US Politics
The government shutdown will reportedly stop Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately 42 million recipients as of November 1, after federal funds for the month were depleted due to Congress’s failure to approve new funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that no benefits will be issued and has rejected the use of $5 billion in contingency funds, stating that the situation does not qualify as an emergency. House Speaker Mike Johnson has supported this position. Some states, such as Virginia and Louisiana, have declared emergencies to access funds, while Connecticut has allocated $3 million to food banks and New York has expedited $30 million in aid. Officials in at least one state are considering lawsuits, though none have been filed. SNAP spending totaled $106 billion in fiscal year 2025, up from $99.7 billion in 2024, continuing an upward trend since 2008 in which per-recipient costs increased 30% to $2,393 annually. Participation covers about 12% of the U.S. population, varying by state, race, ethnicity, and immigration status; for example, more than one in five New Mexico residents receive benefits, and nearly half of households headed by undocumented immigrants qualify. Democratic lawmakers have urged the USDA to reconsider using contingency funds to avert the pause.
Relatedly, a TikTok account called “EBT of TikTok” has compiled videos showing individuals expressing frustration over potential disruptions to SNAP benefits. The content includes threats of violence, theft from stores, and references to societal chaos such as “The Purge.” Some videos feature claims of entitlement to taxpayer-funded assistance, with users in apparently comfortable circumstances criticizing proposed cuts, while others advocate defying security measures to access food. Advocates for low-income families argue that the videos reflect desperation amid food insecurity rather than entitlement.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has required each state to form quick reaction forces consisting of about 500 National Guard troops. These troops are to be trained in riot control techniques, including the use of batons, body shields, tasers, and pepper spray. The directive, signed by Major General Ronald Burkett on October 8, targets operational readiness by January 1. It follows an August executive order that expanded the Guard’s role in public safety. Such deployments have taken place in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Memphis, and Portland, leading to lawsuits and Supreme Court review regarding federal involvement in local affairs. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated that the measures address violent riots in situations where local leaders have not responded. Civil rights groups have expressed concerns over potential violations of civil liberties and the militarization of domestic law enforcement.
Geopolitics
President Trump has directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing without delay. Critics, including international leaders and U.S. officials, have warned that the move could spark an arms race and undermine global non-proliferation efforts.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a successful test of the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone, launched from a submarine with its booster and nuclear unit activated for propulsion. The drone is described as unmatched in speed and depth, reportedly capable of reaching 125 mph and 1,000 meters while potentially undetectable at slow speeds. The 20-meter, 100-ton vehicle is said to carry a warhead of up to 100 megatons, designed to evade U.S. missile defenses. Analysts have suggested it could generate radioactive tsunamis or contamination over areas of 1,700 by 300 kilometers through cobalt bomb effects. The test occurred at an undisclosed site and surpasses capabilities of Russia’s Sarmat missile, amid stalled U.S.-Russia talks and recent nuclear drills. Western officials have voiced concerns that the test could heighten global nuclear tensions.
Putin has invited journalists, including those from Western outlets, to observe Ukrainian troops reportedly encircled near Pokrovsk and Kupyansk. He offered to pause hostilities for up to six hours to facilitate access and talks with the servicemen. Putin urged Ukraine to decide on the fate of the surrounded forces, amid Russian claims of blockades in two locations. This comes after reports of Russian infantry breaching Pokrovsk, a key eastern logistical hub with rail and highway links to Dnipro, where at least 200 Russian troops are said to operate in southern districts, ambushing Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian reinforcements are reportedly arriving in groups of 15-20 multiple times daily, suggesting heavy losses according to Russian analysts. Capturing the city, which provides high ground for drone operations, could sever supplies to Donbas units and enable broader Russian advances. Ukrainian media and officials have denied any encirclement, while U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker described Russian forces as weak. The New York Times reported street battles and a Russian buildup following a yearlong assault. Ukrainian officials maintain that their defenses remain intact despite the pressure.
Economy
The Dodge Momentum Index rose 3% in September, indicating increased planning for non-residential construction, particularly data centers. This represents a 60% year-over-year increase, driven by 75% growth in institutional projects and 53% in commercial ones. As a leading indicator for 9 to 12 months ahead, it suggests a surge in data center construction starting in 2026, when planning typically leads to groundbreaking. UBS analysts forecast a reacceleration in construction spending by late 2026, supported by stimulus and structural factors despite cyclical weakness, which could provide an economic tailwind. The Architecture Billings Index fell to 43.3, signaling contraction amid large-scale projects. Some experts caution that the boom may face challenges from overcapacity and environmental concerns.
In a related move, Nvidia – teaming with Oracle and others – plans seven AI supercomputers for the government at Argonne National Laboratory, building on recent systems like Vera Rubin at Los Alamos. Key highlights include the Equinox system (10,000 Blackwell GPUs, launching 2026) and the massive 200 MW Solstice setup (over 100,000 Blackwell GPUs), together delivering up to 2,200 exaFLOPS of AI power. Three more systems – Tara, Minerva, and Janus – will boost Argonne’s Leadership Computing Facility for national researchers (details on platforms and builders TBD). Argonne Director Paul K. Kearns hailed it as a major step for U.S. AI infrastructure. Analysts, however, flag risks from high energy use and heavy dependence on one GPU supplier.
