Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties as fighting escalates in Ethiopia's northern region, raising the risk of a broader regional conflict. The rupture comes amid ongoing battles between Ethiopian forces and rebel fighters, threatening further instability in the Horn of Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western leaders that Moscow is prepared to use any weapon necessary to defend the Kaliningrad exclave, framing it as a response to Western statements rather than a threat. The remarks underscore rising tensions between Russia and NATO states amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

U.S. forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, leaving the country's defense future uncertain amid ongoing regional tensions tied to the Iran conflict. Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration, allowing its third-country deportation policy to proceed for now.

Tennessee halted executions after death row inmate Christa Gail Pike survived two lethal injections during her scheduled execution Wednesday night. Pike was convicted for a 1995 murder, and the failure has raised serious questions about the state's lethal injection protocols. This incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of execution procedures nationwide.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been named special prosecutor in the Cornell University gang rape investigation from 2024. This comes after the alleged victim's attorney told NPR that her police statement clearly indicated sexual assault, contradicting claims made by a local prosecutor. The appointment signals a significant escalation in a case that has sparked public outrage.

The family of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during ICE raids in Minneapolis last January, has filed lawsuits and is speaking out publicly for the first time. Good's death triggered widespread protests across the country. The lawsuits name Trump administration officials, with the family's lawyers alleging the raids created an environment enabling state-sponsored violence.

A massive pileup involving 15 tractor-trailers shut down I-95 in South Carolina, creating a major highway disruption. The incident underscores ongoing traffic safety concerns on this critical East Coast corridor. Multiple reports indicate the crash happened amid dense fog conditions.

Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state-owned utility, has introduced a new energy plan that reportedly brings bad news for customers. This could signal rising costs or unfavorable changes for ratepayers across the state. The development warrants attention from residents tracking their utility bills.

South Carolina is positioned to potentially make history by electing its first woman to the US Senate. This would mark a significant political milestone for the state. The race represents a notable shift in South Carolina's political landscape.

President Trump has ordered the U.S. government to cut ties with AI firm Anthropic, with Defense Secretary Hegseth citing a supply chain risk. The move signals growing scrutiny of AI vendors within national security circles and could ripple through federal tech procurement.

The Pentagon announced increased combat pay for troops amid what is described as war with Iran. This indicates an escalation in hostilities significant enough to trigger special compensation policies for deployed personnel.

Ukraine has used its FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time, according to President Zelenskyy. The deployment marks a notable escalation in Ukraine's domestic missile capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia.