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Sunday, 20 September 2026 Daily Edition

The Daily Edition

Sunday, 20 September 2026

400 stories across 8 sections

The Takeaway

Ed Sheeran spoke out about the situation in Gaza during a concert in Philadelphia, describing it as catastrophic and unjustifiable. Approximately 80 executives from Samsung Electronics gathered in the United States to discuss the company's artificial intelligence strategies and business plans. Meanwhile, life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife are benefiting from rising yields on 30-year Treasury bonds, which have hit a 19-year high.

In other news, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with former Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss internet safety and AI regulations. GitLab's CFO, Jessica P. Ross, sold over 30,000 shares of the company's stock, worth $1.6 million. The Saudi-led coalition reported a Houthi missile attack on the Saudi capital, and South Korea's ranking for income redistribution through taxes and welfare systems slipped to near the bottom among OECD member nations.

Written by urgent.news from the day's reporting.

AI

AI

UKZN engineering graduate creates real-time South African Sign Language translator

A UKZN engineering graduate has developed a prototype that uses computer vision and AI to convert selected South African Sign Language signs into spoken words in real time.

·iol.co.za·5 outlets

A University of KwaZulu-Natal engineering graduate has created an AI system that translates South African Sign Language (SASL) into speech in real-time. Akhil Hansrajh, who developed this SASL-to-Speech Translation System as part of his BSc Engineering final-year design project, aims to alleviate communication challenges faced by the hard of hearing community.

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Trump sparks AI debate with call to rename Artificial Intelligence

United States (US) President Donald Trump has sparked a fresh debate over the future of artificial intelligence (AI) after proposing that the technology should be given a new name. In a post shared on X on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Trump argued that the term Artificial Intelligence does not accurately or elegantly describe the rapidly…

·peopledaily.digital·2 outlets

Google Gemini Hacked Three Companies During Cybersecurity Test

Google has confirmed that its Gemini AI model autonomously accessed and breached the systems of three companies during a cybersecurity test conducted in May, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports. The incident is believed to be the first known case of a Google AI system independently carrying out such actions.

·lowyat.net·2 outlets

Trump now says he wants to form an ‘AI Force’

The president posted on Truth Social that he wanted to appoint an "AI czar" to lead a new "AI force." He made the announcement amid growing calls from across the political spectrum and even within the industry to pump the brakes on AI development. He posted that his administration "will not in any way hinder […]

·theverge.com·2 outlets

Tech

Tech

Australian PM seeks big tech backing for internet safety, AI rules

"We're putting stronger rules in place to keep Australians safe online," says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

·channelnewsasia.com·4 outlets

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking the backing of major technology companies to strengthen internet safety measures and AI regulation, following a recent meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook in California. Albanese acknowledged that Australia cannot tackle online child safety issues alone, emphasizing that they are putting stronger rules in place to keep Australians safe online.

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Business

Business

US Treasury's Bessent, China's He to launch talks on AI, trade, critical minerals

NEW YORK: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are set to meet on Sunday to try to tee up potential agreements on AI, tariffs and critical minerals for a high-stakes Washington summit this week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meetings at JP Morgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan, which also will include US Trade…

·brecorder.com·5 outlets

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will convene on Sunday to discuss potential agreements on artificial intelligence, trade tariffs, and critical minerals heading into a high-stakes US-China summit. The meeting at JP Morgan Chase headquarters in Manhattan will also feature US Trade Representative Jamie Pressly Greer and is expected to span the entire day.

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Richards Bay emerges as Africa’s next energy hub

Richards Bay’s world-class port, strategic location and expanding energy infrastructure could transform the city into a major industrial and energy hub, creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening South Africa’s competitiveness across Africa.

·iol.co.za·4 outlets

Finance & Markets

Finance & Markets

Fed’s Kashkari says inflation is still too high across US economy

Minneapolis Federal Reserve president Neel Kashkari says inflation remains elevated across sectors, not just due to rising oil prices

·freemalaysiatoday.com·4 outlets

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari stated on Sunday that inflation remains excessively high across various sectors of the US economy, not solely driven by soaring oil prices. Even excluding energy and food, which are notoriously erratic, Kashkari believes the economy's trajectory is adversely affected by elevated inflation.

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World

World

Trump says his planned arch would become a ‘military complex’ able to host drones and snipers

·winnipegfreepress.com·13 outlets

President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the massive arch he intends to construct between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would transform into a "top grade military complex." This complex would be equipped to host drones and snipers, as well as store ammunition. Trump's announcement comes as he continues to emphasize that his initiatives to enhance the White House and the city are also contributing to national defense.

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Ukraine pummels Moscow with drones on last day of Russian election

Ukraine launched what Moscow’s mayor called the biggest ever drone attack on the Russian capital on Sunday, in what he said was an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt the final day of a parliamentary election that President Vladimir Putin has cast as a test of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

·scmp.com·11 outlets

Science

Science

Saudi basalt recognized as Global Heritage Stone in Kingdom first

RIYADH — Basalt rocks from Saudi Arabia’s harrats have been recognized by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) as Global Heritage Stones, marking the first achievement of its kind for the Kingdom. The recognition highlights Saudi Arabia’s status as a country rich in geological heritage and follows scientific efforts by the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) to document the geological,…

·saudigazette.com.sa·2 outlets

In a significant development for Saudi Arabia, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has recognized basalt rocks from the country's harrats as Global Heritage Stones. This marks the first such achievement for the Kingdom and underscores Saudi Arabia's rich geological heritage. The recognition underscores the geological, historical, and cultural value of the basalt rocks, which have been an integral part of the natural landscape and cultural identity of western Saudi Arabia for thousands of years.

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Health & Medicine

Health & Medicine

Trump’s sanctions, inflation and a collapsing economy leaves Iran’s sick exposed

When 35-year-old Sima walked into a Tehran pharmacy, her eyes raced across the shelves behind the counter, searching for the box that would keep her kidneys from failing. Without it, she was running out of time. She finally found the medication in the seventh pharmacy she visited, in a wealthy Tehran neighborhood. Her relief faded … The post Trump’s sanctions, inflation and a collapsing economy…

·egyptindependent.com·8 outlets

Amid US sanctions crippling Iran's economy, ailing Iranians are facing daunting challenges in accessing the medications they need to survive. Sima, a 35-year-old resident of Tehran, describes her desperation as she searches for her kidney medication on the seventh pharmacy she visits, only to find the price has skyrocketed, forcing her to underdose.

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Culture

Culture

Ed Sheeran Says Situation in Gaza Is ‘Catastrophic and Unjustifiable’ at Philadelphia Tour Stop

Sheeran performed a solo concert Saturday night. Opener Macklemore was dropped from the tour this week for his "free Palestine" comments, and other supporting acts withdrew in solidarity.

·billboard.com·13 outlets

At a Philadelphia concert on Saturday, Ed Sheeran expressed his views on the situation in Gaza, describing it as "catastrophic and unjustifiable" and "disproportionate." He spoke from the stage of Lincoln Financial Field, saying that the recent events were a horrific continuation of centuries of Jewish pain. Sheeran stated that his music and shows should focus on unity and humanity, rather than politics.

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British pop star Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologises for Macklemore controversy

Pop star Ed Sheeran apologised on Saturday for his handling of a controversy that erupted this week when rapper Macklemore was removed as an opening act over comments on Palestine . Breaking his silence on the issue, the British singer decried Israel’s treatment of residents in Gaza as “unjustifiable.” “I’ve had to take and make difficult…

·dawn.com·8 outlets

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