People fleeing Iran-backed rebels' advance in Yemen describe a 'hysterical panic'
Houthi rebels backed by Iran have made a swift advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast, causing thousands to flee. The Associated Press on Saturday spoke with some of those on the run. Some residents of Aden, under Yemen's internationally recognized government, are opening their homes to the displaced. The United Nations warns the escalating fighting could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and return to civil war. The rebels' advance also threatens a key global shipping route as they now perch at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Meanwhile, Iraq says the attack that closed a Saudi oil pipeline originated from its territory.
Saudi Arabia has few options as it faces mounting threats from Iran and its allies
Houthi rebels in Yemen are advancing toward a crucial trade chokepoint. Attacks blamed on Iraqi militias forced the closure of a major pipeline. Iran and its allies are unleashing a nightmare scenario for Saudi Arabia and unsettling global markets. Control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could allow the Iran-backed rebels to cut off another major export route for Saudi oil as Iran disrupts the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudis could use U.S. support to fight back. But President Donald Trump seems reluctant to widen an already unpopular and stalemated war in the Middle East.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI industry needs to give safety measures time to catch up
NEW YORK (AP) — The CEO of Anthropic says the artificial-intelligence industry should slow its fast-moving development to give safety measures time to catch up. Without such a slowdown, Dario Amodei warned on Saturday that AI could be capable within six to 12 months of leading a swarm that could take over the entire internet, among other risks. Amodei also offered a plan in a post on his website to increase checks on the industry, one part of which he said Anthropic is undertaking by itself already. Some big names in the AI industry offered quick encouragement and support, including OpenAI's Sam Altman.
Search underway for Indonesian passenger ship carrying more than 240 people after it loses contact
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian rescuers have launched a search operation after a passenger ship carrying more than 240 people lost contact in the Java Sea while traveling from East Java to South Kalimantan on Borneo island. The Search and Rescue Office in Banjarmasin, a city in South Kalimantan province, said they received a report the Virgo Transport 8 had experienced a communication failure while en route to the city from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city in East Java province. Initial information indicated the vessel’s last known position was in the Java Sea, about 92 miles from a pier in Banjarmasin. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Trump loves the game of golf and takes pride in his relationships with some of the pros
DUBLIN (AP) — President Donald Trump loves golf. He likes to watch, play, add pros to his foursomes and even design courses. He also isn't shy about his friendships with the pros. He name drops and lavishes praise on them whenever he talks about them. The president speaks of friendships with South African golfers Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Gary Player. He also talks about Americans Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau. Trump is spending the weekend at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, where he is watching the Irish Open being played there. The tournament ends on Sunday.
BRICS leaders voice concern over Middle East, condemn unilateral sanctions at India summit
NEW DELHI (AP) — Leaders of the BRICS nations have expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and condemned sanctions not authorized by the U.N. The leaders met in New Delhi on Saturday to strengthen their global position. In a statement indirectly criticizing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, they have voiced concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities. The leaders have also opposed unilateral sanctions, with Russia facing Western sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that BRICS is not against the West but seeks a greater voice for developing economies.
8 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine as Putin warns Europe against sending troops
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian strikes have killed eight civilians and wounded dozens in Ukraine, according to local officials. President Vladimir Putin has warned that sending European troops into Ukraine would mean direct conflict with Russia. Ukraine faces mounting pressure from Russia's intensified air campaign. Moscow's attacks target Ukraine's power grid ahead of winter, aiming to demoralize civilians. Putin, speaking at the BRICS summit in India, denied that Russia poses any threat to Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would meet Putin if both leaders were invited to the Group of 20 summit in December in Miami.
US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that left nearly 3,000 people dead and the nation shaken. On Friday, people laid wreaths, flew flags, read victims' names and held moments of silence and vigils. In 2001, attackers took command of four commercial jets and rammed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. On Friday, President Donald Trump attended a ceremony at the Pentagon. Former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden and current Vice President JD Vance went to ground zero in New York, where victims’ relatives read aloud the long list of names. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum laid a wreath at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.
FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims during the Republican midterm convention
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other Republican officials came together for a two-day convention this week to rally voters in advance of midterm elections in November. But in celebrating their accomplishments, they made several false and misleading claims, many of which have been stated repeatedly during Trump’s second term. They covered topics including the economy, healthcare and the 2020 election.
No relief from inflation as Middle East clashes lifts fuel prices to painful levels
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked in the wake of renewed fighting in the Middle East, underscoring the affordability challenges that are top of mind for many voters as midterm elections near. The Labor Department said Friday that the consumer price index rose 3.4% last month compared with a year ago, the same as in July. But on a monthly basis, inflation accelerated, as costs jumped 0.4% from July to August, up from an increase of just 0.1% the previous month. The figures show that inflation remains stubbornly elevated, more than five years after prices first soared as the economy emerged from the COVID pandemic.
