Sep 20, 2026 · 6 min listen · Last updated September 20, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Jessica, September 20th. The morning read — ten stories, balanced sourcing throughout. Let's get into it. First, from The Guardian World. Hundreds of drones target Moscow on last day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary election.
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Daily News Brief · September 20th
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Hundreds of drones target Moscow on last day of voting in Russia’s parliamentary election
Authorities accuse Ukraine of trying to disrupt poll and say 1,600 drones in total intercepted, while at least two people killed and oil refinery damaged Hundreds of drones targeting Moscow and its surrounding region killed at least two people and damaged a major refinery on the final day of the country’s parliamentary elections, authorities said on Sunday. The capital’s mayor said that more than 1,600 drones had been intercepted and shot down, 450 of which were aimed at Moscow. Continue reading...
Why China is pushing back on US warnings over rapid AI development
Beijing believes slowdown calls aim to lock in US advantage, and is pursuing a different balance between safety and pace About two years ago, education entrepreneur Boris But had what he calls a “penny-drop moment” – that, like countless others in China, his company needed to embrace AI before it was made obsolete by it. His clients, well-off parents looking to send their children to study overseas, had begun arriving in his office reeling off information and opinions gleaned not from rival firms, but from chatbots. Continue reading...
Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day
Most anti-war candidates were barred from the ballot; those who did run from the liberal Yabloko party said they feared for their freedom after courts handed long jail terms to two senior party figures before the vote for comments about the conflict deemed illegal by authorities
World leaders return to UN amid wars in Middle East and Ukraine
- World leaders gather at the UN General Assembly to address conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, AI risks, and UN challenges amid US funding cuts and leadership uncertainties. - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges global AI governance to prevent disaster, contrasting with US President Trump's dismissal of AI risks as a "hoax." - The Assembly focuses on Middle East tensions, stalled peace talks, and Ukraine's war impact on food security and energy, with key speeches from leaders including Zelensky and Netanyahu.
Two dead in Moscow region, drones hit oil refinery in Russian capital
Sept 20 - Two people died in Ukrainian drone attacks in the Moscow region and an oil refinery in Russia's capital was hit, authorities said on Sunday, as Russia enters the final day of parliamentary elections.
Two killed in 'massive' Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow region, says Russia
At least two people have been killed and six injured in a "massive" overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyev has said. Vorobyev said 249 drones had been shot down, and he reported fires in several residential houses. A local warehouse was also ablaze. In the capital Moscow, an oil refinery was damaged, and flight restrictions were in place at two airports. Earlier, a Ukraine official said seven people, including two children, were killed in Russian attacks in the Kyiv and Sumy regions on Saturday.
Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable', apologises for Macklemore controversy
“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives,” the British singer-songwriter said during his Philadelphia gig. PHILADELPHIA: Ed Sheeran opened a solo concert in Philadelphia on Saturday (Sep 19) with comments about Gaza, saying what’s happening is “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” “My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives,” the British singer-songwriter said during the gig at Lincoln Financial Field.
Why Are Key Media Pretending Russia’s “Election” Is Real?
Russia is holding a fake election this weekend. There will be “ballots,” “polling stations,” “turnout figures” and, eventually, “official results.” But the whole thing is a transparently laughable fakery. Sadly, major Western news organizations are playing along in their desperation to seem “objective.” There is no uncertainty about who will control Russia’s parliament of puppets, no genuine national opposition to Vladimir Putin’s rule on the ballot and no independent international observation.
German State Elections Imperil Merz’s Government: What to Watch
In the recent German state elections, the results have raised significant concerns for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, particularly affecting the position of CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The elections, held on October 8, saw the CDU struggling to make gains in key states like Bavaria and Hesse, which could impact their influence at the federal level.
Voter turnout was notably high, reflecting public engagement amid ongoing debates about economic challenges and climate policies. The Greens, while still a strong force, faced setbacks, which may shift the dynamics in coalition talks. As the political landscape evolves, eyes will be on how Scholz navigates these challenges, especially with his coalition partners.
Merz's leadership is under scrutiny as his party grapples with internal divisions and the need for a clearer strategy moving forward. The next few weeks will be crucial as the implications of these elections unfold and the government seeks to stabilize its position.
Russian election, cast as test of support for Ukraine war, enters final day
MOSCOW, Sept 20 - A parliamentary election that President Vladimir Putin has cast as a test of support for Russia's war in Ukraine entered its third and final day on Sunday, with the ruling United Russia party expected to retain its dominance in a political system critics say does not tolerate dissent.