Jensen Huang seen with wife Lori in Paris in photos shared by daughter Madison

Karnataka challenges High Court verdict on quota hike

Who is Kimberly Powell, the woman Jensen Huang allegedly had a second affair with?

Russia is collecting monkey blood to help Putin live till 150 and beat death

Iranians selling liver tissue, kidney, testicles amid economic crisis: Report

Andhra to enact India’s 1st ‘Investors Protection Act’; got $345bn investment proposals since June 2024: Govt

India wins railway propulsion order from Japan, the home of bullet trains

WATCH | Hanuman Chalisa recited for 1st time at UK House of Lords

From Salman Khan-Nayanthara to Shraddha Kapoor-Randeep Hooda: Fresh Bollywood pairings to watch out for

Nvidia’s interim CEO Colette, board chair Harvey break silence in emails to staff: Here's what they  said?

Mumbai local train horror: Woman loses arm after confronting alleged harasser; accused arrested

Nuclear blast in space won't hit Earth directly. But what comes next will spell doom

Clashing Through the Snow trailer: Christopher Briney and Michelle Randolph's holiday road trip takes an unexpected romantic turn

Doomsday warning? Why governments are warning people to stockpile emergency supplies for 72 hours

Shot even after falling: CCTV captures chilling murder of former Tech Mahindra executive in Faridabad

'A Legend replaces a Legend': Trump backs Tim Cook to replace Jensen Huang as Nvidia CEO

Indian Navy demonstrates global reach with simultaneous operations from Atlantic to Pacific

New York building collapse kills at least 8, seven children among 19 injured: What caused the Brooklyn tragedy?

Nvidia ex-CEO Jensen Huang agrees to testify before US Congress after quitting over affairs

Soldier scolds Hegseth for laughing at Tomb of Unknown Soldier | Gravitas

Hindustan Shipyard (HSL) to fit Indian-made electronics on warships under new manufacturing pact

Who is Aarti Shah? Indian-origin Nvidia board member who could have a say in Jensen Huang's future at company

Epstein files show that an email dated one week after the 9/11- “Where is the real pilot?”

Kerala Police arrest Congress-allied body chief over fake ED notice extortion racket

Jensen Huang met Alice Huang through her husband who flaunted their closeness to clients, report claims

Aliens near US military base? Woman captures bizarre jellyfish-like UFO in Alaska | WATCH

Trump says he would not hesitate to resume military strikes on Iran if necessary

Ex-CEO Jensen Huang accused of having a third affair, with another Nvidia employee

Bystander filmed Jensen Huang with Kimberly Powell at San Jose hotel, was made to sign NDA

Swiss researchers find new way to detect date rape drug GHB for up to 72 hours. Here's how it works

Microsoft Outlook and Teams outage today: Was it a cyberattack or server error?

Nvidia CEO resigns: Will OpenAI, Microsoft and Google rethink their AI strategies?

Microsoft outage: Teams, Outlook, Microsoft 365 hit by glitches; company issues update

Salman Khan reacts to Ramayana's Rs 4,000 crore budget: 'I just don’t think...'

A kiss, then cane: Woman among six publicly flogged in Indonesia's Aceh under Sharia laws

Hegseth awards medal to soldier who admonished him at Arlington National Cemetery

Over the last few months, concerns were raised over the prolonged deployment of sailors aboard US USS Abraham Lincoln. While US President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had dismissed these concerns, the US Navy has now admitted that eight sailors aboard this warship attempted to commit suicide since the beginning of the Iran war.USS Abraham Lincoln spent 286 days at sea at a stretch, including a lengthy stint in West Asia for the Iran war, before having a brief layover at Thailand. The living conditions of Navy personnel aboard this warship have been under scrutiny, with sailors reportedly running out of something as basic as food, toothpaste and soap. Complaints also surfaced that they are working very long shifts, and some are rarely even getting a day off.Now, this is the first time US has formally acknowledged suicide attempts by military personnel during the Iran war. This disclosure was made in US Navy Secretary Hung Cao's letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had raised questions about the well-being of sailors.While Cao maintained that the warship has adequate food supply, he admitted that some meal options were reduced for a 'short time'. He also acknowledged problems with the ship's problems with R-O desalination units. The vessel’s expected U.S. arrival timeline remains a secret.Gillibrand, who is a member of the US Senate’s Armed Forces Committee, hit out at Trump and Hegseth for downplaying these concerns earlier.She said, “Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them, with open disrespect”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Gravitas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gravitas</a> | US admits sailors attempted suicide: 8 suicide attempts aboard USS Abraham Lincoln Warship spent 286 days at sea at a stretch; US Navy Secretary concedes that some meal options were reduced<a href="https://x.com/MollyGambhir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyGambhir</a> has more <a href="https://t.co/UObZXS7Cwy">pic.twitter.com/UObZXS7Cwy</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2103175677776408716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While the US Navy Secretary had stated in August that a small number of health issues were treated with no loss of life, Trump went to the extent of saying that USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment was not long enough.Initially, Hegseth had dubbed reports of poor living conditions and suicide attempts aboard this warship as completely misrepresented. He said, “We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide ​them at every single moment.”While the US Navy remains silent on whether disciplinary action was taken against the sailors who attempted suicide, American news portal MS NOW had reported one such case. According to the report, a Navy personnel who attempted suicide by jumping from this warship on August 3, due to mental stress, was charged for intentionally hurting himself to avoid service. He could reportedly end up losing half of his normal pay.Now, the Pentagon has also been accused of hiding US troop casualties during the Iran war. Last week, a Washington Post report claimed that 22 to 23 US personnel have died during the war, which is more than the official records. While Hegseth described this as a ‘complete lie’, the Pentagon quietly added a new fatality to its database on Monday, taking the official death toll of US soldiers to 19.As the Iran war drags on, the suicide attempts by US military personnel are also seen as a reflection of the sheer fatigue within the US military and the prevailing sentiment.

This is the first time US has formally acknowledged suicide attempts by military personnel during the Iran war. This disclosure was made in US Navy Secretary Hung Cao's letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had raised questions about the well-being of sailors.

Over the last few months, concerns were raised over the prolonged deployment of sailors aboard US USS Abraham Lincoln. While US President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had dismissed these concerns, the US Navy has now admitted that eight sailors aboard this warship attempted to commit suicide since the beginning of the Iran war. USS Abraham Lincoln spent 286 days at sea at a stretch, including a lengthy stint in West Asia for the Iran war, before having a brief layover at Thailand. The living conditions of Navy personnel aboard this warship have been under scrutiny, with sailors reportedly running out of something as basic as food, toothpaste and soap. Complaints also surfaced that they are working very long shifts, and some are rarely even getting a day off. Now, this is the first time US has formally acknowledged suicide attempts by military personnel during the Iran war. This disclosure was made in US Navy Secretary Hung Cao's letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had raised questions about the well-being of sailors. While Cao maintained that the warship has adequate food supply, he admitted that some meal options were reduced for a 'short time'. He also acknowledged problems with the ship's problems with R-O desalination units. The vessel’s expected U.S. arrival timeline remains a secret. Gillibrand, who is a member of the US Senate’s Armed Forces Committee, hit out at Trump and Hegseth for downplaying these concerns earlier. She said, “Our troops and their families make immense sacrifices every single day, yet the president dismissed them, with open disrespect”.

This is the first time US has formally acknowledged suicide attempts by military personnel during the Iran war. This disclosure was made in US Navy Secretary Hung Cao's letter to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who had raised questions about the well-being of sailors.

US admits 8 suicide attempts aboard USS Abraham Lincoln amid Iran war | GRAVITAS

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (Sep 24) called for deeper communication and cooperation with the United States, warning that growing rivalry between the two powers must not slide into military confrontation. Speaking at the start of his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Xi said both countries should work to understand their differences while building trust.“We should strengthen communication. China and the United States are different in national conditions, but through candid, in-depth and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground while shelving differences, and build up mutual trust,” Xi said.He urged the two countries to “coexist in peace” and said both sides would suffer from a conflict.“China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in a confrontation,” Xi said.<h2>Xi invokes ‘Thucydides trap’</h2>Xi also called for stronger military-to-military communication and better mechanisms to prevent crises from escalating.“Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue and improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention,” he said.The Chinese president said these measures could help the US and China avoid the “Thucydides trap”, a term used to describe tensions that can emerge when a rising power challenges an established one.“With such conditions in place, the Thucydides trap can be overcome,” Xi said.His comments came as Washington and Beijing remain locked in competition over trade, technology and artificial intelligence. Their meeting is also expected to cover Taiwan and other sensitive geopolitical issues.<h2>What Xi said on AI and trade</h2>Xi said the two countries have a shared responsibility in managing AI and should “ensure the development of AI is always under human control and serve the wellbeing of the people.”He also said China welcomes American companies and investors, while calling for Chinese firms to be “treated fairly” in the US.“China keeps its door wide open and welcomes American companies who want to do business and invest there,” he said. “We hope Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the United States”.The Chinese president invited 100,000 American students to visit China over the next five years for exchanges and study.Trump, meanwhile, praised his relationship with Xi, calling it a “truly great friendship” and saying the two nations had made “tremendous strides” on issues facing them.

Xi Jinping urged Donald Trump to strengthen US-China communication, warning both nations would lose in confrontation. He called for peace, military dialogue, AI cooperation and fair trade ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (Sep 24) called for deeper communication and cooperation with the United States, warning that growing rivalry between the two powers must not slide into military confrontation. Speaking at the start of his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Xi said both countries should work to understand their differences while building trust. “We should strengthen communication. China and the United States are different in national conditions, but through candid, in-depth and continued dialogue, our two countries can understand each other better, seek common ground while shelving differences, and build up mutual trust,” Xi said. He urged the two countries to “coexist in peace” and said both sides would suffer from a conflict. “China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in a confrontation,” Xi said. Xi invokes ‘Thucydides trap’ Xi also called for stronger military-to-military communication and better mechanisms to prevent crises from escalating. “Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue and improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention,” he said. The Chinese president said these measures could help the US and China avoid the “Thucydides trap”, a term used to describe tensions that can emerge when a rising power challenges an established one. “With such conditions in place, the Thucydides trap can be overcome,” Xi said. His comments came as Washington and Beijing remain locked in competition over trade, technology and artificial intelligence. Their meeting is also expected to cover Taiwan and other sensitive geopolitical issues. What Xi said on AI and trade Xi said the two countries have a shared responsibility in managing AI and should “ensure the development of AI is always under human control and serve the wellbeing of the people.” He also said China welcomes American companies and investors, while calling for Chinese firms to be “treated fairly” in the US. “China keeps its door wide open and welcomes American companies who want to do business and invest there,” he said. “We hope Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the United States”. The Chinese president invited 100,000 American students to visit China over the next five years for exchanges and study. Trump, meanwhile, praised his relationship with Xi, calling it a “truly great friendship” and saying the two nations had made “tremendous strides” on issues facing them.

Xi Jinping urged Donald Trump to strengthen US-China communication, warning that both nations would lose in a confrontation. He called for peace, military dialogue, AI cooperation and fair trade ties.

‘Both will lose in confrontation’: Xi says US and China should ‘coexist in peace’

Spacecraft are flown from the ground. Teams of engineers send commands, wait out the signal delay, and correct course. AstroForge says its next mission will do away with that entirely.&nbsp;The asteroid-mining startup says its Autonomy-1 spacecraft, booked to launch in early 2027, will be the first space mission to complete its objectives after separation from the rocket without a single command from Earth. Running it will be an AI system the company built in-house, called Solo.&nbsp;What Solo Is&nbsp;Solo is described as a transformer-based model — the same broad architecture behind large language models — trained to coordinate a spacecraft's onboard systems and make decisions in real time during flight.&nbsp;It does not replace the traditional flight software so much as sit on top of it. The company says Solo works above its existing deterministic, physics-based control code, and was trained on data from roughly 2,500 spacecraft sensors to handle anomalies — the unexpected faults that normally send a problem back to human controllers on the ground.&nbsp;Why Full Autonomy Is A Real Leap&nbsp;Deep-space missions already operate with heavy automation, because the distances make live human control impractical — a command can take many minutes to arrive. But there is a human in the loop, sending plans and responding to problems.&nbsp;Removing that entirely is different in kind. A fully autonomous craft has to diagnose and resolve its own faults, decide its own actions, and keep a mission on track with no one able to intervene in time. That is exactly the situation deep-space exploration faces at the edge of the solar system, which is why the capability matters beyond one startup.&nbsp;The Detail That Raises The Stakes&nbsp;This is not a bare technology demonstration flying an empty spacecraft.&nbsp;Autonomy-1 will carry a real scientific payload — a NASA heliophysics instrument — and Solo will be responsible for supporting that instrument's work as well as flying the ship. Putting a genuine science mission in the hands of an autonomous AI, rather than testing the AI in isolation first, is a meaningful bet on the system's reliability.&nbsp;The Sensible Caution&nbsp;It is worth being clear about what has and has not happened, because 'AI flies spacecraft alone' invites more certainty than the facts support.&nbsp;This is an announced plan for a 2027 launch, not a completed flight. The company also says its earlier next mission will run Solo in 'shadow mode' — the AI operating and making decisions onboard, but with those decisions not actually executed, so its judgement can be checked against reality before it is trusted with control. That is a prudent step, and it signals the full-autonomy claim is a destination, not yet a demonstrated result.&nbsp;There is also the obvious risk. An autonomous system that gets it wrong in deep space cannot be talked down by a ground team. The upside of removing the human is also the danger of removing the human.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether the shadow-mode mission validates Solo's decisions against what human controllers would have done. Whether Autonomy-1 launches on schedule in 2027 and completes its objectives unaided. And whether space agencies take interest, because reliable full autonomy is the capability that missions to the outer solar system have needed all along.

AstroForge says its 2027 Autonomy-1 mission will be the first spacecraft to run with no commands from Earth after separation, controlled by an in-house AI called Solo — and carrying a real NASA payload.

Spacecraft are flown from the ground. Teams of engineers send commands, wait out the signal delay, and correct course. AstroForge says its next mission will do away with that entirely. The asteroid-mining startup says its Autonomy-1 spacecraft, booked to launch in early 2027, will be the first space mission to complete its objectives after separation from the rocket without a single command from Earth. Running it will be an AI system the company built in-house, called Solo. What Solo Is Solo is described as a transformer-based model — the same broad architecture behind large language models — trained to coordinate a spacecraft's onboard systems and make decisions in real time during flight. It does not replace the traditional flight software so much as sit on top of it. The company says Solo works above its existing deterministic, physics-based control code, and was trained on data from roughly 2,500 spacecraft sensors to handle anomalies — the unexpected faults that normally send a problem back to human controllers on the ground. Why Full Autonomy Is A Real Leap Deep-space missions already operate with heavy automation, because the distances make live human control impractical — a command can take many minutes to arrive. But there is a human in the loop, sending plans and responding to problems. Removing that entirely is different in kind. A fully autonomous craft has to diagnose and resolve its own faults, decide its own actions, and keep a mission on track with no one able to intervene in time. That is exactly the situation deep-space exploration faces at the edge of the solar system, which is why the capability matters beyond one startup. The Detail That Raises The Stakes This is not a bare technology demonstration flying an empty spacecraft. Autonomy-1 will carry a real scientific payload — a NASA heliophysics instrument — and Solo will be responsible for supporting that instrument's work as well as flying the ship. Putting a genuine science mission in the hands of an autonomous AI, rather than testing the AI in isolation first, is a meaningful bet on the system's reliability. The Sensible Caution It is worth being clear about what has and has not happened, because 'AI flies spacecraft alone' invites more certainty than the facts support. This is an announced plan for a 2027 launch, not a completed flight. The company also says its earlier next mission will run Solo in 'shadow mode' — the AI operating and making decisions onboard, but with those decisions not actually executed, so its judgement can be checked against reality before it is trusted with control. That is a prudent step, and it signals the full-autonomy claim is a destination, not yet a demonstrated result. There is also the obvious risk. An autonomous system that gets it wrong in deep space cannot be talked down by a ground team. The upside of removing the human is also the danger of removing the human. What To Watch Whether the shadow-mode mission validates Solo's decisions against what human controllers would have done. Whether Autonomy-1 launches on schedule in 2027 and completes its objectives unaided. And whether space agencies take interest, because reliable full autonomy is the capability that missions to the outer solar system have needed all along.

The asteroid-mining company AstroForge says its 2027 Autonomy-1 mission will be the first spacecraft to complete its objectives with no commands from Earth after it separates from the launch vehicle. An in-house AI model called Solo will run the ship — and it will be carrying a real NASA science payload, not just a test.

A startup is handing full control of a spacecraft to an AI, with zero commands from Earth

US President Donald Trump said that the US and China have a relationship built on “mutual respect” and the two nations “forged a truly great friendship”. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the US on its 250th anniversary of independence and reminded that Chinese and US troops fought “shoulder to shoulder” against fascist aggression in WW2. He said that he was pleased to pay a state visit to the "beautiful" United States and was ready to work with Trump to steer the two-nation relationship towards a steady future.&nbsp;"Our teams have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship, including the new market access for American farmers and ranchers," said Trump while speaking at the White House during Chinese President Xi Jinping's second state visit. Trump claimed that since he was elected in 2016, the two nations have made “tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bishop-robert-barron-communism-comeback-us-fulton-sheen-beatification-1790256985319">Trump's Catholic ally Bishop Barron warns communism is ‘making a comeback’ in US ahead of Sheen beatification</a>"During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology and superintelligence. SI! The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come," he added.&nbsp;Trump also made an interesting quip that the US Marines are adopting the phrase "gung-ho", which means working together.Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that it was mutually beneficial for the US and China to work together; though they are different, they should co-operate with sincerity. Xi urged healthy competition, expressing responsibility for the mutual development of AI for good. Xi also added that he hopes “Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the US”Xi announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China in study exchange programmes over the next five years.&nbsp;"Let us meet the people's expectations and show our historical initiative; let us keep advancing the cause of friendship between our two peoples and work together to build a better world," he said.While co-operation between the two countries "may not solve every problem in the world", without it, it would be hard to solve many of the world's problems, Xi said.&nbsp;

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping called for cooperation and a stable US-China relationship, highlighting trade, AI, security and people-to-people ties.

US President Donald Trump said that the US and China have a relationship built on “mutual respect” and the two nations “forged a truly great friendship”. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the US on its 250th anniversary of independence and reminded that Chinese and US troops fought “shoulder to shoulder” against fascist aggression in WW2. He said that he was pleased to pay a state visit to the "beautiful" United States and was ready to work with Trump to steer the two-nation relationship towards a steady future. "Our teams have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship, including the new market access for American farmers and ranchers," said Trump while speaking at the White House during Chinese President Xi Jinping's second state visit. Trump claimed that since he was elected in 2016, the two nations have made “tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries”. Also Read: Trump's Catholic ally Bishop Barron warns communism is ‘making a comeback’ in US ahead of Sheen beatification "During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology and superintelligence. SI! The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come," he added. Trump also made an interesting quip that the US Marines are adopting the phrase "gung-ho", which means working together. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that it was mutually beneficial for the US and China to work together; though they are different, they should co-operate with sincerity. Xi urged healthy competition, expressing responsibility for the mutual development of AI for good. Xi also added that he hopes “Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the US” Xi announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China in study exchange programmes over the next five years. "Let us meet the people's expectations and show our historical initiative; let us keep advancing the cause of friendship between our two peoples and work together to build a better world," he said. While co-operation between the two countries "may not solve every problem in the world", without it, it would be hard to solve many of the world's problems, Xi said.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping called for cooperation and a stable US-China relationship, highlighting trade, AI, security and people-to-people ties.

Trump hails ‘mutual respect’ in US-China ties while welcoming Xi for second state visit

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Israeli policies had gone beyond threatening a two-state solution and were now putting the existence of the Palestinian people at risk.&nbsp;"The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the realisation of the Palestinian state. It has now come to threaten the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland," Abbas said.&nbsp;Addressing the UNGA through a pre-recorded video message, Abbas said people in Gaza were subject to a "genocidal war". He also said Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank "threaten the life and existence of Palestinian people on their own land".&nbsp;Abbas called for the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan to be accelerated. He also warned against Israeli plans to divide the West Bank into northern and southern zones.&nbsp;The Palestinian leader called on US President Donald Trump to "fulfil commitments" he made to Arab leaders to prevent the annexation of Palestinian lands.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-turns-away-cnn-ms-now-and-politico-reporters-despite-court-order-restoring-access-1790258656999">White House turns away CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters despite jugde order restoring access</a><h2>Abbas rejects US visa decision</h2>Abbas also criticised Washington's decision to deny him a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in person.&nbsp;"For the second consecutive year, the Palestinian delegation was denied the entry visas required to reach New York and participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in person. We reject these unlawful punitive measures, and we reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based.”&nbsp;The US State Department said the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation had “failed to live up to their commitments”. It accused the groups of “taking actions to internationalise the Israeli-Palestinian conflict including through the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice” and of “glorifying terrorism” among other allegations.&nbsp;Abbas rejected those accusations and said the Palestinian side had met its obligations.&nbsp;“We affirm that we have fulfilled our obligations, carried out a comprehensive national reform programme, and upheld our commitment to international law, to shunning violence and terrorism, and to the two-state solution and to peace based on resolutions of international legitimacy.”&nbsp;Abbas also thanked the "160 countries that have recognised the state of Palestine". He urged countries that have not yet recognised Palestine to do so and called for Palestine to receive full membership of the United Nations.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told the UN that Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank threaten the “very life and existence” of Palestinians, while calling for faster implementation of the Gaza peace plan and full UN membership for Palestine.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Israeli policies had gone beyond threatening a two-state solution and were now putting the existence of the Palestinian people at risk. "The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the realisation of the Palestinian state. It has now come to threaten the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland," Abbas said. Addressing the UNGA through a pre-recorded video message, Abbas said people in Gaza were subject to a "genocidal war". He also said Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank "threaten the life and existence of Palestinian people on their own land". Abbas called for the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan to be accelerated. He also warned against Israeli plans to divide the West Bank into northern and southern zones. The Palestinian leader called on US President Donald Trump to "fulfil commitments" he made to Arab leaders to prevent the annexation of Palestinian lands. Also Read: White House turns away CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters despite jugde order restoring access Abbas rejects US visa decision Abbas also criticised Washington's decision to deny him a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in person. "For the second consecutive year, the Palestinian delegation was denied the entry visas required to reach New York and participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in person. We reject these unlawful punitive measures, and we reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based.” The US State Department said the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation had “failed to live up to their commitments”. It accused the groups of “taking actions to internationalise the Israeli-Palestinian conflict including through the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice” and of “glorifying terrorism” among other allegations. Abbas rejected those accusations and said the Palestinian side had met its obligations. “We affirm that we have fulfilled our obligations, carried out a comprehensive national reform programme, and upheld our commitment to international law, to shunning violence and terrorism, and to the two-state solution and to peace based on resolutions of international legitimacy.” Abbas also thanked the "160 countries that have recognised the state of Palestine". He urged countries that have not yet recognised Palestine to do so and called for Palestine to receive full membership of the United Nations.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told the UN that Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank threaten the “very life and existence” of Palestinians, while calling for faster implementation of the Gaza peace plan and full UN membership for Palestine.

‘Very life and existence’ of Palestinians under threat from Israeli policies: Palestine President Abbas at UN

The companies building the world's most powerful AI are split across a hardening geopolitical divide. This week, for the first time, the UN Security Council tried to get them into one room.&nbsp;France, holding the rotating presidency of the Council, convened a session on AI and international security and invited developers from both sides of the US-China rivalry: OpenAI and Anthropic from the United States, and DeepSeek and Moonshot from China.&nbsp;Who Was In The Room&nbsp;The line-up was unusually broad for a Security Council briefing.&nbsp;OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei were expected to address the session. Hugging Face's chief executive, Clement Delangue, was also set to brief, as was Yoshua Bengio, a founding figure in modern AI who co-chairs a UN scientific panel on the technology. The Chinese firms DeepSeek and Moonshot were invited to make statements, though whether they would attend was less certain, and DeepSeek's founder was not expected in person.&nbsp;Why Sitting Them Together Matters&nbsp;AI risk does not respect borders. A capability developed in one country can be misused from another, and a safety failure anywhere can cascade everywhere.&nbsp;That makes AI one of the few areas where the US and China have a shared interest in some baseline of coordination, even as they compete fiercely on everything else. Getting their leading developers to address the same body is a small, symbolic step toward treating AI safety as a common problem rather than a purely national race. The Security Council is where the world convenes on threats that cross borders, and its choosing to host this signals that AI now sits in that category.&nbsp;The Reasons Not To Overstate It&nbsp;Symbolism is not agreement, and this deserves to be kept in proportion.&nbsp;A briefing is not a treaty. The participants came to make statements, not to sign anything, and there is no mechanism here that binds any company or country to a common standard. The uncertainty over whether the Chinese firms would even attend underlines how thin the shared ground is. And the session took place against a discordant backdrop: the US president had, days earlier, rejected international AI oversight outright, meaning the American government and the American companies in the room were not speaking with one voice.&nbsp;So the right reading is a first step with real symbolic weight and little binding force — worth noting precisely because so little formal cooperation on AI exists, not because this session created much.&nbsp;The Larger Context&nbsp;The meeting came weeks after some AI industry figures called publicly for a coordinated slowdown in the development of the most powerful systems, and while world leaders were gathered in New York for the General Assembly.&nbsp;That timing is not accidental. The people closest to the technology are increasingly saying, in public, that its pace worries them, and the Security Council session is an attempt to give that concern a venue at the highest level of international politics. Whether the venue leads anywhere is the open question.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether the Chinese firms participated, and what they said if so. Whether the session produces any follow-up structure — a working group, a standard, a repeat — or remains a one-off. And whether US-China AI contact at this level can survive a US government that has publicly called international oversight a threat to be resisted.

France convened a UN Security Council session on AI and international security bringing US firms OpenAI and Anthropic together with China's DeepSeek and Moonshot for the first time — symbolically weighty, but non-binding.

The companies building the world's most powerful AI are split across a hardening geopolitical divide. This week, for the first time, the UN Security Council tried to get them into one room. France, holding the rotating presidency of the Council, convened a session on AI and international security and invited developers from both sides of the US-China rivalry: OpenAI and Anthropic from the United States, and DeepSeek and Moonshot from China. Who Was In The Room The line-up was unusually broad for a Security Council briefing. OpenAI's Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei were expected to address the session. Hugging Face's chief executive, Clement Delangue, was also set to brief, as was Yoshua Bengio, a founding figure in modern AI who co-chairs a UN scientific panel on the technology. The Chinese firms DeepSeek and Moonshot were invited to make statements, though whether they would attend was less certain, and DeepSeek's founder was not expected in person. Why Sitting Them Together Matters AI risk does not respect borders. A capability developed in one country can be misused from another, and a safety failure anywhere can cascade everywhere. That makes AI one of the few areas where the US and China have a shared interest in some baseline of coordination, even as they compete fiercely on everything else. Getting their leading developers to address the same body is a small, symbolic step toward treating AI safety as a common problem rather than a purely national race. The Security Council is where the world convenes on threats that cross borders, and its choosing to host this signals that AI now sits in that category. The Reasons Not To Overstate It Symbolism is not agreement, and this deserves to be kept in proportion. A briefing is not a treaty. The participants came to make statements, not to sign anything, and there is no mechanism here that binds any company or country to a common standard. The uncertainty over whether the Chinese firms would even attend underlines how thin the shared ground is. And the session took place against a discordant backdrop: the US president had, days earlier, rejected international AI oversight outright, meaning the American government and the American companies in the room were not speaking with one voice. So the right reading is a first step with real symbolic weight and little binding force — worth noting precisely because so little formal cooperation on AI exists, not because this session created much. The Larger Context The meeting came weeks after some AI industry figures called publicly for a coordinated slowdown in the development of the most powerful systems, and while world leaders were gathered in New York for the General Assembly. That timing is not accidental. The people closest to the technology are increasingly saying, in public, that its pace worries them, and the Security Council session is an attempt to give that concern a venue at the highest level of international politics. Whether the venue leads anywhere is the open question. What To Watch Whether the Chinese firms participated, and what they said if so. Whether the session produces any follow-up structure — a working group, a standard, a repeat — or remains a one-off. And whether US-China AI contact at this level can survive a US government that has publicly called international oversight a threat to be resisted.

France used its turn chairing the UN Security Council to convene a session on AI and international security that brought American and Chinese AI developers together for the first time — OpenAI and Anthropic alongside China's DeepSeek and Moonshot, with Hugging Face's chief and a leading AI scientist also briefing. It is a rare moment of the rival powers' labs addressing one body.

For the first time, the UN Security Council sat US and Chinese AI makers at the same table

US President Donald Trump’s decision to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday (Sep 23) quickly became a talking point, but not only because of the diplomatic significance of the visit. Trump appeared at the Maryland military base wearing a heavy winter coat and leather gloves as Xi arrived for his US visit. The temperature was around 64-65 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius), prompting social media users to question the unusual choice of attire.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">it is 64 degrees at Joint Base Andrews right now and yet Trump is wearing gloves are he greets President Xi <a href="https://t.co/bEmcvgZXyb">pic.twitter.com/bEmcvgZXyb</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2102882668052443297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Video from the ceremony showed US Marines preparing a red carpet as Xi walked down the aircraft stairs. Trump and Xi, accompanied by their spouses, then stood side by side for the national anthems as cannons fired a ceremonial salute.A military jet flew overhead during the proceedings. Trump visibly winced as the aircraft passed, while Xi appeared to watch calmly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hasan Piker reacts to Donald Trump getting spooked by his own jets during his military airshow greeting with Xi Jinping 😭 <a href="https://t.co/KDEAAcyokf">pic.twitter.com/KDEAAcyokf</a>&mdash; adri ♡ (@socialistadri) <a href="https://x.com/socialistadri/status/2102883944022556840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>A break from usual protocol</h2>The elaborate tarmac welcome also marked a departure from the more restrained protocol generally used for leaders of major US rivals.Trump has previously opted for highly visible welcomes, including during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2025 visit to Alaska, when a red carpet was rolled out for him.Former President Joe Biden, meanwhile, greeted Xi in San Francisco in 2024 after the Chinese leader arrived at the location of their summit. That meeting also featured a military guard and red carpet, but not at the airport tarmac.<h2>Trade tensions shadow Xi’s visit</h2>Xi’s visit comes amid continuing disputes between Washington and Beijing over trade, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Trump has faced criticism from some domestic opponents over his approach towards China.Ahead of Xi’s arrival, a Republican senator who is generally aligned with the White House also criticised what was described as a “lavish” welcome for the Chinese president.&nbsp;

Trump’s unusual winter attire and elaborate tarmac welcome for Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews drew attention, as US-China tensions over trade, AI and semiconductors continue.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday (Sep 23) quickly became a talking point, but not only because of the diplomatic significance of the visit. Trump appeared at the Maryland military base wearing a heavy winter coat and leather gloves as Xi arrived for his US visit. The temperature was around 64-65 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius), prompting social media users to question the unusual choice of attire.

Trump’s unusual winter attire and elaborate tarmac welcome for Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews drew attention, as US-China tensions over trade, AI and semiconductors continue.

Winter coat, gloves in September? Trump’s Xi welcome sparks social media buzz

Trump's Catholic ally Bishop Robert Barron has warned that communism was on the rise in the country, and urged catholics to embrace the late archbishop and television personality's oppositon to the ideology. The statement was made by Barron on Tuesday, speaking ahead of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.&nbsp;"Now, you don't need me to tell you that communism is making a comeback right now in our country," said Barron. “And I think especially churchmen need, like Sheen, to raise their voices against it and, furthermore, as American churchmen, to speak out strongly on both American and Catholic principles against the re-emergence of this still very dangerous ideology.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-defends-trump-iran-annihilate-threat-pezeshkian-un-1790248735509">Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat</a>Archbishop Sheen was a modern evangelist who used radio and television to preach the Gospel. He reportedly performed a miracle on a child born without a heartbeat or respiration and revived after 61 minutes. Beatification is a step in the process of Sainthood when the Vatican approves the miracle and clears him for beatification to be revered by fellow believers. He was cleared for beatification by Pope Francis in 2019, but it was delayed over Sheen's dealing with clergy sexual misconduct cases while serving as a bishop in New York during the late 1960s. Now it will take place on September 24, 2026, with approximately 47,000 tickets sold.According to Barron, the late Archbishop, who quoted Sheen's 1948 book, Communism and the Conscience of the West, communism has a "hostility to religion." &nbsp;"Communism has a theory and a practice; it wishes to be not only a state but a church, judging the consciences of men; it is a doctrine of salvation and as such claims the whole man, body and soul, and in this sense is totalitarian," Sheen wrote.Barron's comment comes just ahead of the November midterms. America has seen a significant rise in democratic socialism – which some Catholics view as far-left or communist – with leaders like Zohran Mamdani epitomising the rise. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has backed roughly 80 candidates who won their primaries, whereas the far-left organisations like Justice Democrats and Working Families Party are fielding roughly 18 to 20 candidates in solid blue heartland. Several high-profile nominations are on the list, like Abdul El-Sayed and Ilhan Omar.&nbsp;The Democrats in US politics have no unified ideology; they are more like a coalition of interest groups. What Catholics view as communist or far-left in US politics is practically welfare capitalism or social democracy, which wants lower taxes, free buses, affordable housing, healthcare and taxes on the rich. Whereas Barron is arguing against the ideas of theoretical communism or traditional Marxism-Leninism.

Bishop Robert Barron warned that communism is “making a comeback” in the US ahead of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification in St. Louis.

Trump's Catholic ally Bishop Robert Barron has warned that communism was on the rise in the country, and urged catholics to embrace the late archbishop and television personality's oppositon to the ideology. The statement was made by Barron on Tuesday, speaking ahead of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. "Now, you don't need me to tell you that communism is making a comeback right now in our country," said Barron. “And I think especially churchmen need, like Sheen, to raise their voices against it and, furthermore, as American churchmen, to speak out strongly on both American and Catholic principles against the re-emergence of this still very dangerous ideology.” Also Read: Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat Archbishop Sheen was a modern evangelist who used radio and television to preach the Gospel. He reportedly performed a miracle on a child born without a heartbeat or respiration and revived after 61 minutes. Beatification is a step in the process of Sainthood when the Vatican approves the miracle and clears him for beatification to be revered by fellow believers. He was cleared for beatification by Pope Francis in 2019, but it was delayed over Sheen's dealing with clergy sexual misconduct cases while serving as a bishop in New York during the late 1960s. Now it will take place on September 24, 2026, with approximately 47,000 tickets sold. According to Barron, the late Archbishop, who quoted Sheen's 1948 book, Communism and the Conscience of the West, communism has a "hostility to religion." "Communism has a theory and a practice; it wishes to be not only a state but a church, judging the consciences of men; it is a doctrine of salvation and as such claims the whole man, body and soul, and in this sense is totalitarian," Sheen wrote. Barron's comment comes just ahead of the November midterms. America has seen a significant rise in democratic socialism – which some Catholics view as far-left or communist – with leaders like Zohran Mamdani epitomising the rise. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has backed roughly 80 candidates who won their primaries, whereas the far-left organisations like Justice Democrats and Working Families Party are fielding roughly 18 to 20 candidates in solid blue heartland. Several high-profile nominations are on the list, like Abdul El-Sayed and Ilhan Omar. The Democrats in US politics have no unified ideology; they are more like a coalition of interest groups. What Catholics view as communist or far-left in US politics is practically welfare capitalism or social democracy, which wants lower taxes, free buses, affordable housing, healthcare and taxes on the rich. Whereas Barron is arguing against the ideas of theoretical communism or traditional Marxism-Leninism.

Bishop Robert Barron warned that communism is “making a comeback” in the US ahead of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification in St. Louis.

Trump's Catholic ally Bishop Barron warns communism is ‘making a comeback’ in US ahead of Sheen beatification

China's push to build advanced AI without depending on American chips took its most concrete form yet this week, and it came from Alibaba.&nbsp;At its Apsara technology conference in Hangzhou, the company unveiled a new AI accelerator, the Zhenwu V900, which it describes as the most powerful AI chip in China today. It also laid out a roadmap for future models far larger than anything it now runs.&nbsp;The Chip&nbsp;Alibaba says the Zhenwu V900 delivers three times the performance of its predecessor and carries 216 gigabytes of memory with high inter-chip bandwidth — the specifications that matter for training large models.&nbsp;The more striking claim is about scale. Alibaba says a computing cluster built around the chip can link up to 500,000 of them for both training and inference. That is the kind of number that determines whether a country can train frontier models at all, and it is aimed squarely at the constraint US export controls were meant to impose. Mass production is slated for the first quarter of 2027.&nbsp;The Model Roadmap&nbsp;Alongside the chip, Alibaba set out where its Qwen models are going, and the trajectory is steep.&nbsp;Its current flagship holds around 2.4 trillion parameters. The company said Qwen 4 is in training, and that Qwen 4.5 and Qwen 5 are projected to scale to between 5 and 10 trillion parameters — a multiple of today, and comparable in ambition to the largest models anywhere.&nbsp;Why This Is A Statement, Not Just A Product&nbsp;The point of announcing the chip and the model roadmap together is to describe a self-contained stack: Chinese hardware training Chinese models at frontier scale.&nbsp;That is the outcome export controls were designed to prevent — not to slow Chinese AI in general, but specifically to keep it dependent on Western chips and therefore controllable. A credible domestic accelerator that can be clustered in the hundreds of thousands undercuts that leverage. This is China saying, in hardware, that it intends to route around the restriction.&nbsp;The Reasons For Caution&nbsp;Several qualifiers belong on this, and they are substantial.&nbsp;These are Alibaba's own claims, made at its own conference, and 'most powerful in China' is a domestic comparison, not a claim to match Nvidia's latest. The chip does not ship until 2027, so its real-world performance and yield are unproven. And parameter counts of 5 to 10 trillion are targets for unreleased models, not delivered capability — a roadmap is a statement of intent, and intent is cheap to announce.&nbsp;There is also the question the specifications do not answer: how efficiently 500,000 domestic chips can actually be made to work together, which is as much a software and networking problem as a silicon one, and where Western systems still hold an advantage.&nbsp;But the direction is unmistakable, and it matches other recent moves — Chinese firms announcing domestic memory and logic chips built around, rather than stopped by, the controls.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether the Zhenwu V900 ships on schedule in early 2027 and performs as claimed once independent testers can measure it. Whether Alibaba actually trains a multi-trillion-parameter Qwen on domestic hardware, which would be the real proof. And how Washington responds to a major Chinese company openly building the self-sufficient AI stack the export controls were meant to deny it.

At its Apsara conference Alibaba unveiled the Zhenwu V900, which it calls China's most powerful AI chip and says can cluster 500,000 units, plus Qwen models scaling to 5-10 trillion parameters — a domestic AI stack.

China's push to build advanced AI without depending on American chips took its most concrete form yet this week, and it came from Alibaba. At its Apsara technology conference in Hangzhou, the company unveiled a new AI accelerator, the Zhenwu V900, which it describes as the most powerful AI chip in China today. It also laid out a roadmap for future models far larger than anything it now runs. The Chip Alibaba says the Zhenwu V900 delivers three times the performance of its predecessor and carries 216 gigabytes of memory with high inter-chip bandwidth — the specifications that matter for training large models. The more striking claim is about scale. Alibaba says a computing cluster built around the chip can link up to 500,000 of them for both training and inference. That is the kind of number that determines whether a country can train frontier models at all, and it is aimed squarely at the constraint US export controls were meant to impose. Mass production is slated for the first quarter of 2027. The Model Roadmap Alongside the chip, Alibaba set out where its Qwen models are going, and the trajectory is steep. Its current flagship holds around 2.4 trillion parameters. The company said Qwen 4 is in training, and that Qwen 4.5 and Qwen 5 are projected to scale to between 5 and 10 trillion parameters — a multiple of today, and comparable in ambition to the largest models anywhere. Why This Is A Statement, Not Just A Product The point of announcing the chip and the model roadmap together is to describe a self-contained stack: Chinese hardware training Chinese models at frontier scale. That is the outcome export controls were designed to prevent — not to slow Chinese AI in general, but specifically to keep it dependent on Western chips and therefore controllable. A credible domestic accelerator that can be clustered in the hundreds of thousands undercuts that leverage. This is China saying, in hardware, that it intends to route around the restriction. The Reasons For Caution Several qualifiers belong on this, and they are substantial. These are Alibaba's own claims, made at its own conference, and 'most powerful in China' is a domestic comparison, not a claim to match Nvidia's latest. The chip does not ship until 2027, so its real-world performance and yield are unproven. And parameter counts of 5 to 10 trillion are targets for unreleased models, not delivered capability — a roadmap is a statement of intent, and intent is cheap to announce. There is also the question the specifications do not answer: how efficiently 500,000 domestic chips can actually be made to work together, which is as much a software and networking problem as a silicon one, and where Western systems still hold an advantage. But the direction is unmistakable, and it matches other recent moves — Chinese firms announcing domestic memory and logic chips built around, rather than stopped by, the controls. What To Watch Whether the Zhenwu V900 ships on schedule in early 2027 and performs as claimed once independent testers can measure it. Whether Alibaba actually trains a multi-trillion-parameter Qwen on domestic hardware, which would be the real proof. And how Washington responds to a major Chinese company openly building the self-sufficient AI stack the export controls were meant to deny it.

At its Apsara conference, Alibaba unveiled the Zhenwu V900, which it calls China's most powerful AI chip, and said a cluster built around it can link up to 500,000 chips. It also outlined plans for future Qwen models scaling to between 5 and 10 trillion parameters. Together they are China's clearest statement yet that it intends to build frontier AI on domestic hardware.

Alibaba unveiled 'China's most powerful AI chip' and a plan for a 10-trillion-parameter model

The competition between the top AI labs has stopped being only about capability. On Tuesday it became explicitly about price, and the timing left no doubt it was deliberate.&nbsp;Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5. Within hours, OpenAI released two new models, GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna — and priced them to undercut, precisely.&nbsp;The Numbers&nbsp;Anthropic set Opus 5.5 at $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens, about 20 per cent below its previous rates.&nbsp;OpenAI set GPT-6 Sol at $2 per million input and $10 per million output — exactly half of Opus 5.5, on both figures. Its budget model, GPT-6 Luna, came in at $0.10 input and $0.50 output, undercutting the low-cost open-weight models from China that had competed mainly on price. In one announcement, OpenAI moved against a premium rival and a cheap one at once.&nbsp;Why 'Exactly Half' Is A Message&nbsp;Pricing a product at precisely half a competitor's, on the same day that competitor launches, is not a coincidence of cost accounting. It is a signal aimed at the people who pay AI bills.&nbsp;It tells buyers there is no price reason to prefer the rival, and it tells the rival that OpenAI will use its scale and capital to set the ceiling. OpenAI is the most valuable private AI company in the world, and it is spending some of that advantage on making capability cheap enough that price stops being a reason to shop elsewhere.&nbsp;What It Means For Buyers&nbsp;For anyone building on these models, this is straightforwardly good in the short term.&nbsp;The cost of frontier-level AI is falling fast, and falling because the largest player has decided to compete on it. Tasks that were marginal at last year's prices become viable at this year's. A company comparing providers now has genuine leverage, because nobody can afford to be the expensive option.&nbsp;The Question Underneath&nbsp;The harder question is whether prices this low are sustainable, and it deserves scepticism rather than celebration.&nbsp;Running these models costs real money — in chips, power and data-centre capacity — and the companies setting these prices are, for the most part, not yet profitable on the underlying economics. Pricing at half a competitor can be a durable advantage built on genuine efficiency, or it can be a subsidy funded by investors betting on future dominance. From the outside, the two look identical until the funding environment changes.&nbsp;History offers the caution. Markets where a dominant player prices below cost to win share tend to see prices rise once the field has thinned. Cheap frontier AI is a real benefit today; assuming it is permanent is a different bet.&nbsp;The Context That Makes It Sharper&nbsp;This price war arrives as both OpenAI and Anthropic move toward public listings, each valued privately near a trillion dollars.&nbsp;A company about to sell shares has reason to demonstrate dominance, and undercutting a rival on launch day is a vivid way to do it. Some of this pricing serves the customer; some of it serves the story the sellers need to tell investors. Telling the two apart is now part of a buyer's job.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether prices keep falling or stabilise once the launch dust settles. Whether the cuts pressure the open-weight model makers, whose main advantage was cost, into a corner. And whether any of these rates rise after the IPOs, when the pressure shifts from winning share to showing profit.

