What Europe Is Writing About: Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire, AI Sparks Panic, Drone Over Lithuania

🔁 What's moving Europe today

• Trump claims that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure. Nearly all of monitored Europe is writing about it. 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇬🇧 ↗ · 🇷🇴 ↗ · 🇧🇬 ↗ · 🇳🇴 ↗
  • 🇺🇦 Kyiv says the deal isn't done yet and wants guarantees. Kyiv Independent ↗

• AfD is promising another election victory, but the CDU nonetheless held its position in Lower Saxony's local elections. Tagesschau ↗
• The US is scrapping emissions limits for coal and gas power plants. Tagesspiegel ↗
• Finance Minister Klingbeil has set conditions for Italian UniCredit's takeover of Commerzbank, the state wants to keep a stake in the bank. Tagesschau ↗
• Israel is cracking down on the makers of the Gaza war documentary "Nasa," fueling the censorship debate. Tagesschau ↗
• Former CIA chief John Brennan is to be questioned over an alleged conspiracy against Trump. Die Zeit ↗

• According to an opposition daily, the Tusk government is also considering a "forceful option" for taking over the Constitutional Court. Do Rzeczy ↗
• President Nawrocki agreed to dismiss the head of the State Protection Service, General Jaworski is leaving office. Wirtualna Polska ↗
• Customs officers found 35 migrants in a refrigerated truck on the A2 motorway. Do Rzeczy ↗
• Poland is strengthening its defense industry: the STEP program brings over 500 million zlotys for critical technologies. Rzeczpospolita ↗
• The ruling city coalition in Gdynia has fallen apart. Onet ↗

• The government plans to significantly raise the excise tax on tobacco starting as early as November. Magyar Nemzet ↗
• The government is halting the renovation of Buda Castle. Telex ↗
• Orbán compared the new government to the ÁVH, the communist secret police; the response mentions legal action being prepared. Index ↗
• Oligarch Lőrinc Mészáros is ready to cooperate with the new government after Fidesz's defeat. Népszava ↗
• Márki-Zay announced his movement will now run in all elections, including 2030. 444 ↗

• Another inmate died under suspicious circumstances at Garsten prison, a repeat case of suspected murder. Die Presse ↗
• French hostages in Azerbaijan have become a tool of pressure in the EU dispute over sanctions against Russia. Die Presse ↗
• Lagarde and Van der Bellen are calling for an EU capital markets union to finance investment in artificial intelligence. Die Presse ↗
• Turkey has blocked the X accounts of human rights organizations. Der Standard ↗
• Dozens of soldiers and five Russian mercenaries were killed in Mali. Kleine Zeitung ↗

• The Prosecutor General's Office denied suspicions against NABU anti-corruption chief Kryvonos; the case could trigger a political crisis. Censor.NET ↗
• A Russian missile hit the city of Izium in the Kharkiv region, three minors among the injured. Ukrayinska Pravda ↗
• Ukraine's state budget is nearing a critical point, Kyiv is urging parliament to pass key budget laws. Kyiv Independent ↗
• Kim Jong Un called Russia's war "sacred" and pledged further support to Moscow. Kyiv Post ↗
• The World Bank will send Ukraine $841 million under a Canadian guarantee. Kyiv Post ↗

• The government plans pension cuts in the 2027 budget: former finance minister Le Maire proposes decoupling pension indexation from inflation. BFM TV ↗
• Macron proposed "advanced nuclear deterrence" to European countries, Estonia is already negotiating it with Paris. Le Figaro ↗
• The American pilot shot down over Iran has for the first time described his 48-hour survival after his parachute failed to open properly. Le Figaro ↗
• Britain is preparing to nationalize the Speciality Steel steelworks, the country's third largest. Le Monde ↗
• Paris mayor Hidalgo and her associate Bloche must explain a scandal in school after-care programs before the Senate. Le Figaro ↗
• Turkey is intensifying repression of the LGBT+ community, dozens arrested. BFM TV ↗
• The US has confirmed for the first time that it has weapons deployed in space. Le Figaro ↗
• The RN is pushing "national priority" in housing allocation, the opposition calls it a xenophobic whim. Libération ↗

