Unincorporated US territory in the western Pacific
Super Typhoon Bavi has direct-hit Rota with winds over 150 mph, triggering warnings for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Officials warn of catastrophic damage and prolonged outages as the storm tracks westward toward the Philippines and Taiwan amid El Niño-linked warming.
Bavi has intensified to a Category 5 super typhoon with winds of 162 mph (260 km/h) and gusts up to 315 km/h, threatening Guam, Tinian and Rota as it roars toward the Northern Marianas. Officials warn of torrential rains, coastal flooding and potential widespread power outages.
Typhoon Bavi has made two landfalls in Zhejiang province and has weakened to a severe tropical storm while still carrying vast moisture. Authorities have evacuated more than 1.7 million people in Zhejiang and moved hundreds of thousands in neighbouring provinces; flights and train services have been cancelled and flooding, fallen trees and landslides have been reported.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Senate consideration is uncertain and health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep, while some communities push for permanent standard time. The decision hinges on balancing public health, regional impacts, and the logistics of time-zone alignment.
Pacific territories warn they were not consulted as the US considers auctioning seabed areas for mining. Officials say local communities fear ecological damage and food-security risks while governments push for clarity and consultations. The move comes amid broader debates over environmental safeguards and national sovereignty.
A Chinese national has died in ICE custody in Saipan after arrest on assault charges. Authorities say death is under investigation; the incident widens scrutiny of migrant detention in blue states and international responses.