MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2025
- House Prepares to Vote on Ending Record-Long Government Shutdown: Lawmakers are returning to Washington for a crucial vote on a funding bill to reopen the government after 54 days, amid ongoing frustrations with federal services like aviation.
- Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $1 Billion: The lottery prize has climbed to an estimated $965 million for Friday's drawing, drawing massive public interest.
- Food Banks Ramp Up Aid Amid Shutdown Uncertainties: The Capital Area Food Bank in D.C. is distributing an extra 1 million meals this November due to economic instability from the shutdown.
- Federal Reserve Debates December Rate Cut: Officials are divided on whether to proceed with a rate reduction, balancing inflation and growth concerns.
House to Vote on Shutdown Bill: The Republican-led House of Representatives is expected to vote today on the short-term funding bill passed by the Senate, which would end the record-long government shutdown.
Democratic Opposition and Division: Most House Democrats are expected to vote against the Senate-passed bill because it does not include an extension for expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare) subsidies, which was a central demand in their negotiations.
This has highlighted divisions within the Democratic party. Supreme Court and SNAP Benefits: The U.S. Supreme Court extended an administrative stay, allowing the Trump administration to continue withholding $4 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps), compounding the financial stress of the shutdown on millions of Americans.
Flight Delays and Travel Disruption: Airlines and transportation officials warn that flight cancellations and delays will likely persist, even after the shutdown ends, due to staffing shortages and required FAA restrictions.
Epstein Emails Released: House Democrats released new emails alleging that President Trump was aware of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, which has revived calls for the full release of the Epstein investigation records.
- House Set for Vote to End Government Shutdown: The chamber reconvenes after a long hiatus to approve a Senate-amended bill, potentially resolving the longest shutdown in history.
- Flight Disruptions Persist Post-Shutdown: Air traffic control issues from the shutdown could continue affecting travel even after funding is restored.
- SNAP Benefits at Risk Amid Funding Fight: Concerns mount over potential delays in food assistance programs as the shutdown drags on.
- Top Democrats Vow to Oppose Shutdown Bill: House leaders criticize the proposal for insufficient healthcare protections, setting up a tense vote.
- Russian Punk Activist Discusses Imprisonment for Political Art: Maria Alyokhina shares her experiences in a BBC interview, highlighting the risks of dissent in Russia.
- Global Tensions in AI Development: Reports emerge of an intensifying "AI Cold War" between major powers, reshaping international tech dynamics.
- International News Roundup on Conflicts and Diplomacy: DW's daily brief covers key global stories, including ongoing geopolitical shifts in Europe and Asia.
US Aircraft Carrier Near Venezuela: The largest U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has entered the area covered by the U.S. Southern Command near Venezuela, amid rising tensions in the region.
Fatal Cargo Plane Crash in Georgia: All 20 personnel on board a Turkish military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia were killed.
Report on Deported Venezuelans: Human rights groups released a report alleging that Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador endured systematic torture
- Bucknell University Shuts Down Academic Press: The institution closes its publishing arm to redirect funds toward undergraduate programs amid cost pressures.
- Rise of Dual Enrollment Programs: Inside Higher Ed examines the expansion of high school-college credit initiatives and their impact on access.
- States Challenge Trump-Era Student Loan Rules: Lawsuits target restrictions on public service forgiveness, affecting thousands of borrowers.
- Spotlight on Rural Education Talent: A high school reporter from Blue Ridge highlights community-driven stories in small-town schooling.
Berkeley Protest Investigation: The Justice Department plans to investigate the University of California, Berkeley following altercations that occurred during a protest outside a campus event hosted by the rightwing group Turning Point USA.
Donor Outreach using AI: The new Deloitte GivePrism solution (also mentioned in the Technology section) is specifically aimed at accelerating donor impact for higher education and nonprofits.
University of California Regents Vote: Students at the University of California are seeking a second vote on the Board of Regents that oversees the entire campus system.
