Trump and Xi pledge US–China cooperation in high-stakes meeting

Trump and Xi pledge US–China cooperation in a high-stakes meeting, vowing to steady a relationship both say is too consequential to fail. The harmony lasted about as long as a handshake photo op: Trump then ordered an immediate resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing, a “confidence-building” gesture only if your therapist is Dr. Strangelove. Both sides say they’ll keep lines open, but any talk of partnership now has to compete with a fresh jolt to global arms tensions.

Homebuilders Warn Reeves That Extending EU Habitat Rules Would Harm the Economy

Homebuilders Warn Reeves That Extending EU Habitat Rules Would Harm the Economy: The Home Builders Federation has told Chancellor Rachel Reeves that applying EU‑style habitat protections to Ramsar wetlands would stall housing and hobble growth. The fight is sharpening as Keir Starmer’s team considers legislation to overturn a Supreme Court ruling that those rules don’t cover wetlands—potentially handing spiders and birds an effective veto on new builds. In Britain’s eternal housing saga, first‑time buyers may soon be outmaneuvered by wildlife with sharper counsel.

French police arrest five more over Louvre crown jewels heist

French police arrest five more over Louvre crown jewels heist, pushing the manhunt forward after the audacious theft of priceless regalia. The suspects join an expanding lineup discovering that stealing history is easier than outrunning it.

Boots and TK Maxx warn customers to stop using a common household product immediately

Boots and TK Maxx warn customers to stop using a common household product immediately: character-themed enamel mugs that can leach harmful heavy metals into hot drinks. Boots has pulled three Blue Sky Designs gift sets—the Game of Thrones Mug & Sock Set, Rick & Morty Mug & Keyring, and Batman Mug & Sock Set—and says anyone with these should stop using the mugs and return them to any Boots for a full refund. TK Maxx is recalling four enamel mugs featuring Harry Potter, South Park, SpongeBob, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, sold in stores between May and September for £6.99–£10.99, after tests found metal concentrations above safety limits; customers should stop using them immediately and return them to any TK Maxx or Homesense for a refund, no receipt required. If you gifted one, alert the recipient. Help lines: Blue Sky Designs 0800 980 3901 or [email protected]; TK Maxx 01923 473561 or [email protected]. This follows a separate urgent recall of Henry vacuum cleaners over electric shock risk. Treat safety alerts seriously and check OPSS and FSA sites for updates.

Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition Adds Lady Dimitrescu Outfit for Grace; Preorders Include Apocalypse Costume

Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition Adds Lady Dimitrescu Outfit for Grace; Preorders Include Apocalypse Costume: Capcom has opened preorders, dangling fashion in front of the undead. Preordering nets Grace an Apocalypse outfit nodding to the 2004 film, while the Deluxe Edition piles on five costumes (including a Lady Dimitrescu getup for Grace), two screen filters (one also Apocalypse), four weapon skins, two charms, a Raccoon City Classic sound pack, and extra in-game files dubbed Letters from 1998. There’s also a Steelbook Deluxe Edition with all that plus a premium steelbook and lenticular card, because nothing says “survival horror” like tasteful packaging. A new Road to Requiem overview trailer shows brief footage, but the long-rumored Leon S. Kennedy cameo remains conspicuously unconfirmed. Launches February 27, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Shape-memory alloys could prevent railroad damage

Shape-memory alloys could prevent railroad damage—a promising fix for tracks now shackled to concrete ties that warp and crack under repeated use. When those ties deform, rail separation can creep and, without relentless maintenance, invite derailment. A material that remembers its shape might be just the thing for an industry that too often forgets the basics.

Celebrations at D66 and GreenLeft headquarters on Dutch election night

Celebrations at D66 and GreenLeft headquarters on Dutch election night as the exit poll dropped right after voting ended, prompting cheers from supporters, while other parties rode the usual rollercoaster of early numbers—exit polls being the appetizer that sets the mood before the main course of actual results.

