Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Wednesday 16 September
Von der Leyen frames AfD surge as EU-wide ultranationalist challenge
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to "fight back against ultranationalists" on 16 September, explicitly linking AfD's Saxony-Anhalt bid to nationalist mobilisation across the Union.
Russia launches ~80-drone barrage overnight into 16 September, killing at least nine including five on a bus near Nikopol
Russian forces launched approximately 80 drones against Ukrainian energy and logistics targets overnight into 16 September, with a strike on a passenger bus near Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region killing five and wounding seven.
US House passes Russia and Iran sanctions bill with 100% tariffs on energy buyers
The US House approved a Russia and Iran sanctions bill imposing 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian energy, in a 262-159 vote sending the measure to President Trump for signature.
European Corporation on critical raw materials announced at State of the Union
Von der Leyen announced the creation of a European Corporation on critical raw materials during her 16 September State of the Union address, tasked with securing and stockpiling inputs for batteries, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing to reduce supply-shock exposure.
US House passes Graham Act extending Iran sanctions to 2031
The US House passed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" on 16 September, extending the Iran Sanctions Act to 2031 and imposing tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil. The bill now goes to President Trump for signature.
Von der Leyen announces critical raw materials corporation, calls China deficit a "tipping point"
Von der Leyen told the 16 September State of the Union that the EU's goods trade deficit with China has reached a "tipping point" and announced a new European Corporation on critical raw materials to stockpile supplies for EVs, chips, batteries and defence.
Report finds $177B in federal grants cut or frozen across all 50 states
A tracking tool released on 16 September by the States United Democracy Center and Grant Witness documents up to $177 billion in federal grants cut or frozen across all 50 states since Trump's second term began, with the largest impacts on health, nutrition, environmental, and disaster-relief programmes.
Novo Nordisk partners with Anthropic for AI-driven drug discovery
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk announced a partnership with Anthropic on 16 September to deploy Claude models, including Claude Science, for drug discovery and internal software development.
Von der Leyen proposes Canada as EU's first associate member at State of the Union
Von der Leyen proposed associate EU membership for Canada during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg on 16 September, seeking closer cooperation on trade, critical minerals, and security. Canada would become the bloc's first associate member if the offer is accepted.
Von der Leyen floats Canadian "associate member" status for the EU
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on 16 September the EU is opening the door for Canada to become its first "associate member," a status not foreseen in EU treaties.
EU to propose European Security Council in new defence strategy
The EU will propose creating a European Security Council with "like-minded allies" in a new defence strategy, Bloomberg reported on 16 September, explicitly framed against doubts over Trump's NATO commitments.
US plans to divert military aid from Europe to Latin America
El País reported on 16 September that the Trump administration plans to reallocate military aid from European and Middle Eastern partners to Latin American allies, including freezing Tomahawk missile deployments to Germany and withdrawing 5,000 US troops.
US Treasury launches Operation Economic Outcast to isolate Iran financially
The US Treasury convened global financial institutions on 16 September to launch "Operation Economic Outcast," a campaign to isolate Iran by disrupting state-linked revenue and procurement networks.
Belarus frees 25 detainees as US lifts sanctions on two state firms
US envoy John Coale announced on 16 September that Belarus will free 25 political detainees after Washington lifted sanctions on two Belarusian state firms, Bellesbumprom and Lakokraska, with further talks scheduled for next month.
Von der Leyen proposes European Security Council and NATO-style security protocol
In her State of the Union speech on 16 September, von der Leyen proposed a European Security Council bringing together EU leaders and partners including Canada, the UK, Ukraine, and Norway, plus a security protocol modelled on NATO Article 4 allowing emergency consultations when a member faces a threat.
US House advances 100% tariff bill on buyers of Russian oil and gas
The US House of Representatives voted on 16 September to advance legislation authorising Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries importing Russian oil and gas, including India.
Von der Leyen proposes EU defense protocol and associate membership for Canada in Strasbourg address
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an emergency security protocol modeled on NATO Article 4, child safety rules for online platforms, and a joint raw materials corporation during her State of the Union address.
Von der Leyen unveils EU emergency migration framework in State of the Union address
In her 16 September State of the Union address, Commission President von der Leyen announced a European Emergency Response Framework allowing time-limited flexibility in EU migration and asylum procedures when mass inflows are deemed engineered or weaponised.
GOP candidates distance from Trump's $5,000 cash pledge as Treasury examines rollout
Republican congressional candidates are broadly avoiding Trump's promise of $5,000 payments to adult citizens if the party holds Congress, while the Treasury Department explores mechanisms for unilateral distribution.
US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian officials, denies Abbas UNGA access
The US State Department extended visa restrictions on senior Palestinian Authority and PLO officials on 16 September, again denying President Abbas a visa to attend the UN General Assembly.
Pentagon watchdog report details $3.7B in US base damage from Iranian strikes
A Pentagon inspector general report documents $3.7 billion in equipment losses and hundreds of buildings destroyed at US military facilities across eight Gulf and Middle Eastern countries from Iranian missile and drone strikes, intensifying US domestic debate over war costs and replenishment timelines.
