China sets lowest GDP growth target for decades as it braces for economic slowdown
China's 15th Five-year Plan will be unveiled next week. The plan is aimed at boosting economic growth and creating jobs. It is the first time China has released a five-year plan in more than a decade. The document is expected to be unveiled on November 14. It will be presented to the Chinese parliament on November 17.
Millions of Cubans plunged into darkness as fuel crisis deepens
Millions of people across Havana and western Cuba were plunged into darkness on Wednesday following a widespread power outage. It is the latest crisis for an island grappling with severe energy shortages and a crumbling electric grid. The blackout has left millions of people without power in Havana and the rest of western Cuba.
US trade court orders tariff refunds in setback for Trump administration
The US Supreme Court struck down the president's new tariffs on Friday. But the White House says it will impose a new 10% tariff as soon as "sometime this week" The move is meant to help solve a problem that some economists say is non-existent: a balance-of-payments crisis.
How $800 Monthly Car Payments Are Hurting Car Sales
The average price of a new vehicle reached a record high of $50,326 in December 2025. 20.8 percent of new vehicles financed had a loan term of 84 months or more. The average payment for new-vehicle buyers through December 2025 was set at $722, a 2.4 percent increase from 2024.
Portugal fined £8.7m by EU court for failing to protect biodiversity
CNN.com will feature iReporter photos in a weekly Travel Snapshots gallery. Please submit your best shots of the U.S. for next week. Visit CNN.com/Travel next Wednesday for a new gallery of snapshots. Please share your best photos of the United States with
Ryan Weathers' father, David, is a former Yankees and Blue Jays pitcher. Ryan Weathers says he was about six years old when he first learned what his father did. He says his dad first allowed him to try on his World Series rings. "That was the first time I realized how cool a World Series ring was," Weathers said.
Britney Spears arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence
Grammy Award winner Britney Spears was arrested just before 9:30 p.m. on March 4 after being pulled over by the California Highway Patrol in Moopark. Spears was released Thursday morning, with official records confirming an initial court hearing for May 4. Spears has reportedly been detained on suspicion of driving under the influence in California.
Savannah Guthrie ‘plans to return’ to Today show as mother remains missing
Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today,” was back at Rockefeller Center on Thursday as the network announced she will eventually return to the program. Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her bed in the middle of the night more than a month ago. Guthrie: “She may already be gone.”
Social climber: Punch the monkey starts to outgrow his Ikea plushie
Punch, a baby macaque that stole the hearts of animal lovers around the world, is outgrowing his Ikea djungelskog plushie that comforted him after he was initially rejected by his mother and other monkeys at a zoo in Japan. When other monkeys shooed the baby away, Punch rushed back to the toy orangutan.
Purim in Jerusalem, known as Shushan Purim, takes place a day later than in the rest of the world due to its status as a walled city. Thousands of Israelis gathered, despite a prohibition on public gatherings, to read the Megillah and fulfill the mitzvah of hosting a reading after sunrise.
Fueled by anxiety, exhausted Iranians cross the border into Turkey.
Casualties: Three civilians have been killed in the UAE, foreign workers from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the country reported. Six American soldiers were killed at an operations center located at a civilian port in Kuwait, more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the main Army base, according to satellite images and a U.S. official. At least eight people have died in Kuwait.
Texas lawmaker admits 'lapse in judgement' in affair with aide
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales acknowledged for the first time Wednesday having an affair with an aide who later died after setting herself on fire. Gonzales said he had not spoken with the former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, for a year before she died. The revelation came on the same day the House Ethiics Committee opened an investigation into Gonzales.
Why Ecuador Invited the U.S. Military to Help With Its Drug Gangs
Ecuador has become a key hub for regional drug trafficking. Its location between Colombia and Peru has turned it into a strategic platform for storing and shipping drugs to the U.S. and Europe. The country is facing a sustained wave of violence linked to crimes including drug trafficking and illegal mining.
After Gen-Z Revolution, Nepal Votes for a Fresh Slate of Leaders
Millions of Nepalis have voted in the country's first general election since violent youth-led protests toppled the government last September. The election represents a crossroads for Nepal, pitting the establishment against a new generation of politicians advocating for angry, young Gen Z voters hungry for change. Counting the votes cast for the Nepalese parliament's 275 seats is expected to take several days, and results are not expected before next week.
James Luckey-Lange Recounts Being Detained, Starved and Beaten in Venezuela
James Luckey-Lange, 28, says he crossed the border from Brazil in December. He says he was held in restraints and believed he was going to be killed. His account aligns with testimonies from other former American detainees, The New York Times reports. The U.S. military attacked Caracas on January 3, captured Venezuela's leader.
Checkpoints everywhere and queues for bread: Fear in Iran as US-Israeli strikes intensify
Ukraine's Zelensky: "Partners are reaching out to Ukraine for assistance in defending against Shaheds" "The number of explosions, the destruction, what is happening - it's unbelievable," says Salar, whose name has been changed. "Those abroad, especially monarchists," he says, "really don't know what we are experiencing"
What to know about the 'two sessions', China's biggest political meeting
Buffett said he still favors Berkshire’s $13.8 billion worth of American Express stock. The company has $10.5 billion in investments, including $9 billion in American Express. If the company were to sell American Express, about 35 percent of the proceeds would go for federal income taxes, he said.
Pro-American Kurdish Forces Are Preparing Possible Iran Incursion
President Trump will attend the dignified transfer of the six U.S. servicemembers killed in the Iran conflict. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt if it was the position of the Trump administration that the press should avoid prominent coverage of the death of U.N. troops. The CNN anchor then read back Hegseth's quote and things further devolved.
Deliberations Start in Sex-Trafficking Trial of Alexander Brothers
Agnifilo, representing Oren Alexander, urged jurors to set aside personal reactions to troubling testimony and instead determine whether prosecutors proved each element of the charged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. Agnifilo did not attack the witnesses directly or sharply, he asked the jury questions like, “Is she lying?I guess all these things are possible”
Israel and U.S. Trumpet Their Collaboration in War Against Iran
UAE says 7 missiles, 131 drones have targeted the country today alone. Iran has launched 941 drones, 189 ballistic missiles and 8 cruise missiles at the UAE since the war began on Saturday. Iran vowed to step up its attacks across the region in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war.
Iranian Drones Fall in Azerbaijan as Conflict Spreads Beyond Mideast
The war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 70 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, officials say. Seventy-seven people have been killed and more than 83,000 people displaced in Lebanon by the renewed conflict. There are no immediate signs of large numbers of people trying to leave the country.
US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan
The team at Unified IP Services is using Pearl to identify and chart prior art against a patent monopoly owned by Wolverine Barcode IP LLC. The patents are currently asserted against Nokia. Unified Patents, the top requester of ex parte reexaminations in recent years, will likely challenge its validity.
High Turnout, Unusual Coalitions: Lessons From the Texas Primary
Texas Democratic Party official says Supreme Court action was expected. "In a lot of ways, nobody was surprised by the writ from the Supreme Court last night," he says. County election officials are still waiting for direction on whether the ballots should be included in vote totals, he adds. "There is a case to be made, and we can document it, there were people who were disenfranchised," Burke says.
Man Accused of Plotting to Kill Trump Blames Iran for Scheme
The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Federal Republic of Somalia emphasizes the importance of linking adaptation to employment and productivity. “Our focus is to ensure that climate action directly benefits our communities while building a stronger, more resilient Somalia,” said Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Travelers Stranded by U.S.-Israel Conflict With Iran Face Endless Flight Cancellations
U.S. Central Command said a fourth service member was seriously wounded. India's Ministry of External Affairs said it had expressed concern at the outset of the conflict on February 28, 2026. Israel Iran News Live: "The situation in the Middle East region continues to be closely monitored to facilitate relief"
Israel Closes Al Aqsa Mosque at Ramadan, Citing Wartime Safety Concerns
Palestinian religious and national bodies in Occupied Jerusalem have called on Palestinians to increase their presence in the city and at the Aqsa Mosque. The Hamas Movement condemned the continued closure of the Mosque as a “blatant violation of freedom of worship” The Movement said the measures form part of a broader effort by Israeli authorities to impose full control.
As Iran Widens Retaliatory Strikes, Europe Accelerates Response for Gulf Allies
UAE says 7 missiles, 131 drones have targeted the country today alone. Iran has launched 941 drones, 189 ballistic missiles and 8 cruise missiles at the UAE since the war began on Saturday. Iran vowed to step up its attacks across the region in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war.
As Attacks Spread, War With Iran Reaches Far Beyond Mideast
Kurdish forces in Iraq have launched a ground military offensive into Iran against the Islamic regime, according to an “Iranian Kurdish official.” An official of the PJAK Iranian Kurdish opposition party has denied the reports as well, saying an incursion hasn’t started yet.
Senate Thwarts Bid to Curb Trump’s War Powers on Iran
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday that the U.S. had torpedoed an Iranian ship in international waters in the Indian Ocean. The Iranian foreign minister condemned yesterday’s attack on an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, calling it an ‘atrocity at sea’
Hegseth will headline a campaign rally next week in the home district of a soldier killed in the Iran war.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is slated to be a special guest at a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) Several Democrats in Congress said they thought it was inappropriate for Heg seth to join the fundraiser. Republicans, though, brushed it off. Nunn touts Heg Seth as his “wingman’ for the “Top Gun”-themed event.
Hegseth Says U.S. Strike Killed an Iranian Who Plotted to Assassinate Trump
India recently signed new energy supply contracts with the UAE and the United States. Australia and Canada have offered to sell gas to India, while New Delhi is also exploring other alternative sources. Officials said India is also in talks with major oil producers and traders to secure supplies of crude oil and LPG.
Iran Made Secret Outreach After Strikes, Highlighting Trump’s Challenge
“The reason why there’s so much consternation on our side is because President Trump has not given us a clear reason why he is in Iran,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “If he wants to declare war on Iran, that is the job and responsibility of Congress under the Constitution.”
On Iran, Vance Balances Between Trump and the Anti-Intervention Right
J. D. Vance promised that America would not enter into a war with Iran of the kind that is currently raging. But when policy views clash in the White House, it is hard to see where Vance is triumphing. Iran is just the latest example of a noticeable trend: Within the Trump administration, Vance’s opinions seem to matter less and less.
How the Decision to Start a War Became the President’s
Some members of Congress want to constrain President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran. Congress in 1973 passed the War Powers Resolution, a law requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action. But it gives Congress the power to “declare war.” “When Congress is either unwilling or unable to exercise those powers,” Mansoor says.
James Talarico Wins the Texas Democratic Senate Race. The Real Challenge Lies Ahead.
Talarico made national headlines in February when he was scheduled to appear on CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" The interview didn't air on the CBS broadcast network due to new FCC guidance. Following the Colbert controversy, Talarico raised $2.5 million in the 24 hours afterward.
What to Know About the Texas Runoffs in May: Key Races and Candidates
The Texas primary runoff election is on Tuesday, May 26. The winner will go up against Republican R. Wayne Pritchard in the November General Election. The last day to register to vote for the runoff primary election is April 27.Whoever wins the runoff will face Democrat Leticia Gutierrez, a community outreach director.
Ethiopia experiments with 'smart' police stations that have no officers
Ethiopia has opened Africa’s first Smart Police Station in Addis Ababa. The facility is designed to operate without officers physically present on site. It is the latest chapter in Ethiopia's bid to catch up with the digital revolution. The national strategy launched last year is the blueprint for digitising public services.
Here’s where ships and energy facilities have been damaged.
Iran's "menacing activities directly endanger the United States," Mr. Trump says. He says the U.S. chose to strike Iran "preemptively" to take out many of its missiles. The president says his objective is "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime"
U.S. Submarine Launches Its First Torpedo in Combat Since World War II
A U.S. Navy submarine sank an Iranian frigate with a single torpedo this week. It was the first such kill by a US submarine since World War II, the Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday. The last US boat to notch a confirmed torpedo kill was the Tench-class submarine USS Torsk in 1945.
Carney Says Canada and Australia Can ‘Set the Agenda’ as World Faces ‘Crises’
This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Australia to meet with his counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Carney and Albanese discussed the war during their meeting in Australia’s capital, Canberra. Canadian and Australian prime ministers have called for a de-escalation of the Iran war.
US sub sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean, Hegseth says
The strike on the IRIS Dena marked the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine used a torpedo to sink an enemy ship. The UK and Pakistan have both sunk vessels using torpedoes since then. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was "the first sinking of an enemy vessel by a torpedo since WWII"
Spain insists it is not cooperating with the U.S. on Iran war despite a White House claim.
Pedro Sánchez has emerged as Europe’s most consistently vocal critic of U.S. President Donald Trump. He drew his ire for refusing to allow the American military to stage operations for its attacks on Iran from Spanish military bases. Even before the Iran war, SánChez has stood out as an ideological rival to Trump on a number of issues.
The conflict is choking off the world’s oil and gas.
Every day, around 80 oil and gas tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries a fifth of the world’s oil and a significant amount of natural gas. If the waterway doesn’t get unblocked, they will run out of storage for crude and refined products.
Hezbollah later said it attacked Israeli soldiers inside Lebanese territory. More than 300,000 Lebanese have been displaced during the ongoing offensive. Israel says Hezbollah has been trying to rebuild its positions in southern Lebanon. Nearly 400 people have been killed while the ceasefire was in place, Israel says. The Israeli army has acknowledged that two soldiers were injured.
Iran’s Friends Include China and Russia. But Where are They Now?
Biden's silent retention of Trump’s moves provided affirmation for them. In that sense, at least, it could be said that the American ruling order had found a function for Trump. Recognizing that on key issues, not least China, a clear direction for Trump's second term has yet to emerge, this piece attempts a more preliminary exercise.
Broadcom stock rallies as CEO Tan makes strong case for why AI growth will last
AI revenue in the first quarter more than doubled from a year earlier to $8.4 billion. Analysts had projected revenue of $19.3 billion. Tan also discussed progress with another chip customer, Meta Platforms Inc. “The MTIA roadmap is alive and well,” Tan said.
Suspect Is in Custody After 3 Women Are Found Dead in Utah
Authorities were alerted to the killings by the husbands of the hikers. The husbands told authorities one vehicle was missing from the trailhead. Authorities said that the vehicle had been stolen by the suspect. Officials said the suspect killed the elderly woman in her home and then took the vehicle to the trail.
Starmer says UK sending more fighter jets to Middle East and first repatriation flight has left Oman – as it happened
MPs are planning to redact the names of 2,000 parliamentary staff from an official register that has been in place for decades. After staff raised safety concerns, the committee recommended redacting the names and replacing them with their job titles. Experts say the move will reduce transparency around lobbying by passholders.
As Israel Pounds Lebanon, Thousands of Syrians There Flee Back Home
Hezbollah later said it attacked Israeli soldiers inside Lebanese territory. More than 300,000 Lebanese have been displaced during the ongoing offensive. Israel’s deadline for Iranian officials to leave Lebanon expires amid a wider regional war. Israel says any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting.
Transparency fears over plan to redact 2,000 staff names on Commons register
MPs are planning to redact the names of 2,000 parliamentary staff from an official register that has been in place for decades. Experts say the move will reduce transparency around lobbying by passholders. After staff raised safety concerns, the committee recommended redacting all MPs’ staff and replacing them with their job titles.
Victoria’s Secret posts longest sales growth streak in four years as shoppers return to Pink brand
Shares of Victoria's Secret (VSCO 15.20%) were moving lower today as a better-than-expected earnings report wasn't enough to keep up the earlier momentum in the stock. The stock may have been overbought heading into the earnings report as it had more than doubled over the last year. Still, the results bode well for the company's long-term growth.
Berkshire Hathaway begins repurchasing shares, CEO Greg Abel buys $15 million in stock
Abel also disclosed he bought 21 Class A shares of Berkshire on Wednesday for about US$15-million, representing the after-tax value of his salary. Before this transaction, his Berkshire stake stood at around $164 million. Abel has pledged to continue devoting his full after-t
Iran war and stocks: Why Global X says 'it might be time to double down' on emerging markets
Global energy markets were closed on Saturday when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. Patrick de Haan, an analyst with the app GasBuddy, estimates that in the next few days the spike in crude oil prices will push gasoline prices up by 10-30 cents on average. European natural gas markets have surged more than 20%, but spot prices in the United States remain within their recent range.
Who Is Eyal Zamir, the Architect of Israel’s War Plans?
The Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which in the past has boasted of the ability to destroy Tel Aviv, fired a “handful” of rockets into Israel. As the war in Gaza dragged on, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria launched dozens of attacks against US military bases. The response from the Axis of Resistance has been fairly feeble.
Global Leaders Brace for the Fallout From a Fast Metastasizing War
Casualties: Three civilians have been killed in the UAE, foreign workers from Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the country reported. Six American soldiers were killed at an operations center located at a civilian port in Kuwait, more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the main Army base, according to satellite images and a U.S. official. At least eight people have died in Kuwait.
Israel expanded its evacuation warnings for Lebanese residents to Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Hezbollah launched missiles and drones into Israel on Monday for the first time in over a year. Israel has retaliated with bombardment of southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Israel launched strikes against targets in Baalbek, east Lebanon, in February, saying it killed “several” members of Hezbollah”s missile unit in three different locations.
The plane hit two homes before stopping in the backyard of one. The plane's two occupants were taken to the hospital and were in stable condition the morning of March 4. The student pilot was released by the afternoon, but the instructor continued to be monitored because he had some fractured bones. A small airplane carrying an instructor and a student pilot crashed into two north Phoenix homes.
More than 400,000 people live in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The order comes a day after Israel issued a similar directive for all of southern Lebanon. U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have seen and heard clashes in the a. “People have been displaced and are now staying on the streets, and this is wrong.”
Videos Show Homes and Businesses Across Mideast Caught Up by War
"No, not yet ... We’ll do that as soon as we can," he said. "Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them" "I get that this is a crisis situation, I understand that, but to be honest, we feel really let down"
NATO’s chief downplays the risks that the alliance will be drawn into the conflict.
Iran had refrained from retaliation beyond Israel in the 12-day war in 2025. Once Iran went beyond the Middle East to threaten Cyprus and Turkey, then the bloc had to take action. If the Iranian regime does not surrender, there does not appear to be anyone or anything capable of checking the US and Israeli attacks.
Israel Says It Downed an Iranian Yak-130 Fighter Jet Over Tehran
Video shows IDF F-35I ‘Adir’ shooting down Iranian fighter jet over Tehran. First time advanced aircraft has downed a manned fighter in combat. Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 jet was downed in air-to-air combat over Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced.
Trump Says He Wants to Destroy Iran’s Navy. Here’s What to Know.
Qatar’s defense ministry said 14 ballistic missiles and four drones were fired at the county. It said air defenses intercepted all the drones and 13 of the missiles, while the 14th fell in the sea off Qatar. Qatar has condemned the attempted Iranian missile attack against Turkey and the drone attack on an airport in Azerbaijan.
Iran Calls Torpedoing of Ship by U.S. an ‘Atrocity’
U.S. and Israel launched the war Saturday, targeting Iran’s leadership and killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran, still being hammered by American and Israeli strikes, launched expanding drone attacks in retaliation that saw blasts across the region. Just this morning, Iran targeted its neighbors with another wave of missiles and drones.
A U.N. panel condemns the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart did not confirm whether the military organization’s air defenses were used to down the missile. NATO has parts of a broader European ballistic missile defense system on Turkish soil, including an early-warning radar at the Kurecik base that can detect missiles from Iran. These are the countries:Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Syria, Oman, Cyprus.
U.S. Campaign in Iran Is ‘Far From Over,’ Joint Chiefs Chairman Says
Trump told reporters Tuesday he believed Iran was going to strike first and rejected suggestions Israel had forced his hand. Trump has since said the military campaign was projected to last four or five weeks, but t has since been extended to a month and a half. He said Israel was ready and the U.S. was ready.
The U.K. and France Deploy Some Forces to the Mideast Despite Misgivings About Iran Attacks
Part of the EU’s territory is also within range of Iranian missiles. France, Germany and the United Kingdom played an active role in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Their willingness to take defensive measures against the Islamic Republic can be interpreted as support for US operations. Some, such as the Baltic republics and Poland, are closer to the United States but remain cautious.
As Iran Expands Attacks, U.S. Orders More Diplomatic Staff to Leave Embassies in 4 Countries
UAE says 7 missiles, 131 drones have targeted the country today alone. Iran has launched 941 drones, 189 ballistic missiles and 8 cruise missiles at the UAE since the war began on Saturday. Iran vowed to step up its attacks across the region in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war.
NATO Air Defenses Shoot Down Iranian Missile Headed Toward Turkey
NATO shoots down Iranian missile headed toward Turkey’s airspace. It was unknown whether the missile was specifically aimed at Turkey. The missile is believed to have been aimed at a military installation in Greek Cyprus. It is the first direct attack on alliance territory since the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran began five days ago.
U.S. Submarine Torpedoed Iranian Warship Off Sri Lanka as Conflict Widens
Israeli fighter jets launched fresh air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday. The Sri Lankan navy rescued 32 crew members and took them to hospital in Galle, while search operations continued for the remaining sailors. The Associated Press, quoting Sri Lanka Navy, reported that 87 bodies were recovered following sinking of the warship IRIS Dena.
Whose Airstrike Hit a Girls’ School in Iran? The U.S. Says It’s Still Investigating.
Iranian state media said 165 people died in the bombing, which struck a girls' school. Iran has said more than 170 people were killed in what President Masoud Pezeshkian described as U.S.-Israeli strikes. The images suggest that the school was hit on Saturday as part of a precision airstrike on a neighboring Iranian military complex.
Liquid Natural Gas Exporters Like Shell and ExxonMobil Could See Big Profits From War
Asia is the most exposed since it relies heavily on imported fuel. The Strait of Hormuz carries a fifth of global trade in crude oil and liquified natural gas. Japan and South Korea have large energy supply stockpiles. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says more than 80% of the LNG shipped through the strait in 2024 went to Asia.
