Saturday, October 25, 2025

World

Rebuilding Rafah could happen in 2 to 3 years, Vance says as he leaves Israel

Vice President JD Vance left Israel on Thursday with an optimistic assessment that the devastated city of Rafah in southern Gaza could be rebuilt within two to three years, while simultaneously condemning Israeli parliamentary votes to advance annexation of...

In its rivalry with the US, China sees an advantage: the long game

China's Communist Party has concluded its fourth plenum, setting the stage for the next five-year economic plan that underscores Beijing's confidence in its long-term strategic approach as a competitive edge against the United States. The meeting, held from October...

How a shape-changing island in the Amazon became the center of a decades-long border dispute

In the heart of the Amazon Basin, Santa Rosa, a shape-shifting island, has reignited a long-standing border dispute between Peru and Colombia, underscoring the complexities of sovereignty in a dynamic river environment. The island's ever-changing geography, driven by the...

Business & Economy

Target will lay off around 1,000 employees

Target announced on Thursday that it will lay off approximately 1,000 corporate employees and eliminate 800 open positions, marking a significant restructuring effort amid declining sales and competitive pressures. This move affects about 8% of the company's global corporate...

Louvre heist lift-maker seizes the moment with new ad campaign

German lift manufacturer Böcker has launched a witty ad campaign that humorously references its equipment's role in the recent Louvre heist, turning a security breach into a viral marketing opportunity. The campaign, emphasizing "quiet as a whisper" technology, has...

Alaska Airlines flights grounded across US due to IT outage

Alaska Airlines grounded all flights across the United States on Thursday due to a systemwide information technology outage, causing significant disruptions before operations began to resume later in the evening. The temporary ground stop stranded thousands of passengers and...

Entertainment & Culture

A skeptic spent the night hunting for Civil War ghosts. ‘Did you hear that?’

A self-proclaimed skeptic participated in a ghost hunt at McRaven House in Vicksburg, Mississippi, a historic home with deep Civil War connections, and experienced several unexplained events that challenged his disbelief. During the overnight investigation, he and other guests...

Why ‘India’s Picasso’ is breaking auction records — and enraging the Hindu right

M.F. Husain, often called 'India's Picasso,' is posthumously achieving unprecedented success in the art market with his paintings fetching record prices at auctions, even as his work continues to provoke strong reactions from Hindu nationalist groups over depictions of...

Finery and frailty: Africa’s top shots

A selection of the week's best photographs from Africa, published on October 24, 2025, captures a diverse range of moments from cultural celebrations to political demonstrations, illustrating the continent's dynamic spirit. This visual narrative spans events from October 17...

Politics & Society

57 days after a gunshot to the head, 12-year-old school massacre survivor has returned home

A 12-year-old girl who survived a gunshot to the head during a school massacre in Minneapolis has returned home after 57 days in the hospital, marking a miraculous recovery that inspired her community. Sophia Forchas was discharged on October...

4 family members of Illinois governor candidate killed in Montana helicopter crash, campaign says

Four family members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey were killed in a helicopter crash in Montana on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, marking a profound tragedy for the political figure and his community. The victims include his son, daughter-in-law,...

Top Border Patrol Official Accused of Violating Judge’s Use-of-Force Order by Throwing Tear Gas at Chicago Protesters

A senior Border Patrol commander, Gregory Bovino, has been accused of violating a federal judge's restraining order by personally throwing tear gas at protesters during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. This incident has escalated legal...

Health & Environment

The simple infection that can rewire children’s brains

Strep throat, a common childhood infection, can in rare cases trigger significant behavioral changes in children, potentially altering brain function. This phenomenon highlights the complex interplay between infections and neurology, with implications for pediatric healthcare. Streptococcal infections, such as strep...

Storm Benjamin causes dramatic high tide in UK

Executive summary: Storm Benjamin swept across the United Kingdom, causing dramatic high tides and significant disruptions, including power outages and transport delays, before moving eastward. Weather warnings have been reduced as the storm clears, but residual effects persist in...

Millions of red crabs begin annual migration on Christmas Island

The annual migration of millions of red crabs has commenced on Christmas Island, with tens of millions of the crustaceans embarking on their journey from forest burrows to the ocean to breed. This spectacular natural event, ignited by the...

Sports

Chargers cruise past Vikings behind Herbert’s 3 TDs

The Los Angeles Chargers dominated the Minnesota Vikings 37-10 in Thursday Night Football, with quarterback Justin Herbert throwing three touchdown passes to lead a decisive victory that snapped a recent skid and bolstered their playoff hopes. This commanding performance...

Dolphins’ Hill undecided on retirement after injury

Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill is contemplating retirement after a severe knee injury ended his season, but he remains undecided as he focuses on recovery and family discussions. Hill's uncertainty emerged in a recent podcast interview where...

Aaron Rodgers Plans to Retire with Green Bay Packers When Career Ends

Executive summary: Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, has announced that he intends to retire as a member of the Green Bay Packers, expressing deep affection for the team where he spent 18 years of his NFL career. He...

Technology & Science

Inside Mongolia’s ‘Mars camp’: The extreme adventure that wants to turn tourists into astronauts

A Mongolian non-governmental organization, MARS-V, is pioneering an extreme tourism venture that simulates life on Mars in the remote Gobi Desert, offering participants a month-long astronaut experience for approximately $6,000. This innovative project aims to blend scientific research with...

Jake Tapper creates AI videos to highlight the risks

CNN anchor Jake Tapper has leveraged OpenAI's latest AI video technology to demonstrate the potential dangers of synthetic media in a new segment that aired on October 22, 2025. Using the newly released Sora 2 app, Tapper created realistic...

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI releases browser in attempt to rival Google

OpenAI has launched Atlas, an artificial intelligence-powered web browser designed to compete with Google Chrome by deeply integrating its ChatGPT technology, marking a significant move to monetize AI innovations and reshape digital browsing. This release targets users seeking more...