CDU suffered its first-ever defeat in state elections in the history of the Federal Republic — in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the AfD won, in Berlin Die Linke triumphed decisively, and Chancellor Merz, despite his own words about a "catastrophe," refuses to resign. In the Middle East, meanwhile, tensions are escalating following the Houthi attack on Riyadh: Iran has handed the United States conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has suspended October oil deliveries to European refineries, and diesel prices in Europe are climbing to record highs. Russia confirmed victory for Putin's party in parliamentary elections without any real opposition, and Zelensky announced he will meet Trump in New York next week.
🔁 What's moving Europe today
- For the first time in its history, the CDU failed to clear the 5-percent threshold in state elections — in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it finished at 4.9%, with the AfD winning there narrowly ahead of the SPD, while in Berlin Die Linke won decisively; Chancellor Merz calls it a "catastrophe" but refuses to resign. Nearly 30 newsrooms across Europe are covering this. Our article → 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇦🇹 ↗ · 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇮🇹 ↗ · 🇪🇸 ↗
- AfD leader Weidel declared victory and called on Merz to resign. Nezavisen ↗
- Tensions are escalating in the Middle East following the Houthi attack on Riyadh — Iran has handed the US conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has suspended October oil deliveries to European refineries, and diesel prices in Europe are climbing to record highs. 🇱🇹 ↗ · 🇫🇷 ↗ · 🇲🇰 ↗ · 🇧🇪 ↗ · 🇧🇬 ↗
- Russia confirmed victory for Putin's United Russia party in parliamentary elections without any real opposition; according to the exit poll it won over 49 percent, with turnout at 56 percent of eligible voters. Our article → 🇩🇪 ↗ · 🇮🇹 ↗ · 🇷🇴 ↗ · 🇪🇪 ↗
- Zelensky announced he will meet Trump in New York next week — "it could change a lot." 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇭🇺 ↗ · 🇺🇦 ↗ · 🇷🇴 ↗
- Other leaders are also heading to New York for the UN General Assembly — Turkish President Erdoğan received a tumultuous welcome at Türkevi, the Turkish House in New York, Croatian Prime Minister Plenković will deliver a speech there, and the Austrian trio of Van der Bellen, Stocker, and Meinl-Reisinger will meet with outgoing Secretary-General Guterres on Monday. New York Mayor Mamdani will meet with Trump on Monday. 🇹🇷 ↗ · 🇭🇷 ↗ · 🇦🇹 ↗ · 🇺🇸 ↗
- Meloni announced a decree that will limit the share of foreigners in school classes and ban the burqa and niqab in schools — school principals say the measure is unenforceable. Our article → 🇮🇹 ↗ · 🇭🇺 ↗ · 🇨🇭 ↗ · 🇩🇰 ↗
- The Trump administration is preparing sanctions against the entire International Criminal Court, intended to cripple it financially. 🇦🇹 ↗ · 🇵🇱 ↗ · 🇫🇮 ↗ · 🇭🇺 ↗
- Trump wants his planned huge triumphal arch in Washington to also serve as a military complex for drones and snipers. 🇱🇺 ↗ · 🇷🇴 ↗ · 🇲🇰 ↗
- European intelligence officers warn that Russia could test NATO "within months, not years." 🇬🇧 ↗ · 🇭🇷 ↗ · 🇲🇪 ↗ · 🇧🇦 ↗
DE🇩🇪German media
- Analysis: eastern Germany is becoming "no man's land" for the CDU — the party has practically disappeared there. Tagesspiegel ↗
- An ICE agent shot a man in a liberal neighborhood of Austin, Texas, the case is going to an independent investigation. Spiegel ↗ · El Confidencial ↗ · The Irish Times ↗
- Venezuelan opposition Nobel laureate Machado wants to return home soon. Tagesspiegel ↗
PL🇵🇱Polish media
- Polish press: Merz is the "biggest loser" of the German elections — an analysis of election night. Wirtualna Polska ↗
- Onet and POLITICO published secret Russian plans — Moscow wants to sharply increase production of kamikaze drones, with a new factory set to launch as early as 2027. Onet ↗
- Russia threatens to intensify attacks on Kyiv after Ukraine's strike on a Moscow refinery. Onet ↗
- An accident involving former President Andrzej Duda's daughter near Kielce — she ended up in hospital. Onet ↗
- The US is negotiating with Belarus, releasing 25 prisoners after talks — according to Poczobut, repression has not yet stopped, and "tough challenges" lie ahead for the Americans. Onet ↗
