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Nikki Pindor loves partying at UMiami and can’t take her eyes off the internet

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October 23, 2025

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Nikki Pindor loves partying at UMiami and can’t take her eyes off the internet

She goes out to nightly clubs with $20,000 bottle service, yachts on Miami’s Biscayne Bay, and parties in mansions.

Many college freshmen post pictures of themselves partying, but the internet is obsessed with Nikki Pindor.

The University of Miami freshman only started posting TikTok videos two months ago, but has amassed 289,000 followers and more than 46 million video views. “GRWM (get ready with me) for morning classes at the University of Miami after 7 straight nights out,” one video reads. “Spend your Saturday night together in Miami, featuring artist events, $20,000 club tables, and oceanfront mansions,” she wrote over another clip set to Lil Jon’s “Drink.”

But unlike her party-mates, she remains sober.

“You don’t need alcohol to feel good,” says Pindor. “People are… dancing and having fun. It’s not hard to just join in.”

Gen Z is drinking less alcohol and having sex less often. Research shows that while these are positive, they are also indicators that some Gen Z members are socially isolated. But Pindor and creators like her push back against the idea that today’s young people are less sociable than previous generations, and that TikTok’s algorithms are being used to monetize their parties.

Gen Z is less filtered than past generations

Pindor’s secret to fame is that her content is unfiltered. While many college students make headlines for their elaborate game-day outfits, decorated luxury apartments, and brand-name trips, Pindor’s video is refreshingly graphic.

While she’s shown partying in mansions and yachts, she also shares how she gets free dinners “as a villain with no trust fund.” She doesn’t have a ring light. She jokes that her blonde hair is dry and growing, but most of the makeup products featured in her videos can be found at CVS.

“I literally get out of bed, set up my phone, and just record,” Pindor says. “Even if I’m bare-faced and my hair is messy and I just woke up, I’ll post it because I know people will relate to it.”

In one video, she pans across a dormitory, showing sandals strewn on the floor, clothes hanging from the ceiling to dry, misorganized cosmetics, and the harsh fluorescent lights and stark white walls of the room.

Platforms like YouTube and TikTok have changed the way young people share their lives. And while Instagram’s standard is a more sophisticated aesthetic, TikTok’s trend-driven community has a more casual feel, prioritizing user engagement and creating a fertile environment for personal moments to go viral.

Best-selling author Ryan Jenkins, who has written extensively about Gen Z and Millennials, previously told USA TODAY that for better or worse, social media has given Gen Z “a platform to have their voices heard and speak up from day one.” He said technology has in many ways given Gen Z “overstimulation” that other generations haven’t had to deal with.

“Our generation as a whole is becoming more unserious,” Pindor says.

For some viewers, there’s an element of nostalgia in watching Pindor prepare for a Thirsty Thursday or drag himself to an 8 a.m. class.

One user commented, “As a 34-year-old retired girl, please continue to live your best life like a young girl!!” “I’m watching your videos as a 31-year-old mother raising a toddler. Your videos remind me so fondly of when I was a student,” said another.

Pindor hopes her content will help inspire young people to have fun and go out and meet people. She says the atmosphere of a bar or club, with music playing and people dancing, is a more relaxed social environment than a classroom.

“I’m literally just going out to dance and make new friends,” Pindor said. “It makes it easier to interact with people and really make connections.”

Rachel Hale’s role covering youth mental health for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Contact X at rhale@usatoday.com and @rachelleighhale.

Vance, Trump aides rush to Israel to get Gaza ceasefire on track

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October 23, 2025

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Vance, Trump aides rush to Israel to get Gaza ceasefire on track

JERUSALEM – His vice president said this trip was not about babysitting. His top diplomat said the trip was simply aimed at making sure everything was “coming together” in the right direction. The son-in-law said the aim was to “complete the mission” and “resolve everyone’s concerns.”

Just over a week after his personal visit to the Middle East to oversee the signing of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, US President Donald Trump has rushed key aides and officials to Israel to ensure the fragile ceasefire is on track and moves into a second phase, which is expected to be more difficult.

“It’s not surveillance in the sense of surveillance of young children,” Vice President J.D. Vance said after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on October 22. “This is oversight in the sense that there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of good people doing the work, and it is important that administrative principals continue to make sure that staff are doing what we are asking them to do.”

Mr. Vance will conclude his three-day visit to Israel on October 23, the same day that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Israel. Netanyahu’s office said Rubio will meet with Israeli leaders the next day. Before leaving for Israel, Rubio told reporters that it was important that senior U.S. officials be on the ground in Israel from time to time because the ceasefire’s multiple phases pose “challenges.”

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are also visiting Israel this week as part of efforts to preserve the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, which is less than two weeks old.

On October 22, Kushner visited Israel’s new civilian-military coordination center near the Gaza border, which is controlled by about 200 U.S. troops, and said: “Both sides are transitioning from two years of very intense war to a peacetime posture.” The center will be used by U.S. and international officials to coordinate with aid groups to prevent military-related explosions from spiraling into escalation.

If Gaza eventually stabilizes, foreign forces could replace Israeli forces in Gaza as part of the international security force. There are no plans for U.S. troops to be deployed to Gaza, but the center will help manage the force.

President Trump deploys “bivisitters”

The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement has largely remained in place, but sporadic fighting has broken out since the deal was signed, leaving two Israeli soldiers and more than 40 Palestinians dead. In the first phase of the agreement, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has also so far returned the bodies of at least 15 deceased hostages to Israel. There are about a dozen left. Israel has returned the bodies of more than 150 Palestinians to Gaza.

When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Subsequent Israeli military attacks in Gaza killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The second phase of the agreement focuses on more thorny issues, including Israel’s insistence on the complete disarmament of Hamas and which groups should be allowed to exercise post-war authority over Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a non-contiguous Palestinian territory, will be allowed to play such a role.

A deal brokered by the White House calls for more than a dozen bipartisan technocrats to take temporary control of Gaza, but the agreement does not provide details on when that would happen.

There are also concerns that Prime Minister Netanyahu may try to pull out of the nuclear deal sooner rather than later, which is why President Trump has flooded Israel with high-level visits from Vance, Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner, according to Israeli media reports. This is to prevent Prime Minister Netanyahu from renewing his all-out attack on Hamas.

In recent days, multiple U.S. media outlets have noted that Israeli news outlets have been referring to the U.S. contingent as “Bibi-sitters,” after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nickname “Bibi.” The term “bibi-sitter” was coined by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself in reference to a 2015 campaign ad that characterized his credibility. According to CNN, U.S. officials also referred to the visit as “bivisiting.”

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Still, Vance appears to have been aware of the views of a significant number of American officials appearing in Israel shortly after President Trump’s visit. “We don’t want to be a vassal state. That’s not what Israel is,” he said in response to a question from an Israeli journalist after his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We don’t want a vassal state. That’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership,” he said.

Mr. Vance also seems bullish about the long-term prospects of a ceasefire. “This will require oversight, and it will take a lot of effort,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. But I’m optimistic.”

Business education needs more (and better) ethics training

Economy

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October 23, 2025

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Business education needs more (and better) ethics training

Teams commit when they know their leaders value transparency over expediency. In short, ethics pays off.

Gordon McLaughlin and Frank Sasso
|Opinion contributor

When we were selected as the first batch of William G. McGowan Fellows, neither of us fully understood the path ahead. At the time, we thought we had indeed won a scholarship. What we got in return was a lifelong reminder that leadership is not just about results. It’s about values.

The McGowan Fellows Program is unique in that it does not simply recognize academic excellence. Each colleague is required to confront how decisions are made in business, especially in the gray areas where “legal” and “ethical” do not align.

But for us, it was an early nudge to ask, “Are you comfortable standing up in front of your colleagues and defending this choice?” If the answer was no, I knew I had to take a different path.

Ethical business leaders are needed now more than ever

This kind of grounding feels more urgent than ever. According to the recent State of Moral Leadership in Business report, 95% of employees believe moral leadership is more important than ever, but respondents said only 9% of CEOs and 11% of managers consistently adhere to the highest moral standards.

The result is a growing crisis of trust.

Gallup also reports that only 21% of employees are engaged at work, with the main reason being a lack of engaged managers to supervise employees.

And customers are voting with their wallets, too. The latest Edelman Trust Barometer shows that 63% of global consumers buy from or support brands based on their beliefs and values.

For business education, our future leadership pipeline, now is the time to close the values-based leadership gap.

In our experience, ethics and values-based leadership is often a single elective course in college. With the increasing demand for principled decision-making, MBA programs have a great opportunity to advance the integration of ethics into their curriculum and weave it into their culture.

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When we first convened as McGowan Fellows, we were not given a blueprint. The challenge for us is to decide how we can make an impact. Our group has developed an ethical leadership curriculum.

Ethical leadership should be seen as a cost

Today, the experiential learning we shared and the values embedded in our curriculum brought us together as business partners. And that work, born from the first McGowan cohort of 10 students across the country, continues to influence young leaders today. This proves that values-based education leads to tangible results, not just lip service.

However, this work cannot be left in a corner. If today’s organizations want resilient and innovative leaders, they must invest in embedding ethics at the heart of their training and coaching.

Consider the cost of inaction. Corporate scandals can destroy billions of dollars in market value, and reputational damage is nearly impossible to recover. Warren Buffett famously said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation, but five minutes to ruin it.”

Our career since McGowan has only reinforced this lesson. Ethical leadership is not a cost. That’s a long-term benefit.

In a highly competitive and trust-based industry, stakeholders are mindful of integrity. This is one reason the McGowan Foundation established the Ethical Leader of the Year Award, which is given annually to one leader from a Fortune 500 company. Honorees are those who exemplify courage and accountability, principles that are directly related to revenue growth.

Teams commit when they know their leaders value transparency over expediency. In short, ethics pays off.

The call to action is clear. Business schools are well-positioned to meet that call and elevate ethical leadership from an elective to a required subject, from a single course to a defining philosophy.

Business ethics is a “bottom line” issue

Employers need to recognize that developing moral leaders is not a luxury, but a strategic imperative.

And like us, our graduates must lead by example that ethical decision-making is not only possible in business, but that it is powerful and profitable.

