Sep 11, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC

Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated near the Strait of Hormuz after United States Central Command conducted air strikes near Larak Island, targeting five Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels. American officials stated the operation prevented an Iranian naval mine-laying action, a claim Iranian military personnel rejected as "pura fantasia".

Tehran retaliated by launching 20 missiles at US military bases in Jordan. Iranian state media also claimed hits on six maritime vessels, including three oil tankers and an American aircraft carrier, though a fire on one damaged tanker was subsequently extinguished.

US President Donald Trump insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains open and asserted that Iran is under severe strain. However, US intelligence assessments warned that Revolutionary Guard forces may escalate the confrontation further.

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

The US Supreme Court has temporarily permitted the continuation of construction on President Donald Trump's planned $400 million ballroom at the White House. In a 5–4 decision, the conservative majority paused a lower court injunction prohibiting work while legal challenges proceed.

The suit, initiated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contests the structural alterations to the historic site. In a brief procedural order, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the ruling does not determine the ultimate legality of the project. Instead, the stay provides the court time to evaluate the administration's emergency application. The decision means fundamental construction work can continue, potentially allowing the building's exterior shell to be completed before a final judicial determination is reached.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Member of the European Parliament Roberto Vannacci engaged in a sharp exchange over European integration at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio.

Vannacci advocated for sweeping policy shifts, calling to roll back Green Deal initiatives and opposing higher defense spending, asserting that "Russia will not attack the continent." Monti forcefully countered, arguing that Vannacci's rhetoric reflected "the reconstruction of the spirit of fascism."

Vannacci rejected the charge as "ridiculous," maintaining that he simply seeks a reformed Europe. Attendees at Villa d'Este largely supported Monti, openly challenging Vannacci over his previous forecasts regarding the war in Ukraine.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.

Ahead of state elections in eastern Germany, regional identity, education, and cultural funding have become central political debates. Educators in eastern states report an increase in far-right behavior among students, including the display of illegal symbols and nationalist songs. In response to gaps in historical awareness, the federal commissioner for SED victims, Evelyn Zupke, advocated for mandatory school visits to former East German dictatorship memorial sites.

Meanwhile, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt proposed revoking state support for cultural projects deemed hostile to German identity, raising concerns for Holocaust memorials, Bauhaus institutions, and local theaters. Separately, Berlin's education sector is experiencing strain as almost 400 teachers remain on medical leave lasting over a year.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau

Widespread political outrage has erupted in Italy following a Turin judge's decision to release a 42-year-old man who confessed to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The magistrate granted release with daily police reporting requirements after the suspect expressed remorse, overruling prosecutor objections. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and politicians across the spectrum criticized the decision, prompting Justice Minister Carlo Nordio to send ministry inspectors to examine the ruling.

The controversy unfolds alongside broader discussions about Italian public safety. While political rhetoric emphasizes rising crime, statistical analyses show serious criminal offenses in major Italian metropolitan areas remain lower than in many Western peers. Separately, new consumer figures indicate utility bill fraud affected 2.9 million Italians over the past year, representing a 27 percent decrease in victims over three years, despite persistent phone-based scams.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.