New photos obtained exclusively by CBS News reveal for the first time the widespread damage and destruction of buildings and vehicles at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East, as a result of Iranian missile and drone attacks.  

The images were sent to CBS News by active service members on condition of anonymity because of rigid media restrictions within the military. 

“This is major damage to our bases that hasn’t been communicated to the American public,” one deployed service member told CBS News. “We’re standing there with our eyes closed getting punched in the face.”

One photo, taken at Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia, shows a direct hit on the back half of a Boeing E-3 Sentry four-engine aircraft, its tail severed from the charred fuselage that also supported a rotating radar that is essential for collecting midair intelligence.  

Other photos taken from the base show hollowed-out buildings and barracks whose shells ironically stand next to unaffected cement “T-wall” structures, which were once regarded as critical fortifications against grenade and mortar attacks but proved critically ineffective against an aerial assault.

Similarly grim pictures were captured at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, a major staging area for U.S. Army ground troops, armored vehicles and some aircraft; the post is located in a remote desert region far northwest of Kuwait City. 

The Defense Department’s inspector general this week released a fresh report on the war in Iran that revealed “equipment losses” worth up to $3.7 billion — including nearly 60 aircraft. In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector general added that U.S. Central Command reported Iranian strikes at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. 

The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment. 

“These are not ‘squirters’ getting through,” the service member added, referencing language used by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after the deadly March 1 attack on Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait that killed six U.S. troops. “We’re not defending these bases. We’re just watching them get destroyed.” (CBS News)

New photos obtained exclusively by CBS News reveal for the first time the widespread damage and destruction of buildings and vehicles at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East, as a result of Iranian missile and drone attacks. The images were sent to CBS News by active… pic.twitter.com/MmOX1rQgwN

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 16, 2026

The post New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian missile, drone attacks appeared first on Newswire.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne visited the family of Staff Sergeant H. P. S. Bandara in Hevadivela, Dulmune, who lost his life during the final stages of the war in May 2009.

According to the Sri Lanka Army, Bandara, served in the 4th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.

During a decisive battle in the vicinity of the Nanthikadal Lagoon, Bandara displayed exceptional bravery and leadership by standing firm in the face of enemy attacks and protecting his fellow soldiers without regard for his own life on 17 May 2009. 

He was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya and Rana Sura Padakkama in recognition of his service.

The Army Commander, during his recent visit, met Bandara’s wife, Mrs. Darshani Nayana Weeragoda, and close family members, inquiring into their welfare and future needs. He assured them of the Army’s continued support. (Newswire)

The post Army Commander visits family of soldier killed in final stages of war appeared first on Newswire.

Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States does the same, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday (Jul 26). 

The development comes as the United States pressed pause on its bombing campaign after President Donald Trump’s advisers told him they were running out of targets and expressed worries about depleting the US arsenal.

After 13 nights of intensifying US airstrikes on Iran, the Pentagon suspended the campaign late on Friday, with no US attacks reported on either Saturday or Sunday. Iran, which had been following each night of US attacks with its own strikes on neighbouring countries that host US bases, has also so far held fire for two days. 

The Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran’s position “remains ‘attack for attack’: If the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. That message has already been conveyed to the United States.” 

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told “Fox News Sunday” and other US media that Trump had decided to pause US attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.

“He’s giving talks some space, he’s giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said, without providing further details. US military officials in recent days have cautioned that bombings over the past two weeks meant to deter Iranian threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway that has become a key flashpoint in the war — had largely exhausted the pre-selected sets of targets, one US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

Resuming major combat operations remains an option, but General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has cautioned privately to Trump that it would carry risk given the negative impact on stocks of munitions, the official said. That includes interceptors used by US air defences in the Middle East, the official added. Caine’s office and US Central Command declined comment. 

US military officials have traditionally declined to comment on their private advice to a sitting US president, even in testimony to Congress. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Waltz said the US military “has everything that it needs”, but also said that when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took over under the Trump administration, he “inherited a depleted situation”.

The senior Iranian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran did not hold much hope that Trump’s decision to pause strikes represented a major shift in the US negotiating position. 

“There is more scepticism than optimism about the halt in attacks. The prevailing view is that the pause is tactical rather than genuine. Iran has accumulated enough bitter experience with what it sees as US deception,” the source said.

“STUCK IN LIMBO”

For the past two weeks, US forces had been striking Iran nightly in what Washington said was retaliation for Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces have responded to the US attacks by launching strikes at water desalination plants in nearby Gulf Arab states.

Iran says it aims to retain control of the strait, through which a fifth of global oil flows passed before the war. The renewed US military campaign effectively torpedoed last month’s interim agreement aimed at ending the war. Trump’s decision to pause the strikes followed what several media outlets described as a meeting on Friday where Caine and other senior military and political advisers raised concerns.

CNN said Vice President JD Vance had expressed reservations. Axios reported that the overall commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, had advised halting the US bombing campaign because it had reached the limits of its effectiveness. 

Residents of Iran remain apprehensive. Nader, 49, an import-export business owner in Tehran, said he doubted any pause in strikes would last.

“Everyone in the country is stuck in limbo,” he told Reuters by telephone. “Trump is playing games with Iran. He neither ends the war and leaves the region nor strikes decisively. It’s exhausting.” (CNA/ Reuters)

The post Iran says it will halt strikes as long as US bombing pause holds appeared first on Newswire.

Iran’s Nour News Agency reports that the Iranian Army and the IRGC have launched “large-scale missile and drone attacks” on “enemy bases in the region”.

Citing an Iranian military official, the agency said the operation was launched in response to the US’s continuing attacks on Iran and targeted sites identified following “enemy movements” over the past 48 hours.

Iran claims attack on Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa airbase

The IRGC says it targeted several facilities at the Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain in the second phase of its retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre.

The IRGC added that its retaliatory attacks were continuing.

Iran claims attacks on Kuwait airbases

The IRGC says it has “completely destroyed” fuel tanks and Patriot air defence systems at the Ali Al-Salem airbase, as well as a strategic FPS radar system at the Ahmed Al-Jaber airbase.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attacks were carried out by its aerospace forces during the third phase of its “eye-for-an-eye” operation in response to US military action against Iran.

The IRGC said the operation was continuing.

It also warned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that Iran would not allow continued foreign military interference in the waterway.

Iran claims attacks on Jordan’s Prince Hassan airbase

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it targeted the Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan with missiles and drones, setting fire to several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities.

In a statement, the IRGC said the US attacks followed an operation by the IRGC Navy to stop two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which it accused of “switching off their tracking systems, travelling illegally and endangering navigation”.

The IRGC said its retaliatory operations are continuing and that the results would be announced in subsequent statements. (Al Jazeera)

The post Iran attacks Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan after US bombings appeared first on Newswire.

A railway bridge in northern Iran was damaged in a strike early Thursday, Iranian media reported, as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.

Mehr News Agency said the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge in Golestan province was hit by a projectile. Emergency crews and relevant authorities were dispatched to the scene to assess the damage, with no further details immediately available.

The Neynava Corps, a provincial operational unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces stationed in Golestan, later said the bridge was struck by a US cruise missile.

The IRGC’s Golestan branch said the attack caused no casualties and vowed a “crushing” response. 

The incident came amid a new wave of reported US strikes late Wednesday targeting several locations in southern and southeastern Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) later said American forces had launched additional strikes against Iran aimed at further degrading its ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. (Anadolu Agency)

The post Iran vows ‘crushing’ response after alleged US strike on railway bridge appeared first on Newswire.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it hit dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait overnight in response to US strikes, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.

“In an initial response to this aggression, the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force carried out a joint missile and drone operation, striking 85 key US military facilities” in the two countries, while also shooting down an MQ-9 drone, the statement says. (Israel Times)

The post Iran says it hit 85 US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait in response to strikes appeared first on Newswire.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has moved swiftly with $4 billion in financing to help countries withstand the economic shocks of the Middle East conflict, with Sri Lanka among 15 governments that have formally requested assistance.

According to the ADB, the financing includes about $3 billion requested by governments and $1 billion provided as trade finance for energy and food imports.

Sri Lanka’s request, alongside those from Bangladesh, Fiji, and the Philippines, forms part of a broader package announced by ADB in late March. 

“ADB has received formal requests for support from 15 affected governments across the region, including previously announced requests from Bangladesh, Fiji, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The requests, which follow a financial support package announced by ADB in late March, range in size from $15 million to $1.5 billion and include policy-based loans, countercyclical financing, rapid repurposing of existing sovereign portfolio funds, and emergency assistance loans. ADB is in discussions with an additional 4 countries facing continued impacts on their economies,” The ADB said in a statement.

The support ranges from policy-based loans and countercyclical financing to rapid repurposing of existing sovereign portfolio funds and emergency assistance loans.

“The bank is deploying its full suite of crisis response instruments, including budget support, trade finance, and a new mechanism to rapidly repurpose existing portfolio funds, to deliver tailored and timely support to our members, from large to small, who need to safeguard their economies and communities,” ADB President Masato Kanda said.

For Sri Lanka, the financing is expected to help cushion pressures on tourism, remittances, and fuel supplies, while supporting fiscal stability amid global uncertainty.

Full statement:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is acting quickly and decisively with $4 billion in financing to help countries withstand the impact of the Middle East conflict, including about $3 billion requested by governments and $1 billion provided as trade finance for energy and food imports.

“ADB is acting with speed and scale to support countries experiencing a range of impacts from the Middle East conflict, including pressure on finances, remittances, tourism, and fuel and fertilizer supplies,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “At this time of acute uncertainty and risk, we are deploying our full suite of crisis response instruments—including budget support, trade finance, and a new mechanism to rapidly repurpose existing portfolio funds—to deliver the tailored and timely support our members, from large to small, need to safeguard their economies and communities.”

ADB has received formal requests for support from 15 affected governments across the region, including previously announced requests from Bangladesh, Fiji, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The requests, which follow a financial support package announced by ADB in late March, range in size from $15 million to $1.5 billion and include policy-based loans, countercyclical financing, rapid repurposing of existing sovereign portfolio funds, and emergency assistance loans. ADB is in discussions with an additional 4 countries facing continued impacts on their economies.

In addition to these requests, the Government of India has requested $1.5 billion in ADB financing to build and accelerate resilience and to sustain reform-based urban transformation and clean energy objectives. The proposed assistance includes a $1 billion policy-based loan under the Urban Transformation and Investment Program to sustain momentum in urban infrastructure investment and reforms, and $500 million under the Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Program to expand clean energy access, reduce dependence on imported fuels, strengthen domestic manufacturing, install battery energy storage systems, promote circular economy initiatives, and enhance long-term energy security.

Complementing this sovereign assistance, ADB has reactivated support for oil imports under its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) on an exceptional basis for a limited period to soften the impact of rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions. Since 1 March, ADB’s TSCFP has delivered $673 million to support oil and gas imports and $390 million for food security across 9 countries, helping maintain access to essential supplies amid global market disruptions. Trade finance support to the Cook Islands is also expected to commence soon as part of ADB’s broader support for vulnerable small island developing states.

ADB also stands ready to support Vanuatu through its Rapid Resource Reprogramming and Deployment Option (3RDO), a new financing mechanism that enables swift repurposing of ADB portfolio funds to support immediate relief and early recovery actions. The government has expressed strong interest in operationalizing the 3RDO, not only to meet immediate financing needs arising from the current fuel crisis but also to establish a readily available contingency mechanism that can be activated in response to future crises.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region. (Newswire)

The post ADB fast-tracks $4 Bn crisis support; Sri Lanka among beneficiaries appeared first on Newswire.

Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace early Thursday and diverted flights to alternative airports as a precautionary measure, citing escalating regional tensions following Iranian strikes.

According to a report by Gulf News, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the closure took effect at 4.50am local time to safeguard air navigation and passenger safety. 

The authority confirmed flights were being redirected under established agreements and operational procedures.

The move followed Kuwait’s statement that it had been subjected to Iranian aggression, raising concerns over risks to civil aviation traffic across the Gulf. 

The DGCA said it was closely monitoring developments with relevant authorities and would reopen the country’s airspace once the security situation stabilises and threats are eliminated.

Passengers and airlines were urged to follow official updates and comply with instructions issued by the DGCA. 

The temporary closure comes as tensions in the region intensify after fresh US strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks targeting American military facilities. (Newswire)

The post Kuwait temporarily closes airspace due to Iranian attacks appeared first on Newswire.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out attacks against a US base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf on Wednesday (Jun 10) in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported.

The clashes mark one of the biggest exchanges in hostilities since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in April.

The Iranian strikes, which included attacks in Kuwait and Bahrain, came after the US military said on X it had targeted Iranian air defence, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the strait in response to what US President Donald Trump said was the downing of a US Apache helicopter on Tuesday.

“I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is,” Trump told ABC News on Tuesday.

The escalation in violence deepens doubts about the prospects for a deal to end the war that started on Feb 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded by firing on Gulf neighbours that host US bases and all but choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil and gas.

The latest US strikes lasted around four hours before the US Central Command posted just before 9pm ET (Wednesday, 9am, Singapore time) that they had ended. A US official said almost 20 Iranian targets had been struck.

Iran’s state media reported that Qeshm island and the port city of Sirik in the Strait of Hormuz were attacked.

Sounds of explosions were heard in nearby Bandar Abbas, and later in the vicinity of Jask, near the entrance to the strait, Iranian media reported, citing local sources and residents.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in response they had targeted four sites at the US al-Azraq base in Jordan using long-range missiles, Iranian media reported.

The Guards said the targets included F-35 fighter jet hangars and a command-and-control centre, and warned they were ready to deliver a “crushing and decisive” response to any further US attack.

Jordanian armed forces said on Wednesday they had intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran toward al-Azraq. The military added that debris from the interception operation fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or material damage.

The Kuwaiti army said its air defence systems were engaging hostile aerial targets and urged the public to follow official safety instructions, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait with drones.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said earlier they attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with drones and threatened “more severe responses” if hostilities continued, according to media.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a warning siren had been sounded and urged the public to head to safety. Air defences had repelled Iranian attacks, a media adviser to Bahrain’s king said soon after in a post on X.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial assessments showed nearly all missiles and drones launched by Iran were intercepted and they were not immediately aware of any reports of harm to US personnel or damage to US locations.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the battlefield reports. (CNA/ Reuters)

The post Iran targets US bases in Jordan and the Gulf after Trump orders strikes near Hormuz appeared first on Newswire.

Air traffic at Kuwait International Airport was suspended and flights diverted to nearby airports after Iranian missiles and drones struck Terminal One, causing casualties and damage to several facilities.

According to a report by Gulf News, Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) immediately activated its emergency plan in response to the attack. 

Spokesman Abdullah Al‑Rajhi said authorities were implementing established protocols to safeguard workers and passengers and secure airport facilities.

Al‑Rajhi added that security and technical contingency measures are being enforced to enable the eventual resumption of operations. 

Technical teams are currently assessing the extent of the damage before repair work begins. (Newswire)

The post Flights suspended after missile strike on Kuwait Airport appeared first on Newswire.

Iran said it targeted American bases in the region and a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz in response to what it said were US attacks on an Iran-linked oil tanker and strikes on Qeshm Island.

The US military has rejected Iran’s claim that it struck the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a US air base in the region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they fired missiles at a vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged Panaya, in response to the US striking an oil tanker heading toward Iran’s key oil port at Kharg Island, Iranian state media IRIB reported.

The IRGC said the US targeted a military “communications tower in southern Qeshm Island,” which is considered part of Iran’s “arch defence” near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military earlier said it had struck an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island in “self-defence.”

Retaliatory missile and drone attacks were launched by Iran on “an American air and helicopter base” as well as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet,” the IRGC said. 

US and Bahraini air defences intercepted three missiles fired at Bahrain, US Central Command said earlier, adding that missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route.

The IRGC has warned that “any further aggression would be met with a different and more severe response.” (CNN)

The post Iran says it targeted US Fifth Fleet headquarters and airbase in response to US attacks appeared first on Newswire.

Amnesty International South Asia has warned that Sri Lanka’s failure to deliver on repeated commitments for credible investigations into wartime abuses continues to undermine reconciliation and durable peace.

“The commemoration underscores the continued and urgent need for truth, justice, and reparations for the credible allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed during the conflict, as documented by United Nations investigations,” the organization said in a statement marking the 17th anniversary of the end of the armed conflict. 

Amnesty noted that despite pledges by successive governments, including the current administration, “entrenched impunity” persists, leaving survivors without redress. 

The group stressed that accountability remains essential for reconciliation and for Sri Lanka to meet its obligations under international law.

Thousands of Tamil survivors and families gathered at Mullivaikkal today to honour those who lost their lives and to bear witness to the suffering endured during and at the end of the war. 

Community representatives reiterated that meaningful engagement with the government depends on addressing longstanding grievances and ensuring accountability for past abuses.

“We stand in solidarity with their pursuit of justice,” Amnesty International South Asia added. (Newswire)

Sri Lanka: Today marks 17 years since the end of the internal armed conflict in Sri Lanka. Each year, thousands of Tamil survivors and their families gather at Mullivaikkal to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and to bear witness to the profound suffering endured… pic.twitter.com/S4zL2s1ap7

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 18, 2026

The post Amnesty International warns of entrenched impunity as Sri Lanka marks 17 years since the war’s end appeared first on Newswire.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been secretly carrying out a series of attacks against Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli war, according to a report published Monday.

One of the targets has been a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island, anonymous sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal newspaper. 

That refinery was struck in early April around the time US President Donald Trump was about to announce a ceasefire with Iran, causing a large fire and knocking the facility offline, according to the Journal.

Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at the UAE and Kuwait. One of the sources said the US quietly welcomed the Emirates’ entry into the war.

The Journal said Iran has targeted the UAE more than any other country, including Israel, carrying out over 2,800 missile and drone attacks on the Gulf nation.

The attacks have wrought significant damage to the UAE’s economy, prompting layoffs and furloughs, and have “prompted a fundamental shift in the country’s strategic outlook to one that now sees Iran as a rogue actor bent on undermining the country’s economic and social model based on expatriate talent and a reputation for safety and stability,” anonymous Gulf officials told the Journal.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not comment on the strikes when pressed for comment by the newspaper. It did, however, point to a previously-issued statement that emphasized Abu Dhabi’s right to respond to hostile acts.

“It’s significant to have a Gulf Arab country as a warring party that struck Iran directly,” Dina Esfandiary, a Middle East analyst, told the Journal. “Tehran will now aim to further drive a wedge between the U.A.E. and other Gulf Arabs who are trying to mediate an end to the war.” (Anadolu Agency)

The post UAE has been launching secret attacks on Iran amid US-Israeli war: Report appeared first on Newswire.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday fired the US Army chief of staff and two other generals as the Iran war continues.

