WNBA star Brittney Griner is free from Russia after a prisoner exchange in which the U.S. released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the merchant of death. But in exchange for Bout, the U.S. originally wanted both Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia in 2018 and convicted on espionage…

At a time when Russia is turning to Iran for more drones and surface-to-surface missiles, Ukraine – in an unprecedented move – sent long-range drones to strike two Russian air bases this week, hundreds of miles from its border. The drones were modified Soviet-era surveillance aircraft and may signal a shift in strategy for a…

Title 42 is expiring; Iran executes a protester; Putin dangles bombs; and “Wordle” tops Google searches. These stories and more highlight the morning update for Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Biden administration appeals end to title 42 Last month, a judge ruled Title 42 would have to be lifted on Dec. 21, calling the COVID-era border…

Iran’s hijab law under review; a suspicious power outage in North Carolina is under investigation; and Russia rejects the West’s oil price cap. These stories and more highlight the morning rundown for Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. FBI investigate North Carolina power outages Tens of thousands of residents in one North Carolina county are without power.…

Elon Kanye gets kicked off of Twitter; the Pentagon unveils a new stealth bomber; and tensions between Disney and Florida begin to relax. These stories and more highlight the morning rundown Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Biden calls for DNC calendar shake up A panel for the Democratic National Committee will be meeting today and tomorrow…

Biden says he is “confident” a rail strike will be averted; NATO commits to Ukraine; and the Great Barrier Reef is in danger. These stories and more highlight the midday rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Biden is “confident” strike will be prevented “Congress, I think, has to act to prevent it. It’s not an…

Deadly bombs detonated in Jerusalem; the European Union voted to declare Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an act of terrorism; and gas thieves steal hundreds of gallons. These stories and more highlight the noon rundown for Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Deadly bombs detonate in Jerusalem A teenager is dead and 19 others injured after bombs exploded…

Russia’s military and private mercenaries are known for their brutality. Over the weekend, the world got another example when a video titled “Hammer of Retribution” was posted recently to the Grey Zone Telegram channel. In the video, a man is seen with his head taped to what looks like a concrete wall. The man said his…

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is impacting people all over the world. This week, the world learned how Russia’s war with Ukraine is impacting Russian school children. According to German broadcast outlet Deutche Welle (DW), Russian students have been required to take part in mandatory patriotism classes for the last two months. The class is…

In the latest blow to Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to withdraw from the key southern city of Kherson. They will retreat from the west bank of the Dnipro River, as Ukrainian forces approach the city from two directions. Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan says this retreat represents a…