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• Senior European officials stated on September 18 that EU banks must increase their scale and develop deeper capital markets to compete with U.S. rivals. • EU finance ministers and central bank governors met in Dublin to review a European Commission report recommending the removal of cross-border banking barriers. • The proposal calls for less political interference in bank mergers to help European firms strengthen their position in the global economy.

• Senior European officials met in Dublin on September 18 to discuss how EU banks can better compete with U.S. rivals through increased scale and deeper capital markets. • The group reviewed a European Commission report that recommends removing barriers to cross-border banking and reducing political interference in bank mergers. • These changes aim to help European financial institutions foster innovation and strengthen their position within a competitive global economy.

• Quimcy Dsouza will compete in the women's singles bronze medal match in Teqball at the 2026 Asian Games after losing her semifinal match. • Dsouza reached the semifinals by topping Group A with victories over competitors from Japan and Cambodia. • The result determines whether Dsouza will secure a third-place podium finish in the international competition.

• Member states are meeting at the U.N. General Assembly to address global food crises and humanitarian diplomacy amid ongoing financial shortfalls and political tensions. • The session on realigning global food action is scheduled to last only 75 minutes. • These brief discussions reflect a trend of competition over cooperation, potentially limiting the U.N.'s ability to resolve major international crises.

• MARKETING-INTERACTIVE launched the inaugural Spark Awards SEA 2027 to expand its media awards program from Hong Kong into Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania. • The platform leverages 13 years of experience in the Hong Kong market to recognize work that integrates media, content, commerce, and technology. • The awards address a fragmented regional market where media is evolving beyond the traditional role of simply placing brands in front of audiences.

• India will compete in several lesser-known sports, including Sepak Takraw, at the 2026 Asian Games. • India has previously won two bronze medals in Sepak Takraw, including a men's Team Regu medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang games. • These competitions provide Indian athletes the opportunity to expand the country's medal count beyond traditional dominant sports like cricket and hockey.

The US artist, whose swirly, colorful, instantly recognizable designs became hugely commercially successful, died on MondayPeter Max, whose colorful, psychedelic pop art expressed the optimism of the “flower power” movement of the 1960s and graced everything from postage stamps to a cruise ship, has died at 88.Max died on Monday, his son, Adam Max, said in a written statement on Wednesday. No cause was given. Continue reading...

• Stars showcased their fashion choices on the red carpet at the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2026. • Jackie Tohn attended the event wearing a crimson one-shoulder gown covered in sequins to celebrate her show's Outstanding Comedy Series nomination. • The event serves as a high-profile platform for television actors to influence fashion trends and increase visibility for their nominated projects.

• Stars from the biggest television shows of the past year gathered in Los Angeles for the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. • Mariska Hargitay hosted the event, which aired live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. • The ceremony recognizes the top achievements in television, impacting the prestige and market value of the nominated actors and production studios.

• The Singapore International Film Festival will present the Cinema Honorary Award to Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu. • Korean director Yim Soon-rye has been appointed as the head of the jury for the festival's Asian Feature Film Competition. • These appointments highlight the festival's focus on recognizing influential East Asian directors and their contributions to cinema.

• Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are holding a summit to discuss national security risks and the competition between the U.S. and China over artificial intelligence. • George Chen of the Asia Group stated that China is unlikely to slow its AI development even if U.S. companies request it. • The Chinese Communist Party fears that AI technology could be weaponized against its own ruling authority.

• The far-right Otzma Yehudit party filed a petition on September 14 to disqualify the Democrats party as part of a series of legal challenges. • This move follows a similar attempt by the party to ban Ra'am, a political party largely representing Arab citizens. • These legal battles reflect deep political instability in Israel, where parties like Yashar No. 2 are considering partnerships with figures such as Bezalel Smotrich.

Petition to king, who remains Jamaica’s head of state, is formally lodged in landmark visit to UK by officialsA palpable surge of emotion swept through Brixton’s New Park Road Baptist church as the packed congregation rose to sing Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.The service on Sunday marked the anniversary of the 1781 Zong massacre, when more than 100 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard so the ship’s owners could claim insurance for “lost cargo”. Continue reading...

Chinese president’s arrival in Delhi seen as step towards reconciliation after deadly 2020 military clashThe Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has received a red-carpet welcome in India for a summit of Brics developing nations, as regional rivals Beijing and Delhi make a public display of thawing relations while quietly competing to lead at a time of shaky US global dominance.As Xi stepped off the plane, he was walked past an honour guard of Indian soldiers and traditional dancers in colourful dresses. Continue reading...

Prosecutors say James Brass orchestrated scheme to pay people on LA’s Skid Row to duplicate registered voters’ signaturesA California ballot petition worker has been arrested and charged with identity fraud for allegedly paying people on Los Angeles’ Skid Row to forge the signatures of registered voters.Prosecutors say James Brass, 47, orchestrated the scheme with the help of two signature collectors, 49-year-old Courtney Price and 33-year-old Jateisha Herron. Continue reading...

• A Nobel Prize winner urged European leaders to strengthen competition and AI capacity to avoid falling into a middle-income trap. • He recommended policies such as increased data sharing, stricter scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions, and support for open-source software development. • These changes aim to capture the growth and employment potential of AI while maintaining social protections like Denmark's flexicurity model, which provides income support and retraining for displaced workers.

Three facilities in two days struck as bombardment of Ukraine’s capital enters new phase of intensityEurope live – latest updatesPetrol stations in Kyiv have been hit by jet-powered drones in a wave of targeted Russian attacks as the bombardment of Ukraine’s capital enters a new phase of intensity.At least two people were killed and six injured in strikes on two petrol stations on Friday morning, according to the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. Continue reading...

FitzSimons tells court that complainant C told him Jones, who has pleaded not guilty, would touch his penis and he ‘kept pushing it away’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons has told the Alan Jones trial an alleged victim he spoke to in 2019 was “tearful” and sounded “emotionally traumatised” when detailing alleged assaults by the 2GB broadcaster.The commentator and author gave evidence in the Downing Centre local court on Thursday about a telephone call he had with the alleged victim known as complainant C in October 2019. Continue reading...

Climate Council forecasts more than 267,000 coastal properties will be damaged by flooding by 2100, costing hundreds of billions of dollarsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen grazier Peter Lake moved to the Clarence Valley in the New South Wales northern rivers region in 2007, he knew was “buying in flood country with … eyes open”.His cattle farm, about halfway between Yamba and Grafton, borders the Coldstream River and has flooded five times since 2009. Continue reading...

• The European Commission has begun implementing Mario Draghi’s plan to boost economic competitiveness, but national governments are resisting key proposals. • Spain suggested the Commission borrow an additional €850 billion per year for EU countries, but the proposal was ignored by the Council. • Resistance from frugal nations to increase EU debt limits the ability to fund strategic projects like electricity grids and breakthrough research.

• European stock markets showed mixed results recently as geopolitical pressure and political uncertainty reduced investor willingness to take risks. • Market volatility occurred ahead of a scheduled policy decision from the European Central Bank later this week. • These fluctuations create unstable pricing for investors and businesses relying on predictable interest rate movements in the Eurozone.

• NASA’s Curiosity rover photographed a valley called Valle Grande in June 2026, discovering a vast field of honeycomb-like ground fractures. • The rover captured images of small polygonal fractures that measure between 4 and 8 centimeters across. • Researchers are analyzing the chemistry and imagery of these textures to determine the geological processes that formed them.

• Singer Cara Delevingne is adopting a more provocative public image following a photoshoot for Playboy magazine and the release of a music video for her song "Crazy, Baby." • The 34-year-old artist recently shared a photo of herself posing topless in bed with her pet cat. • This shift in branding marks a transition toward more adult-oriented content for the singer's professional portfolio.

• Republicans are working to defend their majority in the US House of Representatives as 50 competitive races approach for the 2026 midterms. • Democrats need to gain three seats in these contests to reclaim control of the chamber from the Republican party. • The outcome of these specific races will determine which party holds the legislative power to pass laws and manage the federal budget.

• The 2026 Creative Arts Emmys held its first night of awards to honor achievements in reality, variety, documentary, and guest acting categories. • Bad Bunny, the Muppets, and the series The Traitors all had strong showings during the ceremony. • These awards serve as the official kickoff for the Primetime Emmys taking place next week.

• Bad Bunny, "The Traitors," and "Muppets" won top honors during the first night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. • The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show starring Bad Bunny took home a win for its production. • These awards recognize the technical and creative achievements behind the scenes of major television and special event productions.

Slavery’s legacy continues ‘to deprive our country and our people’, says minister, as group prepares to appeal to Jamaica’s head of stateA landmark petition is to be handed to King Charles by Jamaican over slavery reparations, aiming to confront historical crimes that still disadvantage former British colonies, the Caribbean nation’s culture minister has said.The petition will be lodged with Charles, Jamaica’s head of state, on Monday. Continue reading...

The US defense secretary faces internal dissent and discord at the Pentagon, accused of focusing on culture war issues and his own political ambitions as the Iran war drags onIn a different Washington, under a different president, a return to the well-worn playbook of all-out sanctions to counter Iran might have been the signal for a publicity-hungry US secretary of defense to adopt a lower profile.But these are no ordinary times. And Pete Hegseth is no ordinary defense secretary. Continue reading...