Saudi Arabia reportedly held talks with Israel, mediated by US Central Command, on intelligence support to counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks, according to Israeli outlet Walla, citing diplomatic sources. Riyadh’s request focused on intelligence to better understand Houthi military positions and assess potential operations. Bloomberg also reported Saudi Arabia approached Britain for help pushing the Houthis away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protecting oil facilities. Britain said it would work with partners to maintain regional stability. The Houthis have intensified attacks, including a drone strike on oil pipelines and pumping facilities that forced a partial operational halt. They recently captured Mokha and nearby islands, gaining greater leverage over the strategic waterway. (PC: AFP)

US diesel prices have climbed to record levels just as American farmers begin harvesting corn and soybeans, putting further pressure on already tight farm budgets. The national average reached $5.85 per gallon on September 4 before rising to $6.05 per gallon, according to AAA. That is about 60% higher than the roughly $3.76 average before the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February. Farmers depend heavily on diesel to run combines, tractors and trucks and to transport crops. Rising fuel costs come alongside higher prices for fertiliser, seeds and equipment, squeezing profits and forcing some farmers to delay work. (PC: The Times of India)

As Houthi rebels tighten their grip on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and strike Saudi soil, Riyadh has reportedly sought intelligence assistance from Israel, approached indirectly through US CENTCOM, to help secure the vital waterway. The request comes even as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye remain bound by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August. However, Pakistan's Foreign Office has clarified the pact is defensive in nature, ruling out any immediate military response to the Houthi attacks. The Houthis have already seized Mocha port and Perim Island, threatening a key global shipping route and Saudi oil exports. (PC: India Today)

The United States has publicly confirmed, for the first time, that it has deployed a weapon in Earth's orbit. US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the "on orbit" weapon was needed to protect American forces from hostile action, speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference. He gave no details on its capabilities or deployment date. The admission follows years of warnings about Russian and Chinese programmes targeting US satellites. A 1967 treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in space, but other military capabilities remain unregulated. The disclosure comes as the US pushes its "Golden Dome" missile defence system. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump has dismissed warnings about artificial intelligence, saying claims that AI could turn against humans are false. In social media comments Monday, Trump rejected concerns about rogue AI and argued that efforts to limit the technology are part of what he called a “sick conspiracy.” He said the idea of AI taking over the world and harming people is untrue. Trump also compared warnings about AI’s potential dangers to concerns about climate change, which he said he does not believe. His remarks come amid debate over risks posed by increasingly advanced artificial intelligence and calls from some technology figures and researchers for safeguards and limits on its development.

A newly released US government watchdog report details the impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran, highlighting shortages of advanced weapons, munitions resupply bottlenecks and extensive damage to American military and diplomatic facilities across West Asia. Covering April 1 to June 30, the report was compiled by inspectors general from the Pentagon, State Department and USAID. It found strategic inventory shortfalls and pressure on advanced missiles and defensive interceptors. Hundreds of buildings at US installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan were damaged or destroyed. Dozens of aircraft and drones were also destroyed or damaged, including up to 30 MQ-9 Reapers and several KC-135 refuelling aircraft. (PC: Reuters)

A Spanish naval commander was removed from his NATO post in the UK and had his security clearance suspended over concerns about his relationship with Janina White, a Russian-born US-Polish dual national he met on Tinder. The Telegraph reported that NATO and Spanish authorities investigated the relationship in 2025, after which the officer was barred from the Northwood base and returned to Spain. White, 49, denies links to Russian intelligence and is seeking a judicial review over why she was considered a security risk. She has also filed a discrimination case against Britain’s Ministry of Defence. The commander and White are no longer together, while NATO and the MoD declined comment. (PC: X)

The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” and urged the UK government to prepare for constitutional change. The nationalist leaders of Plaid Cymru, Sinn Féin and the SNP, who support their countries leaving the United Kingdom, signed an agreement stating that no Westminster government had the right to block democracy. Scotland’s John Swinney and Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill called for independence referendums during a joint press conference. However, Wales’ Rhun ap Iorwerth declined to provide a timetable for a Welsh referendum. The agreement signals a coordinated push by the three nationalist parties for constitutional change across the United Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has reported about 110 million tonnes of raw material containing promising concentrations of uranium at the Jabal Sayid project in the Medina region, according to Moneycontrol. The discovery includes high concentrations of rare earth elements, adding to the significance of the mineral find. The uranium-containing material is located at the Jabal Sayid project, with Saudi Arabia highlighting the scale of the resource and the presence of rare earths. The report, published on September 14, 2026, said the material contains promising uranium concentrations. Details provided in the report excerpt do not specify the exact quantity of uranium or rare earth elements recovered, nor any plans for their extraction or processing. (PC: X)

Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami was blocked from attending the International Atomic Energy Agency’s annual conference in Vienna after the United States opposed a travel exemption, Iranian state television reported. Eslami and his delegation flew to Vienna on Saturday but he returned to Tehran after what Iran described as US pressure on Austria. Iran accused Austria of revoking Eslami’s visa after initially granting it, calling the decision politically motivated. Austria said it had sought a UN Security Council exemption allowing Eslami to enter despite sanctions, but the request was rejected. The US said it objected because Eslami’s participation could allow Iran to use IAEA proceedings for propaganda while avoiding substantive cooperation. Eslami attended last year’s conference. (PC: The Hindu)