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According to insiders, the US intends to reduce the number of forces available to NATO in times of crisis.
The Trump administration plans to notify NATO members this week that it would cut the military capabilities the U.S. would have to help the alliance’s European nations in a severe crisis, three sources familiar with the situation said.
Alliance members define a pool of forces that can be activated in case of a conflict or any other significant crisis, such as a military attack on a NATO member, under a scheme called the NATO Force Model.
The makeup of the wartime forces is a highly held secret, but the Pentagon has opted to dramatically slash its commitment, the individuals said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the preparations honestly.
US President Donald Trump has indicated he wants European nations to take the lead in ensuring the continent’s security from the US. The message to allies this week is a clear example of policy being put into action.
Details were murky, including how soon the Pentagon wants to turn over crisis-mode tasks to European partners. But the sources said the Pentagon plans to disclose its desire to scale back its pledge during a meeting Friday in Brussels of defense policy chiefs.
Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy head, has declared publicly that the U.S. will keep its nuclear umbrella for NATO members as European allies take the lead on conventional troops.
Sources say the US will likely be represented by Alex Velez-Green, a top adviser to Colby. “Adjusting the NATO Force Model is a top priority for Colby’s team as they prepare for the next NATO leaders’ summit, to be held in Turkey in July, one of the sources said.
A NATO official referred requests for comment to the United States. The Pentagon did not immediately answer when asked for its response.
Red Alliance
For the first time ever, the NATO alliance is under extraordinary pressure, with some European nations fearing Washington could walk away entirely. One big change to the forces the US will have available in time of war will only compound such fears.
In recent weeks the Trump administration has announced intentions to withdraw around 5,000 U.S. soldiers from Europe, including a decision to cancel the deployment of an Army brigade to Poland — a surprise move that has been condemned by U.S. politicians.
Aides on Capitol Hill knew of and worried about Pentagon intentions to scale back its commitments under the NATO Force Model, one of the sources and another person familiar with the topic said.
But a senior NATO diplomat said they still believed there is an understanding that the United States would come to Europe’s help if it was in crisis.
Trump and many of his associates have criticized European partners for not spending enough on their militaries, and relying on the US for traditional defense. They note out the US still has tens of thousands of troops in Europe.
The president’s wish to seize control of Greenland, a Danish foreign region, has further added to the tensions between the US and Europe, as has a long-running disagreement between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has attacked Trump’s war with Iran.
European partners generally say they are quickly beefing up their military capabilities, but this cannot be done overnight.
Latest News
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurs close to Naples, Italy, resulting in damage and disruptions.
- A magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit the Campi Flegrei area near the southern Italian city of Naples on Friday, causing power cuts, disrupting train and metro services and damaging some buildings, authorities said.
The quake was registered around 7.46 pm (1746 GMT). Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology stated the epicentre was in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples at a depth of around 3 km (2 miles).
The Italian fire department said there had been minimal damage to buildings in and around Naples, but workers had not received immediate demands for help or rescue of occupants.
Local rail and metro services were suspended as a precaution, local officials said.
According to Italian media, it was one of the greatest earthquakes ever registered in the region, with people in some areas pouring into the street as the tremors hit.
The government has increased surveillance of the heavily populated volcanic caldera of Campi Flegrei, which spans much of western Naples and has seen growing seismic activity in the past several years.
The region is regularly hit by tiny quakes but greater ones have stoked fears of a repetition of the seismic crisis that rocked Campi Flegrei in the early 1980s, disrupting life across the region and forcing thousands of people from their homes.
Italy is a country at risk of earthquakes.
Central Italy was hit by severe quakes in 2016, destroying areas of Lazio, Umbria and the Marche provinces, killing over 300 people.
The most destructive in recent decades was a 6.9-magnitude quake that rocked the Irpinia region of southern Italy in November 1980, killing over 2,700 people and destroying hundreds of villages.
Business
For three days, Pakistan lowers the price of petrol and diesel.
For a three-day period starting on August 1, the government has announced a slight decrease in the cost of petroleum products, including gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD).
The Petroleum Division said that the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered by Rs0.66 per litre, resulting in a new retail price of Rs392.38 per litre.
Additionally, the price of gasoline has been lowered by Rs0.12 per litre, to Rs336.03 per litre.
According to the letter, the updated pricing will go into effect between August 1 and August 3.
According to the administration, the little cut was taken after accounting for both domestic economic and budgetary factors as well as global oil costs.
In light of persistent economic pressures and swings in the world’s crude oil markets, the most recent adjustment provides customers with little respite.
The most recent update comes after the government regularly reviews fuel costs, which are decided by the currency rate, domestic tax laws, and global market trends.
Business
FBR surpasses its July revenue goal by Rs40 billion.
In July 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs820 billion in net revenue, exceeding the monthly target by Rs40 billion.
The July tax collection target was set at Rs780 billion, but net receipts came in at Rs820 billion, according to FBR documents.
According to the papers, gross tax collections for the month totaled Rs918 billion. Net receipts were Rs820 billion after Rs98 billion of this sum was reimbursed to taxpayers under different refund categories.
Gross collections under the income tax head was Rs343 billion. Net income tax revenues fell short of the objective of Rs323 billion, coming in at Rs308 billion after the payment of Rs35 billion in refunds.
In July, sales tax collections came to Rs413 billion, while sales tax refunds were Rs53 billion.
The Federal Excise Duty (FED) collected Rs48 billion, compared to the objective of Rs47 billion, according to the FBR.
In July 2026, customs duty receipts totaled Rs115 billion, surpassing the designated objective of Rs105 billion by Rs10 billion.
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