Chinese regulator drafts rules to protect teenagers from ‘intimate’ AI companions
The latest proposals come two months after China introduced its first dedicated rules governing humanlike AI interaction
· Minxiao Chang
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Pakistan interior minister heads to Tehran amid regional tensions
Pakistan's interior minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi left Islamabad for Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian officials, according to Mehr News Agency.
· Middleeasteye
Rebel Wilson faces Sydney court over 'The Deb' sabotage claims
Australian actor Rebel Wilson arrives at the Federal Court of Australia, in Sydney, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Sarah Wilson/AAP Image via AP)
Merz insists he will stay as German chancellor despite heavy losses in state elections – Europe live
CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, including in home state of former leader Angela Merkel, where it polled just 4.9%
· Frances Mao
11 countries push for pause on new EU laws
BRUSSELS — Eleven countries, led by Austria, are pushing to pause new EU legislation for 12 months for what the country’s Europe Minister Claudia Bauer described as a “year of simplification.”
· Nicholas Vinocur
United Russia Set for Record Parliament Majority in First Wartime Elections
Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, is on track to secure a record number of seats in the lower-house State Duma following the country's first parliamentary elections since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, preliminary results showed Monday.
· The Moscow Times
Carroll open to eleventh hour IBAC changes in final sitting week
One of the final acts of the Victorian parliament will be to give the state’s anti-corruption watchdog greater scope to hold public hearings and a broader remit to investigate misconduct after the government agreed to consider further changes to its proposed reforms.
· Chip Le Grand
Rising toll of US-China trade, tech curbs in focus ahead of Xi-Trump summit
Impacts of reciprocal restrictions eroding profits, disrupting supply chains and intensifying market competition are back in the spotlight
· Sherry Wang
Rising toll of US-China trade, tech curbs in focus ahead of Xi-Trump summit
Impacts of reciprocal restrictions eroding profits, disrupting supply chains and intensifying market competition are back in the spotlight
· Sherry Wang
My suburb lacks the cool factor but growing up here was a blessing
September 21, 2026 — 7:00pm
· Angus Delaney
Ethiopia: Seven armed groups form anti-government alliance
Seven Ethiopian armed groups have formed an alliance against the federal government, an official of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) told AFP on Sunday.
· AfricaNews
Pilbara traditional owner’s rock art damage complaint goes to UN rights council
The federal government is allowing ongoing industrial damage to world-heritage-listed rock art near a major petrochemical plant, a traditional custodian is set to tell the UN Human Rights Council.
· Lloyd Jones
Russia election results show Putin’s party winning: What we know
Early results emerging from Russia’s first parliamentary elections since the launch of the full-fledged war on Ukraine show President Vladimir Putin’s party dominating the vote — an outcome widely predicted.
No more ‘not our job’? Top official to pick lead department in complex 1823 cases
‘If every department has a similar share of the responsibility, we will operate a roster system like the chief executive mentioned,’ Warner Cheuk says
· Lo Hoi-ying
No more ‘not our job’? Top official to pick lead department in complex 1823 cases
‘If every department has a similar share of the responsibility, we will operate a roster system like the chief executive mentioned,’ Warner Cheuk says
· Lo Hoi-ying
Killer on the loose has 'damaged' public confidence in justice system, says NI minister
Naomi Long is to speak in the Assembly about the circumstances surrounding Gary Anderson's compassionate temporary release
· Bbcnews
Surviving Nigerian miners recount ordeal in detention after 37 deaths
37 individuals, suspected of working as illegal miners, died in custody in Nigeria in recent days, prompting the government to name a committee to investigate the situation. The survivors recount their harrowing ordeal in detention.
· AfricaNews
Why a hawkish US Fed won’t derail Hong Kong’s property recovery
Higher interest rates may dampen momentum, but solid demand, improving sentiment and effective policy execution will prove more decisive
· Nicholas Spiro
Why a hawkish US Fed won’t derail Hong Kong’s property recovery
Higher interest rates may dampen momentum, but solid demand, improving sentiment and effective policy execution will prove more decisive
· Nicholas Spiro
Universal early childhood education better than baby bonus to increase Australia’s birthrate, Labor says
Intergenerational report predicts that in four decades’ time, more Australians will be dying than being born each year
· Tom Mcilroy
Treasury yields ease as global borrowing costs tumble
Treasury yields were lower early Monday, tracking a global easing of government borrowing costs amid falling oil prices.
· Jenni Reid
Palmer set to withdraw from England squad after recall
Cole Palmer has two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season
· Bbcsport
Spain's opposition wants to close door to migrants who don't work
The leader of Spain’s conservative PP on Sunday reiterated his party’s calls for tougher citizenship and immigration policies, stating that he wants to “completely” close the country’s borders to foreigners who "live off others" or who break the law.
· Alex Dunham
Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Liverpool look stronger at the back, youngsters shine for Brighton and Brentford, and James Trafford makes his England case with Leeds
· Guardian Sport
Gov't plans 1.19 mln public sale, rental homes amid housing price pressures
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- The government said Monday it aims to supply 1.19 million public sale and rental homes through 2030, mostly in the Seoul metropolitan area, as part of its effort to expand housing support.
· Kim Eun-jung
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vows to stay on despite state election ‘disaster’ | The National
Friedrich Merz has insisted he will remain chancellor of Germany after his party suffered its worst-ever result in a state election, failing to enter a regional assembly parliament for the first time in the country’s post-Second World War history.
· Paul Carey
'Far from their best' to 'a joy to watch' - ranking Premier League teams' start to season
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (left) and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire
· Bbcsport
Forced job-cuts loom as Tasmanian government prepares to swing axe
Jeremy Rockliff's treasurer, Eric Abetz, delivered a May state budget that flagged the need to "right-size the public service". (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
· Lucy Macdonald
Morocco: Youth vote in focus ahead of first parliamentary elections since Gen Z protests
Young Moroccans who led protests last year and crossed borders in search of opportunity are now turning to the ballot box, as the country prepares for parliamentary elections on Wednesday, its first since deadly Gen Z demonstrations shook the country.
· AfricaNews
Unification minister calls for fresh start in dialogue with N. Korea during meeting with ex-U.S. envoy
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Monday that it is time to "turn the clock forward" on the Korean Peninsula for peace, calling for renewed efforts to revive dialogue with North Korea.
· Oh Seok-min
Top Lee aide offers resignation, as pressure mounts on ruling bloc
Pressure is mounting on President Lee Jae Myung and the ruling bloc, as backlash over Lee's most recent Cabinet picks continues despite two nominees opting to step down.
· Son Ji-hyoung
Confirmation hearing report adopted for land minister nominee
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee on Monday adopted a confirmation hearing report for Land Minister nominee Hong Jee-sun, paving the way for his appointment.
· Lee Haye-ah
Dangerous logic behind America’s emerging nuclear war strategy
Elbridge Colby, the US undersecretary of defense for policy, wants to make American nuclear threats more credible to make nuclear war less likely.
· Michael Clarke
Communist Party sets date for key political gathering in October
The fifth plenary session will be held from October 26 to October 29, according to state media
· SCMP Reporter
Communist Party sets date for key political gathering in October
The fifth plenary session will be held from October 26 to October 29, according to state media
· SCMP Reporter
Mike Rann on 'maestro of the possible' 100 years after Don Dunstan's birth
Topic:State and Territory Government
Chalmers can try to predict 40 years into the future, but he’s really talking 2028
The only thing you can take to the bank for sure from Treasury’s latest attempt to predict the next four decades is that some of the forecasts will be dead wrong.
· James Massola
‘Oh shit’: Labor councillor who attended 2021 Liberal fundraiser was worried about potential Icac inquiry, Icac hears
Texts reveal Sharangan Maheswaran had ‘an explanation ready’ but was worried about picture taken with premier prompted by ‘dumb’ Christian Ellis
· Penry Buckley
Abu Dhabi's Eagle Hills signs $20bn Maldives waterfront and marina deal | The National
Abu Dhabi-based developer Eagle Hills has signed an agreement with the Maldives government to develop a $20 billion waterfront and marina project in one of the largest proposed foreign investment developments in the Indian Ocean nation.
· Salim A. Essaid
3 military personnel injured in unidentified explosion in DMZ: JCS
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
Who is Siobhan McKenna? The ‘irreplaceable’ former Murdoch aide given a top diplomatic posting
The next general consul to New York chairs Australia Post and is a former News Corp executive
· Jonathan Barrett
US and China discuss AI safety plan ahead of Trump-Xi summit
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met China's Vice Premier He Lifeng
· Bbcnews
Chinese-made cameras banned from government buildings show up in EVs
Topic:Electric Vehicles
· Angus Grigg
Over 11,000 applicants for new Hong Kong taxi, riding-hailing test
Transport chief says response has exceeded government’s expectations and authorities will arrange for applicants to take test within two months
· Leopold Chen
Over 11,000 applicants for new Hong Kong taxi, riding-hailing test
Transport chief says response has exceeded government’s expectations and authorities will arrange for applicants to take test within two months
· Leopold Chen
Qld premier refuses to reveal cost to install Gabba wicket into new stadium
The Gabba will no longer be the home of cricket in Brisbane after the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
· Claudia Williams
Regional election debacle heaps more pressure on German leader
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to media at the Christian Democratic Union party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
· Geir Moulson
Japan-China ties wither as Trump readies red carpet for Xi Jinping
U.S. President Donald Trump is due to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this week, just before he hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. (Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)
· KENJI KAWASE
Statistic in Intergenerational Report spells challenge for Australia as it ages
Australia is aging faster than was forecast three years ago, accelerating the strain an aging population is expected to put on workers and the federal budget. (Pexels: Matthias Zomer; licence)
· Jake Evans
FTC chief defends platform rules amid global scrutiny
Since 2018, I have covered South Korea’s economic and financial landscape, with experience spanning the economy, banking, financial markets and securities industry.My current beat focuses on Korea’s major chaebol groups and technology industry, including Samsung, SK and LG, as well as global technology companies ope…
· Jie Ye-eun