathering came amid renewed tensions with France after Niger accused Paris of involvement in an August mutiny in Niamey, during which soldiers targeted the airport and presidential palace. France rejected the allegation as “pure fantasy”.

Relations have deteriorated sharply since Niger's July 2023 military takeover, after which France withdrew its troops and closed its embassy.

Niger also continues to battle jihadist violence and has strengthened ties with Russia since ending longstanding security partnerships with France and the United States .

“When Trump speaks of terrorism, he speaks of state terrorism,” Lula said. “Who did that? It was Bolsonaro, when he tried to stage the coup of 8 January. That is terrorism.”

Lula also referred to the “Green and Yellow Dagger” plan drafted by retired general Mario Fernandes, a former official in Bolsonaro's government. According to investigators, the document envisaged killing then president-elect Lula, vice-president-elect Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

Despite questioning the US designation, Lula compared the impact of criminal groups on communities to terrorism, citing extortion and restrictions imposed on residents.

“Those criminals are terrorists for the families who live in the neighbourhood,” he said.

Lula said organised crime had expanded its presence across Brazil's major cities and that authorities would focus first on disrupting criminal groups' logistics and movement before seeking to regain control of affected territories.

Public security has become a major issue ahead of Brazil's October 4 presidential election. Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, with Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro's son, among his main opponents. An AtlasIntel/Bloomberg poll published on September 17 put Lula at 44.1% and Flavio Bolsonaro at 41.7% in a first-round scenario; the survey had a one-percentage-point margin of error.

"We need to wipe them out. I want to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, to dismantle Hamas. To stop the aid trucks. That is the approach," Ben-Gvir said.

Asked about security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli military, Ben-Gvir said the authority was "not legitimate" and accused it of supporting the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

"They are very weak. We are going to take their people and throw them back to where they came from," he maintained.

Ben-Gvir also defended his policies towards Palestinian prisoners.

“In the past four years, I have turned Israeli prisons into hell for terrorists. That's the truth, that's what I did,” he said.

“I took away their ping-pong, soccer, aesthetic surgeries in Israel. They have nothing. You should see them," he added.

Asked separately about those linked to the release of surveillance footage from the Sde Teiman detention facility, Ben-Gvir said those responsible should be barred from military and civilian service.

The remarks come ahead of Israel's October 27 election for the 26th Knesset, the country's first parliamentary vote since the Hamas-led October 7 attack.

Earlier this month, Ben-Gvir proposed a plan to relocate around 1.9 million Palestinians from Gaza to other countries over seven years.

He has also called for the killing of "30 or 40" people in Gaza every night.

“Our presence on the streets shows that, despite all the threats, we are still in the streets,” participant Omid Khah said, pledging continued support for Iran's leadership.

Another participant, Morteza Hadian, said the rally was intended to demonstrate Iranians' determination and send a message to the country's adversaries, including the US and Israel .

Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian joined the rally alongside members of the Basij, the Revolutionary Guards and internal security forces.

The “Janfada Iran” campaign calls on volunteers to register for roles including logistics, rescue, relief, social assistance and defence. Hundreds of thousands have also reportedly registered for basic military training.

The rally comes as US-Iran tensions remain high despite a June agreement to halt hostilities, with clashes continuing around the Strait of Hormuz and talks on reopening the key shipping route stalled.

The relocation started at about 06:30 local time (04:30 GMT), with more than 240 police and Guardia Civil officers involved. Authorities were tasked with taking migrants from Trampolin and Benitez beaches to the port, a journey of roughly one to two kilometres.

Video from the operation shows people running towards designated meeting areas while officers try to manage their movement. Confrontations later occurred between police and some groups as the relocation continued.

Several people appeared to have been hurt during the disorder. One migrant was seen carrying an injured man, while another person had blood coming from his head.

Authorities changed their approach after encountering difficulties controlling the number of people heading towards the port.

Instead of allowing migrants to arrive together, police separated them into smaller groups before continuing the movement towards the temporary site.

The accommodation problem remained, however. The port facility can hold around 1,800 people, while the number living at Trampolin and Benitez beaches was considerably higher.

By Friday afternoon, the camp had filled up and more than 2,000 migrants had gone back to the beach settlements.

The operation follows the large movement of people into Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco on July 30 and 31, when more than 70,000 people crossed into the Spanish territory.

According to the Spanish government, more than 90 percent returned to Morocco within days. Thousands remained in Ceuta, leaving authorities working to increase available reception space .

“What happens in Leipzig can happen in any other European city,” Macron said. “The drone intrusions in the airspace of several countries... show us that no one is safe.”

He said France was strengthening security around strategic companies and its defence industrial and technological base, while mobilising regional authorities to respond to potential threats. “We are in a time of vigilance,” Macron said.

His remarks came a day after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that intelligence assessments indicated possible hybrid drone and missile attacks against countries supporting Ukraine , including Poland. Tusk said such incidents could be presented as accidental in an attempt to weaken NATO's resolve.

Germany has blamed Russia for the August 4 incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where an explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian aircraft and defused.

Russia has repeatedly denied Western allegations that it is conducting sabotage operations across Europe.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and ordered a full investigation, while the state government called for autopsies and forensic examinations to establish the cause of death. The case comes amid continued government crackdowns on illegal and unregulated mining in Niger State, which is rich in mineral resources.

Mamdani has previously criticised Netanyahu over the war in Gaza and explored whether New York could enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, before acknowledging that the city lacked that authority. The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has since called for Mamdani’s arrest, while protests are expected in New York as the UN General Assembly opens its 81st session on 22 September.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Friday rejected the Philippines' account of the incident and accused Manila of misrepresenting what happened.

