The United States military said it intercepted an Iranian missile barrage and worked with Saudi forces to strike sites in Iraq used by Tehran-backed militias. Washington described the attack as an attempted surprise attack by Iran, which launched ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East, shattering a brief pause in fighting. US Central Command confirmed all Iranian missiles launched on Tuesday were intercepted.
Netanyahu meets Trump as tensions escalate
Iran's attack coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington. Netanyahu said he had an excellent meeting with Donald Trump that lasted nearly an hour and a half and was positive and productive, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump also hosted back-to-back White House meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought more firepower for air defenses and emphasized the importance of reinvigorating diplomacy.
Japan earthquake: death toll rises
At least 13 people were killed and hundreds injured when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday that there are people still waiting to be rescued, calling it a race against time. The Japanese military mobilized 3,600 personnel for disaster relief and sent 20 aircraft to assess damage. Hundreds of first responders from neighboring prefectures arrived Tuesday evening. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that areas with the biggest tremors remain at risk of further strong quakes and landslides for about a week.
Trump pushes 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 in an unprecedented move. Trump has a long record of anti-vaccine statements. As senior leaders downplayed vaccine safety, measles surged to its highest rate in 30 years, and deaths from whooping cough, flu, and tetanus have risen in recent years.
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 ban covers advanced robotic devices including humanoids and animal-like quadrupeds. FCC officials wrote that these robots collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance foreign intelligence capabilities, or remotely commandeer the robots. The FCC also barred connected power inverters used for renewable energy and datacenter equipment.
Other notable news
Several US schools plan to install pepper-spraying drones to respond to school shootings. The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence. US diplomats walked out of a UN meeting after France criticized the US human rights record under Trump. Audio recordings released by the Oversight Project show Joe Biden discussing sensitive information and possessing classified documents. Kenya is investigating the deaths of 15 elephants in Amboseli National Park, ten of which showed partial paralysis before dying within two days.
eBay settles harassment case for $55.7 million
eBay and former executives will pay $55.7 million to settle a case brought by David and Ina Steiner, who were sent cockroaches, fly larvae, and a bloody Halloween pig mask in a stalking and harassment campaign by eBay executives over their critical coverage. Their attorney Christopher Murphy said the resolution sends a clear message that corporations and executives cannot engage in such misconduct without consequences.
Heart attack symptoms differ for women
As Julie Charnet explains, there are differences between how women and men experience heart attacks, knowledge that could prove vital in an emergency. Dr. says there's an under-appreciation of cardiovascular risks in women.
Gaza beekeeper refuses to let war end his work
Ibrahim al-Dabba continues to care for his bee colonies despite losing his home and most of his hives and equipment. He went from 400 hives to 35.
Professor faces prison in antifa case
Erik Davis is accused by the government of conspiracy to obstruct ICE. Experts say it's part of a pattern to criminalize lawful organizing. 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 western US and Canada. Torrential rains flooded parts of Asia. UN Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell said the climate alarm is blaring from every direction.
Armenia's underground asthma clinic
Every morning, Armenians descend 250 meters into an active salt mine to spend six hours in cavernous chambers carved from rock salt, hoping the air helps them breathe more easily. Pjotr Sauer reports from Yerevan.
