Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 152.03 points, or 0.43%, to close at 35,609.34 just short of its record close on Wednesday as bitcoin hit a new record high.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 -- To counter China's ascent in the Pacific, the United States needs a stronger commitment to existing programs and a renewed effort to enter into direct diplomatic ties throughout the region, experts testified Wednesday.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Staff from a British animal hospital were summoned to a local business to capture a highly venomous snake that stowed away in a shipping container from India.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Executives representing small businesses from home construction to candy manufacturing told a House committee on Wednesday that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are hampering their efforts to grow.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- An Indian couple living in a region that experienced severe flooding took an unusual vehicle to reach their wedding venue -- a cooking pot.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A Texas craft store owner is attempting to set a Guinness World Record with a 78-foot-long homecoming mum.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Southern California authorities have arrested the husband of Maya "May" Millete nine months after her disappearance.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Bitcoin wasted no time taking advantage of its first U.S. future exchange-traded fund, or ETF, as the cryptocurrency reached a new high of $66,390.75 just before noon on Wednesday.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- An Arizona fire department rescued a cat that found itself stuck inside a cinder block wall.

Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Nikolas Cruz on Wednesday officially entered guilty pleas for killing 17 students and teachers at a Florida high school more than three years ago -- and will now let a jury decide if he will die for the crimes.