JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1268

Sweden, a new NATO member, signed a letter of understanding with Volodymyr Zelensky to potentially sell 100–150 Saab Gripen‑E jets to Ukraine—the first offer by a NATO member to supply significant numbers of jets to Kyiv. Exact terms and delivery dates remain undecided, but both Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called it a potential game changer for Ukraine and European security. The newly fielded Gripen‑E—praised for rugged operations, upgraded sensors and AI—aligns with Ukrainian pilot training on older models. Zelensky hopes deliveries could start next year, days after US President Donald Trump rejected a Tomahawk request.

In a Gizmodo interview, former CDC leader Demetre Daskalakis portrays the agency in crisis under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing mass firings, a reshaped vaccine advisory panel, and policy changes announced without scientific review. He and other senior officials resigned after director Susan Monarez was fired; he says staffing is down about a quarter. Daskalakis describes a deadly shooting that traumatized workers and alleges political interference by acting director Jim O’Neill and the administration. He argues federal public health is now compromised and urges rebuilding through state and local efforts rather than a damaged CDC.

Samsung unveiled the $1,800 Galaxy XR, the first Android XR headset, quickly likened to a 'Vision Pro Lite' at nearly half Vision Pro’s price. Despite sleek hardware and Apple-like gestures, the article says it’s essentially a polished developer kit amid a sparse app lineup beyond Google Maps, Photos, and routine YouTube 360. Samsung’s 'AI‑native' pitch leans on Gemini, but plans to elevate XR content remain unclear, while Apple pushes features like 8K Immersive Videos. With Meta’s $500 Quest 3 undercutting price, the piece argues XR’s bigger hurdles are purpose and Google’s shaky history in VR.

About 2,000 gold and silver coins worth around €90,000 were stolen from the Maison des Lumières, a Denis Diderot museum in Landres, hours after an audacious Louvre heist of crown jewels. Staff found a smashed case Tuesday; officials said the coins were chosen with "great expertise." The theft adds to a spate of raids, including €1.5m in gold nuggets taken from Paris’s Natural History Museum and €6.55m in porcelain missing from Limoges. After the €88m Louvre robbery, officials admitted aging CCTV, failed alarms and lax protocols, prompting national scrutiny.

After a deadly flash flood in Kerr County, Texas, rescuers searching the Guadalupe River struggled with busy signals, garbled audio and little to no coverage at Camp Mystic, where 25 children died. Temporary towers were eventually brought in—despite the county’s recent $7 million radio overhaul. Records reviewed by The New York Times show the Motorola Solutions network design excluded about a quarter of the county from reliable portable coverage, including river areas. A nonprofit utility, the Lower Colorado River Authority, proposed broader, higher-capacity, potentially cheaper coverage, yet Motorola won through a process tilted in the company’s favor.

USPS says machine-applied postmark dates may not match the day mail is dropped off. As the agency reorganizes, reduced pickups for areas more than 50 miles from new processing hubs mean some first-class mail isn’t processed until the next day. That lag could affect deadlines for ballots, taxes, and legal documents. In California’s special election, officials urge voters to submit ballots before Nov. 4 or use drop boxes. USPS advises seeking a free manual postmark at a post office — a step that can be difficult for rural and disabled residents.

Three men aged 48, 45 and 44 were arrested in west and central London on suspicion of assisting Russia's foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. Searches continue at several addresses as counter-terrorism officers lead the investigation. Cdr Dominic Murphy warned of growing use of "proxies" by foreign services and said offenders face serious consequences. The arrests follow recent UK cases linked to Russia, including spying convictions and a Wagner-linked arson. MI6 has opened a dark web portal to attract new spies, and MI5 reports escalating state threats and a 35% rise in subjects under investigation.

Senate Republicans will force a Thursday vote to pay “essential” federal employees — including military, border patrol and TSA — during the shutdown, now in its 23rd day, as millions near their first missed full paycheck. Democrats plan to oppose it and offer a rival bill to pay furloughed workers too, but both measures are unlikely to reach 60 votes. Sens. Tim Kaine and Andy Kim warn the GOP plan lets the president decide who counts as essential. Republicans counter that Democrats should simply reopen the government.

Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a South L.A. TikTok livestreamer known for tracking ICE raids, was shot in the elbow after federal agents tried to detain him Tuesday, officials said. Prosecutors charged him with assault on a federal officer, alleging he rammed agents’ vehicles while attempting to flee; a deputy U.S. marshal was injured by a ricochet. Video captured engine revving, white smoke, and a volley of bangs. Supporters—who credit Parias with informing residents and aiding local vendors—disputed the portrayal, while past footage shows prior attempts to arrest him.

Europe stands at a climate crossroads as the road to net zero grows steeper. EU leaders arrive in Brussels on Thursday divided over how quickly and how far to drive the green transition. At the center is the European Commission’s proposal to cut emissions 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels. Leaders are unlikely to settle on a specific target at the summit, turning instead to "enabling conditions" meant to shield businesses and consumers from higher bills that could fuel voter backlash.