Kagi News - World

Netanyahu denies UAE warned of October 7 attack

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:37:00 +0000

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied a Haaretz report saying UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned him shortly before the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that Hamas was planning a major operation against Israel. The report, excerpted from a forthcoming book by Haaretz journalists, said the UAE leader spoke with Netanyahu about 10 days before the attack and raised concerns about then Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar’s plans. Haaretz reported that bin Zayed warned the operation could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and undermine the Abraham Accords, while Netanyahu responded with “relative calm,” said Israel was prepared for any scenario and suggested a possible attack was more likely from the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu’s office called the report “an absolute lie” and said the UAE gave no warning before October 7. The UAE Foreign Ministry did not explicitly confirm the account, but said it shares intelligence with the appropriate entities when necessary. Israeli opposition leaders called Netanyahu unfit to serve after the report, which emerged during Israel’s election campaign.

Highlights:

Security chain: Haaretz reported that Netanyahu did not relay the alleged Emirati warning to Israel’s top security chiefs.
Prior signals: Haaretz previously reported that Sinwar sent messages through Palestinian intermediaries warning he was preparing an “earthquake,” and that then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar briefed Netanyahu.
Egypt warning: Reports also said Egyptian intelligence warned Israel shortly before the October 7 attack.
Battle plan: Israeli intelligence obtained a Hamas plan known as “Jericho Wall,” which the New York Times later reported closely resembled the October 7 operation.

Sources:

Israel's Netanyahu denies UAE warned him of October 7 attack - dw.com
UAE warned Netanyahu of major Hamas attack days before October 7 massacre, Haaretz reports - reddit.com
Netanyahu under fire after report of UAE warning ahead of October 7 attack - lemonde.fr
UAE warned Netanyahu of 7 October attack, Israeli newspaper reports - euronews.com
Netanyahu knew about Oct. 7 Hamas attack days in advance – report - rt.com
Before Oct. 7 Attack, Netanyahu Was Warned, Report Says. He Denies It. - nytimes.com
Netanyahu under fire over report UAE warned of October 7 attack - france24.com

Iceland summons US envoy over Trump's territory map

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:37:54 +0000

Iceland summoned the US ambassador after President Trump posted a Truth Social image on Monday showing the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered in the US flag and labeled “United States of America”. Iceland’s foreign minister called in the newly appointed US ambassador for an explanation, while Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir condemned the post. France 24 described the image as AI-generated and said Mexico reiterated its sovereignty and Denmark objected to the depiction of Greenland after the post. The New York Times linked Iceland’s forceful reaction to the country’s recent vote against opening talks to join the European Union.

Highlights:

Online reaction: The post triggered ridicule and questions about Trump's fitness for office, according to France 24.

An insult to Icelanders - Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir

Sources:

Iceland calls post ‘wholly inappropriate,’ summons U.S. ambassador - reddit.com
Iceland summons US ambassador over Trump's stars and stripes map - allsides.com
Trump 'claims' more than a dozen nations in controversial map - abc.net.au
Trump’s latest map-making on social media stirs controversy in North Atlantic - theglobeandmail.com
Iceland summons U.S. envoy over Trump map depicting it in stars and stripes - washingtonpost.com
Iceland Summons U.S. Ambassador Over Provocative Trump Map - nytimes.com
Trump posts AI map showing US 'takeover' of North America, Iceland and Caribbean - france24.com

Houthis strike Saudi cities, wounding 73 people

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:34:21 +0000

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis attacked four cities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding 73 people and setting oil installations on fire in an expansion of the six-month-old Middle East war. The strikes used ballistic missiles and drones and hit Saudi territory, including energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, temporarily halting operations at some energy sites. U.S. forces also struck multiple Iranian tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after Iranian attempts to hit a U.S. Navy warship, a U.S. official said, resuming U.S. attacks on Iran after a two-day pause. Iranian media reported that a U.S. missile hit an Iranian tanker 4 miles from Kharg Island and that a second tanker was attacked near Jask in the Gulf of Oman; the IRGC then threatened to target oil tankers in Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports and warned crews to evacuate. The Houthis said they had launched a broad operation deep into Saudi territory, while Saudi authorities vowed to retaliate. The strikes followed Houthi accusations on September 7 that Riyadh had carried out attacks around Yemen, including the deadly bombardment of a prison.

Highlights:

Targets hit: The Houthis said their operation included drones and missiles against a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait and assets of state oil company Saudi Aramco.
Conflict risk: Foreign Policy described the Houthi strikes as risking a new front in the Iran conflict, while the New York Times said Saudi Arabia and the Houthis were moving back toward the brink of war.
Iran leverage: Al-Monitor reported that renewed fighting in Yemen is testing one of Iran's most valuable regional partnerships as Tehran tries to preserve remaining regional leverage.

Unacceptable, undermines regional stability - India's Ministry of External Affairs

Sources:

War expands as Iran-backed Houthis attack Saudi cities and U.S. strikes Iranian tankers - japantoday.com
Are Yemen and Saudi Arabia Returning to All-Out War? - foreignpolicy.com
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia set fire to oil sites and wound 73 - lemonde.fr
India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations - thehindu.com
Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis Edge Back to the Brink of War - nytimes.com
What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence - al-monitor.com
Houthi forces launch ballistic missiles and drones at several locations in Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 people, including civilians, and causing fires that temporarily halt operations at some energy facilities. - reuters.com
'Unacceptable, undermines regional stability': India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia - firstpost.com

Rubio seeks closer security, trade ties with Colombia

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:03:50 +0000

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla on September 8, starting a three-country Latin America tour focused on security and economic cooperation. Rubio pledged to restore U.S.-Colombia ties and said Washington saw an opening for relations to enter a stronger phase after De la Espriella’s election and recent moves to deepen military cooperation with the United States. The trip includes Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Rubio said President Trump’s administration hopes to complete trade deals with the three countries soon. In Colombia, Rubio’s agenda included drug-trafficking groups, trade, critical minerals, civil nuclear cooperation and questions about Bogotá’s ties with China, including participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure.

Highlights:

Security talks: The Pentagon and Colombia’s security forces were discussing new cooperation and Colombian requests for equipment.
Drug operations: De la Espriella has intensified operations against drug-trafficking groups since taking office after his June election victory.
Tariffs: Rubio said he would discuss tariffs with regional leaders during the week’s meetings.

Perspectives:

Trump administration: Washington described the tour as a push to consolidate relations with allied governments and expand U.S. military involvement in the region. (Al Jazeera)

Sources:

Rubio launches Latin America tour with pledge to restore Colombia ties - lemonde.fr
Rubio vows to restore Colombia ties after leftist ‘mistakes’ - thehindu.com
Rubio promises security cooperation to Colombia’s new president - straitstimes.com
Marco Rubio says US seeks more economic and security ties in Latin America - aljazeera.com
Rubio Meets Colombia’s Leader, Cites Progress on Security and Tariffs - nytimes.com
US Secretary of State Rubio arrives in Colombia to clarify China ties, sign minerals deal - scmp.com
Rubio hails Colombia's new pro-Trump leader De la Espriella on first stop of Latin American tour - france24.com

Russia strikes Kyiv and Ukraine-Moldova border, killing at least seven

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:38:47 +0000

Russia struck Kyiv with drones and missiles on Tuesday after a three-day halt in attacks on the Ukrainian and Russian capitals during visits by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The attack killed five people in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Officials said the Kyiv strike caused fires across several districts and damaged at least 14 high-rise buildings, a dormitory, a school, a clinic, warehouses and other sites. During a live United News broadcast, a Russian drone also damaged the Kyiv building of the Ukrainian television channel We Are Ukraine, injuring five people, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian authorities said Russian drones hit a Ukraine-Moldova border crossing in the southern Odesa region on Wednesday, killing two people and injuring others. Kushner and Witkoff left Kyiv on Sunday after talks with Zelenskyy, following discussions in Moscow. After the Moscow talks, the Kremlin said it did not rule out resuming three-way negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The BBC cited officials as saying a separate attack on a passenger train in southern Ukraine killed a female employee.

Highlights:

Civilian sites: Kyiv authorities reported damage and fires at 16 or more locations, including a 26-storey non-residential building in Holosiivskyi district and a five-storey residential building in Solomianskyi district where people were trapped.
Media strike: We Are Ukraine published footage it said showed the drone hitting its newsroom and called the strike a deliberate attack targeting journalists.
Rescue operations: Emergency teams saved one person during search operations, evacuated two people from a 16-storey residential building and rescued at least 10 people in Solomianskyi district.
Renewed diplomacy: The Trump administration renewed its effort to end Russia’s 4-1/2-year war in Ukraine through the Kushner-Witkoff visits to Moscow and Kyiv.

Kyiv was exploding and burning - Katarina Mathernova

Perspectives:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Zelenskyy said the drone strike on We Are Ukraine marked a new page in Russia’s degradation and called on Ukraine’s allies in Europe, the United States and elsewhere to act together. (BBC)
We Are Ukraine: The channel published footage it said showed the moment the drone hit its newsroom during a live broadcast. (BBC)

Sources:

New York releases 170,000 post-9/11 toxic-air records

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:47:43 +0000

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani released more than 170,000 previously unreleased records on Sept. 8 about air quality after the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying the files show the city did not disclose everything it knew about toxic air around Ground Zero. The records include air-quality reports and communications among city officials, and suggest authorities knew of health risks while people were receiving public assurances that the air was safe to breathe. The release precedes the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which killed 2,977 people in the United States, most of them in the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York. In the years since, more than 9,400 people have died from illnesses linked to exposure in the area, according to a federal medical monitoring program cited by AFP.

Highlights:

Asbestos findings: Mamdani said asbestos was found "nearly everywhere" tested near Ground Zero, and the records show asbestos was detected near the site for months after the attacks.
Harding Memo: The files include October 2001 correspondence known as the "Harding Memo," in which an aide warned about toxic conditions one month after the attacks.
Online access: PBS reported that the government-agency documents were posted to an online portal, giving families, survivors and first responders direct access to the records.
Legal battles: Firstpost said the records were released after years of legal battles over long-withheld files on what officials knew about Ground Zero’s toxic air.

Perspectives:

Mamdani said, "People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air." He said the documents show what officials knew and withheld. (BBC News)
Jon Stewart appeared with Mamdani and said the files showed the city knew by October 2001 that Manhattan’s air was toxic. He said officials had "only buried that information for 25 years." (BBC News)
Mamdani said families, survivors and first responders deserve transparency as the health toll from the attacks continues to grow. (PBS NewsHour)

Sources:

Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine peace efforts

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:33:32 +0000

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the war in Ukraine in an hour-long phone call on September 8. The Kremlin described the exchange as “extremely frank,” “constructive and candid,” and focused on efforts to end the fighting. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump told Putin he wanted a swift end to the war and saw ending it as a condition for fully restoring U.S.-Russia relations. El País reported that Trump offered “significant economic benefits” in exchange for ending the conflict. The call followed weekend trips to Moscow and Kyiv by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who held separate talks with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Washington pushed for renewed face-to-face talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Ushakov said Putin praised U.S. mediation efforts, suggested steps Washington could take, and told Trump Russia had no aggressive plans toward Europe. U.S. officials had not commented on the substance of the call when Meduza published its report.

Highlights:

Kyiv response: Zelenskyy said the U.S. envoys brought “very good, worthwhile ideas” to Kyiv and that he hoped to meet Trump within two weeks.
Talks timetable: Kyiv said renewed Moscow-Kyiv talks could take place as early as this week.
Russian position: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained determined to achieve its military goals and believed it was close to winning.
War outlook: U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby told countries supporting Ukraine that Russia was rebuilding its forces and defense industry and that the conflict could last for years.

We must be prepared for a protracted conflict and for Ukraine’s requirements to persist in the months and years ahead - Elbridge Colby

Perspectives:

Yuri Ushakov: The Kremlin aide said Moscow viewed the U.S. negotiators’ visit to Russia positively and said work through that channel would continue. (Meduza)
European officials: Officials have accused Moscow of conducting sabotage campaigns on European soil, raising tensions amid the war. (PBS NewsHour, ABC News)
Ukrainian and Western observers: Observers say Moscow has been unable to make significant progress on the front line, despite Russian claims that it is close to winning. (PBS NewsHour)

Sources:

Trump told Putin he wants swift end to Ukraine war and US-Russia ties restored, Kremlin says - reddit.com
Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine in ‘extremely frank’ call - scmp.com
Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine in 'extremely frank' call - firstpost.com
Putin assures Trump he has no plans to attack the EU - elpais.com
Putin and Trump discuss Ukraine in ‘extremely frank’ call - straitstimes.com
Putin and Trump discussed U.S. negotiators’ trips to Moscow and Kyiv in one-hour call, Kremlin says - meduza.io
Putin tells Trump that Russia doesn't have aggressive intentions toward Europe, Kremlin says - pbs.org
Trump tells Putin he wants swift end to Ukraine war, Kremlin says - france24.com
Putin assures Trump that Moscow doesn’t have aggressive plans toward Europe, Kremlin says - abcnews.com

UK air traffic control issue cancels more than 1,000 flights

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:58:02 +0000

Britain's air traffic control provider NATS said a technical issue in its flight data processing system disrupted flights across UK airports on Tuesday, forcing more than 1,000 cancellations and delaying hundreds more at major hubs including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Birmingham, as well as airports in Scotland. NATS said it had resolved the issue and that safety was not compromised, but recovery continued after aircraft and crews were left out of position. Disruption continued on Wednesday, when Flightradar24 said 177 scheduled flights to and from UK airports had already been cancelled, nearly all at London Heathrow. Heathrow said departures had resumed after the issue forced it to suspend arrivals, while airports and airlines warned passengers to check flight status as carriers worked through backlogs. The UK transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said she was seeking assurances that lessons would be learned and that aviation support systems were fit for purpose, and was expected to meet NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe on Wednesday. Rolfe told Sky News he accepted "full responsibility" and said NATS had not yet completed its investigation into the cause.

Highlights:

Passenger scale: The disruption affected hundreds of thousands of passengers, with some travellers stranded overnight as airlines tried to clear a major backlog.
Airline pressure: Ryanair and Wizz Air called for an overhaul of NATS after the disruption, while Ryanair's chief operating officer Neal McMahon urged the UK government to replace Rolfe.
Airport spread: The failure initially hit departures at several large airports before disruption spread to incoming flights across much of southern England.

Sources:

Travellers in UK face more chaos after air traffic control glitch - japantoday.com
UK air traffic control breakdown strands hundreds of thousands of passengers - theguardian.com
UK airports hit by fresh disruption after air traffic control glitch - thehindu.com
Travellers in UK face more chaos after air traffic glitch - scmp.com
Australians face night at London's Heathrow Airport after flight cancellation - abc.net.au
UK flight chaos: Nearly 1000 flights cancelled after air traffic control system failure - firstpost.com
Over 1,000 U.K. flights cancelled due to air traffic control problem - theglobeandmail.com
UK flights resume but airports warn of ongoing disruption from air traffic outage - straitstimes.com
Travel chaos at UK airports as flights cancelled - michaelwest.com.au
More Than 1,000 Flights Cancelled Due To UK Air Traffic Control Glitch - ndtv.com
Travellers in UK face ongoing disruption after air traffic control glitch - france24.com

AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt vote, straining Merz coalition

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:35:00 +0000

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany won Saxony-Anhalt's state election with 43.8% of the vote, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union finished at about 17% in the eastern state, according to final results cited by Euronews and figures reported by RT. The result put AfD within reach of state power in Saxony-Anhalt, a state of 2.1 million people, and The Week said the party fell three seats short of the majority needed to form a government. Merz said he was "deeply shocked" by what he called the CDU's worst defeat in years or decades, but argued his government should press ahead with reforms while communicating them better. Politico reported early signs that the Social Democratic Party, Merz's center-left coalition partner, was turning against parts of the reform course, while DW reported economists warning about risks for business confidence but noting that most tax, labor-market and social-security decisions remain federal responsibilities. President Trump hailed the result as a "really big night" and criticized Germany's immigration regulations.

Highlights:

Governing options: AfD leaders said they would seek to win over CDU lawmakers or work with the far-left BSW to secure the three seats needed in Saxony-Anhalt.
Voter drivers: The Globe and Mail linked the result to voter frustration over bureaucracy, living costs and economic insecurity, while the Financial Times described the Saxony-Anhalt outcome as national AfD trends “but on steroids”.
Street protests: Thousands of protesters rallied in Cologne against AfD after the party won nearly 44% in Saxony-Anhalt.
Government stakes: DW noted that AfD could now put forward the state's minister-president.

First of all, it really is a historic victory for the AfD, and it is an earthquake for the rest of the parties - Nicolas Spohn

Perspectives:

Social Democratic Party: SPD lawmaker Rasha Nasr argued that the federal government's reform plans had created uncertainty, framing the problem as substance rather than messaging. (Politico)
Nicolas Spohn: The East German politics specialist warned that ignoring the AfD victory and the voter discontent behind it would further damage Merz's government. (Euronews)
Thorsten Frei: The CDU's Bundestag leader denied that the party's Saxony-Anhalt result would carry consequences at the national level. (Euronews)

Sources:

German economy frets about Saxony-Anhalt election results - dw.com
AfD victory in a German state election clouds Merz’s reform agenda - theglobeandmail.com
'Turning blind eye' to AfD win further angers voters, political scientist warns - euronews.com
Trump hails ‘really big night’ after far-right AfD win in Germany - straitstimes.com
Who is voting for the far-right Alternative for Germany? - ft.com
Yes, the AfD victory signals a danger to democracy, but not the way they tell you - rt.com
Israel boosted Europe’s right wing — and recoils at German party’s gains - washingtonpost.com
Far-right win tests German post-Nazi ‘firewall’ - theweek.com
Anti-AfD protesters rally in Cologne after far-right election win - aljazeera.com
Containing Germany’s Far Right - nytimes.com
In Germany, Merz’s center-left partners rebel after far-right rout - politico.eu

Trump orders bans on Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycle imports

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:59:12 +0000

President Trump ordered the United States to ban imports of Canadian dairy products, most alcoholic beverages and motorcycles starting September 29, and to impose 50% tariffs starting September 15 on additional Canadian goods, including mattresses, motorboats and golf carts, according to White House orders described by news agencies and broadcasters. The measures followed Canada's retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods, with duties ranging from 15% to 50%, after Ottawa said talks with Washington failed to produce an acceptable agreement. Washington said the alcohol ban partly responded to Canadian provincial boycotts that removed many U.S. wines and spirits from store shelves, while a senior administration official said the measures aimed to keep a "level playing field," deter retaliation and protect U.S. production. Canada said its countermeasures followed U.S. 50% tariffs imposed in August on about $20 billion of Canadian goods after several rounds of negotiations collapsed, while the BBC said no new trade talks had been scheduled since talks broke down in late August. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada would speed efforts to reduce its reliance on the United States and explore deeper ties with Europe, including talks that could expand existing agreements, produce a new treaty or create other forms of cooperation. A Canadian official said Carney is due in Strasbourg next week for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union address on September 16 and to address the European Parliament the following day.

