NTD Good Morning

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, will once again be tracking Santa Claus this year, as he travels around the world, bringing gifts to kids across the globe. What started 70 years ago as a mistaken phone call from a child to the former Continental Air Defense Command, is now a beloved holiday tradition for families everywhere. More than a thousand volunteers will be staffing NORAD's Santa Operations Center, to answer the hundreds of thousands of phone calls that come in from around the world.In Southern California, powerful winter storms are threatening holiday plans. Millions in California are expected to hit the road for Christmas, but are likely to meet hazardous travel conditions. Officials are warning residents about potentially deadly flash flooding and mudslides, and to reconsider their holiday travel plans. Local and state officials are gearing up to respond to emergencies through the week. The state has also deployed resources and first responders to a number of counties along the coast and in Southern California, with the California National Guard on standby to assist.A fire and explosion erupted in the Bristol Health and Rehab Center near Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon. At least two are dead and 20 are inured. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says firefighters, rescue crews and bystanders were helping to get the nursing home residents to safety. Authorities are investigating a possible gas leak as the cause.

Severe weather from the Pacific Ocean is causing havoc in California. An atmospheric river is bringing more downpours throughout the state this week. Evacuation warnings are in effect Tuesdays for area with burn scars from recent wildfires. State and local officials are reminding residents to be extra cautious behind the wheel, with the National Weather Service expecting up to five inches of rain across the northern Sierra by mid-week.The Department of Education says it's reviewing safety at Brown University following the shooting on campus that killed two students. The department says officials are investigating whether school officials violated federal campus safety and security requirements. In addition, Brown University's president placed the campus police chief on leave. A former chief of the Providence Police Department will replace him. Brown's president said the University is “deeply committed” to campus safety and security.President Trump unveiled plans on Monday to build a new class of battleships as part of his vision to strengthen the military. The so-called 'Trump-class' ships will be part of the administration's vision for a 'golden fleet,' aimed at deterring U-S adversaries like communist China. He says the new warships will be the largest, with one hundred times the force. President Trump made the announcement at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. hasn't built any battleships since World War II, with the last American battleship retiring in 1992.

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. A U.S. official told The Epoch Times on Sunday that the vessel part is of Venezuela's "illegal sanctions evasion." It comes as tensions are increasing in the Caribbean, with the United States building up a naval presence in the region, and striking alleged drug boats.Utility crews in San Francisco are working to restore power to thousands of residents and businesses after a widespread outage on Saturday. A fire at an electrical substation knocked out power for about 130,000 customers. Farther north, residents in Redding, California experienced flash flooding, leaving at least one dead. The heavy rains flooded highways and roads, leaving several vehicles stranded.A Russian general was killed in an apparent car bombing in Moscow. Russian officials are blaming Ukraine for the latest assassination of a senior military officer. Officials said Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov died on Monday morning. Russian officials say investigators are considering various motives for the attack, including a theory it was organized by Ukrainian special forces.

Rhode Island's attorney general said law enforcement late Thursday tracked Portuguese national Claudio Neves Valente, the man suspected of killing two students at Brown University, to Salem, New Hampshire. They found him inside a storage unit after he took his own life with a gun. Investigators are also accusing him of killing MIT professor Nuno Loureiro two days after his rampage at Brown.Social media giant TikTok is selling just over 80 percent of its U.S. assets to avoid a looming ban in the country. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance said Thursday it had signed agreements with three major investors: Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. The deal would create a new U.S. company called TikTok USDS Joint Venture. ByteDance will retain a stake of just under 20 percent.Seven people have died, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, after a business jet went down on Thursday at Statesville Regional Airport, just north of Charlotte, North Carolina. Flight tracking data show the aircraft attempted to return shortly after takeoff amid severe weather. Federal investigators are now working to determine what caused the deadly crash.

The U.S. government is admitting responsibility in the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. Federal filings cite air traffic control errors and a faulty altimeter aboard an army helicopter. The Senate has now passed the ROTOR Act, strengthening helicopter tracking requirements and closing military loopholes.President Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday night, pointing to what he called economic gains since returning to office. Trump also teased what he described as aggressive housing reforms and announced a $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” for U.S. service members. Separately, Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for U.S/ personnel killed in Syria.Lawmakers in the House just passed a Republican plan to bring down the cost of health care, without extending subsidies for Obamacare. The bill would lower premiums and provide subsidies for low income families for out of pocket health expenses. It now goes to the Senate where it's expected to fail without democratic support. In a separate vote, 4 republicans joined Democrats to force another vote on a 3 year clean extension of the COVID-era Obamacare subsidies.

President Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade targeting sanctioned oil shipments off the Venezuelan coast, in an escalation of tensions with regime leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the pressure would increase until what he described as stolen U.S. oil, land, and assets were returned. The Maduro regime previously described the United States' recent seizure of a tanker filled with Venezuelan crude oil as “international piracy.”The manhunt is intensifying for the Brown University shooter. Investigators are trawling the neighborhood for any new evidence that might help identify the suspect. They're also focusing on what might have motivated the attack. Rhode Island officials have released video footage and a new, enhanced image of the suspect. The FBI has also released an updated timeline, showing the assailant's known movements.Australian authorities have charged the surviving suspect in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack with fifteen counts of murder and dozens of other charges. Funerals began on Wednesday for the fifteen people killed in the anti-Semitic attack. Jewish leaders also vowed that the Hanukkah celebration would return despite last weekend's violence.

Australian authorities say the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney may have been inspired by ISIS, citing evidence including homemade ISIS flags and explosives found in the suspects' vehicle. Police also say the father-son duo travelled to the Philippines last month. The purpose of that visit is under investigation. The Bondi beach attack is Australia's worst shooting in nearly 30 years.The Justice Department announced on Monday that the FBI foiled a bomb plot planned for New Year's Eve in the Los Angeles area. Officials say 4 individuals were arrested, ranging from ages 24 to 41.They are members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which the DOJ describes as a pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group. Authorities say the suspects were plotting to use backpacks filled with improvised explosive devices that would detonate at least 5 different sites in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.President Trump is suing the BBC for $10 billion. He is accusing the broadcaster of defamation over a documentary aired just one week before the 2024 election. The lawsuit argues the BBC misleadingly edited Trump's January 6th speech, splicing together separate remarks to falsely suggest a call for violence. Court filings include a letter from the BBC chair acknowledging the edit created a misleading impression.

Police in Providence have released a man who was held as a person of interest in the Brown University shooting. The attack left two students dead and nine others injured. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley says the investigation is moving in a “different direction." The first victim has been identified as sophomore Ella Cook. President Donald Trump paid his respects to the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.Authorities are still investigating a shooting that took place at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. Police say two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of about a thousand people. One of the shooters died during the exchange of gunfire and the other is in the hospital. The shooting is being condemned all over the world as an anti-Semitic attack.An ISIS terrorist ambush in Syria killed two U.S. National Guard troops from Iowa and a U.S. civilian interpreter. An Iowa police chief identified his son, Nate Howard, as one of the two soldiers killed. Names of the other victims are expected to be released later today. The ISIS terrorist was killed, and five people suspected of having a connection to the gunman were arrested. Trump is warning of a "very serious retaliation." Lawmakers are encouraging the continued cooperation to totally dismantle ISIS.

The U.S. is increasing pressure on Venezuela, sanctioning three nephews of First Lady Cilia Flores, two of whom are known narcotics smugglers. it comes after the U.S. seized an oil tanker with alleged links to terrorist groups. Venezuela calls the action piracy, while the White House says the U.S. intends to take the oil from the vessel.The Indiana State Senate voted down a new congressional map yesterday 31-19, that would have favored Republicans. That's despite having a 40-10 Republican super-majority in the chamber. The redrawn map would have given Indiana Republicans all nine of the state's U.S. House seats, two more compared to what they currently have. Republicans and Democrats are separated by just 3 seats in the U.S. House, and redistricting could determine control of the chamber in the 2026 midterms.Days of torrential rain have triggered historic flooding in Washington state, leaving families stranded, sweeping away homes, and prompting rescues. Tens of thousands remain under evacuation orders. The storms have shut roads and halted Amtrak service between Seattle and Vancouver. Officials warn the powerful atmospheric river is pushing rivers toward record levels.

The Senate, is preparing to vote on two healthcare bills today. One bill is a clean extension of the Obamacare tax subsidies for the next three years. The other bill is a plan that would take the money granted to the subsidies and put them into health savings accounts to help Americans pay out-of-pocket health costs. The U.S. House of Representatives, meanwhile, passed a massive $901-billion defense policy bill on Wednesday. The bill now heads to the Senate before heading to President Trump's desk.The Federal Reserve has approved a quarter-point rate cut in a divided vote. Chair Jerome Powell called the move a close call. President Trump criticized the cut as too small and said higher rates are holding back the economy. Trump is weighing potential candidates to replace Powell when his term ends in May.President Trump has officially launched his new immigration “Gold Card” offering a fast-track U.S. residency for non-citizens who donate $1 million and pass vetting. The announcement comes as the administration also moves to tighten the Visa-Waiver Program. Travelers from 42 countries would be required to submit five years of social media history and other personal data.

President Trump unveiled a $12 billion farm aid package at a round-table meeting with cabinet members and American farmers on Monday. $11 billion will be given to row-crop farmers and an additional $1 billion will be sorted out for specialty crops. This comes as Trump is expected to visit Pennsylvania on Tuesday to discuss the U.S. economy, with the White House pointing to cheaper gas and falling rent prices.The Trump administration is rolling out a billion-dollar plan to make America's airports healthier and more family-friendly. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled the initiative on Monday at Reagan National Airport. He outlined new federal grants to help airports improve traveler health and comfort. The upgrades could include healthier food choices, expanded nursing spaces, children's play areas and even workout stations.Democrats and reporters are pressuring President Trump to release footage of a military strike that killed two alleged drug smugglers who survived an earlier strike. During a heated exchange, Trump explained to a reporter why he's directing the strikes in the first place, telling her every boat strike saves 25,000 American lives. The pentagon is now reviewing the footage to determine what can be released publicly.

President Trump unveiled a $12 billion farm aid package at a round-table meeting with cabinet members and American farmers on Monday. $11 billion will be given to row-crop farmers and an additional $1 billion will be sorted out for specialty crops. This comes as Trump is expected to visit Pennsylvania on Tuesday to discuss the U.S. economy, with the White House pointing to cheaper gas and falling rent prices.The Trump administration is rolling out a billion-dollar plan to make America's airports healthier and more family-friendly. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled the initiative on Monday at Reagan National Airport. He outlined new federal grants to help airports improve traveler health and comfort. The upgrades could include healthier food choices, expanded nursing spaces, children's play areas and even workout stations.Democrats and reporters are pressuring President Trump to release footage of a military strike that killed two alleged drug smugglers who survived an earlier strike. During a heated exchange, Trump explained to a reporter why he's directing the strikes in the first place, telling her every boat strike saves 25,000 American lives. The pentagon is now reviewing the footage to determine what can be released publicly.

White House Border Czar Tom Homan says the Trump administration has thus far located 62,000 children who were illegally smuggled into the United States. Homan alleges that the Biden administration lost track of 300,000 minors. He says those children were smuggled into the country during the previous administration, and says the Trump administration has been actively searching for them.President Trump became the first U.S. president to host the Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating artists from Sylvester Stallone to Gloria Gaynor and KISS. At the event, officials praised the arts as a unifying force, while Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell highlighted new fiscal discipline. Trump also weighed in on the Netflix–Warner Brothers merger, calling it a major market shift.Lawmakers are gearing up to vote on the defense policy for 2026. This year's bill codifies 15 of President Trumps war-department related executive orders, including stripping the Pentagon of DEI, CRT and climate initiatives. Enlisted service members will also get a 4% pay raise, and codifies Trump's deployment of troops to the border to combat illegal immigration and drugs.

The Pentagon says U.S. forces have carried out another strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing four suspected narco-terrorists. The announcement came as Congress reviewed a previous operation that killed two survivors from an earlier strike. Top Senate Republican Tom Cotton defended the operation, while Democrats called the classified footage troubling.Homeland Security says an ICE operation in Minneapolis has led to multiple arrests of what the agency calls “the worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants. The Metro Surge operation began Monday. Many of those arrested are Somali nationals, with cases ranging from gang affiliations to sexual-conduct convictions and felony smuggling. Other charges include aggravated assault and domestic violence.The mid-terms are looking more favorable to republicans in Texas after the Supreme Court approved the republicans new map. GOP candidates will now have a better opportunity to flip Democrat seats in 5 Texas districts. Though the five potential gains in Texas could be offset by 5 potential gains in California, after voters approved a new map last month that favors Democrats. Now, Florida is the latest in a string of states that are working to redrawing congressional lines.

President Trump has rolled back Biden-era fuel-economy rules, saying the move will lower car prices and protect U.S. auto jobs. The White House argues the old standards were too costly and pushed electric vehicles on consumers. Officials say the change could cut car prices by about $1,000 and save Americans more than $100 billion.ICE officers have arrested an Afghan man on suspicion of providing support to a regional branch of the ISIS terror group. He is the third Afghan national to be arrested in just over a week, raising questions about a Biden-era program for refugees after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is expanding social media vetting for applicants for all H-1B visas.President Trump said on Wednesday that land strikes on Venezuela will start very soon, and that these strikes will go beyond pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump also doubled down on his defense of the September 2nd strike in the Caribbean, saying that every boat that's taken down saves 25,000 American lives. He says that drugs coming in through the sea are down by 91% since the strikes began.

The push for a negotiated end to the nearly four-year war hit another stalemate this week, after a five-hour meeting in Moscow between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, ultimately producing no results. The Kremlin described the talks as constructive, but said compromises had not yet been found.Republican Matt Van Epps was projected to win a special election yesterday, to fill a vacant U.S. House of Representatives seat. Van Epps thanked Trump multiple times following his projected victory, padding the leader in the chamber heading into next year's midterm elections. Van Epps is a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, and defeated Democratic opponent, state Representative Aftyn Behn.President Trump held his ninth Cabinet meeting of the year on Tuesday, as scrutiny grows over a deadly boat strike in the Caribbean. Some lawmakers claim Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike that killed two survivors, calling it a war crime. Hegseth denies it, saying Admiral Frank Bradley made the call and that it was the right decision under the “fog of war.” Trump defended the strikes, saying they saved hundreds of thousands of American lives, and warned that land strikes on cartels are coming soon, not just in Venezuela, but in any country sending illicit drugs into the U.S.

Nearly 72 million people are under winter weather alerts from the Rockies to southern New England, as forecasters say a rapidly strengthening storm is forming over the eastern United States on Nov. 2. This is the third storm this week sweeping across the country. It's expected to set new low-temperature records, along with snow, rain, and a chance of Gulf Coast tornadoes. The FAA says some airports could see delays.The White House is defending a second strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean. The White House says Vice Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the follow-on strike and acted within his legal authority. The strike, however, is raising questions, and Congress is now investigating, with Bradley set to brief lawmakers this week.The White House says the Trump administration is feeling very optimistic about the peace process between Russia and Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Russia to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A Kremlin spokesman said the talks on Nov. 2 will be held behind closed doors. He declined to specify what issues the two are set to discuss.

The Kremlin said on Monday that an American delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff would be in Moscow on Tuesday, to meet with Putin to discuss the changes made to the U.S. proposed peace plan. That's following a critical round of diplomacy that happened over the weekend. Rubio said the U.S. and Ukraine made good progress during the meeting on Sunday, but says that Moscow still has to agree to the plans.Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela are increasing. President Trump says he spoke to President Nicolas Maduro over the phone. The administration has closed Venezuelan airspace, the FAA is warning of heightened military activity. Lawmakers are also demanding answers over reports of follow-up U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats.A new winter storm is moving from the Plains toward the Northeast, bringing snow and heavy rain to areas still recovering from last week's blast of snow. Lewis County, New York, could see up to eight inches of snow, with slick roads and low visibility creating hazardous travel conditions. Following the storm, Arctic air will plunge temperatures to the season's lowest levels across central and eastern U.S.

Following a shooting near the White House earlier this week, authorities have confirmed that National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom has died. A second soldier, Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. The attack has renewed scrutiny of immigration policy. The administration has ordered a review of all green cards from so-called “countries of concern,” including Afghanistan.At least 128 people are now confirmed dead in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court fire, one of the city's deadliest disasters in generations. Rescuers are still combing the burned high-rises, with around 200 residents unaccounted for, as investigators examine how renovation materials and faulty alarms may have fueled the fast-moving inferno. Officials say the fire engulfed seven of the eight residential towers after bamboo scaffolding and renovation materials fueled the flames.A powerful winter storm is poised to disrupt post-Thanksgiving travel across the Northern Plains, the Upper Midwest, and into the Great Lakes. Forecasters warn snow could spread as early as Friday and intensify through the weekend, creating hazardous road conditions and ushering in a sharp drop in temperatures.

Millions of Americans prepare for the rush to head home this Thanksgiving holiday, with the Federal Aviation Administration saying this would be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years. On top of the crowded airports and busy highways, travelers will also be facing a surge of wintry weather. A strong midweek storm will advance from the East Coast to the Midwest, bringing thunderstorms, rain along I-95, and wind-driven snow near major hubs like Chicago and Detroit.President Donald Trump says peace talks involving Russia and Ukraine are making progress, with U.S. officials preparing for high-level meetings with both sides. Trump says the revised roadmap is now a 22-point plan, with greater European involvement. He also suggested some territorial concessions might be inevitable.The FBI is probing six Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who posted a controversial video last week in which they told the military to refuse to follow what they referred to as “illegal orders.” Those involved haven't specified orders they are urging the military to ignore, but Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said her main issue is with the National Guard deployment. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) has filed legislation challenging Trump's authority to carry out strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.

Two National Guardsmen are in critical condition after being shot near the White House on Wednesday in what officials are calling a targeted attack. The suspect, an Afghan national, was wounded and taken into custody. President Donald Trump and National Guard leaders offered prayers for the victims. Meanwhile, the Trump administration halted all immigration processing for Afghan nationals pending new security reviews.Millions are expected at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, and New York City is ramping up security to keep them safe. Mayor Eric Adams is urging parade-goers to stay alert. The NYPD Commissioner said there are no known credible threats, but thousands of officers, drones, K-9 units, and emergency teams will line the route, with social media monitored in real time.Forecasters are warning that a powerful storm system will blanket the Northern Plains and Great Lakes with heavy snow over the holiday, and that a second storm system is brewing in the Pacific Northwest. Winter storm warnings are in place from Minnesota to Michigan, with some areas expecting more than a foot of snow. The storms are threatening one of the busiest travel weekends on record, as more than 80 million Americans are expected to hit the roads and skies for Thanksgiving.

President Donald Trump spoke with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday—their first call since tensions rose over her comments on Japan's possibly defending Taiwan against Chinese aggression. Takaichi said Trump requested the conversation, and reaffirmed their close cooperation. Trump also spoke with China's Xi Jinping on Monday, with Ukraine, fentanyl, and farm-trade issues discussed. Trump also accepted Xi's invitation to visit Beijing in April.A federal judge has dismissed the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge also found the appointment of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan to be unlawful. The indictments were dismissed without prejudice, meaning the cases could be brought back. However, the statute of limitations has already passed for Comey's case, barring the Justice Department from bringing the same charges against him. The DOJ said it would appeal the ruling.Two special turkeys named Gobble and Waddle are set to receive a presidential pardon on Tuesday, an annual tradition ahead of Thanksgiving. The two birds are currently enjoying life at the Willard Hotel ahead of their big debut. The fowl were supplied by Butterball, one of the nation's largest poultry producers. The annual Thanksgiving pardoning tradition goes back to 1989, when President George H.W. Bush pardoned the turkey instead of sending it for slaughter.

The United States and Ukraine say they've made progress on a revised peace plan during talks in Geneva over the weekend. The White House says the updated framework strengthens protections for Ukraine and keeps its sovereignty non-negotiable. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks the most productive so far, though key issues remain.Operations at one of JFK International Airport's terminals have resumed following a systems failure that happened on Sunday, leaving travelers facing major delays. The outage happened at the beginning of a busy Thanksgiving travel week, with two possible winter storms also expected to hit parts of the United States. Heavy rain is expected in Texas and parts of the southwest this weekend. Forecasters are also warning of lake-effect snow and white-out conditions across western New York state.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Americans can expect substantial refunds in early 2026. He is also optimistic that the broader economy will avoid a recession despite the impact of the record government shutdown. Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett says real wages are up about $1,200 this year, and predicts 2026 could be a strong year for the economy.

President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law on Wednesday, ordering the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days. The law bars the withholding or redaction of records for political reasons, although protections remain for victims, ongoing investigations, and sensitive material.Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) and three others have been indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster funds in 2021. Prosecutors say the money was tied to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, and allege it was laundered through multiple accounts and used to support her special-election campaign. Officials also allege she routed funds through friends and family as straw donations.Federal authorities say they've dismantled a major methamphetamine smuggling operation from Mexico into Colorado, part of a two-year probe that led to 15 indictments and one of the largest meth seizures in state history. At sea, meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard says its crews have just offloaded more than 49,000 pounds of cocaine in Florida—the biggest haul ever from a single Coast Guard patrol.

President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law on Wednesday, ordering the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days. The law bars the withholding or redaction of records for political reasons, although protections remain for victims, ongoing investigations, and sensitive material.Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) and three others have been indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster funds in 2021. Prosecutors say the money was tied to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, and allege it was laundered through multiple accounts and used to support her special-election campaign. Officials also allege she routed funds through friends and family as straw donations.Federal authorities say they've dismantled a major methamphetamine smuggling operation from Mexico into Colorado, part of a two-year probe that led to 15 indictments and one of the largest meth seizures in state history. At sea, meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard says its crews have just offloaded more than 49,000 pounds of cocaine in Florida—the biggest haul ever from a single Coast Guard patrol.

New York City is expected to see expanded immigration enforcement soon. Border czar Tom Homan made the announcement on Tuesday, just one month after ICE agents conducted a sweep on street vendors in Manhattan that turned chaotic after officers were swarmed by protestors. Federal agents are also expected to go to Louisiana and Mississippi under Operation Swamp Sweep, which aims to arrest 5,000 people.The Trump administration is moving ahead with major structural changes to the Department of Education, and is preparing to shift several of its core programs to other federal agencies as part of efforts to dismantle the department. One change involves moving more than $30 billion in federal grants to the Department of Labor. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon says the restructuring is meant to break down bureaucracy and return control of education to states and local leaders.President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday. During their meeting, Trump announced that the United States would designate Saudi Arabia as a “major non-NATO ally.” This represents a substantial elevation of the country's diplomatic standing with America. The crown prince praised Trump's peace efforts and announced that he's boosting Saudi Arabia's U.S. investments to $1 trillion.

President Donald Trump will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday. This is the crown prince's first visit to Washington in more than seven years. Trump said he plans to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, with defense cooperation one of the leaders' key talking points.Federal immigration agents could begin enforcement operations in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday, with Mayor Janet Cowell confirming that agents are already in the city. The deployment follows a weekend sweep in Charlotte that led to more than 130 arrests. In Tennessee, meanwhile, a judge has blocked National Guard deployments in Memphis, but temporarily paused the order to allow the governor time to appeal.The House is expected to vote on a bill on Tuesday to force the Justice Department to publicly release the Epstein files. President Trump is also changing course on his previous opposition to the bill, calling on House Republicans to vote to release the files. After passing the House, it would then head to the Senate, where it's still not clear how the upper chamber would handle the bill. Trump said he would sign the bill if it passed both chambers of Congress.

The United States is planning to designate the Venezuelan ‘Cartel of the Suns' a foreign terrorist organization. The move expands federal authority to target the group, which the Trump administration says is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. forces are continuing strikes on suspected narcotics-smuggling vessels, including one this weekend in which three suspected drug traffickers died.President Donald Trump is considering ways to allow Americans to directly feel the benefits of his tariffs. The measures include a plan to send a $2,000 check to low- and middle-income Americans next year, to be paid for by revenue gained from tariffs. The plan would need approval from Congress to take effect. Some conservative Republicans have expressed openness, but others say tackling the national debt should come first.With the federal government back in business, the Federal Aviation Administration says its order to reduce flights ended at 6 a.m. on Monday morning, allowing normal air traffic operations to resume. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency will now refocus on hiring more air traffic controllers and modernizing U.S. air traffic control systems. SNAP benefits are also now being paid again under updated federal rules. However, beneficiaries must meet new work and citizenship requirements to continue receiving food assistance.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has awarded checks to two-dozen TSA agents at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Noem said the payments recognized employees who went “above and beyond” while working without pay during the shutdown, and that the department will continue awarding bonuses to TSA employees who showed exemplary performance.The White House announced new trade deals on Thursday with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Ecuador. According to an official, the deals will lift reciprocal tariffs on some products the United States relies on, such as coffee, cocoa, and bananas. President Donald Trump is planning to ramp up his domestic travel ahead of the 2026 midterms, when he intends to talk with voters about the cost of living.Millions of Americans are facing higher health insurance costs as COVID-era tax subsidies for Obamacare are set to expire. Democrats want a clean extension of the subsidies. Some Republicans support this, but many want major reforms—or to replace Obamacare altogether. Senators are expected to vote on an Obamacare extension in December, with bipartisan negotiations already underway. Trump is proposing “Trumpcare,” which would create health accounts for people to pay for medical issues.

After a record 43 days, the federal government shutdown is finally over, with President Donald Trump signing a stopgap bill on Wednesday night to restore funding. The bill will keep much of the federal government running through January and fund SNAP benefits through next September. Six House Democrats joined Republicans to vote in favor of the bill, while others still called it a bad deal. The health care debate at the heart of the shutdown remains unresolved.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that flight reductions will remain frozen at 6 percent even after the government shutdown ends. However, the measure will also halt a planned increase in cuts to 8 and then 10 percent. Duffy said the freeze is meant to stabilize operations while the FAA works to restore normal service. Duffy also said air traffic controllers will receive 70 percent of their back pay within 48 hours of the shutdown ending.A discharge petition has secured enough signatures to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill is supported by all Democrats and four Republicans. It would direct the Justice Department to release unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to bring the measure to the floor next week. It will still face approval in the Republican-controlled Senate before reaching the president.

House lawmakers are back in Washington on Wednesday after an absence of nearly two months. They will vote on a measure to reopen the government, which is expected to pass before it heads to the president's desk. The bill will contain the same spending levels as the one sent to the Senate two months ago, and will fund the government until the end of January.Much of the country got its first taste of winter in recent days, with a wave of Arctic air sending temperatures plunging. Nearly 18 million people in the Southeast were under freeze warnings this week. Up north, heavy snow buried parts of Michigan and New York State, while out west, California is bracing for heavy rain later this week.The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to keep food stamp payments on hold—extending a pause on a judge's order to restore funding during the shutdown. The administration argued that courts can't legally reallocate federal funds, and that only Congress can resolve the crisis by reopening the government. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, voting to resume payments.

The longest government shutdown in history is nearing an end after 41 days. Senators approved a bipartisan deal on Monday night that's now headed to the House. With the bill expected to pass the House, it will then head to the president's desk, which could happen as early as Wednesday. Meanwhile, flight delays are continuing at airports across the country. The FAA said that starting on Monday, flights across the country would be reduced by 6 percent with plans to increase that to 10 percent by the end of the week.The Supreme Court heard several key cases on Monday and is continuing to review President Donald Trump's global tariffs case. Trump warned that the economy could face trillions in losses if the Supreme Court strikes down his emergency tariff powers, calling any unwind “devastating.” The administration is also asking the Supreme Court to approve National Guard deployment in Illinois, a move lower courts blocked. Trump is also taking his dispute with magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll to the Supreme Court. Trump asked the court on Monday to review a $5 million civil judgment against him after a federal appeals court upheld the jury's verdict last year.An arctic blast is continuing its record-setting journey East on Tuesday. The freeze is impacting the area from New York to Florida, bringing inches of snow and, potentially, record-setting low temperatures. Forecasters are predicting snowfall in the Great Lakes area on Tuesday as residents in the Midwest dig their way out, with inches of snow accumulating into the double-digits in some areas on Monday.

