Open Racism, Mom-and-Pop Struggles and a Fracturing MAGA — Today's Top Stories

Here are the key stories you may have missed today. This roundup highlights rising abuses toward Indian Americans, growing strains within the MAGA coalition, mounting pressures on small businesses, and other major national and international developments.

Headline Developments

Increase in racial slurs targeting Indian Americans. Public figures including Kash Patel, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy have been the targets of racist and derogatory language. Observers say this kind of rhetoric, while not new, is becoming more visible within certain conservative circles and is contributing to a broader pattern of anti-Indian abuse.

Fracturing political coalition. President Donald Trump has long held together a wide-ranging political coalition, but reporter Aaron Blake notes growing disagreements on key issues that are creating visible fissures within the MAGA movement.

Small businesses under pressure. Neighborhood mom-and-pop shops across the U.S. report mounting challenges driven by tariff disruptions, rising payroll and health-care costs, and stressed workers — part of a wider affordability squeeze affecting local commerce.

Other notable items

Joint assisted suicide in Germany. Two sisters who rose to fame in the 1950s as an entertainment duo have died at age 89 by a joint assisted suicide. Under German law, assisted suicide is permitted under certain circumstances; the sisters had reportedly said they wanted to "go away together on the same day."

Athletes and illegal gambling. Illegal betting has ensnared a rising number of professional athletes. Experts point to more than easy access: the same competitive drive and appetite for risk that fuels success in sports can make gambling’s thrill particularly hard to resist.

Venice’s canal dolphin "Mimmo." A dolphin nicknamed "Mimmo" has been spending time in Venice’s canals amid heavy boat traffic. Marine specialists are monitoring the animal closely and hope it will return to open waters as temperatures fall.

House votes to release Epstein files. The U.S. House voted 427–1 to compel the Justice Department to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Clay Higgins was the lone member to vote against the measure and spoke on the floor explaining his dissent.

Trump comments on Jamal Khashoggi. Former President Trump described slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi as "extremely controversial" while defending the Saudi crown prince, remarks that reignited debate over U.S.–Saudi relations.

Federal court blocks Texas map. A federal court has barred Texas from using a newly drawn, Republican-leaning U.S. House map in the upcoming midterm elections, at least for now.

Entertainment profile: Katseye. Two years after a Netflix reality program catapulted six young women from obscurity to internet fame, a profile looks at the creative director who shaped their image as the group Katseye.

Corporate politics at New Dominion Voting. A recent ownership change at New Dominion Voting has prompted discussion about whether political actors could exert influence over the company; the new owner rejects those concerns.

Schumer and shutdown fallout. Democrats have circulated critical portrayals of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the aftermath of the government shutdown, revealing internal frustrations and political consequences.

Online paths to radicalization. Recent arrests tied to an alleged terror plot underscore an evolving and "more dangerous" pattern of ISIS radicalization in the U.S., driven increasingly by online networks and recruitment tactics.

Quick quiz

The world’s oldest passenger ship made its maiden voyage in 1914. Which vessel was it then? Answer: SS Medina. The ship has been renamed several times and even found new life on land as a hotel.

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