A few decades ago, very few MBA programs offered entrepreneurship. Today, everything is that way because the market demanded it.

What is needed now is a leader with an internal compass strong enough to guide the company through complexity and crisis. Higher education institutions and businesses can provide important solutions to bridge the gap between employee trust and public trust.

We believe the McGowan Fellows Model provides a path forward in developing experiential, values-based, and responsible leadership.

There is no shortage of intelligence or ambition in the business world. What we need now more than ever, and what the next generation has to offer, is courage rooted in ethics.

Gordon McLaughlin is an experienced investor and executive with 20 years’ experience spanning a wide range of operating businesses and real estate assets. He is a co-founder of Element8 Partners. Frank Sasso is the co-founder of Element8 Partners, a value-driven real estate investment firm with offices in New York, Columbus, Ohio, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Government Shutdown Day 23: Live Updates.

Politics

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October 23, 2025

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Government Shutdown Day 23: Live Updates.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held the Senate floor for more than 22 hours in protest of President Donald Trump and the government shutdown.

The government shutdown entered its 23rd day after marathon speeches on the Senate floor highlighted rising tensions as lawmakers wrestle with how to break an impasse that has disrupted government services, furloughed 750,000 federal workers and forced many more to work without pay.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held the Senate chamber for more than 22 hours to protest President Donald Trump and the government shutdown, less than the 25-hour, five-minute speech record set by Sen. Cory Booker earlier this year.

In his speech, Merkley criticized President Trump for planning a weekend trip to Asia that would see him leave the country for several days amid the government shutdown.

“He should absolutely sit down right now and talk to you about how to solve this problem for millions of Americans,” Merkley said, calling President Trump’s decision to fly across the world during the government shutdown “horrible.”

President Trump attacked Democrats earlier this week at a White House lunch with Senate Republicans, saying, “We will not be coerced by this crazy plot of theirs.”

The partisan battle over the government shutdown comes as federal workers are expected to not receive their first full paycheck by the end of this week and it is unclear whether the government will have the funds to pay military personnel their next paycheck on Oct. 31.

Democrats continue to insist on expanding health care costs — extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and restoring Medicaid benefits — as a condition for reopening the government. But Republicans say the government should be reopened before health care talks begin.

The Senate on Wednesday failed for the 12th time to approve a government funding bill passed by the House by Nov. 21. Several Democrats joined Republicans in earlier votes, but there was not enough bipartisan support to pass the 60-vote threshold to send the bill to Trump.

As lawmakers remain at an impasse over the government shutdown, some officials hope to pass a short-term funding bill that will reopen the government’s doors until late next year.

Rep. Jason Smith (R-Missouri), who also chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said Wednesday that some lawmakers are proposing a continuing resolution, or temporary spending bill, through December 2026.

“December 21, 2026 is what I’ve been hearing here as a proposal, as an opportunity for continued resolution,” Smith said in an interview on Bloomberg TV. “As you know, we’re operating on a one-year resolution from last year. We’re looking at what was appropriated when Biden was president.”

The Senate has repeatedly failed to approve House-passed bills that would fund the government until a Nov. 21 deadline, which is fast approaching. But a temporary funding bill lasting more than a year also has little chance of passing.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said it would be “irresponsible” to pass another short-term funding bill.

“It’s completely unnecessary and outrageous that members of Congress are proposing to hand over all spending authority to the administration and extend this whole thing for another year with a one-year continuance resolution,” Wasserman Schultz said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

The Department of Agriculture said in an Oct. 10 letter to state officials that if the shutdown continues, there will not be enough funds to pay out all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November.

“If current spending shortfalls continue, approximately 42 million Americans will not have the funds to pay their full November SNAP benefits,” the letter, signed by SNAP Development Director Sasha Gersten Perl, says.

While the closure continues with no end in sight, here are some important upcoming dates:

On Wednesday, the shutdown lasted 22 days, making it the second-longest period since the 1995-1996 Clinton administration, when it lasted 21 days. The longest funding lapse was 35 days in 2018-2019.
On Friday, federal workers will begin losing their first full paycheck. Workers received partial checks on October 10, and the administration transferred funds to pay the military on October 15. But more than $1.8 million in paychecks (scheduled to be paid Oct. 24, 28, or 30, depending on the agency) will be withheld from civilian workers, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
On November 1, open enrollment begins under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Premiums are expected to more than double unless the subsidy is extended, which is due to expire on December 31st. Most Senate Democrats have voted against reopening the government unless tax credits are extended, but Republicans say the government should reopen before health care negotiations.

For weeks, the Senate has repeatedly rejected a bill that would have reopened the government in the short term by Nov. 21. With less than a month until that day, Republicans are in a difficult position.

As the government shutdown drags on, Republican leaders in Congress will soon have to decide whether and by how much to extend that deadline.

Exactly how far in the future the new deadline should be scheduled will be a difficult question. Moderates would rather have a shorter funding patch to create a regular spending bill, while other moderates don’t want any more shutdown brinkmanship until early next year.

Despite the scheduling headaches, there is still no sign that the funding bill will pass unless Republicans and Democrats reach an agreement on health care.

Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income, retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, will continue during the government shutdown.

Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory expenditures by law and are therefore not affected by the expiration of appropriations. Payments will continue to be made regularly during the shutdown.

Social Security offices will remain open during the closure, but only some services will be available.

Demolition of the East Building, ‘two geniuses’ and Trump’s social controversy

USA

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October 23, 2025

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Demolition of the East Building, ‘two geniuses’ and Trump’s social controversy

As photos of the White House demolition began to circulate, critics expressed outrage that the country’s preeminent historic landmark was left destroyed.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump took to the podium in the East Room last week and spoke about the two men who advised him on a zoning permit for the White House ballroom he had long wanted.

At an Oct. 15 dinner ordered to thank private donors to the project, the 45th and 47th presidents of the United States described the pair as “two geniuses” who were “like movie stars.” President Trump recalled saying they could immediately begin the process on the project “near” the East Tower. No permits or reviews were required.

Trump, a second-generation real estate businessman, said he was familiar with the “brutal” process of getting zoning approvals, but he couldn’t believe that 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue could be moved so quickly.

“I said, ‘How long will it take?’ They said, ‘Sir, you can start tonight. There are zero zoning conditions. There are no approvals,'” Trump said. “I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ He said, ‘Sir, this is the White House.’ You’re the president of the United States. You can do whatever you want. ”

The White House did not respond to USA TODAY’s questions about their identities, but his faith in them may come back to haunt him. It’s already happening.

President Trump in July: “I will not touch the east building when constructing a banquet hall.”

When the White House first announced plans for the ballroom on July 31, President Trump told reporters that the 90,000-square-foot addition “will be built on the east side and it’s going to be beautiful.”

“You’ll have a view of the Washington Monument. It won’t be in the way of the current building,” he said. “It’s close, but it doesn’t touch it, and it has complete respect for the existing building. I’m the biggest fan of that.”

Less than three months later, bulldozers removed the entire East Wing of the White House. As President Trump originally described the project, the construction was no longer “near” the portion of the building that historically housed the first lady’s office.

Demolition was in full swing. The backlash was similar.

Hillary Clinton: “This isn’t his home. It’s your home.”

On October 21, as photos of the demolition site began to circulate, many voices, including former first lady Hillary Clinton, expressed outrage at the country’s prominent historic landmark being left destroyed.

Clinton posted a photo of the demolished facade on X with the caption: “This isn’t his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”

The National Trust for Historic Places has called on the government and the National Park Service to suspend demolition until the proposed ballroom plans “go through the legally mandated public review process, including consultation and review by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Fine Arts Commission.” Both committees have the authority to review new construction of the White House.

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, wrote in a letter to the NCPC, National Park Service and Fine Arts Commission that the organization recognizes the utility of a larger White House estate. But she said there are still concerns about the size of the building being added to.

Quillen wrote that the 90,000-square-foot new construction “would overwhelm the White House itself,” which is 55,000 square feet, adding that “(the addition) could permanently disrupt the White House’s carefully balanced classical design, with its two small, low-slung east and west wings.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pointed to the timing of the project, which broke ground on the 21st day of a government shutdown that has left hundreds of thousands of people working without pay.

“Oh, you mean to say the cost of living is going up?” Warren wrote to X. “Donald Trump can’t hear you over the sound of bulldozers tearing down the White House wing to make way for a new ballroom.”

President Trump said the sounds of construction sounded like music to his ears.

President Trump’s banquet hall begins with ‘no approval’

President Trump said he was advised that the project did not need to be reviewed.

But in a July 31 statement announcing the project, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said, “The President and the Trump White House are committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserve the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom for future administrations and generations of Americans to enjoy.”

Her comments stand in contrast to a congressional aide familiar with the process who told USA TODAY that no review has been submitted for approval by the Capitol Planning Commission, which provides construction and zoning advice to Washington, D.C., and approves various federal construction projects.

Asked for a response, a White House official told USA TODAY that the NCPC does not have jurisdiction over demolition, only construction. Therefore, officials said that no approval from NCPC is necessary or required for demolition.

As for construction, the White House will seek approval from the NCPC “soon”, a spokesperson told USA TODAY on Oct. 22.

Asked why the façade was demolished even though the president said construction of the banquet hall would not touch the east wing, the official said the scope and scale of the project was “subject to change at any time” depending on “the evolution of the process.”

“Tribute to the Man Known as Donald J. Trump”

Trump has floated the ballroom idea over the years and across multiple administrations. He also always said he would fund the project.

“I just toured the grounds of a new ballroom that will be built as a tribute to the man known as Donald J. Trump in the White House,” President Trump wrote on June 6. “For 150 years, many people, including presidents, have wanted beautiful ballrooms, but until now no one had the knowledge or experience to do something like that, so they were never built.”

But that plan also changed.

President Trump said that in the preceding months, many private donors had lined up to pay for the $250 million project.

At a dinner on October 15, President Trump announced that the project was fully funded. Donors included some of the nation’s largest companies, including those in the defense and technology industries that do business with the government.

These include Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Meta.

“Many of you have been really, really generous,” Trump told donors at the dinner. “Some people here have said $25 million is the right amount, and I said I’ll take it.”

