■Israel announces new settlement plans after Palestinian attack. ■Settlement expansion opposed by advocates of Palestinian statehood. ■Construction has accelerated under Netanyahu’s right-wing government. JERUSALEM — Israel plans to build more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in response to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack, a...
Lander ‘Alive and Well’ After Company Scores First US Moon Landing Since Apollo Era
■Intuitive Machines' lander, Odysseus, successfully lands on the moon. ■The company becomes the first private business to achieve a moon landing. ■NASA's laser system was used after the lander's navigation system failed. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The moon’s newest arrival was said to be “alive and well” a day after...
Private Lander Touches Down on the Moon but Sending Weak Signal
■Intuitive Machines confirms lunar landing of its craft, Odysseus. ■Company becomes first private business to achieve a lunar landing. ■Odysseus carried six experiments for NASA, part of commercial lunar deliveries. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A private lander touched down on the moon Thursday but managed just a weak signal back,...
Four Charged in Transporting Suspected Iranian-Made Weapons. Two SEALs Died in Intercepting the Ship
■Two Navy SEALs died during an operation to thwart alleged weapons smuggling. ■Four individuals face charges related to the incident. ■The seized vessel was found to carry Iranian-made weapons, say prosecutors. RICHMOND, Va. — Four foreign nationals were arrested and charged Thursday with transporting suspected Iranian-made weapons on a vessel...
Ex-FBI Source Accused of Lying About Bidens and Having Russian Contacts Is Returned to US Custody
■Alexander Smirnov arrested again after judge's ruling appealed. ■Smirnov charged with making false statements about the Bidens. ■Smirnov's lawyers request immediate hearing on his detention. LAS VEGAS — A former FBI informant who claims to have links to Russian intelligence and is charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme...
Online Fundraisers for Violent West Bank Settlers Raised Thousands, Despite International Sanctions
■Online fundraiser for sanctioned settler may violate U.S. sanctions. ■Sanctions target settlers for alleged attacks against Palestinians. ■Crowdfunding campaigns crucial for raising money for settlement outposts. JERUSALEM — When the Biden administration imposed sanctions this month against Israeli settler Yinon Levi for allegedly assaulting Palestinian civilians in the occupied West...
Mideast Cease-Fire Efforts Gain Steam as US Envoy Visits. Mediators Report ‘Encouraging’ Signs
■International efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas gain momentum. ■White House Mideast envoy Brett McGurk holds talks with Israeli leaders. ■Both sides reportedly show willingness to give concessions for a pause in fighting. JERUSALEM — International efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appeared to...
Charges Against Alleged White Supremacists Are Tossed by a California Judge for the Second Time
■Rise Above Movement members accused of conspiring to riot. ■Judge dismisses charges against Robert Rundo and Robert Boman. ■Prosecutors plan to appeal the dismissal. LOS ANGELES — For the second time in five years, federal charges against alleged members of a violent white supremacist group accused of inciting violence at...
China Plans to Send San Diego Zoo More Pandas This Year, Reintroducing Panda Diplomacy
■San Diego Zoo may receive two pandas from China by summer's end. ■China is also in talks with zoos in Madrid, Washington, D.C., and Vienna. ■Partnership will include research on disease prevention and habitat protection. SAN DIEGO — China plans to send a new pair of giant pandas to the...
‘Little Dark Secret’: DEA Agent on Trial Accused of Taking $250K in Bribes from Mafia
■DEA agent Bongiovanni accused of taking bribes from Buffalo Mafia. ■At least 16 DEA agents have faced federal charges since 2015. ■Case raises questions about DEA's hiring standards and corruption oversight. BUFFALO, N.Y. — The way prosecutors tell it, Joseph Bongiovanni went to work for years with a “little dark...