Dutch centrist Rob Jetten claims victory in neck-and-neck election race

Centrist liberal leader Rob Jetten has claimed victory in Wednesday’s tight Dutch election, narrowly edging out anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders. Jetten’s D66 party holds a slim lead of roughly 15,000 votes, giving them 26–27 seats in the 150-seat parliament, while Wilders’ Freedom Party trails closely. If confirmed, Jetten, 38, would become the youngest Dutch prime minister, though forming a coalition will require support from at … Continue reading Dutch centrist Rob Jetten claims victory in neck-and-neck election race

Trump says he’s not considering strikes within Venezuela

President Trump on Friday denied reports that he was considering military strikes in Venezuela, calling the claims “not true.” The Wall Street Journal had reported that his administration identified Venezuelan military facilities used for drug smuggling as potential targets, though no final decision had been made. The administration has recently taken a more aggressive stance in the region, sending the USS Gerald R. Ford and … Continue reading Trump says he’s not considering strikes within Venezuela

Republicans quickly push back on Trump’s call to nix filibuster

Republicans are pushing back against President Trump’s call to eliminate the Senate filibuster as a way to end the 31-day government shutdown. Key GOP senators, including Majority Leader John Thune and John Barrasso, insist the 60-vote threshold is a crucial Senate safeguard and reject changing the rules. Trump proposed using the “nuclear option” to pass legislation without Democratic support, but Republicans lack the votes to … Continue reading Republicans quickly push back on Trump’s call to nix filibuster

Opposition, activists accuse Ukraine’s leaders of using lawfare to silence critics.

Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, former head of Ukraine’s state-owned power company Ukrenergo, was abruptly forced to resign in 2024 despite successfully keeping the country’s power grid operational during nearly four years of Russian attacks. Last week, he was arraigned on embezzlement charges related to a seven-year-old infrastructure contract that was never completed, with no evidence he personally benefited. Critics—including opposition lawmakers and anti-corruption activists—say the prosecution is … Continue reading Opposition, activists accuse Ukraine’s leaders of using lawfare to silence critics.

Dangerous radiation levels detected in San Francisco

San Francisco health officials are demanding answers from the U.S. Navy after learning that elevated radiation levels were detected at the decommissioned Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in November 2024. Plutonium-239 was found in an air filter at the site during asphalt grinding, with levels more than double the EPA’s “action level,” but the city was not notified until nearly a year later. Health experts warn … Continue reading Dangerous radiation levels detected in San Francisco

Unknown object crash near Area 51 fuels cover-up claims

A mysterious object crashed just outside Nevada’s secretive Area 51 on September 23, prompting a swift and secretive military response. Witnesses reported that the base and surrounding Tiikaboo Valley were locked down as armed patrols blocked roads and helicopters moved in to recover debris. The Air Force later claimed the wreckage belonged to an unmanned aircraft from Creech Air Force Base, but independent observers and … Continue reading Unknown object crash near Area 51 fuels cover-up claims

Mystery as more than 300 piles of human remains discovered in desert outside Vegas

More than 300 piles of cremated human remains were discovered scattered across the Nevada desert near Searchlight, about an hour from Las Vegas. Authorities believe a funeral home illegally dumped the ashes, though no specific business has been named. Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries has since collected the remains and plans to place them in a crypt so families may one day identify their loved ones, … Continue reading Mystery as more than 300 piles of human remains discovered in desert outside Vegas

Judges say government must continue paying SNAP food stamp benefits during shutdown

Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funds to continue payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The decisions came from cases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where judges ordered the USDA to access emergency funds and report back by Monday. Judge Indira Talwani rejected the administration’s claim that the $5 billion contingency fund … Continue reading Judges say government must continue paying SNAP food stamp benefits during shutdown

Travel chaos intensifies with 10,000 flight delays

Severe weather and staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown are leading to widespread Halloween travel disruptions across the U.S. Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled, with major impacts at Orlando, Austin, and Nashville airports. The FAA reported a lack of certified controllers at Orlando Airport, temporarily halting landings and stranding passengers, the Daily Mail has reported. Since the shutdown began on … Continue reading Travel chaos intensifies with 10,000 flight delays

FBI thwarts ‘potential terrorist attack’ in Michigan

The FBI has foiled a potential terrorist attack planned for Halloween weekend in Michigan, FBI Director Kash Patel announced. Several suspects aged 16 to 20 were arrested or detained after allegedly plotting a violent attack linked to international terrorism. Authorities intervened after undercover agents tracked online communications referencing “pumpkin day,” believed to mean Halloween, ABC News has reported. Officials confirmed law enforcement activity in Dearborn … Continue reading FBI thwarts ‘potential terrorist attack’ in Michigan

1X’s first robot housekeeper is available to pre-order in the US

Palo Alto-based robotics company 1X is preparing to launch its Neo humanoid robot next year, designed to assist with household chores and other tasks. Neo can move around the home, climb stairs, fetch items, answer questions, and autonomously handle chores while charging itself when needed. Users can schedule tasks via a companion app or give general commands, with “Expert Mode” allowing a human operator to … Continue reading 1X’s first robot housekeeper is available to pre-order in the US

Archaeologists unearth 1,500-year-old synagogue

Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a 1,500-year-old synagogue in the Golan Heights at the Yehudiya Nature Reserve, after decades of surveying the site. The basilica-style building, roughly 13 by 17 meters, features two rows of columns, benches along the walls, and architectural elements including a tabula ansata and stones engraved with a menorah. Many items from the synagogue had previously been reused in houses across the … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth 1,500-year-old synagogue

Federal Reserve cuts rates to lowest level in three years

The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday but did not provide a clear outlook for its December decision. Central bankers are making policy decisions without key economic data, such as inflation and jobs reports, due to the government shutdown. The lack of data complicates assessing the health of the U.S. economy, CNN has reported. If the shutdown continues, … Continue reading Federal Reserve cuts rates to lowest level in three years

Eli Lilly blows past estimates, hikes guidance

Eli Lilly reported third-quarter earnings and revenue above expectations, driven by strong sales of its weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro. Shares rose more than 3% following the results. The company raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $63–63.5 billion and adjusted profit to $23–23.70 per share, up from prior estimates, CNBC has reported. Quarterly sales for Mounjaro reached $6.52 billion, up 109% … Continue reading Eli Lilly blows past estimates, hikes guidance

Meta stock drops 10%

Meta Platforms’ stock fell more than 10% despite strong third-quarter results, as investors worried about the company’s aggressive AI spending plans. The company raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to $70–72 billion to build advanced AI tools and prepare for future superintelligence opportunities. CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized confidence in returns from core business and stressed the importance of heavy AI investment, including $14.3 billion in … Continue reading Meta stock drops 10%

Study finds signs of UFOs near US sites in 1950s

Researchers from Stockholm University and Vanderbilt University claim to have found evidence linking mysterious sky flashes from the 1940s and 1950s to nuclear weapons testing sites in the U.S. The flashes, described as “transient star-like objects,” appeared in historical Palomar Observatory photos taken before the first satellites were launched, ruling out human-made orbital objects. Analysis showed the flashes were 68% more likely to occur the … Continue reading Study finds signs of UFOs near US sites in 1950s

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida

SpaceX launched 29 more Starlink satellites into orbit on October 29 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, using a Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket’s first stage, booster 1082, successfully landed on the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions” for its 15th flight, which previously included high-profile missions like Crew-8 and Polaris Dawn. The upper stage will deploy the satellites into low Earth orbit about 64 minutes after … Continue reading SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida

Escaped monkeys ‘destroyed’ after Mississippi police are mistakenly told they’re a danger

Several rhesus monkeys were euthanized in Jasper County, Mississippi, after they escaped from a truck transporting them Tuesday morning and were mistakenly reported as dangerous. The driver claimed the monkeys were aggressive and carried infectious diseases, prompting law enforcement to take action. Tulane University clarified that the primates were not infectious and belonged to a third party, while three monkeys remain on the loose, NBC … Continue reading Escaped monkeys ‘destroyed’ after Mississippi police are mistakenly told they’re a danger

Confirmation hearing delayed for surgeon general nominee as she goes into labor

The Senate hearing for President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, has been postponed as she goes into labor with her first child. Means was set to be the first nominee to appear virtually before the Senate HELP Committee, scheduled two days after her due date. Nominated in May, Means is a Stanford-trained physician and author known for advocating holistic health, natural foods, … Continue reading Confirmation hearing delayed for surgeon general nominee as she goes into labor

Virginia Democrats advance redistricting amendment

The Virginia House of Delegates advanced a constitutional amendment allowing the state to redraw congressional lines if another state conducts midcycle redistricting, moving it closer to influencing the 2026 midterms. Democrats passed the measure 51-42, with the Senate committee also approving it, and it is expected to pass the full Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. Republicans have filed a lawsuit challenging the Legislature’s authority … Continue reading Virginia Democrats advance redistricting amendment

More Than 1,000 Artifacts Stolen In California Museum Heist

More than 1,000 objects were stolen from the Oakland Museum of California after thieves broke into an off-site storage facility on October 15, including Native American baskets, jewelry, and laptops. The museum confirmed the theft two weeks later, calling it a “brazen act” that deprives the public of the state’s cultural heritage. The Oakland Police Department is working with the FBI’s Art Crime Team to … Continue reading More Than 1,000 Artifacts Stolen In California Museum Heist

Sean Grayson found guilty of murder in the death of Sonya Massey

Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey, a Black mother who had called 911 about a possible prowler. The jury deliberated nearly 12 hours, ultimately rejecting the first-degree murder charge, though Massey’s family and civil attorneys called the verdict a partial measure of justice. Body camera footage showed Massey complying with deputies before being … Continue reading Sean Grayson found guilty of murder in the death of Sonya Massey

Senate approves Democratic resolution to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada

The Senate voted 50-46 to approve a resolution blocking President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support, following a similar vote on tariffs for Brazil. The resolution, which challenges the national emergency used to justify the tariffs, is largely symbolic since the GOP-controlled House is unlikely to take it up. Trump imposed the tariffs citing Canada’s role in the fentanyl crisis, … Continue reading Senate approves Democratic resolution to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada

Newark halts flights over staffing crisis

The FAA has issued a ground stop at Newark Airport due to severe staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown, affecting air traffic controllers and TSA officers who are required to work without pay. The shutdown, now in its 29th day, has led to widespread flight delays and cancellations nationwide, with absenteeism and fatigue raising safety concerns. Newark, already struggling with staffing and technology issues, … Continue reading Newark halts flights over staffing crisis

Pentagon readying thousands of Guard ‘reaction forces’ as U.S. mission widens

The Pentagon is training thousands of National Guard personnel for civil unrest missions, signaling a possible normalization of domestic military deployments under the Trump administration. A new “quick reaction force” of 200 troops, drawn from disaster-response units, will be equipped with riot-control gear and ready by January, complementing the existing National Guard Reaction Force expected to be fully operational by April. Across states and territories, … Continue reading Pentagon readying thousands of Guard ‘reaction forces’ as U.S. mission widens