HU🇭🇺Hungarian media
- New fuel storage facilities for Ukraine are to be built in Hungary, with MOL also involved. Portfolio ↗
- Police released the man detained for the murder on Akácfa Street, and are searching for two suspects. Telex ↗
- Finance Minister András Kármán: Viktor Orbán does not understand economic policy — commenting on Orbán's speech in Kötcse. HVG ↗
- Independent candidates won mayoral by-elections in three municipalities, Péter Magyar commented on this. Index ↗
- Sam Altman will address the UN Security Council, as concerns about AI risks grow. Index ↗
AT🇦🇹Austrian media
- Iran's economy has shrunk significantly since the start of the war. ORF ↗
- The largest La Tène-era iron find comes from the Upper Austria region. Kleine Zeitung ↗
- Dead and injured in renewed violence in the West Bank. Der Standard ↗
UA🇺🇦Ukrainian media
- In a phone call, Trump repeatedly asked Zelensky to stop attacking Russian refineries — according to Axios reports. Censor.NET ↗
- Czech intelligence warns of possible intensification of Russian provocations against NATO. Our article → Censor.NET ↗
- Russia is expanding the "Alabuga-Volokno" drone factory, with production of jet-powered attack drones reportedly set to rise by 78%, according to media reports. Ukrayinska Pravda ↗
- Poland condemned the Russian-organized "elections" in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Interfax Ukraine ↗
- Russia again attacked Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, with casualties and injuries. Ukrayinska Pravda ↗ · Ukrayinska Pravda ↗
FR🇫🇷French media
- France asks whether it is already "at war with Russia" — BFM TV devoted the evening to the plan to protect sensitive sites from drones and cyberattacks. BFM TV ↗
- Thousands of people demonstrated in Paris against a bill on the presumption of lawful use of firearms by police. France 24 ↗
- Fuel prices continue to rise — the prime minister has called an emergency meeting at Matignon for Monday on new aid for drivers. Le Figaro ↗
- The 2027 presidential campaign is heating up: Royal harshly attacked Glucksmann, and there's a dispute between Ciotti and Retailleau. 20 Minutes ↗
- Macron plans a major interview on Thursday, September 24, about the international situation. BFM TV ↗
- Abuse in Bétharram: a former student has accused a former bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, a Resistance hero who died in 1977, of rape. BFM TV ↗
- The trial of French citizens who fought for ISIS has begun in Iraq despite requests for repatriation. RFI ↗
IT🇮🇹Italian media
- Vannacci's movement Futuro Nazionale is organizing a rally with the AfD, pro-Russian activists, and Mussolini's grandson. La Repubblica ↗
- The League's congress in Pontida split Salvini's base into two camps, with an extraordinary congress to be held in October. ANSA ↗
- M5S is voting on its platform (windfall profits, abuse of office), with 91.7% of the base opposed to sending weapons to Ukraine. Corriere della Sera ↗
- Schlein: support for Ukraine must continue until there is a just peace — she called on Meloni to announce an election date. Open ↗
- A CNN journalist barred from the White House, broadcasting from the sidewalk: "We're going to court." Our article → Corriere della Sera ↗
CH🇨🇭Swiss media
- The "1-percent chancellor" Friedrich Merz and his last chance — a commentary on the CDU's election debacle. SRF ↗
- Iranian army threatens the US and its allies amid the war in the Middle East. SRF ↗
- Report from Ukraine: the man behind the drone offensive — a portrait of Robert Brovdi. Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- Israeli writer Assaf Gavron: "I'm staying in Israel, but my daughters will leave." Tages-Anzeiger ↗
- A climate reserve for wine — Swiss winemakers fight for market share amid changing weather. SRF ↗
LU🇱🇺Luxembourg media
- Close race between AfD and SPD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania decided Merz's fate on the day of the double state elections. Our article → Luxemburger Wort ↗
- Luxembourg deployed additional detection equipment following a series of drone sightings. Luxembourg Times ↗
ES🇪🇸Spanish media
- Vox leans on the Trumpist Heritage Foundation to internationalize the crisis around Ceuta. ABC ↗
- Minister Albares hired a Moroccan businessman with access to sensitive Guardia Civil data – amid a wave of break-ins in Ceuta. ABC ↗