"A spokesperson for the China Coast Guard has issued a statement setting out the true facts of the matter [...] The Philippines should immediately cease its infringements and provocations at sea, and stop spreading false narratives and distorting the facts," Guo said.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, its government fisheries ship was about 54 nautical miles from Palawan and carrying out a refuelling mission when it collided with a China Coast Guard vessel.

China offered a different version of events. Beijing said its coast guard was conducting a patrol around Xianbin Reef, which is also known as Sabina Shoal, when the Philippine ship approached.

Chinese authorities claimed the vessel continued despite several warnings and was responsible for the collision.

The incident comes amid competing claims in the South China Sea involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam , Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

China claims much of the waterway. However, an international tribunal in 2016 rejected the legal basis for Beijing's claim to historic rights within its 'nine-dash line'. China does not recognise the ruling.

The maritime dispute was one of several foreign policy issues Guo addressed on Friday.

Asked about President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the United States for the UN General Assembly, Guo said Chinese and US officials remained in communication about a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump .

He also responded to reports that the European Union was considering measures targeting imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles.

Guo called on the EU to "honour its commitments to market openness and free trade."

"The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, not zero-sum competition where one side loses and the other wins. Adhering to openness and cooperation, and resolving economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation, is in the common interests of both China and the EU," he stressed.

Guo also raised China's concerns about what he described as growing 'denialism' in Japan as September 18 marked 95 years since the Mukden Incident.

The incident involved Japan's Kwantung Army staging an explosion on a railway near Mukden, now Shenyang, before the invasion of Manchuria.

Israel's election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, after the Knesset completed its full term and was dissolved in July.

Footage from Likud's Jewish New Year gathering in Tel Aviv on Thursday shows Netanyahu greeting supporters and joining party members on stage before addressing the crowd.

"I want to disappoint you: I am not the Messiah, and I am not a king either. A king does not need to be elected. I need to be elected. I need you, and that is why I am going out into the field," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu presented the election as a choice between Israel's political right and left, raising Palestinian statehood and the judiciary as key dividing issues.

"Which direction are we going? Is it left or right? Do you want the left? Do you want the right? Do you want a Palestinian state? Do you want a Jewish state? Do you want a judicial dictatorship? Do you want real democracy ?" he asked.

He later described the political centre as a 'bluff' and criticised Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief who leads the Yashar party. Eisenkot's party is among Likud's major rivals in the election.

Netanyahu also highlighted his government 's military record since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, praising Israeli soldiers and arguing that his government had changed the regional balance of power.

"Look at what we have achieved thanks to our heroic soldiers, our heroic soldiers. We are proud of you. We salute you," he said, persisting, "On the second day of the war, I promised: we will change the face of the Middle East . And that is exactly what my colleagues here — the ministers of the government and members of the Knesset — that is exactly what we did together. We changed the face of the Middle East."

Netanyahu cited the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. He also referred to the September 2024 operation in which pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon.

Turning back to the campaign, Netanyahu urged his supporters to keep up their efforts until polling day.

"Likud is awake, Likud is kicking, Likud is strong. But we need to maintain this enthusiasm until Election Day," he asserted.

The October 27 election will be Israel's first national vote since the Hamas-led October 7 attack and the wars that followed.

“I came here looking for my younger brother, whose name is Sulisman. We still have not received any news about him,” Slamet Hermanto said. “Hopefully, we will receive some good news.”

By Thursday afternoon, officials had received 70 ante-mortem records and collected 31 DNA samples. Biological relatives are being prioritised for DNA comparison, alongside information on missing passengers' physical characteristics and personal records.

The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it capsized in bad weather early on Sunday. Six people have been confirmed dead and 108 rescued, leaving 129 missing.

“Where is the work being done to stop all the cartels or drug distributors in the US? What about money laundering in the US?” Sheinbaum asked, adding that Mexico was taking action against officials suspected of criminal links.

She also questioned what Washington was doing to address US drug consumption and the flow of weapons into Mexico, arguing that drug trafficking could not be tackled solely in countries where narcotics are produced or transported.

“What is being done about drug use in the US?” she asked, describing consumption as a public health issue requiring greater attention to young people.

Her comments came after Trump sent a memorandum to the US Congress calling on Mexico to act against public officials Washington says have links to criminal organisations.

Sheinbaum also rejected foreign intervention in Mexico, while stressing that the country remained open to cooperation with the US.

Survivor Mahmud al-Sotah said he heard a cracking sound at around 02:00 before the building collapsed. “We survived miraculously and are still in shock at how we managed to escape alive,” he said, describing how survivors crawled through a collapsed wall before being pulled out one by one.

Mohammed Mansour, a spokesperson for the Egyptian Committee, said rescuers received an emergency call at around 03:00, with about 80 people believed to have been inside the building. The fate of a family of 18 remained unknown.

Gaza's Interior Ministry said 45 people had been rescued, including 14 who were injured and taken to hospital. Others managed to escape without assistance.

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing said it was coordinating with international partners and municipalities to provide equipment for rescue and rubble-clearing operations. It warned that more than 2,000 damaged or structurally unsafe buildings across Gaza posed further risks to residents.

According to an April 10 report by the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, more than 91,000 housing units had been assessed across Gaza, with around 40,000 classified as totally damaged and about 51,000 partially damaged.

Bolsonaro,  one of the presidential candidates formally registered for  Brazil ’s 2026 election, began the event with supporters at Marco Zero in Old Recife before walking to Cais da Alfândega  for the main rally.

