On his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow and Pyongyang have ramped up ties to a “new level,” pledging to help each other if either nation is attacked. In a “breakthrough” new partnership, the two countries signed the new strategic partnership to replace previous deals signed in 1961, 2000, and 2001, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

At least one person has been reported dead as a result of the fast-growing wildfires still burning in New Mexico, state emergency officials told CNN. The fire, which prompted evacuations and a state-of-emergency declaration from Gov. Michelle Grisham, has burned through 20,000 acres and impacted at least 500 buildings.

Tropical storm Alberto formed Wednesday in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico, the first named storm of what is forecast to be a busy hurricane season. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from the Texas coast at San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and on to Tecolutla, Mexico.