Epic Games has released a new version of its Epic Games Launcher, rebuilt using artificial intelligence (AI) to be faster and more responsive than before. The new launcher starts up quicker than Steam and will be available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, though it currently has fewer features than the old version.
Key Facts
Epic Games took almost eight years since launching its store to redesign the Epic Games Launcher using AI, calling the process "vibe coding."
The new launcher was rebuilt from scratch with a different technology base, aiming to match features without reusing old code.
AI helped a small team work faster to develop the launcher across multiple platforms: Windows, Mac, and soon Linux.
Testing shows the new launcher opens to the store page faster than Steam, though some differences are very small.
The current preview version is expected to have bugs and fewer features, such as missing social and account management functions.
New features include a Recent Games list and a downloads hub for tracking progress.
Epic plans to reach feature parity between the new and old launcher versions in the future.
This update coincides with Epic shifting toward AI-first development for upcoming projects, including Star Wars and Marvel games.
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Nebraska voters will hear from two main candidates competing to replace Rep. Don Bacon, who is retiring after five terms. The debate is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT and can be watched live on Nebraska Public Media.
Key Facts
Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, is retiring and not running for re-election.
Bacon has served five terms in the House of Representatives.
Bacon has been critical of President Donald Trump during Trump's second term.
Two major party candidates are running to replace Bacon.
The candidates will debate on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT.
The debate will be broadcast live by Nebraska Public Media.
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Several cargo ships have been attacked by drones near the Black Sea coast of NATO countries, including Bulgaria, leading to ship sinkings and evacuations. NATO and the affected countries are considering redeploying anti-drone defenses to better protect shipping routes in the area.
Key Facts
On October 13, suspected Russian drone attacks sank a cargo ship and forced the evacuation of another near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
Five ships have been attacked in the exclusive economic zones of NATO member countries in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian-operated ship Chelsea 3 was hit by three drones, but all crew members were safely evacuated.
Eleven crew members are missing from the cargo ship Dignity, which sank after an attack; five survivors were rescued.
Bulgaria plans to join NATO’s $40 billion Drone Edge initiative to develop more counter-drone systems over five years.
Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey are working together to protect freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
The Montreux Convention limits military exercises and ship movements in the Black Sea, affecting Russia’s naval operations.
Ukraine uses aerial and sea drones to disrupt Russian shipping and ports, while Russia uses drones to attack Ukrainian and other regional ships.
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French anti-terrorism investigators have taken over the case of a school shooting near Marseille. The 14-year-old suspect is linked to an online group called the True Crime Community, and two teachers were injured when the student used a hunting rifle hidden in a guitar case.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a school near Marseille, France.
The suspect is a 14-year-old student.
Two teachers were shot and wounded.
The weapon was a hunting rifle concealed in a guitar case.
French anti-terrorism prosecutors are now leading the investigation.
The suspect appears to be connected to the True Crime Community, an online group.
The True Crime Community is known for interest in violent acts and mass killers.
Security experts are studying links between such online groups and violent behavior.
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A Brooklyn shop owner said that after singer Kelly Clarkson criticized the store online for poor customer service, employees have received death threats. The co-owner, Adam Rubin, expressed concern for the safety of his staff following the incident.
Key Facts
Kelly Clarkson complained about a "rude" experience at a Brooklyn shop on social media.
The shop’s employees reportedly received death threats after Clarkson's post.
Adam Rubin, a co-owner of the store, spoke publicly about the threats.
Rubin said the threats are causing worry for the safety of the store workers.
The situation began after a negative interaction between Clarkson and the shop staff.
Rubin believes that Clarkson’s remarks exposed the store to danger.
The story was reported by TMZ on Wednesday.
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In September, inflation rose to 3.7%, partly because energy costs increased. Senate candidates debated in Maine, Georgia, and Iowa as the midterm elections get closer. Other topics included AI's role in cyberattacks, President Donald Trump's rally in Arizona, and various national and international news updates.
Key Facts
Inflation in the U.S. reached 3.7% in September, driven by higher energy prices.
Senate debates took place in Maine, Georgia, and Iowa ahead of midterm elections.
AI has been linked to about 84% of ransomware cyberattacks, where hackers lock computers to demand money.
President Donald Trump held a rally in Arizona to support candidates before the midterms.
The FBI shut down around 40 illegal laptop farming operations in Texas.
Experts discussed increased attacks by the Houthi group in Saudi Arabia.
Other topics included concerns about affordability, the war in Iran, and political polling for the midterms.
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The French glassmaker Duralex, famous for its very tough tableware, has avoided bankruptcy for the fifth time in 25 years. A new business owner plans to focus on making the company more environmentally friendly.
Key Facts
Duralex is a French company known for producing durable glass tableware.
The company has faced serious financial trouble multiple times over the past 25 years.
This is the fifth time Duralex has been saved from potential collapse.
A new entrepreneur has taken over ownership of Duralex.
The new owner aims to develop a more eco-friendly business approach for the company.
Duralex’s glassware is recognized for being nearly unbreakable.
The company’s survival story reflects ongoing challenges in the manufacturing sector.
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Inflation increased a bit in September, reaching 3.7 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This shows prices for goods and services went up slightly after staying steady in August.
Key Facts
Inflation rate in September was 3.7 percent.
Inflation had remained steady in August before this increase.
The data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an official government source.
Inflation measures how much prices rise over time for typical goods and services.
A higher inflation rate means people may pay more for everyday items.
The increase in inflation was small but noticeable compared to the previous month.
The report was released on Wednesday by The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter.
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Newsweek analyzed how members of the U.S. Congress view artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The study found no clear split between Democrats and Republicans on AI, but differences were seen on specific issues like data centers and lobbying by tech companies.
Key Facts
Newsweek rated all 537 members of Congress on their AI policies across five areas: regulation, energy use, jobs, safety/privacy, and national security.
Democrats scored an average of 2.60 (leaning skeptical about AI), while Republicans scored 3.26 (leaning supportive).
Most lawmakers fell in the middle, showing mixed views rather than strong opinions for or against AI.
A clearer difference appeared on data centers, with Republicans more supportive (average 3.5) than Democrats (average 1.9).
Tech companies spent $41.8 million lobbying the federal government in early 2026 related to AI and technology.
Groups connected to AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic contributed over $27 million to a New York Democratic primary.
Newsweek will hold a webinar on Nov. 10 to discuss how AI issues affected the election and future political actions.
Experts from academia and political research will participate in the webinar to talk about AI's role in politics.
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Cornell University is facing scrutiny over how it handled an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house, focusing on the role of Title IX in campus sexual assault cases. Title IX is a federal law that prevents sexual discrimination in education and requires schools to investigate and discipline sexual assault allegations, separate from criminal courts.
Key Facts
A woman named Jane Doe accused several members of Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity of gang rape in October 2024.
She claims she was pressured into taking drugs and alcohol before the assault.
The accused men deny involvement or say the sexual activity was consensual.
Title IX, a 54-year-old law, also applies to sexual assault cases on campuses, requiring schools to investigate and discipline accused students.
Title IX proceedings are separate from criminal cases and often have a lower standard of proof ("more likely true than not") than courts.
Criminal investigations and prosecutions in sexual assault cases are rare; only about 20% go to prosecution, and 8% end in conviction.
Jane Doe’s case was not prosecuted by local authorities, but she believed the investigation was ongoing for some time, illustrating confusion about the two systems.
Title IX rules have changed under different presidential administrations, affecting how colleges handle sexual assault complaints.
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Nancy Mace’s former fiancé Patrick Bryant, John Douglas Osborne, and Eric Bernard Bowman were charged with sex crimes and voyeurism related to an assault on a woman in 2018. Mace revealed the incident and evidence during a House speech in 2025, leading to their arrest and her push for stronger protections for sexual assault victims.
