European heat pump sales surge as governments cut electricity taxes

A U.S. man has been charged with sending hundreds of letters containing powder to public officials ahead of the midterm elections. The mailings prompted security concerns and investigations into potential threats against officials. The case highlights risks to election-related public safety and mail security.

A French court heard that Dominique Pelicot, who drugged and raped his wife and invited other men to abuse her, said he found many men whose fantasy was an unconscious woman. The testimony highlights how the mass rape trial has exposed broader patterns of sexual violence and the recruitment of dozens of men. The case has prompted protests and calls for legal and cultural change in France.

Officials are investigating a fire at a Mississippi police department tied to the fatal shooting of a Black toddler. The blaze raises questions about evidence, police accountability, and transparency in the child’s death.

Syria announced it thwarted a Hezbollah plan to attack the oil refinery in Homs. The claim, if confirmed, signals rising tensions between Damascus and the Iran-backed group and raises security concerns over critical energy infrastructure.

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving Catholic preschools that exclude LGBTQ+ families or children. The dispute could reshape how religious freedom and anti-discrimination rules apply to religious schools that receive public funding.