EPL

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send soldiers and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect Yanbu's critical oil-export facilities from Houthi attacks. Macron also did not rule out an additional deployment of French Air Force fighter jets, signalling a deepening French security role in the Red Sea region amid ongoing threats to global energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy an additional 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's war effort. The claim points to an expansion of Pyongyang's military involvement, which already saw thousands of North Korean troops sent to fight alongside Russian forces. The announcement adds to concerns about foreign manpower sustaining Russia's invasion and widening the conflict's international dimensions.

At the UN General Assembly, Iran, Türkiye and Qatar used their addresses and right-of-reply to condemn Israel over the war in Gaza, delivering some of the sharpest criticisms of the session. Their speeches accused Israel of aggression and violations of international law, keeping Gaza at the centre of the assembly's diplomatic agenda.

The Israeli military is reinforcing its troop deployment in the West Bank ahead of the holiday period, citing concern over potential terror attacks. The move signals heightened alert levels across the territory, with additional forces being positioned to respond to security threats during a period Israel regards as high risk for attacks.

The Israeli military is increasing its troop deployment in the West Bank ahead of the holiday period, citing concerns about potential terror attacks. The reinforcement comes as security forces remain on heightened alert during a period often marked by elevated tensions and previous incidents targeting Israeli civilians and soldiers in the territory.

South Sudan addressed the UN General Assembly with a call for elections to be decided by the ballot rather than violence, as the country prepares for its long-delayed national vote. The message, relayed by UN News and regional outlets, underscores international attention to whether South Sudan's transition and first elections since independence will proceed peacefully.

Kyrylo Budanov says Ukraine will begin mass deployment of interceptor drones within several months. Prototypes are already undergoing combat testing and have been shooting down Russian drones. He also indicated a large prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia is being prepared. The announcement points to drones becoming a central pillar of Ukraine's air defences against ongoing Russian attacks.

European Union officials are pressing for additional naval vessels to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea, where attacks by Houthi forces have disrupted global trade routes. At the same time, European navies are reassessing and adjusting their deployments in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a wider strain on maritime security resources across Middle Eastern waters.

Consulting firm Bain & Co. says the global artificial intelligence industry must earn $6 trillion in annual revenue by 2031 to justify the massive capital being spent building data centers worldwide. The estimate highlights the enormous gap between AI infrastructure investment and the revenues companies currently generate, feeding debate over whether the AI spending boom is sustainable or a bubble in the making.

NVIDIA has announced an open platform aimed at securing AI agents across their full lifecycle, from testing through to production deployment. The initiative, revealed through the company's newsroom, is designed to help developers evaluate and safeguard autonomous agents before they go live. Details on partners and tooling remain limited, but the move signals NVIDIA's push into AI safety infrastructure as agentic systems see rapid adoption across enterprise software.

France's armed forces minister has described the French military deployment to Saudi Arabia as strictly defensive. The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions in the Gulf, and officials are stressing that the French presence poses no offensive intent. The move has drawn attention as European powers weigh their security commitments to Gulf partners.

Singapore is reworking its national cyber defence strategy following attacks attributed to the hacking group UNC3886, according to a Straits Times report. As part of the shift, the city-state is deploying AI-powered security tools to detect and respond to intrusions more quickly. The move signals a more proactive posture against state-linked espionage threats targeting critical infrastructure.

SpaceX is readying its Starship rocket for its first orbital flight, which is expected to include deploying Starlink satellites in orbit. The mission would mark a major milestone for the company's next-generation launch system and demonstrate Starship's potential to deliver large batches of Starlink satellites, a key part of SpaceX's satellite internet ambitions.

SpaceX is preparing its Starship for a flight that would attempt to reach orbit for the first time and deploy 26 Starlink satellites. The mission would mark a major milestone for the rocket program and the first orbital payload deployment, drawing attention from space enthusiasts and industry watchers worldwide.

Ukraine says it carried out Operation Vivaldi, using heavy drones to deliver unmanned ground combat robots some 10 kilometres behind Russian lines. The operation is being described as a first in modern warfare, pointing to a new phase in which robotic systems operate deep in contested territory rather than only at the front. Observers see it as a sign of how quickly drone-delivered robotics are changing battlefield tactics in the war.

A powerful U.S. missile system deployed in Japan for joint exercises with the Self-Defense Forces will be stored indefinitely at a key military base in Okinawa Prefecture from mid-October, according to The Japan Times. The arrangement signals a continuing American military presence in the prefecture and is likely to draw attention given local sensitivity to the US baseload and regional security tensions.

Pope Leo's visit to France is drawing commentary for being unusually political, with France 24 describing the pontiff, generally seen as a measured diplomatic figure, as having made a deeply political trip. The exact engagements and statements that gave the visit its political character are not detailed in the available reporting.

National Police officers are deploying in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, clearing the area around the building housing the presidency of the Community of Madrid, according to El País. The operation prompted a rapid response online, with Spanish-language users following updates closely amid ongoing protests and political tensions in the region. Details about any arrests or injuries have not yet been confirmed.

IranWire reports exclusively that plans are being drawn up to replace Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran's leader once the current war ends. The report suggests discussions about the succession are active behind the scenes. Details on who would replace him and who backs the plan have not been confirmed by other outlets.

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.

SpaceX carried out the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket, and the mission also deployed Starlink satellites. The launch marks another step in the company's effort to prove the giant vehicle's capabilities for heavy payloads and future missions to the Moon and Mars. Attention is on how the vehicle performed during flight and on the growing role Starship is expected to play in expanding the Starlink satellite constellation.

The UK Government is reportedly considering scrapping the BBC licence fee and replacing it with an £11 monthly charge added to every broadband bill. Under the proposal, anyone paying for internet access would contribute to funding the BBC, rather than only households that watch live television. The report has drawn strong reaction, with critics calling it an unfair levy on all internet users.

Mauricio Pochettino has spoken out after Manchester City were found guilty of charges brought by the English Premier League, according to USA Today. The US Soccer coach's comments add a managerial perspective to a case that has dominated football debate, with clubs and pundits weighing in on what the ruling means for City and the league's financial rules.

Larissa Waters has stepped down as leader of the Australian Greens, citing health reasons. Her departure immediately opens a contest to replace her at the head of the party. Waters, a long-serving senator and prominent figure in Australian environmental politics, leaves the role at a moment of uncertainty for the Greens as contenders move to succeed her.

Attention is on the Premier League as Liverpool prepare to host Manchester City at Anfield, a fixture widely seen as a potential turning point in the title race. Coverage from the BBC and trending interest across the UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada and the US focuses on what awaits City in the away game, including their recent struggles at the Liverpool ground and the stakes for both clubs' seasons.