A fire broke out in downtown Lakewood earlier today and gutted several small businesses along a busy part of the commercial strip. Flames moved quickly through connected storefronts.

Earlier today, a ransomware attack disabled the nationwide emergency alert system used by local and federal agencies. The outage forced several states to switch to backup channels while teams worked to contain the breach. Staff in multiple control rooms first noticed that alerts were not sending. Soon after, technicians found locked files and frozen consoles. The attack spread quickly inside the system because several key servers shared the same network path. Federal security teams moved in to block the infected machines. They cut access to several regions to stop the attack from reaching other parts of the network. This helped slow the damage, but it also prevented agencies from sending routine warnings and weather notices. Local officials reported delays in posting fire updates, missing test alerts, and slower communication with first-responders. Some smaller towns relied on radio stations and local police dispatches until the system came back online. By late afternoon, parts of the alert network were restored, but several sections still ran in limited mode.

A new report found a serious security lapse at Ben Gurion Airport. The review showed that one screening point failed to detect restricted items during a routine test. The findings spread quickly, and many passengers learned about it while waiting for flights. People in the terminal described a mix of worry and frustration. Some rushed through the lines again to check their bags. Others walked straight to the counters and asked staff if the airport planned any immediate changes. The mood grew tense as more travelers pulled out their phones to read the details of the lapse. Airport officials moved extra staff into the affected area throughout the morning. They checked equipment, brought in supervisors, and slowed the lines to review each step. The added checks caused longer waits, which only increased the frustration among passengers. By midday, the airport said it had fixed the problem and added new steps to prevent a repeat. Travelers still looked uneasy as they moved through the lanes, but the flow improved as the afternoon went on. The report matters because the airport handles thousands of people a day, and many depend on fast, accurate screening. Today’s lapse raised fresh questions about how well the system works and how quickly it can respond when something goes wrong.

ICE is now holding a record sixty-five thousand immigrants after a new round of raids took place across several states this week. The number climbed quickly over the last 24 hours as officers carried out more operations in large cities and smaller towns. Officials described the raids as part of a broader push to find people who crossed the border recently or missed earlier court dates. Community groups reported a wave of early-morning pickups, and some schools and workplaces noticed families staying home because they feared being caught on the street.

Alphabet’s stock climbed again, pushing the company close to a four-trillion-dollar valuation. The jump followed another strong day for AI-related companies, and Alphabet sat near the front of that wave. Traders moved back into the stock after new signals that the company’s AI business is growing faster than expected. The move also came after a recent antitrust development that eased some pressure on the company. The shift removed a bit of uncertainty around its legal fights, and that helped investors feel more comfortable adding to their positions. The change did not solve everything, but it lowered the temperature around the company at a key moment. The stock gained more ground after several large funds increased their positions, pointing to stronger confidence in Alphabet’s long-term plans. The message from the market was simple: investors liked what they saw, both on the technology front and on the legal front. The company now sits just short of the four-trillion mark. Only a few businesses have reached anything close to that level, so each step higher carries symbolic weight. The move shows how strongly investors are betting on AI and how quickly Alphabet has positioned itself to benefit from it.

President Trump launched the Genesis Mission, a new national effort to speed up scientific discovery by using advanced AI systems. The announcement focused on making research in medicine, energy, and space move much faster than it does now. The plan creates a central team that will build AI tools for scientists. These tools will sort research data, test ideas in minutes, and help labs check results. The White House said the goal is to cut long research steps from months to days. Scientists and tech leaders reacted almost immediately. Many welcomed the move because labs often wait years for key findings. They noted that faster results could help doctors find new treatments and help engineers improve clean-energy designs. Some experts also called for strong rules to keep the new systems safe and accurate. The mission begins with federal agencies testing AI in real research settings. These early tests will show how well the systems work and where they need more control. Officials said the mission will grow in stages, adding more fields once the first round proves stable. The launch drew wide attention because it marks a major shift in how the country plans to use AI. Instead of small pilot programs, the Genesis Mission tries to pull the entire research world into a faster cycle. For now, the mission signals a clear push to use AI as a national research engine. The next few months will show how quickly the new tools can help scientists move from slow ideas to real results.

