Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected as Zambia’s president after winning more than one million votes ahead of his main opponent, Brian Mundubile. The election raised concerns from the opposition about how the vote was handled, but Hichilema’s camp said the result showed public support for their policies focused on economic recovery and growth.
Key Facts
Hichilema received about 2.97 million votes, while Mundubile got about 1.86 million.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia officially declared Hichilema the winner for a second five-year term.
Hichilema’s government has focused on fixing the economy, dealing with debt, and attracting investment.
The opposition complained about possible unfairness in the voting and counting process.
The European Union noted that candidates could campaign freely but expressed worries about violence, intimidation, and media fairness.
The vote counting was briefly stopped due to security issues, including attacks on election officials and stolen ballots.
Zambia relies heavily on copper, a key metal for renewable energy and electric vehicles, and aims to increase its production.
Many voters want political stability and economic benefits to improve their daily lives, not just better economic figures.
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Two joint working groups have been created after talks involving U.S. envoy Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to support President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. One group will focus on removing weapons and tunnels from Gaza, while the other will work on humanitarian needs like clean water and health.
Key Facts
The first group aims to disarm Gaza by collecting all weapons and destroying tunnels.
Weapons taken from Gaza will be given to a U.S.-led force for destruction, not to the Palestinian government.
The second group will handle sanitation, clean water, and health issues in Gaza.
The U.S. general Jasper Jeffers will oversee the destruction of weapons.
Israeli security officials and international figures like Tony Blair participated in meetings.
Disarming Gaza is a condition before Israel withdraws from the area, according to Netanyahu.
Some analysts warn that U.S. control over weapons could increase tensions with Palestinian factions.
Humanitarian efforts are also seen as important to prevent health risks affecting both Gaza and Israel.
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Graeme Dott, a former world snooker champion, is on trial in Glasgow for child sex abuse charges. He is accused of inappropriate behavior towards a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010, which he denies.
Key Facts
Graeme Dott is 49 years old and won the snooker world title in 2006.
He faces charges of lewd and libidinous behavior involving a girl and a boy.
The alleged abuse happened in different places, including homes in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire, and inside a car.
The girl witness says the abuse started when she was about 9 or 10 years old.
Allegations include touching over clothes, asking the girl to remove clothing, and exposing himself.
There are claims that Dott made sexual comments and watched the boy shower.
The trial is taking place at the High Court in Glasgow before Judge Lord Harrower.
Dott denies all the charges against him.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in Moscow to discuss closer cooperation between their countries. They talked about ongoing military and economic projects, including plans for a nuclear power plant and joint military drills.
Key Facts
Putin hosted Myanmar’s military-backed leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in Moscow on August 18, 2026.
Russia and Myanmar have worked together on foreign policy, security, and economic projects.
Planned projects include building a nuclear power plant, a seaport, and oil refineries in Myanmar.
Both countries have conducted joint military exercises.
Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021, leading to international sanctions and isolation.
Russia supports Myanmar’s military government and supplies it with weapons.
Min Aung Hlaing is seeking more international recognition through visits to multiple countries.
Russia wants to increase trade, including oil, fertilizers, agricultural products, and textiles, with Myanmar.
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A Ukrainian man was found guilty of spying in Germany for sending packages with GPS trackers to Ukraine that could have been used for sabotage. Two other Ukrainian men accused in the same case were cleared of charges by a German court.
Key Facts
The trial took place at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court in Germany.
One Ukrainian defendant was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for espionage.
The convicted man sent packages with GPS devices through a Ukrainian postal service in March 2025.
The court said the man knew the GPS trackers could help spy for sabotage actions.
The order came from a Russian intelligence agency via intermediaries in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Two other Ukrainian defendants were acquitted and released.
Investigators believe future plans involved sending packages with incendiary devices to cause damage and fear.
The convicted man already spent enough time in pretrial detention, so he will not go to prison now.
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Yemen’s internationally recognized government says it carried out over 100 military operations against the Houthi armed group in the last day, as fighting spreads across the country. The conflict escalated after attacks on a Saudi-led coalition ship and increased military actions by both sides following a temporary truce from 2022.
Key Facts
Yemen’s government conducted at least 133 attacks against Houthi forces in 24 hours.
The Houthis claimed to have attacked a Saudi-led coalition ship near al-Makha port.
Fighting is happening in several provinces, including Marib, al-Jawf, Hadramout, Hodeidah, Taiz, al-Dhale, and Lahj.
The Houthis control northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and have launched attacks into Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping.
The conflict renewed after a truce brokered by the UN in 2022 ended.
The violence increased after a government strike on Sanaa airport intended to stop an Iranian plane.
Iran and allied groups provide support to the Houthis, including weapons and training.
Yemen’s government forces are backed by a Saudi-led coalition and include various military factions unified under Yemen’s Ministry of Defence.
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Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, will publish a new book about her life from his point of view. The book aims to share the truth about Diana, correct false stories, and celebrate her character and impact.
Key Facts
The book is called *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister*.
It will be released in the UK on 22 September.
Earl Spencer wants to speak positively about Diana and clear up wrong information.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 at age 36.
Earl Spencer gave a famous speech at Diana’s funeral blaming the media for her death.
The book is published by Penguin Michael Joseph, a branch of Penguin Random House.
Earl Spencer hopes the book helps people who remember Diana and those too young to know her understand her better.
The release comes nearly 30 years after Diana’s death and shortly after what would have been her 65th birthday.
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The UK is facing both drought and the risk of floods this week as heavy rain falls on very dry ground. While some rain will help with wildfires and thirsty land, it will not fix the widespread water shortages already causing problems for farmers, wildlife, and water supplies.
Key Facts
Heavy rain is forecast in parts of the UK but will fall on hard, dry soil.
Floods and drought could happen at the same time due to dry ground absorbing water slowly.
Some UK regions, like Kent, have water shortages; taps went dry for about 8,000 customers recently.
Water companies, including South East Water and Wessex Water, have issued hosepipe bans to save water.
Five major reservoirs in England have very low water levels.
Experts say it will take many weeks of rain for the environment to fully recover.
The Environment Agency and other officials warn water shortages may continue into autumn.
Drought plans and leak reductions are urged to protect water supplies.
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In England, GCSE exams use a number grading system from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), replacing the old letter system (A*-G). The grades reflect different levels of achievement, with a score of 4 or above generally considered a pass. Wales and Northern Ireland mostly still use letter grades but have made some recent updates.
Key Facts
The 9-1 grading system started in England in 2017, beginning with English and maths.
Grade 9 is higher than the old A*, and grade 4 is roughly equivalent to a C grade.
Students need at least a grade 4 to pass a GCSE, though some schools require higher grades to continue studies.
Grade boundaries, or minimum marks for each grade, are set annually by examiners.
Wales continues to use letter grades A*-G but has updated some courses since 2015.
Northern Ireland uses letter grades but introduced a new system including a C* grade in 2019.
The change to numbers was made to better distinguish top students and reflect harder exams introduced in 2014.
GCSE coursework was reduced; most grades now come from final exams after two years of study.
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The USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy destroyer, lost power for four days while on duty near the South China Sea last month. No one was hurt, and the Navy is still looking into what caused the problem.
Key Facts
The ship involved is the USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy destroyer.
The incident happened during a deployment off the coast of Southeast Asia.
The ship lost power for four days.
No crew members were injured during this time.
The U.S. Navy is investigating to find out why the power was lost.
The South China Sea is a region where several countries have important interests.
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A grandmother from New York went missing in Las Vegas about 10 days ago. Her family has not heard from her directly but received strange text messages from her phone asking for money in cash and bitcoin.
Key Facts
A New York grandmother of five disappeared in Las Vegas.
She has been missing for about 10 days.
Her family has not had direct contact with her since she went missing.
The family received unusual text messages from her phone.
These text messages requested money in cash and bitcoin, a type of digital currency.
Authorities and family members are searching for her.
The situation is still ongoing with no confirmed updates on her location.
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Madonna leads the nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with 11 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with nine. The awards show will air live on September 27 from Los Angeles and feature many artists competing in categories like video of the year, artist of the year, and best dance.
Key Facts
Madonna has been nominated in every decade of her career and has won 19 MTV VMAs previously.
Madonna is nominated for 11 awards, including video, artist, and song of the year.
Taylor Swift has nine nominations and could become the most-awarded artist in VMA history with at least one win.
The show will be broadcast live on CBS, MTV, and streamed on Paramount+ on September 27, 2025.
Other top nominees include Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven nominations each.
The best dance category has returned after seven years, with several artists nominated.
Fan voting opened online September 17 and ends September 25, with some voting continuing during the live show.
There are 26 first-time nominees this year, including GENER8ION, Yung Lean, and the K-pop group CORTIS.
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A student in the southern Philippines livestreamed a shooting in a school, killing another student before killing himself. Authorities are investigating how the shooter brought guns to campus and the motives behind the attack.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a school connected to Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga city.
The shooter carried a high-powered gun and a .45-caliber pistol inside the school.
The attack was livestreamed on the shooter’s Facebook account, which has now been disabled.
Police and government officials are investigating how the student got the guns and the reason for the attack.
The father of the shooter, a customs agent, was suspended as investigators look into the gun ownership.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a full investigation and actions to prevent future incidents.
This is the second school shooting in the Philippines in less than two months.
The government has banned the GoreBox gaming app, linked to a previous shooting, as part of efforts to improve child safety.
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An 81-year-old man in Germany admitted to sexually assaulting and killing Amy Lopez, a 24-year-old American tourist, in 1994. The case, which remained unsolved for decades, was reopened after new DNA analysis led to his arrest and trial in Koblenz.
Key Facts
Amy Lopez was killed on September 26, 1994, while visiting Koblenz, Germany.
The 81-year-old defendant admitted to the crime during his trial.
Prosecutors said he lured her into a secluded room, assaulted her, and stabbed her multiple times.
Lopez was strangled, hit on the head with a stone, and stabbed nine times in the chest.
Children found her partially nude body with severe head injuries.
The case was cold for years until new DNA methods re-examined 1,600 samples.
A reward was offered in 2024 after discovering male DNA linked to the suspect.
The suspect was arrested in February 2026 at a nursing home near Koblenz and has been in custody since.
Eight trial days are scheduled, with a verdict expected in September 2026.
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Christian leaders in the West Bank say that many Christian families are feeling forced to leave their homes because of hard living conditions. This situation could endanger the long-standing presence of Christians in the Palestinian territories.
Key Facts
Increasing numbers of Christian families in the West Bank face pressure to leave their homes.
Difficult living conditions are a main reason for these families leaving.
Christian leaders and religious figures report on this trend.
The changes threaten the historic community of Christians in the Palestinian areas.
Israeli settlers are involved in creating a tense environment for these families.
The West Bank is part of the Palestinian territories.
The situation relates to ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region.
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Brazil's President Lula announced the discovery of oil near the Amazon River's mouth, found by the state oil company Petrobras. While the discovery offers economic potential, environmentalists worry about harm to the nearby ecosystem, and Lula says Brazil still plans to reduce fossil fuel use over time.
Key Facts
The oil was discovered about 175 km off the Amazon coast in deep water nearly 2,900 meters below the surface.
Petrobras started drilling in this area, called the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, in October 2025.
The size and commercial value of the oil field are not yet known.
Environmental groups warn that oil spills could damage reefs and wetlands with many animal species.
President Lula defended the drilling as a matter of national pride and energy security.
Lula says oil revenues can help Brazil invest in renewable energy and biofuel innovation.
The oil discovery has increased job hopes in the nearby town of Oiapoque.
The announcement comes ahead of Brazil’s October 2026 presidential election, where Lula seeks another term.
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Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says Iran’s claim that Qatar is holding missing Iranian pilots is false and a trick for the media. Qatar also says Iran has not responded to requests to check and prove this claim.
Key Facts
Iran claimed that Qatar is holding missing Iranian aircrew.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called this claim untrue and a “media ploy.”
Qatar invited Iran to verify the claim but has not received any response.
The missing aircrew belong to Iran.
Qatar denies any involvement in holding the missing pilots.
The situation involves diplomatic communications between Iran and Qatar.
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Palestinian-American Loui Abu Ridi confronted an Israeli settler at a home in Qusra, south of Nablus, after returning from the U.S. and finding his property damaged. Israeli settlers have been surrounding three Palestinian homes in the area for nearly 10 days.
Key Facts
Loui Abu Ridi is a Palestinian-American who recently returned from the United States.
He found his home in Qusra, south of Nablus, damaged.
Abu Ridi confronted an Israeli settler at the home.
Israeli settlers have surrounded three Palestinian homes in the Qusra area.
This situation has lasted for about 10 days.
Qusra is located south of the city of Nablus in the West Bank.
The homes are under what is described as a siege by the settlers.
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Actress Hayden Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest at an apartment in South Carolina. Officials have not determined the exact cause or manner of her death but say there were no signs of foul play.
Key Facts
Hayden Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest in a South Carolina apartment.
She was 36 years old.
The coroner's office is still investigating the cause and manner of death.
Officials reported no evidence of foul play.
The event is being reported by CBS News.
The situation remains under official review for further details.
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One person has died and over 200 people have become sick in the UK due to a salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs. Health officials are investigating the source and working with other European countries to understand how the outbreak began.
Key Facts
207 people across the UK have fallen ill, from babies under one year to 90-year-olds.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found the outbreak is linked to imported eggs, not UK-produced eggs or poultry.
One person has died, but details are not yet public due to ongoing investigations.
Some people were seriously ill, with two cases involving bloodstream infections, needing hospital treatment.
All cases are connected to the same salmonella strain, identified through genetic testing.
Most cases are in England, with the highest numbers in London and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Investigations include interviews with 114 affected people and tracking food businesses linked to multiple cases.
The agency advises people to wash hands thoroughly, cook food completely, and avoid handling food if sick.
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