US and Iran trade detainees after Qatar deal unfreezes $6B

Five U.S. detainees flew out of Iran on Monday in a swap for five Iranians held in the U.S. in a deal between the arch enemies that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran's funds. Tap for the full brief.

House Republicans eye spending deal as shutdown looms

With the threat of a partial government shutdown in two weeks looming, House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday said he would bring a defense spending bill to a vote "win or lose" ...

Ukraine retakes more territory in the east, south in counteroffensive

Ukraine reported on Monday its troops had recaptured more territory on the eastern front and advanced in the south in its military counteroffensive against Russian forces. Tap for the full brief.

War crimes committed in Ethiopia despite formal end to conflict, UN report says

War crimes and crimes against humanity are still being committed in Ethiopia nearly a year after government and regional forces from Tigray agreed to end fighting, U.N. experts said in a report pub...

Afghan-Pakistan border crossing reopens after talks to settle clashes

The main land crossing on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan re-opened on Friday after a closure of nine days following shooting between guards on both sides, a Pakistani official told Reu...

Ethiopian forces clash with al-Shabab in western Somalia, residents say

Ethiopian forces engaged in fierce clashes with al-Shabab fighters near the town of Rab Dhuure in western Somalia on Sunday morning, local residents said. Tap for the full brief.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso juntas sign Sahel security pact

Military junta-ruled countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso signed a security pact Saturday — promising to come to the aid of each other in case of any rebellion or external aggression. Tap for the...

Chinese defense minister under investigation for corrupt procurement

Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who has been missing from public view for over two weeks, has been placed under investigation by Chinese authorities, according to 10 people familiar with the matter. T...

US allows Egypt military aid despite human rights concerns

The Biden administration has allowed much of U.S. foreign military aid to Egypt to go ahead, saying the country was vital for U.S. national security interests — despite what critics have said about...

Libya hunts for those to blame for thousands of flood deaths

Libyan authorities demanded an investigation on Thursday into whether human failings were to blame for thousands of deaths in the worst natural disaster in the country's modern history — as survivo...

Ukraine retakes village south of Bakhmut, military says

Ukraine said on Friday it had recaptured the devastated eastern village of Andriivka, setting the stage for further advances on the southern flank of Bakhmut, the city that fell into Russian hands ...

Heavy security in Iran on Mahsa Amini death anniversary, rights groups and witnesses say

Iranian security forces deployed in the hometown of Mahsa Amini in anticipation of a flare-up in unrest marking this weekend's first anniversary of her death in morality police custody, witnesses, ...

Russia's Shoigu inspects nuclear submarine modernization in Far East

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu checked on the repair and modernization of the Pacific Fleet's nuclear submarines at a top military shipyard Friday, his ministry said. Tap for the full brief.

US Defense Dept signs deal to boost domestic nickel production

The U.S. Department of Defense on Tuesday entered into a $20.6 million agreement with a subsidiary of Canada's Talon Metals Corp to increase domestic production of Nickel. Tap for the full brief.

Satellite images appear to show Wagner camp in Belarus being dismantled

Satellite images of a military base southeast of the Belarus capital Minsk appear to show dismantling of tents in recent weeks, which may indicate the winding down of the base for Wagner, the Russi...