Category Archives: general

general

Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ restart nuclear weapons testing to compete with Russia, China’s arsenals

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President Trump has ordered the military to “immediately” begin testing nuclear weapons in response to the growing arsenal Russia and China are amassing, he announced Wednesday.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That process will begin immediately,” the president added.

The US has not tested a nuclear explosive since 1992, observing a voluntary moratorium on the practice. Russia and China have not publicly disclosed any nuclear tests since the 1990s, but China is believed to have conducted secret, low-grade weapons tests in recent years.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to rule out future weapons tests involving nuclear explosions and has recently boasted about nuclear-capable missile and torpedo tests.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.”

“Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,” he warned.

On the 2024 campaign trail, Trump frequently referred to nuclear weapons as “the N-word,” because of their devastating power. The president also explained that his uncle, the late MIT professor John Trump, taught him long ago that “nuclear is so powerful.”

Trump’s announcement comes ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, scheduled for Wednesday.

This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/us-news/trump-orders-pentagon-to-immediately-restart-nuclear-weapons-testing-to-compete-with-russia-chinas-arsenals/

general

Jaylen Brown anota 30 puntos y los Celtics rompen la racha de victorias de los Cavaliers

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BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown anotó 30 puntos, incluidos 13 durante una racha de 20-3 para cerrar la primera mitad, lo que ayudó a los Celtics de Boston a alejarse de Cleveland y ganar 125-105 el miércoles por la noche.

Con esta victoria, los Celtics rompieron la racha de tres triunfos consecutivos de los Cavaliers.

Además, Sam Hauser contribuyó de manera significativa al anotar 21 tantos desde el banco.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/29/jaylen-brown-anota-30-puntos-y-los-celtics-rompen-la-racha-de-victorias-de-los-cavaliers/

general

Sallie B Howard School honors teacher, former Shaw track star killed in I-40 accident

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The Sallie B. Howard School community recently came together to honor the memory of Brijette Basden, a beloved kindergarten teacher.

Tragically, Mrs. Basden lost her life in a car crash on Interstate 40. Her passing has deeply affected students, staff, and families alike.

The school held a heartfelt gathering to pay tribute to her dedication and the positive impact she made on everyone around her. Her legacy continues to inspire the community she so dearly served.
https://www.wral.com/news/local/sallie-b-howard-honors-teacher-brijette-basden-i40-accident-october-2025/

general

High schools Wednesday: Monmouth boys soccer coasts

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Bryce Fletcher, Rory Foyt, and Zane Foyt each scored two goals as top-seeded Monmouth Academy earned an 8-0 mercy-rule win over eighth-seeded Machias in a Class D South boys soccer quarterfinal on Wednesday at Monmouth.

In addition to his two goals, Zane Foyt contributed two assists, while Fletcher and Rory Foyt each added one assist. Vasili Bendo and Noah Schultz were the other goal scorers for Monmouth. With the victory, Monmouth (13-1-1) advances to the semifinals, where they will face No. 5 Buckfield, who defeated No. 4 Bangor Christian 1-0.

Machias’ goalkeeper Kaiyden Carter made 19 saves in the match, despite the loss, bringing their record to 1-14.

In another quarterfinal game, second-seeded Pine Tree Academy defeated seventh-seeded Temple Academy 3-0. The Breakers (12-2-1) got goals from Fitz Roy, Ben Christman, and Miguel Matos to secure their spot in the eight-person South semifinals.

Pine Tree’s goalkeeper Colby Solberg was solid in net, needing only one save to earn the shutout. The Bereans ended their season with a 4-10-1 record.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/10/29/high-schools-wednesday-monmouth-boys-soccer-coasts/

general

IHD: A Solid Hold That Can Outperform Its Benchmark

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**Analyst’s Disclosure:**
I/we have no stock, option, or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

**Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure:**
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole.

Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker, US investment adviser, or investment bank. Our analysts are third-party authors, including both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4835109-ihd-cef-solid-hold-that-can-outperform-its-benchmark?source=feed_all_articles

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Miss Universe announces a new CEO just days before contestants are set to arrive in Thailand for the 2025 pageant

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Beauty queens from around the world are soon set to arrive in Thailand for the start of the Miss Universe pageant, which will take place from November 2 to 21. In the days leading up to the event, there has been a major leadership shake-up behind the scenes.

On Wednesday, the Miss Universe Organization announced that Anne Jakrajutatip was replaced as CEO. Jakrajutatip made history as the first woman to own the 74-year-old pageant when her Thai-based company, JKN Global Group, purchased the organization from Endeavor for $20 million in October 2022.

She is being replaced by Mario Búcaro, a former diplomat who most recently served as the Miss Universe Organization’s vice president for international relations. Búcaro has previously worked as the ambassador of Guatemala to Israel, Mexico, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. He also served as Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years before joining Miss Universe.

Both Jakrajutatip and the Miss Universe Organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

### A New Regime

The organization stated that Búcaro will work alongside Raul Rocha, who will continue to serve as president. Rocha has held this title since Jakrajutatip sold a 50% stake of Miss Universe to his company, Legacy Holding Group USA Inc., in January 2024. Rocha also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Miss Universe said in its announcement that Búcaro helped the pageant expand “its presence to over 130 countries.” As the new CEO, he will continue to focus on global outreach and “enriching the candidate experience while upholding integrity and fairness.”

The Board of the Miss Universe Organization expressed its full confidence in Mario Búcaro’s leadership to guide the organization into a new era of growth and global influence.

“His vision of Miss Universe as a worldwide movement that celebrates authenticity, transformation, and empowerment will continue to unite cultures, expand opportunities for women, and elevate the values that define our brand,” the organization added.

### A Troubled Predecessor

When Jakrajutatip took over Miss Universe in October 2022, it was heralded as a historic new era. She gave a rousing speech at her first Miss Universe in January 2023, telling fans that the pageant was “going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world.”

However, financial issues quickly followed. In September 2023, Jakrajutatip’s company missed a payment on a multimillion-dollar loan. In a letter to the stock exchange president, the company said, “The financial liquidity management of the company is not in line with the expected forecast.”

JKN Global petitioned Thailand’s bankruptcy court at the time and said it planned to restructure its debt.

By June 2024, rumors began circulating that Jakrajutatip was stepping away from the Miss Universe Organization after Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against JKN Global. The complaint alleges that Jakrajutatip and her sister, Pimauma Jakrajutatip, included false or misleading information in the 2023 financial statements for the fiscal year and in the Q1 2024 accounting documents.

On June 6, JKN Global sent a letter to the president of Thailand’s Stock Exchange confirming that the sisters had resigned and that a special audit was underway.

The same day, the Miss Universe Organization stated that Jakrajutatip remained in charge of the pageant.

“We categorically deny any reports suggesting a change in leadership within the organization. Anne Jakrajutatip remains the chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization,” the statement read.

However, in the new statement announcing Búcaro’s succession, the Miss Universe Organization said Jakrajutatip stepped down as CEO on June 20 and was now turning her focus to her family.

### Controversies and Scandals

Before the 72nd Miss Universe competition in El Salvador, Jakrajutatip promised fans that the pageant was always “my first priority in life. Our universe must go on, must be great and must stay on top as the legendary Beauty Olympics in the World! I will sacrifice and do everything for the great success of OUR UNIVERSE!” she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram in November 2023.

However, Jakrajutatip became embroiled in several scandals. A video from an October 2023 Miss Universe staff meeting, obtained by Business Insider, showed Jakrajutatip telling staff that diverse contestants “can compete, but they can’t win.” She later clarified on Facebook that she was discussing a potential Miss Universe reality show.

Weeks before Miss Universe 2024, Jakrajutatip and advisor Osmel Sousa judged contestants’ photos on Instagram Live. Sousa, who once told The New York Times that inner beauty “was something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves,” was seen laughing and making faces with Jakrajutatip at some contestants.

After Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe in November 2024, Jakrajutatip told reporters she didn’t believe the pageant needed to evolve anymore.

“We have blond and blue eyes,” Jakrajutatip said, referring to Theilvig’s appearance. “We already got the best here.”

In March, former Miss Universe judge Denise White told Business Insider that Jakrajutatip pressured longtime Miss Universe president Paula Shugart to ensure Miss Thailand made the top five during the 2023 pageant in El Salvador.

White recalled Shugart telling her, “I can’t believe Anne is telling me that, no matter what, we have to make sure Thailand is in the top five.” Shugart, who resigned during the competition, refused to comply. Thailand’s contestant ultimately placed as first runner-up.

Jakrajutatip did not respond to a request for comment at the time and never publicly addressed the allegation.

### Parallel Challenges at Miss USA

Miss Universe has shared similar struggles with the Miss USA pageant, which it oversees. Following two years of scandal under former CEO Laylah Rose, the organization announced in September that Thom Brodeur was taking over Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

Brodeur told Business Insider he had just four weeks to plan the 2025 pageants, which took place on October 23 and 24 in Reno, Nevada.

In the VIP section of the event, Mario Búcaro sat, preparing to take the reins of his own pageant.

—

The Miss Universe Organization now looks forward to a new leadership era under Mario Búcaro, aiming to strengthen its global presence and renew its commitment to authenticity, empowerment, and fairness.
https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-universe-pageant-new-ceo-mario-bucaro-anne-jakrajutatip-replaced-2025-10

general

‘You Can Clearly See Through This Door’: Traveler Exposes The Hotel Bathroom Trend That’s Destroying Everyone’s Dignity

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**TikTok Woman’s Campaign Demands Hotels Bring Back Real Bathroom Doors**

A woman on TikTok has had enough of hotel bathrooms with bad doors. Sadie, who goes by @bring_back_doors online, is tired of showing up at hotels only to find out the bathroom offers little to no real privacy. She has started a whole campaign to make hotels answer for their terrible door choices.

Her TikTok video about this bathroom door problem has been watched more than 234,000 times. In it, Sadie talks about how hotels keep installing frosted glass doors for bathrooms instead of normal solid ones. According to Daily Dot, she was at the Alexander Hotel in Noordwijk aan Zee, Netherlands, when she made the video.

Sadie explains that hotels often defend these foggy glass doors by saying they provide privacy, but she strongly disagrees. Standing right in front of the bathroom door in her video, she proves her point: “A, yes, you can see through these. Like you can clearly see through this door, and B, glass doors do not close properly.”

She emphasizes that when she asks for doors that actually work, she means doors where every edge touches the door frame completely—not just part of the way.

### From Frustration to a Mission

Sadie didn’t stop at just complaining on TikTok. She created a website called [BringBackDoors.com](https://BringBackDoors.com) where travelers can look up hotels before they book, specifically checking which hotels have real bathroom doors.

Her website features a list of hotels that have solid bathroom doors. She reached out to hundreds of hotels with two basic questions: Do your doors close all the way? And, are they see-through glass?

Hotels that answer “yes” to the first question and “no” to the second get added to her list. Hotels are sorted by city and price range, making it easier for travelers to find suitable accommodations.

Additionally, the website includes a section where people can report hotels with awful bathroom door setups so others are warned in advance. Sadie encourages anyone who encounters bad bathroom doors to email her or message her on Instagram with the hotel name and photos.

### Why Sadie Started This

On her website, Sadie explains that she finally got fed up after too many trips where she had zero privacy in hotel bathrooms. She loves going on trips with family and friends, but she also needs some basic bathroom privacy.

Sadie’s campaign highlights an important conversation about guest experience. Much like a recent story of a woman shocked by a restaurant’s reaction to a complaint, Sadie shows how speaking up about poor experiences can drive change.

### Why Hotels Choose Glass Doors

There are several reasons hotels install glass walls and open layouts in bathrooms. These designs can make tiny rooms feel less cramped and cost less to build. They also simplify cleaning for hotel staff.

However, many travelers commenting on Sadie’s videos fully support her stance. One person wrote, “No clear doors in bathrooms!!!!! Even when I’m with my husband we need a real door?” Another said, “I HATE how hotels started thinking going to the bathroom is a shared experience.”

Others have shared their own horror stories:

– “I’ve had 2 hotels now where the bathroom didn’t have a door at all 🙂 one had a curtain! the other a folding screen :)) my best friend and I are on another level after this.”
– “Worst one was a foggy glass door with a large hole to use instead of a handle.”
– “Had a hotel with an absolute solid wooden bathroom door. And next to it A GLASS WALL DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TOILET!!!”

With her growing following and website, Sadie continues to push for hotels to put privacy – and real doors – back where they belong. If you value your bathroom privacy while traveling, checking her website before booking your next hotel stay could save you from an uncomfortable surprise.
https://attackofthefanboy.com/news/you-can-clearly-see-through-this-door-traveler-exposes-the-hotel-bathroom-trend-thats-destroying-everyones-dignity/

general

Fed rate cut is too little, too late — time to show glum Jerome Powell the door

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Commerce Department data and record stock-market highs indicate the US economy is on a tear so far under President Donald Trump. Yes, inflation is still a bit too high at 3%, but under Joe Biden, we had inflation two to three times that level. Economic growth was much lower then—downright anemic compared to the near 4% we’ve seen over the past six months, as measured by the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.

Someone please tell Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell the good news.

On Wednesday, Powell announced a modest quarter-point interest rate cut, lowering rates to a new range of 3.75% to 4%. This is the first time in nearly three years that the benchmark rate has dropped to so low a level. It’s a decision that should add further energy to the US economy. Yet, in his comments, Powell sounded downright glum.

He described the economy as being in a period of “moderate growth,” wrongly stating that the United States is limping along at a 1.6% GDP growth rate. He also expects sub-2% economic growth next year. Talk about the tyranny of low expectations.

Powell remains hyper-critical of Trump’s trade policies and said he expects “some significant inflation… from tariffs” that will show up “pretty soon.” He’s only half-right at best. Tariffs are taxes that reduce growth and, in isolation, will spill into higher consumer prices. (Just look at what has happened to coffee prices due to tariffs of up to 50% on Brazilian and Colombian coffee beans.)

But Powell rarely, if ever, tells the world that Trump’s tax cuts, his cost-cutting deregulations, his “drill, baby, drill” energy strategies—which have produced record low oil and gas prices—and his many productive trade deals have been economic boons. These pro-growth policies all are disinflationary.

The biggest problem at the Fed is that, as Steve Forbes has correctly pointed out, Powell and his cadre of 300 PhD economists still believe that growth causes inflation. Apparently, if we reduce the production of goods and services, their prices will go down? That’s a little like hoping the sun rises in the west.

The Fed needs an abrupt change of course. It should always and everywhere defend the dollar and price stability through its interest rate policies and through its economic rhetoric. This would help reverse the greenback’s slide against other currencies and, in turn, reduce inflationary pressures.

The Fed should be cheerleading most of Trump’s supply-side and pro-America policies while waving cautionary flags about the dangers of tariffs. We also need a Fed chairman who sternly lectures Congress on the need to slash government deficit spending.

Our runaway $7 trillion budget is by far America’s greatest inflation and recession danger. But unlike his predecessor Alan Greenspan, a relentless budget hawk, Powell has been mum on our government’s runaway spending.

The Fed has done none of these things and instead has been a restraint on growth and higher incomes. That is why the time to shake up the Fed is now. Jerome Powell needs to go sooner rather than later.

*Stephen Moore is a former Trump senior economic advisor and a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity.*
https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/opinion/fed-rate-cut-is-too-little-too-late-show-jerome-powell-the-door/

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How to Watch Rockets vs Toronto Raptors: Live Stream NBA, TV Channel

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The Houston Rockets (1-2) travel to Scotiabank Arena to face the Toronto Raptors (1-3) on Wednesday night in an exciting NBA matchup.

**How to Watch Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors**
**When:** Wednesday, October 29, 2025
**Time:** 6:30 PM ET
**Where:** Scotiabank Arena
**TV Channel:** Space City Home Network
**Live Stream:** Fubo (Watch for free!)

The Rockets entered the season with championship aspirations but have faced challenges replacing point guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered a season-ending injury. Despite losing two tough games, Houston got a much-needed win when the Brooklyn Nets visited. The Rockets started strong, putting up 42 points in the first quarter, and never looked back, cruising to a 137-109 victory. Tari Eason led Houston off the bench with an impressive 22 points, along with five rebounds and five assists.

On the other side, after a strong opening win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Raptors have dropped three consecutive games. Their latest setback came in a 121-103 loss on the road to the San Antonio Spurs. RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points, while Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 19 points off the bench, shooting 7-of-13 from the field. Immanuel Quickley added 15 points, and Brandon Ingram chipped in 14, but the Raptors couldn’t overcome a first-quarter deficit, falling behind 41-29.

This promises to be a thrilling basketball game you won’t want to miss. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action!

**Live stream Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors on Fubo:** Watch the event now! (Regional restrictions may apply.)

*Note: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.*
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/how-to-watch-rockets-vs-toronto-raptors-live-stream-nba-tv-channel-10960497

general

Google calls allegations of ‘secret code’ in international cloud services deal ‘absurd’

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**Google and Amazon’s $1.2 Billion Project Nimbus Cloud Deal with Israel Includes Controversial “Secret Code” Payments, Reports Say**

*C. Scott Brown / Android Authority*

In 2021, Google and Amazon entered into a $1.2 billion agreement with the Israeli government to provide cloud computing services to various government agencies and the military under a contract known as Project Nimbus. New reporting released today reveals that this lucrative deal reportedly includes some unusual and eyebrow-raising terms.

According to an investigation by The Guardian, based on leaked documents from Israel’s Ministry of Finance and collaborated with Hebrew-language publication Local Call and Israeli-Palestinian outlet +972 Magazine, Google and Amazon agreed to send “coded messages” to the Israeli government. These messages allegedly serve to covertly inform Israel when their cloud data has been accessed by foreign investigative bodies, while potentially circumventing Google’s and Amazon’s usual terms of service.

### The “Winking Mechanism” for Covert Communication

Cloud storage providers sometimes hand over customer data to law enforcement or investigative agencies, often under legal restrictions that prevent them from notifying customers. However, to secure the Project Nimbus deal, both Amazon and Google reportedly agreed to what The Guardian calls a “winking mechanism” — a roundabout way of communicating the transfer of data without explicit disclosure.

Here is how this system reportedly works:

– When a foreign authority requests access to Israeli data stored with Amazon or Google, the company sends Israel a payment coded according to the telephone country code of that requesting authority.
– For example, if U.S. authorities access the data, the company sends a payment of 1,000 shekels, referencing the U.S. country code +1.
– If the request comes from Denmark, which has the country code +45, the payment made would be 4,500 shekels.
– In cases where legal orders more explicitly forbid Google or Amazon from hinting at the origin of the data request, the companies are said to send a larger payment of 100,000 shekels.

### Restrictions on Service Withdrawal Amid Human Rights Concerns

The report further states that the Project Nimbus agreement contains clauses that prevent Google and Amazon from suspending or withdrawing their services, even if the Israeli government is found to be violating either company’s terms of service or human rights considerations.

This aspect of the agreement has drawn parallels with a recent case involving Microsoft. Last month, following investigative reporting by The Guardian, Microsoft terminated a cloud services contract with the Israeli military after discovering that civilian surveillance data — including recordings of Palestinian phone calls — had been stored on its Azure cloud platform against the company’s terms.

An unnamed Israeli official quoted in today’s report emphasized that under Project Nimbus, there are “no restrictions” on the types of information Israel may store within Google and Amazon’s cloud systems. Furthermore, either company attempting to withdraw from the contract on similar grounds would reportedly face financial and legal penalties.

### Google and Amazon Deny Wrongdoing

Both Google and Amazon have strongly denied the allegations.

A Google spokesperson told Android Authority:

> “The accusations in this reporting are false, and imply that we somehow were involved in illegal activity, which is absurd. As is common in public sector agreements, an RFP does not reflect a final contract. The idea that we would evade our legal obligations to the U.S. government as a U.S. company, or in any other country, is categorically wrong.
>
> We’ve been very clear about the Nimbus contract, what it’s directed to, and the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy that govern it. Nothing has changed. This appears to be yet another attempt to falsely imply otherwise.”

An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson also responded to Android Authority, saying:

> “We have a rigorous global process for responding to lawful and binding orders for requests related to customer data. AWS carefully reviews each request to assess any non-disclosure obligations, and we maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. While AWS does not disclose customer information in response to government demands unless we’re absolutely required to do so, we recognize the legitimate needs of law enforcement agencies to investigate serious crimes. We do not have any processes in place to circumvent our confidentiality obligations on lawfully binding orders.”

As of this publication, the Israeli Ministry of Finance has not responded to requests for comment.

—

*Stay updated with the latest exclusive reports and expert analysis from Android Authority. Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover and preferred source in Google Search to never miss our stories.*
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-amazon-project-nimbus-israel-wink-3611415/