Trending news · 30 October 2026
TikTok Builds a Taylor Swift 'Patient Zero' Hub With Phased Fan Unlocks
TikTok has launched a dedicated in-app hub for Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero," challenging fans to unlock behind-the-scenes clips through collective goals and personal challenges, as Swift continues to give streaming platforms a head start on her videos before YouTube.
Halloween's Hottest TikTok Trend: The 'Ramalama' Costume Walk Returns With 430,000 Videos
Creators worldwide are reviving the 'Ramalama (Bang Bang)' TikTok trend, filming slow dramatic walks into camera in full Halloween costume set to Róisín Murphy's 2005 track. The format has now generated over 430,000 videos as Halloween weekend approaches.
Google Frightgeist 2026: Buddy the Unicorn and a Stress Ball Lead the Most-Searched Halloween Costumes
Google has released its annual Frightgeist data for 2026, revealing that Buddy the Unicorn tops the most-searched Halloween costume list, followed by the NeeDoh stress ball and Nikki from Obsession. The eclectic top ten blends pop culture, classic literature and outright absurdity.
Former Desert Hot Springs Officer Pleads Guilty to Excessive Force on Two Teens
Johnny Acosta, 31, a former Desert Hot Springs police officer, has pleaded guilty to using excessive force on two 17-year-old boys during a 2024 arrest, receiving one year of probation and 100 hours of community service after his felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors.