Start your Friday with key global updates: the US flexes airpower near Venezuela as its Caribbean force grows, the Senate stalls on troop pay amid a prolonged shutdown, and veterans push to modernize VA health care. Hegseth heads to Japan for defense talks, Lithuania accuses Russia of an airspace breach, and Hungary eyes ways around new US oil sanctions. Plus, Zelenskyy meets European Union leaders in London, Erdogan presses for sanctions on Israel, and Beijing unveils a bold five-year tech plan.

—US Flies B-1 Bombers Near Venezuela as Caribbean Force Expands

The US military flew two B-1 Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base through the Caribbean to the coast of Venezuela on Thursday as part of training operations, following a recent B-52 bomber demonstration that included Marine F-35

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