Aug 24, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC

United States President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected reports claiming that American military munitions have fallen to critically low levels amid tensions with Iran. Trump asserted on Truth Social that the armed forces maintain vast weapon reserves and threatened individuals who leak or publish shortage claims with lengthy prison sentences.

The pushback follows accounts that missile constraints and extended naval deployments in the Middle East have placed significant strain on military personnel and operational readiness. Concurrently, Trump announced that negotiations between Washington and Tehran have restarted, describing the dialogue as Iran's final opportunity to secure an agreement. Iranian officials had previously maintained that no diplomatic meetings were taking place or planned.

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

The US Supreme Court has temporarily lifted an injunction that halted construction on a planned $400 million ballroom at the White House complex, allowing the administration of President Donald Trump to resume work.

In a brief order issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court granted an administrative stay against a lower court decision. The move gives the justices additional time to evaluate an emergency application submitted by the government, which seeks to continue construction while a lawsuit filed by a historic preservation organisation makes its way through the judicial system.

The multimillion-dollar addition to the presidential residence remains subject to ongoing legal disputes over architectural heritage and regulatory compliance.

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

The United States has implemented 50 percent tariffs on selected Canadian goods following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations. The measures, which affect an estimated $20 billion to $28 billion in trade, encompass products previously exempt under regional free trade agreements.

In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the suspension of discussions and confirmed that Ottawa will enact reciprocal tariffs of matching financial value to safeguard domestic industries and workers. The collapse of the multi-day negotiations marks a major escalation in trade friction between the two North American allies, with officials on both sides assigning responsibility for the deadlock to the other.

Sources: Der Spiegel, NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRC, ORF, Tagesschau.

Ukrainian lawmakers are preparing to vote on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister, alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The parliamentary vote follows the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which triggered rare public demonstrations.

Following his removal, Fedorov publicly condemned wartime corruption and systemic governance problems, arguing that Ukraine should hold national elections despite the ongoing conflict. He also criticised military command practices that sideline successful field commanders.

Concurrently, newly appointed armed forces commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj has begun overhauling Ukraine's senior military command. Known for his frontline combat leadership dating back to 2014, Drapatyj aims to restructure command hierarchies and dismantle entrenched internal patronage networks.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy