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October 31, 2026 Good morning. Halloween presents an endless parade of ghouls and goblins. Most aren’t actually scary, but can illuminate some things about the nature of fear. María Jesús Contreras Stage fright By Melissa Kirsch My landlord’s spooky-season sidewalk tableau this year features three skeletons carrying an open casket, inside of which is yet another skeleton, as well as a disembodied hand. One morning last week, I emerged from the building to see two women with infants in strollers parked out front. It’s not unusual around Halloween to see families taking pictures of the spectacle, but I found it amusing that these people had stopped to show it to their babies. What would these tiny humans make of a surprisingly lifelike rotten-toothed crone beckoning them from the hedge? Would they recognize Halloween’s creepy cast of characters as frightening? Perhaps they were too young to even register what they were seeing. Perhaps the world in their eyes was still a series of shapes, light and color — everything new, everything still coming into focus, still taking on the valence of scary or safe. The things that spook us as children leave their mark. We grow into adults who must disentangle real threats from perceived ones, and often discover that a present-day fear took root when we were too young to know better. Growing up, my family had a vinyl record of Boris Karloff narrating Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” that I found so frightening I could not look at the album cover. I insisted it be removed from my room and then lay awake worrying because the album was still somewhere in the house, pulsing with its fearsome power. Listening to a recording this week — No matter how hard the duck tried to run, she couldn’t escape the wolf. He was getting nearer, nearer, catching up with her — I felt a similar surge of terror as I felt as a child, combined with a pleasurable measure of gratitude that my more mature, rational brain can separate a ghost story from imminent menace. In a recent Times article, the writer Alessandra Schade recalled that as a child she lived next door to the “Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine. She read his horror stories for kids and convinced herself that Stine’s house was haunted. Twenty years later, Schade met Stine, who told her about his career and how he came to inhabit the home from whose chimney she once was certain she saw ghosts floating. She learned that Stine and his wife, who met when they were editing magazines at Scholastic in the 1960s, had lived there, on a quiet cul-de-sac in Sag Harbor, on the eastern end of Long Island, for a quarter century. The source of her childhood anxiety turned out to be, as she put it, “a friendly octogenarian” who “goes by Bob.” Our childhood fears resist rationalization. We can turn on the light and see that the boogeyman is just a pile of clothes, but we sleep with one eye open nonetheless. As adults, we have the tools to distinguish between real and imagined peril, but we don’t always use them. The scary album is replaced by the amorphous worry about a difficult conversation, a potential loss, things not turning out as we wish. We picture the worst-case scenario; we still see monsters where there’s just dirty laundry. No matter how old we get, we still need to remind ourselves that what is unknown or mysterious to us isn’t necessarily dangerous. Halloween is a laboratory for experimenting with this. All around us, bedsheet ghosts haunt the neighbor’s oak tree, spiders as big as hatchbacks climb up the side of tenements. And children, the ones most likely to shrink from this pageant of frights, walk through it delightedly, meeting witches and vampires and learning to distinguish costumes from reality. THE LATEST NEWS Midterm Elections Doug Mills/The New York Times President Trump will travel to Kansas and Iowa to hold campaign rallies this weekend, a White House official said, in a sharp reversal after he announced that he planned to do virtual events instead. A federal appeals court again rejected the Trump administration’s effort to make California officials set aside more than 20,000 mail-in ballots. The administration could now ask the Supreme Court to intervene. Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in his home state of Illinois. At the polls on Tuesday, Floridians will decide whether to reduce property taxes. (They already pay no state income tax.) Some call it a “Faustian bargain.” More on Politics The Trump administration detained dozens of Afghan immigrants in Louisiana and plans to deport them, despite concerns that many would face persecution by the Taliban. Obamacare premiums will rise by 13 percent next year, hitting middle-income people already struggling with health care costs. Around the World Gains for Arab-led parties have electrified Palestinian citizens of Israel, who voted in record numbers, even as others hope to exclude those parties from any future government. Violent unrest in France has eroded support for Édouard Philippe, the leading centrist candidate for prime minister, and benefited his far-right and far-left rivals. The leading independent news outlet in Russia, whose co-founder received the Nobel Peace Prize, said that it would shut down — and that the Kremlin had orchestrated its demise. An error by rail traffic controllers caused this week’s deadly train crash in Spain, officials said. Business Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, said it had suspended withdrawals after hackers stole more than $6 billion in digital coins. One research lab attributed the theft to North Korea. Tech company stocks tumbled, some by double digits, as investors fretted about whether their A.I. spending spree is paying off. The war with Iran with has been very lucrative for U.S. oil companies, which nearly tripled their annual profit as consumers faced higher prices for gas and other fuel. Other Big Stories In her first comments since Tennessee botched her execution last month, Christa Pike said she was in constant pain and has been kept largely in isolation. Researchers are exploring novel ways to treat, or even prevent, the brain disease C.T.E. in football players. Among them: near-infrared light. THE INTERVIEW Philip Montgomery for The New York Times “My male friendships are quite deep and sad and open and everything that a female friendship is acknowledged to be and is seen in the culture.” — Martin McDonagh, writer and director of the new dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine.” He spoke to David Marchese about the Academy Awards race, the perils of writing a racist character, and how bands like the Clash helped inspire him to pursue an artistic career. Click to watch, listen or read a transcript. GAME OF THE WEEK Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images W.N.B.A. finals: The Golden State Valkyries barely existed two years ago. They were an expansion team with zero players and zero wins, yet their owner had enough blind confidence to make a promise: “We will win a W.N.B.A. championship in the first five years of this franchise,” he said. Now, less than 18 months after the team’s first game, the Valkyries are one win away from following through on that bold claim. They will host the Atlanta Dream tonight in the W.N.B.A.’s first-ever win-or-go-home Game 7. The Dream, who play best when they ride on the assertiveness of their biggest star, Angel Reese, are in their 19th season but are also vying for their first title. — Matthew Cullen Tip-off is at 8 p.m. Eastern. THE WEEK IN CULTURE Film and TV Gabby Laurent for The New York Times Keira Knightley was once the victim of merciless paparazzi stalking and phone hacks. Now, she’s working on two projects that deal explicitly with surveillance. Coincidence? Patrick Stewart used his booming voice and his Shakespearean pedigree in the service of absurd — and often lewd — comedy. Read our critic’s appraisal after Stewart’s death Thursday at 86. The viral indie blockbuster “Obsession” is back in theaters for Halloween weekend. Director Curry Barker breaks it down in our “Anatomy of a Scene” video series. Click to watch: The New York Times Music Lil Baby nearly quit rapping before “Dead Fresh,” his slump-busting hit that marked a shift from Atlanta-centric music into the broader world of pop. “Now I honestly believe I could make any kind of song,” he said in an interview on Popcast. Watch the whole thing here. The New York Philharmonic has been performing the soundtrack live alongside screenings of “Get Out” this week. The composer, Michael Abels, dissected three pivotal moments from the score. The pop star Chris Brown was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence over a 2023 episode in which he repeatedly hit a man in the head with a tequila bottle at a nightclub. More Culture The world seems brimming with conflict right now. So where’s all the art about war? Lucien Smith, who died last month at 37, had largely retreated from the art world after skyrocketing early success. His final body of work is an exorcism of sorts. Museums are pitching themselves as date-night destinations — and finding a generation of takers. The Midterms are here. Understand their impact with savings on The Times. Benefit from unlimited coverage of the elections — and what they mean for you going forward. Sale: $1/week for you first year. Subscribe now. RECIPE OF THE WEEK Con Poulos for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. By Melissa Clark Tomato-Parmesan soup Happy Halloween! If you’re looking for something easy to feed your little witches and zombies before trick-or-treating — or to fortify yourself for the onslaught — may I suggest Ali Slagle’s tomato-Parmesan soup? Simmered from a couple of cans of tomatoes and some Parmesan rinds for depth, it’s a warming brew that will sustain you through the sugarcoated evening to come. Ali suggests serving this with Parmesan toasts on the side for grilled cheese vibes, and you certainly can’t go wrong with that. REAL ESTATE Graham Dickie for The New York Times The Hunt: A college student and his step-mom had up to $1 million for a Manhattan apartment to serve as dorm room and vacation lodging. What did they pick? Play our game. What would you get for $1.5 million? A space age-inspired house in Idyllwild, Calif., a Cape Cod house in Charlottesville, Va., or a condo in Washington, D.C.? LIVING President Trump and the first lady handing out candy to trick-or-treaters at the White House. Alex Kent/The New York Times Eye candy: Melania Trump’s Halloween coat was its own kind of costume, our fashion critic writes. Faux marble: Interior designers may not miss quartz countertops, which California is considering banning. But your budget-friendly kitchen might. Silver sanctuaries: These are the best cities to retire in now. ADVICE FROM WIRECUTTER 5 life-changing cleaning hacks By Christine Cyr Clisset I’ve learned all kinds of useful and unconventional hacks in my many years immersed in Wirecutter’s cleaning coverage. Here are five that have totally transformed my approach: You can skip dry-cleaning plenty of things, even if the label insists you should. Hand-washing many delicates — like wool or cashmere sweaters — can actually help them last longer. Dish soap is an underrated cleaner, and works wonders on far more than just dishes. I use it to clean my oven, wood floors, appliances and even some laundry stains. Make sure you’re cleaning the things that do the cleaning. For example, if your washing machine smells like mildew, it’s likely time to clean the filter. NOW TIME TO PLAY Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangrams were conclave and covalence. Take the news quiz to see how well you followed this week’s headlines. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Crossplay, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. — Melissa Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Host: Sam Sifton Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti News Staff: Evan Gorelick, Brent Lewis, Lara McCoy, Karl Russell Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Editorial Director, Newsletters: Jodi Rudoren Deputy Editorial Director: Lauren Jackson

