AI

Donald Trump has asserted striking figures on casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war, offering numbers he says reflect the human toll of the conflict. The claim has drawn attention as observers weigh it against official estimates from Ukraine, Russia and Western sources, with casualty counts remaining a contested and politically sensitive issue throughout the war.

Ukraine has carried out its largest attack to date on Moscow, according to CNN coverage that includes analysis from a military expert. The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war, targeting the Russian capital directly. Commentators are assessing what the operation reveals about Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities and how Russia may respond.

Ukraine has launched what is described as the largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war, firing hundreds of drones at the Russian capital. The strike forced temporary airport closures and prompted air defences across the region to respond. The scale marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range strike campaign against targets deep inside Russia.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is set to brief the UN Security Council next week, according to Reuters. It would be a rare appearance by a leading AI industry figure before the council, which has increasingly weighed the risks of artificial intelligence to international peace and security. Observers are watching to see what Altman will say about AI safety, regulation and the technology's geopolitical implications.

Pope Leo has called on the Catholic Church in France to nurture the seeds of faith, encouraging renewed evangelisation in a country where religious practice has been steadily declining. The appeal was carried by Vatican News. Observers see the message as part of his early efforts to reinvigorate Catholic life in secularised European societies.

Distributor Bleecker Street says YouTube, TikTok and Meta have all rejected paid ads for Alex Gibney's documentary 'Musk', which hits theaters October 9, citing policies against political content. X has reportedly refused to respond to the distributor's inquiries altogether. Bleecker Street is appealing the decisions, arguing the film is a journalistic work rather than political advertising. The rejections raise questions about platform neutrality ahead of a high-profile film about Elon Musk.

Posts report a large demonstration in Madrid against migration into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the north African coast. The viral post, from the account Visegrad 24, describes protesters rallying against what it calls an invasion by tens of thousands of migrants. The evidence consists of a single post, so the size of the protest, who organised it and the wider reaction are not clear from the available material.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a massive open-air Mass in central Paris, with hundreds of thousands of worshippers packing the Champs-Élysées and Place. The Vatican estimated around 800,000 people attended the event. In his homily, the Pope urged Catholics to openly share their faith in what he described as an increasingly secularized society.

China and the United States have agreed to establish a dedicated channel for artificial intelligence safety, while committing to continue ongoing talks on trade and military matters. The deal marks a rare point of cooperation between the two rivals, suggesting both sides want to manage risks in emerging technologies even as economic and security tensions persist.

England's national football team is preparing to meet Spain, the world champions, in a Nations League fixture that could shape the group standings. Thomas Tuchel faces a crucial early test as his side opens its campaign against the European and World Cup holders. Interest in the teams' relative standings is high across Europe, Asia and North America.

China is rejecting American warnings about its rapid artificial intelligence development, deepening a growing technology dispute between the two powers. Beijing's pushback signals that AI has become a central front in US-China rivalry, with Washington framing China's pace of AI progress as a security concern and Chinese officials dismissing the warnings as an attempt to contain its technological rise.

A federal court ruling requires Texas to install air conditioning in its prisons by 2029. The decision addresses the state's long-running failure to cool housing units, where summer temperatures regularly exceed dangerous levels. Observers say the ruling could set a precedent for prison conditions litigation nationwide, while Texas officials face mounting costs and deadlines to bring facilities into compliance.

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.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said people warning about an AI apocalypse "have ulterior reasons," dismissing the loudest doomsday narratives around artificial intelligence. His remarks add fuel to the ongoing split in tech between those urging extreme caution on AI risk and those, including major chip and lab executives, who argue such warnings often serve competitors or regulators rather than public safety.

England's national football team is playing Spain in the UEFA Nations League, and fans worldwide are following live score updates, line-ups and analysis from Sky Sports. The fixture is drawing heavy search interest across multiple countries including Germany, Mexico, Canada, France and Spain as supporters track standings and results as the match unfolds.

The Houthis are reportedly losing ground in the intelligence battle surrounding Yemen, as opposing forces gain the upper hand in tracking the group's military activities. According to Al Jazeera reporting, the balance in the intelligence contest has shifted against the armed group, which has carried out attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The development could weaken the Houthis' ability to plan and execute operations.

US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened within seven days. The vital shipping route, through which much of the world's oil passes, has been at the centre of tensions between Washington and Tehran. The rejection signals that the US is not prepared to accept a timeline offered by Iran, and the standoff over the strategic waterway is expected to continue.

AFL fans are discussing Shai Bolton in connection with the Norm Smith Medal, the award for best player on the ground in the Grand Final. Sports Entertainment Network's Kane Whateley argued that Will Ashcroft deserved a record-tying Norm Smith Medal, adding to debate over who was truly best afield and whether the honour went to the right player.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, citing alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. The updated list names businesses across sectors including construction, finance and tourism. The move is expected to draw sharp criticism from Israel and its allies, while Palestinian advocacy groups have welcomed the listing as a step toward corporate accountability.

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.

China pushed back against the United States in a speech at the United Nations, defending Iran and Cuba against American pressure. Beijing's remarks signal continued friction with Washington over sanctions and unilateral measures, with Chinese officials framing US policy toward both countries as interference. The exchange highlights ongoing geopolitical rivalry between the two powers playing out on the UN stage.

The UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to its blacklist of firms allegedly violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. The expanded list, published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, names companies across multiple sectors. Rights groups welcomed the move, while Israel and several affected companies have previously rejected the list and criticised its methodology.

President Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that carries a large share of the world's oil shipments. The refusal comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, and officials and analysts are watching closely for what the decision means for energy markets and regional security in the Middle East.