National Guard tasked with patrolling Reflecting Pool as administration blames vandals for algae

The stepped-up security measures follow a $14.7 million refurbishment of the Reflecting Pool. Tap for the full brief.

Analysis: Russian hawks urge Putin to escalate war, drop US talks as Ukraine strikes deep

"What else needs to happen before we start fighting for real? War means victory at any cost. The Ukrainians are at war, so they're fighting with everything they've got," said Konstantin Malofeyev, ...

SKorea to train 500,000 “drone warriors” to counter North

"Drones should no longer be equipment used by a limited number of units, but a universal combat tool," Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said, adding they should be used by troops like a "second person...

Kremlin says it will look into “strange” video alleging army torture

The Kremlin said today it would look into a viral video appeal to Putin by a military veteran accusing Russian commanders in Ukraine of torturing and murdering soldiers for not fulfilling "suicidal...

Thousands feared dead in Venezuela after two earthquakes

Thousands of Venezuelans are feared dead today after two earthquakes, including the country's strongest in over a century, wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas — trapping people beneath ...

Maker of Ukraine’s “Flamingo” missile aims to produce air defense systems by end of year

Ukraine's Fire Point is accelerating plans to develop a European missile defense system after an agreement with German radar maker Hensoldt — and hopes to have its first interceptors ready by the e...

Trump asks Congress for more Iran war funds, defying check on war powers

President Trump's administration asked Congress yesterday for $87.6 billion in additional funding, with most of it related to the Iran war — setting the stage for another fight with lawmakers alrea...

US military requires flu vaccine for some after outbreak in Texas training center

Over 220 recruits have been diagnosed with influenza and four have been hospitalized in the outbreak this month. Tap for the full brief.

Russia denies pressing Belarus to widen Ukraine war

Russia today denied exerting pressure on Belarus to support an expansion of the war in Ukraine — while Belarus said it was the West trying to drag it into the war. Tap for the full brief.

Russian politician who favors Ukraine ceasefire imprisoned for seven years over social media posts

One of his two posts had referred to U.N. data about the number of people killed in the conflict and another to events in Bucha, a town north of Kyiv, in March 2022. Tap for the full brief.

US reopens embassy in Kuwait months after Iranian attack

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations on Wednesday during a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, months after services were suspended in March by Iranian attacks. Tap for the full brief.

UK, France, Germany raise concern about Chinese patrols off eastern Taiwan

Britain, France and Germany noted today recent Chinese coast guard patrols off the east coast of Taiwan — where China saying they threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation. Tap for the ...

US strike kills ISIS leader in Syria

The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in northwestern Syria that killed a ISIS leader, U.S. Central Command said today. Tap for the full brief.

EU hosts Taliban in Brussels, drawing condemnations

The EU has defended its decision to hold limited talks with Afghanistan's "de facto authorities" as necessary — to deport failed asylum seekers who commit crimes or are deemed dangerous. Tap for th...

Israeli gunfire kills two in Lebanon, breaking ceasefire

Israeli soldiers fired on a group of people near a bulldozer clearing a road in the al-Deir neighborhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the local mayor and a state news agency said. Tap for the full brief.