5 September 2025
US
The Trump administration is pressuring European allies to stop buying Russian oil. The administration is also pressuring Europe to impose sanctions on China for its support for Russia. One Trump official stated that one EU member purchases 1.1 billion Euros of Russian oil a year.
Trump is also expected to sign an Executive Order to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. This is an attempt to formalize the name without an act of Congress. Trump and Hegseth have been pushing for the rebranding for weeks.
Russia
Putin warned that prices will rise as the Russian Central Bank struggles to cut interest rates. Currently, Russian interest rates are at 18% and the Central Bank aims to cut them to 12% to spark an economic recovery.
Hungary
Hungary is launching an inquiry into the critical components of 8 MiG-29s, which have gone missing. The probe aims to examine whether the essential components were sent to Ukraine. The MiG-29s are decommissioned and are parked at Kecskemet military airport. The components include electronics that control location and weapons systems in the aircraft.
Israel
The IDF claims that it already controls 40% of Gaza City ahead of the main offensive. Haaretz reported that the IDF has been firing artillery shells in unpopulated areas in an effort to force Palestinians to flee ahead of the operation. The IDF declined to comment on the accusation.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The UN decreed that all parties in the ongoing conflict in the DRC have committed acts of war crimes. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights claims that the Congolese military and the M23 rebels have committed rampant acts of sexual violence, torture and summary executions.
The DRC also declared an Ebola outbreak, the first in three years. This will be a test on the global health system after the Trump administration has been targeting and cutting the US Centre for Disease Control.
The Wires Brief is a weekly breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates