Week in Review: Dick Cheney Dies, Distant Black Hole Erupts, Dodgers Win World Series

Week in Review: Major news in politics, space, housing and sports

Here are the week's top stories: the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney, a record-breaking burst from a distant supermassive black hole, a squeeze on first-time homebuyers, renewed public curiosity about an interstellar comet, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' dramatic World Series win.

Dick Cheney dies at 84

Dick Cheney, the unapologetic Wyoming Republican who dramatically expanded the office of the vice presidency while serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, died on Nov. 3 at age 84. He will be remembered as a central architect of post‑9/11 policy and for his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a decision that later became a focal point for debate over nation‑building and U.S. foreign policy. Over the years, members of both parties described him as the most powerful vice president in modern American history. As Joel Goldstein, author of The Modern American Vice Presidency, observed: "Only under Cheney was there ever the question whether or not the vice president might really have been running things."

Health and legacy

Cheney's long life and continued public presence were often credited to advances in medical care: he survived multiple heart attacks and underwent procedures that prolonged his life and allowed him to remain influential in politics and public debate.

Cosmic fireworks: record burst from a distant black hole

Astronomers announced they are tracking what appears to be the most powerful and most distant burst of energy ever recorded from a supermassive black hole: an object about 10 billion light‑years away, with an estimated mass of roughly 500 million times that of the sun, produced a flash some 10 trillion times brighter than our star. Scientists say the event likely occurred when a giant star strayed too close to the black hole and was torn apart — popularly described as being "spaghettified" by extreme tidal forces. Black holes themselves cannot be seen directly because they trap light, but astronomers detect the dramatic shock of radiation left behind.

Mystery comet: 3I/ATLAS

Interest in space also touched popular culture this week when public figures asked about comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed object observed to originate from outside our solar system. NASA officials responded to questions on social media with basic facts and reassurances: there is no evidence of extraterrestrial life associated with the visitor, and it poses no threat to Earth.

Housing: first-time buyers face mounting challenges

The National Association of Realtors reported that between June 2024 and June 2025 just 21% of home purchases were made by first‑time buyers — about half the long‑term average dating back to 1981. Many prospective buyers are being outbid by purchasers with housing equity who can make all‑cash offers; the share of all‑cash purchases reached a record 26%. The average age of first‑time buyers rose to 40, highlighting affordability and inventory pressures in today’s housing market.

Sports: Dodgers clinch World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the World Series in a dramatic Game 7. Veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw, warming in the bullpen during the bottom of the 11th inning, did not see the final double play that ended the game; he learned of the victory from the bullpen coach and later asked, "Are you sure?" — the answer was yes. Kershaw, 37, retires with three World Series rings and reflected: "I will, forever, for the rest of my life, get to say, 'We won Game 7 of the World Series the last game I played.' You can't script it."

Compiled and written by Robert Abitbol. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY.