The world stage was a flurry of diplomatic tensions, technological advancements, and economic shifts on September 12, 2025. From the halls of the United Nations to the vast expanse of space, key global events unfolded, shaping international relations and domestic economies.
UN Security Council Denounces Israeli Strike in Doha, Citing Sovereignty Concerns
The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to address a recent Israeli airstrike on a residential compound in Doha, Qatar, which targeted Hamas officials. The strike, occurring on Tuesday, September 9th, resulted in civilian casualties, including a Qatari security officer, and drew swift international condemnation. All 15 Security Council members, including the United States, agreed on a statement expressing “deep regret at the loss of civilian life” and underscoring their solidarity with Qatar, while urging regional states to avoid provocative actions.
While the statement did not explicitly name Israel, UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo stated that the attack violated Qatar’s sovereignty and posed a serious threat to regional peace and security, potentially undermining fragile mediation efforts for peace in Gaza. Representatives from France, Britain, Denmark, and China strongly denounced the operation. Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, defended the strike as a message to “terrorists everywhere” that they would not find safe haven, stating that Israel would act against terror leaders wherever they are. Reports suggested that intended Hamas leaders evaded the strike after distancing themselves from their phones. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, accused Israel of sabotaging peace efforts, while the United States termed the strike “regrettable” but reiterated that Hamas must release hostages immediately. The White House confirmed it was not informed of the strike in advance, and US President Donald Trump reportedly criticized the operation, suggesting it did not advance Israeli or American goals.
Houthi Missile Claims Escalate Yemen-Israel Tensions
In parallel, Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility on Thursday for launching a “hypersonic ballistic missile” and three drones toward Israel. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated that the missile and one drone targeted unspecified sites in Israel’s Negev desert, while two other drones were aimed at Ramon Airport in Eilat. The Israeli military reported intercepting two threats with no damage or casualties, though air raid sirens were triggered in southern Israel.
These claims follow a day after Israeli airstrikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa resulted in at least 35 deaths and over 130 injuries, according to Houthi-run health authorities. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks against Israel since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their attacks have escalated following a recent Israeli strike in Sanaa that killed 12 senior Houthi members. Subsequent reports indicate claims of a “Palestine-2” hypersonic ballistic missile targeting areas near Jerusalem and Eilat, with Israel stating it intercepted these projectiles.
China and Indonesia Deepen Economic Ties with Local Currency Settlement Framework
Enhancing bilateral trade, the central banks of China and Indonesia officially launched a local-currency settlement framework for their trade and investment transactions on Thursday, September 11th. This initiative aims to increase the efficiency of transactions, reduce conversion costs, and bolster financial stability. The new framework is an upgrade from the previous cooperation established in 2020, expanding local currency settlements to cover all balance of payments items.
Alongside this, the two nations also initiated a two-way trial of a cross-border QR code payment system, which is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2025. Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, and Perry Warjiyo, governor of Bank Indonesia, hailed these developments as significant achievements in financial cooperation. Local currency transactions between China and Indonesia exceeded $6.2 billion in the first seven months of 2025, representing approximately 45% of Indonesia’s total local currency trade volume with its partners. Indonesia has similar agreements with Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand.
Namibia Mobilizes $1.7 Billion for Green Hydrogen Ambitions
Namibia is set to mobilize approximately $1.7 billion USD to fuel its burgeoning green hydrogen projects, marking a significant shift from planning to implementation. The announcement came as the Global African Hydrogen Summit concluded in Windhoek, drawing over 1,500 participants from more than 75 countries. James Mnyupe, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Commissioner, stated that the funds are intended to be brought home and deployed into projects.
The country is positioning itself as a continental hub for green hydrogen, with planned facilities including the Daures ammonia sulphate plant, hydrogen refueling stations, and the launch of zero-emission green iron production. The summit, themed “Ambition in Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution,” also saw the launch of a nationwide skills census to map the workforce for the emerging green hydrogen industry. Namibia’s strategy focuses on creating value-added products such as green ammonia and green iron, supporting decarbonization efforts globally and driving local industrialization. To support these ambitions, Namibia plans to establish the African Sustainable Industrialization Institute in Windhoek as a center of excellence. The country’s Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Policy is also targeted to be translated into law by the second quarter of 2025, aiming to provide certainty for stakeholders and investors.
Australian Milk Production Declines Amid Global Supply Surges
Australia’s milk production is forecast to decline by 1.7% in the 2025/26 season, reaching 8.05 billion liters, according to a report by Rabobank’s RaboResearch division. This follows a 0.7% year-on-year fall in the 2024/25 season. The contraction is attributed to drought conditions and feed shortages, particularly impacting states like Victoria and Tasmania, where July output was down 4% at the season’s start. While above-average rainfall is forecast for the coming months, soil moisture remains a concern, and high hay prices continue to pressure dairy farmers.
In stark contrast, global milk supply is rising across key dairy-exporting regions. The “Big 7” exporting regions—New Zealand, the European Union, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, and Australia—are expected to see an 1.8% year-on-year increase in milk supply in the latter half of 2025. This global surge, driven by factors like improved farm margins and favorable weather in other regions, puts pressure on markets. Despite the domestic decline, Australian farmgate milk prices for 2025/26 are approximately 10% higher than the previous season, and exports saw a 1.5% rise in volume and a 12% gain in value during 2024/25.
Türkiye’s Central Bank Continues Interest Rate Cuts
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB) continued its monetary easing cycle, reducing the 1-week repo rate by 250 basis points from 43.00% to 40.50% on September 11, 2025. This decision, which was larger than many market expectations, marks the second consecutive cut and follows a 300 basis point reduction in July. The TCMB cited a slowdown in the underlying trend of inflation in August and disinflationary demand conditions as key drivers for the move.
Despite the easing, the bank’s forward guidance suggests a cautious approach, emphasizing that policy decisions will be “meeting-to-meeting” and contingent on inflation data and global economic conditions. Panelists anticipate further rate cuts, with projections for the end of 2025 ranging between 32.00% and 38.00%. The TCMB has also signaled no changes to its macroprudential framework, indicating a continued focus on disinflation.
Russian Cargo Spacecraft Docks with ISS
Ensuring the continuous resupply of the International Space Station (ISS), Russia’s Progress MS-32 (also identified as Progress 93) cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the orbital outpost on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Launched aboard a Soyuz rocket on September 11th from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the unpiloted freighter delivered approximately 2.8 to 3 tons of essential supplies, including food, water, propellant, and scientific equipment, for the Expedition 73 crew.
The Progress spacecraft will remain attached to the ISS’s Zvezda module for about six months, supporting ongoing experiments and station operations. This mission underscores the vital logistical chain that sustains human presence in space, with future cargo deliveries from other international partners also on the manifest. The successful docking highlights the ongoing international cooperation aboard the ISS, despite broader geopolitical tensions.
These diverse global events paint a picture of a world navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, driving towards sustainable energy solutions, managing economic interdependencies, and pushing the boundaries of space exploration. The news from September 12, 2025, underscores the interconnectedness of our planet and the ongoing pursuit of stability, progress, and innovation.