While the president may not be using taxpayer funds for the project, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, criticized Trump’s timing amid the government shutdown.

“His priorities are absolutely ridiculous. He should be negotiating with Democrats every day until government is open and families are saved from financial ruin by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credit,” Murray said. “He’s focused on destroying history and building ballrooms while millions of families go uninsured.”

New Details About Ballroom Plans – Bulletproof Glass

President Trump has long said the East Room, the largest room in the White House, is too small to hold large gatherings. Official banquets are often moved to outdoor tents to accommodate guests.

“When it rains, it’s a disaster. And the tent is 100 yards away. That’s more than a football field from the front door,” he said on Oct. 15. “It’s not a pretty sight. The women are wearing nice evening dresses and their hair is all done, and by the time they get there it’s a mess.”

When President Trump recently paved the Rose Garden lawn, he said he was doing it for women who are known for getting their high heels stuck in the mud.

President Trump has been busy making renovations since entering the White House for his second term in January.

He decorated the Oval Office with gold, added a Walk of Fame exhibit featuring portraits of past presidents along the South Colonnade, and proposed building a new arch across from the Lincoln Memorial.

Regarding plans for the banquet hall, President Trump said the building’s glass would be bulletproof. It also has a seating capacity of 999 people, which is large enough for a “presidential inauguration,” he said.

And what is the target completion date? By January 2029, Trump’s second term in the White House will be over and he will become the 48th president of the United States.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.

Why does Mehta fire people while keeping them employed?

AI & Tech

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October 23, 2025

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Why does Mehta fire people while keeping them employed?

Reports have been circulating this week that Meta is cutting about 600 positions from its AI division, a move that seems contradictory given the company’s aggressive hiring efforts in recent months. This discrepancy raises important questions about Meta’s AI strategy and what it means for the broader technology industry.

For those following Meta AI’s layoffs, the timing is surprising. Meta is currently downsizing some of its AI workforce, just months after the company went on a highly publicized recruiting drive offering compensation packages reportedly up to hundreds of millions of dollars to attract top researchers from OpenAI, Google, and other competitors.

The numbers behind MetaAI’s headcount reductions

Axios reports that the layoffs will impact Meta’s FAIR’s AI research, product-related AI, which employs thousands of people, and the AI infrastructure division of the company’s Superintelligence Institute, which employs thousands of people. However, the newly established TBD Lab division will be spared the layoffs.

After the layoffs, Mehta’s Superintelligence Institute now has just under 3,000 employees, according to CNBC. The company is giving affected employees 16 weeks of severance pay, plus two weeks of vacation for every year of service, and encouraging them to apply for other positions at Meta.

Why is Meta making these reductions?

According to Axios, an internal memo from Meta’s chief AI officer, Alexander Wang, indicates that the restructuring is aimed at addressing what the company considers to be an overly bureaucratic structure. “Reducing team size reduces the conversations needed to make decisions, reduces the burden on each person, and allows them to have more reach and influence,” Wang wrote.

The inside story reveals deeper concerns. CEO Mark Zuckerberg became concerned several months ago that the company’s existing AI efforts weren’t leading to the breakthroughs and performance improvements it needed. This dissatisfaction is reportedly due to the lackluster response to Meta’s Rama 4 model, which was released in April.

The prevalence of expensive employment

To understand the current meta-AI downsizing, we need to look at what came before. In June 2025, Meta made a $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI and brought on board CEO Alexandr Wang as Meta’s first-ever chief AI officer.

The company then embarked on an aggressive talent acquisition campaign. Meta has hired several researchers from OpenAI, including Shengjia Zhao, Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, and Hongyu Ren. Meta reportedly poached more than 50 researchers from competitors, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed Meta was offering a “$100 million signing bonus.”

Zuckerberg said he is focused on “building the most elite and talent-packed team in the industry” for Meta’s new superintelligence lab. The company also hired high-profile executives, including former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and Safe Superintelligence co-founder Daniel Gross.

Then, unexpectedly, Meta suspended hiring for its AI department in August 2025, just weeks after a major hiring drive.

New Guard vs. Old Guard

What is particularly clear about these meta-AI layoffs is who is affected and who is not. CNBC said the layoffs did not affect TBD Labs employees, including many of the top AI hires brought to Meta this summer.

At Meta, the AI department was thought to be bloated, with teams like FAIR and product-oriented groups often competing for computing resources. This restructuring appears to be a calculated bet on new talent rather than a traditional team.

Time to frown

The timing of these cuts in MetaAI’s workforce is particularly noteworthy. Just one day before the layoffs were announced, Meta entered into a $27 billion loan agreement with Blue Owl Capital to finance its Hyperion data center in Louisiana.

This relationship is clear. Meta is investing tens of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure while simultaneously reducing its AI talent pool. This suggests that the company is not pulling back from AI, but rather redirecting resources to specific initiatives that seem more promising.

What this means for the AI industry

MetaAI’s layoffs could signal a broader shift in the tech industry’s approach to AI talent. This has led to questions in Silicon Valley about whether AI layoffs are beginning to surface just as the hype cycle is reaching its peak.

After months of frenzied hiring and astronomical compensation packages, Meta’s restructuring suggests that simply accumulating AI talent is not enough. The company appears to be learning that organizational structure, speed of decision-making, and team consistency are just as important as individual talent.

Dan Ives, a technology analyst at Wedbush Securities, said Meta is in “digestion mode” after spending money, while Futurum Group CEO Daniel Newman said the hiring freeze is “a natural resting point for Meta,” CNBC reported.

big picture

Despite the layoffs, Meta insists its commitment to AI is unwavering. The company continues to actively recruit and hire talent for its TBD Labs division, and Zuckerberg said Meta’s AI efforts will result in expense growth in 2026 that will exceed growth in 2025.

What we are witnessing is not a retreat from AI, but a strategic realignment. Meta is consolidating its AI efforts around a small, nimble core team led by Wang and made up of expensive talent acquisitions since the beginning of this year. The company is betting that its lean structure will deliver breakthroughs that larger, more established teams couldn’t achieve.

conclusion

There is nothing contradictory about reducing MetaAI’s workforce in parallel with continuing employment. This is a deliberate strategy. Meta is cutting out the old to make room for a new, streamlined bureaucracy, betting that its expensive new hires will succeed where its traditional team struggled.

It remains to be seen whether this gamble will pay off. The company is trying to cut organizational fat and create a startup within a giant company while protecting valuable new employees.

As Wang said in the memo, “This is a group of talented individuals, and we need their skills in other parts of the company.” Whether Meta can successfully redeploy this talent internally or join a competitor will be the next chapter in the ongoing AI talent war.

Meta’s approach reflects a broader truth about the AI industry. In other words, it’s not enough to just throw money and people at the problem. Success requires the right structure, the right strategy and, increasingly, the courage to make tough decisions about what and who to prioritize.

SEE ALSO: Zuckerberg outlines meta AI vision for ‘personal superintelligence’

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Cooper Flagg’s performance in his NBA debut was unimpressive, but that’s okay.

USA

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October 23, 2025

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Cooper Flagg’s performance in his NBA debut was unimpressive, but that’s okay.

Cooper Flagg’s “Welcome to the NBA Moment” wasn’t his first missed shot. The alley-oop attempt clattered off the rim and would have been the first points of the game.

It wasn’t the time for him to throw a pass to a fan in the front row because he thought one of his Dallas Mavericks teammates would be waiting.

Not even when he took the handoff and ultimately made his first career shot, a jumper from the top of the key.

It was early in the second quarter when he had possession of the ball on the left side. Guarding the flag was last year’s Rookie of the Year, Spurs guard Stephon Castle, an athletic and active defender.

Flagg attempted a lazy pass, but Castle deflected it, scooped it up and ran down the court for a transition layup. Rather than let the mistake go, Flagg made it worse by committing a foul on an and-1 chance.

It was proof that the standards here would be different.

The No. 1 overall selection’s long-awaited debut was eventful — Flagg didn’t score his first point until the first possession of the second half — but just as he did at Duke and as he did in the preseason, he did the little things that contributed to the win.

Although the Mavericks lost 125-92 to the San Antonio Spurs, Flagg’s performance should still give Dallas plenty of optimism.

Flagg hit just 1-of-9 from the field, but caught fire late in the third quarter and made three straight shots. He finished with 10 points.

He also struggled defensively, grabbing 10 rebounds for the first double-double of his career. He tried to increase the tempo on the floor. These are all traits that encourage the Mavericks to hone in on Flagg.

And for Dallas, it makes a lot of sense to be patient as star point guard Kyrie Irving will be out for at least most of the regular season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

While the Mavericks face relatively low outside expectations early in the season, Flagg can adapt. It’s going to allow Flagg to make a mistake, like the turnover in the second quarter.

To prove that point, all Dallas has to do is look to Wednesday night’s opponent. San Antonio intentionally used the genius Victor Wembaneyama and limited his playing time during his rookie season in 2023-24. The Spurs encouraged Wembaneyama to bulk up and get in shape to learn the speed of the NBA game.

On Wednesday night, Wenbanyama dropped 40 points on 15-of-21 shooting (71.4%) and grabbed 15 rebounds. He could blossom into an MVP candidate again this season, and is already a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year.

Wenbanyama and Flag are very different players, so your progress will never be exactly the same.

But Flagg won’t turn 19 until late December. He’s going to learn something new every time he plays early on.

That alone should be enough to get the Mavericks excited.

White men profit from boardrooms amid DEI backlash

Economy

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October 23, 2025

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White men profit from boardrooms amid DEI backlash

In the wake of nationwide uprisings over the killing of George Floyd, companies sought more women and people of color to diversify their boards.

For a time, it appeared that the once-iron-clad dominance of men, especially white men, in corporate boardrooms was waning. Over the past five years, the racial and ethnic representation of companies in the Russell 3000 index has increased by 20%, and the representation of women has increased by 18%, according to data analysis firm ISS-Corporate. Today, the boardrooms of the nation’s largest companies are more diverse than ever.

But new data shows that a backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion is shifting the demographics of the executive ranks once again, eroding gains made by women and people of color as companies hire white men at the fastest pace in years.

This year, women accounted for one-third of new executives at S&P 500 companies, down from a high of 44% in 2022, according to ISS-Corporate. Executives of color made up 19% of newly hired executives, down from 44% in 2021.

For the first time since 2017, a majority of new board members are white men. These supreme leadership positions come with prestige, power, and high pay.

“This seems to be part of a broader pendulum shift away from a focus on diversity that we’ve seen in corporate America over the past few years,” said Joel Emerson, CEO of Paradigm Strategy, a culture and inclusion platform.

This change will be brought about by President Donald Trump. ~~The crackdown on DEI spills over into the private sector.~~ Increased scrutiny of DEI efforts is spreading across the private sector. Companies are rolling back or eliminating diversity programs amid growing fears of losing federal contracts and being investigated.

Institutional investors have stopped promoting diversity. The court struck down a Nasdaq rule to increase board diversity and a California law requiring corporate boards to include more women and people from underrepresented communities.

Public pressure has also decreased. The latest Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society survey found that while most Americans still think diversity is important in business and associate it with greater innovation and higher profits, fewer Americans consider it a business priority.

About 69% of U.S. adults say it is important for companies to promote DEI, down from 84% in 2022, the lowest drop since tracking began.

“A lot of the reasons why boards have increased representation over the years was external pressure, but that doesn’t exist anymore,” Emerson said.

Fewer boards include women and people of color

Fewer boards are planning to add women or people of color to their boards this year amid political and economic challenges, accounting and advisory firm PwC said in a recent report.

The percentage of corporate directors who say their boards plan to add gender diversity has fallen from 21% to 9% in 2024. Directors who say their boards plan to add racial or ethnic diversity decreased from 13% to just 6%.

“There are early signs of an economic slowdown, with gender, racial and ethnic representation on boards increasing year over year,” PwC said.

The slowdown is putting the hard-fought gains that Black Americans have fought for in the workplace at risk as boards revert to a “narrow specification” when considering new directors, said Barry Lawson Williams, a corporate executive who has served on the boards of more than a dozen companies.

Narrowing the search to people with experience running a company or major business unit means limiting the search to a very small number of executives with decades of experience, a talent pool that is dominated by white men due to historical hiring patterns, Williams said.

“In my view, there are more than enough minority candidates, but they often go unnoticed, especially when it comes to nominations to boards.”

Taran Amin, chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, is trying to buck that trend. He said the company is one of the few publicly traded companies with a board that is 67% female and 44% diverse.

“We’re clear: We believe that having a team that reflects the communities we serve is a competitive advantage. Having a diverse board of directors is critical to our decision-making,” he said in a recent CNN interview. “So we stand for what we stand for. We’ve been doing it for 21 years, and we’ll continue to do so.”

John Bolton’s classified intelligence indictment and Donald Trump’s indictment

Politics

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October 23, 2025

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John Bolton’s classified intelligence indictment and Donald Trump’s indictment

From Hillary Clinton’s emails to Pete Hegseth’s “Signalgate,” the indictments against John Bolton and Donald Trump all suggest that both men were hypocritical in their handling of classified information.

President Donald Trump had little comfort when former national security adviser John Bolton was indicted on charges of mishandling classified information.

“I think he’s a bad guy. Yes, he’s a bad guy. Unfortunately, that’s the reality,” Trump said at a news conference.

In fact, President Trump called Bolton a “criminal” in 2020 and claimed that Bolton published classified information in a book and “should go to prison for it.” (Bolton is currently facing criminal charges for transmitting classified information, but not through the book.)

Ironically, Trump himself once faced some Charges similar to those of Bolton. The president was indicted in 2023 on charges of knowingly retaining national defense information. That same year, a spokesperson for President Trump’s 2024 campaign called the charges “empty fabrications.”

Trump, like Bolton, has maintained his innocence. After he won the 2024 presidential election, the Justice Department dropped the case, citing its policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.

Bolton, whose fitness to serve as president has been repeatedly questioned since serving under the Trump administration during his first term, now faces charges that he stored and transmitted classified information, including in some cases top-secret national defense information.

Although the charges against the two men differ in important ways, there are also some notable similarities. For example, both men are accused of illegally storing U.S. military information and leaking classified information to unauthorized individuals.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Bolton said he could not comment on the matter. One of Bolton’s attorneys, Abby Rowell, previously told USA TODAY in a statement that the facts of Bolton’s case had been investigated and resolved years ago.

“We look forward to Ambassador Bolton certifying once again that he did not unlawfully share or store any information,” Lowell said of his client, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The Justice Department declined to comment publicly on the matter. The White House did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Here’s a look at how the allegations against the two men are similar and different.

Trump and Bolton accused of improperly preserving classified information

Mr. Trump and Mr. Bolton have both been accused of improperly storing classified information, including classified information in some cases. This is highly sensitive government information, and its unauthorized disclosure would be “expected to cause extremely serious harm to national security.”

President Trump is said to have kept classified documents in a box at his Mar-a-Lago club about U.S. and foreign weapons capabilities, the U.S. nuclear program, and how the U.S. and its allies could be vulnerable to military attack.

Mr. Bolton is said to have kept information in his home about future attacks by foreign adversaries and covert actions planned or already carried out by the U.S. government.

Mr. Bolton will be charged with communicating national defense information, but Mr. Trump will not be indicted.

Details of the indictment against Trump accuse him of sharing confidential information with an author, a publisher, two staff members, and a representative of a political action committee. For example, in one taped meeting, President Trump is said to have presented and explained to several people an “attack plan” prepared by the Pentagon.

However, Trump has not been charged with transmitting national defense information to unauthorized persons. Mr. Bolton, by contrast, has been widely accused of doing so.

Bolton allegedly created a group chat with two others on a non-governmental messaging application the day before he was sworn in as national security adviser in President Donald Trump’s administration. Their names are not included in the indictment, but multiple media outlets reported, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, that the individuals were his wife and daughter.

Bolton repeatedly sent confidential information in “diary-like entries” to people he called “editors.” Some of the entries appear to have been used in his later book, The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.

In some cases, Mr. Bolton allegedly used personal non-governmental email accounts hosted by AOL and Google to email sensitive information to two unauthorized individuals in their personal email accounts.

Mr. Trump is charged with obstruction of justice after repeated cover-ups, but Mr. Bolton is not indicted.

Mr. Trump has not been charged with communicating national defense information, but unlike Mr. Bolton, he has been charged with trying to cover up his own alleged wrongdoing. Trump was criminally charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, concealing documents, and making false statements.

President Trump is accused of attempting to obstruct an FBI and grand jury investigation into whether he continued to hold classified documents by falsely suggesting to his lawyers that he did not have them, instructing aides to move boxes of documents, and attempting to delete surveillance footage of the boxes being removed.

One of Trump’s top aides reportedly told the Mar-a-Lago club’s IT director that after a subpoena was issued for the security camera footage, the “boss” wanted him to delete the servers storing the footage.

Mr. Bolton, but not Mr. Trump, alleges hacking by a foreign enemy

Only Bolton’s indictment alleges that a foreign adversary may have gained access to classified national defense information as a result of information manipulation.

According to the indictment, sometime between September 2019 and July 2021, a cyberattacker who the government believes has ties to the Iranian government hacked into Bolton’s personal email account and accessed information that Bolton had fraudulently sent via email.

The hack may have been aimed at blackmailing Bolton.

One person wrote in an email to Bolton and his representatives in July 2021: “I don’t think the FBI would be interested in learning about the leaked contents of John’s emails (some of which are attached). This could be the biggest scandal since Hillary’s email leaks, but this time it’s on the Republican side! Please contact me before it’s too late…”

According to the indictment, Mr. Bolton’s representatives notified the U.S. government of the hack, but did not say explicitly that the email account contained classified information.

Bolton and Trump accused of hypocrisy over statements about Clinton’s emails and Hegses Signal messages

Prosecutors suggested in the indictment that Bolton and Trump made hypocritical statements when they talked about how other officials with access to U.S. information communicated on private platforms.

Part of their statement concerned former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for thousands of emails. Justice Department prosecutors concluded that although three email chains had paragraphs marked with a “C” as confidential, the emails on the server contained no clear classification markings. These chains lacked additional markings for sensitive information.

“If I was doing what Hillary Clinton did at the State Department, I would be wearing an orange jumpsuit by now,” Bolton told CNN in January 2017.

In an August 2016 speech, President Trump said, “In my administration, we will enforce every law that protects classified information. No one is above the law.”

Bolton’s indictment also includes statements he made about an Atlantic report about messages sent by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to a group chat on the private encrypted messaging app Signal. The message detailed the timing and weapons used in the US attack in Yemen. Several current Trump administration officials participated in the chat.

“What were they doing from safe government channels? That’s the original sin here,” Bolton was quoted as saying in a media interview in March 2025.

“I just couldn’t find a way to express how surprised I was that someone would do something like this,” Bolton reportedly said in an April 2025 media interview. “We don’t use any commercial means of communication, encrypted apps or otherwise, for these types of discussions.”

Investigate top AI security threats

AI & Tech

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October 23, 2025

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Security experts at JFrog have discovered an “instant hijack” threat that exploits weaknesses in the way AI systems communicate with each other using MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Business leaders want to make AI even more useful by directly using the company’s data and tools. However, connecting AI in this way introduces new security risks, not to the AI itself, but to all the ways it is connected. This means CIOs and CISOs need to think about the new challenge of securing the data streams feeding AI, just as they protect the AI itself.

Why AI attacks targeting protocols like MCP are so dangerous

There are fundamental problems with AI models, whether they’re on Google, Amazon, or running on your local device. That means we don’t know what’s going on. They only know what they were trained for. They don’t know what kind of code the programmer is working with or what’s in the files on the computer.

The boffins at Anthropic created MCP to fix this. MCP is a way for AI to connect to the real world and use local data and online services securely. This allows an assistant like Claude to understand what this means when you point to a piece of code and ask him to redo it.

However, JFrog research shows that certain uses of MCP have weaknesses for instant hijacking that could turn this dream AI tool into a security nightmare.

Imagine a programmer asking an AI assistant to recommend standard Python tools for manipulating images. AI should suggest pillowthis is an excellent and popular choice. However, due to the following flaw (CVE-2025-6515), oatpp-mcp If your system is broken, someone can sneak into your users’ sessions. They can send their own fake requests and the server will treat them as if they were from a real user.

There, the programmer received a bad suggestion from the AI assistant, which recommended a “fake tool.” theBestImageProcessing package. This is a serious attack on the software supply chain. Someone could use this prompt hijacking to inject malicious code, steal data, or execute commands while appearing like a useful part of a programmer’s toolkit.

How this MCP prompt hijacking attack works

This instant hijacking attack disrupts how systems using MCP communicate, rather than the security of the AI itself. A particular weakness was found in the Oat++ C++ system’s MCP setup, which connects programs to the MCP standard.

The problem lies in the way the system handles connections using Server-Sent Events (SSE). When a real user connects, the server gives him a session ID. However, this problematic function uses the session’s computer memory address as the session ID. This violates the protocol rules that session IDs must be unique and cryptographically secure.

This is a bad design because computers often reuse memory addresses to conserve resources. An attacker could exploit this by rapidly creating and terminating large numbers of sessions and logging these predictable session IDs. Then, when a real user connects, the attacker could potentially obtain one of these recycled IDs that they already have.

Once an attacker obtains a valid session ID, they can send their own requests to the server. The server cannot tell the difference between an attacker and a real user, so it sends a malicious response back to the real user’s connection.

Even if some programs only accept certain responses, attackers can often get around this by sending a large number of messages with a common event number until a response is accepted. This allows an attacker to disrupt the behavior of the AI model without changing the model itself. Any company using oatpp-mcp You are at risk if HTTP SSE is enabled on a network that is accessible to an attacker.

What should AI security leaders do?

The discovery of this MCP prompt hijacking attack is a serious warning to all technology leaders building or using AI assistants, especially CISOs and CTOs. As AI becomes part of workflows through protocols like MCP, new risks also arise. Keeping the environment around AI safe is now a top priority.

Although this particular CVE affects one system, the idea of instant hijacking is common. To protect against this and similar attacks, leaders must set new rules for their AI systems.

First, ensure that all AI services use secure session management. The development team must ensure that the server uses a strong random generator to create session IDs. This should definitely be on your AI program’s security checklist. Use of predictable identifiers such as memory addresses is not allowed.

The second is to strengthen the defense on the user side. Client programs should be designed to reject events that do not match the expected ID and type. Simply increasing event IDs risk spray attacks and should be replaced with non-colliding and unpredictable identifiers.

Finally, use Zero Trust principles for your AI protocols. Security teams need to check the entire AI setup, from the basic model to the protocols and middleware that connect the AI to the data. These channels require strong session isolation and expiration, similar to the session management used in web applications.

This MCP prompt hijacking attack is a perfect example of how session hijacking, a known problem in web applications, manifests itself in new and dangerous ways in AI. Securing these new AI tools means applying these strong security fundamentals to thwart attacks at the protocol level.

See also: How AI moves IT operations from reactive to proactive

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI & Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events such as Cyber Security Expo. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

Louvre museum director blames gap in surveillance cameras for brazen jewelry heist

USA

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October 23, 2025

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Louvre museum director blames gap in surveillance cameras for brazen jewelry heist

The Louvre’s outdated security system was unable to stop and detect the burglar in time to prevent the daytime heist of eight French crown jewels worth millions, the museum’s director announced on October 22nd.

A group of robbers broke into the world’s most visited museum on Sunday, October 19th, using simple cutting tools and an electric ladder from a truck to gain entry to the Paris Museum of Fine Arts. French authorities said they stole eight “precious” pieces of jewelry worth an estimated $102 million before fleeing on motorbikes.

News of the brazen robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism of the museum’s lack of security. Some French officials called the incident a national humiliation.

Laurence de Cars, director and director of the Louvre, testified about the robbery on October 22 before the French Senate’s Committee on Culture, Education and Sport. De Cars told French senators that he had offered to resign following the incident, but that his request to resign was rejected by Culture Minister Rashida Dati, who is also being sought in connection with the robbery.

“We did not detect the thieves’ arrival early enough,” De Cale said during a two-hour hearing in which French senators questioned the museum’s “decrepit” state and weak security.

De Kaal acknowledged that the Louvre’s cameras failed to detect the robbers and that there were not enough outside cameras monitoring the perimeter of the museum. She added that outdoor surveillance cameras did not fully cover the museum’s facade, and the window where the robbers entered was not monitored by surveillance cameras.

The Louvre director previously warned about the museum’s outdated security system

Earlier this year, the museum asked the French government for help to restore and renovate its dilapidated exhibition halls and better protect its countless works of art.

In his letter to Dati, De Cal pointed to several problems at the museum, including water leaks and “alarming temperature fluctuations that jeopardize the preservation of artworks.” Des Cars also wrote that visiting a museum is a “physical ordeal” and that visitors have trouble locating works due to insufficient signage, spaces for people to rest, and inadequate sanitation facilities. In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a 10-year plan to repair aging infrastructure at cultural institutions and ease visitor crowds.

At the Oct. 22 hearing, De Cal said he had repeatedly warned that the centuries-old building was in dire condition. “Last Sunday, the warnings I was sounding were horribly borne out,” she told French senators.

De Cars promised to ask the Interior Ministry to create a no-parking perimeter around the museum, upgrade the surveillance camera system and set up a police station inside the museum.

Security checks were also carried out at cultural institutions across France following a robbery of a museum visitor within 30 minutes of the museum opening. Paris is home to several world-renowned cultural institutions, including the Louvre and museums such as the Musée d’Orsay, Musee Pompidou, and Musee Quai Branly.

USA TODAY and Reuters previously reported that at least four French museums have been robbed in the past two months, including the Natural History Museum in Paris. French prosecutors announced that a Chinese-born woman has been charged with stealing six gold bars worth about $1.75 million from the Paris Museum of Natural History. Prosecutors said she was arrested in Barcelona while trying to dispose of the melted gold.

How did the robbers get into the Louvre?

French officials said the robbery occurred at around 9:30 a.m. local time on October 19, as visitors rushed into the museum. The four suspects were driving a truck carrying an electric telescoping ladder and stopped on a road near the Seine River south of the Louvre Museum.

Officials said they then extended a ladder to the museum’s second-floor balcony, where two suspects climbed onto the balcony while the other two remained in the truck. They used power tools to break through a window leading to the gilded Apollo Museum, where French royal jewels are displayed.

Once inside, the suspect set off an alarm and broke a glass display case, snatching pieces of historical jewelry as museum staff evacuated panicked tourists, officials said. The robbery took place about 270 meters from the Mona Lisa painting.

The two suspects then climbed down the ladder and all four fled on two motorcycles, officials said. Investigators believe three to four experienced thieves were involved in the robbery.

“We have seen some footage. They are not targeting people. Within four minutes they enter quietly, destroy display cases, take the loot and leave. There is no violence, they are very professional,” Dati told local news outlets on October 19.

Officials said the thieves tried to steal nine items from the collection, but dropped one item as they fled. A gold crown encrusted with diamonds and emeralds that belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, was discovered on the ground outside the museum. Paris prosecutor Laure Becuaux previously said the crown was damaged but had recovered.

Following the incident, the museum was closed all day on October 19th, and then until October 21st. The Louvre reopened to visitors on October 22nd.

What items were stolen from the Louvre?

Eight pieces were taken from a partially matching set, museum officials said.

sapphire tiara: It was once owned by 19th-century French queens Marie Amélie and Hortense.
sapphire necklace: From the Marie Amélie and Hortense collection.
Single sapphire earrings: One of a pair from the Marie Amélie and Hortense collection.
emerald necklace: Worn by Empress Marie Louise, second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
emerald earrings: Matches the necklace from the Marie Louise collection.
Tiara: Worn by Empress Eugenie of Napoleon III.
Large body knot brooch: Also known as the “corsage ribbon brooch” from Empress Eugénie’s collection.
holy relic brooch: A brooch designed to display historical relics.

Contributions: Carissa Wadick, N’Dare Yancey Bragg, Janet Rourke, George Petras, USA Today. Reuters

Can Hegseth transform the National Guard and retain its fitness culture?

Politics

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October 23, 2025

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Can Hegseth transform the National Guard and retain its fitness culture?

When it comes to military fitness standards, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth remains mum.

The Pentagon chief issued a curt response after a viral backlash over a photo of a group of overweight Texas National Guard soldiers heading to Chicago.

“Standards are back,” the Pentagon chief posted. He brought his troops home from a mission in Chicago.

Since taking over the Pentagon, Hegseth has made fitness a major focus, pushing initiatives such as gender-neutral standards for combat operations and a new annual “combat field test.”

But the department has long struggled to provide the National Guard and other reservists with fitness resources similar to those available to active-duty military members.

Hegseth’s Sept. 30 memo says that while active-duty soldiers must exercise while on duty, members of the National Guard and other reserve forces must instead “take personal responsibility for maintaining proper physical fitness.”

However, part-time military members lack access to fitness resources, even though they are held to the same standards as active-duty members. These units often balance two or three jobs. Also, unlike full-time members, they cannot receive disability benefits if they are injured during off-duty training.

Alex Morrow, host of a military fitness podcast called “MOPs & MOEs,” told USA TODAY that while staying healthy is ultimately the responsibility of individual service members, he wants to explore “better avenues to provide resources” to troops like the soldiers in Texas.

Army’s approach is evolving, but geography is a barrier

The Army, which has the largest proportion of part-time units of any military branch, is grappling with the challenge of ensuring the combat fitness of its reservists. And the stakes are high. Reserve forces are regularly deployed alongside active-duty soldiers, and the National Guard may be called into a state by the governor or president.

In recent years, the service has introduced more intense fitness tests, including deadlifts, weighted sled drags, kettlebell carries, and calisthenics such as planks, push-ups, and a 2-mile run.

Men and women in the National Guard and Army Reserve generally met the minimum passing standards on early versions of the new exam, with a slightly lower pass rate than the active-duty Army, according to internal data published by Military.com. However, their average scores were significantly lower: Army reservists averaged 452 out of 600, while active-duty men averaged 498 points.

Part of this discrepancy may be due to the recent proliferation of resources to support the diet and exercise habits of active duty soldiers.

The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness Program, known to military personnel as H2F, provides soldiers with on-site access to an integrated team that includes strength coaches and trainers, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists and nutritionists, occupational therapists, and “cognitive enhancement experts.”

Army officials tout the H2F program, currently implemented by 71 teams across active-duty units, as a success in producing healthier soldiers.

The service plans to expand H2F to cover the entire Army, including part-time soldiers in the National Guard and Army Reserve.

Private First Class Nicholas Rice, who manages the Army Reserve’s H2F deployment, acknowledged the challenges of providing fitness resources to part-time units in remarks at the Association of the United States Army conference Oct. 15.

Rice said the Guard and Army Reserve will host six pilot teams in fiscal year 2026. The National Guard plans to test the concept in Alaska, Indiana, Wyoming and Kentucky.

But determining what works and what doesn’t can be a difficult task.

Most reservists only see soldiers two or three days a month, and a significant portion of part-time troops live far from their units and commute hundreds of miles in uniform. Even if there were physically centralized fitness resources and equipment at small military installations, colloquially known as armories, many would not be able to take advantage of them.

“You can’t copy and paste an active duty (H2F) team into a reserve formation and expect a similar impact,” said Morrow, an Army veteran and podcast host who continues to serve part-time in the Army Reserve.

Culture and equity issues

Military leaders have been discussing the benefits of offering options such as virtual personal trainers or issuing wearable fitness trackers to support reservists’ fitness activities. Some states employ their own nutritionists.

But Morrow, citing psychological research, argued that the military faces major challenges in motivating part-time troops to truly embrace physical health and fitness.

“In an environment where you can’t force people to do something every day, you have 28 days a month without supervision, and it depends entirely on how much they care about their fitness,” he said. He argued that for full-time troops, it’s a scheduling issue, but for Guard and Reserve units, it’s a matter of “changing identity.”

“Giving people a wearable (fitness tracker) doesn’t change anything,” Morrow said. “For those who aren’t motivated, it’s just a chore.”

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Francis McGinn, president of the U.S. National Guard Association, told USA TODAY that fitness can be a challenge for reservists who juggle multiple careers and family obligations.

“You go to work all day, you come home, you might train (on the weekend), and then you coach the kids. Somewhere in between, you have to find a way to exercise,” he said.

McGinn believes there is an “equity issue” arising from the disparity in resources between part-time and active duty forces.

Active-duty service members who are seriously injured while training off-base over the weekend will receive free medical care and, if their injuries are severe, medical retirement benefits and veterans’ disability benefits.

However, a National Guard or Reserve member who sustains the same injury while training to meet the same physical fitness requirements would not receive such compensation unless the injury occurred during a training weekend or temporary active duty order.

But ultimately, a standard is a standard, and even part-time military personnel must meet the standards, McGinn said.

Disclosure: USA TODAY reporter Davis Winkie is a member of NGAUS.

Mark Consuelos ‘frustrated’ when Kelly Ripa hints at ‘airport divorce’

USA

US-NEA

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October 23, 2025

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Mark Consuelos ‘frustrated’ when Kelly Ripa hints at ‘airport divorce’

Despite being married for 29 years, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos still have disagreements.

On the Oct. 22 episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” Ripa brought up the concept of an “airport divorce,” suggesting that their relationship would be better if they went to the airport separately, even if they were on the same flight.

“You and I have different travel philosophies,” the 55-year-old said, adding, “You need to get there between four and 16 hours before the plane takes off.”

Consuelos, 54, pushed back, saying, “I want to arrive an hour and a half early.”

Ripa, who said she never missed a flight, claimed her husband was “frustrated” by fans who recognized her. When he disagreed, she corrected her statement to say he was annoyed with her, but Consuelos said that wasn’t true, adding, “I’m annoyed right now with you trying to throw me under the bus.”

Allison Williams then sat down to discuss her new film Regretting You, and the hosts couldn’t help but bring up their earlier discussion into the conversation. As Williams gushes about her husband, Alexander Dreymon, Consuaros asks, “What’s he doing at the airport?”

When Williams responded, “He’s the only reason I get anywhere on time,” Ripa joked to her and Consuelos, “You guys need an airport marriage.”

“It’s completely platonic,” Consuelos clarified.

This isn’t the first time the two have brought up the “D” word on the show.

In January, Ripa raised the theory that the two had decided to divorce. “I think you and I will get back together soon,” she said, to which Consuelos replied, “Oh, sure.”

“How many years have we been married? It’s almost 30 years. So where does that leave me?” he added.

Coca-Cola carbonated drinks recalled due to possible metal contamination

Economy

US-NEA

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October 23, 2025

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Coca-Cola carbonated drinks recalled due to possible metal contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on October 20 that it has recalled three popular Coca-Cola soda products due to possible metal contamination.

The FDA announced that the recall of certain Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola, and Sprite cans has been classified as a Class II recall. The federal agency’s risk classification states that the recalled products may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects,” but serious adverse health effects are “unlikely.”

The recall, initiated by bottler Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages on October 3, involves more than 4,000 cans of soda distributed in Texas. The FDA has not provided guidance on what to do with the recalled products, and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages did not issue a news release regarding the recall.

USA TODAY reached out to The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages for comment on October 22, but did not immediately receive a response.

What products are included in the Coca-Cola Texas recall?

Coca-Cola’s recall includes:

product	package size	Product code
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12oz can	12 packs	49000042559 / FEB0226MAA
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12oz can	35 packs	49000058499 / FEB0226MAA
coca cola 12 oz can	24 packs	49000012781 / JUN2926MAA
coca cola 12 oz can	35 packs	49000058468 / JUN2926MAA
sprite 12oz can	35 packs	49000058482 / JUN2926MAA
sprite 12oz can	12 packs	49000028928 / JUN2926MAA
sprite 12oz can	12 packs	49000028928 / JUN3026MAB

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages is part of Arca Continental, an international beverage bottler serving Texas as well as parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas. As of October 22, only products distributed in Texas are subject to the recall.

2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Review Shows Speed and Off-Road Capability

Economy

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October 23, 2025

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2026 Porsche Cayenne EV Review Shows Speed and Off-Road Capability

Eric Tingwall
|Motor Trend

Porsche may be clinging to a 62-year-old idea when it comes to the 911, but that hasn’t stopped the company from embracing an electrified future for other parts of its lineup. when 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric When it arrives in U.S. dealers in the middle of next year, half of the brand’s models will be available as battery-powered models.

similarly Taycan and Macan EVThe electric Cayenne is ready to make a name for itself in speed, not only with its blistering quarter-mile range, but also with its industry-leading fast charging capabilities. Porsche gave us a chance to sample its upcoming product by slipping behind the wheel of eight of the roughly 1,000 prototypes being used to fine-tune its latest electric SUV before production begins.

mystery of power

Since this is a prototype drive, Porsche is keeping some details secret until the official announcement. So far, we know that the Cayenne Turbo will put out more than 1,000 power (986 horsepower in German), the base model will have just over half that, and the Cayenne S Electric will add 100 kilowatts (or 134 horsepower in engineers’ words) to that. Let’s solve X, Y, and Z like a middle school algebra word problem. I would like to tell you how they drive.

Continuing the rich tradition of Porsche base models, the entry-level Cayenne Electric has more chassis than powertrain. With its grip, body control and steering precision, more than 500 horses can sometimes feel underpowered as they charge hard. In stark contrast, the Turbo turns Spain’s narrow roller coaster roads into full-fledged roller coaster thrills. When you ease off the steering wheel and press the gas out of a 30 mph hairpin, all four tires compete for traction. At 5,850 pounds, the large dog charges violently out of corners and is easily spooked. As Porsche S models often do, the Cayenne S Electric finds a satisfying middle ground between these two extremes. There’s enough power to fine-tune the Cayenne’s trajectory with a little nudge or lift of the accelerator, but not enough to steal the show from the chassis. The S offers the perfect balance of power and agility.

All three variants combine a single permanent magnet motor on each axle with a single-speed transmission. The Taycan’s two-speed gearbox appears to be an evolutionary dead end, as Cayenne engineers say motor technology has advanced enough to no longer need it. Specifically, the Turbo and S share a rear electric motor (made in-house, a first in Porsche history) with an oil-cooled (rather than water-cooled) stator. This allows the coolant to pass closer to the heat source, allowing for more efficient heat transfer. This is very important when actually cooking. Porsche promises that the electric turbo will outperform the current gas-powered Turbo GT, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of “well under three seconds” before reaching a top speed of 155 mph.

Sounds like a controversy

The Cayenne Turbo launches with slingshot-like acceleration and a familiar sound… Porsche’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8?! That’s right, Porsche is jumping on the internal combustion engine lip-sync bandwagon with something called Porsche Electric Sound, even though the soundtrack sounds just like eight gas-squeezing cylinders. The very idea seems unusual for Porsche, which values authenticity, but we’re not going to get excited about something that can be easily turned off with a tap on a touchscreen.

However, the fake soundtrack makes it even harder to understand why Porsche doesn’t offer one-pedal driving for the Cayenne Electric. Like early Porsche EVs, the Cayenne’s selectable recuperation mode does not slow the SUV any more than an internal combustion engine in a higher gear. Engineers justified this decision by explaining that coasting is more energy efficient than regenerative braking. These days they would rather politely tell you to shut up about it. “This is just a conversation between a journalist and our marketing department,” said Michael Schatzle, vice president of the Cayenne product line. Porsche EV buyers don’t care about or want one-pedal driving, he added. Please be polite and shut us up.

Control everything with one battery

The all-electric Cayenne stores energy in a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 108 kilowatt-hours, and Porsche claims it will achieve a range of more than 600 kilometers (approximately 372 miles) on an easy European WLTP cycle. We expect the various models to cluster around just 300 miles in both EPA range and range. motor trendroad trip range test.

The pack is cooled both at the top and at the bottom. This is a first for Porsche, and it will help the brand maintain its position as a leader in fast charging. The current Taycan has a maximum output of 320 kilowatts, but Porsche says the Cayenne will have a maximum output of 400 kilowatts with a 1,000-volt fast charger. More important than that single number is how the Cayenne maintains high power during sessions. Porsche claims its 816-volt battery can change from 10 to 80 percent in 16 minutes, and based on its experience with early EVs, there’s good reason to believe this battery will deliver on that claim.

400 kW charging stations are rare in the U.S., but they exist at a growing number of Iona charging stations, primarily funded by a coalition of eight automakers. The Cayenne will be the first electric Porsche to feature a Tesla-designed NACS port, but the pack’s high voltage will result in peak charging power of 200 kilowatts on Tesla’s abundant 500-volt supercharger.

The prismatic cells supplied by LG Chem feature a nickel manganese cobalt aluminum cathode, the same chemistry found in GM’s Ultium packs. Compared to the nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries used in the Taycan and Macan, the addition of aluminum improves energy density, temperature stability and lifespan. It also reduces the amount of expensive and ethically unsustainable cobalt.

How to turn an EV into a Porsche

The battery bolts into the PPE41C architecture, which is Porsche’s refinement and evolution of the hardware that underpins the Macan Electric. Audi A6 Sportback E-tron and Audi Q6 E-tron. Air springs and adaptive dampers are standard, and options like rear-wheel steering, carbon ceramic brakes, and an active ride system make the 5,700-pound SUV even smaller. The nearly $8,000 active suspension on a Taycan or Panamera has the magical ability to turn railroad crossings into perfectly smooth surfaces (at least for the occupants), but its value is undermined by the fact that the standard suspension is extremely supple. The same goes for Cayenne Electric. Active Ride enhances the SUV’s poise and body control even in the most demanding conditions, but we never really felt like we needed it during our drive.

Turbo models also feature a 12-inch tall cookie tray that slides out from behind the rear wheels. The rubber spats, called Porsche Active Aero, deploy automatically from a standstill when the car is driven at 36 mph or when launch control is activated. These products are engraved with the coordinates of Porsche’s wind tunnel, indicating their purpose. The drag coefficient decreases by 0.006. This equates to a range of approximately 6 miles. But the real easter egg is that it looks like an electrical plug prong, as if the Cayenne could plug back into a giant electrical outlet to charge.

descend into the earth

Since its introduction in the early 2000s, the Cayenne has offered more off-road capability than most people expect from a Porsche badge. The Cayenne Electric continues that tradition with an off-road design package that adds lightweight underbody armor and special tires, and clips the front and rear fascia to improve approach and departure angles. There is also an off-road driving mode that changes the front/rear torque distribution and the operation of the electronically controlled limited slip differential.

We were impressed by the way it casually rode its tricycle over the Frame Twister and effortlessly hoofed its way up the rutted trail. But our test car’s Hankook Ventus Ion SX tires seemed designed for road rather than dirt, and the Cayenne skidded down some gravel-covered descents in what felt like less of a controlled crawl. (It is very likely that the American Cayenne will eventually be fitted with different tires).

Touch screen that won’t break even if bent

Porsche is keeping interior photos a secret for now, but there’s nothing stopping it from expressing its biggest changes in 108 characters. It has a new curved infotainment screen, but it looks nothing like what other automakers do. Rather than wrapping the screen around the driver, Porsche has tailored the 12.8-inch display to the driver’s wrist. Imagine someone holding an iPad vertically and bending the case so that the bottom third is at a 45-degree angle to the rest of the screen. It looks odd even after a day in the driver’s seat, but most of the tappable controls are concentrated at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to rest the heel of your hand on the center console and peck at the right button with above-average precision.

The digital instrument cluster also features a new bezel with capacitive controls on each side, including stability control and suspension stiffness. New comfort features for the Cayenne include a heated armrest and a panoramic glass roof with adjustable opacity, while the spacious rear cargo area is complemented by a 3.2 cubic foot flank.

tradition of progress

Based on our first reveal, the Cayenne Electric stays true to Porsche’s values of advancing technology without departing from long-standing traditions. The Cayenne has always been a jack-of-all-trades, offering performance and practicality, on-road refinement and off-road ability.

The Cayenne Electric joins the existing lineup rather than replacing it. This makes the Cayenne the first Porsche to be sold with electric, gasoline, or plug-in hybrid powertrains. Porsche says it will be working on an internal combustion model of the Cayenne “for the next 10 years” to cater to traditional buyers (and softening demand for EVs), but our first taste of an EV suggests that the company is doing its best and most innovative work in battery electric technology.

Manufacturer provided photo

Mamdani, Cuomo, Sliwa, trade hit in New York mayoral debate

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October 23, 2025

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Mamdani, Cuomo, Sliwa, trade hit in New York mayoral debate

The 90-minute debate, hosted by Spectrum News, was the last debate before voters head to the polls in the nation’s largest city.

NEW YORK – Who will rule the Big Apple? Before New Yorkers vote in the mayoral election on Nov. 4, three men intent on doing so engaged in a heated battle on Oct. 22 in a final debate.

In a lively debate on Spectrum News NY1 on Oct. 22, Democratic front-runner Zoran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist state representative, tried to portray himself as mayoral material ahead of Election Day. He was standing between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani accused his two opponents of being relics of the city’s old politics, but struggled to take a stand on key issues such as housing and schools.

Mr. Cuomo, 67, and Mr. Sliwa, 71, made a last-minute effort to characterize Mr. Mamdani as inexperienced and too idealistic. During that time, they attacked each other to shore up the anti-Mandani vote, particularly those opposed to his views on the treatment of Israel and the Palestinians.

Cuomo, who is second in the polls, tried to explain his past, including his resignation as governor. Mr. Sliwa, who came a distant third, sought to overcome criticism of his qualifications to lead City Hall. His past includes stints as a radio host and founder of the beret-wearing Guardian Angels anti-crime vigilante group.

Here are four memorable moments from the 95-minute debate.

“Trump puppet” or “Mayor Trump?”

President Donald Trump, a native of Queens, has cast a shadow over the entire mayoral race. Earlier, he intervened to get Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption case dismissed, in return for Adams’ help with immigration enforcement. Mr. Adams has denied there was any quid pro quo, but the New York Democratic Party portrays Mr. Adams as someone who compromised with the president. Adams ultimately withdrew from the race with his prospects for re-election bleak.

President Trump has cut federal funding and conducted raids in this immigrant-heavy city, including one just recently.

Both Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Mamdani have expressed a willingness to stand up to Mr. Trump.

Mamdani called Cuomo “Trump’s puppet.” Trump has said Cuomo has no chance of defeating Mamdani, and billionaire donors to Trump are opening their wallets to support him.

“(Trump) wants Andrew Cuomo to be mayor,” Mamdani said. “Not because it’s good for New Yorkers, but because it’s good for him.”

Mr. Cuomo hit back at Mr. Mamdani, whom President Trump called a communist who would be willing to be deported. “Certainly, that would be President Trump and Mayor Trump,” Cuomo said. “He will come and conquer the city.”

Sliwa, the Republican candidate, said every chest-bumping attempt would lead to Trump winning.

“How is it different from regular politics?”

Mamdani has sought to portray himself as a next-generation candidate.

But Spectrum News veteran political anchor and host Errol Lewis said Mamdani could not say how he would change the governance structure of the nation’s largest school district, which is currently controlled by the mayor. “How is this different from regular politics?” Louis asked.

Mamdani struggled to take a stance on the proposals backed by New Yorkers’ votes, related to how the city would build the new affordable housing units it so desperately needs.

“Zorran, what is your opinion?” Sliwa asked. Mr. Cuomo later interjected, saying, “I’d like you to answer my question once.”

“I have no position on voting measures,” Mamdani said with a laugh.

“It’s your experience that matters.”

Mr. Cuomo has touted his decades-long political career as he seeks a return. During his three terms as governor, and before that as secretary of housing and urban development under former President Bill Clinton, Cuomo has touted his accomplishments as a builder of subways, bridges and homes.

He resigned after serving three terms as governor due to sexual harassment allegations by more than a dozen women and impending impeachment by Democratic lawmakers. He has faced intense criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s your experience that matters,” Mamdani says.

Mamdani has previously criticized Cuomo. above He said the number of homeless people increased while he was governor. Mr. Cuomo countered that homelessness has doubled since he left office.

“Andrew, you didn’t leave,” Sliwa said. “You ran away.”

“Please don’t stare at me here, Zoran.”

Katie Honan, a reporter and host for the New York news outlet The City, asked how candidates rank the candidates in terms of their priorities.

Mamdani said he would rank himself first, followed by Sliwa.

“Oh, please don’t stare at me here, Zoran,” Sliwa said, eliciting a thunderous laugh from Mamdani. Mr. Cuomo said he would vote only for himself.

Mr. Cuomo and a strange mix of allies are trying to force Mr. Sliwa out of the race in the closing stages. Some recent polls suggest that if Sliwa is out of the race, Cuomo will break into a double-digit lead over Mamdani. However, Sliwa says he has no plans to drop out.

Even if they did, Mr. Sliwa and Mayor Adams would still appear on the ballot. Adams had not yet endorsed the race.

After the debate, Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Adams appeared together from courtside during the second half of the New York Knicks’ home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just over a month ago, Mr. Adams called Mr. Cuomo a “liar and a snake.”

Earlier in the night, Mr. Cuomo began the debate by rooting for his hometown team.

“I hope we get an update on the score,” he said.

The Knicks won.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Contact us via email (emcuevas1@usatoday.com) or Signal (emcuevas.01).

Chipotle’s Halloween treats include ‘Boorito’ sale, costume contest

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October 23, 2025

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Chipotle’s Halloween treats include ‘Boorito’ sale, costume contest

Chipotle wants you to dress up for its Halloween food sale and participate in an online costume contest.

Chipotle hosts its annual “Boolito” Halloween celebration, offering holiday deals on groceries to members of the Chipotle Rewards loyalty program who visit the restaurant in their spookiest costumes on Friday, October 31st.

This year, Rewards members in costume can purchase an entree for $6 (entree prices typically range from $11 to $15). It’s still a bargain, but in 2019 you could get an entree for $4, and in 2008 you could get a free burrito if you dressed like a burrito.

Chipotle also has plenty of Halloween activities, including a Boolito Costume Contest running from Monday, October 27th through Sunday, November 2nd. Take a photo of yourself in costume and post it on TikTok for a chance to win one of three Chipotle VIP cards worth over $500 (and get 50 free entry codes).

“Bolito started as a simple way to bring people together for Halloween and, over 25 years, has grown into the largest annual celebration of real fans and real food,” Chris Brandt, president and chief brand officer of Chipotle, said in a news release. “Bolito has long served as a runway for guests to show off their creative outfits, so this year we’ll be leveraging TikTok to drive even more excitement and inspiration.”

How to get Chipotle’s Halloween sale

Chipotle’s Boorito event includes several offers for members of the Chipotle Rewards program and other customers.

Boorito’s $6 discount starter: Chipotle’s food sale will be available from 3:00 PM local time until closing time on Friday, October 31st (subject to availability). Regular entrees are $6 and include a burrito, burrito bowl, one order of three tacos, a salad, or a quesadilla (only available on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com). Offer applies in-person only and is limited to one discounted item per person. Not suitable for delivery or pickup orders. (Not valid on children’s meals, catering orders, or third-party ordering platforms).
Borito Costume Contest: To enter the Boorito Costume Contest, post a video with the hashtag #BooritoCostumeContest from October 27th to November 2nd for a chance to win a Chipotle VIP card.
“Tip or Treat”: The event runs until October 30th. Purchase your entree, scan your rewards card, and receive an email with a 5-day redeemable offer. You can “tip or treat” once a week during the promotion period, which ends on October 30th.
Build your own Chipotle deal: Want to recreate Chipotle’s serving lines at home? Build-Your-Own Chipotle meals have all the ingredients you need to feed 4 to 6 people. Get $10 off your first BYOC order with code TRYBYOC until December 31st or 500,000 redemptions, whichever comes first.

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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North Carolina state legislature redistricts to add Republican seat

Politics

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October 23, 2025

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North Carolina state legislature redistricts to add Republican seat

Previous maps of the state drawn by Republicans were already highly skewed, allowing Republicans to win 10 of the 14 House seats in 2024, despite North Carolina being a swing state.

The Republican-dominated North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday passed a new congressional map aimed at giving the party one more seat in the House, extending President Donald Trump’s campaign to use partisan redistricting to help Republicans maintain control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.

The state’s previous map, approved by Republicans just two years ago, was already highly skewed, allowing Republicans to win 10 of the 14 U.S. House seats in 2024, despite North Carolina’s status as a close state. Gov. Josh Stein is a Democrat, but state law does not allow him to veto redistricting plans.

North Carolina is the third Republican-controlled state this year to heed President Trump’s call for unusual redistricting in mid-decade, following Texas and Missouri. Other Republican states, including Ohio, Kansas and Indiana, are planning or considering similar moves, while California Democrats are moving forward with their own redistricting plans to counter Texas’ maps.

Redistricting typically occurs only once every 10 years after the U.S. Census to account for population movement. But the Texas Republican Party’s decision to approve new maps aimed at flipping five Democratic seats has sparked a national redistricting battle.

Republicans, who control more states than Democrats, appear poised to eventually pick up seats. Next year’s House elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with Democrats needing to flip just three seats held by Republicans since 2024 to regain the majority.

The U.S. Senate is considered a long shot for Democrats, who will need to defend several vulnerable seats while also winning races in solidly Republican states to gain a majority.

Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, who is likely to lose his seat under the new maps, called redistricting “beyond common sense” in a statement.

President Trump praised the map in a social media post, and Destin Hall, the Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, reposted the message, adding, “We are putting America First in North Carolina!”

There is a conflict between Trump and the Republican Party. literally.

USA

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October 23, 2025

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There is a conflict between Trump and the Republican Party. literally.

President Donald Trump wants to import meat from Argentina to lower beef prices. Local state Republicans aren’t happy about this.

WASHINGTON – There’s a lot of back and forth between Congress and the White House.

Republican lawmakers from local states typically don’t like to criticize President Donald Trump, but they are unhappy with his plan to increase imports of beef from Argentina at a time when prices are at record highs, which he unveiled on Air Force One over the weekend. Government officials confirmed Wednesday that the United States is preparing to quadruple its beef purchases from the South American country.

“Prices in our country are way down. The only thing that’s really going up is beef,” President Trump said in the Oval Office on October 22. “We’re going to do something very quickly and easily to bring down beef. Ranchers understand that.”

But ranchers have so far been far from sympathetic to the move, with prominent livestock producer groups accusing Trump of disrespecting them in recent days.

“If President Trump is truly an ally of American cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate the market,” said Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattle and Beef Association.

The reaction has upset Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer and others. Her state has more cattle than people and has “the best beef in the world,” she said.

“I have deep concerns,” she told USA TODAY.

In a rare show of disapproval, some Republicans in Congress are urging Trump to reconsider.

On October 21, a group of House Republicans from rural states such as North Dakota and Montana sent a letter to the president and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressing their concerns. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) said he met with the president and Cabinet members at the White House to discuss the matter.

“I suggested that energy prices across the country are falling not because we are importing additional energy from other countries, but because we have started producing more energy here in the United States,” Lowndes said in a statement. “The same rules should apply to U.S. beef.”

Amid growing backlash, multiple federal agencies this week announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening the U.S. beef industry, including accelerated deregulation.

“We are committed to protecting the beef industry and encouraging new ranchers to take on the noble calling of ranching,” Rollins said in a statement.

Beef prices hit record high

The disagreement arises as U.S. beef prices soar.

Due in part to drought, the country’s cattle herds are smaller than they have been in decades.

The USDA reported in July that the average retail price of beef was $9.69 per pound, an increase of about $1 from a year ago and $3.60 from 2019.

In response, restaurant chains like City Barbecue in Ohio have begun prioritizing other meats, including chicken and pork, due to concerns about sticker shock among customers, according to the Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.

However, not all Republicans are concerned about this issue. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said that even if the U.S. were to increase beef imports from Argentina 10 times what they are now, Americans wouldn’t feel it.

“I think the White House will put the right policies in place,” he told USA TODAY, adding that no matter what happens, there will be “huge demand” for U.S. beef.

Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..

What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s $320 million jackpot?

Economy

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October 22, 2025

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What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s 0 million jackpot?

The Powerball jackpot was drawn after no one won the top prize on Monday, October 20th, and rose to $320 million on Wednesday, October 22nd.

If the ticket matches all five numbers and the Powerball in the 11 p.m. ET drawing, the winner can elect a one-time cash payment of $152.2 million before taxes.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

$2.04 billion – November 7, 2022 – California
$1.787 billion – September 6, 2025 – Missouri, Texas
$1.765 billion – October 11, 2023 – California
$1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – or
$1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – California
$842.4 million – January 1, 2024 – Michigan
$768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin
$758.7 million – August 23, 2017 – Massachusetts
$754.6 million – February 6, 2023 – Washington State

Check below to find out the winning numbers for the October 22nd Powerball drawing.

Powerball winning numbers for October 22, 2025

The winning numbers for Wednesday, October 22nd drawing are 18, 37, 52, 54, 60 and 12 for Powerball. The “power play” multiplier is 2x.

The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of the USA TODAY Network.

Has anyone won Powerball?

Powerball winners will be posted here as soon as they are announced by lottery officials.

To find a complete list of past Powerball winners, go to Click on the link to the lottery website.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on Saturday, October 25th, just after 11:00 PM ET.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes.

“Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

If you’re feeling unlucky or just want to let the computer do the work for you, you can take advantage of the “Quick Pick” option, where a computer-generated number is printed on your Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythese states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery games and numbers, place your order, view your tickets, and claim your winnings, all from your mobile phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

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Gen Z is less filtered than past generations

President Trump deploys “bivisitters”

Teams commit when they know their leaders value transparency over expediency. In short, ethics pays off.

Ethical business leaders are needed now more than ever

Ethical leadership should be seen as a cost

Business ethics is a “bottom line” issue

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held the Senate floor for more than 22 hours in protest of President Donald Trump and the government shutdown.

As photos of the White House demolition began to circulate, critics expressed outrage that the country’s preeminent historic landmark was left destroyed.

President Trump in July: “I will not touch the east building when constructing a banquet hall.”

Hillary Clinton: “This isn’t his home. It’s your home.”

President Trump’s banquet hall begins with ‘no approval’

“Tribute to the Man Known as Donald J. Trump”

New Details About Ballroom Plans – Bulletproof Glass

The numbers behind MetaAI’s headcount reductions

Why is Meta making these reductions?

The prevalence of expensive employment

New Guard vs. Old Guard

Time to frown

What this means for the AI ​​industry

big picture

conclusion

Fewer boards include women and people of color

From Hillary Clinton’s emails to Pete Hegseth’s “Signalgate,” the indictments against John Bolton and Donald Trump all suggest that both men were hypocritical in their handling of classified information.

Trump and Bolton accused of improperly preserving classified information

Mr. Bolton will be charged with communicating national defense information, but Mr. Trump will not be indicted.

Mr. Trump is charged with obstruction of justice after repeated cover-ups, but Mr. Bolton is not indicted.

Mr. Bolton, but not Mr. Trump, alleges hacking by a foreign enemy

Bolton and Trump accused of hypocrisy over statements about Clinton’s emails and Hegses Signal messages

Why AI attacks targeting protocols like MCP are so dangerous

How this MCP prompt hijacking attack works

What should AI security leaders do?

The Louvre director previously warned about the museum’s outdated security system

How did the robbers get into the Louvre?

What items were stolen from the Louvre?

Army’s approach is evolving, but geography is a barrier

Culture and equity issues

What products are included in the Coca-Cola Texas recall?

mystery of power

Sounds like a controversy

Control everything with one battery

How to turn an EV into a Porsche

descend into the earth

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The 90-minute debate, hosted by Spectrum News, was the last debate before voters head to the polls in the nation’s largest city.

“Trump puppet” or “Mayor Trump?”

“How is it different from regular politics?”

“It’s your experience that matters.”

“Please don’t stare at me here, Zoran.”

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Previous maps of the state drawn by Republicans were already highly skewed, allowing Republicans to win 10 of the 14 House seats in 2024, despite North Carolina being a swing state.

President Donald Trump wants to import meat from Argentina to lower beef prices. Local state Republicans aren’t happy about this.

Beef prices hit record high

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