Middle East Faces Escalating Tensions
The Middle East remains a focal point of international concern, with Gaza City experiencing intense Israeli strikes, leading to Palestinians fleeing the area. The death toll from these attacks reportedly rose to 62 on Monday. In response to the escalating situation, an emergency Arab-Islamic summit was convened in Qatar, where Gulf states pledged to activate a joint defense pact. Leaders at the summit condemned the Israeli attacks, with Indonesia reaffirming its solidarity with Qatar and Palestine. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders.
Geopolitical Rivalries Continue Globally
Geopolitical tensions are evident across several regions. Russia and Belarus have commenced joint military drills, sparking concerns amid ongoing NATO tensions and recent Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace. The United Kingdom summoned the Russian ambassador following Russia's violation of NATO airspace last week. In the Americas, the United States military reportedly targeted a second vessel allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, resulting in three fatalities. This follows earlier US actions against similar boats. Separately, China reported intercepting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea.
Nepal Sees Political Transition Amidst Protests
Nepal experienced significant political changes over the last 24 hours. The country's Prime Minister resigned after protests erupted following a social media ban. These "Gen Z" protests, sparked by the ban, resulted in at least 19 deaths. Subsequently, Nepal appointed its first female Prime Minister. Additionally, three ministers were inducted into the cabinet by the newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
International Cooperation and Economic Discussions
In other global news, the International Day of Democracy was observed on September 15th, with a focus on "Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action," highlighting gender parity in politics and inclusive institutions. Economic and technological discussions are also underway, with the United States and China nearing an agreement regarding the short-video application TikTok. India is hosting the 89th General Meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) from September 15-19, 2025, in New Delhi, bringing together over 2,000 experts from more than 100 countries to discuss global electrotechnical standards. Furthermore, India and Norway held their inaugural Maritime Security, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation Dialogue in Oslo, focusing on maintaining a secure maritime environment.