Aug 25, 2026, 10:30 AM UTC

United States President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied reports that military operations linked to Iran have left American ammunition stockpiles dangerously low. Posting on social media, Trump insisted that the armed forces maintain extensive supplies and that domestic manufacturing remains strong. He further warned that individuals leaking or reporting claims of military shortages could face severe prison sentences.

The denials come alongside reports detailing prolonged Middle East deployments, citing growing exhaustion and declining morale among naval personnel stationed in the region.

Concurrently, Trump claimed that diplomatic discussions with Tehran have resumed, calling them Tehran's opportunity to sign "a good deal". However, Iranian officials previously denied holding or scheduling any negotiations.

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

The US Supreme Court has temporarily permitted the Trump administration to resume construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House.

In a brief administrative order issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court paused a previous lower court ruling that had halted major portions of the development. The temporary stay provides the justices with time to review an emergency appeal filed by the administration. The federal government seeks to proceed with construction while an ongoing legal challenge brought by a heritage preservation organisation moves through the court system.

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

US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping economic campaign against Iran following stalled negotiations, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent scheduled to present specific sanctions on Monday. In response, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that Tehran will target the regional interests of neighboring countries assisting Washington's economic offensive.

Meanwhile, Iranian forces continue to enforce a naval blockade across the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has rejected limited maritime compromises, leveraging control over the strategic corridor to demand full implementation of the 14-point memorandum signed in June. Iranian prerequisites include comprehensive sanctions relief, the unfreezing of foreign assets, and the removal of restrictions on domestic ports. Reports indicate that while Washington may seek a quick resolution focused on restoring shipping traffic, Iranian hardliners intend to maintain their maritime leverage until all economic terms are met.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the enclave without the complete disarmament of Hamas.

In televised remarks to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu declared that the Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and confirmed that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" previously accepted by Hamas in late July.

The stance highlights a growing diplomatic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv, even as Israeli military operations in Gaza have scaled back under American pressure. Netanyahu faces domestic political tension ahead of an October general election, balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against expectations from key international allies.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Emergency crews across Western Europe continue responding to widespread forest fires fueled by persistent high temperatures. In North Rhine-Westphalia, responders made significant progress containing a 300-hectare blaze in the Hürtgenwald region, marking a shift toward securing the central area of the fire.

Meanwhile, emergency personnel face challenges in Baden-Württemberg, where a wildfire near Schramberg expanded along a steep hillside, preventing ground forces from approaching hotspots directly. Along the German-Belgian border, German military helicopters joined efforts to contain a flare-up in the High Fens nature reserve, where heavy smoke had earlier triggered 30 precautionary evacuations in Monschau.

In southwestern France, authorities in the Landes department reported that a pine forest fire expanded to 1,580 hectares following an overnight resurgence. Approximately 650 residents were evacuated as a precaution, though local officials confirmed no residential structures were destroyed.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau