Aug 12, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump stated that naval mines have been successfully cleared from the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Washington retains capabilities for further escalation. However, Iranian officials continue to restrict transit through the strategic waterway, demanding full implementation of the June memorandum, including sanction relief, unfreezing of foreign assets, and war reparations.

Tehran also rejected rumors concerning Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's failing health, reporting recent meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian and military officials.

Concurrently, regional violence persisted as Houthi rebels launched attacks against Saudi targets in the Red Sea, and Israeli forces struck targets in southern Lebanon. In Israel, peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov defended the US-backed Gaza peace plan following its rejection by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing the roadmap ensures long-term Israeli security.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

German security authorities are tracking over 100 cases of suspected state-sponsored hybrid actions, including drone reconnaissance and infrastructure sabotage. Ahead of September's state elections, intelligence sources warn that Russian disinformation networks have intensified efforts to discredit mainstream political parties, including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP, using manipulated media and cloned websites.

Recent incidents include an explosive-laden drone near Leipzig/Halle airport and disruptions to transport links. Concurrently, military experts are debating Germany's defense spending priorities, raising concerns over whether heavy investments in traditional armor remain effective against cheap, dominant drone technologies observed in recent international conflicts.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ

Russian aerial attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure have left at least 17 people dead and dozens injured across Kyiv and its surrounding region, according to local officials. Fires broke out across industrial and residential zones following overnight missile and drone strikes.

In southern and eastern regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian emergency services reported further casualties. In Dnipropetrovsk alone, regional authorities confirmed five fatalities and 16 injuries from nearly 60 Russian bombardments across five districts. Additionally, a drone strike hit a gas station near Kryvyi Rih, killing three people, including a child.

On the eastern front line, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed its forces captured two settlements in the Donetsk region, Vasyutinske and Toretsk. Ukrainian military leadership reported ongoing heavy combat without confirming territorial losses.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during a parliamentary inquiry hearing. Speaking for over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that his administration acted lawfully and rejected allegations of misconduct.

During his testimony, Conte disclosed that he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro mask procurement contract with JC Electronics, urging an investigation into potential counterfeiting. He also warned lawmakers against turning the inquiry panel into a political tribunal targeting the opposition.

The session at Palazzo San Macuto began following a four-hour delay caused by scheduling conflicts in the Chamber of Deputies. Commission President Marco Lisei confirmed that lawmaker questioning would follow Conte's opening presentation.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

The fourth heatwave of the year is intensifying across Europe, prompting maximum weather warnings and record-breaking temperatures in several nations. In Italy, health officials extended red alerts across all 27 major cities as temperatures near 40°C are expected to persist for another week. Public health authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid outdoor exposure during peak daylight hours.

Meanwhile, meteorological services reported historic heat further north and west. Austria recorded a preliminary national record of 40.8°C in Stammersdorf, north of Vienna, surpassing its 2013 high. Other nations, including France and the United Kingdom, are also preparing for elevated temperatures near 40°C amid ongoing drought and heightened wildfire risks.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)