Breaking News | CuriousCats.ai

Today

·19 September 2026 · 06:34 UTCBreaking

Iran war cost to U.S. military rises to $43.6B as of Sept. 3, Pentagon tells Congress; $28.1B spent replacing munitions since Feb. 28 airstrikes

The $43.6B figure excludes repairs to bases like the Navy's Bahrain hub, making it an undercount. More than 50,000 service members have deployed, with over 800 wounded, and the Pentagon has not commented on the update.

+1 source·19 September 2026 · 06:25 UTCBreaking

Grim discoveries of murdered women in Ekurhuleni spark fear in South Africa; nine bodies found since July, only one arrest made

President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to leave 'no stone unturned' in investigating the crimes, while Amnesty International urged South Africa to recognize femicide as a separate crime, noting it is criminalized in 33 countries. The Commission for Gender Equality has called for an urgent safety audit of affected areas.

·19 September 2026 · 04:28 UTC

Trump bans MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from White House; WHCA's Jacqui Heinrich defends journalists 'singled out for doing their jobs'

The ban targets three outlets, including MS NOW, CNN, and Politico, marking an escalation in Trump's clashes with the press. Jen Psaki notes that while presidents have historically clashed with reporters, they still respected the First Amendment role, contrasting with Trump's move.

·19 September 2026 · 03:33 UTC

Trump announces deal with Denmark to bolster US military presence in Greenland; agreement keeps Arctic territory in Denmark's hands

The deal bans any non-NATO base in Greenland, limits adversary investments, and guarantees China and Russia cannot have a base there, per a State Department official. Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen said it 'recognizes Greenland's interests' after months of quiet negotiations.

+1 source·19 September 2026 · 00:12 UTC

Pentagon's latest Iran war cost estimate: $43.6 billion; U.S. Central Command says war cost now at least $43.6 billion

The Pentagon's figure comprises $11.2 billion in operating expenses and $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs, but excludes billions in damage to U.S. facilities in eight Middle East countries. The Congressional Budget Office estimates future costs may run $2 billion to $3 billion per month.

Yesterday

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 22:44 UTC

Russia holds first parliamentary elections since Ukraine invasion; opposition decries 'sham' vote as Lavrov warns 'do not expect mercy'

Yabloko, once dismissed as 'politically dead' by the Kremlin, saw its anti-war stance boost support to 9.4% in one poll, with former leader Maxim Reznik saying the Kremlin allowed it to run to show 'just 1.5% of Russians oppose war.' Separately, a shooting at a Philippine high school killed three and injured six, with the gunman's friend claiming he belonged to a 'true crime community.'

·18 September 2026 · 22:23 UTC

Holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy trial speaks out as online threats and scrutiny cause some jurors to 'shut down', raising concerns for future high-profile cases

Michael Desronvil, who identified himself publicly, said he had no doubts and believed the prosecution proved Clancy knew what she was doing. Legal experts warn the threats could have a chilling effect, with Cole Goldberg suggesting a bench trial may be Clancy's only realistic option if prosecutors seek another trial.

+4 sources5 updates

18 September 2026 · 22:38 UTCHoldout juror in Clancy trial says he didn't have 'any doubts' she was responsible for killing her kids; 11 of 12 jurors were ready to clear her 18 September 2026 · 21:47 UTCHoldout juror in Lindsay Clancy murder trial speaks out; attorney warns labeling him hero or villain endangers juror anonymity +2 more reports

·18 September 2026 · 22:09 UTC

Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over 'fake news'; threatens more media bans as outlets vow to defend First Amendment rights

The move escalates Trump's conflict with the press, following last year's decision to keep Associated Press journalists out of the Oval Office. CNN called the ban 'an illegal assault' on constitutional rights, while a 1977 court ruling in Sherrill v. Knight limits the White House's ability to deny access based on coverage content.

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 19:35 UTC

Earl Spencer doubles down on memoir claims King Charles said Diana would be forgotten 'soon enough'; Palace says 'fraternal grief can cloud reason'

Spencer also claims a 'lack of obvious care' for Harry after Diana's death allowed him to 'spin out of control', and that Charles sounded 'giddily elated' in a phone call. He dismissed the Palace's response as 'smudged', insisting 'those are exactly the words he said'.

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 19:05 UTC

California governor signs order to explore AI 'kill switch' amid fears of rogue tech; order accelerates SB 813 and AB 1405, directs report by Nov. 16

The order does not mandate immediate installation; experts will study the mechanism and recommend legislative changes. It follows warnings from former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon that AI builders 'earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.'

·18 September 2026 · 18:59 UTC

Bailee Rios, suspect in deadly Metro bus crash, to appear in court Friday; new video shows her bloodied in smashed SUV

Prosecutors allege Rios was speeding and high on drugs when she plowed into the bus, killing two and injuring five, two critically. She was booked Wednesday with bail set at $4.03 million, and court records show prior drug offenses and driving on a suspended license.

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 18:13 UTC

China Coast Guard rams Philippine fisheries vessel in South China Sea; Philippine Coast Guard says "deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel"

The BRP Datu Magat Salamat was distributing fuel to fishermen 54 nautical miles off Palawan when the collision occurred at 11:13 a.m., damaging railings and deck structures. China's coast guard said the Philippine vessel altered course and accelerated across its bow near Sabina Shoal, rejecting Manila's account.

+2 sources·18 September 2026 · 18:09 UTC

South Africa battles femicide as nine women's bodies found in Ekurhuleni; police haven't ruled out serial killer, warn women to be 'vigilant'

President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised 'no stone will be left unturned' in the hunt for the perpetrator(s), but critics say the government has not done enough since declaring gender-based violence a national disaster in 2025. Police are investigating whether one or multiple perpetrators are behind the killings, with no links established so far.

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 18:09 UTC

Italy's navy escorts Italian ship out of Bab al-Mandab Strait; Crosetto says 'we must not allow bureaucracy to delay decisions' as Houthis gain control

The frigate Carlo Bergamini, part of a European mission, accompanied the Jolly Oro northbound without incident. Crosetto's decision bypassed the EU's Aspides mission, which had not yet determined safe transit, reflecting urgency amid Houthi control of Yemen's west coast.

·18 September 2026 · 18:09 UTC

Earl Spencer defends 'monstrous' call claims about King Charles in BBC interview; Buckingham Palace says grief can cloud memory

Spencer says the call was one of two he had with Charles in his lifetime, and he told friends and family at the time 'because it was so monstrous'. The memoir, due out next Tuesday, alleges the argument was over whether Princes William and Harry should walk in Diana's funeral procession.

+1 source·18 September 2026 · 17:43 UTC

Germany's Merz faces mounting pressure as far-right AfD surges, but ouster is difficult; AfD shuns compromises needed to govern

The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, falling just short of an absolute majority. Merz canceled a UN trip, and eight CDU state leaders backed him, but a confidence vote could rise later this year if he loses support on budget votes.