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Pennsylvania surpasses 900 measles cases with 13 new confirmed infections: Officials

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — At least 13 new measles cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania since Friday, bringing the total so far this year to 903, according to Monday’s update from the state health department.

Cases have been recorded in 39 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. At least 176 people have been hospitalized, and four measles-associated deaths have been reported, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) said.

Two of the deaths were among unvaccinated adults: an 18-year-old and a 40-year-old. The other two deaths were among infants who were too young to have received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Fewer than 1% of the state’s cases — four in total — are among those who are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, according to DOH.

The majority of cases are among those between ages 25 and 49, followed by those between ages 18 and 24, according to state health department data.

Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania has recorded the highest number of cases at 363 followed by Mifflin County, in the central part of the state, with 105.

At least 11 counties show evidence of community transmission, which is when infectious illness spreads through a local population without any known travel history and the specific source of infection cannot be determined.

DOH data shows staff have administered more than 8,300 doses of the MMR vaccine so far this year. Uptake was highest in August with about 3,500 vaccine doses administered, followed by September with about 2,500 doses administered.

Meanwhile, measles cases in the U.S. have surpassed 3,600 so far in 2026, with cases confirmed in 45 states and Washington, D.C., according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC has reported one death from measles so far this year but did not say where the death occurred. A note on the agency’s website said the number “is subject to change.”

The CDC currently recommends that people receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Infants who are between 6 and 11 months old and traveling outside of the country may require an additional vaccination. One dose is 93% effective in preventing measles infection and two doses are 97% effective, the CDC says.

However, CDC data shows vaccination rates have been lagging in recent years. During the 2025 to 2026 school year, 92.4% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, according to data. This is lower than the 95.2% seen in the 2019 to 2020 school year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you’ve been exposed, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional, but don’t go into an urgent care or an ER because you may be inevitably spreading it to other vulnerable people,” ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel told “ABC News Live” on Friday.

“People who have been exposed may be instructed to quarantine or keep really close eye on their symptoms for up to 21 days because that’s how long it can really take for measles to show itself and you could potentially spread and infect others without even knowing it,” Patel added.

Pennsylvania surpasses 900 measles cases with 13 new confirmed infections: Officials

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Fewer than 1% of the state’s cases — four in total — are among those who are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, according to DOH.

The majority of cases are among those between ages 25 and 49, followed by those between ages 18 and 24, according to state health department data.

Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania has recorded the highest number of cases at 363 followed by Mifflin County, in the central part of the state, with 105.

The CDC has reported one death from measles so far this year but did not say where the death occurred. A note on the agency’s website said the number “is subject to change.”

Nvidia releases software to prevent AI security incidents

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Nvidia, a top chipmaker whose products fuel many artificial intelligence agents, released a software platform on Monday designed to prevent security incidents revealed by AI firms in recent months.

The software aims to provide a “trust layer” for AI agents that insulates them from inadvertent exposure to other AI agents, digital products and the open internet over the duration of their existence, Nvidia said in a blog post.

“Recent security incidents have underscored the need to equip organizations with open, customizable tools that enforce more control over long-running agents,” Nvidia said in a statement.

Dozens of companies partnered with Nvidia on the project, including IBM, Microsoft, Palantir, Anthropic and xAI-parent company SpaceX.

The move comes after a flurry of AI security incidents disclosed by firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Alphabet-owned Google.

Those security breaches prompted warnings from some of most powerful executives in the artificial intelligence industry, who cautioned of a grave threat posed by the technology and called for a slowdown in AI development.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk belong to a group of industry leaders who have issued acute warnings about the risk of AI slipping out of human control.

Some analysts warn of a pathway called recursive self-improvement, in which AI becomes increasingly effective at training itself, eliciting a cycle of rapid advancement. At that point, they say, AI could take charge of critical systems using its superior capabilities to evade protections devised by humans.

By contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed such doomsday scenarios, instead pushing for safety measures that would keep AI in check as firms continue to develop it.

“Artificial intelligence is extraordinary technology that will advance discovery, productivity, security, health, and prosperity for generations to come,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in a post on X on Monday. “But its full promise can only be realized when people have confidence that AI is being built to be safe and deployed with wisdom and responsibility.”

Anthropic and SpaceX joined in partnership with Nvidia on the AI safety software platform, Nvidia said. OpenAI is not listed among the corporate partners unveiled by Nvidia on Monday; nor are Meta or Google.

Public concern grew after an autonomous cyberattack disclosed by OpenAI in late July. The ChatGPT-maker revealed that its AI models had escaped a “sandboxed testing environment” and gained access to the open internet, OpenAI said.

A swarm of about 700 AI agents, in turn, hacked into AI firm Hugging Face and attempted to cover their tracks as they sought to complete the test, according to a report issued by research organizations METR and Redwood Research on Aug. 26.

On the same day, OpenAI released its own report about the cyberattack, voicing concern about the implications of its findings.

“We consider this incident a ‘warning shot for us and for the world: evidence that, without proper safeguards, highly capable AI agents are now able to work around technical controls, collaborate through unapproved channels, and take dangerous actions that no human directed,” OpenAI said at the time.

“Preventing future incidents will require sustained investment in the alignment and control of sophisticated AI systems, as well as security and other safeguards that operate at the speed of the AI agents themselves,” the company added.

Nvidia said on Monday the newly unveiled software platform would have stopped the hack into Hugging Face, a company Nvidia has since acquired for nearly $13 billion. Hugging Face is a partner on the software platform, Nvidia noted.

Tipster in RAF Fairford plot had ‘partial picture,’ British minister says amid probe

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — A police cordon remained in place on Monday near a major air base hosting U.S. forces in the southwest of England, where British police arrested five men early on Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses.

The men were detained in possession of three vans close to RAF Fairford, which has long served as a key European hub for the U.S. Air Force and a vital staging point for long-range operations in the Middle East — including in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Counter Terrorism Policing said on Monday that all five men arrested were from London, all were British nationals and all were aged between 23 and 25. They were detained “on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act,” CTP said.

Police said they are still working to “establish the full circumstances of the activity of those arrested, their knowledge and any motivation behind this incident.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Monday morning, British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said he would not “comment in detail on operational security matters. Because, often, the more we might say the more insight we give to those who would wish us harm, and do us harm given the opportunity.”

Streeting said the investigation was “well under way” and thanked those involved in the arrests, the evacuation of the town and the investigation. Police said that at least 85 homes were evacuated during their response on Sunday.

Streeting thanked an anonymous farmer — who also spoke with the BBC — who said she called in the threat after coming across the “hooded and masked” men and vans in the early hours of Sunday morning in the village of Whelford, close to RAF Fairford.

Streeting thanked the tipster for calling in the threat, though said the caller only “had a partial picture” of the situation. “I won’t go beyond that, in terms of commenting on operational security matters,” Streeting added.

The farmer told the BBC she believed authorities had “dropped the ball” in allowing the suspected attackers to get so close to the base.

Public frustration at the incomplete picture, Streeting continued, is “a small price to pay” to protect operational security. Streeting also refused to comment on the identities, aims or motivations of the five detained men.

Streeting declined to give further details on what police and intelligence authorities may have known about the alleged plot, though welcomed President Donald Trump’s praise of an operation that he said had been ongoing for a “long time.”

Trump told reporters on Sunday that the suspects were “looking to do big damage” to U.S. forces present at RAF Fairford. “The arrest in the U.K. was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump said.

The U.S. military has used RAF Fairford intensively amid the ongoing war with Iran — though so far no connection to Iran has been confirmed or established by authorities. The base has been used by American B-52 and B-1 heavy bombers operating in the Middle East.

When asked of potential Iranian involvement in the suspected plot, Streeting said he was not “drawing a connection with Iran,” before adding, “We know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm.”

The Iranian embassy in London denied any involvement in the incident, posting to X to condemn what it called “recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets.”

“The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK,” the embassy said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, as necessary, to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media narratives,” it added.

ABC News’ Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.

Trump administration rolls back fuel economy standards for automakers: What to know

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The Department of Transportation is easing fuel economy standards that were put in place during the Biden administration.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said Monday that changing CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards for vehicles will make them more affordable by establishing “commonsense” guidelines for automakers.

