Latest: US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has reacted to North Korea's latest nuclear test by saying threats to the United States and its allies "will be met with a massive military response".

Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to extend indefinitely a ban on transgender people joining the US military, but appeared to leave open the possibility of allowing some already in uniform to remain.

President Donald Trump's plan to end the stalemate in Afghanistan and eliminate the rising extremist threat involves sending up to 3,900 additional US forces, senior officials said.

The US Navy has ordered a broad investigation into the performance and readiness of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet after a collision between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker.

US President Donald Trump is planning to address the nation on his strategy for the war in Afghanistan. DONALD TRUMP TO ADDRESS NATION ON AFGHANISTAN STRATEGY

Donald Trump’s habit of appointing military men — James Mattis, HR McMaster, and John Kelly are in situ; Mike Flynn has left — may dilute civilian oversight, says Peter Apps. 

With the sacking of Anthony Scaramucci, General John Kelly showed he meant business, but whether he can control Donald Trump remains to be seem, writes Bette Browne

US forces killed the head of the Islamic State group affiliate in Afghanistan during an air strike earlier this week, the Pentagon says.

Israeli defence officials said this week that Syria still has up to three tons of chemical weapons in its possession.

Pakistan’s army chief will convene a special meeting of senior commanders today following US allegations that the military’s spy agency helped militants attack American targets in Afghanistan, the army said.

A US Marine at the centre of the biggest prosecution of US troops in the Iraq war should be tried for the lesser offence of negligent homicide instead of murder, an investigating officer said.

FOUR National League players have been included for the first time by Don Givens in Ireland’s under-21 squad to face Switzerland on Tuesday October 15 in Kilkenny.

Don Givens has announced the Republic of Ireland U21 squad to face Russia in the forthcoming European Championship qualifying tie in the Torpedo Stadium, Moscow on September 7.

Under -21 squad named to meet Finland in Helsinki

Manchester United defender John O’Shea will have the World Cup in his sights after being named in the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for the friendly against Denmark at Cork on March 26.