Breaking news news summaries — Page 8
Essential facts and source links for recent breaking news stories.
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Sanders and Casar introduce bill for AI pause, federal oversight
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar introduced a bill Wednesday to pause AI development until the government can ensure it is safe, establish a federal agency to vet models before release, and bar companies from building superintelligent AI beyond human control. -
DNA from Jefferson’s hair adds evidence he fathered a child with Sally Hemings
DNA from Thomas Jefferson’s hair, compared with samples from living descendants of Sally Hemings’ sons, showed a 99.9% chance he fathered a child with the woman he enslaved, researcher Richard Kurin told TODAY. The result adds to earlier evidence. -
Map shows Pacific warmth widening as forecasters see a very strong El Niño
An ElNinoLive map using NASA satellite data shows the equatorial Pacific’s warm-water band broadening from April to September. Federal forecasters said El Niño is highly likely to become very strong this fall and winter, with a 75 percent chance of a historic October–December 事件. -
Madonna to open 2026 VMAs with 13 nods, tying Lady Gaga’s record
Madonna is set to open Sunday’s 2026 MTV VMAs and leads this year’s nominees with 13, tying Lady Gaga’s single-year record. It will be her first VMA performance in 23 years; her 2026 album “Confessions II” was a surprise critical and commercial hit. -
DoorDash driver shooting: ICE agent who fired was hired last year and wasn't wearing bodycam, reports say
Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, was shot once in Austin on Sunday while making deliveries. Reports citing DHS officials say the ICE agent who fired was hired last year and was not wearing his issued body camera. -
Miliband says US aid cuts have ended America’s role as global aid ‘anchor’
IRC chief David Miliband said US aid cuts have ended America’s role as the global aid system’s “anchor,” but improving the lives of the most vulnerable remains solvable. He said the Trump administration’s $60bn USAID cut last year directly cost 700,000 lives. -
Three George Floyd siblings seek records on fundraiser said to raise about $19 million
Zsazsa, LaTonya and Rodney Floyd are seeking financial records for the GoFundMe organized by their brother Philonise after George Floyd’s death. Their attorney’s letter says it collected about $19 million and argues the siblings, as heirs, are entitled to part of the funds. -
Star Meat Delivery recalls about 167,639 pounds of meat over false USDA marks
Star Meat Delivery is recalling about 167,639 pounds of uninspected raw pork, beef and goat products nationwide, all bearing a false USDA mark. The USDA classified it as a Class I recall; no related illnesses or injuries have been reported so far. -
Sully Sullenberger describes early memory changes after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in August 2025. In his first interview since disclosing it in July, he described trouble recalling names, forgetting things and repeating himself. Monthly infusions are intended to slow, not stop, the disease. -
Phil and Penny Knight give $1 billion to launch University of Oregon engineering college
Phil and Penny Knight are giving the University of Oregon $1 billion to create the Knight College of Engineering, the largest gift in the school’s history. The university has not offered a traditional engineering degree; the college will broaden its work beyond bioengineering. -
Federal judge dismisses Michigan antitrust suit accusing oil firms of curbing EVs and renewables
Judge Jane Beckering dismissed Michigan’s antitrust suit accusing BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute of conspiring to hinder electric vehicles and renewable energy. She said the alleged conspiracy was too remote to link to energy overcharges. -
Trump administration invokes national security to reshape Washington
Trump’s administration cites national security for an East Wing ballroom and other Washington projects; he says a planned arch will house drones and snipers. The National Guard deployment is extended through his term; the Pentagon estimates it will cost another $1.4 billion. -
WSJ says Romanian crime groups dominate SNAP card-skimming fraud
The Wall Street Journal reports Romanian organized-crime groups target SNAP recipients with skimmers that copy EBT data. USDA says $322 million in likely fraud losses were replaced from October 2022 to December 2024; stolen benefits are no longer federally reimbursed. -
At the UN, Pezeshkian says Iran will not yield but still believes in diplomacy
On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would never surrender but still believes in diplomacy, after Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran the day before. He described Iran’s military actions as defensive and said Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. -
Report: Trump brushed off ballroom architect’s fire-code concerns
The Post reports James McCrery II left the White House ballroom project in October 2025 after repeatedly warning that Trump’s early design had inadequate exits and fire protection. The White House says code concerns did not prompt his departure. -
Pezeshkian to speak at U.N. amid Trump threat and first U.S.-Iran talks since June
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York Wednesday as officials from the warring countries held their first mediated talks since June, a day after President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “annihilation.” -
Russian attacks on Ukraine prompt Poland and Romania to scramble jets
Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets as Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight, officials said. Both alerts ended after about an hour with no reported airspace violation; Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 161 drones. -
Dolly Parton estate obtains temporary order against nephew Bryan Seaver
Dolly Parton’s estate obtained a temporary restraining order against nephew Bryan Seaver after he was fired as head of security on Sept. 16. A lawsuit alleges he threatened to damage her brand and made violent threats against staff. -
Poll puts Trump approval at 35% as Democrats lead ballot by 14 points
An Economist/YouGov poll released Sept. 22 found President Donald Trump’s approval fell five points in a week, to 35%, erasing five weeks of gains. Among likely voters, Democrats lead Republicans by 14 points on the generic congressional ballot ahead of November’s midterms. -
Midterm trail puts possible 2028 presidential contenders in view
Possible 2028 contenders are using the midterm trail in states with early presidential contests to build profiles and test support. Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, JD Vance and Ted Cruz are in focus, though many have not decided whether to run. -
Trump, Denmark and Greenland sign pact for wider U.S. military role
Trump and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland signed a deal Tuesday allowing expanded U.S. military activity on the island. It reaffirms Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination, but needs parliamentary approval to take effect. -
Eleven killed in Durban house-party shooting as police hunt suspects
Eleven people were killed and three others injured when gunmen attacked a party at a house in KwaMakhutha, Durban, at about 11pm Tuesday, police said. One victim is believed to have been pregnant; police are hunting suspects, and the motive is unconfirmed. -
Iranian official says Tehran offered Hormuz reopening if US eases military pressure and lifts port blockade
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York for Wednesday’s UN speech as a senior Iranian official told Reuters Tehran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US eases military pressure and lifts its port blockade. -
Fact-check challenges Trump’s UN claims on weapons, oil and drug seizures
A fact-check found Donald Trump’s UN claims inaccurate or lacking context: US missile stocks are depleted, US and Venezuelan oil reserves together amount to about 22% of global reserves, and the 97% drug-interception figure cannot be verified. -
Dolly Parton’s estate seeks order to keep nephew away over alleged threats
After Dolly Parton’s death last month, She’s Alive, the entity managing her business, asked a judge to bar nephew Bryan Seaver from contacting employees, lawyers and partners or coming within 1,000 feet, citing alleged threats of violence and damage to her brand. -
UK approves refuelling support for Saudi aircraft as Houthis advance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved airborne refuelling for Saudi air force aircraft, a move the commentary describes as limited and defensive. It says the Houthis have rapidly advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and now effectively control the Bab al-Mandab Strait. -
‘Choosin’ Texas’ gives Ella Langley a 23-week Billboard Hot 100 record
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has spent 23 weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, setting a U.S. record announced Tuesday. It surpassed Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the previous record-holder with 22 weeks at No. 1. -
NATO deputy warns Putin is taking greater risks as Ukraine war continues
NATO deputy commander for Europe Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer said Tuesday that Vladimir Putin is growing more risk-prone as the Ukraine war drags on and seeks to divide Western allies. He urged NATO to respond carefully to avoid provoking an overreaction. -
Pentagon records 19 Iran-war deaths as officials cite higher totals
The Pentagon’s Iran-war database now lists 19 U.S. military deaths, up from 18, after adding an unnamed Army officer who died in a medical emergency while traveling to the Middle East. Other officials told The Washington Post at least 22 service members died in the region. -
Trump backs Sullivan's call for a temporary U.S. diesel-export halt
Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan urged a temporary U.S. diesel-export halt until the Iran conflict ends and energy exports resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he backs it; the administration is assessing whether a restriction is feasible.