Key Facts
The assault happened in October 2018 in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
John Douglas Osborne committed sex acts on an incapacitated woman while Bryant and Bowman watched.
The men took photos and videos and discussed who would assault the woman beforehand.
Osborne faces charges including first-degree assault and two counts of third-degree sexual conduct.
Bryant and Bowman are charged with voyeurism; Bowman also faces obstruction of justice for deleting phone data and publishing a victim’s name online.
Mace detailed the assault and related crimes in a House speech in February 2025, describing non-consensual photos and videos involving women and underage girls.
Bryant denied the allegations and said he would cooperate with legal processes.
After the arrests, Mace introduced legislation aimed at protecting sexual assault victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
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NASA plans to launch two missions to Venus in the early 2030s to study the planet in detail. One mission, DAVINCI, will send a probe to descend through Venus’s atmosphere to take images, while another, VERITAS, will map the surface from orbit using radar.
Key Facts
DAVINCI is scheduled to launch in December 2030, one year earlier than planned.
DAVINCI will send a probe with a parachute to study Venus’s atmosphere and surface.
VERITAS will launch in November 2032 to map Venus with radar from orbit.
The European Space Agency will launch the Envision orbiter to Venus in 2032.
Rocket Lab plans to launch a private probe to Venus in late 2027 to search for organic material in clouds.
NASA faced budget cuts that delayed and threatened missions to Venus and ended a partnership with Europe on Envision components.
Venus is close to Earth in size but has a very hot, toxic atmosphere mostly made of carbon dioxide.
The last NASA mission to Venus was Magellan (1989-1994), which mapped the surface with radar but at low detail.
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An Israeli quadcopter drone dropped a bomb near the village of Zibqin in southern Lebanon. This attack happened even though Lebanon and Israel agreed to a truce in June. Several nearby villages were also targeted by similar attacks.
Key Facts
An Israeli quadcopter drone dropped a bomb near Zibqin village in southern Lebanon.
Multiple nearby villages were also attacked.
These bombings occurred despite a truce signed by Lebanon and Israel in June.
The drone used is a quadcopter, a small four-rotor unmanned aircraft.
The attacks indicate ongoing violence in the border region.
The truce agreement was meant to stop hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.
The exact number of bombs dropped or casualties was not reported.
The incident highlights continued tension between the two countries.
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Arthur "Layne" Lundeen, a 67-year-old man from Arizona, was duct-taped to his seat by passengers after causing a disturbance on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark. He faces federal charges including assault and interfering with flight crew, which could lead to up to 20 years in prison.
Key Facts
The incident happened on September 3 aboard American Airlines Flight 618.
Lundeen allegedly assaulted a passenger and disrupted the flight, causing an emergency landing in Baltimore.
Passengers restrained him using duct tape and zip ties until the plane landed.
He is federally charged with assault and interfering with flight crew duties.
Lundeen is accused of ignoring crew instructions, intimidating staff, and making racial slurs.
He was previously charged with misdemeanors in Maryland after the incident.
His trial was postponed to November 16.
Lundeen reportedly said he does not remember the events during the court hearing.
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Families of two men from Trinidad and Tobago, Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, who died in a US military boat strike in October 2025, are seeking justice and accountability from the United States. The strike was part of a US campaign under President Trump targeting boats thought to carry drug traffickers, but many families say their loved ones were innocent fishermen.
Key Facts
Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo disappeared after a US military missile strike on October 14, 2025, while returning to Trinidad and Tobago from Venezuela.
Their families say the men were fishermen and farm workers, not involved in drug trafficking.
Since September 2025, the US has conducted a campaign attacking small boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, targeting alleged drug traffickers.
The campaign has killed at least 239 people, according to reports, but the US government has not publicly identified the victims or provided clear evidence.
Families of victims from several countries have come forward, stating their relatives were not drug traffickers.
