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Ahead of Xi’s ‘historic milestone’ US visit, a fentanyl goodwill gesture from China

China’s ambassador to the United States has hailed President Xi Jinping’s coming state visit as a “historic milestone” for bilateral and international relations. Xie Feng’s remarks came just as Beijing unveiled stringent new regulations on fentanyl, in a clear move to build diplomatic momentum ahead of the Xi-Trump summit in Washington. Under the strategic guidance of both leaders, the “giant ship...

Turkey arrests Tera chairman as ‘Ponzi-like’ fund probe affects 450,000 investors

Turkish authorities arrested the chairman of Tera Yatirim Menkul Degerler AS on Wednesday morning, the brokerage at the centre of the country's current investment fund scandal, with funds worth more than $18 billion (€15.7bn) and held by over 450,000 people now being liquidated.

Fresh drilling for a lost Egyptian queen?

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, September 23: The papers look ahead to US President Donald Trump hosting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. In other news, a Haitian-born novelist, tipped to win France's prestigious Goncourt literary prize, has been struck by an AI scandal. Finally, could the remains of Nefertiti lie behind the burial chamber of Tutankhamun?

Judge wrong to hear case from bed while recovering from surgery, court says

Richard Clayton KC had undergone operation for ruptured achilles tendon day before hearing optician’s appealA judge was wrong to hear a case from his bed via video link while recovering from surgery, the court of appeal has said.Richard Clayton KC, sitting as a deputy high court judge, heard an optician’s appeal against a finding of serious misconduct from bed the day after returning from hospital...

As AI leaders warn of catastrophe, US and China shun slowdown calls

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to agree to only limited cooperation on AI safety at summit.

ICC convicts Central African Republic rebel leader of crimes against humanity

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted former Central African Republic militia commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of torture and unlawful imprisonment. Said oversaw a detention centre in the capital Bangui infamous for its brutal conditions during the country's sectarian civil war.

Humanoid robots join dancers at WorldSkills opening in Shanghai

WorldSkills 2026 opens in Shanghai with humanoid robots and human performers, as 1,385 competitors from 68 countries prepare for 64 events.

Hurricane Polo a very powerful Category 4 storm off Mexico. See its path.

Hurricane Polo intensified rapidly in the Pacific off the southwestern Mexican coast, growing into a Category 5 storm before weakening slightly to a Category 4. Here's the latest on its path.

Yemen government forces claim control of Mount Qarfan in Taiz

Mountain’s capture disrupts Houthis' defences and impacts their advances along Red Sea coast.

Why younger Filipinos are warming to China despite maritime tensions

Inside a car wash lounge in the southern Philippine city of Davao, Shenilane Formento scrolls through messages on her Chinese-made Oppo phone as she waits for a customer to pay. Formento, 29, has worked as a cashier for about a year. She follows developments in the South China Sea through news reports shared on her social media feeds, including frequent confrontations between Philippine and Chines...

Watch: Syria president scrolls Instagram during Erdogan's speech in UN

Live: Iran’s Pezeshkian tells UN his country is ‘victim’ of US ‘terrorism’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is speaking before the UN General Assembly Wednesday in his first speech at the world body since the US and Israel launched the conflict with his country. His address comes a day after US President Donald Trump told the UNGA he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell". Watch his address live on FRANCE 24.

Live: Iran’s Pezeshkian speaks before UN for first time since US, Israel launched war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is speaking before the UN General Assembly Wednesday in his first speech at the world body since the US and Israel launched the conflict with his country. His address comes a day after US President Donald Trump told the UNGA he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell". Watch his address live on FRANCE 24.

Live: Syria’s Sharaa vows that Israeli-occupied Golan Heights will remain Syrian

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa insisted at the UN Wednesday that the Golan Heights region will remain Syrian after Colombia’s new far-right government last month recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territory. The United Nations considers the strategically important region as Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Live: Pezeshkian set to address UN for the first time since US, Israel launched Iran war

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Wednesday in his first speech at the world body since the US and Israel launched the Iran war. His address comes a day after President Donald Trump told the UNGA he could "annihilate the Islamic Republic" and "drive them into hell." Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

Chagos Islands deal ‘can’t go ahead’ without US support, Streeting says

Defence secretary places annual payments to Mauritius on hold as UK government reviews deal over Diego Garcia baseUK politics live – latest updatesWes Streeting has said annual payments worth at least £120m to Mauritius are on hold as the government reconsiders its deal over the Chagos Islands, after Donald Trump refused to back the agreement.The defence secretary said the payments would not be ma...

Dolly Parton estate in feud with nephew over alleged ‘warfare’ threats

Bryan Seaver, who announced Parton’s death to the world, is alleged to have intimidated her manager and others, which he deniesThe estate of the late Dolly Parton is involved in a dispute with the country star’s nephew and former head of security, and has filed for a restraining order against him amid allegations of threats.Bryan Seaver was responsible for Parton’s security, and was tasked with an...

As Chinese carmakers diversify beyond CATL batteries, Beijing warns of market overreaction

A publication under China’s industry ministry has pushed back against market chatter of “de-CATLisation” as a growing number of the battery giant’s automotive partners diversify their suppliers, with the company’s shares falling recently. The commentary, published by the news centre of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), said supplier diversification and in-house battery pr...

Tesla’s Elon Musk hails Xi Jinping’s leadership and Chinese AI strength

Tesla CEO Elon Musk described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “a great leader” and “very capable” during an interview with China’s state broadcaster on Wednesday, just hours before Xi left China for a summit with US President Donald Trump. “He seems like a great leader. Under his tenure, China has prospered immensely. I’ve seen it first hand,” Musk said in one of a series of videos posted on CCTV’...

Elon Musk hails Xi Jinping’s leadership and Chinese AI capabilities on state media

Tesla CEO Elon Musk described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “a great leader” and “very capable” during an interview with China’s state broadcaster on Wednesday, hours before Xi left China for a summit with US President Donald Trump. “He seems like a great leader. Under his tenure, China has prospered immensely. I’ve seen it first hand,” Musk said in an interview aired on CCTV’s WeChat account, a...

World leaders say UN Security Council failing to function

World leaders say UN Security Council failing to function

Europe’s centrists are finally paying the price of their extremism

The centre’s blind adherence to austerity has devastated European societies.

Northern Metropolis data hub to start phased operations in mid-2027: CLP Power

A planned supercomputing hub at the Northern Metropolis megadevelopment in Hong Kong’s border area will start phased operations earlier than expected in mid-2027, according to electricity supplier CLP Power. The power supplier added that it had sufficient capacity to support the energy demands equivalent to three to four supercomputing centres similar to the scale of the Sandy Ridge data facility ...

Republican jitters grow as unpopular Trump fuels midterm ‘bloodbath’ fears

Iran war, rising prices and president’s low ratings give Democrats advantage, but Republicans have poured cash into key races – could it be decisive?Donald Trump pulled out all the stops at the Republican party’s midterm convention two weeks ago. In speeches aimed at the voters who will soon decide whether to keep Republicans in control of Congress for the final phase of his presidency, the presid...

Latest news bulletin | September 23rd, 2026 – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this September 23rd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.