Top World News
Sep 23, 2026
Economist sounds the alarm as Trump's 'bonkers' threats come home to roost
An economist warned that President Donald Trump is aiming the same weapon the U.S. used against Iran at America's own economy.University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers, founder of the Platypus Economics newsletter and podcast, sounded the alarm during a Wednesday episode of "The Trump Report" with host Maddie Hale. The pair were discussing Trump's claim that he is open to banning diesel exports as U.S. diesel prices hit record highs.Wolfers pointed out that the Trump administration had waged what he called an "economic D-Day" against Tehran by choking off its energy sales."The U.S. hates Iran. So, in order to destroy the Iranian economy, they had economic D-Day in which they've tried to prevent Iran from exporting energy to get money," Wolfers explained. "The president has just voluntarily said he wants to get the U.S. to stop exporting energy to get money. He's applying the same economic policy to the United States as to Iran. That's kind of bonkers, right?"Hale admitted she "didn't actually think of it like that."Wolfers said the idea runs "upside down" and "back to front" from Trump's own trade agenda."The president came to power, and he's imposed tariffs on imports because he's worried about the balance of payments or he's worried about the trade deficit," Wolfers said. "So he wants America to be exporting more and importing less. What is he suggesting? There's not even a word in my textbook for a tariff on exports."Wolfers added, "It's the opposite of what the president thinks and what the president thinks was mixed up to start with."He said a ban "would solve a narrow problem and be an absolutely absurd economic solution." Consumers would get cheaper diesel, Wolfers said, but "anyone whose 401(k) owns stock in an energy company, that energy company's now losing a lot of revenue."The refining and drilling regions in Texas "are going to be somewhat depressed," Wolfers warned.Wolfers also noted there is little to stop such a move because "it's so widely understood it's a dumb move that no one ever bothered signing anything to say don't do it."He also questioned the timing. High gas prices angered "moms and dads and regular voters," he said, yet "the president never once thought about restricting exports of gasoline." Diesel, by contrast, is used by "farmers and truckers" and by "corporations, big agriculture, transportation companies."Wolfers said the proposal signals to allies that the U.S. can't be trusted on basic commerce."The point is we are so unreliable we're not even pursuing our self-interest," he said.
Sep 23, 2026
'My goodness': CNN anchor catches 'remarkable' contrast as Trump welcomes global leader
A CNN analyst pointed out a startling contrast ahead of the meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.On Thursday, CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter mentioned that Xi will be arriving in Washington, D.C., amid Trump's media ban. The conversation came up as a panel discussed a hearing that took place on Wednesday to decide on a temporary restraining order to block Trump's media ban."In the next couple of hours, the Chinese leader lands in the United States, and there will not be a TV pool camera there," Stelter explained. "Normally, NBC would be the pool crew today. They'd be set up already at [Joint Base] Andrews waiting for the arrival ceremony."However, "NBC is not there because none of the major TV networks are providing pool coverage in solidarity with CNN," Stelter explained. "So that is going to be remarkable. Well, we're not going to see it, but it's a contrast."Networks like ABC, CBS and even Fox News joined NBC in withdrawing pool coverage in solidarity with the banned media outlets, CNN, MS NOW and Politico. That means none of them will cover Xi's arrival as Trump is there to greet him."You're going to have Chinese state-run media there, but you're not going to have the free democratic media because we are trying to send a message, trying to make a statement about making sure that our rights are protected," Stelter explained. "And my goodness, the contrast could not be more stark."CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes said the contrast will create a "fascinating moment" because Trump has been planning his meeting with Xi for months and has a special welcome in mind."He is going to Joint Base Andrews; this is not done. He has not done this with any other leader," Holmes explained. "He wants the pictures of this out there. He wants the photos. He wants the video of this elaborate welcome of President Xi that they have been planning now for months, and instead, he is not going to get that."
Sep 23, 2026
'Square that circle': Analyst pinpoints Trump's glaring contradiction over Chinese AI
A technology analyst highlighted a potentially dangerous contradiction in President Donald Trump’s strategy for defeating China in the artificial intelligence race.New York Times technology columnist Kevin Roose told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Wednesday that Trump wants the United States to remain the global AI leader, while some Republicans and administration allies push to loosen restrictions on selling advanced American chips to China.“It's kind of confusing because on one hand, he is saying that he wants America to win on China,” Roose said. “At the same time, there are some Republicans and people in his orbit who have been pushing for a loosening of the trade restrictions on advanced AI chips to China from companies like Nvidia.”“To me, I don't quite understand how you can want America to win, but also want to sell China the ingredients to make powerful AI systems,” he added. “But maybe someone else knows how to square that circle.”Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss a proposed fast-track communication channel that would allow their governments to alert each other about serious AI-related security threats, CNN reported.Roose called that prospect “better than nothing” but also delivered a stark warning.“It’s not enough to just know that an incident is ongoing,” he said. “You also have to have the infrastructure in place to be able to prevent the incident from happening in the first place.”Roose’s thoughts on a lasting AI treaty between the two countries were likewise dim: “I wouldn’t hold my breath under this administration.”
Sep 23, 2026
US delegation storms out as Iranian president holds up images of slain children
The United States delegation to the United Nations was seen storming out of the General Assembly Hall in New York Wednesday as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held up images of children who are widely believed to have been killed by U.S. strikes.On the same day President Donald Trump launched his deeply unpopular war against Iran, the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school was reportedly hit with a “double tap” strike by U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, killing at least 156 people, including 120 children. Trump initially blamed Iran for the strike before subsequent reporting made clear the United States was likely responsible. A U.S. strike on a sports hall also reportedly killed 22 civilians and damaged a nearby school.Pezeshkian, addressing the international body behind the same podium where Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran just a day earlier, did not mince words in his condemnation of the Trump administration.“Yesterday, the United States president described us as terrorists. We have been the victims of terrorism,” Pezeshkian said, according to the U.N.’s live translator. “I come from an Iran in which our esteemed supreme leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason; I come from an Iran where in truth, they bombed a school.”Pezeshkian then began to hold up images of children he said were victims of U.S. strikes.“You see these children? These children perished under bombs with weapons used by the United States and Israel,” Pezeshkian said. “They were innocent, had committed no crimes. A sports hall where children were busy playing, the United States, by using weapons with multiple warheads, targeted that sports hall. They martyred, assassinated our scientists, our men, women and children. Innocent children who in truth had committed no crimes, no sins!”As Pezeshkian continued, the U.S. delegation to the U.N. could be seen exiting the General Assembly Hall, leaving the Iranian president to deliver his remarks to an empty U.S. section.“Those who are terrorists and train and protect terrorists describe us as such,” Pezeshkian continued. “We have only defended ourselves — we are not terrorists.”
Sep 23, 2026
Murdoch's WSJ sticks a knife in Trump's credibility after latest Iran threat
The Wall Street Journal's editorial board wasn't buying President Donald Trump's latest saber-rattling at the United Nations.Hours after Trump warned he could "annihilate" Iran's regime during his Tuesday address to the General Assembly, the Rupert Murdoch-owned paper's editors argued the threat would land harder if Trump hadn't already worn it out. The warning would be more credible "if we and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hadn't heard it several times by now," the board wrote, noting this year's speech was comparatively subdued — "no escalator sabotage" — with the drama confined to the annihilation threat itself.The editors doubted Iran's regime would suddenly surrender its nuclear stockpile or drop its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, warning Trump could be "blindsided again" the way he was when Tehran blew off an earlier cease-fire. They also noted Iran may be "banking on the midterms" to force Trump's hand — but argued that bet could backfire, since a second-term president freed of election pressure "will have two years left in office, with no political threat hanging over his head" and might prosecute the war "with less restraint."Adding to the whiplash: later Tuesday, Trump said a three-hour meeting with Iranian representatives had gone "very well," raising fresh hope for a diplomatic off-ramp. The board argued Trump's constant swings between annihilation and peace talks have left "exhausted Americans" unsure what to believe."Iran is going to heed what the President does, not what he threatens to do," the editors predicted. "When the annihilation talk rings false, it hurts U.S. deterrence around the world. It also hurts Mr. Trump at home because it doesn’t look like the U.S. is winning. He’s better off explaining his strategy to win the war and for seeing it through—before and after the midterms."
