Meta launched a new open-weight AI model called Muse Spark Open, which it says matches or beats similar AI models from Chinese developers. This open model can be downloaded and modified by developers, and it is designed for complex tasks like coding and multi-step problem solving.
Key Facts
Muse Spark Open is an open-weight AI model, meaning developers can access and change the model’s core settings.
Meta claims it is the most capable open-weight AI model made in the US so far.
Chinese companies like Alibaba and Moonshot AI have led the open-weight AI model market before this.
The model is good at tasks like software engineering and long, multi-step reasoning.
Meta built in strong safety measures to control how the AI is used.
Muse Spark Open is optimized to run on Apple’s M5 Ultra computer chips.
Users can run the model on two Mac Studio computers with M5 Ultra chips to create a powerful computing setup.
Meta recently also released a new closed AI model that competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude.
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Kristi Noem, who was the special envoy for the Shield of the Americas coalition under President Donald Trump’s administration, is no longer in that role. A State Department spokesperson confirmed her departure but gave no further details.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem served as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas coalition.
She was appointed during President Donald Trump’s administration.
The State Department confirmed she is no longer in this position.
Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, provided this information.
No reasons or future plans for Noem were mentioned.
The confirmation came during an interview with NewsNation.
The Shield of the Americas is an international security cooperation effort.
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Maine Senator Susan Collins and her Democratic opponent Troy Jackson had a tense debate, including a loud protester interruption and a sharp exchange between the candidates. Collins was challenged about standing up to President Trump, and she mentioned an unsuccessful effort to block a Defense Secretary nominee.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is a Republican Senator from Maine.
Troy Jackson is her Democratic challenger in the Senate race.
A protester interrupted their debate, leading to a sharp exchange of words.
Collins was asked about times she opposed President Trump.
She cited her attempt to block the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The confirmation succeeded because a Republican senator changed his vote.
This Senate race is one of several that will affect which party controls the Senate.
The debate showed a tense and sometimes childish tone between the candidates.
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Iraq’s parliament has approved most of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet, including three deputy prime ministers, one of whom is under U.S. sanctions. The new government faces serious economic problems caused by the regional conflict, including a cash shortage and public debt.
Key Facts
Iraq’s parliament approved 11 cabinet positions and three deputy prime ministers.
One deputy prime minister, Laith al-Khazali, is under U.S. sanctions due to links with a group labeled as a terrorist organization.
The vote on the migration and displacement minister was delayed because of disagreements.
Prime Minister al-Zaidi thanked parliament and called for commitment and integrity from his government officials.
Iraq faces severe money shortages caused by the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran starting in February 2026.
Iraq’s main income comes from oil exports, which were about 3.5 million barrels daily before the conflict.
Al-Zaidi devalued the Iraqi dinar by nearly 15% to help cover government costs.
The government inherited a large public debt of about 208 trillion Iraqi dinars ($139 billion) and needs about 10 trillion dinars ($6.7 billion) monthly for salaries and spending.
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Michelle Parker, who disappeared in 2011 after a dispute with her ex-fiance on a TV show, has not been found, but her ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr. was arrested in 2026 and charged with her murder. Police used new digital forensic technology and reviewed past evidence to make the arrest.
Key Facts
Michelle Parker went missing in November 2011 after appearing on "The People's Court" with her ex-fiance.
Parker was last seen dropping off their twin children at Smith’s house.
Dale Smith Jr., aged 55, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in October 2026.
Police reviewed past testimonies and used new technology in digital forensics on devices and vehicles to find new evidence.
Smith has given different answers to police questions over the years.
Parker’s body has not been found yet.
Smith pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond.
Smith’s attorney said he cooperated at the start and maintains his innocence.
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President Donald Trump blamed Senator John Cornyn and Karl Rove for making it harder for Ken Paxton to win the Texas Senate race. The race is closely watched since Texas has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988, and recent polls show Democrat James Talarico slightly ahead of Paxton.
Key Facts
President Trump said Cornyn and Rove are causing problems for Ken Paxton in the Senate race.
Texas last voted for a Democratic senator in 1988.
Elon Musk donated $158 million to a GOP super PAC, which then helped a Texas PAC supporting Paxton.
A recent Texas poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Paxton 50% to 47%.
Over $500 million has been spent on ads in the Texas Senate race.
Talarico raised $64 million in small donations in one quarter, with most contributions under $100.
Paxton raised $18 million in the same period.
Republican leaders warned that a tough primary between Paxton and Cornyn could hurt the party’s chances in the general election.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council for mistakes related to a secret $4.2 billion World Cup investment plan but did not provide the detailed information critics wanted. European soccer officials remain unhappy with the lack of transparency, especially concerning Infantino’s secretive proposals and issues involving a red-card case at the World Cup where President Donald Trump intervened.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino apologized for mistakes in a secret World Cup investment plan involving $4.2 billion.
The investment plan, called FIFA Forward Enterprise, was dropped after strong opposition, especially from European soccer officials.
Infantino’s critics wanted more documents and explanations, but he did not provide them during the meeting in Zurich.
President Donald Trump intervened in a red-card case involving soccer player Folarin Balogun at the World Cup, a matter discussed at the meeting.
UEFA, the main European soccer body, is pursuing legal action against FIFA, Infantino, and investor Joshua Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law).
FIFA said details about the investment project are confidential due to ongoing legal cases in the United States.
The FIFA Council includes leaders of national soccer federations who make key decisions for international soccer governance.
European officials said Infantino’s secretive approach damages trust and called for leadership with integrity ahead of the election for FIFA president in March.
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Chancellor John Healey is planning to increase taxes on banks in his upcoming UK budget to raise money for public finances affected by the war in the Middle East. The proposed changes may also lead to higher household energy bills and no extension of the Prime Minister’s cost of living support. Separately, there are court reports on comedian Russell Brand facing serious sexual assault charges.
Key Facts
Chancellor John Healey may raise a special tax on bank profits in the October 28 budget.
The biggest four UK banks made about £15 billion profit in the first half of this year.
Additional tax revenue from banks could help cover costs caused by the Middle East war.
Energy bills in the UK are expected to double again next year, with no promise to extend current help.
Russell Brand faces seven charges including rape and sexual assault, which he denies.
The UK government plans to extend the BBC licence fee to online platforms like Netflix and Disney+.
NHS England will change policy on transgender patients’ hospital ward placement, using biological sex instead of gender identity.
Labour’s plan to give equal importance to speaking skills in schools faces criticism.
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The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump’s administration, flagged over 20,000 California voters as likely noncitizens. They used government data matching and investigations and have asked a federal court to stop these voters’ mail ballots from being counted until their citizenship is confirmed.
Key Facts
The DOJ identified more than 20,000 California voters it suspects are not U.S. citizens.
The process involved checking voter rolls against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Matches were classified as high, medium, or low confidence based on how closely the data matched.
For high-confidence matches, USCIS looked for evidence of naturalization or citizenship through parents.
The DHS used additional data sources, including State Department and Social Security records, to verify citizenship and death records.
After USCIS sent the list, HSI further investigated the names using its own tools.
The DOJ filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to block ballots from the flagged voters until their citizenship status is verified.
California officials disputed the federal findings and declined to meet the DOJ’s request within the set deadline.
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A farmer from Rhode Island grew the world's heaviest pumpkin, weighing 3,156 pounds. This new record breaks the previous weight record of 2,856 pounds set just one week earlier.
Key Facts
The pumpkin weighs 3,156 pounds.
It is the heaviest pumpkin ever grown in the world.
The previous record was 2,856 pounds.
The previous record was set only one week before this new record.
The record-breaking pumpkin was grown by a Rhode Island farmer.
The news was reported on October 15, 2026.
The report was covered by ABC News.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first public visits together in the UK since moving back from the United States. They took part in charity events in Nottingham, focusing on local community support, while maintaining their status as non-working members of the royal family.
Key Facts
Harry and Meghan attended three charity visits in Nottingham, England.
Their visits included a community recording studio, a large food bank, and a youth mentoring center.
The couple is known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but are non-working royals.
They do not use royal titles like "His/Her Royal Highness" during charity work in the UK.
Their philanthropic group, Archewell, was not the focus of these visits.
Harry has long-term ties to some of the charities they visited, and Meghan previously worked with one of them.
The couple lived in California after leaving royal duties and had business deals with Netflix and Spotify.
Relations with the royal family have recently improved as Harry hopes his children can know their grandfather, King Charles III, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
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Paul Craft, the director of the Pentagon’s school system, is resigning at the end of this month. He served less than eight months in this leadership role.
Key Facts
Paul Craft is the director of the Pentagon’s school system.
He will step down from his position at the end of this month.
Craft was selected to lead the agency less than eight months ago.
The Pentagon’s school system serves the families of military personnel.
His resignation comes relatively soon after his appointment.
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Senator Bernie Moreno urged Republican lawmakers to cancel their Thanksgiving break and work nonstop if they lose control of Congress in the midterm elections. He wants the party to pass a large spending and policy bill covering many GOP priorities during the lame-duck period between the election and the new Congress.
Key Facts
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) suggests Republicans stay in Washington from November 9 to December 31 without a break if they lose majorities.
Moreno expects Republicans to pass a big "reconciliation" bill in the lame-duck session to push key party priorities.
Reconciliation is a process that allows passing certain bills with just a simple majority.
Some key Republican senators, like John Cornyn and Mitch McConnell, may not support all efforts as they are leaving office.
Priority items include funding the government, defense spending, raising the debt ceiling, and reauthorizing surveillance laws.
The administration wants to fund new missile defense and weapons upgrades, needing at least $350 billion to rebuild the military.
Sen. Moreno is running unopposed to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee, aiming to regain Senate control if lost.
Other important tasks during the lame-duck include passing the defense authorization bill, farm bill, permitting reform, and confirming nominations.
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Reform UK is under scrutiny after an undercover reporter filmed party members advising to delete social media posts supporting far-right activist Tommy Robinson before applying to stand as a councillor. The party said it improved vetting but admitted some unsuitable candidates still get through, and it criticized the investigation’s methods.
Key Facts
An undercover reporter spent a year filming Reform UK members for ITV News.
A local party chairman told the reporter to delete posts supportive of Tommy Robinson before applying to be a councillor.
A former Reform candidate said he failed vetting twice but was still allowed to stand.
Reform UK denies the candidate failed vetting and says it has improved its vetting process.
The party says a few people who don’t share its values can occasionally get through vetting, which happens in all organizations.
Reform UK condemns racism and says investigations into individuals are ongoing.
Party leader Nigel Farage said the party vets more strictly than others but cannot control future comments.
Reform accused ITV of deceptive methods to gain undercover access to its headquarters.
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A 16-year-old suspect opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. A bystander shot and killed the suspect, but the shooting resulted in the deaths of at least three children and one adult.
Key Facts
The shooting took place at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
The suspect was 16 years old.
A bystander shot and killed the suspect.
At least three children died in the shooting.
One adult was also killed.
Kieran Carroll, a school safety expert, discussed the event on CBS News.
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed these details.
The incident occurred on a Thursday.
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White House press secretary Katie Zacharia did not pass the California bar exam, according to sources. She has described herself as a lawyer and President Donald Trump called her "an attorney," but Zacharia clarified she took the exam and did not focus on passing because she planned to work in China.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia is the White House press secretary as of October 2026.
She graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2011.
Zacharia took the California bar exam but did not pass it.
President Donald Trump referred to her as "an attorney" in a social media post.
Zacharia said she called herself a lawyer, not an attorney at law, and provides legal analysis rather than legal advice.
She said she moved to China after law school to work in international transaction law, where a U.S. bar license was not required.
The White House did not clearly confirm whether she passed the bar exam.
Zacharia emphasized she never presented herself as a practicing attorney.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a new policy proposal to the White House. This policy would let compounding pharmacies temporarily make and sell certain peptides that were previously limited.
Key Facts
The FDA submitted an "interim access policy" regarding peptides to the White House this week.
The policy involves allowing compounding pharmacies to produce and sell peptides temporarily.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids used in some medical treatments.
This change would ease previous restrictions on peptide availability.
The move was reported in a government filing.
The proposal is part of healthcare discussions involving the White House.
The Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare is connected to this news.
RFK Jr. is mentioned as advancing the peptide push, indicating involvement in the issue.
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The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of California because California did not provide voter information by a required deadline before the midterm elections. The lawsuit involves access to voter records needed for election-related purposes.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against California.
The issue is California’s failure to meet a deadline to provide voter information.
The voter records are required ahead of the midterm elections.
Providing this information helps with election oversight and enforcement.
The lawsuit aims to ensure California shares accurate voter data on time.
This action is part of the DOJ’s effort to support election law compliance.
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France and Germany have reached a temporary agreement to relax European Union (EU) rules on car emissions. They also agreed to include Britain in a "made in Europe" scheme, which defines which vehicles qualify for benefits under EU industry policies.
Key Facts
France and Germany support easing the EU's car emissions limits to help automakers meet targets more easily.
The deal removes the need for carmakers to offset the last 10% of emissions by using credits like low-carbon steel.
Cars running on renewable fuels can now be counted as "zero-emission" vehicles.
"Super credits," which give extra benefits for electric cars, will apply to all vehicle sizes.
The "made in Europe" label for cars will cover the 27 EU countries plus some others like Britain and Norway if they opt in.
Britain’s government said this agreement would be positive for its automotive industry and jobs.
The EU had planned tougher rules to restrict public funds to companies using mostly EU-made parts, but this deal offers a narrower definition of "made in Europe."
The deal is provisional and awaits final approval from Germany.
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Heating oil prices in Maine have nearly doubled in one year, causing financial stress for families who rely on it for warmth. Community groups are providing limited help like free heating oil and firewood, but demand is very high, and supplies may run out before winter ends.
Key Facts
Heating oil prices in Maine rose from $3.34 to $5.97 per gallon in the past year, an increase of about 79%.
Chris and Cheryl Oliver, earning about $60,000 a year, face hard choices between buying food or heating their home.
Over 4 million U.S. households use heating oil, with 82% located in the Northeast.
The Olivers received 100 gallons of free heating oil from a community center, worth about $700, but it is not enough for the winter.
The Freeport Wood Bank provides firewood as an alternative heat source to families in need.
The Wood Bank currently helps about 50 families but may run out of firewood supply by mid-winter.
Rising heating oil costs have increased demand for wood firewood at local pantries.
Chris Oliver has serious health problems, making heating support critical for their family.
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