Terrorist Attack in Indian-Administered Kashmir Kills 26

On Tuesday, gunmen attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly Indian nationals, in the deadliest civilian assault in the region in over two decades. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, though Pakistan’s government denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation.

India responded by downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, closing the main border crossing, expelling diplomats, and suspending the Indus Water Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing agreement. Pakistan retaliated by shutting its airspace to Indian flights and halting bilateral trade. Both nations revoked visas for each other’s citizens, and minor cross-border exchanges of gunfire were reported, though without casualties.

The incident has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, further destabilizing already fraught relations and risking renewed hostilities over the disputed Kashmir region.

 

Conclave to Meet in May to Choose Francis's Successor

A papal conclave, a gathering of Catholic cardinals eligible to vote, will meet in May to elect Pope Francis’s successor.  The conclave, the first since 2013, will take place in the Sistine Chapel and will be private from observers.

Speculation on papal contenders has begun, with much of the focus on the ideological direction of the Catholic Church. Francis was considered a liberal by most observers, and another liberal elected could cement some of Francis’s efforts to steer the Catholic Church towards a more pastoral approach and adapt its engagement with modern societal issues. A win by a conservative could reverse these trends, while a  win by a moderate could be a wildcard.

 

Funeral for Pope Francis Held in Vatican City

Roman Catholic Church officials and foreign dignitaries gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who died at 88 this past week after suffering a stroke.

Francis was the first pope born outside Europe since 741.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, emphasized in his homily Pope Francis’s legacy as a bridge-builder and advocate for the marginalized. He recalled Francis’s repeated exhortation to “build bridges, not walls,” and his unwavering commitment to social justice, peace, and dialogue across divides.

Notable people in attendance included current US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (with whom Trump met while in Rome), and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 into an Italian Argentinian family. He was the eldest of five children. As part of his schooling, he earned a chemical technician’s diploma, working in a laboratory. He also worked as a janitor and as a bouncer.

In his twenties, he entered seminary and joined the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. By 1998, he had become the archbishop of the Diocese of Buenos Aires, and he was made a cardinal in 2001.

Bergoglio was considered a contender for the papacy in the 2006 conclave to replace the late John Paul II, in which German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected and became Benedict XVI. When Benedict stepped down from the papacy in 2013, Bergoglio was elected and chose Francis as his papal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who inspired his dedication to serving the needs of the poor.

 

Myanmar Earthquake Kills Over 3,000 Across Southeast Asia

 A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing over 3,000 people and injuring more than 3,400 across Southeast Asia. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, where buildings collapsed, leaving thousands homeless. Neighboring Thailand reported at least 18 deaths, with significant damage in Bangkok. A collapsed skyscraper construction site in Bangkok killed at least 11 workers.

The quake, the most powerful in Myanmar since 1912, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts. In Mandalay, residents described spending nights outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.

Relief efforts face challenges due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Local volunteers are leading initial rescues, while international aid, including teams from China, India, and Singapore, has begun arriving. The United Nations allocated $5 million in emergency aid, and countries like the UK pledged millions more. However, shortages of medical supplies and damaged roads hinder operations.

In a rare move, Myanmar’s military government requested foreign assistance. Opposition groups declared a temporary ceasefire to focus on rescue efforts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a $100 million appeal for long-term recovery efforts.

As aftershocks continue, experts warn the death toll may rise further. The disaster has exposed vulnerabilities in Myanmar's infrastructure and underscored the urgent need for coordinated international support.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

Investigation Begins Into Tragic Mid-Air Crash Near DC

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun its investigation into the cause of the disastrous mid-air collision between a commercial regional jet and a US Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The collision killed all 64 aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita and all 3 US servicemembers aboard the helicopter.

Investigators have recovered all three black boxes from the downed passenger jet, allowing access to the flight data.

The plane, a Bombardier CRJ701ER, was about to land after it collided with the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, operating as part of a training mission. Air traffic controllers asked the helicopter’s operators if it could see a regional jet as it was flying near the airport. The helicopter operator confirmed being able to view the jet, but the operator is believed to have spotted the wrong aircraft and did not see Flight 5342 approaching.

