Death toll rises in Nepal-China border disaster as lake poses new flood threat
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Rescuers are racing to find hundreds of missing people two days after a flash flood struck the Himalayan border between Nepal and China. The death toll rose Thursday and authorities warned that an overflowing lake formed after the disaster could trigger further flooding. Nepal police have said that the country’s death toll had risen to 469 from 390 a day earlier, as Chinese authorities have reported only three deaths in Tibet. Together, the two countries have said that more than 1,500 people remain missing.
About 90 Americans unaccounted for after catastrophic floods hit Nepal and Tibet
McMINNVILLE, Tenn (AP) — U.S. officials report about 90 U.S. citizens remain unaccounted for after catastrophic flash floods hit a border area of China and Nepal. Wednesday's flooding killed hundreds of people. The U.S. State Department says it is not aware of any U.S. deaths, but three Americans have been rescued. Many of the missing were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists. Indian spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, says 77 people from his Isha Foundation were at an immigration center in Tibet when the floods struck. The foundation said that 22 were Americans.
Trump used to say he saw a quick end to his Iran war. Six months later, he claims he's in no hurry
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump marks an awkward moment in his second White House term as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran reaches the six-month mark. Trump initially told Americans it would last only a matter of weeks. Trump claims the war has devastated Iran's leadership, military and economy. This week, his administration has shifted its focus to increasing economic pressure rather than military action. Trump says he's not in a hurry to bring Iran back to negotiations. Mediators like Qatar and Pakistan continue to seek diplomatic solutions. Analysts warn that Iran has shown resilience to international pressure, and it remains to be seen how far the U.S. will go with its new strategy.
Trump administration starts building border wall project in Arizona over tribe's objections
PHOENIX (AP) — The Tohono O’odham Nation says armed federal agents accompanied contractors who trespassed on tribal land this week as they began construction of an Arizona section of a border wall. The nation says the contractors violated tribal law despite a federal judge's order from June clearing the way for work to begin at the border with Mexico. Tribal officials reported that the masked agents of Customs and Border Protection blocked tribal police from removing the contractors Tuesday. The tribe had posted "No Trespassing" signs and the contractors entered tribal land without permission. Federal officials say the wall is direly needed, citing the area's history as a drug and immigrant smuggling corridor.
Six months on, the Iran war has changed the Middle East, but not in the way its architects had hoped
The Iran war has changed the Middle East, but not in the ways that the United States and Israel had hoped. The war they launched six months ago has left the Islamic Republic with a more radical leadership bent on controlling the Strait of Hormuz and using it to extract concessions. Gulf nations have come to doubt decades-old American security guarantees. Israel has continued to rack up tactical victories while accelerating its international isolation and the erosion of support among the American public. There is no end in sight to the war and its impact on the global economy.
Judge again blocks Trump mail ballot executive order in ruling that’s likely to be swiftly appealed
A federal judge is once again blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks to limit mail voting in the midterm elections. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani put a new 14-day hold on the plan following a fresh round of lawsuits just days before mail ballots begin to go out. The case could be headed back to the Supreme Court, which sided with Trump earlier this week. The justices on Monday found Talwani had acted prematurely, but they pointedly did not rule on the legality of Trump’s order. The whipsawing legal battle has major ramifications for the midterms.
Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in the United States
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he's renaming Lake Ontario to be known as “Lake America” in the United States as he escalates his trade war with Canada. The Republican president signed an executive order in the Oval Office on Thursday that updated the lake’s name for the U.S. geographic naming service. Trump cannot force Canada to follow along, however. Trump has been floating the idea of the name change in recent days as the U.S. announced it was imposing 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods over the weekend after talks between the countries broke down.
Judge says Pentagon's measures against Anthropic were 'illegal and baseless'
A federal judge has ruled in favor of artificial intelligence company Anthropic in its legal battle against the Pentagon. The government labeled the company a supply chain risk earlier this year. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued a written order Thursday night stating the Pentagon acted illegally by punishing Anthropic for criticizing the Department of Defense’s views on AI use. The dispute began in February when President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Anthropic of endangering national security. The government is expected to fight the ruling. Anthropic says it welcomes the decision and remains focused on working with the government.
Shackled Tate brothers testify in bid to get out of jail, but judge delays decision
MIAMI (AP) — Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate have taken the stand in federal court, arguing they can't defend themselves from sex charges while jailed in Miami. They face extradition to the United Kingdom on rape and trafficking charges and other sex charges in Romania. The judge did not make a decision after an eight-hour hearing Thursday. The Tates deny the allegations. They say their online personas are exaggerated and their high profile makes fleeing unlikely. Prosecutors say the seriousness of the charges against the Tates and their claims of extravagant wealth and multiple passports make it more likely they will flee.
Congo begins vaccinations to fight the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history
KISANGANI, Congo (AP) — Congo has started vaccinating people against Ebola to combat the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease in history. The campaign launched Thursday in Kisangani, Tshopo province. Health workers and those in contact with patients are prioritized for the Ervebo vaccine. The outbreak has affected six provinces, with 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths reported by Tuesday. Over 50,000 doses of Ervebo have been received. Although Ervebo is approved for Zaire ebolavirus, it may offer some protection against the Bundibugyo type causing the outbreak. Data will be collected to assess its effectiveness. The campaign covers 14 health zones.
