America is not ready for a major war, says a bipartisan commission A bipartisan commission report reveals that the United States is critically unprepared for a major military conflict, facing significant challenges from China and Russia. The report highlights alarming shortfalls in military readiness, including munitions shortages, recruitment challenges, and an inadequate defense industrial base.…

Germany passed a new law allowing renters to install plug-in solar panels on their balconies. The new law significantly limits the ability of landlords and homeowners associations to prevent such installations. Only in cases where there is a compelling reason can these entities intervene. Renters in Germany can now install solar energy systems with a…

Tensions are escalating between Venezuela and Guyana over claims to the oil-rich region of Essequibo, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recent peace agreement signed in December. Satellite imagery confirms that Venezuela is strengthening its military operations along the disputed border, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Essequibo…

A federal court issues a ruling concerning the Voting Rights Act in a case that could end up at the Supreme Court. And the CDC is warning consumers about a listeria outbreak in fruit which has led to at least one death. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. U.S. appeals court makes ruling on…

The Russian navy has suffered a string of setbacks recently. The Ukrainians have begun striking targets in Crimea, which formerly served as Russia’s control hub over the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Sweden and Finland together control most of the Baltic Sea, and both of those nations filed to join NATO following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine…

Since February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, forced millions of civilians to flee their homes, and left entire cities in ruins. The most recent report from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense indicates that Russian combat casualties alone have surged to nearly 310,000 since the…

On Thursday, Nov. 2, Russia formally withdrew from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the global agreement prohibiting nations from testing nuclear weapons. Russia’s decision to withdraw from the treaty follows its own public threats to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine, despite the fact that no nation on Earth has used a nuclear…

As Congress deliberates President Biden’s request for over $75 billion to bolster Ukraine and Israel with additional weaponry, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have warned U.S. senators that without ongoing funding for Ukraine, Russian President Putin will win his war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed frustration over the waning…

Air assets from the United States and South Korea kicked off their annual exercises this week at this year’s Vigilant Defense drills. During the drills, 130 U.S. and South Korean warplanes will work on simulating 24-hour wartime operations. The air armada includes different variations of the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter, F-16s, refueling tankers and other…

Republican and Democrat lawmakers on Capitol Hill are moving to send more aid to Ukraine — a lot more. Pro-Ukraine senators said the effort would allow the U.S. to send enough resources and support to last the war-torn country through the 2024 U.S. election, and it could cost $50 billion to $100 billion. The new…