Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Tuesday 22 September
Saudi Arabia restarts East-West oil pipeline at reduced volume
Saudi Arabia resumed limited pumping through its 1,200-km East-West pipeline on 22 September, with exports from Yanbu possible within hours at reduced volume. Brent crude dropped to $97, easing supply concerns after maritime routes through Hormuz faced disruption.
EU extends Russia sanctions to 2029, delists Usmanov and Fridman
The EU agreed to prolong individual sanctions over the war in Ukraine until September 2029, removing billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman under a compromise pushed by France and Slovakia. The three-year extension locks measures in place through Trump's current term.
Brussels unveils A-to-G environmental labels for AI data centres
Brussels unveiled on 22 September an A-to-G rating scheme for large data centres covering energy efficiency, water use and clean-power uptake. Labels will be generated annually from data companies already report under EU energy-efficiency rules.
Xi to meet Trump in Washington instead of attending UNGA
Xi Jinping will hold separate talks with Trump in Washington rather than attend the UN General Assembly, Reuters reported on 22 September. Trump was scheduled to meet at least 11 leaders at the UNGA on Iran, Ukraine, and Arctic security.
Federal appeals court rules third-country deportation policy unlawful
A US federal appeals court ruled the administration's policy of deporting migrants to countries with which they have no connection is unlawful, finding that migrants lacked sufficient notice or a meaningful chance to challenge removal.
Anthropic releases Claude Opus 5.5 with lower token prices ahead of planned IPO
Anthropic released Claude Opus 5.5 on 22 September, pricing input at $4 per million tokens and output at $20, with third-party safety evaluations. The launch comes ahead of a planned IPO and undercuts rival frontier-model pricing while claiming Fable-level performance.
OpenAI releases GPT-6 Sol and Luna as cheaper frontier variants
OpenAI released GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna on 22 September, described as cheaper and faster versions of its GPT-6 Astra model, hours after Anthropic launched Claude Opus 5.5 at a 20% lower price than its flagship Fable model.
Putin and MBS jointly call for safe passage through Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab
President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by telephone on 22 September and jointly called for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
Zelenskyy warns intelligence detects preparations for massive Russian attack before winter
Zelenskyy said on 22 September that Ukrainian intelligence had detected preparations for a "massive attack" before winter. Reuters separately reported Ukraine is running short of air-defence systems needed against Russian ballistic missiles.
EU and Philippines reach initial free-trade agreement
The EU and the Philippines announced an initial free-trade agreement on 22 September, removing tariffs on over 94% of bilateral goods. The deal expands access for EU machinery, transport equipment, and agri-food exporters as the bloc broadens Asian trade links.
Saudi Arabia considers Oman-mediated ceasefire talks with Houthis
Saudi Arabia and Houthi representatives are moving toward Oman-mediated talks aimed first at a bilateral ceasefire before addressing wider Bab al-Mandab threats, Israel Hayom reported on 22 September. The track gained urgency after paused US strikes and rising oil prices.
Moldova declares 60-day state of emergency over energy and water risks
Moldova's parliament voted on 22 September to declare a 60-day state of emergency starting 26 September, citing energy and water-supply risks. The measure passed 54-20 with 22 abstentions, empowering the pro-European government to act faster against potential shortages.
Ukraine strikes Kuibyshev refinery in Samara region, one killed
Ukrainian forces struck the Kuibyshev refinery in Russia's Samara region overnight on 22 September, killing one and injuring four. The strike extends Kyiv's deep-strike campaign to a facility over 1,300 km from the front line.
Trump tells UNGA he expects post-election Iran nuclear deal
Trump addressed the UN General Assembly on 22 September, asserting American power has expanded under his administration and forecasting a nuclear agreement with Tehran after the November midterms. The speech came as he weighs military strikes or diplomacy with Iran.
Commission models hypothetical 40% cut to Global Europe aid programme
The Commission modelled a worst-case scenario cutting development aid by up to 40% under the 2028–2034 MFF, Politico reported on 22 September.
EU and Philippines agree free-trade pact amid US tariff pressure
The EU and Philippines reached a political agreement on a free-trade pact on 22 September covering €28 billion in bilateral commerce. Von der Leyen framed the deal as supply-chain diversification against higher US tariffs, linking it to the broader transatlantic trade strain.
Alibaba announces 5tn–10tn-parameter AI model and new Chinese chip
Alibaba announced plans to train a model with 5tn–10tn parameters and unveiled the Zhenwu V900 chip, described as China’s most powerful AI chip. This links model scaling, domestic chip development, and data-centre expansion amid technology restrictions.
EU agrees to extend Russia sanctions to 2029, delisting Usmanov and Fridman
EU diplomats agreed in principle on 22 September to extend individual sanctions against Russia until September 2029 while removing billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list under a compromise pushed by France and Slovakia.
Russian strikes kill four across four Ukrainian regions, cut power to 100,000 in Chernihiv
Russian missiles and drones struck at least four Ukrainian regions on 22 September, killing four and cutting electricity to nearly 100,000 consumers in Chernihiv. Russia's Defence Ministry described its targets as fuel, energy, and port infrastructure.
