Lead Story
Tennessee halts all executions after Christa Pike survives two doses of lethal injection drugs
Tennessee's attempt to execute Christa Pike, the only woman on its death row, was abandoned on the night of September 29 after correctional staff administered two full doses of pentobarbital and she still had a heartbeat, had not lost consciousness, and was audibly snoring more than two hours into the procedure. Her attorneys filed an emergency motion to halt the execution, and she was taken to a hospital in critical condition, with witnesses saying key moments of the botched procedure were hidden from view. Governor Bill Lee ordered a third-party review of the state's lethal-injection protocol and a temporary halt to all remaining scheduled executions, days after similar concerns were raised following a separate botched attempt in May.
Read more →Lead Story
Tennessee halts all executions after Christa Pike survives two doses of lethal injection drugs
Tennessee's attempt to execute Christa Pike, the only woman on its death row, was abandoned on the night of September 29 after correctional staff administered two full doses of pentobarbital and she still had a heartbeat, had not lost consciousness, and was audibly snoring more than two hours into the procedure. Her attorneys filed an emergency motion to halt the execution, and she was taken to a hospital in critical condition, with witnesses saying key moments of the botched procedure were hidden from view. Governor Bill Lee ordered a third-party review of the state's lethal-injection protocol and a temporary halt to all remaining scheduled executions, days after similar concerns were raised following a separate botched attempt in May.
Last US troops complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending 23-year military presence
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, with Washington and Baghdad affirming September 30 as the fixed and final date for ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in the country. The pullout closes out a presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and continued in a much smaller form against the Islamic State; roughly 2,500 US troops had remained stationed in Iraq in recent years before all combat and logistical support forces departed.
Read more →Last US troops complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending 23-year military presence
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, with Washington and Baghdad affirming September 30 as the fixed and final date for ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in the country. The pullout closes out a presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and continued in a much smaller form against the Islamic State; roughly 2,500 US troops had remained stationed in Iraq in recent years before all combat and logistical support forces departed.
Russia launches one of its largest attacks on Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure despite ongoing peace talks
Russia fired a massive wave of missiles and drones at Ukraine's energy system on September 30, with the state gas operator describing it as the largest attack yet on the country's gas infrastructure and reporting strikes on power facilities around Kyiv and other regions. The attack, which Ukrainian officials said killed at least two people, came even as US-led talks aimed at ending the war continued, underscoring the gap between diplomatic efforts and the continuing bombardment of civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.
Read more →Russia launches one of its largest attacks on Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure despite ongoing peace talks
Russia fired a massive wave of missiles and drones at Ukraine's energy system on September 30, with the state gas operator describing it as the largest attack yet on the country's gas infrastructure and reporting strikes on power facilities around Kyiv and other regions. The attack, which Ukrainian officials said killed at least two people, came even as US-led talks aimed at ending the war continued, underscoring the gap between diplomatic efforts and the continuing bombardment of civilian infrastructure ahead of winter.
Oil tankers struck by unknown projectiles in Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran strikes resume
Two crude oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security firms reported, after a renewed exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran. The Saudi-operated very large crude carrier Sidr was hit near Khasab, Oman, while the South Korean-operated Senegal Prosperity was struck by three projectiles further east; no group claimed responsibility, but the attacks followed US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers allegedly preparing to mine the strait and Iranian retaliatory strikes elsewhere in the Gulf.
Read more →Oil tankers struck by unknown projectiles in Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran strikes resume
Two crude oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security firms reported, after a renewed exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran. The Saudi-operated very large crude carrier Sidr was hit near Khasab, Oman, while the South Korean-operated Senegal Prosperity was struck by three projectiles further east; no group claimed responsibility, but the attacks followed US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers allegedly preparing to mine the strait and Iranian retaliatory strikes elsewhere in the Gulf.
North Korea fires ballistic missile off east coast, Seoul says, as Kim Yo Jong blames US-led drills
North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from the Wonsan area into the East Sea, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, eight days after a previous short-range ballistic missile test from the same region. South Korea's National Security Council urged Pyongyang to immediately halt the launches, warning they violate UN Security Council resolutions, while Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo Jong blamed the trilateral military exercises between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo for "ever-worsening" tensions on the peninsula and vowed no change to the North's push to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.
Read more →North Korea fires ballistic missile off east coast, Seoul says, as Kim Yo Jong blames US-led drills
North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from the Wonsan area into the East Sea, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, eight days after a previous short-range ballistic missile test from the same region. South Korea's National Security Council urged Pyongyang to immediately halt the launches, warning they violate UN Security Council resolutions, while Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo Jong blamed the trilateral military exercises between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo for "ever-worsening" tensions on the peninsula and vowed no change to the North's push to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.