PTI

Iranian officials have declared the country prepared to resume armed conflict with the United States while simultaneously leaving the door open to renewed diplomatic negotiations. The statement signals a dual-track posture following this year's fighting between the two countries. It comes as regional tensions remain elevated and questions persist over whether talks on Iran's nuclear programme and broader disputes will resume.

A New York Times report says investors on Wall Street are increasingly questioning the wave of spending and IPOs tied to AI data centers. Concerns center on whether massive capital expenditures will generate returns matching the valuations, with data center offerings facing a cooler reception than the broader artificial intelligence frenzy.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, while US senators are moving to challenge a nuclear cooperation deal pursued under the Trump administration. The report raises concerns in Congress about safeguards and the precedent a deal could set for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, amid ongoing debate over US-Saudi relations.

The European Commission has called on EU member states to reduce their gas and electricity consumption as energy prices continue to rise across the bloc. The appeal signals growing concern in Brussels over energy costs and supply, and pushes national governments to take conservation measures to ease pressure on households and industry during the period of elevated prices.

The New York Times examines why China remains wary of international appeals for AI safety regulation. The report suggests Beijing views such calls through strategic and economic lenses, seeing safety frameworks partly as attempts by rivals to slow its technological progress. The piece is prompting discussion about whether meaningful global cooperation on AI governance is possible given US-China competition.

Saudi Arabia is signalling that it has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by the Daily Observer. The kingdom has long said its nuclear programme depends on regional security, particularly in relation to Iran. The report does not provide further detail on the policy.

Iranian officials have declared that diplomacy is the only path available to the United States in dealing with Tehran, a statement that comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. Separately, the Orange Order is to march at Drumcree in Northern Ireland, a parade that has historically been a flashpoint between the loyalist community and residents of the nationalist Garvaghy Road area in Portadown.

Iran has publicly declared that diplomacy is the only path open to the United States in their ongoing standoff, a message delivered as part of a global news roundup. The same brief reports that a contentious Orange Order march at Drumcree in Northern Ireland was disrupted, reviving attention to one of the region's most sensitive annual parades.

The EU, France and Italy are considering what role they could play in Lebanon once the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL winds down, according to Euractiv. The discussions focus on how European governments might continue supporting stability on the Israel-Lebanon border and the Lebanese armed forces after the mission's mandate ends. The debate highlights Europe's effort to remain influential in Lebanon's security arrangements as the UN presence recedes.

A US jury has ruled that Apple owes $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over haptic technology, described as a record award of its kind. The verdict, delivered in federal court, is one of the largest patent damages ever handed down against the iPhone maker and is likely to be appealed as the company contests the ruling.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the key political storylines heading into the next election cycle, covering competitive Senate races, signs of a potential Democratic wave, and ongoing corruption allegations involving Donald Trump. The roundup breaks down polling numbers and trends, drawing heavy attention as voters and analysts weigh what these developments could mean for control of Congress and the 2024 race.

Republican Representative Turner said there are 'not a lot of options' for President Trump when it comes to Iran, a sober assessment of the US position amid escalating tensions. The remarks highlight concern within the president's own party about how to respond to Iran's nuclear programme and regional activity without triggering a wider conflict.

South Korean golf star Tom Kim will go straight from the Presidents Cup to the Asian Games, where a gold medal could earn him an exemption from mandatory military service. South Korean men must serve roughly 18-21 months, and athletes who win major international titles can be spared, making the Hangzhou Games a high-stakes event for the young golfer.

Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has revealed details of what transpired on 25 September in talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, discussing the ongoing political deadlock on his Geo News programme Capital Talk. The segment has drawn heavy attention, with audiences debating the state of negotiations between the ruling coalition and Imran Khan's party and what the impasse means for Pakistan's political crisis.

An artificial intelligence startup is urging European audiences to remain optimistic about AI technology, despite growing public concerns over its safety. The company's message, reported across multiple international outlets, frames AI development as an opportunity for Europe rather than a threat, pushing back against anxiety-driven narratives around the technology's rapid advance.

An analysis argues that electric vehicles have reached a tipping point globally, and that Australia — long a laggard on EV adoption due to weak policy and limited model choice — is no longer an exception. Growing sales, expanding model ranges and shifting regulation are cited as signs the country is finally following the global transition to electric transport.

Tesla factory workers are pushing back against being asked to train the company's Optimus humanoid robots, reportedly because the robots could eventually take over their jobs. The task requires employees to perform movements that teach the machines how to do their work. The tension highlights a growing conflict between automation goals and job security on the factory floor.

Federal immigration agents are conducting raids at meatpacking plants in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. In response, cattle industry groups including the Texas Cattle Feeders Association issued a joint statement warning that these disruptions could lead to higher beef prices for consumers and shake the entire meat supply chain.

China's growing population of retirees is becoming a significant force in the country's consumption economy, spending on travel, leisure and lifestyle goods. Alongside their economic weight, many older Chinese say they want greater respect and recognition in society, arguing their contributions are often overlooked as youth-focused narratives dominate discussions of China's economic future.

Researchers writing in The Conversation say deepfake content is distorting this year's Victorian state election in Australia. Their analysis identifies which groups of voters are most susceptible to manipulated audio and video, warning that synthetic media could influence how people judge candidates and parties ahead of polling day.

A new study finds that climate change made Ireland's record July drought eight times more likely, driven by increased evaporation from higher temperatures. Exceptionally warm nighttime lows are now more than 1,000 times as likely due to climate change. The findings add to growing evidence of human-caused warming intensifying extreme weather across Europe, where several countries have faced drought conditions this summer.

US contract chipmaker GlobalFoundries reports strong demand for Chinese optical modules as data centre construction accelerates. The company is expanding its presence in China to serve domestic clients amid an infrastructure boom, positioning itself to benefit from heavy investment in data centres despite ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over semiconductor supply chains.

A South China Morning Post piece examines the risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs, warning that interactions between herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals can reduce drug effectiveness or cause harmful side effects. The article urges patients to tell their doctors about any herbal treatments they use, as these are often undisclosed and can interact with common medications.

A French academic reports that the number of adult baptisms in France has tripled since 2022, pointing to a notable resurgence of interest in Catholicism among adults. The claim, carried by Vatican News, comes amid wider commentary in France and Europe about renewed religious engagement, particularly among younger adults, after decades of secularisation and declining church attendance.

Schools are issuing warnings to parents about a viral 'Cat in the Hat' trend spreading among children, prompting alerts to families and monitoring by educators. Commentators note that trends tied to popular children's characters often circulate quickly through social media before schools respond. Details about the specific content or potential harm of the trend have not been fully explained in the reporting.

Milan is hosting an event drawing attention to women affected by conflict and repression, connecting the experiences of those held captive by Hamas and Isis with the situation of women in Iran and Afghanistan. The gathering links survivors' testimonies to broader campaigns for women's rights under extremist rule and authoritarian repression.