New Jersey posted its 2025–26 private-school tuition rates, and many families noticed sharp jumps across a range of schools. The new numbers show clear increases for both elementary and high-school programs, with several schools raising annual costs by several hundred to a few thousand dollars. School leaders pointed to rising expenses. They said utilities, staff pay, and transportation costs pushed their budgets higher this year. They also explained that some schools upgraded buildings or added support programs, which added to the new totals. The new tuition list shows how fast education costs are moving.

Satellite imagery taken this month shows that Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center in North Korea is undergoing significant expansion in its uranium-enrichment area. Analysts from 38 North report new buildings, concrete paving, and six heat-exchanger units installed near a suspected centrifuge hall. The work is seen as the most active such effort at the site since early 2025. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has described 2025 as a “crucial year” for building weapons-grade nuclear material — and the changes at Yongbyon appear to reflect that push. Experts warn this expansion could speed up the regime’s ability to enrich uranium and thus increase its stockpile of nuclear warhead material.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials made clear progress during a new round of talks on an updated version of the Trump peace plan. The meetings stretched late into the afternoon and focused on a smaller set of sticking points that both sides had avoided for months. American negotiators pressed for changes that could slow the pace of fighting before winter. Ukrainian officials pushed for stronger security guarantees and clearer timelines for any territorial steps. People in the room described the exchanges as firm but unusually steady. By the end of the talks, both teams agreed to draft a shorter outline that reflects the shifts of the last year. The new outline keeps the core idea of a phased halt to major attacks but adjusts how fast each phase should move. It also adds a section on rebuilding routes that keep aid flowing to cities under pressure. Ukraine responded with cautious support. Officials in Kyiv noted that the updated outline protects their key demand for continued U.S. backing. Washington framed the movement as a sign that both sides want a path that reduces daily losses without forcing a rushed settlement. The next step is a follow-up session expected within days. Both teams want to settle the order of the first steps, since that sequence will shape how any pause in fighting unfolds.

Kansas congresswoman Sharice Davids is calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to vote immediately on extending the health­-insurance premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which are due to expire at the end of December. Her request comes in a letter signed by 59 lawmakers sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, pointing out that more than 24 million Americans could face large premium hikes in 2026 without this extension. Davids, a Democrat representing Kansas’ 3rd District, noted that roughly 160,000 Kansans benefited from the credits last year, saving an average of about $700 each. She warned that delaying action will force many Americans to choose between health coverage and basic needs. Republican critics argue the credits are too costly — with estimates of up to $350 billion over the next decade — and say they fuel insurance industry profits. Davids says a bipartisan majority supports the extension and that the House should not fall behind the Senate, where leadership has already pledged a vote. The outcome matters now because, without congressional action, insurance plans under the ACA could become much less affordable for millions of people beginning next year.

The Tesla Cybertruck is being widely dubbed the “world’s most hated” electric vehicle as mounting criticisms over its safety and design gather pace. Owners and reviewers report worrying incidents. Many spotlight the truck’s unusual stainless-steel exterior and electronic door systems, which critics argue compromise crash safety and occupant escape. Lawsuits are also piling up: one alleges a fatal crash where occupants were trapped after power loss in the electronic door system. Meanwhile, some analysts point to declining sales and recalls as signs the hype is fading. This raises fresh questions for Tesla, Inc. about trust in its vehicle design and its brand image among EV buyers who expect both innovation and reassurance.

President Trump met New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, in a short but direct visit at the White House. The meeting was not on the public schedule, and it surprised people in both camps because the two have often moved in very different political circles. A senior aide said the two spoke about public safety, federal support for transit projects, and ways the city can move faster on housing repairs. People close to Mamdani noted that he walked into the meeting with a clear list of city needs, expecting a brief introduction, not an extended conversation. Supporters of Trump voiced mixed reactions. Some welcomed any attempt to improve the relationship with the nation’s largest city. Others questioned why the president decided to engage so early with a mayor-elect who has taken positions that his base often challenges. Mamdani’s critics also reacted with surprise, saying the visit may signal a new approach from him as he prepares to take office. The meeting ended after roughly 40 minutes. Both sides called it “constructive,” but neither offered details beyond the broad topics discussed.

Early Friday morning at the SpaceX Starbase facility in Texas, a next-generation booster for the Starship rocket exploded during a pre-launch test. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. local time as engineers conducted a critical test of the upgraded Super Heavy booster. Video footage showed a sudden burst of gas and a rapid structural failure in the booster section. No one was reported injured, and the facility confirmed that all personnel were safe. This explosion comes as SpaceX works to prepare Starship for its first orbital flight next year, a milestone tied to future lunar and Mars missions. The failure may cause a delay in the development timeline while the company investigates what went wrong. The booster is a vital piece of SpaceX’s next-generation launch system. The company now faces the task of identifying the fault, implementing fixes, and returning to the test-cycle without compromising safety or schedule.

Data today indicate that Iran has rebuilt most of its missile arsenal and is closing in on the size it held before the June war. Israeli security officials say Iran’s stockpile is back to a level seen just before the 12-day conflict with Israel in June 2025. Reports suggest Tehran is on track to field roughly 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israel within the next few months. Much of the earlier arsenal was tucked away deep in tunnel networks and survived pre-emptive strikes. That has allowed Iran to rebound more quickly than many expected. Israeli analysts say Iran has adopted two key lessons from the June war: relying more on underground storage and reducing reliance on precision targeting. The reconstruction and production effort appears to be underway around the clock. One element of concern is that Iran may be shifting toward quantity over accuracy.

In the heart of Tel Aviv, thousands gathered at HaBima Square to demand the creation of a full-state commission of inquiry into the October 7 2023 attack. The rally featured bereaved families, hostages’ relatives and opposition figures who argued that only a formal, high-level investigation can hold government and military officials accountable.During the demonstration protesters placed a “Wall of Truth” in the square and invited visitors to write unanswered questions—such as “Who knew?” and “Which commanders ignored warnings?”—that they say only a state commission can address.Despite mounting public pressure, the government has so far proposed only a ministerial-level committee rather than the independent commission demanded by the protesters. The gathering symbolizes continued frustration over perceived lapses in security and leadership during the devastating attack.

In Lakewood, New Jersey a person was shot and sustained non-fatal injuries. According to police, the incident occurred in the afternoon and appears to have involved a vehicle. Local law enforcement say they are actively investigating the scene, gathering evidence and reviewing surveillance footage. No arrests have been made yet, and authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward. The injured individual was transported to hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces of Ukraine say they have used a long-range strike drone to down a Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter over the Rostov region of Russia. According to their statement, the mission reached about 190 km behind the front line and ended with the helicopter shot down in mid-air. The drone, identified as the FP‑1 strike drone, is described as a deep-strike unmanned aerial system. It locked onto the helicopter, launched the attack, and completed the mission successfully, the forces claim. In their announcement, the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces noted this was a “first-of-its-kind” strike of a helicopter by a drone. “For the first time, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in the air by a deep-strike drone,” they wrote. The helicopter’s downing highlights the growing reach of Ukraine’s unmanned systems into Russian territory. It may signal a shift in how the war is being fought from behind the lines. The claim has not been independently verified from Russian sources at this time.

Early today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it intercepted a missile launched by the Houthi movement in Yemen that was headed toward Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Air-raid sirens sounded across central Israel and surrounding regions shortly before the interception. The missile reportedly triggered warnings, sending people to shelters, but no casualties or damage have been reported so far.The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying the airport was their target in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli officials dismissed the claim of damage and highlighted their air-defense system’s swift action.

At the Elon Musk-led panel at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum on November 19, 2025, Musk made a bold forecast: advancements in artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics could make work “optional” within the next 10 to 20 years. Musk compared future employment to optional activities today — like playing sports or video games — rather than as a necessity. “My prediction is that work will be optional,” he said. He also suggested that money might lose its relevance in a world where production is handled by machines and resources become abundant. Presenting his vision, Musk pointed to his company’s developments in humanoid robotics — such as the Tesla Optimus robot — as a stepping stone toward this future. He argued that AI and robots could free people from routine work and help address global challenges like poverty. How long it will take until work truly becomes optional depends on how fast AI and robotics evolve — and how society adapts.

