PTI

Investors are growing wary of the massive spending on AI data centers, with doubts surfacing around data center IPOs and the sustainability of the buildout. The concern is that enormous capital commitments to power, chips and real estate may not deliver returns if AI demand softens or financing costs stay high, putting pressure on the sector's valuation story.

A New York Times analysis examines why Chinese officials and researchers have grown wary of international appeals for AI safety cooperation. The report suggests Beijing views safety initiatives partly through the lens of geopolitical competition, suspecting calls for shared oversight could slow its domestic AI industry or constrain its ambitions relative to the United States, complicating efforts at global coordination.

US intelligence officials have assessed that Saudi Arabia still retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, even as the kingdom weighs an agreement with the United States. At the same time, US senators are moving against a nuclear cooperation deal tied to the Trump administration, arguing it could pave the way for Riyadh to develop an atomic arsenal. Critics warn any pact must include binding limits on uranium enrichment.

Saudi Arabia is signalling that it intends to preserve the option of developing nuclear weapons, according to a news report. The stance underscores long-standing concerns in Riyadh that it cannot fully rely on international security guarantees, particularly given tensions with Iran and questions about US commitments in the region.

Iranian officials have declared the country prepared to resume hostilities with the United States while simultaneously keeping the door open to diplomatic negotiations. The dual message signals both defiance and willingness to de-escalate, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region and uncertainty over the direction of US-Iran relations.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay a record $5.7 billion in damages over patented haptic technology, the feedback system used in its devices. The verdict ranks among the largest patent awards in US history and is expected to trigger appeals, with significant implications for how touchscreen and vibration technology patents are valued and enforced against major hardware makers.

Republican Representative Turner says President Trump has 'not a lot of options' when it comes to handling Iran, a blunt assessment from within the president's own party about the limited choices available in the standoff. His remarks come as Washington weighs how to respond to Iran's posture, with debate over diplomatic, economic and military paths intensifying.

Iranian officials have declared that diplomacy is the only path available to the United States amid ongoing tensions, while in Northern Ireland the Orange Order is set to march again at Drumcree, a site long associated with controversy. Both stories are being followed in international news briefs, touching on nuclear-era standoffs and sectarian tensions in Portadown.

Iran has declared that diplomacy is the only path open to the United States, a statement reported in The Economist's World in Brief roundup. The same briefing covers disruption of the Orange Order march at Drumcree in Northern Ireland, a longstanding and contentious parade. Both stories are drawing attention amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and persistent disputes over parading in Portadown.

US-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries reports strong demand for Chinese optical modules as data centre construction accelerates, and is expanding its presence in China to serve domestic clients amid the infrastructure boom. The news, reported by the South China Morning Post, highlights how data centre buildout continues to drive semiconductor and optical component supply chains even as US-China tech tensions persist.

China's growing ranks of retirees are becoming a significant force in consumer spending, powering demand in sectors like travel, health and leisure, according to a South China Morning Post report. Beyond their economic clout, some older Chinese say they hope the new attention on their spending power translates into greater respect in society, where ageism and diminished status after retirement remain common concerns.

Schools are issuing warnings to parents about a viral 'Cat in the Hat' trend spreading among children, prompting alerts to families and monitoring by educators. Commentators note that trends tied to popular children's characters often circulate quickly through social media before schools respond. Details about the specific content or potential harm of the trend have not been fully explained in the reporting.

South Korean golfer Tom Kim will follow up his Presidents Cup appearance by competing at the Asian Games, where a medal could earn him an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. The 21-year-old, a two-time PGA Tour winner, is among the high-profile athletes South Korea hopes will secure sporting exemptions. The move has drawn attention to the country's conscription rules for male athletes.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the biggest stories in American politics, covering key Senate showdowns, signs of potential Democratic "blue waves," and allegations of corruption involving Donald Trump. The roundup uses polling and data analysis to frame what voters are talking about heading into the next election cycle, drawing heavy attention from viewers following the 2026 midterms.

Milan is hosting an event drawing attention to women affected by conflict and repression, connecting the experiences of those held captive by Hamas and Isis with the situation of women in Iran and Afghanistan. The gathering links survivors' testimonies to broader campaigns for women's rights under extremist rule and authoritarian repression.

Chinese electric vehicles continue to gain ground in Norway, one of the world's most mature EV markets, even as scepticism about Chinese carmakers grows in Europe and elsewhere. Coverage highlights the gap between political wariness over Chinese-made technology and Norwegian consumers, who appear focused on price, range and quality when choosing their next electric car.

Researchers examining the Victorian state election say AI-generated deepfakes are distorting the campaign, with new findings identifying which groups of voters are most susceptible to manipulated audio and video. The analysis points to varying levels of digital literacy across age groups as a key factor in who falls for fabricated political content, raising concerns about misinformation ahead of the vote.

Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir discussed the ongoing deadlock between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on his talk show Capital Talk, focusing on what happened on 25 September. The episode is drawing wide attention as negotiations between the two sides remain stalled, with viewers following Mir's account of the behind-the-scenes political developments.

The European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system includes an encrypted signal service that can be used to counter GPS spoofing, where attackers broadcast fake positioning data to deceive receivers. Coverage is examining how the system's authentication features let devices verify that navigation signals genuinely come from Galileo satellites, a capability drawing interest as spoofing incidents around conflict zones and near critical infrastructure raise concerns about the vulnerability of civilian navigation systems worldwide.

Retail investors are closely watching three Indian oil stocks following a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global crude shipments. With tensions threatening supply routes that carry a large share of India's oil imports, traders are positioning in energy names seen as potential beneficiaries of higher crude prices and supply uncertainty.

A French academic reports that the number of adult baptisms in France has tripled since 2022, a striking turnaround for the Catholic Church in a largely secular country. The claim was reported by Vatican News and points to growing interest in religious conversion among French adults.

Golfer Tom Kim is reportedly facing an early exit from the Presidents Cup, with attention focused on his pursuit of a military service exemption. South Korean male athletes can gain exemptions through major international achievements, making results at events like the Presidents Cup significant for his future. Fans are discussing how his tournament performance could affect his military service obligations.

The South China Morning Post is highlighting the hidden risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs. The report points to potential interactions between herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals that can reduce effectiveness or cause harmful side effects, a concern for patients who use both systems of treatment without informing their doctors.

Investors are watching whether Credo Technology can turn its 1.6T optical transceivers into a major growth driver as AI data centers demand faster connectivity. The company's next-generation high-speed interconnect products are seen as a potential catalyst, with analysts debating whether the shift to faster optical links can sustain momentum in an increasingly competitive AI infrastructure market.