News blog about US politics
Abuses on aircraft carriers: US military speaks out
Updated August 14, 2026 – 3:16 p.mReading time: 11 minutes
The US military responds to reports from Iran. US President Donald Trump talks about steam catapults. All developments in the news blog.
US military establishes new combat drone group
The use of drones is becoming increasingly important in warfare. Now they are quitting USA a new multi-state entity. Read the full article here.
US military rejects reports of abuses on aircraft carriers
The US military has rejected reports of abuses on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is deployed in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier has one of the highest crew re-enlistment rates of all in the US Navy at 84.4 percent, said the US command responsible for the region, Centcom, on Platform X. Such a rate describes the proportion of soldiers who voluntarily remain in the military after their contract period has expired.
Centcom said the Sailors and Marines remained resilient and determined after spending more than 260 days at sea. Contrary to reports, no crew member died on board the aircraft carrier. A sailor who fell overboard on August 3 was quickly and safely rescued, it said. Centcom spoke of false reporting.
Iranian media reported Seven people were killed in violent clashes on board the aircraft carrier. The mood on board is tense.
Trump wants steam catapults on aircraft carriers again
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Navy to remove the complex launch system for fighter jets on its aircraft carriers and revert to using steam catapults, the White House announced Thursday. He also opened up warship construction to foreign shipyards for the first time in decades.
Trump has signed a corresponding memorandum that provides for far-reaching changes to the fleet, according to the US presidential office. The conversion affects the aircraft carriers of the “Gerald R. Ford” class, specifically the fourth ship in this series, the “Doris Miller”. Moving away from the electromagnetic launch system (EMALS) is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Panel wants Trump’s name back at the Kennedy Center
US President Donald Trump is facing a dispute over the placement of his name on the facade of the famous Kennedy Center cultural institution Washington Tailwind from the Board of Trustees. Several US media reported that the institution’s committee, which Trump himself chairs, voted that the lettering should return – but differently than before.
The vote came despite a court banning the previous renaming and ordering that Trump’s name be removed – which is what happened. It remains to be seen whether the committee will be successful with its plan. According to several media outlets, a court must review and approve this.
