Trump signs order renaming Pentagon back to ‘Department of War’
President Donald Trump on Friday signed his 200th executive order, authorizing the Department of Defense to change its name to the Department of War. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the new name “sends a message of victory, a message of strength” to the world. “It has to do with winning,” the president added. “We should have won every war. We could have won every war. But we really chose to be very politically correct or woke. “We won the first World War. We won the second World War. We won everything before that and in between. And then we decided to go woke, and we changed the name to the Department of Defense. So, we’re going Department of War.” TRUMP TO RENAME PENTAGON, RESTORING HISTORIC ‘DEPARTMENT OF WAR’ IN LATEST MILITARY MOVE Trump said the name is “a much more appropriate name, especially in light of where the world is right now.” “We have the strongest military in the world. We have the greatest equipment in the world. We have the greatest men. New factories of equipment, by far. There’s nobody to even compete,” he said. Turning to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a smiling Trump said, “I’d like to ask our secretary of war to say a few words.” Hegseth thanked Trump for signing the order, saying, the name change restores the “warrior ethos” to America’s military. HEGSETH VOWS TO REBUILD MILITARY DETERRENCE SO ENEMIES ‘DON’T WANT TO F— WITH US’ “After winning a war for independence in 1789, George Washington established the War Department, and Henry Knox was his first secretary of war. And this country won every major war after that. … One hundred and fifty years after that, we changed the name after World War II from the Department of War to the Department of Defense in 1947, and, as you pointed out, Mr. President, we haven’t won a major war since,” said Hegseth. “This name change is not just about renaming, it’s about restoring,” the secretary said. “Words matter. It’s restoring, as you’ve gotten us to, Mr. President, restoring the warrior ethos, restoring victory and clarity as an end state, restoring intentionality to the use of force.” Hegseth pledged the War Department “is going to fight decisively, not endless conflicts. It’s going to fight to win, not to lose. We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. “We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders. So, this War Department, Mr. President, just like America is back.” ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’: HEGSETH PRAISES ARMY DUMPING COMMAND PROMOTION BOARDS AIMED AT ELIMINATING BIAS The executive order calls for using the Department of War as a secondary title for the Department of Defense, along with phrases like “secretary of war” for Hegseth, according to a White House fact sheet previously shared with Fox News Digital. It’s unclear if Congress, which has the authority to establish federal executive departments, will need to step in to issue final approval on the move. However, Trump expressed confidence the name will stick, saying, “We’re going with it, and we’re going with it very strongly … but we’ll put it before Congress.”
Indonesia in chaos: Five Indonesians give views on why and how to fix it
Demonstrations have gripped Indonesia since late August when anger at a faltering economy erupted into full-blown violence following reports that politicians received a $3,000 housing allowance on top of their salaries – a perk equal to between 10 and 20 times Indonesia’s monthly minimum wage. It was not the first time that Indonesians have taken to the streets this year. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list In February and March, students turned out to protest against a range of unpopular government policies, including cuts to the national budget and a proposed new law expanding the role of the military in political affairs. As the latest wave of protests continues to wash over Indonesia, including on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, Al Jazeera spoke to five Indonesians* about the issues that ignited the demonstrations and what needs to change in their country of more than 283 million people. A protester throws a rock at riot police officers during a protest against lavish allowances given to parliament members, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 28, 2025 [Achmad Ibrahim/AP Photo] Death of a food delivery driver Anger peaked in late August when a motorcycle delivery driver, 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, was run over and killed by a police vehicle during protests in the capital Jakarta. Kurniawan was reportedly not taking part in demonstrations, but trying to fulfil a food delivery order at the time of his death. Several police officers are now being investigated over his death, and one has already been fired from his position. Advertisement Indonesia’s ubiquitous food delivery drivers are widely seen as a symbol of Indonesia’s lack of good employment opportunities and an ever-present reminder of the country’s poorly paid “gig-economy”, where workers are often economically exploited and socially marginalised. Imran, a food delivery driver from Langkat in North Sumatra, told Al Jazeera that “inequality” was the root cause of the mass protests that have shaken the country. “Including economic inequality, educational inequality, health inequality and unequal public services,” Imran told Al Jazeera. Protesters clash with police outside the parliament building in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on August 30, 2025 [Made Nagi/EPA] Despite the economic hardships facing everyday people, the country’s House of Representatives still went ahead and asked for a housing allowance of 50 million Indonesian rupiah per month, equal to some $3,000, Imran said. “They are not concerned about our fate. They should be present to resolve the problems facing the community, not fan the flames. These protests arose from the community’s poor economic conditions,” Imran said. “We hope the government will quickly find a solution to address these issues so that people will no longer take to the streets to demand their rights,” he said. “We are part of a community that longs for peace. If our rights are fulfilled, there will be no more masses taking to the streets. We want clean and transparent bureaucracy,” he added. Local news outlet Jakarta Globe reported on Friday that the housing allowance has been scrapped as a result of the demonstrations, and that the House of Representatives had also decided on Thursday against raising the salaries of lawmakers and imposed a ban on their “non-essential overseas trips”. Economic woes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who has been in power since October, promised on taking office to raise economic growth to 8 percent within the next five years. But, the president has struggled to balance the books, in part due to his free lunch programme for millions of schoolchildren, which is costing the government a reported $10bn per year. To make up for the budget shortfall, blamed in part on the free food initiative, Prabowo’s government slashed state expenditures by $18bn, with the deepest cuts felt in education, public works and healthcare. A prominent Indonesian political analyst* told Al Jazeera that many people feel “disgusted” by the cuts to government spending, and now that Prabowo has been in power for a year, they have a good idea of “how he actually governs”, compared with promises made during his election campaign. Advertisement “Prabowo promoted himself as an economic reformer, but the emperor has no clothes,” the analyst said. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaking about recent violent protests during a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 31, 2025 [Handout/Laily Rachev/EPA] Not all is lost yet, however, for the president. “He still has an opportunity to defuse this. The government still has a lot of room to manoeuvre to repair the damage and make concessions,” the analyst said. “A lot of it has to do with damage control as the protests are targeted against the elite and the establishment in general,” he said, adding the president could build goodwill with the public by holding people to account for corruption and excessive force in dealing with protesters. “He should fire a couple of people and arrest a few people and put them on trial. That would be the best way to save his presidency,” the analyst said. Right to protest Following the death of delivery driver Kurniawan, anger surged, and protesters ransacked the homes of parliamentarians and Indonesia’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. Demonstrators were also blamed for setting fire to a regional government national assembly building in Makassar in Sulawesi, where three people were reported killed. As police deployed water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds in cities across the country, including on university campuses, Prabowo told the country’s security forces to get tough on protests that showed signs of “treason and terrorism”. Afifah, a women’s rights activist based in Jakarta, said there have been demonstrations since the start of the year, and not just in the past few weeks, due to “a real frustration about economic issues in Indonesia”. People were also “worried about the military expanding its authority over civilians, access to the job market and widespread poverty,” she said. In the face of the demonstrations, authorities used tear gas, which suppressed the people’s “right to protest” peacefully in Indonesia, Afifah said.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,289
Here are the key events on day 1,289 of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Published On 5 Sep 20255 Sep 2025 Here is how things stand on Friday, September 5: Fighting Russian drones killed three people – two men and a woman – and injured three others in the village of Khotimlia in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A Russian missile strike on a Danish-sponsored humanitarian demining mission near the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv has killed two people, according to Governor Viacheslav Chaus. Another three were wounded in the attack, which Chaus said had purposely targeted the team from the Danish Refugee Council. All victims were Ukrainian. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it destroyed a launch site for long-range drones with an Iskander missile strike in the same attack in the Chernihiv region. Russian troops have taken control of the village of Novoselivka in Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, the Russian Defence Ministry said. Ukraine wants to see improved performance by interceptor drones to counter Russian aerial attacks more effectively, top Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskii said. Coalition of the Willing Twenty-six nations have pledged to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine, which will include an international force on land and sea and in the air, French President Emmanuel Macron said after the “coalition of the willing” group met for a Paris summit of Kyiv’s allies to discuss those guarantees. “The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed,” Macron told a news conference at the Elysee Palace, standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Macron initially said 26 nations – which he did not name – would deploy to Ukraine. But he later said some countries would provide guarantees while remaining outside Ukraine, for example, by helping to train and equip Kyiv’s forces. Zelenskyy said after the meeting that “we are working out which countries will take part in which security component”. He added that “26 countries agreed to provide security guarantees. Today, for the first time in a long time, this is the first such serious, very specific substance”. Germany is ready to step up funding for and training of Ukrainian forces, but will decide on further military commitments, including deploying troops to Ukraine, only after broader conditions are clarified, a government spokesperson said. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron speak before their meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, on September 3, 2025 [AFP] Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible for present and future aggressors, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the meeting. Macron also said he, fellow European leaders and Zelenskyy held a call with United States President Donald Trump after the summit, and US contributions to the guarantees would be finalised in the coming days. Macron said there is “no doubt” about Washington’s willingness to take part in the security guarantees offered to Ukraine, adding that the relevant planning work needed to be finalised with Washington. On that call, Trump told European leaders that Europe must stop buying Russian oil that he said is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine, a White House official said, striking a combative tone amid slow diplomatic progress to end the fighting. “The president also emphasised that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts,” the official said. Advertisement Sanctions The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 11 more individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian state, targeting those involved in what it said were Moscow’s attempts to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukraine’s children. Former president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, said Russia would take more Ukrainian territory and go after British property after London said it had spent about $1.3bn raised from frozen Russian assets on weapons for Ukraine. Russia has expelled an Estonian diplomat in a reciprocal move, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In mid-August, Estonia expelled a Russian diplomat over alleged sanctions violations and other offences against the state. Russia’s largest oil producer Rosneft has secured an additional deal on the supply of 2.5 million metric tonnes of oil to China via Kazakhstan, Interfax news agency quoted Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev as saying. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025 [KCNA via Reuters] Regional security North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would “fully support” Russia’s army as a “fraternal duty”, and Russian President Vladimir Putin called the two countries’ ties “special”, North Korean state media KCNA reported. Putin also reportedly sent Kim a congratulatory message for North Korea’s foundation day. “Your combat force’s heroic involvement in liberating the Kursk territories from the invaders is a distinct symbol of friendship and mutual aid between Russia and North Korea”, Putin’s message read, according to KCNA. “I am confident that we will continue to work together to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries,” Putin said. Adblock test (Why?)
Kim, Xi hail bond as North Korea says it will protect China’s interests
Goodwill messages continued this week’s unprecedented public display of diplomatic unity between Beijing, Pyongyang and Moscow. Published On 5 Sep 20255 Sep 2025 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping that North Korea will support China in protecting its sovereignty, territory and development interests, as the pair met just a day after an unprecedented show of unity with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. The bilateral meeting between Xi and Kim on Thursday came as Russia also hailed North Korea’s role supporting its war in Ukraine, continuing the public display of close relations between Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow after their meeting at Wednesday’s huge military parade in China’s capital to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list In an article published on Friday by North Korea’s state-run outlet, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim was quoted as saying, “No matter how the international situation changes, the feeling of friendship cannot change” between Pyongyang and Beijing. “The DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will as ever invariably support and encourage the stand and efforts of the Communist Party of China and the government of the People’s Republic of China to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests of the state,” Kim said after meeting with Xi, according to KCNA. Xi also reportedly told Kim that China and North Korea are “good neighbours, good friends and good comrades” that share one destiny, and he was willing to “defend, consolidate and develop” the countries’ relations, KCNA said. KCNA also confirmed that Kim departed Beijing on Thursday, concluding his first trip outside of North Korea since meeting with Putin in Russia in 2023. Advertisement Top-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials – including Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi – attended a send-off ceremony for Kim, according to KCNA. During Wednesday’s military parade in Beijing – in which the People’s Liberation Army displayed its latest generation of stealth fighters, tanks and ballistic missiles amid a highly choreographed cast of thousands – Xi hailed China’s victory 80 years ago over “Japanese aggression” in the “world anti-fascist war”. Putin and Kim were among some 26 mostly non-Western world leaders in attendance, with the pair meeting with Xi for two and a half hours on the event’s sidelines in an unprecedented display of unity. The trio discussed “long-term” cooperation plans, according to KCNA. Putin and Kim also met prior to the parade, with both leaders praising the deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. Seemingly rattled by the meeting, United States President Donald Trump addressed Xi in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” A Kremlin aide dismissed Trump’s remarks, saying “no one even had this in their thoughts”. Following the meeting, Putin also sent Kim a congratulatory message for North Korea’s foundation day, in which he hailed Pyongyang’s support for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. “Your combat force’s heroic involvement in liberating the Kursk territories from the invaders is a distinct symbol of friendship and mutual aid between Russia and North Korea,” Putin’s message read, according to KCNA. “I am confident that we will continue to work together to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries,” Putin added. North Korea has controversially sent thousands of soldiers to fight in Kursk – a Russian region briefly occupied by Ukraine – and also provided artillery ammunition and missiles to support Moscow in its war against Kyiv. During their meeting in Beijing, Kim also reportedly told Putin his country would “fully support” Russia’s army as a “fraternal duty”, KCNA previously reported. Adblock test (Why?)
GST 2.0: Good news for consumers! These essential items are tax free; check list HERE
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced various important goods and services free from GST. The items included in this list range from food items, medicines, education supplies, insurance, and even certain defence and aviation imports.
Eid E Milad 2025: Best wishes, messages, greetings for Prophet Muhammad’s birthday celebrations with loved ones
Celebrate Eid-e-Milad by sharing heartfelt wishes and greetings with family and friends with heartfelt WhatsApp messages, Facebook statuses, or posts to make the occasion even more special. Check out here:
This West Texas town’s proof is in the banana pudding
More than 10,000 people met over Labor Day weekend in Slaton to sample the banana pudding — a major boost to the rural town’s economy.
Texas launches downloadable form to exempt kids from school-required vaccines
Previously, parents had to wait for the state to mail them the exemption form. They still have to get the form notarized before submitting it to the school for enrollment purposes.
Texas Republican Party sues state to end open primaries
Currently, any Texas voter can cast a ballot in GOP primaries. The party wants to limit eligibility to registered members.
Into the Arena: Hostile Democrats, skeptical Republicans tear into Kennedy on the Hill
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself in the arena Thursday morning. Room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building is not a conventional “arena.” It’s the hearing room for the Senate Finance Committee, but circumstances converted the room into such a venue. Kennedy was due to appear before the Senate Finance panel long before August “happened,” but Kennedy’s “August” is what placed special focus on Kennedy’s appearance. RFK Jr. sacked newly-confirmed Centers for Disease Control Director Susan Monarez – four weeks after senators greenlit her nomination – and issued new, stringent, controversial eligibility guidelines for people to receive a COVID-19 booster this fall. TRUMP STANDS BY RFK JR. AFTER HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘I LIKE THE FACT THAT HE’S DIFFERENT’ The forum was hostile. The hearing for Kennedy quickly devolved into a verbal judo match. He sparred with senators from both parties. They jousted over science and politics, but the heart of the conflict was internal turmoil at the CDC and vaccines. “Do you accept the fact that a million Americans died from COVID?” asked Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., of Kennedy. “I don’t know how many died,” answered Kennedy. Warner was apoplectic. “You’re the Secretary of Health and Human Services. You don’t have any idea how many Americans died from COVID?” asked an incredulous Warner. “I don’t think anybody knows because there was so much data chaos coming out of the CDC,” replied Kennedy. RFK JR AND TOP DEM CLASH DURING HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘THIS IS ABOUT KIDS’ This bewildered Warner. “The Secretary of Health and Human Services doesn’t know how many people died from COVID? Doesn’t know if the vaccine helped prevent any deaths. And you are the sitting Secretary of Health and Human Services,” continued Warner. “How can you be that ignorant?” That was only part of Democrats unloading on Kennedy. “You’re so wrong on your facts,” the Secretary charged when tangling with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. The Washington Democrat wasn’t having it. “You’re interrupting me. And, sir, you’re a charlatan,” said Cantwell. “You’re the one who conflates chronic disease with the need for vaccines.” “You are putting America’s babies’ health at risk. America’s seniors’ health at risk. All Americans’ health at risk. And you should resign,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. At one point, RFK Jr. tussled with Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. “You’re evading the question,” Kennedy yelled at the senator. RFK JR. INVOKES DEMOCRAT FATHER’S WORDS TO DEFEND TRUMP-BACKED CDC SHAKEUP AT SENATE HEARING Bennet wouldn’t allow the witness to flip the script. “I’m asking the questions here! I’m asking the questions!” thundered Bennet. “I’m asking the questions on behalf of parents and schools and teachers all over the United States of America who deserve so much better than your leadership.” But the secretary gave as good as he got. “You’re making things up to scare people and it’s a lie,” alleged Kennedy when facing questions from Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. He went on to accuse Hassan of “crazy talk” and claimed she was “just making stuff up.” BERNIE SANDERS CALLS FOR RFK JR. TO RESIGN AS HHS SECRETARY OVER VACCINE POLICIES: ‘RALLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’ Kennedy’s new COVID jab guidelines roiled the hearing. He told Warren that “anyone can get the booster.” “So you’re saying that is now the official rule. Just anybody is eligible to get a booster by just walking into the pharmacy?” queried Warren. “It’s not recommended for healthy people,” Kennedy said. “No, no!” retorted Warren. “If you don’t recommend it, then the consequence of that in many states is that you can’t walk into a pharmacy and get one.” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is an orthopedist, but even he was vexed by Kennedy’s vaccine vacillation. “In your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines,” said Barrasso. “Since then, I’ve grown deeply concerned.” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is no stranger to calling out the Trump administration, warned Kennedy to tread carefully on vaccines. “We’re playing with fire here,” warned Tillis outside the hearing room. “If the death rates go up for children who aren’t vaccinated, they need to own it. Own it. Don’t say, ‘whoops, we got the science wrong.’” RFK JR DENIES TELLING FORMER CDC DIRECTOR TO APPROVE VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS Senate Health Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., is a gastroenterologist. He was skeptical of Kennedy’s qualifications for the job – before ultimately voting to confirm him. Cassidy seemed baffled by the secretary’s stance on vaccines. “Do you agree with me that the president deserves a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed?” asked Cassidy about the Trump administration’s effort to fast-track a COVID-19 shot in 2020. “Yeah, absolutely, senator. It’s phenomenal,” Kennedy responded. “But you just told Sen. Bennet that the COVID vaccine killed more people than COVID?” said Cassidy. “Wait! I did not say that!” Kennedy fired back, but Cassidy wasn’t through. “It surprises me that you think so highly of Operation Warp Speed, when as an attorney, you attempted to restrict access,” said Cassidy. MORE THAN 1,000 HHS WORKERS DEMAND KENNEDY RESIGNATION OVER CDC DIRECTOR FIRING AND AGENCY CHANGES During the hearing, Kennedy claimed on multiple occasions that he canned Monarez as CDC chief because she didn’t tell the truth. “Are you telling us that the former head of CDC went to you and you asked, ‘are you a trustworthy person?’ And she said, ‘no, I am not a trustworthy person,’” questioned Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. “She didn’t say ‘no. I’m not a trustworthy person.’ She said ‘no,’” said Kennedy. “Wow!” exclaimed Sanders. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who is an OB-GYN, defended the firing – even though President Trump nominated Monarez and Marshall just supported her confirmation in July. “I voted for her. I made a mistake. I thought she could do the job. But unfortunately, she’s not part of the President’s mission of Secretary Kennedy turning the CDC upside down,” said Marshall. As we said, August “happened.” VP VANCE CURSES OUT SENATORS AFTER HEATED KENNEDY HEARING: