In Izmir, Turkey, the Akdemir family keeps an old blacksmithing tradition alive by making both traditional tools and fantasy weapons inspired by video games and TV shows. Their unique creations attract customers worldwide who send designs for hand-forged fantasy swords and other items.
Key Facts
The Akdemir family runs a blacksmith workshop in Kemeralti Bazaar, Izmir, Turkey.
They produce traditional items like knives, kebab skewers, and axes.
Recently, they started making fantasy weapons inspired by video games like World of Warcraft and TV series like Game of Thrones.
Suleyman Akdemir, 30, and his father Omer, 54, work together in the forge using hot forging techniques.
Fantasy weapons have helped keep the workshop business alive and attract global customers.
Customers from many countries send pictures and ideas for custom, hand-forged fantasy weapons.
The family has practiced blacksmithing for generations.
Their work blends traditional craftsmanship with modern pop culture designs.
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Russians are voting in a parliamentary election amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. The ruling United Russia party, led by President Vladimir Putin, is expected to keep its majority, while other parties focus on issues like the environment. The election is being used by the Kremlin to show support for its war efforts.
Key Facts
Russia is holding its first parliamentary election since the war with Ukraine began in early 2022.
There are 450 seats in Russia’s parliament, called the Duma.
The United Russia party, led by President Vladimir Putin, is expected to maintain a strong majority.
One candidate from the Green Party focuses on issues like affordable housing and protecting the environment.
State media promotes the election as a demonstration of support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Russia’s authorities say the election confirms their government’s legitimacy during wartime.
Ukraine launched over 350 drones at Moscow on election day, targeting oil infrastructure and causing fuel shortages.
Polls show more than half of Russians want peace talks, but many also support the military’s actions in Ukraine.
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French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered new measures to protect France's important infrastructure and defense sites from "Russian hybrid attacks." He said that the threat from Russia to France and Europe has increased in recent weeks.
Key Facts
President Macron announced steps to protect critical infrastructure in France.
The focus is on defending against "Russian hybrid attacks," which are a mix of digital, political, and other non-traditional threats.
Macron said the threat from Russia has grown stronger in the last few weeks.
The announcement followed a meeting with political party leaders in Paris.
These events are part of ongoing tensions between Europe and Russia.
The article was published on September 18, 2026.
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Thailand’s main armed separatist group, Barisan Revolusi Nasional, has said it will keep fighting for independence in the southern region where many Malay-Muslims live. Violence has increased there, but private talks might restart in October to try to end the conflict, which has been ongoing for many years.
Key Facts
The group involved is Barisan Revolusi Nasional, an armed separatist group in Thailand.
They want self-determination, meaning they want control over their own region.
The conflict is in Thailand’s southern area, where most people are Malay-Muslim.
Violence in this region has gone up recently.
There have been peace talks before, aiming to end this long-lasting conflict.
These talks are currently stalled but may start again in October.
This conflict is one of the longest-running in Southeast Asia.
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Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald disagreed with UK Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant about who is funding a one-time £63 electricity bill reduction for households in Northern Ireland. The UK government provides the money, but Archibald emphasized that the scheme was negotiated and designed locally and expressed surprise at Bryant's comments on social media.
Key Facts
Northern Ireland households will receive a one-off £63 discount on electricity bills starting next month.
The discount will be applied automatically, no need to apply.
The scheme is funded by the UK government through a commitment to remove VAT and some levies from electricity bills.
Economist Minister Archibald and her department negotiated and designed the scheme for Northern Ireland.
Pay-as-you-go electricity customers will get the £63 credit when they top up, with a limit on top-up amounts to receive the full discount at once.
There was a social media exchange where Sir Chris Bryant said the UK government funds the discount.
Dr Archibald questioned Bryant’s motives and described his comment as somewhat condescending.
The aim of the scheme is to help families cope with rising energy costs this winter.
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New data shows that the UK aid cuts under Prime Minister Keir Starmer have mostly affected the poorest countries, with a 6.7% drop in funding. While aid to low-income countries fell, aid to some middle-income countries rose, and the overall UK aid budget was reduced to 0.44% of the country's income.
Key Facts
UK aid to the poorest countries dropped by 6.7%, about £118 million less.
The UK’s total aid budget went down from 0.5% to 0.44% of its gross national income in 2025.
Aid to asylum seekers within the UK made up 18.4% of the aid budget, down from 20% in 2024.
Ukraine, Yemen, and Afghanistan were the top three aid recipients, with planned cuts for Yemen (28%) and Afghanistan (39%) by 2028/29.
Aid to lower-middle-income countries increased by 13%, while aid to upper-middle-income countries rose by 2%.
Charity groups reported that the aid cuts forced the end of important programs like maternal health and education in some countries.
Aid workers say that cuts by the UK and other Western donors have led to fewer people receiving help and growing funding gaps.
Aid groups urge the current Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to reconsider cutting aid to the poorest and most vulnerable countries.
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Police in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, have started moving thousands of migrants from beaches to a new camp at the port. The move follows a large influx of migrants from Morocco in July, and aims to manage and care for them while their legal status is checked.
Key Facts
Police began transferring over 3,000 migrants to a new camp designed to hold 1,700 people.
Migrants had been living on beaches in Ceuta after crossing from Morocco in July.
About 13,000 migrants remain in Ceuta out of the 72,000 who crossed the border.
Police fired shots into the air during crowd control efforts along the transfer route.
More than 170 police officers, including drone operators, helped manage the operation.
Local residents have expressed fear and some have blocked aid or destroyed migrant shelters.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces criticism from opposition politicians over the crisis management and warnings.
Diplomatic tensions exist between Spain, Italy, and Morocco linked to the migrant situation.
The migrant inflow followed a Spanish court ruling that stopped immediate returns of migrants to Morocco after being stopped at sea.
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A valuable 16th-century Aztec manuscript has been loaned from France's National Library back to Mexico for display. This loan marks the 200-year relationship between France and Mexico, while Mexico continues to seek the manuscript’s permanent return.
Key Facts
The manuscript is from the 16th century and uses pictograms to tell Aztec history.
It was taken from Mexico to France nearly 200 years ago.
France’s National Library has held the manuscript for over 100 years.
The manuscript is now on loan to Mexico for public display in Mexico City.
The loan commemorates 200 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and France.
Mexico wants the manuscript to be returned permanently.
The manuscript is considered an important cultural and historical document of the Aztec people.
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People in France are preparing to protest again as fuel prices rise sharply. Groups like fishermen have already started protests by blocking ports and oil terminals, showing the growing frustration over high energy costs.
Key Facts
The Yellow Vest movement began eight years ago after fuel taxes increased.
Rising energy prices in France are causing new protests and blockades.
Fishermen have blocked ports and oil terminals to protest higher fuel costs.
Many groups in France are feeling financial pressure from rising energy expenses.
President Emmanuel Macron has called party leaders for talks on various global issues, including the Middle East and Ukraine.
The recent protests echo earlier demonstrations linked to the Yellow Vest movement.
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Two tankers were hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway, with Iran claiming responsibility for one strike on a ship it said was making an illegal crossing. President Donald Trump said he is considering a major military decision against Iran, ahead of a planned meeting with Persian Gulf leaders.
Key Facts
A tanker was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, causing a fire that was later put out.
Another tanker was also attacked in the same area on Wednesday, with both crews reported safe.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have hit a Togo-flagged ship for illegally crossing the strait.
Iran requires commercial ships to get permission and follow a specific route through the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump said he is deciding whether to launch a large attack to “annihilate” Iran’s ruling regime.
Trump plans to meet Persian Gulf leaders next week during the U.N. General Assembly.
Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution to allow experts to monitor sanctions against Iran.
U.N. sanctions against Iran remain in place, freezing Iran’s assets abroad.
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Scientists discovered a new species of wild cat called the Tilcayo tiger cat in Bolivia’s Yungas region. It is the first new wild cat species found in 100 years and is slightly smaller than a domestic cat.
Key Facts
The new wild cat species is named Leopardus tilcayo, or Tilcayo tiger cat.
It was found in the mountainous Yungas region near La Paz, Bolivia.
Locals had mistaken the cat for a regular house cat.
The Tilcayo tiger cat has a spotted coat and rounded ears.
It measures about 18 inches long, smaller than most domestic cats.
Two individuals have had their full genome sequenced, a detailed genetic test.
A male lives in an animal refuge, while a rescued female was released into the wild.
Scientists consider the species vulnerable and worry it could soon face greater risk of extinction.
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Iran is facing a serious water shortage problem. Experts say this crisis is mainly because of how the country is managed, not just political issues like changing the government.
Key Facts
Iran has a major problem with water shortage.
The water crisis is linked to how the country is governed and managed.
Problems such as poor planning and weak policies contribute to the water shortages.
Changing the government alone will not fix the water crisis.
Sustainable water management needs better leadership and effective policies.
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A British woman kidnapped in Malawi was rescued by police after a gunfight that killed four of the kidnappers. The woman, Nusrat Osman, was taken near her home, and despite being held for several days, she was found safe and unharmed.
Key Facts
Nusrat Osman was kidnapped on 11 September outside her home in Blantyre, Malawi.
Police offered a reward of 30 million Malawi kwacha (£12,950) for information leading to her rescue.
During the rescue, police exchanged fire with kidnappers armed with an AK47 rifle and a pistol.
Four kidnappers were shot and died from their injuries at the hospital.
A police officer was also shot but is in stable condition after receiving medical care.
Nusrat Osman is a 47-year-old auditor and mother of two, originally from Leicester, UK.
Malawi has few kidnapping cases and usually targets are from the Asian business community, not foreign residents.
The reason for the kidnapping is still unknown, and investigations continue.
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A vehicle carrying explosives hit the gate of a police complex in northwest Pakistan and exploded. This was followed by gunfire and a second suicide bomb blast near a mosque. Several people were killed in the attack.
Key Facts
The attack happened near a police complex in northwest Pakistan.
An explosives-filled vehicle crashed into the police complex gate before exploding.
Gunfire occurred after the first explosion.
A second suicide bombing followed near a mosque.
Several people died in the blasts.
The mosque was close to the police complex.
Authorities reported the sequence of events during the attack.
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Irish police (Gardaí) followed a car briefly before it drove the wrong way on a motorway, causing a crash that killed five teenage boys and seriously injured four family members. A police watchdog investigated and found the Gardaí acted according to law and police rules during their pursuit.
Key Facts
The crash happened on 16 August on the M9 motorway in Ireland.
Five teenage boys died in a head-on collision after their car drove on the wrong side of the road.
Four family members in the other car were seriously hurt.
Irish police pursued the car for a short time on a local road before it joined the motorway.
The pursuit was stopped once the car entered the motorway going the wrong way.
Gardaí tried to stop the car with a spike strip but the car made several U-turns before the crash.
The Police Ombudsman’s office (Fíosrú) conducted an independent investigation.
The watchdog confirmed the police followed the correct procedures during the incident.
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British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44 in his home in Ghana. He was known for his positive style, winning a Mobo Award as an unsigned artist, and for hit songs like "Level Up."
Key Facts
Sway DaSafo was born Derek Andrew Safo in London but was raised in north London and Ghana.
He was the first unsigned rapper to win a Mobo Award in 2006.
His hit single "Level Up" reached the top 10 in 2012.
Sway was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and went into remission after treatment.
He released music independently and supported other artists through his label Dcypha.
He worked with notable musicians including Mark Ronson, Ed Sheeran, and Childish Gambino.
Sway also acted in TV and film, including the show Top Boy.
At his death, he lived in Ghana as a single parent to four children.
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Drivers are ignoring roadwork closures on motorways and major roads in England, deliberately entering these areas to avoid traffic queues. National Highways warns this behavior is dangerous and has resulted in road closures to protect workers and at least one fatality this year.
Key Facts
National Highways manages motorways and major roads in England.
Between January and July 2024, there were 814 reported incidents of vehicles entering closed roadworks.
About 53% of these incidents involved drivers trying to skip queues or avoid diversions.
On average, 30 incursions happen each week on England’s motorways and A-roads.
Some drivers enter closed roadworks deliberately (“seeking benefit”), while others do so by mistake or due to breakdowns.
National Highways has had to close entire motorway sections, like the M1 in Hertfordshire, to protect workers and reduce risks.
One death has occurred this year linked to drivers entering closed roadwork zones.
Roadworks closures always mean work is active or the road is unsafe, even if workers are not visible.
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In Cameroon, eight women were killed in eight days in August 2026, adding to over sixty femicide cases reported this year. Local groups are working to help victims’ families with legal and psychological support, as domestic violence complaints rarely lead to convictions in the country.
Key Facts
Eight women were killed in eight days in Cameroon during August 2026.
More than sixty femicide cases were reported since early 2026.
The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family keeps track of these cases.
Civil society groups provide legal advice and mental health support to affected families.
Domestic violence complaints rarely result in convictions in Cameroon.
The issue has raised concern among local communities and activists.
The report comes from Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.
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An Israeli drone strike killed a child and a medic in Gaza, according to witness reports and verified footage. The Israeli military said it is reviewing the incident but denies targeting civilians on purpose.
Key Facts
Mohammad Abdul Zinati saw a man wounded on a street in Gaza after an initial explosion.
A second drone strike followed seconds later, targeting the wounded man.
The drone used a glide bomb, which allows precise targeting.
The Guardian verified footage and interviewed witnesses and weapons experts.
The Israeli military is reviewing what happened and denies deliberately hitting civilians.
This event is part of ongoing conflict and violence in Gaza.
South Korea’s president declined to send troops to the Middle East, resisting pressure from President Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now HHS secretary, expressed support for anti-vaccine activists amid a measles outbreak in the US.
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A United Nations fact-finding team reported that the United States may have committed war crimes during two strikes in Iran in February 2026. One strike hit a primary school in Minab, killing many children and teachers, and another hit a sports complex in Lamerd, which was not a military target.
Key Facts
The UN team investigated February 2026 strikes on Iran by US and Israeli forces amid nuclear talks.
The first strike hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, killing around 156 people, mostly children and teachers.
Weapons analysis showed that the missile used in the Minab strike was a US Tomahawk, which Iran does not have.
The second strike targeted a cultural and sports complex in Lamerd, causing 22 deaths and over 100 injuries.
The UN mission said the Lamerd facility was not used for military purposes.
The US military admitted responsibility for the Minab strike but said it was due to wrong intelligence.
The US does not accept responsibility for the Lamerd strike, claiming it was caused by an Iranian missile, but the UN mission disputed this.
Neither the US nor Israel cooperated with the UN investigation, so evidence came from satellite images, videos, and local witnesses.
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