Hegseth faces second day of Democrats grilling him over Iran war

WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face a second day of grilling from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first opportunity on Thursday to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war.

Royals boost Dutch military volunteers as Europe ramps up troop numbers

HAVELTE, Netherlands (AP) – Their faces daubed with camouflage, the troops emerge almost silently from a forest with Colt C7 rifles slung across their chests. They scan their surroundings for potential threats. The soldiers are members of the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve on a weekend exercise.

China holds combat patrols in the South China Sea

BEIJING (AP) – China said Thursday it conducted naval and air combat readiness patrols around a disputed area in the South China Sea, after the Philippines, the United States and other allied forces began annual drills in the region. China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the patrols took place at Huangyan Dao, China’s name for Scarborough Shoal, which is also claimed by the Philippines

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Inflation hits 3% in Europe as Iran war spreads oil price shock

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Soaring oil prices from the Iran war pushed inflation higher in Europe in April, as growth continued to underperform in a worrying combination both for consumers and policymakers at the European Central Bank.

Sheinbaum says Mexico will investigate US indictment alleging Sinaloa Cartel ties

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday that she wouldn’t let the U.S. meddle in the country’s affairs, and that her attorney general would investigate allegations from a New York court indictment accusing 10 Mexican current and former officials of working with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic drugs.

Pakistan commissions first Hangor-class submarine in China

ISLAMABAD (AP) – Pakistan on Thursday commissioned the first of eight Hangor-class submarine in China, a key step in its naval modernization as it expands its defense cooperation with Beijing, the military said.

House approves bill to fund Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON (AP) – After weeks of delay, the House voted Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, and send the bipartisan package to President Donald Trump to sign, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.

Teens embrace social media and influencers for news but remain skeptical

NEW YORK (AP) – Teenagers are more inclined than their elders to get news from nontraditional sources such as social media and influencers, heralding a generational shift in how people seek out information. A national study by the Media Insight Project finds 36% of U.S. adults say they get news from social media at least once a day.