The global conversation: News pulse 2026-08-17 · The New York Times: California's energy commission approves the United States's first energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires, aiming to reduce rolling resistance and lower driver fuel costs by 2029. However, manufacturers warn the strict limits could eliminate up to 70% of current replacement tire options by 2033. A perspective from Tokyo.
The global conversation: World brief 2026-09-11: In Yemen, the Houthis seize Perim Island in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab after government forces withdrew, completing their takeover of the surrounding area and giving them control of territory overlooking a major sea lane between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A perspective from Melbourne.
The global conversation: News pulse 2026-08-23 · Garowe Online: At least ten people are killed and several others injured in clashes between federal forces and residents protesting a controversial demolition and forced eviction in Yaaqshid neighbourhood of Mogadishu. A perspective from Chicago.
The global conversation: News pulse 2026-08-26 · Channels TV: A spokesperson for Malian singer Salif Keita confirms that he has cancelled all upcoming concerts in South Africa over its response to anti-migrant protests in the country. A perspective from Lisbon.
The global conversation: News pulse 2026-09-06 · 24.kg: The final day of the World Nomad Games is held, with hosts Kyrgyzstan defeating Kazakhstan 12–0 to win the kok-boru final in Cholpon-Ata. Kyrgyzstan wins the gold medal in kok-boru, Kazakhstan wins the silver, and Russia wins the bronze. A perspective from Reykjavík.
The global conversation: News pulse 2026-08-30 · AP: Bissau-Guineans vote on a constitutional referendum that proposes to expand presidential powers. A perspective from Reykjavík.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-24 · DW: Syria's Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun is found guilty of committing war crimes spanning nearly 14 years of civil war under Bashar al-Assad's former regime and is sentenced to life in prison. A perspective from London.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-29 · The Times of Israel: The IDF confirms that they have killed Nukhba Force commander Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum and Hamas sniper Hassan Zidan Hassan Deiri in separate strikes in the northern Gaza Strip. A perspective from Buenos Aires.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-25 · DW: The Australian Recording Industry Association bans wholly AI-generated music from appearing on its charts starting in September 2026. The ruling aims to distinguish fully AI-generated music and AI-assisted music, where the track is human-created but uses AI as a supporting tool. A perspective from Amsterdam.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-09-07 · France 24: In Australian rules football, the Australian Football League introduces limits on contact training from the 2027 preseason to reduce concussion risk, capping weekly contact at 120 minutes initially and 160 minutes later while prohibiting high-intensity sessions on consecutive days. A perspective from Warsaw.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-09-03 · Arab News: Israel releases prisoner Malek Ghazi and hands him over to the Lebanese army, the first release since the war started in March, as part of an effort to revive peace talks. A perspective from Oslo.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-31 · The Jerusalem Post: Israel and Greece sign a 3 billion (US$3.48 billion) arms export deal that will enable the Israeli defense ministry to build the "Achilles Shield", a multi-layered air defense array similar to the Iron Dome, made entirely by Israeli systems, including David's Sling, SPYDER, and Barak MX. A perspective from Dubai.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-09-09 · Xinhua: Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić dissolves the National Assembly and calls a snap parliamentary election for October 25, following a government proposal amid prolonged political tensions. The ruling Serbian Progressive Party nominates Vučić as its lead candidate and candidate for prime minister. A perspective from Delhi.
On the public-interest radar: World brief 2026-09-11: In Yemen, the Houthis seize Perim Island in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab after government forces withdrew, completing their takeover of the surrounding area and giving them control of territory overlooking a major sea lane between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A perspective from Manila.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-27 · Xinhua: Two people are killed in a stabbing at a private school in Gosen-Neu Zittau, Brandenburg, Germany. A suspect is arrested. A perspective from Osaka.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-20 · AP: The U.S. Treasury Department issues sanctions on 15 people allegedly involved in a drug trafficking network shipping thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Ecuador through Mexico to the United States. A perspective from Sydney.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-08-27 · Israel National News: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its Spokesperson's Unit confirms Al-Qassam Brigades commander Ismail Mohammad Ibrahim Barim, who held Edan Alexander, Avera Mengistu, and Matan Zangauker as hostages, was killed in a strike in Khan Yunis. A perspective from Miami.
On the public-interest radar: News pulse 2026-09-15 · Reuters: ProRail services across northern and central parts of the Netherlands are disrupted by a sabotage operation after pipes are attached to tracks, resulting in the failure of railway signals. A perspective from Dublin.
A moment shaping the map: News pulse 2026-09-09 · CNN: The state funeral of King Harald V takes place at the Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, Norway. A perspective from Kyiv.
A moment shaping the map: News pulse 2026-09-02 · DW: Three people are killed, including the perpetrator, and six others are injured in a mass shooting in Loring Park, Minneapolis, United States. A perspective from New York.
A moment shaping the map: News pulse 2026-09-11 · Reuters: Thirteen people are killed and eight others are injured when a minibus collided with a car and a logging truck in Kholmogorsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. A perspective from Vienna.
A moment shaping the map: News pulse 2026-09-04 · Caspian Post: Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe begins construction on the 340-meter-high Dushanbe Tower, which is set to become the tallest building in Central Asia. President Emomali Rahmon and Mayor Rustami Emomali lay the building's foundation stone. A perspective from Bucharest.
A moment shaping the map: News pulse 2026-09-03 · Arab News: Israel releases prisoner Malek Ghazi and hands him over to the Lebanese army, the first release since the war started in March, as part of an effort to revive peace talks. A perspective from Istanbul.
A moment shaping the map: World brief 2026-09-13: Turkish police detain at least 63 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ organizations and venues across several provinces. The justice ministry says investigations involve 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses over alleged offences including prostitution and obscenity. A perspective from Manila.