The air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the accident. The investigation is expected to confirm what role, if any, that played in the collision.

 

Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 crashed in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:30 PM local time near the Roosevelt Mall, just minutes after it departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight, a hospital plane carrying six people, was en route to Springfield, Missouri, for refueling on its way to Tijuana, Mexico.

The impact was recorded by numerous dashcams and other cameras, showing the plane crashing at a high speed, pointing to a likely mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Emergency crews responded to put out the structure and vehicle fires caused by ignited jet fuel. No fatalities on the ground have been confirmed.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.

 

Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Former US President James Early "Jimmy" Carter dies Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, turned 100 in October of this year. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th 
president of the United States,
died Sunday at 100

Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, the eldest son of businessman James Earl Carter, Sr. and his wife Lilian. Graduating from Plains High School in 1941, he attended college at Georgia Southwestern College and Georgia Tech before being nominated to attend the US Naval Academy in 1943, graduating in 1946. During this time he fell in love with his future wife, Rosalynn Smith, and married her in 1946. 

Carter served as an active duty naval officer until 1953, focusing on the use of nuclear technology in the Navy. He moved back to Plains after the death of his father and became a successful agricultural businessman.

Carter turned to politics in the 1960s as a staunch opponent of segregation, first serving a s Sumter County school board member and then Georgia state senator. He first ran for governor in 1966, losing in the Democratic primary. He ran again in 1970, winning the primary and the general to become Georgia's 76th governor. During his term as governor, he focused on integration efforts, civil rights issues, and reforming government hiring practices. 

Prohibited from running for a second term under the term limits in place at the time, he announced presidential campaign in 1974. Running an energetic, ubiquitous primary campaign, he won the Democratic nomination, and benefitting from the fatigue of Watergate, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the general.

His presidency, initially marked by optimism, faced major challenges, including high inflation combined with sluggish economic growth (stagflation), the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Iranian Islamist revolution resulting in the American embassy worker hostage crisis. He appointed Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman, who is often credited for helping to end the high inflation of the era, though this relief came after Carter's presidency had ended.

Carter's achievements included the Camp David Accords that established relations between Israel and Egypt, signing the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty with the Soviet Union, and deregulating the airline industry.

Carter, facing low approval ratings, lost reelection in 1980 to former California Governor Ronald Reagan. Carter then started the longest post-presidency in American history, lasting nearly 44 years. He returned home to Plains, notably leading a Sunday School class at his church. Carter devoted his post-presidency to several causes, including disease eradication, building homes as part of Habitat for Humanity, and promoting democratic reforms in countries across the world. For his diplomatic and human rights work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. 

Carter's Nobel Prize on display the Carter Presidential
Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA

Carter survived several health challenges, including metastatic melanoma in 2015 and a broken hip in 2019. 

In 2023, he decided to go into hospice care rather than continue receiving curative treatment for an unspecified disease. Rosalynn, who had been diagnosed earlier with dementia, died in 2023. Carter attended her funeral in his first public appearance since entering hospice.

In 2024, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday and supported Kamala Harris for president in the presidential race. 

Carter was the longest lived president in US history. 

Upon news of Carter's death, all living former presidents issued statements marking his passing, praising his attitude of public service and his productive post-presidency. President Joe Biden, an early endorser of Carter's 1976 campaign, praised Carter in a statement and said Carter will receive a state funeral. 

Assad Regime Faces Collapse as Rebels Take Damascus

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime faces rapid collapse as opposition forces have reportedly taken control of the country's capital Damascus. Assad's whereabouts are unknown, though a plane that was purportedly carrying the president appears to have crashed near the city of Homs. 

This latest offensive started late November following the ceasefire that had largely held since 2020. The swift fall of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, on November 29, 2024, caught many by surprise, especially with Assad's forces putting up little resistance. The main opposition force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and its allied factions capitalized on a weakened Syrian military. Rebel forces swiftly moved south, capturing Hama by December 5. By the 7th, they had entered Homs, effectively cutting off the regime's control over the crucial M5 highway that connects Damascus to the north.

Simultaneously, in the south, opposition groups, including those in the newly formed Southern Operations Room and Al-Jabal Brigade, took control of Daraa and Suwayda, further isolating Damascus. The speed of these offensives suggests a significant breakdown in Assad's military structure due to a combination of factors including low morale, economic collapse, and lack of support from key allies like Russia and Iran, who have been distracted by conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon respectively.

Regime forces remain in control for now of the country's west coast, including Assad's stronghold of Latakia. This area hosts two Russian military bases, with reports that Russia has begun evacuations. 

How Did Assad's Regime Fall?

Since the Idlib ceasefire in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Assad's regime, has faced increasing economic challenges, with the Syrian pound losing value dramatically against the US dollar, exacerbating the already dire living conditions for millions of Syrians trying to recover from years of fierce fighting.

Despite occasional flare-ups, the frontlines were largely static until mid-2024. The Assad regime relied heavily on its allies Russian Iran, but both now face competing priorities: Russia with its ongoing war in Ukraine and Iran with its proxy conflicts, especially with Israel, which targeted Hezbollah, a key ally of Assad in Syria.

The widespread poverty and dissatisfaction with the Assad regime set the backdrop for the sudden rebel offensive in late November 2024, which exploited the weakened state of the regime's forces, leading to the capture of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and parts of the south in a matter of days.

This article was written with AI assistance.

 

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Trump Rounds Out His Administration, Threatens New Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has largely filled major administration positions after his victory over Kamala Harris earlier this month.

Major picks include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Army National Guard major and political commentator Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as attorney general (replacing the withdrawn nominee Matt Gaetz).

Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager and daughter of sportscasting legend Paul Summerall, will become his chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position.

On the policy front, Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, intending to implement a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs. These sweeping measures would affect a wide range of products, potentially impacting automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.

Trump has stated that these tariffs will remain in place until certain conditions are met. For Canada and Mexico, the tariffs would be lifted when the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States is controlled. For China, the country would need to halt the export of illegal drugs to the US before the additional tariff would be removed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited Mar-a-Lago in an effort to begin talks with Trump prior to the tariff implementation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more aggressive approach, threatening retaliatory tariffs and blaming American drug consumption for the opioid crisis.

 

Syrian Rebels Enter Aleppo in First Major Offensive in Years

Syrian rebel forces captured parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, in the first major offensive since 2020. Pro-government forces reportedly put up little substantive opposition as rebel forces advanced towards Aleppo.

Neither side has sought to make large scale advances since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Syrian government’s major allies, Iran (through their proxy Hezbollah) and Russia, have since been bogged down by their own conflicts in Lebanon and Ukraine respectively, creating an opening for rebel forces to begin a large scale offensive.

 

Trump Poised to Regain Presidency After Clinching 270 Votes

Former President Donald Trump is projected by Decision Desk HQ to win the 2024 presidential election, defeating his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris. As of 12:30 AM CST, Trump is projected to win Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, giving him the 270 electoral votes needed to win. He is also leading in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Harris Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd at Harris's election night party at Howard University that Harris would not be addressing the crowd this night and for them to return home.

Trump meanwhile is heading towards his election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida. He was previously at Mar-a-Lago watching election results.

Trump, Harris Making Closing Arguments Ahead of Nov. 5

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making last minute appeals to get their supporters to the polls as election day approaches. Both candidates are effectively tied nationwide and in seven key swing states, though Trump has an advantage in the polling aggregate nationwide and in 5 of the 7 states, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate as of October 30th.

Both recently held what could be considered capstone rallies, with Trump holding his at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In both rallies, the candidates largely reiterated their familiar campaign talking points. Trump’s focused his on combatting illegal immigration along with his proposals to eliminate taxes on taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits. Harris focused hers on protecting abortion rights and fighting against what she sees as threats to democracy emanating from Trump’s actions and rhetoric, particularly after the 2020 election.

