Only Fire

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing sharp questioning on Capitol Hill from Democrats and some Republicans over the US war with Iran and his dismissals of top Pentagon officials. Lawmakers are pressing him on the legal basis and strategy of the military operation, as well as the removals of senior defense leadership, making the hearings a flashpoint over wartime authority and Pentagon management.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city-state prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Al Jazeera reports that race organisers are drawing up contingency plans as the regional haze threatens the major sporting event, raising concerns over air quality for drivers, teams and fans.

An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing after a bird strike caused flames to shoot from one of its engines. Reports from ABC7 and 6abc Philadelphia say the aircraft returned safely, with no injuries reported so far. The incident is drawing attention as travellers question how often bird strikes affect commercial flights and how crews handle mid-air emergencies.

A roundup of Thursday's UK news is drawing attention, led by reports that a man caught fire on a street in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with police describing it as a sad household incident. Other items include a house search in Worle over alleged fraud, with an explosive ordnance disposal team called in to dispose of suspicious substances, and updates on a petrol theft gang from RAF Fairford still on bail.

British YouTuber Niko Omilana has released a stunt video in which he takes a job at a grocery store under false pretenses and works there in secret until staff figure out who he is and fire him. The video has drawn nearly four million likes, with viewers praising the prank and sharing their favourite moments from his brief retail employment.

An unseasonal October heat wave is baking Southern California, with temperatures running well above normal for the month. Residents are being urged to limit outdoor activity and stay hydrated, and officials are monitoring elevated fire risk amid hot, dry conditions. People across the region are discussing the unusual late-season heat and what it says about shifting weather patterns.

The Wall Street Journal has published a first-person account, 'The Way We Live Now', describing 24 hours spent in Kyiv as the city comes under attack. The piece documents daily life in the Ukrainian capital amid ongoing bombardment, and readers are sharing it as a window into the reality of the war for civilians still living there.

North Korea has carried out a test launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, according to the South China Morning Post. The firing comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula following a mine blast incident, raising concerns about further provocation. Observers are watching closely to see whether the launch triggers additional sanctions or diplomatic responses from South Korea, the United States and the wider international community.

A fire broke out at a Hero motorcycle showroom in Balasore, Odisha, destroying dozens of bikes, according to News18 Odia's live coverage. Details on casualties, the cause of the blaze and the extent of damage to the showroom have not yet been confirmed, and viewers are following the story for live updates from the scene.

The Israeli military says it killed two commanders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's rocket-launching array in Gaza. The strike is part of Israel's ongoing operations against armed groups in the territory, with the IDF targeting figures it says were responsible for rocket fire toward Israel. The report has been picked up by international outlets, drawing attention amid continuing tensions in the region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will step up its attacks on Russian oil refineries, as Kyiv's bridges come under fire in renewed Russian strikes. The pledge signals an escalation of Ukraine's long-range campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure, which has already disrupted fuel supplies, while Russian attacks on Kyiv continue to target critical crossings and civilian infrastructure in the capital.

A Henry County murder suspect was shot in Turner County, Georgia, after opening fire on officers, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI, which typically reviews officer-involved shootings in the state, is looking into the exchange. The suspect had been wanted in connection with a murder case in Henry County, near Atlanta.

Fire crews in Greer, South Carolina, have extinguished a large fire that broke out at a business, according to local officials. No injuries or details about the cause have been reported so far, and authorities have not yet said how badly the building was damaged.

A car caught fire in Leiden, the Netherlands, and was seriously damaged, regional newspaper Leidsch Dagblad reports. Details about the cause of the blaze or whether anyone was injured have not been made clear in initial coverage. Local residents are following the incident, which prompted a response from emergency services in the city.

Inflation has made the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement, known as FIRE, feel unattainable for many Americans, according to recent US coverage from outlets including USA Today and the Detroit Free Press. Rising prices for housing, food and everyday costs have slowed savings and forced followers to question whether early retirement targets are still realistic. Commenters describe scaling back plans or abandoning the goal altogether.

New Free Fire MAX redeem codes for October 4, 2026 have been published, offering players free in-game rewards such as outfits, gold, weapon crates and emotes. Gamers can claim the items by entering the codes on the official Garena redemption website while they remain active. Daily codes typically expire quickly, so players are encouraged to redeem them soon.

Gaming outlet Polygon argues that Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, the upcoming entry in Nintendo's strategy RPG series, risks feeling like a grind but doesn't have to. The piece suggests ways the game could avoid pacing pitfalls that have weighed down past entries. Fans of the long-running franchise are weighing in on whether the new title will improve on its predecessors.

California has introduced a new rule under which robotaxi companies will face fines if their autonomous vehicles obstruct first responders for more than 30 minutes. The regulation targets incidents where driverless cars block fire trucks, ambulances or police at emergency scenes, a problem that has been reported in cities like San Francisco where Waymo and Cruise operate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will target Russian oil refineries in response to what he calls Moscow's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes against his country. The pledge signals an escalation in long-range strikes between the two countries, with energy infrastructure on both sides increasingly in the line of fire as the war grinds on.

A damaged Tesla brought into a repair shop was plugged in despite its wrecked condition, prompting a warning that experts say they would not do. The story highlights the risks of charging a crashed electric vehicle, where hidden battery damage can lead to short circuits or fires.

A murder suspect from Henry County was shot by law enforcement in Ashburn, Georgia, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Authorities have not yet released details on the suspect's condition or the circumstances that led officers to open fire. The incident is under investigation, and officials say more information will be provided as it becomes available.