Sep 11, 2026, 11:30 AM UTC

American military forces conducted air strikes against missile launchers on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first US attack on Iranian territory in a month. Iranian state media confirmed six naval personnel were killed during the bombardment.

The military escalation comes amid conflicting diplomatic signals. Qatari mediators indicated ongoing negotiations could yield an agreement between Washington and Tehran. Additionally, Iranian officials announced a preliminary agreement with Oman to establish a new transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, provided external parties do not interfere.

However, diplomatic prospects dimmed after US President Donald Trump demanded financial compensation from Iran for historical casualties linked to Iranian-backed attacks.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

Cross-border strikes between Russia and Ukraine have escalated, causing heavy casualties and disrupting commercial logistics. A Russian attack on Kyiv killed nine people and injured 33, while Ukrainian drone strikes across several Russian regions left five dead in Moscow Oblast and seven dead in Krasnodar Krai.

Ukraine also targeted major Russian e-commerce infrastructure. Drone strikes hit several warehouses belonging to Ozon, including a key hub in Dagestan, sending Ozon shares down nearly 30 percent. Wildberries facilities near Saint Petersburg were also damaged.

On the ground, Russian forces achieved a tactical breakthrough near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast. Ukrainian troops continued advancing near Velyka Novosilka, while Belarus established a new air assault brigade near its southern border.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Радіо Свобода, The Guardian, The Insider

The US Supreme Court has temporarily permitted President Donald Trump to resume construction on his planned $400 million White House ballroom while legal disputes continue. In a 5–4 decision, the conservative majority paused a lower court injunction that had temporarily halted the project.

The suit was originally brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation over concerns regarding structural alterations to the historic site. A brief order issued by Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the emergency stay gives the justices additional time to review the administration's legal claims. The majority noted that the government has strong prospects of eventually having the lawsuit dismissed. However, the justices emphasized that this procedural decision does not constitute a final ruling on the legality of the construction. The temporary clearance could allow key structural work to finish before a definitive verdict is reached.

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

Emergency responders in southern France have successfully contained a wildfire that burned 100 hectares in the Corbières massif around Montséret, following a swift deployment of 240 firefighters, 60 vehicles, and ten aircraft. Meanwhile, another blaze in nearby Puilaurens has consumed 225 hectares and remains active due to steep terrain impeding ground crews.

Although the fire in the Var department has been extinguished, local officials restricted public access to seven forest zones on Friday because of severe fire danger. Nationwide, official figures show nearly 115,000 hectares of land have been burned so far this year. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to travel to Gironde on 17 August to oversee recovery efforts in impacted areas.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info

Governments and educators across Europe and the United States are introducing stricter regulations on artificial intelligence in schools to protect educational integrity and student wellbeing.

In Denmark, upper secondary students will now have to orally defend written assignments to curb AI-assisted cheating. In the United States, New York City announced a one-year ban on AI instruction for nearly 600,000 public school students aged seven to 14, prioritizing human-led teaching, though educators may still use AI tools for lesson planning.

Meanwhile, German educators and child protection experts warn of risks to critical thinking and mental health. Some teachers are returning to analog methods to prevent student overreliance on automated systems, while government advisers caution against relying on AI technology for youth protection safety measures.

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