World

Biden authorizes $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, providing additional helicopters, artillery, armored vehicles, and specialized protective gear in anticipation of a new Russian assault in eastern Ukraine.

Finland and Sweden are moving closer to NATO membership after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With public opinion shifting, both countries are reviewing their security policies. Finland, sharing a long border with Russia, and Sweden are reconsidering their traditional military non-alignment in light of regional security concerns.

U.S. and Japanese warships, led by USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, are conducting joint naval exercises in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. The first such exercise since 2017 aims to deter potential North Korean provocations amid growing regional tensions.

A masked gunman unleashed chaos during Brooklyn's morning commute, firing 33 bullets and deploying smoke grenades in a subway train, wounding at least 10 people. Police are investigating Frank R. James's potential connection to the violent incident.

President Joe Biden traveled to Iowa to announce a modest strategy for reducing gasoline prices by temporarily waiving ethanol blending restrictions. The move comes as inflation reaches a 40-year high, with consumer prices jumping 8.5% in March compared to the previous year.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters rallied in Pakistani cities, supporting former Prime Minister Imran Khan after his removal through a parliamentary no-trust vote. Young supporters dominated crowds, waving party flags and expressing opposition to what they view as foreign interference.

A recent vandalism incident in Krakow reveals Russia's potential strategy of manipulating public perception by staging provocative acts designed to create ethnic tension between Poland and Ukraine. Investigators noted suspicious details suggesting a deliberately orchestrated disinformation campaign aimed at undermining bilateral relations.

President Biden is set to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking to persuade India to take a harder line against Russia's Ukraine invasion. India has maintained a neutral position, abstaining from UN votes and drawing praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for its balanced approach.

Standard & Poor's has downgraded Russia's credit rating to "selective default" after the country attempted to pay foreign bond payments in rubles instead of dollars. The credit rating agency believes Russia cannot convert rubles to dollars within the 30-day grace period, increasing the likelihood of a historic default due to international sanctions.

Russia appoints Gen. Alexander Dvornikov to centralize Ukraine war command, but US doubts his ability to change battlefield outcomes despite extensive military experience