US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian diesel facilities. Trump said the strikes are causing fuel shortages in Russia. “Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press. He added that Ukraine’s attacks were creating a diesel shortage. Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes on Russia’s oil and gas industry in recent months. Russia has also stepped up air attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on its power grid. Meanwhile, two people were killed and 14 injured in overnight drone attacks in Russia’s Tatarstan region.

At least six people have died and around 130 remain missing after the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea on Sunday amid severe weather. The vessel was carrying 243 people, including 213 passengers and 30 crew members, while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Indonesian rescuers have so far brought more than 100 people to safety. High waves, reaching about 2.5 metres, are hampering rescue operations and creating risks for emergency teams. Helicopters and rescue vessels are searching the area, while authorities investigate the cause of the accident. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran wants to “turn the page” with the United Arab Emirates after a constructive meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed in New Delhi. The talks, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, marked a significant diplomatic contact between the two countries amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Pezeshkian said Iran has no problem with the UAE or other regional countries and stressed the need to focus on future cooperation. The development comes as Gulf states seek greater regional security and dialogue. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump has dismissed growing warnings that artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat to humanity. His comments came as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and other AI leaders raised concerns about the rapid development of increasingly powerful systems. Trump said his priority was ensuring the United States remains ahead of China in AI, arguing that falling behind could put America in a difficult position. Meanwhile, researchers have warned that self-improving AI could become difficult to control and potentially cause catastrophic harm. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk have also weighed in on the growing debate over AI safety. (PC: AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the second day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin seated on either side of him. Modi warned against the “weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals, saying such trends could hurt global development and shared prosperity. He stressed the need for greater cooperation among BRICS nations and said the grouping must remain inclusive and people-centric. Modi highlighted India’s focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability during its BRICS chairship. He also called for wider participation from entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women and youth in the grouping’s initiatives. (PC: X)

China will take over the BRICS chairmanship in 2027 and host the group’s next summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.   Xi made the announcement at the closing session of the 18th BRICS Summit, after India hosted the two-day meeting on September 12 and 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Xi on China taking over the presidency. The dates and host city for the 2027 summit have not yet been announced. China’s presidency will follow India’s year-long chairmanship, which focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (PC: X)

Russian airstrikes killed nine people and injured dozens across Ukraine on Saturday, damaging civilian areas and critical infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 500 drones, accusing Moscow of increasingly targeting economic and logistical facilities. Attacks struck areas including Kramatorsk, Zviahel, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih and Odesa, with civilians among the casualties. Ukrainian officials warned that intensified attacks on power infrastructure and export facilities could make the coming winter extremely difficult. Infrastructure damage is estimated at nearly $10 billion this year, while disruptions to ports and the economy have reduced GDP. Zelenskyy also proposed talks with Putin, but Russia rejected the offer. (PC: AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi aboard a specially modified Ilyushin Il-96-300PU, one of Russia’s most heavily guarded presidential aircraft, for the BRICS Summit. The Soviet-era aircraft is popularly known as the “Flying Kremlin” and is sometimes referred to as Putin’s “Doomsday Plane”. However, the aircraft is not Russia’s dedicated doomsday plane; that title is generally associated with the Ilyushin Il-80, designed as an airborne command centre during a nuclear conflict. Putin’s Il-96-300PU is primarily a presidential transport and command aircraft, equipped for secure communication while airborne. (PC: NDTV)

Saudi Arabia has shut its 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack launched from Iraq damaged the facility and injured several people. Iraq confirmed the attack originated in Maysan province, which borders Iran, and removed a military commander from his post while opening an investigation. Saudi Arabia has not retaliated and said it would support Iraq’s efforts to prevent further attacks. The pipeline helps Saudi Arabia bypass the Strait of Hormuz and carries around 4% to 5% of global oil supplies. The attack comes as Iran-backed Houthis expand their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump has again said the war with Iran will end “very soon.” His remarks come as fighting and tensions in the region continue. Trump said the Houthis do not want to fight the US. He also said Iran was “probably” behind a recent Saudi pipeline attack. Trump had earlier linked the end of the war to the US midterm elections on November 3. Meanwhile, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Shipping through the key route has fallen sharply. Oil prices have also risen above $100 a barrel. Major issues between Washington and Tehran remain unresolved.