Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on the successful completion of the State Duma election, the Kremlin said. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing the Russia-Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance, and discussed bilateral and Eurasian cooperation ahead of a CIS summit.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Wziatek says the United States is considering stationing 15,000 soldiers at a permanent base in Poland. He says construction could cost more than $4 billion; between 6,500 and 7,500 US personnel are currently stationed there.
France is preparing for Pope Leo’s visit from September 25 to 28. The pontiff is expected to meet victims of sexual abuse by the Church as the Catholic Church faces renewed scrutiny after recent scandals.
France has been preparing for Pope Leo XIV’s visit for months, with four days remaining before he travels to Paris, Lourdes and Metz from Friday. Sensitive issues, including clerical sexual abuse and France’s assisted-dying law, surround the trip, while security remains the main priority.
Pope Leo XIV’s four-day visit to France this weekend is expected to address the Catholic Church’s positions on abortion and euthanasia. France has recently enshrined abortion in its constitution and given final approval to a bill establishing assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said investors do not need an exemption to use permissionless smart contracts for peer-to-peer trading. SEC actions on tokenized securities and crypto interfaces outline separate limits on intermediary control, but “truly decentralized” remains undefined under a unified federal test.
Arts24 speaks with Buck’s saxophonist about how the six-piece formed during lockdown and adopted the name of an antlered animal for its psychedelic wild-jazz sound. The band is touring its new album, “Animal Boisé”. The show also meets French-Cameroonian DJ-producer Tatyana Jane, Ed Banger Records’ first female signing in two decades, and reviews releases from Leon Bridges and M83.
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said Monday that proposals for the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs to help the US government finance its debt and deficits underscore why the central bank must remain independent when setting monetary policy.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico said Monday they would sue after President Donald Trump barred journalists from the three outlets from the White House last week. The ban is described as an escalation of the Trump administration’s years-long assault on press freedoms in the United States.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to discuss artificial intelligence risks at their September 24 summit in Washington, raising the question of whether the two countries can work together against AI’s global dangers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Xi JinpingDonald TrumpChina-US relationsstate visit
China confirmed that President Xi Jinping will travel to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, as a one-year trade truce approaches its end.
Xi JinpingDonald TrumpUS-China relationstrade truce
The United States and China have described their trade and artificial intelligence discussions as “very successful” ahead of the upcoming summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
United StatesChinatrade talksartificial intelligence
Paramount Skydance has reached an agreement with California and other states that sued to stop its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a person familiar with the matter. The settlement could clear a legal obstacle to the planned merger.
New York-listed fashion e-commerce retailer REVOLVE said it will partner with Donatella Versace, offering the former Versace chief creative director an entirely new platform and the freedom to build something from the ground up.
Google’s Robby Stein will join a Builders Stage session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 focused on the journey from acquiring first users to reaching billions. Attendees can save up to $200 by registering before Sept. 25.
An analysis of Central Election Commission data by the independent outlet Agentstvo found that New People led United Russia at 18 of 27 overseas polling stations in major Russian emigration hubs. United Russia won nine locations, while inside Russia it led with 58% of counted votes after 93% of ballots were tallied.
With 93% of precincts counted, United Russia had about 58% of the vote, while official turnout reached 59.32%, the highest since 2011. Kremlin-linked sources told Meduza the record was secured through “very dirty means,” including pressure on state employees to vote and monitoring their participation.
Russia’s single voting day has ended, with preliminary results showing United Russia holding a strong lead in the election for the ninth State Duma. The lower house is expected to retain its five-party composition, while Europe seeks a response to record gasoline and diesel prices. French President Emmanuel Macron called fuel costs “unbearable.”
Russia electionState DumaUnited RussiaEuropean fuel prices
Preliminary results released by Russian state media on Monday show President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party winning a large majority in parliamentary elections. The vote took place amid Ukrainian drone strikes, cyberattacks and a crackdown on anti-war opposition, and was the first election since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia on the final day of the State Duma election, including hundreds aimed at Moscow. Putin’s pro-government party is poised to win as the attacks highlight the war’s growing reach into the capital.
Russia electionUnited RussiaUkraine drone attacksMoscow
Early results from Russia’s parliamentary election put the Kremlin-backed United Russia party ahead in a tightly controlled contest. The first parliamentary ballot held during wartime began Friday and ended Sunday, with about 111 million eligible voters. Moscow’s mayor said voting proceeded as planned despite Ukrainian drone attacks.
With more than 90 percent of ballots counted, United Russia is projected to secure a landslide in Russia’s first parliamentary election since the full-scale war on Ukraine began. Most antiwar candidates were barred, while analysts say votes for systemic opposition parties may signal quiet protest and mounting domestic frustration.
China congratulated Russia on the successful State Duma elections, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun saying the result reflects the will of the Russian people. He added that Beijing supports the choice made independently by the Russian people.
Election officials say United Russia has preserved its parliamentary majority. With results counted from more than 95% of polling stations, the Kremlin’s main party had just under 58% of the vote for the 225 seats allocated by party lists.
With 90.45% of ballots counted, Central Election Commission data puts United Russia ahead in the State Duma election with 57.82% of the vote. The CPRF, LDPR and New People are also projected to enter the chamber, while regional legislative and gubernatorial elections were held across Russia.
Election officials say A Just Russia has received 4.96% on the party list with 94.95% of ballots counted, just below the 5% threshold for State Duma entry. United Russia leads with 57.83%, ahead of the KPRF, LDPR, and New People. Preliminary figures suggest United Russia could again win a constitutional majority.
Russia electionState DumaA Just RussiaUnited Russia
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Vladimir Putin on Russia’s successful State Duma elections, saying the results demonstrated broad support for the Russian leader’s strategic course to protect the state’s long-term interests. He highlighted interparliamentary cooperation as an important part of Kazakh-Russian allied relations.
Russia electionKazakhstanVladimir Putinparliamentary cooperation
United Russia is leading Russia’s Duma election with 57.86% of the vote after 90.43% of ballots were counted, according to Central Election Commission data. The CPRF has 13.84%, followed by the LDPR, New People and A Just Russia with 8.9%, 7.94% and 4.95%, respectively.
With 83.52% of precinct reports processed as of the morning of September 21, United Russia had 57.82% of the party-list vote and led in 208 of 225 single-member districts, according to Russia’s Central Election Commission. Preliminary results indicate the party is on track for a constitutional majority in the 450-seat State Duma.
🇨🇳 Supporters pay respects to founder of Communist China
Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong line up in his hometown to pay tribute -- holding portraits, leaving huge floral tributes and singing revolutionary songs.
🇨🇳 Supporters pay respects to founder of Communist China
Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong line up in his hometown to pay tribute -- holding portraits, leaving huge floral tributes and singing revolutionary songs.
Mehr news agency Managing Director Mohammad Mehdi Rahmati said the United States may alter casualty figures from anti-government protests to serve its goals, while Iran provides reliable information. He cited official data listing 3,117 deaths, including 2,427 ordinary citizens who took no part in military clashes, and accused Donald Trump of giving sharply conflicting figures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a large-scale attack on Russia used the Pelican weapon for the first time. Military analysts are debating whether it is a tactical ballistic missile or an aircraft-type drone. Ukrainian media have linked it to Fire Point’s FP-7 missile, but there is no official confirmation and Al Jazeera could not independently verify the reports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said NATO remains a tool of confrontation and that its Baltic Sea exercises include practicing the interception of commercial vessels. He said Russia has largely adapted to sanctions and reduced their effects, while US “sanctions from hell” against Russian oil and gas do not help restore bilateral ties or advance a Ukrainian settlement. He also criticized Germany’s government and economic competitiveness and rejected claims that Moscow threatens France.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia has “lost control” of its diesel industry as Ukrainian attacks continue to damage Russian refineries. He said the strikes have forced facilities to suspend operations, contributing to repeated fuel crises and gasoline shortages. Trump also renewed his call for Volodymyr Zelensky to stop targeting Russian diesel-producing facilities.
Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian refineries, a report says. He said Russia had lost control of its diesel industry amid the Ukrainian attacks.
Donald TrumpVolodymyr ZelenskyyRussiarefinery strikes
US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call to stop attacks on Russian refineries, officials said. Trump reportedly stressed that the issue was all about “diesel, diesel, diesel”.
Donald TrumpVolodymyr ZelenskyyRussian refineriesUkraine
TechCrunch introduces the next group of venture capitalists who will judge Startup Battlefield 200 contenders on the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register by Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT to save up to $200 and secure a front-row seat at the startup pitch competition.
More than 120,000 Yemenis are estimated to have been displaced after fighting intensified along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Over 3,000 refugees have reached Djibouti in recent days by crossing the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with families saying air strikes and the terror they caused forced them to flee.
Houthi fighters are advancing to capture strategic high ground in Yemen, seeking to sever the Red Sea coast from other areas still held by Saudi-backed forces. The move follows a report that President Donald Trump cancelled planned US strikes on the group at the last minute.
Yemen’s war has returned to global attention after the Iran-aligned Houthis made gains against forces loyal to the internationally recognised government and tightened their hold on the Red Sea coast. The conflict began with the Houthis’ 2014 takeover of northwestern Yemen and Sanaa, followed by Saudi-led intervention in 2015. A UN-brokered ceasefire largely held from 2022, while a proposed permanent-ceasefire roadmap agreed in 2023 was never formalised.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the collective West tried to interfere in Russia’s lower-house election through cyberattacks, provocations, information operations and Ukrainian drone strikes on polling stations, but failed. He said only Russia’s people should determine the country’s fate and future.
United Russia won a record 355 of the State Duma’s 450 seats in a tightly controlled and widely criticised election, further strengthening Vladimir Putin’s hold on power. Officials said 49 newly elected deputies had served in the war against Ukraine. Western governments called voting in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine a sham.
Russia electionUnited RussiaVladimir PutinUkraine war
Russia’s Central Election Commission chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said turnout in the State Duma election reached 59.32%, with more than 62.6 million people voting. She described unprecedented external threats and intensified cyber aggression, while saying Russia overcame the challenges; online turnout was 90.88%.
Observers from Commonwealth of Independent States countries said they recorded no violations that could have affected the results of Russia’s State Duma election. The ninth State Duma was elected during three-day voting from September 18 to 20, alongside regional legislative and leadership elections.
The EU is preparing sanctions over Russia’s recent State Duma election, targeting organizers, candidates who ran in occupied Ukrainian territories, and others Brussels holds responsible for undermining free elections. The bloc said the vote showed democracy’s continued erosion, criticized the exclusion of Yabloko candidates, and rejected the results in occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
With 96.95% of ballots counted, Russia’s Central Election Commission said A Just Russia had received 5.00% of the party-list vote, enough to qualify for seats in the State Duma, parliament’s lower chamber. Five parties are set to hold seats, as in the previous term.
Piao Yangfan, head of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s international delegation and its deputy secretary-general, said Russia’s State Duma elections were transparent, credible and democratic. She said they met Russian electoral-law requirements and accepted international obligations, with no violations found that could undermine their legitimacy or affect the results.
Russia electionsState DumaShanghai Cooperation Organization
Shanghai Cooperation Organization observers monitoring Russia’s State Duma elections reported high civic engagement among voters. They said voting was calm and orderly, no complaints were received, and precinct staff acted professionally; the mission visited 47 polling stations and noted advanced election technology.
Russia’s Central Election Commission said United Russia won 57.83% with 95% of ballots counted, giving it a projected 355 of 450 State Duma seats. Opposition parties were barred from running, and voting included four Ukrainian regions occupied and illegally annexed by Moscow. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was re-elected with 99.85%.
Russia electionUnited RussiaVladimir PutinChechnya
RIA Novosti removed a report saying 86 participants in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would receive State Duma mandates through United Russia. The party requested the withdrawal pending clarification, and General Council Secretary Vladimir Yakushev later told TASS that the figure was 49.
Russia electionUnited RussiaState Dumawar participants
Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova said turnout in Russia’s State Duma election reached a record 59.32%. With 95.18% of precincts counted, United Russia led the party-list vote with 57.83% and was projected to win 355 seats—well above the 301 needed for a constitutional majority and its largest faction ever in the chamber.
Preliminary results indicate that United Russia, backed by President Vladimir Putin, is set to retain control of Russia’s parliament and its constitutional majority. BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg said the result was unsurprising. Yabloko, the only anti-war party, was removed from the ballot before voting, though some candidates remained in several constituencies.
Russia’s Central Election Commission says State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has secured more than 92% of the vote in his single-member district in Saratov, with 4.05% of precinct reports counted. Communist Party candidate Denis Bulanov is second on 4.11%.
Russia held elections for every seat in the lower-house State Duma. The vote, affected by cyberattacks and drone attacks, was the first of its kind since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party was expected to remain in power.
Johnson & Johnson said its experimental use of Caplyta for bipolar mania achieved the primary objective of a late-stage study, moving the drug closer to potential expansion beyond its current approved uses.
Türkiye pledges to continue diplomatic efforts for a “fairer world” on World Peace Day. Duran said the observance was a reminder of the situation in Gaza.
China has introduced an intelligent construction solution for drill-and-blast tunnels. Developed by China Railway Tunnel Group, the system combines on-site sensing, edge computing and cloud-based decision-making to coordinate construction processes and enterprise systems. It is already being used on projects including the Changsha-Ganzhou high-speed railway.
The linear accelerator at the Hefei Advanced Light Facility in Anhui successfully generated and delivered an electron beam, marking a key construction milestone. The project will next inject the beam into its storage ring for commissioning. Once completed, HALF is expected to support research in materials, life and energy sciences and be open to scientists from China and abroad.
Historic Naxos potatoes have protected status, but young people on the island no longer want to become farmers, putting the future of the world-renowned crop at risk alongside the spread of counterfeit produce and changing ambitions.
A China-backed smart greenhouse in Cambodia's Kampong Chhnang Province has helped 30 farming households shorten vegetable-growing cycles and potentially raise incomes while reducing poverty in the village. The project is presented as an example of the Global Development Initiative's emphasis on practical cooperation and shared development.
Global Development InitiativeChinaCambodiasmart agriculture
Almost two million people are under evacuation orders as Typhoon Dujuan batters several Japanese prefectures. NHK reported two deaths and four people missing. Winds cut power to more than 50,000 people, while hundreds of flights were cancelled and rail services suspended. Life-threatening warnings have been downgraded in most areas.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Sunday with Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi, four people familiar with the matter said. They discussed advances by the Iran-backed Houthis around a vital global waterway, but Trump did not promise military support against them.
At least two people were injured after an “unknown projectile” struck a tanker entering the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military. The vessel is reportedly continuing to its next port, with no current signs of environmental impact.
Vladimir Tabak, president of the Global Fact-Checking Network, said COVID-19 misinformation and hoaxes caused deaths during the pandemic. Some people, driven by desperation or ignorance, sought alternative treatments, while others denied the virus existed. He also cited pharmaceutical claims of complete cures as malicious misinformation.
The United States has warned the Netherlands that it plans to impose “devastating” sanctions on the International Criminal Court on September 21 and urged the country to leave the organization, diplomatic sources said. The measures could affect most financial transactions with the court and potentially paralyze its operations. The Netherlands is preparing safeguards for salaries, witness payments and detention-facility security.
US sanctionsInternational Criminal CourtNetherlandsdiplomacy
The Vatican said on Monday that Pope Leo will make one of the most intensive foreign trips by a Catholic leader in decades in November, attending around 50 events during an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
UAV expert Denis Fedutinov said Russian unmanned systems have good export prospects in Africa because of their combat experience. He described the Africa Aerospace and Defense exhibition in South Africa as a possible gateway to markets in South Africa and neighboring countries, including potential joint maintenance centers or production facilities.
The prospect of Beijing lowering duties is reviving interest among Chinese buyers in long-term supply agreements, potentially creating a major opportunity for US LNG producers.
After years in which sellers held the advantage, the US housing market is gradually tilting toward buyers. Many potential buyers, however, are still hesitant to make a move.
Divers are exploring ancient ruins beneath the Mediterranean off Tyre, Lebanon. The city, famed for its Roman and Phoenician history, is attracting more visitors after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman discusses Apple CEO John Ternus’s first major product launch, the debut of the foldable iPhone Duo, and Tim Cook’s leadership legacy. The conversation considers how Ternus may guide Apple from the iPhone era into the AI era and how leadership changes could affect the company’s culture.
Egyptian Amina Orfi became the youngest women’s squash world number one at 19 years and two months after defeating compatriot Hania El Hammamy in the Qatar Classic final. The victory gave Orfi her first Platinum title and made her the first player to simultaneously hold the PSA world junior and senior championship titles.
Russia’s federal budget for 2027 will carry a deficit of about 2% of GDP, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said, adding that it poses no risks. He said the Finance Ministry had prepared several fiscal consolidation measures. The deficit reached 5.79 trillion rubles, or 2.5% of GDP, in January-August 2026.
Markets columnist Katie Martin and US financial commentator Robert Armstrong will take part in a live Ask an Expert Q&A on Thursday September 24 at 1pm BST, answering questions about the biggest risks facing markets.
Prime Video’s new series Neagley expands the universe of its hit show Reacher. Although the spinoff has some uneven elements, it largely preserves the addictive escapist formula while exploring new territory for Frances Neagley, played by Maria Sten; Reacher also appears in the opening scene.
Kamala Harris is throwing herself into the midterm elections, campaigning with Democrats including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as a decision about 2028 draws closer.
Major U.S. stock indexes opened higher on Monday, lifted by gains in AI shares as Treasury yields eased. Crude prices dropped more than 2% to an 11-day low amid signs that Middle East negotiations were making progress.
Rising electricity demand, energy-security shocks and climate commitments are prompting Southeast Asian governments to revive long-delayed nuclear plans. Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are advancing or studying projects, but high costs, immature technologies and other obstacles remain.
Novo Nordisk said its next-generation experimental drug CagriSema produced an estimated average weight loss of 12.4% among diabetes patients in a late-stage trial, surpassing Eli Lilly’s competing treatment.
A timeline tracks the “mysterious explosions” and other blasts reported in Syria since Ahmad al Sharaa took charge. In Abdin village in Daraa province, two boys walked near a damaged building after locals said Israeli forces had carried out an incursion.
A series of killings of women in South Africa, including the stabbing death of 38-year-old Dineo M. in Ekurhuleni, has renewed scrutiny of the country’s response to gender-based violence. Activists say laws and policies will not change conditions without effective policing, survivor support and dedicated resources. Botswana and Zambia face similar persistent challenges.
South African police have arrested three people in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found east of Johannesburg last week. The arrest follows a series of femicides that has renewed public anger over violence against women.
A man and two women have been detained over the killing of Jabulile Ntimba, whose partially clothed body was found wrapped in a sheet in Dawn Park east of Johannesburg. Police called the arrests a “breakthrough” amid nine recent cases, but said they have not established whether the deaths are connected.
South Africaviolence against womenmurder investigation
Ireland’s government, which is chairing member-state talks on the EU’s long-term budget, plans to put forward an “ambitious” draft that includes proposals for new EU taxes.
Apple will pay $250 million to settle claims that it failed to deliver an AI-upgraded Siri as consumers expected. Eligible US buyers of certain iPhone models can apply for an estimated $25 per device, potentially rising to $95, by December 21st, 2026. Apple denies wrongdoing.
A second outage at the UK's air traffic control provider, NATS, in two weeks disrupted dozens of flights. A departure board at Belfast International Airport showed disruption linked to a “technical issue” in Scotland.
United Kingdomair traffic controlflight disruption
MS NOW, CNN and Politico said Monday they would sue the Trump administration to defend their First Amendment rights. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the outlets would be barred from the White House building grounds.
The White House television pool will stop covering Trump after CNN, MS NOW and Politico announced they are suing the Trump administration to overturn its new ban on the three outlets from the White House.
People familiar with the matter said Trump aide Natalie Harp showed the president clips of media coverage last week before the White House barred Politico, CNN and MS NOW. CNN has sought comment from the White House.
CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued the Trump administration after their journalists were barred from the White House and had their credentials revoked. The outlets said the move threatened press freedom and their First Amendment rights. Trump called their reporting “fake news,” while Vice President JD Vance defended the ban as a denial of special access rather than an attack on free speech.
Major US news organizations are suing the White House after their press credentials were revoked. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is pictured speaking with reporters at the White House in Washington.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico say they will sue the Trump administration after President Donald Trump said Friday that he was barring the outlets from the presidential residence as punishment for distributing what he calls “fake news.”
CNN, Politico and MS NOW filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after President Donald Trump barred the outlets from covering the White House.
Trump administrationWhite House coverage banmedia lawsuit
President Donald Trump is facing fresh backlash after ordering CNN, MS NOW and Politico barred from the White House. The three outlets have filed a lawsuit to protect what they describe as their First Amendment rights. Trump also says he is revising plans for his 250-foot arch to include what he calls a “top-grade military complex.”
CNN, Politico and MS NOW say they will sue the Trump administration after their reporters were barred from the White House and had their credentials seized. Trump accused the outlets of publishing “fiction or lies”. The companies say the case will defend press freedom and their First Amendment rights.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico say they have notified President Donald Trump’s administration that they are filing a lawsuit after being denied access to the White House.
MS NOW, CNN and Politico said Monday they will sue the Trump administration to defend their First Amendment rights after President Donald Trump announced that the outlets would be barred from the White House grounds.
MS NOW, CNN and Politico plan to sue President Trump to overturn a White House ban on the three outlets. Trump said their “cumulative stories” prompted the ban, adding that he had “gotten sick of it.”
The Trump White House removed CNN from Monday’s assignment as the television pool representative for the entire White House press corps, escalating a dispute that began after the president said he was “banning” CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
Journalists from MS NOW, CNN and Politico were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday. The move came a day after President Donald Trump said on social media that he had banned the outlets, accusing them of constant “reporting” of “FAKE NEWS.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will preserve the governing coalition between his CDU and the SPD for Germany’s “democratic future”. The pledge follows heavy state election defeats: the AfD topped the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the CDU failed to enter parliament, while the CDU came second to Die Linke in Berlin. Merz called the results a major blow but rejected blaming them mainly on his own popularity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU representatives held a press conference after the party’s worst regional election defeat in postwar Germany. Merz called the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania result a “disaster” after the CDU fell below the 5% threshold for state parliament entry. Merz and Berlin candidate Stefan Evers pledged to preserve the coalition for a “democratic future” but offered no concrete remedies, according to FRANCE 24’s Europe editor.
Friedrich Merz met senior Christian Democratic Union figures after the party suffered major losses in two state elections and was ejected from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s parliament. He rejected speculation about his position and vowed to keep his fractious coalition government together while pursuing its unpopular reform agenda.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suffered another electoral setback as his centre-right CDU performed poorly in two state elections on Sunday. Projections indicated it would miss out on a seat in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the far-right AfD led, while the far-left Die Linke topped the vote in Berlin. The AfD also made major gains in both states.
Washington has proposed a US-China AI dialogue with a notification mechanism for warning each other when an AI incident becomes serious enough to threaten national security. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed the idea in New York before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s planned summit, but Beijing has not indicated whether it accepts the proposal.
President Donald Trump calls communism the greatest threat the United States has ever faced, even as he prepares to host Chinese President Xi Jinping, the leader of the world’s most powerful communist country, this week.
US and Chinese delegations held what they called successful and constructive talks in New York on Sunday about artificial intelligence and trade, ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington later this week. They discussed creating an AI dialogue mechanism and preparing to ease trade tensions before a truce deal expires in November.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks with China on trade and AI were “very successful.” Officials discussed a notification system for potential AI incidents, including those reaching a national-security level, and agreed to meet again. Chinese state media described the discussions as candid, in-depth and constructive.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says American and Chinese officials discussed creating a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security. He described his New York meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng as successful; trade issues and possible tariff cuts were also discussed before the Trump-Xi summit.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that the United States has proposed a new mechanism for notifying China about AI safety issues. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to consider it at their summit in Washington this week.
US and Chinese economic officials discussed creating a channel to communicate about AI concerns on Sunday, as their meetings laid the groundwork for a summit between the countries’ top leaders this week.
US and Chinese economic officials discussed setting up a channel to communicate about artificial intelligence concerns on Sunday, as they prepared for a summit between the countries’ top leaders this week.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called discussions with Chinese counterparts on artificial intelligence, trade and investment “very successful.” China described the talks as positive ahead of this week’s summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
US and Chinese officials discussed establishing a channel for communication over potentially serious AI incidents during talks in New York on Sunday. The two sides also sought advances in technology and trade ahead of this week’s Trump-Xi summit.
The success of the multibillion-dollar oil deal between the Trump administration and Venezuela depends on fields that are aging, deteriorated or expensive to exploit.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s political future is in doubt after a series of bruising regional election results. His approval rating has fallen to the lowest recorded for a German chancellor, while his CDU failed to clear the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the anti-immigration AfD made major gains, weakening Merz’s authority and threatening Germany’s accustomed political stability.
German politicsFriedrich MerzAfDregional elections
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged on Monday to preserve his governing coalition of the centre-right CDU and centre-left SPD for the sake of the country’s “democratic future”. His promise followed major gains by both the far right and hard left in Sunday’s state elections.
The CDU failed to clear Germany’s 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the first time, taking 4.9% as the AfD won 38.2%. The Left Party secured its first victory in elections to Berlin’s House of Representatives with 25.7%. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the CDU’s result a catastrophe but said he intends to remain party chairman and chancellor.
Germany’s far-right AfD, which topped a poll, said Friedrich Merz’s “twilight” had begun after a string of state election defeats. Merz has also struggled to advance promised economic and social welfare reforms with his SPD coalition partners.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Huili Ancient Town in southern Sichuan stands out for its historic role as a Southern Silk Road stop and the “Key to Sichuan and Yunnan.” Founded in 111 BCE, it retains a Ming Dynasty military-town layout, historic residences, guild halls and ancestral temples.
The Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies and the Global Fact-Checking Network signed a memorandum to advance fact-checking, expand information exchange and coordinate efforts to strengthen the profession. The agreement was signed during an OANA media forum in Moscow marking the organization’s 65th anniversary.
Kazakhstan is accelerating its AI ambitions as part of a modernisation drive aimed at improving public services, attracting investment and diversifying beyond raw materials. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 2026 the “Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence”, while the government is expanding AI regulation, education and digital services. Experts warn of possible effects on the environment and human rights.
Bitcoin’s rise to $84,751 lifted theoretical gross hashprice about 2.65% above the prior baseline, offering miners only modest relief. Difficulty rose 4.1634% on Sept. 19, while the next estimate points to a 2.48% decline. That early reading is not proof that miners are shutting down.
🇹🇭 Meet the Englishman who became Thailand's top foreign monk.
From a working-class childhood in England to the top foreign-born monk in Thailand. Shaun Chiverton has become the first non-Thai to be elevated to rank of Somdet Phra Rachakhana -- the second-highest level in Thailand's monkhood.
🇹🇭 Meet the Englishman who became Thailand's top foreign monk.
From a working-class childhood in England to the top foreign-born monk in Thailand. Shaun Chiverton has become the first non-Thai to be elevated to rank of Somdet Phra Rachakhana -- the second-highest level in Thailand's monkhood.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka will miss the national team camp after admitting he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Xhaka called it a mistake and apologised, while saying he is cooperating with authorities. The Swiss Football Association will reassess the situation after the international window.
FootballGranit XhakaSwiss Football AssociationCOVID-19 certificate
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is being investigated by prosecutors in Lucerne over allegations that he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. Xhaka said mistrust and uncertainty influenced his decision, called it a mistake and pledged to cooperate. He has withdrawn from Switzerland’s upcoming Nations League matches.
China’s 13-year-old Yu Zidi won the women’s 200m individual medley at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in 2:06.10, setting both Games and Asian records. It was her second Asian record in two days. She also won the 200m butterfly and became the youngest-ever World Swimming Championships medallist at age 12.
Thirteen-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi won the women’s 200-meter butterfly at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, clocking 2:05.08 for a new Games record. The victory made her the first Chinese swimmer to win a title at this year’s event. Yu said she still wants to improve her technique and swim faster next time.
A second air traffic control glitch in the UK within a month has disrupted flights across the UK and Ireland. Irish budget airline Ryanair has called for NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign over the latest problem.
Flights at several UK airports were delayed on Monday because of an air traffic control failure, according to provider NATS. The disruption came less than two weeks after a separate problem halted flights across the country.
Vivo has launched its X500 flagship phones in China, led by the new X500 Pro Max. It uses Sony’s Lytia L910 sensor and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro chip to deliver Vivo-claimed 17 EV dynamic range and 4K 240fps slow-motion video. A global release is planned, but no date has been announced.
Vivosmartphonesmobile photographyslow-motion video
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the end of cheap Russian gas has damaged Germany’s economic competitiveness. He added that Germans are seeking an alternative to the current leadership to improve their situation.
Hamas says the United States violated international agreements by refusing visas for a Palestinian delegation. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution allowing Palestine’s president to address the general debate of its 81st session through a prerecorded message.
Tom Lee says the crypto bull market is underway as Bitmine buys 27,562 ETH. The company’s total investments now stand at $17.1 billion, and it holds more than 4.9% of Ethereum’s circulating supply.
Bitmine, the largest Ethereum-focused treasury firm, continued adding to its holdings with a $75 million ether purchase. Chairman Tom Lee said ETH’s strong third quarter could encourage institutions to increase their exposure to crypto.
The European Union fined Google $463 million over its location-data practices. Regulators also found that the company failed to process personal data lawfully, fairly and transparently.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403m for processing location data in ways it found unlawful, unfair and non-transparent under GDPR. The case covered three location-related features between 2018 and 2020, and Google was ordered to comply within six months. Google said the historical policies have since been updated and cited recent privacy improvements.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined Alphabet’s Google search engine €403 million ($463 million) after investigating how it processed location data, the regulator said.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403m for how it processed users’ location data. The watchdog said people may not have realised their information was being used to target adverts or infer sensitive details such as health conditions and political views, and ordered Google to comply with the GDPR within six months.
The Minutes Reader extension turns the original page into a focused reading view and translates articles and video subtitles on demand. It is in limited beta.
TASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:38
