President Trump’s much-publicised peace proposal for the Gaza Strip has hit a major hurdle as dozens of Hamas fighters remain trapped in tunnel networks inside southern Gaza. U.S. and Israeli officials are locked in disagreement over whether these militants should be granted safe-passage under the agreement. Mediators report the number of fighters ranges from about 100 to 200, located in a zone under Israeli control near the town of Rafah. Hamas leaders insist their fighters won’t surrender. Meanwhile Israeli authorities say permitting safe exit would be politically unacceptable. The stalemate has rippled into implementation plans. Trump’s 20-point roadmap calls for disarming Hamas, releasing hostages, and ending the war. But the trapped fighters issue now threatens to derail a key phase. Israel’s security concerns and Hamas’s refusal to disarm are core obstacles.

The federal government reopened after a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. President Trump signed the funding bill late Wednesday, bringing most agencies back to work. The legislation covers operations through January and restores paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal employees who were unpaid during the impasse. Officials say most services, including benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will resume in the coming days. Some systems had paused or run at reduced levels during the shutdown. Agencies are now working to clear backlogs and resume full operations. For federal workers who went without pay, the back-pay provisions mean wages will arrive soon — though the exact timing depends on each agency’s payroll system. Travel services, application processing and other public-facing operations are expected to ramp up steadily. The shutdown had widespread effects: federal workers missed paychecks, food-aid programs were disrupted, and airports and national parks saw staffing issues. Now that funding is restored, those interruptions begin to ease.

The Russian government announced that it is ready to resume direct peace negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. A senior Russian diplomat said Moscow has previously laid out proposals — including online working groups — and is willing to meet “at any moment.”Ukraine, however, has not responded positively to those initiatives so far. The talks between the two sides have been stalled since their last session in Istanbul in July.Turkey has reiterated that the Istanbul venue remains open and available for future discussions. Russia said the “ball is in Ukraine’s court.”Renewed dialogue could open pathways toward prisoner exchanges, humanitarian relief, or even an eventual cease-fire. The next move now depends on Kyiv.

President Trump said that the United States would hit an economic and national-security disaster if the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against his sweeping tariffs. He warned the court could require the U.S. government to refund billions in duties if those tariffs are struck down. He said his plan includes issuing a $2,000 payment to lower- and middle-income Americans using tariff revenues, and using the rest to reduce national debt. He pointed to recent court hearings where justices questioned whether the tariffs exceeded his emergency-powers authority. Trump said estimates of required refunds are too low and that “there would be an economic disaster” if he lost the case. The court’s ruling could reshape U.S. trade policy and affect government revenue, debt levels, and the cost of goods for households.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its key interest rate again in December, driven by signs of a softening U.S. job market. According to a recent poll, about 80% of economists anticipate a 25-basis-point cut at the December meeting.In recent weeks, private-sector surveys have reported employer layoffs and sluggish hiring, raising concerns that the labor market is losing steam. At the same time, inflation measures are inching closer to the Fed’s target, which gives policymakers more room to ease.Despite this consensus, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has cautioned that a rate cut in December is not guaranteed, citing conflicting views among committee members and delays in key economic data caused by the government shutdown.Markets are already reacting: the dollar has slipped slightly and Treasury yields have edged lower in anticipation of looser monetary policy.A December cut would mark a further shift from fighting inflation to bolstering employment and growth—and could change borrowing costs for consumers and businesses heading into next year.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego discovered that a broken connection between two gut-immune proteins plays a central role in Crohn’s disease. The team found that a protein called girdin must bind to the gene product of NOD2 to keep gut immune cells balanced. When that bond breaks, inflammation takes over. Using artificial intelligence, scientists mapped more than 50 genes in intestinal immune cells and observed how NOD2 mutations disrupt the link to girdin. In lab tests, mice missing girdin developed intense gut inflammation and showed major changes in their gut microbes. It’s the first time researchers have shown how a long-known Crohn’s gene drives inflammation through a specific protein partner. It opens the door to treatments that restore this bond instead of broadly suppressing the immune system. The discovery could lead to more precise and less disruptive therapies for people living with Crohn’s disease.

