What Europe is writing about: Houthis attack Riyadh, Trump establishes AI Force, critics question Greenland deal

🔁 What's moving Europe today

• The Houthis in Yemen claimed a missile and drone attack on Riyadh and Aramco oil facilities, while Iran is threatening to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty — the most closely followed story of the night, covered by nearly 30 countries. Our article → 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇮🇹 ↗ · 🇪🇸 ↗ · 🇹🇷 ↗
  • Signal from Tehran: Iran is also signaling willingness to revive the June framework agreement with the US, though control over the Strait of Hormuz remains disputed. n-tv ↗
• Trump announced the creation of a military "AI Force" and wants to appoint an "AI czar" to oversee artificial intelligence — a day after banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Our article → 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇳🇱 ↗
• The US-Denmark agreement on Greenland is taking on a more critical tone — a German expert calls it a "spectacular defeat" for Trump, while France's Libération speaks of a "significant retreat" from the original goals. Our article → 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇦🇹 ↗
• A far-right protest in The Hague turned violent — demonstrators gave Hitler salutes and shouted antisemitic slogans, dozens were detained. 🇳🇱 ↗ · 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇧🇪 ↗
• German General Carsten Breuer was elected new chairman of NATO's Military Committee, with the alliance stressing it has plans ready in case of escalation on the eastern flank. 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇷🇸 ↗ · 🇱🇹 ↗
• Drones shut down Luxembourg's airport for several hours, forcing immediate closure of the airspace, with Prime Minister Frieden calling the situation "serious." 🇱🇺 ↗ · 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇭🇺 ↗
• Russia's State Duma elections were accompanied, according to Moscow, by a "massive" cyberattack on the voting system, with residents of annexed Ukrainian territories voting for the first time. Our article → 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇷🇸 ↗
• Slovak Prime Minister Fico warns against heading toward a conflict between Russia and NATO, speaking of "warmongers" within the Alliance. Our article → 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇦🇹 ↗

Tier A — Geopolitical relevance for Slovakia

• Germany votes today — state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have the potential, according to ZDF, to tear apart a nervous CDU. Our article → ZDF heute ↗
• Merz is "in a mess" — FAZ writes that the country must first admit how deep the crisis is that it's stuck in. FAZ ↗
• Putin's envoy is openly courting the AfD ahead of the state elections, while the party is also preparing a plan for a standalone government in Brandenburg. n-tv ↗ · Tagesspiegel ↗
• Satellite images show Russia is moving drone production underground. n-tv ↗
• A mother and her children were killed in a Russian missile and drone attack near Kyiv. Tagesspiegel ↗
• Scandal: a dentists' pension association squandered €1.3 billion on luxury hotels instead of doctors' pensions. n-tv ↗
• China concerns: the US lost a shipment containing secret F-35 fighter jet technology, with parts allegedly reaching Hong Kong. n-tv ↗ · taz ↗
• Dispute over the gasoline "fuel rebate" — critics say Germans are footing the bill for Trump and Putin. Welt ↗

• Zelensky approved a plan for further long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, while Ukraine is also testing new drones to intercept Russian Geran drones. Wirtualna Polska ↗ · Rzeczpospolita ↗
• Turkey put forward a proposal for a partial end to fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. Onet ↗
• Politician Kalisz called on police to detain the head of Poland's Constitutional Court. Do Rzeczy ↗
• An F-16 fighter jet intercepted an aircraft that violated a no-fly zone over the Camp David presidential retreat, where Donald Trump was staying. TVN24 ↗
• According to Polish media, Russia is concealing its drone production, building underground halls for it. Onet ↗

• Prime Minister Péter Magyar was doused with a drink at a grape harvest festival in Szekszárd; the man who did it called himself a "fallen Orbán fighter." Telex ↗
• Investigation: publicist Zsolt Bayer received 3 million forints in public funds from the National Cultural Fund during the COVID pandemic. Népszava ↗
• Dismissed public broadcaster M5 director István Gulyás is suing the public media over his termination. HVG ↗
• Brussels wants to tighten control of Schengen entry points following the August drone incident in Leipzig. Népszava ↗
• According to political scientist Szabó, it hasn't yet been decided whether Fidesz or Mi Hazánk will lead the opposition; Péter Magyar has also hinted at concessions on the municipal solidarity tax. Index ↗ · Népszava ↗

• Switzerland's referendum against new nuclear power plants has been definitively confirmed. ORF ↗
• Missing parts of secret US F-35 fighter jet technology likely ended up in China, according to a report. ORF ↗
• Belarus held a military exercise near the EU border, while Moldova condemned a drone's violation of its airspace as "unacceptable." Kleine Zeitung ↗ · Die Presse ↗

• A Russian missile and drone attack killed a mother and her two children in the Kyiv region, while an FPV drone struck a civilian car in the Sumy region, killing 4 people. Kyiv Independent ↗ · Kyiv Independent ↗
• Zelensky approved an expansion of long-range strike operations in response to Russian attacks. Kyiv Independent ↗
• The SBU successfully intercepted a Russian "Geran-5" jet-powered drone with a new interceptor drone for the second time. Censor.NET ↗
• Denmark sent Ukraine an extraordinary military aid package worth $275 million. Interfax Ukraine ↗
• Verkhovna Rada Speaker Stefanchuk denied canceling a visit to Hungary and is initiating a meeting of the speakers of parliament of the "Carpathian Eight." Interfax Ukraine ↗ · Interfax Ukraine ↗

Tier B — EU heavyweights

• During his visit to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Macron sent a message to Trump that the territory remains French — a response to a map showing expansionist US claims. Le Monde ↗
• Bardella calls Russia a "hybrid threat," prefects mobilize against hybrid warfare, Macron promises a plan to protect critical infrastructure. BFM TV ↗ · BFM TV ↗
• Public broadcaster France Inter cancelled Charles Sapin's Sunday commentary after weeks of dispute with unions. Le Monde ↗
• 2027 budget: the government freezes housing benefits (APL), the minister admits that "everyone has to give a little". Le Figaro ↗
• Ahead of the presidential election, Glucksmann distances himself from the label of "crypto-Macronist". La Tribune ↗
• Police in Beauvais shot dead an armed man outside his home; according to the prosecutor's office, he threatened the officers responding. Le Monde ↗
• LFI MP Sébastien Delogu admitted he had not paid child support for years, and now claims he has settled the debt. BFM TV ↗
• In Mali, the death toll from the jihadist attack near Diouré has climbed to a hundred soldiers. France 24 ↗

• Overnight, Russia struck Odesa and Kyiv with two hypersonic missiles. Il Sole 24 Ore ↗
• At the League's rally in Pontida, the crowd chanted "remigration" during Salvini's speech, and supporters greeted the party leader with ovations. Corriere della Sera ↗
• At the M5S "Nova" congress, Francesca Albanese received a standing ovation for calling to sever ties with Israel, which she labeled an apartheid state, while Conte welcomed the return of Alessandro Di Battista. Il Fatto Quotidiano ↗ · Il Fatto Quotidiano ↗
• A thirteen-year-old boy stabbed a teacher at a school in Rome; according to one investigative theory, he was "recruited" online by supremacist groups for the attack. Corriere della Sera ↗
• Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Pichetto Fratin is ready to intervene in electricity and gas prices even without Brussels' approval, and plans the first nuclear reactor for 2033-34. La Repubblica ↗ · Open ↗
• Next year's budget provides for a cut in income tax and an exemption from the road tax for cars up to 80 kW. Il Sole 24 Ore ↗
• Former IMF Deputy Managing Director Gopinath warns that artificial intelligence is a "risk" and calls for a US-China agreement on its safety. La Repubblica ↗
• Deputy Prime Minister Tajani sparked a political row by saying it is better to "marry a woman who isn't conspicuous". La Repubblica ↗

Tier C — alternative perspectives

• Switzerland's neutrality initiative ahead of the referendum — supported by only a third of respondents, with Christoph Blocher conceding defeat. Tages-Anzeiger ↗
• Accusations of torturing prisoners leveled at Israel: "I feared for my life". SRF ↗
• Clashes at the "March for Life" in Zurich between counter-demonstrators and police. Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
• Former European Commission President Juncker on Swiss-EU treaties: "I understand some of the concerns". Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
• Europe's rearmament is filling the order books of Swiss industry in place of cars. Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗

• A nighttime check in Ceuta found that of 30 migrants identified, ten had orders to report to prison; the Interior Ministry is calling for the Spain-Mexico match in the city to be cancelled over "migration pressure". El Mundo ↗ · ABC ↗
• Rabat is coming under greater European scrutiny — Reporters Without Borders accuses Morocco of running a campaign against critical journalists. La Vanguardia ↗
• Unrest is growing within the Sumar coalition following the departures of Bustinduy, Urtasun, Colau and Garzón, while Podemos is meanwhile attempting a "takeover" of the space to the left of the PSOE. El Mundo ↗
• A woman was murdered by stab wounds in her own apartment in Leganés; the perpetrator also tried to set the apartment on fire. ABC ↗
• A fire at a psychiatric facility in Pamplona left one dead and seven injured. El Mundo ↗
• The economic situation is becoming a key theme of Brazil's election campaign, with fiscal cuts overshadowing the good numbers posted by Lula's government. El País ↗
• The US approved the sale of defense systems to Ukraine worth 2.7 billion dollars. El Mundo ↗
• Michelle Bachelet withdrew her candidacy to head the UN. El País ↗

Tier D — weaker news cycle

• At least 48 people were killed in Yemen in fighting between government forces and the Houthis. La Libre ↗
• Is Russia preparing a frontal attack on Europe? According to Colonel Housen, Russia lacks the military-technical capacity for a conventional war against Europe, but cyberattacks, disinformation and assassination attempts are increasing. Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
• A North Korean hacker gained access to an IT consultant for the Flemish government through a fake recruiter on LinkedIn. Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
• The Belgian table tennis federation has fallen victim to a cyberattack, putting the data of more than 65,000 members at risk. VRT NWS ↗
• Evert de Clercq, who played a part in hiring the killer of the castle owner in Wingene, has been released from a Dutch prison following a pardon request — everyone convicted in the case is now free. 7sur7 ↗
• The man convicted of murder in the Jairon case is nevertheless at home — raising questions about how the justice system works. Het Laatste Nieuws ↗
• OpenAI chief Sam Altman will address the UN Security Council next week on the risks of artificial intelligence. De Morgen ↗
• In Nigeria, at least 48 people died after methanol poisoning from illegal alcohol called "Monkey Tail". VRT NWS ↗

• Former central bank governor Centeno criticized President Marcelo for installing a government without a parliamentary majority. RTP ↗
• The opposition has sharpened its attacks on Prime Minister Montenegro's minority government — Ventura (Chega) called him the "father of incompetence and machinations". RTP ↗
• Prosecutors have shelved the corruption case against former minister Manuel Pinho and ex-head of the Roland Berger branch. Observador ↗
• Tehran warned that US and Israeli actions could jeopardize the nuclear weapons treaty — six months of war have already cost the US an estimated $43.6 billion, according to US military command. RTP ↗ · Diário de Notícias ↗
• A fire in the Coimbra district has spread to three municipalities and is threatening villages, injuring seven firefighters. RTP ↗

• Israeli airstrikes killed several people in Gaza, including the son of the health ministry chief among the victims. The Irish Times ↗
• Budget 2027: the government is considering a tax break for childminders. RTÉ ↗
• RTÉ will broadcast the Ireland–Israel Nations League match, but in a limited form without ads or analysis — some staff are "seriously unhappy". Irish Independent ↗
• President Connolly warns that major powers are "normalizing" war and genocide. RTÉ ↗
• Former DUP leader Donaldson is appealing the jury's verdicts, while the party's current leader says his "abhorrent acts" do not define the DUP's values. Irish Independent ↗

• Extinction Rebellion activists blocked the A12 motorway near Zevenaar, with around 100 detained. de Volkskrant ↗
• The Netherlands promised to end homelessness, but the problem on the streets is growing. AD ↗
• A Microsoft manager called training artificial intelligence on publishers' articles "theft". NU.nl ↗
• Court: rubber granulate from artificial turf fields is an environmental offense, potentially affecting 2,400 amateur clubs. AD ↗
• The planned ban on PFAS chemicals is not actually a ban, an analysis points out. NU.nl ↗
• A crackdown on human trafficking and exploitation in Indian restaurant chains, including in Utrecht. AD ↗
• The number of birds infected with West Nile virus is rising, and experts are concerned. AD ↗

