Readthrough
Top Stories
Brazil's Lula wins historic presidential election; Bolsonaro reportedly refuses to concede
Oil Prices Dip but Hold Above $100 as Middle East Supply Threats Mount
Neocloud stocks fall as Elon Musk says more than 200 of them face 'guppy-level death'
#12/13 Arkansas Rallies to Beat #15/12 Gonzaga in Exhibition
Serbia's Vučić concedes election to student movement that drew evangelical support
NW Arkansas
Hogs’ Comeback Bid Falls Short in Starkville
Arkansas volleyball rallied from two sets down for the second straight match and forced a fifth set at Mississippi State, but fell 15-7 in the decider. Freshman Paisley Pavliska came off the bench for a career-high 14 kills, senior Lakin Laurendine added 14, and setter Kiki Remensperger returned with a 41-assist double-double. The loss drops the Razorbacks to 10-10.
Fayetteville City Council Ward 3 candidates discuss issues they hope to address
Banker Andrew Brink and social worker Hayley Hall are running for Fayetteville's open Ward 3 City Council seat, held by Scott Berna, who isn't seeking reelection. Brink says residents told him infrastructure — traffic, stormwater, water and sewer — is their top concern, along with development on College Avenue. Hall's campaign is focused on issues like affordable housing and childcare.
#12/13 Arkansas Rallies to Beat #15/12 Gonzaga in Exhibition
The No. 12/13 Razorbacks beat No. 15/12 Gonzaga 76-72 in an exhibition at Bud Walton Arena, sealed by freshman Davion Thompson's late step-back three. Arkansas erased a 10-point first-half deficit with back-to-back 9-0 runs around halftime, outscoring Gonzaga 24-3 over nearly nine minutes, then held off an 11-2 Bulldogs push.
A way to find lost pets has new locations in Northwest Arkansas
The Northwest Arkansas Animal Alliance has added two 24/7 pet microchip scanner stations, at Best Friends Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel in Fayetteville and the Springdale Public Library, joining the one at Centerton Animal Hospital. Anyone who finds a stray can scan it for a chip to help reunite it with its owner, and one location says it has already reunited a cat with its family.
Fashion, fantasy and fun at the Rentopia Renaissance Faire
The annual Rentopia Renaissance Faire wrapped up Sunday at the Grove Entertainment Complex in Lowell, with live performances, artisan merchants, themed entertainment and historic meals. Owner Adam Hoover, who also played King Fergus, said the faire is meant to help people get away from everyday work and have fun again.
One person killed in Sunday morning house fire in Washington County
One person died in an early-morning house fire Sunday in the Summers area of Washington County. The Lincoln Fire Department said crews were called to the 21,000 block of North Road around 1:30 a.m., but the fire was too intense for firefighters to get inside. Investigators are still working to find the cause.
Commentary: Arkansas Democrats have their best opening in years. What if they still can’t win?
An Arkansas Advocate commentary argues state Democrats have their best opening in years, citing President Trump's low approval, an unpopular war in Iran, anti-incumbent mood and high prices hitting farmers. It also lays out warning signs, including recent polling, that suggest the party could still come up short in a state it hasn't won statewide in 16 years.
Northwest Arkansas Outpaces Peers as Jobs, Businesses and Tech Employment Expand
Northwest Arkansas outpaced six peer metro areas in job, business and high-tech employment growth, according to the 2026 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report. The region added 8,300 net new jobs in 2025, a 2.8% gain to 302,100, and high-tech employment rose 10.9%. Wages remain the lowest in the peer group, and housing affordability is still a challenge.
Continue to Help Shape the Future of Fayetteville’s Next Neighborhood Park
The City of Fayetteville is asking residents to help shape the design of a new neighborhood park near Owl Creek, which is in its final design phase. A drop-in community workshop runs 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, near North Magellan Lane and West Oldham Drive, moving indoors to the Boys and Girls Club on Rupple Road if the weather is bad.
ARDOT Winter Weather Crews Gear Up with Statewide Drill
The Arkansas Department of Transportation will run a statewide winter weather preparedness drill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, centered in central Arkansas. Crews will train drivers, check equipment, road-test snowplow trucks and practice communicating with ARDOT's Emergency Operations Center, which will be activated for the exercise.
Ozark Society youth grants fund hands-on conservation projects
The Ozark Society is again offering youth grants that fund hands-on conservation and environmental projects for K-12 students. Schools and nonprofits across the Ozarks, Ouachitas and northwest Louisiana can apply for awards of $500 to $2,500, with applications open through the end of November.
Groove Culture brings 11-piece jazz, funk sound to Rogers
Groove Culture, an 11-piece band mixing modern jazz, funk and R&B, is playing venues around Northwest Arkansas. Bandleader Austin Farnam, a saxophonist who heads the music department at The New School in Fayetteville, talked with KUAF about the band's influences, including Snarky Puppy and Cory Wong, ahead of a show at the Victory Theater in downtown Rogers.
Hawaii
Summary for Tropical Storm Olana (CP3/CP032026)
Tropical Storm Olana is far southwest of Hawaii, about 490 miles west-southwest of Johnston Island, with 40 mph winds and moving east at 7 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's 11 p.m. HST advisory. There are no watches or warnings and no hazards to land, and forecasters expect strong wind shear and dry air to weaken Olana into a remnant low within about a day and a half.
Nearly $4.4M federal grant expands college pathways for Hawaiʻi Island students
UH Mānoa has won a $4.37 million federal GEAR UP grant to help 840 students from rural Hawaiʻi Island communities prepare for and succeed in college. The seven-year project runs through 2032 and serves students at seven schools in Kohala, Honokaʻa, Keaʻau, Kaʻū and Pāhoa, starting in seventh grade and continuing into their first year of college. Only 19 such partnership grants were awarded nationally this year.
HPD Opens Attempted Murder Investigation in Waiʻanae
Honolulu police opened an attempted murder investigation after a 16-year-old boy was found with a neck wound on Kaneaki Street in Waiʻanae around 6:20 p.m. on Oct. 24. He was taken to the hospital; no arrests have been made and the circumstances remain under investigation. Tips go to 911 or CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.
5 injured in two-car Kailua crash, 2 in critical condition
Five people were hospitalized after a two-car crash around 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Mokapu Boulevard heading toward Kailua, according to Honolulu EMS. The patients range in age from 35 to 88, and two are in critical condition.
UH football routs Northern Illinois, 56-21
UH football snapped a four-game losing streak with a 56-21 rout at Northern Illinois, a trip of more than 4,200 miles that UH calls the farthest conference game in FBS history. The Rainbow Warriors piled up a season-high 504 yards and tied the program record for points in a Mountain West game, improving to 2-6.
Hawai‘i Island police seek public help finding missing Waikōloa man
Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for help finding 55-year-old James Robertson of Waikōloa, who was last seen around Sept. 5 and may have traveled to Oʻahu. Anyone with information can call Officer Kelena Kealoha at 808-935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.
Hawai‘i reaffirms commitment to preserving survivor benefits for foster youth
Hawaiʻi's Department of Human Services reaffirmed that it will keep Social Security survivor and disability benefits for foster children in trust for the kids themselves, rather than using the money to reimburse the state for their care. The state ended that practice in 2023 with legislative backing and Gov. Josh Green's support, a model federal officials are now pushing nationwide to end what they call the "orphan tax."
Potential heavy rain, flash flooding may hit Kaua‘i Monday night
The National Weather Service says deep tropical moisture moving over Hawaii starting Monday night could bring heavy rain, flash flooding and thunderstorms to Kauaʻi through at least Thursday. The heaviest rain is most likely Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, and a Flood Watch may be issued. Forecasters say it is still unclear which areas will be hit hardest.
The Sunshine Blog: Super PAC Avalanche Of Cash Continues
Civil Beat's Sunshine Blog reports that super PACs have spent $3.8 million on electioneering in Hawaiʻi since late September to support or oppose about three dozen candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Much of it came from For A Better Tomorrow, the super PAC tied to Pacific Resource Partnership.
Update: Suspect Involved in Kailua Attempted Murder in the First Degree Against a Law Enforcement Officer Charged
Prosecutors charged Sean Warnet, 43, with first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer in a Kailua case, Honolulu police said Oct. 23. He also faces a charge of using a firearm in a separate felony and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.
10/23/26 – WAIMEA CANYON LOOKOUT REOPENING OCTOBER 24, 2026
The Waimea Canyon Lookout on Kauaʻi reopened Saturday, Oct. 24, daily during daylight hours, DLNR announced. It's only the first lookout: Puʻu Hinahina, Puʻu Ka Pele and Puʻu o Kila remain closed while crews clear hazards and repair damage left by Hurricane Lowell.
Business
Neocloud stocks fall as Elon Musk says more than 200 of them face 'guppy-level death'
Neocloud stocks including Nebius, CoreWeave and Iren fell more than 4% in premarket trading Monday after Elon Musk posted that debt markets have nearly shut off for companies without revenue outside AI data centers. Musk said the 200-plus neoclouds face "guppy-level death and consolidation," adding to investor worries about the debt-fueled AI buildout.
Brazil's Lula wins historic presidential election; Bolsonaro reportedly refuses to concede
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term as Brazil's president, beating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro 51.8% to 48.2% in a runoff after losing the first round — a first since Brazil restored direct elections in 1989. Bolsonaro refused to concede and said he would seek to annul the result, Reuters reported, after voting was extended two hours amid voter-suppression complaints and heavy rain.
Joint statement from HM Treasury and Department of Finance Canada
The UK Treasury and Canada's Department of Finance said they will develop two distinct but complementary defence-financing institutions rather than merge them: the Multilateral Defence Mechanism and the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. The two governments said the institutions will work in close partnership on industrial priorities, investment and strategic financing to strengthen allied defence capabilities.
AI is helping decide what you pay, and you can’t see the math
Quartz looks at how companies from McDonald's and Walmart to Instacart and Uber use AI to set prices, often with formulas shoppers can't see. A Reuters investigation found McDonald's pricing engine used millions of daily transactions, including estimates of what customers in an area would pay, to set item prices by location. Regulators and consumer advocates are pushing back on so-called surveillance pricing that uses personal data to tailor offers.
Are boards preparing to fight the last war?
A Fast Company column warns that corporate boards may be "fighting the last war" on AI governance by leaning on experience. Current and former CEOs made up 37% of new director appointments in 2026, the highest since 2012, even as more than four in five S&P 500 companies now list AI as a risk.
Defense tech investment boom sparks bubble warning as private equity pours in
Private equity growth investment in defense tech reached $4 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up from $500 million in 2024, according to PitchBook, as rising military spending fuels a boom in drones, missile defense and satellite firms. A White & Case survey found 97% of U.K. defense companies expect to seek major outside funding in the next year, and some analysts are warning of a bubble.