Lastly, the Federal Open Market Committee cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%-4.00%, as expected, and decided to end quantitative tightening on December 1. This will reduce the monthly runoff of Treasury securities to a $5 billion cap through November, followed by full rollover. The vote was 10-2, with Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favor of a 50-basis-point cut and Jeffrey Schmid opposing any reduction. The committee’s statement noted that economic activity is expanding at a moderate pace, with job gains slowing and unemployment edging up but remaining low. Inflation has risen since earlier in the year and remains somewhat elevated, while downside risks to employment have increased recently. Markets had priced in a similar dovish policy, with expectations of 46 basis points of cuts in 2025 and 69 basis points in 2026. The dissents highlight ongoing debates within the Fed over the pace of monetary easing.
European Politics
Former Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri, now a National Rally member of the European Parliament, has recounted alleged pressure from EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson to prioritize welcoming migrants over border defense during his tenure. According to Leggeri, Johansson interrupted his explanations of Frontex’s armed border guard development in their first meeting, stating that border guards’ role was to welcome migrants and threatening him twice that his job required this focus. Leggeri claimed he faced attacks from the Commission and pro-immigration NGOs, including those reportedly linked to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, which allegedly sought to embed “fundamental rights controllers” to undermine border enforcement. He said he advised Poland against accepting Frontex aid in 2019 due to these influences and noted a shift from initial Commission support to hostility under Johansson, involving left-wing media and efforts to create parallel structures that he said paralyzed member states’ defenses. The European Commission has denied exerting undue pressure on Leggeri, emphasizing that Frontex operations must align with EU laws on fundamental rights.
Health
Dr. Steven Hatfill, a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services focused on mRNA vaccine issues, was dismissed in what he described as a coup attempt to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from his HHS role. Hatfill attributed the firing to efforts by Chief of Staff Matt Buckham amid initiatives to purge mRNA-related elements from the agency. He stated that the vaccines have injured hundreds of thousands of people and caused significant deaths, and that their removal from the market is necessary to improve public health. HHS officials have attributed the dismissal to performance issues rather than any internal coup.
Sources
Nvidia and Partners to Build Seven AI Supercomputers for Argonne with 100,000+ Blackwell GPUs, Delivering 2,200 ExaFLOPS
Nvidia announced on Tuesday at GTC 2025 that, together with partners, it would build seven ExaFLOPS-class AI supercomputers for Argonne National Laboratory.
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing Immediately
Trump tells Pentagon to immediately resume testing US nuclear weapons
Source | Submitted by thecountmc
Pentagon Mandates 500 National Guard Troops Per State for Nationwide Riot Control Forces
The administration of President Donald Trump has ordered the creation of “quick reaction forces” in each state, composed of about 500 National Guard members per state, according to reports from The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal.
Source | Submitted by Doubletap
Former Frontex Chief: EU Commissioner Pressured Me to “Welcome Migrants” Over Border Defense
“Like it or not, your job is to welcome migrants.”
Putin Invites Journalists to View Encircled Ukrainian Troops Near Pokrovsk
Russia is ready to let journalists into Ukraine’s encirclement zone.
Putin Touts Breakthrough Test of Poseidon Nuclear Drone, Poised to Unleash Radioactive Tsunamis
When it comes to speed and depth, there is nothing comparable to this unmanned vehicle anywhere the world, and it is unlikely to appear anytime soon.
Data Center Construction Tsunami Poised to Strike in 2026
the data center buildout tsunami that is set to gain serious momentum in 2026
Russian Infantry Breaches Pokrovsk: Ukraine’s Vital Eastern Hub Faces Imminent Collapse
Russian infantry have infiltrated the main logistical district of the city.
Fed Cuts Rates 25bps, Ends QT as Expected; Two Dissenters Signal Internal Divide
Fed Cuts 25bps, Ends QT As Expected; Two FOMC Officials Dissent
TikTok’s “EBT” Account Showcases Welfare Entitlement: Threats of Violence Over Food Stamps
Check out the “EBT of TikTok” account that’s sharing videos of people threatening to burn the country down over food stamps
Government Shutdown Pauses SNAP Benefits for 42 Million: States and Lawsuits in the Works
Food stamps are set to be paused on Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown.
Dr. Steven Hatfill Fired in Alleged Coup to Oust RFK Jr. from HHS Over mRNA Vaccine Purge
“A coup to overthrow Mr. Kennedy”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: ZDNet, TechCrunch, The New York Times, Reuters, ACLU, The Root, Rep. Jahana Hayes, Euronews, Ukrainian Government, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg, and FactCheck.org.
by permiegirl 
