German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called Sunday's state election results a "disaster" for his Christian Democratic Union (CDU), but said he will not step down. Exit polls in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern showed the CDU falling below the 5% threshold needed to stay in parliament. The far-right AfD led with about 38%, ahead of the centre-left SPD on 36%. In Berlin, the CDU was projected at 20%, behind Die Linke on nearly 26%. Speaking at party headquarters, Merz said "the reforms have to come" and promised to push on with economic, tax and welfare changes. The vote comes two weeks after the CDU's support halved in Saxony-Anhalt. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is in "deciding mode" over the Iran war and warned that very big things could happen soon if Tehran does not behave. He reportedly outlined three options: wiping Iran out, letting it collapse economically, or making a deal. Trump also said he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected at the UN General Assembly in New York. His remarks came after Iran sent seven conditions to Washington through Qatar, including an end to the war on all fronts, release of frozen funds and lifting of the naval blockade.

Four people, including three children, were killed in an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region, local authorities said. A mother and her two three-year-old children died when a drone hit their home, while a girl later died in hospital. Officials said 31 sites were damaged across five districts. The attacks came as Ukraine launched a mass drone strike on the Moscow region on the final day of Russia's parliamentary election. Moscow's mayor said more than 1,600 drones were intercepted, and at least three people were killed and a major refinery was damaged. Both sides continue long-range strikes as the war enters its fifth year. (PC: X)

Iran has warned that American warships anywhere in the Indian Ocean would come under attack if the war restarts. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, claimed Iran has raised its hypersonic missile speed from Mach 6 to Mach 10. He said Iran would answer any new US attack with more numerous and more painful strikes. Iran's military also warned that any country supporting a US attack would be seen as complicit. Tehran says it has sent its conditions to Washington through Qatari mediators, including an end to the US naval blockade, while tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz.  (PC: BBC)

Ed Sheeran apologised to fans during his first concert since Macklemore was removed from his tour. Speaking in Philadelphia, Sheeran said he had made “mistakes” while dealing with the controversy. He said the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was horrific and described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable. Sheeran said he had not wanted to become a political commentator but felt he could not ignore the humanitarian crisis. Macklemore was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance. Several support acts later left the tour, citing concerns about free speech. The concert continued peacefully.  

US President Donald Trump said Washington is in “deciding mode” over the conflict with Iran and warned that “very big things” could happen. His remarks came after Iran sent seven conditions to the US through Qatar for restarting talks. Iran wants the fighting to stop, frozen Iranian funds returned and the naval blockade lifted. Iranian officials also demanded an end to the war on all fronts. Trump said he was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York. Iran’s military also warned US allies in the region against supporting any new US operation.  

Nepal is racing to find about 6,000 people still missing after devastating flash floods on August 26. The death toll has reached 1,451, Nepal Police said on Sunday. The floods began near the Nepal-Tibet border and swept away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges. Rescue teams are searching rivers, debris and damaged hydropower projects for victims. At least 17 bodies were recovered from the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project. Identifying victims remains difficult because many bodies were badly damaged. Nearly 1,300 bodies have been temporarily buried after DNA samples were collected. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure also suffered major damage.  

US President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House this week. The two leaders are expected to discuss trade, technology, rare earths and artificial intelligence. Trump once took a tough approach towards China and imposed tariffs and technology restrictions. However, his tone towards Xi has become warmer. China’s control over rare earths has given Beijing strong influence in talks. Both countries are also competing in areas such as AI, electric vehicles and advanced technology. Trump has said he has a good relationship with Xi. The meeting could test whether the softer approach brings lasting changes.  

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas on September 20, with Russian authorities describing it as the largest such assault on the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 1,600 drones had been intercepted across Russia since Saturday, including about 450 heading toward Moscow. Two people were killed in the Moscow region, while a facility at the Moscow Oil Refinery was damaged. A residential building was also hit, prompting the evacuation of around 400 people. The attack occurred on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections. Ukraine has not independently confirmed Russia’s reported figures.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has condemned recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including an attempted ballistic missile strike on Riyadh and reported attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. Yemen’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supported measures taken by Riyadh and the Saudi-led coalition to deter further attacks and protect the kingdom’s security and civilians. The ministry described the strikes as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to regional stability and international navigation. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu, citing Saudi strikes on Sana’a. (PC: Reuters)