- Reuters
Russia says new US sanctions would make Ukraine peace deal harder
This image from an undated video released Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, by the Ansar Allah Media Office, the media arm of Yemen's Houthi rebels, shows Houthi fighters posing and chanting atop what the group described as the wreckage of a downed Saudi F-15 fighter jet bearing a Saudi flag in Marib province, Yemen. (Ansar Allah Media Office via AP)The Saudi Civil Defence on Thursday said that debris from an intercepted Iran-backed Houthi rebel drone killed a Yemeni citizen, while a Saudi citizen and a Pakistani were wounded in Taif province in the western part of the country, officials said. The debris also damaged vehicles and buildings, according to the civil defence, AP reported.
Iran’s Araghchi, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir discuss regional developments amid stalled US talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir held a telephonic discussion on the latest regional developments during Araghchi’s visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Iranian media reported, as US-Iran negotiations remained stalled with no agreement in sight.
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UAE strongly condemns Houthi missile attempt targeting Mecca
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) strongly condemned Yemen’s Houthis over the group’s attempt to target Mecca in Saudi Arabia using a drone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) released a statement saying that the drone attempt was a violation of Saudi’s sovereignty and a threat to regional security and stability. The Gulf “reaffirms its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend the security of the two holy mosques, the pilgrims, and the entire Saudi territory, its citizens, and its residents,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Trump says US-Iran war ‘hopefully’ nearing end:
US President Donald Trump said that Washington is “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Tehran, claiming that the United States has been in direct contact with Tehran over a possible agreement. On being asked by a reporter whether he had heard from the Iranian side, Trump said that he had directly spoken with Iranian officials and reiterated that Tehran is eager to reach an agreement with Washington.
Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.
Live Updates
Sep 17, 2026 07:44 PM IST
Why is Israel angry over ‘NAZA’, the Gaza documentary that won at Venice?
Sep 17, 2026 07:38 PM IST
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi drone, debris kills Yemeni citizen
Sep 17, 2026 05:51 PM IST
Italy PM Meloni wishes PM Modi on his 76th birthday
Buon compleanno al mio amico @narendramodi, a cui auguro salute, energia e successo.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) September 17, 2026
Italia e India continuano a rafforzare il loro profondo legame di amicizia, costruendo insieme un futuro di cooperazione e prosperità per le nostre Nazioni.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday on September 17 and wrote, "Happy birthday to my friend Narendra Modi, to whom I wish health, energy, and success."
She further added, "Italy and India continue to strengthen their deep bond of friendship, building together a future of cooperation and prosperity for our nations."
Sep 17, 2026 05:38 PM IST
Yemen’s Houthi threat in Red Sea disrupting global maritime trade, says Turkey
Sep 17, 2026 04:30 PM IST
Bangladesh and Pakistan face energy disruption as Gulf crisis worsens
Sep 17, 2026 03:22 PM IST
UK watchdog targets three London sites suspected of illegal crypto trading
- AP
Sep 17, 2026 02:36 PM IST
Pakistan prepared to act under Makkah agreement, says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad is fully prepared to fulfil its obligations under the Makkah agreement after Saudi Arabia reported an attempted drone attack near Makkah.
While speaking to Geo News on Wednesday, Asif said, "Makkah Agreement applies to us, and we will fulfil our duty," according to a report on the news channel's website.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca on August 7.
The agreement sets a framework for collective deterrence, stating that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all.
Sep 17, 2026 02:24 PM IST
US strikes on Iran school, sports facility constitute war crimes: UN probe
A UN fact-finding mission on Iran said it had reasonable grounds to believe the United States was behind two February strikes on a school and sports facility that constituted war crimes.
It also noted that the Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during their crackdown on anti-government protests.
Sep 17, 2026 02:11 PM IST
Secret Oman meeting: What did Houthis tell US as Saudi Arabia seeks help?
The United States is not planning direct military intervention to help Saudi Arabia fight Yemen’s Houthis for now, while continuing to provide Riyadh with intelligence and targeting assistance, news agency Reuters reported.
In the confidential meeting, the Iran-backed militant group reportedly assured the US officials that they had no intention of attacking American vessels and that they were committed to the 2025 ceasefire with the United States.
One Yemeni source told Reuters that the Houthis also said they would not attack Israeli ships or other commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.
Sep 17, 2026 01:35 PM IST
Yemen’s Houthis say Saudi strikes targeted telecom towers, killed one
Iran-backed Houthi rebels said that the Saudi strikes in Yemen killed one person and targeted three telecommunications towers on Thursday, according to Houthi media reports.
“Saudi enemy warplanes targeted three telecommunications towers” in Taiz province, while one civilian was killed and another was wounded in strikes on the town of Abs, said Almasirah television.
Sep 17, 2026 12:27 PM IST
US decides not to back Saudi in war against Houthis, says report
The United States has decided not to back Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Yemen’s Houthis after talks between US officials and Houthi leaders in Oman, The Guardian reported.
During their secret meeting, the Iran-backed militant group reportedly assured the US officials that they had no intention of attacking American vessels and that they were committed to the 2025 ceasefire with the United States.
The Houthis, according to Reuters, also said that they would not attack any Israeli ships or any commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.
Sep 17, 2026 11:45 AM IST
US officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman, says report
US officials met the representatives of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militant group over the weekend, news agency Reuters reported citing sources, days after the Iran-backed group seized a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast in an offensive against Saudi-backed forces.
The undisclosed meeting was held at the US Embassy in Muscat, with Oman helping organise the talks, according to Reuters.
Sep 17, 2026 11:09 AM IST
Iran's Araghchi, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir discuss regional developments amid stalled US talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir held a telephonic discussion on the latest regional developments during Araghchi’s visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Iranian media reported, as US-Iran negotiations remained stalled with no agreement in sight.
Sep 17, 2026 10:55 AM IST
Travis Kelce named victim in $35 million Ponzi scheme
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was named among 64 victims of a Ponzi scheme that took more than $35 million from investors. The creator of the Texas-based investment firm, Siddharth Jawahar, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution.
Sep 17, 2026 10:42 AM IST
Malaysia, Maldives, Bangladesh condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Malaysia, Maldives and Bangladesh have condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling for dialogue, an immediate halt to hostilities and protection of Islam’s holy sites.
Sep 17, 2026 10:16 AM IST
Yemen’s Houthis claim Saudi fighter jet downed in missile attack
Yemen’s Houthi group said it had shot down a Saudi fighter jet with a locally made air-to-air missile while it was conducting what the group called "hostile operations".
"The Yemeni Armed Forces, with Allah's aid and grace, succeeded in shooting down a Saudi F15 fighter jet while it was carrying out hostile operations in support of its military mobilisations in the airspace of Marib province," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsمشاهد نوعية لإسقاط طائرة مقاتلة سعودية من نوع F15 وحطامها في محافظة مأرب - 16 سبتمبر 2026م pic.twitter.com/rk0suliePT
— الإعلام الحربي اليمني (@MMY1444) September 16, 2026
Sep 17, 2026 09:36 AM IST
UN Chief Guterres calls for de-escalation amid Yemen, Saudi fighting
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged de-escalation and diplomacy as fighting intensifies in Yemen and tensions rise between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
“At this critical moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be a priority. Any actions that harm civilians must stop. Humanitarian operations must proceed safely & without obstruction. Navigational rights & freedoms must be fully restored & respected The only path forward is de-escalation, diplomacy & dialogue.,” Guterres said in a post on X.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsAt this critical moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be a priority.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 16, 2026
Any actions that harm civilians must stop.
Humanitarian operations must proceed safely & without obstruction.
Navigational rights & freedoms must be fully restored & respected
The only path forward…
Sep 17, 2026 09:15 AM IST
US reaffirms support for Yemen's government against Houthi attacks
Top US diplomat for Yemen, Neil Hop, reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government in a call with Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba, according to the US embassy.
"Chargé d’Affaires Hop had a valuable conversation today with FM Afrah Al-Zouba. He reiterated strong support for the Republic of Yemen Government. The United States of America stands in solidarity with the Yemen government and its people against Iran-backed Houthi aggression," the embassy said in a post on X.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsChargé d’Affaires Hop had a valuable conversation today with FM Afrah Al-Zouba. He reiterated strong support for the Republic of Yemen Government. The United States of America stands in solidarity with the Yemen government and its people against Iran-backed Houthi aggression. pic.twitter.com/ijV7BKPp1I
— U.S. Embassy Yemen السفارة الأمريكية لدى اليمن (@USEmbassyYemen) September 16, 2026
Sep 17, 2026 09:14 AM IST
Trump says US-Iran war ‘hopefully’ nearing end
US President Donald Trump said that Washington is “hopefully toward the end” of its war with Tehran, claiming that the United States has been in direct contact with Tehran over a possible agreement. When asked by a reporter whether he had heard from the Iranian side, Trump said that he had spoken "directly" with Iranian officials and reiterated that Tehran is eager to reach an agreement with Washington.
Sep 17, 2026 09:14 AM IST
UAE strongly condemns Houthi missile attempt targeting Mecca
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) strongly condemned the Yemen's Houthis over the group's attempt to target Mecca in Saudi Arabia using a drone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) released a statement saying that the drone attempt was a violation of Saudi's sovereignty and a threat to regional security and stability.
The Gulf "reaffirms its legitimate right to take all necessary measures to defend the security of the two holy mosques, the pilgrims, and the entire Saudi territory, its citizens, and its residents," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
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