Latest news with #Trump
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump delays TikTok ban again for 90 days, sets new deadline for company to sell app
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to keep TikTok running in the US for another 90 days to give his administration more time to broker a deal to bring the social media platform under American ownership. It is the third time Trump has extended the deadline. The first one was through an executive order on Jan 20, his first day in office, after the platform went dark briefly when a national ban — approved by Congress and upheld by the US Supreme Court — took effect. The second was in April when White House officials believed they were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new company with US ownership that fell apart after China backed out following Trump's tariff announcement. It is not clear how many times Trump can — or will — keep extending the ban as the government continues to try to negotiate a deal for TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance. While there is no clear legal basis for the extensions, so far there have been no legal challenges to fight them. Trump has amassed more than 15 million followers on TikTok since he joined last year, and he has credited the trendsetting platform with helping him gain traction among young voters. He said in January that he has a 'warm spot for TikTok.' As the extensions continue, it appears less and less likely that TikTok will be banned in the US any time soon. The decision to keep TikTok alive through an executive order has received some scrutiny, but it has not faced a legal challenge in court — unlike many of Trump's other executive orders. Show more Show less
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
After Tulsi Gabbard, Trump shuts out Pete Hegseth in Iran war plans, fuels concerns of rogue military moves
Trump reportedly freezes out his defense secretary in Iran strike talks as tensions rise- President Donald Trump, currently weighing a possible U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, has reportedly sidelined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from key war planning discussions. As Israeli forces intensify attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump is increasingly relying on a select group of advisors—leaving Hegseth out of critical decision-making circles, according to a report by The Washington Post . Though Hegseth was confirmed earlier this year and initially played a central role, his influence has dropped significantly following an internal scandal dubbed 'Signalgate.' The controversy began when Hegseth allegedly shared classified operational details in a private chat that mistakenly included a journalist. Since then, White House insiders say the Pentagon chief has been shut out from real-time military planning—raising big questions about who's actually shaping U.S. strategy toward Iran. Is the Iran-Israel war spiraling out of control? Trump sidelines top defense officials amid major moves The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict is no longer just a shadow war—it's turned into a direct and dangerous confrontation. And now, President Donald Trump's decision to shut out key military voices like Pete Hegseth from crucial war planning is raising red flags about what could happen next. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Why is Trump sidelining his own defense secretary in Iran planning? The core issue appears to be trust—and control. Officials told The Washington Post that "nobody is talking to Hegseth" when it comes to Iran strike planning. Instead, Trump is reportedly getting direct input from what's being called the 'Tier One' group: Vice President JD Vance Secretary of State Marco Rubio CIA Director John Ratcliffe Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine This tight-knit group is said to be leading all major military and intelligence briefings. Meanwhile, Hegseth has not been part of the operational interface with the White House, according to three current U.S. officials. That disconnect suggests a breakdown between the Pentagon and Trump's national security inner circle. Live Events What happened with the 'Signalgate' controversy? Hegseth's fall from favor can be traced back to 'Signalgate,' an incident earlier this year where he reportedly leaked sensitive military information in a group chat that included a journalist. The leak involved a U.S. airstrike plan targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Though the damage control was swift, it reportedly rattled confidence inside the administration, especially in a time of rising conflict. While no formal action was taken against Hegseth, insiders claim the president 'lost confidence' in his ability to manage high-stakes national security operations. Since then, top-level briefings have been conducted without Hegseth or his staff present. What's really happening between Iran and Israel? Things escalated fast after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, a series of deadly airstrikes and Mossad-led sabotage missions targeting Iran's nuclear and missile facilities. Senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists were among those killed. Iran responded with a heavy barrage of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, though Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling systems have intercepted much of the incoming fire. Still, the level of open warfare between these two powers hasn't been seen in decades. Who is leading U.S. military planning if not the defense secretary? The actual planning appears to be in the hands of General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. Both are leading direct military coordination with Israel as Iranian facilities come under increased fire. Notably, Caine is said to have Trump's full backing, providing detailed briefings alongside CIA Director Ratcliffe. While the Pentagon insists Hegseth remains 'closely involved,' officials on the ground say otherwise. 'There is no operational coordination involving Hegseth,' one official told The Washington Post . This puts a major spotlight on the current structure of Trump's war cabinet, which is now more informal and centered around personal trust and loyalty. What role does Tulsi Gabbard play now in national security? Tulsi Gabbard, who was confirmed alongside Hegseth and now leads the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), is also facing reduced influence. After releasing a public video warning about the risk of nuclear conflict, she reportedly upset Trump and key advisors. The video, which stressed caution in escalating conflict with Iran, was seen by some in the administration as undermining ongoing strategy. Now, her role appears mostly advisory, with few high-level briefings involving her directly. Her message of restraint reportedly clashed with Trump's current push for a tougher stance on Iran. Is something even bigger brewing? 1. U.S. military moves spark fears of escalation The U.S. is not sitting idle. Reports confirm that Trump is considering greenlighting direct military aid to Israel, including high-impact bunker-buster bombs that could take out Iran's underground facilities. These moves come despite Hegseth's opposition, raising questions about how centralized and controlled America's response really is. 2. No sign of diplomacy—just more firepower Any hope for a diplomatic breakthrough appears to be fading fast. Israel reportedly demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment and dismantle missile bases and proxy militias—conditions Tehran is unlikely to meet. Meanwhile, Iran's retaliation remains fierce, with proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis stepping up activity. 3. Experts fear regional war is around the corner Foreign policy experts warn that this is no longer a backchannel fight—it's a real war that could spiral across the region. With the U.S. potentially entering the fray, the chances of a broader Middle East conflict are growing by the day. Already, analysts are tracking possible sleeper cell activity and cyberattacks that could expand the war's reach. Could this internal shake-up affect Trump's Iran strategy? With U.S. forces continuing to move into the region, and Israel pressing forward with targeted strikes, the exclusion of Hegseth from war planning could have real consequences. Some national security experts are questioning whether a defense secretary shut out of planning can effectively lead the Pentagon during a potential war. Meanwhile, Trump is said to be relying heavily on a mix of instinct and advice from his tight circle. His decision on whether to officially join Israel's offensive could come in days, if not hours. Are we witnessing the start of a bigger war? What started as covert operations and proxy clashes has now turned into a full-blown confrontation. With Donald Trump pushing aside top Pentagon voices and leaning on a hawkish inner circle, the risk of rogue military actions or U.S. involvement is rising sharply. The Iran-Israel war is already intense—but with each passing day, it looks more and more like the early stages of something much bigger. The question now is not just whether Trump will strike Iran, but who will actually shape the execution of that strategy—and what happens when critical voices like Hegseth and Gabbard are left out of the room. FAQs: Q1: Why is Trump excluding Pete Hegseth from Iran planning? Because of a loss of trust after the "Signalgate" incident involving a sensitive military leak. Q2: Who is advising Trump on Iran strike decisions now? Trump now relies on JD Vance, Marco Rubio, John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine.
South China Morning Post
9 minutes ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Trump says he will decide on US involvement in Iran within 2 weeks
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would make a decision about US military involvement in Iran within two weeks. 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Trump said via White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump is facing defiance from many in his own party over his comments on Wednesday , in which he said that he 'may' or 'may not' order US forces to participate in Israel's strikes against the Islamic republic. 04:26 Trump says US 'may' or 'may not' strike Iran as Tehran rejects call to surrender Trump says US 'may' or 'may not' strike Iran as Tehran rejects call to surrender Steve Bannon, one of the most influential voices from Trump's 'America First' coalition, has warned against any US military operations supporting Israel's bid to destroy Iran's nuclear programme absent a diplomatic deal. 'We can't have another Iraq,' Bannon said in a discussion hosted on Wednesday by The Christian Science Monitor, referring to the war started in 2003, which is estimated to have killed some 4,700 US and allied troops. 'The Israelis have to finish what they started. They started this. They should finish it,' Bannon said. Mourners at a funeral in Ahvaz, Iran, on Thursday for those killed in Israeli strikes. Photo: ISNA/West Asia News Agency via Reuters Other political figures, who have staunchly supported Trump over many years – including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, and far-right pundit Tucker Carlson – have also come out against US military intervention.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
India's high-tech ambitions get a boost from Apple and US tariffs
Even before Trump's latest trade war, India was gunning for a greater slice, not only of the smartphone industry, but the entire supply chain, hoping to lure more international businesses away from China. Now, with Apple announcing it will build all US-bound smartphones in India, and US tariffs potentially handing it a competitive advantage, India is seeing new momentum. CNN's Clare Sebastian visits a city outside Delhi that has been transformed by India's hi-tech ambitions. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump bans 'negative' signage at national parks, asks visitors to snitch on unpatriotic text
In his ongoing war on "woke,' President Trump has instructed the National Park Service to scrub any language he would deem negative, unpatriotic or smacking of 'improper partisan ideology' from signs and presentations visitors encounter at national parks and historic sites. Instead, his administration has ordered the national parks and hundreds of other monuments and museums supervised by the Department of the Interior to ensure that all of their signage reminds Americans of our 'extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union, and unmatched record of advancing liberty, prosperity and human flourishing.' Those marching orders, which went into effect late last week, have left Trump opponents and free speech advocates gasping in disbelief, wondering how park employees are supposed to put a sunny spin on monuments acknowledging slavery and Jim Crow laws. And how they'll square the story of Japanese Americans shipped off to incarceration camps during World War II with an 'unmatched record of advancing liberty.' At Manzanar National Historic Site, a dusty encampment in the high desert of eastern California, one of 10 camps where more than 120,000 Japanese American civilians were imprisoned during the early 1940s, employees put up a required notice describing the changes last week. Like all such notices across the country, it includes a QR code visitors can use to report any signs they see that are 'negative about either past or living Americans or that fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes." An identical sign is up at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Kern County, a tribute to the struggle to ensure better wages and safer working conditions for immigrant farm laborers. Such signs are going up across the sprawling system, which includes Fort Sumter National Monument, where Confederates fired the first shots of the Civil War; Ford's Theater National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated; and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park. So, nothing negative about John Wilkes Booth or James Earl Ray? In response to an email requesting comment, a National Park Service spokesperson did not address questions about specific parks or monuments, saying only that changes would be made "where appropriate." The whole thing is "flabbergasting,' said Dennis Arguelles, Southern California director for the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Assn. 'These stories may not be flattering to American heritage, but they're an integral part of our history. 'If we lose these stories, then we're in danger of repeating some of these mistakes,' Arguelles said. Trump titled his March 27 executive order requiring federal sign writers to look on the bright side 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.' He specifically instructed the Interior Department to scrutinize any signs put up since January 2020 — the beginning of the Biden administration — for language that perpetuates 'a false reconstruction' of American history. Trump called out signs that 'undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.' He specifically cited the National Historical Park in Philadelphia and the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., as bowing to what he described as the previous administration's zeal to cast 'our Nation's unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness' as 'inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.' His solution? Order federal employees and historians to rewrite the "revisionist" history with language that exudes "patriotism." 'It all seems pretty Orwellian,' said Kimbrough Moore, a rock climber and Yosemite National Park guide book author. After news of the impending changes began circulating in park circles, he posted on Instagram a sign he saw in the toilet at the Porcupine Flat campground in the middle of the park. Across from the ubiquitous sign in all park bathrooms that says, 'Please DO NOT put trash in toilets, it is extremely difficult to remove,' someone added a placard that reads, 'Please DO NOT put trash in the White House. It is extremely difficult to remove.' Predictably, the post went viral, proving what would-be censors have known for centuries: Policing language is a messy business and can be hard to control in a free society. 'Even the pooper can be a venue for resistance,' Moore wrote. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