“This administration is delivering relief to families and reviving the beating heart of American manufacturing,” Duffy said. “With our commonsense standards in place, we are making the American dream affordable again, putting safer cars on the road, and investing in the American autoworker.”

The new Trump administration rule reduces the previous average fuel economy requirement from 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031 to 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031. It also eliminates the need for automakers to invest in electric vehicle production to help meet those requirements. The rule reverses the requirements set by the Biden administration in 2024.

“This rule restores integrity to the national fuel economy program, balancing vehicle affordability and energy conservation goals while improving safety on our roadways,” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison said in a statement. “Newer cars are safer cars. By reducing vehicle prices, more American families will be able to afford newer vehicles, and sensible standards allow automakers more freedom to design and produce vehicles consumers actually want. I’m proud of our fantastic team of expert engineers, economists, and lawyers for the tremendous job they’ve done finalizing this rule.”

The agency is also changing the classification of light truck and passenger vehicles beginning in 2030.

“This reclassification will eliminate the incentive to add equipment and alter designs for classification purposes, which will result in greater availability of lower-cost vehicle options for consumers,” the Department of Transportation said in a statement. “Instead, automakers will develop vehicles that meet consumer wants and needs. With the current vehicle classification, manufactures are disincentivized from making hatchbacks, wagons, and smaller footprint vehicles in general.”

NHTSA says current regulations have encouraged manufacturers to add features or make design changes primarily for regulatory purposes, reducing the availability of smaller, lower-cost vehicles. It also claims the change will cut the average cost of new vehicles by as much as $1,300 on average and could save Americans $138 billion over the next five years. The average price of a new vehicle was $49,855 in July, according to Kelley Blue Book.

These new standards are also expected to reduce U.S. yearly oil consumption by 1.3 billion barrels in 2050, according to the DOT.

President Donald Trump posted on social media over the weekend that these fuel economy standards for vehicles will “take the waste out of building cars in America” and subsequently lead to “LOWER PRICES.”

CAFE standards were established in 1975 to promote fuel conservation and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The standards require automakers to meet fuel economy targets across their fleets, which can also help reduce pollution and fuel costs for drivers. Since the standards are calculated using a manufacturer’s overall fleet average, electric and hybrid vehicles can improve that average, allowing automakers to sell less fuel-efficient vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, while still meeting the requirements.

The Trump administration has argued that the previous CAFE standards effectively functioned as an EV mandate. However, NHTSA’s 2024 rule did not require vehicle manufacturers to make EV vehicles. The standards in the previous rule were “performance-based” and manufacturers were encouraged to “apply their expertise to find the appropriate technology path that best meets all desired outcomes.”

Environmental groups and climate experts quickly condemned the NHTSA’s decision, warning of potential adverse effects on air quality and human health.

Gina McCarthy, a former EPA administrator during the Obama administration and the current chair of the advocacy group America Is All, said in a statement: “For fifty years, fuel economy standards have saved Americans money and cut pollution at the same time, creating cleaner air, lowering prices at the pump, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Rather than keeping the U.S. at the forefront of innovation and improving affordability, this administration has chosen to do the opposite.”

“Cleaner, more efficient vehicles are good for consumers, good for jobs, and good for public health. Governors, mayors, and businesses are pressing forward to find solutions for America’s growing affordability crisis while reducing carbon emissions. And they will keep pressing forward – with or without Washington,” she added.

The Sierra Club said argued that less fuel-efficient vehicles will increase gas use, costs for drivers and air pollution.

“Less fuel-efficient cars mean more gas burned, spending more at the pump, and dirtier air in our communities,” said Katherine García, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director. “The Sierra Club will fight this senseless rollback every step of the way. We’re going to continue to fight back against this administration’s dangerous and costly attacks on cleaner cars and public health.”

Supporters of the decision said changing the CAFE standards gives automakers greater flexibility in meeting fuel economy requirements.

In response to the new rule, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said it is “still reviewing the final rule, but NHTSA made the right call to better align fuel economy standards with the law and current market conditions.”

“The standards finalized under the previous administration effectively required a switchover to electric vehicles that was out of step with market realities and customer demand. Today’s final rule is an appropriate course correction,” John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said in a statement to ABC News.

“What the industry needs is long-term regulatory stability that includes balanced, durable and achievable fuel economy standards that continue to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. As we’ve said before: This is the formula for preserving consumer vehicle choice and keeping the U.S. auto industry globally competitive,” he added.

The EPA calculates that the transportation sector is the largest contributor of direct greenhouse gas emissions in the country, with cars and trucks accounting for more than 75% of those emissions.Greenhouse gases are the leading contributor to climate change.

Trump to announce new $15B steel plant: White House official

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Trump to announce new B steel plant: White House official

Trump to announce new $15B steel plant: White House official — U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the crowd during the Presidents Cup 2026 at Medinah Country Club on Sept. 27, 2026, in Medinah, Illinois. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump will announce the construction of a massive new steel plant during an Oval Office event on Monday, a White House official said.

The project, which will be built by Mesabi Metallics in Iowa, will command a $15 billion investment from the company and is the first mega-steel plant built in the United States since the 1960s, the official said. The first steel production is expected to be in 2030 and, once fully built out, will produce 10 million tons of steel annually, making it among the largest in the U.S.

The company also recently invested $2.5 billion in a new iron ore mine in Minnesota, which the official said will allow the project to be fully integrated in the U.S. from mining to production. The mine is expected to produce 7.5 million tons of iron ore annually and will create 350 new jobs in Minnesota. Another 1,750 jobs are expected in Iowa, the official added.

“Today’s announcement underscores the President’s historic efforts to revitalize the U.S. steel industry — supporting local communities, strengthening supply chains, and protecting our national security,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement confirming the announcement.

Executives from Mesabi Metallics are expected to attend the event on Monday, as well as Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council Jarrod Agen and John Jovanovic, chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the details of the project.

The Wall Street Journal noted that Mesabi Metallics is backed by the Essar Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate, which first proposed the mine and mill project 20 years ago, and ultimately failed. The mine project filed for bankruptcy a decade ago, the Wall Street Journal reported.

3rd suspect charged with murder in death of Tasia Fortune, who was found hanging from a tree

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A third suspect was arrested on murder charges in the death of Tasia Fortune, a 29-year-old Black mother of four whose body was found hanging from a tree behind an apparently vacant Jackson, Mississippi, home on Aug. 3.

Police arrested Eric Clark, a 45-year-old Black man, on murder charges in Fortune’s death on Friday, the Jackson Police Department announced. Clark is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, police said. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney.

Clark’s arrest came after two other Black men were arrested earlier this month and charged with murder in this case.

During a hearing on Sept. 23, bond was denied for Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, one of the suspects, according to ABC affiliate station WAPT in Jackson. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney in his case.

Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested on Sept. 11 and charged with murder. According to an affidavit, Ratliff is accused of using a black cable cord to hang Fortune from a tree, WAPT reported. Ratliff pleaded not guilty during a hearing on Sept. 14, where he was also denied bond.

According to The Associated Press, police disclosed during a pre-trial hearing for Ratliff on Friday that Fortune was killed in a drug dispute before her body was hung in a tree in a “staged” scene.

Asked by ABC News to confirm this detail, a spokesperson for the Jackson Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

Ratliff’s attorney, Toney Baldwin, confirmed his client’s not guilty plea to ABC News, but did not comment on the charges.

Following Ratliff’s arrest, Fortune’s family told ABC News in a statement that they are “grateful” for the arrest, and called for “patience” from the public as the investigation takes its course.

“We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support and are grateful for the silence to be broken but we also want to say that we wish for people to have patience and wait for the rest of the facts to come out before jumping to conclusions,” Fortune’s family said in a statement Monday following Ratliffe’s arrest. “We are hoping soon we will have more answers.”

Christy Spivey, Fortune’s mother, told ABC News in an interview on Aug. 8 that her daughter’s death has “devastated” the family.

“This has just devastated us,” she said. “Tasia was strong-minded, she was full of laughs and love, she had faith in God … she had so little and gave so much.”

Insomnia linked to higher risk of dementia, suicide, stroke and other major health issues: Study

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Insomnia may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, dementia and several mental health conditions, a new study finds.

Researchers from Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland analyzed approximately 20 comprehensive review studies, involving millions of participants across multiple countries, to evaluate the impact of insomnia on health.

The study, published Sunday in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, found that insomnia was linked to a 26% increased risk of stroke.

The results, which looked at multiple other studies also showed individuals with insomnia were more likely to have depression and attempted suicide compared to those without insomnia.

Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder in the United States, makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or get good quality sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers also found that people with insomnia had nearly 30% higher odds of being hospitalized for any number of reasons.

“Insomnia deserves attention as a warning sign of the status of brain and mental health,” Luca Vignatelli, lead study author and senior researcher at the IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences in Bologna, Italy, told ABC News.

Issues with sleep are often overlooked when addressing mental health concerns, experts told ABC News.

“When you have anxiety or depression, it makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep, or it gives you poor sleep. But then when you don’t sleep well, it increases that risk of anxiety and depression,” Dr. Thanuja Hamilton, a board-certified sleep medicine physician at Advocare, told ABC News. “When you don’t sleep well, you’re more irritable, you’re more anxious, you’re less resilient to stress, and so you’re vulnerable to depression and anxiety, and that can make it harder to sleep.”

Researchers also found a connection between insomnia and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

Sleep has been shown to play an important role in clearing waste products linked to impaired brain function and Alzheimer’s disease from the brain, according to the NIH.

“When you sleep, that’s when your brain takes out the trash,” Hamilton said, referring to waste products that can accumulate throughout the day. “If you’re not getting good quality sleep or enough of it, then you’re going to have an excess buildup, increasing that risk of dementia down the line.”

Researchers cautioned that the new findings only show associations and do not prove that insomnia directly causes the health problems examined.

“I would like to emphasize that people should not be frightened by these results. An increased risk at the population level does not mean that an individual with insomnia will develop dementia, depression or have a stroke,” Dr. Stefan Seidel, one of the study authors and professor of neurology at the Medical University of Vienna, told ABC News. “Instead, the findings give us another reason to take persistent sleep problems seriously, identify possible underlying causes and provide evidence-based treatment when appropriate.”

What can people do to improve their sleep?

Habits like making your bed daily, keeping the room cooler and turning off the lights before bed can help improve your sleep, according to experts.

One of the most important healthy sleep habits, they say, is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

“Our circadian rhythm, our internal clock, it likes consistency,” Hamilton said. “If you are inconsistent with your sleep, then you confuse your brain. It doesn’t know when to start sleep or when to stop sleep.”

To support healthier sleep, turn off distractions such as the TV or your phone approximately 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime and avoid consuming coffee or alcohol late.

“You go down that rabbit hole when you get on the phone,” Hamilton noted. “It might distract you, but it’s not relaxing you.”

People with insomnia can also become anxious about whether they will be able to fall asleep, potentially making the problem worse.

“The harder you try to sleep when you have insomnia, the harder it is to sleep,” Hamilton added.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often the first treatment option for long-term insomnia. CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that can interfere with sleep and can include techniques such as adjusting sleep schedules and limiting the amount of time spent awake in bed, according to the NIH.

“The gold standard of treatment for insomnia is CBT, but it’s difficult and it’s time-consuming and it’s a lot of effort, especially for someone with chronic insomnia,” Hamilton said. “But it is worth it.”

Experts say sleep should become a more routine part of conversations about overall health.

“Sleep should be a topic to discuss with your doctor when talking about health, at any age,” Vignatelli said. “We need to raise public awareness about insomnia and its treatment and ensure that sleep is included in health promotion programs in our communities, schools, and workplaces.”

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide — free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.

Life-threatening flash flooding heading to Southwest, including Texas, New Mexico

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Millions across the Southwest are on alert for life-threatening flash flooding this week, with the worst of the flooding forecast for Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah and southern Colorado.

