The maritime branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
U.S. forces have struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps appeared to prepare rockets with sea mines for the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command confirms the attack as part of ongoing efforts to protect shipping through the Hormuz waterway. Iran says it will retaliate; the strike is the latest escalation in a six-month war impacting global oil routes.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived off eastern Thailand this week for a brief port call near Pattaya, carrying about 5,000 sailors and Marines after a record continuous deployment supporting US operations against Iran. Thai officials have said the visit will allow rest and logistical support, while local authorities are limiting some activities and boosting security.
NATO leaders have met in Ankara after months of U.S. threats to scale back forces in Europe and repeated U.S. demands that allies raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and U.S. troop reviews have strained transatlantic ties, while European governments are increasing procurement and planning to assume more conventional defence responsibilities.
The Navy has named the crew member lost after an MH-60S Sea Hawk crash in the Arabian Sea as the search continues for the remaining missing aircrew. Three crew members have been rescued and are in stable condition aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. The incident is under investigation and authorities say hostile action is not suspected.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
Iran has continued attacks on US bases across the Gulf region, targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman with missiles and drones. US-led airstrikes have responded with approximately 90 targets hit in Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the conflict. Regional leaders urge restraint while diplomacy is pursued.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as U.S. officials and allies discuss guarding the strait and potential tolls. Trump has claimed the U.S. will guard the strait and be reimbursed; CNBC reports he says the U.S. will be paid for guarding it.
The count of wounded troops has risen to over 400. Central Command reports traumatic brain injuries are common among the injured. A July 1 helicopter crash is described as an emergency landing with no hostile action. The Pentagon records a non-hostile death in July; details on the airman’s injury remain sparse. Most injured have returned to duty, but the full long‑term impact remains unclear.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the United States reinstates a de facto blockade and Iran asserts control measures. Trump has declared the U.S. will guard safe passage, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says Tehran controls the strait amid ongoing strikes and maritime disruptions affecting global oil flows.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the United States reimposes a blockade on Iran and Iran asserts control over the waterway. Experts say escalating actions threaten global oil shipping, with discussions of large-scale military deployments and potential ground forces to secure the strait. Cross-border tensions are fueling price volatility and drawing international attention.
CENTCOM says three Corsair unmanned surface vessels have hit Bandar Abbas naval base, marking the first combat use of sea drones by U.S. forces. The operation degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping, with drones capable of 1,000-lb payloads and 1,000-nautical-mile range. The incidents follow escalating drone warfare in the region.
The Pentagon has rolled out annual testosterone screenings for service members aged 30 and older, with younger troops able to volunteer. Officials describe the measure as part of maintaining a “strong, resilient and capable” fighting force, while experts warn on possible health risks and ethical concerns about medical oversight.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a testosterone screening program for service members, extending annual checks to those 30 and older while offering voluntary testing for those under 30. Treatment remains voluntary, framed as restoring natural health rather than artificial enhancement. The move follows broader debates around testosterone policy in the administration.
The Qatar-donated Air Force One has entered service but is undergoing security upgrades. Lawmakers have questioned funding and oversight as the jet is retrofit for presidential use, while the outgoing model remains in use for certain trips. The presidency is balancing diplomatic gifts with rigorous security needs amid ongoing scrutiny.
A US Navy Blue Angels flyover at Pensacola Beach has prompted a safety review after a low-altitude pass sent chairs and tents flying and drew mixed political and public reactions. Officials say the maneuver is under review and applicable safety standards are being reassessed.
The three islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—have long anchored Iran’s presence in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent U.S. strikes on two islands have reignited questions about ownership and future control, highlighting their strategic role in global energy shipping.
Bird strikes have contributed to a high-profile helicopter crash in New York and a separate investigation into a long-dunken 1952 disaster. Authorities say birds struck helicopters during low-altitude flights, prompting safety reviews and potential flight-restrictions. Investigations have highlighted the risk to urban sightseeing and the need for clearer safety procedures.
A major earthquake near Chiapas, Mexico has prompted tsunami warnings for nearby coasts. Authorities report no confirmed deaths, but injuries and evacuations are taking place across southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Aftershocks of magnitudes up to 6 follow the initial tremor.
Drones and missiles target Saudi energy infrastructure amid a broader surge in US-Iran hostilities. Riyadh says the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed militias; Iraqi authorities condemn the strikes while Yemen’s Houthis claim to have attacked Saudi shipping. The lull in fighting is punctuated by new strikes across the region as mediators push for talks.
President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to respond "many times" over for every US soldier Iran kills, and US Central Command has launched repeated airstrikes on Iranian targets while Iran has struck US positions and allies in the Gulf. Seventeen US service members have been killed and roughly 430 wounded since February.
Liberia’s Armed Forces of Liberia has begun a nationwide drive to recruit more women, aiming to reach all 15 counties by 2030. Pvt. Tamar Tarr, 24, has risen from trainee to a clerk at AFL headquarters and competed abroad in a UN peace operations program, illustrating progress and ongoing gender barriers.
Google has rolled back a new Google Earth feature that used the Nano Banana 2 image model to generate AI images over satellite, aerial and 3D imagery after researchers and journalists created fabricated scenes — from refugee camps to bomb craters — that could be shared as persuasive, falsified evidence.
Vincent Pastore, famed for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at age 80. Reports say he was found at his Bronx home; his former colleagues praise his loyalty and charity. Pastore also appeared in Goodfellas, Awakenings, Law & Order, and other projects across four decades.
A multi-nation rescue effort in the English Channel has saved 157 migrants after a makeshift vessel caught fire and began breaking apart. French authorities led most rescues with joint UK involvement; 54 were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer by British vessels, while 103 were rescued by French forces. The incident underscores ongoing dangers of small-boat crossings.
The Armstrong family home in Wapakoneta remains a preserved link to the moon landing era. A longtime owner and former teacher has hosted nine astronauts, preserving memorabilia and welcoming visitors to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum nearby.
The IB Atlantic IV has been the subject of a Liberian maritime saga. Liberia’s LiMA rejected a docking request for a vessel in distress off Sierra Leone, while authorities accuse the ship’s pursuers of delaying action. A wider government shake-up coincides with the ongoing cocaine scandal that has swept multiple agencies. The story centers on accountability, jurisdiction and what this may mean for Liberian governance.
Families and lawmakers have raised alarms about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been continuously at sea since November and has not made a port call for more than 240 days. Reports have cited food shortages, plumbing failures, water contamination and multiple attempted overboard incidents; senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers.
The United States has expanded sanctions on Cuba, targeting military entities and officials as part of a broad pressure campaign. Measures include designations of GAESA subsidiaries and MINFAR assets, freezing assets, and threatening further actions. Cuba faces intensified economic hardship amid fuel shortages and political tensions.
Dwindling MQ-9 Reaper stockpiles have escalated concerns over American drone warfare capabilities. The Washington Post reports 45 drones have been lost, with costs exceeding $1.3 billion, as Iran’s actions and the Ukraine conflict shape the battlefield. US officials caution that dwindling munitions are limiting options while drone warfare dominates current tactics.
Trump has directed the Navy to plan the removal of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and related elevators on Ford-class carriers, replacing them with steam and hydraulic systems. The Doris Miller (CVN-81) would be the first to include the changes, with other Ford-class carriers remaining unchanged. The move aims to cut costs but faces potential delays and industrial-base challenges.
Multiple sources outline China’s expanded missile capabilities and the US response. The United States faces stockpiling pressures as it seeks to bolster air defenses and long-range strike systems amid rising tensions in the Western Pacific.
President Trump has announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever" against Iran, warning any country or company that provides a lifeline to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Treasury officials have signalled stepped‑up secondary sanctions while Iran has warned it will hit back; markets have reacted with higher oil prices and weaker US equities this week.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Interior Department to change the U.S. federal name for Lake Ontario to "Lake America" and has said the change is effective immediately. The move comes as Washington and Ottawa have imposed 50% tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's goods and Canadian leaders have rejected the renaming.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen mines cleared by the U.S. and allied forces, enabling increased tanker traffic. Talks between Iran and Oman on a temporary corridor are ongoing, with a longer-term management plan under discussion. Sanctions and strategic tensions continue to shape the region's energy markets.
Luis Manuel Aviles, a 48-year-old handyman and father in Key West, has been detained in a case tied to a broader immigration crackdown affecting relatives of U.S. service members. His detention followed by release has drawn scrutiny as the USS Abraham Lincoln recently set a record for uninterrupted time at sea, with officials and advocates warning of ripple effects for military families.
Iran and Oman have agreed a phased framework to create a temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and to clear mines, while technical talks continue on a permanent route, traffic management and revenue sharing; Tehran says full reopening depends on US concessions, and Washington opposes fees and any shared control of exit routes.
The USS Lincoln, deployed for over 250 days in support of operations against Iran, is heading toward a brief port visit in Thailand for rest and recuperation before returning to its home base in San Diego. Reports describe crew stress, shortages of supplies, and mental-health concerns from the long deployment.
US military officials say directed-energy lasers have been used to shoot down hostile unmanned aircraft near the southern border, part of a broader, ongoing counter-drone effort. The operation involved the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system mounted on a vehicle and followed a spate of drone activity tied to cartels. The incident underscores the US focus on layered counter-drone defenses, with testing and training continuing across the force.
The Strait of Hormuz remains open and shipping is moving after U.S. forces have cleared Iranian mines from the international lanes. The operation has enabled roughly 750 million barrels of crude to pass through, while Iran exports none from its shores.
The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified as US airstrikes target Iranian launchers on Larak Island, while Iran retaliates with missiles against US bases in Jordan and US bases in the region report limited, precise actions to protect maritime traffic. The war has disrupted global energy routes and drawn in regional powers as diplomacy strains under sanctions.
Iran continues to push for de-escalation and a reopening of Hormuz as sanctions bite. Tehran reports progress with Oman on a temporary corridor, while inflation soars and imports fall, in a war that has disrupted global energy routes.
President Donald Trump has posted that NBCs Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are already litigating alleged FCC pressure.
Dale Sanders has completed the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, finishing atop Maine’s highest peak after starting in West Virginia on Sept. 6, 2025. He has reclaimed the record for the oldest person to complete the trail, despite multiple falls and health scares along the way; his journey has drawn thousands of social-media followers and support from “trail angels.”
Dan Driscoll has resigned as U.S. secretary of the Army after 18 months in the role. His exit has followed months of reported clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over personnel and modernization, and it leaves the Army with reduced civilian leadership as the United States remains engaged in the war with Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Pattaya after a long Middle East deployment, with 5,000+ sailors expected to visit the Thai resort. Police increase patrols and local officials hope the stop boosts the economy, while authorities warn against law violations.