Sep 18, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports indicating that American military stockpiles are dangerously depleted due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Outlets including CNN previously reported that missile shortages had influenced military targeting decisions. In response, Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States possesses "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" and threatened individuals who leak confidential military information with long prison sentences.

However, a newly released Pentagon oversight report provided to the US Congress acknowledged "strategic inventory bottlenecks and supply constraints" caused by sustained military engagements. While the administration asserts that domestic defense manufacturing is accelerating production to restore reserves, the internal watchdog document highlights ongoing hardware strain and mounting financial costs.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their career trajectories and developments in domestic football. Čeh, who skippered Slovenia's "golden generation" under manager Srečko Katanec, detailed his post-playing career as an assistant coach, which included seven years working in Asia alongside Katanec following stints with Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed returning to Maribor for a third spell. Despite his Ljubljana roots, Mlakar stated he was "never close to Olimpija" and addressed the rivalry ahead of their upcoming match. He noted that while local rival Olimpija faces recent challenges, derby dynamics remain unpredictable, giving the opposing side "only something to gain" in the fixture.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The United States Supreme Court has temporarily lifted a lower court injunction, allowing construction to resume on President Donald Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom.

In a 5–4 decision driven by its conservative majority, the court granted a stay requested by the federal government while it appeals a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the ruling represents a procedural step rather than a final judgment on the legal merits of the project. The pause gives the court time to evaluate the government's appeal, though the temporary clearance may allow developers to advance structural work before the legal dispute is formally resolved.

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

United States-led NATO forces conducted military operations near Russia's Kaliningrad enclave involving American and Norwegian aircraft alongside Polish ground troops. NATO representatives described the maneuvers as routine efforts to improve defensive capabilities.

The activity coincides with investigative reports indicating Moscow established ten secret launch sites near NATO borders. Capable of deploying advanced long-range attack drones, several of these facilities are already active in military operations targeting Ukraine.

Concurrently, aerial strikes escalated between the warring parties. A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv killed at least two people and wounded six, following drone strikes on commercial infrastructure in northern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces launched retaliatory drone attacks targeting Russia's Saratov region, resulting in reported injuries.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV.

European authorities remain on high alert following reports of escalating Russian hybrid operations across the continent. German investigators identified two suspects—a Russian national carrying Latvian documentation and a Belarusian holding Russian papers—in connection with explosives discovered at Leipzig airport. Italian security officials confirmed that the Belarusian suspect, who obtained an Italian Schengen visa, did not travel through Italy.

Simultaneously, Danish intelligence services warned that Moscow could target local industrial facilities with sabotage. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU territory."

The developments coincide with intensified military action in the conflict zone. Russia launched a new offensive targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian forces escalated drone strikes against Russian petroleum facilities, forcing Moscow to import fuel to meet domestic demand.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.