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The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen’s Houthis accused them on Wednesday of targeting Islam’s holy city Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. The Houthis swiftly rejected as a “lie” Riyadh’s statement that it had shot down a drone heading towards Mecca, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year. Fresh fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has dragged in the kingdom, with the Houthis declaring a maritime blockade on its ships in the Red Sea. Last week, the Houthis seized control of the entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital artery for…

National lawmakers propose paying her fine should the WTA impose it on her for skipping the concurrent mandatory China Open.Published On 16 Sep 202616 Sep 2026Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is firm on representing her country at the Asian Games regardless of the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) decision to grant an exemption from the mandatory China Open, the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) has said after filing a request on her behalf.“We have formally requested an exemption and we respect the WTA’s process. At the same time, Alex has made her decision to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games, and…

This article is an on-site version of our FirstFT newsletter. Subscribers can sign up to our Asia, Europe/Africa or Americas edition to get the newsletter delivered every weekday morning. Explore all of our newsletters hereGood morning and welcome to FirstFT. In today’s newsletter:US billionaires line up to bankroll Republicans’ election pushEuropean Commission president endorses Canada’s pitch to become an “associate member”The Federal Reserve should defy Trump and raise borrowing costs today, say economistsThe world’s best-performing sovereign wealth fund gives its verdict on equitiesYou can listen to today’s top news stories in the FT News Briefing podcast.US mega-donors are overwhelmingly backing…

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has thanked party leaders for their support following the death of his father, Roy, on Monday.All opposition leaders sent condolences to him as he cancelled engagements earlier this week.Burnham had previously spoken about the fact his dad did not know he had become prime minister, due to his advanced Alzheimer’s.Posting on social media, he thanked, external “everyone who has shared a kind message about my dad, particularly the leaders of the other parties”.Burnham added: “My family and I have been helped though this difficult time by people’s warmth and compassion. It means a great deal to…

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said President Bola Tinubu will defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, even if the two opposition figures unite to run. Mr Fayose spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. He said the opposition would face an even greater challenge if Atiku and Mr Obi contested separately because their votes would be divided. “A three-way horse, maybe I am not putting it right. Atiku is there, Obi is there. Even if they come together, this man will still defeat them. But…

The SportsLine projection model has revealed its Detroit vs. Buffalo picks for NFL Week 2 on Thursday, Sept. 17 as Highmark Stadium hosts its first regular-season game

Markus Lehmusruusu’s futuristic drama “The Squirrel” has just been selected as the Finnish Oscar submission, and it already has a notable fan. “Aki Kaurismäki called it a masterpiece. He said it was like ‘2001: A Space Odyssey,’ but better because it’s full of humanism. I really loved that,” the director tells Variety. “I hope that it can work on two levels. It’s full of humanism, but it also shows that as humans, we shouldn’t always put ourselves first.” His protagonist, Pasi, needs to understand that as well. In the sterile future, nature and animals no longer exist. At least, that’s…

Vanessa Obioha One of Nollywood’s most iconic actors, Olu Jacobs, has passed away at 84. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death on Instagram this morning. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo.” Born Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs on July 11, 1942, the late Jacobs was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry. He began his acting career in British television series and international films before returning to Nigeria. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic…

On Monday, police said that one of them was Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a runner whose disappearance last week sparked a frantic and public search for her.President Ramaphosa said he had directed that the cases be prioritised: “Our law enforcement agencies are working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.”South Africa experiences some of the world’s highest levels of gender-based violence (GBV), with the rate at which women are killed five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women.The discoveries of the bodies have sparked outrage and fear across the country,…

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan attends the annual Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, June 2, 2026. Tsai Hsin-han | ReutersSK Hynix is in talks with Intel to manufacture its memory chips in the U.S. for the first time, Reuters reported Wednesday, sending shares of both companies higher in premarket trading. Intel rose 3.2% while SK Hynix’s Nasdaq-listed shares were 2.6% higher.Stock Chart IconStock chart iconIntel and SK Hynix shares year-to-date.Under one scenario, SK Hynix would lease part of Intel’s chipmaking facility in Ohio, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Intel and SK Hynix could also form a joint…