Social media use linked to lower reading, memory scores in preteens

 Social media use linked to lower reading, memory scores in preteens : Shots - Health News : NPR

Preteens using increasing amounts of social media perform poorer in reading, vocabulary and memory tests in early adolescence compared with those who use no or little social media.

That's according to a new study that suggests a link between social media use and poorer cognition in teens. The findings are published in JAMA.

"This is a really exciting study," says psychologist Mitch Prinstein at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

SpaceX launches 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

 SpaceX launches 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win : NPR

SpaceX launched another of its mammoth Starship rockets on a test flight Monday, successfully making it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites like last time.

Starship — the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built — thundered into the evening sky from the southern tip of Texas. The booster peeled away and made a controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico as planned, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was recovered.

It was the 11th test flight for a full-scale Starship, which SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk intends to use to send people to Mars. NASA's need is more immediate. The space agency cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade's end without the 403-foot (123-meter) Starship, the reusable vehicle meant to get them from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up.

Tariffs...and China

 Trump Enacts Tariffs on Imported Lumber and Furniture - The New York Times

The president is threatening to widen his trade war against China as tariffs on timber, lumber, kitchen cabinets and other products took effect on Tuesday.

Trump’s Two Minds on China Sow a Chaotic Few Days - The New York Times

The president’s bellicose vow of steep new tariffs, followed quickly by a more conciliatory message, pointed to an internal tug of war over his approach.

U.S. Starts Charging Chinese Ships to Dock at Its Ports - The New York Times

The measure is aimed at countering China’s dominance of commercial shipbuilding and helping to revitalize the American industry.

Slowing Electric Vehicle Sales Will Cost G.M. $1.6 Billion - The New York Times

General Motors said it would lower its earnings by that amount to mainly reflect the drop in the value of equipment, factories and other assets.

China vows to stand firm against Trump's 100% tariff threat : NPR

"China's stance is consistent," the Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted online. "We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one."

It was China's first official comment on Trump's threat to jack up the tax on imports from China by Nov. 1 in response to new Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths, which are vital to a wide range of consumer and military products.

Shutdown: Workers, Military, and Schools...and Measles

 Test scores show students struggling to shake pandemic-era lows : NPR

 the nation's third- through eighth-graders are still mired in a pandemic-era slump, according to new testing data. In math, the news is only a little more heartening: Student achievement in those grades either held steady or improved slightly, though all grades remain behind performance levels of same-grade students in 2019.

Trump lays off employees in department funding special education : NPR

Federal workers stress over finances as shutdown drags on : NPR

Trump says Pentagon has 'identified funds' to pay military during shutdown : NPR

U.S. measles cases continue to climb, with outbreaks across the country : NPR

The U.S. has now confirmed 1,563 cases this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the highest annual number in more than three decades.

For Israel, Hamas and Trump’s Peace Plan, Now Comes the Hard Part

 For Israel, Hamas and Trump’s Peace Plan, Now Comes the Hard Part - The New York Times

Hamas released hostages and agreed to abide by a cease-fire, but persuading it to lay down its arms is another matter.

Arab Leaders Brace for Tough Negotiations at Egypt Summit - The New York Times

The meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, could expedite an end to the Gaza war, but regional powers must still resolve the thorny details that have stymied negotiations.

Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire: What's Next for Gaza Aid, Hostages and More - The New York Times

A step-by-step look at what’s next for the hostages, Israel’s military and the delivery of aid.

The Release of Israeli Hostages and Palestinian Prisoners in Photos and Videos - The New York Times

Death toll rises in Philippines after twin quake triggering 2 tsunami warnings

 Death toll rises in Philippines after twin quake triggering 2 tsunami warnings | CNN (Thanks to Finn for this one)

States plan National Guard withdrawal from Washington

 States plan National Guard withdrawal from Washington | AP News (Thanks to Sonia for this one)

Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi and West Virginia said they planned to remove their troops by Nov. 30. The other states with troops in D.C. — Alabama, Louisiana and South Dakota — did not respond to requests seeking information.

A.I. Companion Ads for Friend.com Flood NYC Subway, Fueling Backlash and Vandalism

 A.I. Companion Ads for Friend.com Flood NYC Subway, Fueling Backlash and Vandalism - The New York Times

An ad campaign for a wearable A.I. companion has blanketed New York City, starting conversations and inspiring vandalism.

Letitia James Is Indicted as Trump Takes Hold of Justice Dept; Judges Block Deployments to Chicago and Portland

 Letitia James Is Indicted as Trump Takes Hold of Justice Dept

Read the Indictment of Letitia James - The New York Times

James Indictment Mirrors Her Civil Case Against Trump in Miniature - The New York Times

The president and New York’s attorney general accused each other of real estate fraud. But the sum involved in her case is $18,933, while millions were at stake in his.

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Chicago Area - The New York Times

Judge April M. Perry said the Trump administration had not established that sending in troops over the governor’s objection was legally justified. An appeal is likely.

What Courts Have Said in Challenges to Trump’s National Guard Deployments - The New York Times

Federal courts across the country have heard legal challenges to the mobilization of troops in Los Angeles, Washington, Portland, Ore., and Chicago. Here’s how some judges have ruled.

Related: 

We Asked 50 Legal Experts About the Trump Presidency. They’re Very, Very Worried. - The New York Times

Before the election, we surveyed the legal establishment about what a second Trump term could mean for the rule of law. A year later, they’re very, very worried.

Israel and Hamas Reach Deal on Hostage and Prisoner Exchange; Cease-Fire is in effect

Israel and Hamas Reach Deal on Hostage and Prisoner Exchange

President Trump said Israel would pull back troops in the first phase of the agreement, raising hopes that the two-year war in Gaza may be nearer to an end.

What does Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan envision?

What We Know About the Hostage Deal Between Israel and Hamas - The New York Times

Israeli Military Says Cease-Fire Is in Effect in Gaza - The New York Times

Opinion | Give Trump the Nobel for Gaza, if He Does the Harder Parts to Come - The New York Times

Senators mark second anniversary of Oct. 7 attack with resolution condemning Hamas

 Senators mark second anniversary of Oct. 7 attack with resolution condemning Hamas (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

As France Faces Political Turmoil, Macron Is Backed Into a Corner

 As France Faces Political Turmoil, Macron Is Backed Into a Corner (Thanks to Matte for this one)

The record-fast collapse of yet another government confronts President Emmanuel Macron and his country with an intensifying crisis.

Related: 

France’s Domestic Instability Has Weakened Its Diplomatic Clout - The New York Times

President Emmanuel Macron’s inability to find a government that can pass a new budget is hobbling his efforts to influence Europe’s agenda.

Truck driver sues Mark Sanchez and Fox after violent fight over parking space

 Truck driver sues Mark Sanchez and Fox after violent fight over parking space (Thanks to Louden for this one)

National Guard members from Texas are in Illinois in Trump’s latest move to send troops to cities

 National Guard members from Texas are in Illinois in Trump’s latest move to send troops to cities (Thanks to Sam for this one)

Hundreds of US National Guard troops arrive in Chicago (Thanks to Graydon for this one)

Nobel Prize in Physics Recognizes Work in Quantum Mechanics

Nobel Prize in Physics Recognizes Work in Quantum Mechanics

John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for showing that two properties of quantum mechanics, the physical laws that rule the subatomic realm, could be observed in a system large enough to see with the naked eye.

Tesla Reveals Cheaper Versions of Its Cars

 Tesla Reveals Cheaper Versions of Its Cars

Elon Musk’s electric car company said the new versions would start at around $37,000 and $40,000, prices that bring its cars closer to comparable gasoline vehicles.

What Does the National Guard Do? Why Are Its Troops in U.S. Cities?

 What Does the National Guard Do? Why Are Its Troops in U.S. Cities?

The Guard has been federally mobilized around the country at least 10 times since World War II, with presidents using it to respond to civil unrest.

Opinion: No, Trump Can’t Deploy Troops to Wherever He Wants

White House floats no back pay for some furloughed federal workers despite 2019 law

 White House floats no back pay for some furloughed federal workers despite 2019 law

Related: Air traffic controller shortages amid shutdown lead to canceled flights, delays nationwide

Takeaways from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s contentious Senate hearing

Takeaways from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s contentious Senate hearing

Hearing explored DOJ, Comey, and the Epstein files.

