Trump orders U.S. forces to strike boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he has ordered the U.S. Navy "to shoot and kill" any boat putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy waterway bordering Iran.
There is to be "no hesitation" for U.S. forces to attack Iran's "small boats" putting mines, and the U.S. minesweepers are clearing the Strait of Hormuz right now, Trump said on his Truth Social.
Trump added that U.S. minesweepers are currently clearing the strait, and ordered the operation to continue "at a tripled level."
Lebanese president condemns Israel over killing of journalist in airstrike
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday condemned Israel over a recent airstrike that killed journalist Amal Khalil and injured another reporter in the southern town of Al-Tiri.
In a statement, Aoun said that Israel's "deliberate and repeated targeting of journalists aims to conceal the truth about its aggressive violations against Lebanon."
He described such acts as crimes against humanity, punishable under international laws and norms, calling for international intervention to bring them to an end.
5 in critical condition after train collision in Denmark
Five people are in critical condition after two trains collided head-on in Denmark on Thursday morning, Danish broadcaster DR reported.
A total of 17 passengers were injured when two trains carrying 38 people collided between Hillerod and Kagerup, about 50 km north of Copenhagen, said the report.
Morten Pedersen, police inspector with North Zealand Police, described the crash as a "very serious accident." He said police received the report at 06:29 a.m. local time (0429 GMT), prompting emergency response teams to be dispatched to the scene.
What lies behind dismissal of top military leaders in Trump administration?
The Pentagon announced on Wednesday the unexpected removal of U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan from his post, without providing any explanation or clarifying whether the decision was voluntary.
The move, just weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Randy George, once again highlights the Donald Trump administration's sweeping overhaul of military leadership amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.■