Treasury minister in House of Lords to oversee Labour’s Senedd election campaign

Treasury minister in House of Lords to oversee Labour’s Senedd election campaign: reports that Lord Spencer Livermore has been installed as Labour’s national campaign coordinator have sparked a row over who actually runs Welsh Labour—and what “devolution” means in Downing Street. The Times says Livermore, a veteran of Ed Miliband’s ill-fated 2015 effort, will steer campaigns for the Senedd, Holyrood and English councils amid jitters after Labour’s third-place flop in the Caerphilly by-election and bleak polling. Plaid Cymru called it proof Labour has “given up on Wales,” while a Welsh Labour insider slammed the idea of a UK Treasury figure fronting a Welsh campaign. Welsh Labour officially insists the role is England-only and that Eluned Morgan will lead in Wales; No 10 and other Labour sources say Livermore is the overall national campaign chair shaping messaging across elections. Translation: Cardiff wants autonomy, London wants control, and voters would settle for competence.

Welsh Government partners with council to develop major employment site

Welsh Government partners with council to develop major employment site—yes, you heard correctly: actual cooperation. Cardiff has teamed up with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on a joint venture to finally turn the long-idle, 19-acre Goat Mill Road site—remediated in the 1990s and then left to contemplate eternity—into investment-ready plots. The enabling works come with more than £4.5 million from the Welsh Government and £5.1 million from Cardiff Capital Region via its Northern Valleys Initiative, aiming to create jobs during construction and once businesses move in. Officials say the scheme will piggyback on the upgraded A465 and align with Tech Valleys projects, with Economy, Energy and Planning chief Rebecca Evans pitching it as a push for well-connected, high-quality business space across Wales. CCR’s Mike Brough calls it sustainable growth; Merthyr’s leader Brent Carter says the town’s strategic spot and transport links are doing the heavy lifting. Translation: build the infrastructure, and maybe industry actually shows up.

Hybrid warfare or religious conflict: Are ISIS and Russia using similar tactics?

Hybrid warfare or religious conflict: Are ISIS and Russia using similar tactics? Uncomfortably, yes. Both weaponize propaganda, pump out disinformation, and target vulnerable people to fracture communities and undermine institutions. Call it terrorism then and hybrid warfare now—the playbook barely changed: destabilize society, delegitimize authority, and recruit the disaffected under a sanctimonious banner. Different flags, same manipulation; chaos as strategy, righteousness as marketing.

Europe’s top human rights court ruling prompts tougher scrutiny of fossil fuel projects

After nearly a decade winding through Europe’s legal labyrinth, a ruling from the continent’s top human rights court will prompt tougher scrutiny of fossil fuel projects—putting governments and energy companies on notice that rights-based impacts won’t be waved through. Justice may be slow, but the fumes travel fast; expect fewer rubber stamps for projects that treat breathable air like an optional accessory.

King Charles issues somber statement, expressing deep concern and profound sadness

Following this week’s devastating events, King Charles issued a somber statement expressing deep concern and profound sadness.

Oct. 30 celebrity birthdays: Gavin Rossdale, Henry Winkler

Oct. 30 celebrity birthdays: Gavin Rossdale, Henry Winkler — Musician Gavin Rossdale hits 60 and actor Henry “The Fonz” Winkler turns 80, both aging with more grace than most PR apologies. Happy birthday to the Bush frontman and TV’s coolest leather jacket.

Oct. 30: Chicago commuter train crash leaves 45 dead

Oct. 30: Chicago commuter train crash leaves 45 dead, as a 1972 collision between two commuter trains in Chicago also injured more than 300.