‘Ticking time bomb’: The world's pension funds face an ageing crisis
Pension systems worldwide face a demographic squeeze as people live longer and birth rates fall, CNBC reports. Defined-benefit plans face rising liabilities while defined-contribution savers risk outliving their money; the International Centre for Pension Management's Sebastien Betermier called it "a ticking time bomb" for the next generation.
Claude AI accessed publicly available Georgia voter data, Anthropic confirms
Anthropic and Georgia officials confirmed that the Claude AI model accessed publicly available voter data through the state's data hub. Both said it did not get into the voter registration system, change records or pull individual voter records, only aggregate counts that anyone can buy from the state.
GM expands ‘eyes-off’ autonomous driving plans to pickups and SUVs
GM said at its "GM Forward" event that it will expand "eyes-off" driving, which lets drivers look away while the car handles certain conditions, to pickups, crossovers and large SUVs after it debuts in the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028. It will start on highways and expand to other roads, and GM's longer-term goal includes vehicles running some errands with no one inside.
Volkswagen to build $4bn Audi SUV factory in US despite job cuts at home
Audi will spend $4 billion on its first U.S. factory, in Macon, Georgia, building 200,000 Q7, Q8 and Q9 SUVs a year and creating 4,500 jobs. CEO Gernot Döllner announced it on stage at a Trump rally days before the midterms, as parent Volkswagen cuts jobs in Germany and Audi struggles with 15% U.S. tariffs on EU imports.
Netflix lays off 6% of workforce amidst slowing growth
Netflix laid off about 1,000 people, roughly 6% of its workforce, and fired its chief content officer after reporting slower quarterly revenue growth and U.S. engagement, NPR reports. The shake-up comes as the streaming giant works to overhaul its programming unit.
Explosion, fire blast through Iowa Quaker Oats plant
An apparent explosion sparked a fire Saturday at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, billed as the world's largest oat mill, sending thick black smoke over downtown. Officials said no one was hurt and all workers were accounted for.
Tech
After threatening AI export bans, China allows DeepSeek to keep selling
China added 23 AI-related technologies, including large models, agents and computing clusters, to its list of restricted exports in mid-October, so companies now need a license to sell them abroad; open-source tech is exempt. Days later, state media reported that two firms, named elsewhere as DeepSeek and MiniMax, were cleared to keep exporting. The Register's Asia roundup also covers Australian AI datacenter troubles, including a cancelled Firmus IPO.
Tesco replacing VMware with Proxmox in its stores and on the edge
UK grocer Tesco is moving its in-store "edge" computing from VMware to the open-source Proxmox platform, according to a job ad for a Bengaluru-based engineering head to lead the migration. The shift comes as Tesco sues VMware in a licensing dispute, claiming the company offered a 175% price increase; hearings are expected in 2027.
Work to protect DNS from quantum decryption attacks is speeding up
ICANN's CTO John Crain told The Register that work to make the DNS safe from future quantum computers is speeding up, with quantum code-breaking possibly arriving around the turn of the decade. Bigger DNSSEC keys mean bigger responses and a shift from UDP to TCP, which he said will take a few years; "I don't know if it's three years or five, but it's probably not ten."
Will Apple’s overhauled MacBook Pro finally offer 5G cellular support?
Apple is expected to show its first OLED, touchscreen MacBook Pros at an Oct. 28 hands-on event in Los Angeles, alongside an OLED iPad mini and M6 iMac. 9to5Mac rounds up hints that the new MacBooks could add 5G cellular using Apple's C2 modem, though it's still unconfirmed.
iFixit tears down iPhone Duo, finds possible causes of early screen failures
iFixit's teardown of Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, gave it a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10, the highest it has ever given a foldable phone. Much of the teardown focuses on the hinge, and iFixit flagged details that could explain some early screen failures owners have reported.
Grok releases the first seven minutes of its AI-generated ‘Odyssey’
Three months after Elon Musk promised a full-length AI-generated movie of "The Odyssey," Grok has released seven minutes, billed as Episode 1 of an Odyssey series. TechCrunch contrasts it with Christopher Nolan's largely practical film adaptation, which Musk had criticized over its casting.
‘Cyberselfish’ author takes aim at techno-libertarianism as her book returns from the dead
Paulina Borsook's 2000 book "Cyberselfish," a critique of Silicon Valley's techno-libertarian culture, is back in a new edition from Tin House after finding new readers. In an interview with TechCrunch, Borsook describes the book as "almost a travelogue" of her effort to understand that influence on the tech industry.
Etzioni on AI: $137M spent on AI-generated midterm ads, and most voters can’t spot the fakes
Campaigns and PACs have already spent more than $137 million on AI-made ads ahead of the midterms, AI researcher Oren Etzioni writes in GeekWire. One example from the Senate Republicans' campaign arm shows Texas candidate James Talarico voicing commentary he never made, with only a faint "AI GENERATED" label. Etzioni warns most such clips carry no label and most voters can't spot them.
AI delivers ‘zero financial payoff’ to most companies, Apollo economist says
Apollo Global Management chief economist Torsten Slok says AI has delivered "zero financial payoff" to corporate America outside the tech giants. Looking at the S&P 500 minus Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, he found flat profit margins and revenue per worker, with no evidence AI is lifting productivity yet.
OLED iPad mini 8 debuting this week: Here’s what’s coming, and how much it’ll cost
Apple is expected to launch a new iPad mini this week with an OLED display, its first display overhaul since 2021, 9to5Mac reports. Rumors point to an A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory for on-device AI features, though it's unclear whether it will get a 120Hz ProMotion screen.
The best apps for tracking your reading and discovering new books
TechCrunch rounds up newer apps for tracking your reading and finding books, leaving out the Amazon-owned Goodreads. Picks include Fable, which pairs reading lists, goals and streaks with virtual book clubs and personalized recommendations.
XLE & Oil
Oil Prices Dip but Hold Above $100 as Middle East Supply Threats Mount
Oil started the week slightly lower but stayed above $100, with WTI around $101 and Brent around $114 at writing, after Brent topped $116 last week. Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities over the weekend and a record number of tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz this month keep supply fears high; both benchmarks were under $60 at the end of 2025.
Trump Says “We’re Making A Freaking Fortune” From The Iran War’s Oil Spike. Here’s What The Economic Data Actually Show
Trump told a Georgia rally the U.S. is "making a freaking fortune" from the Iran war's oil price spike. EIA data back part of the claim: U.S. crude and fuel exports hit a record 13.6 million barrels a day in April, up 15% from March. The article looks at what happened to those records by summer and who actually keeps the windfall.
Energy Department Authorizes Strategic Petroleum Reserve Exchange to Support Fuel Supply Stability
The Energy Department authorized an emergency exchange of up to 400,000 barrels of Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude to cover a supply disruption at Phillips 66's Lake Charles refinery in Louisiana. The oil will be returned with additional premium barrels, which DOE says will replenish the SPR at no cost to taxpayers.
Saudi Arabia Turns to Singapore for Oil Storage
Saudi Arabia has agreed to store crude in Singapore's Jurong Rock Caverns, which hold about 9 million barrels, with deliveries starting in the second half of next year, Bloomberg reported. The deal follows weekend Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure, and Aramco is seeking more storage abroad as war in the Gulf and Red Sea disrupts its exports.
India's Stock Market Feels the Heat From High Oil Prices
Indian stocks started the week lower as Brent topped $114, with the Sensex down 0.46% and Nifty 50 down 0.5% and 12 of 16 sectors in the red, Reuters reported. India, the world's third-largest crude importer, raised Middle East crude imports to 2.8 million barrels a day in September, 54% of its total.
Energy Department Designates Helium as Critical Material to Strengthen American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Security
Energy Secretary Chris Wright designated helium a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, citing its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced energy technologies. DOE says the move aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
European shares hold as markets weigh Iran diplomacy, await c.banks
European shares edged up Monday as crude eased about 1% on reports that Qatari mediators were in Tehran working with Washington to calm regional tensions. Brent jumped 6.2% last week to its highest weekly settlement since mid-2022 after Houthi strikes on Saudi energy sites. BP and Shell, which report earnings this week, weighed on London's FTSE.
MISO selects consortium of Ameren, GridLiance, Dairyland to deliver foundational energy grid project in Iowa
MISO picked a consortium of Ameren's ATXI, NextEra's GridLiance Heartland and Dairyland Power Cooperative to build and run the EASL transmission project in Iowa. The line is a foundational piece of a new 765-kilovolt backbone for the Midwest grid.
Kazakhstan and Guyana Join International Coalition Calling for Delay of EU Methane Regulation
Kazakhstan and Guyana joined Algeria, Nigeria, Qatar and the U.S. in urging the EU to delay and revise its Methane Regulation, which the coalition says creates unnecessary barriers to energy exports into Europe, the Energy Department said. DOE welcomed the European Parliament's move toward a three-year delay.
UK Seen More Reliant on Gas Imports This Winter
Britain will lean even more on gas imports this winter as North Sea output, about a third of winter demand, falls about 5%, National Gas Transmission said. LNG imports are set to rise 5%, and the operator warned strong European demand could push prices up.
Germany Wants to Stop More Oil Refinery Closures
Germany says it will try to stop further oil refinery closures, warning that losing refineries hurts not just fuel supply but the country's chemicals industry. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche made the case after meeting oil executives in Berlin, as Europe's dependence on imported diesel and jet fuel is exposed by supply shocks.
Chevron targets Argentina shale growth as Vaca Muerta competes for global investment
Chevron plans to expand drilling in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale, going from one to three rigs at its El Trapial block by early 2029, as it weighs a proposed $13.8 billion, 30-year investment that needs government approval. The company aims to triple its Argentine output to about 195,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day by 2035.
Chainlink
Future of Value: When Money Becomes Intelligent | Microsoft, Parallax Ventures, & Chainlink at Sibos
At Sibos 2026, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov joined Microsoft's head of agentic AI for finance, Martin Moeller, and Parallax Ventures' Azor Barros to discuss AI's growing role in payments. The panel looked at how AI integration could reshape the global financial system.
LG CNS Partners With Chainlink To Advance Korea’s Digital Asset Market
LG CNS, the technology arm of South Korea's LG Group, has partnered with Chainlink to help build Korea's $70 billion digital asset market with Chainlink oracle services. LG CNS leads the Bank of Korea's Project Hangang digital currency platform and aims to develop regulated solutions and technical standards.
Chainlink reports $15B in CCIP migrations as LINK price nears $12
Chainlink's Q3 review says more than $15 billion in token value has migrated to its cross-chain infrastructure in 2026, and that it has enabled over $36 trillion in cumulative transaction value. CCIP 2.0 added new security, compliance and settlement controls, while LINK traded near $12.24 on Oct. 22 with bearish momentum.
Why Chainlink CCIP 2.0 Is the Standard for Global Finance | Sergey Nazarov
In a new video, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov explains why security, reliability and institutional-grade features matter for cross-chain interoperability. He argues CCIP 2.0 provides the infrastructure to move tokenized assets securely across blockchains for global finance.
Archax Turns To Chainlink Data Streams For Tokenised Treasury Collateral
Archax has adopted Chainlink Data Streams to supply pricing data for GOVY, its continuously rolling tokenised U.S. Treasury product. The regulated platform wants the data to support lending, treasury management and other on-chain collateral uses.
Tokenization at Scale: Building the Next Era of Global Markets | DTCC & Chainlink at Sibos 2026
DTCC Digital Assets head Nadine Chakar joined Sergey Nazarov at Sibos 2026 to discuss bringing tokenization to market scale. They covered DTCC's Collateral AppChain, 24/7 collateral management, interoperability and the infrastructure linking traditional markets with blockchains.
Chainlink’s McCormick: Blockchain Benefits Institutional And Retail Investors
Andrew McCormick, Chainlink Labs' head of institutional and market development, told the Thinking Crypto podcast that Chainlink is "the connection between blockchains and the real world." He discussed how institutions use Chainlink to tokenize assets and the Sibos launch of CCIP 2.0 with partners including Fidelity International, AWS and Google Cloud.
Chainlink, Cardano, other blockchain groups push SEC for clearer crypto rules
Six blockchain organizations, including Chainlink Labs, the Cardano Foundation, Hedera, Aptos Labs, Ava Labs and the Stellar Development Foundation, urged the SEC to formally recognize digital commodities as non-securities. Their joint Oct. 20 letter came as the agency's comment period on proposed crypto rules closed.
OpenZeppelin Partners With Chainlink To Advance Institutional Onchain Finance
OpenZeppelin has partnered with Chainlink, integrating CCIP and the Automated Compliance Engine into its developer tools so cross-chain functions and programmable compliance can be built into token workflows. OpenZeppelin also set up a migration path from its Defender platform to the Chainlink Runtime Environment.
Chainlink Partnership Targets Institutional Tokenization in Japan
Japan's Pacific Meta partnered with Chainlink Labs, adopting CCIP as its preferred interoperability solution and listing Chainlink ACE on its marketplace for Japanese institutions. Blockonomi notes no launch customers or timeline were named, and LINK traded around $12.30 that day.
Pacific Meta Partners With Chainlink, Selects CCIP As Preferred Cross-Chain Solution
Tokyo-based Pacific Meta has signed a strategic partnership with Chainlink Labs and chosen CCIP as its preferred cross-chain solution. The company, which has supported over 300 projects in 41 countries, aims to help Japanese financial institutions adopt tokenized assets, onchain identity and compliance tools.
Chainlink Data Standard Connects Stellar’s $4B+ RWA Ecosystem To DeFi
Chainlink Data Feeds and Data Streams are now live on Stellar, letting developers connect Stellar's $4 billion-plus real-world asset ecosystem to DeFi. The data can power lending markets, prediction markets, perpetual futures and other apps.
Patriots
After Further Review: Drake Maye film breakdown, defense review and quick-hit film notes from Week 7 loss to the Bears
Patriots.com's film review says the undermanned Patriots fought hard on a short week but their stars needed to elevate a depleted roster in the 30-24 loss in Chicago. It breaks down Drake Maye's performance, the defense and quick-hit film notes.
Patriots get a harsh reminder that they mistakenly passed on Luther Burden
Musket Fire argues the Patriots erred by passing on Bears receiver Luther Burden III, who caught four passes for 130 yards and a touchdown against a depleted New England defense in Week 7. The column credits the last two Patriots draft classes overall but says TreVeyon Henderson's struggles invite second-guessing.
Game Observations: 8 takeaways from the Patriots loss to the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 7
The Patriots fell 30-24 to the Bears on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Chicago out-snapped New England 66-50, forced 16 missed tackles and piled up yards after contact as Caleb Williams outdueled Drake Maye.
Sunday Patriots Notes: Rookie class making an early impact
After a 30-24 Thursday night loss to the Bears, Pats Pulpit's Sunday notes look at a rookie class that has been leaned on more than expected. New England's rookies have played the league's second-most special teams snaps, and first-round tackle Caleb Lomu has impressed in 160 offensive snaps as an injury fill-in and jumbo tight end.
Injuries will force Patriots to make roster-defining decisions the rest of 2026 season
More than 20 Patriots players have spent time on injured reserve since the offseason, with WR Romeo Doubs and OL Alijah Vera-Tucker the latest, Musket Fire writes. The losses have hit Drake Maye's offensive line and receiver room hardest, and with limited IR return slots left, New England faces roster-defining decisions in the second half.
New England Patriots Postgame Quotes 10/22
Mike Vrabel said after the loss to Chicago that "the tackling wasn't good enough, not against this team," pointing to playmakers like D'Andre Swift and Luther Burden III. He said the Patriots need to force turnovers and tackle better but liked how they competed.
Patriots' loss to Bears exposed an offensive problem Drake Maye can't keep hiding
The Patriots lost 30-24 to the Bears, and Musket Fire argues the game exposed a problem Drake Maye can't cover up: his late interception toward the end zone cost a key scoring chance, and the run game produced almost nothing. Maye led the team with 26 rushing yards while three running backs combined for 44, and the defense gave up 116 on the ground.
Split decision: Caleb Williams outperforms Drake Maye in Bears' win over Pats
NBC Sports Boston's crew gave Caleb Williams the edge over Drake Maye in the Bears' 30-24 win, saying the quarterback who won and didn't turn it over takes it "by decision." Phil Perry said Maye, last year's MVP runner-up, played well aside from one mistake, repeatedly escaping Chicago's blitzes.
