1. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for the lifting of all sanctions to support the country’s reconstruction. He made the remarks at a speech Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly. Syrian and other media say he is the first Syrian leader to address the assembly in 58 years.
2. The Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, says it will withdraw an exchange program between Japanese municipalities and African nations due to a continuing backlash from misinformation. JICA officials told reporters that incorrect information is still circulating, and protest phone calls and emails are becoming an excessive burden for the municipalities.
3. An apartment fire in Tokyo has sent six people to hospitals. Police and firefighters believe the blaze was sparked by a mobile battery charger. Police and others say a resident of the five-story building in Suginami Ward reported that a battery charger erupted in flames, shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Thursday.