No. 1Military justice
Pentagon plans livestreamed firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the military will publicly execute Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 unarmed fellow soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009. The Pentagon said the firing-squad execution is set for December and would be livestreamed. The last U.S. public executions were in 1936 in Kentucky, drawing an estimated 20,000 people, and in 1937 in Missouri. Support for the death penalty has fallen from 80% in 1994 to 52%, according to scholar Michael Radelet. Vice President JD Vance said he was unsure it would go ahead and wouldn't watch. President Trump said he "absolutely" approved, but that the Pentagon is still making a determination.
No. 2Ukraine war
Russian glide bombs kill at least 15 in Zaporizhzhia, including three children
Russia hit residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia with five glide bombs on Saturday morning, officials said. At least 15 people died, at least 16 were injured, and more are believed trapped under rubble. Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko said more than 80 workers were on the search and rescue operation. Zelensky said 13 other regions were also attacked overnight, and tied the strikes to the U.S. diesel deal with Russia. The city has more than 700,000 residents and sits less than 10 miles from the front line. It follows 33 deaths in Kramatorsk on Thursday and 22 in Pryluky the day before.
Why it mattersYou get a measure of how civilian casualties are mounting, which the UN says rose 55% in the first eight months of the year.
Full story at BBC News →No. 3U.S.-Ukraine
Trump says Ukraine should get a new president after Zelensky criticizes diesel deal
President Trump said "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" after Zelensky called the U.S. deal on Russian diesel a gift to Putin. The agreement suspends sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April, starting with 300,000 tonnes of diesel. Trump said Zelensky should stop attacks on Russian refineries. U.S. diesel averages $6.28 a gallon, up from $3.68 a year ago, as the Iran war has squeezed global fuel supplies. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said Europe won't ease pressure on Russia. European foreign ministers plan to approve a new sanctions package on Monday. Ukraine's martial law has suspended elections.
Why it mattersYou can see how fuel prices ahead of the midterms are now shaping U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine, and straining ties with European allies.
Full story at BBC News →