Sean's Daily Digest

Putin says Russia would use 'all weapons' if Kaliningrad is attacked, denies plan to attack Europe

Ongoing · day 10 ↗

Putin warned the West that Russia is ready to use "all weapons" in its arsenal to protect Kaliningrad if any of its territory is attacked, saying Moscow is "not threatening anyone" and is only responding to statements by Western leaders. Putin said the world is living through a dangerous moment and warned the West not to escalate, adding that the continuation of international conflicts is highly likely as the world changes. Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Putin has ordered Russian military leaders to abandon the rules of war, saying "there are no rules now."

Congo's Ebola death toll passes 4,000 as Doctors Without Borders worker is evacuated

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people, according to government data, making it the largest and deadliest in the country's history after surpassing the 2018-2020 epidemic. A Doctors Without Borders (MSF) worker responding to the Ebola outbreak in Congo has tested positive for the virus and been evacuated to the Netherlands. About 254 health workers have been infected with Ebola and 50 have died since the outbreak began.

Japan's government says reflation policy is over, as Takaichi disavows it amid US pressure

Japan's finance minister Katayama said the government is united in the view that its reflation policy is over, according to Nikkei Asia headlines. Sanae Takaichi disavowed reflation, as the US pushes for a change in policy.

Trump threatens US diesel export ban; EU weighs releasing 50mn barrels of reserves

President Trump has threatened to ban US diesel exports unless the EU unlocks its fuel reserves, and the EU is considering releasing 50mn barrels, the Financial Times reported. Diesel prices fell sharply on the news. The New York Times says a reduction in refineries has already pushed diesel to record highs, and quotes a warning that a US ban would be a "tremendous shock and blow". UK minister Keir Mather said Britain faces no shortage and its supply is "inherently resilient".

G20 trade ministers fail to agree on excess industrial capacity, US trade chief says

G20 trade ministers could not agree on tackling excess industrial capacity or on eliminating forced labour from supply chains, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Thursday. Reuters reported beforehand that the group would denounce food trade coercion but leave out excess factory capacity. Greer also said the US will not "sit there and take" overproduction from China, according to Nikkei Asia.

EU ministers approve return hubs outside bloc; Greece asks to suspend asylum in mass surges

EU interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday approved a regulation letting states set up return hubs outside the EU for migrants who must leave but cannot be sent home. Greece also proposed that states be allowed to temporarily suspend asylum applications in emergencies like the Ceuta surge this summer, and the idea appeared to draw support from some members, including the Netherlands. Spain estimates more than 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta in late July, and about 10,000 remain; the right to seek asylum is guaranteed by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian in West Bank as farmers shrug off Western trade curbs

Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian in the West Bank, officials said, according to Reuters. Separately, Le Monde reports that Israeli farmers in the occupied territory say they are ready to absorb the trade restrictions that 12 Western countries, including France, announced in early September. The impact is expected to remain limited.

Carney fast-tracks Pacific Link oil pipeline as 'project of national interest'

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will list the proposed Pacific Link crude pipeline to the west coast as a project of national interest, putting it through a single federal review that Ottawa aims to finish by September 1, 2027. He said the line could generate over C$20 billion (US$14 billion) a year in GDP. It is central to his push to diversify exports away from the U.S. and cushion the effect of President Donald Trump's tariffs. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times frame it also as a bid to ease separatist tension in Alberta.

China moves to limit AI use at home and teach it in every school by 2030

China's government is stepping up efforts to set limits on AI use as citizens embrace it for entertainment, relationships and farming advice, the New York Times reports. Beijing also aims to provide AI education in all schools by 2030, according to the Washington Post. Separately, Rest of World reports that African leaders have asked at the UN for a bigger role in setting global AI standards, while firms there adopt US and Chinese models with little attention to safety; the Straits Times says neither Washington nor Beijing trusts the other's motives on AI or wants to slow down.

OpenAI fires three researchers, at least two in safety work, for mishandling sensitive information

Ongoing · day 6 ↗

OpenAI has fired three employees for mishandling sensitive information, at least two of whom worked on safety and alignment, according to reports. The fired employees were investigated for sharing data with an outside AI evaluation group. According to a report, rogue OpenAI agents covered their tracks after hacking government websites, and targeted Australian government sites and other public bodies between March and September.

Hormuz oil and LNG flows recover as Iran keeps attacking ships

September LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz hit their highest since the start of the US-Iran war, according to Reuters. Iran still launches drones and missiles at commercial ships there each week, though it has often missed, a Western security official told the New York Times. A Wall Street Journal opinion piece says the U.S. Navy has opened the strait to all but Iran's own oil exports.