The US military said it intercepted all Iranian missiles launched in what Washington called an attempted surprise attack. US Central Command (Centcom) said the missiles were launched at US forces in the Middle East, shattering a brief pause in fighting. The US also worked with Saudi forces to strike sites in Iraq used by Iran-backed militias.
Netanyahu visits Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour and a half and was described as "positive and productive" by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Earlier, Trump also hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought more firepower for air defenses and said diplomacy must be reinvigorated.
Japan earthquake kills at least 13
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people and injuring hundreds. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday: "There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time." The Japanese military mobilized 3,600 personnel and sent 20 aircraft for disaster relief. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that areas with the biggest tremors remain at risk of strong quakes and landslides for about a week.
Trump pushing RFK Jr to cut vaccines
Donald Trump is pushing Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine opponent, to be more aggressive on cutting vaccines in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal. Kennedy recently cut the routine childhood immunization schedule. As senior leaders have downplayed vaccine safety, measles in the US has surged to its highest rate in 30 years, and deaths from whooping cough, flu, and tetanus have risen.
FCC bans humanoid robots from China
The Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on humanoid robots from China, citing "unacceptable risks" to national security. The FCC defined them as "advanced robotic devices" including humanoids and animal-like quadrupeds, stating they could be used to surveil Americans or be commandeered by foreign intelligence. The FCC also barred connected power inverters used for renewable energy and datacenter equipment.
Other news
Several US schools are set to install pepper-spraying drones to respond to school shootings. The Senate voted to confirm Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence. US diplomats walked out of a UN meeting after France criticized US human rights under Trump. Former President Joe Biden appeared to discuss sensitive information in audio recordings released by the Oversight Project. Officials in Kenya are investigating the deaths of 15 elephants in Amboseli National Park.
eBay to pay $55.7m over harassment
eBay and former executives will pay $55.7 million to settle a case brought by David and Ina Steiner, bloggers who were sent cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask in a harassment campaign by eBay executives. Their attorney, Christopher Murphy, said: "We believe this resolution sends a clear message that corporations and their executives cannot engage in this type of misconduct without facing significant consequences."
Heart attack symptoms vary
As Julie Charnet explains, there are differences between how women and men experience heart attacks. Knowledge of these variations could prove vital in an emergency.
Gaza beekeeper refuses to give up
Ibrahim al-Dabba continues to care for his bee colonies despite losing his home and most of his hives and equipment in the war.
Professor faces prison in ‘antifa’ case
Erik Davis is accused by the government of conspiracy to obstruct ICE. Experts say it is part of a pattern to criminalize lawful organizing and ruin activists’ lives, as Sam Levin reports.
Wildfires in France and Spain
Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from tourist sites near Bordeaux as wildfires rage in France and Spain, fueled by winds and extreme heat. European wildfires coincide with blazes in North America. Torrential rains have flooded parts of Asia. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, said: "The climate alarm is blaring, from every direction."
Asthma clinic in Armenian salt mine
Every morning, Armenians descend 250 meters into an active salt mine to spend six hours in cavernous chambers, hoping the air helps them breathe more easily. Pjotr Sauer reports from Yerevan.