A group of roughly 200 protesters gathered late Wednesday evening outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, chanting slogans like “Globalize the Intifada,” “Death to the IDF,” and “Take another settler out.” The crowd had assembled to oppose a gathering inside the synagogue hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, which assists Jewish immigration to Israel. Jewish communal leaders quickly condemned the scene, calling it evidence of rising antisemitic intimidation in New York. One rabbi, himself a Holocaust survivor, described the chants as echoing historical violence. The city’s police maintained a buffer between the protesters and the synagogue attendees, and no major injuries were reported.

A 27-year-old Israeli citizen from Kiryat Yam has been arrested and formally indicted on charges of spying for Iranian intelligence, Israeli security officials announced today. The accused allegedly maintained contact with Iran’s agents for more than a year, during which he obtained and passed on photos, locations and other sensitive data related to several Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Air Force sites. This espionage is said to have been aided by his partner, an Air Force reservist, who accessed internal military information and delivered it to him. The investigation by the internal security service and Israel Police revealed the accused was paid and directed by Iranian operatives. The arrest highlights ongoing concerns in Israel about Iranian attempts to recruit or exploit individuals with access to military assets. The case now moves into court where prosecutors will seek to determine the extent of the breach and proposed damage to national security.

The White House is preparing a draft executive order that would give federal agencies the power to challenge and potentially override state laws regulating artificial intelligence (AI). The proposal would direct the Department of Justice to create an “AI Litigation Task Force” tasked with suing states whose AI-laws conflict with federal policy. Under the draft, the Department of Commerce would review state statutes and publish a list of laws deemed burdensome or conflicting with federal priorities. States that pass or enforce certain AI regulations could risk losing federal grants or broadband-deployment funding. The administration argues that a patchwork of 50 different state rules hurts U.S. leadership in AI and stifles innovation, especially as global competition intensifies. Some state officials and civil-liberties groups warn that bypassing state oversight could weaken protections against discrimination, deepfakes and opaque algorithms. Legal experts say the approach is aggressive and faces constitutional questions, because only Congress can clearly preempt state laws. The draft order is still under review and no final text has been signed yet. This move signals a shift in how AI might be governed in the U.S. Instead of each state setting its own rules, a single federal standard could soon become the baseline—or the battleground.

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is accelerating efforts to field drones built in the U.S. and reduce reliance on systems with Chinese components. In a recent update, the “Blue UAS” program expanded its list of approved drones that meet domestic sourcing standards — yet many approved models still use motors made in China.These Chinese-made motors highlight a supply-chain gap the Pentagon is now trying to close. The shift comes amid concerns that dependence on adversary-nation components leaves U.S. forces vulnerable in future conflicts.The program’s focus isn’t just sourcing. It also includes faster acquisitions and prioritizing drones as expendable assets rather than high-cost aircraft. That change aligns with new procurement guidelines that let military units buy and deploy drones quicker.

Russian forces launched 136 attack drones into Ukrainian territory, according to Ukrainian military officials. The bulk of the drones were intercepted, but the barrage still strained air-defense systems tasked with protecting critical infrastructure. The assault targeted multiple regions, including the Chernihiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv areas, with Ukraine’s energy ministry reporting damage to power-supply installations and several thousand homes losing electricity. Restoration work began immediately under challenging conditions. Officials reported that around 106 of the drones were destroyed or rendered inoperative by air defense and electronic warfare units — leaving about 30 that either hit targets or remain unaccounted for. Authorities warned of ongoing power-capacity restrictions and advised residents to stay alert.