Former Intel CEO Aims to Build a Christian AI

Former Intel CEO Aims to Build a Christian AI: Patrick Gelsinger, pushed out of Intel and sued by shareholders, has reemerged as executive chair and head of technology at Gloo—a “Salesforce for churches” pitching chatbots and AI assistants tuned to users’ theological beliefs. Armed with $110 million, he’s lobbying Silicon Valley and Congress for faith-suffused AI, declaring his life mission is to improve life for everyone and “hasten the coming of Christ’s return.” Gloo claims to serve over 140,000 faith and nonprofit leaders—respectable, if microscopic next to ChatGPT’s 800 million weekly users. He’s also launched “Flourishing AI,” adapted from a Harvard program, grading leading models on seven welfare metrics: models like Grok 3, DeepSeek-R1, and GPT-4.1 score high on finance (about 81/100) but flunk “Faith” (around 35/100). The outreach to major AI firms is just starting—Gelsinger says, “I want Zuck to care.” Because nothing says the eschaton like enterprise SaaS and a chatbot that prays with you between budget spreadsheets.

Radio Free Asia halts operations for first time in 29 years amid shutdown

Radio Free Asia halts operations for the first time in 29 years, pausing amid the government shutdown after Trump-era funding cuts left finances uncertain, Executive Editor Rose Hwang said, citing “uncertain funding.” For journalists who’ve spent years defying censors, being sidelined by budget brinkmanship is a bleak joke—another case of leaders praising press freedom with one hand and pulling the plug with the other.

Billions Spent on Indigenous Programs, but Little Evidence of What Works

Billions Spent on Indigenous Programs, but Little Evidence of What Works isn’t a rhetorical flourish—it’s the operating procedure exposed by new research urging evaluations that embed Indigenous values from the start. The Productivity Commission wants “more and better” evaluations that genuinely engage communities, and a scoping review of 39 documents identifies five commissioning models: Indigenous-led, delegative, co-designed, participatory, and top-down. The winners—Indigenous-led, delegative, and co-design—produce culturally safe, useful results; the worst—top-down—wastes money, alienates communities, and can cause harm by asking the wrong questions. A strong example is The Healing Foundation’s programs, evaluated by a non-Indigenous firm under an Indigenous-controlled knowledge circle, keeping decision-making power with community and yielding relevant insights. Translation: stop stapling “consultation” to the end of the process—share power from the outset or keep burning cash while health gaps stubbornly refuse to close.

Canto of America

Canto of America: Coming this December, journalist Olivia Nuzzi’s American Canto promises a mesmerizing, up-close chronicle of how U.S. reality got funhouse-warped during Donald Trump’s ascent—told by a reporter who went so deep into the distortion field she nearly needed a sherpa. Published by Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, it’s slated for December 2, 2025, with a Kindle edition available.

Trump says the U.S. will begin nuclear weapons testing “immediately”

Trump says the U.S. will begin nuclear weapons testing “immediately,” declaring Wednesday that the United States would begin testing its nuclear arsenal without delay.

Microsoft Cloud Trips Over a Config Change, Right Before Its Earnings Call

Azure and Microsoft 365 went dark around noon Wednesday after a misfired configuration, a well timed pratfall just hours before the quarterly earnings spotlight. The stumble lands barely a week after AWS faceplanted on a DNS error, proving the only thing truly redundant in Big Cloud is the excuses. Reliability remains a work in progress.

Varonis Cuts 5 Percent as Renewals Sag, Investors Notice the Timing

The data security firm is laying off 5 percent of its workforce after a sharp drop in on‑prem subscription renewals and a sluggish federal segment that accounts for only 5 percent of ARR but a larger share of the blame. It is the second round of cuts since 2022 and comes two months after a 150 million dollar email security acquisition. The market connected the dots between deal bravado and renewal reality, and the stock headed south.

CISA Flags Hospital Software Flaws That Could Expose Patient Data

U.S. cyber officials warned that vulnerabilities in hospital information platforms from Romania’s Vertikal Systems could let attackers obtain and disclose patient records. The software is used largely by smaller hospitals and clinics outside the United States, a soft target for criminals and a bad look for any vendor treating security like an optional accessory. Patients did not sign up to be collateral damage, so Vertikal has homework to do.

U.S. Declines to Back U.N. Cybercrime Treaty Over Authoritarian Abuse Fears

Washington warned the new pact could be weaponized for surveillance, censorship, and coercive data handovers across borders. Seventy two nations back it, with enthusiastic sponsorship from Russia and China, which is a bit like letting arsonists draft the fire code. The stated goal is fighting cybercrime. The risk is giving cover to crackdowns dressed up as enforcement.

Ransomware Crews Pivot to the Midmarket, Talent Becomes the Firewall

As big enterprises harden and stop paying, attackers are targeting midsize organizations, the soft center of the internet sandwich. The fix is not magic, it is people who can adapt enterprise grade defenses to midmarket realities. If you do not want to be the easiest house on the block to rob, hire professionals who know how to lock the doors.

Windows 11 Finally Fixes the Start Menu’s Most Basic Annoyance

Four years in, Microsoft is rolling out a Start menu refresh that lets you view every installed app without clicking All first. There are now three ways to see the full list, and the update is arriving slowly because of course it is. Progress, leisurely but real.

CBO: A Government Shutdown Could Burn Up to 14 Billion Dollars

The longer the lights are off in Washington, the higher the tab climbs. America’s current experiment in fiscal responsibility appears to involve lighting piles of cash on fire to make a point no one will remember next week.

Nvidia Pours 1 Billion Dollars Into Nokia for 6G and AI Networking

Nokia shares jumped 22 percent as the companies announced a strategic pact. Nokia will adapt its 5G and 6G software to run on Nvidia chips, and the two will collaborate on AI driven networking, with Nvidia eyeing Nokia tech for future AI infrastructure. The company that made your indestructible 2005 phone just grabbed a front row seat for the next wave of silicon heavy networks. If the buzzwords deliver, this is real progress. If we hit 7G by lunchtime, act surprised anyway.

Connecticut woman charged after fatal shooting during movie night, police say

Connecticut State Police say 65-year-old Michelle Yeagher is charged with murder, carrying a firearm while under the influence, risk of injury to a child, and first-degree reckless endangerment after 39-year-old Andrew Michael Olson was shot once in the chest at a home on Pratt Road in Killingly’s Dayville neighborhood. A 12-year-old told investigators Olson and the child were watching Toy Story when Yeagher entered the entertainment room and opened fire. Olson died at a nearby hospital. Troopers say Yeagher, found in bed, appeared highly intoxicated and gave shifting accounts, first claiming Olson attacked her and later saying she woke up terrified, retrieved her gun, and did not remember what happened until hearing Olson in distress. She is held on 1 million dollars bond and is due in court on December 11.

Flu and COVID linked to higher heart attack and stroke risk after infection

A new evidence review finds patients are significantly more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke in the weeks following influenza or COVID-19. Translation for the tough-it-out crowd, it is not just a cold if the sequel features a cardiologist. Prevention and recovery matter more than swagger.

Unpatched Chromium flaw can crash browsers at scale

A critical bug in Chromium’s Blink rendering engine can be abused to crash Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, and others within seconds, sometimes freezing the host machine. There is no patch yet from Google. When billions ride the same software chassis, one pothole becomes a pileup. Until a fix lands, the safest tab is the one you never open on a mystery site.

Big Tech to Congress, jawboning transparency sounds fine, depending on the fine print

At a Senate Commerce hearing, Google and Meta offered cautious support for a forthcoming bill that would expose government nudges to platforms and let individuals sue the feds over censorship. Ted Cruz cast it as a response to Biden-era pressure. Meta’s Neil Potts said the company felt pushed on COVID-19 content and wishes it had resisted more, while Google’s Markham Erickson insisted the company made independent calls and often said no, sparring with Cruz over YouTube’s 2020 election policies. Democrats countered with their own receipts from the Trump years, pointed at examples of officials leaning on speech, and warned that media consolidation magnifies pressure. It is Washington’s favorite First Amendment ritual, defending free speech with great passion when the other side is doing the leaning.

New Book Focuses on 'Cone Automation' for Generative AI

New Book Focuses on 'Cone Automation' for Generative AI, tracing a familiar arc: centuries-old tech anxiety meets a fresh wave of automation cheerleading. Researchers detail how the structure of tasks can either grease or jam the wheels of genAI adoption, how different kinds of workers decide whether to use the tools, and where displaced workers are likely to job-hunt next. The punchline—delivered with graphs instead of a laugh track—is that genAI will widen the “cone of automation,” substituting for labor not just in routine tasks but in more complex or infrequent work. In other words, management’s dream of automating the parts that used to require actual thought just got a lot more plausible.

Thieves posing as construction workers steal $3.2 million in valuables from New York City home in broad daylight

Thieves posing as construction workers steal $3.2 million in valuables from New York City home in broad daylight — because apparently the noon shift now includes hauling safes. NYPD says three men forced a rear door at a Queens home around 2:20 p.m. Thursday, grabbed a safe and jewelry, then fled in a blue Hyundai Elantra. Two wore vests, masks, and black clothing; the third, in a white hoodie, drove the getaway car. No one was home and no injuries reported. Have a tip? Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (1-888-57-PISTA en español), submit online, or ping @NYPDTips on X.

UPS to cut jobs and trim costs ahead of the holiday shipping season

UPS to cut jobs and trim costs ahead of the holiday shipping season, slashing 48,000 positions this year while banking $2.2 billion in savings as CEO Carol Tomé touts the “most significant strategic shift” in company history—fewer but pricier packages, more AI, and less dependence on Amazon, whose volumes fell 21% in Q3 after a 13% drop earlier. Revenue slipped 3.7% to $21.4 billion but beat expectations, with roughly $24 billion guided for Q4, even as tariffs and soft demand cloud the sector. Wall Street, ever charmed by “efficiency” that comes with pink slips, sent shares up as much as 8% before the buzz faded.

Police warn parents about drug-laced candy disguised as children’s treats ahead of Halloween

Police warn parents about drug-laced candy disguised as children’s treats ahead of Halloween, after Michigan authorities seized counterfeit snacks packaged to mimic real brands but laced with THC and psilocybin. Warren’s police chief said the seized “everyday treats” were deliberately engineered to fool consumers—because apparently nothing says responsible commerce like dressing up drugs as gummy bears. While THC rules vary by state, places like Arkansas have banned lookalike packaging; yet many products still linger on gas-station shelves, a “Wild West” of unregulated edibles where enforcement plays catch-up. Officials urge parents to toss anything unwrapped or tampered with, watch for odd odors or suspicious packaging, and make kids wait until an adult inspects the haul—better safe than tricked.

AI Reconstructs 3D Microstructures from Electron Microscopy, from Cells to Semiconductors

AI Reconstructs 3D Microstructures from Electron Microscopy, from Cells to Semiconductors: Researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science unveiled an AI-based image segmentation algorithm that rapidly converts 2D SEM cross-sections into accurate 3D reconstructions. It promises faster, clearer views of microstructures in biological samples—and, yes, the same trick can illuminate semiconductor components—delivering the kind of useful AI upgrade that actually earns its hype.

Diaspora voting may weaken Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon

Diaspora voting may weaken Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, injecting overdue accountability into a system paralyzed by economic collapse and an Iranian-backed militia’s political veto. Voters abroad, less tethered to local patronage and intimidation, could chip away at the group’s grip and open space for a state that answers to its citizens, not a paramilitary. Lebanon stands at a turning point: reclaim sovereignty and democratic promise, or remain hostage to Hezbollah’s weapons and Iran’s leverage. In short, ballots over bullets—and the diaspora might finally remind Beirut what a real republic looks like.

Elderly woman found dead on Australian island after being left behind by a cruise ship

Authorities are investigating after an 80-year-old woman left behind by a cruise ship was found dead on Lizard Island on Sunday.

Migrant convicted of Epping sex attack was paid to leave the UK after prison release error

After a prison release error, the migrant convicted of the Epping sex attack was paid £500 to leave the UK, the Home Office has confirmed. Hadush Kebatu—convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman—was mistakenly freed on Friday, arrested in London after a two-day manhunt on Sunday, and deported to Ethiopia on Tuesday night with five escorts, arriving Wednesday morning. He was not on the Facilitated Returns Scheme; officials say the discretionary payment was made because Kebatu threatened to disrupt removal, and cancelling the flight to detain him, rebook, and face potential legal claims would have cost thousands more. The Home Office stressed the decision was taken by removal teams, not ministers. Earlier, border security minister Alex Norris said he couldn’t confirm any cash payment and noted ministers aren’t involved in operational moves, adding that such payments are sometimes used to save taxpayer money.

Man Jailed for Bomb Hoax Call to Synagogue After Manchester Attack

Man Jailed for Bomb Hoax Call to Synagogue After Manchester Attack: Markel Ible, 32, has been jailed for 10 months after admitting he phoned a bomb threat to Sinai Synagogue in Roundhay, Leeds, on October 6—just days after the Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue attack in Manchester that killed Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby. Charged the following day, Ible pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to making a bomb hoax. Prosecutors said he intended to sow panic and fear, while the Community Security Trust called the call “cruel and calculated.” The Manchester attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, who rang 999 to pledge allegiance to ISIS during his Yom Kippur rampage, was shot dead by police; he had been on bail for an alleged rape.

Windows 10 Users Can Sign Up for Free Security Updates Through Late 2026

Windows 10 Users Can Sign Up for Free Security Updates Through Late 2026 — and yes, “free” is doing a lot of work here. With mainstream support cut off a couple of weeks ago, millions still on Windows 10 are now prime targets for malware and ransomware. Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) will keep monthly security patches flowing until October 13, 2026—security-only, no new features, no tech support.

Officially, it’s £22 ($31) a year for individuals; businesses start around £45 ($61) per device and that price doubles each year for up to three years, because nothing says “we value your safety” like a compounding fee. But there are two no-cost ways in: redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for a year of ESU, or perform a Windows Backup via OneDrive. OneDrive gives you 5GB free—manage what syncs in settings to stay under the cap or pay for more storage.

You’ll need Windows 10 version 22H2; the ESU enrolment wizard is in Settings. Given that roughly 34% of Windows PCs are still on 10 and up to 5 million people in the UK alone could be exposed, consider this your polite alarm bell: basic protection is available—either pay up, or let Microsoft harvest a few loyalty points and a cloud backup for the privilege.

Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and Trump Critic, Says U.S. Revoked His Visa

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate and longtime Trump critic, says the U.S. has revoked his visa after the American consulate in Nigeria sent him a cancellation letter. The 91-year-old author will no doubt be reassured that this is all just the caprice of paperwork—because in the land of free speech, dissent is welcome, so long as it stays an ocean away.

Slovenian ministers resign as government crisis deepens following fatal nightclub beating

Slovenian ministers resigned as the government crisis deepens following a fatal nightclub beating by a young Roma man, with Prime Minister Robert Golob urging against ethnic hatred and vowing strict measures to prevent similar incidents.

South Korea presents Trump with a golden crown and its highest national honor

During a Wednesday visit, South Korea presented Donald Trump with a golden crown and its highest national honor, as the president awarded him the Grand Order of Mugunghwa along with a replica of a historic gold crown—diplomatic flattery in 24-karat form for a guest who’s never met a gilded surface he didn’t admire.

Caerphilly's Dafydd Williams Park set for revamp after community feedback

Bordering the iconic castle, the park will get revamped entrances, improved lighting, welcoming seating, new artwork, and children's play equipment. It is part of the Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking plan to boost vibrancy and celebrate local heritage. Residents' Committee member Liane Elms highlighted safety and lighting concerns and welcomed the fixes, and Deputy Leader Jamie Pritchard called the park a community focal point while thanking locals for shaping a plan that actually listened. Constructive complaining, meet productive outcome.

Stubbed toe leads to broken neck and cancer diagnosis in North London

After a stubbed toe led to a broken neck, doctors discovered North London father Paul Angliss has incurable cancer that had been eroding his bones. A devastating diagnosis from a minor mishap, and a stark reminder of how quickly life can turn.

Watchmaking's big night, GPHG marks 25 years in Geneva

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève celebrates its 25th anniversary this November, honoring the year's finest timepieces. Think Oscars of punctuality, where craftsmanship, obsession, and small fortunes meet to prove that, yes, time really is money.

British 11 year old dies at Gozo's Ramla Bay, father missing

An 11 year old British boy died after getting into difficulty while swimming with his 37 year old father at Ramla Bay on Monday, the final day of their holiday. Emergency teams from the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department responded after a 1:15 p.m. alert, pulling the boy from the water and transporting him to Gozo General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The search for the father continued Tuesday with boats and a helicopter. Strong northwest winds had been forecast, though their role is unclear. Malta has recorded 16 drownings this year, including a British tourist at the Blue Lagoon in September.

London travel, severe delays on Elizabeth line plus minor Tube hold ups

Transport for London reports severe delays on the Elizabeth line, with minor delays on two Underground lines for anyone who enjoys a choose your own queue commute.

Tidal illiteracy puts millions at risk along UK coasts, study warns

A Bangor University survey finds 15 percent of the UK public have been cut off, or nearly, by tides at least once, with RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards launching around 3,600 rescues since 2020 to assist some 35,500 people. The issue is not malice of the sea, it is misunderstanding. Four in ten do not know tides come in twice daily and vary by location and time, and 60 percent of those cut off never meant to enter the water at all. Spring tides around full and new moons, bigger swings near the equinoxes, and school holidays increase risk. Tide tables are free if you check them, and flats can flood from behind faster than you can run. Advice is simple, check local tide times, ask RNLI or coastguards, plan an escape route, and stay alert. Wales now bakes safe access into its ocean literacy strategy, a rare case of policy meeting reality and a model the rest of the UK could copy.

Infocon Green, Nothing Exploding In Cyberspace Today

The ISC Stormcast for Wednesday, October 29, 2025, says conditions are routine. Keep calm, keep patching, and save the panic for when your printer starts demanding tribute in goats.

Map Watch, Non-citizen SNAP Numbers Spark Shutdown Theater

A report from the conservative Economic Policy Innovation Center spotlights where non-citizen participation in SNAP concentrates, claiming about 1.5 million non-citizens received benefits in FY 2022, plus 2.2 million children in households with non-citizens, totaling roughly 4.2 billion dollars. EPIC lists the most recipients in California, 273,000, Florida, 238,000, New York, 218,000, Texas, 132,000, and Illinois, 73,000, with some small states reporting none. USDA policy bars undocumented individuals from SNAP, but the report argues expanded use of parole and deferrals under Biden broadened eligibility, citing a CBO estimate that unauthorized immigrants and their children could account for up to 15 billion dollars in FY 2024. With a Nov. 1 shutdown threat, unions urge Democrats to back a GOP stopgap, Republicans vow to close perceived loopholes, and 42 million citizens hang in the balance while Congress rehearses its favorite act, immigration grandstanding with a side of empty grocery carts.

Trump Acknowledges Two Term Limit, Applause Meter Still Plugged In

On Air Force One en route to South Korea, Donald Trump said it is clear he cannot run for a third term, the Constitution is pretty clear, then promptly reminded everyone he has the best numbers in years. The law still applies, the bragging rights remain on tour.

GB News Turns White House Into Family Field Trip

With Trump in Asia, GB News presenters Bev Turner and Ben Leo brought their families to the briefing room. Bev arrived with partner James Pritchett and daughters Kiki and Trixie, Ben brought wife Rhian and sons Zach and Jude, who did a Halloween werewolf bit about chasing off fake news. The kids called the room small and messy, which tracks, and, in a plot twist, expressed pride in mom. Sincerity slipped past the metal detectors for a selfie.

Ex State Dept China Hand Courts CUSEF Spotlight, Critics See Messaging Assist

Rick Waters, former director of State’s China House, appeared on platforms tied to the China–U.S. Exchange Foundation, which U.S. assessments link to the CCP’s United Front influence work. In a CUSEF interview and a 2024 Hong Kong forum with private sessions, he urged restraint and dialogue, later echoing similar views in Western outlets that Chinese state media amplified. A Senate inquiry has flagged CUSEF’s media influence efforts, so counterintelligence folks are uneasy. Not illegal, perhaps, just remarkably convenient for Beijing, proof that sometimes a well catered panel can do what a spy cannot.

Wrexham Crash Out, Parkinson Takes the Heat

Wrexham blew a 1-0 lead at home and bowed out 2-1 to Cardiff, with boos serving as the evening soundtrack. Phil Parkinson owned the criticism, saying his rotated side was off the pace and timid without the ball. A brief spark from the subs fizzled with poor final-third choices, and defender Lewis Brunt is out 12 weeks after surgery. Cardiff, the lowest-ranked side left, praised their character and skill, and Wrexham must turn the page fast with Coventry visiting Friday.

Bill Gates to Climate Doomers, Try Competence

Bill Gates rejected apocalypse cosplay in favor of policy that actually reduces emissions and improves lives. His pitch is simple, almost scandalously so, invest in practical tech, prioritize human welfare, and stop treating energy policy like a social media performance.

Senate Blocks Trump’s Brazil Tariffs in Bipartisan Rebuke

In a 52 to 48 vote, five Republicans joined Democrats to halt tariffs former President Donald Trump slapped on Brazil after authorities there moved against Jair Bolsonaro. Translation, U.S. trade policy is not a loyalty program, and even some Republicans still recognize the difference.

CISA Warns of Active Exploits in Delmia Apriso

Hackers are actively targeting two vulnerabilities in Delmia Apriso, a widely used manufacturing operations platform, prompting a fresh CISA alert for the second time in two months. If your shop floor runs on it, patch now and review exposure, because attackers already have a head start.

OpenAI’s Nonprofit Tightens the Reins on a $130 Billion For‑Profit Arm

OpenAI says its foundation now holds equity and governance authority over the for‑profit entity after a recapitalization approved by California and Delaware attorneys general. The pledge, fund global health and AI risk programs while running a colossal business, also known as Silicon Valley’s favorite magic trick, doing good while doing very, very well.

Thousands of Exposed WSUS Servers, One Unauth RCE, Patch Now

Researchers are spotting thousands of Windows Server Update Services instances exposed online just as Microsoft rushes a fix for a flaw that lets unauthenticated attackers run arbitrary code. If your update server faces the internet unpatched, it is not a server, it is a welcome mat. Patch immediately and audit your perimeter.

Florida Hospital Sued Over Alleged Patient Photo Abuse

Patients accuse a Florida hospital of grave privacy violations, alleging staff used personal phones to photograph sedated and partially undressed patients, then posted the images online without consent. The lawsuits claim systemic failure to protect vulnerable people in clinical care, a reminder that dignity and trust are not optional features in medicine.

White House Fires Entire Arts Commission

The administration dismissed all six members of the century-old commission that advises on architecture and urban design in the capital. The timing, just ahead of reviews tied to President Trump’s building plans, including a proposed triumphal arch, suggests dissent was not part of the blueprint.