Newshour

In the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the party was initially projected to only just scrape through, with its worst ever election result. A few hours later, however, it had dipped below the 5% threshold needed to stay in parliament. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD was on track to win the most votes in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, but it is unlikely to govern as other parties refuse to work with it.
Also on the programme: Ukraine fires a new weapon for the first time, in a major assault on Moscow; and President Trump's plans for a triumphal arch filled with munitions. 
(Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a statement at the CDU headquarters in Berlin Credit: Reuters/Christian Mang)

Germans vote in two state elections that could see further gains for the far-right AfD party and weaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s hold on power.
Also in the programme: we hear from Scotland, which has Europe's highest rate of drug-related deaths, about the growing dangers from synthetic drugs; and the singer Ed Sheeran apologises to fans at his first concert since the rapper, Macklemore, was dropped from his US tour over pro-Palestinian comments: we hear from someone who was at the show.
(IMAGE: A woman votes at a polling station in a traditional pub, Xantener Eck, during the state election in Berlin, Germany, September 20, 2026 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

NATO has welcomed a deal between the US and Denmark over the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have said that the unpublished deal recognises their sovereignty and territorial integrity, while President Trump has said the agreement gives Washington "permanent control over security and all other needs" in Greenland. We hear from an MP in Greenland.
Also in the programme: after advancing in Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthis have carried out attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia; and pop star Ed Sheeran's first concert in Philadelphia kicks off after a row over Gaza and free speech.
(Photo: the American Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. Credit: PA)

US President Donald Trump says the US, Denmark, and Greenland have made a deal that will give America permanent control over security and other needs in Greenland. We'll have reaction from Denmark and a Nato perspective.
Also on the programme: demonstrations are taking place in South Africa to honour nine women recently found murdered in eastern Johannesburg; and the rotating wax cylinders that were used to record sound before vinyl.
(Photo: People attend a protest against President Trump’s demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland on January 17, 2026. Credit: Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified. At a news conference at the Elysee Palace, Macron said he had ordered a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defence industry sites in the face of this threat.

Also in the programme: Nigeria's president promises a full investigation into the deaths in detention of dozens of suspected illegal miners; and in the UK, after King Charles disputes a startling claim from Princess Diana's brother about how the King reacted to news of her death...Earl Spencer insists he's telling the truth.

(Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron. Credit: Getty)