Author: Lester Holt

Governor Pledges Legal ActionGovernor Gavin Newsom disclosed that 300 California National Guard personnel have been ordered to Oregon under President Trump’s direction. He denounced the measure as unlawful and said California will immediately pursue legal remedies to block it. Newsom accused the administration of using California’s forces to circumvent restrictions imposed on Oregon’s own Guard. Federal Judge Intervenes in OregonDays earlier, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut stopped the federal government from dispatching 200 Oregon Guard members to Portland. Her temporary restraining order, effective until at least October 18, cited concerns that the deployment could breach constitutional protections that limit the…

Back-to-Back Closures Disrupt Europe’s Air TrafficMunich Airport is cautiously resuming operations following two consecutive shutdowns triggered by drones near its airfield. The first interruption happened late Thursday night, grounding departures and arrivals after controllers confirmed multiple drone sightings. Flights resumed briefly Friday morning, only to be halted again that evening when further drone activity was reported, forcing diversions to cities such as Vienna and Stuttgart. Thousands Stranded as Flights CancelledThe repeated closures left travelers facing long waits and cancelled journeys. During the second disruption alone, more than 6,500 passengers were unable to continue their trips. Airport staff distributed food, drinks,…

Unmanned Flights Disrupt Danish Airspace Copenhagen’s hosting of a major European summit follows a series of drone sightings that unsettled Denmark in recent days. Unauthorized aircraft forced the suspension of flights at multiple airports and prompted alerts at military sites. In response, authorities imposed a sweeping prohibition on civilian drone operations across the country, calling the activity a stark reminder of Europe’s exposure to unconventional threats. Security Boosted With International Support To safeguard the event, Denmark has received reinforcements from partner nations. Sweden, France, and Germany dispatched soldiers, detection systems, and counter-drone equipment to strengthen defenses around the capital. Police…

Biometric System Set to Replace Passport StampingOn October 12, 2025, a major shift in border controls will take effect across the European Union. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will go live, phasing out the traditional practice of stamping passports for visitors from outside the bloc. Instead, travelers, including U.S. citizens, will be asked to provide biometric identifiers. The process involves capturing a facial photo and four fingerprints at border checkpoints covering air, sea, and land entry points. Coverage and Exemptions Under the RulesThe system is designed for short-term visitors coming from non-EU countries, which means Americans traveling without a visa fall…

State Department Denounces Petro’s Remarks The United States has rescinded Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa, citing his conduct during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. American officials described his participation in events outside the UN as “reckless and incendiary,” saying the decision was necessary to uphold diplomatic standards. Controversial Appeal at Rally While speaking to demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian protest, Petro urged members of the U.S. military to disobey orders and demanded the creation of a global armed force larger than Washington’s to intervene in Palestine. His comments, delivered in Spanish, quickly drew international attention and were condemned…

Authorities Investigate Potential Coordinated Threat Late Wednesday into early Thursday, drones were sighted over four Danish airports, prompting an investigation into what officials believe may be a coordinated operation. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the flights as highly organized and likely carried out by a skilled operator. Intelligence agencies noted similar incidents elsewhere in Europe and suggested possible Russian involvement, though no responsible party has been identified. Travel Disruptions at Civilian and Military Hubs The airports affected included Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup. Aalborg, which also serves as a military base, experienced the longest flight delays, while Skrydstrup, home…

Billion-Dollar Vision Gains Momentum OpenAI, along with partners Oracle and SoftBank, has unveiled another major phase of its Stargate program, a multiyear effort projected to channel up to $500 billion into artificial intelligence infrastructure. The new announcement covers five sites in the United States: Shackelford County in Texas, Doña Ana County in New Mexico, Milam County in Texas, Lordstown in Ohio, and one more location in the Midwest yet to be specified. Together, these additions are expected to lift planned capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts. Responsibilities Within the Partnership According to the companies, Oracle will take charge of three of…

Stronger Proceeds Mark Market Shift Europe’s market for new share offerings is showing renewed energy after a prolonged slump. In 2024, the amount of money raised from IPOs more than doubled compared with the previous year. Big-ticket listings such as Puig Brands in Spain and Galderma in Switzerland each pulled in close to €2 billion, pointing to improving sentiment among investors toward European equities. Private Equity Players Lead Major Deals A wave of private equity-backed companies is helping to fuel the comeback. Security provider Verisure, supported by Hellman & Friedman, is preparing a Stockholm float that could bring in about…

Washington Limits Exports The United States has quietly introduced a freeze on specific arms transfers to European allies, citing shortages in vital defense systems. Among the items affected are Patriot interceptor missiles, with officials stressing the need to safeguard American stockpiles first as international security challenges continue to mount. Denmark Redirects Its Procurement The policy shift became apparent when Denmark attempted to secure Patriot systems in a major defense deal. U.S. officials refused to approve the sale, explaining that the systems were essential for domestic requirements. As a result, Denmark pivoted toward European defense companies, finalizing its biggest-ever weapons contract…

Airspace Violation Sparks ConcernPolish authorities say Russian military aircraft entered the restricted zone surrounding an oil platform in the Baltic Sea. The Ministry of Defence described the incursion as risky and carried out without prior notification, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region due to repeated Russian airspace breaches. NATO Intercepts Russian Jets Over EstoniaIn a related event, NATO confirmed that Italian F-35 fighters intercepted Russian MiG-31 aircraft over Estonian territory near Vaindloo Island. Reports indicate the Russian planes flew without flight plans, switched off their transponders, and failed to communicate with air traffic control. Estonian officials condemned the incident as…