Today's Headlines: Social Media, Pleas From Allies and Prison Essays: How Santos Won His Freedom
U.S. Is Repatriating Survivors of Its Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines

October 19, 2025, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

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Social Media, Pleas From Allies and Prison Essays: How Santos Won His Freedom

On Friday evening, President Trump commuted the sentence of former Representative George Santos. “Good luck George, have a great life!” the president said.

U.S. Is Repatriating Survivors of Its Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel

Two men rescued by the U.S. military after it attacked a boat in the Caribbean Sea were being sent to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador, President Trump said.

The Battle Inside Israel Over Who Must Fight in Its Wars

The conflict over compulsory service for the nation’s ultra-Orthodox has become a stand-in for a larger struggle over the country’s right-wing, religious turn — and could determine its future.

World

Venezuela Announces Sweeping Military Exercises as U.S. Escalates Pressure

President Nicolás Maduro this week called on civilians to help the country defend itself, while his defense minister warned citizens to “prepare for the worst.”

For Prince Andrew, a Steady Fall From Grace Ends in a Hard Landing

A parade of scandals tarnished the prince’s reputation, long before he gave up using his title as Duke of York on Friday.

Israeli Military Fires on Vehicle, Saying It Crossed Gaza Cease-Fire Line

Gaza’s rescue service said at least nine people, including several children, were killed in the strike in northern Gaza on Friday, underscoring the fragility of the week-old cease-fire.

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U.S.

‘No More Trump!’: Protesters Denouncing the President Unite Across the Country

Large crowds turned out at ‘No Kings’ rallies on Saturday that took place in large cities and small towns nationwide.

Woman Who Tried to Let Her Twin Take Blame for Fatal Buggy Crash Gets 4 Years in Prison

The crash killed two Amish children and injured two others in rural Minnesota in 2023.

Jury Awards $19.7 Million to 6 Bystanders Wounded in Denver Police Shooting

The bystanders were injured when a Denver police officer fired, while facing a crowd of people, at an armed man outside a bar in 2022.

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Politics

The Shutdown Is Stretching On. Trump Doesn’t Seem to Mind.

As the shutdown nears a fourth week, President Trump has pushed his political opponents to further dig in.

White House and Government Agencies Join Bluesky, Then Attack Democrats

The Health and Human Services and Homeland Security Departments were among the agencies posting messages that blamed Democrats for the federal shutdown.

Scenes From a Day of Mass Protests

With signs and chants, protesters take part in ‘No Kings’ rallies focused on what they see as overreach by the Trump administration.

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Business

Money, Women and Taxes: Jeffrey Epstein’s Fiery Friendship with a Wall Street Titan

New emails show how Mr. Epstein pressured Leon Black, his longtime friend and patron, to fork over millions for financial services.

The Risk That Built America

Speculation isn’t a bug in America’s economic code, but a crucial component part of the engine, writes Andrew Ross Sorkin.

7 a.m. Is Too Early for a Meeting, Right?

And: You beat out a colleague for a promotion, and now she hates you. What happens next?

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Arts

David Attenborough Becomes Oldest Daytime Emmy Winner at 99

The British documentarian and naturalist beat the record set by Dick Van Dyke, who won a Daytime Emmy last year at 98.

Broadway Actors Reach Deal, but Musicians Still Threaten Strike

The Broadway League and Actors’ Equity Association reached a tentative agreement early Saturday. Union members must decide whether to ratify it.

How to Watch the Olympics of the Piano World

The International Chopin Piano Competition is entering its final round, with performances that attract millions of viewers.

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Food

I Won’t Stop Talking About This Coconut Chicken Curry

It’s just that smart, flavorful, versatile and easy.

3 Skillet Bakes for Cuffing Season

To be clear, skillet brownies, ginger cake and caramel apple crisp are also perfect for sharing with friends (or not sharing at all).

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Science

Sea Otters Are Stealing Surfboards in California. Again.

Two years after Otter 841 menaced wave riders near Santa Cruz, there have been new encounters between the furry marine mammals and surfers.

How Psychedelic Mushrooms Evolved Their Magic

Two distantly related groups of mushrooms take radically different routes to producing psilocybin, a mind-bending molecule.

The Kids Who Sued Trump Just Lost Big in Court. Or Did They?

A federal judge threw out their climate lawsuit against the president a few days ago. But legal experts say there was a silver lining in the judge’s opinion.

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Well