President Trump announced that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, extending the Israel-normalization pact outside its usual region. He said Kazakhstan is the “first country of my second term” to sign on. Kazakhstan already has full diplomatic ties with Israel, but this move formalizes their membership in the Accords framework. The announcement came during a summit in Washington with Kazakh President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders. U.S. officials described the step as largely symbolic, but said it signals broader diplomatic momentum for the Accords beyond the Middle East. By bringing Kazakhstan—situated in Central Asia and far from the Gaza or Arab-Israeli arenas—the Accords show a new geographic reach. For Israel and the U.S., it means a fresh diplomatic partner and expanded cooperation in trade, technology and regional strategy.

Researchers have reviewed multiple studies and found growing evidence that the bacteria in your gut may influence how well you sleep. Using data from recent trials, the review reveals that people with sleep issues—such as insomnia or apnea—often show altered gut-microbe profiles compared with those who sleep well. The scientists noted that certain microbial strains appear less abundant in sleep-impaired individuals, and that these changes may affect inflammation and the nervous system during sleep. While it’s too early to say that gut bacteria-fixing treatments will cure sleep disorders, this link opens a fresh area for investigation. Improving diet and gut health may play a role in better rest.

A Republican congressman filed a bill today that would block federal funding for Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration in New York City. The proposed “MAMDANI Act” would suspend unobligated federal dollars to the city so long as Mamdani serves as mayor. The draft text specifies that no federal funds may be obligated or spent for any purpose in the city during his term. Mamdani ran on a progressive platform of free buses, universal child care and a higher minimum wage. Supporters say the bill is a direct attack on democratic self-governance, while opponents argue it’s a defense of national priorities. The legislation signals an early clash between the incoming mayor’s agenda and federal political forces. Its passage would reshape the financial relationship between New York City and Washington — and set a precedent for federal oversight of local governments.

A string of drone sightings across Europe has spurred the U.S. government to sharpen its national security posture. U.S. officials say several unmanned aircraft have flown near critical military sites, airports and allied bases in recent days. These incursions have raised fresh alarm over vulnerabilities in allied air-defense networks. In response, the U.S. is working closely with NATO partners to increase intelligence sharing, review drone detection systems and coordinate counter-measures at key bases. One senior official said the focus is shifting from “reacting to random threats” to “standing guard for systematic probing of our defenses.” The same official emphasized that improved joint training and rapid-response protocols are now under review. Unmanned aircraft can gather intelligence, disrupt operations or signal wider aggression.

NATO announced it is deploying new units to its eastern European border in response to a recent surge in air-space violations. NATO Secretary-General highlighted that allied jets and radar systems will be stationed in several member states bordering Russia and Ukraine. This move follows several instances where unidentified aircraft reportedly crossed into allied airspace without warning. Member states expressed concern that the violations compromise regional stability and put civilian air traffic at risk. NATO underscored that the deployments are defensive, aimed at reinforcing surveillance and rapid-response capabilities. The alliance emphasized its commitment to collective defense and warned that repeated incursions will be met with stronger deterrence. The additional forces are expected to begin arriving within days, with exercises planned to test readiness.

Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology used artificial-intelligence tools to design new antibiotic compounds that successfully cleared MRSA infections in animal models. The drugs were created by screening dozens of chemical candidates via AI and then testing them on mice infected with MRSA. MRSA infections are increasingly resistant to standard antibiotics, so new treatment options could make a big difference.

Russia has announced it shipped next-generation air-defense systems to Venezuela via cargo aircraft. According to a senior Russian lawmaker, the shipment includes the Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E systems, marking a significant upgrade for Venezuela’s military. The move comes amid increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and wider tensions between Washington and Caracas. Russian officials also hinted the country may be willing to provide offensive weapons, such as ballistic or cruise missiles, to Venezuela.

China announced that several provinces will cut electricity costs by up to half for data centers that use home-grown AI chips. Local governments in regions like Gansu, Guizhou, and Inner Mongolia launched special incentives for tech firms that drop foreign-made hardware and switch to domestic silicon from companies such as Huawei and Cambricon. The change comes after many firms complained that Chinese chips use far more power than imported ones. Companies that continue using foreign chips will not qualify for the discount. China is accelerating efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology and strengthen its local semiconductor industry. With cheaper power, its tech companies gain an edge in cost and scale, while global chipmakers face growing competition from within China.

A new study suggests that adults who used the sleep aid melatonin for a year or longer faced a much higher risk of heart problems. Researchers compared more than 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia and found that long-term melatonin users had about a 90 percent greater chance of being diagnosed with heart failure over five years compared to those who did not use it. The study also found that melatonin users were over three times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and nearly twice as likely to die from any cause during the same period. Experts stressed that the results do not prove melatonin causes heart failure. The research was observational and may have missed details such as exact dosage or consistent use. Melatonin is widely used and often seen as safe for short-term sleep support, but these findings suggest that long-term, routine use may carry hidden risks that deserve closer attention.

Vladimir Putin ordered his top officials to prepare plans for restarting nuclear weapons tests. The move followed recent remarks from U.S. leaders suggesting that America might resume its own testing program. Russian officials mentioned the Arctic’s Novaya Zemlya test site as a possible location for future detonations. They also said Moscow would only proceed if Washington first ended its testing pause. If either side restarts live detonations, others could follow—raising the risk of a new arms race and eroding global stability.

U.S. stock futures fell sharply early Tuesday after top Wall Street bank chiefs warned of a possible market pull-back.The CEOs of major firms said stocks may see a 10-15% drop within the next 12-24 months.Futures tied to the S&P 500 dropped about 1%, and Nasdaq futures slid roughly 1.3%.Technology companies that drove recent gains also weakened ahead of key earnings reports.The warning comes amid concerns that tech valuations are stretched and investor sentiment is shifting.

Federal officials today alerted U.S. utility companies to the rise in cyberattacks targeting smaller firms, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. They stressed that hackers are already probing networks and gaining footholds via overlooked software gaps. The warning outlined how these attacks could disrupt services and drain resources. Utility operators were urged to upgrade their defense systems, share threat data with federal agencies, and review vendor contracts for weak links.

Early this morning, several drones flew near the Kleine Brogel Air Base in northeast Belgium, a site known to store U.S. nuclear weapons. The drones appeared in two phases over Saturday and Sunday night, first small ones testing radio signals, then larger ones apparently to disrupt the area, according to Belgium’s defense minister. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible espionage operation. The minister noted the drones used their own radio frequencies, which implied professional planning and control. Security measures were activated, but no shoot-down occurred because the drones were not directly over restricted zones. The air base is part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement and thus holds strategic significance. The incident caused increased concern among allied countries about airspace security and drone defense capabilities. Belgium’s minister lamented that stronger drone counter-measures should have been purchased years ago.

The Federal Reserve, often called “the Fed,” is the central bank of the United States. It was created in 1913 to make the nation’s financial system safer, more stable, and better able to respond to economic crises. At its core, the Fed’s job is to manage the supply of money and credit in the economy. It does this mainly by setting interest rates, buying or selling government securities, and regulating banks. When the economy slows and unemployment rises, the Fed often lowers interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending. When inflation climbs too high, it raises rates to cool things down. The Federal Reserve is made up of three main parts: the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.; twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks across the country; and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which sets national monetary policy. The Board of Governors oversees the system and reports directly to Congress, though the Fed operates independently of political control to avoid short-term influence on long-term decisions. Besides controlling interest rates, the Fed supervises banks to make sure they are financially sound and protects consumers in their dealings with lenders. It also provides financial services—like clearing checks and transferring money—to banks and the federal government. Ultimately, the Federal Reserve’s goal is to promote stable prices, maximum employment, and a healthy financial system. It doesn’t control the economy directly, but its decisions strongly shape the environment in which businesses, consumers, and investors operate.

Today in New Jersey, candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill stepped up efforts across the state in the last hours before the election. They held back-to-back public rallies to appeal to undecided voters and boost early turnout. Officials report nearly 1.2 million ballots have been cast early, setting a record pace for this type of election in the state. Polling stations remained busy today, especially in suburban and urban districts. Ciattarelli emphasized tax relief and stronger law enforcement in his speeches. Sherrill stressed investment in schools and public transit. Each urged supporters to “make their voice heard” before polls close tomorrow. Campaign analysts say the narrow gap between the candidates underscores how much hinges on turnout. The state’s economy, infrastructure and education policies are all in play.

Many residents of the kibbutz Nahal Oz, near Israel’s border with Gaza, remain reluctant to go back despite the government ending housing subsidies.The community was attacked on October 7, 2023, leaving lasting trauma.About half of its roughly 400 residents have returned so far.The government has stopped paying for evacuees’ temporary housing outside the area, signaling a push to rebuild the community.Many returning residents say they’re torn—wanting closure but still feeling unsafe living just meters from the border.Their hesitation comes as subsidies end, infrastructure remains damaged, and memories of the attack weigh heavily.

