Massive declines in the agricultural, transport and retail sectors have dragged the South African economy into recession after nearly a decade of growth. It is a huge blow to President Ramaphosa’s controversial reforms. GDP in the second quarter contracted by 0.7 percent compared to the first three months of the current year. South African national currency, the rand, extended declines against the US dollar to more than two percent as government bonds fell after the released data. Source RT
Gavin Williamson meeting the Ukrainian military on 19 September. Britain will commit further Royal Marine commandos and a naval attache to Ukraine in a bid to bolster defences against Russia, the Defence Secretary has announced. The extra troops will provide combat training to the Ukrainian military and help build the country’s naval capabilities. Source Forces Networks
Turkey will continue its counter-terrorism activities in Syria, according to a declaration issued by the country’s National Security Council (MGK) on Sept. 20. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Spain’s foreign minister revealed that US President Donald Trump suggested building a wall along the Sahara desert to stem the arrival of migrants, as he plans to do on the Mexican border. Source: The Local