Bolsonaro targets Lula and Supreme Court

During his speech, Bolsonaro focused his criticism on Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. He claimed Lula’s ministers were protecting Moraes and linked the issue to the presidential election .

"Lula's ministers are protecting Alexandre de Moraes. Do you know why? Because they are betting on Lula's re-election so that everything ends in a cover-up in the Supreme Court. But that is not going to happen, because we are going to win these elections in the first round," Bolsonaro told his supporters.

Bolsonaro also questioned Lula's government's economic and social record and criticised the Workers’ Party (PT).

"And with the continuity of this government, if it does continue, do you think Brazil would have more or less corruption, or even more, with another four years of this government? Would you suffer more or less violence? You would suffer more. But I, together with each one of you here, together we will rescue this Brazil," he said.

Bolsonaro added that he would not allow Brazil "to sink into this sea of mud created by Lula", and he called the president "a liar, a corrupt man and incompetent".

Supporters back Bolsonaro

Supporters attending the rally also voiced their backing for Bolsonaro.

Linda, one of those at the event, said she believed voters wanted a change in leadership.

"I trust in Flavio Bolsonaro's victory because the people are tired of theft, of the PT's theft. So enough of this dishonest old guard in power," she said.

The Pernambuco visit forms part of Bolsonaro’s campaign efforts in Brazil’s north-east.

Brazil’s first-round election is officially scheduled for October 4, with a possible presidential run-off on October 25 if no candidate receives the required majority. Voters will also elect governors, senators and federal, state and district deputies.

“We are facing a global attack against the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces,” Netanyahu said, arguing that accusations of war crimes against Israeli soldiers were “the most absurd thing imaginable.”

He also claimed Israel was the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community was flourishing and growing, while describing allegations that the country persecutes minorities as a “big lie.”

Netanyahu said the ceremony itself challenged those claims, adding that Christians in Israel were not only protected by the state but also served in its defence forces.

His remarks come after incidents involving Israeli soldiers and Christian statues in the predominantly Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon. In one incident in April, a soldier was documented striking a statue of Jesus, while another filmed the act. Both were subsequently punished by the Israeli military .

The demonstration briefly halted the civic-military parade outside the Morelos Government Palace. Scuffles broke out as security personnel attempted to contain the protesters, while some spectators urged officers to allow the demonstration to continue.

Morelos Attorney General Fernando Blumenkron said a judge had issued an arrest warrant for Francisco Javier "N", whom prosecutors identify as the suspected perpetrator of Tacoronte's killing.

"This person answers to the name Francisco Javier N and is attributed responsibility for Claudia's femicide," Blumenkron said.

Authorities have issued a wanted notice and expanded the search beyond Morelos to other Mexican states. Prosecutors stressed that the suspect is presumed innocent until his responsibility is determined by a court.

Sheinbaum led the Civic- Military Parade in Mexico City's Zocalo on Wednesday, with military contingents marching through the capital as parachutists descended onto the esplanade and aircraft flew overhead.

Music from the Mexican Army War Band accompanied the parade.

Sheinbaum Puts Sovereignty at Centre

Before the procession began, Sheinbaum presided over protocol events in the Zocalo, including the raising of the National Flag and the presidential review of the Armed Forces.

She was accompanied by members of her cabinet and representatives of the branches of government.

During her address, Sheinbaum linked the country's independence celebrations with the defence of Mexico's sovereignty and autonomy.

"16 September, Independence Day, is Mexico's living memory. It always means holding our heads high and proclaiming to the four winds that Mexico will never be anyone's colony or protectorate. Mexico does not bow down, does not kneel and Mexico is never for sale," the president said. "Long live independence! Long live sovereignty! For ever. Long live Mexico!"

She also described Mexico's Independence as the result of people challenging injustice.

"Mexicans. Mexico was born out of the defiance of a people who refused to accept injustice as their fate," she added.

‘Defend the Homeland’

Sheinbaum called on generations of Mexicans to protect the legacy of those who fought for the country's independence.

"It is a responsibility of all generations of Mexicans to honour what cost lives, to defend the homeland, to safeguard sovereignty and to make social justice a reality, for which so many have given their lives. Because although some would prefer otherwise, Mexico cannot be understood without its noble, courageous and hard-working people. Nor can it be understood without its constant struggle for sovereignty and independence."

The parade concluded with more than 15,000 members of the Armed Forces taking part, alongside 536 land vehicles and 107 aircraft.

Protesters burned objects and tyres on some roads as the three-day action got underway.

They are demanding a round table for dialogue with government representatives and the arrival of a high-level executive commission to address their concerns.

Workers Raise Cost of Living Concerns

Juan Santi, secretary of the Civil Construction organisation, said workers were observing the strike from September 16 to 18 and accused the government of neglecting Loreto.

"We in the construction sector are observing this call, which has been set in full for Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Friday 18; we reject this government that has turned its back on the people of Loreto. Here in the city of Iquitos, an extremely expensive city, as you well know fuel is high; we are paying more than 20 soles (USD $5.96) for fuel, and gas, 80 soles (USD $23.82) for gas. And not only that; the issue of mining exploitation is also contaminating my brothers and sisters who are indigenous," Santi said.

Protesters Demand Fujimori’s Presence

Demonstrators also called for President Keiko Fujimori to travel to Loreto, criticising her for not visiting the region to hear their concerns.

"Let her [President Keiko Fujimori] come and fix the situation here in Peru, here in Loreto, let her come. She does not deliver; just as she came during the campaign, she should come here in person to sort out this problem. She should come the way she came to seek votes," said one of the protesters.

Claudia Pinedo, secretary of the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP), also called for government representatives to travel to Loreto and open talks with protesters.

"I do not understand why now she [Keiko Fujimori] cannot come, does not want to come, does not even want to send a minister, a couple of ministers. Yet nothing. They say 'we do not act under pressure'," Pinedo said.

Loreto's organisations agreed to hold the strike on September 16, 17 and 18 after previously considering a 48-hour stoppage.

Union leaders are demanding government action on fuel prices, electricity and illegal mining, as well as a commission to negotiate possible solutions.

The demonstration included sectors linked to the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) and took place during the country's independence anniversary celebrations.

Protesters marched towards the city centre carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans against the government and US President Donald Trump .

Protesters Raise Economic Concerns

Demonstrator Scarlet Romero said the independence anniversary provided an opportunity to highlight social and economic concerns.

"We cannot be celebrating an independence when the Honduran people are being vilified, when the basic food basket is unaffordable, when wages are on the floor, when mass lay-offs are the order of the day," she said.

The role of the United States in Honduran politics was another focus of the demonstration.

Victor Rodriguez accused the Trump administration of interfering in the country's internal affairs.

"The interference by Donald Trump and by the criminal right-wing group that is trying to take over the whole of Latin America ," the demonstrator said.

Protesters Question 2025 Election

Tomas Andino also questioned the 2025 presidential election result and alleged that foreign intervention influenced the process.

"People are becoming aware that the elections were stolen from them; that there was a foreign power that intervened, that meddled through bot farms that have already begun to be exposed as the great electoral fraud that took place," he argued.

The allegations relate to the 2025 election campaign. Honduras's official electoral calendar scheduled the general election for November 30, 2025.

According to the information provided for this report, Trump publicly backed Asfura before the vote and warned that a victory by Libre's left-wing candidate, Rixi Moncada, could have consequences for relations with Washington.

The National Electoral Council later declared Asfura, of the National Party, the winner with 40.26 percent of the vote, compared with 39.54 percent for Salvador Nasralla. Moncada finished third.

The electoral process faced delays in the count, technical problems and allegations of fraud and US interference. Asfura took office on January 27, 2026.

Chimwemwe Liwonde demonstrated the technology at the UNiPod innovation facility in Blantyre on Tuesday, moving a computer cursor and navigating pages through eye movements.

For Liwonde, the aim is to give users greater independence when accessing the digital world .

“Currently, for a motor-disabled user to use the computer, they rely on caregivers who may perform the task on their behalf. For example, a motor-disabled user may dictate, ‘I want to open this app,’ or ‘I want to type this.’ So actually, I developed this innovation to give them back their independence and access to the digital world,” Liwonde explained.

Eye Control Without Specialised Hardware

The system works offline and uses a standard computer camera. This removes the need for specialised eye-tracking hardware and could make the technology more accessible.

Lyson Mapanga, Communications Officer at the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), demonstrated the system and explained how his disability affects the time needed to complete some computer tasks.

“If I am to type a four-page document using one hand, it will take me three to four hours for a four-page document to be finalised.”

After testing the technology, Mapanga said it could help him make better use of his abilities.

“I do believe that with this software, when I am using it, navigating this software, it will be very helpful. I will be able to maximise my potential in delivering what is recommended for me to do,” Mapanga explained.

Taking the Technology Beyond Development

Liwonde's project has already received the Best Social Impact Award at Malawi's National ICT Innovation Awards.

UNiPod Manager Francis Masi said efforts are underway to involve more stakeholders and move the technology beyond its development stage.

“The idea is that we should see this innovation being used out there,” he said.

Access to assistive technology remains limited in Malawi. Research cited by those involved in the project found that 56.5 percent of people with disabilities needed assistive technology, while only 6.1 percent had received it.

Protesters filled Plaza de los Reyes with Spanish and Ceuta flags. Some wore shirts carrying slogans including "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta defends itself".

Attendees said they wanted the Spanish government to hear their concerns and vowed to remain in the square until action was taken at Playa del Trampolin.

"We'll be here all the time until they kick us out. If (Playa) del Trampolin isn't cleared out, this won't be cleared out either," said a protester, with another adding, “We’re not leaving.”

Another attendee called for residents to maintain pressure on authorities.

"We have to be out on the streets every day so we are heard and so we are seen. And we cannot stop. We have to keep going and resist," said another attendee.

Protesters Set Up Camp in Ceuta

The gathering, called 'Ceuta with Juan Vivas', was organised by local business owners.

Participants were encouraged to bring chairs, flags, mattresses and tents, deliberately drawing parallels with migrant settlements in the city. Organisers also planned painting and other activities for children to allow people of different ages to participate.

The demonstration also showed support for Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas. His television appearance on Monday evening was shown on a large screen in the square.

Vivas accused the Spanish government of subservience to Morocco and demanded the truth about what happened on July 30 and 31.

Thousands of Migrants Remain in Ceuta

Last week, Vivas said around 13,000 migrants remained in Ceuta. He said about 4,500 were at the Trampolin settlement, 1,300 in Loma Margarita and 1,200 in Loma Colmenar.

Protests have spread across the city since tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco on July 30 and 31.

Spanish authorities have moved more than 800 migrants from Ceuta's streets into a newly opened temporary reception centre as emergency accommodation expands.

Most of those who crossed returned to Morocco within days, but thousands remained, putting pressure on existing reception facilities.

Spain said 3,519 migrants voluntarily returned to Morocco between August 10 and 31, while another 214 were deported during the same period.

Shortly after 23:00 local time, Sheinbaum delivered the traditional proclamations honouring figures from Mexico's fight for independence. This year's ceremony also recognised Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples and migrants, while celebrating freedom, equality, justice and democracy .

Sheinbaum concluded by hailing a free, independent and sovereign Mexico before ringing the historic bell and waving the national flag over the crowd.

The ceremony followed hours of musical and cultural performances in the Zocalo, with Intocable among the main acts. In 2025, Sheinbaum became the first woman in Mexican history to lead the traditional Grito from the National Palace.

The Grito commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's call for resistance against Spanish rule on September 16, 1810. Mexico's independence struggle ended in 1821.

“Niger is taking an important step in modernising official documents and strengthening the tools that serve the sovereignty, security and mobility of our citizens,” said Abdoul Kader Garba Moussa, Secretary-General of Niger's Interior Ministry.

Moussa said the new passport combines biometric and biographical data to strengthen protection against document fraud , identity theft and transnational threats.

“The AES biometric passport that we are launching today, more than simply the issuance of a travel document, represents a new generation of travel documents,” he said.

The common passport was introduced in January 2025, when Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally withdrew from ECOWAS. The three military -led countries have since expanded cooperation under the AES, including establishing a unified military force, a confederal investment bank and a confederal parliament.

The move comes as Burkina Faso continues its fight against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Since taking power in 2022, Traore has promoted domestic defence production, while his government has ended military cooperation with France and strengthened security ties with neighbouring Mali and Niger through the Alliance of Sahel States.

The ferry was carrying 243 people, including 213 passengers and 30 crew, when it overturned in the Masalembo waters while travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. Authorities deployed 17 ships and aircraft and around 622 personnel on Monday, alongside underwater teams and navy-operated drones , as the search continued for survivors.

The unusual vehicles lined up on Thursday as teams made final adjustments and checked electrical components before heading onto the city streets.

Unlike a traditional race, speed alone will not determine the winner.

"The winner is not the team that arrives first, but the team that accrues the most kilometres over the course," event director Rob Walker said.

"Each day, we have a set minimum that the teams must achieve, and then they have optional loop stops where they can rack up extra kilometres. So we are a distance-first competition," he added.

Terrain Puts Solar Cars to Test

Denzel Brits, a mechanical engineering student and driver for North-West University, said the distance itself was not his biggest concern.

"2,500 kilometres is a long distance, but that's not the biggest challenge. I think the biggest challenge we will be facing is the terrain," Brits said.

"Even just a slight uphill means demanding power from the batteries," he added, warning that dust, rain and cloud cover could also affect solar charging.

North-West University's Solar Eagle team has developed a tilting solar panel to maximise the amount of energy collected during the journey.

"Our car has a unique feature of having a tilting wing that we can rotate during the day so that the panel looks at the sun the whole time," team manager Dr Kruger explained.

"This system works automatically by looking at the shading of the car and the GPS coordinates to calculate the angle that must be tilted to look at the sun in the best possible way," he continued.

‘Press on That Accelerator and Taste the Sun’

For Central University of Technology driver Masheko Mhore, taking part also carries significance beyond the competition.

"I am paving a way not just for a female, but for our kind, our African Black people ," Mhore said. "Being part of the people that are paving the way is really amazing."

"We've done all the math, we've done all the calculations. We did our best, and all we can do is just press on that accelerator and taste the sun," she added.

The Sasol Solar Challenge runs from September 10 to 17. Teams compete to accumulate the greatest distance rather than simply reaching the finish line first.

The event also includes a schools programme aimed at encouraging young learners to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Federal health officials have called for urgent mosquito-control measures across Khartoum State, where more than 2.2 million people had returned by the end of June after the army recaptured the capital from the Rapid Support Forces. The influx comes as Sudan’s health system remains severely damaged by the conflict, with the World Health Organisation reporting that 37 per cent of health facilities across the country are still non-functional.

Working from Lome, Adoun transforms football shirts into fitted corsets and other pieces that can be worn at restaurants, celebrations and weddings.

The process starts with selecting jerseys and sketching designs before the shirts are cut and reshaped with the help of a tailor.

Adoun said the idea began after she was invited to an event where guests were required to wear football jerseys. She wanted to wear something different.

"I am someone who really loves creativity and things that are a bit out of the ordinary. I don't like it when everyone looks the same. That bothers me. I like to have my own thing," she explained.

Taking Football Fashion Beyond Stadiums

Adoun draws inspiration from the colours, patterns and stories behind football shirts. By turning them into corsets, she gives traditional sportswear a different shape while keeping its connection to football.

"For us, taking the jersey out of the stadium means giving these women the chance to wear something they love, not necessarily tied to one specific setting," Adoun noted.

Her designs give football fans another way to wear shirts connected to teams and countries outside traditional match settings.

Customer Amelie Sossou said the design, country and colours behind her chosen piece attracted her.

"Because I really loved the design, actually. I genuinely loved the design, and I also like the country and the colour," Sossou shared.

Football Jersey Designs For Men

Adoun is also expanding the concept beyond women's corsets. She is developing made-to-order pieces for men using football jerseys with a different cut.

"This is just the beginning of what I do. Building on that, I am now developing T-shirts for boys, made to order, but still using jerseys. But these are not jerseys we see very often. They are cut in a particular fit for men," she added.

Adoun describes the concept as an "evolution of dress codes", bringing football clothing into everyday fashion while maintaining its link to the sport .

Technology investment was another focus, with Marcos meeting executives from Indian companies including HCLTech, Cognizant, Hinduja Group and VVDN Technologies. The visit builds on the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership established in 2025, while Marcos attended the summit as the 2026 ASEAN chair and the Philippines participated as an invited Outreach Country.

The traditional competition took place in An Cu commune, where spectators packed the sidelines despite heavy rain.

Pairs of white oxen, decorated with Khmer scarves around their horns, raced across water logged paddies, sending mud and water into the air as their handlers competed for victory.

"This is my second time attending, and I find the atmosphere very lively, the scale of the event is large and exciting. The bulls competed fiercely, and despite the heavy rain, spectators waited patiently until the very end. It was a lot of fun," said a visitor from Can Tho.

Participant Nguyen Thanh Tung claimed first prize after steering the number 8 pair to victory.

"I've been training [with my bulls] for two months now. When I came here, I saw many strong competing teams, so I had to strive to compete against them. My bulls performed very well today, and I'm very happy that they won the championship," he said.

The annual ox racing event is connected to the Khmer community’s Sene Dolta Festival. This year’s competition brought together 32 pairs of oxen from across the Bay Nui, or Seven Mountains, region.

Locals and tourists travelled to Chua Ro to watch the races, which form part of the region’s Khmer cultural celebrations.

Speaking in Barranquilla on Sunday, De la Espriella said the mechanism would distinguish peaceful protest from violence , people being caught in the act, danger or extraordinary disruptions to public order.

'I will not allow public universities to remain sanctuaries of violence under any circumstances,' he said.

The president said students would continue to have the right to study, debate and protest peacefully. However, he warned that university autonomy would not stop authorities from responding to alleged criminal activity.

'But to those who intend to use a university to prepare terrorist attacks, store items intended for violence, or assault citizens or members of the security forces, I say with absolute clarity: university autonomy is not a licence for impunity,' he said.

De la Espriella also said peaceful demonstrations carried out within the Constitution and the law would be respected.

'But urban terrorism, vandalism, the destruction of infrastructure and attacks against our security forces and the civilian population are not protests; they are conduct that the state has a duty to confront decisively,' he added.

According to the president, universities will retain their autonomy. However, he said that autonomy does not extend to the management of public order or place university campuses outside the authority of the state.

“Africa is a brilliant promise of vitality for an aging world . With 60% of its population under the age of 25. By 2030, 42% of the world's youth will be African,” Lo said.

He added that the Senegalese president had placed particular importance on the success of Dakar 2026, describing the Games as “a true national ambition in service of our youth and the prestige of our country.”

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said seeing the flame arrive on African soil for the first time was an emotional moment.

“The ceremony in Athens was beautiful and it was very emotional. But I think today was even more emotional seeing the flame on African soil for the very first time,” Coventry said.

The Zimbabwean former Olympic champion also expressed confidence in Senegal's preparations, saying the venues would be ready and athletes would receive a warm welcome.

Coventry said she hoped the Games would give visitors an opportunity to experience Africa while inspiring young Africans to believe in their potential. “I know that those youngsters are going to be able to change the world in the future. So I hope this gives them a platform to be inspired and to believe they can do anything,” she said. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place in Senegal from October 31st to November 13th, 2026

General Abdourahmane Abou Zataka will replace Kiaou as army chief of staff, while the decree also reshuffles other senior posts in the Army and Air Force.

The changes follow the August 28-29 mutiny, when soldiers attacked Air Base 101 and other strategic sites across Niamey. State media said dozens of mutineers were killed or arrested before loyalist forces regained control.

Niger's government described the unrest as an attempted destabilisation and accused France of helping orchestrate it. Paris denied the allegation, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot calling it "pure fantasy."

Tiani has ruled Niger since the July 2023 military takeover as the country continues to battle jihadist violence .

Banjarmasin search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana said nearby commercial vessels helped rescue 103 people from the water .

“As of noon, some of the passengers have been successfully evacuated by vessels operating in the area,” Sudayana said.

The ship left Surabaya on Saturday with more than 240 people aboard and lost contact early Sunday after its captain reported that it was listing amid bad weather and high waves. It later capsized about 148 kilometres from Trisakti Port.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency deployed vessels and a helicopter, while the navy sent the KRI Nala to assist. Commercial ships operating nearby also joined the rescue effort.

At Trisakti Port, relatives said they had received little information about those still missing, with some relying on social media posts for confirmation that loved ones had boarded the vessel.

Xi is expected to spend about 24 hours in the Indian capital and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening, with trade and investment expected to feature prominently.

The visit comes as China and India continue efforts to stabilise relations following years of tensions and a series of recent high-level contacts.

The two-day summit, hosted under India's BRICS chairship, brings together leaders and senior representatives from the bloc's 11 member countries.

Running from September 12 to 13, the summit is being held under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

The ferry was last reported about 150km south of Banjarmasin at around 02:00 local time on Sunday. Authorities received a distress report from the vessel's operator, PT Virgo, at 04:10.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency, navy and maritime police are involved in the operation, with ships, a helicopter and around 280 personnel deployed. Vessels operating in the area have also been asked to report any signs of passengers.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said Indonesia's National Transport Safety Committee would investigate the incident.

Families have gathered at ports in Banjarmasin and Surabaya seeking information about missing relatives.

Search operations for the remaining passengers and crew are continuing.

A selection committee from the Babiito royal clan announced on Wednesday that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a UBC news anchor and cousin of the late king, had been chosen as his successor.

The decision was challenged by King Oyo's sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, who produced what she said was a 2022 will naming "a biological son" of the late king as heir. She did not identify the alleged son, whose existence reportedly came as a surprise to members of the Tooro elite.

The selection committee excluded the alleged son from consideration, while the dispute prompted public debate over the succession.

On Thursday, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa said troops had removed the royal guards without notice and surrounded the palace.

"We cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest," she said.

Presidential aide Kirill Dmitriev announced the agreements on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi.

"The instruments for co-operation are developing very rapidly. Today, the Russian Direct Investment Fund signed important agreements in the area of BRICS Pay - the BRICS payment system - as well as in education and support for our technology companies. For example, Innopraktika is actively developing technology hubs in India and other BRICS countries, allowing our startups to interact effectively and quickly, as well as helping our technology companies enter the markets of BRICS countries," he said.

Dmitriev said discussions were focused on "practical and clear instruments for co-operation" between BRICS members.

He also highlighted Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on the purpose of the alliance.

"Russian president [Vladimir Putin] said clearly today that the BRICS alliance is not against anyone. It is about ensuring that our businesses and companies develop and interact more with each other. Therefore, this is undoubtedly a very important summit precisely in terms of the practical implementation of the economic potential that exists between the BRICS countries," he continued.

Putin's visit to New Delhi runs from September 11-13. On Friday, he joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit to the INNOPROM exhibition.

INNOPROM.India is being held from September 9-11 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It brings together government representatives, manufacturers, technology companies, investors and industry organisations from Russia and India.

Putin and other leaders are scheduled to take part in a high-level BRICS Summit session on Saturday. They will then meet in an expanded format with partners and invitees before final documents are signed on Sunday.

The Russian president is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings.

Financial records became more useful once investigators knew who they were looking for. Bank accounts, ATM withdrawals and payments helped investigators identify addresses, locations and connections. After the attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act expanded requirements for identifying customers and sharing financial information, while the Financial Action Task Force expanded its work on terrorist financing. Attempts to create a financial profile that could identify future terrorists, however, failed because ordinary activities such as paying tuition, travelling or receiving international transfers could not reliably distinguish a suspect from anyone else.

The colourful display featured formations linked to Ethiopia’s national identity and aspirations. The drones formed the Ethiopian flag, a dove of peace and the Addis Ababa flower.

A maritime vessel was also displayed in the sky, carrying particular significance for landlocked Ethiopia.

Why Ethiopia Is Welcoming 2019

While much of the world is in 2026, Ethiopia welcomed 2019 on September 11 because the country follows the Ethiopian calendar.

The calendar is based on an ancient calendar system and differs from the widely used Gregorian calendar in its calculation of the year of Jesus Christ’s birth. This leaves the Ethiopian calendar roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar.

Ethiopia’s 13-Month Calendar

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which has 12 months, the Ethiopian calendar has 13.

The first 12 months each have 30 days. The final month, known as Pagume, has five days or six during a leap year.

Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, normally falls on September 11, or September 12 in certain years.

The celebration also coincides with the end of Ethiopia’s main rainy season and the beginning of a new season.

Why a Ship Appeared in the Sky

Among the formations displayed over Addis Ababa was a maritime vessel.

Ethiopia lost direct access to the Red Sea after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, leaving the country landlocked.

Since then, Ethiopia has relied heavily on neighbouring countries’ ports for international trade , giving the maritime-themed formation added significance during the New Year display.

“We believe BRICS will become a real force in the global economy when the results of our cooperation are reflected in contracts, factories, ports, and the economic lives of the peoples of our countries,” he said.

He called for greater use of national currencies in trade between member states, backed by mechanisms to manage currency risks and settlements.

Pezeshkian also urged the BRICS New Development Bank to expand local-currency financing for infrastructure and energy projects, while proposing a joint reinsurance company with initial capital of $10 billion to support major investments.

He called for streamlined customs procedures, fewer regulatory barriers and greater private-sector participation across the bloc.

The Iranian president said Iran was ready to use its energy resources and geographical position to strengthen BRICS food, energy and transport supply chains.

Trump had earlier pointed to "a little activity" at Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified site near Iran's damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, and threatened further US strikes if it continued.

Satellite imagery analysed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows increased construction at the site. Researchers, however, said the images could not confirm reports that centrifuges had been moved there and assessed that the facility did not yet appear capable of enriching uranium.

Iran is also reportedly rebuilding military capabilities damaged by US and Israeli strikes, including assembling ballistic missiles at underground facilities, although production remains below previous levels.

Netanyahu said Israel was continuing operations against what he called the "Iranian axis" in Gaza and Lebanon.

Footage released by the IDF shows operations conducted in "recent months", with troops crossing the Litani River and advancing towards Beaufort Castle and Ali al-Taher. Soldiers are also seen entering underground routes, seizing weapons and striking tunnel shafts.

Israeli forces had earlier seized Beaufort Castle, giving them control of another position overlooking the Litani River and surrounding areas.

According to the Israeli military, the underground network housed Hezbollah's "Badr" Unit and contained weapons and " living quarters" that allowed fighters to remain underground for "extended periods".

Israeli officials said more than 1,100 tonnes of explosives were used to destroy the complex, claiming the operation removed a strategic threat to northern Israel.

Lebanese media earlier reported a "massive explosion" and powerful tremors in the area on Thursday. The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.1 seismic event in southern Lebanon around the time of the demolition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described the tunnels as "strategic terrorist infrastructure that was built over two decades, with Iranian funding and planning".

Hezbollah has not independently confirmed the loss, and the Israeli claims could not be independently verified.

