Monday, 21 September 2026

President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House on Friday, citing 'fake news.' All three outlets filed a First Amendment lawsuit on Monday, and major TV networks (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC) suspended pooled White House coverage in response. During a Trump event Monday, the TV pool's absence resulted in inaudible audio of his remarks.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are preparing for a summit this week in Washington. U.S. and Chinese officials discussed AI safety mechanisms and a proposed 'AI hotline' to warn of national security issues. Treasury Secretary Bessent said both countries are seeking a 'shared vision' on AI's goals and threats.

A U.N. human rights expert concluded that U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean—at least 68 strikes since September 2025 that killed over 230 people—could constitute crimes against humanity and violate international law. The expert said the attacks were not proportionate to claimed self-defence.

Trump's approval rating has hit a record low, with Republican support dropping to 73 percent from 82 percent previously, driven by concerns over the Iran war and inflation. A record 43 percent of voters said they are motivated to oppose Trump in the midterms.

ICE agent shot and wounded Venezuelan national Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a DoorDash driver, in Austin, Texas on Sunday during a foot pursuit. The man is being detained with a bullet lodged near his spine and faces deportation. The shooting sparked protests demanding an independent investigation.

ICE has stopped publicly disclosing the locations of approximately 16,000 detainees with final deportation orders, making it nearly impossible for families and attorneys to locate loved ones. The agency removed these records from its public locator database, drawing criticism for what advocates describe as an 'official government policy of disappearing people.'

Iran warned it would deploy 'new weapons with new capabilities' if the U.S. launched a fresh assault. The Iranian military said the U.S. is preparing to resume strikes. Iran's economy has contracted 10% during the war, with the oil and gas sector shrinking 26%.

Trump called off airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen at the last minute despite Saudi Arabia's pleas for military support, caught between wanting to aid Crown Prince bin Salman and avoiding entanglement in another Middle East conflict. U.S. military leaders remained divided on intervention in the Saudi-Houthi conflict.

Trump met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion, their third in-person meeting. Trump praised Mamdani as having 'great potential,' and the two agreed to deepen talks over a major housing project in Queens despite their previous public clashes over immigration enforcement.

Canada is seeking new international alliances as Prime Minister Mark Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Carney told the European Parliament that the West should pursue a vision 'sidelining the US,' and he negotiated with the EU to become an associate member. Prince William called Carney to affirm the UK-Canada relationship.

The Trump administration is considering adding more political control over NIH grant awards, reportedly dissatisfied with how the National Institutes of Health allocate funding. Congressional leaders warned the White House against creating a commission to review awards, citing concerns about scientific independence.