• The Senate has finished debating the electoral law, a vote is scheduled for tomorrow, the opposition protests the tightening of signature rules. ANSA ↗
• The ruling coalition is split over deploying 10,000 soldiers in the "Strade Sicure" program, the League is pushing, FdI and FI are holding back. Open ↗
• Rome was hit by a series of air-rifle shootings in the city center near the Vatican, a woman was injured. La Repubblica ↗
• Rome bid farewell to former minister Emma Bonino at a silent vigil on the Capitoline Hill. Il Manifesto ↗
• Swedish elections: PM Andersson's camp leads, the center refuses cooperation with the left. Open ↗
• Netanyahu called an award-winning documentary about civilians killed in Gaza, shown in Venice, "unacceptable," the military has opened an investigation. ANSA ↗
• Domestic political tension: Conte goes on the attack, a chill in the PD, Schlein refuses to "play his game." Corriere della Sera ↗
• Finance Minister Giorgetti promises measures to ease energy prices for households, businesses and transport. ANSA ↗

• Opposition SP demands an investigative committee into the F-35 fighter jet scandal, calling it "Mirage scandal 2.0". Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
• Swiss Ständerat approves trade deal with Mercosur, Economy Minister Parmelin warns that "time is working against Switzerland". Neue Zürcher Zeitung ↗
• Neutrality initiative faces criticism that it would prevent the country from joining EU sanctions and give despots a "free pass". SRF ↗

• Head of Luxembourg's space agency unexpectedly resigns. Luxemburger Wort ↗
• Secret supply chain: Chinese technology reaches Russian drones deployed in Ukraine via detours. Luxemburger Wort ↗

• Prosecutors now record 35 complaints of sexual assault in Ceuta since the start of the migration crisis, nearly one a day. El Español ↗
• Sánchez defends Morocco, claims intelligence service CNI failed to warn of the scale of the migration wave. La Vanguardia ↗
• Sánchez calls on judges to engage in "self-assessment", government goes on the offensive against the judiciary. El Confidencial ↗
• Electoral commission splits over interpretation of the so-called "grandchildren's law", talk of "chaos". El Mundo ↗
• Opposition PP leader Feijóo proposes stripping citizenship from migrants convicted of serious crimes. El Mundo ↗

• Dismissal of a teacher over hijab sparks nationwide debate on secularism in schools. De Standaard ↗
• Nighttime air traffic control outages at Charleroi to continue until mid-October. De Standaard ↗
• Online bank Revolut data breach affects hundreds of Belgian clients. La Libre ↗
• Body of wanted KU Leuven professor found dead in the Scottish Highlands after days of searching. De Standaard ↗
• US Supreme Court blocks Trump's plans to restrict mail-in voting. De Standaard ↗

• Prosecutors investigate head of the Judicial Police (PJ) for perjury and abuse of power. Público ↗
• Portugal reports community transmission of mpox and 66 new infections. CM Jornal ↗
• Massive cyberattack cripples mobile networks MEO, NOS, Vodafone and DIGI across the country. Expresso ↗
• Constitutional Court addresses motion to ban the Chega party, court denies that proceedings are underway. RTP ↗
• Former Prime Minister José Sócrates loses another court battle in the Marquês case. Observador ↗
• Independence of the Lusa news agency under threat, staff accuse minister of indifference. Observador ↗
• Large wildfire in Proença-a-Nova mobilizes hundreds of firefighters and aircraft. Expresso ↗

