The World in Brief from The Economist

Exit polls in Germany’s regional election suggest the ruling Christian Democrat Union won just 5% of the vote in the north-east state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Scott Bessent, America’s treasury secretary, began talks with He Lifeng, China’s economic tsar, ahead of a meeting between the countries’ leaders in Washington this week.

Houthi rebels said they had attacked Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, “with a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones”; NATO said the agreement between America and Denmark over Greenland would “help advance security, stability and co-operation” in the region.

China criticised America’s latest sanctions against Russia and Iran, saying it had “consistently opposed” the introduction of such measures

China criticised America’s latest sanctions against Russia and Iran, saying it had “consistently opposed” the introduction of such measures

America and Denmark reached an agreement over Greenland. Details are scant, but America will be able to expand its military presence on the island, which is a self-governing Danish territory; Mr Trump said he was banning CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the news organisations of publishing “FICTION and LIES”.

Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he would convene a G7 summit to discuss releasing strategic oil stockpiles

Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, his sprawling conglomerate; Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he would convene a G7 summit to discuss releasing strategic oil stockpiles.

The Trump administration approved the sale of dozens of F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia, valuing the proposed deal at $24.3 billion. Also, a UN fact-finding mission said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that America had committed war crimes in Iran.