NATIONAL

Trump signs executive order blocking states from regulating AI: President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that blocks states from enforcing their own regulations around artificial intelligence and instead aims to create a “single national framework” for AI. (Is it legal? Not likely.) CNN

Commander in charge of US military operations in the Caribbean retires after clashes with Hegseth over boat strikes: Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of US Southern Command who reportedly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the legality of US military strikes in the Caribbean, officially retired on Friday in a ceremony in Florida where he handed the reins of the command to his deputy. CNN

Pentagon did not conduct investigation on Hegseth sharing strike plans on Signal: The Pentagon did not conduct a routine investigation into the impact of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s disclosure of sensitive military information in a group chat on Signal earlier this year and whether it damaged national security – in part because Hegseth never authorized it, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. CNN

Trump announces $12 billion aid package for farmers caught up in trade war: President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration is doling out a $12 billion aid package to farmers who have been squeezed by a trade war between the U.S. and its top economic partners. The funds will come from U.S. tariff revenues, Trump said. CNBC

US House Republican healthcare plan does not extend Obamacare subsidies: Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday presented a healthcare proposal that leaves unresolved steep health insurance premium increases set to impact millions of Americans as early as January. REUTERS

IMMIGRATION

TSA is giving airline passenger data to ICE for deportation push: The Transportation Security Administration is giving U.S. immigration officials the names of every airline traveler as part of the Trump administration’s widespread deportation program. CNBC

US Congressman calls for end to OPT, claims program ‘unauthorised’ and harmful to American workers: Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar has urged the White House to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, arguing that the post-study work route for international students bypasses the H-1B visa cap and was never authorised by Congress. ECONOMIC TIMES

New US visa rule sparks panic among Indians as social media checks begin: A new US State Department rule requiring all H-1B workers/applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media accounts public for visa vetting -- both in cases of renewal and fresh applications -- has triggered deep anxiety across Indian immigrant communities, who make up the overwhelming majority of America’s high-skilled visa holders. INDIA TODAY

CORRUPTION ALERT

FIFA Bribery Charges Dropped After Trump Given Peace Prize: Federal prosecutors in the U.S. moved to drop charges in a long-running international soccer bribery case on Tuesday, days after President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. NEWSWEEK

JUST THE HEADLINES

Pentagon Unveils New GenAI Platform, It Immediately starts flagging Pete Hegseth’s war crimes !!

EPA cuts mentions of humans from web page on climate change causes

SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY

Schools in South Carolina exposed to measles outbreak: The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said 15 new cases have been reported since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the Upstate outbreak to 126 and the total number reported this year to 129. FOX

GOOD NEWS FOR DEMOCRATS

Indiana Senate Republicans Defy Trump and Reject Gerrymandered Maps: Despite months of mounting and concerted pressure from the Trump administration, the Indiana Senate rejected a proposal for a new gerrymandered congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. State senators received death threats and swatting attacks after bucking Trump. TPM, NBC

Democrat flips northeast Georgia state House seat, pulling off special-election upset: Democrats gained a northeast Georgia House seat during an off-year special election Tuesday in the latest sign of their growing momentum in the state. Eric Gisler, a tech executive and small business owner, took the lead in the Athens-area district with 50.85% of the vote. GEORGIA RECORDER

Democrat wins Miami mayor's race for the first time in almost 30 years: Democrat Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayor’s race, giving the party control of the office for the first time in almost three decades in another victory for Democrats ahead of next year’s pivotal midterm elections. NBC

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