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.

Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices has agreed to acquire World Labs, an artificial intelligence startup founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, in a deal valued at $8.2 billion. The acquisition brings one of the most prominent names in AI research under the umbrella of a major semiconductor company, drawing attention from the tech and investment worlds as chipmakers race to secure a stronger position in artificial intelligence.

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.

Bank employees' unions in India are reported to be going on strike from September 28 to 30, raising concerns about disruptions to everyday banking. Coverage is explaining what customers can expect with UPI payments, ATM withdrawals, cheque clearing and branch services during the three-day walkout, and advising people to plan cash and payments in advance.

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.

A Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The speech was carried on the UN's official broadcast platform as part of the annual high-level debate, where member states set out their positions before the international body. Details of what the vice minister said were not provided.

The US Secret Service is facing questions about whether its agency funds were used for White House renovation work. Lawmakers and oversight officials are seeking clarity on how the money was spent and whether the agency diverted resources from its protective mission. No details on the amounts involved or any formal investigation have been confirmed yet.

Indian space regulator IN-SPACe has introduced a 'Satellite-as-a-Service' framework governing how Indian satellite operators can host payloads from Indian and foreign customers. The rules are expected to open the door for overseas agencies and companies to fly instruments on Indian spacecraft, expanding commercial opportunities for the country's growing private space sector.

Businesses may start charging customers more for services as gasoline prices continue to rise, according to an ABC30 Fresno report. Higher fuel costs raise operating expenses for companies that rely on vehicles and deliveries, and some owners say those costs could be passed on to consumers through higher fees and service charges if prices at the pump stay elevated.

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.

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.

A brief scuffle broke out between Chinese journalists and U.S. Secret Service personnel, along with other reporters, during President Xi Jinping's visit for the U.S.-China summit. The incident took place amid heavy security around the summit venue and ended quickly, with no injuries reported so far. Officials have not issued detailed statements, and the exact cause of the clash remains unclear as coverage of the summit continues.

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.

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.

Comedian Andrew Schulz has been cast in 'Miami Vice '85', Universal's new take on the classic crime series, joining Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler. The casting pairs a well-known stand-up comic with two major film stars in a high-profile reboot, drawing attention from both film and comedy audiences.

Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, is preparing to launch in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to industry outlet Telecompaper. The move would bring high-speed satellite broadband to the Balkan country, potentially improving connectivity in rural and underserved areas where fixed-line infrastructure is limited. The announcement is drawing attention across the region as residents and telecom watchers assess what it could mean for internet access and competition with local providers.

Estonian authorities say Russian intelligence services were behind an arson attack against Milrem, an Estonian defense contractor, in the capital Tallinn on August 15. The claim has drawn attention amid heightened tensions over Russia's war in Ukraine, with Milrem known for producing military robotics used by Ukraine. Observers see the attack as part of a broader pattern of Russian sabotage and hybrid operations targeting European defense and infrastructure.

Valor, a minerals processing startup, has hired a former vice president of engineering from battery recycler Redwood Materials, according to reports by Mining Weekly and TradingView. The move suggests Valor is building out its technical leadership as it scales its processing operations. Details on the executive's start date, responsibilities, and Valor's funding or expansion plans were not provided in the reports.

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is generating discussion as a possible vice presidential pick on a ticket with JD Vance in the 2028 election. Commenters are weighing his prospects and profile as early speculation about the next Republican ticket begins to build.

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, has signed a directive halting tenured civilian positions at U.S. military service academies. The move ends the hiring of tenured civilian faculty roles across the academies, a significant change to how academic staffing has traditionally worked at institutions such as West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy. The decision is drawing attention over its implications for academic independence and faculty recruitment.

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.

Qualcomm executive Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and Head of Mobile Handsets, confirmed the company is conducting in-depth work on Samsung's 2nm process, signalling close cooperation between the two firms on next-generation chips. The move suggests Qualcomm is diversifying beyond TSMC for future flagship Snapdragon processors. Industry watchers see it as a significant boost for Samsung's foundry ambitions as it seeks major customers for its advanced node.

Axios is reporting that Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is being touted as a potential vice-presidential running mate for JD Vance, drawing immediate attention across political circles. Commentators are debating whether Schmitt, a staunch Trump ally, would balance a Vance-led ticket, with strategists weighing his Midwest appeal against other contenders.

Former Spanish vice president Alfonso Guerra is in the news after attending the exhibition "La transición en Castilla-La Mancha", which brought together several ex-politicians, according to RTVE. The event revisits Spain's transition to democracy and the role of figures like Guerra, drawing attention among Spanish audiences interested in the country's political history.

Robot field service is being described as a critical test for whether automation can truly scale. As robots spread across warehouses, factories and public spaces, keeping fleets running in the field — maintenance, repairs, software updates and remote support — is emerging as a decisive challenge for the robotics industry's growth beyond pilot projects.

CNN commentator Scott Jennings faced pointed questioning over new ads promoting Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections. Asked to explain what public service the advertisements serve, Jennings struggled to give a clear answer, fuelling debate among viewers and political commentators about whether the spots amount to campaign messaging dressed up as public information.

Authorities reported that a dangerous military device was discovered abandoned on a California beach, prompting concern among residents and beachgoers in the area. Details about the type of device, its origin, and how it came to be on the shore have not been made public. People are sharing the story widely as officials respond to the find.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host a virtual public meeting on its red wolf recovery programme. The session gives residents and conservationists a chance to hear updates and raise questions about efforts to rebuild the wild red wolf population in eastern North Carolina, where the species' only wild population has struggled in recent years.

Health experts are weighing in on the growing number of people turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for medical guidance. As AI tools become embedded in everyday life, questions are mounting about their accuracy, safety and whether users can distinguish reliable information from harmful advice. The debate highlights the gap between AI's convenience and the need for professional medical consultation.

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 Service de police de la ville de Québec issued a public warning about pickpockets operating in the area. Local media, including the Beauce-based outlet Ma Beauce, relayed the advisory, urging residents and visitors to stay alert and protect their belongings in crowded places.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced he will adjust the triple lock on pensions from April 2030, redirecting savings to fund a new social care service. The move is likely to spark debate over pensioner incomes versus care funding, with voters and campaigners watching closely for details on how the change will work.