Tens of thousands in Washington state could face evacuations as rain continues to pound the region

A gas explosion occurred in a neighborhood of the San Francisco Bay Area, resulting in significant damage to several homes and releasing heavy smoke into the atmosphere. Emergency services responded promptly to the incident, which has raised safety concerns in the community.

An atmospheric river has caused significant flooding in Washington state, leading to the evacuation of residents as homes and vehicles were submerged. Governor Bob Ferguson has requested an expedited emergency declaration from the federal government and activated the state’s national guard to assist in the response to the flooding, with rainfall expected to reach up to 25cm in some areas.

Tens of thousands of residents in western Washington are facing potential evacuation orders as heavy rain continues to impact the region, with rivers approaching historic flood levels. The forecast indicates another round of intense rainfall on Thursday, raising concerns about catastrophic flooding.

Bajun Mavalwalla, an Afghanistan war veteran, has been arrested on felony conspiracy charges following his participation in a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Spokane, Washington. He maintains his innocence and is preparing for a jury trial, while others arrested during the same protest have opted for plea agreements to avoid lengthy prison sentences.

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. This operation, confirmed by President Donald Trump, involved the military and is part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on the Venezuelan government, which has faced sanctions and international scrutiny.

A recent report indicates that the U.S. government's statistical system is facing significant challenges due to staff layoffs, reduced funding, and political interference, resulting in a loss of numerous government statisticians. This situation raises concerns about the reliability and accuracy of critical data.

The House is preparing for a final vote on a comprehensive defense bill that allocates $900 billion for military programs, which includes provisions to increase troop pay and reform weapons procurement processes.

A Mississippi man, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a drug conviction, is set to be released after serving over 10 years due to the illegal nature of his sentence, following clemency granted by the state's governor.