The U.S. federal government has now been shut down for 34 days. The stalemate is led by Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, unable to agree on a funding bill. During the shutdown, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — serving about 42 million Americans — have been delayed. Two federal judges recently ordered the administration to tap contingency funds to keep the aid flowing. Meanwhile, President Trump is pressing Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster rule so funding can pass without Democratic votes. Congress has scheduled no major vote this week to end the freeze. The shutdown is now on track to become the longest in U.S. history if it continues beyond this week.

The parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the draft-exemption bill for yeshiva students postponed its discussion once more. The motion, led by the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, was expected to move forward this week. But the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened and ordered the session delayed.Ultra-Orthodox parties immediately accused Netanyahu’s government of stalling the legislation deliberately. They argue the delay serves as a political punishment after large protests by yeshiva students and community leaders. Meanwhile, government spokespeople say more time is needed to refine the bill and align key ministries on the details.

The Israeli government signed a major cloud-computing deal with Google LLC and Amazon Web Services as part of its Project Nimbus initiative. Under the agreement, the tech firms will build and operate cloud infrastructure within Israel to serve government and defense agencies. The contract is reported to be worth about $1.2 billion and runs over seven years.It includes provisions that prevent the companies from shutting off Israeli access, even if use of the services would violate their standard rules. Investigators say the deal also contains a “secret code” mechanism: if foreign authorities request data stored by the firms on behalf of Israel and are legally gagged, the companies must send coded payments to inform Israel of the request. Google and Amazon say they comply with lawful orders and haven’t violated global laws. Israeli officials say the agreement protects national security and keeps data under Israeli control. Because of this deal, Israel gains expanded ability to store, analyze, and move large volumes of data—defense-, intelligence-, or civilian-related—within its borders. The deal changes who controls key cloud infrastructure.

Early Monday morning, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake rattled northern Afghanistan. It struck near the city of Mazar-e Sharif in Balkh province at a depth of about 28 km. The quake killed at least 20 people and injured hundreds more across several provinces. Hospitals in the area have been placed on high alert, and relief workers are weathering difficult access in mountainous terrain. Power outages and blocked highways are slowing aid efforts. The death toll is expected to increase as teams reach isolated villages.

Russia launched heavy drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight. Bombs hit key power-plants and substations in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. One regional official reported nearly 60,000 people lost electricity after the attacks. Emergency crews worked through the morning to assess damage and restore service.The grid damage forced parts of several regions into rolling blackouts, severely affecting heating, water, and lighting services.Ukraine’s energy ministry said the strikes are part of a broader push by Russia ahead of winter, aimed at weakening Ukraine’s ability to sustain daily life in cold months. The fallout: thousands of homes now face the risk of freezing.

President Trump announced that the most advanced AI chips made by Nvidia will be reserved for American companies only. He stated that foreign countries, including China, will not have access to the latest “Blackwell” chips.The move marks a sharp shift from previous policy, which had allowed some export of high-end technologies. The chips are seen as critical for next-generation AI systems and other advanced computing tasks.While Trump indicated that less powerful versions of the chips might still be sold abroad, he emphasized the full-capability models will stay in the U.S. The decision raises questions about how this affects alliances and supply-chains with countries like South Korea, which recently made large chip deals.With global tech competition heating up and export restrictions becoming a key part of strategy, this action signals the U.S. is pressing hard on tech leadership.

Israel’s defense ministry announced the high-powered laser system known as the “Iron Beam” will be delivered to the military by year-end. The laser is designed to target rockets, drones and mortars with a concentrated beam of light. Developers say the system completed its final tests over southern Israel and met key performance goals. The ministry added it will operate alongside existing interceptors like the Iron Dome to create a more layered defense. The move means Israel will become one of the first countries to field a full-scale laser-based air defense asset. Threats from short-range rockets and drones remain active, and more cost-effective interception tools could ease pressure on missile interceptors.

Donald Trump suffered three serious blows in his legal and political battles. First, a federal appeals court agreed to review a challenge to his deployment of federal troops in Oregon. Second, the U.S. Senate blocked his proposed emergency tariffs on Brazil, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Third, a judge ruled that the acting U.S. attorney he had appointed in California was serving unlawfully. Trump had been relying on these moves to reinforce his authority. The court’s decision raises questions about how far a president can send troops inside the U.S. The tariff blockade marks a clear legislative rebuke of his trade agenda. And the attorney-appointment ruling hits his control over federal law-enforcement posts. These setbacks weaken key tools of presidential power that Trump has been using actively. They could reshape how his administration proceeds, especially in trade and domestic operations.