- Fed's Division on December Rate Cut Grows: Policymakers weigh economic data, with fresh inflation figures complicating the decision.
- Labor Market Shows Signs of Weakness: A top investment bank warns of recession-like hiring and firing trends eroding economic resilience.
- Tech Sector Drives Stock Rebound: Shares rise as U.S. shutdown resolution boosts investor confidence, led by chipmakers' earnings.
- Upcoming Data Deluge to Influence Markets: Economists anticipate key reports on jobs and inflation to guide Fed actions.
Impact of the Shutdown: The record-long government shutdown is cited as having a significant, negative impact on an already-struggling economy, including lost paychecks for federal workers and disruptions to services.
Hemp Ban Threatens Spending Bill: A last-minute provision in the federal spending bill that would heavily restrict hemp-derived products (like CBD/THC drinks) is causing disquiet among some Republicans, potentially jeopardizing the bill's passage in the House.
Canadian Budget 2025: Canada's Minister of Transport highlighted Budget 2025's focus on transforming the Canadian economy to be less reliant on a single trade partner, proposing $1 trillion in investments over five years to increase GDP.
- Tech Stocks Surge on Strong Earnings: AMD, Infineon, and others report upbeat results, lifting futures amid shutdown thaw.
- NTT Launches AI 'Large Action Model': The new system predicts customer intent to boost telemarketing efficiency by up to 2x.
- Flying Cars Edge Toward Commercial Reality: Innovations from startups promise urban air mobility sooner than expected.
- Parenting Apps Evolve with AI Features: Tools now handle chores, driving monitoring, and savings encouragement via smartphones.
AI for Fundraising in Higher Ed: Deloitte unveiled "GivePrism," an AI-powered solution engineered to help nonprofits and higher education institutions identify, engage, and inspire donors more effectively using predictive models and generative AI content tools.
Need for AI Morals: Discussions and opinion pieces continue to circulate, arguing that regulation alone is insufficient and that the industry needs to focus on developing "AI Morals."
AI in Healthcare: There is continued discussion about the integration of AI in medicine, with headlines suggesting that AI "isn't coming for doctors.
It's already in the room."
- Shutdown Bill Faces Backlash Over Healthcare Cuts: Democrats pledge resistance to funding measures that could slash Medicaid and other programs.
- Coffee Consumption Linked to Lower AFib Risk: Daily drinkers may reduce atrial fibrillation odds by nearly 40%, per new research.
- Inmate Psychiatric Care Delays in Alabama: Promised reforms stall, leaving men charged with crimes waiting years for treatment.
- FDA Officials Quietly Revise Vaccine Rules: Top regulators push changes amid a low-key MAHA health summit.
No Link Between Tylenol and Autism/ADHD: A new study confirmed there is no evidence of a link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) use and autism or ADHD.
FDA Removes Black Box Warning on Hormone Therapy: The FDA has reportedly removed the "black box" warning on hormone therapy, a significant development for treatment options.
White House Deal on Weight-Loss Drugs: The White House is reportedly working on a deal concerning weight-loss drugs.
- NBA Unveils New All-Star Game Format: Starting 2026, a round-robin tournament pits U.S. and international teams against each other.
- College Football Playoff Rankings Shake-Up: Five ACC teams feature prominently, with pivotal Week 12 matchups ahead.
- DI Field Hockey Championship Kicks Off: Opening round games begin today, including Drexel vs. Saint Joseph's.
- Chicago Bears' Winning Streak in Focus: The team climbs rankings, but questions linger on their true strength.
- AP Top 25 College Football Poll Updates: 19 teams shift positions, highlighted by key performances like field goals and turnovers.
Former NFL Star Charged: Former NFL star Antonio Brown has pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge stemming from a Miami shooting incident.
Missouri Governor on Arrowhead Stadium: The Missouri governor floated the potential for a retractable roof if the Chiefs renovate Arrowhead Stadium.
LPGA Tournament Buzz: President Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump, has brought buzz to a recent LPGA tournament.