Congress has approved a sweeping bill imposing sanctions on Russia and sent it to President Donald Trump for final approval. Washington is seeking to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

US CongressRussia sanctionsUkraine war

The U.S. House passed a Russia sanctions bill by 262 votes to 159. It authorizes the president to impose 100% tariffs on five major buyers of Russian oil and gas and now goes to Donald Trump for signature. India said it would take all necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests.

US CongressRussia sanctionstariffsIndia

Robert Kraft said Ed Sheeran asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian aid amid controversy over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s U.S. tour following comments about Palestine.

MacklemoreEd SheeranPalestinian aid

Macklemore says he will donate $1 million earned from the Ed Sheeran tour to Palestinian aid groups.

MacklemoreEd SheeranPalestinian aid

Rapper Macklemore said Wednesday that he will give $1 million—his full net earnings from his shortened participation in Ed Sheeran’s tour—to six organizations supporting Palestinians. He also challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to do the same.

MacklemoreEd SheeranPalestinianscharity

Ed Sheeran is reportedly donating $2 million in aid to “the region.” The move comes amid allegations that a billionaire stadium owner led efforts to remove Macklemore as Sheeran’s opening act after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.

Ed SheeranMacklemorePalestinecharity donation

Rapper Macklemore says he will donate the full $1m he earned from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians. He challenged pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft to match the donation after being removed from the tour over pro-Palestinian performances.

MacklemorePalestinianscharity donationEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s North and South American tour has been thrown into turmoil after Macklemore was removed as an opening act over pro-Palestinian remarks made on stage. All of Sheeran’s other supporting acts have since withdrawn, including a group that performs with him for part of the show.

Ed SheeranMacklemoretourPalestinian advocacy

Iran ordered a Swedish diplomat to leave within 48 hours in retaliation for Sweden’s expulsion of an official from Iran’s Stockholm embassy. Tehran called Sweden’s accusations baseless and condemned its “destructive” policies, while Stockholm cited activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

IranSwedendiplomatic expulsionforeign relations

Speaking to the European Parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the EU’s ambition to create an associate-membership relationship for Canada, highlighting shared security, economic interests and democratic values. His remarks came amid a worsening Canada-US trade rift, with Donald Trump threatening tariffs or an end to some trade with Europe if the plan proceeds.

CanadaEuropean UnionMark CarneyCanada-US relations

The European Union says its partnership initiative with Canada is not directed at the United States. The statement follows Donald Trump’s warning that Washington could impose “very heavy tariffs” if the initiative were judged to have bad intentions.

CanadaEuropean UnionUnited Statestariffs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated the idea of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU in a speech, without explaining what that would involve. European newspapers have reacted sceptically.

CanadaEuropean Unionassociate membership

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday, a day after US President Donald Trump called Canada’s bid for EU associate membership a “hostile act.” Trump warned he could stop trading with Europe and impose “very serious tariffs” if the bid succeeds.

CanadaEuropean Uniontariff threat

Donald Trump threatened “very serious tariffs” or an end to trade with Europe after the EU proposed making Canada its first associate member. Calling the idea “laughable” and potentially a “hostile act”, he said the response would depend on whether the move had good or bad intentions. Ursula von der Leyen said the partnership was intended to strengthen the EU, not target anyone.

Donald TrumpEuropean UnionCanadatariffs

President Donald Trump said he could impose new tariffs on goods imported from the European Union, or even cut off some trade, if he judged efforts to make Canada a potential associate member of the bloc harmful to the US.

Donald TrumpEuropean UnionCanadatariffs

Military chiefs met in Paris to discuss arrangements for Lebanon after the UN mission, as Israeli attacks continued. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Elysee Palace before their meeting.

FranceLebanonmilitary talksIsraeli attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris for discussions centred on Lebanon’s security and wider tensions in the Middle East. Jordan’s King Abdullah II is also participating in the meeting.

LebanonFrancediplomacyMiddle East

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Paris to discuss Lebanon’s security and international backing for its army. The talks come amid concern over continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and a possible end to UNIFIL’s mission, as France seeks a “clear, credible and realistic” support plan involving funding, equipment and military training.

Lebanon securityParis talksLebanese armyUNIFIL

European and Arab military chiefs are meeting in Paris on Thursday to discuss support for Lebanon’s struggling armed forces. The UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate expires at year-end, amid fears that Israel could renew military operations in southern Lebanon.

LebanonParis talksUN peacekeeping missionMiddle East

European and Arab military chiefs are due to meet in Paris on Thursday to assess the needs of Lebanon’s armed forces and consider plans as a United Nations peacekeeping mission nears its end. The talks come amid fears that Israel could resume military operations in southern Lebanon.

Paris talksLebanese Armed ForcesUN peacekeeping mission

Emmanuel Macron will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Lebanon’s President Aoun in Paris to discuss support for the Lebanese Armed Forces. Lebanon is seeking international backing to strengthen its military and prevent a security vacuum in the south.

FranceLebanondiplomacyarmed forces

King Charles III is entering the AI conversation as a convener rather than an operator, bringing senior representatives of AI companies, government and charities together at a Thursday summit to discuss ways the technology can serve society.

artificial intelligenceKing Charles IIItechnology summit

At least 16 people were injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital, according to authorities.

Russia-Ukraine warKyivRussian attack

Russian strikes on the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Sumy on 16 September caused fires and damaged homes and other buildings, with casualties reported by Ukrainian emergency services and local officials.

Ukraine warRussian attacksOdesaSumy

Russian missile and drone strikes hit locations across Ukraine overnight on September 17, according to Ukrainian officials. A drone struck a 16-story apartment building in Kyiv, injuring 16 people, including two children. In Odesa, a 19-story building was damaged and six people were injured. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the attacks targeted industrial, defense, energy, transport, and related military facilities.

RussiaUkraineKyivdrone strikes

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the club beat Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup. Co-owner David Beckham said the 39-year-old deserves consideration for a record ninth Ballon d’Or and, in his view, should win it.

Lionel MessiInter MiamiBallon d’OrCampeones Cup

A rapid Houthi advance in Yemen has put the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait under the group’s control. The once ragged highland militia has consequently emerged as a regional force with global influence.

YemenHouthisBab el-Mandeb Strait

A rapid Houthi advance in Yemen has put the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait under the group’s control. The once ragtag highland militia has thereby become a regional force with global influence.

HouthisYemenBab el-Mandeb Strait

South African police say a ninth woman’s body was discovered east of Johannesburg and may be connected to a series of killings under investigation.

South AfricaJohannesburgkilling investigation