Iran targeted US air defenses then hit aircraft and buildings on Mideast bases, AP analysis finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran’s strikes on more than two dozen U.S. bases in the Middle East focused on early warning systems before hitting aircraft and buildings. That caused billions of dollars in equipment damage. The Associated Press independently verified damage using satellite imagery and spoke to four regional officials who were briefed or have firsthand knowledge of what was hit. Through August, more than 115 drone or missile strikes claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias damaged or destroyed structures on 26 military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment. Iran primarily focused its attacks on systems that detect incoming strikes as well as aircraft hangars, clearing the way for further strikes on warehouses, troop housing and more.
'Grasping at straws': Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s multibillion-dollar lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over a story reporting on his ties to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles in Miami dismissed the suit with prejudice. He ruled that the president did not prove the defendants made defamatory statements with actual malice. The ruling said the lawsuit was “grasping at straws” as it attempted to “manufacture” flaws in the Journal’s investigative reporting. When a case is thrown out “with prejudice,” it cannot be refiled again and the dismissal is permanent and incontrovertible.
FBI visits Dan J. Sullivan donor in candidate's hometown as Alaska Senate inquiry widens
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Federal authorities have intensified their investigation into an Alaska Senate candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, who shares a name with the Republican incumbent. The FBI has begun contacting donors to investigate potential deception. Agents have contacted donors in at least two communities in Alaska and a couple in Massachusetts. On Friday, an FBI agent visited a boat dealership in Petersburg, where the candidate lives, and left a business card for Charles Flint. Flint donated to Dan J. Sullivan and said he knows him as a respected teacher and musician. He said he didn't feel misled and said, "Everybody knows who the incumbent is.” The federal investigation comes days before Tuesday’s ranked choice general election.
FBI blames North Korea for stolen billions from Binance in biggest hack in history
New York (AP) — The FBI says the billions of dollars stolen from Binance within minutes in the biggest crypto heist in history was orchestrated by North Korean hackers. The bureau says this week's attack was tied to “malicious cyber activity” by an entity known as TraderTraitor. That same entity behind a $1.5 billion Bybit hack last year. The FBI said Saturday that it is advising crypto exchanges, blockchain analytics companies and others to block transactions tied to certian addresses to keep the money from being laundered further. Later Saturday night, President Donald Trump said authorities were still learning about the case, however, and added, “We don't know if it was North Korea.”
Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory
The Trump administration’s online accounts have circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud. The posts come only days before the midterm elections as the government spotlights its fraud crackdown and aggressive immigration enforcement. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted Saturday on the social platform X a photo of the Black man standing in front of stacks of what appear to be U.S. currency with the headline, SNAP FRAUDSTER, an apparent reference to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. He is holding aloft what appears to be a bill set aflame. Both posts drew outrage from critics online.
Iran's leader says response to attack would have no 'geographic limits,' and other Mideast news
Iran's supreme leader has threatened an immediate response to any potential attack from the U.S. or Israel. This comes as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a return to all-out war. Iran's foreign minister said a proposal had been reached with mediators for fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz in two days. Talks with mediators are ongoing in Qatar. Iran isn't planning to meet with U.S. officials but views recent U.S. dialogue efforts positively. Regional leaders including those from Saudi Arabia and Egypt urge calm to prevent escalation.
Rubio says the US government did not facilitate Bolsonaro’s flight to the US
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration did not help Flávio Bolsonaro leave Brazil after his election defeat. Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday. The State Department said he and his family will be granted U.S. visas. Rubio told reporters in Atlanta that the U.S. government was not involved in Bolsonaro's move. Bolsonaro, who lost to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has refused to concede and claims the election was fraudulent. He is under investigation in Brazil for corruption and other charges. Bolsonaro calls himself a victim of persecution.
Mamdani says Trump agrees to grant visa to mother of Ghanian teen killed in Bronx shooting
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says President Donald Trump has agreed to grant a visa to the mother of a 15-year-old immigrant from Ghana who was shot to death earlier this week. New York City police said the teen was shot in the abdomen Thursday morning. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. No arrests have been made. Mamdani wrote Saturday on X that Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person and that he had spoken with Trump, who agreed to grant her a visa. U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres from the Bronx says Frimpong arrived in the borough from Ghana a year ago to be with his father.
A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe
PARIS (AP) — Thousands of young protesters have taken to the streets across France for a third weekend. The French government estimated that 320,000 people turned out for the demonstrations on Saturday. They were protesting over living costs and education. Around 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide with Paris marches rerouted to the city’s outskirts. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a high risk of disorder especially after dark on Halloween. The protests began last month with high school students and have since grown to include labor unions and others. Similar youth-led protests have been reported in Germany and Italy with calls for action on education, health, climate protection and affordable living.
Heavy rains expected to bring flooding risk to already saturated parts of the US Southwest
The National Weather Service says heavy rains are expected to bring a threat of flash flooding to already saturated areas of the U.S. Southwest. The rain was expected to start Saturday evening, with the flooding threat going into Monday. As much as 4 inches of rain could fall in parts the region, where a number of weather systems have brought a deadly autumn of soaking rains. Several people were rescued from floodwaters Friday in Arizona and Nevada. Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, said it won't take much rainfall to be impactful in some of the areas.