Hegseth told US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to retire immediately, a Pentagon official told CNN. He also fired two other Army generals Thursday, a US official said, the chief of chaplains, Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., and the commander of Army Transformation and Training Command, Gen. David Hodne.

Hegseth’s move comes a day after President Donald Trump’s address to the nation on the Iran war. In the speech, Trump signalled the US will intensify strikes on Iran, after earlier suggesting the US could be done with the war within two to three weeks.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure Thursday, writing on X, “General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation.”

Senior Army leadership was caught off guard by Thursday’s abrupt announcement, the US official told CNN — learning of George’s forced departure along with the rest of the Defense Department, when it was announced publicly.

George found out in a phone call from Hegseth on Thursday while he was in a meeting, a second US official said. He later spoke to his staff in person about the announcement, and his staff was “very stoic” when receiving the news, the official said.

As the Army chief, George has worked closely with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll — a senior official close to the White House whom Hegseth has perceived as a threat and at times had a contentious relationship with.

The abrupt and public nature of George’s immediate retirement, the first US official said, left little room for officials to argue against removing one of the joint chiefs amid ongoing conflict with Iran — particularly as the Army, under George, is deploying forces and is primarily responsible for providing crucial integrated air and missile defense capabilities to the joint force.

In his role as chief, George provided advice and guidance to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Hegseth regarding those capabilities.

“It doesn’t feel like a very thought-out decision,” the first US official said.

CBS News first reported George’s ousting.

George, a career infantry officer, commissioned out of the US Military Academy at West Point in 1988. He has served as the chief of staff since September 2023; he previously commanded I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and went on to serve as the senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.

While the job of senior military assistant to the defense secretary is often one considered to be apolitical and a role given to the best of the best of military officers, George’s proximity to Austin has been considered a mark against him to Hegseth and his circle.

There was speculation among military and Pentagon officials when Hegseth nominated his senior military assistant, Gen. Chris LaNeve, to be the Army vice chief of staff, that he would ultimately take over for George. As the vice chief, LaNeve will likely step in as the acting chief of staff in George’s absence.

Before working for Hegseth, LaNeve — who has served since 1990 after commissioning from the University of Arizona ROTC — was the commanding general of 8th Army in South Korea, after a brief tenure as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Commanding the 82nd Airborne Division is typically a two-year job, though LaNeve left the role less than two years in and moved to be a special assistant to the commander of US Army Forces Command, before moving to South Korea, according to his official biography.

LaNeve got Trump’s attention in the hours after his inauguration, when LaNeve called into the Commander in Chief’s Ball with his troops from South Korea.

“Sir, on behalf of the brave men and women who serve under my command and the thousands of dedicated service members that are part of the joint team in Korea, congratulations on your victory as the 47th President of the United States,” LaNeve said on a video call. “Welcome back, Mr. President.”

Trump praised LaNeve, saying, “Is this man central casting or what?”

“They’re not going to play games with you. That’s good,” Trump added, according to an official transcript of the event. “I like to see that. Nobody is playing games with that man.” (CNN/CBS)

The post US Army chief of staff and two other generals fired amid Iran war appeared first on Newswire.

Since the war in Iran started February 28, worries about oil and gas have made the biggest headlines and sparked the loudest complaints from consumers.

But another bottleneck in the global supply network is causing alarm: a shortage of helium, an essential component used to make, among other things, semiconductors — those tiny chips that help run everything from electric vehicles to smartphones.

A prolonged shortage of helium could lead to a shortfall of advanced chips and have knock-on effects for electronics manufacturers who depend on them, or force others to scale back their datacenter plans.

Why is helium essential for chipmakers?
Considering that helium is colorless, odorless and the second-lightest element in the universe, it has a surprising list of applications as a gas or in liquid form.

Helium is used in things like MRI scanning, optical-fiber manufacturing, welding, leak detection and airbag inflation, not to mention balloons and dirigibles, said Phil Kornbluth, president of New Jersey-based Kornbluth Helium Consulting.

But it is the semiconductor chip industry that is sweating most right now.

Semiconductor-grade helium is essential for chipmakers to maintain ultraclean and ultracold manufacturing environments. This contaminant-free helium is also needed for energy and heat transfer, and in vacuum chambers.

There is no alternative to ultra-high-purity helium for these chipmaking processes and, without it, fabrication will slow down or even come to a halt.

“Helium is expensive relative to other gases, so, for the most part, where there are substitutes for helium, helium is no longer used,” said Kornbluth, who has over four decades of experience with commercial helium.

Where does helium come from?

Although there is helium in the atmosphere, most industrial helium comes from natural gas fields and is separated during processing, especially in liquified natural gas (LNG) extraction. In effect, helium is a byproduct of LNG production, which is the more profitable business.

There is an estimated 31.3 billion cubic meters (1.13 trillion cubic feet) of recoverable helium underground in the world, according to a US Geological Survey report published in early 2026.

The US has 8.49 billion cubic meters of recoverable helium, Algeria has 8.2 billion cubic meters, and Russia has 6.8 billion cubic meters. Tiny Qatar has 10.1 billion cubic meters, the biggest deposit in the world and produced just over a third of the world’s helium last year.

Following attacks from Iran, QatarEnergy stopped most of its LNG production in the country, which means that helium production is also on hold.

Iran has stopped ships from leaving the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, so one-third of global helium supplies are simply offline.

Moving and stockpiling helium

Handling helium is a specialized undertaking. Most helium is transported in bulk ultra-cold liquid form; the rest is moved around as a compressed gas.

As a gas, helium can be stored indefinitely, but the capacity for this is quite limited, Kornbluth said.

Another option is using underground caverns to store crude helium in large quantities, but capacity here is also limited. There are only four such privately owned storage facilities in the world: three in Texas and one in Gronau-Epe, Germany.

The majority of liquid-helium storage facilities only have tanks that can hold a few days’ to a week’s worth of production, Kornbluth said, which is relatively small compared to overall production capacity, let alone growing industrial demand.

Tiny helium reserves and higher prices

For now, companies can count on reserves. And since it takes several weeks or more for helium to get from Qatar to its primary markets in Asia and Europe, “it should be at least several weeks before helium users feel the impact of a helium supply deficit,” said Kornbluth.

Because a significant portion of helium comes out of Qatar’s gas fields, a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “means available helium volumes will be lower and prices higher,” said Michael E. Webber, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who specializes in energy.

For Qatar, much will depend on how long the waterway is blocked and how fast helium shipments get back online. For customers like semiconductor manufacturers, finding alternative sources will not be easy, especially since a lot of helium is locked up in long-term contracts.

There are other places with untapped helium, but finding it and bringing it to the surface takes many months, Webber said. When it finally comes to the market, there is likely to be tough competition for it.

Semiconductors and sourcing helium

In 2025, global semiconductor sales hit $791 billion (€687 billion), an increase of 25.6% compared with the previous year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

With this growth comes an increased need for helium, and the industry body has warned about risks to supplies.

Back in January 2023, the SIA pointed out that a sudden supply shock could significantly impact semiconductor manufacturing in the United States and around the globe.

One of their biggest concerns was that much of the supply is concentrated in regions of potential geopolitical risk. As an added risk, specialized semiconductor-grade helium comes mainly from the Middle East and Russia.

Recycling helium is still in its infancy. And there isn’t much room to increase efficiency when it comes to the chipmaking business, since manufacturers have already taken steps to reduce helium consumption in response to previous supply disruptions, according to SIA.

Kornbluth said the best way to reduce supply vulnerability was to purchase helium from suppliers who have diverse sources, even if that means having multiple suppliers. (DW)

The post Iran war triggers helium shortage, hits semiconductor supply appeared first on Newswire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that his country is ready for a ground invasion by American troops as the war launched by the United States and Israel has quickly spread across the region. He also refused any negotiations with the U.S. and said that Iran had not asked for a ceasefire.

Araghchi spoke with “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas in a video interview from Tehran as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue to hit the country.

His comments came after the U.S. and Israeli militaries began a sweeping attack on Iran on Saturday, which decimated its military defenses and killed its top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Asked if he was afraid of a possible U.S. ground invasion, Araghchi struck a defiant tone.

“No, we are waiting for them,” he said and added, “Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them.”

Araghchi also said that Iran has not asked for a ceasefire, despite U.S. and Israeli strikes across the country.

“We didn’t ask for a ceasefire even last time. In previous time, it was Israel who asked for a ceasefire. They asked for an unconditional ceasefire after 12 days that we resisted against their aggression,” he said, referring to the 12-day war last June when the Israeli and U.S. militaries targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Llamas asked about an attack on an elementary school in Minab that has killed dozens of schoolchildren, which the U.S. military said is being investigated, and questioned whether it could have been an errant Iranian military munition.

Araghchi said that 171 children were killed in the attack and that the American and Israeli militaries were responsible.

“This is what our military said. So it is either U.S. or Israel. What is the, what is the difference?”

Last Thursday, Araghchi was in a very different place, negotiating a possible deal with President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in Geneva.

The attack while the negotiations were ongoing has soured Iran on any future talks, Araghchi said, adding that he has had no communication with Witkoff or Kushner since last week.

“The fact is that we don’t have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States. You know, especially with this administration. We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, they attacked us,” Araghchi said.

He added, “So we see no reason why we should engage once again with those who have, who are not honest in negotiation, and they don’t and do not enter into negotiation in good faith.”

Araghchi had a grim outlook on the outcome of the current conflict.

“There is no winner in this war,” he said. “Our win is to be able to resist against, you know, the illegal, you know, goals, and this is what we have done so far.”

