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US conducts 10th strike on suspected drug boat - six killed

The Pentagon announced another lethal strike on a vessel suspected of trafficking drugs in the Caribbean, marking at least the 10th maritime strike this campaign and leaving six people dead as officials escalate pressure on narco networks.

Number

10 - Number of US strikes on suspected drug boats reported this week

Quote

"If you are a narco terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere we will treat you like we treat Al Qaeda" — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

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US conducts 10th strike on suspected drug boat - six killed

The U.S. military has intensified a campaign of strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, with officials reporting multiple lethal strikes this week. The actions, directed at boats tied to organized crime networks, have drawn domestic and international scrutiny over legality and escalation.

Trump declares trade talks with Canada terminated

President Trump abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada after a TV advertisement using Ronald Reagan clips triggered a diplomatic row. The decision halted talks and sparked political backlash in both countries over the move and its motives.

Historic magnolia trees removed as East Wing demolition begins

Work began this week demolishing the White House East Wing to make way for a privately funded ballroom, igniting a partisan firestorm. Critics cite historic loss and donor influence while the administration defends the project and its funding sources.

Letitia James pleads not guilty in federal mortgage fraud case

New York Attorney General Letitia James appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and false statement charges. The arraignment sets a trial date and escalates a politically charged prosecution tied to broader partisan fights.

Federal workers go without pay as shutdown drags on

The government shutdown continued to punish federal workers and disrupt services as the Senate adjourned without passing measures to restore pay. Federal employees face missed paychecks while agencies warn of mounting operational impacts.

US consumer prices rise less than expected before Fed decision

Long delayed Consumer Price Index data show inflation rose but slightly less than feared, a key input for Federal Reserve decisions. Markets reacted and economists parsed which categories drove the change and what it means for interest rate expectations.

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

President Trump issued a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, drawing swift controversy from both political allies and critics. The pardon reverberates across the crypto industry and in Congress where lawmakers signaled potential responses.

US to deploy aircraft carrier to South America amid Venezuela tensions

Washington has increased military deployments near Venezuela as tensions mount, including carrier task groups and bomber flights. Officials cast the moves as pressure on Maduro while critics warn of escalation risks in the region.

Rubio says US diplomats will help monitor Gaza ceasefire

Diplomats and military officials are involved in implementing and monitoring ceasefire arrangements in Gaza as humanitarian access and evacuations remain fraught. U.S. officials say they will play a role in oversight while residents and aid groups warn conditions are dire.

Zelenskyy warns Putin is driving Ukraine toward humanitarian disaster

Ukraine pressed European leaders for more military aid and air defenses as fighting with Russia continues to cause civilian suffering. International discussions in London focused on long term weapons support and humanitarian needs.

Dozens charged in Mafia linked illegal gambling probe including NBA figures

Federal prosecutors executed sweeping arrests in an illegal sports betting probe that has ensnared current and former NBA players and affiliates. The indictments highlight organized crime links and raise questions about the integrity of professional sports.

Louvre prosecutor says small hope remains to recover stolen jewels

Police and investigators in Paris and elsewhere are pursuing leads after the dramatic Louvre jewel heist that saw millions in pieces stolen. Authorities are analyzing DNA and tools left at the scene and hope recovered evidence will lead to the stolen pieces.

Reddit sues Perplexity AI for industrial scale scraping of comments

Major tech and AI legal battles escalated as Reddit sued Perplexity AI for large scale scraping while OpenAI rolled out enterprise features and the EU targeted Big Tech for transparency violations. Regulators and platforms face mounting disputes over data use and compliance.

Kim Jong Un vows Russia North Korea military ties will advance nonstop

Geopolitical tensions are shifting as North Korea pledges deeper military cooperation with Russia while other regional conflicts see growing external involvement. Observers warn the moves could alter operational dynamics on multiple fronts.

JPMorgan reportedly preparing to allow crypto as collateral

Banks and markets weigh crypto integration as legacy institutions consider using crypto assets as collateral while semiconductor and quantum news drive big stock moves. The finance and tech sectors remain intertwined as firms adapt to new digital asset use cases.

Veterans and military retirees to get 2.8 percent COLA boost in 2026

Social Security announced a 2.8 percent cost of living increase for 2026, affecting millions of retirees, veterans and disability recipients. Officials outlined the average monthly gain and what beneficiaries can expect next year.

Federal judge strikes down rule expanding transgender health protections

Courts delivered a string of rulings rolling back Biden era transgender health protections and Title IX expansions on gender identity. Judges struck down rules and regulations, setting up new legal battles over federal civil rights enforcement.

Amazon blames automation bug for massive AWS outage

Major cloud outages and airline IT failures disrupted travel and services, with an AWS automation bug and airline system outages grounding flights. The incidents renewed scrutiny of tech resilience and aviation dependency on centralized cloud systems.

Officers open fire on vehicle after it backs into US Coast Guard base

Protests and confrontations flared at a U.S. Coast Guard base as immigration enforcement actions drew demonstrations. Security personnel fired on a vehicle that approached the base gate, prompting investigations and political debate over federal tactics.

DOJ drops warning on California officials over threats to arrest ICE agents

The Department of Justice warned state and local officials, including prominent Democrats, against threats to arrest federal agents over immigration enforcement. The federal legal push underscores tensions between Washington and sanctuary jurisdictions.

Trump set to meet Xi at APEC as Asia trip gets under way

President Trump departs for an Asia trip that will include high stakes meetings with regional leaders and speculation about summit moments with Kim Jong Un. The journey comes amid trade fights and geopolitical tensions with China and allies.

Jack Smith asks to testify publicly before Congress on investigations

Former special counsel Jack Smith indicated a willingness to testify publicly before Congress about his investigations into President Trump provided conditions are met. Republicans sought hearings while Smith sought rules to protect probe integrity.

Companies passed 37 percent of tariff costs on to consumers this year

Tariffs and trade policy are reshaping corporate behavior as companies pass costs to consumers and legal experts parse statutes the administration could use to impose duties. Business groups warn of wider price impacts if measures persist.

Chinese fentanyl kingpin extradited to US after elaborate escape plot

International cooperation led to arrest and extradition of high level fentanyl traffickers, marking progress in cross border narcotics enforcement. The transfers and prosecutions highlight the global scope of the opioid supply chain and law enforcement coordination.