Saudi Arabian warplanes launched airstrikes on Yemen's Red Sea port of Mokha on Tuesday, killing at least six civilians, according to local health officials and hospital records. The attack follows intensified ground fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni troops, with the Iran-aligned Houthis claiming to have targeted additional military sites in the region.

The strikes occur amid heightened regional tensions as the United States and coalition partners consider expanded naval and air defenses to safeguard Red Sea shipping lanes and Saudi energy infrastructure. This military posture shift comes just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced via televised statement that retaliatory operations would continue, asserting the group's capability to strike "any target within Saudi Arabia's reach" using drones and missiles. The group's recent escalation includes attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

UN officials have voiced growing concern over the humanitarian implications, noting that over 20 million Yemenis already require emergency assistance. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that further disruption to port operations could exacerbate food and medical supply shortages in an already fragile humanitarian situation.

The conflict's trajectory remains uncertain, with diplomatic channels reportedly exploring limited de-escalation measures while military preparations continue on both sides of the border.

A fuel blockade in Bamako has revealed how fragile Mali's supply routes have become, just days before the nation's independence anniversary. In the north, separatist and armed groups have intensified coordinated attacks against state forces, raising doubts about the government's ability to control its own territory. On September 10, an Al Qaeda-linked armed group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM), struck an army camp in Dioura in central Mali. This assault followed an April offensive in which JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) jointly targeted military installations and strategic sites in Bamako, Kati, Mopti, Gao and Kidal. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed during those attacks, underscoring the vulnerability of government forces across several regions. The April offensive came after months of pressure on the capital's fuel supply lines. Since September 2025, JNIM has ambushed fuel tankers and blocked highways transporting fuel from Senegal and Ivory Coast, triggering severe shortages in Bamako and disrupting electricity and schooling. On September 14, more than 900 fuel tankers entered Bamako under military escort, according to the Malian government, yet the need to protect such a large convoy illustrates the continued fragility of the routes linking the capital to its neighbours. The government seized power in a 2020 coup, pledging to restore security, but the disruption of vital supply routes has highlighted the difficulty of safeguarding access to the capital across a vast country. A widening armed-group coalition has emerged in northern Mali, where Tuareg demands for greater autonomy or independence have long been centered. What has changed is the degree of coordination between JNIM and the FLA in confronting the government, despite their divergent long-term objectives. Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at Control Risks, told Al Jazeera that the alliance presents a challenge to the military government's effort to consolidate control over the country's territory. "The alliance between JNIM and FLA poses a threat to the government's consolidation of national territory, which is a key goal of the military. Periodic confrontations between the JNIM-FLA coalition and government forces will continue to undermine a political settlement to the violence," she said. Ochieng warned that both sides could harden their positions, risking a deeper security crisis. She said Mali was likely to continue receiving diplomatic and security support from Algeria, its Alliance of Sahel States (AES) partners (Burkina Faso and Niger), and even Senegal and Togo, representing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). That support could delay a more severe crisis. The April offensive demonstrated the extent of that coordination, despite the groups' different objectives. JNIM seeks to impose its interpretation of Islamic law, while the FLA is rooted in Tuareg separatist demands for autonomy and independence. The two groups have cooperated before, including in 2012 and 2024, but their alliances have broken down over territorial and ideological differences. Mali has turned away from former regional and international partners and built new alliances around greater national sovereignty. The government has framed its withdrawal from these institutions as an assertion of sovereignty, yet Abubakar Abubakar Usman, a senior lecturer in international and strategic studies at the University of Malaysia, argued that Mali's growing reliance on Russia complicates that narrative. "Mali's exit from these institutions therefore looks less like an assertion of independence and more like a switching of alliances, from a Western-aligned security order to a Russian-aligned one," Usman said. Mali's withdrawal from ECOWAS alongside Burkina Faso and Niger took effect in January 2025. Human Rights Watch said the withdrawal raised concerns over victims' access to the ECOWAS Court in cases involving alleged rights abuses. The three countries have instead strengthened the AES, while Mali has deepened its military relationship with Russia. The Wagner Group's paramilitary role has been taken over by Russia's Africa Corps, which operates under the Russian defence ministry. Yet the security situation has continued to deteriorate. The April offensive reached sites near the capital and pushed Russian and Malian forces out of positions in the north. The September attack in Dioura showed that armed groups can still inflict heavy losses on government forces. In September 2025, Mali announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside Burkina Faso and Niger. Mali's formal withdrawal began in June and will take a year; the ICC says withdrawal does not remove obligations while a country remains a member or affect matters already under consideration. Rights groups have also documented abuses by armed groups, Malian forces and allied Russian fighters. Human Rights Watch said in June that civilians had suffered serious abuses by multiple sides since fighting intensified in April. The security challenge also extends beyond Mali's borders. The AES has established a joint security framework, but each member is facing its own armed conflicts. In Niger, JNIM and Islamic State-linked fighters are competing and fighting, while violence has also placed pressure on neighbouring Benin and Togo. More than 400,000 people were internally displaced in Mali in June, according to UNHCR, with Gao, Mopti, Menaka and Timbuktu among the regions hosting significant displaced populations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has identified large displacement sites and continued arrivals in Mopti. Farming and herding communities are dealing with insecurity, competition over resources and disrupted services, while limited state institutions and the presence of armed groups and local conflicts further complicate the government's authority. The government has restored fuel supplies to Bamako, but armed groups can still disrupt key routes and attack military positions. For residents of the capital, the anniversary arrives with unease. One Malian resident, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, described a gap between the government's language and the reality faced by people on the ground. "We want to celebrate Independence Day, but there is a lot of anxiety this year. The attacks on the army camp in Dioura have reminded everyone that the security situation is still very fragile," the resident said. "We hear the government saying that the army is carrying out operations and that the situation is under control, but people are asking themselves what 'under control' really means, especially when armed groups can still carry out attacks of this scale. We want to believe that things are improving, but after everything that has happened recently, there is still a lot of uncertainty about where the country is heading."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the ruling coalition intact, citing the need to safeguard the country's democratic future, following disappointing results in two state elections.

The coalition between Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has faced mounting scrutiny after the recent vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured the highest share of votes and the CDU failed to clear the 5 % threshold required for parliamentary representation. In Berlin, the CDU finished second to the left‑wing party Die Linke, which also made notable gains.

At a press briefing on Monday, Merz described the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern outcome as "a heavy blow" for the centre‑right CDU and acknowledged it as "a profound turning point" for the party. He rejected suggestions that his personal popularity, which has been low in opinion polls, was the sole factor behind the defeats, stating that the results reflected broader structural shifts in Germany's party system.

Merz emphasized that no discussions about replacing him have taken place, despite speculation that his government could be reshuffled in a "chancellor swap" due to declining approval ratings. When questioned about the timeline for his tenure, AfD co‑leader Alice Weidel told the BBC that "pretty soon, he's going to leave."

The CDU's failure to meet the 5 % entry threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was characterized by Merz as "a disaster," underscoring the severity of the setback. Although AfD obtained the most votes, it fell far short of a majority and remains unable to form a government, given the reluctance of other parties to cooperate with it. Some AfD factions are under surveillance by domestic intelligence for alleged extremist ties, a claim the party disputes.

In Berlin, Die Linke's victory positioned it to potentially lead a coalition government. Party leader Elif Eralp, who campaigned on addressing unaffordable rent prices, indicated plans to pursue policies aimed at making housing more accessible. She referenced a proposal to expropriate over 200,000 private rental units, a measure Merz has vowed to block through legislation, citing concerns about its impact on foreign investment.

Overall, the election results illustrate a notable realignment in German politics, with traditional parties experiencing erosion of support in several regions while alternative movements gain traction.

Rabat, Morocco – A year after leading demonstrations against inadequate public services, environmental entrepreneur Hamza El Kharroubi is now seeking a parliamentary seat. The 28‑year‑old, who founded the Environment and Sustainability Party, said he remains cautiously optimistic that greater youth involvement will translate into more young candidates winning office in the September 23 election.

The protests that began on September 27, 2025, erupted after anger over healthcare, education, employment and living conditions spread beyond earlier demonstrations in Agadir. The unrest intensified following the deaths of eight women after Caesarean deliveries at a public hospital in the southern city, which became a focal point for broader grievances. A leaderless movement calling itself GenZ 212 mobilised largely through Discord, TikTok and Instagram, demanding improved healthcare and education, more jobs and an end to corruption and what protesters described as misplaced public spending. At least three people were killed during the October 2025 clashes.

Despite the mobilization, many of the protesters who took to the streets remain disengaged from formal politics. More than 15.8 million people are registered to vote in the upcoming parliamentary election, which will fill all 395 seats in the House of Representatives, yet only about four percent of registered voters are aged 18 to 24, according to electoral rolls finalised in July. In contrast, voters aged 60 and above comprise more than 29 percent of the electorate, while those aged 35 to 44 account for 21 percent. Turnout in the 2021 election was just over 50 percent.

Az-el Arab Hilmi, 32, a member of the Federation of the Democratic Left’s secretariat in Tifelt, argues that the protests signalled a shift: young people are no longer willing to accept “traditional political discourse or general promises.” “There is a generation that wants to see tangible results in its daily life: good education, public healthcare that preserves dignity, real job opportunities and fairness in the distribution of opportunities,” Hilmi said.

Hilmi, who entered politics in 2016 after being drawn to a campaign by Omar Balafrej, a prominent figure in the FGD, recalled being struck by Balafrej’s simple, direct language and his willingness to be held accountable. Balafrej won a seat in Rabat in 2016 but did not run again in 2021. In October, GenZ 212, a movement unaffiliated with any political party, held an open discussion with Balafrej on its Discord server about democracy, political responsibility and the role of youth in political change, describing him as a supporter of its peaceful activism.

Moubarak Toumi, 18, who joined the regional secretariat of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces in Casablanca‑Settat three years ago, notes that the distance between young Moroccans and politics has been inherited from older generations. “A common piece of advice passed down from elders was to ‘walk close to the wall’, to keep a low profile, avoid trouble, and ensure stability in daily life,” he said. This mindset persisted alongside notions such as the “200‑dirham mentality”, a reference to cash sometimes handed to voters.

Toumi attributes disengagement partly to frustration over “unmet promises on healthcare, education and employment despite massive budgets.” He sees joining political parties as one way to address those concerns. Youth unemployment remains a persistent problem; in 2025 the official unemployment rate was 13 percent, rising to 37.2 percent for those aged 15 to 24, according to the High Commission for Planning.

The election also tests the limits of formal politics in a system that gives the monarchy a central institutional role while elected governments handle public policy and legislation. Hilmi argues that young voters should distinguish between what parties can promise and what they can realistically deliver. “No party can fix every problem as soon as it reaches a council or a position of responsibility, but we can expect something essential from it: that it commits to what it said, explains to people what it can and cannot do, and practises politics responsibly and transparently,” he said.

In his view, a vote should begin a relationship between citizens and their representatives, one in which young people continue to “monitor, ask, criticise and demand accountability.” “The election is not a blank cheque,” he noted.

The United States is pursuing a direct agreement to buy potash from Belarus, a move that would reduce reliance on Canadian suppliers, President Donald Trump indicated on social media Monday. “The United States is working on a massive Deal with respect to the purchase of Potash from Belarus,” he wrote, adding that the pricing would be “substantially less than we are currently paying to Canada, very good news for our Farmers and Ranchers.”

Canada supplies roughly one-third of the global potash market, making it the largest exporter of the fertilizer ingredient. Russia and Belarus rank among the world’s top producers, though the European Union has maintained a ban on potash exports from Belarus since 2022. Any increase in U.S. imports from Belarus would therefore need to transit through Russian ports, complicating logistical and regulatory pathways.

The proposal comes as the White House has repeatedly clashed with Canada over trade and other issues. Trump’s special envoy to Belarus, John Coale, visited Europe recently but did not alter the EU’s position on the export ban. The administration has not yet provided further details on the potential deal or its timeline.

U.S. allies have sought to limit commercial engagement with Russia and Belarus since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which began with military operations launched from Belarusian territory. Belarus has maintained close ties to Russia while avoiding direct military involvement. Previous Trump-era envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have explored business arrangements with Russian entities as part of broader diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.

The initiative reflects a broader strategy to diversify fertilizer supply chains, though concrete agreements, pricing mechanisms, and implementation steps remain unspecified. The White House has not issued an official response to inquiries regarding the proposal.

A powerful typhoon swept past Japan’s eastern coast on Monday, leaving two fatalities and widespread travel disruptions near Tokyo. Typhoon Dujuan, with sustained winds of roughly 144 kilometres per hour, passed 130 kilometres south of Katsuura, a town about 80 miles from the capital. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the storm knocked out electricity for thousands of households and triggered evacuation advisories affecting more than 1.6 million residents.

By early Tuesday the system had moved northeast toward the Aleutian Islands, its winds slightly reduced. The agency warned that heavy rain would persist as the typhoon progressed northward, noting that total rainfall through Tuesday could surpass the average September precipitation, potentially setting new records.

Local officials confirmed the deaths, citing landslides and flooding that claimed two lives. In Kamakura, a popular tourist area, floodwaters covered streets near the station, prompting Mayor Takashi Matsuo to post a warning on social media that driving was hazardous. Similar inundations were reported in Ichikawa, east of Tokyo.

Transportation networks felt the impact sharply. Japan Airlines cancelled 135 flights and All Nippon Airways scrapped 140 on Monday, leaving many passengers stranded at Haneda Airport. Bullet‑train services between Tokyo and Osaka were suspended, and the Tokyo Game Show, a major video‑game exhibition, closed early on its final day. Organisers also cancelled a large outdoor music festival and a scheduled baseball match in Chiba Prefecture.

Typhoon Dujuan marked the 25th named storm of the season, underscoring Japan’s recurring encounters with strong typhoons during late summer and early autumn.