Sep 15, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined plans to impose what he termed "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, aiming to isolate its economy and target foreign trading partners.

The strategy involves excluding entities that facilitate trade or money laundering for Tehran from the global dollar system. Bessent stated on CNBC that Washington intends to "collapse this regime" and called on international allies to support the measures, stating, "You are either with us or against us." He suggested that heightened economic pressure could reduce the need for future major military action.

Following warnings from US President Donald Trump of an "economic D-day," Iran's rial dropped to a record low of approximately 1.99 million per dollar on unregulated markets.

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

A historic parading dispute in Portadown, County Armagh, has resurfaced after nearly three decades following a court judgment regarding the Parades Commission.

The confrontation stems from the Orange Order's long-standing request to march along Garvaghy Road, a predominantly nationalist area. During the late 1990s, annual standoffs at Drumcree Parish Church triggered intense sectarian violence and public disorder across Northern Ireland. Although an informal truce maintained relative calm for over twenty years, the recent judicial ruling concerning parading restrictions has renewed focus on the unresolved dispute and raised concerns about potential community friction in the region.

Sources: BBC Northern Ireland, The Guardian

The United States has publicly confirmed for the first time that the US Space Force has deployed "space control weapons" into Earth's orbit. Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stated the orbital capabilities are designed to defend military forces against hostile actions and counter evolving threats.

Officials declined to elaborate on technical specifications or the exact nature of the classified capabilities. The disclosure comes amid growing military competition in space as major powers expand orbital assets vital for communications, surveillance, and navigation.

Sources: BBC News, Die Zeit, El Día, France24, ORF.

Japan's centenarian population has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 as of September 1, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The total represents an increase of 7,914 compared to the previous year, marking the 56th consecutive annual rise.

Women account for approximately 88 percent of all centenarians in the country. Japan's oldest woman is 114-year-old Kishimoto Fuyo from Kyoto, while the oldest man is 112-year-old Kato Hikaru from Kumamoto.

Japanese Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno stated he was "delighted that many people live longer and stay active thanks to advances in medical technology." Released ahead of the national Respect for the Aged Day, the survey underscores Japan's rapidly aging demographics, with the country holding one of the highest median ages globally behind Monaco.

Sources: Der Spiegel, ORF, BBC News, Aftenposten.