Spotlight
Pentagon races to develop affordable counter-drone technology amid growing global threats
The Pentagon and defense industry are racing to develop affordable counter-drone technologies to combat the growing threat of cheap, lethal tactical drones used by adversaries and potential terrorists.
How California’s climate policies are forcing oil workers into career changes
California's transition away from fossil fuels is forcing thousands of oil refinery workers to find new careers, as major facilities including Phillips 66 in Los Angeles and Valero in the Bay Area prepare to shut down, echoing a pattern of displacement that has affected industry workers for decades.
Kennedy breaks silence: Catholic justice defends abortion, gay marriage rulings
Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has defended his decisions on abortion and gay marriage, despite being a devout Catholic, in a new interview this week.
Government shutdown layoffs hit 4,000 federal workers as Trump pressures Democrats on spending bill
The ongoing government shutdown has escalated into a crisis affecting thousands of federal employees, with 4,000 workers receiving termination notices as President Trump increases pressure on Democrats to approve the Republican spending plan.
Smart Wall unveiled: Trump’s 1,422-mile border barrier plan
The Department of Homeland Security on Friday revealed its ambitious Smart Wall plans for the U.S.-Mexico border, with fences stretching 1,422 miles along the boundary, more than double the current length, with sensor technology to protect the remaining area too rugged for a wall.
Green sea turtles make dramatic recovery thanks to conservation efforts; other animals struggling
The International Union for Conservation of Nature's latest Red List reveals that climate change is pushing Arctic seals toward extinction and over half of the world's bird species are declining, though green sea turtles show how conservation efforts can successfully bring species back from the brink.
Kim Jong-un emerges as most successful North Korean leader in dynasty history
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stands as the most successful of the Kim dynasty rulers, having significantly enhanced his nation's global standing while maintaining absolute domestic control.
Hairdresser’s lifetime collection of human hair art finds new home after her death
Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, which housed more than 3,000 pieces of Victorian-era hair art collected over 30 years by the late hairdresser Leila Cohoon, is being dismantled as her granddaughter rehomes the collection to major museums across the country.
China’s biotech surge: U.S. falling behind in critical security race
Biotechnology paired with artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the biggest emerging security threats for the U.S., according to a report published this week by the Hoover Institution.
James Comey pleads not guilty to charges of lying to Congress and obstruction
Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday to face charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
European Commission prepares 2030 defense plan against Russian threats
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia is conducting a "targeted gray zone campaign" against Europe through airspace violations, sabotage and cyberattacks that require an urgent European response.
‘Cancel Netflix’: Musk leads charge against gender-identity programming for kids
The streaming service saw its stock take a hit after tech billionaire Elon Musk called for a boycott, announcing that he had canceled his subscription and urging others to do the same over the platform's gender-identity content in multiple shows for children as young as 2.
Trump announces federal worker layoffs coming within days as government shutdown continues
Republicans are intensifying pressure on Democrats to end the government shutdown as critical deadlines approach.
Ice batteries: How frozen water is revolutionizing building cooling systems across the U.S.
Ice thermal energy storage systems, also known as ice batteries, are increasingly being adopted by hospitals, schools, commercial buildings and data centers across the United States as a sustainable cooling solution that freezes water at night when electricity is cheapest and uses the ice to provide air conditioning during the day, reducing emissions and electricity costs.
No back pay for furloughed workers? Trump memo challenges law he signed
A draft memo from the White House's Office of Management and Budget argues that furloughed federal workers should not be paid for the time they didn't work during the government shutdown, challenging the interpretation of a law President Trump himself signed in 2019.
Chicago mayor signs executive order banning ICE from city property amid sanctuary showdown
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson escalated sanctuary city policies Monday by signing an executive order designating city property as "ICE-free zones," while Illinois and Chicago filed lawsuits to prevent President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to address anti-ICE protests.
Former Senegal president calls for Africa to take center stage in global economy
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is urging world leaders to view Africa not as a charity case, but as a strategic partner with enormous untapped potential.
Trump tariffs hit Canada’s last wooden hockey stick manufacturer
Canada's last major wooden hockey stick factory, Roustan Hockey in Brantford, Ontario, is navigating trade challenges from U.S. tariffs and border disruptions while maintaining production of 400,000 traditional wooden sticks annually in a market increasingly dominated by composite alternatives.
End of the line: Supreme Court shuts door on Maxwell appeal
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted ex-girlfriend of late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, ending her latest legal challenge to overturn her sex-trafficking conviction.
Government shutdown enters fifth day as Democrats and Republicans intensify blame game
The federal government shutdown entered its fifth day Sunday with no clear path to resolution as Democrats and Republicans intensified their blame game.
