US Carrier Deployment Raises Tensions With Iran

 

United States — President Donald Trump ordered deployment of a US carrier strike group to the Middle East and warned Iran that a larger strike would follow if negotiations fail. US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said military forces stand ready while the administration is reviewing options. The United...

Washington Moves To Reopen Venezuela Airspace And Embassy

 

Washington: President Donald Trump instructed U.S. officials Thursday to reopen all commercial airspace over Venezuela, saying Americans will soon be able to visit and be safe. The administration earlier notified Congress of steps to possibly resume operations at the shuttered U.S. Embassy in Caracas and sent temporary staff for select...

US Prepares Greenland Control Options Ahead of Davos

 

Washington — President Donald Trump and US officials have urged action on Greenland as allied leaders prepare to meet in Davos. The White House posted that NATO warned Denmark for two decades about a Russian threat to Greenland; US sources and Kyiv Post reporting say the administration is preparing options...

Japan and U.S. Defense Chiefs Reinforce Alliance Measures

 

Washington — Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Jan. 15 this week and reaffirmed the Japan‑U.S. alliance, agreeing to boost deterrence and response capabilities amid increased regional tensions. They met for about 50 minutes at the Pentagon, discussed expanding presence in the Nansei islands...

Trump Says Iran Killings Stopped; Executions Status Unclear

 

Washington — President Trump said Wednesday he had been told on 'good authority' that killings of protesters in Iran have stopped and that planned executions would not take place, while Iranian officials signaled fast trials and denied imminent hangings. He spoke after consulting aides and repeated U.S. support for demonstrators....

U.S. Evacuates Personnel From Qatar Base Amid Tensions

 

Washington: U.S. military officials advised some personnel to evacuate Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening amid heightened tensions with Iran, officials said. The advisory, described as a precaution, followed public remarks by Iranian officials referencing a June attack on the base and warnings from Iran’s defense minister....

Qatar, US sign Pax Silica to secure chains

 

Doha, Qatar — On Monday the United States and Qatar signed the Pax Silica declaration to enhance cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and related supply chains. U.S. Under Secretary Jacob Helberg and Qatar Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed Al‑Sayed signed the accession, making Qatar the coalition’s newest member. The U.S.-led initiative,...

Washington: Senate advances resolution; Trump says long oversight

 

Washington. The US Senate advanced a resolution this week to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force in Venezuela, voting 52 to 47 to proceed toward a final war-powers vote. In a New York Times interview published Jan. 8, Trump said the United States could oversee Venezuela and...

U.S. Suspends Aid to Somalia Over Alleged Seizure

 

Washington, The U.S. State Department paused all assistance to Somalia recently after alleging Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme warehouse and seized 76 metric tons of donor food intended for vulnerable civilians. The department, citing a zero-tolerance policy for diversion of aid, said resumption depends on Somali accountability...

Trump Rules Out Early Venezuelan Elections, Plans Reconstruction

 

Washington: President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is not at war with Venezuela and will not press for elections within the next 30 days, saying conditions must be stabilised after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's capture. Trump told NBC News his administration will prioritise restoring order and rebuilding energy...