- Investigator Tardón hunts for the "mastermind" of the Ceuta invasion, searching for a link to the 2021 and 2024 incursions. ABC ↗
- PSOE faces its first indictment in the "Leire" case after the party's lawyer was summoned. ABC ↗
- Growth of the neo-Nazi organization Núcleo Nacional to around 2,000 members amid the migration crisis. ABC ↗
- A group of neighbors in Ceuta pelted a lawmaker's car with stones, mistaking her for NGO activists. El Mundo ↗
- Mass layoffs and tension at the Argentine presidential residence — Milei withdraws into himself, Bullrich prepares. El Mundo ↗
BE🇧🇪Belgian media
- MP Egbert Lachaert has left the Anders movement, and will sit in the Flemish parliament as an independent. VRT NWS ↗
- Wealthy Russian tourists remain welcome in France and Italy — a commentary. De Standaard ↗
PT🇵🇹Portuguese media
- Russia attacked Ukraine in a retaliatory strike overnight. RTP ↗
- The President of the European Council, together with the leaders of Brazil, Canada and Kenya, launched an initiative to reform the UN. RTP ↗
- The IMF recommends avoiding zero VAT on food. Jornal de Negócios ↗
IE🇮🇪Irish media
- 43 Georgian nationals deported from Ireland, at a cost of 225,000 euros. The Irish Times ↗
- Budget 2027 is a "watershed moment" for Ireland, says Minister Harris. RTÉ ↗
- Low wages are "endemic" in Ireland, warns report. RTÉ ↗
- Investigation into the Omagh bombing continues — witnesses will testify in the coming weeks. RTÉ ↗
- One dead and more than a dozen injured after a bus and car collision in Waterford. Irish Independent ↗
NL🇳🇱Dutch media
- Fatal shooting on a street in Roermond, the perpetrator not yet detained. NOS ↗
- Dutch youth hold an increasingly negative view of homosexuality, a survey shows. NOS ↗
🌍 Other countries
RS🇷🇸Serbian media
- The US is sending Ukraine a "clone" of the Russian S-300 system — a new missile, not a Soviet copy. Politika ↗
- European intelligence services: Russia is preparing for more decisive steps in Europe, Baltic states urge against spreading panic. Politika ↗
- Trump repeatedly mentioned the word "diesel" during a phone call with Zelensky. Politika ↗
- The number of disagreements between Ukraine and Russia has dropped from dozens to one or two issues, Kyiv claims. Politika ↗
- Fifth evening of protests in Pristina against the Special Court's verdict on four former KLA leaders. Danas ↗
- 18 suspects in the murder of the Haitian president extradited to the US — the story is also picked up by American, Danish and Montenegrin media. Politika ↗ · 🇺🇸 ↗ · 🇩🇰 ↗ · 🇲🇪 ↗
GB🇬🇧British media
- How the Arctic is becoming the new front line of the Cold War — Trump signed an agreement on Greenland, Russia fortifies Siberian bases. Daily Mail ↗
- Concerns over a decades-old legal loophole that allowed thousands of migrants to remain in Britain. Daily Mail ↗
TR🇹🇷Turkish media
- Two board members of the Tera Yatırım fund detained — the investigation into the fund market widens. Sabah ↗
- Candidate of Turkish origin Elif Eralp led the Left to victory in Berlin — the party won 25.5%, but needs coalition partners to govern. Our article → Milliyet ↗
- Strong explosions in the countryside southwest of Aleppo. Habertürk ↗
HR🇭🇷Croatian media
- Six Pakistani soldiers and eight militants killed in an attack on a military convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 24sata ↗
- Trump on Iran: "Am I going to blow up the whole country? They'd better watch their behavior." Index.hr ↗
RO🇷🇴Romanian media
- Former President Băsescu advises designated PM Mureșan not to reject AUR: "It has a reputation in Brussels, it won't be a problem." Libertatea ↗
- NATO shifts from air policing to a new "360-degree" defense system amid the growing drone and missile threat. Adevărul ↗
GR🇬🇷Greek media
- Moscow welcomes the AfD result: "Germany has woken up." Protothema ↗
- War and sanctions batter Iran's economy, GDP falls by 10.1%. Protothema ↗
- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stopped in Doha before heading to the UN General Assembly in New York. Naftemporiki ↗
- UBS chief warned Swiss lawmakers against overly strict capital requirements. Naftemporiki ↗
FI🇫🇮Finnish media
- Commentary: Putin secured an "election victory" — and the people will be rewarded with a whip and a stick. Ilta-Sanomat ↗
