An earthquake struck near Russia鈥檚 coast. A tsunami reached coastal areas of Russia鈥檚 sparsely populated Kuril Islands and Japan鈥檚 large northern island of Hokkaido after the 8.8-magnitude earthquake, among the strongest this century, struck early Wednesday. Warnings were in place for Alaska, Hawaii, and other coasts south toward New Zealand. Officials urged caution, saying bigger waves could come later. 鈥 The Associated Press
Britain took a conditional stand on Palestinian statehood. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. He called for other 鈥渟ubstantive steps,鈥 including commitment to a peace process that delivers a two-state solution, about which the U.N. General Assembly is meeting this week (Israel and the United States have boycotted). Mr. Starmer repeated U.K. demands that Hamas release the hostages it holds, disarm, and 鈥渁ccept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.鈥 鈥 AP
The EPA appears set to rescind the 鈥渆ndangerment finding.鈥 That鈥檚 the longstanding finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, and that helped build the case for tailpipe emissions standards for vehicles. The move could set off what the administration describes as the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump鈥檚 pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, announced the plan on a podcast Tuesday, saying it will save Americans money and unravel two decades of regulation. 鈥 Reuters
The New York high-rise shooter was targeting the NFL. Police identified the man who killed an off-duty New York City police officer and three other people before taking his own life at a Manhattan office tower Monday. New York Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that investigators believe the gunman was trying to target the headquarters of the National Football League. The NFL has paid an estimated $1 billion to settle concussion-related lawsuits with retired football players. The Las Vegas resident, who played high school football nearly two decades ago, had a history of mental illness, police said. 鈥 AP, Reuters
Los Angeles County ruled on law enforcement and masks. It passed a motion Tuesday to prohibit on-duty law enforcement officers in unincorporated areas from masking or refusing to identify themselves. The motion calls for an ordinance to be drafted and passed within 60 days. Federal officials have said the practice of immigration enforcement officers concealing their identities is necessary for protection. The question of local authority in this matter 鈥渕ight have to be decided by a court,鈥 said one of the motion鈥檚 co-authors. 鈥 Staff
Protesting rabbis were arrested at the U.S. Capitol. Representing congregations around the country, they were singing and praying for food for Gaza. The more than two dozen rabbis represented Jewish denominations including Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox, according to the Huffington Post. All are members of a campaign called Jews for Food Aid for People in Gaza. They were arrested within minutes of sitting on the floor of the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Some 1,000 rabbis also signed an open letter this week, according to the Times of Israel, demanding that Israel 鈥渟top using starvation as a weapon of war.鈥 鈥 Staff
Australia set an age limit for YouTube account-holders. It announced Wednesday that YouTube will be required to ensure account-holders are at least 16 beginning in December, citing concerns about harm. The decision reverses an earlier exemption for the video-sharing service. Platforms like Facebook and TikTok are also affected. Children can still access YouTube but can鈥檛 have accounts. YouTube maintained that it is not social media. 鈥 AP