President Trump debuts $1M Gold Card, a visa fast-track for wealthy foreigners

 The Gold Card – The White House (Thanks to Joe for this one)

Trump rolls out $1M gold card, a visa fast-track for wealthy foreigners - POLITICO

No. 2 Miami jumps Oregon in AP Top 25, Penn State and Texas fall out of poll

No. 2 Miami jumps Oregon in AP Top 25, Penn State and Texas fall out of poll (Thanks to Louden for this one) 

Judge Again Blocks Guard Deployment as Trump Expands His Targets; Pritzker Says Federal Agents Are Trying to Make Chicago a ‘War Zone’

 Judge Again Blocks Guard Deployment as Trump Expands His Targets - The New York Times

A federal judge in Oregon accused the administration of circumventing her order, even as the president turned to Texas for troops aimed at Chicago and other cities.

Drones, Helicopters, Hundreds of Arrests: Trump’s Immigration Crackdown in Chicago So Far - The New York Times

The administration announced a federal operation in the Chicago area more than three weeks ago. Agents have appeared along downtown streets, and National Guard troops are expected.

Pritzker Says Federal Agents Are Trying to Make Chicago a ‘War Zone’ - The New York Times

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois said he had ordered state agencies to investigate a raid on a Chicago apartment building where there had been reports of  “nearly naked” children zip-tied by federal officers.

Related:

Supreme Court Returns to Face Trump Tests of Presidential Power - The New York Times

As the justices return to the bench Monday, the court will confront a series of cases central to the president’s agenda.

Trump Live Updates: Government Shutdown News, Israel-Hamas Talks and More - The New York Times

Gaza Peace Talks Are Set to Take Place in Egypt

 Gaza Peace Talks Are Set to Take Place in Egypt - The New York Times

Though significant issues remain to be hashed out between Israel and Hamas, some are saying that after two years of death and destruction, a breakthrough may be near.

Protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday calling for the release of the Israeli hostages.Credit...

OpenAI’s New Video App Is Jaw-Dropping (for Better and Worse)

OpenAI’s New Video App Is Jaw-Dropping (for Better and Worse) 

OpenAI’s Sora Makes Disinformation Extremely Easy and Extremely Real
The new A.I. app generated videos of store robberies and home intrusions — even bomb explosions on city streets — that never happened. 

OpenAI's Sora Social Media App Is an AI Deepfake Fever Dream
The new Sora 2 video model takes AI slop to the next, scarier level: Deepfakes, available for free to anyone using the app. 

 

Jane Goodall, ambassador for wildlife, dies at 9

 Jane Goodall, ambassador for wildlife, dies at 91 (Thanks to Cole for this one)

Jane Goodall, Revered Chimpanzee Expert and Conservationist, Dies at 91 - The New York Times

Her discoveries as a primatologist in the 1960s about how chimpanzees behave in the wild were hailed as “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

Television specials, including “Miss Goodall and the World of Chimpanzees,” originally broadcast on CBS in 1965, made Dr. Goodall a household name.Credit..

Trump Tells Congress U.S. Is at War With Cartels: What That Means

 Trump Tells Congress U.S. Is at War With Cartels: What That Means (Thanks to Joe R for these)

Trump ‘Determined’ the U.S. Is Now in a War With Drug Cartels, Congress Is Told

A notice calls the people the U.S. military recently killed on suspicion of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea “unlawful combatants.” 

 

6.9 magnitude earthquake kills more than 60 in central Philippines

 6.9 magnitude earthquake kills more than 60 in central Philippines (Thanks to Finn for this one)

Philippines President Says Tents Needed to Shelter Quake Survivors

Officials were optimistic on Thursday that most of the missing had been accounted for. But severe damage to the area means many people lack shelter, water and electricity. 

Shutdown Enters First Full Day With No Hint Either Side Will Give

Shutdown Enters First Full Day With No Hint Either Side Will Give (Thanks to Matte for this one)

Government funding was cut off shortly after midnight in a spending deadlock that could cut essential services and lead to mass layoffs. 

Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, spoke with reporters hours before the shutdown. Photo by Haiyun Jiang

Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says

 Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says (Thanks to Louden for this one)

 

Trump Announces Pfizer Deal to Lower Some Drug Prices and Unveils TrumpRx Website

 Trump Announces Pfizer Deal to Lower Some Drug Prices and Unveils TrumpRx Website - The New York Times

The administration also announced it will create a website, TrumpRx, that will help consumers buy drugs directly from manufacturers.

