The Pentagon seeks $200B for the Iran war, pending congressional approval.
Why this matters
This request highlights ongoing debates over military spending and the strategic direction of U.S. involvement in Iran. It will influence domestic political dynamics and international military policy.
The Pentagon is requesting an additional $200 billion for the Iran war, a proposal that requires congressional approval and is likely to face scrutiny.
The requested funding would increase the Defense Department’s budget, which is already over $800 billion for the current fiscal year. This follows a previous allocation of $150 billion from last year’s tax cuts, which focused on specific projects and upgrades.
Congress has not officially authorized the Iran war and shows increasing concern over the military operation’s strategy. While the president’s Republican Party controls Congress, conservative lawmakers show limited interest in increased military spending. Many Democrats are likely to oppose the request and seek further clarification on military strategies and goals.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shut down two websites linked to the pro-Iranian hacktivist group Handala, which recently claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on U.S. medical technology company Stryker. One site publicized Handala’s cyberactivities, while the other doxed individuals tied to the Israeli military and defense firms. These sites now display a banner citing U.S. law enforcement activity.
The FBI’s announcement suggested that the websites were used for cyber activities involving a foreign state actor, stating, “The United States Government has taken control of this domain to disrupt ongoing malicious cyber operations and prevent further exploitation.” Nameserver records confirm FBI control.
ABC has decided to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” featuring Taylor Frankie Paul, known for “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” This decision follows the resurfacing of a video showing Paul involved in a domestic altercation. ABC’s parent company, Disney, released a statement saying their current focus is on supporting Paul’s family.
The video, shared by TMZ, reportedly shows Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, throwing barstools while a child was present. According to People magazine, Paul pled guilty to aggravated assault under a plea deal that could reduce the charge to a misdemeanor if conditions are met.
The domestic incident led to the pause of the fifth season of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Draper City Police confirmed an open investigation, citing allegations from both Paul and Mortensen.
The Pentagon intends to extend the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., into early 2029, according to two U.S. officials speaking to ABC News. The plan, finalized last year, is awaiting the signature of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Since August 2025, at least 2,500 National Guard members, many from other states, have been stationed in D.C. following President Donald Trump’s order to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. The deployment was initially intended to counteract crime, though city leaders argued crime rates had been decreasing since 2023.
The presence of the National Guard remains a point of contention. Critics claim the deployment did not adequately address areas in need of crime prevention and questioned the impact on the city’s autonomy.
Metropolitan Police Department data shows a 27% decrease in crime compared to the previous year, with 11 homicides and 201 assaults with a deadly weapon recorded so far.
Originally scheduled to end in 2025, the National Guard’s deployment was extended through 2026.
Chuck Norris, 86, was hospitalized in Hawaii after a reported medical emergency. Sources told TMZ that Norris experienced health issues within the past 24 hours but remains in good spirits. On Wednesday, while training on Kauai, his condition worsened. During a phone conversation with a friend, he was reportedly joking. Limited additional information is available.
Twenty-four states, along with several cities and counties, filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the Trump administration’s decision to repeal a 2009 finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare.
The rule, finalized last month, revokes the endangerment finding, a legal basis for climate regulations under the Clean Air Act for vehicles, power plants, and other pollution sources. The rollback may lead to the removal of emissions standards for cars, trucks, and stationary sources such as power plants.
This lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit follows an earlier challenge by public health and environmental groups. The states argue the EPA has neglected its duty to protect the public.
