Al Jazeera

The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefited from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. But Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified its branch in Saxony-Anhalt as a proven right-wing extremist group, a label the AfD rejects. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists there can be no co-operation with the AfD, and mainstream German parties have been maintaining a 'firewall' against forming coalitions with the far-right. But it's not clear if the strategy will hold.

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. And he's hoping to win another term when voters choose a new parliament next month. He's spent most of the past three years fighting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran. His aim was to end what he calls the existential threat from Israel's enemies. On October 27, his leadership will be put to the test, as recent opinion polls suggest the opposition is in the lead. So, does Netanyahu stand a chance of staying in power?

It's been dormant for decades... But the row between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands has been revived. It started with a joint British-Israeli oil exploration project off the archipelago's north coast -- to which Buenos Aires vehemently objected. President Javier Milei has now threatened to impose sanctions on companies operating there. His push to reclaim the islands was bolstered by Donald Trump's comment that he may reconsider Washington's position on the territory. Britain and Argentina went to war over the islands more than four decades ago. Could the dispute escalate into another armed confrontation?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the U.S. has provided Kyiv with billions of dollars in military assistance. Much of it was delivered during the Biden administration. President Donald Trump is now complaining that those weapons and ammunition were transferred free of charge. He says Europe should have covered the cost, and that the U.S. will be asking for that money back. Funding Ukraine’s defences against Russia has been a thorny issue between the U.S. and its European allies. With no end in sight to the fighting, will the two sides reach common ground—and keep supporting Kyiv?

Israeli settler violence against Palestinians intensifies, while plans to expand illegal settlements forge ahead. Israel's largest trading partner, the European Union, has condemned the attacks. But the bloc is split on taking action. Could that change?

The Achilles Shield is one of the largest military deals in Israel's history. It will see Greece take delivery of a multilayered air defence system to counter what it and Israel say are common threats. The multibillion-dollar agreement comes as tensions increase between Greece and Turkiye. The neighbours have been at odds over a range of territorial issues for more than five decades. Relations between Israel and Turkiye have also deteriorated. With Israel and Greece strengthening their alliance, what are the ramifications for the region?

On August 7, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a security agreement in Mecca. Now their defence and foreign affairs ministers are working out how to turn the pact into an operational framework. The terms clearly state that an attack against one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all of them. The Istanbul meeting focuses on coordinating defence production capabilities and deepening cooperation in the industry. But what are the hurdles to these three countries forming a functioning military and security model?

A new deal between Caracas and Washington would give US companies access to more than a fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. But there's opposition in Venezuela - as well as debate about whether the plan is legal. What could the agreement mean?

The role of climate change in Wednesday's disaster in Nepal is under scrutiny by scientists - trying to find out what caused the catastrophe. Elsewhere, countries around the world have been hit by more severe weather events in recent months. So, what lessons can be learned from the Nepal disaster - and others this year?

After nearly six months of war, the US appears to be taking a different approach to Iran. President Donald Trump said Washington will carry out what he described as a 'crushing economic operation'. Attempts to reach an agreement to end the war have stalled. Now, the US is calling on other countries to join what it calls the greatest co-ordinated economic isolation in the history of the world. For its part, Iran says that any countries joining the US campaign would be treated as enemies. What does this mean for the conflict?

An Israeli attack on a Syrian air base has been widely condemned. The US Special Envoy warns it could have caused a direct confrontation with Turkish forces. So, why did Israel attack the base? And what are the implications?

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema boasts about the economic recovery achieved under his leadership. Now, he is seeking a second term in office. The vote is drawing international attention because the southern African nation is rich in critical minerals. But most Zambians don't reap the benefits of that wealth. The World Bank says 70% of the population survives on less than $3 a day. So, how will the outcome of these elections shape Zambia's politics?

Sudan's army says it's making gains in a counter-offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces - after more than three years of conflict. The government has also begun a push to unite political groups. So, how significant are these developments?

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the U.S.-brokered 15-point peace plan for Gaza. What are the consequences for Palestinians? And what risks for Netanyahu in defying Donald Trump?

It's an election aimed at strengthening democracy in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. But the situation rapidly deteriorated as the vote got underway. Dozens of people were killed in confrontations between protesters and security forces. The violence followed weeks of protests by a now-banned group that is calling for electoral reforms. The government in Islamabad has conditioned any changes on a constitutional amendment. The chaos that accompanied the first phase of the vote is one of the biggest political challenges facing Pakistan since the beginning of the Kashmir conflict almost eight decades ago. How will it shape the future of the region?

What started as an online satire has now transformed into a major, nationwide movement that's challenging India's government. The so-called 'Cockroach Janta Party', burst onto the political scene in May after crucial exam papers were leaked, triggering a public outcry. But concerns have now broadened to include youth unemployment, and other issues affecting young people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing what's likely the biggest challenge of his third term. And he's promised to crack down on the exam leaks-- But the protest leaders insist, that's not good enough. They say they won't back down- until the Minister of Education out of office. So, will this lead to a lasting change? and can the movement maintain its momentum?

Some call it the Gate of Tears. Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea wields importance as a global shipping artery. This week, Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to use the strait as its next front in the war with the US. It says regional energy exports are 'either for everyone or for no one'. Such a move would mean relying on its Houthi allies in Yemen to block the shipping route. Iran's warning comes amid an escalation with the US, which has endangered last month's agreement. What would it mean for a volatile region -- and the global economy?

The leaders of NATO member states are meeting in Ankara, ostensibly to discuss increasing defence investment and long-term military support for Ukraine. But the war on Iran is hanging over the gathering. One of the most significant is freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - the vital waterway that Iran effectively closed for months. Ahead of the NATO summit, the US had called on European allies to help it secure the strait. They refused, with some arguing that the war has nothing to do the bloc. So, could the divide between the US and its allies be bridged in Ankara?

Ukrainian attacks have disrupted one-third of Russia's oil refining capacity, according to independent energy analysts. The resulting fuel shortage has forced Moscow to extend petrol export bans and restrict sales in more than 40 regions and Crimea. President Vladimir Putin says the strikes are not critical and insists the war will continue until his goals are met. Russia is continuing its attacks on Ukraine, including a huge strike on Kyiv on Thursday. So, can economic pressure on Russia bring an end to the war - which has stretched into a fifth year?

Beijing's new ethnic unity law strengthens Mandarin's position as the primary language of education, official business and public spaces across China. The government says the law's provisions on social cohesion and preventing separatism benefit everyone. But minority activists abroad say it will further erode the rights of groups such as Uighurs and Tibetans. They are also warning against a clause that states China can take action against those who violate the law outside of the country. Taiwan has echoed this criticism. Its government warns the law could be used to target people there who are critical of Beijing.