In a sudden move that has rattled the Pentagon, Navy Secretary John Phelan has stepped down effective immediately. Phelan, a key Trump appointee from the private sector, exits just as the US Navy maintains a high-stakes blockade in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of two vessels. Navy veteran Hung Cao steps in as acting lead, signaling a potential shift toward more aggressive military cultural reforms.

A Board of Audit and Inspection report released Wednesday has identified an "unusual desire for keepsakes" as the root cause of a 2021 collision between two South Korean F-15K fighter jets. The investigation found that a wingman pilot abruptly climbed and inverted his jet to get a better photo of his colleague, leading to a crash that cost 880 million won in repairs. The pilot, now a commercial aviator, has been ordered to pay a portion of the damages.

In a major blow to Nepal's month-old anti-corruption government, Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned Wednesday. A key leader of the 2025 Gen-Z protests, Gurung stepped down following public outcry over his asset disclosures—including over 1kg of gold—and alleged founder-level shares in firms linked to money-laundering suspect Deepak Bhatta. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has assumed temporary oversight of the ministry as calls for a parliamentary inquiry grow.