New York Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers on opening night. The game tips off at 7 p.m. NBA Showtime begins at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC

Tonight's highly anticipated showdown features LeBron James making his regular-season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they go up against Jalen Brunson - officially kicking off his historic 24th NBA season - and the defending NBA champion New York Knicks. It is NBA Opening Night, making it an incredibly high-stakes Eastern Conference rivalry renewal right out of the gate.

Before any basketball is played, Madison Square Garden will be electric as the New York Knicks raise their championship banner to the rafters and receive their rings for winning the 2026 NBA title. Interestingly, LeBron James admitted over the summer that the Knicks were his first choice in free agency, but he decided to sign with Philly instead because New York had already ended their championship drought.

My daughter Zsia and her family live in New Jersey and are die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler fans. Last weekend, their son Dylan flew to Tampa with his girlfriend to watch the Steelers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They had the best seats in the house, reunited with school friends, and topped off an unforgettable weekend by watching the Steelers win an exciting overtime finish, 26-19!

This is just the latest chapter in their decades-long Steelers adventures. Last September, Zsia, her husband Jon, and their sons Michael and Dylan flew to Ireland to watch the Steelers play the Minnesota Vikings. They not only loved exploring Ireland, but were absolutely elated when the Steelers came away with a 24-21 victory!

Fast-forward one year ... the Steelers are scheduled to face the New Orleans Saints in Paris this Sunday, October 25, 2026. However, this international trip comes with an added measure of anxiety and suspense. Following reports of severe rioting and civil unrest in France over the weekend, the NFL has confirmed that the game will proceed as planned.

The Saints reportedly arrived safely in France on Monday to begin practicing, while the Steelers are scheduled to arrive Friday morning, October 23. Although players from both teams have expressed understandable concerns about the unrest, preparations are moving forward with security measures in place.

Fans traveling to France should pay close attention to safety advisories from the U.S. Embassy in Paris and follow local guidance. While security around the stadium is expected to be a priority, travelers should remain alert to potential demonstrations, transportation disruptions, and localized disturbances throughout the city.

My family and I will be watching the game from home. It's scheduled to be broadcast in the United States at 8:30 AM Eastern time. Check your local listings for availability. My DVR is already set. Stay tuned.

On the matter of the riots in France, I have considered the possibility of similar civil unrest coming to the United States if things continue along their current trajectory. In an increasingly unpredictable world, events happening elsewhere can offer a glimpse of what may lie ahead. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. France's crisis sounds familiar. Is America next?   CNN - October 20, 2026

As we enter a new week, we can expect the news to focus increasingly on the upcoming midterm elections. As you know, I'm not following the political chaos that tends to intensify before an important election - one that could change the course of America and have far-reaching consequences for the world.

However, one headline caught my attention this morning, and I posted it on Ezine: Plummeting Latino support for Republicans could swing the midterms

Given Trump's apparent hostility toward the Latino community and the policies affecting people from across Latin America, it's difficult to understand why so many Latino voters would support a political agenda that could work against their own communities and families.

When it comes to politics, don't take campaign promises at face value. Look at the actions, consider the consequences, and decide who truly represents your interests. This is an important time to stand with your community, make your voice heard, and pay attention to the decisions shaping the future of America.

Orionids Peak - Prolific meteor shower associated with Orion's Radiant

See pieces of Halley's Comet fall to Earth this week as the Orionid meteor shower peaks

Every shooting star you see during this shower is a tiny piece of cosmic debris shed by 1P/Halley - the most famous comet in history. Although Halley's Comet itself only passes Earth once every 76 years and won't be back until 2061 - you can see its leftover icy dust burn up in our atmosphere twice a year.

They are highly prone to producing exceptionally bright explosions of light called fireballs - not to be mistaken for UFOs - which can easily slice right through minor light pollution.

Mystics and astrologers view the Orionids as a rare highly potent energetic gateway. In mythology we can associate the Orionids with one of the oldest and most profound relationships in historical astro-theology. To the ancient Egyptians, Orion was not a hunter - it was the literal celestial embodiment of Osiris, the lord of the underworld, resurrection, and eternal life.