• ECB raises interest rates, opposition demands emergency parliamentary debate. RTÉ ↗
• Tariffs on Irish whiskey lifted following Trump's visit. RTÉ ↗
• Government under pressure to release burial records from Bessborough, a home for unmarried mothers. The Irish Times ↗
• Seven Garda members dismissed from service this year, pressure on police mounting. The Irish Times ↗
• Israel considers stripping citizenship from creators of documentary on AI-assisted mass killing of civilians in Gaza. The Journal ↗

• Budget Day (Prinsjesdag) after averted government collapse: cabinet keeps higher taxes for workers and expanded mortgage relief. NRC ↗
• Death of Alfred Goeloe during a police operation in Rotterdam sparks unrest. NOS ↗
• Online bank Revolut confirms leak of sensitive data of Dutch clients to cybercriminals. De Telegraaf ↗
• Three Dutch nationals killed in small plane crash in Germany. NOS ↗
• Turkey arrests dozens of LGBTI activists in wave of repression. de Volkskrant ↗

🌍 Other countries

• Serbian President Vučić announced he will step down from office on September 27. N1 Serbia ↗
• The Republic Election Commission (RIK) approved the financial plan for the September parliamentary elections. Politika ↗
• NATO chief Rutte assured that KFOR will remain strong in Kosovo even after September 16. Danas ↗

• The House of Lords is examining the legality of Reform UK's £72 million funding, as Farage faces accusations over money from crypto billionaires. The Mirror ↗
• Scottish independence a hot topic again: critics call Swinney's "separatist summit" a stunt to distract from SNP failures. Daily Mail ↗
• A man pleaded guilty to 60 charges of drugging and raping his wife over 20 years — Britain's equivalent of the Pelicot case. BBC News ↗
• A Labour MP proposed a radical overhaul of the Equality Act in favor of protections for transgender people. Daily Mail ↗

• The dispute over the incineration of toxic waste from Gospić is escalating; an MEP refuses to let Croatia become "the EU's dump". Novi list ↗
• Apartment building fire in Zadar leaves a three-year-old child seriously injured and fighting for life. HRT ↗
• NATO chief Rutte: Putin is desperate, the alliance will increase aid to Ukraine. Index.hr ↗

• 80th hearing in the corruption case of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). Habertürk ↗
• Opposition MP Yavuzyılmaz uncovered another case that could cost Turkey at least $100 million a year. Cumhuriyet ↗
• Court ordered the release of businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, linked to a large-scale fraud case. Habertürk ↗

• Romania's political crisis deepens: AUR deputy chairman comments on possible suspension of the president's powers. G4Media ↗
• A €54 million investment to modernize the Cugir arms factory for producing NATO ammunition. Digi24 ↗
• Environment Minister Buzoianu filed a complaint against a Metrorex union leader over misogynistic remarks. Digi24 ↗

• The Greek government is opening the possibility of a heating oil subsidy if the price exceeds €1.80. To Vima ↗
• MEP Nikos Papandreou faces a request to waive his immunity in the European Parliament. Protothema ↗

• The conviction of the mayor of Druskininkai has become legally final. Lietuvos Rytas ↗
• An incident near a mosque in Kaunas triggered a political reaction, with MP Katelynas speaking of a "new reality". Lietuvos Rytas ↗
• An expert calls on official Matjošaitytė to resign over persistent doubts about her conduct in office. Lietuvos Rytas ↗

• Tidö party leaders held coalition talks, with the Sweden Democrats considering backing down from a key demand. Expressen ↗
• Electricity prices jumped to a new record amid the energy crisis. Expressen ↗
• A report warns of an ammunition shortage in the West following the war with Iran. Dagens Nyheter ↗

• Trump unhappy with Finland's Google data center deal: "I'm not satisfied". Helsingin Sanomat ↗
• Notorious hacker Julius Kivimäki is wanted across Europe. Ilta-Sanomat ↗

• Dodik from Banja Luka warned Sarajevo that an attack on Republika Srpska is an attack on Serbia and vice versa. Klix.ba ↗
• RS parliament speaker Stevandić issued a warning: "if you attack us, you won't have time to defend yourselves". Radio Sarajevo ↗
• Serbia denied Konaković's claim: "we sent a flight overflight request on September 11". N1 Bosna ↗

• Poll: SDS continues to widen its lead, President Pirc Musar is no longer the most popular political figure. Žurnal24 ↗
• Janša met with Patriarch Porfirije to discuss the status of the Orthodox community in Slovenia. RTV Slovenija ↗

• Protest in front of Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT in support of dismissed journalist Georgi Angelov. Dnevnik ↗
• Nearly 1.3 million pensioners will officially fall below the poverty line starting in January. 24 Chasa ↗

• A large fire destroyed part of the historic Toppstöðin power station in Reykjavík. RÚV ↗
• Iceland has no plans to formally withdraw its EU membership application. RÚV ↗

• Stabbing in Oslo: a young man seriously injured, one person detained. Aftenposten ↗
• Five 18-year-old Norwegians died; police investigating a speed-measuring app linked to accidents. Aftenposten ↗

• Von der Leyen expected to visit the region, which could advance North Macedonia's EU accession talks. MKD.mk ↗
• PM Mickoski: without government measures, diesel would be 11.5 denars more expensive per liter. Libertas ↗

• Important documents are missing from the RKIK register; the ministry claims nothing was destroyed. Postimees ↗
• French ambassador: secret talks on nuclear deterrence with Estonia have progressed. Postimees ↗

• McConnell returned to the Senate after an extended health absence, voting for the first time since June. NPR ↗
• Whistleblower: federal agents may have violated state laws while investigating election fraud. NPR ↗

• Vuković: social media is the biggest source of violence among peers. Vijesti ↗
• Đeljošaj: the Albanian Forum will present concrete demands to PM Spajić, putting an end to speculation. Vijesti ↗

• The European Parliament will open a new representation office in Canada. DR ↗
• The Trump administration scrapped CO2 limits for US power plants. Politiken ↗

• Day 107 of anti-government protests: demonstrators demand the arrest of PM Rama and a "revolution". Gazeta Shqiptare ↗
• Journalist Artan Hoxha accused former deputy PM Belinda Balluku of personally directing the blockade of the company Delvina Gas. He bases this on wiretaps of adviser Ron Yeffet. Gazeta Shqiptare ↗

• The coalition cannot agree on a complete ban on the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain. LSM ↗
• Finland joins the French nuclear deterrence initiative, following Estonia. LSM ↗

• German broadcaster DW: sabotage acts across the EU directed from Russia via a Cuban dancer. Ziarul de Gardă ↗
• Former CIA director: Moldova could be Putin's next target. Ziarul de Gardă ↗

• Yorgen Fenech's defense threatens legal action in the ongoing trial over the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Newsbook ↗
• Ministers condemned tourists' behavior — a year after a similar incident occurred. Newsbook ↗

🔎 Foreign-lens candidates

• The Kremlev affair (Handelsblatt, El País, Dagens Nyheter, Index.hr and 9 other countries) — Trump's son's wedding was financed by a Russian oligarch close to the Kremlin; SK/CZ media have not covered the topic so far, even though it involves a documented financial tie to a Kremlin-linked oligarch directly within the Trump family.
• Drone shot down over Lithuania (Tagesspiegel, Wirtualna Polska and 11 other countries) — a fresh report from just a few hours ago, following on from the August precedent involving a drone over Romania; SK/CZ outlets will likely catch up on it during the day.
• Bosnia: Dodik escalates rhetoric toward Sarajevo (Klix.ba, N1 Bosna, Radio Sarajevo) — the OSCE warns of a breach of the Dayton Agreement, and the EPP faction in the European Parliament has condemned the attendance of Serbian officials at Mladić's funeral. Unlike Vučić's resignation itself, which SK/CZ media cover heavily, this granular escalation around Republika Srpska is off their radar.