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EU Opens Door to Canada Becoming Its First ‘Associate Member’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the bloc’s first “associate member”, opening the door to an unprecedented new relationship. The status does not yet exist in EU law, but could deepen cooperation in defence, trade, energy, technology and critical minerals.
Meta Rejects Calls for Industry-Wide AI Slowdown
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected calls for an industry-wide slowdown in advanced AI development, arguing that individual companies can manage safety risks themselves. The stance puts Meta at odds with OpenAI and Anthropic, which are pushing for coordinated efforts to pace frontier AI.
EU Calls China Trade Deficit “Unsustainable” and Warns of Tougher Action
The EU has declared its trade deficit with China “unsustainable” after the gap reached €359.8 billion in 2025. Brussels says Chinese overcapacity, weak European exports and dependence on critical supply chains are now forcing it to consider tougher trade and industrial measures.
Houthis Claim They Shot Down Saudi F-15 Over Yemen
Yemen’s Houthis say they shot down a Saudi F-15 over Marib using a locally made missile as fighting intensifies across the country. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed losing an aircraft, and no independently verified evidence of the alleged shootdown has yet emerged.
India Says Pakistan Violated 1991 Naval Safety Pact After Collision
An Indian and Pakistani naval vessel collided in international waters in the northern Arabian Sea on September 15. India blamed the Pakistani unit for approaching at high speed, summoned Islamabad’s top diplomat and said the incident violated a 1991 bilateral naval safety agreement.
The Art of Wrecking a Relationship: How Trump Turned Canada Into a Wary Ally
Trump’s approach to Canada has done more than deepen a trade dispute. It has changed how many Canadians see the United States, and pushed Ottawa to think more seriously about reducing its dependence on its closest neighbour.
How Did Half a Million Fake Gmail Accounts Slip Through Google’s Safeguards?
A Gujarat bomb-hoax investigation has uncovered credentials for 513,847 Gmail accounts allegedly linked to a fake-ID network operating since 2022. Two people have been arrested, and police now plan to question Google over how the accounts bypassed verification safeguards.
India Introduces Fees on Larger UPI Merchant Payments
From October 15, selected UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 will attract a 0.4% MDR, capped at ₹300. Consumers and person-to-person transfers remain free, while the government says 96% of merchant transactions will still face no charge.
New Zealand Parliament Approves Landmark Free-Trade Deal With India
New Zealand’s Parliament has approved legislation implementing its landmark FTA with India. Once the deal enters into force, all Indian exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access, while tariffs will be cut or removed on around 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India.
Germany and US Sign New Defence-Industry Cooperation Pact
Germany and the United States have signed a new defence-industry pact aimed at speeding procurement, strengthening supply chains and expanding joint weapons production. The deal reflects a wider NATO push to rebuild military stockpiles and fix the industrial bottlenecks exposed by the Ukraine war.
Mecca Put on Alert as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Drone
Saudi Arabia says it destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over Islam’s holiest city. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca, but the incident marks a dangerous escalation as fighting spreads from Yemen toward Saudi territory and critical Red Sea routes.
The Irony of the Makkah Pact: Saudi Arabia Is Now Reportedly Asking Israel for Help
Saudi Arabia’s new defence pact with Pakistan and Türkiye promised that an attack on one would be treated as an attack on all. Weeks later, the Houthis are pounding Saudi targets while its allies stay out and Riyadh is reportedly seeking intelligence help from Israel.