U S DEFENSE SECRETARY
UAE asks US for a wartime financial lifeline as Iran conflict drags: Report
The United Arab Emirates is in discussions with the United States regarding a potential financial backstop. This measure is being considered in anticipation of a deepening crisis stemming from the Iran war. UAE Central Bank Governor raised the possibility of a currency-swap line with US Treasury officials.
A P Singh flies USAF F-15EX during Indian Air Force chief’s US visit
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh experienced a flight in a US F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base. This visit aimed to enhance interoperability and collaboration between the Indian and US Air Forces. Discussions focused on joint exercises and modernization efforts. The F-15EX is a key platform for Indo-Pacific defense.
Market shock ahead? Ex-Treasury secretary warns of ‘vicious’ bond crash coming
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson warns of a possible bond market crash due to rising U.S. debt and interest rates. He says risks are growing but not immediate. Experts fear a debt “doom loop.” The crisis could hit global markets and crypto like Bitcoin, first negatively, then possibly positively later.
Iran war should be ending 'pretty soon', claims Trump
US President Donald Trump said in Las Vegas that the war in Iran is progressing “swimmingly” and could end soon. His remarks signal optimism about the conflict’s trajectory, even as tensions persist in the Middle East and uncertainty remains over the timeline and terms of a possible resolution.
Iran has limited the impact of US strikes, intelligence says
Western intelligence suggests Iran's military planning helped it survive US-Israeli attacks. Despite significant damage and leader deaths, Iran's missile and drone forces remain operational. The country has decentralized decision-making and is preparing for potential future conflict. This contrasts with US claims of complete military destruction. Iran's resilience poses a challenge to US objectives.
Hegseth invokes Bible to compare reporters to enemies of Jesus
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth compared reporters to biblical figures who plotted against Jesus Christ. He made these remarks during a Pentagon briefing on the war with Iran. This comes amid a dispute between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo. Pope Leo later posted a message criticizing the manipulation of religion for gain.
- Go To Page 1
West Asia War: Over 10,000 US troops are enforcing the Iran blockade, but no ships boarded so far, military says
American troops are enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. No ships have been boarded yet. The US military is warning Iran-linked vessels. They could use force if ships try to evade the Navy. Fourteen ships have turned back. This action restricts Iran's sea access globally. US naval power is being used to compel compliance.
US Senator Warren voices concern over Nvidia's acquisition of Slurm
Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns regarding Nvidia's acquisition of SchedMD. This move potentially grants Nvidia significant control over critical software powering US government supercomputers. Warren is seeking information on the extent of government dependency on Nvidia's technology. The acquisition could impact national security and competition in the high-performance computing sector.
Trump's AI image of himself as Jesus-like figure withdrawn
Former US President Donald Trump sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure. The image, shared on his Truth Social platform, was later removed. This occurred during an ongoing dispute with Pope Leo, who has criticized US foreign policy. The post drew criticism from various groups, including some religious conservatives.
NATO allies refuse to join Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade
America's NATO allies will not join President Trump's plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France stated they will not participate in the blockade. They emphasized the need to keep the vital waterway open. France will organize a conference to restore navigation. Turkey called for diplomacy to reopen the strait.
UK financial regulators rush to assess risks of Anthropic's latest AI model: Report
UK financial regulators are holding urgent talks with the government's cyber security agency and major banks to assess risks posed by the new artificial intelligence model from Anthropic, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader
Fifteen years after a pivot to Asia was declared, the U.S. remains entangled in Middle East conflicts, diverting military assets and attention from China's growing influence. This distraction raises concerns about regional stability and the ability to counter Beijing's ambitions, particularly regarding Taiwan. The ongoing demands of Middle East engagements are impacting U.S.
India, US deepen energy ties; Nuclear, LPG in focus amid Iran-linked supply concerns
India is looking to boost energy ties with the United States. Discussions covered nuclear power, coal gasification, and LPG exports. This move aims to diversify India's energy sources. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The US ambassador confirmed readiness to cooperate on civil nuclear energy and other areas.
Iran's new supreme leader has severe and disfiguring wounds, sources say
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from severe injuries. He sustained facial and leg wounds in an airstrike that killed his father. Khamenei is participating in decision-making via audio conferencing. His health and ability to rule remain a mystery to the public. Images of him may be released in the coming months.
A president and a pope: The world's most influential Americans are at odds over Iran
An American Pope is directly criticising an American President over the war in Iran. This is a historic first. The Pope's stance aligns with established church teachings. The President's administration claims divine endorsement for the conflict. The Pope's perspective contrasts with the President's transactional politics. This dynamic presents risks for both leaders.
