Vice

A former German vice chancellor has publicly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza. The statement is notable given Germany's longstanding political and military support for Israel, and it adds to a growing list of current and former European officials speaking out against the conduct of the war. The remarks are being reported by international outlets and are likely to fuel debate in Germany over its Israel policy.

A North Korean vice minister declared the country's nuclear weapons status to be 'irreversible', according to reports carried by South Korean outlet SBS. The statement reaffirms Pyongyang's long-standing position that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, and it has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula and stalled denuclearisation talks.

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.

Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar has announced it will lower fuel prices at its service stations across Italy, following a similar cut by Eni. The price reductions ease pressure on Premier Giorgia Meloni's coalition, which faces calls to impose a windfall tax on energy companies ahead of the next election.

A Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York. The address places North Korea among the member states delivering statements during this year's general debate, where countries typically outline their positions on international security, sanctions and diplomatic relations.

Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices has agreed to acquire World Labs, the artificial intelligence startup founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, in a deal valued at $8.2 billion. The acquisition marks a major move by AMD to expand beyond chips into AI technology, and news of the agreement with the company led by one of the field's most prominent researchers is drawing wide attention in business and tech circles.

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.

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.

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.

Bank employees in India are preparing a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, raising concerns about disruptions to everyday banking. Coverage explains what services could be hit: UPI payments, ATM withdrawals, cheque clearing and in-branch services. Customers are being advised to plan cash needs and payments ahead of the strike dates, and discussion is focused on how badly routine transactions may be affected.

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.

Saudi Arabia's defense minister has extended an invitation to the United Arab Emirates' vice president to visit the Kingdom on Tuesday. The invite signals continued high-level engagement between the two Gulf neighbours at a time of regional diplomacy. Further details about the purpose of the visit or the agenda have not been disclosed.

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.

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.

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.

Indian space regulator IN-SPACe has introduced rules for a 'Satellite-as-a-Service' framework, allowing Indian and foreign payloads to be hosted on satellites operated in India. The move creates a formal pathway for companies to fly instruments on third-party satellites, expanding commercial opportunities for domestic and international players in the country's rapidly opening space sector.

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.

Businesses may begin charging more for services as gasoline prices continue to climb, according to an ABC30 report. Higher fuel costs raise expenses for companies that rely on transportation, and some owners say price increases may be needed to keep up. Consumers could feel the effect across deliveries, repairs and other services.

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.

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.

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.

The US Secret Service is facing questions over whether agency funding was used for White House renovation work. Lawmakers and watchdogs are seeking details on how the money was allocated and whether the spending was appropriate for an agency tasked with protective duties. No full accounting of the funds has been made public yet, and the scope of the renovations involved remains unclear.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A strike has been announced for Tuesday, September 29 in Paris. The RATP says public transport across its network will run a normal service, while the SNCF is warning of disruptions on some Transilien suburban rail lines. Further details are expected this evening, according to BFMTV.

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.

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.

Flash flooding in Thailand has raised questions among travellers about whether Bangkok is safe to visit. Travel outlets are sharing the latest advice for visitors, with the focus on conditions in the Thai capital and what tourists should know before travelling amid the heavy rain and disruption.

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.