On Wednesday, Ukraine launched its deepest-ever attack into Russia, striking two gas condensate facilities in the Arctic Yamalo-Nenets region approximately 3,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The targets were the Novy Urengoy and Purovsky gas processing plants in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of western Siberia. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces carried out the drone attacks using FP-1 drones manufactured by Ukrainian company Fire Point, which span approximately 6 meters in width, travel at 140-180km per hour, and cost under $60,000 each. Governor Dmitry Artyukhov confirmed the attack was repelled but debris from the drones caused a fire. No deaths or injuries were reported. The Yamalo-Nenets region contains approximately 80 percent of Russia's natural gas production. This marked the first Ukrainian strike to reach the Arctic region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as "completely justified" and praised its impact on the Russian economy. The strike occurred days after U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv with proposals to end the war. Separately, Russian attacks across Ukraine on Thursday killed at least seven people: four in Mykolaiv and three in Sumy, with at least 33 wounded including three children. Ukraine also targeted Novorossiysk, a Black Sea port in Russia's Krasnodar region, hitting a naval base, an oil loading terminal, and military port facilities.

The first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention took place on September 9, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. President Donald Trump delivered the keynote speech, urging supporters to pretend "I'm on the ballot" in an effort to energize the GOP ahead of the midterm elections. Trump declared the 2026 midterms "the most important election of your lives" and promised $5,000 direct payments to all American adults if Republicans retain control of both Congress chambers, though the implementation mechanism remains unclear. The president defended his decision to attack Iran, claiming it prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as "the Trump Strait." Trump warned that Republican loss in November would result in voters "going through hell." Other speakers included Senator Tim Scott, Representative Tom Emmer, and a surprise video appearance by Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who criticized his own party's "extremes." The convention featured approximately a dozen vulnerable Republicans from battleground districts attending in person. The Iran war and its economic impact were largely unmentioned by other speakers until Trump's address.

The Bayeux Tapestry went on display at the British Museum in London on Thursday 10 September, marking the first time in over 900 years the 11th-century embroidered masterpiece has been loaned to the UK. The 68-metre (230-foot) tapestry, depicting the 1066 Norman Conquest and Battle of Hastings, was created around 1077, likely in Canterbury by seamstress nuns, and was commissioned by Bishop Odo, William the Conqueror's half-brother. The exhibition broke the British Museum's record for tickets sold in a single day, with digital queues reaching nine hours when tickets went on sale in July. Tickets cost £33, with the next public release on October 21. The tapestry arrived in London after a complex transportation process involving a custom-designed folding screen called a "paravent" and a team of 90 people, overseen by curator Millie Horton-Insch in a refrigerated shock-absorber truck through the Channel Tunnel. It is insured for £800 million under the Treasury's indemnity scheme and is displayed lying flat in a custom case at 50 lux light levels. King Charles, Mayor Andy Burnham, and French President Emmanuel Macron viewed the tapestry last Wednesday. The tapestry will remain at the British Museum until July 2027 before returning to a newly built museum in Normandy.

Apple CEO John Ternus unveiled new products at his first major event since succeeding Tim Cook as CEO earlier in September. The announcements included three iPhones: the iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199), iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299), and the inaugural foldable iPhone Duo ($1,999). The Pro models feature Apple's new A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer process and a variable-aperture 48-megapixel camera, with pre-orders opening September 12 and in-store availability September 18. The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and a 7.8-inch internal screen when unfolded, uses Apple's new C2 modem, offers up to 44 hours of battery life, and launches with pre-orders starting October 16 and in-store sales October 23. Ternus echoed Steve Jobs' iconic phrase "one more thing" before revealing the foldable device. Apple also announced the Watch Series 12 ($399) and Watch Ultra 4 ($799), both featuring redesigned health sensors with more frequent monitoring and new AI features via Siri, available for pre-order now with September 18 release. The AirPods 5 ($129-$149) offer enhanced active noise cancellation and new translation features, shipping September 18. A beta version of iOS 27 releasing in October features an AI-enhanced Siri with access to users' contacts, calendar, messages, emails, and apps. Tim Cook transitions to executive chair of Apple's board of directors. No new Macs or iPads were announced.

On September 8, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released more than 170,000 pages of previously unreleased city records related to air quality in Lower Manhattan following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The documents were released at City Hall with actor Jon Stewart and 9/11 responders and advocates in attendance. Among the records is the "Harding Memo," an October 2001 memo from then-Deputy Mayor Robert Harding showing the city knew about air quality dangers and legal liability even as officials publicly declared the air was safe. Another document shows asbestos was present on a facade ledge at 15 John Street months after the attacks. The city also announced a settlement in two lawsuits brought by the advocacy group 9/11 Health Watch to force publication of the records. Nearly 6,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses since the attacks. The release comes as part of the 25th anniversary commemorations of the attacks. Mamdani stated that "people got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air." The city will continue promoting two federal programs under the Zadroga Act: the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian family of four in the northern town of Beit Lahiya overnight on Thursday. The victims were identified as a Palestinian man, his wife, and their two daughters, aged 12 and eight. The attack occurred in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital. The bodies were recovered in pieces and taken to Al-Shifa Hospital. Israeli helicopters also opened fire near the Jabalia camp, and artillery fire was reported in northern Gaza. The strikes occurred despite a United States-backed ceasefire that has been in effect since October 2025. Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza have resulted in 73,669 deaths since October 7, 2023, according to local authorities, with 174,652 injuries reported. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that depopulating Gaza remains the "only solution," with officials describing potential Palestinian displacement as voluntary "migration."

Kelly Rogers, the official overseeing special education at the U.S. Education Department, abruptly resigned on Wednesday. Rogers had been serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary/Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) since May. Her resignation takes effect September 11, 2026. The departure comes as the Education Department undergoes significant restructuring, with special education staff scheduled to move to the Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Rogers cited returning home to Florida as her reason for leaving. The staff transfer is part of the Trump administration's effort to dismantle the Education Department. OSERS manages approximately $15 billion in federal funding supporting students with disabilities and oversees implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Some OSERS staff expressed surprise at the timing of Rogers' resignation, with one employee stating they were "shocked." It remains unclear who will assume Rogers' responsibilities or oversee the interagency agreement with HHS.

Uganda's military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced on Wednesday that Uganda is withdrawing from the Duke of Sussex's Invictus Games out of respect for King Charles III. The surprise announcement was made in a post on X, with Kainerugaba stating: "In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games." The decision appears linked to an official letter issued Monday by the lord chamberlain clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals. Kainerugaba told The Times he acted because "factions in the Ministry of Defence support that Harry-Meghan nonsense" and he "had to quash it straight away." Uganda had been announced as the 26th country to enter the multisport event for wounded service personnel just two months ago, with Defence Minister Kiwanuka praising President Museveni and Kainerugaba for championing the team's entry. The Ugandan government spokesperson confirmed Kainerugaba, who is widely seen as his father's successor to the presidency, has authority over UPDF participation. The Invictus Games and representatives for the Duke of Sussex have been approached for comment.

On Tuesday, a Russian drone (reported to be jet-powered) entered Moldovan airspace, causing a delay to a plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Chisinau airport. The Moldovan government confirmed this incident. This event represents a significant escalation as Russian drones have now breached the airspace of a neighboring country beyond Ukraine. The drone incursion occurred amid an intensifying campaign throughout August where Russia deployed its new rapid, jet-powered Geran drones against Ukraine daily for the first time. Ukrainian military data shows these jet-powered drone attacks grew from 350 in June to 1,600 in July and 2,800 in August. The upgraded drones can cruise at over 300mph, significantly faster than older models and beyond the speed capability of Kyiv's interceptors. The turbojet engines powering these drones are partially sourced from China according to Ukrainian military intelligence. This development prompted Ukraine's deputy head of military intelligence to state that forces need new interceptor missiles capable of matching the jet-drones' speed.