THIS DAY IN HISTORY October 31 1517 Martin Luther posts 95 theses Priest and scholar Martin Luther approaches the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nails a piece of paper to it containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation. Read More Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 19th Century 1837 Hundreds of Creek Indians die in Monmouth steamboat disaster 1864 The U.S. Congress admits Nevada as the 36th state 1920s 1926 Celebrated magician Harry Houdini dies 1960s 1963 Freak explosion at Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum kills 74 21st Century 2008 Satoshi Nakamoto publishes a paper introducing Bitcoin American Revolution 1776 King George gives first parliamentary address after the Declaration of Independence Arts & Entertainment 1963 Ed Sullivan witnesses Beatlemania firsthand, paving the way for the British Invasion 1993 Actor River Phoenix dies Crime 1984 Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated European History 1961 Stalin’s body removed from Lenin’s tomb Sports 1997 Violet Palmer becomes first woman to officiate an NBA game 1950 Earl Lloyd becomes first Black player to suit up in the NBA

During the Prohibition era, the U.S. Government allowed Whiskey to be sold through pharmacies. As a result, Walgreens grew from 20 retail stores to almost 500. James

Greenland opens new international airport to lure tourists as it eyes future independence Greenland has opened a new international airport, seeking to lure visitors from around the world as the Arctic island looks toward eventual independence from Denmark. Read More.

Prosecutors drop felony charge against rapper Rick Ross in domestic violence case Prosecutors have dropped a felony charge against rapper Rick Ross a month after he was arrested in Miami Beach when a woman he was living with told police he hit her, court records said. Read More.

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Minnesota on Election Day Minnesota voters will elect a new governor and new senator Tuesday after retirement announcements by two prominent Democrats caused a reshuffling throughout the ballot. Voters will also decide races for other federal and state offices, including contests across the state that could determine control of both chambers of the narrowly divided state Legislature. Read More. AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Texas on Election Day The 2026 midterm election is one of the biggest tests of Republican dominance in Texas — and Democrats’ best shot in decades at winning a key U.S. Senate seat in the state. Read More. AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida on Election Day Florida Republicans will try to extend their dominance in statewide elections Tuesday as voters decide races for Senate, governor and other state and legislative offices. The election will mark the first under a new congressional map adopted by Republicans to boost the party’s chances of keeping control of the closely divided House. Read More. AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Wisconsin on Election Day Democrats in midterm races across the country are seeking to capitalize on souring perceptions of President Donald Trump to gain seats in Congress and tip the balance of power in their favor as his approval ratings haveplummeted during his second term. Read More.

State of Disarray (Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty)   View in browser Many a heavy-handed metaphor has been constructed on the claim that Washington, D.C., is built on a swamp. This hoary cliché is also, for the most part, untrue—but the neighborhood Foggy Bottom, home to the State Department, really is former marshland. This is perhaps fitting. Stories of decadence, deviousness, and ineptitude within the current Trump administration are a dime a dozen, even at current inflation rates. The Justice Department acts as a private law firm for the president; the Department of Health and Human Services seems dedicated to undermining both; the Hegseth Pentagon is breaking globes, both physically and metaphorically. Yet the State Department has escaped some of the taint that has attached to other departments and agencies. This may be because the exploits elsewhere are so blatant, and because Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a reputation as one of the more serious figures in the administration. Whatever the reasons, the State Department may deserve more opprobrium than it has received. One of the guiding philosophies of the second Trump presidency, imported from Project 2025, is that personnel is policy: The success of an administration depends on who staffs it. State shows how this can go very wrong. Perhaps holding Kimberly Guilfoyle, the ousted ambassador to Greece who was allegedly selling access, against the department would be unfair. After all, she was a political choice, likely selected as a thank-you from the president whose campaign she assisted, and to whose son she was previously engaged. But other appointments cannot be so easily explained away. One example is Darren Beattie, whose title is senior adviser for Western Hemisphere affairs. He has particular interest in policy toward Brazil, where the administration has worked to assist the right-wing movement associated with the Bolsonaro family; he is also president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, on which Trump has scrawled his own name. Beattie’s career shows the difference between the first and second Trump administrations: When his speech to white nationalists was revealed during the first, he was fired. In the second, he was welcomed back and given a plum role. One of his colleagues now is Nate Hochman. Once seen as a rising star of mainstream conservatism, Hochman went from National Review to the 2024 presidential campaign of Ron DeSantis, from which he was fired for sharing a video featuring Nazi imagery. After a pit stop working for Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who has regularly made ethnonationalist comments (yes, he’s also the guy with the Jack Smith gaffe), he landed at the State Department, where he is reportedly Rubio’s chief speechwriter. This might explain why the secretary’s recent speech in Athens was so obsessed with supposed threats to the West. The overlapping politics does not appear to be coincidental. Jeremy Carl, who has warned that “white culture” is imperiled, missed out on a chance to join Beattie and Hochman only when his Senate hearing in February completely derailed over offensive old tweets and his inability to explain his own views. The department now has an “Office of Remigration,” using a white-nationalist shibboleth for ethnic cleansing. Some of the State Department’s hires are questionable less for ideological than for personality reasons. Britt McHenry, a former ESPN personality who then deployed culture-war takes to become a mid-tier MAGA figure, joined the State Department last month as a press adviser, but her time there was short: She was resigned this past Friday after throwing a drink at a fan during a Washington Wizards game. Another recent departure is Paolo Zampolli, an old Trump hanger-on most famous for introducing the president and first lady. Zampolli snagged a State Department appointment as special envoy for global partnerships, focused on cultural affairs, but then quickly began meddling in issues that were not in his remit. (Not that he was aware what his remit was: “I didn’t even read the notification” to Congress about his role. “I don’t know about the notification,” he told Politico, saying he took direction from Trump.) Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau’s attempts to control Zampolli produced what Politico described as “a monthslong fight” conducted via “emails that at times included more than a dozen administration officials.” Shortly after that scoop, Zampolli was fired. Zampolli isn’t the only one inattentive to cultural diplomacy. Officials have been rampaging against a painting in the embassy in the Dominican Republic by the artist Kehinde Wiley, who is best known (perhaps not incidentally) for painting President Obama’s official portrait. Trump officials have referred to it as “very woke,” “aesthetically terrifying,” and a lesbian picnic. (The piece is much less titillating than this might suggest: It depicts four people posing over one of Wiley’s trademark floral patterns.) Are any top officials at the State Department above this chaos? Yes, but maybe not for long. My colleague Vivian Salama reported earlier this year on the deserted halls of the department, and The Washington Sun last week reported that leaders are working to promote political loyalists but squeeze out senior foreign-service officers, the most experienced members of the nonpolitical career staff trained in foreign relations. “The State Department is trying to get people to quit,” one officer told the Sun. Sometime soon, we might get a chance to learn what happens when diplomacy is fully in the hands of the least diplomatic people imaginable. Related: The end of diplomacy Marco Rubio’s disappearing Signal chat

The working class is more diverse than ever before The working class is a concept that carries tremendous political weight. But there is no official definition of what it is, and popular views of a mostly white working class are out of date. https://www.epi.org/publication/the-working-class-is-more-diverse-than-ever-before/?

Justice Department seeks to isolate Alaska ballots as criminal probe underway over Senate candidate ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice pushed Friday for a court order to isolate certain Alaska ballots to investigate potential voter confusion, while federal officials confirmed the existence of a criminal probe over a Senate candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent. https://apnews.com/article/alaska-sullivan-peltola-senate-election-88259e40d70a7e4f535e01a2b88489aa?

Cashing in Big Oil is raking in huge profits, and wealthy shareholders are reaping the rewards. Americans are paying for it with high gas prices — to the tune of $1,184 more per household since the start of the war with Iran. ▶️ Streaming now: Why gas prices take so long to fall ps:I do recall back a while ago suggesting what was the real reason for starting the war against Iran????? ExxonMobil and Chevron top Q3 estimates on higher prices and strong output ExxonMobil and Chevron both reported better than expected quarterly results Friday as the oil majors benefited from higher prices and record production. Read More.

⏰ 1 for the road: Hacking the time change Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios A few small tweaks can ease this weekend's "fall back" to standard time, Renske Lok, a circadian biologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, tells Axios Denver's Alayna Alvarez. Here's how to hack it: 🛌 Start tonight. Shift your bedtime and wake-up time back by 10–12 minutes a day to give your internal clock a head start. 👶 Parents, beware. Babies and kids don't understand the shift to standard time, so a 6 a.m. wake-up call could become 5 a.m. 💤 Don't count on bonus sleep. Data from Oura users shows that they slept less overall the week after the 2024 fall time change, despite gaining an hour. ☀️ Chase the morning sun. Getting outside early helps your body adjust. Go deeper ...

🗳️ Pope makes voting history Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo via Getty Images Pope Leo XIV has voted in the Illinois midterm elections using a mail-in ballot, Axios' Josephine Walker reports. That makes him the first sitting pope to vote in a U.S. election. ⛪️ The Holy See Press Office said in a statement that Leo "has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen, whenever he was eligible to do so" and that "in keeping with this long-standing practice of civic participation, he has submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago." The statement added that Leo believes "in the right and the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes." 🫏🐘 Leo has voted in both Democratic and Republican primaries over the last two decades. Go deeper.

Early voting surges in key states People hold signs directing voters to a polling place Wednesday in Minneapolis. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images This year's early voting is significantly outpacing the last midterm elections, according to an Associated Press analysis of voting data five days before Election Day. More than 43 million Americans have voted early in person or returned mail-in ballots — nearly 10 million more than in 2022. The figures cover 47 states and D.C., compared with 48 states and D.C. four years ago. 🏛️ There have been particularly sharp increases in states hosting big competitive races. In Texas, where voters are deciding closely watched Senate, House and governor's races, more than 6.3 million people voted early as of Wednesday. That's compared with 4.2 million at the same point four years ago, a 50% increase. Candidates' signs outside a polling place in Houston on Oct. 19. Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images 🗳️ Early voting has also increased more than 30% from the same point four years ago in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas. In South Carolina, where voters are choosing a successor to the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, early voting is up 83%. Between the lines: In states that provide party affiliation data, about 6.8 million Democrats and 5.2 million Republicans have voted early. Those figures don't account for all early voters nationwide, or indicate which candidates received their votes. Go deeper.

📺 Watch like a pro Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios You won't need to stay up all night Tuesday to spot a big Democratic wave. But it could take days — or even weeks — to know whether Republicans have survived a smaller one and held on to the House or Senate. 🔮 Why it matters: A handful of early results in key states and congressional districts will tell us whether Democrats are headed for a landslide or disappointment. 🐊 What we're watching: Florida. Florida. Florida. Most polls close at 7pm ET, and the state counts quickly — ready for release when the Panhandle finally calls it a night an hour later. 🚨 At 8:01pm, refresh your browser and watch FL-14. The great mid-cycle redistricting wars transformed this Tampa-based district from Harris +8 to Trump +11. If Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor survives, Republicans can all but kiss their majority goodbye, according to party strategists. Next up is FL-25. The country's most expensive general election race is playing out in a district that went from Harris +4 to Trump +9. If Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz's race is close — or too close to call early in the night — House Republicans can keep hope alive. ⚡️ While you're at it, this is a good time to check on South Carolina's Senate race, where polls close at 7pm ET, and the state counts relatively fast. If Sen. Darline Graham loses to Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the Trump +18 state, Senate Republicans can kiss their majority goodbye. (And they'll be sweating if it's close). "Underperformance is rarely isolated," said Jason Thielman, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2024. "If you see the GOP underperforming early in the East, it is likely going to continue as you move farther West." ⏭️ At 9pm ET, check in on Virginia: The commonwealth's polls close at 7pm, but historically tight races often aren't called until the 9pm hour. If Democrats flip VA-01, a Trump +5 seat, they're in for a very good night. If they flip VA-05, a Trump +12 seat, they're in for a great night. Between the lines: VA-02 could tell us whether a strong Republican candidate can survive a Democratic wave, and whether Speaker Mike Johnson can keep his job. Trump carried the Hampton Roads district by just 0.2 percentage points in 2024, while Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans won by 3.8 points. The AP didn't call her race until 5:28pm ET the following Wednesday. GOP strategists believe Kiggans has run a nearly flawless campaign. If even she gets swept away in a 50-50 district, other Republicans in a low-single-digit Trump seat should brace for impact. If she holds on, that could bode well for Sen. Susan Collins in Maine and Rep. Ashley Hinson in the Iowa Senate race. The intrigue: Also keep an eye on Kentucky's 6th District. Polls close there at 6pm ET, but the state takes a more genteel approach to counting ballots. If Democrats take the open Lexington-based seat (Trump +15), Republicans will be downing their bourbon. Neat. 🤠 Moving west: Polls close in Ohio at 7:30pm and Texas at 8pm ET, but Texas counts faster. If Ken Paxton is holding on in Texas, Republicans still have a path to keeping their Senate majority. Iowa polls close at 9pm ET. If Hinson is looking good, the night might not be as bad as many Republicans feared. 😴 The bottom line: Don't stay up for the Senate results in either Maine or Alaska. Even a clear win (or defeat) for Collins may not be obvious until Wednesday. In 2020, when she won by nearly 9 percentage points, the AP didn't call the race until lunchtime Wednesday. In Alaska, with its ranked-choice voting, results could take weeks. — Hans Nichols

Consensus looks elusive at G20 talks after European objections to Russia cancel group photo ATLANTA (AP) — Top diplomats from the Group of 20 largest world economies appeared far apart on critical global security issues as they began meeting Friday in Atlanta, after European objections to Russia’s participation forced the U.S. hosts to cancel the traditional group photo. https://apnews.com/article/g20-rubio-russia-ukraine-iran-war-ed4ab8ad9fedd628c39ac05bc5092cac?

The Real Search for Noah’s Ark The story of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6–9) has captured audiences from antiquity to the present, driven by fascinations with the Flood, the salvation of life on earth, and the many theological questions that abound. Given that continued interest, below is a list of Bible History Daily articles that help situate the biblical story in its ancient historical and cultural contexts. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/real-search-for-noahs-ark/? Ebedmelech—A Remarkable Figure in Jerusalem’s Final Days Ebedmelech, a Judahite official whom the Bible identifies as a Cushite,1 makes a brief but command appearance in the Book of Jeremiah during the horrifying Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, c. 588–586 B.C.E. (Jeremiah 38:7–13). Showing honor in chaos, his level-headed actions save Jeremiah’s life. In the life-and-death drama of Jerusalem’s fall, Ebedmelech interacts not only with Jeremiah but also with the city’s nobles and Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (c. 597–586 B.C.E.). https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/ebedmelech/?

The Seventh-day Adventist Church teaches that God’s justice and mercy are both real, and that the wicked will not get into heaven but will face eternal separation from God. And we know clearly that Ellen G. White did not teach universal salvation, but she addressed “universalism” in historical and theological contexts, warning against it as a distortion of biblical truth while affirming God’s love and the hope of all being reconciled to Him through Christ. And we this Ellen White’s commentary found within a historical survey of “Restorationism” (the belief that all souls will ultimately be saved) which basically became known as universalism, from Leroy Froom in 'The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2': "V. Upsurge of Universalism in Colonial and Early National America A brief portrayal has already been given of the Old World post-Reformation revival of Restorationism, since Reformation times usually called Universalism. It is now essential to trace its paralleling relationship in Colonial and early national America, with its significant and subsequent developments. Back in 1636, Sir Henry Vane, former member of the British Parliament and governor of Massachusetts, acknowledged himself to be a Universalist. Then in July, 1684, Joseph Gatchell, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, was brought before the county court for teaching that “all men should be saved.” He was convicted of the teaching charged, and “sentenced ‘to the pillory and to have his tongue drawn forth and pierced with a hot iron.’” Those seem to be the earliest appearances in the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, in 1741, Dr. George de Bonneville came from London to preach Universalism throughout the Eastern seaboard, and had Universalist Siegvolk’s Everlasting Gospel published over here. In Episcopal ranks, Richard Clarke, in Charleston, South Carolina, and John Tyler, of Norwich, Connecticut, were pronounced advocates. And Congregationalist Dr. Jonathan Mayhew, of Boston, avowed it in 1762. Then former Wesleyan James Relly’s book on Universalism was reprinted in Boston in 1779 and in Providence in 1782. But shortly before this an anonymous pamphlet appeared against Universalism, likewise in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1759; another in Altona, by Basedow, in 1763; and then a third by Croswell, at Boston, in 1775. And there were counterattacks. Thus the battle of pens was under way. 1. UNIVERSALISM GATHERS MOMENTUM IN NINETEENTH CENTURY But it was Bostonian Dr. Charles Chauncy’s The Salvation of All Men (1784) that created the sensation. He had a profound conviction as to the divine management of the universe. Then in 1770 Methodist John Murray widely proclaimed Universalism, and in 1779 organized a society of Universalists in Massachusetts under the name of The Independent Christian Church. Next, in 1781 Baptist Elhanan Winchester organized a Universalist society, taking the name Universal Baptists. Even among the Dunkers, or German Baptists, at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Universalism was agitated. Also in New Jersey several Baptist preachers and their congregations became Universalist. And in Pennsylvania Abel Sarjent started the Free Universal Magazine. Restorationism was definitely under way in North America. The Reverend Hosea Ballou, of Vermont, originally a Baptist, but becoming a Universalist preacher in 1790, started the Restorationist Association. He also produced The Ancient History of Universalism (1829), and by 1830 his views were rather extensively held. But this Restorationist Association terminated about 1841, and its organ, The Independent Christian Messenger, ceased publication. So there were ups and downs, but the agitation continued. 2. BATTLE OF BOOKS OVER UNIVERSALISM Prior to the appearance of Universalism, as outlined, the absolute eternity of Hell punishment was almost universally held, with predestinarian Calvinism predominant. Now a barrage of books for and against the upsurging Universalism poured forth for more than half a century. " https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/955.1748

> Pentagon fires Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, refers him for potential criminal prosecution over alleged leaking of classified information on Iran, Ukraine (More) | See list of high-profile departures under Secretary Pete Hegseth (More) > Russian drone strike on civilian train station in Dnipro, central Ukraine, kills at least 14 people, per Ukrainian authorities (More) | See war updates (More, scroll for maps) > Israel's governing Likud Party claims fraud, foreign interference lifted Arab voter participation in this week's elections; Israeli police dispute the allegations (More)

> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.3%, Dow -0.3%, Nasdaq -1.4%); Google parent company Alphabet shares drop 12.3% following third-quarter earnings report that fell short of analysts' expectations (More) > US gross domestic product climbs at 3.4% annual rate, the fastest pace in a year, per Commerce Department third-quarter data (More, w/graph) | Inflation rate rises to 3.6%, personal consumption expenditures index shows (More) > European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign from her position in February, roughly eight months before her eight-year term ends; Lagarde cited a desire to speak more openly about world affairs, without specifying issues (More)

The false doctrine of Universalism teaches that all people will be saved, that a good and loving God would not allow any to perish. They declare or hold that God's love is so great that every human soul will eventually achieve salvation and reconciliation, viewing any post-mortem punishment as temporary and purifying rather than eternal. Early roots trace back to thinkers like Origen of Alexandria in the 3rd century, and it developed as an organized movement in the 18th century from those roots, and we see in the idea that after a cleansing period they can get a pass and all reach salvation. They come up with many false ideas of how this can happen, such as this one from the false doctrine of Purgatory and from many others, where God will somehow free sinners and let them get to heaven, or that there will be multiple raptures so that people will have another opportunity to choose God or another path to Him. So you get a lie turned into a false belief called Universalism. But the Bible doesnt teach this, it tells us clearly there is only one path and shows not all will choose it... John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. And He will separate the sheep (saints) from the goats (wicked) at His coming... Matthew 25:32-34 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: And only the saints will be taken to heaven to be in the Kingdom where Christ has prepared a place for them... John 14:1-3 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. So we see that the Kingdom is only for the saints, the chosen, the elect, but the Bible also calls them a remnant... Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ And we find the following also... Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: So not all shall be saved as many will choose the world rather than Christ, and stay in bondage to the adversary.

> Researchers identify age-related differences in colorectal tumor composition and gene activity that may explain why the cancer is more aggressive in younger adults (More) | Colorectal cancer is mysteriously on the rise across age groups (More) > Scientists track muscle movement using implanted magnetic sensors, paving the way toward more precise control of prosthetic limbs (More, w/demo video) > Giant crane believed to have gone extinct thousands of years ago may never have existed, according to new study linking bone fragments to larger version of the common crane (More)

> Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," dies at age 86 due to Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia (More) | Watch him recount his path from performing Shakespeare to the sci-fi show (More) > Atlanta Dream force Game 7 of WNBA Finals with 80-69 victory over Golden State Valkyries; deciding matchup is tomorrow at 8 pm ET (More) | See 15 players to keep an eye on during the championship game (More) > Actress Barbara Barrie, best known for 1979 film "Breaking Away," dies by medically assisted suicide at 95 after terminal cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnoses (More) | Which US states allow medically assisted death? (More)

Chinese Spy Targets Nvidia US intelligence agencies believe Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is the target of a Chinese spy, according to a New York Times report (free w/email). Alice Huang, who is unrelated to the Nvidia CEO, is a senior executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed, which has been accused of smuggling AI chips into China. The pair were seen together at a Taipei bar in 2024 and a restaurant in 2025, interactions Nvidia is defending as standard business engagement. President Donald Trump was reportedly briefed on US intelligence concerns about Alice Huang a year ago and did not take action. Nvidia has generated roughly 15 cents of every dollar the US stock market has returned since 2023. Jensen Huang has, meanwhile, lobbied Trump to ease restrictions on the sale of advanced AI chips to China. The US and China are battling for an edge in AI development. See inside the underground network to get chips into China.

Alaska's Sullivan Showdown President Donald Trump called for Alaska Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola to be prosecuted and removed from the ballot after a New York Times report (free w/email) alleged her campaign recruited a candidate sharing the name of her opponent, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R). Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) also ordered an investigation Wednesday, days before Tuesday’s midterms. The effort reportedly began in 2025, and Peltola’s former campaign manager said she was aware of it but wasn’t directly involved. Peltola’s campaign denies involvement, as does the second Sullivan, a retired teacher who is one of four candidates in the race. State election officials initially disqualified him over concerns about voter confusion, but the Alaska Supreme Court reinstated his candidacy. The Justice Department sued last week to block certification of a Peltola victory if confusion over the second Sullivan affected the outcome. In a Sullivan twist, Anchorage's former mayor—a third Dan Sullivan—endorsed the incumbent in August. Why are there so many Dan Sullivans in Alaska?