U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of American forces in Europe and warned NATO allies that U.S. dues could fall if they miss defense spending targets. NATO says European members are already increasing spending and replacing some U.S. capabilities.
Posts tagged as “Friedrich Merz”
Ukraine said a Russian drone damaged a spent nuclear fuel facility near Chornobyl, with no injuries and radiation levels stable. The attack came ahead of London talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the UK, France and Germany.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concedes defeat after 16 years as opposition leader Peter Magyar’s center-right party wins a parliamentary supermajority. European leaders welcome the shift toward European Union values.
A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. takes effect amid ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. While markets rally and tanker traffic resumes in the Strait of Hormuz, Israel continues its campaign against Hezbollah, complicating prospects for lasting peace.
President Donald Trump postponed his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing ongoing "good and productive" negotiations amid escalating regional tensions and threats of military strikes. Iran denied direct talks with the U.S., accusing Washington of initiating the conflict and dismissing claims of missile attacks, while international markets reacted positively to the delay with rising stock futures and falling oil prices. The conflict has caused significant casualties in Iran, prompted internal crackdowns, and led to cautious diplomatic responses, with U.S. officials defending their hardline stance as necessary to de-escalate the situation.