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, military personnel accidentally triggered an inflatable slide attached to President Donald Trump's Qatari-donated Air Force One plane just before he was set to board for a flight to Dallas. Trump remained on Marine One helicopter for several minutes rather than immediately exiting to board the plane. He eventually walked onto the tarmac while officials examined the slide, telling reporters they were simply "checking the slide." Trump assured reporters there were no security concerns and that he believed the plane was safe to fly, stating "Yeah, I am or I wouldn't be on it." The plane departed and landed safely in Dallas around 5:15 p.m. ET, approximately two hours later than originally scheduled. The Qatari royal family donated the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet last year for Trump's use while Boeing works to provide updated Air Force One planes expected in 2028. The article notes that concerns have persisted for months regarding the plane's security capabilities, with the Secret Service previously recommending Trump use a different aircraft that had previously served as Air Force One. Trump stated in July that the new jet would be sent away for upgrades.

The Asian Games officially began with competition on Thursday, September 10, in Japan. Qatar defeated Iran 59-35 in a men's basketball Group B match at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. Qatar's Michael Lewis, a United States-born player, scored a game-high 21 points. Taiwan also won their Group B match against Jordan with a score of 83-80. The Games will officially open with a ceremony on September 19 and continue until October 4. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are participating across 43 sports. Several events including basketball, football, cricket, hockey, and modern pentathlon began before the opening ceremony. Los Angeles 2028 Olympics qualifying spots are available in multiple sports. Weather has already caused disruptions, with record rainfall two days prior forcing hundreds of athletes to briefly evacuate their accommodation, and rainwater leaking into some venues.

Former conductor Julian Wachner was sentenced to nearly six years of probation on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Indiana's Marion Superior Court after pleading guilty in July to five counts of possession of child sex abuse material and one count of possession of cocaine. Wachner must register as a sex offender and received credit for five days spent in jail. He was arrested in August 2025 while working as a fourth-grade math teacher at Invent Learning Hub, an Indianapolis charter school. According to charging documents, Wachner admitted to police that he used cryptocurrency "hundreds of times" over several years to purchase videos of children ages 1 to 16, with a stated preference for material involving children ages 6 to 13. Wachner was once a Grammy-nominated conductor who led major orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic, and served as director of music and arts at Trinity Church Wall Street until 2022. He was dismissed from Trinity after a woman accused him of groping and kissing her without consent at a Juilliard program in 2014; no criminal charges were filed.

A documentary film titled "NAZA" premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on Thursday, competing for the Golden Lion award. The film, directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, reveals testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders regarding secret systems used in the war on Gaza. Produced by the Guardian, the documentary features extensive interviews with Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers involved in surveillance and remote killing operations. Participants' identities were digitally altered due to security concerns. The film details AI-based systems designed to identify potential Hamas targets, who were bombed in their homes with the knowledge that family members would also be killed. The Israeli military allegedly hacked phones to locate targets and listened to conversations before attacks. The documentary also covers the destruction of neighborhoods, systematic burning of civilian homes, and killings at a food distribution site. Several interviewees worked in a secret intelligence unit reporting directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The film builds on investigations published between 2023 and 2025 by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and the Guardian. Since 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000.

A search and rescue operation is underway after a fatal ferry fire in the Philippines. The ferry had been travelling off the mainland town of Coron, in the Palawan Province, south of Manila. The BBC's Jake Kwon explains everything you need to know.

PSG began their quest for a third consecutive Champions League title with a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. Ballon d'Or-winning forward Ousmane Dembele scored the first two goals, having been managed carefully following the World Cup. Ferran Torres netted a hat-trick on his European debut for PSG, while Fabian Ruiz added the final goal. PSG coach Luis Enrique praised Dembele's "marvellous" performance, noting his pressing and creative abilities. Slovan Bratislava manager Yaya Toure, the first African to coach a team in the Champions League, acknowledged the significant quality gap between the sides, stating PSG remain strong favorites for the trophy. Both Kvaratskhelia and Doue were left on the bench.

Five baby orangutans were discovered in a forest in Balasore district, Odisha state, India, by forest department officials patrolling the Jaleswar range. The orangutans, native only to Borneo and Sumatra islands in southeast Asia, were found thousands of kilometers from their natural habitat. Odisha's Environment Minister Ram Singh Khuntia stated that wildlife investigators are trying to determine how the rare apes reached India, suspecting an international trafficking racket may be involved. Commercial trade in orangutans is prohibited under CITES, the global agreement governing endangered wildlife trade. Officials believe the orangutans had been in the area for only a few days. The five babies have been placed in quarantine at a zoological park in Odisha. The discovery occurred during a routine patrol. Authorities are investigating potential trafficking routes and networks. The orangutans' red fur and shaggy appearance confirm their species. This case highlights ongoing illegal wildlife trade between southeast Asia and India.

Japanese baseball legend Isao Harimoto has died at age 86. Born to Korean parents in Japan, Harimoto survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as a five-year-old, when his mother jumped in front of him and his sister to shield them from the blast. An accident at age four left him with severe burns and limited mobility in his right hand, prompting him to learn to play left-handed. He became the first Japanese player to reach 3,000 career hits, finishing with 3,085 hits—a record that still stands in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for several teams, including the Yomiuri Giants, earning the nickname "Hit Machine." He retired in 1981 after 23 professional seasons and later worked as a TV commentator. Harimoto was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

At least nine people died in overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine on September 9-10, 2026. Five people were killed and 24 injured in the Sumy region, while four people were killed and 19 injured in a separate attack on Ukraine's Black Sea port of Mykolaiv. The strikes targeted warehouses and ports across the country. This latest wave of attacks comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues his international diplomacy tour, focusing on air defence and winter preparations in Canada. Ukrainian forces have also been conducting retaliatory strikes against Russian infrastructure, hitting facilities in the Yamalo-Nenets region, Dagestan, and several other Russian regions including Moscow, Voronezh, Astrakhan, and Bryansk over the past 24 hours. Additionally, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reported that Zelenskyy's plane was nearly hit by a drone while leaving Moldova for Oslo earlier this week, describing it as "just the reality he lives in."

A Hong Kong court convicted Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, on Thursday for trying to deter journalist Selina Cheng from taking a union leadership position. The court found the company guilty of attempting to prevent Cheng's right to run for chairmanship of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). However, the court acquitted Dow Jones on the charge of unlawful dismissal, ruling that Cheng was made redundant due to corporate restructuring, not her union role. Cheng was fired in July 2024 after she was elected HKJA chair. The judge stated that Dow Jones' requirement for Cheng to seek prior permission to take a union role was an "unjustified deterrent" to her rights. Under Hong Kong labour law, employers found guilty of "prevent or deter" charges could face fines up to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,755). Sentencing will be handed down at a later date. Dow Jones stated it disagreed with the ruling and is evaluating next steps. Cheng filed a private prosecution after her Labour Department complaint did not result in prosecution.

The UK announced significant new sanctions targeting Jewish terrorists and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, marking what analysts called the most significant attempt in years by a close Israeli ally to use economic pressure to force change. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unveiled the measures, which include trade bans on settlement goods and potential sanctions on companies financing settlement expansion. The sanctions drew support from prominent Israeli figures including former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former military commander Dan Halutz, and the president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, who described the measures as an "inevitable consequence" of Israeli government failures. Fourteen Israeli human rights organizations welcomed the move as a necessary first step. France and Canada announced similar trade bans, while 10 other European countries backed comparable measures. The sanctions were announced on Tuesday, coinciding with the finalization of Israeli political party candidate lists ahead of a late October election. Israel's foreign minister criticized the measures as interference, while opposition figures suggested Benjamin Netanyahu might use the sanctions politically. The value of goods exported from occupied territories to Britain last year was approximately $45 million out of $4.4 billion in total trade.