Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is using his government platform to promote his personal evangelical Christian beliefs, which has led to the reclassification of religious affiliations and the suppression of distinctions among religious groups, threatening religious liberty.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is using his government platform to promote his personal evangelical Christian beliefs, which has led to the reclassification of religious affiliations and the suppression of distinctions among religious groups, threatening religious liberty.

Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee this week pushed forward the Trump administration’s desired “Department of War” name change in passing their version of the annual defense policy bill.  In closed-door deliberations over its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the panel included language to formally change the Department of Defense to the…

Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee this week pushed forward the Trump administration’s desired “Department of War” name change in passing their version of the annual defense policy bill.  In closed-door deliberations over its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the panel included language to formally change the Department of Defense to the…

The deal to ship 250,000 barrels of fuel to Cuba could have eased an energy crisis. But the Trump administration says Vanguard Energy lacks the authorization to proceed.

© Norlys Perez/Reuters

Commanders do not usually speak publicly about future operations to avoid jeopardizing the mission’s success.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday slammed a reporter’s question about whether a U.S. strike on Iran’s civilian infrastructure would be considered a war crime.  “Well, it’s precisely the kind of disingenuous question that I’m used to from the media, impugning the motives of the folks on our side who are incredibly professional and incredibly…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday slammed a reporter’s question about whether a U.S. strike on Iran’s civilian infrastructure would be considered a war crime.  “Well, it’s precisely the kind of disingenuous question that I’m used to from the media, impugning the motives of the folks on our side who are incredibly professional and incredibly…

With the latest exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran, the war in the Persian Gulf and its fragile ceasefire — marked by increasingly serious skirmishes — has entered a new phase, the most dangerous yet, raising the prospect of a return to hostilities. While the United States attacked Iranian targets for the second consecutive night, the Iranian General Staff has once again announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that Iranian troops will respond “decisively” to any attack by the adversary. President Donald Trump has threatened attacks may continue on Thursday if Tehran does not accept his conditions for peace.

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© Foto: Mohammed Zaatari (AP Photo) (AP)

A wave of US strikes represents the gravest test yet of the fragile truce. Here’s what happened, what officials are saying and whether the deal can survive

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The US launched strikes across southern Iran for a second consecutive day on Thursday. Although there have been several breaches of the ceasefire agreed between the two sides in April, the attacks this week – launched after the downing of a US helicopter over the strait of Hormuz – represent the most serious and extensive breakdown of the truce to date.

The US president, Donald Trump, raised the prospect of further attacks, while his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, told reporters that if strikes “have to happen … they will be strong and they will be clear”.

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© Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA

© Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA

© Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA

“$12,000? For a coin? Does it come with a used Honda Civic?” Lydic said.

Il Segretario alla Difesa statunitense Pete Hegseth ha risposto che “tutte le opzioni sono sul tavolo” alle domande dei giornalisti riguardo alla possibilità che il Pentagono stia pianificando un’operazione militare per catturare il presidente cubano Miguel Diaz-Canel, come già fatto con Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. “Abbiamo opzioni a 360 gradi”, ha risposto Hegseth quando gli è stato chiesto se un’operazione per “catturare e uccidere” Diaz-Canel fosse un’opzione, parlando con i media durante la sua visita al Comando Centrale degli Stati Uniti (Centcom), con sede in Florida. “Nel nostro edificio, la pianificazione è il nostro mestiere. Quindi, a parte il Pentagono, nessuno pianifica meglio del Comando Centrale degli Stati Uniti. Per tornare al punto principale del perché siamo qui, tutte queste opzioni sono sul tavolo”, ha aggiunto.

Il Segretario ha dichiarato in Florida che “il regime cubano è sottoposto a forti pressioni in questo momento, e a ragione”, aggiungendo che “devono prendere decisioni importanti e a volte i leader prendono decisioni sbagliate quando sono sotto pressione”. Ciononostante, ha evitato di rispondere esplicitamente alla domanda se l’esercito statunitense stia pianificando un’operazione simile a quella condotta il 3 gennaio a Caracas per catturare l’allora presidente venezuelano Maduro, ora detenuto a New York con l’accusa di narcotraffico e terrorismo. “Tutto quello che posso dire è: opzioni, opzioni, opzioni. Il nostro compito è presentare opzioni di diversa portata, a seconda di dove il comandante in capo, il presidente degli Stati Uniti, voglia arrivare”.

