US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation in the Middle East after Araghchi’s visit to Beijing.

US-China relationsMiddle Eastdiplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, focusing on high-level interactions between China and the United States. Wang said bilateral ties have generally followed a path of constructive strategic stability set by the two heads of state. He called for equality, mutual respect, communication, cooperation and managed differences ahead of further exchanges. The two sides also discussed the situation in the Middle East.

China-US relationsWang YiMarco Rubiodiplomacy

The House passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill on Wednesday named for Sen. Lindsey Graham, who championed it before his unexpected death in July. It targets Russia’s energy sector by penalizing the biggest buyers of its oil and gas.

Russia sanctionsU.S. Houseenergy sanctions

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is watching developments after the US House approved a bill restricting Russian oil and gas exports. Moscow called the move unfriendly and warned that any additional sanctions would hinder efforts to peacefully settle the Ukrainian conflict.

US sanctionsRussiaUkraine settlement

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports would hinder negotiations to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The House passed the Russia-focused bill on September 16, including secondary tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy, and it now awaits Donald Trump’s signature.

US sanctionsRussiaUkraine warpeace talks

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

After nearly 30 years representing Arizona in the House and Senate, Jon Kyl died at 84. The former senator had dementia.

Jon KylArizonaUS Congresswater policy

Yemen’s Houthi rebels released footage they say shows the wreckage of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet. If confirmed, it would be their first fighter-jet shootdown. The claim comes as fighting intensifies, with the Houthis expanding control around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and the UN urging both sides back to negotiations.

Yemen conflictHouthisSaudi ArabiaBab al-Mandab Strait

Saudi civil defense says debris that fell after a Houthi drone was intercepted killed one person and injured two others.

Saudi ArabiaHouthisdrone attack

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged a historic deepening of ties between Canada and the European Union, saying the changing geopolitical order is pushing both sides toward a closer strategic alliance. His remarks drew applause at the European Parliament.

CanadaEuropean Unionstrategic alliance

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told the European Parliament that Ottawa wants to deepen its partnership with the EU beyond trade, including cooperation on energy, AI, space and payment sovereignty, and is seeking to join the Erasmus programme. The effort reflects Canada’s strategy to strengthen alliances beyond the United States without entering the EU single market, though its practical implementation remains uncertain.

CanadaEuropean Uniondiplomacyartificial intelligence

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged a sweeping strategic alliance with the European Union in a Thursday address to the European Parliament. He proposed joint work on critical minerals, artificial intelligence, defence and trade.

CanadaEuropean Unionstrategic alliance

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament as Ottawa and Brussels deepen ties while relations with the United States grow strained. His speech reflects a broader realignment: a message that until recently would more likely have been delivered in Washington was instead delivered in Brussels.

CanadaEuropean UnionMark Carneyalliances

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the EU’s invitation for Canada to become its first “associate member,” while stressing that the plan is not aimed at full membership or surrendering sovereignty.

CanadaEuropean Unionassociate membership

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called Thursday for deeper transatlantic ties with the European Union, saying Canada and Europe are “stronger together” amid a dispute with the United States.

CanadaEuropean Uniontransatlantic ties

A third person has died from malaria in an outbreak around Frankfurt Airport linked to air traffic. German officials have described the tropical-disease outbreak as extremely rare.

malariaFrankfurt AirportGermany

The SEC has opened a route for tokenized stock trading, moving markets closer to round-the-clock operations. The long-awaited Innovation Exemption came two days after the Senate voted to stop the CLARITY Act crypto market structure bill from advancing.

SECTokenized stocksCrypto market structure

Zhanna Nemtsova, daughter of late opposition activist Boris Nemtsov, has been placed on Russia’s international wanted list over alleged involvement in an organization deemed undesirable in Russia. The Moscow City Court upheld an in-absentia arrest warrant and rejected her lawyers’ appeals.

Russiainternational wanted listMoscow City Court

Speaking to the European Parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the prospect of Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member. He called for deeper cooperation on critical minerals, defence, AI, energy, space, payments and digital trade, saying the alliance should be a “beacon for democracies” rather than a force that dominates others. Donald Trump threatened tariffs or trade restrictions if the proposal advances.

CanadaEuropean UnionMark Carneydiplomacy

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that he welcomed the European Union’s proposal for Canada to become the bloc’s first “associate member”. Addressing EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, he said Canada and Europe were each strong but would be stronger together.

CanadaEuropean UnionMark Carneydiplomacy

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the European Union’s invitation for Canada to become its first associate member, saying they are “stronger together.” U.S. President Donald Trump had previously called the prospect “laughable.”

CanadaEuropean Unionassociate membership

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

Replay of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address to the European Parliament on Thursday, September 17, after US President Donald Trump suggested that allowing Canada to become an associate EU member could be viewed as a “hostile act.”

CanadaEuropean UnionEuropean ParliamentMark Carney

Donald Trump reacted angrily to the EU’s proposal to make Canada its first associate member, saying the move could deepen cooperation on technology, defence and energy. He called the idea “laughable” and threatened tariffs or a complete trade cutoff with the EU if it proceeds.

Donald TrumpCanadaEuropean Uniontrade tariffs

Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ says the country will boycott Eurovision for a second consecutive year, citing the “appalling” continuing loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Netherlands has also refused to participate, protesting Israel’s continued inclusion in the contest.

IrelandEurovisionGazaboycott

Ireland says it will extend its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest through 2027, citing what it calls Israel’s “carnage” in Gaza.

IrelandEurovisionGazaboycott

Ireland will skip next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and will not broadcast it, public broadcaster RTÉ said Thursday. The broadcaster cited the “ongoing loss of lives in Gaza” for the decision.

IrelandEurovisionGazaboycott

Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year because Israel is participating, the country’s national broadcaster said Thursday.

IrelandEurovisionIsraelboycott

Ireland’s national broadcaster is set to boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest because Israel will participate, marking the country’s second consecutive year of boycotting the event.

IrelandEurovisionIsrael

South African police said on Thursday they found a ninth woman’s body near Johannesburg while investigating a series of killings in the same area over the past two months.

South AfricaJohannesburgserial-killing investigation

South African police found the body of another woman near a construction site east of Johannesburg, the ninth woman discovered dead in Ekurhuleni in two months. Investigators are examining possible links among the killings, including whether a serial or copycat killer may be active. A 400,000-rand reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

South AfricaEkurhuleniwomen killedpolice investigation

South African police have confirmed that a ninth woman’s body was found in Ekurhuleni in two months. They caution that the deaths may be separate and have not identified a serial killer, while a specialist team investigates possible links and pursues a person of interest.

South Africawomen's deathspolice investigation

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

Sweden’s centre-left has won the election while the right-wing bloc suffered a narrow defeat. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned, allowing the parliamentary speaker to begin formal talks with party leaders.

Swedenelectioncentre-leftright-wing bloc

Sweden’s centre-left opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson, is expected to defeat the incumbent right-wing bloc by a single seat after nearly all ballots were counted in Sunday’s election. The razor-thin result is likely to make coalition talks difficult, with parliament set to begin the government-formation process on September 28.

Sweden electioncentre-leftcoalition talks

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says he will resign after four left-wing opposition parties won 176 of the Riksdag’s 349 seats, a three-seat majority. Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats were the largest party, but divisions over the Left Party could complicate coalition talks.

Sweden electiongovernment changeleft-wing blocUlf Kristersson

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after preliminary results showed his right-wing bloc narrowly losing to the centre-left opposition. Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats and allied parties are projected to win 176 of 349 seats, compared with 173 for the governing bloc, and have begun talks on forming a government.

Swedish electiongovernment changecentre-left opposition

A complete count of Sweden’s national election votes shows that the left-leaning opposition has secured a narrow majority.

Swedenelectionopposition

Women dominated the ballroom on the second night of the “Dancing with the Stars” season premiere, as another couple was eliminated from the competition.

Dancing with the Starstelevisionelimination

Torrential rain swept across eastern Spain on 17 September, flooding streets, submerging cars and disrupting transport in parts of Valencia and Catalonia. A driver was killed.

Spaintorrential rainflooding