JQJO — General news · Page 68

As President Donald Trump weighs military action in Venezuela, the U.S. has moved warships, flown B‑52s off the coast, struck alleged drug boats, and Trump says he authorized CIA covert operations while considering land strikes. Nicolás Maduro is mobilizing forces, claiming millions of reservists, militarizing most states, and invoking an “external commotion” decree. Life in Caracas goes on, but residents voice anxiety—“We don’t sleep well.” Legal unease shadows Washington’s campaign, with Pentagon lawyers questioning strikes and tensions between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and SOUTHCOM chief Adm. Alvin Holsey preceding the admiral’s early retirement.

NPR reports the first strong evidence that mental exercise can biologically alter the brain: in a 10-week study of 92 adults 65+, intensive BrainHQ training raised acetylcholine levels by about 2.3% in the anterior cingulate cortex, with gains also seen in the hippocampus, while video-game players showed no change. Researchers used a specialized PET scan. The increase roughly offsets a decade of age-related decline. Funded by the NIH and published in JMIR Serious Games, the findings drew praise from neuroscientist Michael Hasselmo.

Pedro Hernandez, convicted in 2017 of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Etan Patz, must face a new trial by June 1, 2026 or be released, a Manhattan federal judge ruled. The Second Circuit overturned his conviction in July, citing a flawed instruction on his confessions. Judge Colleen McMahon noted prosecutors want Supreme Court review but set a firm deadline while acknowledging staffing gaps and scattered witnesses. Hernandez’s lawyer urged against a third trial, arguing improper instructions and unwarned statements led to the verdict in the 1979 SoHo case.

After 10 days with the $800 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, the reviewer is impressed yet hesitant. The chunky, 69-gram frames feel bulky, but the bright monocular screen curbs phone use and powers slick touches: reliable EMG Neural Band gestures, live translation/captions, camera framing, and quick Instagram/WhatsApp viewing. Limits show fast: cramped video calls, flaky walking directions, iOS messaging shortcomings, and battery life that hovers around six hours with a frequently recharged case. Privacy policies match other Meta wearables; no facial recognition. With limited retail availability, it’s a promising first-gen milestone, best suited to enthusiasts willing to tolerate the heft.

Aaron Phypers, Denise Richards’ estranged husband, was arrested by L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies outside a Los Angeles courthouse during their restraining-order hearing, with a Richards attorney citing “spousal abuse.” A Phypers lawyer said he was taken in on an outstanding warrant possibly tied to her allegations and claimed Phypers didn’t know about it, accusing Richards’ team of “setting him up.” The hearing—and her temporary restraining order—was extended to November 7. Amid their ongoing split, Phypers is seeking half of Richards’ OnlyFans earnings, citing financial strain and saying he shot the photos.

Mike Tomlin didn’t want to see Joe Flacco again — and with reason. After Tomlin once urged his team to keep Colts starter Anthony Richardson upright to avoid facing Flacco, Richardson was injured and Flacco beat Pittsburgh. On Thursday night, Cincinnati’s 33-31 win nudged Flacco ahead of Tomlin in their ledger, 12-11. In 25 regular-season and postseason starts against the Steelers, Flacco now owns 12 victories, tying Tom Brady for the most by any quarterback versus Pittsburgh — with an asterisk: an off-the-bench Colts win last year gives him a 13th. A new shot arrives in four weeks in Pittsburgh.

Facebook is rolling out a feature in the U.S. and Canada that lets Meta AI suggest edits and sharing ideas for unposted camera-roll photos. Opt-in prompts request “cloud processing,” uploading images so AI can propose collages, recaps, restyling and birthday themes, then prompt posts to Feed and Stories. Meta says media won’t be used for ad targeting or to improve its AI unless you edit or share the AI results. The feature can be disabled anytime; Meta’s terms permit analysis of your media and facial features. Controls are under Preferences in Settings.

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The Neshaminy School District says 18-year-old Ryan Duffy, a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, after suddenly falling ill with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and being treated in the ICU. His obituary described a teen eager for senior milestones and devoted to family and games. Officials stressed this type of meningitis is not usually contagious in school settings; the district has enhanced cleaning. The CDC notes it spreads via respiratory droplets but isn’t highly contagious. A moment of silence is planned at Friday’s football game.

The FAA has cleared Boeing to raise 737 Max production to 42 jets a month, easing a cap imposed after a 737 Max 9’s door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024. Regulators said they will keep close oversight as Boeing and suppliers scale up. CEO Kelly Ortberg signaled further step-ups toward about 47 a month. The move reflects a thaw in FAA posture, which recently restored limited self-approvals. Boeing, unprofitable since 2018, says higher output is vital as deliveries climb toward their fastest pace since that year; results are due Oct. 29.