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3 Canadian Armed Forces members among 7 charged in Toronto crypto-motivated kidnapping investigation
Three members of the Canadian Armed Forces are among seven individuals charged following a Toronto police investigation into the kidnapping of a man who was allegedly targeted because of his access to cryptocurrency assets. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced Wednesday that investigators have laid a total of 82 criminal charges against seven accused after […]
Wednesday briefing: ​Why small boat crossings are here to stay ​
In today's newsletter: The ​collapse of the UK's 'one in, one out' asylum deal with France exposes the limits of border enforcement that did little to stop crossings, and only made them more dangerousGood morning. You'd be forgiven for missing it. Earlier this month, the government quietly scrapped its "one in, one out" deal with France. The partnership was supposed to eliminate small boat crossings by deterring asylum seekers from making the treacherous journey across the world's busiest shipping channel.The deal, which lasted just 423 days, was beset with problems, had a negligible impact, and now joins a long list of policies that have tried and failed to address highly visible, often tragic small boat crossings. This morning, the Home Office announced that it would be doubling the number of riot police along the French coast in lieu of the deal.UK news | Extremists holding anti-immigration opinions are becoming increasingly likely to consider carrying out terrorist attacks against immigration centres and asylum hotels, the head of MI5 has warned.UK politics | Nigel Farage has denied that a Reform UK government would authorise lethal force against small boat crossings in the Channel.Ukraine | Andy Burnham will host Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street on Wednesday as the UK seeks to further underline its support for the Ukrainian president, in contrast to his difficulties with Donald Trump.US politics | Kimberly Guilfoyle is stepping down as US ambassador to Greece after weeks of reports that she sought payment from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials.Pope Leo XIV | Pope Leo has lung cancer, the Vatican said late on Tuesday. Leo, 71, underwent an operation and had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, with tests confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the Vatican said. Continue reading...
Social Security COLA 2027: Here's how much more money retirees will get next year
The Social Security Administration announced the official annual cost-of-living-adjustment on Wednesday, increasing benefits by 3.6% in 2027.Tens of millions of retirees will see a modest increase in benefits in January when the new COLA is added to Social Security payments. The 3.6% rise is an additional $75 on average per month, intended to help older adults meet higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services.The agency’s commissioner, Frank Bisignano, said in a statement that the adjustment will give recipients "greater financial stability." However, some recipients say it’s not enough and won’t offset rising prices.The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ released September 2026 inflation data showing the consumer price index rose 3.7% last month, a sign that high prices remain an economic challenge for Americans. On a monthly basis, costs jumped 0.6% from August to September, up from 0.4% the previous month.  Lorrie Ufkin, a 71-year-old retiree who lives outside Rochester, Minnesota, said the COLA won’t even put a dent on her healthcare costs, which are set to increase in January after the Trump administration announced it was ending a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy program that has helped offset premiums. Ufkin told The Associated Press that her premiums and drug cost are expected to rise, although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected a modest increase for most people.The COLA "doesn't even meet what they're going to do for changes to Medicare," she told the AP.She said one of the medications both she and her husband take will go from $11 per month for each prescription, to $200 per month, after the Republican administration made changes to older Americans’ healthcare programs. She said that was "catastrophic."Another change set to take effect next year is an increase in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax. That is slated to increase to $192,300 from $184,500 in 2027, the agency announced.What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% increase in their benefits in 2027. That’s about $75 per month for the average recipient, according to government estimates.The maximum benefit for a retired worker who claims at full retirement age will go up to $4,188 per month in 2027, up from $4,152 per month in 2026, according to the Social Security Administration. The average benefits for all retired workers will be $2,107 in 2027, up from $2,095 in 2026. A retired couple would see an increase of $147, going from $3,208 to $3,355.Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2027 Before 3.6% COLAAfter 3.6% COLAAll Retired Workers$2,095$2,170Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits$3,238$3,355Widowed Mother and Two Children$3,932$4,074Aged Widow(er) Alone$1,936$2,005Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children$2,970$3,077All Disabled Workers$1,642$1,701The agency will begin notifying recipients about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Adjusted payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income will begin on December 31.Those with my Social Security accounts can view their COLA notices online.Higher disability benefits thresholdIndividuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can work while maintaining their benefits, but their earnings must remain below the agency’s limits.Workers who are not blind may earn up to $1,770 a month in 2027, up from $1,690 in 2026, before their eligibility is affected. For blind workers, the limit will increase to $2,950 per month.The thresholds for a trial work period — when beneficiaries can test their ability to work while still being considered disabled — will also rise, from $1,210 per month to $1,270.Is the COLA enough? Some seniors call it ‘a pittance’For some older adults, the COLA increase in a drop in the bucket as inflation eats away at any gains. Jaime Jakubczak, a 68-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, who retired early at 55, has recently gone back to work to make ends meet, specifically to afford rising property taxes. He said the COLA is insufficient because it is offset by high inflation and a proposed 3.9% property tax increase in his town.Jakubczak called the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment "a pittance,” given how high food, healthcare and gasoline prices have become across the country."We were getting ahead a little bit with the COLA based on inflation, but the inflation is so high that it doesn't offset what our COLA allowance is,” he said.Most older adults believe the COLA isn't adequately keeping up with inflation, according to an AARP poll from September. That poll found that about three-quarters of those 50 or older disagreed with the idea that a 3.5% COLA in 2027 would be enough to keep up with rising prices.Senior advocacy groups say the COLA is a strong reminder of the financial straits of many older people."There's a lot on the line financially right now for older Americans — one in five have no retirement savings, and more people feel financially insecure this year than last. That makes Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment critically important," said AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan.How does Social Security work?The Social Security program pays roughly $1.4 trillion in benefits to more than 71 million people each year, including including retirees and low-income individuals with disabilities.The short answer is that taxes fund Social Security. The government uses taxes from working people to pay benefits to people who have already retired, people who are disabled, the survivors of workers who have died and dependents of beneficiaries.Social Security is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers. While the money is used to pay people currently receiving benefits, any unused money goes to the Social Security trust fund. Some of the money in the trust, together with the Social Security contributions of people in the workforce, pay for future benefits.To determine what amount of Social Security you’ll receive, the government calculates a percentage of your highest wages from your top 35 years of earning, factoring in when you choose to start receiving benefits.Why are Social Security benefits adjusted and how is COLA calculated?Policymakers say the COLA works to preserve the purchasing power of Social Security benefits, and shouldn't be seen as a pay hike for retirees.COLA is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W. The consumer price index, which measures a basket of common products as well as various energy goods, increased 4.3% in August and 3.7% in September.At one time Congress had to approve inflation increases, but starting in the mid-1970s lawmakers turned that function over to nonpartisan experts within the government bureaucracy. The annual review is now tied to changes in an official measure of inflation and proceeds automatically and with no political brinksmanshipIs the Social Security trust running out of money?Future problems with the fund have long been predicted, largely because of demographic shifts. As birthrates decline, fewer people become workers, which results in fewer payments of payroll taxes. Meanwhile, more Baby Boomers are retiring and collecting Social Security.The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report said the program's trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2034. If the trust fund is depleted, the government will be able to pay only 81% of scheduled benefits, the report said. So while Social Security won’t go “bankrupt,” a 20% cut in payments would be devastating to recipients, said John Hishta, AARP’s senior vice president for campaigns."That's a car payment, that's utility costs, that’s monthly grocery bills," Hishta added.The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Fact-checking the LA mayoral debate between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman clashed in a contentious mayoral debate hosted by NBCLA and Telemundo 52 Tuesday night, discussing a number of topics, including homelessness and public safety. As the candidates touted their records and criticized their opponent’s, here are fact checks of some of their key claims and statements.