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17/09/2026

🇺🇸 Trump makes midterm election push in North Carolina

US President Donald Trump campaigned in Gastonia, North Carolina, on September 16, backing Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, is running for the Senate seat being left open by Republican Senator Thom Tillis. He faces former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.

Trump urged voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” and framed the race around issues including crime, immigration, the economy and his administration’s record. He also defended his Iran policy, acknowledging that higher fuel prices have followed the conflict.

The North Carolina race is receiving national attention because the Senate seat could affect control of the chamber after the November midterms. Trump has also indicated he plans to campaign for other Republican candidates in the weeks ahead.

[Trump, North Carolina, Michael Whatley, Roy Cooper, US midterms, Senate race, Gastonia, US politics]

17/09/2026

🇨🇳🇧🇷 China’s top diplomat meets Brazilian presidential adviser in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Celso Amorim, special adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in Beijing on September 16.

Wang said China and Brazil should deepen cooperation and strengthen coordination on major international and regional issues. He described bilateral relations as having developed into a “community with a shared future.”

Amorim said Brazil is ready to work with China on implementing agreements reached by President Lula and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with an emphasis on building a more just and sustainable international order.

The meeting also comes as both countries seek greater coordination through BRICS and other multilateral forums, giving the talks wider significance for cooperation among Global South countries.

[China, Brazil, Wang Yi, Celso Amorim, BRICS, Global South, China-Brazil relations, AAJ News]

17/09/2026

Trump says US is “hopefully” nearing the end of Iran war 🇺🇸🇮🇷

US President Donald Trump said he hopes the war with Iran is “towards the end,” while claiming that Tehran has contacted Washington directly and wants to reach a deal.

Trump made the comments on September 16 as the conflict entered its seventh month. He did not announce a ceasefire or final agreement.

Trump also said he expects diplomatic discussions to continue, while reports indicate he could meet leaders or foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman — in New York during the UN General Assembly.

The conflict has also continued to affect the region’s energy markets, particularly because of disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments.

For now, Trump is expressing hope for an end to the war, but no final peace agreement has been announced.

[Trump, Iran war, US Iran, Iran, Strait of Hormuz, US Iran talks, Gulf states, UN General Assembly, Aaj News]

17/09/2026

‘Very impressive’: Canadians back Carney’s push toward Europe 🇨🇦🇪🇺

Prime Minister Mark Carney is moving to deepen Canada’s relationship with the European Union, including discussions on a proposed new type of Canada-EU alliance.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the EU’s first “associate member.” Carney welcomed the idea of moving beyond the existing Canada-EU trade agreement toward a broader strategic partnership.

The proposed cooperation could cover defence, critical minerals, energy security, artificial intelligence, space and digital trade. Canada has already joined the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, giving Canadian defence companies access to the programme.

Carney’s European push comes as Canada seeks to diversify its international partnerships and reduce its dependence on the US market.

The EU is already Canada’s second-largest trading partner, with about C$178 billion in goods and services trade in 2025.

[Mark Carney, Canada EU, Canada Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, European Union, Canada trade, Canada defence, Aaj News]

16/09/2026

NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashes, killing three

An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, in the San Fernando Valley, shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday, killing three people. The helicopter was NewsChopper4, operated for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.

The crew had been providing aerial coverage of a deadly Metro bus and SUV collision nearby when the helicopter went down between two commercial buildings on Mason Avenue.

The aircraft caught fire after crashing into a parking area, damaging four vehicles and two storage containers. More than 50 firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze.

NBC4 later confirmed that reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marcini were among those killed. One of the three victims was on the ground at the time of the crash. A fourth person was taken to hospital.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

[NBC Los Angeles, helicopter crash, Los Angeles, Chatsworth, NewsChopper4, NBC4, Eliana Moreno, George Marcini, Aaj News]

16/09/2026

Germany and the U.S. are deepening defence cooperation 🇩🇪🇺🇸

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a statement of intent in Washington to expand cooperation between their defence industries.

The agreement will make it easier for German and U.S. companies to pursue joint development, production and licensed manufacturing of military equipment. It also covers expanded maintenance and repair capacity.

The move comes as both countries work to increase weapons production and address shortages of air-defence missiles and long-range strike weapons within NATO. Germany is also planning to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S., with final details still being worked out.

Germany is already working with the U.S. on the F-35 fighter jet and Patriot air-defence system. The first of Germany's 35 ordered F-35 aircraft is due to be handed over later this week.

Pistorius said Germany wants Europe to take greater responsibility for conventional defence in Europe, while maintaining a strong transatlantic partnership.

The new agreement is aimed at producing more defence equipment, faster, through closer U.S.-German industrial cooperation.

[Germany, US, defence cooperation, Boris Pistorius, Pete Hegseth, NATO, F-35, Patriot, Tomahawk, Aaj News]

16/09/2026

Hormuz crisis could threaten global food supplies 🌾⛽

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could affect more than oil markets. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is warning that prolonged disruption to the waterway could put pressure on global food production and supplies in the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

The Strait is a major route for energy shipments. Higher energy costs can raise the cost of farming, fertiliser production, food processing and transportation, while disruptions to shipping can make it harder and more expensive to move agricultural goods between countries.

FAO official Oleg Kobiakov said the impact of the blockade is already being felt beyond current fuel prices, warning of consequences for food production and supply chains.

The concern is particularly significant for countries that depend on imported fuel, fertilisers and agricultural inputs. A prolonged disruption could therefore push up food costs while putting additional pressure on food availability.

What happens in the oil market could ultimately reach the dinner table.

[Strait of Hormuz, global food supplies, FAO, food prices, oil crisis, fuel prices, fertiliser, Middle East tensions, Aaj News]

15/09/2026

Oil prices jump more than 2% as Middle East tensions intensify ⛽📈

Brent crude futures rose $2.90, or 2.77%, to $107.51 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained $2.27, or 2.27%, to $102.32. Both benchmarks climbed more than 3% at one point during trading.

The rise follows fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, including its East-West oil pipeline. The pipeline can move around 4 million barrels of oil per day, and its shutdown has raised concerns about further disruption to global supplies.

Markets are also watching developments around the Strait of Hormuz, where vessel traffic has fallen sharply amid the wider regional conflict. The waterway normally carries around one-fifth of global oil supplies.

With Saudi supply routes and key shipping lanes under pressure, traders are increasingly concerned that a prolonged conflict could further tighten global oil supplies.

[oil prices, Brent crude, WTI, Middle East tensions, Saudi Arabia, Strait of Hormuz, global oil supply, Aaj News]

15/09/2026

Trump calls opposition to AI and data centers a “SICK CONSPIRACY” 🤖🇺🇸

US President Donald Trump has rejected calls for tighter controls on artificial intelligence, saying there is a “SICK conspiracy” against AI and data centers and claiming that China is the only country benefiting from the criticism.

Trump’s comments came after AI leaders including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk backed greater safeguards or a slower pace of AI development.

Amodei has called for independent audits of advanced “frontier” AI models, warning that increasingly capable AI systems could pose serious risks. Microsoft has also introduced a code of conduct focused on keeping humans in control of AI.

Trump argues that slowing US AI development could allow China to overtake America in the technology race. He also said the US already has the tools to stop AI companies from taking harmful actions and suggested that his leadership itself provides a necessary safeguard.

The debate comes as AI companies, lawmakers and the White House remain divided over how much government oversight the rapidly developing technology needs.

[Trump, AI, artificial intelligence, AI regulation, data centers, China, OpenAI, Anthropic, AI safety, Aaj News]

15/09/2026

Gambia’s power shortages are disrupting businesses and daily life 🇬🇲

Prolonged electricity cuts are affecting homes and businesses across The Gambia, with some residents reporting blackouts lasting up to 48 hours during the country’s hottest period.

The outages have left homes without fans and forced some businesses to operate without reliable electricity. Residents have also reported food spoiling in the heat, while businesses dependent on refrigeration, lighting and equipment face disruption.

The crisis has triggered protests in and around Banjul, where demonstrators burned tyres and erected road barricades. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds, and authorities later said protests would require official permits. 11 people were arrested following unrest that included damage to a police post and utility offices.

The national utility, NAWEC, has attributed the shortages partly to record electricity demand caused by high temperatures, along with failures at major generating units and reduced hydropower production.

President Adama Barrow has promised new generators and an additional 24-megawatt generation unit, with the government aiming to restore electricity stability by the end of October. A 50-megawatt solar plant is also planned.

[Gambia, power cuts, electricity crisis, Banjul, NAWEC, Adama Barrow, blackouts, Aaj News]

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