Huawei says it will launch its next-generation AI chip, the Ascend 960DT, in the first quarter of 2027—nine months earlier than planned. Acting chairman David Wang Tao says the model-training chip will deliver double the performance as Huawei expands its ecosystem amid China’s push for self-sufficiency.

HuaweiAI chipsAscend 960DTChina technology

Pakistan said on Thursday it will cut fuel allocations for official vehicles and bar state vehicle purchases, officials’ foreign trips and official dinners. The measures aim to conserve energy as the Gulf conflict drives fuel prices higher.

Pakistanausterity measuresfuel pricesGulf conflict

U.S. stock futures are rising as Wall Street seeks to recover from a lower close after the Federal Reserve delivered its first interest-rate increase in three years and adopted a tougher stance on inflation.

Federal Reserveinterest ratesinflationUS stocks

The Palestinian Authority has condemned the US decision to deny President Mahmoud Abbas and dozens of officials visas ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly. Washington has now blocked Abbas’s attendance for a second consecutive year.

United StatesPalestinian AuthorityUN General Assembly

The US State Department said it would extend visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and PLO members before the UN General Assembly, accusing them of failing to meet reform commitments and undermining prospects for peace. Mahmoud Abbas may address the gathering by video after reportedly being denied entry.

United StatesPalestinian Authorityvisa sanctionsUN General Assembly

The United States has again refused visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Authority officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, marking the second consecutive year they have been barred.

United StatesPalestineUN General Assemblyvisas

The US says it will extend visa sanctions against Palestinian Authority officials and PLO members, barring President Mahmoud Abbas from travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly for a second consecutive year. Washington accused the PA of failing to reform and of pursuing statehood through international avenues, including courts.

US visa banMahmoud AbbasUN General AssemblyPalestinian Authority

The United States has refused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York, according to a source familiar with the matter. The State Department also said it would deny visas to Palestinian officials, citing a lack of reforms and actions it said harmed prospects for peace.

United StatesPalestineUN General Assemblyvisas

The Trump administration has again denied visas to a senior Palestinian delegation, preventing it from attending the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in New York for a second consecutive year.

United StatesPalestinian delegationUnited Nationsvisa denial

South African police found the body of another woman near a construction site east of Johannesburg, the ninth woman discovered dead in Ekurhuleni in two months. Investigators are examining possible links among the killings, including whether a serial or copycat killer may be active. A 400,000-rand reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

South AfricaEkurhuleniwomen killedpolice investigation

South African police have confirmed that a ninth woman’s body was found in Ekurhuleni in two months. They caution that the deaths may be separate and have not identified a serial killer, while a specialist team investigates possible links and pursues a person of interest.

South Africawomen's deathspolice investigation

South African police say a ninth woman’s body was discovered east of Johannesburg and may be connected to a series of killings under investigation.

South AfricaJohannesburgkilling investigation

Ratings company S&P Global is acquiring OpenZeppelin in a move focused on the technological risks banks and asset managers face onchain. The deal follows S&P Global’s recent investment in market-data firm Kaiko.

S&P GlobalOpenZeppelintokenized financefinancial risk

Ireland says it will extend its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest through 2027, citing what it calls Israel’s “carnage” in Gaza.

IrelandEurovisionGazaboycott

Ireland will skip next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and will not broadcast it, public broadcaster RTÉ said Thursday. The broadcaster cited the “ongoing loss of lives in Gaza” for the decision.

IrelandEurovisionGazaboycott

Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year because Israel is participating, the country’s national broadcaster said Thursday.

IrelandEurovisionIsraelboycott

Ireland’s national broadcaster is set to boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest because Israel will participate, marking the country’s second consecutive year of boycotting the event.

IrelandEurovisionIsrael

European and Arab military chiefs are meeting in Paris to assess the Lebanese Armed Forces’ needs and discuss alternatives ahead of UNIFIL’s expected departure. The talks come as Israeli forces continue attacks across southern Lebanon despite a “ceasefire”, fuelling fears of a renewed Israeli military campaign.

LebanonIsraelUNIFILParis talks

Military chiefs met in Paris to discuss arrangements for Lebanon after the UN mission, as Israeli attacks continued. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Elysee Palace before their meeting.

FranceLebanonmilitary talksIsraeli attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris for discussions centred on Lebanon’s security and wider tensions in the Middle East. Jordan’s King Abdullah II is also participating in the meeting.

LebanonFrancediplomacyMiddle East

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Paris to discuss Lebanon’s security and international backing for its army. The talks come amid concern over continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and a possible end to UNIFIL’s mission, as France seeks a “clear, credible and realistic” support plan involving funding, equipment and military training.

Lebanon securityParis talksLebanese armyUNIFIL

European and Arab military chiefs are meeting in Paris on Thursday to discuss support for Lebanon’s struggling armed forces. The UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate expires at year-end, amid fears that Israel could renew military operations in southern Lebanon.

LebanonParis talksUN peacekeeping missionMiddle East

European and Arab military chiefs are due to meet in Paris on Thursday to assess the needs of Lebanon’s armed forces and consider plans as a United Nations peacekeeping mission nears its end. The talks come amid fears that Israel could resume military operations in southern Lebanon.

Paris talksLebanese Armed ForcesUN peacekeeping mission

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says he will resign after four left-wing opposition parties won 176 of the Riksdag’s 349 seats, a three-seat majority. Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats were the largest party, but divisions over the Left Party could complicate coalition talks.

Sweden electiongovernment changeleft-wing blocUlf Kristersson

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after preliminary results showed his right-wing bloc narrowly losing to the centre-left opposition. Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats and allied parties are projected to win 176 of 349 seats, compared with 173 for the governing bloc, and have begun talks on forming a government.

Swedish electiongovernment changecentre-left opposition

A complete count of Sweden’s national election votes shows that the left-leaning opposition has secured a narrow majority.

Swedenelectionopposition

Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konaté have drawn controversy in Spain after partly covering a solidarity message supporting Ceuta on their pre-match shirts. The episode has revived debate about migration, Ceuta’s recent migrant crisis and Spain’s ties with Morocco, with political and football figures split over the players’ conduct.

Real MadridKylian MbappéCeutamigration

Mbappé said why he, Vinícius Jr and Ibrahima Konaté hid some lettering on a pro-Ceuta shirt.

Real MadridKylian MbappéCeuta