Silicon Valley’s Armed Robots Push the Pentagon Toward a New Era of Autonomous Warfare
Artificial intelligence and robotics are rapidly moving closer to the battlefield as Silicon Valley companies promote armed autonomous systems as the next major transformation in warfare. Supporters argue that robots could protect soldiers, improve targeting accuracy and help the United States compete with China and Russia. Critics, however, warn that allowing machines to select and […]
Federal Judge Approves Historic $1.5 Billion Anthropic Copyright Settlement
A federal judge in San Francisco has granted final approval to Anthropic’s $1.5 billion settlement with authors and publishers who accused the artificial-intelligence company of illegally downloading copyrighted books and using them in the development of its Claude chatbot. The agreement represents the largest known copyright settlement in United States history and marks a significant […]
Washington and Beijing Trade New Accusations While Quietly Preparing for High-Level Diplomacy
Relations between the United States and China are entering another period of heightened tension, with both governments exchanging accusations and adopting tougher measures. Yet behind the public confrontation, Washington and Beijing continue preparing for major diplomatic meetings and appear determined to prevent their rivalry from escalating into a complete rupture. President Donald Trump recently accused […]
New Troop Hormone Screening Policy Raises Questions About Evidence, Fertility and Overtreatment
The Pentagon’s new plan to screen military personnel for testosterone deficiency every year is drawing criticism from medical specialists who say the policy lacks strong scientific support and could expose service members to unnecessary or harmful treatment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered annual testosterone testing for active-duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older. He […]
Most U.S. Voters Now Connect Extreme Weather to the Climate Crisis
A growing majority of American voters believe extreme weather is becoming more frequent and increasingly recognize climate change as a major cause. The findings suggest that public concern about global warming is extending beyond traditional partisan divisions, even as President Donald Trump continues to dismiss climate change as a “hoax” and his administration weakens federal […]
Rising Mortgage Rates and Weak Demand Push Single-Family Construction Lower
Construction of single-family homes in the United States weakened again in June, highlighting the continued struggles facing the housing market as elevated mortgage rates, rising construction costs and soft buyer demand discourage new development. The latest Commerce Department data show that homebuilders remain cautious despite a persistent nationwide housing shortage, with both new construction and […]
Apple Opens Settlement Talks With Justice Department Over Landmark iPhone Antitrust Case
Apple and the U.S. Department of Justice have begun preliminary discussions about potentially settling the federal government’s major antitrust lawsuit against the iPhone maker. The talks remain at an early stage, and there is no guarantee that they will produce an agreement. Apple has reportedly submitted several proposals aimed at resolving the case without a […]
Lebanon’s President Turns to Trump to Secure Israeli Withdrawal and Disarm Hezbollah
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing for a historic White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, hoping to obtain stronger American pressure on Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and support Beirut’s plan to disarm Hezbollah. The visit will be the first by a Lebanese president to the White House in nearly […]
Federal Crackdown Expands Even as Data Shows Few Noncitizens Cast Ballots
President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that noncitizen voting is widespread in the United States and part of a Democratic effort to influence elections. However, an investigation in federal court records found little evidence supporting claims of a coordinated or large-scale conspiracy. Instead, the available cases involve a small number of people, many of whom […]
Deadly Flash Floods Strike Texas Hill Country One Year After Historic Disaster
Catastrophic flash flooding has returned to the Texas Hill Country, killing at least two people, forcing evacuations and prompting hundreds of emergency rescues across communities still recovering from the devastating floods of July 2025. The renewed disaster followed intense rainfall across southwest and central Texas, where rivers, creeks and normally dry crossings rose with extraordinary […]
