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The EU has lifted sanctions on Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, and Russian opposition figure Maxim Katz is explaining the reasons behind the delisting in a widely watched video. The move has drawn attention because both men are among Russia's best-known tycoons, raising questions about how the bloc applies and reviews its sanctions regime against Kremlin-linked business figures.

Israeli strikes over the weekend killed one of the militants who abducted Noa Argamani into Gaza during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024, became one of the most recognized faces of the hostages. News of the militant's death is drawing attention amid ongoing strikes and stalled ceasefire efforts.

Israeli forces have killed a global jihadist militant identified as one of the terrorists who kidnapped Noa Argamani during the October 7 attack. Argamani, who was later rescued from Gaza, became one of the most recognized hostages of the Hamas-led assault. The announcement is drawing attention as part of Israel's continuing campaign against those responsible for the abductions.

Elon Musk has praised Chinese artificial intelligence, saying Chinese AI models are 'generally outstanding' and that China is 'by far the best in terms of performance per unit of compute.' The remarks, reported by the South China Morning Post alongside comments on Xi Jinping's leadership, are drawing attention as debate intensifies over how China's AI capabilities compare with those of the United States.

Lucasfilm has tapped Jon Watts to direct its next Star Wars movie. Watts is best known for helming Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland. Details on the film's plot and release timing have not been announced, and the news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Ramon Vega, the former Tottenham and Switzerland defender, says he will run against Gianni Infantino in the election for the FIFA presidency. The announcement, reported by The Athletic and the New York Times, has drawn attention in Britain, where Vega is best known for his spell at Tottenham in the late 1990s. Challenger bids against Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, are rare and tend to attract wide coverage.

Bijan Robinson is a top trending search in the United States and is also climbing in the UK, Canada and Mexico. The Atlanta Falcons running back is drawing attention after an NFL Awards ballot from FOX Sports leaned on his performance, with the headline 'In Bijan Robinson We Trust,' while also weighing Brock Purdy's MVP case. Fans and analysts are debating his standing among the league's top offensive players.

Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba is again at the centre of transfer talk, this time over a possible move to Spartak Moscow. Kakhiagao publicly dismissed the speculation, saying he does not understand the hype around the striker: 'He is not Messi, after all,' adding that he held no negotiations with him and that the matter is closed. The remarks come as fans and media continue to debate whether Dzyuba, one of Russia's best-known forwards, could still land at a top Moscow club.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is reportedly on track to overtake Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, once it launches. Rockstar Games' long-awaited sequel has already broken records with its trailer viewership, and analysts and fans are speculating that pre-order demand and hype could push it past existing sales milestones. Gamers are debating whether the release can live up to expectations.

Casas Pernambucanas, one of Brazil's best-known department store chains, is a trending search topic in the country. No specific news event involving the company was found in the collected material, so it is unclear what triggered the spike in interest. The retailer is a household name in Brazil, known for bedding, towels and household goods, which may explain broad public search attention.

Brazilian digital bank Nubank is reportedly in early stage talks with UK challenger bank Monzo about a full takeover. At the same time, private equity firm Advent International has been named among several buyout firms interested in acquiring a minority stake in Monzo. No deal has been agreed, and the talks are described as preliminary, but the news has sparked discussion about consolidation in the challenger banking sector.

The billionaire Weston family has agreed to buy the pharmacy chain Boots in a deal valued at $8.9 billion, according to the Financial Times. The agreement would end owner Walgreens Boots Alliance's long-running efforts to sell off or spin off the UK high-street retailer. The sale of one of Britain's best-known chemist chains is drawing widespread attention.

Cities across the United States are increasingly deploying unarmed civilian response teams to handle 911 calls, particularly those involving mental health crises, homelessness, and nonviolent disturbances. NPR reports the model is now operating in nearly 100 cities, reducing the role of armed police in situations where de-escalation and social services may be more appropriate than law enforcement.

Finnish health-tech company Oura, best known for its smart ring that tracks sleep and health metrics, is preparing an initial public offering that would list its shares on Wall Street. The move would make the wearable maker one of the most prominent health-device companies to go public, drawing attention from both tech and finance observers tracking the market for consumer health wearables.

News outlets are reporting that Sam Neill, the New Zealand-born actor best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in 'Jurassic Park', has died at the age of 78. ABC News carried the report, and audiences are reacting to news of the death of an actor whose career spanned five decades of film and television.

Harvard University has announced a new $150 million research initiative, according to the Harvard Gazette. The university says the funding will support research efforts across its programs. Details on the initiative's specific focus areas, funding sources and timeline were not included in the announcement, and it is not yet clear how the money will be allocated or which departments will benefit first.

Jon Watts has been hired to direct a new Star Wars film, according to American media reports. Watts, best known for directing the three Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland, will helm the first part of a planned series. The announcement is drawing attention from film fans curious about the director's take on the franchise.

Volkswagen is preparing the premiere of the ID. Tiguan, an electric version of its popular Tiguan SUV. German media report the unveiling is scheduled for 9 October. The model is seen as a key step in VW's push to electrify its best-selling line-up, and investors are watching its stock amid the company's wider electric vehicle strategy.

Attention is on the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, with Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor providing an update on nine players ahead of the fixture. Fans on both sides of the city are checking availability news as the rivals prepare to meet, with injury and fitness questions shaping expectations for one of English football's best-known local rivalries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly reversed his stance on India's position in the Russia-Ukraine war, now describing India's peace initiative as the best path forward, after previously criticising New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have voiced agreement with the plan. The development is drawing wide attention as observers weigh whether India's diplomatic push could gain real traction in ending the conflict.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France, urging the Catholic Church to acknowledge its own faults. His remarks, delivered at one of the world's best-known pilgrimage sites, call for humility and self-examination within the institution and are drawing attention as an early signal of his papacy's tone on reform and accountability.

US media outlets are ranking the ten states with the most electric vehicle chargers as electric car sales continue to rise. The coverage highlights how charging infrastructure is expanding unevenly across the country, with some states far ahead of others in public charging availability as more drivers switch to EVs.

Liu Huan, one of China's best-known singers and a pioneer of C-pop, has died at the age of 63. He performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, singing alongside Sarah Brightman, and was regarded as a founding figure of modern Chinese popular music. Tributes are circulating as fans and musicians mourn one of the country's most iconic voices.

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.