US forces have launched another strike on a Venezuelan vessel allegedly carrying narcotics, killing three people.
Former US President Donald Trump claimed the boat was smuggling drugs into the United States. The attack reportedly took place in international waters of the southern Caribbean, marking Washington’s second such strike. A previous assault left at least 11 dead. The US has recently deployed 4,500 naval personnel, destroyers, submarines, and warships to the Caribbean and Venezuelan waters to curb drug trafficking.

Romania’s Defense Ministry reported that a Russian drone entered its airspace during an assault on Ukraine, heightening regional tensions.

Following detection, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and two Eurofighters, while civilians were warned to take shelter. The drone disappeared from radar near Chilia Veche village, close to the border.

The incident follows Poland’s closure of an airport in Lublin and the deployment of fighter jets after similar drone threats earlier in the week. NATO allies in Eastern Europe remain on high alert as Russia intensifies its drone warfare against Ukraine.

The Hostages’ Families Forum accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately sabotaging peace efforts, following Israel’s strike in Qatar last week.

“Every time peace is within reach, Netanyahu destroys it,” the forum said, blaming his “inaction” for the deaths of 42 hostages and putting the lives of the remaining 48 at risk.

They added:
“The Qatar operation proved beyond doubt that Netanyahu is the only obstacle to bringing the hostages home and ending the war. His excuses serve only to cling to power.”

The accusations come as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel. Rubio noted before departure that President Trump was “not satisfied” with Israel’s Qatar strike but reaffirmed that US-Israel ties remain “very strong,” with Washington’s top priority being the return of hostages and ending the Gaza conflict.

Amid the ongoing Gaza war, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for Israel on Saturday to discuss the latest developments and regional security.

According to a State Department statement, the visit will “underscore America’s priorities regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and reaffirm Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security.”

The visit follows Israel’s controversial airstrike in Qatar earlier in the week, targeting Hamas leaders during peace talks. The move angered Qatar and other key US allies. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani has since met with former President Donald Trump and also held talks at the White House with Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

Around 50,000 demonstrators joined a pro-Palestinian march in Auckland, New Zealand—one of the largest rallies since the Gaza war began, organizers claimed. Police estimated the turnout closer to 20,000.

Protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners, demanding that New Zealand impose sanctions on Israel. Organizers had planned to block a key city bridge but abandoned the move due to stormy weather. Police confirmed that no arrests were made.

The Palestinian Authority says at least 64,756 people have been killed in the Gaza conflict so far. New Zealand’s government is reportedly considering whether to officially recognize Palestine as a state.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a private dinner in New York with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Trump’s top adviser, Steve Witkoff, also attended the dinner.

The meeting came just two days after Israel launched airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders. Trump reportedly expressed displeasure over the strikes in a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and assured Qatar that such actions would not be repeated.

Before the dinner, Al-Thani met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly an hour. On social media, a Qatari envoy described the dinner as “fantastic.”

A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The quake’s epicenter was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the surface.

However, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a slightly stronger magnitude of 7.4 and placed the depth at 39.5 kilometers (24.5 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has warned of a possible tsunami threat, though no alerts have been issued for Japan, located southwest of Kamchatka.

Police have arrested the main suspect in the fatal shooting of prominent hardline activist Charlie Kirk, authorities disclosed Friday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox identified the arrested individual as 22-year-old Taylor Robinson.

Local jail officials said Robinson is being held on preliminary allegations including premeditated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and obstruction of justice. Formal charges have not yet been filed; the governor stated prosecutors are preparing an indictment that will detail the potential motives and charges in the coming days.

At least 65 people were killed across the Gaza Valley on Friday in a series of indiscriminate attacks, including 14 members of a single family, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The ministry reported that 48 people were killed in Gaza City and the northern areas alone on that day, with many more wounded.

The strikes included air raids and a ground offensive involving tanks and infantry in Gaza City. Multiple multi-story buildings were destroyed in the attacks, which affected an area populated by nearly one million people. The report noted that roughly two years into Israeli military operations in Gaza, the death toll has reached approximately 63,000.

Doha witnessed a solemn funeral on Thursday for the victims of an Israeli airstrike, with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in attendance.

Among the six victims, five were Palestinians, whose bodies were draped in Palestinian flags. The sixth was a member of Qatar’s armed forces, honored with the national flag. The deceased were laid to rest at the Mesaimeer cemetery.

The September 9 Israeli airstrike targeted senior Hamas leaders, all of whom survived. However, among the dead was the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Reports suggest the strike was aimed at assassinating Khalil and his associates.

Contrary to earlier media reports, the wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal is alive but in critical condition after being severely burned in an arson attack during protests in Kathmandu.

Rajyalakshmi Chitrakar was trapped inside the family home when demonstrators set it ablaze. While several outlets had prematurely reported her death, corrected statements confirm she survived but with life-threatening injuries as most of her body was burned.

Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday during a student event at the University of Utah.
The 31-year-old activist was addressing students when a sniper opened fire from a nearby rooftop. He was rushed to hospital but later died. Just seconds before the shooting, Kirk had been asked about gun violence in the U.S. A suspect was initially detained but later released. President Biden extended condolences, calling the killing a “tragedy.”

As Israeli bombardment continued in Gaza, India and Israel signed a bilateral investment treaty in New Delhi during the visit of Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The Modi government described the deal as a step toward deepening ties with Israel, highlighting sectors such as cybersecurity, defense, innovation, and high technology. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the moment was “crucial for expanding cooperation,” while Smotrich posted on X that the agreement reflected “mutual prosperity, innovation, and new opportunities for investors.” India’s finance ministry hailed it as a “historic milestone.”

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, accountability of occupying forces, and long-term peace in Palestine.
In a meeting with Palestine’s Chief Justice Dr. Mahmoud Sidki Al-Habbash, Hossain reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support for Palestinians and the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
The Palestinian Chief Justice expressed deep gratitude for Bangladesh’s consistent support and highlighted the importance of Muslim unity.

Hamas leaders narrowly survived a series of Israeli airstrikes in Doha on Tuesday. At least 12 air raids were carried out on a hotel complex where top Hamas officials were meeting to discuss potential conditions for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Although the leaders—including Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin—remained unharmed, the hotel sustained heavy damage. Netanyahu later confirmed he personally coordinated the operation.

Qatar, in response, has condemned Israel’s actions, describing the strikes as “terrorist acts” against a sovereign state.