US judge orders Pentagon to restore press access
A U.S. judge has ruled the Pentagon is defying a court order by hindering journalists' access, calling the department's actions a "blatant attempt to circumvent a lawful order." The judge stated the Defense Department must comply with his earlier ruling that sided with news organizations challenging restrictions imposed last year.
JD Vance sets off to Pakistan to lead talks with Iran as war's ceasefire remains shaky
Vice President JD Vance leads U.S. talks in Pakistan to resolve the six-week Iran conflict, aiming to avert President Trump's threat of 'whole civilization' destruction. Despite Vance's skepticism of foreign interventions, he's joined by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. A fragile ceasefire faces collapse amid irreconcilable demands from the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Trump weighs pulling some US troops from Europe amid NATO strains, official says
President Trump is contemplating a troop withdrawal from Europe. This move stems from frustration over NATO allies' lack of assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. His plans to acquire Greenland have also not progressed. Discussions are ongoing, but no final decision has been made. This situation highlights strained relations between the U.S. and its European NATO allies.
Rutte the 'Trump whisperer' faces a fresh test as Trump turns on NATO over Iran
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte faces Donald Trump's frustration regarding the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Trump criticises allies and questions NATO's relevance. Rutte, known as a 'Trump whisperer', works to maintain U.S. involvement in the alliance. The war itself is outside NATO's operational scope. Rutte emphasises NATO's defensive role and its focus on its own territory.
Who is James Kennedy? Australian creator who set social media on fire with Pete Hegseth’s ‘fart in 4K’ clip shared by Iranian Embassy; watch original video here
A video showing U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon news conference went viral after social media users claimed he farted during the event. Fact-checkers later examined the claims and reviewed the bodily audio heard in the widely circulated clip. The original footage subsequently surfaced on social media, helping clarify the situation amid the growing online buzz.
US court declines to block Pentagon's Anthropic blacklisting for now
A panel of judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied Anthropic's bid to pause the designation while the case plays out. The decision is not a final ruling. An Anthropic spokeswoman said in a statement following Wednesday's ruling that the company is confident the court will ultimately agree the supply-chain risk designation is unlawful.
US military says it's ready to resume fighting if diplomacy fails
US forces stand ready to fight again if Iran does not agree to a peace deal. General Dan Caine stated the joint force is prepared for swift action. President Donald Trump halted a planned attack on Iran. Iran claims victory and distrusts US negotiators. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Iran as militarily defeated and facing a deal.
US–Iran War: 13,000 targets destroyed? What the military claims to have damaged in Iran before the ceasefire deal
US-Iran war: Despite the ceasefire, officials have indicated that the situation remains volatile. Statements from the Pentagon suggest readiness for further action if required, keeping the region on edge.
Commerce will flow: Pete Hegseth says Strait of Hormuz open
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the Strait of Hormuz remains open for global commerce. He announced a significant US military success in 'Operation Epic Fury'. American forces reportedly destroyed Iran's defense industrial base. Iran's missile program is claimed to be functionally destroyed. This follows days of intense military escalation with Iran.
Iran-Israel-US war: Pete Hegseth claims decisive US victory over Iran, says missile programme ‘functionally destroyed’
America claims a major military success against Iran. US forces conducted hundreds of strikes, crippling Iran's defense and missile capabilities. The operation, named 'Epic Fury', reportedly destroyed Iran's industrial base. America states it used minimal military power for this decisive victory. Iran allegedly sought a ceasefire after the strikes. This escalation occurs amid wider regional conflict.
Evangelicals amplify Trump's religious framing of Iran war
In a bid to rally his base, President Trump is tapping into Christian rhetoric to reinforce backing for military actions against Iran. Prominent evangelical figures are framing this situation as a moral confrontation of righteousness versus wickedness, aiming to mobilise fervent supporters.
Did Pete Hegseth fire US Army General Randy George after feeling threatened? Shocking report emerges
Reports have emerged claiming that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked US Army Chief of Staff Randy George to retire immediately, according to CBS News citing sources. The report suggests he has not formally resigned, but an exit appears likely. Some sources raised concerns about alignment with broader defense plans under Donald Trump’s strategic direction.
Trump's anger over Iran thrusts NATO into fresh crisis
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has severely strained NATO, with President Trump threatening withdrawal over European navies' refusal to open the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts and diplomats believe the alliance is at its weakest point, fraying the core mutual defense agreement and prompting European nations to consider defense without U.S. involvement.
US Army chief of staff Randy George fired by Hegseth, sources say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired U.S. Army Chief of Staff Randy George, a move described as nearly unprecedented during wartime. The Pentagon confirmed George's immediate retirement, expressing gratitude for his service. This dismissal is part of a broader shake-up within the department's senior ranks.
Load More
