Times of India

1. Ukraine's Zelenskiy to visit Canada, address parliament

   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to visit Canada after his US visit. He will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and address the Canadian parliament. Zelenskiy's visit aims to strengthen private-sector investment in Ukraine's future. Canada has been providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022 and has imposed sanctions on Russia. The visit comes as Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia continues.

2. China committed to opening itself wider to the world: Vice president

   China's Vice President Han Zheng has stated that China is committed to opening up to the world and will continue to be part of the family of developing countries. He emphasized China's commitment to an independent foreign policy and protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Han also expressed China's support for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and its willingness to play a constructive role.

3. Trump says if elected again he will send troops to US-Mexico border

   Former US President Donald Trump, speaking at a rally in Iowa, promised to shift resources from federal law enforcement agencies to the US-Mexico border and send thousands of troops stationed overseas to address illegal border crossings. He also pledged to expand on the travel ban that targeted Muslim-majority countries during his presidency. Trump accused President Joe Biden of allowing an "invasion" at the border and vowed to terminate the Biden administration's open borders policy.

4. Ministry says possibly radioactive metal stolen from Fukushima

   Construction workers stole and sold potentially radioactive scrap metal from near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Japanese environment ministry said on Thursday. Japan's environment ministry was informed of the theft by workers from a joint venture conducting the demolition work in late July and is "exchanging information with police", ministry official Kei Osada told AFP.

5. Hollywood workers resort to flea markets, bake sales as strikes drag on

   Crew members in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles are facing financial hardships due to ongoing strikes by Hollywood writers and actors. While these crew members are not on strike themselves, the shutdown of scripted production has led to significant income loss, estimated at close to $2 billion in wages.

6. DRC Congo to move its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv - Israeli statement

   Democratic Republic of Congo will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday. Netanyahu, who met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi during the U.N. General Assembly, announced in a statement that Israel would also be opening an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo.

7. Bus carrying high school band rolls over in New York, killing at least two

   A bus carrying high school band members on their way to a music camp crashed in New York, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. Governor Kathy Hochul stated that a faulty front tire may have contributed to the accident. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The bus was carrying students from Farmingdale, New York, to a camp in Pennsylvania.

8. Sudan army chief warns UN that war could spill over in region

   Sudan's army chief warned Thursday at the United Nations that months of war could spill over in the region as he urged international pressure on the paramilitary unit he is fighting. "This is like the spark of war, a war that will spill over to other countries in the region," he said.

9. Tropical storm warning issued for US East Coast ahead of potential cyclone, forecasters say

   A tropical storm warning has been issued for the East Coast, from coastal North Carolina to Delaware, as a potential tropical cyclone approaches. The disturbance is currently located southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and is moving north. The warning includes areas such as Cape Fear, North Carolina, and Fenwick Island, Delaware.

10. Germany passes law to make energy savings compulsory

    

11. Zelenskyy is making his case at the US Capitol for more war aid as Republican support softens

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington to discuss the flow of American dollars supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian forces. He met with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, as well as President Joe Biden and US military leaders at the Pentagon. Zelenskyy's visit comes as Russia launched heavy strikes in Ukraine, and Biden's request for additional funding for Ukraine's military is pending. The visit aims to garner support for Ukraine's war effort and maintain Western backing. Zelenskyy's message to lawmakers was that he is winning, but there needs to be a clear strategy for victory.

12. Zelenskyy tries to counter war fatigue in Washington trip

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Washington to seek aid in fighting Russian invaders. Zelenskyy will meet with President Joe Biden and seek more weapons, including longer-range missiles, to boost Ukraine's forces. However, there are doubts over the future of US assistance, with some Republicans opposing funding for Ukraine. Zelenskyy's visit is crucial as Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces continues.

13. Pakistan's general elections to be held in last week of January 2024

    The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced that general elections will be held in the last week of January 2024. The commission has completed its review of the constituency delimitation process and will release the initial list on September 27. After considering objections and suggestions, the final list will be issued on November 30. Pakistan has been experiencing political unrest since the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022. The country is also in the process of redrawing its electoral boundaries.

14. Russia strikes Ukrainian energy facilities in biggest attack in weeks

    Russia launched a major missile attack on Ukraine, targeting energy facilities in what officials believe is the start of a new air campaign against the Ukrainian power grid. Power cuts were reported in multiple regions, and at least 18 people were wounded. This is the first attack on power infrastructure in six months. Ukraine has been working to repair infrastructure damaged in previous attacks, but defending against further attacks remains a challenge.

15. A panel finds torture made a 9/11 defendant psychotic. A judge will rule whether he can stand trial

    One of the 9/11 defendants held at Guantanamo Bay has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features, rendering him delusional and psychotic due to the torture he endured while in CIA custody. The diagnosis raises uncertainty about whether he will stand trial, as his mental issues may render him incompetent. Defense lawyers argue that he should be provided with post-torture trauma care and no longer be subjected to solitary confinement.

16. Poland halts supply of weapons to Ukraine over grain dispute

    Poland has announced that it has halted weapons supplies to Ukraine, citing the need to arm itself with more modern weapons. The move comes amid a brewing dispute between the two countries over Poland's ban on grain imports from Ukraine. Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that his government has no intention to risk Ukraine's security and will not interfere with arms shipments from other countries.

17. UN General Assembly brings ‘hooker convention’ to NYC: Report

    According to a report in the New York Post, "diplomats in town for the UN General Assembly are meeting world leaders by day and high-end hookers by night". High-priced escorts are flocking to the city from as far away as Las Vegas and Europe to meet the increased demand during the diplomatic meetings. One source familiar with these activities mentioned that business surges by 20% to 25% during this time, creating what some describe as a "hooker convention."

18. Crown prince Salman: Saudi Arabia and Israel getting 'closer' to normalization

    Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has stated in a US television interview that his country is moving closer to normalizing relations with Israel. He also expressed concerns about Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon and emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue.

19. Swiss parliament approves ban on burqas, sets fine for violators

    Switzerland's lower house of parliament has passed a ban on face coverings, including burqas, with fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs for violators. The legislation had already been approved by the upper house and is now federal law. The ban applies to both public spaces and private buildings accessible to the public, with some exceptions allowed.

20. Beijing, Moscow must deepen cooperation: China foreign minister

    Beijing's top diplomat told President Vladimir Putin that China and Russia must work to strengthen cooperation in the face of a "complex international situation", Chinese state media reported Thursday. "Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice," he added.