“We have reduced homelessness by 11%”Bass claimed that Los Angeles has reduced homelessness by 11% since 2023 during the debate and in a July press release, without clearly identifying the data behind the figure.Data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) show a smaller decline in the city’s overall homeless population over that period. LAHSA counted 46,260 people experiencing homelessness in the city in 2023, compared with 45,194 in 2026 — a 2.3% decrease.Critics, however, have long questioned LAHSA’s point-in-time homeless count. A RAND study found the agency likely undercounted homeless residents in parts of Skid Row, raising concerns about whether the annual count fully captures the size of the unhoused population.Bass’ 11% claim requires further clarification about the population, time frame and data used to calculate the reduction. Los Angeles 11 hours ago Karen Bass vs. Nithya Raman: 5 key takeaways from LA mayoral debate Elections 16 hours ago Recap: Karen Bass, Nithya Raman face off in final debate before election "We’ve seen a reduction in homelessness, nearly 50%“Raman cited a nearly 50% decline in unsheltered homelessness in her City Council District 4, which includes parts of Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Van Nuys and Reseda.According to LAHSA’s annual count, the number of unsheltered people in CD 4 fell from 181 in 2025 to 93 in 2026, a decline of approximately 49%.The decrease contrasts with the citywide trend: Los Angeles’ overall homeless population rose 3.4% in 2026, while unsheltered homelessness increased 7.9%.However, comparisons between districts require consistent figures for the same years and categories. For example, Council District 1, which includes the Westlake neighborhood and MacArthur Park, had nearly eight times as many unsheltered residents as Raman's Council District 4 in 2025, with 777 people in CD1 in 2025 and 989 in 2026.“We have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into an incredibly expensive program, Inside Safe” Bass’ signature Inside Safe program, launched in December 2022, has cost more than $300 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.For fiscal year 2025–26 alone, the city projected $131.9 million in Inside Safe expenditures.An NBCLA investigation published in December 2023 also found that the city had spent $67 million during the program’s first year and placed 255 people into permanent housing. That works out to roughly $263,000 per person permanently housed, though city officials argue the program’s purpose includes outreach, interim housing, services, and encampment resolution, not just permanent placement.“The LAPD has been reportedly sharing data with ICE”Raman's statement, made amid her criticism of the LAPD's handling of protests against federal immigration enforcement, suggests the police department played an active role in sharing information about undocumented people in Los Angeles.California law generally restricts law enforcement agencies from sharing automated license plate reader data with federal agencies for immigration enforcement. But concerns have emerged over whether private companies that operate the cameras, including Flock Safety, have allowed federal authorities to access the data.The ACLU has accused Flock, a surveillance company that provides automated license plate readers, of allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies to access sensitive data.Bass said she supported LAPD’s decision not to renew its contract with Flock, citing concerns about the company’s data-sharing practices."Flock has been completely uncooperative and refuses to curtail who they share their data with," Bass said.“We’ve expedited to eliminate the red tape” in Pacific PalisadesBass issued executive orders intended to speed rebuilding after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, relaxing or waiving certain procedural and approval requirements for eligible projects.However, rebuilding has remained slow. According to the Palisadian-Post’s rebuild tracker, as of Oct. 8, 2026, 50 homes had been completed and received certificates of occupancy.The tracker also recorded 1,862 building permit applications submitted, 1,317 permits issued and construction underway on 1,126 primary structures.These figures show that permitting and construction are progressing, but they also highlight the gap between approvals and completed homes. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
SFPD, DA to release investigation updates on shooting of 49ers player Keion White
Authorities are expected to release updates about the investigation into the February shooting of San Francisco 49ers player Keion White.The San Francisco Police Department and District Attorney’s Office will hold a news briefing Wednesday morning to discuss the investigation.White, a defensive lineman for the 49ers, was shot in the ankle after two groups got into an argument in a business in the Mission District, police said.White has since recovered following surgery and has been playing for the 49ers this season.The February incident marked the second time in two years that a 49ers player was shot in the city. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot and injured during an alleged attempted robbery in Union Square in August 2024. He made a full recovery.NBC News contributed to this report. Keion White May 2 Keion White poised for timely return to 49ers' revamped D-line after shooting Ricky Pearsall Sep 19, 2025 Judge rules suspect in Ricky Pearsall shooting will be tried in juvenile court
Social Security recipients to get 3.6% cost of living boost, an average of $75 per month
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration projected Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6% beginning in 2027, with some recipients complaining that is not enough to offset soaring prices. The adjustment translates to $75 extra per month for the 73 million people who...