A recent clinical study found that a new once-weekly injectable drug, elorolintide, helped adults with obesity lose about 20 percent of their body weight over 48 weeks. Participants received the medicine each week along with standard lifestyle counseling. The larger doses of the treatment showed the biggest weight-loss effects; in one group, average weight dropped by over 46 pounds, with reductions in waist circumference of more than 6 inches.Most of the side effects were mild to moderate and included nausea and fatigue, which eased over time. The drug acts on the amylin receptor, a different appetite-pathway than many existing GLP-1 treatments, suggesting a new angle for weight-management therapies.

In New York, a wave of climate-resilience funding is being routed into land-protection projects aimed at reducing flood and fire risks in the Catskill Mountains region. The Nature Conservancy’s sixth round of its Climate Resilience Grant Program is now offering grants of up to $50,000 for efforts that preserve lands, protect floodplains and shorelines, and enhance communities’ ability to cope with extreme weather. These grants support a range of activities—including acquiring easements on forested or wetland parcels, planning and capacity-building for local organizations, and connecting landscapes so they can better withstand storms and fires. While not all grants are specifically earmarked for the Catskills, the region is among areas identified for increased risk of flooding and fire due to changing climate patterns. Communities, conservation groups and municipalities in the Hudson Valley and Catskills have previously engaged in flood-preparedness planning and land-use strategies to reduce those risks.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report showing that health-savings accounts (HSAs) are overwhelmingly used by high-income earners. According to the analysis, individuals with higher incomes — and who are generally healthier — make far greater use of HSAs and capture the bulk of the tax benefits. The report highlights that enrollees in HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans tend to have greater financial means. It says the tax perks built into HSAs work best for those already well off, since the value of reducing taxable income is larger when you’re in a higher tax bracket. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reacted. Some Democrats argued the structure of HSAs amounts to “another tax break for the wealthy,” while some Republicans noted that the findings challenge claims that HSAs are broadly helping lower-income Americans. HSAs are often promoted as a tool to boost consumer control of health care costs and provide savings flexibility. But this report raises doubts about whether they serve lower- and moderate-income Americans at the same rate. With rising health costs and policy debates around whether to expand or reform HSAs, these findings could influence future legislation.

Today, an analysis revealed that the fiscal package championed by Donald Trump — which includes substantial tax relief and refund checks early next year — is likely to boost economic growth only modestly. The study estimates the legislation will raise GDP by about 0.4 percentage points in the first half of 2026, but only around 0.3 points for the full year. The reason: the Federal Reserve is expected to keep benchmark interest rates roughly a quarter-point higher than they otherwise would be because of the stimulus-driven momentum and inflation risks. Those higher rates are forecast to offset roughly half of the growth gains from the stimulus package. In addition, the legislation will raise the federal deficit significantly, adding roughly 0.8 percentage points to GDP again via higher spending on defense and border security. That larger deficit may further weigh on long-term growth and financial stability. President Trump is voicing frustration with the Fed’s reluctance to cut rates and has openly criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell, saying he’d like to see him removed. Still, the Fed’s independence and its focus on inflation and employment mean it’s unlikely to shift course solely for political pressure.

The Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR) launched a payments program that awards $1,000 to university students who face discipline for anti-Israel protests. The program, called the “Champions of Justice Fund,” comes through CAIR’s California chapter. According to recent filings, CAIR-California raised over $100,000 from affiliates in San Francisco and Los Angeles to fund this support. Some of the payments were distributed in October 2024 when CAIR awarded $20,000 to 20 student protesters as interest-free loans and grants. The students in question had lost scholarships, housing, or faced other penalties after taking part in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel demonstrations at institutions including Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

Senior Israeli officials sounded an urgent alarm as a wave of violent attacks by settlers in the West Bank swept into new levels. Groups of masked settlers torched vehicles, vandalized a mosque and clashed with soldiers near Palestinian villages. The toll of incidents has reached a record monthly high. The Israeli president called the acts “shocking” and demanded decisive action, while other senior military figures described the violence as a “minority of criminals” diverting security resources from serious threats. Critics say the government’s policy of settlement expansion, reduced accountability and weakened investigations helped create the very conditions for the surge. With the regional conflict already stretching Israel’s security forces, the explosion of internal violence adds another volatile front to the country’s challenges.