Domestic: 

On Sept. 18, U.S. President Donald Trump revoked California’s authority to set its own car emissions standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California was able to set its own environmental standards that are generally tighter than the rest of the country. The Trump administration has long been at odds with the policy, culminating in the full removal of the privilege. Trump claims that by lifting this policy, “Many more cars will be produced under the new and uniform standard, meaning significantly more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!”

The U.S. Navy affirmed that there is footage that confirms the existence of UFOs. Clips, released by To the Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2017, capture a fast-moving object flying through the sky. While the phrase UFO does not necessarily mean the object is extraterrestrial, the Navy has yet to come up with an earthly explanation.

International:

On Sept. 14, the world’s largest oil processing plant in Saudi Arabia was attacked. The attack cut Saudi Arabia’s oil output in half — approximately 5 percent of the world’s oil supply. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of carrying “out these acts of war.” The attack raised fears that tensions between Iran and the United States could now escalate into war. 

Israel held its second election in less than six months on Sept. 17. Benny Gantz of the center-left Blue and White party seems to have beat incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, according to exit polls and partial results, the election remains too close to call.