World

epa13248809 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a ceremony to present state awards to distinguished employees of Russia's defense industry ahead of Armourer's Day at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 18 September 2026. EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN/POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
epa13248809 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a ceremony to present state awards to distinguished employees of Russia's defense industry ahead of Armourer's Day at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 18 September 2026. EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN/POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
the elections

Putin's party wins overwhelmingly in Russia's vote. No anti-war parties are on the ballot.

United Russia rises to 57% and will have a solid majority in the Duma. Turnout is 56%.
epa13248848 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia,18 September 2026. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
epa13248848 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia,18 September 2026. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
the vote

Russia: Putin's party wins elections with nearly 50% of the vote

United Russia regains majority of seats in the Duma Parliament
Elif Eralp (Ansa-Epa)
Elif Eralp (Ansa-Epa)
the elections

Berlin, the left triumphs: who is the new mayor, Elif Eralp?

A 45-year-old human rights lawyer, she led Die Linke to the conquest of the capital. Housing was the central theme of her program.
Tino Chrupalla, uno dei leader di Afd, con Leif-Erik Holm candidato governatore in Meclemburgo (Ansa-Epa)
Tino Chrupalla, uno dei leader di Afd, con Leif-Erik Holm candidato governatore in Meclemburgo (Ansa-Epa)
the vote

Germany: AfD leads Mecklenburg, but will be in opposition. CDU collapses.

The Christian Democrats achieved their worst result ever in regional elections. The far-right won 32 seats. The SPD, the Left Party, and the Greens are preparing to govern the state.
epa13248558 A participant holds a placard that reads 'Elif for Berlin', referring to the top candidate for the upcoming election in Berlin of The Left party (Die Linke), Elif Eralp (not pictured), during the final election campaign rally of The Left (Die Linke) party prior to the House of Representatives election in Berlin, Germany, 18 September 2026. The Berlin House of Representatives election is scheduled for 20 September 2026. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN
epa13248558 A participant holds a placard that reads 'Elif for Berlin', referring to the top candidate for the upcoming election in Berlin of The Left party (Die Linke), Elif Eralp (not pictured), during the final election campaign rally of The Left (Die Linke) party prior to the House of Representatives election in Berlin, Germany, 18 September 2026. The Berlin House of Representatives election is scheduled for 20 September 2026. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN
the vote

German elections: Left-wing Die Linke wins in Berlin. The AfD gains ground, while Merz's CDU collapses.

The far-right prevailed in Macleburg-Vorpommern, ahead of the SPD. A double defeat for the chancellor's party: "A disaster."
the conflict

Massive attack on Moscow, chaos at the airport. Zelensky: "Cruise and ballistic missiles were also used."

Damage to a refinery and two deaths, the Ukrainian president: "Our long-range response has been particularly effective."
Fumo dal deposito di carburante dell'aeroporto internazionale King Khalid di Riad, in Arabia Saudita (foto via Ansa da X/TRTWorldNow)
Fumo dal deposito di carburante dell'aeroporto internazionale King Khalid di Riad, in Arabia Saudita (foto via Ansa da X/TRTWorldNow)
Middle East

Riyadh under attack, Houthis: "We are not at war with Italy."

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas responds to Crosetto and writes to member states: "The Aspides mission must be strengthened."
Carlo e Lady Diana, a destra Charles Spencer (Ansa)
Carlo e Lady Diana, a destra Charles Spencer (Ansa)
United Kingdom

Lady Diana's brother's explosive memoir: "Charles told me, 'We'll soon forget her.'"

War with Buckingham Palace over the upcoming book "Diana, My Sister, Swan Song"
Angelo Becciu (Ansa)
Angelo Becciu (Ansa)
the case

Becciu appeal trial reopens: hearing on October 29th

The deadline for filing defense briefs expires on Monday, September 21st. The cardinal's lawyer: "We are at peace."
Ansa
Ansa
The pact

Greenland: US-Denmark Agreement for Control of Island

Trump's announcement, the Danish Prime Minister's words: "This agreement strengthens security in the Arctic."
epaselect epa13246975 US President Donald Trump speaks to more than 100 hunters and fishermen at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 17 September 2026. Trump spoke about lifting restrictions on hunting and fishing on public lands. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL
epaselect epa13246975 US President Donald Trump speaks to more than 100 hunters and fishermen at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 17 September 2026. Trump spoke about lifting restrictions on hunting and fishing on public lands. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL
Washington

Trump bans hostile media from the White House: CNN, Politico, and MsNow

The US President: "They're spreading fake news, the decision is effective immediately."
epa13248039 Russian President Vladimir Putin votes online during elections to Russia's ninth State Duma, the lower house of parliament, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 18 September 2026. Russia elects the new State Duma, the lower house of parliament, during unified voting day from 18 to 20 September. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
epa13248039 Russian President Vladimir Putin votes online during elections to Russia's ninth State Duma, the lower house of parliament, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 18 September 2026. Russia elects the new State Duma, the lower house of parliament, during unified voting day from 18 to 20 September. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
the conflict

Putin: "Europe is hiding its loss of prestige by talking about preparing for war with Russia."

The Tsar claims the West is using Ukrainians as "cannon fodder." He also announces a strengthening of air defenses.
(foto Ansa)
(foto Ansa)
The alarm

Attacks on air base in Saudi Arabia: Italian Eurofighter hit

Crosetto: "None of our soldiers were involved."
Eurofighter italiani in Lituania (foto Ansa/Epa)
Eurofighter italiani in Lituania (foto Ansa/Epa)
High voltage

Russian military jets in Lithuania, Italian fighters in the air. Meloni: "Putin is provoking us."

Meanwhile, the US Congress approves the first sanctions of the Trump era against Moscow
Il ministro Crosetto, a sinistra lo stretto a rischio per i mercantili italiani (foto Ansa)
Il ministro Crosetto, a sinistra lo stretto a rischio per i mercantili italiani (foto Ansa)
The minister

Crosetto's plan: "The Italian Navy will enter the Red Sea without waiting for the EU."

Merchant ships, stuck in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait because they are still targeted by the Houthis in Yemen, "cannot wait for European bureaucracy." Verification of the need for parliamentary approval is underway.
Ursula von der Leyen (foto Ansa/Epa)
Ursula von der Leyen (foto Ansa/Epa)
The provision

The EU approves the "Kids Act": "Social media ban for children under 13."

Ages 13 to 15 require parental control, with 15 being the minimum age for a standalone account.
Gaza, crolla un palazzo: ricerche in corso (foto Ansa/Epa)
Gaza, crolla un palazzo: ricerche in corso (foto Ansa/Epa)
The tragedy

Gaza massacre: building collapses, many children among the victims

Dozens dead and hundreds trapped, the building was unsafe after the raids
Sam Altman Open Ai
Sam Altman Open Ai
the alarm

OpenAI: "Six new cases of worrying AI model behavior"

Sam Altman's game giant has detected new anomalies. And it announces: "We will be adopting a new system for reporting problems in testing."
epa13243918 Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Khabarovsk Territory Governor Dmitry Demeshin (not pictured) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 16 September 2026. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
epa13243918 Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Khabarovsk Territory Governor Dmitry Demeshin (not pictured) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 16 September 2026. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
Russia

Putin calls Russians to the polls: "No one will be able to divide us; you know what we're fighting for."

From Friday to Sunday the elections for the Duma, the first since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine: voting will also take place in the "new four Regions", the occupied ones
epaselect epa13243244 European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a debate on 'State of the Union' at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 16 September 2026. The current plenary session runs from 14 until 17 September 2026. EPA/RONALD WITTEK
epaselect epa13243244 European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a debate on 'State of the Union' at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 16 September 2026. The current plenary session runs from 14 until 17 September 2026. EPA/RONALD WITTEK
the speech

Von der Leyen: "Ultranationalists and Russians want to shatter European unity. Canada will be the first associate member."

War, artificial intelligence, social media banned for children under 13: what the President of the European Commission said