Highlights:

Product scope: The U.S. alcohol ban appeared to cover beer, wine, whisky, bourbon, rum, vodka, vermouth, tequila, mezcal and brandy, while the dairy-related notice covered whey protein, invert molasses, cane molasses and non-alcoholic beer.
Procurement curb: Trump directed the U.S. General Services Administration to exclude Canadian products from large, long-term government contracts until Ottawa restores what he called "full and fair reciprocity" for U.S. products.
Trade exposure: The BBC said more than two-thirds of Canada's total exports generally go to the United States, while Canada is the United States' second-largest trading partner after Mexico.
European option: A Canadian official said Ottawa is consulting provinces, territories and labor groups on possible deeper EU ties, but no model has been chosen.

I don't believe in escalating the conflict; that's not constructive - Mark Carney

Perspectives:

Trump administration: A senior administration official said Canada and China had set a precedent by moving beyond tariffs to bans, and said Washington would seek an "alternative pathway" with Canada before the bans take effect. (Semafor)
Mark Carney: Carney said U.S. negotiators were asking "far too much" and offering "far too little," and said Canada walked away because a fair deal was not on the table. (PBS NewsHour)
Canadian trade minister's office: Gabriel Brunet, spokesperson for Dominic LeBlanc, said Canadian and American officials were discussing several issues but were not holding formal trade negotiations. (Michael West Media)
Robert Bothwell: The Canadian historian told the Associated Press that Carney and Canada had become symbolic of resistance to Trump, who he said wanted to make an example of Canada. (ABC News)

Sources:

U.S. to ban Canadian motorcycle, dairy, alcohol imports as trade war heats up - japantoday.com
US bans Canadian dairy, motorcycles and most alcoholic beverages - ft.com
Trump escalates trade war with Canada with import bans, 50% tariffs - dw.com
Trump bans some Canada goods as trade war swells - thehindu.com
Canada imposes tariffs on U.S. dairy, steel, aluminum and appliances - cbsnews.com
Trump bans some Canadian goods, raises tariffs on others as trade war escalates - scmp.com
US to ban some Canadian alcohol, dairy and auto imports after retaliatory tariffs take effect - firstpost.com
US to ban Canadian motorcycle, dairy, alcohol imports as trade war sizzles - straitstimes.com
US slaps import ban on Canadian alcohol, motorbikes and other goods - bbc.co.uk
US to ban Canadian motorcycle, dairy, alcohol imports - michaelwest.com.au
US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Dairy Products As Trade War Worsens - ndtv.com
Trump bans Canadian alcohol in new trade war salvo - dawn.com
U.S. will ban dairy products, motorcycles and most alcoholic beverages from Canada - pbs.org
US bans Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and dairy products as trade spat escalates - france24.com
Trump widens trade war with Canada beyond tariffs. Here’s what to know - abcnews.com
Trump moves to ban Canadian imports - semafor.com
Trump banning import of Canadian booze, motorcycles, other goods into U.S. - reddit.com
Carney Tells Canadians: Retaliation Against U.S. Tariffs Was Unavoidable - allsides.com
Canada’s Carney Doubles Down on Pivot Away from the United States - nytimes.com

UK, France, Canada ban Israeli settlement imports

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:37:21 +0000

Britain, France and Canada said Tuesday they would block imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing settlement expansion and settler violence as threats to a two-state solution. A wider group of 12 countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, said they would introduce national restrictions, support European restrictions or actively consider similar measures under their own procedures. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband accused Israel’s government of turning a “blind eye” to what he called settler “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank. He said Britain would bar settlement goods and act against companies and individuals involved in construction, infrastructure, financing, real estate and advertising linked to settlement expansion. Israel said in response that it would close the British consulate in East Jerusalem, expel British representatives from a Gaza coordination center, bar British training for Palestinian Authority forces and ban 12 British officials from visiting Israel. An Israeli official and two sources familiar with the matter said the East Jerusalem consulate must close within 30 days, while British representatives assigned to a U.S.-led Gaza coordination mission and diplomats in Ramallah must leave within seven days.

Highlights:

Delayed rollout: Miliband said Britain would pass the measures within six to nine months, giving the restrictions time to move through domestic procedures.
Arms licensing: Britain plans a “double lock” that would refuse license applications for arms and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation, while continuing F-35 parts exports routed through the global supply chain.
E1 project: Miliband said the sanctions were intended partly to deter settlement expansion and prevent development in E1, where Israel opened tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes.

Perspectives:

Israel: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Miliband’s allegations “outrageous lies” and announced countermeasures targeting Britain’s diplomatic presence and access to Israel. (The New Arab)
BDS movement: BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti dismissed the UK package as “performative” and urged Britain to end military, intelligence, trade, financial, academic and other ties that he said enable Israel’s actions. (The New Arab)
Israeli settlement farmers: Date farmer Avigdor Arbel of Mesua said growers would seek other markets if European sales close, saying he already sells mainly to Europe but also to the U.S. and India. (BBC News)

Sources:

Britain, France and Canada ban imports from Israeli settlements, citing threat to two-state solution - japantoday.com
UK moves to sanction Israeli settlements as PM Burnham risks clash with Trump - allsides.com
Eleven European countries and Canada impose sanctions on Israel over products from settlements in the West Bank - lemonde.fr
Wednesday briefing: Inside sweeping UK sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements - theguardian.com
Briefed in advance, Trump didn’t ask UK to hold off on announcing settlement sanctions — official - timesofisrael.com
Britain bans trade with illegal Israeli settlements - thehindu.com
U.S. envoy warns U.K. against new plan to sanction Israeli settlements - cbsnews.com
Israel shuts British Consulate in Jerusalem, announces countermeasures over UK sanctions - firstpost.com
Israel tells British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days, sources say - straitstimes.com
France among 12 nations to sanction trade with Israeli settlements - rfi.fr
Israel clashes with Western allies over West Bank sanctions - rt.com
UK to Ban Goods From Illegal Israeli Settlements - novaramedia.com
Citing ‘ethnic cleansing,’ U.K. bars imports from Israeli West Bank settlements - washingtonpost.com
Paul Adams: British-Israeli relations at lowest ebb in decades - bbc.co.uk
Israel and the UK are suddenly in an escalating diplomatic dispute - csmonitor.com
Israeli Allies Ban Trade With Settlements as U.K. Cites ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ - nytimes.com
Israel tells British consulate in East Jerusalem to close within 30 days: report - dawn.com
UK government bans trade with Israeli settlements and accuses settlers of 'ethnic cleansing' - pbs.org
UK, France, ⁠Canada sanction Israeli West Bank goods - france24.com
Israel lashes out, closes UK consulate over settlement sanctions - newarab.com
UK bans trade with Israeli settlements - semafor.com
To reciprocate the UK sanctions, Israel announces it will close the UK consulate in East Jerusalem. Israel also forbids the UK from participating in the U.S.-led mission for Gaza, and bans some British officials, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, from entering the country. - telegraphindia.com
The Times: 'Counterproductive' sanctions on Israel don't match the 'theatrical rhetoric' - youtube.com

