Here are the top stories from around the world today.
Heavy Fighting Erupts in Somalia as Constitutional Crisis Deepens
Heavy fighting erupted Wednesday in Baidoa, southwestern Somalia, between federal government forces and troops loyal to former South West State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, following disputes over regional elections and the end of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term. Multiple sources confirmed two senior Somali military officers from the 60th Division were killed in a roadside ambush. The fighting represents a significant escalation in Somalia’s ongoing political instability, which has seen the legitimacy of the federal government challenged by regional power brokers. The international community has called for calm, though no formal mediation is currently underway.
Xi Tells Trump Mishandling Taiwan Risks U.S.-China \”Conflict\”
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump during a summit in Beijing on Thursday that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push U.S.-China relations into \”great jeopardy\” and potentially result in direct conflict. The two leaders met for about two hours and 15 minutes at the Great Hall of the People, covering trade, artificial intelligence, and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. Xi reiterated that Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are \”fundamentally incompatible.\” Trump extended an invitation for Xi to visit the White House on September 24. U.S. lawmakers from both parties have pressed the White House to advance $11 billion in weapons sales to Taiwan approved by Congress in December, and are seeking approval for an additional $14 billion arms package including Patriot missiles and anti-drone hardware.
U.K. Health Secretary Quits, Triggering Political Earthquake
Wes Streeting resigned as the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on Wednesday, saying he has \”lost confidence\” in Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the Labour Party’s poor results in recent local elections. The resignation compounds a broader crisis: Josh Simons also stepped down as MP for Makerfield, triggering a by-election that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely favoured to win. Burnham has requested permission from Labour’s National Executive Committee to stand in the race and is considered the likely favourite to represent the constituency.
Streeting Quits, Labour Faces By-Election Test in湖南
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, the government’s ban on a pro-democracy newspaper has triggered international condemnation as press freedom groups warn of an accelerating crackdown on media independence. Three senior editors were arrested Wednesday under the national security law, marking the first use of the controversial legislation against print journalists.
U.S. Job Market Shows Resilience Despite Trade Headwinds
The U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in April, brushing aside predictions of a slowdown caused by sweeping tariff increases imposed earlier this year. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%, while average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month-over-month, suggesting continued wage growth in a tight labour market that continues to confound recession forecasters.