The families of Joseph and Samaroo have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Massachusetts with support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Legal experts say these strikes may break international law because drug trafficking is a crime, not an act of war, and military force should not be used in this way for civilian law enforcement.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is reviewing a separate complaint from the family of another fisherman killed in a similar strike in Colombia.
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A U.S. government report found that major banks have closed accounts or refused business to some customers because of their political or religious views and the industries they work in. The report studied complaints made under President Trump’s executive order and showed that both conservative and liberal groups were affected, as well as certain industries like oil, coal, and firearms.
Key Facts
The report was released by the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
It reviewed 100,000 complaints and many bank decisions from 2020 to September 2025.
Nine large national banks had policies that influenced their decisions based on political, religious, or business activities.
Some customers selling Trump-related merchandise were dropped by WePay, a payment processor owned by JPMorgan Chase.
JPMorgan corrected issues found in WePay’s processes and the business no longer operates.
Banks also restricted services to industries like oil and gas, coal mining, and firearms.
The Bank Policy Institute said banks support fair access but must manage risks responsibly.
The OCC emphasized that all Americans should have equal access to financial services regardless of their beliefs or affiliations.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street as part of ongoing support during the war with Russia. Burnham promised that Britain will continue to support Ukraine and said UK air defenses would be delivered faster to help Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Zelensky visited Downing Street and was greeted with a military guard ceremony.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham assured that Britain stands firmly with Ukraine.
Burnham announced speeding up the delivery of UK air defense systems to Ukraine.
The meeting aims to strengthen ties between Ukraine and European allies five years into the conflict.
Burnham mentioned efforts to improve relations between Ukraine and the United States.
Ukraine will receive tangible support, as Burnham said Ukraine won’t leave the meeting empty-handed.
The visit highlights continued international focus on the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Large wildfires are burning in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, causing the sky to turn orange. The smoke from the fires has spread across the region, affecting air quality in nearby countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
Key Facts
Wildfires are actively burning in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia.
The smoke has created an orange haze covering the sky in the area.
The haze has spread to neighboring countries, including Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore’s skyline has been obscured by the smoke.
Schools in Malaysia have been closed because of poor air quality.
The smoke is part of a larger regional problem caused by forest fires in Indonesia.
These fires often occur during the dry season and can harm health and the environment.
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Gas prices in the U.S. have remained above $4 a gallon for a record 158 days in 2026 due to an ongoing oil shortage caused by conflict in the Middle East. The price increase is contributing significantly to inflation and cost concerns for consumers before the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The national average price of gas is $4.33 per gallon as of October 2026.
Gas prices have stayed above $4 a gallon for 158 days this year, the longest such period ever recorded.
Conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, part of the Iran war, has caused a shortage of oil, pushing prices up.
Global oil prices rose to over $106 a barrel, a 50% increase from before the war started.
Inflation in the U.S. hit a four-month high in September, largely driven by a 9% monthly increase in gas prices.
A previous tentative peace agreement briefly reduced fighting and inflation, but it expired in August, and attacks on oil infrastructure resumed.
Diesel prices have increased about 66% since February 2026, reaching $6.29 a gallon, affecting many other goods' prices.
Consumer confidence has dropped near historic lows due to rising costs and economic uncertainty.
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Actress Hayden Panettiere was found unconscious at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16 and was given CPR by Zach Hickerson before being pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed her death was accidental and caused by a mix of drugs, including fentanyl and alprazolam.
Key Facts
Hayden Panettiere was found unconscious by Zach and Brian Hickerson at her home.
Zach Hickerson attempted CPR after a 911 operator instructed him during the call.
Emergency services arrived but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner ruled her death accidental due to toxic effects from several drugs.
Brian Hickerson gave Panettiere Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, before help arrived.
Panettiere had publicly spoken about her struggles with opioid and alcohol addiction.
She wrote a memoir discussing addiction, abuse, postpartum depression, and recovery.
In interviews, Panettiere shared her hope that her story would encourage others to seek help and be honest about their struggles.
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