All posts tagged: defends

Treasury’s Bessent defends Trump economic record in contentious hearing

Treasury’s Bessent defends Trump economic record in contentious hearing

A contentious hearing is underway as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears before the House Financial Services Committee for his annual testimony. Bessent on Tuesday struggled to get a word in as protesters and a leading House Democrat repeatedly talked over him. “The strength of our economy has allowed the United States to wage the greatest economic isolation campaign in the history of the world against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers,” Bessent said in his opening statement. Bessent touted the success of the Iran war and rising wages for the lowest-income Americans. Protesters objecting to U.S. sanctions against Iran and Cuba broke in repeatedly. Bessent is fielding questions about issues including inflation and energy prices and will likely be probed on interest rates and the federal debt. Bessent’s testimony is formally part of Congress’ oversight of the International Monetary Fund, a Washington-based international organization that was established in 1944 to help ensure global financial stability. Bessent has criticized the organization as subject to mission creep, and his former chief of staff, Dan Katz, …

Burnham defends UK ban on Israeli settlement trade | Newsfeed

Burnham defends UK ban on Israeli settlement trade | Newsfeed

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying settler terrorists are carrying out ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. He said the move demonstrated British leadership and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution. Published On 9 Sep 20269 Sep 2026 Share Burnham defends UK ban on Israeli settlement trade on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Source link

UK defends Israel sanctions after being told to close consulate

UK defends Israel sanctions after being told to close consulate

The British consulate in east Jerusalem on September 8, 2026. Ahmad Gharabli | Afp | Getty Images The U.K. has defended its decision to impose new sanctions on certain Israeli goods, following backlash that saw London told to close its consulate in Jerusalem within a month. Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain would ban imports from Israeli settlements built on the West Bank, adding that the U.K. government’s official view is that the “occupation [of the West Bank] is unlawful.” The move prompted an accusation from Israel that the British government was “systematically working against” the country, and a ban on 12 U.K. lawmakers entering Israel. Britain has also been told to close its consulate in east Jerusalem within 30 days, according to reports. A spokesperson for the Israeli government was not immediately available for comment, but Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled Miliband’s allegations of “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank “outrageous lies.” “The message to every government that harms us is clear: you will lose your influence and relevance …

DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba defends dance backgrounds of celebrities Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan

DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba defends dance backgrounds of celebrities Julia Stiles and Jenna Dewan

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has defended the season 35 contestants who are catching flak for their previous dance experience. The recently unveiled cast includes Step Up star Jenna Dewan, Save the Last Dance actor Julia Stiles and Glee’s Harry Shum Jr. — all of whom have notable backgrounds in dance. Some fans have been arguing that this gives them an unfair advantage in the competition. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly on the topic, longtime judge Inaba defended the casting decision, stating that ballroom is very different from the celebrities’ past training. “What’s difficult — and I don’t think people realize this — is when you go from being a jazz dancer or a hip-hop dancer or all the …

Kid Cudi Defends Kanye West Reconciliation

Kid Cudi Defends Kanye West Reconciliation

Kid Cudi is shedding light on his reconciliation with Kanye West on-stage during his Friday Chicago concert. The rapper played two shows in Chicago this week, the first on Thursday, Sept. 3. His Friday night show was met with a number of surprise appearances, including Rick Ross, Travis Scott, Don Toliver and Cudi, and he’s defending his decision to partake in the performance. “I understand ur frustration Peter, I fucks w u, but I dont really care if ur disappointed in me,” he wrote on X in response to radio DJ Peter Rosenberg who said he was “disappointed in a lot of people” who “are being openly lame about Kanye.” “That man is my brother. U dont have a relationship w him like I do. Damn near 2 decades of art and friendship. U not family. So I get it,” he wrote. “Ive been around Ye, and I can honestly say talking to him now is how it use to be when I first signed to him, but even better. He was dealing w mental …

Trump defends Putin after Russia blamed for German airport drone attack

Trump defends Putin after Russia blamed for German airport drone attack

Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin is “not looking to attack Nato territory”, despite a drone strike attempt at a German airport that allies, including the UK, blamed on Russia. The reluctance by the US president to condemn the Kremlin will again raise questions regarding Washington’s commitment to the military alliance and collective security. The British Government summoned a senior Russian diplomat this week over last month’s “egregious and reckless attack” at Leipzig airport. The Prime Minister had earlier expressed the UK’s “full solidarity” with Germany. Andy Burnham, whose first official trip abroad was to Kyiv, said: “Russian attempts to undermine our united resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and doomed to fail.” Trump said Putin is not looking to attack Nato territory (AFP/Getty) An explosive-laden drone found near a Ukrainian plane was subsequently defused. The airport serves as a major freight hub assisting Kyiv, which has battled invading Russian forces for more than four years. Pressed in the Oval Office over the incident, Trump said of Putin: “I speak to him. …

Trump defends handling of US munitions amid Iran conflict

Trump defends handling of US munitions amid Iran conflict

President Trump on Thursday said the U.S. has “virtually unlimited” amounts of mid- to high-grade munitions, pushing back on reports of the Pentagon depleting its stockpiles in the Iran war. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called journalists who report on U.S. munitions shortages “treasonous SCUM,” saying the country has “virtually unlimited amounts of… Source link

Trump defends data centers amid midterm election backlash

Trump defends data centers amid midterm election backlash

US President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 10, 2026. Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday blasted communities that oppose new data centers as Republicans confront voter backlash over the projects ahead of November’s midterm elections. “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign,” the president said. “The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can’t believe it is happening!” Trump’s post comes nearly a week after a memo issued by the National Republican Senatorial Committee warned, “If …