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White House Threatens No Back Pay for Furloughed Workers

A leaked White House memo argues furloughed federal employees may not be entitled to back pay when the government reopens, escalating the shutdown and prompting legal challenges and widespread outrage from lawmakers and unions

Number

4,000 USD - Gold tops $4,000 per ounce for the first time

Quote

"They remind me of Somalia" — President Donald Trump

SPX 6,715 ↓ 0.38% Dow 46,603 ↓ 0.20% Nasdaq 22,788 ↓ 0.67% Gold 4,012 ↑ 0.20% BTC 121,757 ↓ 2.38%

24 Hours

White House Threatens No Back Pay for Furloughed Workers

The federal government shutdown has escalated into a fight over whether furloughed employees will be paid retroactively. The White House is exploring legal arguments and using tariff revenue to keep critical nutrition programs running, deepening the standoff.

Bondi Spars With Senate Democrats at Fiery Hearing

Attorney General Pam Bondi faced a combative Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where she deflected questions on Jeffrey Epstein, the Comey indictment, and DOJ oversight. The hearing raised fresh scrutiny of Justice Department actions under the administration.

FBI Shuts Corruption Unit and Fires Agents

New documents and statements triggered a shakeup at the FBI after revelations that senators' phone records and other materials were analyzed during past probes. Leaders say agents were fired and units were dismantled as oversight questions mount.

Texas National Guard Troops Arrive in Illinois

The federal deployment of state National Guard troops to cities has become a flashpoint. Texas troops arrived in Illinois amid legal fights and angry local officials who call the move unlawful and dangerous.

Families of Hostages Say They 'Sense a Shift' As Talks Resume

Indirect negotiations in Egypt have revived hopes for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases. Families of captives and released hostages say negotiators may be closer to a deal as talks continue on the war's second anniversary.

Gold Surges Past $4,000 an Ounce

Gold surged to record highs as investors sought safe havens amid political uncertainty and market jitters. The metal topping $4,000 an ounce marks a major shift in investor sentiment.

Shutdown Strains Air Traffic Control Centers

The shutdown has begun to disrupt U.S. air travel as understaffed control centers and sick calls lead to delays and temporary tower closures. Major hubs warn of growing operational strain if the stalemate continues.

Trump Floats Insurrection Act as Deployment Option

President Trump has repeatedly invoked the Insurrection Act and other powers to deploy troops to cities, prompting legal and constitutional alarms from experts and opponents. The possibility of federalized deployments has spurred urgent debate.

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Colorado Conversion Therapy Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court signaled skepticism about state bans on so‑called conversion therapy for minors, raising First Amendment and medical-regulation questions as justices probed the Colorado law during oral arguments.

Hunter Biden Pursued Land Deal Near US Embassy in Romania

New reporting and declassified memos have renewed scrutiny of President Biden's family's business ties and past intelligence handling. The disclosures include a Hunter Biden real estate pursuit and previously hidden CIA materials.

Mamdani Still Silent on Affordable Housing Ballot Proposals

Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign faces multiple controversies over his policy positions, finance links and statements on October 7 that have drawn bipartisan backlash and raised questions about electability and governance plans.

Virginia Democrat Exposed for Violent Texts about Colleagues

A scandal in Virginia has erupted after resurfaced texts showed a Democratic candidate making violent remarks about colleagues. The controversy is roiling the state campaign and prompting calls for resignations and withdrawals.

Model 3 Standard Priced at $36,990 in New Lineup

Tesla unveiled lower‑priced versions of its Model Y and Model 3 as federal EV tax credits expired, aiming to keep demand amid intense competition. The moves reshape EV pricing and market positioning.

Nvidia CEO Explains Why OpenAI Partnership Is Different

Big tech and chipmakers strengthened their ties with AI players as deals and partnerships reshaped the trillion‑dollar AI market. Executives argue U.S. leadership is essential even as profit margins face scrutiny.

OpenAI's Sora 2 Sparks Backlash Over Deepfake Risks

OpenAI's new Sora 2 video model has prompted industry pushback over copyright, deepfakes and the rapid emergence of watermark‑removing tools. Studios and rights holders pressed for safeguards while bad actors exploit gaps.

Medical Helicopter Crashes Onto California Highway

A medical helicopter crashed onto a highway in California leaving multiple people critically injured and prompting an FAA investigation. Authorities continue to investigate cause and implications for emergency response.

USDA Warns HelloFresh Meals May Contain Listeria‑Tainted Spinach

Multiple large recalls and food‑safety warnings hit consumers as agencies flagged listeria risks and other contamination. Regulators also disclosed a major vehicle recall over faulty rearview cameras raising safety concerns.

EU Proposes Harsher Steel Tariffs in Response to US Moves

Trade tensions and tariff retaliation reshaped transatlantic and North American commerce as the EU proposed steep steel tariffs and President Trump met Canada's leader to negotiate amid rising trade friction.

Five Arrested After Alleged Assassination Attempt on Ecuador President

Security services arrested multiple suspects after an alleged attempt on Ecuador's president, underscoring rising political violence in the region and ongoing instability around high‑profile leaders.

Newly Elected German Mayor Found Critically Injured After Stabbing

A newly elected German mayor was critically wounded in a brazen stabbing that triggered a major manhunt and international concern about political violence. Authorities launched a broad investigation and security sweep.

Senate Confirms Over 100 of Trump's Nominees in Bloc Vote

Senate Republicans pushed through a large batch of confirmations, clearing more than 100 of President Trump's nominees in a single vote and reshaping leadership across agencies as the shutdown continues.

Putin Claims Nearly 5,000 Square Kilometers Captured in Ukraine

Fighting in Ukraine continues to shape global security dynamics as Russia claims territorial gains while Western analysts see a contested war of attrition. Kyiv counters with evidence of regained momentum in places.

Six Former Surgeons General Say RFK Jr Is Endangering the Nation's Health

Six former U.S. surgeons general publicly warned that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s policies risk public health, marking a rare bipartisan alarm about the administration's new health directives.

Mars Orbiter Captures Closest View of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Space agencies tracked and imaged 3I/ATLAS as the rare interstellar object passed near Mars, giving scientists the closest views yet and offering new data on objects from beyond our solar system.