Israel Strike in Doha Disrupts Ceasefire Talks
Poland Downs Russian Drones, Closes Airports
Second Drone Attack Hits Gaza Flotilla in Tunisia
Child Obesity Overtakes Underweight Worldwide
Macron Names Lecornu Prime Minister
ADF Rebels Kill 60 at Funeral in Eastern Congo
Trump Urges EU to Back Tariffs on China and India
US Jobs Data Revised Down by 911,000
Judge Blocks Trump Bid To Oust Fed Governor
Could North Korea Become the World’s 4th ICBM Power?
Israel struck Hamas political leaders in Doha on Tuesday, hitting buildings where negotiations were under way on a US ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The attack killed at least five people, including the son of Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, his aides, and a Qatari security officer. Senior Hamas officials were reported to have survived. The strike, carried out in Qatar’s diplomatic quarter, marked the first direct Israeli attack on the territory of a close US ally hosting American troops.
Qatar condemned the strike as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Its prime minister said current ceasefire talks were now “not valid”, though mediation efforts would continue where possible.
The White House confirmed it was alerted shortly before the strike but was unable to warn Doha in time, a claim Qatar disputes. President Trump expressed regret but backed Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas. The incident drew sharp criticism across the region, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE expressing solidarity with Qatar.
Sources: Associated Press, The Guardian, Al Jazeera
Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a wider barrage against Ukraine, calling the incursions an “act of aggression”. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a response operation was under way after multiple violations, and the military confirmed it had used weapons against the objects. The operational command put ground-based air defences at the highest alert, and Poland and allied air forces launched warplanes.
Warsaw Chopin, Rzeszów–Jasionka and Lublin airports were temporarily closed via NOTAMs as authorities urged residents in Podlaskie, Masovia and Lublin provinces to stay at home. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland was in constant contact with NATO command, and Territorial Defence Forces were activated to search for crash sites.
There were no immediate reports of casualties in Poland, and officials did not say how many drones entered. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had been briefed, while Russia’s defence ministry gave no immediate comment.
Sources: New York Times, CNN
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said one of its vessels was struck by a drone in a Tunisian port on Wednesday, the second such incident in two days. The British-flagged Alma sustained fire damage to its top deck, though all passengers and crew were unharmed. Organisers accused Israel of responsibility, while Tunisian authorities denied a drone attack had occurred.
The flotilla, supported by delegations from 44 countries and including activist Greta Thunberg, aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid. Video posted online appeared to show a bright object hitting the Alma and a fire breaking out, though this has not been independently verified.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the port waving Palestinian flags. The group said an investigation was under way, and vowed to continue its mission. Israel has not commented.
Sources: Reuters, Time
UNICEF reports that obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-age children and adolescents. Around 188 million children aged 5–19 are now obese, nearly one in ten globally.
Since 2000, obesity rates have tripled to 9.4 per cent, while underweight has fallen to 9.2 per cent. The trend is seen worldwide, with the highest prevalence in Pacific Island states such as Niue, the Cook Islands and Nauru, and significant levels in countries like Chile, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Researchers highlight the shift from traditional diets to ultra-processed foods that are cheap and energy dense. UNICEF warns of health risks including diabetes, heart disease and cancers, and of long-term economic costs expected to exceed US$4 trillion annually by 2035.
The agency is urging governments to restrict unhealthy food marketing, reform school food policies and strengthen protections from industry interference.
Sources: BBC, UNICEF
President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister on 9 September, a day after François Bayrou resigned following a defeat in a confidence vote. Lecornu, 39, has served as defence minister since 2022 and has been part of every government since 2017. A former member of Les Républicains, he is considered a close Macron ally.
The presidency tasked Lecornu with consulting parliamentary parties to secure a budget and then proposing a government; the current cabinet will act in a caretaker capacity meanwhile. Bayrou’s government fell after 364 MPs voted no confidence to 194, amid battles over budget plans.
Elysee Palace
Opposition leaders swiftly attacked the appointment: Marine Le Pen said new elections were inevitable, while the Socialists said they would not participate in Lecornu’s government.
Sources: Le Monde, Bloomberg
At least 60 people were killed when Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants attacked a funeral gathering in Ntoyo, North Kivu province, on Monday night. Survivors said about ten rebels armed with machetes ordered mourners to assemble before attacking them. Local officials confirmed many victims were beheaded, and the death toll may rise as recovery efforts continue.
Witnesses reported the attackers also shot victims and set fire to vehicles. Civil society leaders said bodies were taken to Oicha for identification. Hours later, a separate ADF assault in Beni territory killed at least 18 more people.
The ADF, originally from Uganda and now aligned with Islamic State, has escalated attacks across eastern Congo despite joint military operations. The incident adds to insecurity in a region already destabilised by clashes between the government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Sources: CBS News, South China Morning Post
President Donald Trump proposed that the European Union impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from China and India to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine. Trump told EU officials the United States would mirror any European measures, but said he would only proceed if EU states joined.
The proposal was made during a Washington meeting of senior US and EU officials, where additional sanctions on Russia’s oil tankers, banks and energy companies were also discussed.
The move reflects White House frustration at Moscow’s stepped-up bombing of Ukraine and the lack of progress in peace talks. China and India remain key buyers of Russian oil, helping Moscow skirt existing sanctions. Trump has already raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent and suggested negotiations with New Delhi were continuing. EU states remain divided on harsher energy sanctions, with some governments wary of straining trade relations with Beijing and New Delhi.
Sources: FT, Bloomberg
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 911,000 fewer jobs between April 2024 and March 2025 than first estimated, the largest preliminary revision on record. The adjustment reduced average monthly job growth to around 70,000, compared with 147,000 initially. The revision will be finalised next year but reflects slower employment growth across multiple sectors, especially leisure, hospitality, retail and information.
The update came a month after President Donald Trump dismissed BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer over weak jobs data, accusing her without evidence of manipulation. The White House said the scale of the revision showed the economy inherited from President Joe Biden was weaker than reported and renewed calls for lower interest rates. Economists stressed the revisions reflected slowing survey responses and broader economic weakness, rather than political interference. Stock markets dipped on the news but recovered by close of trading.
Sources: ABC News, Washington Post
A federal judge in Washington ordered the immediate reinstatement of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, finding President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove her likely unlawful. Judge Jia Cobb ruled that Fed governors may be dismissed only “for cause” related to on-the-job conduct, and said the mortgage-fraud allegation predating Cook’s tenure was unproven and insufficient grounds.
Cobb also found likely due-process violations and said firing Cook would cause irreparable harm. The White House insisted the removal was lawful. The ruling preserves Cook’s ability to take part in next week’s rate-setting meeting, while a fast-tracked appeal is expected.
Trump has already nominated Stephen Miran to fill a separate vacancy; if Cook were ultimately removed and replaced, Trump appointees could hold four of seven board seats, increasing their influence over policy and governance.
Sources: Politico, NPR
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles. State media reported that the carbon-fibre engine, producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust, marked the ninth and final test before a possible launch of the next-generation Hwasong-20. Kim described the trial as a “significant change” in strengthening the country’s nuclear forces.
Analysts warn the new engine could support multiple warheads and improve re-entry capability, raising concerns for US missile defences. The test comes shortly after Kim appeared with Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, signalling strengthened ties.
Observers expect a launch could coincide with North Korea’s 80th Workers’ Party anniversary parade in October, with implications for inter-Korean relations and global security. China’s Xi also sent Kim a message urging closer strategic cooperation.