It’s already been one of the wettest Septembers on record for parts of the Southwest. Albuquerque, New Mexico, has recorded 3.31 inches of rain this month, marking the second wettest September ever.

On Monday, a level 3 of 4 flood threat is in place for parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Areas bracing for dangerous conditions include Santa Fe, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona; Grand Canyon National Park; Zion National Park; and Bryce Canyon National Park.

One to 3 inches of rain is possible, which is more than a month’s worth of rain in one day for some areas.

The level 3 flood threats will continue on Tuesday, with 4 to 6 inches of rain possible in some areas Monday through Wednesday. The significant threat will span from Tucson, Arizona, to Albuquerque to Lamar, Colorado, Amarillo, Texas and El Paso, Texas.

On Wednesday and Thursday, a level 3 of 4 flood threat is in place for Dallas, where significant flooding is possible.

UK police arrest 5 men under terrorism, explosives acts close to US air base

September 28, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — British police announced on Sunday morning that five people were arrested “on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act” close to a major air base hosting U.S. forces in the southwest of England.

“A number of properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident,” Gloucestershire Police said in a statement. “It follows the arrest of several men on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act.”

The village of Whelford is located around 2 miles from RAF Fairford, which hosts the U.S. Air Force and has since February been serving as a key hub for American operations against Iran — including for heavy bombers like the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress.

“The Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles,” the police statement said.

President Donald Trump said that the suspects in the RAF Fairford counter-terrorism investigation had been under surveillance for a “long time,” telling reporters on Sunday that they were “looking to do big damage” to the U.S. Air Force base there.

“The arrest in the U.K. was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac in Illinois while on his way to the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Chicago.

“We had them under investigation,” Trump said. “They were looking to do big damage to our fort.”

The president did not address any potential motive behind the alleged plot.

The U.S. military has used RAF Fairford amid the ongoing war with Iran — though so far no connection to Iran has been confirmed or established by authorities.

“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump added.

The White House did not respond to additional questions about the investigation.

Local residents were evacuated to a nearby recreation center, with a cordon put in place. “We believe this incident is contained,” police said. “We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place.”

The U.S. Embassy in the U.K. issued a statement Sunday urging American citizens to “exercise caution and be mindful of personal security” in the country following Sunday’s arrests.

“We remind U.S. citizens that U.K. authorities rate the threat of terrorism in the U.K. as severe. U.S.-associated facilities, gatherings, and organizations may be at heightened risk,” the statement added.

During a press conference later on Sunday, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said that police acted after receiving a call about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base at 12:45 a.m.

Officers arrested five men, who remain in custody, on suspicion of explosive offenses, Ocone said. Local police, he added, are working closely with counter-terror police on the investigation.

Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed that the five detained men were also arrested “on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.”

Police said that a 400m cordon was put in place around the suspect’s vehicles while armed forces explosives experts examine them. Around 85 households were also evacuated as a “precaution,” police said.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham posted to social media on Sunday urging people not to speculate about the incident.

“I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” Burnham said.

The prime minister said he was grateful to residents asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks were carried out.

“The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe,” Burnham said. “The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a post to X, “We can be reassured that this is being dealt with, and it is exactly why our emergency response teams and Armed Forces are on standby 24/7.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also posted to X thanking the emergency services “for their swift response to the major incident in Gloucestershire this morning and their reassurance that they believe the incident is contained.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force 501st Combat Support Wing, based at RAF Fairford, told ABC News that the unit “appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners.”

“The safety and security of our airmen, families, and surrounding communities remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson added. “We remain in close coordination with our U.K. partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”

Amid reports that U.S. air bases in the U.K. had raised their threat levels, the 48th Fighter Wing — an American unit based at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England — told ABC News in a statement that it was “unable to discuss specific force protection measures” citing “operational security reasons.”

“We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures are implemented or modified. Please be assured that the Tri-Base area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell) remains vigilant and will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of U.S. service members, U.S. and U.K. civilians, contractors, and their families,” the statement said.

ABC News’ Rashid Haddou-Riffi, Guy Davies, Lama Hasan, Kevin Shalvey and Jamie Dorrington contributed to this report.

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