U.S. destroys five Iranian tankers; Iran fires at U.S. targets in Jordan

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:16:34 +0000

U.S. Central Command said American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers Tuesday in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran’s Kharg Island after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a U.S. Navy warship twice with ballistic missiles over the previous two days. CENTCOM said the warship evaded both attempted attacks, no American personnel were harmed, and U.S. forces directed tanker crews to abandon ship before the vessels were hit. Iranian state media said Tehran fired missiles toward U.S. targets in Jordan after the tanker strikes, while Jordan’s military said its air defenses intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles and that two fell in unpopulated areas with no casualties reported. The IRGC also said it attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, but RT reported there was no immediate U.S. confirmation of damage to those vessels. The fighting pushed energy markets higher, with CBS reporting Brent crude hit $100 a barrel Wednesday morning, while BBC and PBS cited prices just below that level during earlier trading. The latest exchange followed a month of relative calm in a more than six-month-old war and renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil before the war began.

Highlights:

Wider sanctions: The Trump administration also imposed sanctions on more than two dozen commercial and private airlines and foreign cargo service providers tied to Iran’s aviation industry.
Hormuz control: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief said Tehran planned a maritime “exclusion zone” outside the Strait of Hormuz for vessels attempting to transit without Iranian permission.

Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that they're going to lose tankers - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Perspectives:

U.S. Central Command: CENTCOM said the tankers belonged to a multibillion-dollar shadow network used to fund the IRGC and its regional proxies. (DW)
IRGC Navy Command: The IRGC Navy warned crews near Kuwait and Bahrain to leave tankers it said would be targeted, accusing both countries of hosting U.S. forces. (RT)
Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera reported on environmental risks, warning that tanker strikes around Hormuz could cause fires, sinkings or major oil spills. (Al Jazeera)

Sources:

Oil nears $100 as US launches new strikes on Iranian tankers - ft.com
US strikes oil tankers off coast of Iran - dw.com
US military says it has destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers after missile attacks on Navy warship - reddit.com
Iran strikes US base in Jordan following attacks on its oil tankers - lemonde.fr
US says Iranian tankers ‘destroyed’ after missile attacks on American warship - theguardian.com
US hits Iranian oil tankers after attempted missile attacks on American Navy - timesofisrael.com
West Asia conflict LIVE: Iran, U.S. trade blows as Hormuz impasse deepens - thehindu.com
U.S. forces destroy 5 Iranian oil tankers, triggering retaliation from Tehran - cbsnews.com
Iran fires missiles at US targets in Jordan after 5 tankers destroyed - scmp.com
Iran attacks US base in Jordan and ships near Hormuz after tankers sunk - abc.net.au
Jordan says it intercepted 18 of 20 Iranian ballistic missiles targeting kingdom - firstpost.com
U.S. strikes Iranian tankers in response to missile attack on Navy warship - theglobeandmail.com
Iran attacks US base in Jordan, ships near Hormuz after tankers sunk - straitstimes.com
Iran retaliates after US strikes on oil tankers (VIDEOS) - rt.com
U.S. launches strikes on 5 Iranian oil tankers after latest attacks on warship - washingtonpost.com
US strikes Iranian oil tankers as Tehran targets American base in Jordan - bbc.co.uk
US Destroys 5 Iranian Tankers As Tehran Strikes Back Across Gulf - rferl.org
Why US-Iran war over Hormuz is threatening the Gulf’s waters - aljazeera.com
U.S. military says it destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers after attacks on Navy warship - npr.org
Crude Oil Surges Towards $100 As Iran-US Conflict Fuels Supply Concerns - ndtv.com
U.S. Hits 5 Iranian Oil Tankers, Citing Attempted Strikes on Warship - nytimes.com
Iran attacks American base in Jordan, ships near Hormuz after US hits oil tankers - dawn.com
US military says it destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers in new round of strikes - politico.com
U.S. strikes Iranian tankers after more attempted missile attacks on Navy warship - pbs.org
Middle East live: Tehran targets US base in Jordan after Washington destroys five Iranian tankers - france24.com
Iran, US trade blows as Hormuz impasse deepens - al-monitor.com
Iran and US lash out on tankers, driving oil prices towards $100 - newarab.com