Caribbean vessel

attacked by US

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela. The president offered scant details on the operation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday on X that the vessel was being operated by a “designated narco-terrorist organization.” He described the operation as a lethal strike. The press office of Venezuela’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. had recently announced plans to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels.

Space Command

going to Alabama

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced that U.S. Space Command will be located in Alabama. It reverses a decision by former President Joe Biden’s administration to keep it in Colorado.

This decision ends a four-year battle between the two states over the headquarters. The decision follows a review by the Defense Department inspector general, which could not determine why Colorado was initially chosen.

Huntsville, Alabama, known as Rocket City, has a strong history in space and defense, making it a fitting location. Trump also said the fact that Colorado uses mail-in voting “played a big factor also” in moving the headquarters away from Colorado Springs.

The announcement infuriated both Democratic and Republican officials in Colorado, which has a booming aerospace industry.

Judge sides

with California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The White House has indicated it plans to appeal a judge’s ruling that President Donald Trump’s use of National Guard troops during California immigration enforcement protests is illegal. Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco ruled Tuesday the Trump administration violated federal law by sending troops to accompany federal agents on immigration raids.

California sued, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer violated a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws. Lawyers for the Republican administration say the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws.

A White House spokeswoman says “a rogue judge is trying to usurp” Trump’s authority. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom says the court sided with democracy.

Israel expands

Gaza offensive

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists as part of a gradual call-up tied to its expanded offensive in the Gaza Strip’s largest city. The military on Tuesday began to call up reservists weeks after it said it would mobilize 60,000 and extend the service of an additional 20,000 already on active duty.

It also said ground and air forces were pressing forward and pursuing more targets in northern and central Gaza. Israel struck two western Gaza City neighborhoods that Israeli forces have repeatedly invaded during the nearly two-year war.

Earthquake toll

passes 1,400

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban say a major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed over 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000. The United Nations warns of a potential rise in casualties.

The earthquake struck Sunday night, flattening villages and trapping people under rubble. Rough terrain is hampering rescue efforts, with commandos air-dropped to evacuate the injured. The Taliban have appealed for international assistance, but aid is limited due to global crises and reduced budgets.

Many health facilities have closed due to funding cuts, overwhelming the remaining ones. Authorities have set up camps and centers to coordinate aid and rescue efforts.

Kraft Heinz

undoes merger

NEW YORK (AP) — Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese.

The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz’s net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.