Sissy Stine is comforted by her husband, Jamie Denson, as they pray with their son B.J. Denson, left, during a candlelight vigil at the Maple Valley Baptist Church on Oct. 11, 2025, in Nunnelly, Tennessee.
Over a thousand protesters ride in the Emergency World Naked Bike Ride over the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 12, 2025, in protest of Trump administration policies.

Start your week! I'm Nicole Fallert. Are you reading this on the toilet?

Quick look at Monday's news:

  • Trump is in Israel amid the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas.
  • Wedding season is caught up in government shutdown drama.
  • It's not clear yet how Diane Keaton died.

Trump addresses Israeli parliament amid hostage release

President Donald Trump addressed Israel's parliament Monday morning following the release of remaining hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

Emotional reunions: Cheers, cries and Hebrew songs rang out Sunday in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, where thousands of Israeli's had gathered to celebrate the hostages' homecoming.

  • This is the first phase in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan. Fighting paused in Gaza for a third day Sunday in advance of the expected release of 20 Israeli hostages and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
  • A U.S. president in the Middle East. After speaking to the Knesset, the parliament, Trump heads to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war.
  • Returning to Gaza: Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Palestinians are making their way back to their devastated homes.

Communities grieves after deadly Tennessee plant blast

"For all the tragedies our community has experienced…we have learned to be the community that’s needed. If you’re grieving today…know that you’re surrounded by people with you and for you."

~ Pastor Daron Brown, comforted his grieving Humphreys County congregation Oct. 12 with prayer. It was an all-too-familiar calling in recent years: The Waverly Church of the Nazarene lost community members and its building in a 2021 flood. Now, its members remember those killed in last week's explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems.

More news to know now

  • At least four are dead and 20 injured in a South Carolina bar shooting, authorities say.
  • Trump and China play a blame game over new tariffs.
  • Education Department laid off about 20% of its workforce amid the shutdown.
  • Complaints about aggressive debt collection have skyrocketed.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

National Guard patrol Memphis

National Guard troops are now patrolling in Memphis, Tennessee, as the Trump administration continues to battle lawsuits against similar deployments across the country. Unlike the governors of Ilinois, California and Oregon, who have all sued over the troop deployments, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed the federal intervention.

Weddings caught in shutdown chaos

Nuptials planned amid the federal government shutdown are in limbo as popular wedding venues shutter or experience low staffing. Closures and travel delays are derailing photo shoots, engagements, elopements and weddings. More are expected to follow as the shutdown stretches on — with no clear end in sight.

  • Meanwhile, Trump has started firing federal workers, but he vowed to continue paying members of the military.

Today's talkers

  • Queer YouTubers came out online. It made a difference.
  • Wishing we were at the Chiefs' game with Caitlin Clark and Taylor Swift.
  • Amy Poehler and Tina Fey mocked Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi.
  • Indiana surged as college football rankings got a top-10 makeover.

How did Diane Keaton die?

Diane Keaton, the beloved filmmaker, author and Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in "Annie Hall," "The Godfather" trilogy, "Father of the Bride" and the "Book Club" franchise, has died at age 79, leaving co-stars, fans and cinephiles heartbroken. Keaton's cause of death remains unclear.

USA TODAY remembers Diane Keaton:

  • Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler paid tribute to their "First Wives Club" costar.
  • Revisit some of Keaton's most iconic film roles.
  • From the Oscars to the Globes, look back at Keaton's career achievements.
  • Reese Witherspoon tearfully spoke of the "incredible" Keaton, her first mentor.

Photo of the day: Portland bears all

Hundreds of people in Portland, Oregon, gathered to cruise the city on bikes. In the cold rain. While naked. The demonstration aimed to bring global attention to Trump’s plans to deploy National Guard troops to the city. Bits and pieces were everywhere.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: Trump in Israel

Reporting by Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect