The White House has formally requested $87.6 billion, mostly to replenish the Pentagon after the U.S. war against Iran, submitting the request to Congress at a politically difficult time, as a majority of lawmakers have objected to any further military action. The Office of Management and Budget sent the supplemental spending request on Wednesday. The request is mostly for expenses incurred by the Defense Department as part of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led attack on Iran. But it also includes a range of other items, including aid to American farmers, help for the Ebola crisis in Africa, and other needs closer to home, including restoration projects in Washington, D.C.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has met with President Donald Trump, advocating for the military alliance that the U.S. leader has sharply criticized. Trump argues that his country bears too much of NATO's financial burden, especially after the Iran conflict. Rutte is known for his ability to charm Trump and he aimed to ease tensions during their White House meeting on Wednesday. Trump has renewed threats to leave NATO, raising the stakes before next month's summit in Turkey. Rutte emphasizes European support, noting U.S. military activity in Europe. The Pentagon is reviewing U.S. forces in Europe, echoing Trump's critiques of NATO allies.

Trump-endorsed outsider Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential election, making Colombia the latest country in Latin America to have chosen more conservative leadership. De la Espriella topped rival Iván Cepeda by about one percentage point — about 251,000 votes — and will take the reins as Colombia’s president in August. De la Espriella campaigned on a tough-on-crime approach that includes proposals like canceling peace talks with Colombian rebel groups and building mega prisons. He was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Ecuador and Costa Rica, have also chosen more conservative leadership in recent years.

The Pentagon says military boot camps are once again requiring flu vaccinations for all recruits. This change comes amid a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base boot camp, which has sickened nearly 300 people. The decision to mandate the vaccine was confirmed by a Pentagon official, who said it was unrelated to the outbreak. When the mandate was initially lifted, only 40% of new trainees at Lackland opted for the shot. The outbreak has been ongoing for about three weeks. Flu expert Dr. Arnold Monto says concentrated outbreaks can occur in group settings, making vaccination crucial.