Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Election Day Live Updates

Election Day Live Updates (NYT)

Election 2025: Democrat Mikie Sherrill elected New Jersey governor; Pa. Supreme Court justices retained; Larry Krasner wins 3rd term as Philly DA (Inquirer)

Bucks County Election Results

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states electing governors in this election.

Mamdani Wins N.Y.C. Mayor’s Race After Highest Turnout in Decades

Zohran Mamdani, whose triumphant campaign was built on progressive ideas and a relentless focus on affordability, will become the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century.

New Jersey Elects Sherrill Governor as Democrats Pick Up Key Wins

Representative Mikie Sherrill won a competitive contest in New Jersey while Abigail Spanberger’s victory will make her the first woman to serve as governor of Virginia. California, which will decide on a redistricting question, is still voting.



Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure nears longest ever

 Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure nears longest ever (Thanks to Sam for this one)



Bold Assassinations Are ‘Reality Check’ in Mexico’s Cartel Fight

 Bold Assassinations Are ‘Reality Check’ in Mexico’s Cartel Fight - The New York Times (Thanks to Matte for this one)

The murder of Mexico’s most vocal anti-crime mayor shows that, despite President Claudia Sheinbaum’s crackdown on drug cartels, the battle is just beginning.

In June, he recalled receiving a chilling phone call from a man who threatened to kill his toddler son. “I responded as any father would,” he said. “I told them, ‘I’ll be waiting for you.’”



Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84

 Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84

A former defense secretary and congressman, he held the nation’s No. 2 job under President George W. Bush and was an architect of policies in an era of war and economic change.

For Dick Cheney, a Journey From Champion of War to Voice of Resistance

Dick Cheney was to many the embodiment of the unpopular and bloody Iraq war. But his late-in-life anti-Trumpism changed his image for some of his longtime critics.



Trump Administration to Send Only Partial Food Stamp Payments This Month

Trump Administration to Send Only Partial Food Stamp Payments This Month

The government said it would send the aid after a court ruled last week that it must preserve the program known as SNAP during the shutdown.

A long line for a food pantry in the Bronx on Wednesday. The fate of SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, has been up in the air as the government shutdown continues. Photo by Marco Postigo Storel/NYT


Monday, November 3, 2025

Real humans don’t stream Drake songs 23 hours a day, rapper suing Spotify says

 Real humans don’t stream Drake songs 23 hours a day, rapper suing Spotify says 

Proposed class action may force Spotify to pay back artists harmed by streaming fraud.

Lawsuit questions if Drake really is the most-streamed artist on Spotify after the musician became "the first artist to nominally achieve 120 billion total streams on Spotify."

 

President Donald Trump: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview

 President Donald Trump: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview




Martha Layne Collins, 88, Dies; Kentucky’s First Female Governor

 Martha Layne Collins, 88, Dies; Kentucky’s First Female Governor - The New York Times (Thanks to Haadi for this one)

She rose from a junior high school teacher to the state’s top official, and helped persuade Toyota to build its first American factory in Georgetown, Ky.

Gov. Martha Layne Collins of Kentucky in 1984 with Walter Mondale, the Democratic candidate for president. He was considering Ms. Collins for his running mate, but eventually selected Representative Geraldine Ferraro. Photo by Jim Mone/AP


Friday, October 31, 2025

Caribbean islands reel from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact as storm heads north

 Caribbean islands reel from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact as storm heads north | CNN (Thanks to Finn for this one)



Prince Andrew to Be Stripped of His Royal Title

 Prince Andrew to Be Stripped of His Royal Title - The New York Times

The extraordinary move caps his fall from grace over his ties to the convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.



Executions and Mass Casualties: Videos Show Horror Unfolding in Sudan

 Executions and Mass Casualties: Videos Show Horror Unfolding in Sudan - The New York Times

Evidence of atrocities emerging from the city of El Fasher stoked fears that the Sudanese region of Darfur is plunging, once again, into a cycle of genocidal violence



AI: market cap milestones, datacenter expansion, and layoffs!

