Capital and cultural/financial hub of Massachusetts
Retailers have rolled out deeper early-Black Friday discounts on headphones and earbuds this week. Budget models such as Nothing's CMF Buds 2 Plus ($59) and Shokz OpenFit 2 ($140) have held low prices; Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 3 are widely discounted; Bose QuietComfort Ultra models and Sony WH-1000XM6 have midrange cuts; Samsung will start selling its clip-on Galaxy Buds On on Nov. 6.
Ken Griffin has pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, including $2 billion to build a 35‑acre Wynwood campus in Miami and $1 billion for priorities at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus. Construction on the Miami site is slated for 2027, with student enrollments planned to begin in 2028; the computer science school will be renamed for Griffin.
Margaret Hamilton has died at 90. The MIT computer scientist has led development of the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo program, coined the phrase "software engineering," and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Her daughter has confirmed she died on 30 September in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A mix of housing and social projects is unfolding across several UK locales. In Lewisham, officials propose handing public land to community groups to build social housing, backed by land trusts and streamlined planning. Other reports cover rural housing affordability, library-housing projects in Boston, and displacement risks from recent developments in Charlton.
Prosecutors and courts are advancing cases tied to the 1994 genocide. An Ohio-based suspect faces perjury and obstruction charges in the United States, while UK and French investigations pursue other figures linked to killings of Tutsi minorities. Trials are scheduled or upcoming, with witnesses expected from Rwanda.
A BBC Business profile and BBC News interviews reveal a 17-year-old actor from Burnham-on-Crouch is joining the cast of the upcoming Harry Potter series as Dobby in season 2. The teen has balanced schooling with a rising acting career, including a Bafta-winning performance and recent roles in Slow Horses and various projects.
The Patriots have announced the death of Jon Morris, a defining early center for the franchise who played from 1964 to 1974 and later contributed as a broadcaster. His passing, confirmed by the team and reported by multiple outlets, marks the loss of a key figure in Patriots history.
Massachusetts city councilor Shawn Oliver, running mate to GOP gubernatorial hopeful Mike Minogue, has suspended his campaign after a DUI arrest following a late-night crash. Oliver is on restricted duty as investigators review the case; Minogue denounces the DUI and calls for accountability as the race nears the November election.
AI trained on over 40 million facial images and 35,000 cancer patient photos estimates biological age and survival chances from a face photo. Studies suggest potential to inform treatment but offer no definitive predictions; experts caution about bias and the need for broader testing.
A FedEx truck outside PSA’s Santa Ana headquarters was left unattended, prompting thieves to steal about 250 packages, valued at roughly $963,000. PSA has deactivated certificates, notified partners, and is working with FBI and local police as investigations continue. Compensation for affected customers is being issued based on fair market value.
Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO. The Athletics Integrity Unit has opened an investigation; Jepchirchir’s Sydney Marathon win in August was affected. Kenya’s distance-running programme is facing intensified scrutiny ahead of the 2029 world championships in Nairobi.
The Belleville Three founder Derrick May? Wait, Atkins—first to buy a Korg MS-10 and a key figure in Cybotron—has died in Mexico City. He helped name techno with the 1988 track Techno Music and shaped a mechanistic, space-age sound that defined Detroit’s electronic scene. Tributes are pouring in from collaborators and clubs worldwide.
As daylight saving time ends, experts underscore the circadian impact and health risks. The change has prompted polls on whether to keep standard time year-round, with mornings getting brighter and evenings darker. Health groups have long urged alignment with daylight for better sleep and metabolism.
The Massachusetts court has scheduled a November hearing to rule on motions that could shape a retrial for Lindsay Clancy. Prosecutors seek to move forward with a retrial, possibly on the same charges, while defense lawyers argue for dismissal under double jeopardy. If a retrial occurs, dates could land as soon as spring 2027.
A federal judge has dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit that sought applicant‑level admissions records from Harvard, ruling the agency did not take required administrative steps to secure voluntary compliance. The ruling rests on narrow procedural grounds and does not resolve whether Harvard has discriminated or whether agencies can ultimately obtain the data.