Trump confirms that he authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela
Donald Trump confirmed reports that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The New York Times first reported the classified directive, citing US officials familiar with the decision. Trump claims Venezuela has been releasing large numbers of prisoners, including individuals from mental health facilities, into the United States, often crossing the border due to what he described …
China announced new export controls on rare-earth minerals last week. The rules shocked foreign governments and businesses. Mr. Trump threatened to put an additional 100 percent tariff on products from China on Nov. 1 and cancel an upcoming meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping. He later qualified his statements and said he might meet Mr. Xi anyway.
Future of Voting Rights Act hangs in the balance at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments for the second time in a case over Louisiana's congressional map, which has two majority Black districts. A ruling for the state could open the door for legislatures to redraw congressional maps across the South. The court's conservative majority has been skeptical of considerations of race.
Jacque Caro is a social worker at New Concepts Clinical Chief Officer at a behavioral health agency in Toledo, Ohio. She and her husband have been married for 8 years. He has been in recovery from addiction to opiates for 14 years. The epidemic is fueled by prescription and illegal drugs. Lucas County has seen a dip in overdose deaths.
The Best Booths at Frieze London 2025
Frieze London returns with 168 galleries reconfigured under a fresh layout. This year, galleries younger than 12 years old are ushered into prime positions at the fair’s entrance. The sister fair, Frieze Masters, will be run by a new director, Emanuela Tarizzo.
Kier has bagged contracts to expand HMP Northumberland and HMP Lancaster Farms. It will deliver 480 extra prison places under the Ministry of Justice’s Small Secure Houseblocks Programme (SSHP) Alliance. Kier has already delivered HMP Five Wells, HMP Millsike and is currently expanding HMPs Elmley, Bullingdon and Channings Wood.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards – in pictures
The winner of the Photojournalism category is Jon A Juarez. His photo shows the first successful rhino embryo transfer into a surrogate mother through IVF in Ol Pejeta, Nanyuki, Kenya. This breakthrough paves the way for saving the rare northern white rhino from extinction.
Prison establishments in France are dilapidated. The General Controller of Places of Deprivation of Liberty (CGLPL) criticizes the inaction of the authorities. Many remand centers are installed in 19th century buildings, often in unsanitary conditions. The Fleury-Mérogis detention center, in Essonne, closed in 2023 due to problems with water infiltration and mold.
Wandsworth Prison shows slow improvements after cash boost
The report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said there was less of the day-to-day chaos and confusion that contributed to violence at the full inspection. It also said there had been "some improvement" in staff experience with more support and investment in training. However, levels of staff absence remained "unacceptably" high, with an average of one third of staff …
The Riyadh Comedy Festival was a failure. It was organized by the Saudi regime to distract from its human rights abuses. David Cross, Stewart Lee and Pete Davidson were criticized for taking Saudi money to perform. Jim Jefferies was dropped from the bill because of a joke about a journalist being executed.
The Frankenstein Version of Neo-Liberalism: When American Business Overtook Government
Elizabeth MacBride is a journalist and author of a new book, Capital Evolution. She believes business has overtaken government in power and influence. MacBride believes the current system is a corrupted mutation of neo-liberalism where government has been co-opted and turned into a tool for punishing people.
IUCN is meeting this week to discuss the future of gene-editing and genetically modified organisms in the wild. Many scientists believe technology can be used to help augment and bolster the natural world. Conservationists argue that everything should be on the table in the fight against worsening rates of extinction.
Families of Freed Israeli Hostages Ready Themselves for Journey to Recovery
Families of hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity on Monday thanked Israelis, the Trump administration, and Netanyahu for securing the return of their loved ones. They vowed to continue the fight to bring back all remaining deceased hostages. Â
Montana State Prison's water supply has been cut off since Friday. Three water leaks were identified inside the prison on Tuesday. The National Guard has been delivering water to the 1,600 inmates. Probation and Parole officers and correctional officers from the Montana Women's Prison are on site. Consultants have been hired to try to find the source of the leak.
Crypto maturity demands systematic discipline over speculation
Lucas Kiely is CEO of Future Digital. He believes that in the largely unregulated world of crypto investors often act irrationally and make big mistakes in the form of leverage. Every investor needs to take a more systematic approach to the industry now that it has matured.
Madagascar's High Constitutional Court has asked army chief Michael Randrianirina to "exercise the functions" of president. Lawmakers voted to impeach President Rajoelina. The UN is concerned about any unconstitutional changes of power in Madagascar and stands ready to work with the African Union and regional authorities to restore peace and stability.
Russia’s ‘permanent test’ is pushing Europe to the brink of war – here’s what Moscow actually wants
Russia's aim is to wield military power when necessary, engage in "grey-zone" war tactics when possible, and exert political pressure everywhere. Moscow has been doing all this for decades to redraw Europe’s security map without triggering direct war with Nato. Moscow's strategy favours hybrid means - drones, cyberattacks, disinformation, and blackmail - over warfare.
East Coast real estate firm Millrose Properties bought the development site in Sunnyvale for $44.3 million. Sunnyvale officials have approved plans for 242 housing units at 777 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd. The development would include 162 apartments and 80 townhomes. Orchard Supply Hardware shut all of its stores in 2018.
Trump confirms US is in a trade war with China
US President Donald Trump confirms the US is in a trade war with China. Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports. Last Friday, a social media post from Trump sparked a crypto market crash. Bitcoin is up 0.1% over the last hour.
Mr. Deakin's forecast of the 1987 hurricane has lived on in British memory for four decades. The now infamous “hurricane” clip even featured in the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics. Climate change would bring an additional layer of risk because of more moisture in the atmosphere.
Donald Trump: This is how the deportation policy affects Los Angeles
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The Capital Area Food Bank and its partners are stepping up to help federal workers in the D.C. area who have been furloughed or are working without pay during the shutdown. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 21, they're going to be doing some special free food distributions for federal workers and contractors.
Facing federal pressure, Fenway Health halts gender-affirming care for patients under 19
Fenway Health will stop providing gender-affirming care for under-19s at its clinic in Boston. The clinic says it has to comply with new federal regulations to maintain support for its more than 30,000 patients. The move has angered many in the community who relied on Fenway Health's care.
American Banker's On-Chain Finance survey was fielded online during August and September, 2025, among 142 employees of banks, credit unions or payments companies. Most expect ROI for crypto programs to appear after 18 months. Outside partners are important for building digital asset tech infrastructure. For AML, using existing frameworks was the top strategy. Fraudulent transactions are a top worry for …