ABC News in the hot seat after US DOJ fund story and Trump remarks; a U.S. media powerhouse with ABC News US and ABC News Australia.
Recent reports reveal that former President Trump and his allies are drafting a potential executive order to declare a national emergency over alleged Chinese interference in U.S. elections. The draft would grant Trump sweeping powers, including banning mail-in ballots and voting machines, bypassing constitutional election authority. The White House denies current plans, emphasizing ongoing policy discussions.
In early February 2026, the FBI issued a confidential alert warning that Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise drone attack from an unidentified vessel off the California coast if the US struck Iran. Officials, including the White House and California Governor Gavin Newsom, emphasize no credible or imminent threat exists, but security measures remain heightened amid ongoing US-Iran conflict.
TGI Fridays in the UK is undergoing a turnaround after being rescued from underfunding and decline. New owner Blanchette is investing over £2.5m to refurbish restaurants, update menus, and improve staff training, aiming to restore the brand’s reputation and expand globally.
Secret Service agents have shot a 45-year-old man, identified as Michael Marx of Texas, after he has opened fire near the Washington Monument on Monday afternoon. A 15-year-old bystander has been grazed and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect has been hospitalized and is facing federal charges.
The diphtheria outbreak in Australia has reached multiple states and territories, with the Northern Territory reporting hundreds of cases and at least one death. Health authorities warn vaccination rates are driving transmission, while Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected. Officials say cases are now decreasing after peaking earlier in 2026.
A tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. has caused multiple chemical injuries and fatalities. Fire, hazmat teams, and hospitals are responding as authorities confirm a mass casualty scene and ongoing containment near the Columbia River corridor.