US forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken out following a wave of overnight attacks attributed to Russian forces, addressing his remarks directly to US President Donald Trump and the European Union. He is pressing Western partners for a stronger response and continued support for Ukraine's air defences as strikes on Ukrainian territory continue.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates again, a move being read as an acknowledgment that inflation is proving stubborn and the US economy is growing faster than expected. Commentators say policymakers are adjusting to a new environment in which price pressures persist despite earlier tightening, forcing the central bank to keep rates higher for longer than markets had anticipated.

Sudan is effectively run by two rival authorities, with the army-backed administration controlling much of the formal state and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces governing territory it holds. Washington has stated that neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving the country with authorities but no internationally recognised government as the civil war continues.

US naval support has helped double the volume of oil leaving the Gulf, with the American military now guiding tankers through the waterway even in broad daylight. The operation marks a more visible and direct role for US forces in securing one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, reassuring shipping firms and oil markets amid ongoing regional security concerns.

Europe is preparing for intensified competition with Asia over liquefied natural gas supplies, according to a Financial Times report. As both regions vie for limited cargoes, buyers could be forced to bid up prices, with implications for Europe's energy security and household and industrial costs. The competition centres on securing winter supply and attracting flexible US and Qatari cargoes away from Asian buyers.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a threat against United States warships operating in the Indian Ocean, according to a report by The Telegraph. The warning marks an escalation in rhetoric between Tehran and Washington at a time of already heightened tensions in the Middle East. Details about the specific nature of the threat and any US response were not immediately available.

North Korea is conducting tests of swarm attack tactics that combine drones with missile launches, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The development suggests Pyongyang is working to integrate cheap, massed drone assaults with conventional missile strikes, a combination that could complicate defenses in South Korea, Japan and for US forces in the region.

SpaceX carried out a launch for the US Space Force from California, with the payload's purpose remaining classified. Details about the mission have not been disclosed, and the secrecy surrounding it is drawing attention from space watchers and news outlets sharing footage and images of the liftoff.

Washington is pressing governments worldwide to align with the United States on artificial intelligence rules and technology, framing it as a choice between democratic and authoritarian models of AI development. But analysts note that China's pitch — offering affordable AI tools, infrastructure and investment without political conditions — may be more attractive to developing countries that want the benefits of AI without being forced into a superpower rivalry.

Massad Boulos, a senior US adviser, said Washington's move to block Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan from attending the UN General Assembly is part of expanding American efforts to end Sudan's war. The decision signals mounting US pressure on Sudan's warring parties as the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate the country.

Massad Boulos, a US adviser on Africa, said an arms embargo could halt the violence gripping Sudan, according to The National. His comments point to international pressure to cut weapon supplies fueling the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Donald Trump said the United States and Cuba will 'make a deal' and that he does not expect military action against the island. His remarks signal a preference for negotiation over force in Washington's approach to Havana, and come amid heightened attention to US-Cuba relations. Commentators are weighing what concessions or terms such an agreement could involve.

DW News reports that Australia is being forced to reassess its longstanding reliance on the United States as a security and strategic partner. The report reflects growing debate in Canberra about whether the US alliance remains dependable amid shifting American priorities, prompting discussion about diversifying Australia's defence and foreign policy relationships, including with regional neighbours.

The US Air Force secretary has publicly acknowledged that the United States has weapons in space. The statement is a rare, direct confirmation of long-speculated military capabilities in orbit, and it lands amid growing debate over space militarization, satellite security, and rivals' counter-space programs. Officials and analysts are likely to press for specifics on what systems exist and what the acknowledgment means for arms-control efforts.

A powerful nor'easter storm is battering the United States, bringing severe weather conditions and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Air travel has been significantly disrupted as the storm moves through, with airlines canceling flights and passengers facing delays. Authorities are warning residents to take precautions as conditions continue to deteriorate.

Investors say rising US bond yields are having little effect on an economy they describe as red-hot, warning that borrowing costs are 'not even close' to slowing growth. The comments reflect growing concern in financial markets that elevated yields may persist, with implications for stocks, Federal Reserve policy and the outlook for interest rates.

British police declared a major incident at an air base in south-west England that has been used by the US Air Force, arresting several men on suspicion of explosives offences following a security scare. The base has housed US forces since the start of the conflict involving Iran, raising concerns about security at American-linked military sites on UK soil.

A powerful storm has struck the US Northeast, forcing airlines to cancel flights and leaving large numbers of customers without electricity. The weather system is causing travel disruption across the region as cleanup and power restoration efforts get underway, with residents warned to expect continued hazardous conditions.

Several men have been arrested on explosives offences and local residents evacuated near a UK air base used by US forces, according to CNN. The arrests prompted a police operation in the surrounding area, with homes cleared as a precaution. Details about the suspects' identities, alleged plans or the specific base involved have not yet been made public.

President Donald Trump said the United States and Cuba will reach a deal, adding that military action against Cuba is not needed. The remarks signal a preference for negotiations over force in Washington's approach to Havana, and are drawing attention amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

Police have declared a major incident at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, a base used by United States air forces. The declaration, reported by Reuters, comes alongside increased security at the site. The base regularly hosts US strategic bombers, and a major incident designation allows emergency services and authorities to coordinate a large-scale response. Details on the specific threat or cause behind the move were not immediately provided.

British police evacuated homes near a US Air Force base in England and detained several men on suspicion of explosives offences. The operation prompted a security response around the base, with residents moved out as a precaution while officers searched the area. The incident is drawing attention given the US military presence and ongoing security concerns in Europe.

US Treasury yields have pushed into 5% territory, and Wall Street analysts are suggesting that rates around this level could become the new norm rather than a temporary spike. The shift is weighing on fixed-income ETF returns, which are plummeting as higher yields depress bond prices. Investors are reassessing portfolios built for a low-rate world, with implications for equities, mortgage rates and government borrowing costs across markets.

President Trump said the United States and Cuba will reach a deal, adding that he does not believe military force will be needed. The remarks signal a continued US focus on the island, though no details were given on what an agreement might involve. Observers are watching to see whether Washington's approach shifts toward negotiation over pressure.

SpaceX launched a classified US Space Force mission from California and successfully landed the Falcon 9 booster at sea. The launch was carried by multiple local news outlets, though details of the payload's purpose remain undisclosed due to its classified nature. The booster recovery continues SpaceX's routine of reusing rockets for national security missions.

Iran's IRGC Navy has seized a second US military underwater drone, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim. The reported capture is the latest in a series of maritime incidents between Iranian forces and the US military in the Persian Gulf, where tensions over naval operations and surveillance equipment have repeatedly flared in recent years.

British police evacuated a residential area near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a US Air Force base involved in strikes against Iran, and detained several men on suspicion of explosive law violations. Army bomb disposal teams are inspecting several vehicles near the base as the security operation continues.

The Trump administration is moving to repurpose unallocated CHIPS Act funds, favoring tariff pressure over direct subsidies to force chipmakers to build in the United States. TSMC retained its $6.6 billion award, but tariff threats have led it to raise its planned US investment from $65 billion to more than $165 billion. Critics note tariffs build manufacturing capacity far more slowly than subsidies and shift reshoring costs onto private capital.

UK counterterrorism police are investigating arrests linked to explosives near an air base used by US forces. The probe has drawn attention because of the site's American military connection, raising questions about security around US installations in Britain. Authorities have not detailed the suspects' alleged plans or motives.

A US visa dispute has intensified scrutiny of Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's legitimacy as the country's de facto leader, a Sudan expert says, according to The National. The row comes as Sudan's civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to displace millions and deepen a humanitarian crisis.

Analysts say Chinese electric vehicles will eventually enter the US market even though leaders failed to reach a trade agreement at their summit. The view suggests that market forces and automakers' global expansion plans will overcome current political and tariff barriers, keeping Chinese EVs on course for American showrooms despite strained bilateral trade talks.

British police evacuated homes near an air base used by US forces and detained several men on suspicion of explosives offenses. The operation has drawn attention to security concerns around American military facilities in the UK, with authorities providing few details about the suspects or whether any threat was directed at the base itself.

South Korea has long avoided any commitment to involvement in a potential conflict over Taiwan, keeping its policy deliberately vague to balance ties with the United States and economic relations with China. Reporting by The Japan Times says that maintaining this discretion is becoming harder, as regional security pressures mount and Washington expects allies to clarify their roles in a Taiwan contingency. Observers are debating whether Seoul can continue to stay on the sidelines if tensions escalate.

Donald Trump said the world has become a 'casino' after a US soldier was accused of placing bets on the raid against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The comments drew attention to the unusual allegation that an American service member wagered on the outcome of a covert military operation, raising questions about discipline and information security within the armed forces.

Two US service members have gone missing in Morocco while taking part in a multinational military exercise, ABC News reports. The two were participating in joint training alongside allied forces when they were reported missing, and efforts to locate them are underway. The incident has drawn attention as the exercise involves multiple partner nations operating in the region.

One person has been detained after a security breach at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. The base, home to US Central Command and Special Operations Command, reported the incident as authorities responded and took the individual into custody. Details about the person's identity, motive, and whether the breach caused any disruption have not yet been released.

The US military is expanding its use of artificial intelligence by introducing autonomous vehicle technology for the Marine Corps. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize US armed forces with AI-driven systems, reducing the need for human operators in transport and battlefield roles.