US strikes IRGC naval base in southern Iran near Strait of Hormuz

Nov 12, 2026

On November 13, 2026, US airstrikes hit the IRGC's Shahid Rahbari Naval Base in Sirik, Hormozgan Province, targeting a key Revolutionary Guard maritime installation along the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran's state media confirmed the strike. Simultaneously, a merchant vessel is struck by a projectile near the UAE coast while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about regional shipping security.

Hegseth impeachment push

▪President Donald Trump publicly called Representative Thomas Massie a 'loser' while defending Pete Hegseth
▪Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
▪Republican leaders expressed reservations about holding a House vote on the Hegseth impeachment resolution filed by Thomas Massie while military operations are ongoing
▪Thomas Massie's impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth are primarily over Hegseth's handling of the Iran war and other military operations
▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Pete Hegseth, praising Hegseth's hard work and intelligence

US Iran war claims

▪The European Union's border technology agency sued IBM, France's Atos, and Italy's Leonardo over repeated delays in developing its biometric border system
▪President Donald Trump claimed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 'won two wars' in Venezuela and Iran
▪Representative Thomas Massie accused Pete Hegseth of carrying out unlawful military actions and stated Hegseth 'remains a threat to the Constitution.'
▪The EU Entry/Exit System biometric border system was originally due in 2022 but only reached full rollout in 2026, marked by technical problems and hours-long airport queues

Diwali federal holiday bid

▪The Diwali Day Act recognizes Diwali as a significant annual observance for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists
▪Congresswoman Grace Meng leads the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and is supporting the Diwali Day Act
▪Nineteen US lawmakers, including five Indian-Americans, are backing new legislation called the Diwali Day Act to designate Diwali as a federal holiday

Ayodhya political rivalry

▪Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggested that those who had ordered firing on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge should apologize before visiting the Ram Temple
▪Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav pledged to transform Ayodhya into the 'global capital of Sanatan pilgrimage' ahead of upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls
▪Akhilesh Yadav proposed a visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12, 2026

Delhi Diwali pollution

▪Firecrackers were identified as the biggest contributor to Delhi's pollution on Chhoti Diwali, accounting for over 41 percent of the total pollution load
▪Delhi's Air Quality Index reached 376 at 4 PM on November 8, 2026, making it the most polluted Diwali day in five years
▪An unusual shift to strong easterly winds helped disperse pollutants in Delhi and prevented stubble smoke from Punjab and Haryana from reaching the city

Russia-Ukraine Abu Dhabi talks

▪Russian and Ukrainian officials were preparing for two days of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, described as their first negotiations since February
▪Sergei Ryabkov warned that Russia would be 'forced to respond' if subjected to aggression
▪Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow has no intention or plans to attack European countries