President Trump, with administration officials and Pfizer’s chief executive, Dr. Albert Bourla, third from left, during the announcement from the Oval Office on Tuesday.Credit...

Charlie Javice Sentenced to 85 Months in Prison for Fraud

 Charlie Javice Sentenced to 85 Months in Prison for Fraud - The New York Times

A federal jury in March had found Ms. Javice guilty for faking customer lists during JPMorgan Chase’s $175 million acquisition of her start-up.

See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy

 See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy - The New York Times

Long drives that were once effectively impossible with an electric car have become doable. Routes that once required careful planning now have abundant fast chargers. For E.V. owners, one quintessential American experience — hitting the open road — is no longer just a dream.

Top A.I. Researchers Leave OpenAI, Google and Meta for New Start-Up

 Top A.I. Researchers Leave OpenAI, Google and Meta for New Start-Up - The New York Times

Founded by a co-creator of ChatGPT, Periodic Labs aims to build artificial intelligence that can accelerate discoveries in physics, chemistry and other fields.

Judge Rules Trump Unlawfully Targeted Noncitizens Over Pro-Palestinian Speech

 Judge Rules Trump Unlawfully Targeted Noncitizens Over Pro-Palestinian Speech - The New York Times

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Boston said the Trump administration used the threat of deportations to systematically intimidate certain campus demonstrators into silence.

An image of the first page of Judge William G. Young’s decision, which features a typed note in response to a postcard he said he received in June.Credit...

Trump Administration Defunds Federal Watchdog Office; GOP senators call for release of funds

 Trump Administration Defunds Federal Watchdog Office - The New York Times

Two GOP senators called for “immediate action” to release money the White House blocked for the federal office that oversees dozens of inspectors general.

The decision to defund the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, which drew quick condemnation from top Republicans in the Senate who are now pressing to reverse it, was the latest effort by the White House to undermine independent investigators in the federal government.

Related: Fired Inspectors General Raise Alarms as Trump Administration Moves to Finalize Purge - The New York Times

The website: Welcome to Oversight.gov | Oversight.gov

Release of Democrat’s Naval Record Scrambles a Tight Governor’s Race

 Release of Democrat’s Naval Record Scrambles a Tight Governor’s Race - The New York Times

In the New Jersey governor’s race, Mikie Sherrill, the Democrat, is locked in a bitter battle with Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican, over the release of records tied to her military service.

Portland councilor, Army veteran, calls on service members to reject Portland military deployment

 Portland councilor, Army veteran, calls on service members to reject Portland military deployment - OPB (Thanks to Graydon for this one)

Government Shuts Down; How Congressional Leaders Are Positioning Themselves in Shutdown Fight; Shutdown 101

Government shutdown live updates: The Senate returns to debate funding bill | AP News (Thanks to Sonia for this one)

 How Congressional Leaders Are Positioning Themselves in the Shutdown Fight - The New York Times (Thanks to Haadi for this one)

The top four leaders on Capitol Hill are each facing high stakes and competing political incentives as they barrel toward a shutdown.

Shutdown 101: What closes, what stays open and who gets hurt | Fox News (Thanks to Bernadette for this one)

Democrats demand Obamacare subsidy extension, while Republicans push for clean funding bill as Wednesday deadline barrels near

Related: Opinion | Newt Gingrich: How to Win a Shutdown Fight - The New York Times

Michigan church shooting and fire kill at least 4 people and wound 8

 Michigan church shooting and fire kill at least 4 people and wound 8 | AP News (Thanks to Sam for this one)

Trump Tells Military Brass US Faces ‘Invasion From Within’ and should Use U.S. Cities as 'Training Grounds'

 Trump Tells Military Brass US Faces ‘Invasion From Within’ | Bloomberg

Trump and Hegseth Recount Familiar Partisan Complaints to Top Military Leaders - The New York Times

The U.S. generals and admirals summoned from around the world had been given little information about the planned event.

Trump Gave the Military’s Brass a Rehashed Speech. Until Minute 44. - The New York Times

On an almost daily basis, thousands of words pour forth from the president’s mouth. Sometimes, he tucks in a wildly revealing insight about the direction he is taking the country.