Wildfire, dino extinction, and superfast ants.

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US News, Politics, & Government

Biden administration unveils new student loan relief proposal

The Biden administration has introduced a new student loan relief proposal to help borrowers facing financial hardship. The plan aims to assist those with federal student loan balances exceeding their initial amounts, loans in repayment for 25+ years, and individuals with burdensome debt from certain career-training programs or high-default-rate institutions. It also targets borrowers eligible for forgiveness through income-driven repayment who haven't applied for relief. The initiative comes after the Supreme Court struck down a previous relief plan in June. Student loan payments resumed in October, and the administration has already forgiven $127 billion in debt for 3.6 million Americans. (More)

California wildfire threatens 1,300 homes south-east of Los Angeles

A wildfire driven by strong Santa Ana winds swept through rural areas southeast of Los Angeles, forcing the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people from 1,300 homes. The fire destroyed three buildings and damaged six others, though it was unclear if any were homes. Southern California is experiencing its first significant Santa Ana wind conditions, which are known for fueling major wildfires. Despite a relatively quiet fire season due to wet weather, experts cautioned that challenging conditions could still emerge later in the fall if dry weather persists. (More)

Michigan "closes the door" on Flint water probe prosecutions with no convictions

Michigan's Supreme Court has declined to revive charges against former Governor Rick Snyder in the Flint water crisis case. The ruling officially ends efforts to prosecute public officials in connection with the contamination of Flint's drinking water with high levels of lead in 2014. The decision comes after seven years with no convictions in the case. Snyder and others were cleared of charges last year due to issues with the indictment process. The Flint water crisis exposed residents to lead-contaminated water, leading to an outbreak of Legionnaires disease and increased fetal death rates 58%. A settlement of $626 million was reached with the victims in 2021. (More)

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World

Israel-Hamas war live updates: Dozens of deaths reported in Gaza refugee camp airstrike

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's largest refugee camp killed dozens of Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted a senior Hamas commander and damaged the group's underground infrastructure. However, Hamas denied the presence of one of its commanders in the camp during the strike. The attack caused widespread devastation in the densely populated Jabalia camp. More than 8,500 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began, with Israel launching an expanded offensive aimed at "destroying" Hamas in response to an earlier attack that killed 1,400 people in Israel while more than 230 others were taken hostage. (More)

Police in Puerto Rico arrest at least 380 people in sweeping operation across US territory

Puerto Rico's police arrested over 380 people in a major crackdown on crime, the largest in recent years. The operation targeted 12 gangs involved in drug and weapon sales, responding to residents' complaints about violence in their communities. Law enforcement seized 78 firearms, over 50 vehicles, almost $100,000 in cash, and undisclosed drugs. Some of those arrested included couples, families, and women who ran criminal organizations associated with various killings. The FBI and other federal agencies collaborated in the arrests. (More)

Lake Como bursts its banks as violent storm pounds Northern Italy

A severe storm in Northern Italy led to rapid flooding in central Milan and caused Lake Como to overflow. Waterside bars around the lake were submerged, and civil protection authorities had to pump out water and install barriers. In Milan, winds downed trees, damaged structures, and disrupted power supplies. Tuscany also experienced flooding, fallen trees, and landslides due to heavy rain. Venice narrowly avoided severe flooding thanks to its MOSE floodgate system. Italy is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to climate change. (More)

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Business & Economy

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed higher on Tuesday (S&P +0.65%, Nasdaq +0.48%, Dow +0.38%) ~ Despite a two day rally, stocks closed out October in the red and capped their third-straight losing month. Historically, November is a strong month for markets, and traders are hoping seasonal momentum will create a year-end rally. (More)

Dominion wins approval for biggest-yet US offshore wind farm

Dominion Energy received US Interior Department approval to build a 2.6-gigawatt offshore wind farm off Virginia's coast. The project, named Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, will be the largest of its kind in the US, featuring up to 176 turbines. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with some foundations already constructed. The approval reflects the growing momentum in offshore wind development, despite industry challenges such as supply chain issues and environmental concerns about whale habitats. (More)

Toyota pledges $8 billion more for U.S. battery plant to rev up EV push

Toyota is increasing its investment in its electric-vehicle battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina by $8 billion, aiming to accelerate its electrification efforts. The facility is set to open in 2025 The move will create around 3,000 jobs and brings Toyota's total investment in the plant to approximately $13.9 billion. Unlike some competitors, Toyota initially focused on hybrids and hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles but is now pivoting towards battery electric vehicles. (More)

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Sports & Entertainment

Rangers rolls Diamondbacks move 1 win from first championship

The Rangers dominated the Diamondbacks in Game 4, moving one win away from their first-ever World Series title. The Diamondbacks' bullpen strategy didn't work as planned, giving up multiple runs, including a Corey Seager two-run homer. The D-backs fell behind 10-0 by the 3rd inning, and despite a late game rally, the Rangers remained in control winning 11-7. Now, pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will look to turn the series around for Arizona. (More)

Sixers trade James Harden to LA Clippers

The Philadelphia 76ers have traded James Harden to the LA Clippers. In exchange, the Sixers received four players and multiple draft picks, while the Clippers acquired Harden, P.J. Tucker, and Filip Petrusev. His departure bolsters the Clippers, who now have a strong lineup including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, making them a top contender for the NBA championship. (More)

Tyler Christopher, soap opera actor from 'General Hospital' and 'Days of Our Lives,' dead at 50

Tyler Christopher, a Daytime Emmy-winning soap opera actor known for his roles in "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," has died at the age of 50. Former co-star Maurice Benard pointed to Christopher’s openness about addiction and his advocacy for mental health. Christopher had struggled with addiction and alcoholism and had faced several health challenges in the past. He is survived by his two children. (More)

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Science, Health, & Tech

Facebook and Instagram users in Europe can pay for ad-free versions

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will introduce ad-free subscription plans in the European Union (EU) to comply with the region's data privacy regulations. Starting in November, users can pay €9.99 per month for ad-free access via desktop browsers, or approximately €12.99 on Apple iOS or Android. The EU's top court recently ruled that Meta cannot use personal data for targeted ads without consent, prompting the move. This subscription option seeks to balance EU regulations while giving users choice. However, users aged 18 and older can still opt for free ad-supported Facebook and Instagram in the EU. (More)

CDC outlines first plan to address widespread health worker burnout

The CDC's NIOSH has launched "Impact Wellbeing," a campaign aimed at reducing burnout and promoting help-seeking among healthcare workers. The campaign encourages leaders to remove intrusive mental health questions from hospital credentialing applications to support healthcare workers' mental health. Impact Wellbeing seeks to address operational factors contributing to burnout and improve healthcare workers' well-being, with a focus on creating sustainable, safe workplaces. (More)

Dust drove dinosaurs’ extinction after asteroid impact, scientists say

Computer simulations suggest that dust, rather than other factors like wildfires or volcanic eruptions, played a central role in the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. The impact of an asteroid in what is now Chicxulub, Mexico, created trillions of tons of dust that blocked out the sun for up to 15 years, causing a global winter. This disruption of photosynthesis resulted in a collapse of the food chain, leading to the extinction of 75% of Earth's species. Dust was found to be the most efficient blocker of photosynthesis in the simulations. (More)

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Bonus Material

Watch: The world’s fastest ants are 10x quicker than Usain Bolt.

America’s favorite Halloween candy.

Luxury California home — complete with a meth lab — goes on sale for $1.55 million.

A Georgia restaurant charges a $50 fee for “adults unable to parent” misbehaving children.