3I/ATLAS, comet hurtling toward solar system, much bigger than previously thought

Astronomers report that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, heading toward the inner solar system, is much larger than previously thought, with a likely mass over 33 billion tons and a nucleus more than 3.1 miles wide. Observations from the Webb Space Telescope suggest it is mostly carbon dioxide with water ice in its core. First detected in July by NASA’s ATLAS system in Chile, the comet poses … Continue reading 3I/ATLAS, comet hurtling toward solar system, much bigger than previously thought

DoorDash launches delivery robot in latest push into autonomous technology

DoorDash unveiled “Dot,” a delivery robot designed to navigate streets, sidewalks, and parking lots to bring food to customers. Capable of carrying up to 30 pounds at speeds of 20 mph, Dot uses eight cameras and three lidar sensors for navigation and an internal camera to monitor food quality. Currently tested in Phoenix, the robot is part of DoorDash’s push into autonomous delivery alongside drone … Continue reading DoorDash launches delivery robot in latest push into autonomous technology

Gold hits record high on U.S. shutdown risks, rate-cut bets

Gold surged to a record high on Wednesday as investors sought safe-haven assets amid U.S. government shutdown risks and weak labor data fueling expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,872.87 per ounce, while December futures climbed 0.7% to $3,901.40. The dollar weakened, boosting overseas demand. Analysts cited political uncertainty, a softer labor market, and the prospect of lower interest rates … Continue reading Gold hits record high on U.S. shutdown risks, rate-cut bets

Zillow and Redfin accused of suppressing competition in lawsuit

The FTC is suing Zillow and Redfin, alleging the companies struck an illegal deal to suppress competition in online rental advertising. The lawsuit claims Zillow paid Redfin $100 million in exchange for ending contracts with other advertising partners, halting competing ads for multifamily properties for up to nine years, and syndicating Zillow listings on Redfin’s platforms. The FTC argues the deal reduces competition, raises advertising … Continue reading Zillow and Redfin accused of suppressing competition in lawsuit

Startup founder Charlie Javice sentenced to 7 years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase

Charlie Javice, founder of fintech startup Frank, was sentenced to 7 years and 1 month in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase by inflating her company’s customer numbers before its $175 million acquisition in 2021. Javice and her chief growth officer were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges after a jury found that she had created millions of fake accounts to misrepresent Frank’s reach. In addition … Continue reading Startup founder Charlie Javice sentenced to 7 years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase

FBI takes 4 illegal immigrants in Portland into custody after lasers aimed at CBP aircraft

Four undocumented Mexican men were arrested in Portland for pointing a laser at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter, endangering the pilot, crew, and public. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, Benito Zamora-Alvarez, and Hector Miranda Mendoza into custody after tracing the laser to a residence. Authorities highlighted the danger of laser strikes on aircraft and noted the … Continue reading FBI takes 4 illegal immigrants in Portland into custody after lasers aimed at CBP aircraft

Federal employee taken into custody following “active shooter hoax” at NJ’s largest military base

A federal employee was arrested for allegedly spreading a false active shooter threat at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, triggering a morning lockdown. The lockdown, which affected over 42,000 personnel across one of the nation’s largest military installations, was lifted within an hour. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba condemned the “senseless fear-mongering” and pledged legal action, the Associated Press has reported. The incident occurred … Continue reading Federal employee taken into custody following “active shooter hoax” at NJ’s largest military base

California sisters missing for 36 years found alive as search shifts to mother’s killer

Two California sisters, missing for 36 years, have been found alive in Ventura County, California, after being raised by foster parents under new names. Jasmin and Elizabeth Ramos were just infants when their mother, Marina Ramos, was murdered in Mohave County, Arizona, in 1989, and the girls were abandoned days later in an Oxnard park restroom. Using familial DNA, Arizona investigators traced the sisters to … Continue reading California sisters missing for 36 years found alive as search shifts to mother’s killer

Judge rejects Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ bid to toss prostitution convictions

A federal judge has denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to overturn his prostitution-related convictions, clearing the way for his sentencing Friday. Combs was convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution under the Mann Act, each carrying up to 10 years in prison, but acquitted on one racketeering count and two sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors accused him of running a decade-long scheme involving “freak-offs,” … Continue reading Judge rejects Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ bid to toss prostitution convictions

Feds find 200,000 more SIM cards in N.J. after disrupting network

Federal agents discovered an additional 200,000 SIM cards in New Jersey linked to a massive telecommunications network in the New York Tri-State area, previously seized by the Secret Service. The network, possibly connected to Chinese actors, had over 100,000 SIM cards across 300 servers capable of sending 30 million texts per minute and disrupting cell towers or emergency communications. Early analysis suggests the network was … Continue reading Feds find 200,000 more SIM cards in N.J. after disrupting network

Louisiana governor asks for national guard deployment to New Orleans

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has asked the Trump administration to deploy 1,000 National Guard troops to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport through fiscal year 2026, citing violent crime, police shortages, and disaster preparedness. Landry praised Trump’s recent use of troops in Washington and Memphis, though crime data shows sharp declines in murders, shootings, and carjackings in New Orleans, with 2025 on pace for the … Continue reading Louisiana governor asks for national guard deployment to New Orleans

Man who killed Florida inventor and his wife becomes record 13th inmate executed in state

Florida executed Victor Tony Jones, 64, on Sept. 30 for the 1990 murders of Miami inventor Jack Nestor and his wife, Dolly, marking the state’s 13th execution this year — a record — and the 34th nationwide, the most since 2014. Jones fatally stabbed the couple during a robbery after Dolly refused to pay him for unfinished work. Jack managed to shoot Jones in the … Continue reading Man who killed Florida inventor and his wife becomes record 13th inmate executed in state

Trump announces ‘TrumpRx’ site for discounted drugs and deal with Pfizer to lower prices

President Donald Trump announced a new plan to lower drug costs, including a deal with Pfizer and the launch of a “TrumpRx” website where Americans can buy medicines at discounted prices starting in 2026. Pfizer agreed to sell many drugs at roughly 50% off, set new drug prices at “Most Favored Nation” levels — matching the lowest prices in peer countries — and expand U.S. … Continue reading Trump announces ‘TrumpRx’ site for discounted drugs and deal with Pfizer to lower prices

Trump says $500m deal reached with Harvard to settle dispute

President Donald Trump announced that his administration had reached a tentative $500m settlement with Harvard University after accusing it of civil rights violations against Jewish and Israeli students. Trump said the deal, still not finalized, would also involve Harvard operating trade schools focused on AI and other fields. The announcement follows a federal judge’s ruling that the administration unlawfully cut $2.2bn in research funding to … Continue reading Trump says $500m deal reached with Harvard to settle dispute

Government shuts down after last-ditch vote fails in Senate

The Senate has rejected a Republican funding bill, putting the U.S. government on track for its first shutdown in nearly seven years. The measure failed 55–45, short of the 60 votes needed, after Democrats demanded an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits. Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Democrats of forcing a shutdown, while Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans were refusing to negotiate. … Continue reading Government shuts down after last-ditch vote fails in Senate

At least 91 students remain buried in rubble 2 days after school collapse in Indonesia

At least 91 students remain trapped under rubble nearly two days after an Islamic boarding school collapsed in East Java, Indonesia, during unauthorized construction work. The century-old al Khoziny school fell Monday while hundreds of students were praying, leaving at least three dead and about 100 injured. Authorities raised the number of those missing after reviewing attendance records, as more than 300 rescuers continue efforts … Continue reading At least 91 students remain buried in rubble 2 days after school collapse in Indonesia

China sentences 11 members of mafia family to death

A Chinese court has sentenced 39 members of Myanmar’s notorious Ming family for running scam centres, casinos, and trafficking operations in Laukkaing near the China border. Eleven received death sentences, while others were jailed for life or long terms. The family generated over 10bn yuan ($1.4bn) through fraud, drugs, gambling, and prostitution, and were linked to worker deaths in brutal scam compounds like the “Crouching … Continue reading China sentences 11 members of mafia family to death

Ukrainian diver held in Poland over Russian pipeline blasts in Baltic Sea

Polish police have arrested a Ukrainian national, identified as diver Volodymyr Z, on suspicion of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. German prosecutors allege he was part of a group that planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, participating directly in the dives. He faces charges of sabotage and causing explosions, but his lawyer says he will challenge extradition to Germany, … Continue reading Ukrainian diver held in Poland over Russian pipeline blasts in Baltic Sea

Congo military court sentences former President Kabila to death for treason

A Congolese high military court has convicted former President Joseph Kabila of treason, war crimes, and collaborating with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, sentencing him to death in absentia. Kabila, who has not been seen publicly for months, was also ordered to pay $33 billion in damages to Congo and its eastern provinces. Prosecutors cited testimony from a former rebel insider claiming Kabila coordinated with M23 to … Continue reading Congo military court sentences former President Kabila to death for treason

Madagascar police fire tear gas as president fails to placate protesters

Hundreds of young protesters returned to Madagascar’s streets despite President Andry Rajoelina dissolving his government, prompting police to fire tear gas in the capital, Antananarivo. The “Gen-Z” protests, sparked by repeated water and power cuts, have spread to eight cities since Thursday, leaving at least 22 people dead and 100 injured, according to the UN, though the government disputes these figures. Protesters demand Rajoelina’s resignation … Continue reading Madagascar police fire tear gas as president fails to placate protesters

Trump would head Gaza ‘board of peace’ in new postwar plan

The White House released a 20-point plan for ending the war in Gaza, proposing an international “Board of Peace” chaired by President Trump to oversee reconstruction and governance until the Palestinian Authority (PA) meets conditions to assume control. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is also slated to join the board. The plan calls for Hamas to disarm, renounce governance, and release hostages, with Israel … Continue reading Trump would head Gaza ‘board of peace’ in new postwar plan

UN authorizes a much larger force to fight gangs in Haiti

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution to deploy a 5,550-member international “Gang Suppression Force” in Haiti to combat escalating gang violence. The force, an expansion of the current Kenya-led multinational mission, will have powers to arrest gang members and protect critical infrastructure. The resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S. and Panama, passed 12-0, with Russia, China, and Pakistan abstaining. Gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince … Continue reading UN authorizes a much larger force to fight gangs in Haiti

Qatar, Egypt and Turkey urge Hamas to accept Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are urging Hamas to respond positively to President Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. Acting as mediators with close ties to Hamas, officials from these countries have met the group twice in 24 hours, emphasizing that the plan aims to stop the war and offering assurances of Trump’s commitment. The proposal includes significant concessions for Hamas, such as the … Continue reading Qatar, Egypt and Turkey urge Hamas to accept Trump’s Gaza peace plan

Morocco’s youth protests turn violent on fourth day

Youth-led protests demanding better education and healthcare in Morocco turned violent on Tuesday, the fourth day of demonstrations across multiple cities. Organised online by the anonymous group “GenZ 212,” protesters clashed with security forces, overturned vehicles, set banks on fire, and attempted to storm supermarkets in cities including Ait Amira, Inzegane, Tiznit, Oujda, and Temara. Police used water cannons and made dozens of arrests, while … Continue reading Morocco’s youth protests turn violent on fourth day

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says situation ‘critical’ at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant faces a “critical” situation after being without external power for seven days, with one emergency diesel generator now failing. Russian shelling cut the plant off from the electricity grid, leaving its cooling and safety systems reliant on backup power. The outage, the longest since Russia’s 2022 invasion, marks the tenth disconnection of Europe’s … Continue reading Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says situation ‘critical’ at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant