Russia Says Ukraine Hit Refinery as Strikes Resume
Moscow accused Kyiv of striking an oil refinery near Ryazan after President Zelensky vowed to resume attacks on Russian energy sites, amid accusations that Washington is pressuring Ukraine by cutting intelligence support.
Brazil Cuts Workweek to 40 Hours, Keeps Pay Unchanged
Brazil has approved a reduction in the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting wages, a move President Lula da Silva is touting as a landmark win for workers.
Trudy Strengthens Into Hurricane Off Acapulco’s Coast
Tropical Storm Trudy has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, authorities reported Thursday.
Russia’s Secretive Plague Labs at Center of Death Mystery
The death of a Russian scientist from an unexplained illness has drawn attention to a shadowy network of Soviet-era labs built to study plague and other dangerous pathogens.
Trump Says Classified Leakers Should Be ‘Shot’
President Trump suggested that people who leak classified US government information should face execution, reigniting debate over press freedom and national security.
El Niño Drought Threatens Food Supply, Officials Warn
El Salvador's Civil Protection agency says drought linked to El Niño has already damaged the year's first harvest, with the toughest phase still ahead in early 2026.
Brazil Approves 40-Hour Workweek Ahead of Runoff Vote
Brazil's Congress has passed a constitutional reform cutting the workweek from 44 to 40 hours, a signature policy of President Lula just weeks before a tight presidential runoff.
Mexico Arrests Financial Operator Tied to ‘Mayos’ Cartel
Mexican security forces captured a man accused of handling finances and logistics for a cocaine-trafficking cell linked to Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada's faction of the Sinaloa Cartel; US authorities had sought him on drug charges.
South Australia Wins Australia’s First Michelin Stars
Eleven restaurants in South Australia have become the first in the country to receive Michelin stars, after the state government struck its own deal with the famed French guide.
Scientists Build Near-Living Cell, Then Face Tough Questions
Researchers have engineered a synthetic cell called SpudCell that blurs the line between living and nonliving matter, raising hopes for new medicines—and new risks.