Good morning. It's Saturday, Oct. 18, and in this weekend edition, we're covering a military buildup in the Caribbean, a commuted prison sentence, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
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President Donald Trump yesterday confirmed another strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat off Venezuela’s coast. The attack, carried out Thursday, is believed to be the sixth since early September and the only one with survivors, now reportedly in US custody. It’s unclear whether the survivors will be treated as prisoners of war or criminal defendants.
The news comes amid the largest US military buildup in the Caribbean since the 1980s in service of what Trump has characterized as an armed conflict against drug cartels. Earlier this week, the president revealed he had authorized CIA covert operations in the South American nation and was considering a potential land invasion. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has responded by mobilizing troops and airing anti-American propaganda on state-run media.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators yesterday introduced legislation barring military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. The Navy admiral overseeing Latin American operations also unexpectedly announced his retirement Thursday. |
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Trump commutes former Rep. George Santos' prison sentence.
President Donald Trump commuted the over seven-year prison sentence of former Republican Rep. George Santos, ordering his immediate release. Santos began his sentence in July after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was expelled from Congress in December 2023—after less than a year representing New York’s 3rd congressional district—following his federal indictment. |
Trump and Zelenskyy meet in Washington.
President Donald Trump appeared hesitant to give Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the long-range Tomahawk missiles requested during yesterday's meeting. Trump cited a need to keep a domestic stockpile, despite days earlier suggesting he was open to the proposition. The tone shift followed a Thursday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two agreed to meet in Budapest. |
New York GOP disbands Young Republicans over controversial messages.
Republican officials in New York unanimously voted to suspend the state's Young Republicans after racist and antisemitic messages sent by chapter leaders surfaced Tuesday. The leaked chat also included Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont chapter leaders. The Kansas Young Republicans dissolved earlier this week, and several chat members lost their jobs, including a New York assemblyman's chief of staff. |
Prince Andrew relinquishes royal titles and honors amid Epstein accusations.
The 65-year-old brother of King Charles III has dropped his "Duke of York" title, among other honors, noting speculation around his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein distracts from the royal family's work. Andrew was stripped of his military titles and several charity positions in 2022 amid a now-settled lawsuit alleging sexual abuse in coordination with Epstein. Andrew has denied wrongdoing. |
John Bolton pleads not guilty in federal court.
The first-term Trump administration national security adviser surrendered to authorities yesterday after being indicted Thursday. Bolton, who left the White House in 2019 after a falling out with President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty to 18 criminal charges of mishandling classified documents. He was released on his own recognizance and is expected back in court Nov. 21. |
Wearable monitor warns of overexposure to sunlight.
Researchers in South Korea created a sensor to warn of overexposure to ultraviolet A radiation. The device wirelessly transmits data to a user's phone, sending an alert when UVA exposure reaches 80% of the level that can cause a sunburn. The team is testing the sensor’s durability and working to make it small enough to be integrated into glasses and watches before bringing it to market. |
OpenAI blocks MLK Jr. deepfakes on new video app.
The ChatGPT maker disabled AI-generated videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sora after a request from King's family. OpenAI acknowledged free speech interests in depicting historical figures but said their families should ultimately control the use of their likeness. Since Sora's launch last month, videos depicting Stephen Hawking, Robin Williams, and Queen Elizabeth II have also drawn criticism. |
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Mother dying of ALS, 39, creates two scrapbooks of advice and encouragement for sons, 7 and 9. (More)
Boca Raton man raises $4K to help homeless man find housing. (More)
Country musician Jelly Roll lifts struggling street performer’s spirits with impromptu FaceTime duet. (More)
A stranger gifts Cal Raleigh's 60th home run baseball to young boy, who returns it to the Mariners for Raleigh, who then gifts the boy a signed bat. (More, w/video)
Oklahoma girls basketball team returns championship title after discovering scoreboard error. (More) |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Ina P. in Chicago, IL.
"A friend of a friend of a friend asked if I could help a young man find a position in a Chicago restaurant while he was in culinary school. I spoke to the young man, read his resume, and determined that he was serious about a career in culinary. A chef friend interviewed him, agreed, and hired him.
"I went to the opening of that restaurant last night and had a chance to meet the young man in person. The chef brought him over to my table and said in front of him he was 'killing it on the line!' The young man took my hand in both of his and thanked me for changing the trajectory of his life. It doesn’t get any better than that."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
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1440 Topics pairs staff-written overviews with the best resources we've found, curated in a single place for you to explore. This week's updates: |
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> Ever wonder how a tire company got into the fine-dining game? Explore the stuff we found about the Michelin Guide. |
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