Breaking Down the Patriots Performances vs. the Jets & Bears | Patriots This Week
On Patriots This Week, Bob Socci and Scott Zolak react to the Thursday night loss to the Bears. Mike Dussault joins them to look back at the earlier win over the Jets.
Rust or real concern? Why A.J. Brown's Patriots start is so baffling
A.J. Brown has nine catches on 20 targets for 101 yards and no touchdowns in parts of three games with the Patriots after a high-ankle sprain sidelined him. Chowder and Champions says drops and poor separation are worrying but it's too early to give up on him.
Forged in Foxborough Episode 4: The Answer | New England Patriots
Episode 4 of the Patriots' behind-the-scenes series Forged in Foxborough follows how the team responded to early-season adversity, including a breakthrough in Buffalo. It also celebrates the Super Bowl XXXVI team that started the dynasty 25 years ago.
Patriots should seriously consider blockbuster Quenton Nelson trade
With both starting guards out, Mike Onwenu for the year and Alijah Vera-Tucker with a hamstring injury, Chowder and Champions argues the Patriots should go hard after Colts guard Quenton Nelson before the trade deadline. The 30-year-old could start at left guard and shift to the right side once Vera-Tucker returns.
Movies
‘Clayface’ Tops the Box Office with $24 Million. What Does It Signal About DC Studios’ Latest Reboot?
DC Studios' body-horror film "Clayface" opened to $24 million, topping the box office but landing slightly below the $25-30 million projections. IndieWire calls it a middling but not bad result for a niche character, helped by a lower budget than most comic-book films, and it held off A24's "You Can See Everything," which earned $19.5 million in its second weekend.
Marvel's New 'Blade' Reboot Is Officially in Trouble
Marvel's Blade keeps hitting trouble: Mahershala Ali confirmed this summer the MCU movie won't go ahead with him, blaming Marvel Studios. Now a new report suggests time is running out for Arkane Studios, the Dishonored developer making the Marvel's Blade video game, after Xbox's June layoffs and studio divestments.
Netflix Confirms New K-Pop Audition Series ‘We Go High’ and Opens Casting for Arts High School’s Brightest Stars
Netflix Korea announced We Go High, a K-pop girl group audition series set at an arts high school, and opened applications to first- and second-year students at arts and entertainment high schools, plus students entering them in 2027. Producers Park Jin-kyung and Lee Jae-seok of Monsterahaus will direct, and Netflix signed an agreement with SM C&C to support the group that forms.
Box Office: A24’s ‘You Can See Everything’ Scores Huge $19.5 Million Second Weekend
A24's Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything earned $19.5 million in its second weekend, up 25% from its $15.6 million opening. The rise came as it expanded from 855 to 2,655 theaters, IndieWire reports.
Sci-Fi Writer Andy Weir Has A Fascinating Idea For A Star Trek And Star Wars Crossover
"The Martian" and "Project Hail Mary" author Andy Weir told Inverse how he'd cross over Star Trek and Star Wars, laying out where it could fit in each franchise's timeline. He also said he has pitched a Star Trek series but wouldn't discuss it in hopes it gets made.
Sam Raimi’s R-Rated Horror Nightmare Is Officially Back From the Dead on HBO Max
Evil Dead Burn, the latest film in Sam Raimi's R-rated horror franchise, is now streaming on HBO Max just ahead of Halloween. It follows Alice Price (Souheila Yacoub), a woman trapped in an abusive marriage whose husband suddenly dies.
Why Akuma From Street Fighter (2026) Looks So Familiar
In Paramount and Legendary's new Street Fighter movie, the heavily made-up villain Akuma, revealed in the third act, is played by WWE star Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa'i). David Dastmalchian plays the main villain, M. Bison.
Sandra Hüller Joins Avengers: Doomsday In Mystery Cameo Role
Sandra Hüller has joined "Avengers: Doomsday" in a mystery cameo, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Oscar nominee has had a huge 2026, with roles in "Project Hail Mary," "Rose," "Fatherland" and "Digger."
New Alien Movie In The Works From Raised By Wolves Writer Aaron Guzikowski
Aaron Guzikowski, creator of "Raised by Wolves" and writer of "Prisoners," has been hired to write a new Alien movie at 20th Century Studios, THR reports. Empire notes Ridley Scott said in August he still wants to make a final Alien prequel centered on Michael Fassbender's David.
Wicker First Reviews: Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård Shine In A Quirky, Sexy Romance
First reviews of "Wicker," based on Ursula Wills-Jones's short story "The Wicker Husband," praise Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård in a raunchy romantasy comedy. Critics say the 105-minute film's script and pacing wear thin at points.
Chicago International Film Festival brings world cinema to the Windy City
NPR's Marc Rivers reports from the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival, the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. He travels the city by L train to sample its world cinema lineup.
'Possible Love' offers four of the best performances you'll see all year
NPR's critic calls Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," his first film in eight years since "Burning," home to four of the year's best performances. The film was inspired by a 2009 strike at a Korean car factory that laid off a third of its workers.
Lorcana & SWU
Disney Lorcana TCG Set Release Notes: Hyperia City
Disney Lorcana's official release notes for Hyperia City explain the set's rules changes, new mechanics and the reasoning behind them. Ravensburger points players to the Comprehensive Rules and the Lorcana Companion app for more detail.
Star Wars: Unlimited | Iconic Musings
Star Wars: Unlimited designer Tyler Parrott previews memorable cards from Icons, a smaller set with all-new rare and legendary units. He says 20 reprints in the set get new art, a detail he added to make the set more fun to collect.
Disney Lorcana TCG Products from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Now Available Online
Ravensburger will sell the 2026 D23 Collection and the Winnie the Pooh Hunny Wizard foil playmat online through a random-draw system. Fans can enter from 9 a.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 31, to 9 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1, by signing up for an EQL account.
Review: Star Wars Unlimited: Homeworlds Spotlight Decks
Card Gamer reviews the two pre-built Spotlight Decks for Star Wars: Unlimited's ninth set, Homeworlds: Chewbacca and Tarkin. Each box has 50 cards, a base, a leader, tokens and a Homeworlds booster, and the Tarkin leader deploys as the Death Star itself.
A Coco Themed Deck
Disney Lorcana's official site shares a Coco-themed deck for Hyperia City built around Héctor, Miguel and singer synergies. It pairs Ancestral Guitar with Ernesto de la Cruz – Ruthless Musician to turn any character into a Singer the villain can banish.
Star Wars Unlimited – Homeworlds’ PreCon Decks are Lethal In Their Own Ways
Big Boss Battle reviews the two Homeworlds pre-constructed decks for Star Wars Unlimited, built around Grand Moff Tarkin and Chewbacca. Each includes a leader, base, tokens, a 50-card deck and a booster pack, and they win in very different ways.
TIMELESS TALES AND TOTALLY-ROCKIN’ TUNES
The Curator's Collection: Beauty and the Beast Edition and the I2I foil playmat went on sale Oct. 16 at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, World of Disney in Disneyland Paris and DisneyStore.co.uk. The collection reimagines characters from the tale as Lorcana glimmers.
First Cards for Star Wars Unlimited’s Icons 2027 Edition Revealed
The first cards for Star Wars Unlimited's Icons 2027 Edition have been revealed, just after Homeworlds launched. Icons is designed to ease new and returning players in, with a starter box and boosters that skip overly complex cards.
Review: "Disney Lorcana: Hyperia City" Prerelease Box Brings New Mechanics and More Fantastic Art to the TCG
Laughing Place reviews the Disney Lorcana Hyperia City Prerelease Box, the third such box after Wilds Unknown and Attack of the Vine. The set takes the game to a metropolis named for the Disney brothers' Hyperion Studio, with new mechanics and art.
Starting Out with Star Wars: Unlimited Icons, Available November 20th
Fantasy Flight Games explains how new players should start with Star Wars: Unlimited Icons 2027, a smaller set of fan-favorite characters arriving Nov. 20. Its cards are designed to match standard sets in power, making it a re-entry point for returning players too.
Disney Lorcana reveals Illustrious new Evil Queen and an Iconic Cinderella for Hyperia City
Ravensburger revealed the second Illustrious rare for 2027's Into the Inkdark: a reprint of The Evil Queen, Commanding Presence, limited to 23 serial-numbered copies. Illustrious rares will only come in Collector Booster packs debuting in February 2027, six per set.
Star Wars: Unlimited – Icons 2027 Starter Box Playthrough
Fantasy Flight Games' new video walks through the Star Wars: Unlimited Icons 2027 Edition starter box, out Nov. 20, showing how the decks are set up and playing a few hands. Host Jack Broomell is joined by senior designer Danny Schaerfer and game designer John Leo, pitching the box as an easy way to teach new players.
Faith
International meeting for peace in Assisi: More than words, concrete action
Forty years after Pope John Paul II's first Spirit of Assisi gathering, the International Meeting for Peace opened in Assisi on Oct. 25 under the theme "Unarmed and Disarming Peace," inspired by Pope Leo XIV's 2026 World Day of Peace message. Speaker Hala AlKarib urged attention to Sudan, where more than 250,000 civilians have been killed in four years of war.
DHS says Christian blogger Samuel Sey, arrested by ICE, will be deported
DHS says conservative Christian blogger and podcaster Samuel Sey, arrested by ICE at Columbus's airport on Oct. 21, accepted voluntary departure and will be deported. The agency says the Ghana-born, Canada-raised Sey overstayed by four years; supporters, including several well-known conservative influencers, say a clerical error led to his arrest.
Rwanda: Reconciliation is a continuing journey to healing, unity, and national renewal
Bishop Papias Musengamana of Byumba, Rwanda, told Agenzia Fides that reconciliation after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi is an ongoing process, not a single event. The Church is helping former prisoners nearing the end of their sentences return to society, while also focusing on youth, families and education.
Serbia's Vučić concedes election to student movement that drew evangelical support
Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić, who has led the country since 2014, conceded snap parliamentary elections to the student-led anti-corruption Student List, which he said would win 135 to 140 of 250 seats. The movement grew out of protests over a deadly canopy collapse at the railway station in Novi Sad, and pastors and students from Serbia's small evangelical community joined in. Turnout was close to 70%, the highest since 1992.
Franklin Graham extols Republican values
Franklin Graham, head of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted twice in a week urging Christians to vote Republican in the midterms. His posts contrasted the parties on borders, voter ID, benefits for noncitizens and gender care, telling readers to "look prayerfully" at what each stands for.
Exploring the Depth and Breadth of the Westminster Confession
byFaith reviews a new Crossway volume, "The Westminster Confession of Faith: A Comprehensive Commentary on its History, Theology, and Application," written by 22 authors. The reviewer praises it as sound and clearly written, with each chapter opening with historical and theological background, and says it is less technical than A.A. Hodge's classic 1869 commentary.
Christian mother of 5 falsely imprisoned for over a year receives freedom award
Rhoda Jatau, a Christian mother of five from Nigeria who spent more than 19 months in jail on a blasphemy charge before being acquitted, received the First Step Forum's Shahbaz Bhatti Freedom Award on Friday. She was nominated by ADF International. The award honors Bhatti, a Christian Pakistani lawmaker assassinated in 2011 for opposing his country's blasphemy laws.
Grand v. City of University Heights
The ERLC outlines Grand v. City of University Heights, a Supreme Court case on whether an Orthodox Jewish man can challenge city threats that stopped him from hosting a Sabbath prayer group at home before finishing a zoning process. Oral arguments are set for Dec. 9.
Shane Winnings Warns Liberty University Crowd That America Must ‘Turn Back to God’ or Face Judgment
Promise Keepers CEO Shane Winnings told Liberty University's Freedom Uncensored event that America must return to its Christian foundations or face judgment. He criticized progressivism as "an evil ideology" and urged believers to take responsibility for the nation's future.
Polk v. Montgomery County Public Schools
The ERLC explains Polk v. Montgomery County Public Schools, a case asking the Supreme Court to decide whether a school can require a Christian substitute teacher to use students' preferred pronouns and keep gender identity from parents. The case is pending review.
Erika Kirk Surprised With Honorary Doctorate From Liberty University During Freedom Uncensored Event
Liberty University surprised Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree on Oct. 23 at its Freedom Uncensored event. President Dondi Costin presented the degree after Kirk's Q&A.
When Justice and Mercy Seem to Collide, What Does Scripture Ask of Us?
A Christian Headlines commentary uses the failed Sept. 30 execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee, where she survived two doses of pentobarbital, to ask how Christians should weigh justice and mercy. It argues believers can support accountability while rejecting vengeance and dehumanization, remembering both victims and that offenders bear God's image.
Christian Metal
News: Burn Eternal reunites KSE’s Howard Jones and Adam Dutkiewicz
Former Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones and guitarist-producer Adam Dutkiewicz have reunited in a new band, Burn Eternal, and signed with Metal Blade Records, with new music coming soon. The pair were behind Killswitch's 2002-2012 era, including the Grammy-nominated The End of Heartache and the platinum As Daylight Dies.
What Lies Below - Return To Nothing (Official Music Video)
Solid State Records welcomed What Lies Below to its roster with the official video for "Return to Nothing." The song's lyrics call listeners out of grief and burden to reclaim the light they lost.
News: Set For The Fall release looking to be explosive
North Carolina hard rock band Set For The Fall has released I Said What I Said, its third album and first full-length in over seven years, via Vere Music. Opener "Product of Pressure," featuring TJ Harris of Decyfer Down, landed on several Apple Music rock, metal and Christian playlists, and the title track is climbing Spotify's Top Christian Rock chart.
SAVE US - No Holding Back
SAVE US released a video for "No Holding Back" from its Solid State album "Death to Something," out now. The song urges a hurting friend to pour everything out instead of staying silent.
News: Devin Williams unleashes ‘Conquer the World Live’
Christian rocker and worship leader Devin Williams released a live album, Conquer the World Live, on Oct. 23, along with a live video for "Every Eye." It follows his "Be Glorified" video, which passed 100,000 YouTube views in its first month.
Skillet - Grave Stomper (Official Visualizer)
Skillet released an official visualizer for "Grave Stomper," written by John Cooper and produced by Korey Cooper. The animated video was directed by Jose Lun.
Howard Gripp Honors His Mother's Faith And Influence With New Single "When I Was A Kid"
Christian Americana rocker Howard Gripp released "When I Was A Kid," featuring Benjy Gaither, on NRT Music, a song about the faith his choir-singing mother passed on to him. Co-written with Billy Smiley, it traces how he drifted from faith through rock bands and hard years before returning.
Mr. Weaverface Surpasses 1 Million Lifetime Streams On Spotify
Independent Christian rock artist Mr. Weaverface passed 1 million lifetime Spotify streams, plus 250,000 more across Apple Music and Amazon Music. Influenced by '90s alternative bands like Foo Fighters and Stone Temple Pilots, he says most of his songs are testimonies about spiritual battles and deliverance.
Shaky Knees Festival 2026
HM Magazine covers Atlanta's sold-out Shaky Knees Festival, back in Piedmont Park for its 13th year. The three-day lineup spanned indie rock, punk, metal and hip-hop, headlined by The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots and Gorillaz, though Saturday was interrupted by a severe-weather evacuation.
Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 5 up for Preview and Listening Party Part 2 October 11th
Indie Vision Music's compilation "Fighting From the Ground Up Vol. 5" was set for a free/name-your-price release on Bandcamp on Oct. 23, after preorder listening parties. Preorders gave early access to some songs.
Have You Heard of He Is Mighty?
He Is Mighty, a new Christian metal band from Arvada, Colorado, released a three-song EP, "The Grass Withers, The Flower Fades, But The Word Of Our God Shall Stand Forever," in September. Indie Vision Music praises its mix of clean and harsh vocals.
Splitcast - Art Official (Official Song Stream Video)
Indie Vision Music released a song stream video for Splitcast's new track "Art Official." The song opens the label's compilation "Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 5," released Oct. 23 on Bandcamp as a name-your-price download.
Chris Voss
How Tactical Empathy Will Change Your Life- Justus Parmar & Chris Voss
Fortuna Investments founder Justus Parmar tells former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss how the Black Swan Method changed his negotiating. He now starts by understanding what the other side wants, and says tactical empathy helps him build trust and protect long-term relationships.