Canada’s main stock index was subdued on Monday as oil prices fell more than 3%, putting pressure on energy shares. Investors awaited remarks from Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem for clues about the future policy path.
R
ReutersOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 16:05
Crypto industry campaign arm Fairshake plans to spend $30 million opposing Sherrod Brown’s Senate bid. It is the group’s biggest outlay in 2026, echoing the $40 million it spent against Brown two years ago.
C
CoinDeskOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 16:01
AFP News AgencyU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan in New York on Monday, ahead of a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping scheduled for this week.
RReutersOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 16:00
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.
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.
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.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni needed intravenous fluids to cool down as turf temperatures reached 157 degrees and cleats melted. Philadelphia nevertheless escaped with a win over the Tennessee Titans.
C
CNNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 16:00
Catch up on the most important stories from around Europe and beyond on September 21, 2026, covering breaking news, world affairs, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.
EeuronewsOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-09-21 16:00
A midday bulletin rounds up the most important latest and breaking stories from Europe and beyond on September 21, covering world affairs, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.
Catch up on the most important stories from Europe and beyond on the morning of 21 September 2026, covering world news, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.
Austria’s Salzburg has opened the first museum dedicated to the 1965 film The Sound of Music. The venue explores the point where the von Trapp story met Hollywood.
T
The Associated PressOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 16:00
Bitcoin treasury firms Strategy and Strive bought about $183 million of BTC last week as the token rose above $85,000. Strategy acquired 950 BTC and Strive bought 1,355, lifting the corporate treasury group back above its estimated cost basis, even as overall company buying has slowed sharply.
C
CryptoSlateOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 16:00
Strategy purchased 950 bitcoin for $76 million, lifting its total holdings to 846,000 BTC. The holdings represent about 4% of bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap and are worth roughly $72 billion.
Strategy resumed buying bitcoin last week after a pause of about three weeks, adding BTC worth $75 million.
Documents from Russia’s state nuclear corporation show that a new production line at the Alabuga-Volokno plant in Tatarstan could produce up to 500 tons of carbon fiber annually. The material is used in Geran-2 attack-drone airframes, and experts estimate the added capacity could support 28,000 airframes a year. European officials are also warning of increased Russian sabotage and hybrid operations, while a strike on an evacuation center in Kramatorsk injured two people.
MMeduzaOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:58
Saudi forces fired more than 130 missiles and shells at populated areas of Yemen’s northern Saada province over 12 hours, Al Masirah TV, affiliated with the Houthi movement, reported. Shelling was continuing in the Az-Zahir and Haydan districts. Another channel said government forces had retaken several positions in southern and western Taiz after fierce clashes.
T
TASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:58
AFP News AgencyA UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur says there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that 68 US attacks on boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Pacific and Caribbean constituted crimes against humanity. The strikes since September 2025 have killed more than 230 people, including four in the latest Caribbean attack.
TThe GuardianOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:54
A UN report says at least 68 US strikes on vessels allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific since September killed 223 people and breached international law. Special Rapporteur Ben Saul said there were reasonable grounds to consider the attacks crimes against humanity, while the US military called those targeted “narco-terrorists” without providing definitive evidence of trafficking.
A finance ministry spokesperson said the German government is set to approve the gasoline discount Monday, with the measure scheduled to begin on October 1.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:50
Pension and sovereign wealth funds with billions of dollars to invest are discovering that the diversification they once depended on may be an illusion.
B
Bloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:50
The European Commission has unveiled sustainability rules to monitor the water and energy consumption of energy-intensive data centres. Minimum performance requirements, however, will not be introduced until 2027.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:49
The European Commission proposed rules on Monday that would require data centres in Europe to disclose how efficiently they use energy and water, amid growing concern about their resource consumption.
An equipment outage led the FAA to keep flights grounded at Newark Liberty, Teterboro in New Jersey and Philadelphia International, officials said.
N
NBC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:49
L.E.V. Management, which was granted temporary control of Auchan and Lemana PRO’s Russian assets, has urged executives to keep stores and employees in place and ensure purchasing, deliveries, and operations continue without interruption. CEO Andrei Krayushkin also promised measures to protect Auchan properties from attacks, including drones. Auchan’s Russian press office said its facilities were operating normally.
MMeduzaOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:48
A government watchdog report released Monday shows that communications between US air traffic controllers and commercial aircraft are “incredibly insecure,” Senator Ron Wyden said, urging the Federal Aviation Administration to address the threats.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:45
The British Museum has prohibited visitors from photographing the Bayeux Tapestry to keep people moving through an unprecedented exhibition in London, a museum spokesperson confirmed Monday.
FFrance 24Original★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:45
The British Museum has stopped visitors from photographing the 68m Bayeux Tapestry because people pausing to take pictures were slowing the one-way flow through the sold-out exhibition and creating queues. The 11th-Century embroidery is on loan from Normandy and will remain in London until July 2027.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to address the United Nations General Assembly for the 16th time, with attention focused on the key issues he will raise.
TTRT WorldOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:44
AFP News AgencySanya in China’s southern Hainan Province is continuing to develop medical tourism services for visitors from Russia and other countries. Authorities and businesses are expanding international medical care, supported by traditional medicine, visa-free entry and easier cross-border payments. A local traditional Chinese medicine center received 7,500 foreign visitors in 2024, 10,700 in 2025 and 8,000 in the first half of 2026.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:38
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the 100% stake in Aptar Vladimir, owned by France’s Aptar Europe Holding, into temporary management. The company operates a Russian plastic-packaging plant, and H&N—the legal entity behind Danone’s nationalized Russian division—was named manager. Aptar Europe Holding belongs to U.S.-headquartered AptarGroup.
MMeduzaOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:38
US President Donald Trump says the country will appoint a new AI tsar and create an “AI Force,” while strongly defending the emerging industry amid growing public backlash. Rather than introduce regulation sought by some critics, Trump dismisses safety concerns as a “hoax.”
A
Ars TechnicaOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:37
Balancer’s V1 recovery proposal would distribute 296.401711 ETH returned after the Aug. 31 exploit among liquidity providers in 120 legacy pools. But it has not published pool allocations or address-level claims, and still needs a vote before a claim mechanism is deployed. The proposal therefore outlines a recovery route, not a confirmed payout.
CCryptoSlateOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:35
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned a Sunday evening shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, where Jewish community members had gathered for Yom Kippur services. A police officer was wounded.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:35
A man was critically injured and a police officer wounded in an exchange of gunfire near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, as Jewish community members observed Yom Kippur. Authorities have not said what prompted the shooting or whether the synagogue was targeted, and said there was no wider public-safety risk.
After a shooting incident at a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., the congregation’s president vows that it will not stop them.
Authorities say a police officer and a man were wounded in an exchange of gunfire near a synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Sunday as members of the Jewish community observed Yom Kippur. The man was hospitalized in life-threatening condition.
Officials said a police officer was shot outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, while members of the Jewish community were gathered to mark Yom Kippur.
Belleville Police said an officer was shot outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, about 110 miles east of Toronto, on Yom Kippur.
Global Fact-Checking Network expert Timofey Vi said leading media outlets should cooperate against cross-border disinformation. He called for greater information transparency, shared data, training initiatives and joint fact-checking standards among OANA agencies.
TTASSOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:31
Money managers are betting on solar engineering and wildfire-mitigation technology as they consider where to invest in climate amid the focus on AI and high interest rates.
BBloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:30
Ahead of Climate Week in New York City, US solar engineering companies and wildfire-mitigation technologies are emerging as favored climate-related investments while the AI trade and high interest rates dominate markets.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he has lost 80 pounds after using a “life-changing” GLP-1 medication since being diagnosed with diabetes two years ago.
CCNNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:30
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Vladimir Putin on what he called successful election days. He said the unprecedented turnout and United Russia’s constitutional majority in the State Duma answered outside attempts to discredit the campaign and sow discord, while demonstrating Russians’ support for Putin’s course of stable development.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:29
Austrian publicist Flo Osrainik and Serbian politician Miljan Damjanovic, who observed Russia’s parliamentary elections in Alchevsk and Mariupol, have been added to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets database. The site alleges they violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and publicly backed Russia.
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’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.
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%.
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.
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.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed upcoming joint events and high-level contacts during a phone call, Kazakhstan’s presidential press service said. They also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to developing the countries’ strategic partnership.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:26
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on what the Kremlin described as the successful State Duma elections. The two leaders also discussed key issues in allied relations between Russia and Uzbekistan.
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.
The Bank of Canada says new U.S. tariffs could sharply reduce growth in the fourth quarter.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:25
CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued the Trump administration on Monday after President Donald Trump barred them from covering the White House. NBC News’ Gary Grumbach reports on the filing and Vice President Vance’s latest comments.
NNBC NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:23
CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing Trump after being denied access to the White House. Trump is also set to meet New York City Mayor Mamdani in New York and says his planned arch would become a “military complex.”
Major US television companies say they will stop providing live coverage of White House press-pool events involving President Donald Trump, following the administration’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Politico reported that the move could disrupt the distribution of photos and video from Trump’s activities at the UN General Assembly.
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.
Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Sazanov says Russia is preparing tax-law changes to account for companies’ costs of protecting facilities and repairing sites damaged by drone attacks. The proposals, expected this fall, could affect many industries, though their details remain unspecified.
MMeduzaOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:22
The EU-Canada trade deal has been provisionally in force since 2017, yet 10 EU countries have not ratified it. Nearly a decade after it was signed, the agreement remains in limbo.
EeuronewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:22
Ahead of his final UN General Assembly before stepping down in December 2026, Al Jazeera’s James Bays interviews Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. They discuss the Middle East and its global consequences, the UN’s relevance in addressing current challenges, and Guterres’s case for reforming the Security Council.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:21
AFP News AgencyPresley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died Sunday in Los Angeles, according to a family representative. He was 27.
CCBC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:19
Hollywood is mourning Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. The Los Angeles County medical examiner said the 27-year-old died Sunday at a rehabilitation facility. Gerber began modeling as a teenager and had recently spoken openly about struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
Presley Gerber, the model and son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, died Sunday at age 27, according to a statement from a family representative.
A family spokesperson says Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has died. Online records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner indicate that Gerber died at a rehabilitation facility.
Model Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has died aged 27 at a rehabilitation facility, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records. The cause of death was not listed. His family asked for privacy during what it called a “very difficult and painful time”.
Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, died on Sunday at the age of 27.
Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has died. Medical examiner records indicate that he died Sunday at a rehabilitation facility.
Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford, has died at age 27, her representative confirmed to CNN.
Presley Gerber was 27 when he died, according to a report by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner; he was the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber.
The EU is preparing a sanctions package with nearly 1,600 new listings, including 827 entities and 744 individuals, according to a document obtained by the Kyiv Independent. It focuses on companies and executives tied to Russia’s defense-industrial complex and is scheduled for ambassadorial review on Oct. 7, followed by a foreign ministers’ vote on Oct. 12.
TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:19
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that from September 23, airports, fuel suppliers, ticketing companies and others serving Iranian airlines could face secondary sanctions and lose access to the US dollar system. The threat is the latest step in the Trump administration’s escalating economic pressure on Tehran.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:18
A US official says all Iranian airlines will be shut down worldwide from September 23.
Two European epidemiologists are heading to the epicentre of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has also received Ervebo vaccines as clinical trials begin.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:16
A string of blasts at Syrian weapons and ammunition sites this month has highlighted the challenges facing a military being rebuilt after years of war. The latest explosion at a depot south of Aleppo injured at least four people. Analysts cite deteriorating storage infrastructure and possible foreign interference, though there is no hard evidence of sabotage.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:16
AMD’s market value has reached $1 trillion as its shares advance for a fifth straight session. The stock has gained more than 180% so far in 2026.
C
CNBCOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:15
AFP News AgencyProsecutors say Georgescu and two others convinced a Romanian businessman that he could gain access to millions of euros in foreign bank financing, persuading him to transfer them €1.1 million.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:13
Romanian media reported that former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu was detained and that authorities searched five addresses linked to him in a €1.1 million fraud case. Prosecutors said a group led by a 64-year-old Romanian allegedly defrauded businesspeople by promising access to foreign financing; local media identified Georgescu as the alleged ringleader.
Lithuania’s finance minister told Euronews that Vilnius strongly opposes France’s effort to remove Usmanov from the Russian sanctions list. But concern that the blacklist could expire will probably result in his removal despite intense backlash.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:13
The EU is nearing a deal to resolve France’s push to remove Uzbek-Russian Usmanov from its sanctions blacklist. The arrangement could secure the release and pardon of two French nationals in Azerbaijan, while EU sanctions on Russia risk expiring.
EU ambassadors are trying to resolve a standoff over France and Slovakia’s demand to remove Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the bloc’s sanctions list. Without unanimous approval for a 12-month renewal, all 3,000 Russia-related sanctions could lapse. Diplomats say some countries are yielding, but no consensus has yet been reached.
Newegg is selling a black Microsoft wireless Xbox controller bundled with a $50 digital Xbox gift card for $80. Since the controller normally costs about $50 to $60, the deal effectively reduces its price to $30. It supports Bluetooth, works with Xbox, PC, Steam Deck, and other dockable handhelds, and includes a headphone jack and swappable AA batteries.
TThe VergeOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:13
Speaking at the opening of Climate Week at the United Nations in New York, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Australia understood the dangers of global warming and the urgency of action. He urged politicians to match public courage, citing a target to cut emissions 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035 and support for Pacific resilience projects.
TThe GuardianOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:09
EU countries issued a record 3.9 million residence permits in 2025, a 10% increase over the previous year. Employment and family reunification were the main drivers of the rise.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:08
Strive added 1,355 bitcoin and is picking up the pace toward its goal of becoming the second-largest public bitcoin holder by year-end. It currently ranks fifth, behind Strategy, Twenty One, Metaplanet and MARA.
TThe BlockOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:07
The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo has concluded in Nanning, in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Visitors watched robots perform and viewed exhibits related to the Pinglu Canal, while an exhibitor livestreamed product promotions.
C
CGTNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:07
Ireland, acting for the European Union, said Google was fined €403 million for improperly using users’ location data from May 2018 to February 2020. The eight-year delay prompted criticism from the European Consumer Organisation, which said delayed enforcement can be as harmful as no enforcement at all.
FFrance 24Original★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:05
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.
Google has been fined 403 million euros, or about $463 million, for mishandling users’ location data in breach of EU privacy rules.
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.
Ireland’s privacy watchdog has concluded a six-year investigation into Google’s location tracking, penalising the technology company €403 million.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU representatives held a press conference after the party suffered its worst regional election defeat in postwar Germany. The CDU fell below the 5% threshold for entering the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament, with Merz calling the result a “disaster”.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:02
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.
AFP News AgencyThe European Central Bank has introduced a system linking its payment infrastructure with blockchain-based financial markets and plans to purchase tokenized bonds using its own funds.
CCoinDeskOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
Government data shows Tasmanian salmon companies used 150,488 underwater explosive devices to deter seals from farms since 2016, including almost 1,800 in the first half of 2026. Huon Aquaculture accounted for 1,126 of the latest total, while four fur seals died during that period.
TThe GuardianOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez writes that artificial intelligence is not merely passive: it responds in ways that television, an iPad and even interactive video games cannot.
CCNNOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
Australian researchers have described two large stick insect species from far north Queensland, Anchiale robusta and Anchiale mabiensis. DNA analysis, museum collections, citizen science records and surveys showed that insects once classified as two species are actually five, with narrower habitat ranges and important conservation implications.
TThe GuardianOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
Austria’s Constitutional Court said it expects to rule in the first half of next year on a newly introduced ban on Muslim headscarves for children under 14 in schools.
RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
Pakistan says its fighter jets struck suspected militant hideouts in eastern Afghanistan, claiming 28 militants were killed. Kabul says three people were killed.
TThe Associated PressOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 15:00
Pakistan’s information ministry said on Monday that airstrikes on three targets in Afghanistan killed 28 people it described as “terrorists” and suicide bombers.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said security forces killed 37 militants in Sunday counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the Afghan border. Ground operations in Kohat and Hangu killed nine, while airstrikes on three border targets killed 28, including several suicide bombers.
The Taliban government says Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces killed three people and wounded four, accusing Pakistan of hitting civilian homes. Two Pakistani security officials cited by AP said 28 suspected militants were killed. Pakistan has not issued an official statement.
Afghan officials say Pakistani air raids in northeastern Afghanistan killed three members of one family and injured four others in Kunar province. The Taliban also reported bombardment at two sites in Paktika that caused property damage but no casualties. Pakistan has not immediately commented.
Two Pakistani security officials said the air strikes killed 28 suspected “terrorists”. Kabul said three civilians were killed.
Afghan officials said Pakistani airstrikes hit northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least three people. The strikes threaten to revive tensions between the neighbours after almost three months of relative calm.
Benchmark’s full partnership will discuss where the next breakout startup could emerge during a main-stage session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Registration can save attendees up to $200 before September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
T
TechCrunchOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-09-21 15:00
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to strengthen economic ties after meeting over the weekend. In Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Macron hosted Carney for talks on sharing infrastructure in space and defense, as Canada’s trade relationship with the US worsens and Europe seeks more diverse energy supplies.
FFrance 24Original★★★★☆2026-09-21 14:59
Russia’s updated coal industry program through 2050 targets production of 660 million metric tons and exports of 350 million tons under its demand-based target scenario, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. The plan calls for developing eastern deposits and production centers, expanding the Eastern Range, strengthening ties with China and India, and increasing supplies to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:59
Saudi Arabia is weighing Washington’s refusal to help fend off Houthi attacks after Riyadh requested US assistance. The decision comes despite the countries’ longstanding alliance and close personal ties between Donald Trump, his family and Saudi leaders.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:57
Airlines have criticised the UK’s air traffic control system after a second technical problem in two weeks disrupted flights. Nats said a connectivity issue at Prestwick affected Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England; about 150 flights were cancelled, while an independent resilience review is under way.
B
BBC NewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:56
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.
Elif Eralp’s Left party finished first in Berlin’s state election, putting her on course to potentially become the capital’s next governing mayor. She campaigns for affordable housing, rent controls and greater political participation for immigrants and refugees. Experts say her victory shows Germany remains diverse, open and liberal despite the far right’s rise.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:55
One expert says the bill’s failure benefits banks that strongly oppose stablecoin yields, while a global crypto lawyer argues that overseas jurisdictions also stand to gain.
CCoinDeskOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:53
Kaja Kallas is urging EU countries to reinforce the bloc’s Red Sea mission as threats from Houthi attacks launched from Yemen mount. At Italy’s request, the EU is considering adding ships and aircraft to Operation Aspides to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital energy-trade route as costs surge across Europe.
EeuronewsOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 14:51
Ukraine’s reconstruction, infrastructure and transport minister, Nikolay Kalashnik, said 533 Ukrainian Railways locomotives and 75 owned by private industrial companies have been damaged since February 2022. He said Russia is systematically targeting the rail network. The Carpathian Eight agreed to create a railway coalition to provide locomotives, funding, energy-resilience measures and modernization, including $100 million for used locomotives and a proposed 130 million euros for critical needs.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:51
Amid fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure and mounting economic pressure, Iran is changing work patterns to reduce energy costs. Government offices will shorten in-person hours and shift remaining work online, while public transport is temporarily free and university teaching may move partly online. Fuel supply gaps, war-related disruption and inflation continue to weigh on households.
AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★☆2026-09-21 14:50
As Washington debated a sanctions bill that could intensify pressure on Russia, Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for Putin’s United Russia party. The article argues that Russia has long used sports to spread its narratives, build soft power, and legitimize its war and occupation policies.
TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:50
Antoine Arnault’s latest personal investment is in French supercar manufacturer Delage Automobiles, part of his effort to widen his portfolio.
BBloomberg NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:50
Coinbase is opening IPO allocations to US customers, beginning with Oura. The move extends its push from secondary-market stock trading into the primary market, after the company launched pre-IPO derivatives.
TThe BlockOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:47
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Russia’s draft federal budget for the next three years will be challenging, with next year’s deficit set at about 2% of GDP but posing no risks. He said defense and security will be priorities in the 2027–2029 budget, while the country has developed immunity to US “sanctions from hell.” The ministry is building reserves and targeting the shadow economy.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:44
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.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met Australian House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick in Beijing on Monday. Han said China was ready to strengthen strategic communication, mutually beneficial cooperation and multilateral coordination with Australia, manage differences and advance a more mature, stable and productive comprehensive strategic partnership. Dick said the House was willing to deepen dialogue and practical cooperation.
CCGTNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:44
India’s Defense Ministry has signed a Rs 586-crore ($61 million) contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited to supply auxiliary power units for the army’s Soviet-designed T-72 and T-90 tanks. The ministry said the domestically developed systems will improve armored forces’ readiness, reliability and autonomy while advancing localization of critical subsystems.
TTASSOriginal★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:43
Controversy continues in the UK over an explosive memoir by Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer. He accused King Charles on Sunday of “gaslighting” him over his account of events surrounding Diana’s death, and claimed the monarch was “giddily elated” immediately afterward. The book is due out Tuesday.
FFrance 24Original★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:41
AFP News AgencyGoogle’s $899 Googlebook is an AI-native laptop that integrates Gemini with the cursor, dictation, widgets and other parts of the desktop experience.
TTechCrunchOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:39
Google and Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have announced the first five Googlebook laptops. Preorders are open, with the computers arriving in stores on October 4th at prices from $899 to $1,299. They include a year of Google AI Pro, additional service trials, and up to 10 years of updates.
Google and its partners are preparing to launch the first Googlebooks on October 4. The Android-powered laptops target premium computing with OLED displays, metal bodies, large haptic trackpads, and a Glowbar, while only one of the five models costs less than $1,000.
In 2010, Sundar Pichai described Google’s vision for laptops built around a browser and the cloud, leading to ChromeOS. Google is now trying another reinvention with five Googlebook OS devices, including Dell’s high-end XPS Googlebook, combining Android’s ecosystem with the growing demand for AI-capable PCs.
Googlebooks look like polished Chromebooks, but their software is more compelling. The new Android-based laptops run Googlebook OS, blending Chromebook and Android features while integrating closely with Android phones. Five launch models from Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Asus arrive October 4, starting at $899 to $1,299.
Googlebook OS combines ChromeOS-like layout with Android’s code and interface, aiming to make a laptop an extension of an Android phone. Users can continue apps, browse and share phone files, sync notifications, and reply to messages. The first five models come from Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer, and Asus, while key features require Android 17.
Apple users have long benefited from seamless connectivity between iPhones and Macs. Google is now bringing a similar experience to Android with its Googlebook laptop.
The French government is holding urgent meetings to find ways to address rapidly rising fuel prices. Diesel has reached record levels as the war in Iran disrupts crude shipments from the Middle East, while growing public anger and pressure on France’s finances leave the government with limited options.
FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-09-21 14:39
Climate change is reshaping fruit production in southern France, where more farmers are adapting by growing tropical crops suited to the warmer conditions. Bananas, papaya and dragon fruit are being cultivated in greenhouses and open fields without heating or pesticides.
FFrance 24Original★★☆☆☆2026-09-21 14:39
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.