Betting markets as of October 30th place Trump as the slight favorite to win the election, with a Trump victory paying out approximately 65 cents to a Harris victory’s approximate 35 cents.

 

Japanese Ruling Party Loses Coalition Majority

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its conservative coalition majority in the snap election this past weekend, losing ground to its center-left rival, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). The LDP has dominated post-war Japanese politics and has been in power since 2009. Recent corruption scandals have tainted the party’s image, possibly contributing to this weekend’s defeat.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he will seek to integrate policy proposals from opposition parties in an attempt to retain power for the LDP, though opposition parties have so far ruled out a coalition with the LDP.

 

Hurricane Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida's West Coast

Latest projected path of Milton from NOAA and
the National Weather Service

Hurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is rapidly intensifying and poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast. The storm, which formed on Saturday, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall midweek.

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is moving eastward at 6 mph and is forecast to continue on this general path before turning northeast towards Florida.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton could become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph as it approaches the Florida Peninsula. However, there is still uncertainty in the forecast, with some models suggesting the storm could reach Category 5 strength. The primary threats from Hurricane Milton include life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall. Forecasters warn that certain areas could receive up to a foot of rain by Wednesday night, leading to potential flooding of waterways and streets. Storm surge and wind impacts are expected to begin as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday along Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state less than two weeks ago. Mandatory evacuations are already in place in some parts of the state, and officials are urging residents to finalize their storm preparations immediately.

Residents in the potential path of Hurricane Milton are advised to have their hurricane preparedness plans ready and to heed any guidance from local officials. This includes stocking up on essential supplies, securing outdoor items, and being prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so. Some locations are already offering sandbags to residents.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton is particularly concerning given the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the minimal vertical wind shear, conditions that are conducive to strengthening. These same conditions led to the explosive growth of Helene just two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that regardless of the exact strength at landfall, there is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of the Florida coastline by Sunday. Residents throughout Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and northwestern Bahamas, are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and be prepared to take action if necessary.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Harris Slightly Ahead of Trump Nationally as Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a narrow but steady lead over former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average, edging Trump by 2 points nationally. Trump and Harris are essentially tied in the battleground states that will determine the election, with Trump slightly ahead in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. If Trump wins all three states, he only needs to win in Pennsylvania to beat Harris, where Harris holds a very slight lead in polling. Harris has small but slightly larger leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris also picked up some polling momentum after the ABC News presidential debate, with Trump’s performance criticized as unfocused. Trump in turn criticized the debate moderators for only factchecking him and not Harris for untrue statements.

Vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance will meet this Thursday for the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS.

Harris has led Trump in fundraising since Biden’s July withdrawal from the race, raising over $540 million. In August, the DNC and Harris campaign raised $257 million to the RNC and Trump’s $85 million.

 

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanese group Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike this past week, a culmination of Israeli efforts to destroy Hezbollah’s leadership. Nasrallah had led the group since 1992.

Hezbollah, considered Israel’s most potent non-state opponent, has been firing rockets into Northern Israel for years and has ramped up the attacks since Israel launched its offensive into Gaza following the October 7th attack. Israel’s airstrikes came after it successfully detonated pagers and handheld radios used by Hezbollah operatives.

 

US Tops Medal Table, Ties with China for Gold at Paris Games

The United States topping the medal table for the eighth consecutive Olympics Games. Team USA finished with an impressive 126 total medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China closely followed with 91 total medals, also securing 40 golds. Great Britain rounded out the top three with 65 medals overall.

Several memorable moments defined these Games,, with the U.S. women's basketball team clinching their eighth straight gold medal in a thrilling 67-66 victory over host nation France. Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics, securing three gold medals and one silver. In the pool, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance with two golds, a silver, and a bronze.

The Games also saw first-ever medals for Cape Verde, Dominica, St. Lucia, Albania, and the Refugee Olympic Team.

Looking ahead, the Olympic torch will next travel to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Summer Games will then return to the United States, with Los Angeles set to host for the third time, following previous editions in 1932 and 1984.