Leaders from all over Asia gather in Singapore this weekend to discuss defense and security.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense explains his plans for trying to keep peace in the Pacific.

I'm Ayesha Roscoe.

And I'm Scott Simon, and this is up first from NPR News.

The Shangri-R dialogue in Singapore reveals a lot of different opinions over which superpower, America or China, is pulling ahead.

Also, the billion-dollar fund that President Trump set up for friends and allies is halted by

two judges, and another judge orders Donald Trump's name, off the Kennedy Center.

And high gas prices are sending more people to Walmart and Costco to fill up their cars.

So please stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your weekend.

It was a packed room earlier today in Singapore when defense secretary Pete Hexeth took the stage at the Shangri-La dialogue, the Asian Defense Summit.

It comes amid concerns about China's military posture, especially towards Taiwan,

and after an intense week of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end their war.

And here's Jennifer Pack is in Singapore. Thanks so much for being with us.

Thanks for having me. And what was Secretary Higgsath's message at the Defense Summit? Well, his message, and he said it to a

room full of military defense officials and diplomats, is for Asian allies to ramp up their

defense spending to counter China. Secretary Hegseth says there is rightful alarm at China's military

buildup. That a Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power

and undermine the equilibrium we all seek to preserve.

He was less clear, though, on how to prevent an escalation.

He only said Asian allies should not be, quote,

freeloading off American taxpayers.

Overall, this is a more toned-down message from last year

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