Trump says US strike on vessel in Caribbean targeted Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, killed 11
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela that was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang. The president said 11 were killed in the rare U.S. military operation in the Americas. He said in a social media posting, “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States." Trump posted a short video clip of a small vessel appearing to explode in flames.
Trump says he's set to order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore, despite local opposition
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition from state and local officials in both cities. Asked Tuesday by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added, “I didn’t say when.” Trump has already sent National Guard troops into Los Angeles and Washington. More recently, he has said he plans similar moves in other cities, particularly those run by Democratic officials. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has reiterated that federal intervention is not required or wanted in Chicago.
Pentagon authorizes up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo reviewed by The Associated Press. The military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys — both military and civilians — to the Justice Department “as soon as practicable” and the military services should have the first round of people identified by next week. That's according to the memo dated Aug. 27. The effort comes as the Trump administration more regularly turns to the military as it cracks down on illegal immigration through ramped-up arrests and deportations.
House committee releases some Justice Department files in Epstein case, but most already public
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee has publicly posted the files it has received from the Justice Department on the sex trafficking investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. The folders contain hundreds of image files of years-old court filings related to Epstein and Maxwell. They also contain video files appearing to be body cam footage from police searches as well as recordings and summaries of law enforcement interviews with victims detailing the abuse they said they suffered. Pressure is mounting on Congress to force more disclosure in the case, but the files released Tuesday they mostly contain information that was already publicly known.
China displays its military strength in a parade on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has emphasized the choice between peace and war during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. On Wednesday, Xi called for eradicating the roots of war to prevent history from repeating itself. The parade is showcasing missiles, fighter jets, and other military might, with some hardware on public view for the first time. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were among about two dozen foreign guests. The event highlighted China's progress and aimed to boost support for the Communist Party, portraying China as a global alternative to the American-dominated postwar era.
Trump announces that Space Command is moving from Colorado to Alabama
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. Space Command will be located in Alabama. It reverses a decision by former President Joe Biden's administration to keep it in Colorado. This decision ends a four-year battle between the two states over the headquarters. The decision follows a review by the Defense Department inspector general, which could not determine why Colorado was initially chosen. Huntsville, Alabama, known as Rocket City, has a strong history in space and defense, making it a fitting location. Trump also said the fact that Colorado uses mail-in voting “played a big factor” in moving the headquarters away from Colorado Springs. The announcement infuriated both Democratic and Republican officials in Colorado, which has a booming aerospace industry.
Judge rules Trump administration broke law in deploying National Guard soldiers to LA this summer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The White House has indicated it plans to appeal a judge's ruling that President Donald Trump’s use of National Guard troops during California immigration enforcement protests is illegal. Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco ruled Tuesday the Trump administration violated federal law by sending troops to accompany federal agents on immigration raids. California sued, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer violated a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws. Lawyers for the Republican administration say the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws. A White House spokeswoman says “a rogue judge is trying to usurp” Trump’s authority. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says the court sided with democracy.
Israel starts calling up reservists as it pushes into initial stages of Gaza City offensive
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists as part of a gradual call-up tied to its expanded offensive in the Gaza Strip's largest city. The military on Tuesday began to call up reservists weeks after it said it would mobilize 60,000 and extend the service of an additional 20,000 already on active duty. It also said ground and air forces were pressing forward and pursuing more targets in northern and central Gaza. Israel struck two western Gaza City neighborhoods that Israeli forces have repeatedly invaded during the nearly two-year war.
Rescuers race to find Afghan quake survivors as death toll passes 1,400
JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban say a major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed over 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000. The United Nations warns of a potential rise in casualties. The earthquake struck Sunday night, flattening villages and trapping people under rubble. Rough terrain is hampering rescue efforts, with commandos air-dropped to evacuate the injured. The Taliban have appealed for international assistance, but aid is limited due to global crises and reduced budgets. Many health facilities have closed due to funding cuts, overwhelming the remaining ones. Authorities have set up camps and centers to coordinate aid and rescue efforts.
Judge orders search shakeup in Google monopoly case, but keeps hands off Chrome and default deals
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a shake-up of Google’s search engine in an attempt to curb the corrosive power of an illegal monopoly while rebuffing the U.S. government’s attempt to break up the company and impose other restraints. The 226-page decision made by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., will likely ripple across the technological landscape at a time when the industry is being reshaped by artificial intelligence breakthroughs — including conversational “answer engines” as companies like ChatGPT and Perplexity try to upend Google’s long-held position as the internet’s main gateway.