Anthropic shipped Claude Opus 5.5 at $4/$20; hours later OpenAI's GPT-6 Sol landed at exactly half, $2/$10, and its budget Luna undercut DeepSeek. The model race is now an open price war — with buyers the near-term winners.

The competition between the top AI labs has stopped being only about capability. On Tuesday it became explicitly about price, and the timing left no doubt it was deliberate. Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5. Within hours, OpenAI released two new models, GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna — and priced them to undercut, precisely. The Numbers Anthropic set Opus 5.5 at $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens, about 20 per cent below its previous rates. OpenAI set GPT-6 Sol at $2 per million input and $10 per million output — exactly half of Opus 5.5, on both figures. Its budget model, GPT-6 Luna, came in at $0.10 input and $0.50 output, undercutting the low-cost open-weight models from China that had competed mainly on price. In one announcement, OpenAI moved against a premium rival and a cheap one at once. Why 'Exactly Half' Is A Message Pricing a product at precisely half a competitor's, on the same day that competitor launches, is not a coincidence of cost accounting. It is a signal aimed at the people who pay AI bills. It tells buyers there is no price reason to prefer the rival, and it tells the rival that OpenAI will use its scale and capital to set the ceiling. OpenAI is the most valuable private AI company in the world, and it is spending some of that advantage on making capability cheap enough that price stops being a reason to shop elsewhere. What It Means For Buyers For anyone building on these models, this is straightforwardly good in the short term. The cost of frontier-level AI is falling fast, and falling because the largest player has decided to compete on it. Tasks that were marginal at last year's prices become viable at this year's. A company comparing providers now has genuine leverage, because nobody can afford to be the expensive option. The Question Underneath The harder question is whether prices this low are sustainable, and it deserves scepticism rather than celebration. Running these models costs real money — in chips, power and data-centre capacity — and the companies setting these prices are, for the most part, not yet profitable on the underlying economics. Pricing at half a competitor can be a durable advantage built on genuine efficiency, or it can be a subsidy funded by investors betting on future dominance. From the outside, the two look identical until the funding environment changes. History offers the caution. Markets where a dominant player prices below cost to win share tend to see prices rise once the field has thinned. Cheap frontier AI is a real benefit today; assuming it is permanent is a different bet. The Context That Makes It Sharper This price war arrives as both OpenAI and Anthropic move toward public listings, each valued privately near a trillion dollars. A company about to sell shares has reason to demonstrate dominance, and undercutting a rival on launch day is a vivid way to do it. Some of this pricing serves the customer; some of it serves the story the sellers need to tell investors. Telling the two apart is now part of a buyer's job. What To Watch Whether prices keep falling or stabilise once the launch dust settles. Whether the cuts pressure the open-weight model makers, whose main advantage was cost, into a corner. And whether any of these rates rise after the IPOs, when the pressure shifts from winning share to showing profit.

On the same day, Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5 and OpenAI released GPT-6 Sol and Luna. OpenAI priced Sol at exactly half of Opus 5.5 on both input and output tokens, and priced its budget model below DeepSeek's open-weight offering. It has turned the frontier model race into an open price war, and buyers are the immediate winners.

OpenAI priced its new model at exactly half of Anthropic's, hours after Anthropic launched

Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were barred from entering the White House on Thursday (Sept 24) despite a federal court ordering the Trump administration to restore their access. The three media organisations said their journalists were stopped by the Secret Service when they tried to enter the presidential mansion.&nbsp;The development came hours after a District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the outlets, which were banned by President Donald Trump last week, should have their White House access restored immediately.&nbsp;Kelly said the decision to revoke the press credentials of the three media organisations "likely violated their constitutional due process rights."&nbsp;"The 'general rule' is that 'individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them' of a constitutionally protected interest," Kelly wrote.&nbsp;Following the denial of White House entry, the media house requested an urgent court hearing on Thursday.&nbsp;"This morning journalists from each of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico attempted to enter the White House and were turned away," the news outlets said in a court filing.<h2>Trump announces White House ban</h2>Trump has long been at odds with the media and has accused outlets critical of him of biased reporting. He has also described some media organisations as the "enemy of the people."&nbsp;On September 18, Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”.&nbsp;Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social and said the ban would take effect immediately. He also warned that “other Fake News Media Outlets will follow”.&nbsp;“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW... and Politico... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!” Trump said.&nbsp;A day later, on September 19, Secret Service and White House staff deactivated the journalists' credentials and confiscated press passes belonging to reporters from the three outlets as they attempted to enter the White House complex.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-does-anti-incumbency-disappear-rahul-gandhi-alleges-vote-chori-calls-for-cec-s-resignation-1790252100302">‘How does anti-incumbency disappear?’: Rahul Gandhi alleges ‘vote chori’, calls for CEC’s resignation</a><h2>Media outlets challenge Trump's decision</h2>On September 21, CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a joint emergency lawsuit against the Trump administration in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.&nbsp;The three organisations argued that the ban violated First Amendment protections for press freedom against viewpoint retaliation. They also said it violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights.&nbsp;During a hearing on September 23, US Justice Department lawyers defended Trump's decision to bar the three outlets from the White House. They argued that the move was legally justified by concerns related to national security and journalistic conduct.&nbsp;“Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right,” Justice Department lawyers wrote.On September 24, Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately restore full press credentials for journalists from the three media organisations.&nbsp;Despite the court order, CNN, MS NOW and Politico said their reporters were turned away by the Secret Service when they attempted to enter the White House on Thursday.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters were turned away from the White House despite a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to restore their press credentials, prompting the media houses to seek an urgent court hearing on Thursday.

Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were barred from entering the White House on Thursday (Sept 24) despite a federal court ordering the Trump administration to restore their access. The three media organisations said their journalists were stopped by the Secret Service when they tried to enter the presidential mansion. The development came hours after a District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the outlets, which were banned by President Donald Trump last week, should have their White House access restored immediately. Kelly said the decision to revoke the press credentials of the three media organisations "likely violated their constitutional due process rights." "The 'general rule' is that 'individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them' of a constitutionally protected interest," Kelly wrote. Following the denial of White House entry, the media house requested an urgent court hearing on Thursday. "This morning journalists from each of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico attempted to enter the White House and were turned away," the news outlets said in a court filing. Trump announces White House ban Trump has long been at odds with the media and has accused outlets critical of him of biased reporting. He has also described some media organisations as the "enemy of the people." On September 18, Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “FAKE NEWS”. Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social and said the ban would take effect immediately. He also warned that “other Fake News Media Outlets will follow”. “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW... and Politico... from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!” Trump said. A day later, on September 19, Secret Service and White House staff deactivated the journalists' credentials and confiscated press passes belonging to reporters from the three outlets as they attempted to enter the White House complex. Also Read: ‘How does anti-incumbency disappear?’: Rahul Gandhi alleges ‘vote chori’, calls for CEC’s resignation Media outlets challenge Trump's decision On September 21, CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a joint emergency lawsuit against the Trump administration in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The three organisations argued that the ban violated First Amendment protections for press freedom against viewpoint retaliation. They also said it violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights. During a hearing on September 23, US Justice Department lawyers defended Trump's decision to bar the three outlets from the White House. They argued that the move was legally justified by concerns related to national security and journalistic conduct. “Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right,” Justice Department lawyers wrote. On September 24, Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately restore full press credentials for journalists from the three media organisations. Despite the court order, CNN, MS NOW and Politico said their reporters were turned away by the Secret Service when they attempted to enter the White House on Thursday.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters were turned away from the White House despite a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to restore their press credentials, prompting the media houses to seek an urgent court hearing on Thursday.

White House turns away CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters despite jugde order restoring access

The United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines in compliance with the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, reported Iranian media on Thursday. “All flights by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been cancelled since midnight,” the ISNA news agency reported.As a consequence of the halting, an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai faced cancellation shortly before its departure.&nbsp;US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had announced new measures earlier this week as part of an earlier threat to impose “economic D-Day” on Iran under ‘Operation Economic Outcast’.&nbsp;On September 8, the Trump administration had designated 27 airlines covering the remaining Iranian carriers that had not previously been sanctioned by Washington. The designations also targeted individuals and entities linked to aviation support and procurement in the UAE, Turkey, China, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and elsewhere.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-issues-potential-danger-warning-for-mecca-second-time-in-a-month-1790252705272">Saudi Arabia issues ‘potential danger’ warning for Mecca, second time in a month</a>&nbsp;Trump has sought to exert financial strain on the Iranian regime to force it into submission for ending the West Asia crisis.&nbsp;After the latest measures were announced, Iranian airlines cancelled some international flights on Wednesday after Georgia and Azerbaijan officially confirmed suspending flights to and from Iran.Flights to Baghdad, Muscat, and Qatar were also halted, reported Iranian media.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘Baghdad, Muscat will no longer accept Iran flights’</h2>&nbsp;Baghdad and Muscat airports “will no longer accept” Iran flights, reported Tasnim news agency, citing a civil aviation spokesperson.&nbsp;Meanwhile, despite the sanctions taking effect on Wednesday, Iranian airlines continued to operate some international flights. According to data by flight tracking site Flightradar24, at least half a dozen flights travelled from Iran to destinations including Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand; Shanghai; and Kabul, Afghanistan.&nbsp;Iran’s biggest airport, the Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, has flights scheduled to international destinations such as China, Turkey, and Dubai, as well as Najaf in Iraq.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-war-to-reach-indian-ocean-mojtaba-s-adviser-issues-chilling-warning-to-us-1790249334403">Iran war to reach Indian Ocean? Mojtaba’s adviser issues chilling warning to US</a>&nbsp;The latest development comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures aimed at Iranian aviation. Washington has warned that companies providing services such as fuel, landing assistance, and other support to Iranian airlines could face US sanctions.&nbsp;Bessent said the US intends to effectively shut down Iranian carriers by targeting the international aviation infrastructure they depend on.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Iran issues warning, says countries could face reciprocal consequences</h2>&nbsp;Iranian media reports came as airlines operating from Iran faced increasing difficulties accessing international aviation services following the latest US measures.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The growing restrictions have also triggered a warning from Iran. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said neighbouring countries could face reciprocal consequences if they cooperated with Washington by stopping Iranian flights.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-defends-trump-iran-annihilate-threat-pezeshkian-un-1790248735509">Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat</a>&nbsp;“If a country cooperates with or embarks on adventures with the United States, its airports will no longer be able to operate flights to Iran,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television.&nbsp;&nbsp;Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said sanctions would only strengthen Iran’s resistance to US pressure.

Washington warned that companies providing services and support to Iranian airlines could face US sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US intends to effectively shut down Iranian carriers by targeting the international aviation infrastructure they depend on.

The United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines in compliance with the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, reported Iranian media on Thursday. “All flights by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been cancelled since midnight,” the ISNA news agency reported. As a consequence of the halting, an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai faced cancellation shortly before its departure. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had announced new measures earlier this week as part of an earlier threat to impose “economic D-Day” on Iran under ‘Operation Economic Outcast’. On September 8, the Trump administration had designated 27 airlines covering the remaining Iranian carriers that had not previously been sanctioned by Washington. The designations also targeted individuals and entities linked to aviation support and procurement in the UAE, Turkey, China, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and elsewhere. Also Read: Saudi Arabia issues ‘potential danger’ warning for Mecca, second time in a month Trump has sought to exert financial strain on the Iranian regime to force it into submission for ending the West Asia crisis. After the latest measures were announced, Iranian airlines cancelled some international flights on Wednesday after Georgia and Azerbaijan officially confirmed suspending flights to and from Iran. Flights to Baghdad, Muscat, and Qatar were also halted, reported Iranian media. ‘Baghdad, Muscat will no longer accept Iran flights’ Baghdad and Muscat airports “will no longer accept” Iran flights, reported Tasnim news agency, citing a civil aviation spokesperson. Meanwhile, despite the sanctions taking effect on Wednesday, Iranian airlines continued to operate some international flights. According to data by flight tracking site Flightradar24, at least half a dozen flights travelled from Iran to destinations including Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand; Shanghai; and Kabul, Afghanistan. Iran’s biggest airport, the Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, has flights scheduled to international destinations such as China, Turkey, and Dubai, as well as Najaf in Iraq. Also Read: Iran war to reach Indian Ocean? Mojtaba’s adviser issues chilling warning to US The latest development comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures aimed at Iranian aviation. Washington has warned that companies providing services such as fuel, landing assistance, and other support to Iranian airlines could face US sanctions. Bessent said the US intends to effectively shut down Iranian carriers by targeting the international aviation infrastructure they depend on. Iran issues warning, says countries could face reciprocal consequences Iranian media reports came as airlines operating from Iran faced increasing difficulties accessing international aviation services following the latest US measures. The growing restrictions have also triggered a warning from Iran. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said neighbouring countries could face reciprocal consequences if they cooperated with Washington by stopping Iranian flights. Also Read: Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat “If a country cooperates with or embarks on adventures with the United States, its airports will no longer be able to operate flights to Iran,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said sanctions would only strengthen Iran’s resistance to US pressure.

Washington warned that companies providing services and support to Iranian airlines could face US sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US intends to effectively shut down Iranian carriers by targeting the international aviation infrastructure they depend on.

UAE suspends all Iranian airline flights as US sanctions come into effect

Malware has always needed a human somewhere behind it — an operator sending commands, deciding the next move. Researchers say they have now found a piece of malware built to do without one.&nbsp;Cisco Talos, the security arm of Cisco, has disclosed a Windows implant it calls CLOSEDQUORUM, describing it as the first publicly documented malware to apply AI to its own command-and-control — the part of an attack that decides what to do next.&nbsp;How It Works&nbsp;The design is the story. Once CLOSEDQUORUM is on a machine, it does not wait for orders from an attacker-run server. It delegates the choice of its next action to a panel of commercial AI models and then carries out whatever they decide.&nbsp;The panel — the 'quorum' in the name — draws on up to four AI providers: DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral and Google's Gemini. The stated goal of the malware is ordinary enough: stealing user credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. What is new is who is steering.&nbsp;Why 'No Human' Matters&nbsp;Removing the operator changes the economics and the defence of an attack.&nbsp;A traditional attack has a bottleneck: a human has to be in the loop, issuing commands, which limits how many targets one attacker can run and creates a server that defenders can find and cut off. An implant that reasons for itself needs neither. It can adapt on the machine, and there is no central command server whose disconnection stops it.&nbsp;Talos frames this as a shift in 'effort displacement' — more of the attack chain running without a person involved. That is the same efficiency gain AI brings to legitimate work, pointed the other way.&nbsp;The Important Caveats&nbsp;This is where careful reading matters, because 'autonomous AI malware' is a phrase built to alarm.&nbsp;Talos says there is no confirmation the implant has been deployed against real victims. It was analysed as a binary — a built piece of software — not caught mid-attack. The researchers connected artefacts in it to criminal-forum postings on payment-card fraud dating to 2025, which suggests a real author with criminal intent, but it stops short of a confirmed live campaign.&nbsp;So the honest description is a working proof of concept with a plausible criminal origin, not a documented outbreak. That is significant, but it is not the same as an attack in progress, and the distinction should survive into any coverage.&nbsp;There Is Also A Weakness In The Design&nbsp;Delegating to commercial AI models is not a free win for the attacker, and this cuts in defenders' favour.&nbsp;To consult those models, the malware has to reach their services, carry prompts, use API keys and speak their protocols — and every one of those is a fingerprint. Alongside the disclosure, Talos released an open-source tool that hunts for exactly these traces: embedded prompts, provider endpoints, API-key patterns and tell-tale AI syntax inside files. An attack that phones a chatbot for instructions leaves a trail an attack with a human operator does not.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether any confirmed CLOSEDQUORUM infections appear, which would move this from proof of concept to live threat. Whether the AI providers named can detect and cut off malware using their models, since the implant depends on their services to function. And whether defenders adopt tools that look for AI's fingerprints in code — because the same dependency that makes this malware autonomous is also what gives it away.

Cisco Talos disclosed CLOSEDQUORUM, which it calls the first malware to run its command-and-control autonomously, delegating each decision to DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral and Gemini. No live campaign is confirmed yet.

Malware has always needed a human somewhere behind it — an operator sending commands, deciding the next move. Researchers say they have now found a piece of malware built to do without one. Cisco Talos, the security arm of Cisco, has disclosed a Windows implant it calls CLOSEDQUORUM, describing it as the first publicly documented malware to apply AI to its own command-and-control — the part of an attack that decides what to do next. How It Works The design is the story. Once CLOSEDQUORUM is on a machine, it does not wait for orders from an attacker-run server. It delegates the choice of its next action to a panel of commercial AI models and then carries out whatever they decide. The panel — the 'quorum' in the name — draws on up to four AI providers: DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral and Google's Gemini. The stated goal of the malware is ordinary enough: stealing user credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. What is new is who is steering. Why 'No Human' Matters Removing the operator changes the economics and the defence of an attack. A traditional attack has a bottleneck: a human has to be in the loop, issuing commands, which limits how many targets one attacker can run and creates a server that defenders can find and cut off. An implant that reasons for itself needs neither. It can adapt on the machine, and there is no central command server whose disconnection stops it. Talos frames this as a shift in 'effort displacement' — more of the attack chain running without a person involved. That is the same efficiency gain AI brings to legitimate work, pointed the other way. The Important Caveats This is where careful reading matters, because 'autonomous AI malware' is a phrase built to alarm. Talos says there is no confirmation the implant has been deployed against real victims. It was analysed as a binary — a built piece of software — not caught mid-attack. The researchers connected artefacts in it to criminal-forum postings on payment-card fraud dating to 2025, which suggests a real author with criminal intent, but it stops short of a confirmed live campaign. So the honest description is a working proof of concept with a plausible criminal origin, not a documented outbreak. That is significant, but it is not the same as an attack in progress, and the distinction should survive into any coverage. There Is Also A Weakness In The Design Delegating to commercial AI models is not a free win for the attacker, and this cuts in defenders' favour. To consult those models, the malware has to reach their services, carry prompts, use API keys and speak their protocols — and every one of those is a fingerprint. Alongside the disclosure, Talos released an open-source tool that hunts for exactly these traces: embedded prompts, provider endpoints, API-key patterns and tell-tale AI syntax inside files. An attack that phones a chatbot for instructions leaves a trail an attack with a human operator does not. What To Watch Whether any confirmed CLOSEDQUORUM infections appear, which would move this from proof of concept to live threat. Whether the AI providers named can detect and cut off malware using their models, since the implant depends on their services to function. And whether defenders adopt tools that look for AI's fingerprints in code — because the same dependency that makes this malware autonomous is also what gives it away.

Cisco Talos has disclosed CLOSEDQUORUM, which it calls the first documented malware implant to run its command-and-control fully autonomously. Instead of taking instructions from a human attacker, it delegates each decision to a panel of up to four commercial AI models. There is no confirmed use in the wild yet — but the design removes the human operator from the attack.

Researchers found malware that takes its orders from a committee of four AIs, with no human

The clearest split in AI policy right now is not between countries. It is between the president of the United States and the companies building the technology, and it played out at the United Nations over two days.&nbsp;In his address to the UN General Assembly, President Donald Trump rejected international oversight of artificial intelligence — which he said the US will henceforth call 'superintelligence' — describing efforts to coordinate control of it as a 'globalist scheme'.&nbsp;The next day, the chief executives of America's two most prominent AI labs went to the same institution to ask for the opposite.&nbsp;The Two Positions&nbsp;Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman were scheduled to brief the UN Security Council at a session on AI and international security, convened by France.&nbsp;According to their companies, they went to discuss safety work and the importance of international cooperation — the coordinated, cross-border approach to managing AI risk that the president had dismissed a day earlier. An OpenAI spokesperson said Altman would stress exactly that cooperation.&nbsp;So within 24 hours, at one building, the American government argued that international AI governance is a threat to be resisted, and American industry argued it is a necessity to be built.&nbsp;Why This Reversal Of Roles Is Notable&nbsp;The usual script has technology companies resisting regulation and governments pushing for it. Here the roles are inverted, and that is worth sitting with.&nbsp;The AI labs asking for oversight is not pure altruism — a coordinated international framework can also lock in incumbents, set rules that favour those already at the frontier, and lend legitimacy to companies facing public unease. Support for governance can be self-interested.&nbsp;But it is still striking that the companies with the most to lose from restriction are the ones requesting it, while the government that would impose it is refusing. Whatever the motives, the alignment is unusual, and it leaves the US speaking with two opposed voices on the world stage.&nbsp;The Rebranding&nbsp;The move to call AI 'superintelligence' deserves a note of its own, because language is doing work here.&nbsp;'Superintelligence' is a term of art that usually means AI surpassing human ability across the board — a future, hypothetical capability. Applying it to current systems as a national branding choice inflates what today's tools are, and does so at the moment the administration is arguing they need no international check. A more powerful-sounding technology that also needs no oversight is a convenient combination to assert.&nbsp;What The Split Means In Practice&nbsp;The disagreement is not academic. International AI governance, if it happens, runs through exactly the kind of UN process on display here, and it needs the participation of the country where most frontier models are built.&nbsp;If the US government resists while US companies participate, the result is likely to be governance without teeth — forums the labs attend voluntarily and the state does not underwrite. That is a weaker arrangement than either side, on its own terms, might want, and it is the most probable outcome of a government and an industry pulling in opposite directions.&nbsp;What To Watch&nbsp;Whether the administration hardens its opposition into policy that constrains what US companies can agree to internationally. Whether other governments proceed with coordination that excludes or works around Washington. And whether the labs' stated support for oversight survives contact with rules that would actually bind them — because asking for governance in principle is easier than accepting it in detail.

Trump rejected international AI oversight as a 'globalist scheme' at the UN and said the US will call AI 'superintelligence'. A day later Anthropic's Amodei and OpenAI's Altman briefed the Security Council asking for cooperation.

The clearest split in AI policy right now is not between countries. It is between the president of the United States and the companies building the technology, and it played out at the United Nations over two days. In his address to the UN General Assembly, President Donald Trump rejected international oversight of artificial intelligence — which he said the US will henceforth call 'superintelligence' — describing efforts to coordinate control of it as a 'globalist scheme'. The next day, the chief executives of America's two most prominent AI labs went to the same institution to ask for the opposite. The Two Positions Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman were scheduled to brief the UN Security Council at a session on AI and international security, convened by France. According to their companies, they went to discuss safety work and the importance of international cooperation — the coordinated, cross-border approach to managing AI risk that the president had dismissed a day earlier. An OpenAI spokesperson said Altman would stress exactly that cooperation. So within 24 hours, at one building, the American government argued that international AI governance is a threat to be resisted, and American industry argued it is a necessity to be built. Why This Reversal Of Roles Is Notable The usual script has technology companies resisting regulation and governments pushing for it. Here the roles are inverted, and that is worth sitting with. The AI labs asking for oversight is not pure altruism — a coordinated international framework can also lock in incumbents, set rules that favour those already at the frontier, and lend legitimacy to companies facing public unease. Support for governance can be self-interested. But it is still striking that the companies with the most to lose from restriction are the ones requesting it, while the government that would impose it is refusing. Whatever the motives, the alignment is unusual, and it leaves the US speaking with two opposed voices on the world stage. The Rebranding The move to call AI 'superintelligence' deserves a note of its own, because language is doing work here. 'Superintelligence' is a term of art that usually means AI surpassing human ability across the board — a future, hypothetical capability. Applying it to current systems as a national branding choice inflates what today's tools are, and does so at the moment the administration is arguing they need no international check. A more powerful-sounding technology that also needs no oversight is a convenient combination to assert. What The Split Means In Practice The disagreement is not academic. International AI governance, if it happens, runs through exactly the kind of UN process on display here, and it needs the participation of the country where most frontier models are built. If the US government resists while US companies participate, the result is likely to be governance without teeth — forums the labs attend voluntarily and the state does not underwrite. That is a weaker arrangement than either side, on its own terms, might want, and it is the most probable outcome of a government and an industry pulling in opposite directions. What To Watch Whether the administration hardens its opposition into policy that constrains what US companies can agree to internationally. Whether other governments proceed with coordination that excludes or works around Washington. And whether the labs' stated support for oversight survives contact with rules that would actually bind them — because asking for governance in principle is easier than accepting it in detail.

At the UN General Assembly, President Trump rejected international oversight of AI — which he said the US will now call ‘superintelligence’ — as a ‘globalist scheme’. A day later, the heads of America's two leading AI labs, Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman, briefed the UN Security Council to ask for exactly the kind of cooperation he dismissed.

Trump called AI oversight a 'globalist scheme'. A day later two US AI chiefs asked the UN for it

At least six people were killed and 12 others injured after Russian forces struck an agricultural facility in Ukraine's northern Kharkiv region on Thursday (September 24), according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The attack took place in the village of Stara Hnylytsia in the Chuhuiv district in the morning, Syniehubov said in a Telegram post. The dead included two men and four women. The injured were also workers at the farm and are receiving medical treatment.<h2>What happened at the farm?</h2>Mykola Semerianov, head of the Malynivka settlement, told Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne that Russian forces attacked the area with Banderol missiles. One of the projectiles struck a vegetable storage facility where workers were inside sorting vegetables, he said.&nbsp;Four of those injured were reported to be in serious condition, with head and neck injuries, according to Viktor Zabashta, director of the regional emergency medical care centre. &nbsp;Ukrainian authorities initially reported seven deaths in the attack before revising the toll to six.<h2>Deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv</h2>The farm attack came as Russia also launched a major overnight attack on Kyiv. Two people were killed and several others injured after ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and city authorities. Debris from the attack fell across several districts, damaging buildings and vehicles. &nbsp;Reuters reported that one of those killed was in a car park near a maternity hospital, which was also damaged in the attack.&nbsp;Ukraine said Russia used ballistic missiles, drones and other weapons in the overnight assault. The attacks caused damage across parts of the capital as emergency services responded to the strikes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Russian missile strike on a Kharkiv farm vegetable storage facility killed six workers and injured twelve. A concurrent overnight assault using missiles and drones on Kyiv killed two people.

At least six people were killed and 12 others injured after Russian forces struck an agricultural facility in Ukraine's northern Kharkiv region on Thursday (September 24), according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The attack took place in the village of Stara Hnylytsia in the Chuhuiv district in the morning, Syniehubov said in a Telegram post. The dead included two men and four women. The injured were also workers at the farm and are receiving medical treatment. What happened at the farm? Mykola Semerianov, head of the Malynivka settlement, told Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne that Russian forces attacked the area with Banderol missiles. One of the projectiles struck a vegetable storage facility where workers were inside sorting vegetables, he said. Four of those injured were reported to be in serious condition, with head and neck injuries, according to Viktor Zabashta, director of the regional emergency medical care centre. Ukrainian authorities initially reported seven deaths in the attack before revising the toll to six. Deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv The farm attack came as Russia also launched a major overnight attack on Kyiv. Two people were killed and several others injured after ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and city authorities. Debris from the attack fell across several districts, damaging buildings and vehicles. Reuters reported that one of those killed was in a car park near a maternity hospital, which was also damaged in the attack. Ukraine said Russia used ballistic missiles, drones and other weapons in the overnight assault. The attacks caused damage across parts of the capital as emergency services responded to the strikes.

A Russian missile strike on a Kharkiv farm vegetable storage facility killed six workers and injured twelve. A concurrent overnight assault using missiles and drones on Kyiv killed two people.

