World

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson resigns after centre-left opposition secures razor thin majority

17 Sep 2026 | 9:04 PM

Stockholm, Sep 17 (UNI) Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after the centre-left opposition secured a narrow majority in the September 13 parliamentary election, allowing the speaker of parliament to begin formal consultations on forming a new government.

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Pakistan says it remains committed to implementing defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Mecca Defence Pact

17 Sep 2026 | 8:58 PM

Islamabad, Sep 17 (UNI) Pakistan on Thursday said it remained committed "in intent and spirit" to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance, as renewed Houthi attacks intensified concerns over the kingdom's security.

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German missile stockpiles at 'worrying low': Rheinmetall CEO warns

17 Sep 2026 | 8:54 PM

Berlin, Sep 17 (UNI) Warning of Germany's missile stockpiles remaining at a 'worryingly' low level and that defence production needs to accelerate sharply, Armin Papperger, CEO of arms manufacturing corporation Rheinmetall, also outlined the company's plans for cruise missiles, humanoid robots and space technology.

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Aoun, Macron discuss efforts to end Israeli attacks on Lebanon

17 Sep 2026 | 7:41 PM

Paris, Sept 17 (UNI) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Thursday for talks focused on efforts to end Israeli attacks on Lebanon and support ongoing Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations on a framework agreement.

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Carney backs deeper Canada-EU alliance, warns against weaponisation of trade

17 Sep 2026 | 7:30 PM

Strasbourg, Sept 17 (UNI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday backed a deeper strategic partnership with the European Union, calling for greater cooperation in defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space and financial services, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened heavy tariffs against the bloc over its proposal to make Canada its first associate member.

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Yemen fighting intensifies in Taiz, Lahj as government forces target Houthi positions

17 Sep 2026 | 6:45 PM

Sanaa, Sep 17 (UNI) Fighting intensified between Yemeni government forces and Houthi fighters in Taiz and neighbouring Lahj provinces on Thursday, with government forces carrying out airstrikes on Houthi positions and reporting gains in the strategic Kahbub mountain range near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

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Canadian PM Mark Carney welcomes EU bid to become 'associate member' amid strained ties with US

17 Sep 2026 | 6:35 PM

Ottawa, Sep 17 (UNI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the European Union's invitation for Canada to become its first "associate member" on Thursday, presenting closer ties with the bloc as a way for two longstanding allies to strengthen their economic and security resilience and reduce dependence on the US amid marked tensions with Washington.

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World Bank Group mobilises record USD 112 bn private capital for developing economies in FY26

17 Sep 2026 | 6:21 PM

Washington, Sep 17 (UNI) The World Bank Group mobilised a record USD 112 billion in private capital for developing economies in fiscal year 2026, more than tripling the amount mobilised four years ago, as it stepped up efforts to channel private investment into job creation and economic opportunities.

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Saudi Arabia looks for military assistance, alternate export routes amid intensifying conflict with Houthis

17 Sep 2026 | 5:37 PM

Riyadh, Sep 17 (UNI) As Saudi Arabia continues facing mounting pressure from Iran's Houthi militants, the kingdom is seeking both military assistance and a secure route to export its crude, though there is no clear solution to either problem yet.

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Saudi seeks help from allies amid conflict with Houthi militants, refuses to normalise ties with Israel even if it agrees to provide aid

17 Sep 2026 | 5:07 PM

Riyadh, Sep 17 (UNI) Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has sought help from regional and Western allies amid its intensifying conflict with Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen but is reluctant to normalise ties with Israel even if it agrees to provide military hardware to fight against the said militants, two regional officials told Kan on Wednesday.

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Russian missiles and drones hit Kyiv, other Ukrainian regions, wounding dozens

17 Sep 2026 | 3:53 PM

Kyiv, Sep 17 (UNI) Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones against Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine overnight and into Thursday morning, wounding at least 18 people in the capital, including two children, Ukrainian officials said.

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Trump to meet Gulf leaders in New York over post Iran war strategy

17 Sep 2026 | 3:23 PM

Washington, Sep 17 (UNI) US President Donald Trump is expected to meet leaders and foreign ministers of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in New York on September 22 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the next phase of the war with Iran, according to an Axios report citing three sources familiar with the plans.

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US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority, PLO Officials

17 Sep 2026 | 2:50 PM

Washington, Sept 17 (UNI) The United States on Thursday extended visa sanctions against members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA), accusing them of failing to meet commitments made to Washington and of pursuing actions that undermine prospects for peace.

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US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clearing way for tariffs of up to 100 pc on India among others

17 Sep 2026 | 1:07 PM

Washington, Sep 17 (UNI) The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy sector, officials and its “shadow fleet” of tankers, giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, including India.

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Jaishankar arrives in Paro after Bumthang visit, set for Royal audience

17 Sep 2026 | 12:47 PM

Siliguri, Sep 17 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister DN Dhungyel arrived at Paro International Airport on Thursday as part of the ongoing high-level engagement between India and Bhutan.

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