Europe

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/: Voting in Russia’s elections of different levels has begun in a number of regions. As a result, more than 31,000 legislators’ seats and elected posts, including gubernatorial vacancies, will be filled. Elections will be held over a period of one to three days depending on the region.

Polling stations are open from 08:00 to 20:00 local time and will close on September 11.

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/: Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Zhanshu on Friday met with Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and said Washington won’t succeed in containing China by exploiting the issue of Taiwan.

"Indeed, the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Now Taiwan seeks independence with the support of the US. The US seeks to contain China through Taiwan. They won’t succeed," the Chinese official said.

Li Zhanshu said US actions infringe on China's sovereignty.

STOCKHOLM, September 9. /TASS/: Russian nationals will be allowed to enter the European Union only because of family situation and for humanitarian reasons. Apart from that, entry to the European Union will be possible for journalists, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Friday.

According to Johansson, restrictions will come in force from Monday.

It is not yet clear whether his words mean an agreed refusal from the simplified visa issuance procedures or any extra restrictions.

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has inched back slightly by 0.8 percentage points to 80.3% over the past week, according to a survey, published by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) on Friday.

The poll was conducted among 1,600 Russian adults on August 29 - September 4.

"Asked if they trust Putin, 80.3% of the respondents answered in the affirmative (down 0.8 percentage points over the past week). Thus, 76.8% approved of the president’s activities (down 1.3 p.p. over the past week)," the pollster said.

ROME, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Italy's right-wing bloc is on track to win a clear majority in both houses of parliament at this month's election, according to studies based on the final opinion polls before a ban on their publication kicks in on Saturday.

The far-right Brothers of Italy which dominates the conservative alliance is set to be the largest single party at the Sept. 25 vote, according to the latest surveys which show it widening its lead over the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

BRUSSELS, Sept 9 (Reuters) - European Union energy ministers on Friday tasked Brussels with drafting proposals within a few days to cap the revenues of non-gas energy producers and help power firms stay afloat.

But as they sought to protect citizens from soaring energy prices that have driven inflation across the continent to record highs, the ministers backed away from more divisive proposals to cap Russian gas prices.

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Just before boarding a flight at Aberdeen on Friday, the morning after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry put his arm around the shoulder of an airport worker who had expressed her sympathy while accompanying him across the tarmac.

It was a moment of warmth and informality characteristic of Harry, whose approachable persona long made him one of the most popular royals - until his decision to step back from royal duties caused a breach in the family that is far from resolved.

KYIV, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces were seizing an expanding area of previously Russian-held territory in the east in a "very sharp and rapid" advance, a Russian-installed regional official said on Friday, in a breakthrough that may mark a turning point in the war.

After keeping silent for a day, Russia effectively acknowledged that a section of its frontline had crumbled southeast of Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv.

FRANKFURT, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday raised key interest rates by a record 75 basis points in a bid to rein in inflation in the euro area.

The move is a sign that the ECB is delivering on its promise to go big on fighting the spiraling inflation, according to analysts.

LARGEST RATE HIKE

PRAGUE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Friday adopted a decision on the full suspension of a visa facilitation agreement with Russia.

The decision "will result in an increase in the visa application fee from 35 euros to 80 euros, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing time, and more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas," the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU said.

The decision entered into force on Friday and will apply as of Sept. 12, the statement said.