united states news

President Donald Trump has ordered troops to Portland, Oregon with authorization to use "full force" against protesters targeting immigration detention centers, claiming to protect ICE facilities from "Antifa and other domestic terrorists." Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has pushed back, stating there is no security threat in Portland and calling the deployment "an abuse of power." The move comes amid Trump's broader immigration crackdown and recent designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, following protests at Portland's ICE facility since early June that have led to federal charges against 26 people. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the deployment and ICE's tactics, while some Republicans have supported Trump's decision to "protect ICE facilities."

President Trump's increase of H-1B visa fees to $100,000 has created an opportunity for Canada to attract skilled workers affected by the policy change. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated Canada is developing "a clear offering" for tech workers who would have otherwise sought H-1B visas in the US. While business experts and immigration advocates urge Canada to seize this moment, some experts caution that Canada's immigration system faces its own challenges, including recent immigration scale-backs and lower average wages compared to the US. The situation reflects a potential talent shift, as evidenced by Canada's 2023 program for US-based H-1B holders that reached its 10,000 application cap within 24 hours.

The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court to uphold its executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas. Lower courts have blocked the order, which was signed in January, arguing it violates the 14th Amendment that grants citizenship to those born in the United States. The Justice Department contends the constitutional language "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" excludes children of people not legally or permanently in the country, and has asked the Supreme Court to resolve the case in its term beginning October 6. According to research, approximately 250,000 babies were born to unauthorized immigrant parents in 2016, with potential long-term implications if birthright citizenship ends.

The FBI has reportedly terminated between 15 to 20 agents who knelt during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington DC following George Floyd's death. The FBI Agents Association has criticized this mass firing as a violation of the agents' rights, while the FBI itself has declined to comment on the reports. This action appears to align with the Trump administration's efforts to remove what it considers "woke" policies and officials from federal government. The dismissals follow several other recent high-profile firings at the FBI, with some former agents filing lawsuits against FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, claiming they were terminated to appease President Trump.

Two major US local TV station owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, have resumed airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a week-long ban over controversial comments Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk's murder. The companies reinstated the show on Friday following ABC's earlier decision to bring Kimmel back after a brief suspension. This situation highlighted the interdependent relationship between national networks and local station owners, with Sinclair citing feedback from viewers and advertisers in their decision, while Nexstar emphasized its commitment to First Amendment principles. Despite the temporary ban affecting about a quarter of ABC stations, Kimmel's return episode saw his audience more than quadruple.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to declassify all government records related to the 1937 disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who vanished over the Pacific Ocean during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Despite numerous theories ranging from fuel exhaustion to Japanese capture, the mystery remains unsolved, with no physical evidence ever found to conclusively determine her fate. While some FBI files and Navy search reports have been released over the decades, many records have remained classified, fueling speculation about possible government cover-ups. The declassification will include all materials related to Earhart, her final journey, and other aspects of her life and career.

New files released by Congressional Democrats from the Jeffrey Epstein Estate include references to billionaire Elon Musk and Prince Andrew, among other prominent figures. The documents show Musk was invited to Epstein's island in December 2014, while a flight manifest from May 2000 lists Prince Andrew as a passenger on a flight with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The third batch of documents also contains names of Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and references to Bill Gates, along with financial records and daily schedules. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are using these documents in their ongoing effort to bring justice for Epstein's victims, while Republicans have criticized the release as politically motivated.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing an investigation, with President Donald Trump publicly praising this development against his long-standing political opponent. Legal experts have raised concerns that Trump's public attacks on Comey and his apparent pressure on the Justice Department may undermine the prosecution's case and create grounds for dismissal. The unusually brief two-page indictment contains limited information about the evidence, making it difficult to assess the strength of the government's case. The charges stem from a 2020 congressional hearing where Comey allegedly lied about authorizing leaks to the press, with some legal experts suggesting that while conviction is possible, Trump's interference could jeopardize the case.

Assata Shakur, a 78-year-old Black Liberation Army activist who had been living in exile in Cuba for four decades, died Thursday in Havana due to health conditions and "advanced age." Shakur, born JoAnne Deborah Byron and also known as Joanne Chesimard, had escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979 while serving a life sentence for a state trooper's murder during a 1973 shootout, though she maintained her innocence and claimed her trial was unfair. After fleeing to Cuba in 1984, she was granted asylum by Fidel Castro, became the first woman added to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list, and remained a point of contention between the U.S. and Cuba with a $2 million combined reward offered for information leading to her arrest.

The Department of Homeland Security has placed an ICE officer on administrative leave while investigating an incident where he was filmed forcefully shoving a woman to the ground at a New York immigration court. Video footage widely shared on social media shows the officer saying "adios" to a crying woman before physically confronting her, pushing her into a wall, and knocking her to the ground. The incident reportedly occurred after federal agents attempted to take the woman's husband into custody while she and her daughter held onto him. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the officer's behavior as "unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE," emphasizing that ICE law enforcement personnel are held to the highest professional standards.

The California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) is launching two new assistance programs through ReCoverCA to help residents affected by the 2023-2024 floods. The Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation/Reconstruction (SFRR) program will provide funding to repair, rebuild, or reconstruct damaged primary residences for eligible homeowners in federally designated Most Impacted and Distressed Areas. Additionally, the Disaster Recovery Homebuyer Assistance Program (DR-HBA) will offer up to $300,000 in second mortgage loans, forgiven after five years, to help low and moderate-income residents purchase homes in safer areas starting November 10, 2025. Both programs have specific eligibility requirements, including proof of flood damage and location requirements, with the DR-HBA program prioritizing impacted households during the first 60 days of applications.

A 27-year-old gunman who killed four people in a Manhattan office building was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, according to the New York City medical examiner. Shane Tamura, who targeted the NFL headquarters but entered the wrong part of the building, left notes blaming the NFL for concealing CTE's effects and requesting his brain be studied. The medical examiner confirmed Tamura had "low-stage CTE," a condition typically associated with symptoms including depression, memory loss, and progressive dementia. Despite being a former high school football player with known mental health issues, Tamura never played in the NFL but still targeted their offices during his July shooting spree.

Democratic governors in Arizona, Illinois, Maine, and North Carolina have recently signed orders to allow most residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies without individual prescriptions, joining a growing trend among states. According to CVS Health, its stores now offer shots without individual prescriptions in 41 states, though nine states plus D.C. still require prescriptions under the company's interpretation of state policies. At least 14 states have announced policies this month to ease vaccine access, with most being led by Democratic governors, while a West Coast alliance of four states plans to make their own vaccine recommendations. Republican-controlled states generally haven't changed vaccine policies recently, though the vaccinations remain available under existing protocols.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice by the US Department of Justice over testimony he gave to Congress in 2020 regarding media leaks. The indictment alleges Comey misled the Senate by claiming he had not authorized leaks to the media about FBI investigations, potentially contradicting statements made by his former deputy Andrew McCabe. The charges come nearly a decade after Comey's controversial handling of Hillary Clinton's email investigation during the 2016 election and his subsequent firing by President Trump in 2017 while leading the Russia investigation. Critics argue the timing of the charges, filed days after Trump urged his attorney general to target political opponents, raises concerns about the Justice Department's independence.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll reveals that 79% of American voters believe the country is experiencing a political crisis, with widespread agreement across party lines following Charlie Kirk's assassination. The survey indicates 71% of voters now consider politically motivated violence a "very serious" problem, up significantly from 54% in June, with 82% blaming inflammatory political rhetoric. Most respondents (58%) no longer believe political rhetoric can be toned down, and a majority expect political violence to worsen in coming years. Additional concerns highlighted in the poll include declining confidence in freedom of speech protections, skepticism about the democratic system's functionality, low approval ratings for President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and economic worries centered on consumer prices.

In 1989, Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett, two Black men, were wrongly accused of killing Carol Stuart, a pregnant white woman in Boston, when in fact her husband Charles Stuart had orchestrated the murder. After facing wrongful accusations that sparked racial tensions and a police crackdown in a Black neighborhood, Swanson and Bennett have now received a $150,000 settlement from the city of Boston. The settlement comes two years after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a formal apology for the injustice they suffered and the harm caused to the Black community. Bennett will receive $100,000 while Swanson will receive $50,000 from the settlement.

Recent research reveals that approximately 88 percent of our daily behaviors are performed habitually with minimal conscious thought. The study, conducted by researchers from three universities across multiple countries, tracked 105 participants for a week and discovered that 65 percent of actions were "habitually instigated" by environmental cues rather than deliberate decisions. The research distinguished between habitual instigation (automatically starting an action) and habitual execution (carrying out an activity without thinking), finding that demographics generally didn't affect how automatic people's behaviors were, with exercise being a notable exception. Importantly, the study found that most automatic behaviors aligned with personal goals, with only 17 percent of habitual actions contradicting what people consciously wanted to do.

Eleven West African deportees from the U.S. were sent to their home countries by Ghana over the weekend despite ongoing legal challenges and safety concerns. The deportees, who were part of a group of 14 immigrants initially sent to Ghana, had filed a lawsuit seeking release, with eight claiming they faced risks of torture or persecution in their home countries. Their lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, stated that the deportations occurred hurriedly to circumvent their court case, and some deportees have gone into hiding for safety reasons after arriving in their countries of origin. The deportations are part of the Trump administration's controversial program that has been criticized by human rights experts who question whether proper screening protocols for asylum-seekers are being followed.

The Black Press of America held its Annual National Leadership Awards and Reception at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., honoring several prominent figures including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke. During the event, attorney Ben Crump emphasized the critical importance of the Black Press as a trusted voice for African Americans in the face of what he described as attacks on Black history, culture, and media. Crump pledged $50,000 to support the Black Press, structured as $10,000 annually for five years, while encouraging others to contribute as the organization approaches its bicentennial. The article highlights the historical significance of the Black Press in telling stories ignored elsewhere and its current struggle for survival despite its crucial role in providing trustworthy information to Black communities.

Hurricane Humberto has formed in the Atlantic as this season's third hurricane and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane in the coming days, though its path likely won't threaten land directly. Meanwhile, a separate low-pressure system bringing storms to Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands is projected to develop into Tropical Storm Imelda over the weekend as it moves into the Bahamas. By early next week, Humberto could get close enough to influence this developing storm through the Fujiwhara effect, where nearby cyclones can interact in various ways, creating uncertainty about the developing storm's ultimate path and intensity. Computer models suggest three possible scenarios: the developing storm could remain stationary near the Bahamas before moving out to sea, could make landfall near Georgia and South Carolina, or could be blocked by high pressure and stay entirely offshore. # Who is affected - Residents of Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands experiencing thunderstorms and potential flooding - People in the Bahamas who may face a developing storm (potentially Tropical Storm Imelda) - Potentially residents of Georgia and South Carolina if the developing storm makes landfall there - Western Bahamas residents who could be affected if the storm becomes slow-moving in that area # What action is being taken - Weather authorities are monitoring the development of the low-pressure system expected to become a tropical depression and potentially Tropical Storm Imelda - Meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Humberto's movement and analyzing its potential interaction with the developing storm - Experts are continuing to evaluate computer forecast models to determine which areas face the greatest risk - Ongoing assessment of the three potential scenarios for the developing storm's path # Why it matters - The developing storm could bring flooding rain and damaging winds to the US southeast coast - The Fujiwhara effect between Humberto and the developing storm adds significant uncertainty to forecasting - The developing system is moving across seas with temperatures 1-2°C above average, providing energy for potential hurricane development - Multiple Caribbean nations are already experiencing storms that may cause flooding in some areas - The western Bahamas could be affected for several days if the developing storm becomes slow-moving # What's next - No explicit next steps stated in the article

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice related to his 2020 Senate committee testimony. The charges specifically concern whether Comey authorized leaking classified information to the media about an FBI investigation believed to involve Hillary Clinton. The indictment comes shortly after President Trump publicly called for investigations into his political adversaries, raising concerns about the independence of the Department of Justice. Comey has declared his innocence, stating he has "great confidence in the federal judicial system" while suggesting the charges are politically motivated.

Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, less than a week after President Donald Trump specifically called for his prosecution on Truth Social. The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, claims the indictment demonstrates their commitment to accountability, though critics argue it represents a dangerous collapse of the traditional firewall between the White House and DOJ. Trump's successful targeting of Comey, facilitated by the appointment of former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as a federal prosecutor, has raised significant concerns about the weaponization of the Justice Department against political rivals. The case relates to allegations that Comey lied to Congress in 2020 about authorizing leaks of classified information to the media.

Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975 by firing a .38-caliber revolver at him outside a San Francisco hotel, has died at age 95. Moore's attack came just 17 days after another assassination attempt on Ford by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, an associate of cult leader Charles Manson. After pleading guilty, Moore was sentenced to life imprisonment but was released on parole after serving 32 years. Her death coincides with renewed attention to presidential security following two recent attempts on former President Donald Trump's life, including the recently convicted Ryan Routh.

President Trump has approved a deal that will allow TikTok to continue operating in the US by transferring control of its US operations to American investors in a new $14 billion venture. The arrangement requires US investors to control TikTok's algorithm, with Americans holding six of seven board seats and China owning less than 20% of the joint venture. This deal aims to address national security concerns that prompted Congress to pass a law in April 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a US ban. Although Trump claims Chinese President Xi Jinping has approved the deal, ByteDance and Chinese authorities have not yet officially confirmed their agreement.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's African American Studies Department has established its first research lab, which is actively collecting data for a new study. The research team, known as UWAHL (University of Wisconsin African American Humanities Lab), is focusing on locations in Madison where Black communities flourish, rather than solely examining areas of struggle. Researchers are visiting various city neighborhoods to gather Black residents' experiences and perspectives through interviews and observational methods. This approach aims to amplify Black voices and create a more comprehensive understanding of Black life in Madison beyond the typical deficit-focused narratives.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), in collaboration with MDOT and the City of Detroit, will launch the I-75 Cap Feasibility Study with a virtual public meeting on October 2, 2025. The study will advance engineering and design work for a project that aims to reconnect neighborhoods to Downtown Detroit by creating a series of three park caps over I-75. Funded by a $2 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, the feasibility study follows community visioning sessions that gathered input from hundreds of residents. Engineering firm AECOM will lead the 12-month feasibility phase, which will develop schematic plans, evaluate traffic impacts, and prepare engineering documentation while continuing community engagement.

Amazon has agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations that it misled millions of customers into signing up for Prime memberships and made cancellation difficult. Of this amount, $1.5 billion will go toward customer refunds, marking the largest civil penalty ever secured by the FTC. The settlement addresses deceptive practices such as misleading pop-ups during checkout, unclear disclosure of terms, and automatic enrollment after free trials. As part of the agreement, Amazon must stop using misleading buttons and create an easier cancellation process, though the company has not admitted wrongdoing.

Zaila Avant-garde, an 18-year-old prodigy, has built an impressive list of accomplishments including becoming the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, authoring five books, and holding three Guinness World Records for basketball skills. After an initial spelling bee defeat in 2019 that motivated her to work harder, she prepared intensively by studying 13,000 words for seven hours daily with tutors. Currently, Avant-garde is beginning her studies at the University of Maryland on a full scholarship, majoring in cell biology and genetics with aspirations to become a biomedical researcher for NASA's human research program, specifically focusing on enabling long-term human colonization of Mars.

A shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday left one detainee dead and two others critically injured before the gunman, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, died by suicide. According to officials, handwritten notes found at Jahn's home indicated he specifically targeted ICE personnel rather than detainees, viewing ICE's work as "human trafficking" and intending to "maximize lethality against ICE personnel." The notes revealed extensive pre-attack planning, with Jahn positioning himself on a rooftop using a ladder from his car to fire at transport vehicles carrying ICE personnel and detainees. Law enforcement officials characterized the attack as terrorism, noting that while Jahn expressed hatred toward the federal government, there was no evidence he belonged to any specific group.

President Donald Trump has called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stop purchasing oil from Russia as part of broader efforts to cut off Moscow's energy funding during the ongoing Ukraine war. During their White House meeting, Trump emphasized that halting Russian oil imports would be "the best thing" Erdogan could do, while also expressing optimism about lifting US sanctions on Turkey and potentially allowing F-35 fighter jet sales. Turkey remains one of Russia's largest oil and gas customers, with data showing Russian gas flowing through Turkey to Europe increased by over 26% earlier this year. The meeting concluded without firm commitments on sanctions relief or F-35 sales, though Trump suggested positive outcomes could emerge soon.