IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
More than 30 leading news organizations, including Reuters, The Associated Press, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and CNN, have refused to sign a new Pentagon access policy they say threatens press freedom and transparency. The policy, which sets a Tuesday deadline for compliance, requires journalists to acknowledge rules that could see them labeled as “security risks” and lose their Pentagon credentials if they seek information deemed sensitive or classified.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the policy, saying it simply requires acknowledgment, not agreement. However, major outlets argue the policy undermines the First Amendment and press independence. “It restricts how journalists can report on a military funded by nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer money,” said The New York Times’ Washington Bureau Chief Richard Stevenson. Reuters echoed the sentiment, emphasizing its commitment to impartial reporting and constitutional press protections.
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—who has proposed renaming the Pentagon the “Department of War”—the policy marks a significant tightening of media access. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, described the rules as “common sense,” claiming they safeguard national security. President Donald Trump backed Hegseth, criticizing the press as “disruptive.”
While most major outlets rejected the agreement, One America News (OAN) confirmed it had signed after legal review. The Pentagon Press Association, representing more than 100 news organizations, urged reconsideration, warning the policy “gags Pentagon employees” and could enable retaliation against journalists.
Critics say the new rules could make it easier to prosecute reporters under the Espionage Act for soliciting information. Despite revisions acknowledging that publication of sensitive material is generally protected, the Pentagon maintains that journalists’ rights “do not override” national security concerns—raising alarm over future transparency in U.S. military reporting.
