The Wall Street Journal reports Prime Minister Carney proposed making Canada the EU’s first "quasi-member state." European and Canadian officials say Brussels is receptive; US officials are reported to be skeptical.

Iraq's Security Media Office said it has reopened the Al-Shayib and Shalamcheh border crossings with Iran to inbound passenger traffic.

CPCA secretary-general Cui Dongshu said August 2026 auto retail sales rose 5.5% MoM, the result of multiple factors including elevated oil prices, weak macro sentiment, rising policy expectations and the Chengdu auto show. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have kept international oil prices high; domestic gasoline prices have been raised by more than 1,720 yuan/ton YTD, including roughly 180 yuan/ton since late July, materially raising fuel-vehicle ownership costs and sharply compressing demand for gasoline passenger cars. After the new national EV safety standard took effect, compliant models rolled out in concentrated waves, raising technical thresholds and shifting the industry from price competition toward value competition. Together with the July Politburo signal of stronger fiscal support and ongoing measures to boost domestic demand and consumption, these factors provide bottom support. Cui said the current market downcycle is a phase of structural, temporary volatility and it is premature to declare a trend deterioration.