L'articolo Cuba, Trump valuta un attacco. Hegseth si fa sfuggire qualcosa su Diaz-Canel proviene da Affaritaliani.it.

US defense secretary continues ramp-up of pressure against country including sanctions and devastating oil blockade

Pete Hegseth has warned Cuba against acquiring weapons that could threaten the United States, during a visit to the US military base at Guantánamo Bay.

Washington has ramped up pressure against Cuba with sanctions and a devastating oil blockade, and Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled that the Cuban government could be the next after Venezuela to fall to US pressure.

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© Photograph: Phil Stewart/Reuters

© Photograph: Phil Stewart/Reuters

© Photograph: Phil Stewart/Reuters

The trip comes as the Trump administration pushes for political and economic changes on the island.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

Nancy Lacore, ousted by Pete Hegseth last year, heads to a run-off in race for Nancy Mace’s seat

• US politics live – latest updates

A three-star navy rear-admiral fired by Pete Hegseth last year in the defense secretary’s purge of senior US military officials advanced to a Democratic run-off in a closely-watched congressional race in South Carolina.

Nancy Lacore, who served 35 years in the navy, was chief of the navy reserve when she was ousted by Hegseth in August.

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© Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

© Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

© Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

The late night host called Trump “the first sitting president to shut down a major United States city so he could take a nap in front of a sold-out crowd at the N.B.A. finals.”

Nancy Lacore would face a tough fall election in a district drawn in 2021 to be more Republican. She is seeking to replace Representative Nancy Mace, who ran unsuccessfully for governor instead of running for re-election.

© Shawn Thew/EPA, via Shutterstock

Jon Stewart called the president’s interview his “worst nightmare: a woman who won’t stop asking pertinent questions.”

Senior administration officials jump on death of Henry Nowak – and statements echo language of the far right

Over a breathtaking few days that spanned Saturday’s 82nd anniversary of D-day, senior Trump administration officials have trampled over diplomatic protocol to tear into Europe’s immigration and anti-racism policies and argue that such actions could end western civilization.

From the United States, Vice-President JD Vance and other administration officials jumped on a controversial murder case in Britain to accuse Keir Starmer’s government of lacking the Trump administration’s “political will and leadership” to stop mass migration and defend national sovereignty.

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© Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

© Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

© Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Former safeguarding minister says if ban came into force properly it could ‘basically eliminate’ problem

The government has highlighted work done by the internet safety firm SafeToNet as showing that the technology is already in place that would allow tech companies to stop children using phones to take naked pictures of themselves, or other people. The Home Office says:

Measures to protect children already exist within smartphones and tablets, but are applied inconsistently, often switched off by default and only blurring content rather than blocking it. But the government is working closely with technology companies — some of whom, like Apple, have already taken steps to implement protective features — to make this goal a reality.

Companies must introduce these measures without threatening privacy or collecting any data. The device should simply block harmful content across all apps and services. Over-18s will still be able to view adult content by providing proof of age.

The government is right to act. Children have been failed for too long. This news will be welcomed by parents across the UK and hopefully, will inspire other countries to follow the UK’s lead.

We can put an end to so much online misery with this approach. SafeToNet’s HarmBlock technology is a proven example that it is possible to make the device safe by default and not as some optional add-on.

The changes will apply to UK devices, including both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets. Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age …

Apple recently introduced age checks for iPhone users, making it the first company to activate safety features by default for those who are not verified as over 18. This is a significant step forward following the government’s commitments to work with industry, and one this announcement builds on.

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© Photograph: Sam Hardwick/Hay Festival/PA

© Photograph: Sam Hardwick/Hay Festival/PA

© Photograph: Sam Hardwick/Hay Festival/PA