Page 56 - United States

Highways baking at 70 degrees C hint at scorching summer across China, US

Weeks before the official start of the Northern Hemisphere's summer, signs are emerging that the coming months will be blistering in North America, Europe and Asia

One dead, 11 others injured in North Carolina overnight mass shooting

One person is dead and at least 11 others were injured in a mass shooting during a party at a western North Carolina residence, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. The shooting took place at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday in Hickory, a city in Catawba County. One victim is in critical condition and ten others are in serious condition at the hospital, according to the Sheriff's Office. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Hickory Police Department are investigating. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also assisting. No arrests have been made and the number of shots fired is not yet known. The Sheriff's Department has not released the victims' names or ages, but Major Aaron Turk said at a press conference the street is usually quiet.

Canadian wildfires force evacuation, impact air quality in US border states

More than 25,000 residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US, according to officials. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1,300 in Alberta. About 8,000 people in Saskatchewan had been relocated as leaders there warned the number could climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour, Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned Sunday. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are ..

Trump, Xi likely to speak soon on minerals trade dispute, says Bessent

President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of violating an agreement with the US to mutually roll back tariffs and trade restrictions for critical minerals

Iran growing uranium stockpile to weapons-grade levels: UN nuclear watchdog

Iran has increased its 60% enriched uranium stockpile, nearing weapons-grade levels. The IAEA urges cooperation as US-Iran nuclear talks continue and Trump pushes for a new deal

'Let's move on': Elon Musk shrugs off drug use accusation at White House

The New York Times report alleges Elon Musk frequently used ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelics during his time in Trump's administration, sometimes daily, raising concerns over his behaviour

Biden says 'feeling good' in first remarks after cancer diagnosis

Former US President Joe Biden on Friday delivered his first remarks since announcing he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer, speaking in a steady voice during a sombre Memorial Day gathering and later smiling and saying he's "feeling good". Biden spoke at an annual gathering marking Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Park in his home state of Delaware, not far from his home in Wilmington. The event coincided with the 10th anniversary of his son Beau's death. It also came amid renewed questions about Biden's mental and physical health after the recent publication of a book about his fitness for office. Speaking to reporters after the event, Biden said he was already undergoing treatment for cancer, which entailed taking a pill, he said. The expectation is we're gonna be able to beat this, he said. I'm feeling good. Biden dropped his reelection bid in July 2024 following a disastrous debate against Donald Trump, after which those in his party questioned whether he could continu

Trump thanks Musk for 'incredible service', says 'he'll be back & forth'

Donald Trump extended his good wishes to Elon Musk on his final official day at the White House. However, he added that Musk isn't truly leaving and will be 'back-and-forth'

Google case: Indian-origin US judge questions future of search amid AI rise

Indian-origin Judge Amit Mehta questions Google's search dominance amid AI rise, as DOJ seeks remedies including selling Chrome to boost competition and support AI rivals like OpenAI

Global universities woo students affected by Trump's education clampdown

Global universities are offering support, fee waivers, and transfers to students impacted by Trump's crackdown on US institutions, aiming to attract talent and academic revenue worldwide

On the campaign trail, Elon Musk juggled drugs and family drama

As Musk entered President Trump's orbit, his private life grew increasingly tumultuous and his drug use was more intense than previously known

US made a terrible mistake when it deported this Chinese rocket scientist

The implications of that single deportation are staggering: Dr Qian returned to China and immediately persuaded Mao Zedong to put him to work building a modern weapons program

US Supreme Court eases key environmental law to speed development projects

The Supreme Court on Thursday narrowed the scope of environmental reviews required for major infrastructure projects in a ruling that could accelerate development of railroads, highways and pipelines around the country. The 8-0 decision follows an appeal to the high court from backers of a multibillion-dollar oil railroad expansion project in Utah, which is aimed at quadrupling oil production in the remote area of sandstone and sagebrush. Environmental groups said the decision would have sweeping impacts on how the National Environmental Policy Act is applied. The landmark environmental law requires federal agencies to study the likely environmental impacts of government-funded projects in an often lengthy review process. President Donald Trump's administration has already said it's speeding up that process after the president in January declared a national energy emergency and vowed to boost US oil and gas production. Justice Brett Kavanaugh referred to the decision as a course ..

Japanese washlet bidets gain ground in US despite tariffs, cultural gaps

An industry report last year showed that more than two in five renovating homeowners in the United States are choosing to install toilets with speciality features, including bidet toilet seats

Suspension of student visa interviews will be brief, indicates US State Dept

The US has paused global student visa interviews for social media vetting, but the State Department says the suspension will be brief and urges students to keep checking for appointments

US, allies accuse N Korea, Russia of violating UN sanctions in arms deals

The United States and 10 allies on Thursday said the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea flagrantly violates UN sanctions and has helped Moscow increase its missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. They made the accusations in their first report since joining forces to monitor sanctions against North Korea after Russia vetoed a resolution in March 2024 to continue the monitoring by a UN Security Council panel of experts. It had been issuing reports of Pyongyang's sanctions violations since 2010. The 29-page report produced by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team -- comprising the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom -- said the evidence it gathered demonstrates that North Korea and Russia have engaged in myriad unlawful activities explicitly prohibited by UN sanctions resolutions. It said North Korea has transferred arms and related materiel by sea, air and rail, including artillery,

US ends $590 mn Moderna deal to develop bird flu vaccine using mRNA tech

The US has cancelled its $590 million contract with Moderna for a bird flu vaccine, citing safety and ethical concerns over mRNA technology, sparking debate among experts and public health officials

US jails 2 men for smuggling plot that froze Indian family at Canada border

Two men, including an Indian national, have been jailed in the US for a smuggling operation that led to the deaths of an Indian family of four who froze near the US-Canada border during a blizzard

United, JetBlue in partnership to share routes and slots at JKF, Newark

The agreement fulfills United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby's desire to secure flights at JFK at a time when air traffic control problems are hampering operations in Newark

A disillusioned Musk, distanced from Trump, says he's exiting Washington

The billionaire has made clear he is frustrated with the obstacles he encountered as he tried to upend the federal bureaucracy