Vice

A former German vice chancellor has publicly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, according to Anadolu Agency. The statement is notable given Germany's traditionally strong support for Israel, and adds to a growing list of senior European political figures voicing criticism of Israel's military campaign.

A North Korean vice minister has declared the country's nuclear weapons status to be 'irreversible', according to the headline. The remark signals Pyongyang's continued rejection of denuclearisation talks. No further details were provided in the available information, and it is not clear what prompted the statement or how other governments have responded.

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister said the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to give up its arsenal. The statement comes amid continued stalemate in denuclearisation talks and mounting international pressure over North Korea's weapons programme and its alignment with Russia.

Poland's deputy defence minister says the country is ready to host a Patriot missile factory for Ukraine, should Kyiv secure the necessary agreements. The statement, reported by Agenzia Nova, signals Poland's willingness to expand defence-industrial cooperation to support Ukraine's war effort against Russia and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng issued a statement addressing both Palestine and Ukraine, calling for the West Bank and post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza to be governed according to the principle of 'Palestinians governing Palestine'. The remarks position China as an active voice on Middle East governance questions and come amid ongoing international debate over Gaza's future administration and the war in Ukraine.

Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar will lower fuel prices at its Italian service stations, following a similar announcement by Eni. The price cuts ease pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which had faced calls to impose a windfall tax on energy companies ahead of the next election.

President Trump's push to restrict mail-in voting is putting new pressure on the head of the US Postal Service, who insists he is 'not political'. The crackdown would rely on the agency to implement any changes to ballot delivery, raising questions about whether the Postal Service will comply and how its leadership will navigate the dispute ahead of upcoming elections.

Japan's corporate services price inflation has climbed to its highest level in two years, according to new data reported by Reuters. Rising costs for services such as logistics, hiring and business outsourcing point to persistent price pressure among companies, a trend that keeps alive expectations that the Bank of Japan could continue raising interest rates. Economists watch the gauge closely for signs that inflation is broadening beyond energy and imports into wages and domestic demand.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing difficult budget decisions as the economic fallout from the Iran conflict pressures Britain's finances. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly with a blunt message rejecting unilateral military action and calling for peace amid the escalating conflict, underscoring international tension over the war.

The Trump administration has cancelled federal funding for programmes serving refugees, immigrants and other groups, saying the services are no longer needed. The cuts affect organisations that provide resettlement assistance and related support. Critics are likely to challenge the move, which signals a continued sharp reduction in government spending on immigration and refugee programs.

A vice minister for foreign affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly during its general debate in New York. The speech comes as part of the annual gathering where member states set out their positions on global security and diplomacy, and it draws attention given Pyongyang's strained relations with much of the international community.

President Trump is pushing a crackdown on mail-in voting, placing Postmaster General David Steiner in a difficult position. Steiner, who leads the US Postal Service and insists he is 'not political', now faces pressure over how the agency handles ballot delivery and voting rules ahead of elections, drawing scrutiny from both sides of the political debate.

Tech companies are competing to develop dedicated hardware for artificial intelligence, and Meta believes it has produced a winning device. NPR reports on the race, noting that Meta considers its offering a standout in a crowded field where rivals are also rushing to ship AI-focused gadgets to consumers.

China's vice president says the country will work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity, restating a signature theme of Chinese foreign policy. The pledge frames Beijing as committed to multilateral cooperation and positions China as a partner to the international community. Officials presented the message as an appeal for unity, though foreign governments routinely weigh such statements against China's concrete diplomatic and economic conduct.

US intelligence services have reportedly warned several EU governments that Russia may be preparing a drone operation in the Mediterranean, with Spain, France or Italy named as possible targets. The operation would allegedly involve Gerbera drones. Officials have not publicly confirmed the warnings, and details of any planned action remain unverified.

Pakistan's government has called in the army and suspended mobile internet services in multiple cities as protests by Imran Khan's PTI party escalate. The reported measures signal authorities are struggling to contain demonstrations, with journalists including Mansoor Ali Khan covering the crackdown. Observers are weighing the impact of the blackout on communications and the party's mobilisation.

Two US service members have gone missing in Morocco while taking part in a multinational military exercise. US and Moroccan authorities are working to locate them, and the circumstances of their disappearance have not yet been explained. The case is drawing attention because of the sensitivity of missing American personnel abroad and the multinational nature of the drills.

Spain's National Court is examining whether oil deals personally discussed by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez were connected to the alleged illegal financing of the PSOE, the party leading Spain's government. The case has drawn attention because the same government has repeatedly clashed with Donald Trump, fueling political controversy in Madrid.

Tech companies are competing to create dedicated AI hardware, and Meta believes it has developed a winning device. The company is betting that purpose-built AI hardware could be the next major platform shift, following a wave of investment across the industry. Details about the device's features and launch plans remain limited, but Meta's entry adds to growing competition in the emerging AI gadget market.

Grand Theft Auto VI remains one of the most anticipated entertainment releases in the world. French media are once again analysing why the next instalment of Rockstar Games' open-world franchise is drawing such global attention, years after GTA V's record-breaking run. Fans continue to discuss trailers, release timing and expectations for the game's return to Vice City and its two playable protagonists.

Bank employees in India are reported to be planning a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, which could disrupt services such as UPI payments, ATM withdrawals, cheque clearing and branch operations. Coverage explains which services may stop, which may continue, and how customers can prepare, prompting widespread concern among savers and businesses about payment delays during the strike days.

Japan's services producer prices climbed 3.7% in August, the fastest pace in more than two years. The figures point to persistent inflationary pressure in the services sector, adding to expectations that the Bank of Japan could face continued calls to weigh further interest rate increases as cost pass-through broadens across the economy.

Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, arguing the continent deserves a standing voice in the body that decides on global peace and security. Africa currently holds only non-permanent, rotating seats despite being frequently affected by Council decisions. The demand renews a long-running reform push backed by many African governments.

Premier League clubs are consulting lawyers as they brace for expected guilty verdicts in the financial charges case against Manchester City, according to sources cited by ESPN. The case, involving numerous alleged breaches of the league's financial rules, could lead to penalties ranging from fines to points deductions or expulsion, prompting rival clubs to prepare for the legal and commercial fallout.

UK security services say they were aware of a bomb plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire before arresting five men found with explosives. The base hosts US aircraft supporting missions against Iran. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has commented on the security response, with debate focusing on how authorities tracked the plot and what it means for base protection.

A Russian serviceman told state channel Rossiya 1 that a woman of around 70 crossed a heavily mined field in the Zaporizhzhia region before reaching Russian positions. He said Russian troops knew the field was mined and claimed it had not been mined by Russian forces. The claim, made on Russian state television, could not be independently verified.

A health expert is warning that artificial intelligence chatbots cannot replace doctors, as more people turn to tools like ChatGPT for medical advice. The caution comes amid growing use of AI for health questions, with experts stressing that chatbots can mislead, miss serious conditions and should complement rather than substitute professional medical care.

Vice President JD Vance is adapting Donald Trump's political messaging in his own style as he works to win over conservatives who remain skeptical of the president's movement. According to the Wall Street Journal, the effort signals Vance's attempt to broaden his appeal beyond Trump's base, positioning himself as a translator of Trump-era politics for reluctant right-leaning voters ahead of future elections.

The US Postal Service says it will not deliver mail ballots in states that refuse to hand over voter lists, a requirement tied to a proposal pushed by President Trump. The stand-off puts election officials and the agency on a collision course ahead of upcoming votes, raising concerns about ballot access and administration in affected states.

The Thai government has declared a two-day holiday for civil servants as severe flooding continues across parts of the country. The move has drawn attention because the timing could affect a pending court ruling, raising questions about how the closure interacts with judicial deadlines. Officials are grappling with widespread flood disruption while the legal implications of the holiday are debated.

An author known for writing a memoir about life in Appalachia has launched a campaign for a US congressional seat, and is drawing a clear line between her own story and JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'. 'I'm not JD Vance,' she says, positioning herself as offering a more authentic account of the region than the vice-president's best-selling memoir, which many in Appalachia criticised as stereotyping. The race is now being watched as part of the broader fight over who gets to speak for the region.

South Korean golfer Tom Kim is heading from the Presidents Cup straight to the Asian Games, where a gold medal would earn him an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. All able-bodied South Korean men must serve, and athletes can avoid it by winning major international titles. Kim, one of golf's rising young stars, is competing for South Korea at the Games in Hangzhou.