Lead Story
Iran offers seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz as Trump's 'annihilate' threat looms
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 25 that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen to shipping within seven days of Washington accepting a proposed deal. The plan calls for a complete ceasefire including in Lebanon, release of more than $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and an end to the US naval blockade and oil-sanctions waivers. The offer follows President Trump's UN address threatening to "annihilate" the Iranian regime, with Tehran signaling it is prepared to restart nuclear talks the day Washington agrees to the terms.
Read more →Lead Story
Iran offers seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz as Trump's 'annihilate' threat looms
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 25 that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen to shipping within seven days of Washington accepting a proposed deal. The plan calls for a complete ceasefire including in Lebanon, release of more than $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and an end to the US naval blockade and oil-sanctions waivers. The offer follows President Trump's UN address threatening to "annihilate" the Iranian regime, with Tehran signaling it is prepared to restart nuclear talks the day Washington agrees to the terms.
Trump-Xi summit ends with White House tea, trade truce extended into 2027
President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit to Washington concluded September 25 with tea alongside President Trump in the White House Red Room and a joint tour of the National Archives, before Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan returned to China. The two sides extended their trade truce into 2027 and agreed to pursue a "constructive relationship of strategic stability," including possible cooperation on containing AI risks, though analysts noted the visit produced little in the way of concrete deliverables and Xi's first Washington state visit in 11 years ended with only a promise of further talks later this year.
Read more →Trump-Xi summit ends with White House tea, trade truce extended into 2027
President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit to Washington concluded September 25 with tea alongside President Trump in the White House Red Room and a joint tour of the National Archives, before Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan returned to China. The two sides extended their trade truce into 2027 and agreed to pursue a "constructive relationship of strategic stability," including possible cooperation on containing AI risks, though analysts noted the visit produced little in the way of concrete deliverables and Xi's first Washington state visit in 11 years ended with only a promise of further talks later this year.
UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in rare show of unity
The UN Security Council condemned in the strongest terms Yemen's Houthi rebels for escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure that have injured women and children, in a statement issued as consensus among the body's members September 25-26. The Council demanded an immediate halt to the Houthis' naval blockade and missile campaign, which has hit Saudi tankers and driven up energy prices, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense; the UN separately reported more than 125,000 people displaced inside Yemen since the start of September.
Read more →UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in rare show of unity
The UN Security Council condemned in the strongest terms Yemen's Houthi rebels for escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure that have injured women and children, in a statement issued as consensus among the body's members September 25-26. The Council demanded an immediate halt to the Houthis' naval blockade and missile campaign, which has hit Saudi tankers and driven up energy prices, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense; the UN separately reported more than 125,000 people displaced inside Yemen since the start of September.
Global pandemic treaty remains stuck in 'limbo' as UN holds high-level meeting
The UN General Assembly convened a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention on September 25, the same day negotiators wrapped an eighth round of talks in Geneva on the WHO pandemic agreement's pathogen access and benefit-sharing system. Though the broader treaty has already been signed, its implementation remains stalled over disputes about whether countries must quickly share pathogen genetic data with the world and what obligations wealthier nations have to share resulting vaccines, drugs and diagnostics with lower-income countries in return.
Read more →Global pandemic treaty remains stuck in 'limbo' as UN holds high-level meeting
The UN General Assembly convened a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention on September 25, the same day negotiators wrapped an eighth round of talks in Geneva on the WHO pandemic agreement's pathogen access and benefit-sharing system. Though the broader treaty has already been signed, its implementation remains stalled over disputes about whether countries must quickly share pathogen genetic data with the world and what obligations wealthier nations have to share resulting vaccines, drugs and diagnostics with lower-income countries in return.
German lawmakers approve €2.5 billion temporary fuel-tax cut amid rising prices
Germany's parliament backed a temporary cut to fuel taxes worth €2.5 billion, set to take effect the week of September 28, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition moves to ease the burden of surging consumer prices ahead of the winter heating season. The measure was passed September 25 alongside other cost-of-living steps as Berlin tries to shore up public support amid broader economic pressure across the eurozone.
Read more →German lawmakers approve €2.5 billion temporary fuel-tax cut amid rising prices
Germany's parliament backed a temporary cut to fuel taxes worth €2.5 billion, set to take effect the week of September 28, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition moves to ease the burden of surging consumer prices ahead of the winter heating season. The measure was passed September 25 alongside other cost-of-living steps as Berlin tries to shore up public support amid broader economic pressure across the eurozone.