ANN

French public sector workers are preparing for a nationwide strike on Tuesday, September 29, with teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport staff expected to take part. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. The RATP transport network is among the services affected, and travellers are being warned of likely disruptions.

President Donald Trump threatened to 'annihilate' Iran during remarks in New York, while Iran's delegate sat with a stone-cold stare. The stark moment, captured on camera, drew wide attention online, with viewers noting the delegate's unflinching expression as Trump issued one of his harshest public threats yet against the Islamic Republic amid escalating tensions.

A camera caught the stony reaction of Iran's delegate as Donald Trump warned the US could 'annihilate' Iran if it pursued nuclear weapons, remarks delivered in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The clip of the Iranian diplomat's expression spread quickly, with viewers debating whether it signalled defiance, alarm, or contempt amid sharply escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva banned sports betting sites on Friday, targeting the 'bets' that have become the biggest sponsors of the country's football clubs. The move, announced nine days before a fiercely contested election in which Lula seeks a fourth term, has drawn attention to the tense relationship between gambling money and Brazilian football, with supporters and critics weighing the timing ahead of the vote.

Two of China's electric vehicle manufacturers have announced a deal, a sign that the country's crowded EV sector is beginning to consolidate. The New York Times reports the agreement comes as intensifying competition, price wars and overcapacity push China's auto industry toward mergers and consolidation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran will pursue those responsible for what it calls war crimes committed against Iran. The message was reported by the Italian news agency Nova. It signals Iran's intent to press accountability claims at the international level amid ongoing tensions.

Federal authorities have issued a security bulletin ahead of the September 11 anniversary, warning that foreign terrorist organizations continue to encourage attacks in the United States. The notice, reported by ABC News, highlights ongoing propaganda and calls for violence by extremist groups abroad, urging law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant around commemorations.

US Congressman Ro Khanna is preparing to introduce an AI safety bill that would ban the development of 'recursive' artificial intelligence — systems that improve themselves — until adequate safeguards exist. The proposal adds to a growing debate in Washington over how to regulate advanced AI, with lawmakers weighing innovation against risks from systems that could evolve beyond human oversight.

Attention is turning to the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with reporting examining which federation officials and regional blocs could decide whether Gianni Infantino secures another term as FIFA president. The focus is on the small circle of voters whose support will be decisive, and on how regional alliances within world football's governing body may shape the contest.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the eighth named storm of the hurricane season. Forecasters are tracking its path and monitoring potential impacts on coastal areas. The storm's arrival keeps attention on what has been a busy Atlantic season, with residents in potentially affected regions advised to follow official forecasts and advisories.

Russia is planning to spend $202.58 billion on its military in 2027, an increase of roughly 27%, with $591 billion earmarked for defence over the next three years. The figures come alongside news that Russia's budget deficit has risen to 3.2% of GDP, double the 1.6% projected in official estimates, prompting discussion about how long the country can sustain war-driven spending.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the central subtropical Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm marks another named system of the Atlantic season, and forecasters are tracking its path and strength. Details on its expected movement and any potential threat to land have not yet been widely reported.

Canadian politician Mark Carney said he cannot guarantee that India will no longer be involved in crimes in Canada. The comment, reported by the National Post, touches on the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi, which have included Canadian allegations of Indian government involvement in criminal activity on Canadian soil. The remark is drawing attention to how Canada plans to manage relations with India.

The New York Times has published maps tracking the path of Tropical Storm Hanna. The interactive maps follow the storm's projected course, offering readers up-to-date information on its location and expected movement. Hanna is being closely monitored as it advances, with coverage focused on where the storm is heading and which areas may be in its path.

The US Department of Justice has announced charges and guilty pleas involving 12 individuals for election-related crimes. The announcement was made via the department's official website, though details of the specific offenses, the defendants' identities and the sentences involved have not yet been widely circulated. The case comes amid ongoing national scrutiny of election integrity and enforcement of voting laws.

India has proposed banning junk food sales in school canteens and within 50 meters of school premises, a move aimed at curbing rising obesity and diabetes rates among children. The measure would restrict children's access to sugary drinks, chips and other unhealthy snacks during the school day. Health advocates have long pushed for such restrictions as childhood obesity climbs in the country.

Google is preparing to launch an experimental satellite into orbit, the first concrete step by a major technology company toward building artificial intelligence data centers in space. The New York Times reported the plan, and it is drawing wide attention as tech firms seek new ways to power and cool the energy-hungry computing systems behind AI.

A North Korean vice foreign minister declared that the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to abandon its nuclear arsenal. The statement signals North Korea's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks and is drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over its weapons programme.

The European Union has agreed on five priority areas for defense investment, creating a framework to channel joint spending among member states. The move is part of broader efforts to coordinate European defense capabilities and reduce fragmentation across national armed forces. Details of the specific priority areas and funding mechanisms are expected to shape future EU defense cooperation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks in the Black Sea cannot be explained, a remark reported by Marine Link. As a Black Sea power that brokered the wartime grain corridor, Turkey has repeatedly pressed both sides over maritime security, and Erdogan's comments underscore Ankara's concern about escalating attacks affecting shipping.

The US Department of Justice alleges Russian operatives planned to assassinate a dissident on American soil, according to reports from ABC News. The announcement has drawn attention to the reach of Russian intelligence operations inside the United States and follows earlier US warnings about plots against critics of the Kremlin living abroad.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a steel mill in Iowa, framing the project as a boost for American manufacturing and industrial jobs in the Midwest. The announcement is drawing attention from business observers and political commentators, with debate over whether the facility will materialise and what it would mean for the state's economy and the broader US steel industry.

Two Chinese electric vehicle makers, Geely and Nio, have announced a deal, according to a New York Times report. The agreement is being read as a sign that China's crowded EV market, marked by intense price competition and thin margins, is entering a phase of consolidation, with weaker automakers expected to merge or be absorbed by larger rivals.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the eighth named storm of the season. Forecasters are monitoring its track and strength, with an unusually early and busy season drawing attention to how active the tropics have been so far.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, framing the project as a major investment in American manufacturing. The announcement comes as the president seeks to shore up support for his party ahead of midterm elections, with commentators reading the move as a political effort to revive flagging enthusiasm among voters.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters, who say the storm currently poses no threat to land. It is being closely tracked as the season's weather systems develop, but officials report no immediate concerns for coastal areas as Hanna remains over open water.

Dr M G Suresh Kumar discusses ISRO's decision to open up to the private sector, in a conversation drawing significant attention in Kerala. The discussion covers what greater private participation means for India's space programme, from satellite manufacturing to launches, and how the space agency's role is shifting as private companies take on a bigger share of space activities.

VSMC, the joint venture between Vanguard International Semiconductor and TSMC, is building a 300mm wafer fab in Singapore, framed as a strategic bet on the specialty chips underpinning AI infrastructure. Coverage highlights the facility's role in easing capacity tightness for mature and specialty nodes, as AI demand pulls in power management, controller and analog chips alongside leading-edge processors.