Early Bird: Members of Parliament will be approving a budget with a deficit of 310 billion crowns. Since the beginning of the war with Iran, 140 American soldiers have been injured.
Members of Parliament are likely to approve a budget with a deficit of 310 billion crowns. President Petr Pavel is scheduled to discuss the budget early next week with Finance Minister Alena Schillerová and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to highlight issues with the size of the deficit. Following Iranian attacks on American military bases and facilities in the Middle East, as well as on civilian targets in neighboring Arab countries, including diplomatic missions, hotels, airports, and oil infrastructure, about 150 soldiers were injured, the Pentagon reported.
Budget with Record Deficit Heads for Voting
The Chamber of Deputies will approve the draft state budget for this year with a deficit of 310 billion CZK today. A multi-hour debate is expected. After that, they will vote on proposals for reallocations within the budget and then approve it as a whole. The ruling coalition of ANO, SPD, and Motorists has enough votes to pass their first budget. According to some experts and the opposition, the budget violates the law on budgetary responsibility as it exceeds the maximum possible deficit. The Finance Minister has repeatedly denied any violation of the law, reported Ceskenoviny.cz.
Pentagon Admitted the Number of Injured Soldiers in the War with Iran
Since the beginning of the war with Iran, about 150 American soldiers have been injured.
"Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 American soldiers have been injured during ten days of continuous attacks,"
stated Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. According to him, 108 of them have already returned to active duty, while eight seriously injured are receiving maximum medical care.
In retaliation to American-Israeli strikes, Iran has begun attacking with drones and ballistic missiles, reported Ceskenoviny.cz.
The United States designated Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detentions
The U.S. Department of State has designated Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detentions. This came after the U.S. ambassador to the UN independently criticized the country for practicing "hostage diplomacy." Afghanistan is detaining several Americans in hopes of forcing political concessions. The country is acting similarly to Iran, which has been under attack by the United States and Israel since February 27. This act has sparked a war in the Middle East, reported the agency AP.
Press Freedom Recorded the Worst Result in America
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) released its latest press freedom index, identifying last year as the worst result in the area of freedom of expression since 2020, when this report started being issued. According to the report, researchers found that there was a "dramatic deterioration" in the area of free expression in America. In the United States alone, 170 attacks on journalists were recorded last year, wrote the news site Al Jazeera.
Pope Announces Resignation of Bishop Accused of Embezzling 270 Thousand Dollars
Pope Leo XIV announced that a bishop of a small Catholic community in San Diego has resigned due to allegations of embezzling 270 thousand dollars from his parish. Bishop Emanuel Shaleta is charged with 16 criminal offenses, including money laundering. A hearing followed his Thursday arrest at San Diego International Airport as he attempted to leave the country, the county sheriff's office stated. The charges relate to monthly rent payments exceeding 30 thousand dollars for the church's social area from a tenant, who allegedly then disappeared, reported AP.
Sources: AP, Al Jazeera, Ceskenoviny.cz