The Ali al-Taher Ridge is roughly 600 metres high, overlooks Nabatieh and sits about 15 kilometres from the Israeli border. The area has become a key battleground since Israeli forces pushed deeper into southern Lebanon earlier this year.

Fighting has continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire reached in June. A wider framework calls for Hezbollah to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon. The process has stalled, with Hezbollah refusing to give up its weapons and Israel saying it will not withdraw until the group is disarmed.

Join the conversation:

The session will explore how crimes committed by al-Qaeda led to Muslims and people perceived to be Muslim being treated as a collective security threat.

FBI- recorded anti-Muslim incidents in the United States rose from 28 in 2000 to 481 in 2001. The US Justice Department subsequently investigated more than 800 cases involving violence, threats, vandalism and arson against Muslims and other communities targeted in the backlash.

The conversation will also examine mass detention, immigration profiling, mosque surveillance, workplace discrimination and the expansion of security powers under the Patriot Act. It will consider how news coverage and political rhetoric repeatedly connected Islam with terrorism, forcing many Muslims to defend their identities and demonstrate their loyalty.

Akwei, an international journalist and founding editor of Global South World, will be joined by Mahmud, the chief executive of Pakistani digital publication ProPakistani. Their discussion will bring perspectives from Africa and South Asia into a debate often framed mainly through American and European experiences.

Twenty-five years after the attacks, the consequences remain visible. A 2026 Pew Research Centre survey found that 59% of Muslim Americans believed there was “a lot” of discrimination against Muslims in the United States. 

The initiative seeks to coordinate regional efforts against criminal organisations and transnational threats. Fujimori said the growing reach of criminal groups required countries to work together across borders.

"This criminality does not respect borders, and hence the need to join efforts with other countries," she said.

Rubio said Washington viewed the expansion of criminal organisations as a threat to security across the hemisphere and pledged US support for participating countries.

"We are going to help you in every way possible ... because it is also in our national interest not to have criminal gangs operating with impunity across the hemisphere," Rubio said.

He described the Shield of the Americas as an alliance aimed at confronting criminal and terrorist groups, some of which he said had acquired resources and capabilities exceeding those of national armed forces. Rubio said 14 countries were currently participating and expected the initiative to expand.

"It was an idea I initially had through localisation and telephony, and then I integrated it with a neural network," he said.

The system uses multiple drones equipped with different technologies, including thermal cameras that detect changes in temperature and humidity and tools designed to analyse conditions beneath the surface. The drones work together to identify and mark possible locations under collapsed buildings.

Villarreal said the technology was also adapted as bodies decomposed, with the system trained to identify indicators including bones, tissue, hair and nail residue.

According to Villarreal, his team has made more than 1,900 markings across affected buildings and may have helped locate hundreds of bodies, potentially approaching 2,000 by his own estimate.

Once a possible location is identified, volunteers and professional rescuers remove the rubble to verify the finding. "We have recovered family members and that has become a hope for many," Villarreal said, adding that the work is carried out voluntarily and families are not charged.

The team conducts much of its work at night, when reduced noise and interference are said to make some detection efforts easier.

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Trump linked the timing of a possible end to the conflict to the upcoming election.

"I think the war is going to end immediately after the election ," he said, referring to the November US midterms. "I think the war will end immediately after the election. Because they can't hold out any longer."

Trump also accused Iran of trying to influence the US election by continuing the conflict.

"They're desperate to try and affect the election so that we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon. All they want is a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble," Trump added.

During the same exchange with reporters, Trump revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.

Asked, "Can you tell us about your conversation with President Putin?" Trump described the discussion positively.

"We had a great conversation. He is wanting to make a deal. And if Zelensky is wanting to make a deal, that would be very nice," he added.

Asked about the possibility of a trilateral meeting, Trump said: "It could happen. We had a good conversation. It could happen."

The two presidents reportedly discussed the recent visits to Moscow and Kiev by Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump had stressed his desire to see the Ukraine conflict brought to an end quickly.

"Trump clearly emphasised the desire to see the conflict end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up impressive and far-reaching prospects for fully restoring relations between the United States and Russia. In his view, this would have a particularly significant impact on trade and economic ties, bringing enormous benefits to both countries."

Putin held more than three hours of talks on Ukraine with Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow on Saturday. The US envoys travelled to Kiev the following day, where they met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Military vehicles were seen travelling through Wadi al-Raqad before advancing into residential areas of Jamla in the Yarmouk Basin. Israeli personnel were also seen stopping passers-by as armed forces remained deployed in the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three Israeli military vehicles entered the village before later withdrawing.

"An Israeli military force consisting of three vehicles, including two armoured personnel carriers, infiltrated the village of Jamla within the Yarmouk Basin area in the western countryside of Daraa, and deployed around it for a period of time, with no information reported about clashes or injuries resulting from the incursion, before later withdrawing toward the occupied territories in the Golan," the organisation reported.

The Israeli military had not commented on the incursion by the time of publication.

The movement came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli forces deployed on Mount Hermon in southern Syria. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Yisrael Katz and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Tamir Yadai.

During the visit, Netanyahu said Israel controlled the area stretching from the summit of Mount Hermon to the Yarmouk River and west towards the Mediterranean Sea. He also said Israel would not allow any "terrorist army" to establish itself along its borders.

Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned Netanyahu and Katz's visit to sites held by Israeli forces on Mount Hermon inside Syrian territory, describing it as "provocative and a blatant violation" of Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.

Netanyahu previously visited Israeli forces inside Syria in December 2024, shortly after Israel took control of the buffer zone, and again in November 2025.