Sep 12, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

Hostilities between the United States and Iran have escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following recent military clashes. United States Central Command stated that American forces sank five Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels near Larak Island to counter alleged mine-laying operations. Iranian military representatives dismissed the claims, calling assertions regarding mine placement "pura fantasia".

In retaliation, Tehran launched 20 missiles aimed at US military bases in Jordan. Iranian state broadcasts claimed additional strikes on six maritime vessels, including three oil tankers and an aircraft carrier, causing a shipboard fire that was subsequently extinguished.

US President Donald Trump asserted that the maritime corridor remains open and claimed Tehran faces significant distress. Meanwhile, American intelligence reports indicated Iranian forces might pursue further military escalation.

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

Russian forces launched extensive overnight aerial bombardments across several regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A strike on a commercial center in Kryvyi Rih left at least 15 people dead and over 130 injured, while combined missile and drone attacks in Kyiv resulted in 13 deaths and 40 injuries. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas condemned the bombardments, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to help halt the war.

In response, Ukrainian drones hit a major Lukoil oil refinery in Russia, while Moscow reported ongoing preparations for a prisoner exchange. Concurrently, the United Kingdom authorized France and Ukraine to manufacture Scalp cruise missiles locally, drawing warnings from the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Italy reiterated its refusal to deploy troops to Ukraine or participate in scheduled multinational military exercises.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Ahead of upcoming regional elections in eastern Germany, debates over political identity, education, and cultural policy have intensified across the country. In eastern classrooms, educators report a rise in far-right behavior among students, including prohibited symbols and extremist songs. To counter historical knowledge gaps, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for SED dictatorship victims, recommended mandatory student visits to East German memorial sites.

In Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads in opinion polls, the party proposed defunding cultural initiatives it considers "anti-German," prompting criticism from arts and heritage groups. Meanwhile, Berlin's school system faces administrative pressure as nearly 400 teachers remain on long-term sick leave for over a year.

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

Hungary’s government has initiated a comprehensive review of state contracts, financial connections, and ownership ties with technology conglomerate 4iG and its subsidiaries, according to a decree in the official gazette. Alongside the broad audit, public officials have been instructed to refrain from making public statements regarding the firm.

The review coincides with Science and Technology Minister Zoltán Tanács announcing a €500 million commitment to the European Union’s IRIS² satellite constellation. The decision signals a potential realignment of major state space and telecommunications contracts previously expected to involve 4iG. Addressing the audit and political shift, 4iG stated that it continues to view the state as a "partner."

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.