Hunter Biden judge says can't accept plea deal in surprise turn

 U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden's proposed deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to tax charges and avoid a gun charge hit a snag Wednesday — when the judge in the case said she needed...

Kyiv says its troops advancing gradually south, set to get 1,700 drones

Ukrainian troops are gradually advancing in the south and the military is about to receive a consignment of 1,700 strike and reconnaissance drones to help with the counteroffensive, officials said ...

China offers to hold joint military drills with Philippines

China has offered to hold joint military exercises with the Philippines, local media reported on Thursday, quoting Manila's military chief. Tap for the full brief.

Top US Senate Republican Mitch McConnell freezes up, leaves press conference

Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell froze up for about 21 seconds while speaking to reporters Wednesday — walking away only to return 12 minutes later to say he was "fine." Tap for the full ...

US Coast Guard seeks bigger role to search, board vessels in Pacific

The United States Coast Guard is in talks with Pacific Island countries to expand its maritime law enforcement role by allowing U.S. officers to board and search vessels suspected of illegal activi...

US says door open for New Zealand to engage on AUKUS

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the door was open for New Zealand to engage with the AUKUS weapons development and procurement project between the United States, Britain and...

US says Russian aircraft flew “dangerously close” to US drone over Syria for second time this week

A second Russian aircraft flew "dangerously close" to a U.S. drone over Syria this week — after another Russian jet damaged another U.S. drone above the war-torn country, the White House said Wedne...

US State Dept aware Marine veteran and former prisoner Reed wounded while fighting in Ukraine

The U.S. State Department is aware that Trevor Reed, a U.S. Marine veteran who was detained in Russia and then freed in a prisoner swap last year, was wounded while fighting in Ukraine, State Depar...

US president’s son Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax charges

PHOTO CAPTION: Hunter Biden disembarks from Air Force One at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, U.S., February 4, 2023. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)     By Jack QueenWILMING...

Riyadh detains relatives of US citizen after Pennsylvania lawsuit, rights groups say

Saudi Arabian authorities detained five relatives of a U.S. citizen, three rights groups said Wednesday — saying the detentions were retaliation for his family's failed lawsuit against the Saudi go...

Mexican armed forces were complicit in students' disappearance, report says

Mexican security forces were complicit in the 2014 abduction of 43 student teachers and concealed documents showing where some of them were taken — according to a new report by an independent panel...

Niger presidential guards holding President Bazoum inside palace, security sources say

Niger presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital — which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, security sour...

Somalia authorities arrest officers accused of abetting suicide bombing

Somali authorities arrested several military officers for allegedly helping a suicide bomber enter a military academy in Mogadishu this week — and kill at least 30 soldiers, an officer said Wednesd...

US military aid for Ukraine for first time includes Black Hornet spy drone

The U.S. Department of Defense announced additional security assistance for Ukraine on Tuesday — including air defense missiles, armored vehicles and drones. Tap for the full brief.

Poland to buy airborne early warning and control planes amid military modernization

Poland signed a contract to buy two Swedish airborne early warning and control Saab 340 AEW-300 planes for approximately 600 million Swedish crowns ($57.81 million), the Polish defense minister sai...