“The tone has completely changed,” Rezaei said, comparing the message with an earlier letter from President Donald Trump .

US media previously reported that Vance had contacted Rezaei at Trump 's direction to revive peace negotiations. However, Trump maintained that the communication concerned medical supplies rather than diplomatic talks.

Rezaei also suggested Iran could reconsider its nuclear doctrine if another war erupted, although he stressed that no official decision had been made.

He warned that Iran's armed forces remained highly prepared for any renewed conflict, pointing to the country's military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

The security chief further claimed that recent US responses to proposals submitted through mediators indicated greater willingness to accept Iran's seven conditions for a potential agreement.

Despite the apparent diplomatic progress, Rezaei said Tehran remained deeply suspicious of Washington's intentions, fearing negotiations could be followed by renewed military action.

He also highlighted an October 26 meeting involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, saying the discussions could pave the way for new regional security arrangements.

Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18, following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, covering the cessation of military operations and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, disagreements over the strategic waterway and the terms of a lasting settlement continue to hinder diplomatic progress.

He insisted that threats of war or terrorism would not force Iran to abandon its national rights and interests.

His remarks came after Trump said on Saturday that the United States could launch strikes against Iran as early as Sunday, although he also suggested a diplomatic agreement remained possible.

“We're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow,” Trump told reporters, adding that a deal with Tehran was still an option.

The exchange comes amid renewed speculation over military action, with US and Israeli forces reportedly preparing plans for possible strikes targeting Iran's nuclear, energy and missile infrastructure.

Washington and Tehran signed an interim peace agreement in June, brokered by Pakistan with Qatar's support, but the deal collapsed within weeks, with hostilities resuming in July.

The vigil, organised by anti-occupation group Israelis for Peace, honoured Israelis killed in the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and Palestinians killed during Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza.

Some attendees welcomed Mamdani's presence, thanking him for his statements and actions. Tensions later escalated as protesters shook barricades and clashed with vigil participants, prompting police to separate the groups.

The confrontation comes amid a dispute between Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani previously pledged to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu but later acknowledged he lacked the legal authority to do so.

Netanyahu accused Mamdani of antisemitism and supporting Hamas during his September address to the UN General Assembly. Mamdani rejected the accusations, maintaining that his criticism targets Israeli government policies rather than Jewish people.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The United States rejects the court's jurisdiction in the case.

“Our goal is to drive the enemy out of our country,” fellow participant Azhar Abdul-Zahra said, describing the withdrawal as a moment of “immense joy”.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced on Wednesday the official end of the international coalition's mission against ISIS in Iraq. The Pentagon also confirmed the end of the Iraq-based mission under Operation Inherent Resolve following the withdrawal of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the development, calling it “a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS”.

Baghdad and Washington agreed in 2024 to phase out the coalition's military mission, with the remaining forces scheduled to leave Iraq by September 30, 2026.

Musk identified China as America's biggest competitor, noting that its electricity production is about three times that of the US. He said Space X was discussing adding 10 gigawatts of power, while SpaceX and Tesla were targeting annual solar production of 200 gigawatts, including potentially deploying solar power in space.

Huang also described the latest AI data centres as “super intelligence factories”, arguing that unlike traditional data centres that primarily store information, the new facilities produce something of economic value.

The executives also addressed AI safety, with Huang arguing that technological advancement and safety should develop together. Musk said major AI companies had agreed on new safety measures following White House discussions.

“American citizenship is sacred and the symbols and documents that uphold it should reflect that,” Rubio said. The new design places “ United States of America” above a larger gold Great Seal, while its interior features an animated eagle motif and imagery tracing 250 years of US history.

Rubio said the eagle appears to take flight as travellers flip through the pages, passing scenes ranging from the American Revolution to the US space programme.

The State Department also plans to allow first-time passport applicants to complete the process entirely online from next year through America.gov. Currently, first-time adult applicants must apply in person, while eligible passport holders can renew online.

Launched on September 29, America.gov is an AI-supported portal designed to bring information and services from more than 29,000 US government websites into a single platform.

“If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened and normal maritime passage restored within seven days. The choice now rests with the United States ,” he said.

Araghchi said Washington would first have to fulfil existing commitments, allowing Iran to reopen the strait on the sixth day and resume negotiations the following day. He maintained that Tehran remained open to diplomacy but would not accept “coercion, threat or intimidation”.

The Iranian foreign minister also rejected claims that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon, calling them a “big lie” and insisting the country's nuclear programme remained peaceful.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a major pressure point since the US-Iran conflict began in late February, with disruption to the key oil and gas shipping route driving up energy prices and reducing maritime traffic. US and Iranian representatives held indirect contacts during the UN General Assembly, but Washington had not announced whether it would accept Tehran's proposal.

They may come from different backgrounds, but what brings people together is something deeply human: moments of kindness, a willingness to help when it matters most, or even a shared passion.

Growing together: 

That bond can be traced back more than a century, to a young woman from Iowa, hoping to give Chinese girls and women opportunities that many had never had before.

Her name was Lydia Trimble.

In 1889, after graduating from what is now the University of Northern Iowa, Lydia arrived in Fuzhou, in southeast China’s Fujian Province, as a missionary.

She soon saw that many girls and women had little access to education, leaving them like lotus flowers without roots, drifting wherever the current carried them.

Having had the opportunity to receive an education herself, Lydia could not stand by. She believed that girls and women deserved the chance to gain knowledge, become independent and have a stronger voice in their own lives.

What began as a mission became her lifetime commitment. She stayed in China for five decades, until her death in 1941. She helped establish schools for girls and women of different ages and backgrounds, opening doors to opportunities that allowed them to discover what they wanted in life.

But opening those doors required determination and perseverance. When one of the schools struggled to secure funding, Lydia turned to her family thousands of miles away in Iowa. Her elder brother James even mortgaged his own farm to help make her vision a reality.

Fortunately, Lydia’s efforts paid off, and education changed the lives of many girls and women. One of her students, He Zhenni, later travelled to Iowa to study at Coe College. She eventually became the first Chinese woman to serve as president of a middle school in Fujian Province.

Lydia’s great-nephew, Gordon Trimble, later came to discover more about her incredible life through her diaries and family documents. Among the stories he found was one that stayed with him: Lydia once stepped in to protect a 10-year-old girl who was at risk of being sold into marriage to an older man.

To Gordon, his great-aunt’s belief in using her abilities to help others became part of his family story, and eventually, part of his own life.

In 2005, more than a century after Lydia first crossed the Pacific, Gordon travelled to Fuzhou and taught at the college his great-aunt had helped establish. He was no longer simply reading about Lydia’s life in old diaries and documents. He was walking through the place where her work had taken root.

“It is about if you can do something better, I should help you. Because once you're able to do it, the community becomes better,” Gordon said. 

Standing together: 

That same spirit of helping others can take many forms. In times of war, it can mean risking your own life to protect another.

By 1940, China had been fighting Japan for nearly a decade, and the war had taken a heavy toll on its air force. In September that year, more than 20 experienced Chinese pilots were killed in fighting over Wuhan, leaving China in even greater need of pilots and aircraft to defend its skies.

Help came from across the Pacific. In 1941, the United States and China reached an agreement that paved the way for American military veterans and volunteers to come to China, help defend the country and keep vital supplies moving. That year, about 100 American veterans joined the American Volunteer Group, later known as the Flying Tigers.

Harry Moyer was one of them. After learning about the suffering of Chinese people during the war, he made his choice.

“I chose to go to China because I wanted to fight for China,” Moyer later recalled.

One of the most challenging chapters of the war came when China had to find another lifeline after the Yunnan-Myanmar Road was cut off, a crucial route for supplies reaching southwest China. Another way had to be found.

That was when the Hump airlift became vital. Chinese and American aircrews worked side by side to keep the new lifeline open, flying between India and southwest China over the Himalayas. They carried fuel, ammunition, equipment and other desperately needed supplies.

The journey was perilous. Pilots faced unpredictable weather, towering mountains and Japanese attacks. According to US records, the human cost was heartbreaking: more than 1,300 Chinese and American aircrews lost their lives. Between May 1942 and September 1945, some 800,000 tons of supplies had reached China by air, according to Xinhua News Agency.

For those watching the planes come and go, every flight carried a little more hope and a little more fear.

Emma Jane Foster, an American nurse who served with the Flying Tigers, remembered how people at the airfield would count the planes as they left for a mission and again when they returned. If one failed to come back, everyone’s heart sank.

While American pilots risked their lives in the sky, ordinary Chinese people risked theirs on the ground to help them. An unbreakable bond took shape through countless acts of courage and genuine kindness.

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, has spent decades collecting and preserving stories of the Flying Tigers and the Chinese people who stood beside them.

Among the stories he has heard are those of Chinese villagers who shared what little food they had with American airmen.

Food was precious during the war. Families often had barely enough for themselves. Yet some would keep what they needed for their children and give the rest to the pilots. Eggs in particular were treasured. Some American airmen still vividly remembered the Chinese word for “egg” even decades later, because it was something they were given so often.

The Chinese people also helped build and repair runways. They had nothing but hammers, but they kept working day after day. Even mothers carrying babies joined the effort voluntarily.

Greene recalled hearing how millions of Chinese people took part in such wartime efforts.

“Two million [Chinese] people did that,” he said. “The American Congress saw this, and there was a respect between them. I’ve never met an American Air Force man who ever said anything bad about Chinese people. Never!”

And there was perhaps no greater expression of that bond than what happened when an American pilot came down behind enemy lines.

When a pilot was shot down or forced to land far from his base, Chinese villagers risked their lives to find him, hide him and help him reach safety. They knew the risks. If Japanese soldiers discovered them, Chinese villagers who sheltered a downed American pilot could face severe punishment, even death.

That was how a bond was forged, not through a treaty or an official agreement, but through compassion, gratitude, and the unwavering assurance that they would always have each other’s backs.

Playing together: 

Decades later, another kind of connection is bringing young people from China and the United States together through shared passions.

During a recent China–US youth sports exchange, four American baseball teams from Iowa, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Michigan travelled to Fuzhou to play exhibition games against four Chinese teams.

For many of the players, it was their first time in China and their first opportunity to meet their Chinese peers. But once they stepped onto the field, the unfamiliar quickly gave way to something they already have in common: a love of the game.

The players competed with focus and determination, celebrating hits and runs while learning from each other. After the games, they exchanged baseball techniques, gifts and stories about their lives.

For Iowa baseball player Shawn Simmons, the experience was about much more than the final score.

“I really had a great time. I pitched. We ended up winning, but that wasn't really what mattered,” he said. “We made some really good friendships with some of the people on the team.”

Julian Skosey-LaLonde, the assistant coach of the Iowa Baseball Team, was also impressed by the different playing styles he saw from Chinese and American players.

“No one’s movement is more correct than others,” he said. “It is cool to see how people approach things differently. It's a great example of how two people can be in competition but creating friendship.”

Robert Dombrowski, coach of the Iowa Baseball Team, said he hoped his players would be inspired by the hard-working spirit of the Chinese players. 

“I actually said to our players if they can do eight hours a day at school, you guys can find one extra hour of work, you'll improve so much,” said Dombrowski. 

The game gave them a common language. The friendships gave that connection beyond the field.

This is just one example of how young people in China and the United States are finding common ground through the passions they share. And baseball is only one of many ways they connect through music , culture, art and the simple joy of discovering something new together.

Sometimes, all it takes is a shared passion to start a conversation. A familiar song, a story from a trip, a moment on the playing field, even a simple memory of those days can bring back the warmth of a first encounter, as if, for a moment, time and distance have disappeared.

There are many more stories like these, and you can find some of these stories on “Ni How Are You.” A video podcast series looks beyond the headlines and geopolitical discussions to explore the personal stories, shared passions and human connections bringing young people in China and the United States closer together.

The article solely represents the views of Chen Ziqi, a Beijing-based journalist with CGTN, known for covering cross-cultural and international stories.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday that Tehran’s delegation had clearly presented its positions to Washington through Qatari intermediaries.