Nvidia stock nears $5 trillion market cap after slew of updates at GTC event

Amazon lays off thousands of corporate workers as it spends on AI : NPR

 Meta Cuts 600 Jobs at A.I. Superintelligence Labs - The New York Times

A.I. Spending Is Accelerating Among Tech’s Biggest Companies - The New York Times

How OpenAI Uses Complex and Circular Deals to Fuel Its Multibillion-Dollar Rise - The New York Times

OpenAI Restructures as For-Profit Company - The New York Times

Tim Cook says more AIs are coming to Apple Intelligence | The Verge

Sam Altman of OpenAI
Jensen Huang of Nvidia

With China Truce, U.S. National Security Controls Now Appear Up for Negotiation

 In China Truce on Tariffs and Rare Earths, National Security Controls Are Bargaining Chip - The New York Times

Some analysts say Beijing won a major victory in its trade talks: Getting the U.S. to withdraw a national security measure that previously was not under discussion.

Rolled Back: Trump Expands Global Technology Net With Rules Covering Subsidiaries - The New York Times

Related:

Xi Delivers Veiled Warning to Nations Not to Take the U.S.’s Side - The New York Times

At an Asia-Pacific summit, the Chinese leader urged countries to “resist unilateral bullying,” an appeal that seemed at odds with his country’s recent actions.

Some of Trump’s Favorite Things on Asia Trip: A Crown and ‘Vicious’ Weapons - The New York Times

Carney Plans to Meet With Xi to Try and Reset Relations - The New York Times

The leaders of Canada and China met for the first time in eight years to try to reset relations after years of acrimony.



Microsoft blocks the Israeli military from some cloud and AI services

 Microsoft blocks the Israeli military from some cloud and AI services | The Verge

The Guardian revealed last month that Microsoft’s services were being used for mass surveillance of Palestinians.



Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Is Gambling Is Killing Sports?

 Opinion | Gambling Is Killing Sports - The New York Times



National Grid must pay 2 workers a total of $3.1M for denying them remote work after pandemic

 National Grid must pay 2 workers a total of $3.1M for denying them remote work after pandemic (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

The National Grid gas company must pay a total of $3.1 million to two ex-workers with health issues for rejecting their requests to continue working from home after the pandemic, a Brooklyn jury has ruled.

“Employers, mainly large ones, do view disabled workers as a group seeking privilege, just like [National Grid’s] lawyer said,” said Arthur Schwartz, the lawyer for the plaintiff and also general counsel for the Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York. “They better look at this verdict and think twice,” he said.



Trump tells Putin to stop testing missiles and start making peace

 Trump tells Putin to stop testing missiles and start making peace - The Washington Post Thanks to Graydon for this one)

Russia tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile that it said is capable of traveling thousands of miles. Trump countered that there is a U.S. nuclear submarine off Russia’s coast.



Monday, October 27, 2025

Hurricane Melissa intensifies to Category 5, threatens Jamaica with 'catastrophic' flooding

 Hurricane Melissa intensifies to Category 5, threatens Jamaica with 'catastrophic' flooding (Thanks to Sara for this one)
The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain.

October 27, 2025: News on Hurricane Melissa | CNN (Thanks to Graydon for this one)

Live updates: Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica | AP News (Thanks to Louden for this one)



As Trump Tours Asia, Democracy’s Ideals Aren’t on the Agenda

 As Trump Tours Asia, Democracy’s Ideals Aren’t on the Agenda

Several of the leaders President Trump will encounter are either autocrats or presiding over fragile democracies. And some admire his willingness to break the rules.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia welcoming President Trump to Kuala Lumpur, the capital, on Sunday. Photo by Haiyun Jiang|NYT

 

Shooting leaves 1 dead and 6 hurt at Lincoln University's homecoming fest in Pennsylvania

 Shooting leaves 1 dead and 6 hurt at historically Black university's homecoming fest in Pennsylvania (Thanks to Sara for this one)

Shooting at a historically Black university’s homecoming fest in Pennsylvania kills 1 and wounds 6 (Thanks to Sam for this one) 


 

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Hurricane forecast: Melissa is now forecast to become a major hurricane as it trends toward a concerning track

 Hurricane forecast: Melissa is now forecast to become a major hurricane as it trends toward a concerning track | CNN (Thanks to Finn for this one)



NBA head coach and player arrested in gambling probe

 NBA head coach and player arrested in gambling probe | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)



Trump directs Pentagon to ensure troops are paid despite government shutdown; Billionaire donor givew $130 million for Pentagon to pay troops

 Trump directs Pentagon to ensure troops are paid despite government shutdown | AP News (Thanks to Joe Rickard for this

Pentagon Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown - The New York Times

Timothy Mellon Is Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops During Shutdown - The New York Times



Where jewels stolen in Louvre heist might end up; Arrest made in Louvre Jewelry Heist case

 Where jewels stolen in Louvre heist might end up | AP News (Thanks to Louden for this one)

Timeline of the Heist (Thanks to Sonia for this one) 

Related: Suspects in Louvre Jewelry Heist Arrested, French Authorities Say - The New York Times



Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa fling zingers in New York mayoral debate

 Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa fling zingers in New York mayoral debate | New York | The Guardian (Thanks to Chris for this one) 

Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa clash bitterly during final NYC mayoral debate | AP News (Thanks to Louden for this one)

7 Takeaways From the Final N.Y.C. Mayoral Debate - The New York Times (Thanks to Matte for this one)

26% of New Yorkers considering fleeing NYC if Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor: poll (Thanks to Joe for this one)



White House’s East Wing partially demolished as work begins on Trump’s $250m ballroom

 White House’s East Wing partially demolished as work begins on Trump’s $250m ballroom | Donald Trump | The Guardian (Thanks to Chris for this one)

Trump plows past concerns over East Wing demolition — and envisions an even bigger ballroom than initially planned | CNN Politics (Thanks to Finn for this one)





Tuesday, October 21, 2025

In Just 7 Brazen Minutes, Thieves Grab ‘Priceless’ Jewels From Louvre

 Louvre Robbers Take ‘Priceless’ French Jewels - The New York Times (Thanks to Sara for this one)

The robbers employed a portable electric ladder to break into a second-floor wing of the Paris museum that holds the French crown jewels.

A crown worn by Empress EugĂ©nie, center, along with other priceless pieces at the Apollo Gallery. In their haste to leave, the robbers dropped the crown. Stephane De Sakutin/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images



Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff's extended 60 Minutes interview; Cease-fire under strain as Vance heads to region

 60 Minutes: Witkoff, Kushner interviewed about Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal

Related: 

Full 60 Minutes Interview: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff's extended 60 Minutes interview

Nations Hesitate to Send Troops to Gaza, Fearing Clashes With Hamas - The New York Times

The Trump peace plan calls for an international security force in the Gaza Strip, but countries that might send troops are wary of danger, an unclear mission and being seen as occupiers.

Vance Lands in Israel as U.S. Tries to Shore Up Gaza Cease-Fire Deal - The New York Times

With the cease-fire deal under strain, Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders.





9th Circuit rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland

 9th Circuit rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland : NPR

A divided federal appeals court for the 9th Circuit on Monday overturned a temporary restraining order put in place by a federal judge in Portland — removing a legal impediment that was preventing the Trump administration from sending National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.



Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s New Prime Minister, and She’s a Heavy Metal Drummer

 Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s New Prime Minister, and She’s a Heavy Metal Drummer - The New York Times

Sanae Takaichi, a fan of Iron Maiden, had an improbable rise to power. Like her mentor, Shinzo Abe, she is expected to lead Japan to the right.

Japan's parliament elects Sanae Takaichi nation's first female prime minister : NPR

Japan's parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country's first female prime minister Tuesday, a day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the right.



Friday, October 17, 2025

Trump says he and Putin will meet in Budapest in bid to end Ukraine war

 Trump says he and Putin will meet in Budapest in bid to end Ukraine war (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

Putin Plays to Trump’s Ego as U.S. Wavers on Ukraine Aid - The New York Times

After Thursday’s phone call with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, President Trump appeared to express doubts about supplying Ukraine with more powerful weapons.

Trump to Meet With Zelensky on Weapons for Ukraine: Live Updates - The New York Times

What Are Tomahawk Missiles, and Why Might Trump Give Them to Ukraine? - The New York Times

Ukraine could receive a newly developed land-based launcher to strike Moscow and beyond.



Thursday, October 16, 2025

Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump From Firing Government Workers During Shutdown

 Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump From Firing Government Workers During Shutdown - The New York Times (Thanks to Melanie for this one)

Labor groups are set to square off against the Trump administration one day after the president renewed his threat to cut “Democrat programs.”

The Capitol in Washington during the shutdown, when the federal government is supposed to be performing only the most vital services.