“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.

“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."

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.

“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.

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.

Dr Richard Lokundu, medical director at Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, said the absence of restrictions on movement was making contact tracing increasingly difficult.

"We are trying to contain the situation, but we have never imposed restrictions on people's movement," Lokundu said. "These constant movements of the population make the response extremely difficult."

He called for greater public awareness, urging people who have been in contact with confirmed cases to remain in place rather than travel to other communities.

For miners, however, staying away from gold sites can mean losing vital income. Miner Laringa Phanel said hand-washing stations had become part of daily life, with workers washing their hands before working and eating.

Taxi driver Blaise Musa said some residents initially attributed deaths to "mystical causes," but attitudes changed after medical teams arrived and began conducting blood tests.

The Bundibugyo virus outbreak was confirmed in May and spread from Mongbwalu across six provinces in eastern DR Congo. Containment efforts have been particularly difficult in Ituri and neighbouring areas, where armed violence , displacement, a fragile health system and movement along mining and commercial routes have complicated contact tracing.

Protester Carlos Enrique Fernandez Chacon said the demonstration was aimed at rejecting Rubio's presence and what he described as US interference in the region. "We do not ally with any imperialism, and we do ally with the peoples oppressed by them," he said.

Other demonstrators accused Washington of seeking control over natural resources and criticised US policies towards Iran and Venezuela . Protester Alejandra Cuentas also called on social organisations to continue opposing what she described as US imperialism.

The protest came ahead of Rubio's scheduled meeting with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori on Thursday. Their agenda includes security , transnational organised crime, defence, investment, trade and cooperation in responding to the El Nino phenomenon.

The latest information indicated the boat was still near Anak Krakatau at around 18:13 on Monday, Amrad said. "So far, the search has yielded no results."

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, Basarnas, deployed four teams to search waters around Anak Krakatau, Rakata Island and Panjang Island. All eight people remained missing as of Wednesday morning.

Anak Krakatau has continued to erupt intermittently, with authorities maintaining a three-kilometre exclusion zone around its active crater.

Magyar stressed that the expulsions would not mean an end to diplomatic relations with Moscow. "Hungary still intends to maintain the necessary dialogue and mutual respect while adhering to the rules," he said, adding that his government would defend the country's sovereignty and independence.

Foreign Minister Anita Orban also said the diplomats had engaged in activities considered unacceptable under the Vienna Convention. Neither she nor Magyar provided details of the allegations against them.

Russia condemned the decision, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning that Moscow's response "will be harsh and painful." She blamed what she described as a "Russophobic lobby in Budapest" for the expulsions.

"Senegal has simply become too expensive. There is rent, electricity and even food - everything is expensive," march co-organiser Bathie Drizzy said.

Residents said rising food prices were making even everyday Senegalese meals increasingly difficult to afford, while others called for stronger government regulation of prices in shops and markets.

The protest was held near the national electricity company, Senelec and formed part of the citizen-led "30 Days for Fair Prices" campaign, which encourages consumers to report excessive prices and pressure authorities to act.

Senegal is grappling with rising living costs, high unemployment and concerns over public debt, increasing pressure on households already struggling to meet everyday expenses.

German traveller Ana said her flight to Lombok had been cancelled and passengers were struggling to get clear information. "It's a little bit difficult for us because nobody can tell us anything about the flights and where we can get our money back and what the next step is," she said.

Passenger Ronald Tampubolon said his flight had been delayed from 11:00 to 14:00, while another traveller, Maurin, said long queues made both refunds and rescheduling difficult.

Reports said hundreds of flights and around 22,800 passengers were affected at Soekarno-Hatta. A further 31 Jakarta-bound flights were cancelled at airports across Malaysia.

Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted repeatedly on Saturday. Indonesia's meteorological agency reported ash plumes reaching up to 6,000 metres on the Java side and as high as 15,000 metres on the Sumatra side and over parts of Banten province.

"This operation, with international ramifications, was instigated and sustained by a vast network of collusion headed by Macron's French regime," Boubacar said.

He described the mutiny as an attempt to destabilise Niger and said authorities had compiled a "substantial body of evidence" concerning the alleged aggression.

"Niger is not waging war against any country and harbours no such intention," he said. "Niger reserves the right to bring proceedings before international courts."

