Polymarket Pauses Trading
On Thursday afternoon, Polymarket suspended trading on its international platform after it detected a security issue involving a third-party software vendor. This pause, lasting roughly an hour, was prompted by reports that some users’ wallets had been drained.
Users in Polymarket’s official Discord chat expressed concern starting around 1:30 p.m., when the reports surfaced. Shortly after, the platform entered a cancel-only mode, allowing users to stop transactions but barring new trades. Polymarket assured affected users they’d receive compensation.
The root of the problem was identified as a security breach with DebugBear, a third-party performance platform. Authorities in the UK, DebugBear’s base, have been notified. DebugBear acknowledged the incident publicly and advised users to remove its embedded monitoring tools.
Reporter: Covering arts and culture
Patrick Stewart Dies at 86
Patrick Stewart, renowned Shakespearean actor and beloved “Star Trek” star, passed away Wednesday in Los Angeles at 86. His death followed a brief battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia. Stewart, a Royal Shakespeare Company veteran, famously portrayed Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, a role that endeared him to American audiences.
Stewart spoke fondly of his “Star Trek” role, praising its quality and storytelling. Alongside television, his film roles included Professor X in the X-Men series. His marriages to Sheila Falconer and Wendy Neuss ended in divorce; he married Sunny Ozell in 2013 and had two children from his first marriage.
U.S. Military Noncombat Deaths Updated
The Pentagon has updated its records, adding two noncombat deaths from the ongoing Iran war, bringing the total fatalities to 23. Both airmen’s deaths are categorized as nonhostile incidents; one resulted from illness, the other is unexplained and remains under investigation.
These deaths fall under Overseas Operations, a separate record for Middle East casualties dated from July amid a ceasefire with Tehran. Of the 23 total, 11 stemmed from enemy fire, while 12 were nonhostile. A tragic March plane crash in Iraq accounted for six of these deaths.
Federal Debt Exceeds U.S. GDP
For the first time since World War II, the federal debt equals the entirety of the U.S. economy’s size, marking a significant fiscal milestone. This debt-to-GDP ratio hit 100.3 percent in fiscal year 2026.
Present economic resilience faces threats, with consumer spending at risk of declining. While growth registered a 3.4 percent annual rate from July to September, cooled by fading effects of earlier tax refunds. Economists anticipate spending moderation due to inflation and high interest rates’ impact on households.
Reporter: Covering the economy, focusing on labor and immigration
Pharmacy Costs Transparency Regulation
A new Labor Department regulation, unveiled Thursday, compels pharmacy benefit managers to disclose earnings from drugmakers. These companies negotiate prescription benefits for numerous Americans. The rule, part of Trump’s transparency initiative, aims at reducing drug costs.
While the regulation faces resistance from major pharmacy managers such as CVS Caremark and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Rx, it is expected to enable better negotiation for 72 million Americans on self-insured health plans. Mandates begin in July.
Reporter: Focused on the science of happiness
Seabirds’ Jet Lag Effects
A study published in Science reveals that seabirds suffer navigation errors due to jet lag, evidenced in Manx shearwaters tracked over long fishing journeys. Jet lag, affecting their internal clock, can cause them to veer off course.
This research may parallel human jet-lag experiences, as both share similarities in internal clocks. The insights into bird navigation could enhance understanding of how humans manage time shifts.
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