Sep 20, 2026: US-Greenland security deal, Iran seizes tanker

1. US-DENMARK-GREENLAND: 'INFINITE LIFE' SECURITY DEAL
Washington announces permanent security control over Greenland. President Donald Trump says the US reached a deal with Denmark and Greenland giving Washington permanent control over security in Greenland; he called it an 'Infinite Life' agreement and said the US will immediately develop a large military presence there. Denmark's PM office said the three parties expect to sign the agreement next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The move expands the US Arctic military footprint and could sharpen strategic rivalry with Russia and China.

2. IRAN DETAINS TOGO-FLAGGED TANKER IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
IRGC Navy seizes tanker 'Trend' after fire. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy says it struck and detained the Togo-flagged oil tanker 'Trend' in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the vessel attempted an illegal transit after being deceived and provoked by the US Army. French President Emmanuel Macron said a short-term US-Iran agreement to reopen the strait is unlikely. The strait is a critical oil chokepoint; Iran's account has not been independently confirmed.

3. SAUDI AIRSTRIKES IN YEMEN, NEARLY 3,000 FLEE
Houthi group reports 300 strikes across Yemen this week. The Houthis said Saudi warplanes carried out 26 airstrikes on Taiz province in 24 hours, bringing the week's total to 300 strikes as operations intensified; Saudi F-15s reportedly took off from Khamis Mushait Air Base. The UN refugee agency says nearly 3,000 people fled Yemen for Djibouti in less than a week. An Italian F-2000 aircraft was hit during attacks on Saudi Arabia's Ta'if air base, with no Italian injuries. Houthi claims have not been officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

4. GERMANY REGIONAL ELECTIONS, RUSSIA DUMA VOTE
Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern vote as Russia elects Duma. Germany held regional elections on Sept. 20 in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, seen as a key test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz; in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern the SPD led narrowly over the AfD, while the Left Party and CDU competed for first place in Berlin. Russia held three-day elections for the 9th State Duma, the first since its invasion of Ukraine; early results and polls showed United Russia with a commanding lead, with first-day turnout around 29-30%. The outcomes shape domestic politics and are closely watched internationally.

5. PAKISTAN TWIN SUICIDE ATTACKS, PHILIPPINES SCHOOL SHOOTING
Deadly violence in Pakistan and southern Philippines. A twin suicide attack at a police compound in Kohat district, northwestern Pakistan, killed at least 16 people and injured over 50; six Pakistani soldiers were also killed by an IED in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the Philippines, at least six students were killed and 17 injured in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato. No group claimed responsibility for the Pakistan attack.

6. WORLD LEADERS HEAD TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
UNGA high-level week set to open. Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam departed Sept. 20 for the US to attend the 81st UN General Assembly high-level debate (Sept. 20-25) and make a state visit to Canada. The UN says about 73 heads of state, 45 heads of government, 49 ministers, 11 vice presidents and one crown prince are expected for the high-level week (Sept. 22-28), with the theme 'Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations in the service of all.' US President Trump is expected to meet Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi and China's Xi Jinping on the sidelines.

7. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
White House bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico. President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) and Politico from the White House 'effective immediately,' accusing them of 'fake news' and alleging Politico received an $8 million US government subscription under Joe Biden. The IAEA said a drone hit the cooling tower at Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant; the unit kept operating and no fire broke out, with Director General Rafael Grossi calling for 'maximum military restraint.' Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout, with the state utility UNE saying the cause was under investigation.

What to watch today: The 81st UN General Assembly high-level week begins Sept. 22; expected US-Japan and US-China bilateral meetings and the planned signing of the US-Denmark-Greenland security deal will be in focus.

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