United States

Iran Sets up New Defense Council After War With Israel

Iran's top security body has approved the creation of a new defence council, state media reported on Sunday, more than a month after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war with Israel. "The Supreme National Security Council approved the establishment of the National Defence Council," state television said. The new body -- which will be ...

Lebanese-American Appointed to Top Federal Judicial Post in Washington

The US Senate confirmed the appointment of Lebanese-American Jeanine Ferris Pirro as the federal Attorney General, the highest judicial position. The nomination, put forward by President Donald Trump in May 2025, was approved by a 50-to-45 vote after a direct appeal from the White House to Republican senators to expedite the process. Born in 1951 ...

US Envoy Meets Israeli Hostage Families in Tel Aviv

US envoy Steve Witkoff met anguished relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza on Saturday, as fears for the captives' survival mounted almost 22 months into the war sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack. Witkoff was greeted with some applause and pleas for assistance from hundreds of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv before going into a ...

Trump Orders Firing of US Official as Cracks Emerge in Jobs Market

President Donald Trump said Friday he has ordered the firing of a key economic official, accusing her of manipulating employment data for political reasons after a new report showed cracks in the US jobs market. US job growth missed expectations in July, Labor Department data showed, and revisions to hiring figures in recent months brought them ...

US Deploying Nuclear Submarines in Response to 'Provocative' Russian Comments

US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines Friday in an extraordinary escalation of what had been an online war of words with a Russian official over Ukraine and tariffs. Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's security council, have been sparring on social media for days. Trump's post ...

Trump’s Tariffs: Protection or Risky Bet for the US Economy?

Tariffs have once again taken center stage in American trade policy. On Thursday, the White House announced a major overhaul of customs duties, marking a new chapter in President Donald Trump’s protectionist agenda. In an official statement, the White House emphasized that these measures aim to “protect American workers” and to “secure ...

Trump Orders Tariffs on Dozens of Countries in Push To Reshape Global Trade

President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs Thursday on nearly 70 countries -- including a blistering 35 percent on neighbor Canada -- as he seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. However, in a minor reprieve that opens the door to further negotiations, the White House said the measures will take effect in a week for most ...

Aoun on Army Day: Disarmament of All Militias Including Hezbollah

On the occasion of Lebanese Army Day, President Joseph Aoun delivered on Thursday a speech of rare resolve, calling for a national awakening around the military institution and demanding that all weapons – without exception – be placed under the exclusive authority of the Lebanese Army. In an address clearly directed at all Lebanese, including ...

Zelensky Urges 'Regime Change' in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that the world should push for "regime change" in Russia, arguing that President Vladimir Putin otherwise would continue to destabilize Russia's neighbors. His remarks came at a conference hosted by Finland, marking 50 years since the signing of the "Helsinki Final Act," a document meant to ...

US Imposes Sanctions on Shipping Empire Tied to Iranian Leaders

The United States on Wednesday slapped sanctions on a shipping empire controlled by the son of a top political advisor to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Treasury Department said sanctions were being imposed on companies and vessels operated by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, who has been subject to US ...

Qassem Prioritizes Resistance Over Lebanon’s Stability

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned Wednesday that any withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from south of the Litani River would constitute “a gain for Israel,” insisting that the group’s weapons remain a “Lebanese internal matter.” Speaking at a memorial marking one year since the death of senior ...

Syrian, Israeli Ministers to Hold Meeting in Baku on Thursday: Diplomat

A Syrian-Israeli ministerial meeting is set to take place Thursday in Baku to discuss security matters in southern Syria, a diplomat told AFP. The meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer follows a similar meeting between the two ministers in Paris last week. It will take ...