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Former US President Joe Biden on Sunday warned that the United States is going through “dark days” as he urged Americans to remain hopeful and defend democratic values. Speaking publicly for the first time since finishing radiation therapy for aggressive prostate cancer, Biden said the country is witnessing attacks on free speech and the constitutional limits of presidential power under President Donald Trump. He made the remarks while receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston. Biden said the United States has long stood as a “beacon” of an idea stronger than any army or dictator, but stressed that it depends on a presidency with limited authority, a functioning Congress and an independent judiciary. The federal government is currently in its second-longest shutdown, and Trump has used the situation to expand his control over government operations, he said. “I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” Biden told the audience. He added that the US will “find our true compass again” and become stronger and more just if Americans continue to keep faith in democracy. He praised career officials who resigned in protest, universities and comedians facing pressure, and Republican lawmakers who challenged the administration. “For 250 years, America has been a constant struggle between danger and opportunity,” he said, urging people to “get back up.” Biden, 82, left office in January after one term and later dropped his re-election bid due to age, health concerns and a poor debate performance against Trump. His office announced in May that his prostate cancer had spread to his bones, with a high Gleason score indicating aggressive disease.  

Two people, including a 16-year-old, were killed and several others sustained injuries after gunfire erupted at a large outdoor Halloween gathering in southeastern North Carolina early Saturday, according to local authorities. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said a total of 13 people were hit by bullets during the party at a residence located in a rural community outside Maxton, roughly 95 miles (150 km) southwest of Raleigh, near the South Carolina state line. The shootings reportedly followed a dispute between two groups among the crowd of more than 300 attendees. Those present ranged from young teens to people in their 50s, Wilkins told WBTW-TV. The other deceased victim was later identified as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton. Victims of the attack are aged between 17 and 43, officials said. One person suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a medical facility, while several others remain in hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. Some were treated and released from medical care. No arrests have been made so far, though investigators have identified several persons of interest, The Robesonian reported. Authorities believe that multiple shooters and weapons were involved. The sheriff’s office added that the broader community is not under immediate threat. Deputies had initially been dispatched around 1:15 am responding to a noise complaint about loud music at the party. Before they arrived, 911 calls reported the shooting. Texas man kills 5 neighbors after they complained of gunfire “This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in a statement. He expressed particular concern about the presence of teenagers, guns and alcohol at such a large house party. Alcohol enforcement officials are also assisting in the investigation. More than 150 people reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived. Authorities urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward and assist investigators. Wilkins noted that law enforcement had been unaware of the event as it did not exceed the size that requires a formal permit. Source: AP 

In-person early voting began Saturday in two of this year’s most closely watched U.S. elections: the New York City mayoral race and the contest for New Jersey’s next governor. In New York City, voters are choosing among Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat now running as an independent. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who withdrew from the race last month, has endorsed Cuomo. In New Jersey, Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy. New York introduced early voting in 2019, and it has grown in popularity. About 35% of ballots were cast early in June’s mayoral primary. New Jersey adopted early voting in 2021. Early voting in Virginia, where voters are selecting between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, began on Sept. 19. Analysts say the off-year elections in New York and New Jersey could indicate which types of candidates might energize voters in the broader struggle against Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has drawn support with proposals for universal free childcare, free public transit, and rent freezes for one million regulated apartments. Cuomo has criticized these policies as financially unrealistic and has questioned Mamdani’s stance on Israel, while Mamdani has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, and Cuomo have framed Mamdani’s position as antisemitic. In New Jersey, Ciattarelli and Sherrill debated topics including the federal government shutdown, Sherrill’s military service, Trump-era policies, and the rising cost of living. The winner will become the state’s next governor. Early voting continues through Nov. 1 in Virginia and Nov. 2 in New York and New Jersey, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 4.  

European leaders found themselves hovering in Trump’s shadow earlier this month when the US president basked in acclaim at a ceasefire announcement in Egypt, flanked by world leaders who appeared more like supporting characters than decision makers. The scene underscored a growing concern in Europe: Washington’s “America First” foreign policy is increasingly sidelining its traditional allies. While Trump has taken center stage in diplomacy over the Gaza conflict, major European governments have struggled to make their voices heard. And on Ukraine, a matter far closer to home, European capitals are finding it equally difficult to guide Trump’s approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s relentless war. “Is Europe able to influence Trump? I think the short answer … is no,” said Lindsay Newman, a geopolitical analyst at GZERO Media. Policy on Ukraine, Israel and even ties with Europe are, she noted, shaped almost entirely by Trump and his closest advisers. Newman added that the president’s ever-expanding foreign policy footprint challenges assumptions that “America First” meant US disengagement. “He's remaking the world in his image,” she said. Mixed signals over Ukraine Europe’s efforts to support Kyiv have frequently clashed with Trump’s desire to see the conflict end quickly, even if that requires territorial concessions from Ukraine. Attempts to secure stronger US backing have brought inconsistent results. This week, Trump finally imposed sanctions on Russia’s vital oil and gas sector. The move followed persistent appeals from Kyiv and its allies, along with pressure from US lawmakers in both parties. Yet, by Trump’s own explanation, the sanctions stemmed more from irritation with Putin’s refusal to engage directly with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy than from any attempt to accommodate European demands. “Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don’t go anywhere,” Trump told reporters. “I just felt it was time. We waited a long time.” Even so, Trump has openly expressed frustration that he has failed to deliver on his campaign promise to end the war quickly. He has alternated between publicly chastising Zelenskyy and seeking new avenues to negotiate with Moscow. Though willing to consider deeper European involvement in enforcing any peace agreement, Trump has also appeared sympathetic toward Russian claims on the eastern Donbas region. His administration maintains that the conflict poses limited strategic significance for the United States and insists Europe must shoulder more responsibility. Ukraine, European leaders oppose land concessions to Russia in peace talks Despite disagreements, some European governments welcomed the new US sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron described them as “a turning point.” The EU still faces internal disagreements on Ukraine aid. A plan to tap frozen Russian assets for a large loan remains stalled, with Belgium seeking guarantees against potential retaliation and Hungary resisting support for Kyiv. Still, Grégoire Roos of Chatham House argued that Europe’s consensus has held together better than anticipated. “I don’t see absolute unanimity, but I didn’t see unity crumbling significantly,” Roos said. “As far as Europe is concerned, this is already a victory.” Little leverage on Gaza Europe’s ability to shape the Gaza ceasefire has been even more limited. “Europe has had no real impact, let’s face it,” said Roos, while noting that EU support will be essential for Gaza’s long-term reconstruction. The bloc remains the largest donor to Palestinians but divided over how to approach the conflict. Trump has highlighted the roles of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in brokering the ceasefire while downplaying Europe’s involvement. His ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, went as far as calling a British official “delusional” for claiming the UK was crucial to the deal. Washington’s irritation has grown after several European states, including Britain and France, recognized a Palestinian state in recent weeks. Still, analysts say the ceasefire has eased tensions between Europe and Washington by temporarily muting European criticism over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Zelenskyy seeks more European support against Russia during London trip Jonath Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said the development created “a more constructive” atmosphere between allies. Newman, meanwhile, observed that Trump appears intent on building deeper ties in the Middle East. “There have been efforts to pivot away from the Middle East for successive U.S. administrations,” she said. “But it’s almost as though there’s a pivot toward the region.” Europe steadies itself The war in Ukraine and heightened threats toward NATO states have jolted Europe into accelerating defense spending, spurred by Trump’s repeated warnings that the US may not defend members failing to pay their share. Some European fears have not materialized. Trump has kept US troops stationed on the continent, avoided quitting NATO and held back from imposing steep tariffs on European products. Britain, now outside the EU, has drawn closer to its European neighbors as Prime Minister Keir Starmer works to ensure coordination with the White House. Kathleen Burk, professor emeritus at University College London, said that a unified Europe can still have influence on the Oval Office. “If the Europeans hang together,” she said, “Trump may have actually realized that it’s always better to have allies than enemies.” Source: AP 

Alaska Airlines restored its operations on Friday after a major information technology outage forced the carrier to ground its planes for several hours, disrupting hundreds of flights. The airline said 229 flights were canceled due to the issue, while further delays remain likely as it works to reposition both aircraft and crew members. Alaska Airlines said efforts are underway to help stranded passengers reach their destinations, urging travelers to check their flight status before heading to airports. The outage halted operations at both Alaska Air and Horizon Air. Hawaiian Airlines, acquired by Alaska Air Group last year, reported normal flight schedules during the disruption. In July, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded all flights for nearly three hours following a hardware failure at a data center. US airlines have increasingly faced temporary grounding incidents linked to computer system glitches across the industry.  

U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, accusing the country of running a “fraudulent” television advertisement that misused former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s image and misrepresented facts about tariffs. In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the ad, allegedly produced by the government of Ontario, was “fake” and aimed at influencing U.S. court decisions related to tariffs. “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs,” Trump wrote. “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” The move came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government plans to double exports to countries beyond the United States amid rising uncertainty over Trump’s trade policies. The decision is expected to further heighten tensions between the two neighboring nations, which have faced months of escalating tariff disputes. Earlier Thursday, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ontario government had “misrepresented” Reagan’s 1987 address on free and fair trade without permission. The foundation said it is considering legal action and urged the public to view the original video. Carney’s office did not immediately comment, as the prime minister prepared to leave for an Asian summit. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose administration reportedly funded the $75,000 ad, also declined to respond. Ford had promoted the campaign on social media, saying it aimed to oppose U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and promote cooperation. Trump’s tariffs have particularly hurt Canada’s automotive sector, much of which is centered in Ontario. Earlier this month, automaker Stellantis announced plans to move a production line from Ontario to Illinois, citing tariff pressures. More than three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., amounting to nearly C$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) in daily trade. Trump’s decision to end talks could complicate upcoming reviews of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trilateral deal he helped broker during his first term but has since criticized.

Sudan is grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with more than 30 million people requiring urgent assistance, including over 9.6 million internally displaced persons and nearly 15 million children, according to a joint statement by four UN agencies Thursday. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) called for immediate international attention to the escalating crisis. “Over 900 days of brutal fighting, widespread human rights violations, famine, and the collapse of essential services have pushed millions, especially women and children, to the brink of survival,” the statement said. During recent visits to Sudan, senior officials from the agencies witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict across Darfur, Khartoum, and other affected areas. Now in its third year, the fighting has destroyed critical services, including healthcare and education. Parts of the country were declared famine-stricken last year, and malnutrition among children remains alarmingly high. The agencies highlighted that families returning to Sudan, many determined to rebuild their lives, reflect a fragile but hopeful shift. “Yet Sudan remains a country in deep crisis,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM deputy director general for operations. Access to the hardest-hit populations remains extremely limited due to insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles, and logistical challenges, complicating the delivery of life-saving aid. “This is one of the worst protection crises we have seen in decades,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements. Funding shortfalls are worsening the situation. The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan, requiring $4.2 billion, has received only 25 percent of the needed funds. The agencies jointly urged for an immediate end to hostilities, protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, simplified aid delivery procedures, urgent funding to scale up interventions, and continued support for displaced populations and nearly 900,000 refugees inside Sudan.   Source: Xinhua

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s parliament for advancing a symbolic bill supporting West Bank annexation, calling it “an insult” and a move that contradicts the Trump administration’s policy and peace efforts in Gaza. The Knesset narrowly approved the preliminary measure on Wednesday in a 25-24 vote. The proposal, pushed by far-right lawmakers, appeared aimed at embarrassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was visiting the country. Only one member of Netanyahu’s Likud party supported it, and the bill is unlikely to become law. Speaking at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before his departure, Vance condemned the vote, saying, “If this was a political stunt, it’s a very stupid one. I personally take some insult to it. The Trump administration’s policy is clear — the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.” Palestinians regard the West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967, as part of their future state. Full annexation would effectively end hopes for a two-state solution, which remains the goal of most world powers. The United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, has also warned that annexation would cross a “red line.” Meanwhile, Washington continues pushing for stability in Gaza. Earlier this week, Vance announced the creation of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, where about 200 U.S. troops are working with Israeli and allied representatives to plan Gaza’s reconstruction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would soon visit the center and appoint a senior diplomat to coordinate with U.S. military leaders. Rubio also condemned Israeli hard-liners’ annexation push, saying Trump “has made clear that’s not something we’d support right now—it threatens the peace process.” During his trip, Vance visited Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher and sought to reassure Israelis that the U.S. does not seek to control them. “We don’t want a vassal state. We want a partner and ally,” he said alongside Netanyahu, who acknowledged differences but emphasized their shared goals. In Gaza, humanitarian conditions remain dire. The World Health Organization said 41 critically ill patients were evacuated Thursday, while thousands more await treatment. U.N. officials described the region as devastated, with women giving birth in tents and rubble due to destroyed hospitals. Separately, Israel’s Supreme Court held a hearing on whether to allow foreign journalists into Gaza, giving the state 30 days to respond. The Foreign Press Association expressed disappointment, calling the ongoing media ban “unacceptable.”

The United States military has expanded its campaign against drug trafficking, carrying out two new strikes on suspected drug-laden boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday. The latest operations mark the ninth and tenth such strikes launched under President Donald Trump’s administration, which had previously focused on the Caribbean Sea. The twin attacks bring the total death toll to at least 37 since the campaign began last month. “These cartels are waging war on our border and our people—just as Al Qaeda did on our homeland,” Hegseth said on social media, pledging “no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.” Later, he described the alleged traffickers as “the Al Qaeda of our hemisphere.” Trump has defended the military actions, claiming the United States is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and citing the same legal grounds used by President George W. Bush in the post-9/11 war on terror. Asked about potential land strikes, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “We’re totally prepared to do that. We’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the operations, saying, “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.” Trump said the strikes are saving American lives, estimating that “every time you see that happen, you’re saving 25,000 lives.” Videos posted by Hegseth showed small boats packed with brown packages exploding after being hit, with debris and suspected drug bundles floating on the water. The strikes come amid an expanded U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean and off Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S. Officials say the eastern Pacific—where cocaine from Colombia and Peru is often shipped via Ecuador—is now the main smuggling corridor. The U.S. has refrained from prosecuting survivors of the targeted vessels, with two previously detained individuals repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia. Ecuadorian authorities later released one for lack of evidence. The ongoing strikes have triggered bipartisan concern in Congress. Democrats have questioned their legality under U.S. and international law, while some Republicans have sought clearer justification from the White House. “Expanding the geography simply expands the lawlessness and recklessness in the use of American military force,” said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. He argued that the proper approach should be to capture and interrogate smugglers rather than “destroy them at sea.” A Democratic-led effort to limit Trump’s war powers through a Senate resolution was recently defeated along party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said he trusted Rubio’s legal assessment, adding, “He believes we’re on solid ground in attacking these narcoterrorists.” Source: AP

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday described the fragile ceasefire in Gaza as progressing “better than expected,” while acknowledging significant challenges ahead, including disarming Hamas and rebuilding a region devastated by two years of conflict. During his visit to Israel, Vance noted recent flare-ups of violence but said the truce between Israel and Hamas, which began on Oct. 10, is holding better than anticipated. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff added that efforts are exceeding initial expectations. Vance and Witkoff toured a new center in Israel aimed at civilian and military coordination, amid ongoing questions about Gaza’s long-term governance and the potential deployment of an international security force. Vance emphasized that his visit—his first as vice president—was not an emergency measure to preserve the ceasefire. He expressed confidence in lasting peace but warned that Hamas would face “obliteration” if it failed to cooperate. Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and one of the architects of the truce, highlighted the transition from two years of intense conflict to a peacetime posture, describing the process as complex. Vance, who will remain in the region until Thursday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, also commented on the release of hostages. Late Tuesday, Israel returned the remains of two more Gaza hostages, bringing the total recovered since Oct. 10 to 15. Thirteen more remain in Gaza. He urged patience, noting that some hostages remain buried under rubble or their whereabouts are unknown. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel is releasing 15 Palestinian bodies in exchange for each deceased hostage. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israel has transferred 165 bodies so far this month. Vance stressed the importance of security and rebuilding before discussing Gaza’s long-term governance. “Once both Gazans and our Israeli friends have some measure of security, then we’ll focus on governance,” he said, urging flexibility and acknowledging the difficulty of the work ahead. Although around 200 U.S. troops have been sent to Israel, Vance clarified that none would deploy to Gaza. Officials are conceptualizing an international security force for the territory, with Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Germany, Britain, and Denmark expected to participate. Britain has committed a small contingent of officers to monitor the ceasefire. Aid into Gaza is increasing, but prices for essential goods have surged. The World Food Program reported sending over 530 trucks in the past ten days, feeding nearly half a million people for two weeks. Hamas has cracked down on price gouging, closing shops and ensuring safe passage for aid trucks. Despite this, Gaza’s financial system remains in disarray, with banks and ATMs largely inoperable, forcing residents to rely on cash brokers for daily expenses. Meanwhile, Gaza health officials said some bodies returned by Israel bore signs of torture, including rope and metal bindings, deep wounds, and crushed limbs, and called for a U.N. investigation. The Israel Prisons Service denied mistreatment of detainees. Israeli hostages freed from Gaza have also reported harsh treatment, including shackling, beatings, and starvation. The Israel-Hamas war, sparked by the 2023 Hamas attack, has killed over 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and Israel disputes these figures. Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the initial attack, with 251 abducted as hostages.   Source: AP