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You are reading an archived briefing, as published on 12 September 2026 (45 days before the latest briefing).

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Archives12 September 2026

Horizon — 12 September 2026

Saturday 12 September 2026

World Geopolitics Markets

Briefing for 12 September 2026. Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 35. Markets: Bitcoin $77,223 · VIX 15.84 · CAC 40 8,180 · Brent $104.61 · S&P 500 7,657 · Hang Seng 24,806

The last thirty days

World

A ferry fire in the Philippines and a school fire in the DRC are mourning the week, while flooding in Nepal continues to weigh on the region.

Top story
01

Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 35

Philippines · 4 sources

The death toll from the fire that ravaged a ferry in the Philippines has risen to 35, with dozens of people still reported missing. Rescue workers were able to access the wreck approximately 40 hours after the disaster began, slowed by toxic fumes and persistent heat.

Why it matters

It is one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region in recent months, with dozens of people still being searched for.

4 sources
BBC WorldBBC WorldStraits Times AsieThe Hindu Inde
02

Deadly fire at a school in Bukavu, DRC

A fire at a school in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, triggered a panic and a stampede that claimed the lives of at least 26 children, according to Unicef. Twenty-five other children were injured.

Why it matters

The tragedy sparked a wave of national emotion and raises questions about the safety of schools in the region.

1 source
Le Monde Interna
Democratic Republic of the Congo1 source
Nepal · 2 sources
03

Reconstruction after deadly flooding in Nepal

Nepalese authorities now estimate the reconstruction bill at 6.06 billion dollars following the August 26 disaster, which killed more than 1,400 people and left approximately 5,600 people missing. A survivor recounted surviving nine days trapped in a dark tunnel without food.

Why it matters

The human toll and reconstruction cost illustrate the exceptional scale of this natural disaster for the region.

2 sources
Straits Times AsieStraits Times Asie
Nepal
4 sources
04

Anthropic says it blocked malicious attempts to use its AI

The start-up Anthropic published a report detailing attempts to misuse its artificial intelligence models, including requests related to the manufacture of biological weapons and an influence operation targeting voters in Malaysia. These revelations come after the resignation of a company employee raising concerns about the existential risks of AI.

Why it matters

This report reignites global debate on the security risks posed by generative artificial intelligence.

4 sources
Courrier InternaBBC WorldStraits Times AsieThe Hindu Inde
4 sources
05

Train derailment in Normandy, 44 injured

A regional train operating the Rouen-Caen route derailed Friday evening in Seine-Maritime after hitting an unidentified object, injuring 44 people including an 18-year-old woman in serious condition. The train was carrying approximately 186 passengers; 130 firefighters and five medical teams were mobilized.

Why it matters

A railway accident of this scale, while national, draws international media attention for its toll.

4 sources
France24 MondeBBC WorldAl JazeeraThe Hindu Inde

Geopolitics

The advance of Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and the closure of the Saudi pipeline mark a clear regional escalation in the Middle East.

Top story
01

Houthi rebels take control of entire Yemeni Red Sea coast

4 sources

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have completed their takeover of the entire Yemeni coast bordering the Red Sea, securing access to the strategic Bab Al-Mandab strait and Perim island. This offensive, carried out in one week, killed several hundred people according to government officials.

Why it matters

Two months after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, this new chokepoint on a major trade route threatens global commerce and strengthens Iran's position against the United States.

4 sources
Le Monde InternaLe Monde InternaBBC WorldThe Hindu Inde
02

Saudi Arabia closes its East-West pipeline after drone attack

Saudi Arabia closed its East-West pipeline "as a precaution" following a drone attack launched from Iraq, a bypass route around the Strait of Hormuz connecting Abqaiq to Yanbu. Baghdad dismissed a military commander and opened an investigation into this attack from a border zone with Iran.

Why it matters

With the Strait of Hormuz already blocked and the Red Sea under Houthi control, the kingdom loses its main oil export routes, threatening global crude supplies.

4 sources
France24 MondeFrance24 MondeLe Monde InternaAl Jazeera
4 sources
4 sources
03

Putin warns that European deployment in Ukraine would be war against Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that a deployment of European troops on Ukrainian soil would amount to "a war against Russia", while assuring that no Russian threat to Europe existed. For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to adopt "right now" "severe" sanctions against Russia.

Why it matters

This warning comes as a UN official evokes the worst winter since the start of the Russian invasion for access to energy and water in Ukraine.

4 sources
France24 MondeLe Monde InternaBBC WorldThe Hindu Inde
4 sources
04

BRICS summit in New Delhi weighed down by ongoing wars

The BRICS summit, marking the group's twenty years, was held in New Delhi with the presence of Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as Xi Jinping. Internal divisions within the bloc limit its ability to mount a common response to tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Why it matters

This summit illustrates the difficulties of the Global South in collectively weighing on major international crises of the moment.

4 sources
Le Monde InternaLe Monde InternaBBC WorldSCMP Chine
4 sources
05

Electoral breakthrough of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, tensions in Germany

The sweeping victory of the far-right AfD party in the state of Saxony-Anhalt caused shockwaves in Germany and Europe. The AfD also filed a complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz after he accused it of promoting "ethnic cleansing" during a heated parliamentary exchange.

Why it matters

This breakthrough weakens the ruling coalition and revives debate over maintaining a cordon sanitaire against the far right in Europe.

4 sources
France24 MondeFrance24 MondeLe Monde InternaThe Hindu Inde
4 sources
06

North Korea fires ballistic missiles after joint maneuvers

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan region toward the sea, following joint military maneuvers between the United States, South Korea and Japan which it considers a provocation. The North Korean defense minister warned of possible "strong countermeasures".

