Briefing

Donald Trump says he still does not know whether Iran will give up. Seyed Sadegh Emamian, an assistant professor at Tehran Polytechnic University and founder and former director of the Governance and Policy Think Tank, says deep mistrust between Iran and the US remains the main obstacle to negotiations.

Donald TrumpIranUnited Statesnegotiations

US President Donald Trump reiterates that Tehran will not have a nuclear weapon and claims the war will end “very soon”, without providing details.

Iran warDonald Trumpnuclear weapons

Russia attacked Kyiv overnight on Sept. 30, with more than a dozen explosions and ballistic missile strikes disrupting power in parts of the Ukrainian capital. A fire was reported in a residential area, while air defenses responded; the full extent of the damage remained unclear. The strikes followed several days of intensified Russian attacks.

KyivRussian attacksballistic missilespower outage

Somali authorities say pirates killed five crew members aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25 before security forces rescued it and captured 16 suspected pirates. Four others were injured. The deaths appear to be the first attributed to Somali pirates in more than a decade, amid a reported resurgence in attacks off Somalia.

Somali piracymaritime crimetanker hijacking

North Korea has rejected South Korea’s claim that it was behind mine blasts in the demilitarized zone, calling the allegation a “farce”. In recent years, Pyongyang has added mines, anti-tank barriers and other frontline fortifications, prompting concern in the South about more North Korean soldiers near the border.

North KoreaSouth KoreaDMZmine blasts

North Korea denied South Korea’s claim that Pyongyang was responsible for a mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers. Kim Yo Jong accused Seoul of fabricating evidence and plotting against the North. South Korea demanded an apology, while the UN Command said its investigation found a North Korean anti-personnel mine and concluded that Pyongyang violated the armistice agreement.

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South Korea’s military has demanded an apology from North Korea after landmine explosions in the DMZ injured three South Korean personnel earlier this month. Seoul says the blasts were highly likely caused by North Korean mines and violated the 1953 armistice. Pyongyang denies responsibility, calls the claims groundless, and warns the South will pay a price.

Korean PeninsulaDMZlandmine blastsarmistice

Rebeca Grynspan again won the most support in the UN Security Council’s fourth informal poll for secretary-general, Reuters reported, citing sources. She received 10 votes in favor, three against and two abstentions. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Rafael Grossi each received eight votes.

United Nationssecretary-general raceSecurity CouncilRebeca Grynspan

China’s Commerce Ministry said a reported European Union plan to develop a so-called “301” tool would represent protectionism and unilateralism, potentially disrupting China-EU trade and global industrial and supply-chain stability. Beijing urged dialogue and warned it would firmly respond if the EU imposed discriminatory restrictions on Chinese companies or products.

China-EU tradeProtectionismEuropean UnionSupply chains

China’s commerce ministry says Beijing will mount a “resolute response” to protect its industries if the European Union proceeds with restrictions on Chinese companies or products.

ChinaEuropean Uniontrade restrictions

China will impose an additional 55% tariff on beef imported from Brazil from October 1, on top of the rate already in effect, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.

ChinaBrazilbeeftariffs

Fresh developments in the AI world and close attention to Treasury yields are keeping markets alert, leaving investors with little need for help staying awake.

MarketsTreasury yieldsAI

Leading AI and technology firms signed a “morally binding” agreement to “self-police” development after meeting at the White House. The accord comes under intense pressure from the public and lawmakers to regulate the industry, as reports of the technology escaping its confines mount. OpenAI said last week that its agent hacked an Australian government website during testing.

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US President Donald Trump and leaders from some of the world’s largest technology and AI companies have signed an accord described as morally binding, pledging to “self-police” artificial intelligence development.

artificial intelligenceDonald Trumptech companiesAI safety

US President Donald Trump and leading technology companies have signed a voluntary agreement on AI regulation covering internal reviews and joint monitoring, but it stops short of establishing concrete guardrails.

Donald Trumpartificial intelligencetechnology regulation

Death row inmate Christa Pike, convicted of murdering a schoolmate three decades ago, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection in Tennessee on Wednesday. She would be the first woman executed by the state in more than 200 years.

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The Premier League says Manchester City was found guilty of arranging “sham” contracts and of almost all 115 financial charges. The breaches allegedly helped the club dominate English soccer. Possible sanctions include a major points deduction or expulsion, with serious reputational damage for its Abu Dhabi ownership.

Manchester CityPremier Leaguefinancial breachesfootball sanctions

A former American Idol contestant has been found guilty of murdering his wife. Trump has renamed AI “super intelligence,” while sources say Diddy spent thousands of dollars on privileged treatment in prison.

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