Sep 24, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied media reports alleging that American military ammunition reserves are depleted due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Writing on Truth Social, Trump insisted the military maintains "huge amounts" of ammunition and warned that individuals leaking or reporting on potential deficits would face long prison terms. Reports by several media outlets had suggested that missile shortages contributed to a pause in strikes against Iranian targets.

However, an official watchdog report submitted to the US Congress contradicted the administration's statements, citing "strategic inventory bottlenecks and supply constraints." The assessment outlined rising operational expenses and logistical pressures, highlighting a growing disconnect between official leadership claims and internal oversight evaluations.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš confirmed that security services are preparing for potential Russian hybrid attacks targeting nations supporting Ukraine, following similar warnings from Polish leadership.

Meanwhile, Czech Deputy Speaker Barbora Urbanová met with Ukrainian parliamentary leaders in Kyiv after the parliamentary steering committee initially rejected official travel authorization. Additionally, Chief of General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč awaits defense ministry approval to attend an upcoming summit of European military chiefs in Ukraine.

In policy developments, updated European Union regulations extended temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians until March 2028, while tying status renewal to fulfilling domestic military service obligations. Concurrently, Czech authorities established "Kobra 26," a specialized police task force investigating fraudulent employment agencies and tax evasion schemes exploiting Ukrainian workers.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Czech child welfare services recorded over 10,000 cases of child abuse and neglect in their latest annual reporting, marking a 20-year high and leading to 3,616 children being removed from their homes. Experts warn that recorded figures represent only a small fraction of actual cases, pointing to structural deficiencies in family support services and a lack of standardized evaluation guidelines.

Simultaneously, the Czech Ministry of Labour is finalizing a seven-billion-koruna expansion of early childhood care facilities funded via the EU National Recovery Plan. However, analysts caution that the initiative lacks sufficient quality control standards.

At the European level, the European Commission has unveiled the proposed EU KIDS Act. The regulation would prohibit children under 13 from accessing social media platforms and restrict account creation for individuals under 15.

Sources: Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Ahead of the Berlin state election, polling places Die Linke in the lead at 22 percent under candidate Elif Eralp, followed by the CDU and AfD tied at 18 percent. Key campaign issues include rising housing costs, tenant protections, and local social policy.

Electoral reporting highlights contrasting trends among demographic groups across the capital. Die Linke retains strong support among young voters. Conversely, voter turnout among residents with a migration background remains historically lower in districts such as Neukölln. Additionally, coverage indicates shifting political preferences among some young Turkish-heritage voters, who report interest in the AfD due to concerns over public safety, economic stability, and migration.

Sources: Correctiv, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the national budget for 2027 will be adopted on schedule, asserting that the financial framework will ensure economic stability as the country exits recent political turmoil. Speaking at a cabinet session, Radev urged parliament to prioritize upcoming judicial reforms and administrative streamlining.

Concurrently, the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party submitted its candidates for the parliamentary quota of the Supreme Judicial Council, citing their "high professional and academic preparation" and practical experience.

However, media reports highlight growing concentration of power within Progressive Bulgaria four months after its electoral success. Beyond Radev and roughly ten designated spokespeople, most of the party's 131 lawmakers remain unfamiliar to the public, primarily serving to cast legislative votes.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV