Author: Lester Holt

LONG BEACH, Calif. — A significant stack of cargo containers collapsed from a docked ship at the Port of Long Beach on Tuesday, leading to an emergency response and a temporary halt in terminal activity. Authorities reported that about 67 containers toppled or shifted from the deck of the vessel Mississippi while it was moored at Pier G. The incident occurred around midday, and no injuries have been reported. A Unified Command, composed of representatives from the Port of Long Beach and the U.S. Coast Guard, was activated to coordinate response efforts, ensure safety, and monitor environmental risks. Work at…

Israel has long been known as a leading hub for global technology and entrepreneurship. Today, the spotlight is shifting toward blockchain technology in Israel, as startups and major firms explore how decentralized tools can transform industries, increase efficiency, and create new opportunities both locally and worldwide. In cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, innovation centers are fueling this wave of blockchain adoption. Engineers and entrepreneurs are working on real-world solutions that move beyond digital currencies. By tapping into blockchain’s secure and transparent design, they are tackling challenges in finance, healthcare, logistics, and supply chain systems. The country’s strong universities and…

August hiring lags expectations amid signs of cooling in the labor market WASHINGTON, Sept 9 — The U.S. labor market showed clear signs of slowing in August, with hiring barely keeping pace and the unemployment rate climbing to levels not seen in nearly four years, according to new figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nonfarm payrolls increased by only 22,000 last month, a sharp drop from the roughly 147,000 monthly jobs added earlier this year. June’s employment figures were revised downward to a 13,000 loss, marking the first decline since December 2020. Over the last four months, job…

High court reverses lower court injunction The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing federal immigration agents to resume raids in Southern California that had been temporarily blocked. The decision overturns a July 11 order from U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, who had found the government’s tactics likely violated Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Allegations of discriminatory enforcement The lawsuit claimed that masked, armed federal officers conducted stops targeting people based on race, ethnicity, or the way they spoke, sometimes resembling sudden, forceful abductions. Jason Gavidia, one of the plaintiffs, said he…

Mitsotakis details family and youth incentives Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a €1.6 billion initiative to address Greece’s shrinking population. Speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair, he said the program is intended to relieve the financial strain on households and motivate young citizens to remain in the country. Set to take effect in 2026, the package features broad income tax reductions, targeted benefits for larger families, property tax cuts in rural and island communities, and additional support for pensioners and households facing high living costs. Demographic challenges continue The move comes as Greece grapples with persistent population pressures. According…

EU Regulators Identify Market Abuse The European Commission has hit Google with a €2.95 billion fine, determining that the company abused its dominant position in the online advertising sector. Investigators concluded that Google favored its own ad exchange and publisher tools, limiting competition and restricting choices for advertisers and media organizations. Firm Must Outline Remedial Measures Brussels has given Google 60 days to propose changes to address the problematic practices. Authorities warned that if the plan falls short, they could implement stronger interventions, including the potential break-up of parts of Google’s advertising operations. Google stated it intends to appeal the…

September 4, 2025 — Washington, D.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced hours of pointed questioning Thursday during a Senate Finance Committee session. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressed him on vaccine access, upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and his long history of controversial comments on public health. Tense Opening Exchanges The session began with sharp criticism. Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) rebuked Kennedy’s remarks on vaccine safety, warning that they endangered public trust. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) went further, insisting Kennedy resign, arguing his leadership posed “a serious…

Judge Restores Federal Awards A U.S. district court in Massachusetts has struck down the Trump administration’s effort to cut more than $2.2 billion in federal research support for Harvard University. Judge Allison Burroughs issued her decision on September 3, declaring the funding must be reinstated and barring officials from halting payments in the future. The money, which had been held back since the spring, underwrites a wide range of scientific and medical initiatives. Ruling Points to Unlawful Motives In her detailed 84-page ruling, Burroughs concluded that the administration’s attempt to block the grants was unconstitutional and violated federal rules. She…

Trump hails action as warning to drug traffickers President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that US forces had launched a lethal strike against a boat allegedly tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 people in the southern Caribbean. The incident took place in international waters, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio confirmed the vessel had sailed from Venezuela, describing the action as part of a broader campaign against cartel operations in the region. Trump outlines mission On Truth Social, Trump said: “This morning, under my direction, US forces carried out a kinetic operation targeting identified Tren de…

Rescue operations slowed by blocked roads and landslides A magnitude-6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing over 800 people and injuring roughly 2,500, according to Taliban officials. Relief teams are struggling to reach remote mountainous villages, with landslides and damaged roads obstructing access. The tremor, which hit near the Pakistan border, caused the worst damage in Kunar province. Its shallow depth intensified destruction, while aftershocks continued into Monday, shaking areas as far away as Kabul, over 100 miles from the epicenter. Hospitals overwhelmed by surge of casualties Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the death toll is expected to rise,…