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 Thousands of Bank of America customers encountered difficulties accessing their online accounts on Wednesday afternoon, as the bank experienced a large-scale outage. Customers took to social media to report issues, stating they were unable to view their account balances. Even more concerning, some users who managed to access their accounts found their balances displayed as $0, sparking widespread alarm and concern.

Reports of problems spiked around 12:45 pm ET on Downdetector, a platform that tracks outages. Complains about the issue flooded in from major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, and Chicago, according to Downdetector's outage map

Affected customers received error messages stating "accounts temporarily unavailable" or "some accounts and balances are temporarily unavailable". For many, a ''Connection Error'' message popped up while trying to log into the banking app. The message said it was ''unable to complete your request'' and asked the user to ''try again later.''

Customers affected by the Bank of America outage flocked to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, to share their experiences and seek confirmation that others were facing similar issues. Frustrated customers also expressed challenges in reaching Bank of America's customer service, citing long wait times, unsuccessful attempts to contact representatives, and automated messages with no resolution. 

Customers affected by the Bank of America outage flocked to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, to share their experiences and seek confirmation that others were facing similar issues. Frustrated customers also expressed challenges in reaching Bank of America's customer service, citing long wait times, unsuccessful attempts to contact representatives, and automated messages with no resolution. 

In a statement to CNN, Bank of America acknowledged that “some clients are experiencing an issue accessing their accounts and balance information today.”

''These issues are being addressed and have largely been resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience,'' the bank added. 

Despite the bank's claims of resolution, many customers continued to report issues, with some even being barred from entering physical Bank of America locations. 

 Former President Donald Trump was acting as a private candidate for office, not as the president of the United States, when he sought to overturn his 2020 election loss and “resorted to crimes to stay in office,” a new filing from special counsel Jack Smith asserts. 

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Judge releases filing with new details in Trump election interference case

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The filing, released yesterday, is connected to Trump’s federal election case and is a response to the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling. It includes new details about Trump’s actions after the 2020 election and leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, including testimony detailing Trump’s conversations with former Vice President Mike Pence. In one discussion on Nov. 12, Pence offered Trump a “face-saving option,” telling him to not concede the election “but recognize the process is over.”

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Other revelations include analysis from an FBI expert that showed Trump was scrolling Twitter during the Capitol riot, as well as new evidence that an unnamed assistant overheard Trump saying to family members after the 2020 election, “It doesn’t matter if you won or lost the election. You still have to fight like hell.” 

Smith’s team once again argued that Trump knew his statements about the 2020 election were, in fact, lies and said he relied upon his own campaign employees and volunteers to carry out the alleged scheme.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blasted the “falsehood-ridden” filing and declared the case a “partisan, Unconstitutional Witch Hunt.”

Read the full story here. 

Israel prepares Iran response and strikes central Beirut as Lebanon faces ‘apocalyptic’ situation

Israeli strikes in the heart of the Lebanese capital of Beirut killed at least nine people and wounded seven overnight, health officials said. The strikes hit the neighborhood of Bachoura, which is within walking distance of the prime minister’s headquarters, as well as many foreign embassies. Three people were immediately killed while three more died afterward from their injuries, the country’s Ministry of Health said. 

An “apocalyptic” situation is mounting across Lebanon, healthcare workers have warned, with some 1.2 million people displaced and many sleeping on the streets of Beirut. One U.S. permanent resident is among the dead, and about 100 U.S. citizens and their families left last night on an evacuation flight as other countries announced their own plans.

Israel is also preparing its response to Iran’s missile attack earlier this week, Israeli and U.S. officials say.

Follow our live blog for updates.

More coverage of the Middle East conflict:

• Israel has vowed its Iran retaliation will be swift and “painful” — but what might that look like?
• Families in a Lebanese town near the border of Israel found refuge from airstrikes in a monastery. But after a day’s reprieve, they face yet another displacement.
• Hamas is “disappointed” by the lack of support from other Middle Eastern countries, a senior official for the militant group said. 

North Carolina mountain town is wrecked by Helene

The death toll from Hurricane Helene and its aftermath rose to 190 people across Southeastern states, according to an NBC News tally, and hundreds of people are still missing. Thursday marks a week since the storm first made landfall in Florida before traveling through parts of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, leaving destruction in its wake. For residents of Swannanoa, North Carolina, about 20 miles east of Asheville, the shock is still raw. 

NBC News reporter Deon Hampton spoke to residents of the small mountain town. Brown mud coated the few buildings still standing, he noted. Many other structures were reduced to splinters. And whenever the wind kicked up, the smell of dust and dirt filled nostrils.  

“I don’t think anybody, including the government, thought this was what we were gonna get,” said Beverly Eller, 68, who has been staying in shelters after she and her husband narrowly escaped floodwaters in their home. Meanwhile, Stewart Cody, who owns a local body repair shop, estimated it’ll take months to reopen his shop. And without insurance, the damage is going to cost him dearly. Read the full story.

 On Wednesday, Oct. 2, a photo of the actor and filmmaker, 65, officiating the wedding of his Stranger Things costar Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi was shared by the groom on his Instagram page. 

In the image, Modine — who played the role of Dr. Martin Brenner (AKA 'Papa') opposite Brown, 20, in the hit Netflix series — wore a black jacket over a white shirt and black pants for the special occasion.

Standing tall under the floral wedding arch, Modine smiled as Bongiovi, 22, read out his vows to his bride during the May wedding.

“Amazing. Who’s the old guy with a beard?? 🤪❤️🍀,” Modine joked in Bongiovi’s comment section afterward.

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The outdoor wedding also featured large white flower beds along the aisle as guests looked on to watch the ceremony.

Bongiovi’s carousel then included a snap of him and Brown smiling at the camera as the actress sat on an armchair, while Bongiovi perched on the edge.

The pair were also snapped sharing a kiss before a black and white photo featured Bongiovi appearing to get ready.

The proud husband then included a photo of himself standing between his father Jon Bon Jovi and Brown’s father Robert Brown.

“Forever and always, your husband,” Bongiovi wrote in his caption. 

Brown also shared a carousel of wedding photos. After including snaps of the couple, she concluded the post with a solo shot of her blowing bubble gum while wearing a chic silk mini-dress.

“Forever and always, your wife,” her caption read.

Romance rumors between Brown and Bongiovi first sparked in June 2021 after he shared a selfie with Brown on Instagram. They were then photographed holding hands in New York City weeks later and by November of 2021 Brown confirmed their relationship by posting a blurry photo of the pair.