The British Council has launched an official IELTS mock test system in China covering all four skills, with separate speaking and writing assessments. Developed by its China team, the AI-powered platform gives more detailed feedback on language abilities and helps learners identify areas for improvement.

IELTSartificial intelligenceEnglish learning

Reporters for CNN, MS NOW and Politico have been barred from the White House after Donald Trump banned the three outlets. The organisations say the decision violates First Amendment protections for a free press and limits access based on coverage.

Donald TrumpWhite Housepress freedom

China retained the women’s 10-meter air rifle team title at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, winning gold with 1,904.2 points and setting a world record. The team consisted of Wang Zifei, Du Yuchen and Han Jiayu.

Asian GamesshootingChinaworld record

Zhang Mingyu, Wu Xiyao, Fu Jing and Meng Xin won the women’s team modern pentathlon event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday, giving China its first gold medal of the Games.

ChinaAichi-Nagoya Asian Gamesmodern pentathlongold medal

China secured its first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by winning the women’s team modern pentathlon event on Sunday.

ChinaAichi-Nagoya Asian Gamesmodern pentathlon

Chinese athlete Zhang Xirui won silver in the men’s individual triathlon at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday, giving China’s delegation its first medal of the edition.

ChinaAichi-Nagoya Asian Gamestriathlon

Chinese triathlete Zhang Xirui won silver in the men’s individual triathlon final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Gamagori, Japan, giving China its first medal of the Games.

Zhang XiruiChinaAichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Ed Sheeran told concertgoers he had made mistakes after Macklemore was removed from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. Pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered near the stadium, while Sheeran’s backing band and opening acts boycotted the event. Speaking alone on stage, Sheeran said the issue was humanitarian and he could no longer conceal his feelings.

Ed SheeranMacklemorePalestinetour controversy

Ed Sheeran addressed the fallout involving Macklemore and Palestine during his solo concert in Philadelphia. Sheeran has faced intense backlash after Macklemore was dropped from the tour over his “Free Palestine” comments.

Ed SheeranMacklemoreGazaPalestine

Ed Sheeran has addressed the controversy surrounding his North America Loop Tour for the first time, calling the situation in Gaza “catastrophic”, “unjustifiable” and “disproportionate” as he opened his Philadelphia concert. His opening act, Macklemore, had been dropped after pro-Palestine comments; Sheeran denied being behind the decision.

Ed SheeranMacklemoreGazaPalestine

Fans arriving at Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert had mixed feelings about his performance without Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after pro-Palestinian remarks. Some said they came only for the music, while nearby protesters backed the rapper and called on Sheeran to address the controversy.

Ed SheeranMacklemorePalestineconcert

Ed Sheeran apologized for “making mistakes” and described the situation in Gaza as “unjustifiable.” Opening act Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments.

Ed SheeranMacklemoreGazatour controversy

Pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside Ed Sheeran’s concert in Philadelphia as his Loop Tour reached the city.

Ed SheeranPhiladelphiaPro-Palestine protest

US diplomatic missions in Jordan, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Lebanon urged Americans to remain vigilant, warning that the region’s complex security environment could deteriorate unexpectedly. The alert cited hostilities between Iranian-supported Houthis and Saudi Arabia and said the conflict could escalate rapidly.

Middle East securityHouthisSaudi ArabiaUS citizens

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Saudi Arabia may have unmet military needs as Houthi attacks intensify, and that Ankara would consider supporting the kingdom under a trilateral defence pact. He says Riyadh does not want to be drawn into the US-Iran war and that proposals to end the fighting have been conveyed to all sides.

Saudi ArabiaTurkiyeHouthi rebelsYemen war

Yemen’s foreign minister rejects Iranian influence and describes the country’s partnership with Saudi Arabia as firm.

YemenSaudi ArabiaIranian influence

Russia’s three-day parliamentary election entered its final day on Sunday. President Vladimir Putin has presented the vote as a test of public support for the war in Ukraine, while the ruling United Russia party is expected to retain its dominance. Critics say the political system allows little room for dissent.

Russian electionUkraine warUnited Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said regional authorities and the military are prepared for provocative actions by Ukraine during the ongoing parliamentary vote. He said authorities can use mobile ballot boxes, extended voting and online voting to reduce crowds and protect voters, drawing on experience in frontline territories.

RussiaUkraineparliamentary electionvoting security

Russia’s State Duma election enters its final day with turnout at 44.75% as of 6:00 a.m. Moscow time. Polls will close by 8:00 p.m. locally, with initial results expected after Kaliningrad’s stations shut. More than 5.8 million people have voted online, while Russian officials say attacks on electronic voting systems were repelled.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnoutelectronic voting

Russia’s elections continued into a second day amid reports that Yabloko observers were barred or detained, ballot records did not match official figures, and internet access was disrupted in several regions. The Central Election Commission put turnout at 44.38% by 9 p.m. Moscow time on September 19, with 80% participation in remote electronic voting. In Baikalsk, special vehicles transported voters because bears had been entering town.

Russia electionsvoter turnoutelection observerselection violations

Turnout in Russia’s ongoing parliamentary election reached 44.75% by 6 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday, or 3 a.m. GMT, according to data posted on the Russian Central Election Commission’s website.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnout

Turnout in the ongoing Russian parliamentary election reached 44.63% by 4:00 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday, according to data posted on the Russian Central Election Commission’s website. The figure corresponds to 1:00 a.m. GMT.

Russiaparliamentary electionvoter turnout