Sep 13, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC

Military engagements between the United States and Iran have escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following actions around Larak Island. US Central Command reported destroying five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels to prevent mine-laying operations in the strategic waterway. Tehran rejected the claims, describing allegations of mine-laying as "pure fantasy" and stating the clashes were unrelated to mines.

In response, Iranian forces launched 20 missiles at American bases in Jordan. Iranian state media also claimed strikes on six maritime targets, including three oil tankers and a US aircraft carrier. American forces subsequently contained a vessel fire resulting from the engagements.

US President Donald Trump stated that the strait remains open and asserted that Iranian forces face major operational difficulties. However, American intelligence agencies warned that the Revolutionary Guard feels emboldened and could further intensify the conflict.

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

A wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine targeted civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, causing at least 13 deaths and 40 injuries, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The offensive followed a Russian strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih that left 15 dead and over 130 injured, prompting EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas to condemn the attack. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces conducted a raid on a major Lukoil refinery in Russia, while Moscow announced ongoing negotiations regarding a potential prisoner exchange.

On the military front, the United Kingdom and France authorized Ukraine to locally produce Scalp cruise missiles, eliciting warnings of retaliation from the Kremlin. Concurrently, Italy reaffirmed its opposition to sending troops to Ukraine and declined participation in planned multinational military maneuvers set for October.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

The United States Supreme Court has temporarily permitted construction to resume on President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million ballroom at the White House complex.

In a 5–4 decision, the conservative majority granted an emergency petition from the administration, temporarily lifting a lower court injunction that had halted work on the grounds. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the short order to allow the court time to evaluate the government's full appeal. In its preliminary assessment, the court indicated that the administration demonstrated a strong likelihood of successfully dismissing a legal challenge brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Although the procedural ruling does not constitute a final judgment on the legal merits of the project, basic structural construction could now be completed before the legal dispute is fully resolved.

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

German authorities are investigating over 100 suspected state-sponsored hybrid incidents nationwide, including sabotage, unauthorized drone flights, and disinformation campaigns. Recent investigative reports link a failed August explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport directly to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. According to confidential documents, an operative based in Russia reportedly acted as the primary logistician for the attempt, which targeted four Ukrainian cargo planes.

Separately, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz, warned that foreign actors may have pre-positioned hidden weapon stockpiles within the country to facilitate future destabilization operations against critical infrastructure. Security officials emphasize that such hybrid tactics aim to deepen societal divides and undermine democratic institutions.

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

Political debate and administrative challenges are mounting across Germany's education and cultural sectors ahead of regional elections. In eastern states, educators report an increasing presence of far-right symbols and extremist songs among students, prompting concerns over classroom radicalization.

To address historical knowledge gaps, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for SED victims, called for mandatory student visits to memorial sites documenting East Germany's former communist dictatorship. Meanwhile, cultural institutions face pressure from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, where the party proposes withdrawing public funds from projects and venues deemed "anti-German."

Separately, Berlin's public school system faces administrative strain as government figures show nearly 400 teachers have remained on continuous sick leave for more than a year.

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