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Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
After controversial amendment votes, a House committee advanced a bill early Friday morning that would authorize the largest defense budget in history.
House advances measure to give troops a discount on gas
The proposal would authorize the defense secretary to offer a discount on fuel at military exchanges that's equivalent to the price of the federal gas tax.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon balks at court order allowing HIV-positive persons to serve
The Pentagon is fighting a court ruling that lifted a ban on potential recruits with controlled HIV from joining the military.
Hidden chemical weapons sites emerge in Syria amid fragile security transition
Over a decade after Syria agreed to dismantle its arsenal, international inspectors have uncovered scores of previously hidden chemical weapons materials.
Army identifies soldier who died in training accident in Iraq
U.S. Army Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, died on May 31 at Erbil Air Base. British Lance Corporal James Freeman was also killed in the incident.
DoD should review special needs health care programs to ensure they’re helping military families, watchdog says
The coverage amounts for Tricare ECHO services haven't increased since 2009.
In other news
Draft defense bill would halt cuts, closures of military health facilities
House members are seeking to stop the closure or reductions of services at U.S. military hospitals and clinics.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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VIDEOS
Game-changing new tech emerges for troops and commands | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.2.26
A box that makes drinkable water out of the air and hydrofoil drone tech have emerged at defense shows. Plus, an interview with a top executive at Lockheed.
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MORE STORIES
Fewer vets will be on the November ballot for Congress this year
Of the 75 congressional candidates this cycle with a combat zone deployment, 62 of them served in Iraq, Afghanistan or both.
How your military stores will be affected by a looming port strike
How would commissaries, exchanges and overseas shipments of household goods be affected by potentially massive American port strikes?
By Karen Jowers
VA unveils national over-the-phone emergency care option for veterans
Of the more than 61,000 callers so far this year, about 59% had medical questions resolved without having to travel to an urgent care clinic or hospital.
Absentee voting deadlines loom for troops and their families
Here's what you need to know about voting when you're away from home.
By Karen Jowers