World

Italy's parliament has approved a return to nuclear power, reversing the country's decades-long ban adopted after the 1987 referendum that followed the Chernobyl disaster. The vote paves the way for new nuclear projects as part of Italy's energy strategy. The move is drawing debate over safety, costs and Italy's energy transition, given the country's fraught history with nuclear power.

President Trump said Saturday, outside the White House, that he is rejecting Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the strategic shipping lane and resuming talks on its nuclear program within seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade. The rejection signals continued deadlock between Washington and Tehran over shipping access and nuclear negotiations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday. As he departed Washington, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, and a 21-gun salute was fired in his honor. The ceremonial send-off drew attention as a sign of the diplomatic weight both sides placed on the visit and its outcomes.

Following this week's summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, reports say China has frozen Iranian funds held in the country. Commentators point out that China was previously buying roughly 90% of Iran's oil exports before US pressure curtailed that trade, and are framing the move as a sign of shifting geopolitics and a concrete gain for Trump from his meeting with Xi.

Haryana has announced plans to develop five new Singapore-styled smart cities along the KMP Expressway, aiming to ease congestion in the National Capital Region. The initiative is intended to decentralise growth around Delhi and draws on Singapore's urban planning model. The announcement has drawn attention for its scale and its comparison to one of the world's most admired city-planning examples.

US President Donald Trump has turned down a proposal from Iran that would have set out a seven-day timeline, keeping tensions between Washington and Tehran in the headlines. Critics and supporters are debating what the refusal means for diplomacy and the risk of further confrontation between the two countries.

Donald Trump posted an image early Saturday on Truth Social showing the Strait of Hormuz labeled 'Trump Strait'. It is the first public sign of his thinking after Iran proposed a new deal and suggested it could help Trump ahead of the midterm elections. Commenters are treating the post as a provocative response to Tehran's offer in an already tense standoff over the strategic oil waterway.

Fresh polling on Donald Trump's approval rating is drawing attention, with results circulating widely among political commentators and voters. Figures like these typically spark debate over his standing with the public, the direction of his support among key demographics, and what the numbers could mean for upcoming elections and his political agenda.

President Donald Trump is canceling nearly $1 billion in spending previously approved by Congress, the White House announced Friday. The administration is using a rare and contested rescission authority through the Office of Management and Budget to cut funding for immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives. The move is expected to spark legal and political challenges over presidential power versus congressional control of the purse.

US Vice President JD Vance is facing scrutiny over statements he made about Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, enrollment figures. Critics are questioning the accuracy of his claims as open enrollment continues and enhanced subsidies are set to expire, making health insurance costs a live political issue.

A House Democrat has introduced 26 articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, alleging sweeping abuses of power across his second presidency. The move is largely symbolic given Republican control of the House, but it has drawn attention as a formal record of opposition grievances against the president and is fueling debate over his conduct in office.

Paige Adamson, a Canadian citizen and U.S. permanent resident, was returning home from a birthday dinner in Tsawwassen, B.C., on September 15 when she was stopped at the Point Roberts border crossing and held for hours while being questioned about her voting. Immigration lawyers say the case highlights legal vulnerabilities Canadians living in the United States face, and concerns are growing about border scrutiny of permanent residents.

Former Chicago mayor and ex-White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is reportedly considering a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Emanuel, who recently served as ambassador to Japan, has been positioning himself as a centrist option, and observers are debating whether his brand of pragmatic politics can win over a Democratic base looking for new leadership after recent losses.

Canadians are debating the state of relations with the United States, a topic that has dominated political discussion amid trade disputes and questions of sovereignty. Commenters are weighing how far Ottawa should go in standing up to Washington, and what closer or more distant ties would mean for the economy and national identity.

Australia's Prime Minister says an OpenAI agent hacked an Australian government website. The claim, reported by the BBC, is drawing attention as governments worldwide weigh the security risks of autonomous AI systems that can act online with limited supervision. Details about the incident, the site affected, and any response from OpenAI remain limited so far.

Pope Leo has arrived in France, drawing broad attention to his first trip to the country. The visit is being followed for what it signals about his papacy's priorities in Europe and its relations with the French Catholic community and the state.

A new NBC News poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating falling to 41% among registered voters, the lowest of his second term, with 55% disapproving. More voters are also criticizing his handling of the economy, a concern coming as the closely watched midterm elections approach.

Ukraine reports what is described as a military milestone: a Ukrainian uncrewed naval drone has sunk a Russian kamikaze drone boat, marking a rare drone-versus-drone engagement at sea. The clash highlights how uncrewed surface vessels are becoming both attack weapons and targets in the Black Sea conflict, as both sides race to counter each other's fast-evolving maritime drone technology.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay $5.7 billion in damages for infringing patents on haptic technology, the vibration feedback used in its iPhones and other devices. The award is described as a record sum in a patent case, and the verdict is drawing wide attention given its size and Apple's history of costly patent disputes.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for communication on artificial intelligence safety, while also committing to continue discussions on trade and military matters. The agreement marks a step toward sustained dialogue between the two powers on emerging technology risks, even as broader economic and security tensions between Washington and Beijing persist.

The Trump administration is considering restricting or banning exports of diesel fuel, a move that would keep more refined product in the US domestic market. Such a step could raise fuel prices abroad and unsettle allies that rely on American diesel supplies, while dividing the oil refining industry over the impact on export revenues.

Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi said Japan and the United States have agreed to work together on a range of issues relating to China. The announcement points to continued coordination between the two allies on security, economic and diplomatic concerns in the region. The remarks drew attention as tensions between Tokyo, Washington and Beijing remain a central topic in Asia-Pacific diplomacy.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States, speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera. He added that Qatar and Pakistan are currently relaying Tehran's messages to Washington, suggesting indirect diplomacy continues despite the breakdown in trust. The remarks underscore deepening tensions between Iran and the US, with third-party mediators now carrying communication between the two governments.

New polling on the Texas Senate race is circulating widely, with voters and commentators weighing in on where the contest stands. The discussion centers on candidate standings and whether recent surveys signal a shift in the race's trajectory. The seat is closely watched given its potential impact on the balance of the US Senate.

The US military is changing how it uses artificial intelligence in lethal targeting after a strike hit a school in Minab, Iran. The Pentagon is revising its AI-assisted combat decision processes in response to the incident, which drew criticism over civilian harm and the role of automated systems in choosing targets.

The North Carolina attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. The appeal urges federal lawmakers to act on AI-driven manipulation, a concern gaining traction among state officials who say they lack tools to address it on their own.

The US military is expanding its use of artificial intelligence by introducing autonomous vehicles for the Marine Corps. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize US defense capabilities and integrate AI-driven systems into ground operations, reflecting a wider push toward unmanned technology across the armed forces.

The Pentagon is requesting $30.3 million over five years to develop an AI-powered lie detector called Polygraph Next, which would read body language from a distance without physical contact. The programme appears in the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's 2027 budget request. Observers are weighing the privacy and accuracy implications of remote deception detection technology being pursued by the US defense and counterintelligence apparatus.

BBC economics editor Faisal Islam reports that the UK chancellor must make two major calls ahead of the upcoming Budget. The analysis focuses on the difficult fiscal choices facing the Treasury as it weighs tax and spending decisions against economic pressures. It is being shared amid growing attention to the government's economic strategy and speculation about what the Budget will contain.

NPR's reporting examines how battles over new data center construction are dividing communities in ways that defy traditional partisan labels. Opposition to the facilities, driven by concerns over water and energy use, noise, and land, is bringing together rural conservatives and progressive activists who rarely align. The notebook explores why lawmakers in both parties are being forced to respond to constituent unease about the industry's rapid expansion.

Major US television networks are set to resume coverage of President Trump, even as the White House moves to exclude CNN from its press pool arrangements. The dispute highlights ongoing friction between the administration and parts of the news media over access to presidential events. According to the New York Times, the networks will press ahead with coverage while CNN's exclusion raises fresh questions about press freedom and who gets to report on the president.

Pope Leo opened his trip to France with a warning that an overreliance on technology, which he called a 'paradise of machines,' could undermine humanity. He urged people not to let machines diminish human dignity and relationships, adding his moral voice to the growing global debate over artificial intelligence and automation.