Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former Republican as running mate in re-election bid

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has selected former Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate for her 2026 re-election campaign. Giles, who became an independent earlier this year, said he left the Republican Party because he believes political extremists are preventing progress. The election will mark the first time Arizona voters choose a lieutenant governor, following approval of a ballot measure creating the … Continue reading Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former Republican as running mate in re-election bid

Trump demands Iran compensate Americans and protesters after Tehran seeks war reparations

President Donald Trump said Iran should compensate Americans killed or seriously injured in attacks, as well as families of Iranian protesters killed by the regime. Trump said he has instructed U.S. representatives to make compensation demands part of any future negotiations with Tehran. His comments came after Iranian officials demanded compensation for war damage as a condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has … Continue reading Trump demands Iran compensate Americans and protesters after Tehran seeks war reparations

Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia

A Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad, his brother Maher Assad and his cousin Atef Najib to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria’s 14-year conflict. The verdicts are the first sentences against Assad or members of his inner circle since his family’s five-decade rule ended in December 2024. The court accused Bashar Assad of using state agencies … Continue reading Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia

Count Binface runs against Reform Party’s Farage in UK election

Far-right politician Nigel Farage faces an unusual challenger in this week’s parliamentary election in Clacton-on-Sea: spoof candidate Count Binface, who wears a garbage can on his head. Farage, the incumbent, is still expected to win despite an investigation into his campaign finances. Polls suggest Count Binface could receive around 20% of the vote. His support has been viewed by some as a sign of growing … Continue reading Count Binface runs against Reform Party’s Farage in UK election

Record-breaking El Capitan climber dies in Sierra Nevada fall

California climber Jacob “Jake” Whisenant, 30, died after falling while climbing in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness on August 3. Whisenant was known in the climbing community for setting speed records in Yosemite National Park, including a 2024 ascent of El Capitan in under three hours. He had also completed the famed Nose route on El Capitan twice in a single day earlier this … Continue reading Record-breaking El Capitan climber dies in Sierra Nevada fall

Famed tourist destinations evacuated as wildfire threatens California’s Big Sur

Evacuations have been ordered along California’s Big Sur coast as the Timber Fire grows in the rugged mountains of Monterey County. The fire expanded to about 2,000 acres by Tuesday, with nearly 500 firefighters working to contain the blaze. Several popular tourist destinations, state parks and part of the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed, while officials urged visitors to avoid the area. The fire … Continue reading Famed tourist destinations evacuated as wildfire threatens California’s Big Sur

Lauren Boebert’s 21-year-old son is arrested on child sexual exploitation charges

Tyler Boebert, the 21-year-old son of Rep. Lauren Boebert, was arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of a child and released on $10,000 bond. The charges stem from a 2024 video allegedly involving Boebert and a 17-year-old girl that was later posted on Instagram. Authorities said Boebert was 18 and 11 months older than the girl at the time the video was recorded. He faces … Continue reading Lauren Boebert’s 21-year-old son is arrested on child sexual exploitation charges

Luigi Mangione murder trial to have anonymous jury 

Luigi Mangione is set to face trial in September for the alleged 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A New York judge has ordered that the 12 jurors remain completely anonymous throughout the high-profile trial to protect them from intimidation or corruption. The prosecution and defense will work together on a questionnaire for prospective jurors, which will later be made public. Mangione faces state … Continue reading Luigi Mangione murder trial to have anonymous jury 

Arkansas high school football player finds deadly snake was in his helmet

An Arkansas high school football player discovered a venomous cottonmouth snake hiding inside his helmet after practicing for nearly an hour. The two-foot-long snake had slipped beneath the helmet’s padding and remained hidden until the player noticed unusual movement. School staff were shocked when they inspected the helmet and found the snake trapped inside. Animal Services safely removed the cottonmouth and relocated it to a … Continue reading Arkansas high school football player finds deadly snake was in his helmet

Lebanon abolishes death penalty in landmark parliament vote

Lebanon’s parliament has abolished the death penalty, making it the first Arab country to replace executions with life imprisonment and aggravated hard labor. The country had maintained an unofficial moratorium on executions since 2004, although courts continued issuing death sentences that were later suspended or reduced. The measure was approved by a majority of lawmakers, with Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc voting against it. Justice Minister Adel … Continue reading Lebanon abolishes death penalty in landmark parliament vote

Thailand suspends new gun permits after mass shooting

Thailand’s government will immediately stop issuing new gun permits following a school shooting in which a 14-year-old killed eight people before taking his own life. The shooting involved a handgun owned by the boy’s grandfather, and authorities believe social media exposure to violent content and other personal pressures may have influenced his actions. Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in … Continue reading Thailand suspends new gun permits after mass shooting

Huge fire breaks out at Libya’s Zawiya refinery after drone attack

A massive fire broke out at Libya’s Zawiya oil refinery after a drone attack targeted a gasoline storage tank, sending thick smoke and flames over the facility. Officials said there were no serious injuries, though several people were treated for smoke inhalation. The National Oil Corporation said the refinery has faced multiple drone attacks in recent days and warned that continued strikes could force it … Continue reading Huge fire breaks out at Libya’s Zawiya refinery after drone attack

Iranian-backed Houthis kill 6 in attack on vessel

Six people were killed Tuesday when Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at a vessel in Yemen’s Bab el-Mandeb strait, including four crew members and two allied fighters. The attack marks the first known deaths from Houthi attacks on shipping off Yemen during the latest escalation of fighting. The violence comes as the Houthis have increased attacks on Yemeni government forces, Saudi Arabia and shipping in … Continue reading Iranian-backed Houthis kill 6 in attack on vessel

Colombia quake death toll tops 250 as rescuers race to find survivors

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 254 people and leaving thousands homeless. Rescue crews searched through collapsed buildings in cities including Pereira and Cali, using heavy equipment and their bare hands to find survivors. The disaster caused widespread damage to homes, schools, health centers, farms and rural infrastructure, while some Indigenous communities remained without power or basic services. President Abelardo De … Continue reading Colombia quake death toll tops 250 as rescuers race to find survivors

Archaeologists unearth secret church tied to Council of Nicaea

Archaeologists in Turkey believe they may have uncovered the remains of a smaller church that hosted the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. The excavation took place in the ancient city of Nicaea, now İznik, where researchers found stone foundations and flooring beneath the later Church of the Holy Fathers. Excavation director Mustafa Şahin believes the earlier structure was the Church of St. Neophytos, … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth secret church tied to Council of Nicaea

Roman shipwreck with 500 amphorae found off coast of Sicily

A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 ancient amphorae has been discovered three miles off the coast of Sicily. The vessel was found about 151 feet underwater near Mazara del Vallo after fishers alerted Italy’s Carabinieri cultural heritage protection squad. Most of the cargo consisted of Dressel 1A amphorae, which were commonly used to transport wine and can help archaeologists trace ancient Mediterranean trade routes. … Continue reading Roman shipwreck with 500 amphorae found off coast of Sicily

Pluto’s atmosphere is collapsing as it drifts away from the sun

Astronomers say Pluto’s thin atmosphere appears to be beginning to freeze and collapse as the dwarf planet continues moving farther from the Sun. Researchers studied 10 stellar occultations between 2017 and 2023 and found that Pluto’s atmospheric pressure dropped by about 16% between mid-2021 and 2023. The findings suggest nitrogen in Pluto’s atmosphere is beginning to condense and settle as frost on its extremely cold … Continue reading Pluto’s atmosphere is collapsing as it drifts away from the sun

Angers mounts in US over vast network of Flock Cameras

Flock, a surveillance company, has installed more than 100,000 license plate reader cameras across the United States, sparking growing privacy concerns. Opponents say the cameras create a massive database that can track vehicles and share information across jurisdictions, raising concerns about civil liberties and potential government abuse. The controversy has fueled a grassroots anti-Flock movement, with some activists vandalizing cameras and others organizing online campaigns … Continue reading Angers mounts in US over vast network of Flock Cameras

Shein Valued at $22 Billion to $25 Billion Ahead of IPO

Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that Shein could be worth between $22 billion and $25 billion as the fast-fashion retailer prepares for a major initial public offering. The valuation is based on expected earnings of about $1.67 billion in 2027, with analysts projecting roughly 20% annual earnings growth through 2029. The estimate is well below Shein’s $66 billion valuation in 2023 and its peak valuation of about … Continue reading Shein Valued at $22 Billion to $25 Billion Ahead of IPO

Intel plans $15 billion stock offering as AI demand accelerates

Intel announced a $15 billion stock offering Monday to help fund its expansion and meet rising demand for artificial intelligence computing. The company said the funds will support capital expenditures, working capital and other corporate needs, with opportunities including physical AI, specialized chips and advanced packaging. Intel shares fell about 4% in morning trading following the announcement. AI infrastructure spending by major technology companies is … Continue reading Intel plans $15 billion stock offering as AI demand accelerates

Taylor Farms issued a recall for over a dozen items, including salsa and guacamole, over Salmonella risks

Taylor Farms is recalling more than a dozen prepared food products containing jalapeños over concerns about possible Salmonella contamination. The recall follows a warning involving fresh jalapeños supplied by a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, which is being investigated as a potential source of the contamination. The recalled items include salsa, guacamole, burritos, sandwiches and salads sold in 26 states, with best-before dates through August 16, … Continue reading Taylor Farms issued a recall for over a dozen items, including salsa and guacamole, over Salmonella risks

Max Miller stays in Ohio House race as GOP ballot deadline passes

Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio will remain in his reelection race after the deadline passed for Republicans to replace him as their nominee. Miller faced growing calls from fellow Republicans to step aside following allegations from his ex-wife that he physically abused her and their daughter, which he has denied. His father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, and Sen. Jon Husted urged Miller to leave office, … Continue reading Max Miller stays in Ohio House race as GOP ballot deadline passes

Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel ahead of midterms

President Donald Trump has named White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf as the next White House counsel, elevating a longtime legal ally to one of the administration’s top legal positions. Scharf will replace David Warrington, who is leaving the administration for the private sector on September 1. Scharf previously worked as a lawyer for Trump, including on the presidential immunity case, and later helped oversee … Continue reading Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel ahead of midterms

El-Sayed says he spoke with Obama as Michigan Democrats look to unite

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, said he recently spoke with former President Barack Obama and hopes Obama will campaign with him. El-Sayed is seeking to unite Democrats after a divisive primary that highlighted tensions between the party’s progressive and moderate factions. He narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens and now faces Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the November election. El-Sayed … Continue reading El-Sayed says he spoke with Obama as Michigan Democrats look to unite

Trump declines to back Thune for another term as Senate GOP leader

President Donald Trump declined to endorse Senate Majority Leader John Thune for another term as Republican leader. Trump said he gets along with Thune but disagrees with him over several key issues, including the Senate filibuster. Trump strongly supports eliminating the filibuster and quickly passing the SAVE America Act, while Thune says Republicans do not have enough votes to pass it. Trump warned that Democrats … Continue reading Trump declines to back Thune for another term as Senate GOP leader