A Northwest U.S. state, non-contiguous with a vast, resource-rich frontier.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Interior Department to change the U.S. federal name for Lake Ontario to "Lake America" and has said the change is effective immediately. The move comes as Washington and Ottawa have imposed 50% tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's goods and Canadian leaders have rejected the renaming.
Alaska’s primary has reshaped the general elections, with Dan J. Sullivan secured a spot in the Senate race amid questions about ballot naming and party alignment. Mary Peltola and Dan S. Sullivan are leading the Senate race, while Nick Begich and Bill Hill vie for other key contests. The primary results hinge on ranked-choice counting and post-election counting.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has flown to Moscow for undisclosed talks with Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin. Moscow says President Vladimir Putin was briefed but did not meet Ratcliffe. U.S. and Russian accounts conflict over whether Ratcliffe warned Russia against attacking NATO or discussed restarting U.S.-mediated peace talks for Ukraine. The visit is the first CIA director trip to Moscow since 2021.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey remains in a competitive Democratic primary against Rep. Seth Moulton as voters choose nominees for multiple offices. Markey has endorsements from senior members and an edge in fundraising, while Moulton argues Markey is too old for another term. The contest reflects a broader progressive-versus-moderate dynamic in the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Russia has held a three-day parliamentary election from Sept. 18–20 that is set to return a United Russia-dominated State Duma. Most anti-war candidates were barred, the liberal Yabloko party was disqualified from the nationwide list, voting is being held in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, and Moscow reported large drone attacks and a sustained cyberattack on electronic voting in the capital.
California lawmakers oppose a proposed land exchange that would grant a private developer a short access road to Yosemite National Park in exchange for lands elsewhere in California. Kingsbarn Realty Capital argues the plan would ease congestion and cut emissions, while opponents warn of privatizing public land and impacting conservation. The proposal is under federal review with public comment ongoing.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unveiled a two-storey billboard reading “Lake Ontario. Now and Always” after US President Trump issued an executive order directing US federal agencies to call the shared body of water “Lake America.” The move follows collapsed trade talks, reciprocal tariffs and a series of inflammatory social posts by Trump.
Polls show Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico edging incumbent Ken Paxton by about 0.6 points among likely voters, with the race expected to go down to the wire. Other Texas contests, including the gubernatorial race, show shifting dynamics as data centers and AI concerns surface in public debate.
The FTC and 22 states have filed a federal lawsuit alleging Amazon has secretly inflated prices in its ad auctions since 2019 by inserting a "soft reserve" bid, extracting about $20bn from roughly 1.2 million advertisers and passing higher costs to shoppers. Amazon has called the suit "misguided" and denied it harmed advertisers or consumers.
Developments across multiple regions have kept negotiators busy. The week has seen ongoing discussions while some participants push for concrete concessions and timelines.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach, with forecasts suggesting Democrats may defend the Senate and House in a challenging political climate. Inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics are shaping campaigns and fundraising. Maps and debates are intensifying as campaigns stress costs and stability.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
Giant pumpkin growers across Britain are pressing on despite drought, health setbacks and logistical challenges. A Maldon grower has a 1,200lb pumpkin, while Staffordshire champions eye a new record at the Malvern show. The community and seeds of competition drive the giant-vegetable scene.
Multiple US states are pausing or regulating Flock Safety’s ALPR network amid privacy concerns, with ongoing debates on data use and accountability for law enforcement.
Derek Parker Aghnaanga has survived after clinging to the top of a capsized skiff for more than two days near St. Lawrence Island. His older brother and a cousin died after the boat capsized during a halibut trip. Coast Guard and Northwest Explorer crews coordinated a rescue; the survivor is recovering with his family in Nome.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every American if Republicans retain control of Congress; the plan faces legal, fiscal and political hurdles and is criticized by experts and opponents as economically risky.
Politico and Independent report on Democrats courting southern states as potential paths to 2028 influence. Newsom’s posture toward a possible presidential bid is evolving, while allies highlight fundraising and coalition-building in South Carolina and neighboring states.
McKenna West has filed an emergency appeal seeking to halt a California court order that recognizes California couple Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar as the parents of a seriously ill infant. The child, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has undergone surgery. West argues the couple would withhold life-saving care; the Supreme Court’s involvement remains uncertain.
Iceland has moved to modernise its whaling laws with a bill aiming for a permanent ban on commercial whale hunting. Ministers are evaluating options while public opposition and ethical concerns grow. As 80 fin whales have already been caught this season (out of a 150-quota), the move gains political momentum.
France is conducting Pegase 26, a 40,000-kilometer flight with four Rafale jets to demonstrate alliance-building and freedom of navigation, from Istres, France, to Egypt, via Greenland and Alaska. The exercise aims to show rapid deployment, international cooperation, and readiness to defend distant territories amid evolving global challenges.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and an aide have been referred for investigation over testimony alleging pressure on staff in a 2009 murder case. A federal judge ordered removal from the Johnson case and flagged potential misconduct by Krasner and Stiegler. Alaska prosecutors say voter-misconduct charges could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
A guide to lesser-known fall landscapes across the United States, highlighting offbeat spots from the Midwest to New England and beyond, with practical tips on crowds, reservations, and hidden gems.
Scientists have used tooth enamel chemistry to estimate Tyrannosaurus rex’s body temperature at about 36°C, placing it among warm‑blooded animals. The research, based on clumped isotope thermometry, is published in Science Advances and relies on enamel from three teeth from Hell Creek Formation fossils.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed at a Detroit-area roundtable on Black maternal health as Democrats push to flip a pivotal Michigan Senate seat now less than six weeks from Election Day. El‑Sayed has faced criticism over his positions on Israel; Harris is aiming to boost turnout among Black voters in Wayne County.
Flash flooding across the Navajo Nation has claimed three lives in New Mexico, as monsoon moisture drives heavy rain and widespread road damage. Officials warn residents to avoid flooded roads and to follow emergency guidance; updates indicate multiple communities remain isolated.
Mary Peltola’s Alaska Senate campaign is narrowing its lead as new reporting details amplify questions about campaign staff dynamics and personal events. The race remains tight under Alaska’s ranked-choice system, with voters weighing the candidate’s conduct against the broader political stakes.
Mail-delivery delays and a vandalism incident have affected ballots in Alaska and Utah. A Utah suspect has pleaded not guilty after tossing ballots; Alaska faces late-postmark issues and a plan to reroute absentee ballots to improve processing ahead of elections.
Belugas relocated from Marineland to US and Spain are dying at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and other sites. Osiris, a 26-year-old female, died at Shedd after arriving with other rescued whales. Two other belugas, Peekachu and Rain, died at Shedd; Jelly Bean died in Valencia. The deaths highlight vulnerabilities after the controversial Marineland closure.
Leaders are invited to a December G20 summit in Miami, with Putin potentially attending. Rubio says the invitation aims to foster dialogue, while Moscow signals consideration. Reactions from Europe warn of risks to peacemaking amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The administration has directed that imprisoned transgender women be housed in men's facilities and has barred gender-transition treatments. Lower courts have blocked the policy, requiring ongoing hormone therapy for transgender inmates as lawsuits proceed. The Supreme Court has been asked to intervene on an emergency basis, with a response due by Oct. 8.
Trump has intensified a campaign blitz, visiting Texas and Oklahoma to energize Republican candidates in battleground districts as questions about the Iran war and high living costs shape voter sentiment ahead of the midterms.
A collection of articles examines how natural landscapes—bogs, peatlands and woodlands—shape climate resilience. Guardian Country Diary pieces highlight how native habitats slow floods and store water, while a New York Times piece tours bog landscapes around the world. An economist report contrasts regional water scarcity in Uttarakhand with rainfall-driven resilience in the UK.
Backpack has won Fat Bear Week at Katmai National Park, beating Bear 910 in the final vote. The 20-year-old bear, officially Bear 89, has cemented his reputation as a quiet, non-aggressive giant who fattens up on salmon ahead of winter.
Senate and House votes on the Ratepayer Protection Act and Stop Insider Trading Act see party-line divides and contested forecasts about impact on energy costs and market transparency. Supporters argue the bills will shield consumers; critics call them toothless and politically timed ahead of midterm elections.
The United States and South Korea have announced sizeable investments, including a potential Alaska LNG project, a Texas gas facility, and nuclear plans. Officials cite job creation and energy security, while questions remain about commercial viability and funding details.