Reuters
• Phil Stewart
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports of poor or deteriorating living conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East in support of the Iran war, were “completely misrepresented.” The comments came as Hegseth also appeared at a military flyover demonstration near Panama City.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports of poor or deteriorating living conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East in support of the Iran war, were “completely misrepresented.” The comments came as Hegseth also appeared at a military flyover demonstration near Panama City.
Emirates is reportedly nearing approval for a fifth-freedom service linking Milan and Lima, allowing the Dubai-based carrier to sell traffic between Italy and Peru. Los Angeles, São Paulo and Mexico City are also under consideration, signaling a possible expansion of Emirates’ Italy-based network strategy.
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Pegasus, Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways reported weaker second-quarter or first-half results as fuel costs, Middle East network disruption and softer international demand pressured earnings. Separately, Pegasus secured Turkish regulatory approval to acquire Smartwings, advancing its plan to expand its European footprint through Czech Airlines and its affiliate.
Space42 has signed a new sovereign national-security agreement with Leonardo DRS aimed at strengthening security across the United Arab Emirates. The deal brings the two companies together on a UAE-focused security effort, although the announcement does not disclose the program’s scope, value or delivery timeline.
TUI Group reported lower revenue and profitability in its latest quarter as the Iran conflict affected customer behavior, raised fuel-cost pressure and left cruise ships stranded. The German travel group said airline and broader summer booking trends remained resilient, offering some offset to the disruption.
Turkish Airlines expects European Commission approval by the end of 2026 for its planned investment in Air Europa, while Korean Air and Asiana shareholders have approved a merger targeted to launch on Dec. 17, 2026. Separately, higher fuel costs sharply reduced second-quarter profits at Turkish and Thai Airways.
More than 20 U.S. warships, including two carrier groups, remain deployed in the Middle East with less than a week before negotiations under a U.S.-Iran memorandum. The concentration of naval forces underscores the region’s heightened strategic sensitivity as diplomatic discussions approach.
A U.S. military helicopter fired at the rudder of a Panama-flagged vessel after its crew ignored warnings from personnel enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a U.S. official. The incident marks a direct use of force in enforcing the maritime restriction.
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