European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has backed proposals for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member”, calling for closer cooperation between the two sides. Speaking in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen said she wanted to “open the door” to Canada and deepen ties in areas including defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, cyber security and supply chains. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the speech, has recently called for a “unique alliance” with the EU as trade tensions with the US continue. Von der Leyen said closer EU-Canada ties would strengthen Europe and were not aimed against any country. (PC: BBC)

Kerala travel vlogger Arunima I P, known as Backpacker Arunima, was detained by Taliban members in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province while travelling alone, according to The Indian Express. She was reportedly held for several hours and questioned about travelling without a male companion or guide. Arunima had earlier posted an SOS seeking help and assistance in contacting the Indian Embassy. The Taliban members reportedly threatened to arrest her over alleged violations of local rules. She was later released and continued her journey. Arunima said she was safe and had not been formally arrested or taken to prison. (PC: The Indian Express)

The United States has advised its citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia, citing the risk of Iranian drone and missile attacks, armed conflict and terrorism. The US State Department said Iran has targeted Saudi cities, airports, military bases, diplomatic sites and energy facilities. It also warned of threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces and advised Americans not to travel to areas near the Yemen border because of terrorism risks. The advisory comes as tensions rise across the region, with Saudi Arabia recently issuing security alerts for Mecca and other areas. The US travel advisory remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. (PC: India Today)

India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich on Wednesday and lodged a strong protest after a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy ship in international waters. The incident occurred on September 15 during a routine Indian surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea, about 220 km east of Oman, according to Indian sources. The Ministry of External Affairs said there was no major damage but described the Pakistani vessel’s conduct as unacceptable and unprofessional. India said the incident violated provisions of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement covering advance notice of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements. (Representative image)

Yemen’s Houthi movement on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that it launched a drone towards Mecca, calling the allegation “fabrications and lies.” Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki described the incident as the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following a ballistic missile launch in 2017. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites, saying their operations are directed at Saudi military bases and oil facilities. (PC: X)

All remaining support acts on Ed Sheeran’s US tour have withdrawn after rapper Macklemore was dropped from the lineup over his pro-Palestinian remarks during concerts in New Jersey. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish folk band Beoga announced their departures. Macklemore had performed his song “Hind’s Hall” at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and told the crowd he wanted to say “Free Palestine”, while footage showing destruction in Gaza played on screen. Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision and not his own. The decision followed pressure from venues and criticism from some Jewish organisations over Macklemore’s comments. (PC: BBC)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has said it cannot restore access to some cloud facilities in Bahrain and the UAE after they were damaged during Iranian strikes earlier this year. In Bahrain, damage affected multiple availability zones and was beyond what AWS’s regional systems were designed to withstand. In the UAE, AWS said resources and data hosted exclusively in one availability zone cannot be restored, while recovery work continues elsewhere. The company is helping affected customers move workloads and restore backups in other regions. AWS said it is replacing damaged infrastructure in the UAE and will provide another Bahrain update in early 2027. (PC: India Today)

Yemen’s Houthis have claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally made surface-to-air missile. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the reported loss. The claim came hours after Saudi air defences said they intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree also claimed Saudi aircraft had carried out more than 450 airstrikes in Yemen over the past week. The claims about the fighter jet could not be independently verified. (PC: X)

India has exported around 500 tonnes of Hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, reversing the traditional trade flow between the two neighbours. The consignments have mainly come from Gujarat and were shipped through Bharuch port, while some supplies moved through the Howrah wholesale fish market in West Bengal. Another 150–200 tonnes could be exported in the coming weeks, according to fish traders. The unusual shift comes as Bangladesh faces lower Hilsa production this year, increasing demand for supplies from India. Traditionally, Bangladesh has exported Hilsa to India, particularly ahead of the Durga Puja festival. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Primary School, co-founded by Priscilla Chan in East Palo Alto, California, is closing after nearly a decade of operation. Established in 2016, the tuition-free school served children from low-income families while providing education alongside healthcare, dental services, wellness support and early-intervention programs. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) provided more than $125 million in funding over the years. The school’s board voted to shut it down after CZI decided not to continue funding beyond the 2025–26 academic year. CZI said the decision was linked to the school’s academic outcomes, while the closure has raised concerns among affected families and the local community. (PC: X)