Latest News
- Sudan’s aid network faces collapse without immediate funding, warns UN agency
- Canada’s 2026 census participation rate reaches 98.4 per cent, says StatCan
- Justice Department charges nearly 80 defendants in COVID loan fraud cases
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry featured in SNL UK sketch after UK move
- Iran and Israel derail US peace deal amid MOSSAD naval attacks
- Mount Etna erupts, releasing ash two and a half miles into sky and prompting travel disruptions
- France to ban trade in products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
- European Parliament pushes for stricter energy project deadlines
USA News
The Justice Department has announced a crackdown on COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program fraud, resulting in charges against over 160 defendants and approximately $245 million in intended losses. The initiative, dubbed “Heartland fraud surge,” involved 44 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and targeted fabricated businesses and identity theft schemes.
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl pitched their services to Ammon Covino, seeking $300,000 to secure a pardon for him. Covino, a convicted felon, had previously submitted a pardon request, which was rejected by Donald Trump. Their meeting was secretly recorded as part of a CBS News investigation into pardon brokers.
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed highlighted concerns over artificial intelligence during an interview, advocating for public oversight to ensure technological development prioritises the common good. He proposed establishing public trust organisations for AI companies, aiming to incorporate safety measures in response to recent industry tensions.
Major stock markets experienced mixed trading on Friday, with oil prices rising and the dollar weakening. Investors remain focused on U.S. interest rate forecasts and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Kospi index, having rebounded over 20% from a significant drop, reflects this volatility.
The U.S. Army has paused Apache helicopter training flights following the fatal crash of an AH-64 Apache near Fort Hood, Texas, that killed two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmsted. The stand-down will continue pending an investigation into the accident’s cause.
The Justice Department has expanded the U.S. military’s authority to detain migrants for trespassing in areas controlled by the Department of Defense. This legal opinion allows military personnel to apprehend individuals near designated “National Defense Areas” along the U.S.-Mexico border, despite the restrictions of the Posse Comitatus Act.
A sailor fell overboard from the USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this month but was swiftly rescued. The incident is currently under investigation, with family members expressing concerns that the prolonged deployment may be exacerbating mental health issues among crew members.
Senate Democrats have expressed concerns regarding conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, citing reports of food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises. Inquiries were directed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary Hung Cao following record-setting deployment duration exceeding 250 days.
Over 30 countries, including France, Britain, and Canada, condemned Iran’s executions of protesters, citing concerns over silencing dissent in a joint statement. The nations, joined by the EU’s top diplomat, called for an immediate halt to capital punishment and the release of arbitrarily detained individuals.
© 2026 WTX News.