Sep 23, 2026
Trump pal fiercely fact-checked on Fox News ahead of major UN speech
Trump ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was issued a blunt fact check Wednesday on Fox News after attacking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani with a false claim.On Tuesday, ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu released a video on social media condemning the progressive New York mayor, vowing to expose the Democratic socialist for “inciting violence” against Jewish Americans.“Shame on you Mr. Mamdani! Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people!” Netanyahu said. “Shame on you for inciting violence against New York Jews! I'm coming to the U.N., I'm gonna tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm gonna tell the truth about you!”Netanyahu’s remarks were discussed Wednesday morning on “Fox & Friends,” with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade asking his colleague Trey Yingst, reporting live from Tel Aviv, Israel, about the spat: “He made it clear he's not happy with Mayor Mamdani, right?”“He did, he released a video saying that Mayor Mamdani strongly supported Hamas, which... isn't true,” Yingst said. “We do know that [Mamdani] condemned Hamas and called the Oct. 7 attack a war crime, but the Israeli prime minister certainly doesn't agree with the characterization of what followed after the Oct. 7 massacre and some of the comments that were made by the New York mayor. So we may hear some of that in those remarks today at the U.N.”Netanyahu has called President Donald Trump “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” and boasted about having “almost daily conversations” with Trump during the second Trump administration. Netanyahu is expected to address the U.N. on Wednesday, just one day after Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran during his U.N. address on Tuesday, remarks that The New York Times’ Farnaz Fassihi described as a clear threat to carry out a “war crime.”Israeli PM Benjamin Netenyahu’s smear against NYC Mayor Mamdani fact-checked by Fox News’ Trey Yingst“He released a video saying that Mayor Mamdani strongly supported Hamas, which... isn't true.” pic.twitter.com/LTEZgk6FPR— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) September 23, 2026
Sep 22, 2026
Trump stared down as he threatens to 'drive Iran into hell with no chance of survival’
An Iranian United Nations representative stared down President Donald Trump Tuesday as he threatened to “annihilate the Islamic Republic” and “drive them into hell with no chance of survival.”Delivering his remarks to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump told members that, regarding his deeply unpopular war against Iran, he had a “big decision to make.”“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East, or even the world?” Trump said. “Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”Fox News’ coverage of Trump’s speech showed an Iranian United Nations representative sitting stone-faced as Trump made his remarks, which echoed his previous threats to wipe out Iran’s entire civilization in a single night.An Iranian UN rep stares Trump down as he threatens to “annihilate the Islamic Republic” and “drive them into hell with no chance of survival.” pic.twitter.com/ivND1lavvi— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) September 22, 2026
Sep 22, 2026
Trump has UN officials on edge before speech after flurry of social media rants
Diplomats filing into the UN General Assembly hall Tuesday have no idea which version of Trump they're about to get, according to a report from The Guardian.President Donald Trump has spent the days before his address flooding Truth Social with a "bizarre' mix of grievances and boasts, leaving attendees on edge, the Guardian's Robert Tait wrote. Topics have ranged from his planned triumphal arch in Washington — which he announced in an early Sunday post would "double as a military complex" stocked with snipers and drones, claiming without evidence the Pentagon requested it — to a bid to rebrand artificial intelligence entirely. On Friday, he posted a list of his "Top 25 Trump Achievements" since returning to office."His previous addresses to the assembly suggest that the chances of a non-divisive and uplifting message are low,' Tait reported, adding, "Last year, Trump shocked the august gathering in his first appearance since returning to the White House the previous January by declaring to those present that their countries were 'going to hell' while launching a full-frontal assault on the UN and the concept of open borders."This will be Trump's first UN appearance since he launched a war against Iran alongside Israel in February, one he predicted would last days and topple Tehran's regime. Seven months later, "the regime still stands," Iran has choked off the Strait of Hormuz — disrupting a fifth of global oil exports — and gas prices and inflation have climbed at home. Polling shows just 36% of Americans think the U.S. is winning, and only 29% approve of Trump's foreign policy overall.Trump arrives at the podium, in other words, trailing "abysmal" numbers and an unpopular war with no end in sight, the Guardian is reporting, noting that's hardly the backdrop for the triumphant remarks he's signaled are coming.
Sep 22, 2026
‘What we have is unique’: the Indian craftsmanship behind global luxury fashion
Generations of artisans from Mumbai to Lucknow have shaped the world’s most coveted designs. Plus, the gen Z memes giving classic Bollywood a new lifeThe zardozi embroidery on a Dior dress, the T-strap leather sandals at a Prada show, the mirror-work technique used on a Fendi bag – for decades, the skill of Indian artisans has been an invisible force behind some of the world’s most coveted fashion.Now, that work is beginning to claim its own place in the spotlight, and the Mumbai-based textile and embroidery atelier Chanakya International is at the forefront. Continue reading...
Sep 21, 2026
Healthcare in Africa ‘under growing strain’ after US withdrawal from aid programs, report warns
Accra Reset’s report states countries in the region and global south should take greater control of their health development after USAID debacleThe United States’ withdrawal from key aid programs has put healthcare in Africa and the global south “under growing strain” a new report warns.The report says the Trump administration’s cuts to programs such as US Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and rising costs of living globally have brought “new urgency” for the need to reform healthcare in the region. Continue reading...
Sep 21, 2026
Pakistan jails sisters of Imran Khan before protest seeking his release
Police crack down on family and political supporters of former PM who say authorities are ‘slowly killing’ him in prisonThree sisters of Pakistan’s incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan have been arrested amid a heavy-handed government crackdown on plans for a nationwide protest to demand Khan’s release.The lawyer for the three sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, said on Monday that they had all been detained and jailed for 30 days under a warrant that accused them of being a threat to public order. Continue reading...
Sep 21, 2026
Trump warned he's inching toward ‘political suicide’ as ‘Armageddon back on the table’
Officials within the Trump administration are growing increasingly worried that the president may soon launch a major attack in the Middle East, with one adviser warning that it’d be “political suicide,” Zeteo reported Monday.President Donald Trump sparked fears of a major Middle East escalation Saturday after abruptly cutting his weekend getaway short and racing back to the White House. Trump confirmed on Sunday that “very big things” regarding his deeply unpopular war against Iran would take place in the “not-so-distant future,” among which could include destroying “the entire nation” of Iran.Subsequent reporting revealed that Trump was close to authorizing an attack on Yemen’s Houthis amid their attacks on U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, but ultimately decided against it. And, while Trump may have backed down from escalating the conflict in the Middle East, officials in his administration fear that the president could change his mind at any moment."Now, in his latest fit of frustration at the Iranians and their Houthi allies in Yemen, who have renewed their ferocious attacks on Washington’s Saudi allies, President Trump seems to have put Armageddon back on the table," Zeteo’s report reads.“We will see if [Trump is] bats--- enough to hit Iran this time, but for now, [Zeteo’s] sources in the administration are skeptical… or at least that’s what they’re telling themselves, because they really, really, really don’t want this to happen, especially not in the final weeks before the midterm elections."One Trump adviser who spoke with Zeteo on the condition of anonymity also expressed hope that the president would hold off on escalating the conflict in the Middle East that has sent global oil prices skyrocketing. Should Trump not heed their warning, however, the adviser warned it could be the end for Republicans heading into the midterms.“It’d be political suicide,” the adviser told Zeteo. “[Trump’s] backed off of this before. I’m hoping he follows the same instincts this time, too.”In addition to Trump’s sudden trip back to the White House on Saturday, a number of other signals have sparked concern that the Trump administration may soon launch an attack in the Middle East, including the U.S. Embassy in Israel issuing a security alert instructing Americans in the Middle East to “exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations,” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cutting his scheduled U.S. visit short.
