UNITED STATES

Pentagon adopts new media restrictions

The Pentagon said on Monday it was adopting new restrictions on journalists after a court blocked a previous media access policy and would close an indoor workspace in favor of an area on the grounds outside the main building. Press freedom advocates have criticized policy changes under President Donald Trump's administration that have limited journalists' access to the Pentagon, saying they suppress freedom of speech. On Friday, a federal judge blocked the press access changes implemented by the Pentagon last year, which threatened journalists with being branded security risks if they sought information not authorized for public release. Under the revised policy, all journalists' access to the Pentagon will require an escort by authorized personnel of the department.

SUDAN

At least 17 killed in drone strikes

At least 17 people were killed and 25 others injured in drone strikes targeting residential neighborhoods in Lagawa city in West Kordofan state, southern Sudan, according to a statement by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and an eyewitness. In a statement on Monday, the RSF said that "these systematic attacks on hospitals, markets, and residential areas across several cities in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, using drones, constitute a grave and explicit violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and civilian objects". The RSF called for an independent international investigation to hold those responsible accountable.

DENMARK

Nation votes in close election

Danes began voting on Tuesday in general elections, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seen as the favorite after standing up to US President Donald Trump over Greenland. The latest polls give the left-wing bloc, for which Frederiksen is the self-proclaimed candidate, a nine-seat lead over the right-wing bloc, but neither side is projected to win a majority of the 179 seats in Denmark's parliament, the Folketing. Frederiksen, a Social Democrat who has been in office since 2019, has been praised for her leadership after fending off Trump's repeated demands to take over Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory he claims the United States needs for national security reasons. The four overseas seats held by Denmark's two autonomous territories, two for Greenland and two for the Faroe Islands, could tip the balance if the election result is very close.