Trump to host Zelenskyy at White House

President Donald Trump is turning his attention to the Russia-Ukraine war after helping broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. The talks are expected to center on Ukraine’s request for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, which could allow strikes deep inside Russia—a move Moscow has warned would dangerously escalate tensions. Trump said he discussed the missile … Continue reading Trump to host Zelenskyy at White House

US military drone strike on drug ‘submersible’ in Caribbean leaves survivors, official confirms

A U.S. military drone strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Thursday left two to three survivors, according to a U.S. official. The large vessel was operating in international waters when it was hit, leaving it partially submerged. Search and rescue efforts were launched, though it remains unclear if any survivors were recovered or the extent of their injuries. The strike marks the … Continue reading US military drone strike on drug ‘submersible’ in Caribbean leaves survivors, official confirms

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton indicted

Former national security adviser John Bolton has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland on charges of improperly handling classified materials after leaving the Trump administration. The indictment includes eight counts of transmitting national defense information and ten counts of retaining it, alleging that Bolton shared top-secret material with unauthorized individuals and kept classified documents at his home. Bolton denied wrongdoing, calling the … Continue reading Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton indicted

Venezuela Mobilizes Troops and Militias as U.S. Military Looms Offshore

Venezuela is mobilizing troops and a massive civilian militia along its Caribbean coast as President Nicolás Maduro vows to resist what he calls U.S. aggression amid the largest American military buildup in the region since the 1980s. State media portrays the United States as a predatory power seeking to seize Venezuela’s oil, while propaganda footage shows citizens training and armed forces conducting drills. Despite the … Continue reading Venezuela Mobilizes Troops and Militias as U.S. Military Looms Offshore

San Francisco basement is home to underground robot fight club

Hundreds of people attended the latest Silicon Colosseum event, an underground robot fight club in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, where mechanical competitors battled inside a caged octagon. Tickets sold out at $30 each after an online invitation went out to about 2,000 people, drawing a crowd eager to watch robots — and even some staged human “Taser knife fights” — compete. The star of the … Continue reading San Francisco basement is home to underground robot fight club

Giant weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field is getting bigger

A weak region in Earth’s magnetic field, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, has expanded by an area roughly half the size of continental Europe over the past decade. Data from ESA’s Swarm satellite constellation show the anomaly has been weakening faster since 2020, particularly over Africa, due to unusual magnetic patterns in the boundary between Earth’s molten outer core and rocky mantle. This weakening … Continue reading Giant weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field is getting bigger

Several coronal mass ejections are racing toward Earth

A series of solar storms is headed toward Earth, with three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from sunspot region AR4246 expected to arrive between Oct. 15 and 17. The strongest activity is forecast for Oct. 16, when geomagnetic storms could reach G2 (moderate) levels, potentially causing minor satellite impacts, weak power grid fluctuations, and visible northern lights as far south as New York and Idaho. Space … Continue reading Several coronal mass ejections are racing toward Earth

SpaceX Starship land in the ocean after acing Flight Test 11

SpaceX’s Starship completed its eleventh test flight on Oct. 13, successfully launching from South Texas and splashing down in the Indian Ocean. This final flight of the current 397-foot-tall Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage showed significantly less heatshield damage than Flight 10, marking a major improvement in the spacecraft’s durability. The mission deployed eight simulated Starlink satellites and successfully performed a Raptor engine … Continue reading SpaceX Starship land in the ocean after acing Flight Test 11

Rail station killing linked to same suspect eyed in second transit attack

A 42-year-old man has died from injuries sustained in a Sept. 29 assault at the Gish VTA Light Rail Station in San Jose, prompting authorities to investigate the case as a homicide. The suspect, 23-year-old Brandon Fryshaw, was arrested shortly after the attack and is also linked to a second assault at the Saint James VTA Light Rail Station. Fryshaw was initially booked on attempted … Continue reading Rail station killing linked to same suspect eyed in second transit attack

Katie Porter says she regrets viral outbursts at reporter, staffer

California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter acknowledged she “could have handled things better” after viral videos showed her losing her temper with a reporter and a staffer. In one clip, Porter nearly ended an interview with CBS correspondent Julie Watts, calling her questions “argumentative” and expressing frustration on camera. In an older 2021 video, Porter yelled at a staffer who walked into her shot during a … Continue reading Katie Porter says she regrets viral outbursts at reporter, staffer

Trump hosts glitzy dinner for wealthy donors to new White House ballroom

President Donald Trump hosted nearly 130 donors, allies, and corporate representatives at the White House to celebrate fundraising for a $250 million renovation of a new White House ballroom. The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, featuring bulletproof glass and a capacity of up to 999 people, is intended to host large events, including presidential inaugurations, eliminating the need for South Lawn tents. Attendees included executives from major … Continue reading Trump hosts glitzy dinner for wealthy donors to new White House ballroom

Trump vows federal ‘surge’ in more American cities to combat crime

President Donald Trump announced plans to expand federal crime-fighting operations into additional cities, calling the initiative “Operation Summer Heat.” Speaking with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Oval Office, Trump said federal forces, including surges of personnel and potentially the National Guard, would be deployed to “straighten out” high-crime areas. The administration has already increased resources in mainly Democratic cities like Portland and Chicago, though … Continue reading Trump vows federal ‘surge’ in more American cities to combat crime

Trump administration will set price floors across range of industries to combat China

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration plans to set price floors across multiple industries to counter market manipulation by China, particularly in rare earths. China’s dominance in refining and processing rare earths has driven foreign competitors out of business, prompting the U.S. to pursue industrial policy measures, including forward buying and strategic mineral reserves. Rare earths are critical for U.S. defense systems like … Continue reading Trump administration will set price floors across range of industries to combat China

Mississippi executes death row inmate convicted of raping and killing a college student in 1993

Charles Crawford, 59, was executed Wednesday in Mississippi for the 1993 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 20-year-old Kristy Ray, ending more than 30 years on death row. Crawford had a prior rape conviction, which served as an aggravating factor in his capital murder trial. His lawyers unsuccessfully argued that his Sixth Amendment rights were violated when his attorneys pursued an insanity defense against his wishes, … Continue reading Mississippi executes death row inmate convicted of raping and killing a college student in 1993

Democratic senators want investigation into Noem’s TSA video that blamed Democrats for shutdown

Democratic senators are accusing the Department of Homeland Security of potentially violating the Hatch Act by asking airports to show a video of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity, and violations can lead to penalties including removal or suspension. Many airports, including major hubs like LaGuardia, JFK, and San … Continue reading Democratic senators want investigation into Noem’s TSA video that blamed Democrats for shutdown

Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy

Senate Democrats privately debated how to respond to Majority Leader John Thune’s plan to push a vote on funding the Defense Department. Some Democrats indicated they were ready to block a procedural motion on Thursday, but uncertainty about whether Thune will bring a standalone defense bill or combine it with other appropriations complicated their strategy. Democrats are divided over whether supporting the defense bill could … Continue reading Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy

Man charged with murder over 40 years after teen’s killing

Authorities in suburban New York have charged 63-year-old Richard Bilodeau with the 1984 murder of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco, closing a case that remained unsolved for over 40 years. Fusco disappeared after leaving her job at a roller rink, and her body was later found strangled, beaten, and sexually assaulted. Three men were wrongly convicted of her murder but were exonerated in 2003 after DNA evidence … Continue reading Man charged with murder over 40 years after teen’s killing

Alaska airlifting hundreds from storm-devastated coastal villages

A major airlift is underway in Alaska to evacuate hundreds of residents from coastal villages devastated by Typhoon Halong’s remnants. The storm caused record high water levels, destroyed homes, and left at least one dead and two missing. Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, near the Bering Sea, experienced flooding more than six feet above the highest tide line, forcing roughly 1,500 people into makeshift shelters. About 300 … Continue reading Alaska airlifting hundreds from storm-devastated coastal villages

Sweden to set up emergency grain reserves so it’s prepared for crisis

Sweden will establish its first emergency grain stocks in the north, investing 575 million kronor ($60 million) to ensure food security in the event of a crisis or war. The reserves will be located in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, and Jämtland, regions currently dependent on grain transported from the south. Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized that northern Sweden is strategically important for the military and … Continue reading Sweden to set up emergency grain reserves so it’s prepared for crisis

Garment factory fire kills 16 workers in Bangladesh

A fire broke out Tuesday at a garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing at least 16 people and injuring others, with authorities warning the death toll could rise. The blaze began on the third floor of the four-story factory before spreading to the warehouse storing bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. Fire officials said neither facility had approval or fire safety … Continue reading Garment factory fire kills 16 workers in Bangladesh

Explosions hit Ecuador, local criminal gang and ex-FARC dissidents blamed

Ecuador has experienced multiple explosions targeting bridges, with authorities blaming the local gang Los Lobos and Colombian ex-FARC dissidents in retaliation for recent military operations against illegal miners. Transport Minister Roberto Luque described the attacks as “terrorism,” while Interior Minister John Reimberg said the blasts followed the destruction of illegal mining sites and the detention of ex-FARC members. No casualties have been reported from the … Continue reading Explosions hit Ecuador, local criminal gang and ex-FARC dissidents blamed

‘Firepower’ coming for Ukraine, Hegseth tells NATO

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged increased “firepower” for Ukraine ahead of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, amid speculation the U.S. could provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles. Hegseth highlighted NATO countries’ growing commitments to Ukraine, including initiatives where allies purchase U.S. weapons to supply the country, though it’s unclear if Tomahawks are included. President Trump is expected to discuss the potential missile transfer … Continue reading ‘Firepower’ coming for Ukraine, Hegseth tells NATO

South Korea bans travel to parts of Cambodia amid deepening scam crisis that has left 80 missing

South Korea has issued a “code black” travel warning for parts of Cambodia, urging citizens to leave areas affected by employment scams and detention cases targeting Koreans. The ban covers border towns Poipet and Bavet, and the Bokor Mountain region, where a 22-year-old Korean student was allegedly tortured to death in August. Around 60 South Koreans remain detained after a crackdown on scam operations, with … Continue reading South Korea bans travel to parts of Cambodia amid deepening scam crisis that has left 80 missing

US denies Hamas violating deal, is aiming to set up safe zone for Gazans fleeing group

The United States denied that Hamas is violating the Gaza ceasefire, saying delays in returning the bodies of hostages were expected given difficult conditions. Trump advisers emphasized that all live hostages had been released in accordance with the agreement and outlined U.S. efforts with Israel to establish safe zones in Gaza for civilians fearing Hamas retribution. They acknowledged the complexity of demilitarizing the Strip but … Continue reading US denies Hamas violating deal, is aiming to set up safe zone for Gazans fleeing group

Afghanistan, Pakistan enter 48-hour truce after deadly border clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following some of the deadliest border clashes in years, which killed dozens and prompted evacuations. The truce, starting Wednesday at 6:00 pm Islamabad time, was claimed by both sides as requested by the other, with Pakistan emphasizing dialogue to resolve the dispute. The clashes erupted after the Taliban launched offensives along the southern Pakistani border, amid longstanding … Continue reading Afghanistan, Pakistan enter 48-hour truce after deadly border clashes