Sep 11, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

Following warnings of an "economic D-Day" from US President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced upcoming measures designed to severely isolate Iran's economy and penalize its foreign trading partners. Bessent stated that Washington intends to remove foreign entities that facilitate money laundering for Tehran from the global US dollar system.

Bessent argued that intensifying financial pressure could diminish the necessity for future large-scale military engagements. He also called on international partners to back the campaign, warning during a media interview, "You are either with us or against us." In response to the escalating rhetoric and impending measures, the Iranian rial dropped to a record low of nearly two million per US dollar on unregulated currency markets.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, The Guardian

Ahead of upcoming state elections in eastern Germany, debates surrounding regional identity, historical education, and political extremism are intensifying. Teachers in eastern schools have reported a noticeable increase in far-right behavior among students, including the use of illegal symbols and nationalist songs. In response to gaps in historical knowledge, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for SED dictatorship victims, called for mandatory student visits to East German memorial sites.

Simultaneously, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt has drawn criticism over plans to strip public funding from cultural projects deemed "anti-German," creating concern for Holocaust memorials and local theaters. Separately, Berlin faces administrative challenges as official data showed nearly 400 public school teachers have been on medical leave for over a year.

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

Yemen's Houthi movement executed a major barrage of drones and missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia, hitting energy facilities, civilian infrastructure, and airbases across four southwestern cities. Saudi authorities reported that over 70 people were injured, while several oil installations and utility sites suffered fires that led to a temporary pause in operations.

The attacks mark a major escalation in regional tensions, occurring alongside intense ground fighting inside Yemen where over 300 people have reportedly died in recent days. The strikes leave Saudi leadership facing a complex choice between expanding its military campaign or accepting rebel leverage along crucial Red Sea energy shipping routes.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Daily Sabah, France24, Sweden Herald.

Czech authorities recorded a record surge in child abuse and neglect cases over the past year, exceeding 10,000 cases and resulting in 3,616 children being removed from their homes. Social experts highlight a critical shortage of preventive services and clear legal guidelines for social workers, while debate remains over whether rising numbers indicate growing societal pressure or improved reporting sensitivity.

Concurrently, social and educational frameworks are seeing structural updates. A seven-billion-crown state initiative established over 300 preschool groups to support working parents, though concerns linger over absent quality benchmarks. Additionally, the Ministry of Education is tightening rules on primary school deferrals to strictly medical reasons starting next year, aiming to reduce Czechia's unusually high deferral rates.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy.

Education authorities in Europe and the United States are introducing new restrictions on artificial intelligence in classrooms to safeguard academic integrity and child development.

In Denmark, upper secondary students face tightened exam rules, requiring them to complete more coursework under direct supervision and orally defend written assignments to prevent automated plagiarism. Meanwhile, New York City has announced a one-year ban on instructional AI for nearly 600,000 public school students aged seven to 14, aiming to prioritize human-led instruction while allowing teachers to utilize AI for lesson planning.

In Germany, educators and child protection experts have voiced growing concern over cognitive overreliance on digital systems. Some teachers are returning to analog methods, while government advisors caution against relying on AI technology to address youth safety concerns.

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