Why it matters

These repeated firings maintain lasting tension in the Korean peninsula and directly involve several regional powers.

4 sources
Al JazeeraSCMP ChineStraits Times AsieThe Hindu Inde

Markets

Asian markets decline sharply, led by the Nikkei, while Middle East tensions push down the oil barrel despite the closure of Saudi sites.

Top story
01

Oil declines despite closure of Saudi pipeline

3 sources

The Brent barrel fell 2.81% to settle at 104.61 dollars, despite the closure of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and Houthi takeover of the Red Sea. Gold meanwhile rose 1.02% to 4,408.9 dollars, a sign of a search for safe-haven assets.

Why it matters

This paradoxical movement in oil despite geopolitical tensions reflects increased market uncertainty over global energy supply.

3 sources
France24 MondeLe Monde InternaBBC World
02

US inflation remains high in August

The US consumer price index rose 3.4% year-on-year in August, driven by soaring fuel, housing and gasoline costs. Prices rose 0.4% in August alone, after 0.1% in July.

Why it matters

This persistent inflation weighs on American purchasing power and complicates the Federal Reserve's task ahead of its rate decisions.

3 sources
Le Monde InternaLa TribuneBBC Business
3 sources
1 source
03

Esma alerts to risk of sharp stock market correction

The European markets regulator (Esma) believes that markets have indeed absorbed the geopolitical shock and rise in energy prices, but considers that valuations, particularly in technology, remain too high given slower growth.

Why it matters

This warning from a European regulator underscores a potential systemic risk for investors across the continent.

1 source
La Tribune
2 sources
04

Hedge funds intensify bets on French debt

Speculative funds, which account for more than half of European bond trading, are increasingly betting on French debt. France, which holds one of Europe's highest debt levels, is concerned about these creditors who could pose a threat of crisis.

Why it matters

Increased pressure on French sovereign debt would have repercussions across the eurozone given the country's economic weight.

2 sources
Le Monde EcoLe Monde Eco

Closing prices on 12 September 2026

Last close recorded for the briefing of 12 September 2026 (crypto: price at publication time, in US dollars). Information only, not financial advice. All markets and charts →

Today's indicators

Deterministic data, calculated by threshold or taken as-is from official sources — never judged by the model.

Markets

Closing prices and changes
ValueCloseChange
CAC 40 8,179.77 ↑ +0.78 %
DAX 25,568.56 ↑ +0.82 %
FTSE 100 10,650.44 ↑ +0.39 %
S&P 500 7,656.98 ↑ +0.86 %
Nasdaq 26,333.03 ↑ +0.96 %
Nikkei 225 64,011.34 ↓ -1.93 %
Hang Seng 24,805.63 ↓ -0.60 %
VIX 15.84 ↓ -11.21 %
Petrole Brent 104.61 ↓ -2.81 %
Gaz naturel 2.83 ↓ -0.11 %
Or 4,408.9 ↑ +1.02 %
EUR/USD 1.16 ↓ -0.07 %

General, non-personalized information. Does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell.

Crypto

Prices and changes of major cryptocurrencies
ValuePrice24h change
Bitcoin 77,223 USD ↓ -0.03 %
Ethereum 2,512.26 USD ↑ +1.88 %
BNB 731.55 USD ↑ +2.35 %
Solana 101.69 USD ↑ +1.99 %
XRP 1.36 USD ↑ +0.96 %

aucun seuil franchi, marches crypto calmes

General, non-personalized information. Does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell.

Supply chain

A combined reading of traffic through strategic straits and energy prices: two signals of the same possible tension on global supply chains. The more severe of the two prevails.

Energy prices and changes
ValuePriceChange
Petrole Brent 104.61 USD ↓ -2.81 %
Gaz naturel 2.83 USD ↓ -0.11 %
  • Bab el-Mandeb — traffic at 75% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Ormuz — traffic at 50% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Malacca — traffic at 93% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Suez — traffic at 100% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Panama — traffic at 100% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Bosphore — traffic at 73% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Gibraltar — traffic at 109% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Douvres — traffic at 98% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Taïwan — traffic at 104% of normal levels data from 6 September
  • Cap de Bonne-Espérance — traffic at 88% of normal levels data from 6 September

Ormuz — trafic a 50% de la normale (donnee du 2026-09-06)

International sanctions

Daily movement on the consolidated lists of OFAC (US Treasury) and the UN Security Council: the total almost never moves from one day to the next — the signal is the new entries since the last reading.

No new entries since the last reading.

19,388 entries tracked at OFAC (US Treasury) · 1,011 entries tracked at the UN

Cyber

30 ransomware claim(s) recorded worldwide over the last 48 hours (source: RansomLook). These are claims made by criminal groups on their own leak sites, never independently verified.

qilin

Imperial Healthcare Solutions

qilin claims to have compromised this organization.

direwolf

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

direwolf claims to have compromised this organization.

nightspire

Tuboaços da Amazônia Ltda.

nightspire claims to have compromised this organization.

dragonforce

Medical Department Store

dragonforce claims to have compromised this organization.

pear

Foss Inc.

pear claims to have compromised this organization.

fulcrumsec

Dustin Group

fulcrumsec claims to have compromised this organization.

Connectivity

Significant internet outages detected by IODA (Georgia Tech) over the last 48h.

  • Congo — traffic at 0% of normal levels
  • Myanmar — traffic at 10% of normal levels
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