An end to the 40-day government shutdown is now in sight after 8 Democratic Senators joined Republicans to advance a bill to reopen the government through January 30. Part of the deal will require Republican leadership to hold a December vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. Without a guaranteed outcome, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) did not support the deal to reopen the government. House lawmakers will return to Washington this week, with the measure expected to easily pass the lower chamber.President Donald Trump has pardoned more than 70 prominent figures involved in challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, and Mark Meadows. The document states that “this proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation.” The proclamation also states the pardon does not apply to Trump himself.The United States is marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps on Monday. At the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Washington on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance, a Marine veteran himself, praised the Corps' enduring strength. Across the country, communities are honoring 250 years of service with parades, flyovers, and special tributes to Marines past and present. There are currently more than 200,000 active duty and reserve Marines serving in the United States.

Senators are expected to meet on Friday for a 15th vote on reopening the government. Republicans made an offer to fully fund parts of the government while patching funds for the rest until January, plus a promised Obamacare vote. Until Thursday evening, the deal looked promising to secure the votes needed from Democrats. Now, however, key negotiators are casting doubts that a breakthrough is possible before the weekend. If Senators don't see any hope of a deal coming to fruition, they could leave Washington for the next week.A Rhode Island judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund food stamps for November. The ruling affects about 42 million Americans in the SNAP program. Judge John McConnell said people have “gone without for too long.” Vice President JD Vance called the decision “absurd.” The Trump administration is appealing the ruling.Following Supreme Court arguments on President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs, the president is describing the case as the most important in U.S. history. Trump said his 100 percent tariff threat against Beijing was key in getting Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping to ease rare earth export controls. He said if the Supreme Court does not rule in his favor, he will need to come up with a new plan regarding his tariffs. Trump said such a ruling would be “devastating” and a life-or-death scenario for the United States.

The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to cut 10 percent of flights at 40 major airports as early as Friday if the government shutdown continues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the move will ease pressure on air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid in weeks. The cancellations are expected to disrupt many Americans' travel plans, but Duffy said safety remains the top priority.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he's very optimistic about the Supreme Court case that is weighing the legality of President Donald Trump's global tariff case. Bessent attended oral arguments at the high court on Wednesday. He said that the Solicitor General presented strong and persuasive arguments, while, in his opinion, the plaintiff had fundamentally misunderstood and misrepresented Trump's tariff goals. The president has repeatedly emphasized that without the tariffs, the United States would have no national security.Seven New York City firefighters are recovering after a car explosion in the Bronx sent a massive fireball into the sky. Officials say the blast happened on Wednesday night after a trash fire spread to several vehicles. Fire Chief John Esposito says five firefighters suffered burns to their hands and faces. Three remain hospitalized with serious injuries.

Democrats have swept the ballot box, winning several key races across the nation. Zohran Mamdani is projected to become the next mayor of New York City, beating out independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. In the New Jersey governor's race, Democrat Mikie Sherrill is set to beat out Republican Jack Ciattarelli. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger is projected to win the governor's seat over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.A cargo plane crash at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport has killed at least seven people. The UPS jet went down moments after take-off near an industrial area just outside the airport. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the crash catastrophic. UPS has paused operations at its Worldport hub in Louisville as the investigation continues.Wednesday marks the 36th day of the government shutdown, making it the longest in U.S. history. President Donald Trump is again calling on Republicans to end the filibuster in order to work around the Democrat votes needed to reopen the government. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also warning of the possibility of having to close sections of U.S. airspace. Bipartisan talks are said to be underway with some predicting the shutdown could come to an end this week, although it's still uncertain if the talks will make a difference.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84, according to his family. The statement said his passing was “due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.” Cheney served alongside Republican President George W. Bush for two terms, from 2001 to 2009. He is considered one of America's most powerful modern vice presidents, and the primary architect of America's ‘War on Terror.'Voters are heading to the polls as President Donald Trump urges voters to back independent candidate Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor over Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who he called a “communist.” A new poll shows the race tightening, with Mamdani's lead shrinking as Cuomo gains late momentum. Meanwhile, Trump also made a last-minute push for GOP candidates in New Jersey and Virginia ahead of today's gubernatorial races, holding tele-rallies.The Trump administration will partially fund food stamps for November as the shutdown enters its second month. The USDA says about half the usual benefits will be paid using limited contingency funds. Meanwhile, Head Start programs are closing nationwide, leaving thousands of families without child care as the shutdown ties the record for the longest in U.S. history.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said SNAP food benefits could be back by Wednesday, after a court ordered the Trump administration to continue the payments and pointed to the “irreparable harm” that could result if the benefits were stopped. Bessent also called on Democratic senators to join Republicans in passing a continuing resolution and, thus, in reopening the government. All Republicans and eight Democrats would need to vote in favor for the resolution to pass.Tuesday will see the first major elections of President Donald Trump's second term, testing voter sentiment regarding Republican control on Capitol Hill. A tight race is shaping up in New Jersey, with the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor currently neck and neck. In Virginia, the Republican gubernatorial candidate faces an uphill battle in a state that historically votes against the party of the sitting president. New York City's mayoral race will be one of the most closely watched, with former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo running as an independent candidate. He's facing Republican Curtis Sliwa and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani—a candidate many mainstream Democrats have been hesitant to support.Trump says the United States will hold up to 50 percent of the global computer chip market within two years, helping maintain its lead in artificial intelligence. Trump also vowed that Nvidia will not sell advanced chips to China. He told CBS's “60 Minutes” that the new China trade deal eliminates rare earth threats. Treasury Secretary Bessent says the United States plans to “de-risk” from China rather than decouple, calling Beijing an unreliable partner.

A JetBlue flight made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday after suffering a flight control issue en route from Cancun, Mexico, to New Jersey. Jet Blue and the FAA said the plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude, resulting in injuries to some passengers. The airline did not disclose the number of injured parties or the severity of their injuries. Local media quoted Tampa Fire Rescue as saying that around 15 to 20 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.To celebrate Halloween, the White House opened its gates on Thursday to younger guests. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn. Children, parents, and families got to meet the first couple and collect full-sized candy bars. The guest list included military, law enforcement, foster, and adoptive families, as well as administration staffers with children.Lawmakers in Washington are out of session amid the stalemate surrounding the month-long government shutdown. New York has declared a state of emergency to dip into local money to provide for $40 million in meals statewide for those who rely on SNAP benefits. Trump is also calling for Republicans to use the so-called "nuclear option" to slash the Senate's 60-vote threshold to a simple majority.

President Donald Trump ended his historic Asia trip with a high-stakes meeting with Chinese communist leader Xi Jinping, calling the talks “a twelve out of ten.” Trump said the two sides struck major deals, cutting tariffs on Chinese goods, resuming U.S. soybean sales, and pledging action on fentanyl. In another development, the president ordered the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing after a 30-year pause, citing rival nations' testing programs.The government shutdown has stretched into day 30, with tensions rising on Capitol Hill over funding for food aid. Lawmakers clashed as SNAP benefits are just days away from expiring. Republicans rejected Democrats' attempt to pass standalone funding, as Democrats demand continued support while health care talks stall.Hurricane Melissa has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm and is now passing over the Bahamas, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds to the islands. Although winds have decreased, officials say dangerous storm surges and rainfall remain a threat. Meanwhile, Jamaica is starting recovery and restoration efforts. At least 36 deaths have been reported across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. According to initial projections from AccuWeather experts, total damages and economic losses could reach as high as $22 billion.

Hurricane Melissa has now made landfall in southeastern Cuba, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain. Officials say more than 735,000 people have been evacuated across the country. Authorities are warning of flash flooding, mudslides, and up to twelve feet of storm surge from the now Category 3 storm. In Jamaica, at least 7 people are reported dead and more than half a million Jamaicans remain without power, with critical infrastructure across the country suffering significant damage.President Donald Trump is in South Korea on Wednesday, where he received the nation's highest honor and a symbolic gold crown from President Lee Jae Myung. The visit featured a red-carpet welcome set to the song ‘YMCA' and talks focused on peace and trade in the region. Trump said he's open to renewed dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and will meet Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit on Thursday.The Senate failed in another vote to advance a stopgap funding bill, extending the government shutdown into day 29. The vote was 54-45—still 6 votes short of the 60 needed to end the debate. The Republican-backed bill passed the House with bipartisan support but fell short in the Senate, where Democrats are holding out for a deal on health care. The vote was held after the largest union of federal workers urged Democrats to pass the GOP resolution.

President Donald Trump is in Japan as part of his Asia tour, where he signed major deals on critical and rare earths minerals and economic security with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Trump also met with Japanese families whose loved ones were abducted by North Korea decades ago, and spoke to U.S. Navy personnel near Tokyo. Trump will head to South Korea next, where he'll meet Chinese communist regime leader Xi Jinping for high-stakes talks on trade, rare-earth exports, fentanyl, Russian oil, and more.Jamaica is bracing for what could be its most powerful storm on record. Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 system packing winds of up to 175 miles per hour, is due to make landfall on Tuesday. Officials have already blamed the storm for seven deaths across the Caribbean. Melissa is expected to hit Cuba next, where more than half a million people have been evacuated from coastal and mountain areas.The U.S. government shutdown is now entering Day 28. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Republicans have a plan to fix health care but need bipartisan cooperation to move forward. He's also warning that contingency funds can't be used to keep food assistance running past Nov. 1. In a major break, a top federal workers' union is urging Democrats to back a GOP bill to reopen the government.

The Department of Agriculture said more than 41 million Americans could lose their SNAP food benefits on Nov. 1 if Congress doesn't act soon. Meanwhile, flights were delayed nationwide on Sunday as a shortage of air traffic controllers slowed travel from Los Angeles to Newark. The shutdown is forcing controllers to work without pay, and officials warn more disruptions could follow.The United States and China have agreed on a framework for a new trade deal as President Donald Trump continues his Asia trip. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said upcoming talks between Trump and China's Xi Jinping will also touch on global issues, from fentanyl to the Russia–Ukraine war. Meanwhile, Chinese bombers flew near Taiwan in what Beijing called “confrontation drills”—just days ahead of Trump's scheduled meeting with the Chinese leader in Korea.French police arrested two men on Saturday night in connection with the theft of royal jewels from the Louvre in Paris. Police identified the two suspects last week and followed them in hopes of finding the stolen jewels. The two were arrested when officers realized they were about to flee the country. Police are now searching for the two remaining suspects. The stolen collection includes a diamond tiara and a necklace once worn by Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.

President Donald Trump has ended all trade negotiations with Canada, blaming a $75 million Ontario TV ad that used former President Ronald Reagan's image and voice to criticize tariffs. Trump called the ad “fraudulent,” saying it was meant to sway an upcoming Supreme Court hearing on his tariffs. The Reagan Foundation said the ad “misrepresents” Reagan's words, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended it as factual. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs on Nov. 5.More than 30 people, including current and former NBA stars, are being charged in a case involving illegal sports betting. Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among those arrested and charged on Thursday. Billups also faces charges in a separate mafia-backed poker-rigging operation involving members of the Italian American mafia. Both Billups and Rozier have been placed on leave by their teams, and the NBA said it's reviewing the indictments.Alaska Airlines said flights are slowly returning to normal after a nationwide tech outage grounded planes on Thursday. The glitch also hit its regional carrier, Horizon Air, prompting a temporary ground stop. Alaska Airlines says delays will continue as it repositions planes and crews.

U.S. forces have carried out another lethal strike against a boat carrying alleged drug traffickers and their cargo—this time in the eastern Pacific Ocean. President Donald Trump said his administration may eventually go to Congress for authorization. Some lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern about the strikes. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the vessel was known by U.S. intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling.The government shutdown is at day 23 with no end in sight. After a 12th failed vote on reopening, Senate Republicans are planning to hold a vote on Thursday to pay federal workers still on the job. The ballot is scheduled for noon, and some Democrats are already lining up to oppose it. Democrats will offer a counterproposal to pay all federal workers instead. The new approach is likely to yield yet another stand-off without an obvious solution.Trump announced new sanctions on Russia on Wednesday targeting the country's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, after he put the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on hold. Trump is also calling on U.S. allies for help in enforcing the sanctions against Russia, and said that he hopes the measures will encourage Putin to “become more reasonable.” The European Union has also officially adopted its 19th sanctions package against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.

After over three weeks of a shutdown and 11 failed votes to reopen the government, federal workers are feeling the pinch of their missing paychecks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has teed up a bill to pay those who are still on the job during the shutdown, but it's unclear if Democrats will support it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday asked for a second meeting with President Donald Trump. Trump said he's happy to meet with Democrats—but after they reopen the government. Trump is preparing for a major trip to Asia, with stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. A planned meeting with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping might not happen as tensions over tariffs continue to rise. In Japan, Trump is expected to meet with newly elected conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Trump is also putting on hold plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli officials after arriving in Israel on Tuesday, commenting that the Gaza peace plan is going better than he had expected. He announced the opening of the Civilian Military Coordination Center in southern Israel, where Americans and Israelis are working together on a plan to rebuild Gaza. Vance said no U.S. troops will be on the ground, but that an international security force will help keep the peace. The Hamas terror group handed over the bodies of two more deceased hostages on Tuesday, as protestors outside the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv called for the return of all hostage remains.

Police in Atlanta say 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle was arrested after threatening to shoot up Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Officers found him at the airport and took him into custody without anyone being hurt. Investigators say they found an AR-15 rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in his pickup truck, which was parked outside the airport. Cagle faces multiple charges, including making terrorist threats and possession of a firearm by a felon.President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a rare earth minerals agreement on Monday, aimed at reducing their dependence on China. China currently dominates the global rare earth supply chain and has recently imposed stricter export rules. The deal includes plans to jointly invest over $3 billion in critical minerals projects within the next six months. Ahead of Trump's anticipated meeting with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, he has also threatened China with export restrictions and additional 100 percent tariffs, and has demanded increased purchases of U.S. soybeans.The government shutdown is now the second-longest in history, with Democrats refusing to pass a clean resolution to fund the government for what was the 11th time on Monday. They are demanding extended Obamacare subsidies and that Medicaid cuts be walked back. Republicans are continuing to reject the $1.5 trillion demand. The GOP is now pivoting to another plan, paying troops and some federal workers during the shutdown. It's unclear if they will get enough support to continue doing so, however, with some Democrats already rejecting what they call the GOP's attempt to pick and choose who gets paid.

Amazon Web Services reported a major outage on Monday morning, affecting a number of major companies. According to Downdetector.com, platforms like Venmo, Facebook, and Prime Video were among a number of sites affected. Amazon Web Services issued a statement, saying the root cause of the outage had been identified and that they were working to “accelerate recovery.”The cease-fire is holding in Gaza after a deadly flare-up on Sunday. Israeli forces resumed the truce after retaliating in the wake of a Hamas attack that killed two IDF soldiers. President Donald Trump confirmed that the cease-fire remains in place. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner have arrived back in Israel, according to a U.S. embassy spokesperson. Vice President JD Vance said he might return to Israel in the coming days.Authorities in France are investigating after the Louvre Museum in Paris was robbed in broad daylight on Sunday. Four suspects made off with several priceless items of jewelry in what officials called a “highly professional operation.” The sapphire necklace of Queen Marie-Amélie and the emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon to his second wife Marie-Louise as a wedding present are among the pieces missing. French President Emmanuel Macron responded to criticism over the Louvre's lack of protection for the art pieces. He announced a $1 billion plan to renovate the museum over the next six years.

NYC Mayoral Candidates Face Off in Debate; Trump to Meet with Putin | NTD Good Morning (Oct. 17)

Court Blocks Trump's Layoffs; Hamas: All Accessible Remains Returned | NTD Good MorningA federal judge in California halted President Donald Trump's federal layoffs on Wednesday, with the government shutdown now entering day 16. Amid the gridlock between the two parties, a high-profile debate is set to take place between Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Meanwhile, Senate leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is expected to hold a procedural vote on Thursday to fund the Pentagon for the full 2026 fiscal year. The move is in line with Trump's emergency measures to ensure U.S. troops are paid. Democrats have not yet said how they plan to vote on the bill.Israel says it has identified two more hostages among the bodies returned from Gaza so far, namely 27-year-old Inbar Hayman and 39-year-old Sgt. Muhammad al-Ataresh. In a phone call to CNN, Trump said he would consider allowing Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if the Hamas terrorist group failed to meet the terms of the cease-fire agreement. Hamas said it has handed over all hostage remains it can access, claiming it needs special equipment to recover the rest of the bodies.Trump has confirmed that he authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, and said U.S. land strikes there are now under consideration. Venezuela is calling the actions a violation of international law. Some members of Congress from both parties say the president's actions, including strikes on drug boats, effectively amount to acts of war without congressional authorization. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard says it has seized over 100,000 pounds of cocaine since August as part of Operation Pacific Viper.

Israel Identifies 3 More Hostages; Senate Rejects Funding Plan Again | NTD Good Morning (Oct. 15)