THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK
10-26-25 TO 11-1 25
🇺🇸 U.S. News (Top 10)
Mass Shooting at Lincoln University: A deadly mass shooting occurred during homecoming celebrations at Lincoln University, leading to multiple casualties.
Hurricane Melissa Threat: Hurricane Melissa strengthened to a Category Four storm, with Jamaica bracing for impact and causing concern across the Caribbean and potential impact on US interests.
Government Shutdown Continues: The month-long federal government shutdown remains a major story, with no clear path to a resolution between Congress and the White House.
Head Start Funding Threatened: A critical consequence of the shutdown is the threat to funding for Head Start programs across the country, with some centers in rural areas already set to close.
Judge Blocks Citizenship Voting Order: A federal judge blocked an order from the Trump administration that would have required voters to prove citizenship on a federal voting form.
Instacart/DoorDash SNAP Discounts: Major delivery companies like Instacart and DoorDash announced they would be offering discounts to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
5 FBI Identifies Church Shooter Motive: The FBI released details on a Michigan church shooter, stating the individual was motivated by hatred toward the Mormon religion.
US-Venezuela Strike Denial: President Trump publicly denied that the U.S. was considering military strikes against Venezuela, following a US Navy strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat near the Venezuelan coast earlier in the week.
Democrats Push California Redistricting: Democratic efforts were highlighted to fight the administration in a California redistricting effort.
ACA Subsidies Standoff: The government shutdown remains tied to Democratic demands for an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies, with open enrollment for the ACA set to begin.
Politics (Top 10)
Government Shutdown Standoff: The central political story is the ongoing government shutdown, with little progress made between the parties.
Trump's Filibuster 'Nuclear Option' Call: President Trump, returning from a trip to Asia, called on the Senate to invoke the "Nuclear Option" to scrap the filibuster rule to end the month-long shutdown, breaking with many Republicans.
TikTok Deal Finalization: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the deal requiring the divestment of Chinese control over the TikTok algorithm would be finalized this week.
No New China Tariffs: Following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that additional 100% tariffs on China were "effectively off the table."
Election Monitors to California and New Jersey: The Trump administration's decision to send election monitors to California and New Jersey was a key political story.
Lowering Fentanyl Tariff: President Trump indicated he expects to lower the 20% fentanyl tariff on China following his meeting with President Xi Jinping.
BIS 50% Rule Suspension: The U.S. announced it will suspend the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 50% rule for one year, which deals with export controls.
Argentine Legislative Election: The ruling La Libertad Avanza party of President Javier Milei won the Argentine midterm legislative election with over 40% of the vote
Czech Government Formation: Czech President Petr Pavel asked former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to form a new government after his party, ANO, won the most seats in the parliamentary elections.
Refugee Admission Cap Lowered: The U.S. government announced it will drastically lower the number of refugees admitted to the country from 125,000 to 7,500 starting in 2026, with a prioritization of white South Africans.
World Affairs (Top 10)
Escalation of War in Sudan: Sudan's brutal civil war escalated, notably with reports of a paramilitary forces' "killing rampage" and the massacre in el-Fasher
Gaza War/Hostage Negotiations: Fighting and casualties continue in the Gaza Strip. The US-backed Gaza peace plan, including a hostage release component, was a major focus, though UN human rights experts warned parts of the plan contradict international law.
Hurricane Melissa Devastation: Hurricane Melissa caused significant destruction and left over 50 dead in Jamaica and Haiti, with the toll expected to rise.
Rio de Janeiro Police Raid Deaths: A police operation in a Rio de Janeiro favela turned deadly, resulting in over 130 deaths and triggering mass demonstrations and calls for the governor's resignation.
Louvre Crown Jewel Heist Arrests: Arrests were made in connection with the brazen daytime heist of an estimated $100 million worth of crown jewels and gems from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
US Strikes on Venezuelan Boat: The US Navy conducted a strike targeting an alleged drug smuggling boat near the Venezuelan coast, killing at least four crewmembers, which prompted a strong reaction from the UN human rights chief.
Morocco/Western Sahara Resolution: The United Nations Security Council approved a US-backed resolution supporting Morocco's autonomy proposal and claim to the disputed Western Sahara.
Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN: Timor-Leste officially became the eleventh member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
PKK Withdrawal from Turkey: The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced it is withdrawing its fighters from Turkey and moving them to Iraq as part of ongoing peace talks with the Turkish government.
G7 Slams Russian Attacks: G7 nations slammed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, with Ukraine decrying the actions as "nuclear terrorism."
Education (Top 10)
Global Literacy Crisis Report: A new report from the World Bank, FCDO, and UNICEF offered evidence-based solutions to address the global literacy crisis, noting that 70% of children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand simple text.
Government Shutdown and Head Start: The US government shutdown directly threatens critical funding for Head Start programs, potentially leading to widespread center closures.
UNESCO Ministers' Meeting on AI: UNESCO convened education ministers to shape future skills, with a focus on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all levels of education.
New AI Education Partnerships: UNESCO partnered with Walnut Coding to advance digital education, part of a push for "FutureProof Education" in the AI Evolution.
Literacy Crisis Rooted in Teacher Confidence: The global report highlighted a lack of teacher confidence in teaching literacy effectively as a main cause of the crisis.
Focus on Foundational Skills: The new research emphasized that children are not learning foundational literacy skills, with over 90% of students in some regions unable to identify letter names or read simple words after three years of school.
Higher Education in Emergencies: The need for supporting and rebuilding futures through higher education in emergencies was a topic of focus.
Investment in Early Reading Methods: The World Bank report advocated for investing in proven reading methods during early school years to reduce the need for expensive remedial programs later.
43rd Session of UNESCO General Conference: The conference was a key event bringing together global education policymakers.
Lincoln University Shooting Impact: The deadly campus shooting during a major event brought tragic gun violence back into the national conversation about safety and higher education environments.
Economy (Top 10)
Big Tech Earnings Blowouts: Major tech companies like Alphabet (Google), Meta, and Amazon posted quarterly earnings that exceeded expectations, driven by resilient advertising revenue and AI demand.
Amazon Cloud Comeback and AI Arms Race: Amazon Web Services (AWS) revenue soared 20%, igniting investor optimism. CEO Andy Jassy flagged higher capital spending next year to keep up with the "AI arms race" in Big Tech.
U.S.-Vietnam Trade Deal Framework: The U.S. and Vietnam published a Joint Statement on a new trade deal framework, including preferential market access, agreements on non-tariff barriers, and major aircraft purchases from Boeing.
U.S.-Thailand Trade Deal Framework: A trade deal framework was also announced with Thailand, including the elimination of tariffs on 99% of U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and procurement of U.S. aircraft and energy products.
Lower-Than-Expected Inflation (CPI): The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation rose at 3.0%, which was lower than the expected consensus of 3.1%, increasing prospects for future Federal Reserve rate cuts.
U.S.-South Korea Trade Deal Finalized: The U.S. and South Korea reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on goods, including automobiles manufactured in South Korea, to 15%.
Record-High Stock Indices: Major U.S. indexes (S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow) eclipsed record highs set earlier in the month, extending the bull market's positive momentum
Magnificent Seven Outperformance: Mega-cap tech stocks (the Magnificent Seven) were projected to continue generating a disproportionate share of overall earnings growth compared to the rest of the S&P 500.
Anthropic/Google Cloud Deal: AI startup Anthropic is reportedly negotiating a multi-billion-dollar cloud deal with Google, planning to use up to one million TPUs, highlighting rapid AI workload growth.
Nvidia/OpenAI Loan Discussions: Nvidia is reportedly discussing guaranteeing portions of OpenAI's planned loans for building its data centers and expanding chip-leasing arrangements.
Technology (Top 10)
Alphabet Crosses $100 Billion Revenue: Alphabet (Google's parent) crossed $100 billion in quarterly revenue, driven by strong advertising, with Google Search revenue jumping 15% due to AI-powered features.
Amazon's Cloud and Advertising Surge: Amazon's AWS revenue surged 20%, and its advertising business grew 24%, boosting investor confidence in its AI position.
Amazon Launches AWS RTB Fabric: Amazon launched AWS RTB Fabric, a managed cloud network for real-time bidding traffic, seen as a significant move to reshape ad infrastructure.
Anthropic/Google TPU Deal: Anthropic and Google are in talks for a multi-billion-dollar cloud deal involving the use of up to one million Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), reinforcing Google's AI chip ecosystem.
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas: OpenAI launched ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-Powered web browser, expanding its product footprint beyond its core chatbot.
Nvidia to Guarantee OpenAI Loans: Reports surfaced that Nvidia is discussing guaranteeing some of OpenAI's planned data-center loans, indicating deep financial relationships and risks in the AI arms race.
AI's Impact on Advertising: Earnings calls confirmed that AI-powered features like AI Overviews enhanced, rather than cannibalized, traditional advertising revenue.
Google's Quantum Computing Leap: Google's Quantum Computer reportedly made a significant technical leap.
Amazon AI Smart Glasses for Delivery: Amazon announced it's developing AI-powered smart glasses for its delivery drivers, part of a push to integrate AI into logistics.
Cohere IPO Talks: Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez stated the Toronto-based AI scaleup could hit the public markets "soon," offering a pure-play AI investment opportunity.
Health (Top 10)
FDA Approves Updated PAH Indication (Winrevair): The FDA approved an updated indication for sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair) for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) based on a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality risk.
FDA Approves Single-Dose Ulcerative Colitis Regimen (Omvoh): Mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh) was approved as a single-injection once-monthly maintenance regimen for adult patients with ulcerative colitis.
Mazdutide Superior to Semaglutide in Diabetes/Obesity: New Phase 3 trial data showed that the dual receptor agonist mazdutide was superior to semaglutide in reducing both HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes and comorbid obesity.
Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity Prevalence: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that about 1 in 10 people worldwide self-report non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.
High NLR Linked to Renal Decline: Research linked a high Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) to an increased risk of early renal function decline in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
Saturated Fat Guidance Issued by HHS: The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, RFK Jr., reportedly issued guidance encouraging Americans to eat more saturated fats.
Blood Pressure Variability and Brain Health: Trending research suggested a link between blood pressure variability and neurodegeneration and brain shrinkage in older adults.
Peritoneal vs. Hemodialysis Survival: A study indicated that peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis yield similar survival benefits for kidney failure.
ACA Subsidies and Shutdown: The health implications of the government shutdown, specifically the lack of funding for ACA subsidies impacting millions of Americans as open enrollment begins, remains a top health policy story.
The Skin-Brain Axis Research: Emerging evidence was highlighted regarding the "Skin–Brain Axis," which is transforming dermatologic care.
Sports (Top 10)
MLB World Series Forces Game 7: The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays to force a decisive Game 7 in the MLB World Series.
NFL Week 8 Action: Week 8 of the NFL season delivered major matchups, rivalries, and saw the highly anticipated return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers
No. 1 Nebraska Sweeps No. 11 Wisconsin Volleyball: The undefeated No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team swept No. 11 Wisconsin in a major rivalry match.
Australian Teenage Cricketer Death: A tragic training accident in Australia resulted in the death of a teenage cricketer who was struck in the neck by a ball.
Cricket World Cup Preparations: Australia defeated India in the second T20 ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
India's Iyer Injury Update: India's one-day international vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was reported to be improving every day after lacerating his spleen during a match in Australia.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Schedule Released: The full match schedule was released for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, which will feature 48 teams for the first time.
College Sports Championships Begin: NCAA (ODAC) conference cross country, soccer, and football championships and tournaments began in various college athletic programs.
Wisconsin-Nebraska Volleyball Rivalry: The match between the two top-ranked Big Ten volleyball teams was described as "the best rivalry in our sport," highlighting the intense competition.
FloSports Media Deal: College sports news highlighted the start of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's five-year media rights agreement with FloSports, ensuring live streaming of all conference and home contests.
GROK AI
- The federal government shutdown continues, with Republicans and Democrats no closer to an agreement, leaving many federal workers without paychecks.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits face potential disruption due to the shutdown, affecting food assistance for millions.
- Over 65,000 children risk losing access to Head Start programs if the shutdown extends beyond November 1.
- Immigration enforcement officers are using unmarked or masked vehicles for migrant apprehensions across the U.S.
- Republican Jack Ciattarelli emerges as a strong contender in the 2025 New Jersey governor's race against Democrat Mikie Sherrill.
- Multiple arrests made in Michigan over a planned Halloween weekend attack plot, as announced by the FBI director.
- President Trump calls on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster to allow Republicans to reopen the government without Democratic support.
- Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2, at 2 a.m., with clocks falling back one hour.
- SpaceX successfully launches its 11th Starship test flight, advancing goals for lunar and Mars missions.
- The Social Security Administration delays its annual cost-of-living adjustment announcement due to the ongoing shutdown.
- The federal government shutdown drags on, with no resolution in sight between Republicans and Democrats.
- President Trump demands the Senate scrap the filibuster to bypass Democrats and end the shutdown.
- Trump embarks on an Asia diplomatic tour, including meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
- U.S. and China agree on a framework for a trade deal ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting.
- Republican Jack Ciattarelli gains traction in the New Jersey governor's race against Mikie Sherrill.
- ICE detains British journalist Sami Hamdi after criticism of Israel, sparking free speech concerns.
- Nuclear tensions rise between the U.S. and China following trade truce.
- Politicians embrace central economic planning, from Trump's tariffs to socialist campaigns.
- Preview of November elections in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey highlights key races.
- Growing disillusionment among young Americans with Washington leaders amid economic hardship.
- East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN, marking the group's first expansion since the 1990s.
- Hurricane Melissa devastates northern Caribbean, making landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm.
- U.S. President Trump speaks at the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- U.S.-China trade talks advance with a framework agreement before Trump-Xi meeting.
- Sudan's humanitarian crisis worsens with escalating hostilities and attacks on healthcare facilities.
- Violence erupts in Gaza despite truce, with Hamas clashing against rival groups.
- Belgium vetoes EU aid package to Ukraine amid ongoing discussions.
- Japan successfully launches H3 rocket, advancing space capabilities.
- Arrests made in connection with Louvre art heist.
- Tensions escalate between the U.S. and Venezuela.
- U.S. Department of Education announces 161 students to be honored as 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
- High school students meet with legislators to discuss National Student Council's federal agenda.
- State lawmakers target DEI programs on college campuses, restricting diversity initiatives.
- Indian schools, including JAIN International Residential School, top EducationWorld rankings.
- Shrewsbury International School India hosts Cambridge Central India Community Meet.
- ITM Institute launches online micro-credit workshops aligned with NEP 2020.
- FinX launches National Mutual Fund Olympiad for 2025.
- IIT Kanpur introduces online MTech, MSc, and PG Diploma programs.
- IIT Bombay offers scholarships for aspiring students.
- New York State Education Department releases 75% of questions from 2025 grades 3-8 tests.
- U.S. and China outline trade deal framework, including rare earths and tariff pause, for Trump-Xi review.
- IMF upwardly revises U.S. growth forecast for 2025, crediting AI investments shielding from trade policies.
- U.S. budget deficit narrows in 2025 with record tariffs and debt payments.
- Corporate job losses increase amid tightening economy and AI-driven changes.
- Eurozone inflation drops to 2.1% in October.
- China's economy slows in Q3 due to weakening property market.
- U.S. grocers prepare for sales dip if SNAP benefits lapse from shutdown.
- WTO predicts delayed but sharp deceleration in global trade from U.S. tariffs.
- Social Security COLA announcement delayed by government shutdown.
- U.S. remains top source of global remittances despite immigration crackdown.
- Apple Mac roadmap for 2025-2026 leaked through macOS Tahoe 26.
- Data storage firms Western Digital and Seagate surge on AI-driven demand.
- Apple forecasts holiday quarter iPhone sales exceeding Wall Street estimates.
- Nvidia to supply over 260,000 Blackwell AI chips to South Korea.
- New 3D printing technique transforms hydrogels into tough metals and ceramics.
- Tabletop molecular technique allows electrons to probe atomic nuclei.
- Mushrooms engineered as low-power organic memory devices mimicking neural activity.
- Wireless eye implant restores reading ability for advanced macular degeneration patients.
- World's first AI art museum, DATALAND, set to open in LA in spring 2026.
- Tesla unveils updates to Optimus humanoid robot with improved dexterity and AI.
- COVID-19 mRNA vaccines boost survival rates in lung and skin cancer patients on immunotherapy.
- GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic show potential to curb drug and alcohol addiction.
- Engineered floral-scented fungus attracts and kills mosquitoes effectively.
- Ancient DNA reveals deadly diseases like typhus behind Napoleon's 1812 retreat.
- Supramolecular nanoparticles repair brain vascular system, reversing Alzheimer's in mice.
- Intelligence plays key role in processing speech in noisy environments.
- Medicare open enrollment runs amid government shutdown, affecting health plan changes.
- Diphtheria resurgent in Somalia due to war, climate, and vaccine mistrust.
- Whooping cough outbreak in Louisiana kills two infants, with delayed public alerts.
- Combining exercise with omega-3 supplements improves oral health significantly.
- World Series captivates audiences as the highlight of October's MLB postseason.
- Shohei Ohtani delivers an unprecedented October performance in baseball.
- NFL and NCAAF games dominate weekends with key matchups across the U.S.
- NHL and NBA seasons kick off, marking the return of hockey and basketball.
- UFC 320 and 321 events feature high-stakes fights in mixed martial arts.
- WNBA playoffs conclude with intense championship series.
- Formula 1 Gran Premio de Mexico draws global attention in racing.
- NASCAR Xfinity 500 race held at Martinsville Speedway.
- Premier League confirms only one Boxing Day game due to scheduling issues.
- Predictions for 30-win teams in men's NCAA basketball for 2025-26 season released.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 , 2025
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/morning-news-update-wednesday-october.html
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025
