Bill Clinton to sit for closed-door deposition in Epstein investigation

A major wildfire expanded overnight across northern counties, prompting evacuations for several towns and forcing the closure of a main highway as crews battle intense flames and shifting winds. Authorities warned residents to heed evacuation orders and prepared temporary shelters as the blaze burned through dry vegetation and intensified with an accompanying heatwave.

In Washington State, lawmakers approved a climate resilience package aimed at funding coastal flood defenses and urban heat mitigation projects. The plan combines state dollars with federal grants and private investments, prioritizing vulnerable communities and infrastructure upgrades to withstand more extreme weather.

A multinational tech company announced a breakthrough in battery technology that could extend electric vehicle ranges by 20-30 percent and reduce charging times. The company said pilot deployments are planned for next year, with consumer commercialization targeted for the following year, pending regulatory approvals.