POLITICS

• German state premier Manuela Schwesig is campaigning to stop the far-right AfD party from winning an election this Sunday in a northeastern coastal state. • Schwesig has publicly challenged the national government in Berlin over rising fuel prices and plans to tighten pension rules to distance herself from voter anger. • The outcome determines whether the political center can hold its ground against a rising anti-immigration movement in the region.

• Eight state premiers from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) issued a joint statement on Wednesday backing leader Friedrich Merz. • The premiers urged the party to focus on listening and political action rather than personnel debates following an election defeat in Saxony-Anhalt. • This show of unity aims to provide stability for the CDU as it attempts to rebuild trust with voters.

• The BSW party in Germany has secured five seats in a provincial election, positioning itself as the kingmaker for the region's next government. • This political shift occurs amid an informal German rule that prohibits other parties from forming coalition governments with the far-right AfD. • The outcome determines whether the AfD is excluded from power, a move that U.S. Vice President JD Vance previously described as undemocratic during a visit to Munich.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled his planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York scheduled for next week. • The decision follows a landslide loss to the right-wing AfD party in recent state elections and declining approval ratings. • This withdrawal signals political instability for the German leadership as Merz's future in office becomes uncertain.

• The German welfare organization AWO warned that a mass departure of migrants could severely damage the country's care sector. • This alarm follows the landslide election success of the anti-migrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. • A migrant exodus would create critical staffing shortages for healthcare and elderly care services that rely on foreign workers.

• Friedrich Merz canceled his planned visit to the United Nations after the far-right AfD party won a key election. • State leaders issued a statement warning that Germany's political landscape needs stability amid rising nativist challenges. • The election result threatens Merz's leadership position and could lead to his removal if the far-right makes further gains this weekend.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal to ban children under 13 from accessing social networks and restrict access for teenagers under 15. • The proposal explicitly states that there should be no social media access before the age of 13. • This policy would force social media platforms to implement stricter age verification and access controls for millions of young users across the European Union.

• The European Commission plans to propose a ban on social network usage for children under 13 years of age across all European Union member states. • This proposal follows similar restrictive measures already implemented or discussed in countries including Latvia, Britain, Ireland, the USA, and Mexico. • The move aims to restrict digital access for young children to address safety and developmental concerns within the EU market.

• The Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency expanded its forest and land fire containment efforts beyond the six priority provinces on September 16, 2026. • Thailand's Cabinet approved revised emergency-treatment rules for the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients scheme, specifically covering triage appeals and the first 72 hours of care. • Singapore's air quality improved on September 16, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) resting in the moderate range across four of five regions.

• Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tarunjeet Singh Sandhu addressed a book fair held at Lucknow University. • The event focused on promoting reading habits and literary engagement among students and faculty. • This initiative aims to strengthen the academic culture and intellectual growth of the university community.

• South Korea’s Uwayapply application site crashed on September 11 at 5:50 p.m., disrupting the 2027 university early admissions process. • The technical failure occurred during a critical window for students applying to higher education institutions. • This outage creates immediate uncertainty for applicants who must meet strict deadlines to secure university placements.

• Rain returned to Solan after a four-day gap, leaving the city covered in thick fog. • The weather shift caused a noticeable drop in local temperatures. • These conditions impact daily commutes and outdoor activities for residents and travelers in the region.

• Verve Research published a report titled "Voices From the Region: Reimagining Global Cooperation From Southeast Asia" detailing the region's push for a larger role in global governance. • The report highlights a regional demand for international institutions that provide tangible results while maintaining the strategic autonomy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). • This shift indicates that Southeast Asian nations are prioritizing their own leadership and decision-making power over traditional global power structures.

• Floods in the Manjha Kala area of Ayodhya have displaced 1,200 families. • These affected households have lost their homes and continue to struggle with outstanding debts. • The disaster leaves a large number of residents without shelter and facing severe financial instability.

• Wearable AI interface company Plaud opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore to manage operations across the region. • The company committed at least $20 million to the region to support its expansion. • Singapore will serve as the strategic base for Plaud to enter 12 markets, including India, Australia, South Korea, and Vietnam.

• A Seoul court ordered North Korea to pay $32.5 million for the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office. • North Korean forces blew up the building in June 2020 following a period of rising tensions between the two nations. • The ruling highlights the collapse of diplomatic ties that peaked in 2018 during three summits between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un.

• The US Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis point interest rate hike today. • This represents the first increase to the benchmark interest rate since 2023. • The decision is viewed as Chair Kevin Warsh resisting pressure from US President Donald Trump to keep rates lower.

• The U.S. House of Representatives voted for a third time to approve a war powers resolution to end the war in Iran. • This legislative decision aims to halt President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military actions without the explicit approval of Congress. • The move creates a direct legal challenge to executive authority over military engagements and foreign conflict management.