Russian attack on farm in Ukraine’s Kharkiv kills 6, injures 12 workers

As world leaders gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, the proceedings offer an appropriate moment to consider a transformation that goes beyond the institution itself: the changing nature of power in international affairs. The theme of this year’s General Assembly — “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all” — is particularly apt. The UN was created in 1945 as part of a new international architecture, alongside the Bretton Woods institutions, designed to replace the instability of an earlier era with rules, institutions and greater predictability. Before 1945, however, international order rested principally on great-power diplomacy. Alliances shifted, treaties were negotiated, spheres of influence were contested, and crises were often managed through conferences and bargains among the major powers. The Concert of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars was an early example. The League of Nations subsequently attempted to institutionalise collective security, but failed to prevent the descent into the Second World War. The post-1945 settlement was therefore more than the creation of new organisations. It represented a different conception of international order. Bretton Woods established the IMF and World Bank as pillars of international economic cooperation, while the UN became its principal political institution. Today, that system is under pressure. But the deeper transformation may not be simply geopolitical. We may be moving from a predominantly geopolitical world towards a world of technopolitics — a world in which technological capability itself becomes a principal source of geopolitical power. Artificial intelligence is at the centre of this transformation, but it is only one part of it. Semiconductors, computing capacity, data, robotics and humanoids, quantum technologies, biotechnology, digital currencies, communications networks and the energy required to power them are becoming strategic assets. For much of the twentieth century, territory, natural resources, industrial capacity and military power were among the principal currencies of national power. In the emerging order, control over technological ecosystems may become equally important. This is more than technology influencing geopolitics. It is the emergence of technopolitics: the capacity to develop, control and deploy critical technologies becoming an integral component of national power.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-will-consider-trump-s-g20-invitation-to-putin-eu-vows-to-keep-condemning-moscow-1790249580564">Russia will ‘consider’ Trump’s G20 invitation to Putin; EU vows to keep condemning Moscow</a>&nbsp;The change is also blurring the traditional distinction between states and corporations. A relatively small number of technology companies possess capital, data, computing infrastructure and scientific capabilities on a scale capable of influencing national power. Governments, meanwhile, increasingly regard critical technologies and the companies that develop them as instruments of economic and strategic security. The emerging order could therefore be shaped not only by states, but by states, corporations and the technological ecosystems that connect them. The United States and China are presently the two most consequential centres of this competition. Their rivalry increasingly encompasses artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, data centres and strategic supply chains, alongside conventional trade and military competition. This does not necessarily mean the emergence of a rigid new Cold War. Economic interdependence remains substantial, and technological boundaries are unlikely to be completely sealed. Nevertheless, a form of technological G2 could emerge: two broad ecosystems centred on the United States and China, with a considerable grey zone between them. Other major powers will have to decide how they respond. Europe, India, Japan, Russia and others may align substantially with one ecosystem, seek to build independent capabilities, or pursue a hybrid approach that allows them to work with both. For India, the question is particularly consequential. India has moved closer to the United States in critical and emerging technologies while simultaneously seeking to strengthen its own technological capabilities. Its scale, scientific base, digital economy and growing technological ambitions give it the possibility of pursuing something more sophisticated than simply choosing between Washington and Beijing. The question for India is whether it can develop sufficient technological depth to become a pole in its own right while participating in both major ecosystems where its interests require it. This is not merely an economic calculation. It is a question of strategic autonomy. The implications extend beyond individual technologies. If technological capabilities become increasingly concentrated in a relatively small number of corporations and their associated states, institutions created after 1945 may increasingly struggle to reflect the actual distribution of power. The United Nations, IMF, World Bank and wider multilateral economic system were designed for a world in which states were overwhelmingly the principal repositories of strategic power. The future may be different. Power may increasingly be distributed between states and technological networks that cross national borders. This raises a difficult question for the international community now meeting in New York: will the existing multilateral order adapt to this new distribution of power, or will a period of great-power bargaining precede the creation of a new system? There is an intriguing historical possibility. The technologies transforming the twenty-first century could take us back towards a political pattern associated with an earlier age: a world in which a relatively small number of powerful actors negotiate directly over the rules of the international system. It would not be a return to the nineteenth century. Technology has changed the nature of power too profoundly for that. But the underlying political pattern could become familiar: great powers, together with their associated economic and technological interests, making arrangements among themselves, sometimes through international institutions and sometimes outside them. In that sense, the future could represent a return to the future. Yet this may be only an interregnum. The post-1945 order itself emerged because the arrangements that preceded it had proved inadequate to the realities of their time. The technological revolution may eventually require a comparable institutional response. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data, digital currencies and other technologies will raise questions that existing institutions were never designed to answer. The challenge is to ensure that technological power does not outrun the institutions needed to govern it. Whether the emerging order becomes more fragmented or eventually produces new forms of multilateralism remains uncertain. What is becoming clearer is that technology is no longer merely an instrument of geopolitical power. It is becoming one of its principal sources. The great strategic question of the coming decades may therefore not simply be who controls territory, resources or military power, but who controls the technologies that increasingly determine how the world itself works.

Technology is increasingly shaping global power, with the US-China rivalry, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other emerging technologies becoming central to geopolitics and strategic choices.

As world leaders gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, the proceedings offer an appropriate moment to consider a transformation that goes beyond the institution itself: the changing nature of power in international affairs. The theme of this year’s General Assembly — “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all” — is particularly apt. The UN was created in 1945 as part of a new international architecture, alongside the Bretton Woods institutions, designed to replace the instability of an earlier era with rules, institutions and greater predictability. Before 1945, however, international order rested principally on great-power diplomacy. Alliances shifted, treaties were negotiated, spheres of influence were contested, and crises were often managed through conferences and bargains among the major powers. The Concert of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars was an early example. The League of Nations subsequently attempted to institutionalise collective security, but failed to prevent the descent into the Second World War. The post-1945 settlement was therefore more than the creation of new organisations. It represented a different conception of international order. Bretton Woods established the IMF and World Bank as pillars of international economic cooperation, while the UN became its principal political institution. Today, that system is under pressure. But the deeper transformation may not be simply geopolitical. We may be moving from a predominantly geopolitical world towards a world of technopolitics — a world in which technological capability itself becomes a principal source of geopolitical power. Artificial intelligence is at the centre of this transformation, but it is only one part of it. Semiconductors, computing capacity, data, robotics and humanoids, quantum technologies, biotechnology, digital currencies, communications networks and the energy required to power them are becoming strategic assets. For much of the twentieth century, territory, natural resources, industrial capacity and military power were among the principal currencies of national power. In the emerging order, control over technological ecosystems may become equally important. This is more than technology influencing geopolitics. It is the emergence of technopolitics: the capacity to develop, control and deploy critical technologies becoming an integral component of national power. Also Read: Russia will ‘consider’ Trump’s G20 invitation to Putin; EU vows to keep condemning Moscow The change is also blurring the traditional distinction between states and corporations. A relatively small number of technology companies possess capital, data, computing infrastructure and scientific capabilities on a scale capable of influencing national power. Governments, meanwhile, increasingly regard critical technologies and the companies that develop them as instruments of economic and strategic security. The emerging order could therefore be shaped not only by states, but by states, corporations and the technological ecosystems that connect them. The United States and China are presently the two most consequential centres of this competition. Their rivalry increasingly encompasses artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, data centres and strategic supply chains, alongside conventional trade and military competition. This does not necessarily mean the emergence of a rigid new Cold War. Economic interdependence remains substantial, and technological boundaries are unlikely to be completely sealed. Nevertheless, a form of technological G2 could emerge: two broad ecosystems centred on the United States and China, with a considerable grey zone between them. Other major powers will have to decide how they respond. Europe, India, Japan, Russia and others may align substantially with one ecosystem, seek to build independent capabilities, or pursue a hybrid approach that allows them to work with both. For India, the question is particularly consequential. India has moved closer to the United States in critical and emerging technologies while simultaneously seeking to strengthen its own technological capabilities. Its scale, scientific base, digital economy and growing technological ambitions give it the possibility of pursuing something more sophisticated than simply choosing between Washington and Beijing. The question for India is whether it can develop sufficient technological depth to become a pole in its own right while participating in both major ecosystems where its interests require it. This is not merely an economic calculation. It is a question of strategic autonomy. The implications extend beyond individual technologies. If technological capabilities become increasingly concentrated in a relatively small number of corporations and their associated states, institutions created after 1945 may increasingly struggle to reflect the actual distribution of power. The United Nations, IMF, World Bank and wider multilateral economic system were designed for a world in which states were overwhelmingly the principal repositories of strategic power. The future may be different. Power may increasingly be distributed between states and technological networks that cross national borders. This raises a difficult question for the international community now meeting in New York: will the existing multilateral order adapt to this new distribution of power, or will a period of great-power bargaining precede the creation of a new system? There is an intriguing historical possibility. The technologies transforming the twenty-first century could take us back towards a political pattern associated with an earlier age: a world in which a relatively small number of powerful actors negotiate directly over the rules of the international system. It would not be a return to the nineteenth century. Technology has changed the nature of power too profoundly for that. But the underlying political pattern could become familiar: great powers, together with their associated economic and technological interests, making arrangements among themselves, sometimes through international institutions and sometimes outside them. In that sense, the future could represent a return to the future. Yet this may be only an interregnum. The post-1945 order itself emerged because the arrangements that preceded it had proved inadequate to the realities of their time. The technological revolution may eventually require a comparable institutional response. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data, digital currencies and other technologies will raise questions that existing institutions were never designed to answer. The challenge is to ensure that technological power does not outrun the institutions needed to govern it. Whether the emerging order becomes more fragmented or eventually produces new forms of multilateralism remains uncertain. What is becoming clearer is that technology is no longer merely an instrument of geopolitical power. It is becoming one of its principal sources. The great strategic question of the coming decades may therefore not simply be who controls territory, resources or military power, but who controls the technologies that increasingly determine how the world itself works.

Technology is increasingly shaping global power, with the US-China rivalry, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other emerging technologies becoming central to geopolitics and strategic choices.

Back to the future: The rise of technopolitics

The Saudi Civil Defence on Thursday issued an alert for the holy city of Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest site, in warnings that usually indicate a potential threat of missiles. Mecca and several other parts of Saudi Arabia were placed on alert after the kingdom’s National Early Warning Platform sent warning messages about potential danger, the Saudi Civil Defense said.“A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Mecca City to alert of a potential danger,” the directorate of Saudi Civil Defense said in a post on X, while issuing instructions for residents.&nbsp;The Civil Defense urged people to remain calm, follow official instructions, and immediately move to the nearest safe place, such as inside a building or an interior room away from windows, and remain there until the danger has passed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">تم إطلاق إنذار من المنصة الوطنية للإنذار المبكر في حالات الطوارئ في مدينة مكة المكرمة للتحذير من خطر، اتبع الآتي: A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Mecca City to alert of a potential danger. Please follow the instructions below: <a href="https://t.co/8YtJcQ1zxb">pic.twitter.com/8YtJcQ1zxb</a>&mdash; الدفاع المدني السعودي (@SaudiDCD) <a href="https://x.com/SaudiDCD/status/2103068283767488678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;People were also advised to stay away from open areas, windows, glass, balconies, and rooftops; avoid crowds or dangerous areas; and not leave their homes or buildings until the danger is over.Those already outdoors were instructed to enter the nearest building or take shelter behind a solid barrier. Those driving while receiving the warning were told to pull over to the side of the road, away from bridges and high-rise buildings.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-defends-trump-iran-annihilate-threat-pezeshkian-un-1790248735509">Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat</a>&nbsp;The Saudi Civil Defense also advised people not to take photographs or approach dangerous locations.&nbsp;People who notice any danger were asked to contact 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 998 in other parts of the kingdom. Authorities also urged residents to follow instructions issued through official channels.&nbsp;The alerts were lifted a few minutes later.&nbsp;In recent weeks, alerts have often preceded attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.&nbsp;This is the second time in less than 10 days that the authorities have issued such a warning for Mecca.&nbsp;Separate warnings were issued for other areas of Saudi Arabia’s western coast, including the Red Sea governorate of Yanbu as well as the Taef, Jeddah and Tabuk regions.&nbsp;Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca with a drone that was downed. The group has denied the allegations.&nbsp;The last alert, which came on September 15, was issued after the kingdom’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter the prohibited airspace.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-war-to-reach-indian-ocean-mojtaba-s-adviser-issues-chilling-warning-to-us-1790249334403">Iran war to reach Indian Ocean? Mojtaba’s adviser issues chilling warning to US</a>&nbsp;A few days later, Houthis targeted the Saudi capital Riyadh for the first time in years, marking a fresh escalation in the conflict.&nbsp;The Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have been involved in fresh fighting amid Tehran’s war with the US. The conflict started after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on the kingdom and targeted its ships in the Red Sea.Earlier this month, the Houthis seized control of strategic coastal areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, vital for Saudi oil exports, after capturing territory from Saudi-backed government forces.&nbsp;The 2022 Saudi-Houthi truce collapsed in July after the Houthis allowed an Iranian flight to land directly at the Sanaa airport. Saudi-led forces then responded with an airstrike targeting the runway at Sana’a International Airport to prevent or punish the landing.The Houthis then launched retaliatory strikes towards southern Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;<h2>Shot down 6 ballistic missiles fired by Houthis, says Saudi coalition</h2>&nbsp;Later, the Saudi coalition said it had intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis.&nbsp;Turki al-Malki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said its forces destroyed six ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthis.&nbsp;“Escalation and violations by the terrorist Houthi militia will be dealt with firmly,” al-Malki added.

It was the second time in less than 10 days that such a warning was issued for Mecca. Saudi Arabia’s western coast, including the Red Sea governorate of Yanbu as well as the Taef, Jeddah, and Tabuk, also received similar warnings. 

The Saudi Civil Defence on Thursday issued an alert for the holy city of Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest site, in warnings that usually indicate a potential threat of missiles. Mecca and several other parts of Saudi Arabia were placed on alert after the kingdom’s National Early Warning Platform sent warning messages about potential danger, the Saudi Civil Defense said. “A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Mecca City to alert of a potential danger,” the directorate of Saudi Civil Defense said in a post on X, while issuing instructions for residents. The Civil Defense urged people to remain calm, follow official instructions, and immediately move to the nearest safe place, such as inside a building or an interior room away from windows, and remain there until the danger has passed.

It was the second time in less than 10 days that such a warning was issued for Mecca. Saudi Arabia’s western coast, including the Red Sea governorate of Yanbu as well as the Taef, Jeddah, and Tabuk, also received similar warnings.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia issues ‘potential danger’ warning for Mecca, second time in a month

White House on Tuesday said that US President Donald Trump is “courageously” fighting against the Iranian regime, responding to a question about Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who remained unflustered in his United Nations General Assembly speech as Trump said that he could "annihilate" Iran if necessary.&nbsp;“The Iranian regime has murdered thousands of its own people, killed Americans overseas, executed acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbours in the region," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. "The President is courageously ensuring that such an evil country never possesses a nuclear weapon, which will make the entire world safer and more stable.”US President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly heavily focused on Iran and aggressively showcased the transactional nature of the America First foreign policy. He said that he was cosidering "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell with no chance of survival", at the same time he said he was offering Iran economic cooperation and the opportunity to rebuild into a "far greater country" in exchange of dismantling it's nuclear programme, and the opportunity to rebuild into a “far greater country”.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-15-years-miriam-haley-sexual-assault-1790182424219">Harvey Weinstein gets 15-year prison sentence over Miriam Haley assault</a>Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by saying that Iran would not be bullied, while he expressed willingness to dialogue and diplomacy with the US. Iran portrayed itself as a “victim of terrorism”. &nbsp;He said that Iran was defending itself.&nbsp;“Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us.” &nbsp;He argued that Israel has nuclear weapons without ever disclosing it to the IAEA, but the IAEA inspectors are in Iran.&nbsp;The oil market spiked once again, with Brent remaining up over 2%, selling at over $105 per barrel before markets opened in the US, as the United Nations summit failed to show any signs of peace. Iran has already warned that any renewed attack will draw retalliation with expanded targeting of energy infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea and possibly even the Indian Ocean.

The White House defended Trump’s Iran policy after his UN ‘annihilate’ threat as Pezeshkian called for diplomacy and rejected US pressure.

