BAC

An investigation asks who planted backdoors in Ledger hardware crypto wallets, pointing to the fallout of the company's 2022 customer data breach. The breach exposed roughly 270,000 customer records that were later used in sophisticated phishing attacks, and questions remain about who has held and exploited the stolen data. The report reignites debate over supply-chain security and accountability in the crypto hardware industry.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has endorsed calls for crypto to enter 'bunker mode', a defensive posture urging the industry to harden its cryptography and wallet security. The push follows warnings from Ethereum researcher Justin Drake that rapid advances in AI-driven mathematics could break current wallet security within months, prompting debate over how urgently blockchain projects should prepare for such breakthroughs.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has endorsed a constitutional amendment to ban wealth taxes at the state level, moving against a push by some progressives to tax the ultra-wealthy. Supporters frame it as protecting residents and businesses from leaving high-tax states, while progressive Democrats criticise it as capitulation to billionaires and a setback for tax-the-rich proposals.

Egypt, Africa's second-largest economy, is seeking development funding from Qatar, the Gulf's wealthiest state per capita, even as Iran-backed militia attacks continue to threaten regional stability. The outreach reflects Cairo's push to secure external financing for its struggling economy and infrastructure projects, weighing economic need against security risks in the region. The report has drawn attention among Africa and Gulf business watchers.

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach has joined Minnesota's Republican congressional delegation in calling for increased election security measures. The delegation is pressing for stronger safeguards around voting, framing the demand as a priority for voters in the state. Details of the specific measures being requested were not outlined in the announcement.

Federal Judge Amit Mehta has rejected Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in his criminal case over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, marking a significant legal setback for the former president. Trump's legal team had argued he was shielded from prosecution for official acts while in office. The ruling is expected to be appealed, keeping the immunity question on a fast track toward higher courts.

An Indiana pastor has been accused of misconduct, but church leaders are publicly standing behind him despite the allegations. The case has drawn attention to how the congregation and denomination handle claims of wrongdoing against clergy, with supporters pointing to the leadership's endorsement while critics question whether the accusation is being taken seriously.

Commercial fishermen in North Carolina's Pamlico Sound are pushing back against a proposed expansion of military training activities in the area. They argue the expansion could disrupt fishing grounds and threaten their livelihoods in one of the state's most important estuarine fishing regions. The proposal has sparked a local conflict between defense interests and the coastal fishing industry.

US Army generals are proposing larger-footprint and more frequent joint military exercises with South Korea, after President Trump scaled back a combined drill with Seoul. A US Army commander called for drills modeled on lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, signaling a possible shift in how US forces train on the Korean peninsula.

A court ruling in Pennsylvania is being described as reflecting a setback for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The decision reportedly aligns with difficulties the Tennessee agency has faced, though details of the ruling and its direct effect on TWRA operations have not been laid out in the available reporting.

Israel has struck back at London by expelling British diplomats, in a move being described as historic in coverage of the rift between the two governments. The report frames the expulsions as a retaliation that caught British officials off guard, though no official statements from either government are cited. The exact number of diplomats affected and the triggering incident remain unstated.

Myanmar's military-backed acting president is on an official visit to Malaysia, seeking closer bilateral ties as the country's ruling authorities pivot toward diplomacy. The trip is being widely reported across international and regional outlets. It comes as Myanmar's junta engages more with Southeast Asian neighbours over the country's political crisis and planned elections, drawing attention to its efforts to build regional relationships.

A dramatic family story is drawing large audiences: a narrator describes signing away her family's fortune, only for her brother to return later demanding a share of her own money. The tale of inheritance, betrayal and sibling conflict is resonating widely with viewers drawn to its emotional twists and questions of family loyalty.

Elon Musk is returning to political involvement in Washington, taking on what is described as a redefined role in the capital. The development signals a renewed presence for the billionaire in US political affairs after a period of stepping back from the spotlight. Details of the exact scope of the role were not immediately clear.

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are testing whether electric vehicles can serve as backup power sources for homes, using bidirectional charging so a car battery can supply electricity during outages or peak demand. The trial, reported by KCRA, explores vehicle-to-grid technology that could make EVs more useful than transportation alone and support grid resilience in California.

A gardening feature in The Mountain Advocate takes up a common autumn dilemma: whether to cut back spent plants now or to gather up seeds, cuttings and material for later use. The piece frames the choice as a practical seasonal decision for home gardeners managing beds before winter, and it has been picked up among home and garden readers.