"The interaction took place through Qatari mediators, and in fact, the Iranian delegation conveyed its views and conditions very explicitly and clearly to the American side through the mediators. This was not something new; previously, within the past week, the positions and views of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, regional security, and Iran's conditions for diplomacy have been stated," Baqaei noted.

"The opportunity of our country's delegation's presence in New York was utilised to convey these matters very clearly to the American side," he explained.

Trump says talks were ‘very good’

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that American officials had held three hours of talks with the Iranian delegation, describing the discussions as 'very good'.

"I can't imagine why they would not want to make a deal. It's either greatness, potential greatness, or total destruction; there are only two choices," Trump added.

Trump was in New York on Tuesday for the 81st UN General Assembly, where he also addressed Iran in his speech.

Qatar steps up mediation

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Their discussions covered developments in the region, efforts to reduce tensions and possible conditions for dialogue aimed at strengthening regional security and stability.

Tehran and Washington signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June after mediation by Pakistan with Qatari support. The agreement stopped hostilities and created a path towards further negotiations.

The deal later broke down following disagreements over maritime security and passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran and Washington accusing each other of violating its terms.

The 81st UN General Assembly opened in New York on September 8. The General Debate runs from September 22 to 26 and concludes on September 28 under the theme, ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.’

Mamdani has previously criticised Netanyahu over the war in Gaza and explored whether New York could enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, before acknowledging that the city lacked that authority. The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has since called for Mamdani’s arrest, while protests are expected in New York as the UN General Assembly opens its 81st session on 22 September.

“Where is the work being done to stop all the cartels or drug distributors in the US? What about money laundering in the US?” Sheinbaum asked, adding that Mexico was taking action against officials suspected of criminal links.

She also questioned what Washington was doing to address US drug consumption and the flow of weapons into Mexico, arguing that drug trafficking could not be tackled solely in countries where narcotics are produced or transported.

“What is being done about drug use in the US?” she asked, describing consumption as a public health issue requiring greater attention to young people.

Her comments came after Trump sent a memorandum to the US Congress calling on Mexico to act against public officials Washington says have links to criminal organisations.

Sheinbaum also rejected foreign intervention in Mexico, while stressing that the country remained open to cooperation with the US.

Financial records became more useful once investigators knew who they were looking for. Bank accounts, ATM withdrawals and payments helped investigators identify addresses, locations and connections. After the attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act expanded requirements for identifying customers and sharing financial information, while the Financial Action Task Force expanded its work on terrorist financing. Attempts to create a financial profile that could identify future terrorists, however, failed because ordinary activities such as paying tuition, travelling or receiving international transfers could not reliably distinguish a suspect from anyone else.

The initiative seeks to coordinate regional efforts against criminal organisations and transnational threats. Fujimori said the growing reach of criminal groups required countries to work together across borders.

"This criminality does not respect borders, and hence the need to join efforts with other countries," she said.

Rubio said Washington viewed the expansion of criminal organisations as a threat to security across the hemisphere and pledged US support for participating countries.

"We are going to help you in every way possible ... because it is also in our national interest not to have criminal gangs operating with impunity across the hemisphere," Rubio said.

He described the Shield of the Americas as an alliance aimed at confronting criminal and terrorist groups, some of which he said had acquired resources and capabilities exceeding those of national armed forces. Rubio said 14 countries were currently participating and expected the initiative to expand.

Protester Carlos Enrique Fernandez Chacon said the demonstration was aimed at rejecting Rubio's presence and what he described as US interference in the region. "We do not ally with any imperialism, and we do ally with the peoples oppressed by them," he said.

Other demonstrators accused Washington of seeking control over natural resources and criticised US policies towards Iran and Venezuela . Protester Alejandra Cuentas also called on social organisations to continue opposing what she described as US imperialism.

The protest came ahead of Rubio's scheduled meeting with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori on Thursday. Their agenda includes security , transnational organised crime, defence, investment, trade and cooperation in responding to the El Nino phenomenon.

US Southern Command said the vessels were linked to drug-trafficking operations and acted as floating resupply stations in international waters, while the fishermen disputed the account. Ecuador’s Permanent Committee for the Defence of Human Rights filed a habeas corpus petition on their behalf. The judge also ordered Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry to seek explanations from the US Embassy and called for a search for fishermen still missing after the operations.

"This offensive operation will continue as a lesson to the Americans until they regret their crimes," he said.

Kuwait's military said its air defences intercepted attacks by hostile Iranian drones late on Tuesday, while Jordan's armed forces said 13 ballistic missiles entered its airspace, with 10 intercepted and three falling in remote areas.

US Central Command, meanwhile, said American forces had launched a new round of strikes against IRGC targets in Iran following attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel in the region.

"Co-operation does not mean subordination. Friendship does not mean renouncing our principles," Sheinbaum said. "I will firmly defend our sovereignty, our dignity and our independence."

On energy, Sheinbaum said the debt of state-owned oil company Pemex had been reduced by $20 billion, while production stood at 1.77 million barrels of oil and nearly five billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. She also highlighted a National Gas Pipeline Plan involving 141 billion pesos in projected investment through 2030.

Turning to security , Sheinbaum said intentional homicides had fallen by 51 per cent since she took office, equivalent to 44 fewer killings per day. She added that the daily average of high-impact crimes in 2026 had dropped by 54 per cent compared with 2018.

He warned that countries joining US economic measures would be considered enemies, adding that Tehran would initially seek talks before taking action against their interests.

Rezaei also threatened US commercial interests if Washington imposed further sanctions. "The US has many oil companies and economic interests around Iran and in other places; well, we will hit those," he said.

Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign last week, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promised the "toughest sanctions in history."

Rezaei also argued that US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities had undermined confidence in the global non-proliferation system. Iran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He separately said Iran and Oman had agreed on a transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, although negotiations were not complete, and warned Washington against hostile military moves around the waterway.

"If they make any movement along the southern route [Strait of Hormuz], we will hit them," he said. Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council earlier this month.

Iran and the United States signed the Qatar- and Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, ending military operations and addressing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Talks later stalled amid disagreements over maritime security and passage through the strategic waterway.

Araghchi said Iran and Oman had made progress on plans for new shipping routes, with experts working on maps to replace existing routes.

He stressed, however, that an agreement with Oman on a new maritime route "does not mean the opening of the Strait of Hormuz."

Araghchi said reopening the strait would depend on separate conditions being communicated to Washington through intermediaries.

"There is an official over there who does not like Brazil or Latin America and who is a Bolsonarist: the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. He does not like us," Lula said.

Lula also referred to Rubio's Cuban heritage, describing him as "perhaps a frustrated Latin American because his family left Cuba" and claiming the US secretary of state "hates Cuba, hates Colombia and hates Brazil."

The remarks come after Washington imposed a 25 per cent tariff on many Brazilian goods in July, followed by an additional 12.5 per cent levy linked to US measures against countries it says do not adequately restrict imports made with forced labour. Some products are exempt.

Lula said he learned of the latest tariff increase through the media and claimed it would leave Brazil with a $7.4 billion shortfall.

In a security alert issued on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Mexico announced the suspension but did not disclose the nature of the threat. Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla later said the inspections had been paused to protect personnel after recent arrests linked to extortion activities in the state.

The inspections, conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, are required before Mexican avocados can be exported to the United States. USDA personnel oversee plantations and packing facilities to ensure fruit complies with US phytosanitary standards. Similar security incidents have forced temporary suspensions in the past.

Michoacán, the source of most Mexican avocado exports to the United States, has long been a hotspot for organised crime, with several cartels operating in the region. Beyond drug trafficking , criminal groups have built lucrative extortion rackets targeting the avocado industry, often referred to locally as "green gold".

The move does not expel Viotti from the United States , but means she would need to apply for a new visa if she leaves the country. Washington described the measure as "reciprocal" and said the visa could be restored if Brazil approves ambassador-designate Daniel Perez.

Brasília condemned the decision, accusing Washington of escalating pressure for ideological reasons and attempting to influence the election. Brazilian officials also argued that the United States broke diplomatic protocol by publicly announcing Perez's nomination before receiving Brazil's formal approval, adding that no decision would be made before the first round of voting in October.

The dispute has widened beyond diplomatic appointments.

Last month Brazil refused entry to two senior US officials, saying their planned visit on election integrity and religious freedom amounted to interference in domestic politics . Washington rejected the accusation.

The latest confrontation adds to months of deteriorating relations between the region's two largest democracies, which have also clashed over trade tariffs, organised crime and broader regional policy.

Lula has accused the Trump administration of undermining Brazil's sovereignty, while Washington maintains it is responding to actions taken by Brasília and insists it remains committed to restoring normal diplomatic ties.

He said Iran was instead holding talks with Oman to establish a temporary route to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "We are seeking, in consultation and cooperation with Oman, to determine this route as soon as possible," Baghaei said.

Trump had earlier claimed he halted what he described as the "largest attack since World War II" after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, saying Tehran wanted an agreement.

Baghaei also dismissed speculation that Iran's negotiating team had travelled abroad, saying all members remained in the country while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.

He further accused the United States of committing "war crimes" by striking residential areas in Qeshm, Minab and Lamerd, saying Iran would pursue legal action through international channels.

He also accused the United States of worsening Cuba's energy crisis through sanctions, including an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2026 targeting countries and companies that supply fuel to Cuba.

"The economic and social implications of that collective punishment are humanly unbearable," Diaz-Canel said.

The Cuban leader also rejected what he described as attempts to portray Cuba as a threat to US national security , calling it a pretext for possible military aggression.

He further dismissed a recent US State Department report describing Cuba as the "capital of 21st-century communism", calling it a "propaganda pamphlet", while reaffirming his government's willingness to pursue dialogue based on mutual respect.

Trump said the initiative would help remove what he described as unqualified migrant drivers from US highways, claiming they had been involved in reckless driving that caused preventable deaths.

He also said more than 24,000 driver's licences issued to non-English speakers had been revoked, while over 28,000 licences issued to what he described as "illegal aliens" had been cancelled.

According to the White House, the programme will be jointly run by the Departments of Transportation , Veterans Affairs, Labour and War.

He argued that both communities were facing growing attacks.

"It's under attack from the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-evangelicalism. It's no accident that the two are coming under joint attack because we are one," he said.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the evangelical leaders thanked Netanyahu for Israel's actions during the conflict with Iran .

"When you're faced with an attack, what do you do? Attack back," Netanyahu said, adding, "It's now time to fight, fight, fight."

Evangelical Christian groups have long been among Israel's strongest supporters in the United States , and Netanyahu has regularly met with their leaders during visits to Washington.

"Last week, Mayor Mamdani accused our prime minister of being a war criminal and accused our nation of committing genocide. Hours later, a Jewish man walked out of his synagogue... He was stabbed by a radical who yelled 'Allahu Akbar'," Danon said.

Police said two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were attacked in separate incidents and are expected to survive. Authorities have not established any connection between the attacks and Mamdani's remarks.

Addressing the Security Council's quarterly debate on the Middle East , Danon also accused Hamas of obstructing peace and criticised the UN for failing to hold the group accountable.

Palestine's UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu's government of exploiting the Gaza conflict for political gain and urged stronger international action to end the bloodshed.

Trump also renewed his criticism of the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, describing it as "a road to a nuclear weapon."

He credited recent US military strikes, including B-2 bomber missions targeting what he described as Iranian nuclear infrastructure, with preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"If that didn't happen, they would have had a nuclear weapon and there would be no Israel," Trump said, referring to the strikes. The US president further claimed that his administration's actions had prevented a wider regional catastrophe.

"If I wasn't here, if I wasn't president, there would be no Israel and there probably would be no Middle East ," he said, adding that he believed Iran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had obtained one.

Several protesters voiced strong accusations against the foreign missions. One demonstrator claimed that those involved in the rescue efforts were not genuine humanitarian actors but part of a broader agenda tied to geopolitical interests.

"As I said three months ago, the show must go on," Trump said. "We were backstage, and we both wanted to just have it go on, whether it was 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock in the morning, it didn't matter. But in the end, it made more sense to do it the way we're doing it."

The rescheduled event was held under heightened security , with Trump saying lessons had been learned from the attack.

"A lot was learned from that evening. A tremendous amount was learned about security and about other things," he said. He later joked that "the second time is always better" before adding that he was "only kidding."

The original dinner was abandoned in April after an armed man allegedly opened fire near a security checkpoint, prompting the evacuation of Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials.

The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with four counts, including attempted assassination of the president, and pleaded not guilty in May.

"This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The exact time and location of the footage could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a "massive attack" on Iran, saying it would be larger than any strike carried out during the months-long conflict.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said.

His remarks came after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and a fresh rise in oil prices above $100 per barrel, Viory reports.

The latest strikes come after the collapse of a Pakistan-brokered interim agreement signed in June, which had sought to halt the conflict that began on 28 February.

"We are demonstrating with this Sovereign Brazil III that there is no crisis that prevents Brazil from continuing its path, from continuing with a growing economy ... We are going to finish the term growing by almost 3 percent in the three years of government," Lula said.

He criticised Washington for imposing the tariffs without consultation, arguing that countries were increasingly diversifying their trading partners and currencies .

"The abrupt decision of the US government to think that by applying the tariffs it applied without informing anyone, without speaking to anyone, the world was going to collapse," he said.

Lula added that the dispute had helped accelerate trade negotiations with other partners, including the conclusion of the long-delayed Mercosur-European Union agreement. "We have the conditions to emerge stronger from this crisis," he said, adding that Brazil was also pursuing new trade opportunities with other countries.

The additional 25 percent US tariffs on Brazilian imports took effect on Wednesday, with some products exempted.

The United States leads the list with imports worth $3.82 trillion, followed by China at $2.79 trillion. Germany takes third with $1.57 trillion, while the United Kingdom and India follow at $975 billion and $892 billion, respectively. France imports $830 billion, Japan $784 billion, Italy $743 billion, Canada $719 billion, and the Netherlands rounds out the top ten with $713 billion.

These numbers tell the story of how economies interact. The U.S., for example, drives global demand through consumer spending, while China’s imports are increasingly tied to industrial inputs for its vast manufacturing sector.

Germany and the Netherlands act as European trade hubs, importing raw materials and components that feed into exports. For India, rising imports reflect its fast-growing economy and hunger for energy and technology.

But this surge in imports comes at a sensitive time for the global economy. The IMF’s July 2025 outlook projects global growth at 3.0%, citing a modest recovery from supply-chain disruptions but warning that trade tensions and protectionism remain significant risks.

The World Bank has also warned that escalating trade wars could weigh on two-thirds of developing economies, eroding growth prospects.

Markets are already feeling the ripple effects. Investor optimism in the U.S. has surged following a recent Federal Reserve rate cut of 25 basis points, driving capital back into equities and boosting risk appetite worldwide.

At the same time, researchers warn that prolonged tariff regimes could gradually weaken the dollar’s dominance as the global reserve currency — a shift that would fundamentally reshape trade dynamics.

Together, the next eight nations, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil , South Korea, Canada and Germany, trail far behind but still collectively account for a massive share of global demand.

According to figures compiled by Jagran Josh from U.S. Energy Information Administration data, the top 10 oil-consuming countries account for about 61 million barrels per day, or roughly 61 % of global consumption.

Their ranking reads: United States (20.01 million bpd), China (15.15), India (5.05), Russia (3.68), Saudi Arabia (3.65), Japan (3.38), Brazil (3.03), South Korea (2.55), Canada (2.41) and Germany (2.18).

With the International Energy Agency projecting global demand to hit 103.9 million barrels per day in 2025, these few countries wield outsized influence over oil markets.

The United States alone consumed about 20.25 million barrels per day in 2023, roughly 20 % of world petroleum use, with transportation the dominant sector. China, now the world’s largest crude‑oil importer, has seen demand surge from 2.3 million barrels per day in 1990 to around 16.2 million bpd in 2023.

India, consuming 5.05 million barrels per day, is the third‑largest consumer and has ramped up from 1.2 million bpd in 1990. It is also heavily reliant on imports; over 85 % of its crude comes from abroad, leaving it vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and price swings. India’s recent pivot back to Middle Eastern suppliers after Russia trimmed exports underscores this dependency.

A concise quiz from the UPSC portal Vajiram & Ravi points out that the top five oil consumers, the United States, China, India, Russia and Japan, together use nearly 48 % of the world’s oil. On the supply side, just five countries produce about half of all crudevajiramandravi.com, making the market doubly concentrated.

While developed economies still dominate oil consumption, Asia is closing the gap.

As China and India’s appetite grows, and as Western nations push toward cleaner energy, the future of oil will hinge on how these few big consumers balance growth with energy transition. In this high‑stakes landscape, policy decisions in Washington, Beijing and New Delhi will ripple through fuel prices, trade flows and global climate goals.

According to data provided by Parrot Analytics and created in a map by The World in Maps, while Japan remains the undisputed home of anime, countries as diverse as the United States, Philippines, France, and India are emerging as significant anime powerhouses. Here's a deep dive into the global landscape of anime enthusiasm.

The map shows that countries shaded in deep red represent regions where anime enjoys the highest levels of demand and cultural integration:

Countries shaded in orange, like the United States, India, and Brazil, show "very high" anime engagement:

Countries marked in pink and light pink, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Mexico , and Morocco, show consistent demand and growing fandoms. These regions host frequent anime screenings, cosplay events, and manga festivals, proving anime's soft power in shaping youth culture.

Countries in yellow and grey, such as parts of Africa, Central Asia , and the Middle East, show “low” or “untracked” levels of anime engagement. This may reflect a combination of limited streaming access, cultural barriers, or different entertainment preferences.

According to Investopedia , Russia is the world's most resource-rich nation as it boasts an estimated $75 trillion in natural resources.

Russia leads the list due to its abundant reserves of coal, natural gas , oil, gold, timber, and rare earth metals. These resources are pivotal not only to Russia’s economy but also to global markets, especially in energy and industrial production.

The United States comes in second, with $45 trillion in natural resources, including coal, timber, natural gas, gold, and copper. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia rounds out the top three with $34 trillion, largely attributed to its vast oil reserves.

Other notable entries include:

This ranking underscores the strategic importance of natural resources in shaping global economic influence. The world's shift towards renewable energy and technological advancement means that control over critical materials such as rare earth metals may prove even more valuable than traditional fossil fuels.

According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2022-2031, cheese consumption, however, varies significantly across the globe.

Switzerland, famous for its fondue and raclette, leads the world in cheese consumption, with an average of 22.48 kg per person annually. Swiss cheese varieties like Emmental and Gruyère are popular both domestically and internationally.

Israel follows closely, with an average consumption of 18.49 kg per person per year. Cheese is a staple in the Israeli diet, often enjoyed with bread and as part of various traditional dishes.

Norwegians consume around 18.18 kg of cheese per person each year. The United States also has an average cheese consumption of 17.92 kg per person annually.

Canada consumes about 14.10 kg of cheese per person per year. Australians enjoy approximately 13.04 kg of cheese per person annually.

While these  three countries  continue to use the imperial system, Liberia and Myanmar are gradually introducing metric units, which are widely used in some contexts.

In the United States, the metric is technically the preferred system, as established by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, but the imperial system remains prevalent in everyday life.

The United Kingdom presents a unique case; it is officially metric, but imperial units are still commonly used, especially for distances, heights, and weights in daily life. For example, road signs in the UK display miles rather than kilometres, and people often use pounds and ounces for body weight.

The imperial system, with units like inches, feet, pounds, and gallons, traces its origins to everyday items or human body parts, making it less standardised and less easily divisible than the metric system. Supporters of the imperial system argue that its units feel more relatable, while critics see it as less practical for scientific and global consistency.

Conversely, some critics of the metric system, which was designed for straightforward conversion and reference, view it as arbitrary.

Overall, the global trend strongly favours the metric system, with increasing adoption even in the few countries where imperial units still hold sway.