🌍 Other Countries

• 🇷🇸 Vučić set off on a pre-election "merry-go-round" tour of the Danube region — with a fishing rod, an accordion, and beer paid out of his own pocket. Nova ↗ The Journalists' Association accused former parliament speaker Ana Brnabić of publishing a maliciously edited video of a journalist. Danas ↗
• 🇬🇧 British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly preparing an early election to secure a mandate to raise income tax, according to the Daily Mail. Daily Mail ↗ Caribbean states are drawing up a plan for how to secure slavery reparations from Britain. The Guardian ↗
• 🇹🇷 Turkish diplomacy chief Fidan: Israel is a threat not only to the region but to the whole world. Milliyet ↗ The case of the cancelled investment funds is growing to include more names — among them a former ambassador, a university rector, and a columnist for the daily Sabah. Cumhuriyet ↗
• 🇭🇷 A former Pussy Riot member claims Russia's FSB forced her to lure an activist to Serbia so he could be killed. Index.hr ↗ The SDP and Možemo presented the basis for coalition talks, and the HDZ responded. HRT ↗
• 🇷🇴 According to Digi24 sources, President Nicușor Dan signed a decree naming MEP Siegfried Mureșan as his candidate for prime minister. Digi24 ↗ Former President Băsescu claims poor PISA test results explain the success of the far-right's George Simion. Libertatea ↗
• 🇬🇷 Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan again angered Greece with remarks on the demilitarization of the Aegean islands — he says Ankara will not accept the militarization of islands with demilitarized status. Protothema ↗ At home, Skertsos accuses Tsipras of lying about "Bulgarian salaries." Protothema ↗
• 🇫🇮 Green party leader Virta wants to propose a vote of no confidence in Defense Minister Häkkänen. Yle ↗ Power plants to make up for the electricity shortfall are surprisingly being built all over Finland. Helsingin Sanomat ↗
• 🇱🇹 Poland is expanding its network of sirens along the border due to intense Russian attacks. LRT ↗ Lithuania is proposing to restrict Russians' and Belarusians' ability to buy real estate there. LRT ↗
• 🇧🇦 The Serbian army held three days of exercises near the border with Bosnia along the Drina river; the opposition is asking whether BiH institutions knew about it. N1 Bosna ↗ Halfway through the election campaign, 794 electoral irregularities have been recorded. N1 Bosna ↗
• 🇸🇪 South Africa is shaken by nine murders of women and fears of a serial killer, with anger turning against the government: "How many more?" Dagens Nyheter ↗ According to a military analyst, Russia is trying to knock out the last artery of Ukraine's economy with attacks on railways. Dagens Nyheter ↗
• 🇧🇬 The justice minister sees signs of a "reshuffle" in chief prosecutor Sarafov's office. Dnevnik ↗ The war in Iran has already cost an estimated 43.6 billion dollars, according to US estimates. Dnevnik ↗
• 🇸🇮 Freedom Movement leader Golob: "Every resistance to Nazism and fascism deserves respect." RTV Slovenija ↗ Diesel will likely soon cross the two-euro-per-liter mark. 24ur ↗
• 🇮🇸 A looming strike by aircraft mechanics could cost Iceland a billion ISK a day, with the country's good name also at stake. RÚV ↗ Belarus held military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania. RÚV ↗
• 🇳🇴 Four people died in a US strike on a boat in the Caribbean — Washington says it is part of the fight against drug trafficking. NRK ↗ Norway's government is making it harder to seize Russian ships near Svalbard. Aftenposten ↗
• 🇲🇰 Germany received its first F-35 fighter jet, as European plans for a joint next-generation fighter jet fall apart. Nezavisen ↗ Putin sent a message to Europe: "Let us live in peace, otherwise we will respond." MKD.mk ↗
• 🇲🇪 The "May 21" initiative accused Prime Minister Spajić of improvised and dangerous economic policy. Vijesti ↗ Vuksanović: Montenegro will remain a reliable NATO ally. Vijesti ↗
• 🇪🇪 Day 1670 of the war in Ukraine: Turkey admits it is difficult to bring Kyiv's and Moscow's positions closer on the Black Sea. Postimees ↗ In Belgium, a police officer is being investigated for hitting a handcuffed woman in the face and forcibly shoving her into a police van. Postimees ↗
• 🇩🇰 Within the ranks of the governing Radikale Venstre, fears are growing that the government could fall. Politiken ↗ Authorities in Gaza report four dead after Israeli strikes. Berlingske ↗
• 🇺🇸 California Governor Newsom signed laws against election manipulation ahead of the November elections. The Hill ↗ The Trump administration has begun building the Big Bend section of the border wall in Texas. The Hill ↗
• 🇱🇻 Sweden objects after Latvia rejected the "Archer" howitzers. LSM ↗ Latvia is short of judges, with the most vacancies in Latgale. LSM ↗
• 🇦🇱 The 112th anti-government protest has ended in Tirana, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Balkanweb ↗ Former Socialist MP Halit Valteri attacked ex-deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku on social media, listing off her apartments, villas, cars, and yachts. Balkanweb ↗
• 🇲🇹 Opposition Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg promised "all necessary pressure" to implement the recommendations from the inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, should the government use its parliamentary majority against them. Newsbook ↗ A hunter received a lifetime hunting ban and a €5,000 fine for shooting a protected black stork. Lovin Malta ↗
• 🇲🇩 The US expanded sanctions over involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children. Ziarul de Gardă ↗ DW analysis: a war-weary and anxious Russia is electing a new parliament. Ziarul de Gardă ↗

🔭 What Barely Made the News Here

• The EU's sanctions register against Russia could expire entirely if no compromise is found by September 21 — according to Kyiv Independent, Slovakia is pushing to remove oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the list, with France also backing Usmanov's removal. The Ukrainian perspective on Slovakia's direct involvement in softening the sanctions, just before Monday's deadline, has not yet appeared in Slovak media. Kyiv Independent ↗
• Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez is stalling for time against the US in a "regime change on low heat" style, while opposition leader María Corina Machado is planning a public, not secret, return to the country. Handelsblatt ↗ · ABC ↗