Houthi rebels gain territory in Yemen, 20th Asian Games begins, and more: The week in 5 charts

(1) Houthi rebels advance in YemenTensions in West Asia deepened as the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia exchanged fire last week, following the former’s capture of key regions along the Red Sea.Saudi Arabia’s air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca ‌before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, a spokesperson for ​the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Wednesday last week (September 16, 2026).Mecca is home to some of the ‌holiest sites in Islam and the focal point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, and ‌its ⁠security was a “red line”, the coalition spokesperson al-Malki said in the statement.The Houthis have seized ​control of parts of Yemen’s Red ‌Sea coast in recent days, overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s most important shipping straits, threatening Saudi Arabia’s oil exports rerouted from the Strait of Hormuz.(2) Japan’s Emperor opens Asian Games 2026 with colourful opening ceremonyThe Asian Games opened on Saturday (September 19, 2026) in Nagoya, Japan, with a colourful opening ceremony attended by the Indian contingent, led by Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat.Shot-put gold medallist Tajinderpal Singh Toor was originally chosen as the male flag-bearer, but he did not receive his official ceremonial kit and could not attend the event. He was replaced by kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat.At the last Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023, India won a record 106 medals, including 28 gold.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent competing at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, saying the athletes’ hard work and dedication had made the country proud.(3) Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s first ministers call for eventual independence from the United KingdomThe leaders of the main Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh parties on Monday last week (September 14) declared their right to “self determination” in a joint agreement signed at a rare meeting in the Welsh capital Cardiff. The three leaders are meeting in their capacity as party leaders, rather than as officials in their respective governments.All three parties - the Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru in Wales and the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland - want to break away from the U.K. but have different positions on how and when this might take place.Calls for independence from the United Kingdom have long been discussed by the three countries, with Switzerland calling for a referendum in 2014. This referendum, however, failed, because 55% of respondents voted to stay with the United Kingdom. However, calls for independence have come to the fore again, with three nationalist parties in power for the first time in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Here is a timeline showing how the United Kingdom was formed.(4) Merchant Discount Rate to be charged on UPI transactionsThe National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced a charge of 0.4% that most merchants will have to pay banks and payment processors on UPI payments they receive in excess of ₹2,000 per transaction. This change came in an circular on Tuesday last week (September 15).P2P transactions, or transactions between two individuals will not be charged this fee. It is to note that as of August this year, P2P transactions made up 70% of all transactions by value, and 37% of all transactions by volume. Additionally, 67% of transactions (by value) within P2M transactions are those with transacted amount above ₹2000.Furthermore, small merchants receiving up to ₹1 lakh per month via UPI QR codes under the Person-to-Person Merchant (P2PM) classification will not have to pay any MDR on any UPI transactions they receive. Essential sectors like railways, telecom, insurance, fuel sectors, agriculture inputs and others will be charged a flat MDR of ₹5 per transaction above ₹2,000 to ensure “cost stability in critical public services and thin-margin industries.”The MDR collected is sent to the recipient and paying banks, the UPI platform and the Payment Service Provider.(5) Key winners at the 78th Emmy AwardsWidow’s Bay, a horror comedy about a cursed New England town, led this year’s Emmy Award winners with a record 14 statuettes including best comedy, while ​emergency room drama The Pitt repeated as best drama at television’s highest honors.Apple TV’s, opens new tab Widow’s Bay overcame the final season of previous winner Hacks to earn the comedy prize on Monday night.Hacks star Jean Smart won her fifth Emmy for portraying tenacious stand-up comic Deborah Vance, and Matthew Rhys became the first person to win two lead acting honours at the same ceremony, including one for his role as a small-town mayor on Widow’s Bay.Smart’s accolade made her the first performer to win the Emmy for best comedy actress for every season of a show’s run.“What a ride this has been!” Smart said on stage after thanking the ​creators of the HBO Max show.(With inputs from agencies)