Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is willing to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Miami. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed whether Putin will attend the gathering scheduled for December 14-15. Moscow continues to demand that any talks occur with Zelensky traveling to Russia instead.
Investigators in northwest France are examining a fragment of rail found on the track as evidence of possible sabotage following a Friday evening derailment. The incident occurred near the town of Cleon while the train traveled between Rouen and Caen, resulting in injuries to 44 passengers and crew members. Authorities confirmed that tests for drugs and alcohol on the driver returned negative results.
Leaders from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America are gathering in India for a two-day meeting. The event takes place as regional conflicts and international relations influence the group's agenda. Reports indicate the summit is occurring while wars reshape the broader geopolitical landscape.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, according to officials from both the internationally recognized government and local sources. This move consolidates their grip on a vital Red Sea shipping route that serves as a key corridor for global energy supplies. The advance follows reports that pro-government forces withdrew from the island after Houthi fighters also took the nearby mainland town of Dhubab.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for immediate new sanctions against Russia regarding recent deadly strikes on Ukraine. He made this request at the Yalta European Strategy forum while planning a meeting with US President Donald Trump in late September. Both leaders have noted that long-range strikes between Moscow and Kyiv have escalated as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain deadlocked.
Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization's Southeast Asia regional director and daughter of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned on Wednesday following investigations into alleged financial fraud. The UN agency stated that a committee recommended her dismissal prior to her resignation after placing her on unpaid administrative leave. Wazed has denied the accusations regarding her travel to China and the misrepresentation of her academic credentials.
Algeria announced on Thursday that it has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates following a series of provocative actions. The Algerian foreign ministry stated that these measures were taken after repeated warnings and that all means to preserve bilateral relations had been exhausted. The UAE ambassador was summoned to the ministry, informed of the decision, and given 48 hours to comply.
Parramatta Eels player Josh Addo-Carr is under investigation following an alleged positive preliminary drug wipe for cocaine obtained during a random roadside stop in Sydney. Police confirmed he passed the initial alcohol breath test but provided an oral fluid sample that returned a positive indication for cocaine. The club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and stated it will not comment further until forensic analysis results are finalized.
The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford has announced plans to return 39 pieces of human remains belonging to the Naga people to their ancestral homeland. These items, which include skulls and bones, were displayed at the institution for over a century before being removed from public view in 2020. A formal decision by the University of Oxford Council confirms the repatriation following six years of negotiations between the community and the museum.
Iran-backed Houthi forces have taken control of Perim island within the Bab al-Mandab strait. This development follows reports that government forces withdrew from the area after losing other locations recently. Saudi Arabia stated it shut down a major oil pipeline as a precautionary measure following drone attacks.
