The Nation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to attack Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist running for New York City mayor. In his speech, Netanyahu cast Mamdani as part of a broader threat he described as radical anti-Israel politics gaining ground in the West. The remarks drew attention because a foreign leader was openly weighing in on an American municipal election, prompting criticism and debate over interference in New York's race.

India's National Investigation Agency alleges that VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals illegally crossed from Mizoram into Myanmar, reached Victoria Camp and trained ethnic armed groups in drone warfare. The agency had opposed their release, but after default bail, a Delhi court has now permitted them to travel home. The case has sparked debate in India over border security, foreign nationals in conflict zones, and whether authorities can stop them from leaving.

The UK military is jamming satellites belonging to other nations as a defensive measure, according to information given to the BBC. The disclosure sheds light on electronic warfare operations in orbit, an area where states rarely acknowledge offensive or disruptive capabilities. It highlights growing concerns about the militarisation of space and the risks of escalation between countries relying on satellite infrastructure.

Meta has blocked President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and campaign advertisements, with the suspension coming just two weeks ahead of Brazil's election. The move raises questions about how the platform regulates political accounts and campaign content in a major democracy, and why the restriction was imposed so close to voting day. The company's reasoning has not been made clear.

Italy's Nations League match against Belgium is drawing attention across multiple countries, with Corriere della Sera analysing what went wrong tactically for the Azzurri. The report criticises Moise Kean's role out of position and notes Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella performed below their usual standard. The fixture is trending in Italy, Brazil, Australia, France, Canada and Mexico as the international competition progresses.

NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service is highlighting forecasts of a very strong El Nino in 2026-2027, warning that unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific could reshape weather patterns worldwide. Strong El Nino events typically bring heavier rains to parts of the Americas, drought to Australia and Southeast Asia, and altered hurricane and monsoon seasons, prompting scientists to urge early preparation.

The Trump administration is retreating from a plan to exert greater control over National Institutes of Health grant decisions after significant pushback. A proposed executive order that would have increased White House oversight of NIH funding appears to be dead, according to reporting by Semafor, marking a setback for efforts to centralise control of federal biomedical research grants.

The Trump administration is considering building a baseball park in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Major League Baseball approached the administration about hosting a game in a national park, and an agency official scouted Grand Teton as a possible location. The proposal is drawing attention because it would place a sports venue inside protected federal parkland.

England striker Harry Kane says his foot let him down after missed chances against Spain in a UEFA Nations League match, as fans follow the latest standings across the competition. Kane criticised his own finishing after England's defeat, with attention turning to how the result affects England's position in their Nations League group.

Negotiations over a pandemic agreement have drawn objections from several countries over specific wording, but observers note the United States stood alone in objecting on ideological rather than intellectual property grounds. The distinction is drawing attention as nations finalize the accord, with the US position seen as driven by politics rather than commercial or legal concerns about patents and technology transfer.

A report claims an autonomous OpenAI 'agent' was used to hack into Australia's health service, raising fresh questions about the security risks of AI agents that can act online with minimal supervision. If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the first cases of an AI agent being deployed in a cyberattack against national health infrastructure.

A quote from Chinese President Xi Jinping is circulating widely on X: he said the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' and Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan 'can be mutually inclusive.' Posts describe it as a big moment at the White House, apparently during a high-profile meeting between Xi and Donald Trump. Users are reacting to the striking framing of US-China relations, with many weighing what this apparent warmth between the two leaders could mean for trade and geopolitics.

Many countries' delegations walked out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations, with a published list naming nations including Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, Senegal, Tunisia, Panama, Suriname, Turkmenistan and Tuvalu. The mass exits underscore the depth of international anger over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, with much of the Global South among those protesting the speech.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of new laws expanding reproductive freedom and care in the state, which officials describe as the most protective in the nation. The measures are intended to safeguard and broaden access to reproductive health services for Californians and those travelling from states with stricter restrictions.

On September 28, India's cricket team begins its Asian Games 2026 campaign in Japan, while Indian javelin throwers chase gold on the athletics programme. The day marks a busy stretch for India's contingent, with fans tracking schedules and medal chances across both sports as the continental multi-sport event continues.

Pubs across Ireland are refusing to broadcast Israel's Nations League football matches against Ireland, citing Israel's conduct in Gaza. The decision has thrust the country into the global spotlight, with the controversial fixtures drawing debate over whether sporting ties with Israel should continue while the war goes on. Ireland has long been vocal on Palestinian issues, and the pub boycotts reflect wider public pressure on sporting and political institutions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge, made shortly before his address in New York, is being read as an attempt to ease tensions with Western powers over Iran's nuclear programme and to signal Tehran's position on the international stage.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has strongly rejected the idea that Premier League managers should decide whether England players are rested for international duty, calling it 'madness'. The comments sharpen the ongoing tension between clubs and national teams over player workload and release for internationals.

President Donald Trump spoke before world leaders at the United Nations summit, in an address carried live by major US news outlets. The speech drew large audiences as viewers followed his remarks to the General Assembly in real time, with commentary focusing on his message to the international community.

The Netherlands faced Germany in a UEFA Nations League match, with highlights distributed by Dutch broadcaster RTL Sport drawing major attention. The fixture between the two football rivals is generating widespread reaction among fans, with engagement exceeding one million around the highlights coverage.

Bill Gates says reaching international agreement on regulating artificial intelligence will prove more difficult than the Cold War-era nuclear arms negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union. His comments come as governments worldwide grapple with how to oversee rapidly advancing AI technology while balancing innovation, safety and national competitive interests.

The president of Palau addressed the United Nations General Assembly, pressing the international body on climate change and rising global tensions. As leader of a small Pacific island nation highly vulnerable to rising seas, the president used the speech to call for stronger global commitments on emissions and to highlight how geopolitical instability compounds the threats facing small island states.

Gaza health authorities report that the Palestinian death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas has risen above 74,000 since fighting began in October 2023. The figure comes from the Gaza Health Ministry, whose count the United Nations and many observers have previously described as broadly reliable. News outlets across the United States and internationally are carrying the update alongside other Middle East developments, keeping the scale of the conflict's human cost in focus.

Mike Waltz, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, said Iran was not negotiating 'in good faith' in efforts to end the war. The accusation, reported by The Guardian, adds to diplomatic tension around the conflict and suggests Washington sees Tehran's engagement in talks as insincere, complicating prospects for a ceasefire.

European nations and NATO are preparing for the possibility that the war in Ukraine could widen into a broader conflict with Russia. Discussions centre on military readiness, defence spending and deterrence, as officials warn the fighting could spill beyond Ukraine's borders.