News

Today's News Roundup: September 25, 2025

Here's a comprehensive overview of major headlines across key sectors, drawn from global sources. I've focused on high-impact stories with context on developments, implications, and trends. For deeper dives, check cited outlets.

World News

• Israeli Strikes Escalate in Gaza and Lebanon: Overnight airstrikes killed at least 30 Palestinians in Gaza City, including civilians, amid reports of 422 starvation deaths. Spain and Italy deployed naval vessels to protect a humanitarian flotilla, while BBC, Reuters, and AP demand journalist access to Gaza. A drone attack in Israel injured 22, and protests against Netanyahu intensify ahead of his U.S. trip.
• Syrian Foreign Minister's Historic U.S. Visit: Asaad al-Shaibani met with the World Bank, IMF, Israeli delegations, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington—the first Syrian official visit in 25 years—signaling potential post-Assad reconstruction and U.S.-Syria thaw.
• Russian Drone Incursion into Poland: A drone briefly entered Polish airspace, prompting a three-month flight ban over eastern Poland and heightening NATO-Russia tensions amid the Ukraine war.
• Deadly Lagos High-Rise Fire: At least 10 killed and 25 injured in Nigeria's commercial hub, underscoring urban fire safety failures in Africa's largest city.
• Genocide Accusation Against Israel: The International Association of Genocide Scholars declared Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, citing systematic destruction; this could spur international legal probes.

U.S. News & Politics

• Dallas ICE Facility Shooting: A gunman fired indiscriminately, killing two and injuring others; Trump blamed "radical left Democrats," igniting immigration debates. Over 100 U.S. citizen children reportedly stranded due to enforcement.
• Trump's UNGA Speech: In his first address since re-election, Trump lambasted the UN's conflict record, claimed personal global peace victories, and warned of "globalist ideologies" destroying nations.
• Government Shutdown Threat: OMB memo directs agencies to plan mass firings if funding lapses, targeting non-essential programs; Democrats gamble on hardline stance amid partisan gridlock.
• Jack Smith's DOJ Critique: In first post-departure remarks, the former special counsel expressed sadness over prosecutor dismissals and eroded DOJ credibility under Trump.
• Trump's Autism Claims: The president linked Tylenol (acetaminophen) to autism despite scant evidence, urging pregnant women to avoid it; health officials push back on unproven assertions.

Business & Economy

• U.S. Q2 GDP Revised Up: Growth hit 3.2% annualized, fueled by consumer spending and exports, signaling resilience amid tariffs; analysts eye policy risks ahead.
• CoreWeave-OpenAI Deal Expands: A $6.5B contract boosts AI infrastructure, highlighting surging GPU demand and CoreWeave's rising valuation.
• Amazon Prime Settlement: Regulators resolved claims of manipulative cancellation designs, potentially reshaping Big Tech consumer practices.
• Blackstone Eyes Ancestry.com Exit: Options include sale or IPO for the $4.7B genealogy platform, tapping hot M&A trends.
• India's Shrimp Exports Hit by Tariffs: Trump's 50% U.S. duties threaten $1B industry and 5M jobs, escalating trade frictions.

Technology

• Microsoft's Partner Center Upgrades: One-Click co-sell opportunities and extended Copilot promotions through Dec 2025 aim to accelerate AI/cloud adoption for SMEs.
• H-1B Visa Overhaul Backlash: Trump's $100K fee proposal draws tech lobbying from Google/Meta, risking talent shortages and startups.
• Apple Event Highlights: iPhone Air, Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3 unveiled; EU's Digital Markets Act delays features like AirPods live translation.
• Micron's AI Boom: Earnings beat expectations with 46% sales rise, driven by memory demand for AI chips.
• Corintis Raises $24M: Zurich cooling tech startup adds Intel's Lip-Bu Tan to board, addressing AI data center heat challenges.

Health

• Mental Health Crisis Hits 1B+ Globally: WHO reports anxiety/depression as top disabilities; calls for $3/person annual investment to save $1T by 2030 via NCDs/mental health focus.
• Amended IHRs Enter Force: New "pandemic emergency" alert enhances global response post-COVID; UN high-level meeting looms on Sept 25.
• Long COVID Insights: Studies link it to CKD, neuropsychiatric risks in youth; vaccination may ease symptoms in unvaccinated patients.
• Mango Benefits for Diabetes Risk: Daily intake improved blood sugar control and reduced fat vs. low-sugar snacks, per George Mason study.
• Acetaminophen Controversy: Trump urges avoidance in pregnancy over unproven autism links; experts stress evidence gaps.

Sports

Entertainment

• Jimmy Kimmel's Emotional Return: "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" drew 6.2M viewers—4x average—post-suspension; Trump threatens ABC lawsuit over reinstatement.
• Netflix Sept Highlights: "House of Guinness" (Peaky Blinders creator) and "Alice in Borderland" S3 launch Sept 25; "Chad Powers" comedy debuts.
• Disney+ Price Hike: Fourth consecutive increase for subscriptions, amid strong box office slowdown post-summer.
• Apple TV+ "All of You": Brett Goldstein explores relationships in new film, streaming Sept 25.

Science & Environment

• Mental Health as NCD Focus: WHO's Sept 25 UN meeting eyes $1T savings from $3/person investments; 75% of 32M annual deaths in low/middle-income countries.
• Mars "Cheyava Falls" Rock: Perseverance's sample from Neretva Vallis hints at ancient water-rich environment, potentially biosignature-rich.
• Methane from Methanogens: Two-thirds of atmospheric methane traced to microbes; isotope tracking reveals environmental sources.
• PET Plastic to CO2 Capture: Chemists convert waste into BAETA material, reducing microplastics and aiding carbon sequestration.
• Glacier Erosion via AI: Machine learning maps climate/geology impacts on land carving, aiding environmental planning.