Feds stop another boat smuggling Chinese migrants from the Bahamas to South Florida

Federal agents stopped a boat Sunday morning heading from the Bahamas to South Florida carrying migrants from several countries, mostly from China, according to a criminal complaint.

Army refers murder, other charges against soldier accused in pregnant wife’s death

The Army on Wednesday referred five charges, including murder and killing an unborn child, against a Hawaii-based soldier in connection with his pregnant wife’s disappearance last year.

First Taiwan Strait trip of Trump administration ‘sent the wrong signal,’ China says

A pair of U.S. Navy ships made a rare, two-day trip through the Taiwan Strait this week, marking the first transit of the contentious waterway under the Trump administration.

‘Huge smiles’: Lawmaker sends 500 valentines to US troops near North Korean border

Nearly 500 Valentine’s Day cards were delivered to soldiers near the DMZ this week, marking the first time a Washington congresswoman’s annual program has reached overseas.

Titan submersible implosion caught on recording, Coast Guard says

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a chilling recording of what it suspects is the moment the Titan submersible imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

Navy detective sentenced for choking sailor unconscious, lying about prior misconduct

A Navy detective pleaded guilty to choking a handcuffed sailor at Naval Base San Diego, lying about former excessive force complaints.

‘Defending our country was our duty’: Iwo Jima veteran recalls the battle ahead of 80th anniversary

Don Graves, one of 18 from his Marine company that survived the Battle of Iwo Jima, will turn 100 on May 3. Graves spoke about his experience ahead of the 80th anniversary of the battle.

New report says Russia is better able to withstand heavy battlefield losses than Ukraine

Russia’s stockpiles of Cold War-era weapons and larger population have allowed it to withstand heavy battlefield losses in Ukraine, according to an annual review of the global military situation.

Judge clears way for Trump’s plan to downsize federal workforce with deferred resignation program

A federal judge on Wednesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump ’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.

Do Americans support transgender people serving in the military? What a new poll found

Most Americans favor allowing transgender people to serve in the armed forces — but support has slipped in recent years, according to a new poll. A strong majority also supports allowing women to serve in combat roles.

As Trump team makes first NATO visit, Europeans brace for haggling

As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at NATO’s glass headquarters for the first time Wednesday, European leaders were bracing for difficult negotiations over how much they spend on defense.

Republicans propose at least $100 billion in extra defense spending in the next decade

The House Budget Committee is pushing for $100 billion in extra Pentagon spending, and the Senate Budget Committee’s resolution calls for an increase of $150 billion.

Air Force delays technical sergeant testing to remove DEI-related content

The Air Force has delayed the start of the promotion cycle for technical sergeants to review testing material and remove content related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Navy crew members eject from their jet before it crashes off the San Diego coast

A Coast Guard official says the two occupants of the E/A-18G Growler were picked up after the crash and are in stable condition.

Belarus frees an American and 2 other people in a bid to repair ties with Washington

Belarusian authorities on Wednesday released an imprisoned U.S. citizen, a Belarusian journalist for a U.S.-funded media outlet and an opposition supporter. The releases were announced a day after the White House trumpeted a prisoner swap with Russia that brought home a U.S. schoolteacher.

Could obesity drugs help with alcohol cravings? New study suggests potential

The study was small and lasted just over two months, so it’s not the final word. But the results published Wednesday add to evidence that drugs like Ozempic might help with cravings for drugs and alcohol, not just food.

House Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling

Even as some programs would be cut, money would be shifted to other Trump priorities, including a $100 billion boost in defense spending over the next decade through the Armed Services Committee and an additional $90 billion for the Homeland Security Department, which is carrying out Trump’s massive immigration deportation.

Israel threatens ‘all hell will break loose’ on Hamas in latest Gaza ceasefire crisis

Israel’s defense minister says “all hell will break loose” if Hamas does not release three hostages as planned this weekend. The threat on Wednesday comes as mediators work to keep the fragile ceasefire from collapsing. A Hamas official now says there are “positive signals” for the release.

Pete Hegseth and troops break a sweat in a morning PT session at Panzer Kaserne

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participated in an early morning PT session hosted by troops from the 1st Battalion 10th Special Forces Group at Panzer Kaserne, Stuttgart, Germany.