ANN

A nationwide public sector strike is planned for Tuesday, September 29, in France, with teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport staff expected to walk out. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. The RATP transport network is among the services affected, and travellers may face disruptions across the country.

Donald Trump warned Iran he could 'annihilate' the country, and an Iranian delegate's on-camera reaction to the remark is drawing wide attention. The clip shows the delegate appearing visibly rattled as the warning was delivered, prompting debate over escalating US-Iran tensions and what Trump's rhetoric signals for future diplomacy between the two nations.

Russia is planning to spend $202.58 billion on its military in 2027, an increase of roughly 27%, with $591 billion earmarked for defence over the next three years. The figures come alongside news that Russia's budget deficit has risen to 3.2% of GDP, double the 1.6% projected in official estimates, prompting discussion about how long the country can sustain war-driven spending.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he cannot guarantee India will no longer be involved in criminal activity in Canada. His comments come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over allegations of Indian government involvement in a killing on Canadian soil. The remarks are drawing attention in both Canada and India, where relations remain strained and the future of cooperation between the two governments is being closely questioned.

Federal authorities have issued a bulletin ahead of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, warning that foreign terrorist organisations continue to encourage followers to carry out attacks in the United States. The advisory highlights continued vigilance requirements around the annual commemoration, a period traditionally treated by law enforcement as an elevated-risk window for potential threats.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran will pursue those responsible for what it calls war crimes committed against Iran. The message was reported by the Italian news agency Nova. It signals Iran's intent to seek accountability through international channels amid its ongoing confrontation with Israel and Western powers.

Two of China's electric vehicle manufacturers have announced a deal, a sign that the country's crowded and fiercely competitive EV sector is entering a period of consolidation. The move comes as intensifying price wars and overcapacity push weaker automakers toward partnerships or exits, and industry watchers expect more deals to follow as China's auto market reshapes itself.

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.

The European Union has agreed on five priority areas for defense investment, creating a framework to channel joint spending among member states. The move is part of broader efforts to coordinate European defense capabilities and reduce fragmentation across national armed forces. Details of the specific priority areas and funding mechanisms are expected to shape future EU defense cooperation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that attacks in the Black Sea cannot be explained, a remark reported by Marine Link. As a Black Sea power that brokered the wartime grain corridor, Turkey has repeatedly pressed both sides over maritime security, and Erdogan's comments underscore Ankara's concern about escalating attacks affecting shipping.

The US Department of Justice alleges Russian operatives planned to assassinate a dissident on American soil, according to reports from ABC News. The announcement has drawn attention to the reach of Russian intelligence operations inside the United States and follows earlier US warnings about plots against critics of the Kremlin living abroad.

The US Department of Justice has announced charges and guilty pleas involving 12 individuals in connection with election crimes. Details of the specific offences and defendants have not yet been widely reported, but the announcement comes amid heightened national attention on election integrity and enforcement ahead of upcoming votes.

US Congressman Ro Khanna is preparing to introduce an AI safety bill that would ban 'recursive' artificial intelligence — systems capable of self-improvement — until adequate safeguards are in place. The proposal signals growing concern in Washington about frontier AI risks and would represent one of the most restrictive federal approaches to advanced AI development so far.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, a move framed as an effort to strengthen Republican prospects ahead of the midterm elections. The announcement pairs a major industrial investment with political timing, as the party looks to shore up support in a key Midwestern state where manufacturing jobs carry significant electoral weight.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the eighth named storm of the hurricane season. Forecasters are tracking the system as it develops, and residents in potentially affected coastal areas are being urged to monitor updates. An early-eight-storm season draws attention to how active this year's Atlantic activity has been.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the latest storm in a brief burst of activity during an otherwise quiet season. The development comes as forecasters watch the approach of a Super El Niño, a warming of Pacific waters that typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane formation. Attention is on how the storm may evolve and what the stronger El Niño pattern means for the rest of the hurricane season.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the eighth named storm of the hurricane season. The system's emergence keeps attention on Atlantic activity as forecasters track its path and potential impacts on coastal areas.

Two of China's electric vehicle makers, identified as Geely and Nio, have announced a deal, the latest sign of consolidation in the country's crowded auto industry. The agreement comes as intensifying price competition and overcapacity push Chinese EV manufacturers toward mergers and partnerships to survive.

Attention is turning to the voters who will decide the FIFA presidential election, with Gianni Infantino's support base under scrutiny. Reporting focuses on which officials and regional blocs hold the deciding influence over the outcome, and how their loyalties may shape the contest for football's top job.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the central subtropical Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system is the latest named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters are monitoring its track and strength. It is currently far from land, and no coastal watches or warnings have been reported in connection with the storm.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced €710 million in funding to support displaced people in Africa and broader global crisis relief efforts. The package is intended to finance humanitarian aid for people forced from their homes by conflict and disaster. European Union humanitarian officials highlighted the announcement, positioning the bloc as a leading donor amid growing global displacement and rising humanitarian needs.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the season's latest named storm. Forecasters are tracking its path and watching for strengthening, with residents in potential coastal areas urged to monitor official updates. The system's formation marks another step in an active stretch of Atlantic tropical weather.

Donald Trump has sought to play down suggestions that the United States is considering military action against Cuba, responding to a report that the US Army had drawn up planning related to the island. His comments come amid renewed attention to US-Cuba relations and speculation in the region about Washington's intentions toward Havana's government.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva banned sports betting sites on Friday, targeting the 'bets' that have become the biggest sponsors of the country's football clubs. The move, announced nine days before a fiercely contested election in which Lula seeks a fourth term, has drawn attention to the tense relationship between gambling money and Brazilian football, with supporters and critics weighing the timing ahead of the vote.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic, becoming the season's latest named storm. News outlets across the United States, including stations in Florida, Texas and Louisiana, are reporting on its formation. Forecasters are monitoring the system's track and strength, with early details on its expected path and any potential coastal impacts still limited.

Researchers at WashU Medicine report that people with epilepsy who use cannabis frequently experience more severe symptoms, according to coverage by Medical Xpress. The findings suggest heavy cannabis use may worsen seizure outcomes rather than help them. The study is drawing attention because cannabis is often assumed to have therapeutic benefits for epilepsy patients.