Iran's supreme leader says U.S. to have no place in Gulf's "bright future"
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that the "bright future" of the Gulf will be one without the U.S. presence and at the service of the progress, comfort, and welfare of the regional nations.
Khamenei made the remarks in a message marking the Persian Gulf National Day, calling the waterway an "unparalleled divine blessing" for Iran and the Muslim states of the region.
Israeli DM says may soon resume military action against Iran
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel "may soon have to resume military action against Iran."
Speaking at a military ceremony, Katz said Israel supports negotiations between the United States and Iran on a possible agreement but may soon be required to renew strikes to ensure its security.
Trump says weighing troop reduction in Germany after row with Merz
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States is studying and reviewing a possible reduction of troops in Germany.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision will be made within a short period of time.
The United States had just over 68,000 active-duty personnel permanently stationed at overseas bases in Europe as of December 2025, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center, with more than half based in Germany.
Britain raises terror threat level to "severe" after London stabbing attack
Britain raised its terrorism threat level to "severe," the second-highest level, on Thursday after police declared a stabbing attack in London's Golders Green "a terrorist incident", Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.
"Today, the national threat level has increased to 'severe', which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely," Mahmood said, adding that the move may cause concern, "particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much."
Former S. Korean president Yoon, wife file appeal with Supreme Court over increased sentences
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee have both filed appeals with the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging recent appellate court rulings in their respective criminal cases, local media reported.
Yoon was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday in the appellate trial for charges including "obstruction of arrest." Kim, indicted for charges of bribery, was sentenced to four years in prison in the appellate trial on Tuesday. Both sentences were harsher than the first trial.■