The killing of Khamenei has left a power vacuum in Iran, with rumors swirling that Mojtaba Khamenei, the former supreme leader’s second son, could be chosen as his successor.

This could spark criticism within Iran because the passing of authority from father to son defined the monarchy that was overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which brought about the creation of the Islamic Republic.

Araghchi said that there was a constitutional process in place to determine succession.

“There are many rumors around, but you know, we have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to choose a new supreme leader,” Araghchi said, noting the process could take longer because of the ongoing conflict.

The Assembly of Experts is an 88-seat Iranian governmental body tasked with choosing the supreme leader.

Araghchi added, “There are, as I said, there are many rumors, but nobody knows exactly who might be elected at the end of the day.”

Araghchi dismissed an Axios report that Trump has said he needs to be involved in the selection of the next supreme leader.

“That is absolutely the business of Iranian people, and nobody can interfere,” he said. (NBC)

The post Iran is ‘confident’ it could counter a U.S. ground invasion – Foreign Minister appeared first on Newswire.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka held a grand reception in Colombo on Wednesday (20), to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. 

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong attended and addressed the reception, while Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment of Sri Lanka, Upali Pannilage, attended and addressed the reception as the Chief Guest. 

Former President Maithripala Sirisena and President of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation, Indrananda Abeysekera, addressed the reception as representatives of former leaders and friendly personages from all sectors of Sri Lanka, respectively. 

According to the Chinese Embassy, over 400 friends attended the reception, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, General Secretary of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Tilvin Silva, Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunil Gamage, former Speaker Mahinda Abeywardana, and friends from various sectors across the political spectrum of Sri Lanka, diplomats of other countries in Sri Lanka, and representatives of Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong elaborated in-depth on the significant contributions made by the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and highlighted the profound importance of both the triumph in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Qi Zhenhong called on the international community to cherish and safeguard the hard-won peace and forge ahead firmly on the path of mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.

In their addresses, Minister Pannilage, former President Sirisena and former Speaker Abeysekera spoke highly of China’s significant historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. They praised the Chinese people for their great character—fearing no violence, remaining unyielding, standing united, and pursuing peace. They noted that in the post-war era, the Chinese people have persevered, worked with determination, and engaged in arduous efforts to achieve remarkable developmental accomplishments that have attracted worldwide attention. They called on both Sri Lanka and China, as well as the international community, to jointly uphold international fairness and justice and maintain global peace and prosperity.

The reception also featured a photo exhibition entitled “Remember History, Honour Fallen Heroes, Cherish Peace and Create a Better Future.” Guests frequently paused to carefully view the images, gaining a deeper understanding of the arduous struggles and unimaginably great national sacrifices made by the Chinese people in resisting the Japanese, as well as their significant historical contributions to the ultimate victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. (Newswire)

Full Speech :

Your Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the 6th President of Sri Lanka,

Hon. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment,

Mr. Indrananda Abeysekera, President of Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation,

Dear Ministers, Members of Parliament and Members of the diplomatic corps,

Distinguished guests and friends from all walks of life,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China will host a series of commemorative activities. Tonight, we gather at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH), a witness to the friendship between China and Sri Lanka, to commemorate the great victory of 80 years ago—a triumph that ended immense suffering and rekindled hope for humanity. Together, we remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace, and create a better future.

The truth of history must be remembered. It reminds us thatforgetting is to kill the fallen a second time, while remembering is the most sincere safeguard for peace. The war 80 years ago was a decisive battle between justice and evil, light and darkness, progressives and reactionaries. The torrent of justice, ultimately broke down the ramparts of the mad fascist war machine. Amidst the global catastrophe, the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, marked the beginning of the World Anti-Fascist War, and opened up the main Eastern battlefield. Spanning 14 years, it was known as the battlefield that began the earliest, lasted the longest, saw the fiercest battles to the death, saw the largest deployment of military forces,displayed the grandest scenes of combat, and claimed the highest number of casualties. Suffering over 35 million casualties nationwide, the Chinese people consistently pinned down and combated the main forces of Japanese militarism in its battlefield, annihilating more than 1.5 million Japanese troops, accounting for about 70% of Japan’s total military casualties in World War II. This victory not only played a decisive role in the ultimate defeat of the Japanese aggressors, but also provided crucial support to other battlefronts across the world, making asignificant historical contribution to the final victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Every nameless martyr’s tomb on the soil of China is a cornerstone of the victory in the World’s War against Fascism. Every inch of blood-soaked mountains and rivers bears the mark of those who gave their lives for righteousness. And every name that has faded into silence is a shining sword of light, cutting through the darkness.

