U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine are set to present key details to the “Gang of Eight” congressional leaders amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Sources suggest the briefing will include undisclosed agenda items, potentially affecting military operations and defense oversight. The session comes as President Trump threatens land strikes against suspected Venezuelan traffickers, sparking concerns and calls for transparency in Caribbean and Pacific operations. Lawmakers are pressing Hegseth for unedited strike footage, leveraging the NDAA clause that could cut up to a quarter of his travel budget if compliance is not met. WATCH 

As the government shutdown drags on, 42 million Americans are days away from losing federal food assistance. The USDA has confirmed that no SNAP benefits will be issued on November 1, citing a lack of legal authority to use contingency funds. In Los Angeles, National Guard troops are bagging food boxes to help meet the surge in demand as families prepare for the cutoff.