White House on Tuesday said that US President Donald Trump is “courageously” fighting against the Iranian regime, responding to a question about Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who remained unflustered in his United Nations General Assembly speech as Trump said that he could "annihilate" Iran if necessary. “The Iranian regime has murdered thousands of its own people, killed Americans overseas, executed acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz, and launched indiscriminate attacks against its neighbours in the region," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. "The President is courageously ensuring that such an evil country never possesses a nuclear weapon, which will make the entire world safer and more stable.” US President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly heavily focused on Iran and aggressively showcased the transactional nature of the America First foreign policy. He said that he was cosidering "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell with no chance of survival", at the same time he said he was offering Iran economic cooperation and the opportunity to rebuild into a "far greater country" in exchange of dismantling it's nuclear programme, and the opportunity to rebuild into a “far greater country”. Also Read: Harvey Weinstein gets 15-year prison sentence over Miriam Haley assault Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by saying that Iran would not be bullied, while he expressed willingness to dialogue and diplomacy with the US. Iran portrayed itself as a “victim of terrorism”. He said that Iran was defending itself. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country. And we defended ourselves with utmost strength. America and Israel attacked us.” He argued that Israel has nuclear weapons without ever disclosing it to the IAEA, but the IAEA inspectors are in Iran. The oil market spiked once again, with Brent remaining up over 2%, selling at over $105 per barrel before markets opened in the US, as the United Nations summit failed to show any signs of peace. Iran has already warned that any renewed attack will draw retalliation with expanded targeting of energy infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea and possibly even the Indian Ocean.

The White House defended Trump’s Iran policy after his UN ‘annihilate’ threat as Pezeshkian called for diplomacy and rejected US pressure.

Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat

Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and 36 other civil society organisations have filed a joint court brief challenging the Trump administration's sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). They say the campaign is harming far more than the officials directly targeted. The groups submitted an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on September 22. It supports a lawsuit brought by the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch and the Open Society Institute. That lawsuit challenges the legality of sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14203, which have targeted ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN human rights expert, and three Palestinian human rights groups.&nbsp;“Behind every civil society organisation being silenced or pushed away from the ICC are victims and survivors waiting for justice. These sanctions are disrupting the networks of people and organisations that stand with victims who bring their stories and evidence before the Court, and spreading fear far beyond those directly targeted,” said Alexis Deswaef, President of FIDH.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-revives-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-as-india-emerges-central-to-west-asia-s-future-1790131037627">Trump revives India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor as India emerges central to West Asia’s future: What is it?</a>&nbsp;Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard said, “As the Trump administration steps up its attacks on the ICC and the civil society organisations essential to its work, it is crucial to demonstrate to the US Federal Court how sanctions are harming global civil society, victims and survivors of crimes under international law, and the very idea of international justice.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The brief first argues that the sanctions are fracturing civil society networks the ICC relies on. Lawyers, victim representatives and survivor-advocates connect victims and witnesses to the Court, document atrocity crimes, support victim participation and reparations, and supply legal and cultural expertise. They also advance domestic investigations and prosecutions, especially where the Court's access is limited.&nbsp;Second, the groups argue that EO 14203 violates freedom of expression and association by threatening severe financial and legal penalties on organisations and individuals.&nbsp;According to the brief, the designated entities have already lost funding, staff, banking access and partnerships. Other organisations have been deterred from engaging with the ICC, and relationships among many groups have suffered. The signatories describe the damage as measurable and irreparable, affecting civil society, the ICC, the administration of international criminal justice and, ultimately, the victims the system exists to serve. The court has yet to rule on the challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-s-special-plane-vs-trump-s-air-force-one-what-s-the-difference-1790232204053">Xi Jinping's 'special plane' vs Trump's Air Force One: What's the difference?</a>&nbsp;The 38 CSOs filing the brief are:<ul><li>Action for the Reform of Justice and Promotion of Human Rights (ARJPDH)</li><li>Amnesty International</li><li>Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP)</li><li>Arab Coalition for the International Criminal Court (ACICC)</li><li>Baltasar Garzón International Foundation (FIBGAR)</li><li>Center for Development of International Law (CDIL)</li><li>Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA)</li><li>Centre marocain pour la loi et la paix</li><li>Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos (CIPRODEH)</li><li>Chinese Initiative on International Law (CIIL)</li><li>Clinique de droit international pénal et humanitaire, Faculté de droit, Université Laval (CDIPH)</li><li>COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding-Nigeria</li><li>Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights</li><li>Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)</li><li>European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)</li><li>Global Justice Center</li><li>Human Rights Now</li><li>HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement</li><li>Indonesian Legal Aid Association for Women (APIK)</li><li>International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)</li><li>International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net)</li><li>Just Access</li><li>Kurdish Organizations Network Coalition for the International Criminal Court (KONCICC)</li><li>Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada</li><li>Libya Crimes Watch (LCW)</li><li>No Peace Without Justice</li><li>The Nuhanovic Foundation</li><li>Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)</li><li>Platform for Peace and Humanity</li><li>Refugees in Libya</li><li>Rights for Peace</li><li>Robert &amp; Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center</li><li>StoptheDrugWar.org</li><li>Students for Global Democracy Uganda</li><li>Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)</li><li>Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice</li><li>World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)</li><li>World Without Genocide</li></ul>

Thirty-eight human rights groups have backed a US lawsuit challenging President Trump’s ICC sanctions, warning the restrictions create a chilling effect for victims.

Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and 36 other civil society organisations have filed a joint court brief challenging the Trump administration's sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). They say the campaign is harming far more than the officials directly targeted. The groups submitted an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on September 22. It supports a lawsuit brought by the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch and the Open Society Institute. That lawsuit challenges the legality of sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14203, which have targeted ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN human rights expert, and three Palestinian human rights groups. “Behind every civil society organisation being silenced or pushed away from the ICC are victims and survivors waiting for justice. These sanctions are disrupting the networks of people and organisations that stand with victims who bring their stories and evidence before the Court, and spreading fear far beyond those directly targeted,” said Alexis Deswaef, President of FIDH. Also read: Trump revives India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor as India emerges central to West Asia’s future: What is it? Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard said, “As the Trump administration steps up its attacks on the ICC and the civil society organisations essential to its work, it is crucial to demonstrate to the US Federal Court how sanctions are harming global civil society, victims and survivors of crimes under international law, and the very idea of international justice.” The brief first argues that the sanctions are fracturing civil society networks the ICC relies on. Lawyers, victim representatives and survivor-advocates connect victims and witnesses to the Court, document atrocity crimes, support victim participation and reparations, and supply legal and cultural expertise. They also advance domestic investigations and prosecutions, especially where the Court's access is limited. Second, the groups argue that EO 14203 violates freedom of expression and association by threatening severe financial and legal penalties on organisations and individuals. According to the brief, the designated entities have already lost funding, staff, banking access and partnerships. Other organisations have been deterred from engaging with the ICC, and relationships among many groups have suffered. The signatories describe the damage as measurable and irreparable, affecting civil society, the ICC, the administration of international criminal justice and, ultimately, the victims the system exists to serve. The court has yet to rule on the challenge. Also read: Xi Jinping's 'special plane' vs Trump's Air Force One: What's the difference? The 38 CSOs filing the brief are: Action for the Reform of Justice and Promotion of Human Rights (ARJPDH) Amnesty International Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) Arab Coalition for the International Criminal Court (ACICC) Baltasar Garzón International Foundation (FIBGAR) Center for Development of International Law (CDIL) Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) Centre marocain pour la loi et la paix Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos (CIPRODEH) Chinese Initiative on International Law (CIIL) Clinique de droit international pénal et humanitaire, Faculté de droit, Université Laval (CDIPH) COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding-Nigeria Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) Global Justice Center Human Rights Now HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement Indonesian Legal Aid Association for Women (APIK) International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) Just Access Kurdish Organizations Network Coalition for the International Criminal Court (KONCICC) Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) No Peace Without Justice The Nuhanovic Foundation Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) Platform for Peace and Humanity Refugees in Libya Rights for Peace Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center StoptheDrugWar.org Students for Global Democracy Uganda Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) World Without Genocide

Thirty-eight human rights groups have backed a US lawsuit challenging President Trump’s ICC sanctions, warning the restrictions create a chilling effect for victims.

38 rights groups challenge Trump's ICC sanctions in US court, warning of chilling effect on victims

Russia said on Thursday (Sept. 24) that it would consider the US government’s invitation for President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in the United States in December.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump has invited Putin to attend the summit of world leaders in Miami. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation earlier this week after meeting his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.&nbsp;Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that no decision had been taken yet on whether Putin would travel to Miami for the summit.&nbsp;“We certainly receive this kind invitation with appreciation. We value this invitation. It will be considered... and a decision will then be made,” Peskov told reporters.<h3>Trump’s Putin invitation comes amid Ukraine war</h3>The invitation comes as the Trump administration has failed to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine despite multiple efforts to end the four-and-a-half-year war between the two countries.&nbsp;Ending the war was also a promise made by Trump during his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.&nbsp;In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. This has put further pressure on oil and gas supplies, which were already strained following Iran’s closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz after US-Israeli attacks.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sent-1-300-shipments-to-iran-s-defence-ministry-before-and-during-war-report-1790240379811">China sent 1,300 shipments to Iran’s defence ministry before and during war: Report</a>&nbsp;The rise in energy prices has also added pressure on American consumers ahead of the US midterm polls, which could affect the performance of Trump’s Republican Party.&nbsp;Trump and Putin have spoken by telephone on various occasions. Their last in-person meeting took place in 2025, when Trump welcomed Putin in Alaska for talks on the Ukraine war. However, the talks failed to produce any breakthrough.&nbsp;The G20 summit will take place on December 14 and 15 as the US holds the rotating presidency of the forum, which brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies.<h3>EU says Russia has right to attend G20</h3>Meanwhile, the European Union said on Thursday that it would use the December G20 summit in Miami to continue condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine after the United States invited Putin to attend.&nbsp;“Since 2022, the EU has consistently and forcefully used G20 meetings to condemn Russia's full-scale invasion and to call for it to end. What I can say today is that this approach, from the European Union perspective, will continue, irrespective of the participants at any G20 meeting,” EU spokesman Olof Gill said.&nbsp;Gill added that Russia remains a member of the G20 and therefore has “the right to participate in G20 meetings, including at ministerial and leaders level”.

Russia has welcomed Donald Trump’s invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the December G20 summit in Miami but said no decision has been taken on whether the Russian president will attend.

Russia said on Thursday (Sept. 24) that it would consider the US government’s invitation for President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in the United States in December. US President Donald Trump has invited Putin to attend the summit of world leaders in Miami. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the invitation earlier this week after meeting his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that no decision had been taken yet on whether Putin would travel to Miami for the summit. “We certainly receive this kind invitation with appreciation. We value this invitation. It will be considered... and a decision will then be made,” Peskov told reporters. Trump’s Putin invitation comes amid Ukraine war The invitation comes as the Trump administration has failed to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine despite multiple efforts to end the four-and-a-half-year war between the two countries. Ending the war was also a promise made by Trump during his campaign for the 2024 presidential election. In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. This has put further pressure on oil and gas supplies, which were already strained following Iran’s closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz after US-Israeli attacks. Also Read: China sent 1,300 shipments to Iran’s defence ministry before and during war: Report The rise in energy prices has also added pressure on American consumers ahead of the US midterm polls, which could affect the performance of Trump’s Republican Party. Trump and Putin have spoken by telephone on various occasions. Their last in-person meeting took place in 2025, when Trump welcomed Putin in Alaska for talks on the Ukraine war. However, the talks failed to produce any breakthrough. The G20 summit will take place on December 14 and 15 as the US holds the rotating presidency of the forum, which brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies. EU says Russia has right to attend G20 Meanwhile, the European Union said on Thursday that it would use the December G20 summit in Miami to continue condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine after the United States invited Putin to attend. “Since 2022, the EU has consistently and forcefully used G20 meetings to condemn Russia's full-scale invasion and to call for it to end. What I can say today is that this approach, from the European Union perspective, will continue, irrespective of the participants at any G20 meeting,” EU spokesman Olof Gill said. Gill added that Russia remains a member of the G20 and therefore has “the right to participate in G20 meetings, including at ministerial and leaders level”.

Russia has welcomed Donald Trump’s invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the December G20 summit in Miami, but said no decision has been taken on whether the Russian president will attend.

Russia will ‘consider’ Trump’s G20 invitation to Putin; EU vows to keep condemning Moscow

Iran has warned that the ongoing Middle East war could spread into the Indian Ocean if the United States launches further attacks, marking the clearest threat yet from Tehran about widening the conflict beyond the region. Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, issued the warning on Thursday (Sep 24) in a video released by Iran’s Fars news agency.“Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond,” Safavi said.<h2>Iran points to Red Sea, Hormuz</h2>The warning comes as tensions have already spread across several critical waterways. Yemen’s Houthis have recently taken control of parts of the Red Sea coastline while fighting Saudi-backed government forces, strengthening their position around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.Iran has provided military support to the Houthis but denies being directly involved in the Yemen conflict.Tehran has also imposed a lockdown on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, following US-Israeli strikes that triggered the war at the end of February. Iranian and US forces are now locked in a confrontation over the strategic waterway, through which a major share of the world’s oil and gas previously passed.<h2>Diego Garcia in focus</h2>Thursday’s warning was notable because it directly named the Indian Ocean for the first time in such terms by an adviser to Iran's supreme leader. The region is home to the US-British military base at Diego Garcia, located nearly 4,000 kilometres from Iran.The warning came as Iranian and US officials held talks in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, seeking a possible path towards ending the conflict.Iran has demanded sanctions relief and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets as part of its conditions for ending the war.A Revolutionary Guards spokesman also told AFP on Tuesday that ending the war in Yemen was among the issues being discussed.

Iran has warned that the Middle East war could spread to the Indian Ocean if the US attacks again, raising tensions around Hormuz, the Red Sea and the strategic Diego Garcia base.

Iran has warned that the ongoing Middle East war could spread into the Indian Ocean if the United States launches further attacks, marking the clearest threat yet from Tehran about widening the conflict beyond the region. Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, issued the warning on Thursday (Sep 24) in a video released by Iran’s Fars news agency. “Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond,” Safavi said. Iran points to Red Sea, Hormuz The warning comes as tensions have already spread across several critical waterways. Yemen’s Houthis have recently taken control of parts of the Red Sea coastline while fighting Saudi-backed government forces, strengthening their position around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Iran has provided military support to the Houthis but denies being directly involved in the Yemen conflict. Tehran has also imposed a lockdown on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, following US-Israeli strikes that triggered the war at the end of February. Iranian and US forces are now locked in a confrontation over the strategic waterway, through which a major share of the world’s oil and gas previously passed. Diego Garcia in focus Thursday’s warning was notable because it directly named the Indian Ocean for the first time in such terms by an adviser to Iran's supreme leader. The region is home to the US-British military base at Diego Garcia, located nearly 4,000 kilometres from Iran. The warning came as Iranian and US officials held talks in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, seeking a possible path towards ending the conflict. Iran has demanded sanctions relief and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets as part of its conditions for ending the war. A Revolutionary Guards spokesman also told AFP on Tuesday that ending the war in Yemen was among the issues being discussed.

Iran has warned that the Middle East war could spread to the Indian Ocean if the US attacks again, raising tensions around Hormuz, the Red Sea and the strategic Diego Garcia base.

Iran war to reach Indian Ocean? Mojtaba’s adviser issues chilling warning to US

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday (Sep 23) that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian despite Israel's claims over the strategically important territory. He demanded that Israeli forces withdraw and warned that attempts to violate Syrian sovereignty would be stopped. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz rejected the remarks, saying the Golan under Israeli sovereignty is an inseparable part of the State of Israel forever.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/al-sharaa-attempt-to-violate-syrian-sovereignty-will-be-opposed-1790228993757/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/al-sharaa-attempt-to-violate-syrian-sovereignty-will-be-opposed-1790228993757/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981. Al-Sharaa invoked UN Security Council Resolution 497, which declares Israel's 1981 decision to impose its laws and administration on the territory "null and void". The UN maintains that the plateau is Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Recognition of Israel's claim remains rare. The US was the only country to recognise the annexation until Colombia's new government did so in August. Trump formally recognised Israeli sovereignty in 2019. Al-Sharaa said he told Trump directly that he had no right to do so. He also noted that 123 countries backed a UN General Assembly resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan in December 2025.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/secret-reactor-in-syria-could-have-been-used-for-nuclear-weapons-says-iaea-after-finding-73-tonnes-of-natural-uranium-1788812570475">‘Secret reactor in Syria could have been used for nuclear weapons,’ says IAEA after finding 73 tonnes of natural uranium</a>&nbsp;The plateau is small but strategic. Its elevation gives whoever holds it a commanding view over northern Israel and the road to Damascus, which lies roughly 60 km away. Mount Hermon at its northern edge offers valuable surveillance. The Golan also feeds water sources, including the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, and it supports agriculture and settlements. Israel says giving it up would leave its north exposed, while Syria sees its return as a matter of sovereignty and national pride.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-great-trump-hails-syria-s-push-for-alternative-to-strait-of-hormuz-amid-us-iran-war-1788487903144">'This is great': Trump hails Syria's push for alternative to Strait of Hormuz amid US-Iran war</a>&nbsp;Al-Sharaa said Israel has carried out around 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions in Syria since Bashar al-Assad's fall. He said Syria and Israel had held several rounds of direct talks, some facilitated by the US, and reached "almost 90% of agreements" before Israel pulled back or added new conditions. He said an opportunity for a just peace remains available. With Israel firm on sovereignty and Damascus refusing to concede, the Golan remains a central obstacle to any Syria-Israel settlement.&nbsp;

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared at the UN General Assembly that the Golan Heights "will remain Syrian." Here is a breakdown of his claims, the Trump exchange, and why the disputed plateau matters.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday (Sep 23) that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian despite Israel's claims over the strategically important territory. He demanded that Israeli forces withdraw and warned that attempts to violate Syrian sovereignty would be stopped. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz rejected the remarks, saying the Golan under Israeli sovereignty is an inseparable part of the State of Israel forever. https://www.wionews.com/videos/al-sharaa-attempt-to-violate-syrian-sovereignty-will-be-opposed-1790228993757/embed Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981. Al-Sharaa invoked UN Security Council Resolution 497, which declares Israel's 1981 decision to impose its laws and administration on the territory "null and void". The UN maintains that the plateau is Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. Recognition of Israel's claim remains rare. The US was the only country to recognise the annexation until Colombia's new government did so in August. Trump formally recognised Israeli sovereignty in 2019. Al-Sharaa said he told Trump directly that he had no right to do so. He also noted that 123 countries backed a UN General Assembly resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan in December 2025. Also read: ‘Secret reactor in Syria could have been used for nuclear weapons,’ says IAEA after finding 73 tonnes of natural uranium The plateau is small but strategic. Its elevation gives whoever holds it a commanding view over northern Israel and the road to Damascus, which lies roughly 60 km away. Mount Hermon at its northern edge offers valuable surveillance. The Golan also feeds water sources, including the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, and it supports agriculture and settlements. Israel says giving it up would leave its north exposed, while Syria sees its return as a matter of sovereignty and national pride. Also read: 'This is great': Trump hails Syria's push for alternative to Strait of Hormuz amid US-Iran war Al-Sharaa said Israel has carried out around 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions in Syria since Bashar al-Assad's fall. He said Syria and Israel had held several rounds of direct talks, some facilitated by the US, and reached "almost 90% of agreements" before Israel pulled back or added new conditions. He said an opportunity for a just peace remains available. With Israel firm on sovereignty and Damascus refusing to concede, the Golan remains a central obstacle to any Syria-Israel settlement.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared at the UN General Assembly that the Golan Heights "will remain Syrian." Here is a breakdown of his claims, the Trump exchange, and why the disputed plateau matters.

Golan Heights ‘will remain Syrian,’ says al-Sharaa: Why the plateau matters

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist.In other news, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to arrive in India on 19 October, his second trip to the country this year, as Washington and New Delhi work to manage both deepening strategic ties and fresh points of friction. During this visit, he will be travelling to India's financial capital, Mumbai.Following up, CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. Stay with us for the latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan on Thursday, including an attack reported in Kandahar, the hometown of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated further. A resident of Kandahar told AFP that they heard a jet followed by a large explosion and later saw a fire in the centre of the city. Pakistan did not specify the locations of the targets in its initial statement.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2nd-pakistan-attack-on-afghanistan-this-week-kandahar-hit-as-tensions-with-taliban-soar-1790243920315">Read Here.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

2nd Pakistan attack on Afghanistan this week: Kandahar hit as tensions with Taliban soar

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 Sep 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘VARUNA’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.Exercise VARUNA will witness professional engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements. These engagements will provide opportunities for both Navies to share experiences and best practices, enhance interoperability and foster greater mutual understanding.The visit underscores the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and reflects the expanding scope of maritime cooperation and strengthening ties between the two nations.

INS Trishul arrives at Toulon, France for the 24th edition of bilateral maritime exercise Varuna

Oil prices jumped in Asia's afternoon trade, with the international benchmark, Brent crude, surging three percent to $106.24 per barrel, as uncertainty swirled around the seven-month conflict.Hopes for a deal to get Gulf oil and gas flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz as global leaders gathered in New York had sent oil prices down in recent sessions.Hong Kong closed 0.3 percent down, with Sydney, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Singapore also in the red. South Korea's Kospi was closed for a holiday.Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8 percent up on its first day back from a three-day break.- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -West Texas Intermediate:&nbsp;UP 1.4 percent at $93.41 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude:&nbsp;UP 3 percent at $106.24 per barrelHong Kong - Hang Seng Index:&nbsp;DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,761.13 (close)Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,888.37&nbsp;(close)Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 65,513.99 (close)London - FTSE 100:&nbsp;FLAT at 10,710.78Dollar/yen: UP at 158.34 from 158.29 on WednesdayEuro/dollar: UP at $1.1389 from $1.1385Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3244 from $1.3242Euro/pound: FLAT at 85.97 pence

Oil prices jump by 3% to $106.24 per barrel

Asian markets fell on Thursday as jitters around a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit equities.Shanghai closed 1.2 percent down, shrugging off US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement that the superpowers had agreed to extend a trade truce by two months.The simmering trade war between the world's top two economies is a key concern. Both sides have maintained a tariff truce for nearly a year, but they have yet to secure a lasting agreement.The "economic detente" will now extend beyond its November 10 deadline to January 10, Bessent said.&nbsp;

Asian markets fall on US-China jitters as leaders meet

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race to be part of Germany's bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.The Berlin Senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged that the city would no longer take part."Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however, support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

Berlin confirms withdrawal from race to host summer Olympics

"Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond," said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency.

Iran may expand war to Indian Ocean if US attacks again: supreme leader's adviser 

The meeting between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi came amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, to end hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed holding talks in New York. Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement the two countries had discussed regional and international developments, without elaborating.

Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministers meet on UNGA sidelines amid ongoing war mediation efforts

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday that Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians, vowing to deliver an "appropriate response" to the raids.

Taliban govt says Pakistan airstrikes kill 4 civilians in Afghanistan 

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the country's transitional government, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026

South Sudan's president dissolves government ahead of country's first elections

Morocco's centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), part of the kingdom's ruling coalition, celebrates its victory after it came out ahead in parliamentary election, winning 97 out of 395 seats, according to provisional results. The election drew a turnout of 38 percent, marking the lowest level in almost two decades as the kingdom struggled with voter apathy amid social crises

Morocco's centre-right PAM secures most seats in election: provisional results 

Seven people were killed in a Russian strike on a farm in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said, after a wave of attacks across the country."In the morning, a drone struck an agricultural enterprise, killing seven people and injuring 10," he wrote on Telegram.

Seven killed in Russian strike on Ukraine farm near Kharkiv: PM

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, has triggered a heated online debate after announcing that his company will no longer recruit male candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

Won’t hire men from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP: Bengaluru entrepreneur faces backlash

The BJP spent Rs 529.38 crore on contesting the last round of Assembly elections held across Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with more than half of the expenditure incurred in West Bengal, according to the party’s election expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission.

BJP Spent Rs 529 Crore On 5 State Polls, Over Half In Bengal, EC Expenditure Report Shows

Amid the ongoing row over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking on social media, “What if all Gyanesh haters unite?”

'What if...': CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's new post amid ECI-Gyanesh Kumar row

Days after a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Astha Kunj near Kalkaji Mandir, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has ordered tighter security at its parks across the city, including restricting entry through select gates after sunset, installing more CCTV cameras and lights, and increasing night patrolling. The directions have been issued by the DDA Vice Chairman and are to be implemented immediately, even as a wider safety audit of parks gets underway.&nbsp;

Days After Rape Of 17-Year-Old, Delhi Restricts Entry To Parks After Sunset

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it "would be great" if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan. "We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...," Rubio told reporters. The top US diplomat said there's "unanimity and consensus" at the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken.&nbsp;"But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it," he said.

International System Broken, Can't Address Conflicts Like India-Pakistan: US

Pakistan has appointed retired Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General of the Secretariat that will oversee implementation of the Mecca pact—the trilateral defence agreement between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/who-is-lt-gen-nauman-mahmood-pakistan-s-first-secretary-general-of-makkah-defence-alliance-1790229710965"> READ MORE ABOUT HIM HERE&nbsp;</a>

Who is Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood, Pakistan's first secretary general of Makkah Defence Alliance?

Another case of molestation has surfaced from Bihar's Samastipur district, days after Jamui incident prompted Bihar Police to take action. Similar to the Jamui incident, this has also been captured on CCTV. In a 56-second video that has now gone viral, four men were seen harassing and molesting a girl. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/another-teen-harassed-molested-in-bihar-s-samastipur-accused-arrested-1790228525065">READ MORE</a>

Another teen molested on road by group of men in Bihar's Samastipur, accused arrested

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds just 26% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down from 33% in March. Even among Republicans, approval has fallen as more Americans question the war’s direction and costs. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-1-in-4-americans-approve-of-trump-s-iran-war-handling-new-poll-finds-november-midterms-1790221557266">READ MORE</a>

Just 1 in 4 Americans approve of Trump’s Iran war handling, new poll finds

An overnight airstrike hit the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban government's supreme leader. The latest strikes come days after a deadly bombardment by Islamabad forces in eastern Afghanistan and nearly a week after a militant attack on a police headquarters in northern Pakistan that killed at least 31 people

Pakistan confirms Afghan strikes after resident says Kandahar hit 

A man in California accidentally backed up his Tesla Cybertruck over his six-year-old son, who died at the hospital. Terrick El Guindy is a Mr Olympia judge who remembered his son in an Instagram Story. “We are one. We will always be one. We will be together forever. Preston and Terrick," he wrote. The 48-year-old struck his son outside their home on Saturday around 9 pm. The California Highway Patrol questioned Terrick, but he wasn't arrested. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mr-olympia-judge-accidentally-backs-his-tesla-cybertruck-over-his-6-year-old-son-1790232870320">READ MORE</a>

Mr Olympia judge accidentally backs his Tesla Cybertruck over his 6-year-old son

https://www.wionews.com/videos/iit-bombay-student-suicide-case-cctv-from-the-exam-hall-hours-before-suicide-1790234425635

IIT Bombay student suicide case: CCTV from the exam hall hours before suicide

What if your next romantic date was with an AI partner instead of a real person? South Korea’s reality show My AI Partner: Strange Love explores how human beings can become attached to digital companions. The new series has ignited conversations about intimacy, relationships and the future of human connection. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/would-you-date-an-ai-south-korea-s-my-ai-partner-strange-love-sparks-buzz-on-relationship-and-intimacy-1790225670726">READ MORE</a>

Would you date an AI? South Korea’s My AI Partner: Strange Love sparks buzz on relationship and intimacy

Get the latest updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India on Oct 19, Donald Trump’s approval on Iran drops below 30%, and CCTV footage emerges in IIT Bombay student death probe.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist. In other news, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to arrive in India on 19 October, his second trip to the country this year, as Washington and New Delhi work to manage both deepening strategic ties and fresh points of friction. During this visit, he will be travelling to India's financial capital, Mumbai. Following up, CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. Stay with us for the latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Get the latest updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India on Oct 19, Donald Trump’s approval on Iran drops below 30%, and CCTV footage emerges in IIT Bombay student death probe.

world news

US admits 8 suicide attempts aboard USS Abraham Lincoln amid Iran war | GRAVITAS

‘Both will lose in confrontation’: Xi says US, China should ‘coexist in peace’

A startup is handing full control of a spacecraft to an AI

Trump hails ‘mutual respect’ in US-China ties as Xi begins second state visit

Israeli actions threaten ‘very life and existence’ of Palestinians: Prez Abbas

For the first time, US and Chinese AI makers at the same table

Winter coat, gloves in September? Trump’s Xi welcome sparks social media buzz

Trump ally Bishop Barron warns communism is ‘making a comeback’ in US

Alibaba unveiled 'China's most powerful AI chip'

OpenAI priced its new model at exactly half of Anthropic's

White House turns away CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters despite court order

UAE suspends all Iranian airline flights as US sanctions come into effect

Researchers found malware that takes its orders from a committee of four AIs, with no human

Trump called AI oversight a 'globalist scheme'

Russian attack on farm in Ukraine’s Kharkiv kills 6, injures 12 workers

Back to the future: The rise of technopolitics

Saudi Arabia issues ‘potential danger’ warning for Mecca, second time in a month

Trump ‘courageously’ fighting Iran, says White House after ‘annihilate’ threat

38 rights groups challenge Trump's ICC sanctions in US court

Russia to consider Trump’s G20 invite for Putin; EU vows continued condemnation

Iran war to reach Indian Ocean? Mojtaba adviser’s chilling warning to US

Golan Heights ‘will remain Syrian,’ says al-Sharaa: Why the plateau matters

Latest News LIVE Updates: Trump-Xi summit, ECI controversy and more

2nd Pakistan attack on Afghanistan this week