Latest news with #WH
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
US Reportedly Mulls Easing Iran Sanctions, Assisting Non-Enrichment Nuclear Program
In an entirely bizarre and unexpected pivot, and following yesterday's Trump statements suggesting that a new Iran nuclear deal might not even be necessary (given the narrative that its enriched uranium and nuclear capability has been fullly destroyed), the White House is already in discussions for a deal both to ease Iran sanctions and potentially help the Islamic Republic build a civilian-energy-producing nuclear program, but importantly without domestic enrichment. 'The Trump administration has discussed possibly helping Iran access as much as $30 billion to build a civilian-energy-producing nuclear program, easing sanctions, and freeing up billions of dollars in restricted Iranian funds – all part of an intensifying attempt to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table, four sources familiar with the matter said,' a fresh Thursday CNN report says. 'Key players from the US and the Middle East have talked with the Iranians behind the scenes even amid the flurry of military strikes in Iran and Israel over the past two weeks, the sources said,' the report continues. 'Those discussions have continued this week after a ceasefire deal was struck, the sources said.' The report says multiple early-stage proposals are under discussion, but all based on a key non-negotiable: that Iran must halt all uranium enrichment. However, this is one red line that Tehran has been insistent it won't give in to, as a matter of national sovereignty. According to more from the CNN claims: Among the terms being discussed, which have not been previously reported, is an estimated $20-30 billion investment in a new Iranian non-enrichment nuclear program that would be used for civilian energy purposes, Trump administration officials and sources familiar with the proposal told CNN. One official insisted that money would not come directly from the US, which prefers its Arab partners foot the bill. Investment in Iran's nuclear energy facilities has been discussed in previous rounds of nuclear talks in recent months. 'The US is willing to lead these talks,' a Trump admin source said. 'And someone is going to need to pay for the nuclear program to be built, but we will not make that commitment.' Arab partners would be pressured to foot the bill, the report emphasizes, also at a moment there's a new push to expand the Abraham Accords. Thursday afternoon WH press briefing hinted at the accuracy of the CNN report: ▶️ The White House Spokeswoman says Steve Witkoff and his team are talking to Iran as well as the US' Arab partners to come to agreement with IranLeavitt suggests that perhaps more Persian Gulf States could potentially sign on to the Abraham Accords. — SpeakWithDeeDee (@SpeakWithDeeDee) June 26, 2025 If true, this would constitute quite a drastic – almost total 180 shift – even as the dust still settles in the wake of the massive weekend US B-2 strikes on Iran this weekend. At this point it has yet to be proven that Iran's nuclear development capability has been truly destroyed and halted (WH assertions notwithstanding). Yet now suddenly, the US could be mulling a 'truly peaceful nuclear energy program' method of assistance for Tehran. But the White House might at any moment deny the contents of this new CNN report and the claims therein. As expected Hegseth during the Thursday morning Pentagon press conference excoriated the mainstream media for its coverage of the Trump-ordered attacks on Iran's nuclear sites. This after repeatedly praising Trump's leadership at yesterday's NATO summit. 'I hope, with all the ink spilled, all of your outlets find the time to properly recognize this historic change in continental security that other presidents tried to do, other presidents talked about,' Hegseth said. 'President Trump accomplished it. It's a huge deal.' He strongly pushed back especially against CNN reporting that the strikes merely set back Iran's nuclear program by months, again, framing the avalanche of MSM skepticism as supposedly due merely to anti-Trump bias and not wanting to give him a 'win'. 'Again, it was preliminary, a day and a half after the actual strike, when it admits itself in writing that it requires weeks to accumulate the necessary data to make such an assessment,' the defense secretary said. The president 'created the conditions to end the war, decimating – choose your word – obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities,' he asserted, before reading aloud the assessments of various US and foreign intelligence heads. Much of the press conference consisted of a highly detailed narrative of what it was like for troops – from officers to enlisted privates – in the Middle East as Iran's very brief retaliatory missile strike rained down on Qatar, and US-manned anti-air batteries intercepted the inbound projectiles. There was also a lot of focus on the pilots and crew of the B-2s and their marathon 37-hour bombing run all the way from Missouri to Tehran and back. The presser, especially while Hegseth was speaking, was charged with patriotism and emotion – much more than is normal for a Pentagon press briefing. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine emphasized in a detailed way the specs of the 30,000 pound bombs dropped on the Iranian sites, and they 'functioned as designed, meaning they exploded.' Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine demonstrates how GBU-57 MOPs work: "Unlike a normal surface bomb, you won't see an impact crater because they're designed to deeply bury and then function … All six weapons at each vent at Fordow went exactly where they were intended to go." — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 26, 2025 'A point that I want to make here: the Joint Force does not do [battle damage assessments],' Caine told the press pool. 'By design, we don't grade our own homework. The intelligence community does. But here's what we know following the attacks and the strikes on Fordow: First, that the weapons were built, tested and loaded properly. Two, the weapons were released on speed and on parameters. Three, the weapons all guided to their intended targets and to their intended aim points. Four, the weapons functioned as designed, meaning they exploded. We know this through other means intelligence means that we have that were visibly, we were visibly able to see them. And we know that the trailing jets saw the first weapons function.' He actually cited one pilot's eyewitness account as saying the blast from the initial bombs was so big as it was like an overwhelming flash of daylight. Among the more interesting assertions and revelations was that the Pentagon has been working intensely on the operation, particularly to take out the Fordow site, for-15 years . While the US military often spends a lot of time on various 'contingency' options to present to the Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Caine's description of two Pentagon analysts who devoted a decade-and-a-half of their lives to studying just Fordow strongly suggests the US long ago knew it would pull the trigger at some point. 'In the days preceding the attack against Fordow, the Iranians attempted to cover the shafts with concrete to try to prevent an attack. I won't share the specific dimensions of the concrete cap, but you should know that we know what the dimensions of those concrete caps were,' Caine said. 'The planners had to account for this, they accounted for everything. The cap was forcibly removed by the first weapon, and the main shaft was uncovered.' At Pentagon, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Dan Caine, explained 15 years of planning for disabling Fordo nuclear facility.A team focused on deeply buried, underground targets were briefed on a construction project in Iran in 2009."They knew from the very first days what… — Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 26, 2025 And President Trump soon after the Pentagon briefing ended, wrote the following on Truth Social: Meanwhile, Fox is reporting that the Senate has finally received a delayed Iran briefing. This seems to continue a long GWOT era tradition of presidents across administrations bombing first, and then notifying Congress later. Meanwhile, the international debate over just where Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is now located (if it's not destroyed) continues to intensify, despite the Trump denials that it remains: TRUMP: NOTHING WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE FACILITY IRAN LAW SUSPENDING IAEA COOPERATION COMES INTO EFFECT Simultaneous to Trump issuing another statement rejecting the thesis that the uranium has been moved and hidden, Financial Times reports in a strangely worded headline ('Iran moved uranium from Fordow before US strikes, EU capitals believe' ) the following: Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact following US strikes on its main nuclear sites, European capitals believe, calling into question President Donald Trump's assertion that the bombing 'obliterated' the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. Two people briefed on preliminary intelligence assessments said European capitals believe Iran's stockpile of 408kg of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels was not concentrated in Fordow, one of its two main enrichment sites, at the time of last weekend's attack. It had been distributed to various other locations, the capitals believe. This would indeed be an interesting twist – that the bulk of enriched uranium stockpiles were not even located at Fordow, which appeared to be the heaviest hit in the US operation. According to more: The people said EU capitals were still awaiting a full intelligence report on the extent of the damage to Fordow — which was built deep beneath a mountain near the holy city of Qom — and that one initial report suggested 'extensive damages, but not full structural destruction'. Iranian officials have suggested the enriched uranium stockpile was moved before the US bombing of the plant, which came after days of Israeli strikes on the country. But again, the White House as well as Thursday Pentagon presser is sticking by the Trump claim of total and utter obliteration. Perhaps the world will learn the truth in the coming days and weeks, or possibly not at all, pending 'proof' and data from the ground, which the Iranians will likely not be willing to give. For some of our prior coverage on this pressing coverage, see– Where Is Iran's Uranium? Top Secret Leaked US Intel Says Core Nuclear Components 'Intact' * * * After blasting the 'fake news' and mainstream outlets NY Times and CNN in particular in Wednesday comments at the NATO summit, President Trump will continue 'setting the record straight' on the Iran bombings, as the Pentagon is set to hold an 'irrefutable' press conference on Thursday morning, providing more details on last weekend's B-2 bomber raids on the Iranian nuclear sites of (per AI summary)– Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant: A heavily fortified, deeply buried uranium enrichment site near the northern city of Qom. A heavily fortified, deeply buried uranium enrichment site near the northern city of Qom. Natanz Nuclear Facility: Iran's main uranium-enrichment complex, located near Isfahan in central Iran. Iran's main uranium-enrichment complex, located near Isfahan in central Iran. Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center: A key conversion and research facility south of Isfahan city. Very unusually, the US President claimed that 'fake news' reports upset the pilots who flew the bombs over Iran, by claiming that Iran's nuclear capability was not in fact completely destroyed. 'Secretary of Defense (War!) Pete Hegseth, together with Military Representatives, will be holding a Major News Conference tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. EST at The Pentagon, in order to fight for the Dignity of our Great American Pilots,' Trump posted to Truth Social. 'These Patriots were very upset! After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed, they knew the Success was LEGENDARY, and then, two days later, they started reading Fake News by CNN and The Failing New York Times. They felt terribly,' he continued. Hegseth is also expected to address a controversial leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, first revealed by CNN, which strongly suggested that the US strikes did not destroy Iran's nuclear capability: Two of the people familiar with the assessment said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was not destroyed. One of the people said the centrifuges are largely 'intact.' Another source said that the intelligence assessed enriched uranium was moved out of the sites prior to the US strikes. 'So the (DIA) assessment is that the US set them back maybe a few months, tops,' this person added. Most recently the CIA has since backed the Trump admin's claims, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Wednesday having sought to clarify in a statement that the agency had obtained 'a body of credible evidence [that] indicates Iran's Nuclear Program has been severely damaged' by recent strikes. But then this too includes somewhat ambiguous language.
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
White House condemns Democrat who told Stephen Miller to ‘go back to 1930's Germany'
The White House lashed out at a House Democrat who wrote on X that Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller — who is Jewish — should 'go back to 1930's Germany.' 'What an absolutely disgusting comment from a Congressman to a Jewish WH official,' Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly wrote on X on Thursday, quoting Rep. Mark Pocan's (D-Wis.) post. 'Pocan must apologize — not just to Stephen, but to his constituents — and then seek professional help. This crazed antisemitic hatred from Dems emboldens radicals to target Jewish Americans.' Pocan's Wednesday post was a response to one by Miller where he said New York City is 'the clearest warning yet' of what happens to societies that fail to 'control migration.' Though not explicitly stated, Miller was likely referring to Zohran Mamdani's apparent Democratic primary win in New York City's mayoral race earlier this week. Mamdani, who is Muslim, immigrated to the U.S. from Uganda when he was seven. Mamdani has been the subject of xenophobic attacks during his campaign, including from some conservative figures who said New York City would see another Sept. 11 if he becomes mayor. Pocan declined to apologize, instead saying he is not engaging in a 'false debate' with the 'people who make up the racist base of the GOP.' 'I'm confident normal people are as troubled by his views as I am, and understand he is doing Nazi-like things to people in the name of his extremist views,' Pocan said in a text message to POLITICO. 'They rounded up people in the 30's, just as they are today with zero due process.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Say This Type Of Exercise Is The 'Fountain Of Youth'— Especially If You're Over 50
Aging gracefully isn't just about staying active; it's about choosing the right kind of activity to support your health. Resistance training (such as bodyweight, free weight, and resistance band exercises) is one of the best ways to counter the effects of aging, helping you build up muscle to support daily activities and prevent conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis that can lead to bone fractures. And even if you've never lifted a weight before, it's never too late to start. 'Weight training is the fountain of youth,' says Abby Bales, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Reform Physical Therapy. 'Not only does it help increase and maintain bone density to prevent fractures, but the muscle mass that weight training builds also helps to regulate our blood sugar and metabolism.' Weight lifting can even improve balance and coordination, decreasing the frequency, severity, and likelihood of falls. On top of the physical benefits, resistance training has shown promise in staving off neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, according to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, making it a multi-benefit tool for aging well. You can think of lifting weights as your body's best tool to promote resilience, energy, and independence through the aging process. Starting with small, manageable steps—such as incorporating resistance bands or light weights (at first) into your routine—can help you gain confidence and momentum while reaping the long-term benefits. Remember: Building a strength training routine doesn't have to be complicated—it just needs to be consistent. 'Start small, build gradually, and stick with it,' says Bales. She recommends starting with two or three sessions per week. Try rotating between upper body, lower body, and core exercises to keep things balanced. Progress takes time, so be patient. 'Results usually show in six to eight weeks,' Bales explains. The key is to keep showing up and enjoy the process—your future self will thank you. Need some inspiration to get started? Weight lifting later in life doesn't come without its fair share of challenges, but the rewards far outweigh the hurdles. Take it from these inspiring women, who spoke with WH previously about their later-in-life strength training journeys: Marilynn Larkin says not to let fear or self-consciousness hold you back. 'Feel your fear, then go through it,' she previously told WH. Following a cancer diagnosis, lifting weights became a way to push through her fears and embrace all that her body was capable of. '[Weight lifting] is all about allowing your body to reach its full potential and accepting it as it is.' Ginny MacColl recommends starting with a small yet challenging goal and celebrating each milestone—no matter how small, focusing on progress, not perfection. 'Little by little, these small steps lead to big changes,' she previously told WH, after becoming the oldest woman to complete an obstacle on American Ninja Warrior and breaking a Guinness World Record as a result. 'Instead of letting negativity and thoughts like 'I can't' creep in, I focus on getting stronger, physically and mentally. It works.' Michelle Alber says don't wait. After just 18 months of training focused on progressive overload (gradually increasing the weight and intensity of her workouts) and working with a coach to ensure her routine was safe and effective, she reversed her osteoporosis. 'There is never a 'perfect' time to start or a 'right' time to do anything,' she previously told WH. 'Was it hard to make major lifestyle changes at 65? Yes! But it's about choosing your 'hard' and taking control of your life.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts Say This Type Of Exercise Is The 'Fountain Of Youth'— Especially If You're Over 50
Aging gracefully isn't just about staying active; it's about choosing the right kind of activity to support your health. Resistance training (such as bodyweight, free weight, and resistance band exercises) is one of the best ways to counter the effects of aging, helping you build up muscle to support daily activities and prevent conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis that can lead to bone fractures. And even if you've never lifted a weight before, it's never too late to start. 'Weight training is the fountain of youth,' says Abby Bales, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Reform Physical Therapy. 'Not only does it help increase and maintain bone density to prevent fractures, but the muscle mass that weight training builds also helps to regulate our blood sugar and metabolism.' Weight lifting can even improve balance and coordination, decreasing the frequency, severity, and likelihood of falls. On top of the physical benefits, resistance training has shown promise in staving off neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, according to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, making it a multi-benefit tool for aging well. You can think of lifting weights as your body's best tool to promote resilience, energy, and independence through the aging process. Starting with small, manageable steps—such as incorporating resistance bands or light weights (at first) into your routine—can help you gain confidence and momentum while reaping the long-term benefits. Remember: Building a strength training routine doesn't have to be complicated—it just needs to be consistent. 'Start small, build gradually, and stick with it,' says Bales. She recommends starting with two or three sessions per week. Try rotating between upper body, lower body, and core exercises to keep things balanced. Progress takes time, so be patient. 'Results usually show in six to eight weeks,' Bales explains. The key is to keep showing up and enjoy the process—your future self will thank you. Need some inspiration to get started? Weight lifting later in life doesn't come without its fair share of challenges, but the rewards far outweigh the hurdles. Take it from these inspiring women, who spoke with WH previously about their later-in-life strength training journeys: Marilynn Larkin says not to let fear or self-consciousness hold you back. 'Feel your fear, then go through it,' she previously told WH. Following a cancer diagnosis, lifting weights became a way to push through her fears and embrace all that her body was capable of. '[Weight lifting] is all about allowing your body to reach its full potential and accepting it as it is.' Ginny MacColl recommends starting with a small yet challenging goal and celebrating each milestone—no matter how small, focusing on progress, not perfection. 'Little by little, these small steps lead to big changes,' she previously told WH, after becoming the oldest woman to complete an obstacle on American Ninja Warrior and breaking a Guinness World Record as a result. 'Instead of letting negativity and thoughts like 'I can't' creep in, I focus on getting stronger, physically and mentally. It works.' Michelle Alber says don't wait. After just 18 months of training focused on progressive overload (gradually increasing the weight and intensity of her workouts) and working with a coach to ensure her routine was safe and effective, she reversed her osteoporosis. 'There is never a 'perfect' time to start or a 'right' time to do anything,' she previously told WH. 'Was it hard to make major lifestyle changes at 65? Yes! But it's about choosing your 'hard' and taking control of your life.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cringe Karoline Leavitt Clip Perfectly Sums Up Trump's White House, Say Critics
A moment from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's Tuesday briefing is going viral, with critics saying it perfectly encapsulates the Trump White House's approach to foreign affairs. Leavitt was asked if the White House had a response to the presidential election in South Korea, where liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung defeated conservative rival Kim Moon Soo. 'Yes, we do. In fact. Let me find it here for you,' Leavitt said, flipping through a binder in front of her. 'Should be somewhere in here,' she said, still flipping through. Q: Does the White House have a reaction to the election in South Korea?LEAVITT: Yes, we do. Let me find it for you. Thank you. Um. We do not. — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 3, 2025 After a pause and more shuffling, she added: 'Hmm. We do not.' She laughed awkwardly as she said, 'But I will get you one,' before abruptly moving on to a new question from another reporter. The clip quickly gained traction on social media. Critics said it showcased the Trump administration's lack of preparation and attention to world events. 'A total clown show,' remarked the Republicans Against Trump group. When she gets a question that requires her to give an answer that doesn't involve praising Trump or trashing Biden, she's got nothing. — Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 3, 2025 A White House run by dumbasses — Sycamore's Source (@sycamoressource) June 3, 2025 Q: Does the White House have a reaction to the election results in South Korea?WH Press Secretary Leavitt: 'Yes, we do. In fact, Let me find it for you. It should be somewhere here. Thank you. Um. We do not.'A total clown — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 3, 2025 Karoline saying 'we do' and then immediately following it with 'we do not' is the most honest accidental summary of this administration's foreign policy: confused, unprepared, and trying to fake it with a binder full of Bondi did that with Epstein files. It's their… — Evaristus Odinikaeze (@odinikaeze) June 3, 2025 Follow up should have been, 'Does the White House KNOW there was an election in South Korea?' — Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) June 3, 2025 Critics Gasp At Trump Official's 'The Thing That Matters' Declaration Trump Official Predicts MAGA Crowd's Sycophantic Moment During Army Parade Lawrence O'Donnell Reveals Why Trump Hasn't Dared To Clap Back At Elon Musk Yet
