Sep 13, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports alleging that depleted missile inventories forced a pause in military strikes against Iran. Media outlets previously reported that interceptor stocks had fallen to low levels, prompting strategic pauses in operations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the military holds "massive amounts of 'munitions'" and noted that defense production is expanding. Trump also warned that individuals leaking classified military information face lengthy prison sentences. Hegseth similarly dismissed claims of a dwindling arsenal, while defense officials maintained that inventories remain adequate.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF

Eastern German states are implementing targeted educational programs and facing debates over cultural policy as regional elections approach. In Thuringia, the education ministry partnered with the University of Jena to deploy "constitutional coaches" to assist schools with democracy education and address anti-democratic behavior. Meanwhile, federal commissioner Evelyn Zupke advocated for mandatory student visits to former East German memorial sites to address gaps in historical awareness.

Concurrently, educational workers report rising far-right rhetoric and symbols among students, alongside pressure from political parties. In Saxony-Anhalt, proposals by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to defund cultural projects deemed "anti-German" have drawn concern regarding potential impacts on memorial sites, theaters, and historical institutions. Political rhetoric surrounding East German identity continues to feature prominently in state campaign strategy.

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

Italian political leaders continue to debate public safety and judicial discretion following a controversial court ruling in Turin. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio dispatched inspectors after a preliminary hearing judge released a 42-year-old suspect who confessed to assaulting a 13-year-old girl, ordering daily police check-ins instead of detention after the suspect expressed remorse. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and cross-party lawmakers condemned the decision, raising questions about judicial discretion.

The public backlash coincides with statistical analyses of national crime trends. Recent data indicates serious offenses are declining across Italy, with major cities like Rome and Milan reporting lower violent crime rates than comparable Western metropolises. Additionally, utility fraud cases dropped 27 percent over three years, despite fake call centers remaining a persistent problem.

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

Sweden concluded parliamentary election voting on Sunday, with exit polls indicating a potential shift toward a left-leaning government led by Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson. Polls by public broadcaster SVT projected the four-party opposition bloc securing 51.3% of the vote, corresponding to 183 seats in the 349-member Riksdag.

The election campaign featured intense debates over public services, economic stability, and national security. Andersson raised security concerns regarding alleged foreign influence tied to the right-wing Sweden Democrats, urging outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to address potential risks. Meanwhile, Kristersson’s Moderate Party emphasized continuing existing conservative reforms alongside its parliamentary partners. Although the opposition maintained an overall lead, survey margins tightened in the final days preceding the vote. Official vote counting is underway to confirm whether the opposition secures a working majority or Kristersson's coalition retains power.

Sources: Der Spiegel, NEXTA, The Insider, The Local Sweden, TVP info.