- Analyst: the results of Russia's "show elections" say nothing for certain. Ilta-Sanomat ↗
LT🇱🇹Lithuanian media
- Polls predict an AfD win in further state elections, though it is unlikely to gain power. 15min ↗
- The dictator's paradox: how Putin is both the shield and the weakest point of his system. 15min ↗
- Russia is preparing for another meeting with Trump's team. 15min ↗
- Ahead of its EU Council presidency, Lithuania shifts the dates of Litexpo events. LRT ↗
- An explanation of the coordinated Ukrainian operation against Moscow. 15min ↗
BA🇧🇦Bosnia and Herzegovina media
- Trump warns he has entered a "critical phase of consideration" on Iran: "Am I supposed to blow up the whole nation?" Klix.ba ↗
- Izetbegović (SDA): Bosnia faces a difficult period — only the SDA is capable of handling what's coming. N1 Bosna ↗
BG🇧🇬Bulgarian media
- Weidel demands Merz take political responsibility for the CDU's weak result. 24 Chasa ↗
- Russia wins the parliamentary election convincingly, with no surprise, more than 40% of voters stayed away. 24 Chasa ↗ · Dnevnik ↗
- Russia threatens retaliatory strikes on Kyiv after attacks during the elections. 24 Chasa ↗
- Bulgaria's sports minister exposed neglected sports facilities. Dnevnik ↗
SE🇸🇪Swedish media
- Head of Swedish intelligence: a Russian invasion "could be close." Aftonbladet ↗
- The military let AI assess the target — 120 children then died in the February attack on a school, writes SvD; the US has not yet taken responsibility for the attack. Svenska Dagbladet ↗
- Formation of the Swedish government is running into trouble, a commentator calls it a "disgrace." Expressen ↗
- Explosions near Aleppo in Syria. Svenska Dagbladet ↗
SI🇸🇮Slovenian media
- A Palestinian killed an Israeli settler in the West Bank, the Israeli army killed the car's driver. RTV Slovenija ↗
- The Fed raised the interest rate. Delo ↗
IS🇮🇸Icelandic media
- The election result was largely known in advance, little tension — commentary on the Russian elections. RÚV ↗
MK🇲🇰Macedonian media
- Israel is preparing a major operation in the West Bank after the deadly attack. Libertas ↗
NO🇳🇴Norwegian media
- How unpopular Trump really is — enough for Democrats to achieve something they hadn't managed in 100 years. Aftenposten ↗
US🇺🇸American media
- Ukraine fired 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds at Moscow. CBS News ↗
- Alberta will vote next month in a referendum on remaining in Canada. CBS News ↗
ME🇲🇪Montenegrin media
- Iran shut down a cultural center linked to the French embassy, France is considering a response. Vijesti ↗
- The death toll from the Russian attack on the Kyiv region has risen to four, including three children. Vijesti ↗
EE🇪🇪Estonian media
- Ukraine took out of operation a railway section used by the Russian army near Taganrog. Postimees ↗
- Zelensky approved new long-range operations. Postimees ↗
AL🇦🇱Albanian media
- The 113th protest against Edi Rama's government has ended, protesters again demand his resignation. Balkanweb ↗
- Moscow threatens retaliation, preparing to intensify attacks on Kyiv. Balkanweb ↗
- CIA chief met with the Egyptian president in connection with the crisis in the Middle East. Balkanweb ↗
LV🇱🇻Latvian media
- Only 0.8% of eligible Russian citizens living in Latvia took part in the Russian "elections" in Riga. LSM ↗
- The extensive illegal cigarette case reveals new episodes. LSM ↗
MT🇲🇹Maltese media
- The opposition leader will have an office in Valletta, announced Alex Borg. Newsbook ↗
- Five and a half years in prison for a "bouncer" over an attack in Paceville. Newsbook ↗
MD🇲🇩Moldovan media
- Three children, a woman, and a priest died in new Russian attacks on Ukraine. Newsmaker ↗
- Police, soldiers, and men in plain clothes lingered near polling stations in Transnistrian Tiraspol, Russian songs played from inside, and "Mother Russia is calling me" could be heard near the Palace of the Republic. Ziarul de Gardă ↗
🔭 What barely got mentioned here
Paris Saint-Germain club chief Nasser al-Khelaïfi is under investigation in France on suspicion of illegal favoritism in connection with French league television rights. The case is being followed simultaneously by French, Belgian, and Spanish media, but in Slovakia and the Czech Republic it has barely been mentioned.
Le Monde ↗ ·
La Libre ↗ ·
El Español ↗
