Top News Headlines for October 31, 2025

Top News Headlines for October 31, 2025

Here's a curated snapshot of today's major stories from around the world, based on reports from NPR, Democracy Now!, Reuters, The New York Times, and other outlets. I've grouped them by category for clarity, focusing on developments with the broadest impact. The U.S. government shutdown (now in its 31st day) and escalating global tensions dominate, alongside AI investments and weather crises.

U.S. Politics & Government Shutdown

Senate Adjourns Without Deal as Shutdown Hits Day 31: Lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement, prolonging disruptions. This includes potential SNAP benefit cuts for millions and worsening flight delays at major airports like Orlando due to air traffic controller shortages. President Trump urged Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster to break the impasse, drawing mixed GOP reactions.

Trump's Controversial Proposals Spark Backlash: In a White House Halloween event featuring superheroes and lookalikes, Trump advocated resuming nuclear testing—reviving Cold War debates—and defended U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. The UN condemned the bombings as a violation of international norms.

Federal Judge to Rule on SNAP Funding: Amid shutdown chaos, a judge is expected to order the administration to reallocate funds to states for food assistance, as benefits risk lapsing.

World News & Conflicts

Israel Strikes Gaza Amid Ceasefire Claims: Despite a U.S.-brokered truce, Israeli forces continued operations, killing dozens. Separately, a report accused Google and Amazon of violating their own terms in Israel's $1.2B "Project Nimbus" AI deal.

Tanzania Election Unrest: 700+ Feared Dead: Protests over disputed polls have turned deadly, with opposition groups alleging a crackdown. Human rights activists in Kenya called it a "democratic re-awakening" moment.

Sudan Darfur Crisis Escalates: Satellite images show blood visible from space amid genocide allegations; the death toll nears 10,000 in recent clashes.

U.S.-China Trade Talks Yield Mixed Results: A new deal on rare earths could boost U.S. soybean farmers and tech sectors but raises concerns over TikTok policies and long-term economic strategy. Tensions peaked at the APEC summit, with Xi Jinping warning against aligning with the U.S.

India-U.S. Defense Pact Signed: A 10-year framework boosts strategic ties, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling it a "signal" of convergence.

Weather & Disasters

Hurricane Melissa's Toll Rises to 49 in Caribbean: The Category 5 storm battered Jamaica, testing disaster readiness with widespread damage and delayed aid. Venezuela sent 46 tons of humanitarian supplies to Cuba and Jamaica despite U.S. sanctions.

Landslides Kill 9 in Uganda: Heavy rains triggered deadly slides in Bukwo and Kween districts, affecting over 2,000 people.

Business & Tech (AI Focus)

• Tech Giants Ramp Up AI Spending: Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon announced billions in new investments for data centers and chips, driving stock surges (Amazon hit records on AWS AI growth). Valuations topped $4T for Microsoft and Apple, but bubble fears linger.Guard member faces 20 years for allegedly spying for Russia at Fort Riley. In Baltimore, State Sen. Dalya Attar was indicted for extortion. Montreal: An elderly woman is critical after an STM bus hit-and-run.

U.S. Politics & Shutdown Escalation

Trump Returns from Asia, Pushes Nuclear Testing Moratorium Lift: Fresh from the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Trump announced plans to resume U.S. nuclear weapons tests—the first since 1992—citing "strategic needs" amid tensions with Russia and China. This came minutes before his meeting with Xi Jinping, where the two leaders agreed to de-escalate the U.S.-China trade war, with China committing to buy more U.S. energy exports. Critics, including arms control experts, warn of a new arms race. On X, users debated the move's implications, with some calling it "Cold War 2.0."

Filibuster Push Intensifies Amid Day 31 Chaos: Trump doubled down on urging Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster to resolve the shutdown, blocking a Democratic bill for SNAP funding. Senate Majority Leader John Thune's resistance highlights GOP fractures. Related: Head Start programs in Georgia face closure, and Missoula infrastructure grants are delayed.

DOJ Indictments Rock Political Circles: Illinois congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was charged over ICE protests, while two prosecutors were suspended for Jan. 6-related comments. In North Carolina, a GOP spokesman threatened a ProPublica reporter over Trump ties, sparking free press concerns.

Global Conflicts & Diplomacy

Gaza Ceasefire Violations Mount: Israel launched fresh strikes in eastern Gaza and Khan Younis, killing at least four and injuring dozens, despite the U.S.-brokered truce. Hezbollah's Secretary General accused the U.S. of instigating regional aggression. A report exposed Google and Amazon breaching their own terms in Israel's $1.2B "Project Nimbus" AI contract for surveillance tech.

Sudan Crisis Deepens: Paramilitaries seized El Fasher, reportedly killing 2,000+ in Darfur clashes—satellite imagery shows "blood visible from space." The U.N. condemned it as potential genocide.

India-U.S. Defense Boost, Bihar Elections Heat Up: A 10-year pact was signed to enhance strategic ties, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailing it as a "convergence signal." Meanwhile, NDA released its Bihar manifesto promising 1 crore jobs and "Mission Crorepati" for women; Congress hit back at PM Modi over Sardar Patel's RSS critiques.

Weather, Disasters & Environment

Hurricane Melissa Death Toll Hits 49: The storm's Caribbean devastation worsens, with aid delays in Jamaica and Cuba due to U.S. sanctions. Venezuela dispatched 46 tons of supplies in a show of solidarity.

Nuclear Test Victims Spotlighted at U.N.: On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, survivors shared stories of lingering health impacts from global detonations, urging renewed bans.

Business, Tech & Local Spotlights

Nvidia Surges Past $5 Trillion Valuation: Fueled by AI chip demand, Nvidia's market cap milestone overshadowed shutdown woes, though analysts eye bubble risks alongside Trump's trade truce.

Produce Industry Braces for SNAP Fallout: With benefits lapsing, farms like one in Carroll County, MD, are giving away free produce. Gov. Moore allocated $10M to food banks; retail trends show declining fresh food sales.

Espionage & Crime Waves: A Kansas National Guard member faces 20 years for allegedly spying for Russia at Fort Riley. In Baltimore, State Sen. Dalya Attar was indicted for extortion. Montreal: An elderly woman is critical after an STM bus hit-and-run.