The government has not publicly presented evidence linking France to the attempted coup. Paris had not responded to the latest accusation at the time of publication, while the French military previously declined to comment on similar claims aired by Nigerien state television.

The unrest began overnight on August 28-29, when mutinous soldiers attacked Air Base 101 at Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport and other sensitive sites, including the presidential palace. Government forces later said they regained control after hours of fighting.

The dispute follows a legal battle between the community and British energy giant Shell over its exit from Nigeria's onshore oil sector and alleged environmental damage in the region.

"Sometimes, it comes like hell's fire itself," said Bubaraye Dakolo, monarch of the kingdom, describing how wind spreads pollution from the flare.

Dakolo criticised a July ruling by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, which dismissed his lawsuit seeking environmental remediation and compensation for more than 40 years of alleged damage. He has since appealed.

Shell has rejected claims that its operations are chiefly responsible for pollution in the Niger Delta, pointing to oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining as major causes. The company says it cleans up spills from its facilities regardless of cause.

Neighbour Bidhnu Karman said the family was trapped inside for around four hours as floodwater surged around the building.

"They were saying goodbye and waving their hands as if it was the end," he said. "But fortunately, they were lucky to stay alive by God's grace, and the house withstood the floods."

Owners Prakash Pandey Pyakurel and Lakshmi Pandey had been at a nearby shop when the flood approached and rushed back to the house, where relatives were still inside.

Karman said he lost all his belongings, including decades of savings, but was grateful to have survived. There has been no formal engineering assessment explaining why the house remained standing.

Nepalese authorities said on Friday that 1,287 bodies had been recovered, 5,083 people remained missing and more than 13,000 had been rescued following the August 26 disaster.

The resolution nevertheless passed overwhelmingly. Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said longstanding cartographic distortions had helped minimise Africa's perceived size and contributed to an unbalanced view of world geography.

The measure promotes greater use of equal-area maps, including the Equal Earth projection, which preserve the relative size of continents more accurately than the centuries-old Mercator projection.

Dussey said the initiative was not directed against any country or cartographic tradition, but aimed at encouraging projections that better reflect the true proportions of continents.

The African Union has backed the campaign through its "Correct the Map" initiative, arguing that maps can influence how countries and continents are perceived globally.

"There was nothing here after the floods. Now they have set up this Tuin, and it is helping our people . We are able to help 150 to 200 people cross each day," former government official Seetharam Baneth said.

The crossing provides an alternative route for isolated communities after the August 26 floods devastated parts of the Trishuli Valley. Authorities said at least 1,287 people have been killed and more than 5,000 remain missing across Nepal.

The disaster was triggered by the collapse of part of a glacier and underlying rock near the Nepal-China border, unleashing flash floods, landslides and debris downstream. Nuwakot is among the worst-hit districts, where damaged infrastructure has complicated relief efforts and access to remote areas.

He also announced plans to accelerate production of interceptor drones , saying prototypes already existed but needed to be deployed effectively and produced at greater scale.

Zelensky said combat aircraft were currently carrying much of the burden of intercepting jet-powered drones.

Earlier on Thursday, he chaired a meeting of Ukraine's Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff focused on increasing production of high-speed drone interceptors and involving businesses in manufacturing air defence systems.

Zelensky also said Kiev was preparing for talks with envoys of the US president , who were expected to hold meetings in both Ukraine and Russia.

"This base will make us the most important logistics hub in the South Atlantic and will be fundamental for Argentina's geopolitical projection," Milei said, adding that he would urgently send a national sovereignty bill to Congress.

The president also announced faster sanctions under Law 26,659 against companies involved in oil extraction in areas Argentina considers to be under British occupation.

"The Falkland Islands are Argentine by history and by right. There is no discussion about it," Milei said, reaffirming that his government would continue pursuing the claim through diplomatic and legal means.

The Falkland Islands, around 500 kilometres off Argentina's coast, remain at the centre of a longstanding sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The dispute led to a 74-day war in 1982, in which 649 Argentine service members, 255 British personnel and three islanders were killed.

"Indonesia does not want to join any military alliance, but we seek to join economic alliance. Our FTA within the Eurasian Economic Union is exactly that - not an alliance against anyone, but a partnership for the prosperity of everyone," he said.

