Quick Hits

• Iran–US escalation: Iran's military says it has learned the US may be preparing a new round of strikes and warns of retaliation "without limitations," claiming the world will be "astonished" by its new weapons (Al Jazeera).
• ICC sanctions: The Trump administration is readying sweeping sanctions against the International Criminal Court that could disrupt payments, IT services and investigations, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera.
• Russia votes: With more than 90 percent of ballots counted, President Putin's United Russia appears poised for a landslide win in parliamentary elections (Al Jazeera).
• White House press access: MPR News reports that reporters from outlets including NPR, CNN and Politico have been denied access to the White House.
• Ethiopia: Formerly rival armed groups have forged an alliance against the government as fears grow of an expanding war (Al Jazeera).

Top Stories

• Iran–US standoff: Al Jazeera's live coverage tracks Tehran's warning against renewed US strikes alongside fighting raging in Yemen; a companion report says President Trump is weighing military action while Qatar pushes to revive talks.
• ICC sanctions: Al Jazeera, citing reports, says the planned measures target the court itself and could disrupt payments, IT services and ongoing investigations.
• Russian elections: Al Jazeera's results explainer reports that with over 90 percent of votes counted, United Russia appears headed for a landslide.

Left Perspective

• White House press access: MPR News reports on reporters being denied access, pairing the news with imagery of President Trump gesturing toward media during a Sept. 12 courtesy call with Irish President Catherine Connolly in Dublin.
• D.C. arch plans: MPR News reports Trump has revealed plans for a triumphal arch in Washington that he says will serve as a "military complex," with the report referencing snipers and drones; a mockup was displayed at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall.
• Minnesota Senate race: MPR News describes the open-seat race between Michele Tafoya and Peggy Flanagan as "oddly quiet" with 43 days to the election — a contrast to what it calls a "zippy" primary.
• School rainbow ban: MPR News reports Detroit Lakes Public Schools banned rainbow stickers, flags and buttons, though board dynamics suggest that could change.
• Minnesota sports roundup: Per MPR News, Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark's rookie record with 21 points (Napheesa Collier added 23) as the Lynx beat the Sun 101-89 to near the WNBA's top seed; the Vikings beat the Bears 9-3 behind two of Dallas Turner's four sacks; Minnesota United fell 3-2 to the LA Galaxy — its fourth straight loss — despite goals from Marcus Caldeira and Kelvin Yeboah; and the Twins lost 6-5 in 11 innings on Christian Moore's bases-loaded infield single off Taylor Rogers' leg.

Right Perspective

No right-leaning outlets were included in today's supplied feed; this section is omitted rather than approximated.

International View

• Ethiopia: Al Jazeera reports former adversaries say they will settle their differences to oppose the government jointly, amid fears of expanding war.
• Syria: Al Jazeera reports powerful explosions at an army weapons depot in al-Eis near Aleppo injured at least four people, with officials urging civilians to stay away.
• Afghanistan–Pakistan: Afghanistan's Taliban deputy spokesperson said Pakistani air attacks on a house in Kunar province killed three members of one family (Al Jazeera).
• Pakistan: Imran Khan's family says three of his sisters were detained in Lahore ahead of a march demanding his release (Al Jazeera).
• Italy: PM Giorgia Meloni has promised to ban burqas and niqabs in schools and cap foreign students per class (Al Jazeera).
• Korean Peninsula: Three South Korean officers were wounded in a DMZ explosion, possibly caused by a landmine, according to local media cited by Al Jazeera.
• UN at UNGA 81: Al Jazeera examines the UN's "smaller footprint, different role" in a Sahel demanding greater sovereignty, alongside an explainer on why the UN cannot stop wars.
• Football: Al Jazeera covers Real Madrid manager José Mourinho waving printouts of alleged red-card tackles after a Madrid derby defeat, and Michael Carrick demanding a response at Manchester United, who have equalled their lowest five-match points total.

Underreported

• Invasive species: MPR News reports starry stonewort, first found in Minnesota 11 years ago, is taking a growing ecological and economic toll on lakes with no long-term fix.
• Medicaid overbilling: A state investigation found a Brooklyn Center group home run by a Liberian government official billed Medicaid for services residents did not need or receive, MPR News reports.
• Diesel prices: MPR News documents the strain on Minnesota trucking, including driver Yusuf Yusuf, who drives 4,000 miles weekly and calls current prices "crazy."
• Australia's demographics: A government forecast projects deaths will outnumber births by the 2060s, with the 85-plus population tripling by 2065–66 (Al Jazeera).
• Lake Street Taco Tour: MPR News reports rain failed to deter crowds at Minneapolis' Mercado Central for music, art and a taco-eating contest supporting local businesses.

Sources

• MPR News (lean left): White House press access; D.C. arch; Senate race; Detroit Lakes school policy; diesel prices; group home investigation; starry stonewort; Taco Tour; Lynx, Vikings, United and Twins coverage.
• Al Jazeera (center): Iran live coverage and US-strike report; ICC sanctions; Russia elections; Ethiopia; Syria; Afghanistan–Pakistan; Imran Khan; Meloni; South Korea DMZ; Sahel/UN; UN explainer; Australia demographics; Mourinho; Carrick; Dangote interview.
• Tangle (center): Sunday Edition roundup; no substantive standalone story available in the feed.
• Note: No lean-right sources were supplied for this digest date.