Aug 11, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports alleging depleted military stockpiles following operations targeting Iran. Writing on Truth Social, Trump insisted the military holds "huge amounts of 'ammunition', especially certain types," and warned that leaking inventory details could result in severe prison sentences.

Meanwhile, Trump stated that diplomatic talks with Tehran have restarted, calling them Iran's final chance to secure a deal, despite Iranian representatives previously denying that any discussions were taking place.

Domestically, the administration faces legal challenges from several US states over newly introduced trade tariffs, alongside declining approval figures in polling conducted by The Economist and YouGov ahead of November's midterm elections.

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

Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party parliamentary faction met on Saturday to deliberate on its candidate for the country's upcoming presidential vote. Faction leader Andrea Bujdosó confirmed that lawmakers intend to choose from a shortlist of three undisclosed nominees.

The formal submission deadline is set for Monday at 10:00 AM, ahead of the National Assembly’s scheduled vote on Tuesday, August 11. The presidency became vacant on July 20 following the conclusion of former President Tamás Sulyok’s tenure under constitutional amendments.

Separately, parliament is scheduled to convene an extraordinary session later in August to select the head of the National Asset Recovery Office, with applications open until August 16.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex

Ukraine's newly appointed army chief, Mychajlo Drapatyj, has initiated structural changes within the military command to eliminate operational inefficiencies and address internal systemic challenges. Meanwhile, former top commander and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, publicly stated that Ukraine "will never join" NATO, arguing that the alliance relies on obsolete conflict strategies unsuited for modern warfare.

Concurrently, Ukrainian intelligence disclosed that counterintelligence agents thwarted numerous Russian assassination plots targeting service members lured through online dating services and fictitious invitations. The security developments coincide with intensified Russian attacks utilizing advanced jet-powered drones and expanding ballistic missile production. Analysts warn that Ukraine faces a challenging winter as air defense systems struggle against modern aerial threats, prompting calls for strikes targeting missile launchers inside Russian territory.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Cross-border long-range strikes between Russian and Ukrainian forces have intensified, causing casualties and damage across several regions.

Russian missile and drone attacks struck multiple Ukrainian cities. Officials reported at least 17 fatalities and over 40 injuries in the Kyiv region, while five people died in Zaporizhzhia and two were killed in Kharkiv following overnight bombardments.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted facilities inside Russia. Attacks hit warehouses belonging to the e-commerce company Wildberries in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, causing fires and killing at least five people. Additional drone strikes in the Belgorod region resulted in three deaths.

Additionally, Bulgarian authorities confirmed that an unidentified drone exploded near the Romanian border, approximately one kilometer from a gas pipeline.

Sources: 8 Sidor, Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, SVT, Svenska Dagbladet

Tensions persist across the Middle East as Iran maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding full US compliance with the June memorandum, sanctions relief, and war reparations. While US President Donald Trump claimed the route has been demined and noted the US retains "capabilities for an escalation," Iranian hardliners continue leveraging the strategic passage to limit American influence in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Tehran denied reports regarding Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's failing health, stating he recently met with President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Elsewhere, Houthi rebels launched attacks against Saudi targets in the Red Sea, and Israeli forces bombarded sites in southern Lebanon. In Israel, peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov defended the US-backed Gaza framework, asserting it ensures the enclave will never pose a security threat despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's explicit rejection of the plan.

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