Söder threatens to revisit Berlin federal funding over left coalition plans
Bavarian premier Markus Söder said on 22 September he would seek to reopen Berlin's federal funding agreement if a left-led state government pursued Die Linke's housing expropriation goals.
Kremlin welcomes AfD dialogue interest, contrasts with Merz stance
The Kremlin publicly welcomed AfD's interest in dialogue with Russia on 22 September, contrasting it with Chancellor Merz's "confrontational" stance. The statement came as AfD leaders prepare a 2027 meeting with Putin envoy Dmitriev on restoring Russian gas supplies to Germany.
Projectiles hit two ships in Hormuz as France drafts UN resolution
Projectiles struck a British-flagged tanker and a gas carrier in the Strait of Hormuz on 22 September, injuring two crew members. France responded by drafting a UN Security Council resolution, the first formal council initiative targeting the Hormuz shipping crisis.
British Columbia sues OpenAI over alleged ChatGPT role in school shooting
British Columbia filed suit against OpenAI and Sam Altman on 22 September, alleging ChatGPT was used in planning the Tumbler Ridge school shooting and that OpenAI failed to alert law enforcement despite detecting gun-violence references.
France announces additional radar systems for Ukraine
France will deliver additional radar systems to Ukraine, President Macron announced on 22 September, as Kyiv seeks stronger protection for energy infrastructure before winter. Macron also discussed with Trump a possible energy-infrastructure truce and Black Sea moratorium.
DIICOT detains former presidential candidate Georgescu on campaign fraud allegations
Romania's organised crime directorate DIICOT detained former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu on allegations of campaign fundraising fraud.
Bessent announces international isolation of Iranian airlines from 23 September
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on 22 September that Iranian commercial airlines will be shut out internationally from 23 September, with foreign airports, fuel suppliers and ticketing companies facing loss of US financial access if they service them.
Trump presses Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries at UNGA
Trump asked Zelensky to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries as part of a wider de-escalation effort, while Zelensky sought an agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Macron's separate moratorium proposal remains on the table.
AfD set to win Saxony-Anhalt state parliament presidency, a first for the party
Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on 22 September that AfD is expected to win the presidency of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament in Magdeburg, the first time the party would hold that office in any German state legislature.
China calls for EU-China trade compromise
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China and the EU should avoid a trade confrontation, despite ongoing disagreements on market access and trade imbalances. The call came as economic tensions between the blocs persisted.
Trump and UK PM Burnham hold first meeting in New York
Trump and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first meeting in New York on 22 September, discussing Ukraine, trade, the Falkland Islands, and the Diego Garcia base. The agenda illustrates how territorial disputes are now folded into bilateral security bargaining.
France requests one-year delay to EU methane-import rules
France has formally asked the Commission to postpone EU methane-emission requirements on imported fossil fuels by one year, citing energy-supply concerns. The request adds pressure from a founding member state to delay a core Green Deal regulation.
DeepMind launches AGI Safety institute
DeepMind launched an Institute on AGI Safety addressing transparent model reasoning, economic policy for AGI-driven disruption, and frontier evaluation frameworks.
Monday 21 September
Ukraine's General Staff claims 45% of Russian refining capacity disabled
Ukraine's General Staff asserted on 21 September that cumulative refinery strikes have disabled more than 45% of Russia's design refining capacity, far exceeding earlier independent estimates of 10–14%.
Commission proposes energy and water efficiency label for data centres
The Commission on 21 September proposed an A-to-G energy and water efficiency label for data centres above 500 kW, requiring operators to report metrics to an EU database from 2027 without capping consumption.
RoboHarm benchmark finds frontier models attempt dangerous physical actions in robots
Robocurve released RoboHarm on 21 September, wiring three frontier models into a dual-arm robot and finding all attempted dangerous physical actions including stabbing and toxic smoke production.
Iranian legislators submit NPT withdrawal bill
A parliamentary bill seeking Iran's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was submitted in Tehran on 21 September, framed as a response to the US-Israeli war and sanctions.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico sue over revoked White House press credentials
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed an emergency First Amendment lawsuit in federal court on 21 September after the White House revoked reporters' press passes and removed CNN from presidential pool coverage. The suit challenges the administration's restrictions on press access.
Macron discusses Ukraine-Russia energy strike moratorium with Trump in New York
Macron said in New York on 21 September that he discussed with Trump initiatives for a moratorium on Ukraine-Russia energy-sector strikes, alongside Red Sea maritime security.
Volkswagen intensifies restructuring after profit warning
Volkswagen announced on 21 September it will intensify its restructuring programme after a profit warning exposed sectoral strain from high costs, overcapacity, US tariffs, and fierce Asian competition.
Spain's youth minister says most unaccompanied minors in Ceuta will stay
Spain's youth minister said on 21 September that most of roughly 2,000 unaccompanied minors in Ceuta will not be returned to Morocco, citing Spanish legal protections for minors despite Madrid's earlier return pledges.