House passes defense bill with Trump’s $1T spending request and Department of War rename
The legislation, which also mandates a 5 percent to 7 percent pay increase for service members next year based on rank, marks a significant departure from the typically bipartisan nature of the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
The vote, a narrow 216-212, underscored deep divisions, with Democrats voicing strong opposition. Their concerns centered on the considerable spending hike for the Pentagon, particularly as Republicans simultaneously sought to cut numerous non-defense programs through other legislative efforts.
The legislation marks a significant departure from the typically bipartisan nature of the annual National Defense Authorization Act
Kevin Freking23 July 2026 06:00
Trump warns Iran of retaliation if ships are targeted in Strait of Hormuz
US president Donald Trump warned Iran that the US would target Iranian infrastructure if Tehran continued attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that for every ship hit by Iranian missiles, drones or other weapons, the US would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant, including facilities near Tehran.
He wrote: “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran.”
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi responded by warning of an “eye for an eye” retaliation, saying any attack on Iranian infrastructure would trigger a “powerful and decisive” response.
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 05:40
Chinese supertankers carrying Saudi oil head for Red Sea exit despite Houthi threats
Two Chinese supertankers carrying a combined 4 million barrels of Saudi crude were heading towards the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Thursday, despite escalating security risks in the Red Sea.
Shipping data showed the vessels were continuing their journeys even after at least one Saudi-owned ship was attacked in the region and Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers.
Their transit is expected to test the Houthis’ recently announced maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
According to LSEG shipping data cited by Reuters, the Singaporean-flagged Xin Long Yang, which had briefly halted in the Red Sea earlier this week, resumed sailing towards China’s Qinzhou port, while the Chinese-flagged Cosnew Lake continued towards Huizhou in Guangdong province.
Both ships indicated they had Chinese crews on board through their automatic identification system data.
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 05:20
WATCH: Trump claims Americans are not against the Iran war despite all polling showing they are
Trump claims Americans are not against the Iran war despite all polling showing they are
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 05:00
Oil prices climb above $95 amid escalating US-Iran tensions
Oil prices rose above $95 a barrel for the first time in six weeks as the escalating US-Iran conflict fuelled concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.
The increase was driven by renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi threats to target vessels carrying Saudi oil through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The rise came after the 11th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran, with Donald Trump warning military action would intensify.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs said oil prices could climb to $120 a barrel by the end of the year if exports through Hormuz remain disrupted, according to the Guardian.
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 04:45
US military says 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran complete
The US military said it had carried out a 12th straight night of strikes against Iran.
In a statement posted on X, US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces targeted Iranian military infrastructure, including maritime assets, missile and drone storage sites, coastal surveillance facilities and air defence systems.
Centcom said the latest attacks were aimed at further weakening Iran's ability to target civilian mariners and commercial shipping.
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 04:30
Saudi state media confirms attack on Red Sea vessel
Saudi state media has confirmed that a Saudi-owned vessel came under attack while sailing in the Red Sea.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), which cited an official from the General Transport Authority, the incident caused a fire at the front of the ship.
The official said all crew members aboard the Encelia were safe and that authorities had taken steps to secure the vessel, protect those on board and prevent environmental damage.
The statement followed claims by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group that it had launched missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday.
The Houthis identified one of the ships as the Encelia, saying the strikes were part of what they described as a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia linked to the US-Iran conflict.
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 04:00
House Democrat criticizes newly adopted Iran war funding proposal: 'Focus on investment here at home'
US Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, has criticized a budget proposal adopted by the Republican-led House Wednesday, which includes funding for the Iran war.
“This money could fund free public college and free childcare for every American while expanding health care coverage for seniors”, Khanna wrote on X. “It’s time to end the war and focus on investment here at home”.
The $95 billion package, which was adopted in a 216-214 vote, includes $60 billion for the Pentagon and $13 billion for other national security issues, $12 billion in aid for farmers and $10 billion to help implement changes in voting laws, according to the Associated Press.
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 03:32
Trump oddly boasts about how many Americans have been killed in his Iran war compared to Vietnam
Donald Trump has framed the American death toll in the Iran war as relatively low compared to past conflicts, drawing criticism from across the political spectrum.
Trump recently posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform that outlined the duration and casualties of wars initiated under previous presidents.
“Vietnam War: 19 years, 58,220 DEAD. Korean War: 3 years, 36,574 DEAD. Iraq War: 9 years, 4,600 DEAD. Afghanistan War: 20 years, 2,000 DEAD”, it stated.
The current war was labeled simply as the “Iran Military Conflict,” accompanied by the line “18 DEAD”.
‘These are the real facts,’ the 80-year-old Republican wrote. ‘REPORT THEM!’
Brendan Rascius23 July 2026 03:04
Maritime traffic in Strait of Hormuz remains diminished
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the Iran war drags on.
Just 14 ships have transited the vital oil waterway in the Middle East in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 02:31