News from North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
A U.S. Department of Energy employee has been arrested on charges of attempting to provide material support to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Authorities allege he acquired materials for explosives and drones, provided technical assistance, and attempted to travel to Houthi-controlled Sanaa. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a 20% reduction in general and flag officer positions across the US military, describing the move as “long-overdue accountability.” Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, Hegseth said approximately 10% of generals and admirals had been dismissed, with a further 10% reduction in authorised positions. He linked the changes to President Donald Trump’s efforts to refocus the military on combat readiness and eliminate what he calls “wok
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that Washington offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian assets in exchange for concrete steps on its nuclear program, while Tehran continues to call for a diplomatic settlement to the ongoing war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume nuclear negotiations, saying Tehran’s conditions were not acceptable. Iran had offered to reopen the strategic waterway if Washington ended the naval blockade of Iranian ports, eased restrictions on Iranian oil sales and respected a ceasefire including Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting nuclear negotiations, according to The Wall Street Journal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready to implement the plan immediately if Washington agreed, while U.S. officials said diplomatic contacts with Iran were continuing through intermediaries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Iran and across the Middle East during his U.N. General Assembly address, as dozens of delegates walked out in protest. Netanyahu rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza, criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and accused international critics of targeting Israel unfairly.
The FBI is investigating claims by cybercrime group ShinyHunters that it stole sensitive information linked to about 38,000 FBI employees and applicants. The group says the data includes names, badge numbers, contact details and information related to personnel assignments, but the FBI has not confirmed the extent or authenticity of the alleged breach.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said more than two dozen terrorist groups are operating in Afghanistan and accused Afghan territory of being used to plan attacks against Pakistan. Addressing the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan, Dar urged the Taliban authorities to end support for terrorist groups, prevent Afghan soil from being used against neighboring countries and take concrete measures to protect regional security.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats during his address to the U.N. General Assembly, saying Tehran was ready for dialogue and diplomacy but would not accept the “language of force.” Pezeshkian also defended Iran’s nuclear program and navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz while calling for regional cooperation on security.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that he could “annihilate” Iran if Tehran refuses to reach a deal with Washington, while saying he believes an agreement could be reached after the U.S. midterm elections. Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Trump also demanded that ICC member states withdraw from the court and defended U.S. sovereignty against international institutions.
Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials held a three-hour meeting in New York on Tuesday, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the U.S. and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attending for Tehran. No agreement or ceasefire was announced, but both sides indicated that further discussions could continue.
