Aug 12, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he secretly changed aircraft while departing a NATO summit in Turkey following a credible threat from Iran.

According to media reports, Trump publicly boarded Air Force One before security officials covertly transferred him across the tarmac inside a catering truck to a secondary military plane bound for the United Kingdom. Press corps members and certain staff remained on the primary aircraft, unwittingly serving as decoys during the departure.

Addressing the controversy over the maneuver, Trump stated that security personnel instructed him to make the transfer. He pushed back against criticism regarding the safety of the press corps left on Air Force One, asserting that the military plane he ultimately took faced a "greater risk."

Sources: BBC News, France24, Sweden Herald, The Guardian, UK Defence Journal

US President Donald Trump announced that naval demining in the Strait of Hormuz is complete, emphasizing that Washington retains military capabilities for further escalation. However, transit through the strategic waterway remains restricted as Iranian authorities insist on the full implementation of the June memorandum, alongside demands for sanction relief, unfreezing assets, and war reparations. Tehran also dismissed rumors regarding Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's failing health, citing recent meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian.

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

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

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 insisted that his administration acted lawfully throughout the emergency, declaring, "Dig all you want, there was no wrongdoing on my part." He maintained that Italy's management model was sound despite criticism from the ruling majority.

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

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

German security agencies are monitoring more than 100 incidents of suspected state-backed hybrid actions, ranging from drone surveillance over sensitive locations to physical sabotage against transport and communications infrastructure. Security officials suspect foreign interference, particularly from Russia, designed to weaken public trust and destabilize political institutions.

Ahead of state elections in September, intelligence sources report intensified Russian disinformation efforts. Manipulated media and online campaigns specifically target major political parties to influence public opinion, while largely sparing the right-wing AfD.

Simultaneously, military strategists and defense experts are assessing whether Germany's rearmament plans adequately reflect modern battlefield realities. Questions have emerged over whether significant investments in heavy armored vehicles remain justified given the strategic rise of affordable drone technology demonstrated in recent international conflicts.

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

Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, has criticized German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius regarding the country's military procurement strategy. Schularick stated that defense spending planned through 2030 focuses excessively on legacy hardware, including traditional tanks and frigates, rather than next-generation defense systems.

The critique highlights an ongoing debate over how best to modernize the Bundeswehr to meet evolving security demands. The discussion coincides with broader domestic political shifts and historical scrutiny regarding compliance within the national arms sector.

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