US launches strikes on alleged drug-running boats off Colombia, killing 14

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. military carried out three strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean against boats accused of carrying drugs, killing 14 and leaving one survivor. The strikes were launched Monday and announced on social media Tuesday. This is the first time multiple strikes have been announced in a single day. They mark a continued escalation in the pace of the strikes, which began in early September and had been spaced weeks apart. A statement provided by a Pentagon official said the strikes were conducted off the coast of Colombia.

Trump’s lawyers ask New York appeals court to toss out his hush money criminal conviction

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s lawyers want a New York state appeals court to toss out his hush money criminal conviction. The lawyers say federal law preempts state law and there was no intent to commit a crime. The attorneys filed their written arguments with the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, First Department late Monday. In June, the lawyers asked a federal appeals court to move the case to federal court, where the Republican president can challenge the conviction on presidential immunity grounds. Trump was convicted in May 2024 of 34 felony counts alleging that he falsified business records to conceal a hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.

Judge extends order barring the Trump admin. from firing federal workers during the shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge in San Francisco has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction that bars the firings while a lawsuit challenging them plays out. She had previously issued a temporary restraining order against the job cuts that was set to expire Wednesday. The Republican administration has been slashing jobs in education, health and other areas it says are favored by Democrats. Lawyers for the government argued personnel issues should be heard in a separate venue.

Consumer confidence dips modestly in October with Americans concerned about the future

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer confidence weakened slightly in October as Americans remain anxious about their future financial prospects. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell by 1 point to 94.6 in October from an upwardly revised September reading of 95.6. Analysts were expecting the reading to come in unchanged from the previous month. One year ago, the reading was 109.5. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market dipped by 2.9 points to 71.5, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. However, consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation rose 1.8 points to 129.3.