Prabowo said Indonesia would continue engaging with countries in all directions as "a sovereign and equal partner," adding that Jakarta's foreign policy was based on friendship rather than confrontation.

"For us, 1,000 friends are too few. One enemy is too many," he said.

He also rejected the idea that the Global South should be seen as a new geopolitical bloc, describing it instead as a grouping seeking greater fairness in the international system.

"The Global South is not a new bloc. It is a constituency for fairness, for a fair share of prosperity, and a fair voice in writing global rules," Prabowo said.

Sanchez said organised crime groups had exploited the crisis and accused some foreign-linked information networks and far-right figures of amplifying fear and distrust.

He reaffirmed that Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish cities and called for stronger cooperation with Morocco, while arguing that migration could not be solved by border controls alone.

The government has approved a €309 million emergency package for Ceuta after around 72,000 people crossed from Morocco on July 30 and 31.

Petro delivered the lecture, titled Capital in the 21st Century: Political economy of the climate crisis, at UNAM's Alfonso Caso Auditorium.

He also criticised Argentine President Javier Milei's prominence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he stopped attending the event after Milei was presented as a "hero."

"That day I stopped going to Davos and obviously they will never invite me again," Petro said.

The Mexico trip was Petro's first international visit since leaving office on August 7. Under Colombia's Constitution, former presidents require Senate authorisation to travel abroad during the year after leaving office, and Petro obtained permission before the trip.

During his stay, Petro met Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace and also agreed with writer Paco Ignacio Taibo II on the publication of his next book for the Spanish-speaking world.

Netanyahu said Israel's strategy had been to confront Iran directly while weakening its regional allies. "My intention was that ultimately we would clash with Iran, with the head of the octopus, and we would sever the arms, clear them out, strike this axis of evil, and we did so very forcefully," he said.

His comments came as the United States and Iran engaged in their largest exchange of fire since July. US forces struck targets along Iran's southern coast on Tuesday, while Tehran launched missiles and drones at American positions across the region.

Israel has not joined the latest exchange, although Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces were prepared to strike Iran if Israel came under attack.

Gofman took over as Mossad director on June 2 after previously serving as Netanyahu's military secretary. At his inauguration, Netanyahu said helping bring down Iran's government was part of Gofman's mission.

Netanyahu also addressed Israel's operations in Gaza , claiming the country now controls more than 60 per cent of the territory. He said Israel would continue pursuing what he described as "dismantling, demilitarisation, evacuation in places where needed" to prevent Gaza from again becoming a threat to Israel.

"This offensive operation will continue as a lesson to the Americans until they regret their crimes," he said.

Kuwait's military said its air defences intercepted attacks by hostile Iranian drones late on Tuesday, while Jordan's armed forces said 13 ballistic missiles entered its airspace, with 10 intercepted and three falling in remote areas.

US Central Command, meanwhile, said American forces had launched a new round of strikes against IRGC targets in Iran following attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel in the region.

"Co-operation does not mean subordination. Friendship does not mean renouncing our principles," Sheinbaum said. "I will firmly defend our sovereignty, our dignity and our independence."

On energy, Sheinbaum said the debt of state-owned oil company Pemex had been reduced by $20 billion, while production stood at 1.77 million barrels of oil and nearly five billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. She also highlighted a National Gas Pipeline Plan involving 141 billion pesos in projected investment through 2030.

Turning to security , Sheinbaum said intentional homicides had fallen by 51 per cent since she took office, equivalent to 44 fewer killings per day. She added that the daily average of high-impact crimes in 2026 had dropped by 54 per cent compared with 2018.

"Russia should be criticised when it makes mistakes, but Russia cannot be demonised and pushed out of Europe," Fico said. "The European Union does not need more weapons and Russophobia."

Fico also warned that while Nazi Germany had been defeated militarily during the Second World War, Nazi ideology had not been completely eradicated from society and could re-emerge in different forms.

He cited a journalist's question during an August 8 press conference in Belgrade with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The journalist asked what Europeans could do to help Ukraine "kill more Russians", later clarifying that he meant Russian soldiers.

Fico described the exchange as evidence of a growing "militant atmosphere" and hatred towards Russia . He warned that the greatest danger would be if what he called "dark ideas" and "returns to the past" began influencing EU decisions.

The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly opposed expanding European military support for Ukraine.

Another resident, Chamsiya Idrissa, said explosions continued through the night and were powerful enough to shake homes. Others said they were still waiting for official clarification about what had happened.

Defence Minister General Salifou Mody said a group of soldiers attempted to detain fellow officers at Diori Hamani International Airport, home to the key military airbase known as Base 101, before opening fire on "strategic locations" across the city.

The incident briefly disrupted radio and television transmissions, which the Nigerien Press Agency said resumed at around 10:00 local time. Mody said security forces had contained the unrest and gradually regained control of the affected sites, although sporadic gunfire continued.

The incident poses a challenge to Niger's military-led government under General Abdourahamane Tiani, who took power after President Mohamed Bazoum was removed in July 2023.

"The public is urged to remain calm and go about their daily business freely," the statement said.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported overnight in several parts of Niamey, including around Diori Hamani International Airport, where Base 101 is located, and the Plateau district, home to the presidential palace and other key institutions. The ministry's account of the soldiers' actions has not been independently verified.

Niger has been under military rule since the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The authorities, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, have strengthened defence cooperation with neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso as the region continues to face attacks by armed groups.

Diori Hamani International Airport and Base 101 were targeted twice earlier this year, making the complex one of Niamey's most sensitive military sites.

The tradition historically involved participants throwing stones at one another, but organisers replaced them with fruits and flowers following intervention by the Uttarakhand High Court in 2013 to reduce injuries. Some stone-throwing, however, has continued at previous events.

"This is a tradition of our village. This does not harm anyone," participant Bahadhur Singh said, describing blood shed during the ritual as "a blessing for everyone."

This year's battle lasted around eight minutes, with the four clans distinguished by white, pink, yellow and saffron colours.

Bagwal Mela is one of Devidhura's best-known traditions and is held annually at the Maa Barahi temple on Raksha Bandhan, the Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.

Vienna State Police spokesperson Philipp Haslinger said a national and international manhunt was under way. Surveillance footage showed one of the suspects carrying what appeared to be a real firearm, although it was not used during the robbery.

Investigators have recovered evidence from the museum and are examining DNA and other leads. Police have also appealed to the public for information, with Haslinger saying numerous tips had already been received.

The platinum necklace was created by French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels in 1939 and features more than 200 carats of diamonds in a sunburst design. Queen Nazli, mother of Egypt's King Farouk, wore it at the 1939 wedding of her daughter Princess Fawzia to Iran ian Crown Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who later became Shah of Iran.

The necklace sold at Sotheby's in New York for about $4.3 million in 2015 before later joining the Van Cleef & Arpels collection. It was on display in Vienna as part of the MAK's "GLANZSTUCKE" exhibition dedicated to the French jewellery house.

Addressing lawmakers after the vote, Ndejembi said his performance should be judged by his service rather than his age. "The weight of this responsibility will not be measured by my youth alone, nor will it be defined by my age," he said.

Ndejembi pledged loyalty to President Samia Suluhu Hassan and said he would work to ensure government spending on development projects translated into services for Tanzanians.

Speaker Zungu said several foreign diplomats had welcomed Ndejembi's appointment. The former energy minister was nominated by President Hassan to replace Emmanuel Nchimbi, whose departure triggered a rapid political transition at the top of government .

"Communication lines in that area, they are totally disrupted, and therefore it has been difficult to get in touch with people on the ground," Jaiswal said.

Those out of contact include hydropower workers and pilgrims from several Indian states. Twenty-one Indians from Tamil Nadu have been rescued, while around 200 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims stranded on the Chinese side have requested evacuation assistance.

India has deployed two military aircraft carrying 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies, including medicines, food and shelter materials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah, pledging "all possible humanitarian and relief assistance."

At least 910 people remain missing or out of contact across Nepal after the flood swept through Rasuwa and downstream along the Trishuli and Narayani river systems.

Authorities said 28 bodies had been recovered in Nuwakot by Thursday evening. Chitwan recorded the highest toll with 137 deaths, followed by Nawalparasi East with 87.

At least 910 people remain missing or out of contact across Nepal, including residents, security personnel and hundreds of domestic and foreign travellers. Rescue teams continue to search devastated areas along the affected river systems.

The flood swept through Rasuwa before surging downstream along the Trishuli and Narayani rivers, destroying settlements and damaging roads, bridges and other infrastructure . Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary satellite imagery suggested an ice and rock avalanche may have created a temporary debris dam on the Lhende River that later burst.

“We have no any kind of official confirmation of any kind. But looking at the scale of destruction, it looks bad,” he said, adding that the immigration building where the group was believed to have been was washed away.

Sadhguru said the group's leader, Praveen, sent a message at 9:05 saying they had reached the immigration building shortly before the disaster struck. His Nepal phone never became active, leading the foundation to believe the group had not crossed the border. Sadhguru said he had sought assistance through the Indian and Chinese embassies, while the pilgrims' families had been informed.

The floods swept through the mountainous border region on Wednesday, sending water , mud and debris through communities along Nepal's Trishuli river system. Scientists have suggested a collapsed glacier could have triggered the disaster. At least 165 people have been killed, and nearly 1,500 remain missing across Nepal and China's Xizang, including foreign tourists and pilgrims.

Homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure were swept away, while around 40 kilometres of roads and dozens of bridges were damaged. Nepal deployed security forces, helicopters and medical teams as rescuers struggled to reach communities cut off by the destruction.

Scientists have suggested the disaster may have been triggered by a collapsed glacier along the border. China's People's Liberation Army Western Theatre Command also deployed a team aboard a Y-20 transport aircraft to coordinate military aviation, medical, engineering and transport units.

At least 292 people have been killed, and more than 1,384 remain unaccounted for across China and Nepal. Chinese authorities have reported three deaths and 558 missing, while Nepal has recorded 289 deaths and more than 826 people still out of contact. More than 1,500 personnel have been mobilised to search for survivors, clear roads and assess the damage.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing travelled to the area to oversee the response after President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts. Operations remain complicated by unstable terrain, disrupted access and a barrier lake near Gyirong Port, while authorities have warned that further rainfall could trigger additional mudflows and landslides.

The pilots went missing after Iranian military aircraft entered Qatari airspace on March 2, during the opening days of the war that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Akraminia also criticised Washington's approach to the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of lacking a coherent strategy. "These contradictory statements, opinions, and behaviours demonstrate that the Americans lack a coherent strategy," he said, claiming Washington had become "bewildered" in its conflict with Tehran.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social last week labelled "New American Territory." Trump had previously said he intended to declare the strategic waterway American territory, although the White House later said the remarks were a joke and had not been officially discussed.

Chinese authorities said the mudslide crossed the border from Nepal at around 10:30 local time, causing major casualties at Gyirong Port in Shigatse.

President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out search for the missing, the evacuation of residents at risk and treatment for the injured. He also called for increased monitoring and warnings against further disasters .

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing travelled to the area to oversee rescue operations.

China activated a Level I emergency response in Xizang, deploying 431 firefighters, 72 vehicles, rescue dogs, life detectors and inflatable boats. A national Level II disaster relief response was also activated.

Across the border in Nepal, a landslide of mud and rock crashed into the Lhende River, triggering severe flooding that swept away homes, roads and other infrastructure. At least 95 people were killed.

The landslide occurred on the Central African side of the border, despite early reports placing the site in Cameroon due to the name Zamboye also being associated with neighbouring Garoua-Boulai.

Central African authorities have since ordered the mine closed over safety and regulatory concerns as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Mohamadou Bawe, chairman of a local gold miners' cooperative in Cameroon, said miners crossed the border to assist with rescue efforts after learning of the collapse.

"This is the border; you can see it here - there's the wire-mesh fence, the Central African Republic, and the river, which forms a natural boundary," Bawe said.

He said miners on the Cameroonian side limit excavation depths and clear surrounding areas to reduce the risk of collapses. "Look at our depths on the Cameroon side; that means it really is two different worlds," he said.

Garoua-Boulai Mayor Adamou Abdon also stressed that the deadly collapse occurred inside the Central African Republic, saying similar place names on both sides of the border had caused confusion.