US Sends Second Flight of Migrants Back to China for Repatriation  

SCMP,

The US has conducted its second large deportation flight to China this year, signaling a continuation of efforts to address undocumented migration between the two nations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the operation took place on Tuesday, but the number of deportees on board was not disclosed. This deportation follows a similar flight in July, where 116 Chinese nationals were sent back to China in coordination with China’s National Immigration Administration. The timing of the flight, just weeks before the US presidential election, highlights the growing importance of immigration issues as Vice President Kamala Harris faces off against former President Donald Trump, both of whom have focused heavily on immigration policies.

US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned Chinese nationals not to trust smugglers, stating that those who enter the US illegally will face swift removal. The Biden administration has made immigration enforcement a central focus in recent months, particularly along the southern border. Following a June proclamation aimed at cracking down on illegal border crossings, DHS has conducted nearly 400 international repatriation flights to over 140 countries, including China. Beijing has expressed a willingness to collaborate on the issue, with Chinese authorities emphasizing their opposition to illegal immigration and their commitment to joint law enforcement efforts with the US. Since China lifted its strict COVID-19 border controls in early 2023, a growing number of Chinese migrants have sought to enter the US via the southern border.

SpaceX Aims for Another Milestone After Super Heavy Booster Catch

Digital Trends,

SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, has announced ambitious plans to build on its recent achievement of catching the Super Heavy booster using giant mechanical arms. This successful feat, accomplished during the fifth test flight of the Starship spacecraft, marks a significant step toward developing a fully reusable spaceflight system. Musk confirmed via social media that the next milestone will be to catch the Starship spacecraft itself, which could happen as early as next year. This advancement is crucial for SpaceX’s goal of reducing the turnaround time between launches and creating a sustainable space travel system.

The Starship system comprises two stages: the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft. While SpaceX has perfected catching the booster, the Starship currently lands in the ocean after completing its missions. The company is working on refining a landing system that will allow the spacecraft to touch down on solid ground, which will be essential for missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA is closely watching SpaceX’s progress, as it plans to use the Starship to land astronauts on the lunar surface during the Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2026. SpaceX engineers are now focused on ensuring that both components of the system can be fully reused, which would revolutionize space exploration and significantly reduce costs.

Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed After Year-Long Israeli Manhunt  

Reuters,

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of Israel’s most wanted figures, was killed following an extensive year-long manhunt by Israeli forces. Video footage released by Israeli authorities shows Sinwar, visibly wounded and covered in dust, throwing a stick at a hovering drone in a futile attempt to bring it down. Sinwar was found in the ruins of a building in southern Gaza, where he had been hiding after a gun battle with Israeli troops. The soldiers who discovered him were initially unaware of his identity, only realizing after DNA testing and dental records confirmed that they had killed Hamas’ top leader.

Sinwar’s death marks a significant moment in Israel’s broader campaign against Hamas leadership, which has escalated in recent months. Earlier, Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif was killed in a July airstrike, and Sinwar’s demise follows a similar operation that was not pre-planned but occurred during routine infantry operations by the Bislach Brigade. Sinwar’s leadership within Hamas was considered a major threat by Israeli intelligence, and his death is likely to have a profound impact on the organization’s future strategies and operations. However, it remains to be seen how Hamas will respond to the loss of such a key figure, especially as tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to rise.

Brazilian Police Arrest Hacker Behind Massive Data Breach

The Verge,

Brazilian authorities have arrested the hacker responsible for one of the largest data breaches in recent history, which compromised the personal information of billions of individuals, including Social Security numbers. The hacker, who operated under the pseudonym USDoD, was linked to the sale of this stolen data on the dark web. The breach, which first came to light in August, involved the exposure of sensitive information from numerous government agencies and private individuals, making it one of the most far-reaching cybercrimes to date.

The Federal Police of Brazil, working in collaboration with international law enforcement, identified the hacker after an extensive investigation known as “Operation Data Breach.” The stolen data, which included over 272 million unique Social Security numbers and 600 million phone numbers, was sold to buyers on the dark web, leading to a flood of lawsuits against National Public Data, the parent company involved in handling the compromised records. The hacker also claimed responsibility for leaking data from the FBI’s InfraGard program, further highlighting the severity of the breach. Brazilian authorities have vowed to continue their investigation, looking into whether the hacker was involved in any other data breaches.

Dogecoin Surges After Elon Musk Mentions It During Town Hall  

Decrypt,

Dogecoin, the popular meme cryptocurrency, saw a significant increase in value after Tesla CEO Elon Musk briefly mentioned it during a town hall event in Pennsylvania. The event, held at Ridley High School, featured Musk responding to a question about whether he would lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Musk jokingly replied, “Yeah, Doge,” which immediately elicited cheers from the audience. Following his comment, the value of Dogecoin surged by over 6.8%, reaching $0.13, with its market capitalization climbing to $19.3 billion.

Musk’s offhand remark comes on the heels of growing speculation about his influence on the cryptocurrency market, particularly Dogecoin, which has experienced similar spikes in value after previous endorsements from the billionaire. Musk’s comments come just weeks after former President Donald Trump proposed an efficiency commission, which Musk publicly supported. The Dogecoin community quickly interpreted Musk’s playful comment as another endorsement of the meme coin, continuing the trend of market movements closely linked to Musk’s public statements. Over the past week, Dogecoin has gained nearly 22.9%, making it one of the top-performing cryptocurrencies in the market.