We keep you up to date with latest news happening in China and around the world. Updated twice a day at 10 AM and 10 PM Beijing time.

China has observed a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the September 18th Incident, which marked the start of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. A bell-ringing ceremony was held in the northeastern city of Shenyang.

The US government has approved the potential sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia. The state department said the estimated total cost is 24.3 billion US dollars.

Elections for deputies to the ninth session of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, have kicked off across Russia, with the first polling stations opening in the country's easternmost regions.

China has received 58 cultural artifacts, artworks, and paleontological fossils returned by the United States. Among the returned artifacts is a statue of a bodhisattva, which was looted and taken overseas more than a century ago.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says new US sanctions on Russia will complicate efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, calling the move an unfriendly action by Washington.

Chinese runner Zhao Jiaju has won the Tor des Geants trail race in Italy, becoming the first Chinese champion and the first Asian runner to claim the title since the event began.

US President Donald Trump will reportedly meet leaders or foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries in New York next Tuesday to discuss the next steps in the Iran war on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Event organizer say the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo will spotlight new business opportunities under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 framework, with more than 3,400 companies from over 70 countries and regions set to participate.

UN humanitarians say funding shortfalls and Israeli restrictions on the import of critical items are slowing down the response to a deadly Gaza building collapse. Civil defense teams had retrieved 21 bodies and rescued dozens of people with injuries.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years in a renewed fight against inflation. Officials voted to raise their benchmark lending rate by a quarter point to a range of 3.75-4 percent.

In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President von der Leyen said the EU and Canada will seek to upgrade ties to an "Alliance for the Future," covering manufacturing, technology, the Arctic, and artificial intelligence. She also suggested creating a European Security Council involving EU leaders and partners such as Canada, Norway, Ukraine and Britain.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Iranian counterpart, expressing China's support for restarting negotiations over the conflict in Iran. Wang also said China calls on all parties to take measures for the early opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee says the special administrative region's first five-year plan will help build a more open, inclusive, and prosperous Hong Kong. He said the blueprint for economic and social development signals Hong Kong's need for strategic planning to align with national development strategies, and to better serve and integrate into overall national development.

China opened a major new canal on Wednesday, giving its landlocked southwest a shortcut to the coast and overseas markets, particularly those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN is China's largest trading partner.

An investigative report says Japan's Chubu Electric Power has falsified earthquake data during the screening process for restarting reactors at a nuclear power plant. A third-party committee composed of external lawyers released the report on Monday.

By 2030, industrial firms in the sector with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan, or about three million US dollars, should see their combined revenue surpass 30 trillion yuan. A set of competitive strengths in technology and products will emerge in fields such as integrated circuits, advanced computing, and energy electronics.

A US government watchdog report on the Iran war has detailed shortfalls in advanced weapons, and damage to US facilities in the Middle East. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress in late July that the war had cost 37.5 billion dollars up until that point.

Official data shows China's economy has remained generally stable in the first eight months of the year. The value-added industrial output increased by 5.3 percent year on year. In August alone, it grew 5.2 percent, 0.7 points faster than the previous month.

UN humanitarians have warned that hostilities in Yemen are forcing people to flee their homes, causing civilian casualties and putting already stretched humanitarian operations under growing pressure.

Over 85 percent of German companies operating in China plan to maintain or expand their current level of engagement, while more than half intend to increase investment.

Authorities will make efforts to promote the development of services at kindergartens and nursery centers. More than 3,000 pediatricians from higher-level hospitals will help medical institutions strengthen services at the community level.

The National Medical Products Administration says the standard will address problems including the dataset's inconsistent quality control. The new standard will take effect on September 1 next year.

More than 600 Indonesian rescuers are searching for 129 people still missing after a passenger ship capsized in the Java Sea on the weekend. Authorities have rescued 108 people from the ship. At least six people are known to have died from the incident.

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton on Sunday to win the US Open, capturing the second Grand Slam title of his career just months after his French Open triumph.

More than 31,000 people have been evacuated from at-risk areas in south China's Hainan Province as persistent heavy rain battered parts of the island. Wanning city has activated the highest-level emergency response.

The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services has concluded in Beijing, with strong attendance and expanded business activity. Nearly 420,000 visits were recorded at the core exhibition area, up 36.6 percent year on year.

Rescue crews in Indonesia are still searching for around 130 people aboard a passenger ship in the Java Sea. The vessel had 243 people on board when it was reported missing early Sunday.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is only opposed to US military bases in the region and has no problem with its neighbors.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed five initiatives to promote "Greater BRICS" cooperation in AI, trade and investment facilitation, the digital industry, smart manufacturing, and talent development.

Sun Xinran won the first Grand Slam singles title of her career after finishing runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon this year. She beat Anna Pushkareva in three sets in a rematch of the Wimbledon final.

A source close to Iran's negotiating team said all of the Gulf's entry route and a portion of the exit are within Iranian territorial waters, adding that the understanding does not mean the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the two countries can learn from each other's strengths and achieve shared development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on BRICS countries to stand on the right side of history and play a pioneering role in maintaining peace and stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit in India. He will join other leaders in charting a new course for the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the Iranian people will not surrender to US economic pressure. Pezeshkian accuses Washington of trying to force Iran to capitulate by worsening people's living conditions and restricting access to facilities.

China Southern Airlines says it is resuming regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi starting September 21. It marks the restart of the airline's Indian service after a six-year pause.

A medical ultrasound large model is being exhibited for the first time at the China International Fair for Trade in Services. The event is also showcasing the world's first AI training partner and unmanned post office robot.

The BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi has discussed topics such as strengthening supply chain resilience, trade in services, and the digital economy. India's external affairs minister noted that supply chain connectivity and trade facilitation have become crucial, highlighting digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, fintech and advanced manufacturing as major opportunities.

The fifth batch of Chinese emergency relief supplies has arrived in Nepal, following last month's devastating mudslide. The supplies include diesel generators, medical protective masks, and DNA testing equipment and reagents.

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky has rejected Japan's demand that Russia remove a monument in the city of Khabarovsk commemorating victory over militarist Japan in World War II.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has described BRICS as the most important platform for solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.

A giant panda cub born in South Korea has made its first public appearance. Shu Bao was born on June 3 to giant pandas Le Bao and Ai Bao.