Major US health insurers, including UnitedHealth Group and Centene, are withdrawing or reducing Medicare Advantage plans in several states ahead of open enrolment. Approximately five million older Americans could need alternative coverage, potentially facing higher medical expenses and prescription drug costs.
Hurricane Isaias Strikes US Gulf Coast, Leaving More Than 660,000 Without Power
Hurricane Isaias has made landfall along the US Gulf Coast before weakening into a post-tropical storm over southern Alabama. More than 660,000 electricity customers in Florida and Alabama lost power, while heavy rainfall triggered flash flood warnings across inland communities.
Pennsylvania Measles Cases Exceed 1,000 as New York Declares Disaster Emergency
Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 measles cases this year, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency amid mounting public health concerns. Separately, 16 states have filed a lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over changes to vaccination schedules.
Trump Rules Out Military Strikes on Iran Before November Midterm Elections
US President Donald Trump says American forces will not launch preemptive strikes against Iran before November's midterm elections, citing progress in diplomatic discussions. The decision comes as Washington seeks to maintain stability in Middle Eastern energy markets amid continuing regional tensions.
Trump Announces Agreement for Russia to Supply More Than 300,000 Tons of Diesel to US
President Donald Trump says Russia has agreed to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the United States to help stabilise domestic energy markets. The announcement has raised questions among international allies about compliance with sanctions imposed on Moscow.
US Treasury Sanctions Foreign Shipping Network Accused of Transporting Iranian Oil
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on several foreign shipping companies and vessels accused of transporting Iranian petroleum products through illicit maritime networks. The measures target alleged violations of restrictions on Iranian energy exports and seek to disrupt the country's access to international oil markets.
US Supreme Court Hears Climate Damages Case Against ExxonMobil and Suncor
The US Supreme Court has heard arguments in a climate change lawsuit brought by Boulder, Colorado, against energy companies ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy. The city is seeking compensation for climate-related damage, while Justice Samuel Alito recused himself because of financial holdings.
US Justice Department Files Denaturalisation Cases Against 40 Citizens Over Alleged Serious Offences
Federal prosecutors have initiated proceedings to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalised Americans accused of offences including acting as foreign agents and voluntary manslaughter. The cases mark an expansion of the Justice Department's use of denaturalisation proceedings within its immigration enforcement efforts.
Federal Judge Blocks US Justice Department From Collecting State Voter Registration Records
A federal judge has issued an injunction preventing the Justice Department from obtaining state voter registration databases during an investigation into alleged noncitizen voting. The ruling limits a central part of the Trump administration's election enforcement efforts ahead of the November midterms.
US Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Ruling on Discounted Political Advertising Rates
Chief Justice John Roberts has temporarily paused a lower court ruling requiring the Federal Communications Commission to extend discounted television advertising rates to political parties. The emergency order follows a Justice Department request and leaves the dispute unresolved ahead of the midterm elections.
US Justice Department Examines Possible Charges Against Former White House Aide Cassidy Hutchinson
Federal prosecutors are considering legal action against former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson over her congressional testimony about the January 6 Capitol attack. The inquiry is being handled by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division rather than the US Attorney's Office in Washington.
US Vice President Vance Announces Restrictions on Microsoft's Foreign Worker Sponsorships
Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration will prevent Microsoft from sponsoring foreign workers for permanent US residency. The decision forms part of the administration's efforts to prioritise domestic employment and tighten immigration arrangements involving major technology companies.
Federal Reserve Signals Gradual Interest Rate Cuts as US Employment Remains Resilient
Federal Reserve officials have indicated that further interest rate reductions are likely to proceed cautiously as employment figures remain stronger than expected. The measured approach could keep borrowing costs elevated for households and businesses while policymakers assess economic conditions.
US Lawmakers Question FTC and SEC Authority Over Corporate Governance and AI Regulations
Congressional committees have opened oversight hearings into the regulatory powers of the Federal Trade Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission. The reviews focus on corporate governance requirements and artificial intelligence compliance measures introduced earlier this year.
US State Department Issues Worldwide Security Warning for Embassies and Military Facilities
The US State Department has updated its worldwide security advisory, directing American diplomatic missions and overseas military facilities to strengthen protective measures. The warning reflects concerns about changing geopolitical threats and heightened international tensions.
US Federal Aviation Administration Orders Urgent Aircraft Structural Inspections
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring airlines to inspect specified structural fasteners on affected commercial aircraft within 30 days. The ultrasonic inspections follow engineering concerns and are intended to identify potential safety problems.
US Transportation Regulators Tighten Safety Reporting Rules for Self-Driving Vehicle Tests
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has introduced mandatory real-time safety data-sharing requirements for companies testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. The rules follow incidents involving navigation failures and traffic disruptions in major American cities.
US Defence Department Reports Successful Test of Hypersonic Missile Defence System
The Pentagon says the Missile Defense Agency has completed a live-fire intercept test of an advanced hypersonic tracking and defence system near the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The trial forms part of efforts to improve the detection and interception of next-generation missile threats.
US Investigators Review Whistleblower Claims Over Federal Response to Domestic Protests
Federal oversight authorities are examining whistleblower allegations of administrative irregularities during law enforcement deployments at domestic protests. Congressional leaders say the complaints have prompted inspector general reviews across several federal agencies.
US Weather Service Warns of Flash Flooding Across Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia
The National Weather Service has issued severe flash flood warnings across parts of the southeastern United States as heavy rainfall from weakening tropical weather systems moves inland. Authorities are warning of potential damage to property and disruption to major transport routes.
US Technology Companies Expand AI Data Centre Investments Across Midwest
Major cloud infrastructure companies have secured land and electricity supply agreements for new data centre campuses in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The multibillion-dollar investments are intended to meet rising demand for computing capacity as businesses adopt artificial intelligence technologies.
US Retail Spending Slows as Households Cut Back on Clothing and Home Goods
September retail sales data indicates weakening discretionary consumer spending in the United States, particularly among middle-income h