Savings and Investments Union and Single Market overhaul announced at SOTEU
Von der Leyen announced a 'Savings and Investments Union' and urged completion of a Single Market overhaul by end-2027, with 12 omnibus proposals cutting compliance costs by €17 billion per year, during her 16 September State of the Union address.
Tuesday 15 September
Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox as very large platforms under DSA
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen announced on 15 September that ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox join the DSA's strictest tier, triggering risk-assessment duties on illegal content, minors' safety and electoral integrity within four months.
Trump threatened tariffs against eight European states before Greenland accord
Trump threatened punitive tariffs rising from 10% to 25% against eight European states including Denmark, France, and Germany, Le Monde reported on 19 September.
CBO assessment: US-Iran war cost $38B through August, $3B monthly, depleted arsenals need five years
A Congressional Budget Office assessment reports the US war with Iran has cost $38 billion through August, with monthly expenses up to $3 billion and depleted missile arsenals requiring at least five years to replenish.
EU Commission circulates draft child-safety regulation with 6% turnover fines
The European Commission circulated a draft regulation on 15 September setting legal age limits for social media, games, and AI chatbots, with mandatory verification, graded access from age three, and fines up to 6% of global turnover for breaches.
BSW definitively rules out coalition with AfD or any party in Saxony-Anhalt
BSW deputy parliamentary leader Claudia Wittig stated on 15 September that BSW will not enter coalition talks or a coalition with AfD or any other party, closing the last formal path to a governing partner for AfD in Saxony-Anhalt.
Russia and Ukraine exchange energy strikes despite Trump's claimed halt
Russia struck petrol stations in Kyiv and Ukraine hit a Russian oil refinery on 15 September, undercutting Trump's 13 September claim that both sides agreed to spare energy infrastructure.
NATO jets destroy drone over Lithuania as Poland scrambles fighter jets and issues border alerts
Poland placed air defense units on alert and issued SMS warnings across two eastern voivodeships early on 15 September, while NATO jets destroyed an intruding drone over Lithuania.
ICE removes detainees with final deportation orders from online locator system
ICE removed thousands of detainees with final deportation orders from its online detainee locator system on 15 September, making it harder for families and lawyers to locate them. The policy appears designed to accelerate deportations by limiting information access.
Polish prosecutors charge former deputy justice minister Michał Woś
Poland's National Prosecutor's Office charged PiS lawmaker and former deputy justice minister Michał Woś with exceeding his authority while managing the Prison Service between 2021 and 2023. Woś pleaded not guilty.
Hungary submits bill to repeal Orban-era anti-LGBTQ+ provisions
Hungary's government submitted a bill to parliament on 15 September removing provisions banning the "promotion of homosexuality" to minors, following an April EU court ruling declaring the restrictions incompatible with EU law.
EU accepts up to 15% US tariffs, shelving retaliation
The EU shelved immediate retaliation and accepted tariffs of up to 15% on most exports to the US, officials said on 15 September, framing the deal as damage limitation.
ICE removes thousands of detainees with final removal orders from public locator
Immigration and Customs Enforcement stopped displaying detainees with final deportation orders in its online detainee database on 15 September, a change not publicly announced.
Saudi Civil Defence issues all-clear for six cities after Houthi attacks
Saudi Civil Defence issued all-clear alerts for six cities including the oil port of Yanbu on 15 September after Houthi attacks triggered emergency warnings across Saudi territory and energy infrastructure.
Investigative report links TV Republika head Sakiewicz to Zondacrypto pardon promise
Journalists from Wirtualna Polska and TVN24 identified Telewizja Republika president Tomasz Sakiewicz on 15 September as the figure who allegedly promised a presidential pardon to Zondacrypto head Przemysław Kral, connecting a Polish media executive to a political corruption case.
Gates Foundation pledges $1B for AI access in developing countries
The Gates Foundation pledged on 15 September to spend at least $1 billion over two years expanding AI access in developing countries, as Bill Gates warned in a Reuters interview that no government is currently prepared for AI's scale of transformation.
Italy and Spain extend mutual Schengen suspensions after Ceuta surge
On 15 September Italy extended its temporary suspension of Schengen border-free travel with Spain for another 15 days, citing internal-security risks after the Ceuta influx. Spain imposed reciprocal checks on Italian travellers the same day.
Ukrainian drones strike Syzran refinery in Samara despite Trump truce claim
Ukrainian drones attacked the Rosneft-owned Syzran refinery in Samara region overnight on 15 September, damaging an installation and nearby residential buildings. Regional officials reported over 40 drones involved.
Polish cabinet adopts windfall tax on fuel firms to finance retail price relief
Poland's cabinet adopted a revised levy on refinery profits through December 2026 to fund consumer fuel subsidies. The measure revives retail price relief pending President Nawrocki's signature, following the Commission's August rejection of an EU-level windfall tax.