Top 10 world news: Israel rules out US-France ceasefire plan; NYC Mayor charged with fraud, and more

Israel on Thursday ruled out the ceasefire plan proposed by the US, France, and other allies, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country’s military to keep fighting with “full force”. The American-French proposal called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire. 

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged with five federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. Adams was accused of acting on Turkey’s behalf. 

Click on the headlines to read more

Hours after the US, France, and other allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country’s military to keep fighting with “full force”, his office said. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal donations from foreign campaigns. The indictment comes three years after authorities opened an investigation against him in 2021, with primary charges coming from allegations that he may have received funds from the Turkish government in exchange for official actions on Ankara’s behalf.

Israel National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Thursday threatened to withdraw his party, Otzma Yehudit, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if he agrees to a ceasefire in Lebanon. 

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (Sep 26) took on the alliance of Congress and National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir and dared them to restore Article 370 in the Union Territory. Shah said that “neither them nor three generations of their family” will be able to restore the scrapped special status of the region. He also accused the alliance of sympathising with terrorism and held them responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people in the UT.

Amid high-profile exits from the company, OpenAI is reportedly planning to become a for-profit entity and is already preparing to change its corporate structure. News agency Reuters reported that the US-based AI startup is seeking to raise $6.5 billion in funding. However, the company will use its profits only ‘for the welfare of society and public.’ The company will no longer be controlled by its non-profit board.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to an arms factory in the US prompted criticism, following which speaker of the US House Mike Johnson demanded Ukraine to fire its ambassador to Washington. 

At least 46 people died in the eastern Indian state of Bihar over the last 24 hours in separate drowning incidents during the celebration of the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival. The festival was celebrated on Wednesday (Sep 25) and deaths have been reported from at least 15 districts of the state, the government said. During the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival, women observe fast for the well-being of their children and both take holy dips in rivers and ponds.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated three PARAM Rudra Supercomputers and High-Performance Computing systems to the nation. These systems have been installed in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata respectively.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan says India are unbeatable at home ahead of the second Test of the two-match series which starts on Friday (Sep 27) in Kanpur. India are already ahead 1-0 in the series after winning the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs. Shakib also said that they beat Pakistan recently in the Test series as Bangladesh are more experienced side. Bangladesh had won the two-Test series 2-0 against Pakistan ahead of the India tour.

Joker and Harley Quin suited up for this one. Actors Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga appeared on the red carpet in London on Wednesday night for the UK premiere of Joker: Folie A Deux.