ZOTPAPER

Mecca Pact Draws Comparisons to Cold War's Failed CENTO, Analysis Suggests

A new collective security pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in early August 2026 has drawn comparisons to both NATO and the Russia-led CSTO, but some analysts argue it more closely resembles the largely unsuccessful Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) of the Cold War era, suggesting limited transformative impact.

12 Sept·1 min

Dementia patients warned against seeking home care over Australia's aged care algorithm, FoI documents reveal

Confidential warnings from dementia advocacy groups told patients not to apply for home support due to fears the government's new aged care algorithm could reduce their funding, according to documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws.

India Can Exploit China's Maritime Vulnerability Through Asymmetric Strategy, Analysis Argues

India could establish credible deterrence against China without matching its military capabilities by exploiting Beijing's reliance on maritime chokepoints in the Indian Ocean, according to a new analysis. The argument draws parallels to Iran's ability to disrupt global energy markets through the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting New Delhi could target the sea lanes through which nearly 80 percent of China's energy imports — worth $312 billion — transit.

Trump’s Overtures to North Korea Met With Rejection as Denuclearisation Debate Intensifies

US President Donald Trump’s decision to shorten the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise with South Korea as a goodwill gesture has been dismissed by North Korea, which continues to reject engagement as long as denuclearisation remains a US policy goal. The exchange has renewed debate over whether Washington should abandon the long-standing objective and pursue arms control instead.

Labor shelves packaging standards commitment, citing cost of living pressures

The Albanese government has been accused of breaking a longstanding commitment to introduce mandatory packaging standards aimed at cutting plastic waste, after the federal environment department told industry representatives via email that the promise would not be kept before the next election to avoid exacerbating cost of living pressures.

Houthis Declare Red Sea Shipping Safe Except for Saudi Vessels, Take Control of Entire Coast

The Houthi movement in Yemen has declared Red Sea shipping safe for all vessels except those linked to Saudi Arabia, according to reports on September 11, 2026. The announcement comes amid reports that the group has taken control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, a significant development in the ongoing conflict.

Trump Links Iran War to 9/11 in 25th Anniversary Pentagon Address

President Donald Trump marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a speech at the Pentagon on Friday, where he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth connected the Iran war to the legacy of 9/11, suggesting the current conflict is a continuation of the war on terror.

Houthis declare Red Sea shipping safe except for Saudi vessels, seize entire Yemeni coast

Yemen's Houthi movement has declared Red Sea shipping safe for most vessels, explicitly excluding Saudi Arabian ships, as reports indicate the group has taken control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline.

Houthis Take Control of Key Yemeni Island, Threatening Global Shipping Route

Yemen's Houthi rebels have taken control of a strategic island along a key global shipping route, consolidating their hold over the entire Red Sea coast of Yemen and threatening a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple reports.

12 Sept·2 min·3 sources

Princess Astrid of Norway Dies at 94, Two Days After Attending King Harald's Funeral

Princess Astrid of Norway, the sister of the late King Harald V, has died at the age of 94, two days after attending his funeral, the Norwegian royal palace announced. Her death comes just weeks after the passing of her brother, who reigned for more than 35 years.

12 Sept·2 min·4 sources

Nepal estimates reconstruction after deadly floods will cost nearly $6.7 billion

Nepal's foreign ministry has announced that the reconstruction bill following last month's catastrophic floods will total US$4.78 billion ($6.67 billion), as the country grapples with the aftermath of a glacier collapse that triggered a tsunami-like surge of water, mud and debris, killing at least 1,428 people and leaving more than 5,649 missing.

UK MPs Reject Assisted Dying Bill at Second Reading

MPs have voted against the reintroduced assisted dying bill at its second reading, blocking legislation that would have allowed terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to end their lives with medical help. The bill, sponsored by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, previously stalled in the House of Lords and faced opposition in the Commons today.

12 Sept·2 min·2 sources

Trump promises GOP midterm victory and slams Democrats in Labor Day message

President Trump used his Labor Day social media post to promise Republican victory in the upcoming midterm elections and attack Democrats, while a broader Republican midterm message frames the party's opponents as a threat to the country.

Al Jazeera Video Roundup: Gaza Data, US Midterms, Philippines Ferry Fire, and More

Al Jazeera has published a series of video news segments covering a range of international stories, including allegations of UN data being misrepresented in Gaza, Republican midterm campaign messaging, a deadly ferry fire in the Philippines, discussions on anti-Muslim sentiment in the US, a fire destroying migrant shelters in Ceuta, and an Israeli documentary on the war in Gaza.

12 Sept·1 min

US Inflation Holds at 3.4% in August as Iran Conflict Lifts Energy Prices

US consumer prices remained stubbornly high in August, with the annualized inflation rate holding steady at 3.4% as the end of the ceasefire between the US and Iran pushed energy costs upward, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday.

DeSantis's hand-picked loyalists poised to remain in Florida higher education after governor leaves

With term-limited Florida Governor Ron DeSantis set to leave office in fewer than four months, critics say his eight-year ideological makeover of the state's higher education system will endure through a network of loyalists installed in powerful administrative positions. The latest appointment is Alex Kelly, the governor's former deputy chief of staff and commerce secretary, who was named last week as the sole finalist in Pensacola State College's search for a new president — at least the 12th close DeSantis ally to secure such a post.

Houthi forces capture strategic island in Bab al-Mandab strait, tightening grip on global shipping route

Yemen's Houthi forces, backed by Iran, have seized control of a volcanic island in the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, after government-aligned troops withdrew. The capture marks the latest in a series of rapid gains along Yemen's west coast, including the loss of the port city of Mocha on Thursday, and raises serious concerns for international shipping and Saudi Arabia's oil exports.

Israel Destroys Major Underground Hezbollah Base, Triggering Tremors Felt Across Southern Lebanon

Israel's military has destroyed a large underground complex operated by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, using more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives to demolish two tunnels spanning over 2 kilometres beneath the Ali Taher Ridge. The blast generated seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey, and was felt by residents as far north as the coastal city of Saida.

11 Sept·2 min·3 sources

Acting Navy Secretary Admits Iran Severely Damaged US Naval Base in Bahrain

The acting U.S. Navy Secretary, Hung Cao, has acknowledged that Iranian forces inflicted severe damage on a major U.S. naval installation in Bahrain during the ongoing war with Iran, revealing for the first time the extent of the destruction at the facility near Manama.

9/11 victims remembered at 25th anniversary ceremonies

Families of those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks gathered at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary, with memorials held across the United States to honor the nearly 3,000 victims.

NATO allies foil Russian training exercise targeting undersea cables near Svalbard

A joint NATO naval exercise involving the United States, Britain, and Norway this spring foiled a Russian training mission simulating the deployment of a secret weapon designed to disable critical undersea cables off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, according to a Reuters report.

Nation pauses to remember September 11 on 25th anniversary as Trump sparks controversy with $5,000 ‘dividend’ pledge

The United States and the world observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on Friday, with ceremonies honoring the nearly 3,000 victims. The somber remembrance unfolds against a backdrop of high-stakes US midterm politics, as President Donald Trump’s approval ratings hit historic lows and a proposal to pay every American citizen a $5,000 'Trump dividend' drew accusations of bribery.

Trump Shadow Looms Over BRICS Summit in Delhi as Internal Divisions Emerge

US President Donald Trump's policies on tariffs and the war in Iran dominate the agenda at this weekend's BRICS summit in Delhi, though deep divisions within the expanded bloc make a unified statement criticising Washington unlikely, according to analysts and diplomatic sources.

Putin and Iranian President Arrive in India for BRICS Summit Dominated by War and Oil

Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have arrived in New Delhi for an 11-member BRICS summit that will be dominated by the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade turbulence and oil, with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to join them on Saturday for his first visit to India since 2019.

11 Sept·3 min·2 sources

Australia Moves to Legalise Plug-In Solar, Opening Access to Renters and Apartment Dwellers

Australia is set to lift its ban on plug-in solar systems and batteries, a move that would allow millions of renters and apartment dwellers to access solar energy for the first time. Energy ministers from all states and territories agreed to explore pathways for the ‘safe deployment’ of the technology during a recent meeting, bringing Australia in line with countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom.

11 Sept·3 min·2 sources

25 Years After 9/11: Spies, Missed Opportunities, and the Lessons Still Being Learned

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, a new retrospective examines how the CIA had been tracking al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden for years before the hijackings, yet failed to connect the dots in time to prevent the tragedy that killed 2,977 people and reshaped global security policy for a generation.

NSW Police Settle Trespass Case After 150 Pre-Dawn Visits to Indigenous Home

Two Indigenous mothers have settled a trespass case against New South Wales Police after officers visited one of their homes 150 times in 20 months, often between midnight and 4am, to conduct bail checks on the woman's sons. The case, launched in April 2024, was settled on confidential terms three weeks before it was due to go to trial in the NSW Supreme Court.

11 Sept·1 min·2 sources

Hong Kong Tiananmen activists sentenced to up to seven years; US condemns verdicts

Three Hong Kong activists who organized annual vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square crackdown were sentenced Friday to up to seven years in prison under the city's national security law, drawing swift condemnation from the United States.

11 Sept·2 min·3 sources

Ukraine's 'fortress belt' cities under intensified Russian assault as evacuations begin

Ukrainian police are urging civilians to immediately leave the cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in the eastern Donbas region, warning that security has deteriorated so severely that forced evacuations of families with children have already begun. The appeal comes as Russia intensifies its campaign to seize the rest of Donbas, with the two cities facing almost daily glide bomb attacks.

Police arrest alleged gun-for-hire after Berkeley Vale shooting

A 20-year-old man is in custody after allegedly being hired to shoot a man multiple times at a home on the NSW Central Coast, in what police describe as a 'crime as service' attack. Bison Zounis was arrested at Gosford train station on Thursday morning and has been charged with 10 offences, including shoot with intent to murder.

Search resumes for 80 missing after ferry fire off Philippine tourist island

Philippine authorities have resumed searching for 84 people missing after a fire swept through a ferry off the tourist island of Coron, with survivors describing how the blaze engulfed the vessel in seconds and forced passengers to jump into the sea. At least 43 people have been rescued so far, the coast guard confirmed.

Chalmers Eases Startup CGT Carve-Out Rules After Industry Backlash

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has released exposure draft legislation for the Innovative Business CGT Concession (IBCC), significantly softening key conditions after fierce criticism from the startup and investment sectors. The revised plan cuts the minimum share holding period from five to three years, removes a proposed $10 million lifetime cap on gains, and extends company eligibility from 10 to 15 years.

NSW residents protest end of firewood collection in two national parks

More than 100 residents from southern NSW gathered in Deniliquin to protest the permanent end of a firewood permit program in two national parks, saying they depend on the wood to heat their homes and cook. The Riverina Domestic Firewood Program will close when the collection season ends on October 30.

Australian fuel prices set to rise 20-30c as Middle East conflict lifts oil price

Australian motorists face another 20 to 30 cents per litre increase at the bowser in coming weeks, after the escalating Middle East conflict pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since mid-May, while investors continued dumping stocks and bonds amid mounting financial uncertainty.

11 Sept·1 min·3 sources

Al Jazeera Releases Video Segments on US Anti-Muslim Sentiment, Gaza Film, BRICS Controversy, and Trump Midterm Comments

Al Jazeera has published a series of video news segments covering topics including anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States 25 years after 9/11, an Israeli documentary on the Gaza conflict, controversy over a BRICS summit red carpet in New Delhi, remarks by Donald Trump about Republican strategies in midterm elections, and a split among young Republicans over potential war with Iran.

$15.5m fund launched to create 'unstoppable momentum' to end female genital mutilation worldwide

A new $15.5m (£11.4m) fund has been launched to generate 'unstoppable momentum' towards ending female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that has affected more than 230 million women and girls globally. The Her Horizon Fund, backed by frontline activists and leaders, aims to reach $100m and is thought to be the largest single philanthropic contribution to ending FGM.

Supreme Court Blocks Missouri’s Republican-Backed Voting Map, Defers to State Court

The U.S. Supreme Court has again blocked a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, deferring to the state’s highest court, which invalidated the map and ordered that voters first approve it in a statewide referendum.

Varroa mite detected in Far North Queensland, marking northernmost incursion in Australia

The devastating honey bee parasite Varroa destructor has been found in Far North Queensland, the northernmost detection of the pest in Australia, with Biosecurity Queensland confirming two cases near El Arish and Cardwell and a third suspected near Innisfail.

Molly Ticehurst's killer Daniel Billings sentenced to 28 years for murder

Daniel Billings, the former partner of Molly Ticehurst, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for her murder, with a non-parole period of 20 years, after pleading guilty to stabbing her 15 times at her Forbes home in April 2024.

11 Sept·1 min·3 sources

Princess Diana's 'revenge dress' put up for sale, reportedly undervalued

The black silk evening dress famously worn by Princess Diana in June 1994 — the same evening her then-husband Prince Charles publicly admitted to an affair on national television — has been put up for sale, with reports describing it as grossly undervalued.

11 Sept·1 min·7 sources

Luke Sayers apologises to ex-wife as lewd photo defamation case settles

Luke Sayers, the former president of the Carlton Football Club and former PwC boss, has apologised unreservedly to his ex-wife Cate Sayers and accepted that she was not responsible for posting an explicit photo of him on his X account, as her defamation case against him settled in the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday.

11 Sept·2 min·6 sources

Republican Senate Candidates Sidestep Iran War and Tariffs at Trump Convention

At Trump's convention, four battleground Senate nominees avoided discussing the Iran war and tariffs, focusing instead on tax policy, while a separate video from Al Jazeera shows young Republicans breaking with Trump over Iran, marked by the unveiling of a Charlie Kirk statue that sparked chaos in Times Square.

11 Sept·1 min·2 sources

New invasive flower thrips destroys Queensland berry crops after breaching biosecurity

A destructive pest insect, the flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa, has been detected in Australia for the first time and is causing millions of dollars in damage to berry crops in south-east Queensland, with authorities unable to determine how it evaded national biosecurity measures.

Class action launched against BHP subsidiary over public holiday work

A class action has been launched against BHP subsidiary Operations Services (OS), months after the Federal Court found the company improperly required employees to work on public holidays. The action, run by Sydney-based AEN Legal on behalf of two lead plaintiffs and funded by the Mining and Energy Union (MEU), potentially covers about 7,000 employees who worked for OS between December 2019 and March 2023.

New Documentary Reveals Israeli Military Insiders' Testimony on Secret Systems in Gaza War

A new documentary film citing testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders has revealed the existence of secret systems used in the mass killing of Palestinian civilians during the war on Gaza. Titled NAZA and directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on Thursday, where it is the only documentary competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award.

Cancer patient dies after 150 urgent referrals left in cardboard boxes for 16 months

An investigation is under way after more than 150 critical hospital referrals were forgotten in cardboard boxes for 16 months, leading to potentially catastrophic delays for cancer patients, with one patient having died.

11 Sept·1 min·3 sources

Ohio grandfather found incompetent to stand trial in child endangerment case

A judge in Vinton County, Ohio, has found Gary Siders Sr. mentally incompetent to stand trial on 16 counts of child endangerment, following the discovery of his grandchildren living in appalling conditions in a small, confined room. The 73-year-old's attorney said his client's mental health is not restorable.