Author: Andrew Rogers

A major legal battle is unfolding in Oregon over the federal government’s authority to deploy state national guard troops. On Friday, a federal judge in Portland said she will issue a ruling soon on whether to block the order that could send 200 guard members into the city. The case has drawn nationwide attention because it pits state leaders against president Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers. At the hearing, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut told both sides that she plans to decide late Friday or Saturday. The case was heard in the same downtown Portland courthouse that became a…

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has reached an estimated net worth of $500 billion, placing him among the richest people in the world. His rapid financial growth has sparked speculation about who might become the first trillionaire, with Musk often mentioned as a frontrunner. Musk’s wealth has surged in recent years, fueled by Tesla’s stock gains and the success of SpaceX missions. Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index notes that much of Musk’s fortune is tied to his holdings in Tesla, the electric car company, and SpaceX, his space exploration firm. Tesla has played a key role in Musk’s ascent. In…

Small companies supplying parts for Jaguar Land Rover cars are being asked by banks to put up their homes as personal guarantees to access emergency loans, with no direct government support available a month after a crippling cyber-attack halted production. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Britain’s largest automotive employer, has not produced any vehicles since the end of August. The company said this week that limited manufacturing would restart “in the coming days,” but smaller suppliers warn they are at risk of collapse without immediate cash injections. JLR, which manufactures the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, is reportedly considering advance payments…

Israeli naval forces intercepted a pro-Palestinian flotilla approximately 75 miles off the coast of Gaza as the vessels attempted to breach the maritime blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. The boarding began with the flotilla’s lead ship, Alma, where Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other passengers were taken into custody. Video released by the Israeli foreign ministry showed Thunberg sitting on deck surrounded by soldiers. According to the flotilla’s tracking data, 13 vessels were stopped or intercepted as of early Thursday, but organizers said the remaining boats were continuing toward Gaza, about 46 nautical miles from their destination. In a…

A U.S.-born construction worker in Alabama has filed a federal lawsuit after being detained twice by immigration agents despite being a citizen. The case highlights growing concerns over workplace raids that critics say target Latino workers regardless of their legal status. The lawsuit was filed by 28-year-old Leo Garcia Venegas, a concrete worker who has lived and worked in Baldwin County, Alabama, his entire life. Venegas said he was detained by immigration officers on two separate occasions within a matter of weeks, even though he provided valid identification both times. His lawsuit, filed in partnership with the Institute for Justice,…

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising to use all lawful measures, including military action, to defend Qatar if it comes under attack. The order was posted on the White House website on Wednesday but was dated two days earlier, raising new questions about America’s role in the Gulf and the strength of such commitments. The pledge appears to be aimed at reassuring Qatar after a surprise Israeli strike on its territory. That attack targeted Hamas leaders as they weighed a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war and killed six people, including a member of Qatar’s security…

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that promises American protection for Qatar, a small but energy-rich Gulf nation. The order states that the United States will treat any attack on Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or key infrastructure as a direct threat to U.S. peace and security. The move, posted on the White House website two days after it was signed, marks a notable shift in America’s defense stance in the Middle East. It comes at a time of rising tensions in the region and highlights Qatar’s growing importance as a U.S. partner. The wording of Trump’s order mirrors…

A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia after finding him guilty of war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity. The tribunal also ordered Kabila to pay about $50 billion in damages to the state and victims. The case relates to Kabila’s alleged support for the M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, in the volatile eastern provinces of the country. Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, denied any wrongdoing and called the judiciary politicised. The trial, held in Kinshasa, saw Kabila neither attend nor…

Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer have blamed Donald Trump and Republicans for the federal government shutdown. They say the move puts American healthcare at risk. Jeffries and Schumer said Trump and his party “do not want to protect the healthcare of the American people.” They added that months of policy changes have already made life harder and more expensive for many families. The Democrats say they are ready to reopen the government with a plan that reduces costs and solves the ongoing healthcare issues caused by Republican policies. They stressed, however, that progress requires a credible partner willing…

The United States government shut down on Wednesday after congressional Democrats refused to back a Republican plan to extend funding for federal departments. Democrats insisted on a series of concessions focused on healthcare before approving the measure. The failure to reach an agreement led to a lapse in funding at midnight, marking the first government shutdown in nearly seven years. The last closure, in December 2018, lasted 35 days during President Trump’s first term. Republicans, who control both the House and Senate, rejected the Democrats’ demands, setting off a scramble that failed to prevent the funding lapse. The House had…