Federal judge issues longer-term decision blocking Trump's White House media ban
A federal judge issued an order late Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from banning CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House complex while the organizations' lawsuit over access proceeds.U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly of Washington, D.C., issued the preliminary injunction in the wake of a hearing Thursday at which the administration contended it imposed the ban in part because of national security concerns; media organizations said it was because of "viewpoint discrimination."Kelly sided with the news outlets, noting that Trump used national security as a reason for the ban after their press passes had already been revoked and ruling that it also likely violated reporters' freedom of speech and due process rights."There is practically nothing national security-related in the record connected to the President's decision to revoke Plaintiffs' hard passes to which the Court can defer," Kelly wrote in his 26-page opinion.His order will give the outlets access to the White House until the underlying lawsuit challenging the ban is resolved. But it doesn't require the administration to allow reporters from the outlets access to the Oval Office or Air Force One — locations where the administration has blocked reporters from CNN and Politico in recent weeks.Kelly had issued a temporary restraining order lifting the ban while he weighed whether to issue an injunction.Trump vowed to appeal on Truth Social before the ruling was handed down. In a statement Wednesday, a White House spokesperson said: "The Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President's Oval Office. The lies they smear are a disservice to the American public and tear at the very fabric of our Democracy. They're completely capable of reporting from directly outside."The administration intends to appeal the judge's decision, the spokesperson added.Trump announced the bans of CNN, MS NOW and Politico on social media on Sept. 18, saying they were a "result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS!""Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow," he wrote on Truth Social.In court filings, the three news organizations said the ban affected 78 journalists who had "hard passes," meaning they had been previously screened and credentialed to work at the White House.The outlets filed a lawsuit alleging Trump's action violated their due process rights and First Amendment protections for newsgathering and speech."This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles," the suit said.The White House and Trump then began arguing that the ban was intended to address national security concerns, with Trump saying in another post that the outlets' reporting was "a threat to our National Security, and must be stopped, NOW!"The judge was unmoved by that argument.Kelly said it was clear from Trump's announcement of the ban and from subsequent remarks that his motivation was content."President Trump likely banned Plaintiffs from the White House because he believes that their reporting is generally inaccurate and biased against him," Kelly wrote, finding this decision violated the journalists' First and Fifth amendment rights.He noted, however, that his decision doesn't concede that Trump's concerns about accuracy and fairness are unfounded or that the government is "powerless when its true aim is to protect national security when classified information is unlawfully disclosed."Kelly cited Trump's recent remarks to Time magazine that he didn't like "bad story after bad story" coming from CNN, Politico and MS NOW journalists. It was, Ted Boutrous, the news outlets' attorney, had argued ahead of the decision, "a confession of what amounts to viewpoint discrimination.""President Trump, I'll give him credit," Boutrous said. "He's not hiding it."In his previous decision, Kelly also found that the administration had denied the outlets due process under settled law from several cases that have made their way to the D.C. federal appeals court.The White House argued that the appeals court decisions were wrong."Maybe—but this Court is bound by D.C. Circuit precedent, full stop," Kelly wrote.At a hearing on the injunction Thursday, the Justice Department lawyer representing the White House, Michael Velchik, asked Kelly to lift his restraining order, calling the White House a "sacred place" that shouldn't have to give people access just because they "identify as a reporter.""Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right," Velchik said.Boutrous argued that the administration was engaging in impermissible and unconstitutional "viewpoint discrimination" because the ban was based on Trump's dislike of the outlets' reporting and because he has said he hoped the ban would force journalists to "straighten themselves out."In court filings, Boutrous urged Kelly to ignore the national security arguments, saying they were manufactured and not what the case is really about.Boutrous argued that "the President himself has continued telling anyone who will listen precisely what this ban is really about, most recently complaining at length in an interview with Time magazine that he banned Plaintiffs because he feels that he should not 'be forced to bear' what he considers 'constantly bad stories,' as he 'won the election' and has 'done great things.'"After Tuesday night's ruling, Boutrous said he and his clients were grateful to the court for securing their access anew."The President has repeatedly, candidly, and consistently admitted in public that he banned our clients from the White House to punish reporting he doesn't like," he said in a statement. "The harm this ban did to our clients, the First Amendment, and the public as a whole is profound. The Court was right to enjoin the White House from enforcing this 'unconstitutional ban.'"Separately, the Justice Department said last week that it was investigating five major TV networks, including CNN and NBC, for potentially violating federal antitrust laws after the networks temporarily declined to provide pool coverage of Trump as a result of the ban against the three news outlets.The pool is a rotating group of networks that share the duties of recording a president's activities during public appearances and travel. The on-duty network then distributes information and media, such as video and audio, to other outlets for their use.
Pope Leo spent a peaceful night in the hospital after surgery to remove cancer, Vatican says - CityNews Edmonton
Pope Leo spent a peaceful night in the hospital after surgery to remove cancer, Vatican says  CityNews Edmonton
'Why are you ruining nation?' CJP's Abhijeet Dipke heckled with 'CIA agent' remark at Delhi airport
Dipke landed in Delhi a day after his party's co-convenors, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, surreptitiously climbed a gate at the prohibited area of Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the government, which has denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Later, Das and Ranka were sent to 5-day judicial custody on the order of Delhi's special executive magistrate court.
Pleas filed in SC, Delhi HC against de-notification of Jantar Mantar as protest site
The application was filed on Wednesday by IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib in a pending petition over the denial of permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. The organisation has challenged a standing order issued on October 11. The order removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative venues.
On TV
South Park — 29x3: "TBA" (Comedy Central)
Slow Horses — 6x5: "Sayonara" (Apple TV)
River goes after Sid. Lamb sets his sights on Cantor. Taverner carries on with a treacherous deal.
NOVA — 53x13: "Evolution: Brain Power" (PBS)
Abbott Elementary — 6x2: "Check-Ins" (ABC)
Gregory juggles the demands of his two roles, while Jacob and Melissa struggle to compromise. Meanwhile, Barbara manages a delicate situation with a student, and Janine checks in with Courtney.
New Music

No new drops today. Go rediscover something in your old playlists.

In theaters
Whalefall (106 minutes)
Following the death of his father, Jay Gardiner goes diving off the central Coast of California in search of his remains, but is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape.
Tom Clancy's Without Remorse (110 minutes)
An elite Navy SEAL uncovers an international conspiracy while seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife.
Launching today

Nothing launching today. Every rocket is staying grounded and behaving.

Useless Fact

Butterflies taste with their hind feet.

The loonie
CAD → USD
0.7031
▲ 0.0024
CAD → EUR
0.6282
▲ 0.0023
Today In History
2012 — Endeavour's Final Journey to California Science Center
Two days after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, the space shuttle Endeavour reached its final destination, the California Space Center; its 12-mile journey through the city had required trees to be cut down and signs to be removed
2007 — Keeping Up with the Kardashians Premieres
The reality TV series Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered; the show's huge popularity helped make various family members major celebrities, notably Kim Kardashian. How much do you know about American reality TV?
1994 — Naguib Mahfouz Survives Assassination Attempt
Naguib Mahfouz, the 82-year-old Nobel Prize-winning novelist, was stabbed by Islamic militants in Cairo in 1994 but survived the attack.
1973 — Thai Prime Minister Forced to Resign After Protests
Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn of Thailand was forced to step down following huge public demonstrations against his authoritarian rule.
1964 — Martin Luther King Jr. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Baptist minister and social activist Martin Luther King, Jr., was named the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, cited for his work involving civil rights and social justice.How much do you know about the Nobel Prize?Julian Wasser
1947 — Chuck Yeager Breaks the Sound Barrier
In 1947, American test pilot Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier while flying the experimental Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
1944 — Erwin Rommel's Suicide After Hitler Assassination Plot
German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox," ended his life by drinking poison following the discovery of his connection to a conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler
1943 — Sobibor Uprising - 300 Jewish Laborers Revolt
Some 300 Jewish laborers at Sobibor extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland staged a revolt, killing several SS supervisors and Ukrainian guards; many inmates died, and the camp was subsequently dismantled. Witness the horrors of the Holocaust committed in Nazi concentration camps, as seen by Allied forces when they liberated survivors Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc
1936 — First International Brigades Trainees Arrive in Albacete
During the Spanish Civil War, the first group of 500 trainees for the International Brigadesarrived in Albacete, Spain
1926 — A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" Published
English humorist A.A. Milne published the beloved children's book "Winnie-the-Pooh" in 1926, featuring the adventures of a honey-loving bear and his friends, including Eeyore and Piglet.
1908 — Chicago Cubs Win Second World Series Championship
The Chicago Cubs beat the Detroit Tigers to win the team's second World Series championship; they did not claim their third title until 2016
1806 — Napoleon's Decisive Victory at Jena in 1806
French troops under Napoleon smashed the outdated Prussian army led by Charles William Ferdinand at the Battle of Jena. How much do you know about Napoleon Bonaparte?
1644 — Birth of William Penn, Founder of Pennsylvania
English Quaker leader and advocate of religious freedom William Penn was born in 1644.
1066 — Battle of Hastings
At the Battle of Hastings, fought this day in 1066, King Harold II of England was defeated by the invading army of William, duke of Normandy, in the Norman Conquest, establishing Normans as rulers of England

This is today, boiled down to the essentials. The full stash lives at logicalchaos.ca. Go get lost in it.