US News

• Congress will likely increase the $813 billion budget proposed by the White House. [Link]
• The US scratches a planned test of its ICBM. [Link]

Russia

• The USS Truman’s deployment was extended. [Link]
• Zelensky fired two top officials and called them traitors. [Link]
• Biden calls Putin a war criminal again. [Link]
• CNN reports the US is unlikely to give Ukraine a promise to come to its defense if attacked. [Link]
• The UK foreign minister said all sanctions should remain on Russia until it removes all its forces from Russian territory. [Link]
• Finland will decide on joining NATO by the end of the spring. [Link]
• Russia is pulling some troops out of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region. [Link]

China

• Japan repositioned a radar unit closer to islands disputed with China. [Link]
• AUKUS military alliance will develop hypersonic missiles. [Link]

Afghanistan 

• The Taliban released an American green card holder and his brother. [Link]

Middle East

• Israel says it killed three Palestinians in a pre-dawn shootout. [Link]
• Iran nuclear talks are stalled but officials say a deal is still within reach. [Link]
• The ceasefire has taken effect in Yemen. [Link]

Africa

• Human rights groups say Tigrayians are facing ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia. [Link]
• An attack on a Nigerian army base killed 15 soldiers. [Link]