Stories from Washington · United States

A United States soldier has been charged with using classified intelligence to gain an unfair advantage in Polymarket betting. The individual allegedly leveraged non-public information to execute profitable trades on the prediction market. This case highlights growing regulatory and legal scrutiny regarding the intersection of classified data and decentralized prediction platforms. Polymarket has referred the matter to the Department of Justice and is cooperating with the investigation. The prosecution is currently proceeding with the case following the withdrawal of certain elements. A US special forces soldier faces charges for allegedly using classified information to bet on the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Correspondent Gabe Gutierrez reported the development. No specific name for the soldier was provided in the report.

A firm supported by Donald Trump has activated 11,000 Bitcoin miners, causing a spike in American Bitcoin shares. This development follows predictions from Wall Street investment banks regarding significant price increases for the cryptocurrency. American Bitcoin shares rose after a Trump-backed firm activated 11,000 BTC miners. The US military is reportedly running a Bitcoin node as tensions persist between the US and China.

NASA is working on a nuclear thermal propulsion engine to facilitate future missions to Mars after decades of development. The project aims to reduce travel time and increase payload capacity for deep space exploration. This development follows significant investment and long-term research into nuclear propulsion technologies. A compact atomic reactor could power a new propulsion device capable of significantly reducing travel time to Mars. Industry specialists state that if ground and flight tests succeed, the journey to the Red Planet could be shortened to 1.5 months. Current traditional space engines require at least one year for the same trip. The device achieves high power and thrust through its nuclear energy source. NASA successfully tested a lithium-fed thruster designed to propel crewed missions to Mars and robotic spacecraft.

Reports indicate that the ongoing conflict involving Iran has significantly depleted United States ammunition stockpiles. The depletion is a consequence of sustained military support and engagement in the region. This reduction may impact future strategic readiness. Major reports indicate these assets were drawn down to support recent Middle East activities. The US has also moved portions of its naval fleet from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East. This shift increases the strategic importance of the Australian military presence in the Indo-Pacific region during this interim period. Analysis of seven key weapons systems indicates that US stockpiles are running low due to operations related to Iran. The US has spent approximately $25 billion on these operations. Both sides in the conflict are reportedly experiencing economic bleeding as they await the other to concede.

NASA is developing a nuclear-powered rocket to facilitate Mars exploration following a December 2025 executive order focused on American space superiority. The initiative aims to advance deep-space capabilities for long-duration missions. This development marks a significant shift in propulsion technology for interplanetary travel. The process involves sending digital sequences back to Earth, which can be reassembled using synthetic genomic techniques in a secure laboratory. This method could allow for the recreation of organisms in as little as 4.3 minutes once the data arrives. The approach aims to bypass the physical risks of transporting biological samples across space.

Data indicates that Black women accounted for 95,371 lost federal government positions in 2025, representing approximately one-third of the total contraction in that sector. This significant workforce reduction highlights specific demographic vulnerabilities in government employment. The figures provide a detailed look at the scale of recent federal staffing shifts.

The Department of Justice Inspector General has initiated an internal probe into the handling and release of sensitive materials related to Jeffrey Epstein. The review follows a lawmaker-led inquiry into the department's management of the records. This review was initiated at the request of congressional lawmakers. A spokesperson for the GAO confirmed the ongoing investigation. A government watchdog is conducting a review of the Justice Department's compliance regarding the release of Epstein files. This marks the second review into the DOJ's handling of the files following a separate review by the department's inspector general last week. Congressman Ro Khanna has called for the monarch to meet with alleged victims during an upcoming visit to the U.S. Proceedings in the Nick Reiner case have been moved to September 15.

The EPA, FBI, CISA, and NSA have issued a joint advisory regarding cyberattacks on water systems linked to Iranian-affiliated actors. The advisory highlights vulnerabilities in state and local government infrastructure under the current federal cyber strategy. The advisory warns of escalating threats to critical infrastructure.

Admiral Paparo revealed that the US military is currently running a Bitcoin node. This development highlights increasing institutional and governmental interest in decentralized blockchain infrastructure. Concurrently, Goldman Sachs has filed with the SEC to launch a Bitcoin fund, indicating growing institutional interest in the cryptocurrency.

A Department of Justice watchdog has launched a review into how the agency is complying with laws regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. The investigation aims to ensure transparency and adherence to legal mandates. This follows ongoing scrutiny regarding the handling of sensitive documents related to the late financier. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on May 29th. Members of the panel confirmed the development on X today.