[{"id":"678d1989-6d20-4725-8b1d-26023e1c7c96","title":"China boosts crude oil, LNG imports from Canada as Ottawa-Washington relations sour","excerpt":"China sharply increased its imports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada in August amid an escalating trade dispute between Ottawa and Washington.\nThe country’s imports of Russian energy products also rose sharply last month, as geopolitical risks including war in Iran accelerated Beijing’s efforts to diversify its energy supplies.\nCustoms data released on Sunday showed that the volume of China’s crude oil imports from Canada rose nearly 35 per cent year on year in August,...","url":"https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3368210/china-boosts-crude-oil-lng-imports-canada-ottawa-washington-relations-sour?utm_source=rss_feed","source":"SCMP","region":"Indo-Pacific","published_at":"2026-09-21T08:00:08+00:00","summary":["China increased crude oil imports from Canada by nearly 35 percent year-on-year in August.","China sharply increased liquefied natural gas imports from Canada in August amid Ottawa-Washington trade dispute.","China's imports of Russian energy products rose sharply in August according to customs data.","Beijing is diversifying energy supplies due to geopolitical risks including war in Iran.","China released customs data on Sunday showing energy import changes for August."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"a1dff5b1-d63b-4d18-bb28-66c0bfbcc42e","title":"Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study","excerpt":"Scientists in China have simulated a drone attack on one of the country’s major suspension bridges to determine the vulnerability of key transport hubs to modern warfare tactics.\nThe researchers found that a drone carrying just 30kg (66lb) of TNT could trigger a bridge collapse if it detonated within inches of the main suspension cable at the point where it meets a support tower.\nThe targeted bridge strikes that have featured in Russia’s war on Ukraine showed that warfare has shifted from mass..","url":"https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3368205/some-chinas-11000-mega-bridges-could-be-risk-small-drones-study?utm_source=rss_feed","source":"SCMP","region":"Indo-Pacific","published_at":"2026-09-21T08:00:05+00:00","summary":["Chinese scientists simulated drone attacks on suspension bridges to assess vulnerability to modern warfare tactics.","A 30kg TNT payload drone detonating near suspension cables at tower connection points could trigger bridge collapse.","China has approximately 11,000 mega bridges identified as potentially at risk from small drone attacks.","Targeted bridge strikes in Russia's war on Ukraine demonstrated shifted warfare tactics toward critical infrastructure."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"34669069-a743-4586-846d-1bb65235916e","title":"Seven Ethiopian rebel groups form new alliance","excerpt":"The groups have been active in Ethiopia's most populous regions for years and now say they will work together.","url":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckp84pj8zpngo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","source":"BBC World","region":"Global","published_at":"2026-09-21T07:35:16+00:00","summary":["Seven Ethiopian rebel groups have formed a new alliance to coordinate activities.","The rebel groups have been active in Ethiopia's most populous regions for years.","The groups stated they will work together through the new alliance."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"24d677d8-e48b-42c5-aa7d-85e5de655d91","title":"US suffers 'historic and shameful defeat' in war on Iran, IRGC spokesperson says","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nUS suffers 'historic and shameful defeat' in war on Iran, IRGC spokesperson says\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                 IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said that the US has \"failed\" in its war on Iran, calling it \"a historic and shameful defeat\".\n\n\"America has failed in this war, and its defeat is a historic and shameful defeat, but it does not have the courage to admit and accept this defeat,\" he said. \n\n\"The defeat of the United States and the Zionist re","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-suffers-historic-and-shameful-defeat-war-iran-irgc-spokesperson-says","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T07:14:08+00:00","summary":["IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi characterized US actions as a 'historic and shameful defeat' in war on Iran.","Mohebbi stated the US has 'failed' in its war on Iran according to IRGC claims.","Mohebbi accused the US of lacking 'courage to admit and accept' its alleged defeat."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"8e46bdaa-5ace-4fcd-83c8-d6f2d6654fbe","title":"IRGC warns of 'significant changes' if US launches fresh attacks","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nIRGC warns of 'significant changes' if US launches fresh attacks\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson warned of \"significant changes\" in Tehran's operations in the event of a new US attack.\n\n\"Those changes include a shift in the geography of war, and a shift in weapons and military equipment,\" Hossein Mohebbi said. \"We will bring new weapons with new capabilities into the battlefield, and the worl","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irgc-warns-significant-changes-if-us-launches-fresh-attacks","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T06:58:39+00:00","summary":["IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi warned of 'significant changes' if the US launches fresh attacks on Iran.","Mohebbi stated potential changes include a shift in the geography of war and shift in weapons and military equipment.","The IRGC indicated it would introduce new weapons with new capabilities into the battlefield in response to US attack."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[1]},{"id":"8e2b1d08-bf96-413a-a5c2-215b19da9501","title":"Morning update","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nMorning update\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Good morning Middle East Eye readers,\n\nHere are the latest developments: \n\n\n\t\n\tIran's  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that its new advanced aerospace defence system \"intercepted and destroyed\" another American MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.  \n\t\n\t\n\tExplosions at a weapons depot in the early hours of Monday in al-Eis, southern Aleppo, wounded at least four. The cause of the blasts, whic","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/morning-update-627","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T06:23:31+00:00","summary":["Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its aerospace defence system intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.","Explosions at a weapons depot in al-Eis, southern Aleppo occurred in early Monday hours, wounding at least four people.","The cause of the explosions at the al-Eis weapons depot remains unknown as of the report date."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"56cf3e36-446a-4e55-80db-d7b659277ea0","title":"New Zealand naval ships transit contested Taiwan Strait","excerpt":"China says it alone exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait, though Taipei rejects Beijing’s claims.","url":"https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/new-zealand-naval-ships-transit-contested-taiwan-strait","source":"Straits Times","region":"Indo-Pacific","published_at":"2026-09-21T05:45:00+00:00","summary":["New Zealand naval ships transited the Taiwan Strait in the Indo-Pacific region.","China claims sole sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait.","Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims over the strait.","The Taiwan Strait remains contested between China and Taiwan over control and jurisdiction."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[3]},{"id":"12846e7e-8928-4519-8b0d-e96f6fd12db6","title":"Putin's party set to retain power after Russia vote hit by cyberattacks, drones","excerpt":"Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party won a large majority in the country’s parliamentary elections, marked by cyberattacks and a barrage of Ukrainian drone strikes, according to results published by state media early Monday.\nThe election, held to elect members in all seats of the lower house State Duma, is the first since Moscow launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.\nNo party opposed to the war was allowed to run, with Russia’s Supreme Court removing the anti-war Yabloko pa","url":"https://www.dawn.com/news/2031561/putins-party-set-to-retain-power-after-russia-vote-hit-by-cyberattacks-drones","source":"Dawn","region":"South Asia","published_at":"2026-09-21T05:28:40+00:00","summary":["United Russia party won a large majority in Russia's parliamentary elections according to state media results published early Monday.","Russian parliamentary elections were marked by cyberattacks and Ukrainian drone strikes during the voting period.","The election filled all seats of the lower house State Duma and was the first since Russia's 2022 large-scale invasion of Ukraine.","Russia's Supreme Court removed the anti-war Yabloko party from running in the parliamentary elections.","No party opposed to the war was allowed to run in Russia's parliamentary elections."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"91a3d008-984d-4a54-9de4-1b61b79a41f5","title":"Iran’s military says US preparing to resume strikes","excerpt":"Tehran threatens retaliation as Trump weighs military action while Qatar pushes to revive talks.","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/21/irans-military-says-us-preparing-to-resume-strikes?traffic_source=rss","source":"Al Jazeera","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T05:21:41+00:00","summary":["Iran's military claims the US is preparing to resume strikes against Iranian targets.","Tehran has threatened retaliation in response to reported US military preparations.","Trump is weighing military action against Iran according to the reported details.","Qatar is actively pushing to revive diplomatic talks between the US and Iran."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[1]},{"id":"1dcdff02-254e-4c0c-ab93-d4dfcf6c17b8","title":"IRGC says it downed another US MQ-1 drone over Hormuz Strait","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nIRGC says it downed another US MQ-1 drone over Hormuz Strait\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Iran's  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that its new advanced aerospace defense system \"intercepted and destroyed\" another American MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.  \n\n\"Due to the destruction of a large portion of the MQ9s, the US has been forced to use this drone again, and by God's grace, both of them are being extensively hunted ","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irgc-says-it-downed-destroyed-another-us-mq-1-drone-over-hormuz-strait","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T04:54:23+00:00","summary":["IRGC claimed it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.","IRGC stated it used an advanced aerospace defense system to down the American drone.","IRGC said US has resumed using MQ-1 drones after losing a large portion of MQ-9s.","IRGC indicated both MQ-1 and MQ-9 drones are being actively targeted by Iranian forces.","Incident location specified as Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East region."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"90fa0fc3-78cb-4eba-b918-18b49f46128d","title":"Watch: Francesca Albanese on Macklemore, Miliband and the road to beating Apartheid in Israel","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nWatch: Francesca Albanese on Macklemore, Miliband and the road to beating Apartheid in Israel\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Francesca Albanese spoke to UNAPOLOGETIC on the Ed Sheeran-Macklemore debacle, UK sanctions on West Bank settlements, the changing discourse on Israel, and building allyship and solidarity to beat Apartheid in Israel.\n\nWatch the full interview below:\n\n\n\n      \n  \n\n","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/watch-francesca-albanese-macklemore-miliband-and-road-beating-apartheid","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T04:19:11+00:00","summary":["Francesca Albanese discussed UK sanctions on West Bank settlements in an interview with UNAPOLOGETIC.","Macklemore and Ed Sheeran were subjects of discussion in Albanese's interview regarding Israel-related discourse.","Albanese addressed changing discourse on Israel and strategies for building allyship against apartheid in Israel."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"90d72847-2c1c-471c-968e-c61e6ef3f820","title":"Massive explosions at Syrian army weapons depot near Aleppo","excerpt":"Explosions rocked a Syrian army ammunition depot south of Aleppo, injuring at least four people.","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/9/21/09-21-aleppo-depot-explosions-reported-mp4?traffic_source=rss","source":"Al Jazeera","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T04:19:00+00:00","summary":["Explosions occurred at a Syrian army ammunition depot located south of Aleppo.","At least four people were injured in the explosions at the weapons depot.","The incident involved a Syrian army weapons storage facility in the Aleppo region."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[9]},{"id":"9bbffe2c-ffb4-4c9f-86bd-58ecf70ee094","title":"Yemen's Giants Brigades claim attacks on Houthi military vehicles, say all aboard killed","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nYemen's Giants Brigades claim attacks on Houthi military vehicles, say all aboard killed\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Yemen’s government-affiliated Giants Brigades claimed attacks on five Houthi military vehicles on the Kahbub front overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, killing everyone aboard. \n\n      \n  \n\n","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/yemens-giants-brigades-claim-attacks-houthi-military-vehicles-say-all","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T03:58:52+00:00","summary":["Yemen's Giants Brigades claimed attacks on five Houthi military vehicles on the Kahbub front.","The Kahbub front overlooks the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.","Giants Brigades claimed all personnel aboard the five Houthi vehicles were killed.","Giants Brigades are government-affiliated forces in Yemen."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"d0783340-3ebe-496b-aa8a-48f901e76e66","title":"Hegseth kicks off ‘Send Me Tour’ in attempt at gaining support for war on Iran","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nHegseth kicks off ‘Send Me Tour’ in attempt at gaining support for war on Iran\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is attempting to bolster support for the unpopular US-Israel war on Iran by visiting military training programs across the country and launching a new “Send Me” tour of duty.\n\nThe initiative draws on biblical verses and links an interpretation of Christian scripture to the historical expansion of US military power and its cur","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hegseth-kicks-send-me-tour-attempt-gaining-support-war-iran","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T01:45:43+00:00","summary":["US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launched a 'Send Me Tour' to gain support for war on Iran.","Hegseth is visiting military training programs across the country as part of the tour initiative.","The tour draws on biblical verses to link Christian scripture interpretation to US military expansion.","The US-Israel war on Iran is described as unpopular in the excerpt."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[1]},{"id":"4b517091-9cd9-42ad-9879-d48be7310119","title":"Gaza authorities announce plan to demolish 255 war-damaged buildings","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nGaza authorities announce plan to demolish 255 war-damaged buildings\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Gaza’s Government Media Office has announced the launching an \"urgent emergency plan\", where 255 buildings damaged by Israeli attacks across the besieged enclave will be demolished.\n\n\"As part of the comprehensive management of this crisis, relevant ministries have issued strict directives to their departments to immediately initiate field operations and implement","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-authorities-announce-plan-demolish-255-war-damaged-buildings","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T01:41:12+00:00","summary":["Gaza's Government Media Office announced an urgent emergency plan to demolish 255 war-damaged buildings across the enclave.","The 255 buildings targeted for demolition were damaged by Israeli attacks according to Gaza authorities.","Relevant ministries issued strict directives to departments to immediately initiate field operations for the demolition plan."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[1]},{"id":"cfe776ef-6558-4e83-9e7e-9934b3bf5deb","title":"Powerful explosions at Syrian army site near Aleppo injure at least four","excerpt":"Officials urge civilians to stay away from the site in al-Eis near Aleppo after a series of explosions.","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/21/powerful-explosions-at-syrian-army-site-near-aleppo-injures-at-least-four?traffic_source=rss","source":"Al Jazeera","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T01:30:46+00:00","summary":["Explosions occurred at a Syrian army site near Aleppo in the al-Eis area.","At least four people were injured in the series of explosions.","Officials issued warnings for civilians to avoid the affected site.","The incident involved multiple explosions rather than a single detonation."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[9]},{"id":"c656a566-f2b4-47f5-a882-6630eea6c1e5","title":"The Sahel and the UN: a smaller footprint, a different role","excerpt":"As UNGA 81 begins, the UN faces a changing Sahel demanding greater sovereignty.","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/21/the-sahel-and-the-un-a-smaller-footprint-a-different-role?traffic_source=rss","source":"Al Jazeera","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T00:53:15+00:00","summary":["The UN is reducing its operational footprint in the Sahel region.","Sahel nations are demanding greater national sovereignty from UN operations.","UN General Assembly session 81 (UNGA 81) is addressing Sahel policy changes.","The UN's role in the Sahel is shifting to accommodate regional demands."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"0c3f6823-2e81-4ef2-a19c-51204fde1e71","title":"Ethiopian armed groups forge alliance against government","excerpt":"Former adversaries say they will settle differences as fears grow of expanding war in Ethiopia.","url":"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/21/ethiopian-armed-groups-forge-alliance-against-government?traffic_source=rss","source":"Al Jazeera","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T00:34:30+00:00","summary":["Former adversaries among Ethiopian armed groups have formed an alliance against the government.","The armed groups cite concerns about expanding war in Ethiopia as motivation for their alliance.","Previously hostile Ethiopian armed groups are settling their differences to unite politically.","The alliance represents a shift from prior conflict between these Ethiopian armed groups toward coordination against the central government."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]},{"id":"ba4e9a37-6f71-4396-8249-b0dfa0ab4fd8","title":"Explosions in Syria's Aleppo result in injuries, civil defence says","excerpt":"\n\n  \n      \n      \nExplosions in Syria's Aleppo result in injuries, civil defence says\n\n    \n    \n\n        \n    \n                Civil defence in Aleppo indicated that explosions in the southern countryside of the province have left several injured, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.\n\nThe head of civil defence operations in Aleppo, Faisal Muhammad Ali, said that explosions were still ongoing in al-Eis, hindering the arrival of more ambulance and rescue teams to the site.\n\nHe also warned civ","url":"https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/explosions-syrias-aleppo-result-injuries-civil-defence-says","source":"Middle East Eye","region":"Middle East","published_at":"2026-09-21T00:19:57+00:00","summary":["Explosions occurred in southern countryside of Aleppo province, causing several injuries according to Syrian state news agency SANA.","Faisal Muhammad Ali, head of civil defence operations in Aleppo, reported explosions were ongoing in al-Eis at time of statement.","Ongoing explosions in al-Eis prevented ambulance and rescue teams from reaching the affected site, according to civil defence head."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[9]},{"id":"c3cbe1a3-d904-4e2b-a8c5-15a9dfe2cc05","title":"Russia's elections had few surprises - but how the Kremlin uses the results will be crucial","excerpt":"Vladimir Putin will likely use the result to claim most Russians back the so-called special military operation in Ukraine, writes the BBC's Steve Rosenberg.","url":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx4gqv239043o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","source":"BBC World","region":"Global","published_at":"2026-09-21T00:05:11+00:00","summary":["Vladimir Putin may use election results to claim Russian public backing for the military operation in Ukraine.","The BBC's Steve Rosenberg characterized Russia's elections as having few surprises.","How the Kremlin uses election results will be crucial to understanding political implications."],"clicks":0,"matched_conflicts":[]}]