Times of India

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday confronted Russia directly at the UN Security Council, denouncing the Kremlin's invasion of his country as "criminal" and urging the United Nations to strip Moscow of its veto power. "Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war," Zelenskyy said. "It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation aimed at seizing Ukraine's territory and resources."

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."

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.

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.

The US will grant temporary deportation relief and work permits to around 500,000 Venezuelans already in the country. This move follows calls from Democrats to assist newly arrived migrants in obtaining legal work. The decision is based on Venezuela's increased instability and lack of safety. President Joe Biden, who has faced a surge in illegal border crossings, will also send additional troops to the US-Mexico border and expand a program to process migrant families seeking asylum.

House Republicans criticized Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Justice Department for allegedly favoring President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, and targeting former President Donald Trump. Garland defended the department, stating that their job is not to take orders from the president or Congress. Republicans focused on allegations of interference in the Hunter Biden case and the prosecutor's lack of authority.

Azerbaijan has announced that it has stopped its military operations in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The success on the battlefield has led Armenian separatist forces to agree to a ceasefire, resulting in the area fully returning to Azerbaijan's control. The agreement requires separatist forces to disband and disarm, with talks on the future of ethnic Armenians who live there scheduled to begin on Thursday.

US President Joe Biden and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu met to discuss their differences and to work towards a diplomatic agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. They addressed issues such as Israel's hard line towards the Palestinians and Biden's opposition to Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan. Biden reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and support for a two-state solution.

A group of unpaid volunteers in Buenos Aires are using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to support Javier Milei's campaign for the Argentine presidency. Milei's libertarian ideas and his plan to revive the country's economy have resonated with voters, making him the frontrunner in the upcoming election. His unconventional campaign style, reminiscent of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, has attracted attention from influential figures like Elon Musk.

The arrest of a popular businessman of Indian origin and the disruption of a Ganesh Chaturthi procession by Leicestershire police has angered British Hindus. Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby's restaurant, was arrested and handcuffed outside a temple. Lakhani claims it was not a procession but a small group taking idols for the Ganesh celebration. He plans to file a complaint.

Pakistan's foreign office accused India of engaging in "extra-territorial killings" following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's claim about Indian agents' involvement in a pro-Khalistan terrorist's killing. Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson criticized India's reliability as an international partner and questioned its claims for enhanced global responsibilities.

Pakistan’s incarcerated former prime minister, Imran Khan, and other detained suspects were charged with “criminal conspiracy” on Wednesday in connection with the attacks on government and military assets and properties on May 9 this year. The maximum penalty under the charge is death.

A Togo-flagged cargo ship was evacuated after an explosion near the Romanian port of Sulina. The cause of the explosion is still unclear, but it is suspected to be either a mine or an explosion in the engine room. The crew of 12 was safely evacuated by the Romanian Agency for Saving Life at Sea. The Romanian naval forces have deployed a vessel to search for mines in the area. The Black Sea, where the incident occurred, is crucial for shipments of grain, oil, and oil products.

Multiple budget proposals are currently under discussion in Washington, but none have garnered enough support to pass both the Democrat-controlled Senate and the Republican-led House of Representatives. The deadline for lawmakers to reach an agreement is midnight on September 30, after which government funding for essential services is set to run dry.

Evidence from an investigation by The New York Times suggests that the deadly explosion at a market in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on September 6th was likely caused by an errant Ukrainian missile rather than a Russian missile as initially claimed by Ukraine. The evidence includes missile fragments, satellite imagery, witness accounts, and social media posts, indicating that the catastrophic strike was likely the result of an errant Ukrainian air defense missile fired by a Buk launch system.