The chimes of history echo without end. They enlighten us that peace has never been a natural gift from history, but rather a precious fruit nurtured by humanity through reason, courage, and consensus. 80 years have passed, and the smoke of war has long since dissipated. However, the world today remains deeply turbulent. Power politics and Cold War mentality still linger like ghosts, and the shadow of regional conflicts continues to threaten the hard-earned peace. We remember history not to perpetuate the chains of hatred, but to forever cut off the evil roots that once dragged humanity into the abyss, and to welcome the dawn of true light.

The lessons of history are still fresh. They warn us that militarism will not bring lasting peace. Whether in a cold war, a hot war, a tariff war, or a technology war, there will be no winners. Hegemonism and the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak must not be allowed to return. Faced with new circumstances and challenges, the authority and core role of the United Nations can only be strengthened, not weakened. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter have never become outdated. On the contrary, they have become even more important. At this moment, only a profound consciousness grounded in the lessons of history can anchor our course and prevent humanity from falling back into the cycle of darknessand wars.

The mirror of history illuminates the future. It provides guidance to humanity, allowing us to stand on the foundations of history,and work together to forge a bright future of peace and prosperity. China and Sri Lanka share a time-honored friendship, and the ancient Silk Road has long bound us together. We are now working hand in hand to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. From the progress of the Hambantota Port to the rise of the Colombo Port City, and from infrastructure connectivity to the deepening of cultural exchanges, we are jointly writing a vivid chapter in the building of a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future through concrete actions. This epic new chapter of cooperation is the most vibrant tribute to history, the most solid foundation for peace, and will surely paint an even brighter picture for the future of Sri Lanka.

The memory of history shall never fade. It is a beacon, bearing the scars of blood and fire, illuminating the journey toward dignity and coexistence. Let us pledge together: we must not allow the tragedy of history to repeat itself! With commemoration as our clarion call and cooperation as the vessel that carries us forward, let us jointly serve as guardians of historical memory, partners in development and revitalization, and defenders of international fairness and justice. We will cherish and safeguard the hard-won peace and forge ahead firmly on the path of mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.

From the Great Wall of China to the Sigiriya Lion Rock in Sri Lanka, let the faith in peace stand like an eternal rock, and let the fruits of development benefit all our descendants!

Thank you!

The post Commemoration marks 80 years since the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japan appeared first on Newswire.

Former Army Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he does not agree with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement that all parties fought for peace during Sri Lanka’s civil war. 

The President made the remarks while addressing the National War Heroes Day commemoration held this month. 

Speaking during a televised interview with a local media, Sarath Fonseka said he does not agree with the President’s opinion, pointing out that it was evident that the late LTTE Leader Prabhakaran’s actions were not done in favour of peace. 

“If you were fighting for peace, you would not attack the sacred sites of Sri Maha Bodhi or the Dalada Maligawa,” he pointed out. 

Sarath Fonseka further said he also does not agree with allowing commemorations in the North, which was also recently seen in Wellawatte. 

Stating that this would only open up opportunities for militants to reemerge, he added that if the authorities are not vigilant, there is a high chance of terrorism reoccurring in the nation. (Newswire) 

The post Fonseka not happy with President’s remarks at Ranaviru ceremony appeared first on Newswire.

Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), MP Mano Ganesan, has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the root causes that caused the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. 

MP Mano Ganesan made the appeal in a post on ‘X’, on the eve of the Victory Day and Mullivaaikkal Commemorations.

He further said that the Sri Lankan national journey should reach the patriotic destination where Sri Lankans should be able to commemorate all those who died in the war.

The MP pointed out that, if need be, they should also be able to celebrate victory over all kinds of terrorism, state and non-state, and those that occurred in the South and North of the country.

MP Mano Ganesan further said that to reach this destination, the state of Sri Lanka should address the root causes that caused the 30-year war, with an inclusive approach.

“The causes derive since 1948 from the Defrachisement Act, Sinhala-only Act, Dishonourable dismissals of the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam and the Dudley Senanayake-Chelvanayagam Acts, Chandrika Kumaratunga package of the year 2000, underimplementation of the 13th Amendment, Non-recognition of the diverse nature of the Sri Lankan society with several ethnicities, languages and religions, Non-implementations of the post-war Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, and the ignorance towards Mahinda Rajapaksa-Banki Moon joint statement, etc,” he said. 

“If not, our journey will be nothing but back to square one,” the TPA Leader further warned. (Newswire)

The post Mano calls on President to address root causes of the 30-year war appeared first on Newswire.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the war was fought to secure peace in the country, not to capture anyone. 

He made the remarks while attending the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) War Heroes’ Day commemoration held near the War Memorial in Battaramulla today (20).

The event was also attended by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Speaking at the gathering, Mahinda Rajapaksa said his attendance was a matter of duty.

“We came here today to fulfil a duty. Yes, we fought the war for peace, not to capture or oppress anyone. We fought to save the country,” the former President said. (Newswire)

The post “The war was fought not to capture anyone, but for peace”- MR appeared first on Newswire.