Record U.S. drought sparks fears about wildfires, water supply and food prices

Drought in the contiguous United States has reached record levels for this time of year, weather data shows. Meteorologists said it’s a bad sign for the upcoming wildfire season, food prices and western water issues. More than 61% of the Lower 48 states is in moderate to exceptional drought – including 97% of the Southeast … Read more

U.K. man pleads guilty to hacking scheme that stole $8 million in virtual currency from victims across U.S.

A U.K. man pleaded guilty in federal court to orchestrating a hacking scheme that stole $8 million in virtual currency from victims across America. Tyler Robert Buchanan, 24, of Dundee, Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Department of Justice said … Read more

U.S. sanctions 3 people, 2 firms over allegedly recruiting Colombian mercenaries in Sudan war

CAIRO — The U.S. imposed sanctions on three people and two firms over allegedly recruiting and deploying Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s war, which has entered its fourth year with no end in sight. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive … Read more

Iran reimposes ‘strict control’ over Strait of Hormuz, citing continued U.S. naval blockade

Iranian military officials said Saturday that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have reverted to “strict control,” citing the continued U.S. blockade of its ports, just one day after declaring the waterway “completely open.” Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. “Control over the Strait of Hormuz … Read more

U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island, official says

A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, a department official and two U.S. officials told CBS News, a diplomatic opening as the island nation struggles with months of intense pressure from the Trump administration. While in Cuba, one U.S. diplomat met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez … Read more

Senior U.S. officials could be back in Pakistan for Iran talks within days, sources say

Washington — Amid a tightening American naval blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline in the narrow maritime chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration is weighing a renewed diplomatic push that could send senior officials back to Pakistan within days, according to several people familiar with the deliberations.  While still tentative, the effort is … Read more