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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN events, focusing on the Ukraine conflict. The meeting, initiated by the United States, lasted over half an hour, with Lavrov reaffirming Moscow's commitment to proposals from last year's Alaska summit and stressing that further arms supplies to Kiev are unacceptable.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a civilian nuclear cooperation deal, including two agreements on peaceful nuclear cooperation and bilateral safeguards, with the deal to be submitted to Congress for review. Concerns persist over a possible uranium enrichment facility and the potential for a regional arms race. President Trump has stated the deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel.
Eight officials from a U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee toured South Korean shipyards earlier this month, inspecting warship capabilities at Hanwha Ocean Co. and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. The visit comes amid White House efforts to authorize foreign shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy, despite a long-standing ban on foreign construction of U.S. military vessels.
The US House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill that includes expanded military technology cooperation with Israel. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate amid Democratic opposition over its cost, the Iran war, and voting restrictions.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a naval blockade targeting Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea and claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, prompting several ships to change course. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of flying Revolutionary Guard members into Yemen, while Washington signaled openness to talks despite launching new strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran attacks a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has warned of retaliation against US interests and oil exports. The conflict has escalated with US strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested an additional $67bn for the war with Iran, citing $37.5bn already spent. The request faced bipartisan scrutiny in a Senate hearing, with critics questioning the cost and strategy.
The Trump administration announced a $5bn effort to apply AI to scientific challenges across 15 federal agencies, with Microsoft donating $40m in computing credits. The plan pairs with a White House report proposing to redirect federal R&D funding from universities to individual scientists, citing competition with China.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, a deeply buried facility near Natanz. The site, suspected of hosting an undeclared enrichment facility, remains untouched due to its depth and perceived lack of immediate threat, according to multiple reports.
Foreign ministers of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan met in Manila on Wednesday to discuss trilateral security and economic cooperation and coordinate on North Korea amid its deepening ties with Russia and China. The meeting took place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related gatherings, with separate bilateral talks between Seoul and Washington covering pending alliance issues, including Coupang and nuclear energy cooperation.
US forces carried out an eleventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran, with air defence activity reported across Tehran. President Trump warned the campaign is "not finished," while Iran and its allies threaten further escalation across the region.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Berlin, sealing economic agreements focused on energy and trade. The talks also touched on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, with Merz hailing the initialled peace deal as historic.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran's fortified nuclear site known as 'Pickaxe Mountain,' escalating tensions as the US-Iran conflict enters its fifth month. The facility, south of Tehran, is described as deeply buried and heavily fortified, while Tehran maintains it is for centrifuge assembly only.
The US and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a civilian nuclear deal that could allow Riyadh to enrich uranium on its soil, a shift in longstanding US non-proliferation policy. Critics warn the deal could spark a regional arms race and compromise Israel's security, while the agreement drops a previous requirement for Saudi normalization with Israel.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has hinted at fresh tariffs targeting 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns, as President Donald Trump's temporary global duties expire on Friday. The White House has also announced new tariffs on Brazilian and Canadian goods, and a 100% duty on imported generic drugs.
A joint US-Canada ceremony for the Gordie Howe International Bridge was cancelled after President Trump announced a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods. Canada will hold its own event, while the bridge's opening to traffic on July 27 remains expected but less certain.
The Senate intelligence committee voted 9-8 to advance Jay Clayton's nomination to be director of national intelligence, despite Democratic criticism over his past statements on elections and concerns about his role in subpoenaing journalists. The nomination now heads to the full Senate for a vote, while questions remain about White House involvement in the subpoenas.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a Senate hearing where he estimated the war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far and defended an $88 billion supplemental funding request. Lawmakers pressed him on the rising costs, shifting justifications, and recent troop deaths, as the Pentagon warns it is running low on cash.
During a White House meeting with Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, US President Donald Trump said he is open to direct talks with Hezbollah if requested by Lebanon, and pledged continued US support for the country.
US President Donald Trump has ordered new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, defending the move by claiming Canada cannot survive without the US. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country is ready to intensify trade talks, as analysts point to potential diversification opportunities with the EU and China.