Sep 18, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

The US Supreme Court has granted a temporary stay allowing construction on President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project to resume. In a 5–4 decision, the conservative majority ruled that the administration demonstrated a strong likelihood of prevailing against a suit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative order pausing a lower court’s injunction while the justices consider the federal government's appeal. The Supreme Court noted that this procedural step does not constitute a final judgment on the legality of the construction project. However, the decision enables developers to continue work, meaning the structural framework could be completed before the legal challenge is resolved.

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

German investigative files have linked Russia's GRU military intelligence service to a failed August drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport targeting Ukrainian transport planes. Authorities identified a Russian national associated with the agency as the primary logistical organizer behind the plot, which failed when a detonator malfunctioned.

The findings coincide with a broader surge in suspected foreign state-sponsored operations across Germany. A regional survey revealed more than 100 ongoing investigations into unauthorized drone flights and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure, including railways and subsea telecommunication cables. Domestic intelligence agencies also suspect foreign operatives may have pre-positioned weapon stockpiles inside the country.

Security officials warn these hybrid methods—combining physical disruption with online disinformation—are deliberately calculated to erode public trust and destabilize democratic governance.

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

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed media reports claiming American military stockpiles are depleted following operations in the Iran conflict. Trump posted that the nation maintains "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" and warned that individuals leaking details about military reserves face severe prison sentences.

However, an internal report from a Pentagon inspector general submitted to the US Congress acknowledged "strategic inventory bottlenecks and supply constraints" resulting from the ongoing military engagement. CNN and other media outlets previously reported that missile shortages forced a pause in additional strikes against Iranian targets, prompting Trump to confront Hegseth over the leaks. Administration officials maintain that domestic defense production remains robust despite internal audit warnings.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Kremlin officials have sharpened accusations against Norway following recent NATO exercises and the impounding of a Russian vessel, with President Vladimir Putin alleging "state terrorism." Concurrently, European security agencies report heightened Russian hybrid activity, including foiled sabotage operations against Danish defense firms and drone incursions near Leipzig's airport in Germany.

In response, Western experts advise remaining calm while noting that Ukrainian strikes on strategic targets inside Russia, including Tu-95 bombers, continue to constrain Moscow's operational capability. Although Russia retains the resources to prolong the conflict, analysts emphasize that its strategic flexibility is diminishing and argue that lasting European security ultimately depends on a Russian defeat.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter

Hungarian authorities have broadened an audit into the national electronic toll collection system following the recovery of 2.3 billion forints from a private equity fund linked to businessman Lőrinc Mészáros. Transport Minister Dávid Vitézy announced the reimbursement, which follows a review of transactions conducted under former minister János Lázár, where the state spent 64.5 billion forints purchasing toll-related companies.

With the initial funds returned, government scrutiny has expanded to long-term private contractors involved in the network's development and operation. Authorities are currently evaluating contracts held by technology entrepreneur Gábor Emőri, who spent 12 years building and managing key software components of the electronic toll infrastructure.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.