Aug 11, 2026, 09:30 PM UTC

Iran and Oman have finalized geographical coordinates for a designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. While the agreement is in its "final stage," Baghaei warned that bilateral efforts alone cannot guarantee maritime safety while US economic sanctions remain.

Reopening the waterway completely remains uncertain as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated transit is "subject to other conditions," including compensation for war damages.

Meanwhile, maritime security concerns persist. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported two unexplained explosions near an oil tanker off Oman's coast. The vessel and crew were confirmed safe, with no environmental damage recorded.

Sources: BBC News, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

US President Donald Trump was secretly evacuated from Turkey on a military aircraft last month following a credible assassination threat from Iran, according to reports in American media.

During a NATO summit in Ankara, official communications indicated that Trump was travelling aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. However, intelligence regarding potential Iranian retaliation for US strikes in southern Iran prompted security officials to execute a deception strategy. Trump publicly boarded Air Force One before being discreetly transferred to an alternative military transport plane, with reports indicating he was transported across the tarmac hidden inside a catering cart.

Press representatives were kept unaware of the arrangement as the secondary aircraft departed for the United Kingdom.

Sources: Euronews Greece, France24, ORF, Sitel TV, The Guardian

Hungary's National Assembly has elected legal scholar and former Supreme Court chief András Baka as the country's new president. Nominated by the opposition Tisza party, the 73-year-old received 140 votes in a secret ballot. Lawmakers from the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition boycotted the vote, while the far-right Mi Hazánk party voted against his appointment.

Baka previously headed the Supreme Court until 2012, when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration removed him prematurely through constitutional amendments. His presidential mandate will last up to five years or until a new constitution is adopted, with drafting expected to begin this autumn. Addressing parliament following the vote, Baka emphasized that an election result alone does not restore the rule of law.

Sources: Telex, 444, HVG, Denník N, Rzeczpospolita

Mount Etna in Sicily has continued its eruptive activity, releasing ash clouds, lava flows, and glowing rock fragments. On Sunday afternoon, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported an intense phase of activity featuring summit explosions, with ash plumes drifting south-southeast.

The volcanic activity disrupted air travel at Catania Airport during peak summer holiday season, leading to temporary flight cancellations and airspace restrictions. Outlets reported varying alert statuses, with some noting a downgrade from red to orange following initial disruptions on Saturday, while others reported that a red alert remained in place. Authorities advise travelers to verify flight statuses as volcanic conditions remain volatile.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, ORF, Tagesschau.

Dutch wholesale electricity prices have surged to between €150 and €200 per megawatt-hour, up from around €80 last month, as cooling water shortages affect power generation plants in Eastern Europe. The price hike particularly affects consumers on dynamic contracts, which fluctuate with real-time market rates.

Concurrently, the United Nations World Food Programme warned that climate disruptions linked to El Niño, including extreme temperatures, floods, and droughts, could drive nearly 50 million additional people into acute food insecurity by late 2027.

In the Netherlands, environmental regulations aimed at forcing clothing manufacturers to manage textile waste are falling short. Critics highlight that fast fashion companies are opting to pay minimal compliance fees per item rather than investing in meaningful circular recycling initiatives.

Sources: NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRC, NU