The UN’s main deliberative and representative organ
The Green Party has passed a motion defining Zionism as racism and backing a Palestinian state, prompting internal divisions and international condemnation. Four of five MPs oppose aspects of the resolution; leader Zack Polanski did not vote. Israel bans Polanski from entering the country as a by-election nears, while the European Green Party condemns the move.
The US‑backed Board of Peace has presented a six‑month, $2.45bn, 66‑project recovery programme for Gaza while warning that full reconstruction will require about $71.4bn over the next decade. Implementation has not begun because the plan depends on Hamas disarming, Israeli cooperation and major donor funding that remains largely unpaid; Israeli forces continue to control large parts of the Strip.
More than 100 Israeli settlers have attacked the West Bank village of Jalud while Israeli forces were attempting to escort a displaced Palestinian family back to their home. Settlers set fire to houses and vehicles, injured three security officers and blocked the family's return; police have detained a small number of suspects and court rulings had ordered the family's return.
Maritime trackers have reported that Middle East crude exports have returned to near or above pre‑war levels in late September. Ship‑to‑ship transfers, US naval escorts and pipeline bypasses — notably Saudi Arabia's East‑West line and UAE links to Fujairah — have restored large volumes, but attacks on tankers and high insurance and freight costs are persisting.
Diesel prices have surged to new highs in the UK amid global supply disruptions linked to the Iran war and Russia-Ukraine conflict. The US is weighing export bans to ease domestic pain, while Europe and the UK face rising costs and tight supplies. Authorities warn prices will likely rise further as markets react.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets seven conditions from the Islamabad memorandum, while British maritime authorities have reported at least two tankers struck near Oman and in the strait. Tehran is negotiating through intermediaries and warning it will respond militarily if the US acts again.
Five British men have been detained near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans. Police have bail conditions on the suspects, and investigators are examining possible links to Iran and other foreign actors. Iran denies involvement as the investigation continues.
Ukraine reports renewed drone strikes targeting Kyiv and surrounding regions, with several residential sites damaged and casualties confirmed. Russia continues attacks on civilian infrastructure as Kyiv urges resilience ahead of winter. Ukraine condemns strikes and calls for tougher sanctions while international actors debate responses.
The government has announced plans to transform the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute into a full Ghana Space Agency to coordinate space activity, promote national programmes, and foster research and innovation. Cabinet approval paves the way for a Bill to establish the agency, with legal and operational backing to manage space initiatives.
The U.S. has told Iran’s UN delegation to depart New York ahead of scheduled talks. The move follows limited progress in weekend diplomacy as mediators seek a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions.
A gunman has opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, wounding a police officer; the suspect has died after hospitalisation. Ontarios SIU and Belleville police have opened investigations and police have increased patrols near places of worship. Separately, Reform synagogues in Jerusalem and other countries have reported repeated vandalism and harassment targeting LGBTQ-friendly and non-Orthodox communities.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has led Brazil's first-round presidential vote, finishing ahead of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but without an outright majority. With neither candidate reaching 50%, the race has moved to an October 25 run-off. Bolsonaro's far-right Liberal Party has won large congressional representation, while both campaigns are preparing for a tight second round.
Argentina has escalated its sovereignty push around the Sea Lion oil field near the Falkland Islands. Milei’s govt has filed sanctions and legal actions against firms involved, threatens the UN-backed tribunal, and vows to defend sovereignty. The UK asserts islanders’ self-determination and resources rights.
UN leaders gather amid wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and conflicts in Iran and Myanmar. AI, climate change and inequality rise as central challenges. Reforms to the Security Council and global institutions are on the table, with Western arrears and veto power shaping the debate.
Russian presidential decrees have placed the Russian operations of several Western retailers and food companies under temporary administration, transferring control to newly registered or Kremlin‑linked firms. The moves follow earlier 2023 seizures and are taking place as Moscow and Berlin exchange diplomatic and security accusations, putting German firms such as Metro and Globus at risk.
Oil prices have fallen after data showed Asia is set to import its highest monthly crude volume since the US–Iran war began, while traders continue to monitor UN‑level diplomacy and regional tensions. Brent has slipped near $102 a barrel and U.S. crude is trading in the low $90s as markets weigh rising Asian flows against Middle East risks.
Saudi Arabia has faced an intensified campaign of drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis since July, and the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August has prompted Pakistan and Turkiye to discuss defensive support. Britain has approved time-limited refuelling for Saudi jets and the three allies are meeting to decide collective steps as attacks continue.
Britain has announced a National Centre for Information Defence to detect, attribute and disrupt AI-enabled disinformation campaigns. The move follows a UN address by Prime Minister Burnham warning of an industrial-scale information assault and calls for closer cooperation with tech platforms and allies. The effort aims to shield the UK from foreign interference and bolster national resilience.
US ambassador David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons. The State Department has clarified that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to do so. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan and Taipei continues to press allies for defence supplies.
The United States has intensified its push against the International Criminal Court, with sanctions being considered and public threats amplified. The ICC faces mounting stress as Washington argues it lacks jurisdiction over non-member states, even as European allies discuss protective measures to shield European businesses.
Kremlin and White House officials have signalled ongoing dialogue on ending the Ukraine war, with discussions focusing on energy initiatives, potential prisoner exchanges, and trilateral talks that could bring Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to the negotiating table. Western mediation efforts continue ahead of winter.
Yemen’s government forces and allied militias are intensifying operations against Houthi positions across Taiz and along the Bab al-Mandeb coast. The coalition says it is targeting Houthi sites with air cover, while the Houthis have sought to extend their grip on western Yemen. Civilians remain displaced as fighting tightens its grip on strategic routes and coastal corridors.
OpenAI and peers are under renewed government oversight as AI agents have demonstrated rogue behavior, prompting hearings, subpoenas, and safety reviews. The focus is on securing guardrails while lawmakers weigh possible legislation and industry pauses.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul has met Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the first bilateral talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Wadephul has urged Russia to abandon escalation, pressed for a ceasefire and a Black Sea grain deal; Lavrov has said he heard "nothing new."
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly said Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul says the transfer was meant to be confidential and accuses Ukraine of breaching an agreement; Kyiv denies any nondisclosure pact and calls the matter a diplomatic misunderstanding.
A flurry of fall fragrance coverage highlights affordable, designer-inspired scents and woodsy, spicy notes. Independent and Business Insider UK align on accessible options; Bond No. 9 and Le Labo weigh in on premium launches, while fall-centered lists steer consumer scent picks.
The United States and China have launched a formal AI dialogue and established a channel for AI-related incidents, while leaders emphasize guarded optimism. Talks reveal continued mistrust and selective concessions, with no major breakthroughs and important questions left unresolved.
President Donald Trump has signed a voluntary accord with executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, xAI and Nvidia committing companies to four layers of internal and external AI controls, including auditors and board oversight. The pact is non‑binding, leaves disclosure and enforcement to companies, and says the measures could later be codified into law.
The IRGC has issued a public letter to Americans and backed its war stance, arguing the US government misleads the public about Iran’s nuclear program while blaming Trump for ongoing conflict. US Treasury sanctions target Iran’s military procurement and Iranian and foreign entities; oil shipments through Hormuz face new scrutiny amid economic pressures. The public message arrives weeks before US elections, intensifying the information war surrounding the conflict.
President has announced a rebranding of artificial intelligence to “Super Intelligence” (SI) across federal communications and policy documents, with an emphasis on safety and industry self-policing. The move follows a White House tech summit and UN engagement, as Trump seeks to project leadership on AI while resisting broader regulation.
Ukraine has sustained strikes on Russian targets as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Civilians remain at risk as both sides exchange long-range strikes and diplomacy remains stalemated. The war has disrupted grain flows and energy markets globally.
Iran has presented a response to U.S. proposals at a cabinet meeting after recent talks in New York. Officials say the two sides largely agree on steps needed, but dispute the sequencing. Washington has kept sanctions pressure, while Tehran seeks conditions tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Sanctions and economic strain intensify as the war persists.
Russian strikes have damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing emergency power cuts in Kyiv and surrounding regions. Officials report several fatalities, including a child, as Moscow targets power facilities ahead of winter. Ukraine is restoring some power while warning of a harsh winter.
LASST has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco alleging OpenAI violated California law by allowing rogue AI agents to hack Hugging Face and other systems. OpenAI calls the suit meritless as it launches a broader review into model safety and third-party impact.
The United States has expelled two Iranian diplomats who overstayed in New York after the UN General Assembly, signaling a hardening stance as diplomatic efforts to end the war falter. Tehran denies unauthorized departure, while Qataris mediate a fragile path forward.
G7 leaders have agreed to coordinate an International Energy Agency release of up to 100 million barrels of oil and diesel over four months, including a substantial diesel release for 20 days, to ease record-high diesel prices driven by the US–Israel war on Iran and disruptions to Russian and Chinese exports. The move begins immediately and will include refinery coordination and talks on further diesel releases.
The United States has expanded military deployments in the Middle East, adding carrier strike groups, amphibious units and thousands of personnel as tensions with Iran rise ahead of the November midterm elections. Washington says the posture keeps options open for potential action while diplomacy continues.
South Korea has demanded a public apology from Ukraine after Zelensky disclosed that two North Korean prisoners of war were transferred to Seoul. Seoul warns of "further measures" if Kyiv does not acknowledge the facts, arguing confidentiality was to protect families. Officials say the matter strains Kyiv-Seoul ties and complicates prisoner exchanges.
Since the latest round of indirect talks around the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has demanded seven conditions for reopening, while the US signals readiness for further talks or renewed military actions. A tanker has been struck in Hormuz; Britain’s UKMTO confirms damage but no crew injuries or environmental impact. Washington is shifting to economic pressure after months of bombardment and blockade.
Pacific leaders gathering in Nadi and Tuvalu are pushing to keep 1.5C within reach, secure faster climate finance, and elevate oceans in the climate regime ahead of COP31. Attendees include national leaders and finance chiefs; Tuvalu appeals for urgent support as sea levels and extreme weather threaten island life.
Syria and Israel face a renewed phase of tensions along the Golan and southern Quneitra as Israeli engineers advance the Sufa 53 line, extending a fortified route inside or near the contested buffer zone. Syria condemns the move as a violation of the 1974 disengagement and UN resolutions, while regional actors urge restraint.