A key Ukrainian port city used for grain export was attacked by Russia. And a United plane loses an emergency slide mid-flight. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Tuesday, July 18, 2023.  Russia targets Odesa after suspending grain deal Russia targeted the Ukrainian port city of Odesa after pulling out of its grain…

Mexico says Texas may be violating international law by installing a border wall made up of orange buoys in the middle of the Rio Grande in the state’s latest attempt to secure the United States border. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena said the move could be violating the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944 between…

At a joint news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on Thursday, July 13, President Joe Biden was asked about a potential prisoner swap involving jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. He has spent over 100 days in what the United States describes as wrongful detention in Russia on espionage charges. “Oh, I’m serious…

North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Wednesday, July 12, the same day leaders of South Korea and Japan met at the NATO summit. According to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the missile reached an altitude of 3,728 miles, and set a record for North Korean missiles with a 74-minute flight time. “The government…

Iowa lawmakers passed a 6-week abortion ban, and the federal government’s latest target in reducing greenhouse gases are refrigerators and air conditioners. These stories and more highlight the Rundown for Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Iowa passes 6-week abortion ban In a special session that went late into the night on Tuesday, July 11, the Iowa…

If the United States and Chinese navies ever square off, submarines will be a deciding factor. In a recent war game simulating a conflict between China and the U.S., outcomes showed attack submarines would wreak havoc on the People’s Liberation Army navy. In order to contribute to the fight, however, the submarines need to be…

The Justice Department unsealed charges against a think tank leader who claimed to have provided the FBI with information about the Biden family’s business dealing with China. Gal Luft, the co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, was accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China. “As alleged, Gal Luft, a…

Thousands of Israelis blocked highways leading to several major cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as part of ongoing protests over Israel’s controversial judicial reform bill. The bill won a first of three required votes to be written into law late Monday, July 10. According to Israel Democracy Institute President Yohanan Plesner, the bill “undermines…

U.S. officials are investigating a company that recently purchased roughly 52,000 acres of land surrounding the Travis Air Force Base in California. There is growing speculation over whether foreign interests are involved in the company and its recent acquisitions, The Wall Street Journal reports. Travis Air Force Base serves as a crucial hub for large…

The world’s largest navy is getting bigger. China added two new hovercrafts to the People’s Liberation Army navy. Both of the new hulls are Zubr-class amphibious assault hovercraft. Images of the new hulls first appeared online in Chinese social media. It’s estimated China now has at least six of the Zubr-class ships, and it’s a…