Monday, Oct 26, 2026
Morning Premium Edition
Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in Serbia's snap parliamentary election
Serbian Progressive Party leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, projecting the student-led Student List would win 135 to 140 seats against his party's 105 in the 250-seat parliament. The projected result would end the party's 14-year rule. Vučić blamed independent media and alleged foreign interference; turnout reached its highest level in more than 30 years.
Reporting: Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC News, Axios, PBS News, CBS News
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President Donald Trump intensified anti-Muslim attacks on Abdul El-Sayed at a Michigan rally
President Donald Trump intensified anti-Muslim attacks on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed at a Port Huron rally Sunday, suggesting Christmas would be canceled if El-Sayed won. Trump called him a “jihadist” and a “Muslim Brotherhood member” while campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Reporting: The New Arab, Al Jazeera, NBC News, The Washington Post, michiganadvance.com, btpm.org, theoaklandpress.com
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Israel's military continued a large operation in the occupied West Bank
The Israeli military continued its operation in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, saying it operated in more than 400 locations and arrested 40 Palestinians it claimed were affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad. It also said crossings into Israel would remain closed until after Tuesday’s election, following Friday’s attack near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three.
Reporting: Deutsche Welle, Ukrainian National News, morningstaronline.co.uk, jamaica-gleaner.com
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces launched drone attacks on five power stations
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched coordinated drone strikes on five power stations Monday, causing widespread power outages. An unnamed government official said two stations were hit in each of Al-Jazira and Gedaref states and one in White Nile. Sudan Tribune separately reported strikes on power stations and fuel depots across four states.
Reporting: The Guardian, org.eg, jacarandafm.com, sudantribune.com
Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey met Iranian officials in Tehran for talks
Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye were in Tehran Monday to seek a deal with Washington and avert renewed fighting involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Participants were Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir and Turkiye intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, who were to meet Iranian security officials and negotiators.
Reporting: New York Post (with Associated Press), Al Jazeera, audacy.com (with Associated Press), cp24.com
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US forces are positioned to attack Iran within four days of an order from Trump
CNN reported, citing two US officials, that US forces in the Middle East could begin potentially major operations against Iran within 96 hours of an order from President Donald Trump. Trump has not committed to military action. US planners have prepared a target list, while senior officials urged Israel to delay separate strikes amid plans for possible joint operations.
Reporting: Iran International, Gulf News, NewsCord, Ynetnews, mezha.net, aninews.in
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won re-election against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won re-election Sunday with 51.8% of the vote, defeating Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro by nearly 4.4 million votes, Euronews reported. Bolsonaro said he would seek court annulment, arguing that Supreme Federal Court Justice Cristiano Zanin’s two-hour voting extension was unevenly applied and that the circumstances made the result impossible to recognize.
Reporting: Euronews, CNN
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Saudi Arabia said it intercepted Houthi drones and missiles launched toward multiple sites
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Sunday it intercepted missiles and drones it attributed to the Houthis, who claimed seven military operations. Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said two drones and a ballistic missile heading toward Riyadh were destroyed, along with 10 ballistic missiles aimed at southern Saudi Arabia and a cruise missile headed for Khamis Mushait.
Reporting: CNBC
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Ukrainian officials disputed Elon Musk's claim that the military violated Starlink terms
Ukrainian officials disputed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's claim that Ukraine's military violated Starlink's terms of service. Musk said using civilian Starlink for offensive drone strikes was never permitted, while Starshield is a separate system controlled by the U.S. government. Ukrainian officials said both systems had returned to previous operating speeds. Technology journalist Kara Swisher renewed her criticism of Musk.
Reporting: ibtimes.co.uk, post-gazette.com, iheart.com
Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after nearly a year abroad
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after nearly a year abroad, appearing in Barquisimeto before traveling to Caracas, Tovima reported. Reuters said U.S. officials had asked Machado to delay her return. Her top foreign affairs adviser, David Smolansky, said she plans to meet victims of June's earthquakes and families of political prisoners.
Reporting: U.S. News & World Report (with Reuters), Reuters, The Jerusalem Post, Fox News, Latin Times, El País, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, tovima.com
Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected allegations of political and military discord over Iran
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday called reports of a rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir over possible Iran-related military action “completely baseless and false.” Katz said Israel had no intention of launching an attack on Iran before Tuesday’s election. Netanyahu also denied a confrontation.
Reporting: The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of India, Ynetnews, thedefensewatch.com, rte.ie, israelhayom.com
The Dutch TTF benchmark rises above €97 a megawatt-hour
European natural-gas prices climbed to their highest level since 2022 on Monday, with the Dutch TTF benchmark reaching €97.50 per megawatt-hour, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Journal cited colder weather that could boost demand and Iran-war disruptions to global supplies. OilPrice.com reported an earlier-session TTF high of €95.73.
Reporting: OilPrice.com, The Wall Street Journal, energyconnects.com
Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects linked to the fatal Greek Orthodox church attack
Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects Monday in connection with Friday’s deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in Hamoud, Karak governorate, the Public Security Directorate said. Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said all three are Jordanian nationals and authorities had found no indications of ties to outside parties. No group has claimed responsibility.
Reporting: Kurdistan24, ABC News, United Press International, CBS News, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, thenewregion.com, bnd.com (with Reuters)
United Arab Emirates officials closed beaches following an expanding tanker oil spill
Satellite images showed that an oil spill from a damaged tanker off the UAE has widened, prompting further beach closures. Images dated October 24 showed oil nearing the shores of northern Umm Al Quwain. The environment ministry said beaches and coastal areas around the city were temporarily closed, while Sharjah restricted access to Al Hamriyah Beach.
Reporting: Reuters
China’s Communist Party began a meeting to discuss strengthening party discipline
China's leaders began a four-day, closed-door Communist Party Central Committee meeting Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping pushes for tighter discipline and loyalty among officials. The committee will discuss a draft decision on “full and rigorous party self-governance,” Xinhua reported. The plenum comes about a year before Xi is widely expected to secure a fourth five-year term as party leader.
Reporting: Newsday, seymourtelegraph.com.au, news9live.com
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China across a newly opened border bridge
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his first China visit in about a year Saturday, crossing the newly opened Yalu River bridge into Dandong. South Korea’s Unification Ministry and Xinhua reported his arrival. He visited a Korean War memorial and met Wang Huning, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Standing Committee. CNN said analysts saw deepening ties.
Reporting: Facebook, the-independent.com, asahi.com
Prosecutors indicted Ballard for strangling a woman in a Naha hotel
Japanese prosecutors indicted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, over the death of 39-year-old Japanese woman Anna Yagi in Okinawa. Prosecutors allege Ballard strangled Yagi with a telephone cord at a hotel in Naha on Oct. 3 and stole her backpack. Japan's premier condemned the alleged killing as a “heinous crime.”
Reporting: Türkiye Today, CBS News, United Press International, CNN, galvnews.com (with Reuters), asahi.com
The San Juan River in New Mexico reached its highest crest since 1935
Heavy rain flooded the Four Corners, and New Mexico's San Juan River reached its highest crest since 1935, ABC News reported. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of the region, where more storms threatened Sunday, CBS News reported. ABC said rainfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour in parts of the Southwest.
Reporting: CBS News, ABC News, kjzz.com, journalarta.com
The CDC tallied more than 4,580 U.S. measles cases
U.S. measles cases have topped 4,580, more than double the total for all of 2025, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data; the articles describe the surge as the country’s worst resurgence in decades. Pennsylvania has confirmed at least 1,338 cases across 44 counties this year.
Reporting: kazu.org, prairiepublic.org
Uganda imposed a 21-day quarantine on citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Uganda will quarantine citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 21 days at their own expense, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said Sunday. He told the BBC only essential travellers from the DRC would be allowed in. Uganda says its latest outbreak ended in July. Screening has intensified at Entebbe International Airport and land border crossings.
Reporting: UA News, Internazionale (with Reuters), Nairametrics, BBC News, beninwebtv.bj, trtafrika.com, co.ug
Algerian lawmakers approved a military mission to guard energy facilities in Niger
Algeria’s parliament approved sending troops to neighbouring Niger to protect energy facilities, in the country’s first foreign military deployment since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, France 24 reported. The deployment is reportedly aimed at protecting oil installations belonging to state-owned Sonatrach. Algerian Senator Belkacem Boulghiti told the Associated Press it would safeguard Algeria’s economic and strategic interests.
Reporting: Bloomberg, France 24, Al Jazeera
Amnesty International said Tanzanian dissident Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kenya
Amnesty International said Tanzanian dissident Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kenya on Sunday while travelling by taxi. Bloomberg reported that Mwaipaya was abducted in Nairobi, while Amnesty Kenya’s post placed the abduction in Kamulu, Machakos County. As of Sunday evening, Mwaipaya’s whereabouts and the abductors’ identities remained unknown, and the Linda Mwananchi Movement called for a probe.
Reporting: Bloomberg, Streamline, clubofmozambique.com, capitalfm.africa, eastleighvoice.co.ke, taarifa.rw, mwanzotv.com
Merck and Moderna's experimental mRNA vaccine cut melanoma recurrence or death by 42%
A personalized mRNA melanoma vaccine, intismeran autogene, reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% when combined with pembrolizumab, compared with pembrolizumab alone, in a Phase 3 trial. Moderna and Merck developed the vaccine. Global principal investigator Georgina Long of Melanoma Institute Australia presented the results at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Madrid.
Reporting: UA News, Vietnam.vn, newatlas.com, sciencealert.com, liga.net, boldnewsonline.com
France is coordinating with European partners to expand its nuclear deterrent against Russia
France is working with European partners on a “forward deterrence” plan intended to expand its nuclear capacity and deter Russian aggression, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing The Wall Street Journal. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative in March; it includes new infrastructure, communications and intelligence links, plus plans to deploy nuclear-capable Rafale fighters across Europe.
Reporting: The Jerusalem Post
Thousands rallied in Prague against a plan to overhaul Czech public media funding
Thousands rallied in Prague Sunday against the Czech government's proposed public-media funding overhaul after lower-house lawmakers advanced the bill in an overnight vote. It would replace household and business licence fees with state-budget funding, potentially cutting broadcasters' funding by about 15%. Critics warn this could weaken independence; public-media staff plan to strike Nov. 3.
Reporting: Bloomberg, The Times of India, Demokratis, Newsday, Around Prague, The Nation Thailand, ABC News, europeaninterest.eu
Ukrainian drones and missiles killed five people in Belgorod and Lipetsk, officials said
Russian officials said Ukrainian drone and missile attacks killed five people in Russia’s Belgorod and Lipetsk regions on Sunday, while an attack in Perm injured five workers at an industrial facility. Belgorod governor Alexander Shuvayev said three people were killed and 13 injured in Belgorod city. Lipetsk governor Igor Artamonov said a security guard was killed in Yelets.
Reporting: Demokratis
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 20, won the United States Grand Prix in Austin from pole position, claiming his ninth victory of the season. He finished 13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third. Antonelli leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 123 points and can clinch the title next weekend in Mexico City.
Reporting: Türkiye Today, NewsCord, The National, The New York Times, Anadolu Agency, skysports.com, formula1.com
Owners of rights to 274 Elvis Presley songs sued Anthropic over AI training
Rights holders to 274 Elvis Presley songs, including Authentic Brands Group, sued Anthropic in San Francisco federal court Friday. They allege it used the songs without permission to train Claude and that the AI generates infringing versions. The plaintiffs seek $41.1 million in statutory damages and a permanent injunction. Anthropic disputes the claims, The New York Times reported.
Reporting: Los Angeles Times, NBC News, The New York Times, com.tw, pastemagazine.com
Trump predicted a near-term agreement with Canada at a Michigan campaign event
President Donald Trump said a trade agreement with Canada would be reached “pretty soon” at a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, without offering specifics. He said Canada was willing to give the United States anything and defended his tariffs on Canadian goods, accusing Canada of “ripping off” the United States for years. Talks broke down in August.
Reporting: The Straits Times, Agence France-Presse, The Hindu, Instagram, centraloregondaily.com (with Reuters), rte.ie, barrons.com (with Agence France-Presse)
Donald Trump and Barack Obama campaigned at dueling Michigan rallies for opposing Senate candidates
Former President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama held dueling Michigan rallies for opposing Senate candidates, NewsNation reported. Trump campaigned for Mike Rogers in Port Huron. Trump called Abdul El-Sayed a “jihadist”; El-Sayed denied that he or his family had Muslim Brotherhood ties, calling the accusation “an insane thing to assume.”
Reporting: The New York Times, Fox News, NewsNation, whio.com, wnem.com
Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola is rescheduling campaign events after an Anchorage car crash
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola is postponing stops in Fairbanks and Bethel after another driver struck a vehicle carrying her and her family Saturday in Anchorage, her campaign said. Campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said Peltola and her family sustained minor injuries and were in good spirits. The crash delayed her Alaska Always Tour before the Nov. 3 election.
Reporting: MEAWW (Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide), Around Prague, Newsweek, The Hill, The New York Times, Times Now, wcbm.com, jacksonville.com
Afternoon Premium Edition
A federal judge ruled the Justice Department unlawfully dismissed prosecutor Maurene Comey
U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled Monday that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Manhattan and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, in July 2025. He found the dismissal violated separation-of-powers, civil-service and due-process protections, retroactively reinstated her, and ordered back pay through Dec. 20, 2025, when she accepted another job.
Reporting: CBS News, CNBC, The New York Times, NBC News, Politico, Reuters, The Guardian, news3lv.com
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection in Sunday's presidential runoff
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection in Sunday’s presidential runoff, defeating Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro. CNN said Lula gained more than 10 million votes between rounds, overturning a first-round defeat—a feat no Brazilian president had achieved since the country’s return to democracy in 1985.
Reporting: The Washington Post, ABC News, Bloomberg, CNN, therealnews.com
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Egypt’s parliament cleared President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to provide military aid to Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s parliament authorized President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia’s defense against Houthi attacks, contingent on a request from Riyadh. Reuters reported that a letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman limited support to defending Saudi territory and borders, not attacking Yemen.
Reporting: Daily Sabah, The Media Line, U.S. News & World Report (with Associated Press), The Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera, Reuters
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President Donald Trump said he was weighing a deal with Iran or military action
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he was weighing a deal with Iran against renewed military action, saying it was “getting to be decision time.” Trump identified Pickaxe Mountain, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear program, as a potential target. Reuters reported that Qatari mediators visited Tehran Sunday, while Tehran said it was preparing a military response to any U.S. attack.
Reporting: The Economic Times, WION, CNBC, Iran International, A News, The Japan Times, qcintel.com
Serbia's student-backed Student List won the snap parliamentary election
With nearly 99% of votes counted, the student-backed Student List had won 52.7% and 139 of Serbia’s 250 parliamentary seats, according to the State Election Commission as reported by Reuters. The SNS-led alliance secured 39.2% and 97 seats. Former Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat and said he would continue political work in opposition. EU leaders offered support for reforms.
Reporting: BBC News, Euronews, ABC News (Australia), livemint.com, eualive.net
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Trump turned down Netanyahu’s request to authorize coordinated attacks on Iran
CNN reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval for joint strikes on Iran before Israel’s Oct. 27 election, but Trump refused. Netanyahu’s office called the report “fake news.” CNN also reported that U.S. forces could be ready for major strikes within 96 hours of an order from Trump.
Reporting: Ynetnews, The Times of Israel, Haaretz, georgiatoday.ge, hromadske.ua
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Netanyahu leveraged Trump's endorsement in his campaign for re-election
Facing Tuesday's national election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using U.S. President Trump's endorsement to argue that only his leadership can secure further U.S. action against Iran. Challenger Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, has praised Trump and said he would cooperate with the U.S. president if elected, suggesting a leadership change need not cause a rupture.
Reporting: The Economic Times
Israelis vote Tuesday in a parliamentary election that could decide Benjamin Netanyahu's future
Israelis vote Tuesday, Oct. 27, in a national election widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking a seventh term. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot leads the opposition challenge. The race is tight, and with at least 61 seats needed to govern, coalition negotiations could prove decisive.
Reporting: Euronews, Firstpost, USA Today, The New York Times, Fox News, ktvh.com
Abdul El-Sayed responded to attacks by Trump on his Muslim faith
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed told supporters Sunday that President Donald Trump would soon have to call him “Senator Mohamed” if he wins in November. Al Jazeera reported El-Sayed has previously called the attacks a distraction; NBC News described the race against Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers as a dead heat.
Reporting: Al Jazeera, The New Arab, The Hill, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, NBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, michiganadvance.com
Mary Peltola sought dismissal of a Justice Department lawsuit over Alaska's Senate race
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee asked a federal judge to dismiss the Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification if the Republican incumbent loses narrowly. They called it an “unprecedented pre-emptive strike on democratic elections.” President Donald Trump said he ordered the suit, which U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Sunday.
Reporting: CNBC, NewsCord, Straight Arrow News, Democracy Now!, Just the News, Reuters, alaskalandmine.com, forth.news
Four Democratic senators ask banks and port authorities to preserve Russian diesel records
Four Democratic senators—Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse—have asked major banks and port authorities to preserve records related to potential Russian diesel imports and other deals involving Russian diesel. Their letter says imports raise significant legal questions and may be subject to legal action and congressional investigations, and cites national-security concerns.
Reporting: The Hill, Axios, Meduza, gcaptain.com, ukrmedia.news, nv.ua
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Anthropic made its public IPO filing for a Nasdaq listing
Anthropic, maker of the Claude AI platform, made its IPO filing public Monday, advancing plans for a Nasdaq listing under ticker ANT. NBC News reported Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are leading the offering and said it could value the company at more than $2 trillion. CBS News said the IPO could happen as early as November.
Reporting: Business Insider, NBC News, CBS News, fox17online.com
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Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to about 60,000 workers
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 eligible employees, roughly a quarter of its 223,000-person workforce, as it reorganizes and invests heavily in AI infrastructure. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman announced the Voluntary Exit Offer in a Monday memo. Bloomberg reported the company expects fewer takers than for its earlier retirement program; CTech said layoffs remain an option.
Reporting: The Verge, CNBC, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Business Insider, tech-insider.org, calcalistech.com, investing.com (with Reuters)
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Meta Platforms announced an equity fundraising of up to $95 billion for AI expansion
Meta Platforms said Monday it plans to raise up to $95 billion in its largest-ever equity fundraising to support AI expansion. CNBC reported the plan calls for $35 billion in underwritten offerings, followed by $60 billion through an at-the-market program. Meta said Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom were interested in up to $5 billion in shares; Meta shares rose 1.6% premarket.
Reporting: CNBC, Reuters, Financial Times
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Tallahassee police arrested a 15-year-old boy in a shooting that injured 12 people
Tallahassee police arrested a 15-year-old boy Sunday over Saturday’s shooting near Florida A&M’s Bragg Memorial Stadium, which injured 12, including 11 who were shot. He faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. Police said a fight preceded the gunfire; Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said further arrests are possible.
Reporting: NBC News, ABC News, ESPN, The Guardian, nbcmiami.com, syracuse.com, tallahassee.com
The World Health Organization said an Ebola response nurse was killed in eastern Congo
A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured Saturday while responding to an Ebola alert in Bafwasende in eastern Congo’s Tshopo province, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Authorities say attacks on responders are hampering efforts to curb the outbreak. Health ministry data show more than 9,800 cases and more than 4,700 deaths since May.
Reporting: Al Jazeera, Associated Press, Greenwich Time
Nigeria evacuated its only confirmed Ebola patient to Switzerland
Nigeria evacuated its only confirmed Ebola case in the current outbreak, a 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman, from Abuja to Switzerland on Monday. Nigerian Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said her condition had improved and she was stable, but said she may still be infectious. Her Swiss diplomat husband accompanied her and had no symptoms; Switzerland will take over her care.
Reporting: Reuters, Asharq Al-Awsat, ABC News, BBC News, tanzaniatimes.net, swissinfo.ch, africanews.com
State and federal officials did little to contain a bird flu outbreak in Utah
A ProPublica investigation found a bird flu outbreak has continued for more than two months on a Utah farm raising thousands of mink. Officials issued a verbal hold barring mink, manure and carcasses from being moved off the farm. Experts remain concerned, while Utah’s approach relies on reports rather than automatic quarantine and testing of nearby farms.
Reporting: CNN
Houthis said they attacked Saudi oil-pumping stations and Riyadh airport
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said Monday they attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West crude oil pumping stations and Riyadh airport, with no immediate Saudi confirmation, Reuters reported. The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed two ballistic-missile launchers in Sanaa, including one used to fire a missile toward Riyadh that it said it intercepted. Egypt’s parliament approved military support for Saudi Arabia, The National reported.
Reporting: The National, Internazionale (with Reuters)
Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey met Iranian leaders in Tehran
Senior delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey were in Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian officials aimed at easing regional tensions and averting renewed fighting, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said. Two regional officials told the Associated Press that Yemen’s war and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia were also topics on the agenda.
Reporting: ABC News, PBS News (with Associated Press), Ynetnews, sana.sy, iranwire.com
Iran said it was continuing indirect communications with the United States
Iranian officials said messages with the United States continue through intermediaries, though formal negotiations remain stalled. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran remained open to diplomacy. Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said Tehran offered to reopen the Strait if Washington ended its blockade of Iranian ports, but said U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the proposal.
Reporting: Iran International, vocm.com
Hezbollah prepares for possible renewed fighting with Israel after receiving Iranian funds
Reuters reported that Hezbollah has spent three months preparing for possible renewed fighting with Israel after receiving an infusion of Iranian funding, according to Lebanese security personnel briefed on its activities. Sources said the group is acquiring explosives, manufacturing drones and rebuilding command-and-control structures, though its weapons stockpiles have not been fully replenished, Israel Hayom reported.
Reporting: The Times of Israel, Ynetnews, Reuters, israelhayom.com
Convicted murderer Jacob Allen Morley escaped from a Tennessee prison
Tennessee authorities are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, 28, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, after he escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville late Sunday. The Tennessee Department of Correction said security cameras showed Morley breaching the perimeter fence and leaving in his prison uniform. Officials urged people to call 911 or TDOC and not approach him.
Reporting: New York Post, The Guardian, NewsNation, Hoodline, FOX 17 Nashville, wreg.com, kfvs12.com, abc13.com
Zelenskyy says Ukraine awaits Hegseth’s approval for Patriot and NASAMS missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has waited nearly a month for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to approve the transfer of missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air-defense systems. Zelenskyy called for faster implementation of decisions already on the table. He also said Ukraine received only 24 Patriot interceptor missiles from the United States over the past three months.
Reporting: Anadolu Agency, UATV English, Business Insider, newsmax.com, report.az, nv.ua, rbc.ua
The Justice Department appealed a ruling lifting a ban on Anthropic's artificial intelligence technology
The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal Monday with the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, asking it to overturn a ruling that lifted the federal ban on agencies using Anthropic PBC’s artificial intelligence technology. In August, US District Judge Rita F. Lin in San Francisco found the Trump administration had failed to justify the ban.
Reporting: Bloomberg
Two Catholic bishops expressed regret over White House images of their Oval Office prayer
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen expressed regret after the White House posted images and video of them praying with Trump. Both said they believed the meeting was private. Joensen said the White House exploited the gathering for partisan purposes; The Associated Press reported they were the only two of 12 bishops present to express regret.
Reporting: BBC News, The Guardian, baptistnews.com, ibtimes.co.uk, thelettersfromleo.com
China’s Communist Party opened its fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee in Beijing
China’s Communist Party opened its fifth plenum in Beijing Monday, with President Xi Jinping delivering a work report and discussing a draft policy on “full and rigorous party self-governance,” Xinhua reported. The four-day meeting focuses on party discipline and combating corruption as Xi presses officials for greater loyalty and reliability. The policy aims to make cadres more disciplined, effective and less corrupt.
Reporting: South China Morning Post, SBS News (South Korea), National Public Radio, thenews.com.pk, moderndiplomacy.eu, nikkei.com (with Reuters)
Range shareholders agreed to receive 0.987 EQT shares per share under buyout terms
EQT Corp. agreed Monday to acquire Range Resources in an all-stock deal. The companies said the merger would create the largest vertically integrated natural gas producer in the United States. Range shareholders will receive 0.987 EQT shares for each share they hold; closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, forbes.com, hartenergy.com, post-gazette.com, 247wallst.com
HealthSpan Partners agreed to acquire Surgery Partners in a $5.7 billion buyout
HealthSpan Partners, a Bon Secours Mercy Health affiliate, agreed Monday to acquire Surgery Partners Inc. in an all-cash deal with an enterprise value of about $5.7 billion. Shareholders other than Bain Capital affiliates would receive $23.50 a share in cash; Bain, with roughly 39%, agreed to roll over its stake. Closing is expected in Q1 2027, pending approvals.
Reporting: Quartz, investing.com, citybiz.co, financialcontent.com, mcguirewoods.com, modernhealthcare.com, bizjournals.com
A judge in Mexico ordered Chihuahua's former attorney general to face a treason trial
A Mexican federal judge ordered former Chihuahua attorney general César Jáuregui Moreno to stand trial on treason charges, defense attorney Luis Villegas confirmed. Federal authorities accused him of launching a joint operation with CIA agents targeting a drug lab without federal authorization. Two CIA agents and two state officials died in a crash. Jáuregui resigned and remains in pretrial detention.
Reporting: Associated Press, The Independent, thestar.com (with Associated Press), telesurenglish.net
The UK sanctioned 15 Sudanese military and paramilitary commanders over suspected war crimes
The UK imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 15 senior commanders from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese army over suspected war crimes and sexual violence. The sanctions include commanders linked to atrocities during the siege of Al Fasher, which fell to the RSF a year ago after an 18-month siege. Britain also announced £5 million to support survivors.
Reporting: The National, The Guardian, sudantribune.com, telegraph.co.uk, sky.com
Evening Premium Edition
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered defeated candidate Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender his passports
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender all travel documents within 24 hours, including an Italian passport, and cancelled his Brazilian passports, including a diplomatic one. The order also barred him from communicating with Tomaz. Bolsonaro called it intimidation but said he would comply; he has not conceded defeat, citing extended voting hours.
Reporting: Ynetnews, The Guardian, democrata.es, swedenherald.com
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The Justice Department filed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey
The Justice Department filed a two-count information against James Comey, the former FBI director, alleging he transmitted national-defense information to someone not entitled to receive it. This is its third attempt to prosecute him. Comey’s lawyers linked the case to an alleged October 2016 disclosure to The New York Times. Comey denied wrongdoing, calling the prosecution an “appalling abuse.”
Reporting: CBS News, The Guardian, The New York Times, United Press International, The Wall Street Journal, AOL, BNO News, iheart.com
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A federal appeals court rejected a Trump administration request regarding California mail-in ballots
A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid concerning California mail-in ballots tied to a voter list. Politico and Bloomberg put the list at 20,000 purported or suspected voters; forth.news described an effort to block counting ballots for more than 20,000 voters.
Reporting: Politico, Bloomberg, forth.news
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Donald Trump offered $1 million for reports leading to voter fraud convictions
Donald Trump offered a $1 million reward Monday for tips about voter fraud in past elections or the 2026 midterms that lead to an arrest and conviction. He announced the offer on Truth Social and repeated it to reporters. Trump did not say where the money would come from or how to submit tips; the midterms are about a week away.
Reporting: The Hill, ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, NBC News, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, New York Post, The New York Times, afr.com
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Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey
District Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled that the Justice Department unlawfully fired former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Maurene Comey in July 2025 and ordered her reinstatement. The ruling found violations of separation-of-powers, civil-service and due-process protections. The department said it disagreed and would appeal; Furman has not yet decided Comey’s First Amendment claim.
Reporting: NBC News, Reuters, The New York Times, Politico, National Public Radio, ABC7 New York
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Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief Eyal Zamir clashed over military action linked to Iran
Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir clashed over unspecified military action that could trigger a confrontation with Iran before Tuesday’s election. Zamir reportedly resisted, sought further deliberations and requested signed documentation concerning its legal authorization. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense” in a Channel 14 interview, Open Magazine reported.
Reporting: Open Magazine, Middle East Eye, The Times of Israel
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Jordan carried out airstrikes on militant hideouts in southern Syria
Jordan said it struck militant positions in southern Syria on Monday, saying suspects in Friday’s deadly funeral attack at the church in Karak were linked to groups targeted. Ynetnews reported nine people were killed in the church attack. The military said strikes killed or wounded militants but gave no exact toll or precise locations; its claims were not independently verified.
Reporting: Al Arabiya, Bloomberg, AOL, Ynetnews, Arab News, middle-east-online.com
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A United Nations commission accused Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza
A U.N. commission of human rights experts told the General Assembly that Israel has committed crimes against humanity, including “extermination,” in the West Bank and continued “genocidal acts” in Gaza despite the cease-fire. The report said killings and destruction of homes in the West Bank formed part of a broader strategy to displace Palestinians. Israel rejected it as propaganda.
Reporting: The Jerusalem Post, The New York Times, Yeni Şafak, Haaretz, The Times of Israel, dhakatribune.com
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Israeli voters are set to choose a parliament on Tuesday
Israeli voters go to the polls Tuesday in the first national election since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, putting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future in question as he seeks a seventh term. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is ahead in polls, The Washington Post reported; Israel’s parliamentary system means the winner may not be clear for weeks, The New York Times said.
Reporting: The New York Times, The Washington Post, tovima.com, abc6onyourside.com, wbur.org, wpri.com
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The Student List secured a majority in Serbia's snap parliamentary vote
Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party lost power after 14 years, as the student-led Student List won a majority of seats in Sunday’s snap parliamentary election. Serbia’s longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat that night. Al Jazeera reported turnout was highest in more than 30 years; the BBC linked the victory to nearly two years of anti-corruption protests.
Reporting: CNN, Democracy Now!, National Public Radio, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Al Jazeera, BBC News
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Egypt's parliament authorized el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s parliament authorized President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia if the kingdom requests it, while Cairo ruled out strikes on Yemen. The decision followed Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s international airport and facilities belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco, which Al Jazeera reported had disrupted flights and oil exports.
Reporting: YouTube, Gulf News, Al Jazeera, Facebook, africanews.com
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered defeated candidate Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender his passports
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro to surrender all travel documents within 24 hours, including an Italian passport, and cancelled his Brazilian passports, including a diplomatic one. The order also barred him from communicating with Tomaz. Bolsonaro called it intimidation but said he would comply; he has not conceded defeat, citing extended voting hours.
Reporting: Ynetnews, The Guardian, democrata.es, swedenherald.com
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Matthew Unglesbee was charged with mailing four letters containing a white granular substance to Congress
Matthew Unglesbee, an Illinois man, was charged with mailing four letters containing a white granular substance to members of Congress, court records show. He faces charges of false information and hoaxes, and mailing threatening communications. Court documents say reports of similar mailings inspired him. An anonymous tipster told the FBI they overheard him discussing mailing a suspicious substance.
Reporting: WION, NBC News, WKMG News 6, The Hill, NewsNation, abc7chicago.com, rollcall.com
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Southern California communities face flooding from unusually high tides
Exceptionally high tides have flooded parts of Southern California, and the National Weather Service warned tides through Wednesday could be the highest on record. In Newport Beach, water covered streets near the entrance to Newport Island to about a foot, the New York Post reported. The Los Angeles Times reported coastal flood warnings for Orange and San Diego counties through Thursday afternoon.
Reporting: CBS News, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, Patch, redding.com
Anthropic made its IPO prospectus public
Anthropic’s public IPO prospectus disclosed $16.3 billion in first-half 2026 revenue and an $80.7 billion net loss, which Reuters said was largely driven by a rise in the fair value of bonds convertible into shares. The filing warned that misuse, failed safeguards and rapid capability gains could pose risks, including self-preserving behavior resembling blackmail.
Reporting: Al Jazeera, Reuters, Fortune, Business Insider, Seeking Alpha, bankinfosecurity.com, kingy.ai
Firms committed $63 billion to fund Broadcom AI equipment for Anthropic
Bank of America, Blackstone, Citi and Morgan Stanley will provide $63 billion in financing for a special-purpose vehicle to buy Broadcom’s AI accelerators and networking equipment for Anthropic to lease. Broadcom is providing residual-value support for part of the financing, Bloomberg reported. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, the companies said.
Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, UA News, ksl.com, futunn.com
Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to about 60,000 employees
Microsoft has offered voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees as it spends heavily on artificial intelligence. The offer is available to eligible workers at vice president level and below in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India, according to the company. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman called the voluntary exit offer new for Microsoft.
Reporting: bbntimes.com, itv.com
Meta Platforms launched about $35 billion in stock offerings to support AI expansion
Meta Platforms launched about $35 billion in stock offerings as part of a plan to raise up to $95 billion for artificial intelligence expansion. The offerings include common and convertible preferred shares, with a separate at-the-market sale of up to $60 billion planned. Meta said Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom were interested in buying up to $5 billion in shares.
Reporting: CNBC, Financial Times, schaeffersresearch.com, thenews.com.pk, iheart.com, nbcpalmsprings.com, americanbazaaronline.com
The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General over alleged checkout overcharges
The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General on Monday in federal court in Tennessee, alleging it routinely charged customers more at checkout than prices displayed on shelves and in advertisements. The plaintiffs seek customer restitution, civil penalties, recovery of alleged unlawful profits and a permanent ban on deceptive pricing. Scripps News reported Dollar General had not publicly responded.
Reporting: Scripps News, Bloomberg, CBS News, wrnjradio.com, weau.com, ashlandcountypictures.com, kristv.com
The United States and Canada are negotiating to ease U.S. steel and auto tariffs
The United States and Canada are negotiating a deal to ease tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, Reuters reported Monday. One Canadian source said an agreement was possible before the November 3 elections, while U.S. sources said the Trump administration wanted further Canadian concessions. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada had “very clear bottom lines.”
Reporting: Reuters, Global News, investinglive.com, indexbox.io
Six Americans sued Trump over White House restrictions on news outlets
Six American citizens sued Donald Trump over White House restrictions on news outlets, arguing the limits deprive the public of independent reporting about the president. The suit, Roth v. Trump, was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York by the Knight First Amendment Institute and Yale Law School’s Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic.
Reporting: The Times of India, Fortune, livemint.com
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Abdul El-Sayed turned Trump's attacks on his Muslim identity back on him
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed used a Sunday rally in Grand Rapids to turn attacks on his Muslim identity back on Donald Trump, highlighting the president and his family’s lucrative dealings with Muslims. Trump, at a separate Port Huron rally, called El-Sayed a “jihadist, Muslim Brotherhood member” and invoked the September 11 attacks.
Reporting: Newsweek
Democrats and outgoing Republican Sen. Thom Tillis ask banks and ports to preserve diesel records
Democrats and outgoing Republican Sen. Thom Tillis asked six major banks and five U.S. port authorities to preserve Russian diesel transaction records in an Oct. 24 letter and not facilitate the deals. Recipients were asked to confirm by Oct. 28. A probe would be a priority if Democrats regain either chamber Nov. 3; Treasury considers the arrangements legal.
Reporting: The Hill, Newsweek, Axios, Ukrainska Pravda, Bloomberg, Meduza, nv.ua
DoorDash is in advanced talks to acquire rival Instacart
DoorDash is in advanced talks to acquire rival Instacart, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. A source told Reuters the deal could value Instacart at about $17 billion and could be finalized as soon as Wednesday, though there are no guarantees. Reuters reported Instacart shares rose about 8% in regular trading, while DoorDash fell around 6%.
Reporting: MarketScreener, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, investing.com, lufkindailynews.com (with Reuters)
SpaceX agreed to a $40 billion equipment lease to support its AI expansion
SpaceX secured a binding roughly $40 billion equipment-financing commitment with an Apollo Global Management-managed entity, according to a Monday filing. The entity will buy AI chips and server hardware and lease them to SpaceX. The deal is expected to close by year-end, with deliveries and lease starts in the first half of 2027. Bloomberg said the fixed rate is unset.
Reporting: The Times of India, Bloomberg, TechCrunch, financialpost.com, tradingview.com, oodaloop.com
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after 10 months in exile
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela Monday after 10 months in exile. She said she was willing to talk with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Officials told WSVN she traveled from Panama to Colombia, then entered Venezuela by land. Euronews said the EU welcomed her return and called for free, fair elections.
Reporting: National Public Radio, Euronews, wsvn.com
Britain imposed sanctions on 15 Sudanese commanders, militia chiefs and security officials
The UK imposed sanctions on 15 military commanders, militia leaders and security officials from Sudan’s rival factions, accusing them of sexual violence, torture and attacks on civilians connected to the fall of al-Fashir. The Guardian reported the measures include travel bans. Those targeted include figures from the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces.
Reporting: The Jerusalem Post, The Guardian, sudantribune.com, radiotamazuj.org, devdiscourse.com
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces attacked five power stations with drones
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces launched drone strikes Monday on five power stations, causing mass outages across the east, a government official speaking anonymously told AFP. Two stations were hit in each of Al-Jazira and Gedaref, and one in White Nile; the three states are army-controlled. The UN has warned attacks threaten services for millions facing hunger.
Reporting: Arab News, The Guardian, com.sa
Algeria’s parliament approved sending troops to neighboring Niger
Algeria’s parliament unanimously approved sending troops to neighboring Niger on Sunday, at the request of Niger’s authorities, to protect shared economic and energy interests, including Sonatrach facilities, the Algerian presidency said. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune approved the deployment. The BBC said it would be Algeria’s first foreign deployment since 1973. Authorities have not announced the force’s size or deployment date.
Reporting: Daily Sabah, BBC News, Around Prague, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, nashaniva.com, mymotherlode.com, iari.site
Kyiv officials dispute Musk’s claim that Ukraine’s military violated Starlink terms
Ukrainian officials disputed Elon Musk’s claim that Ukraine’s military violated Starlink’s terms by using the network for offensive drone strikes. Musk said SpaceX throttled the service and closed a loophole. Defense technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said restrictions made medium- and long-range strikes into Russia impossible; former Ukrainian Ministry of Defense adviser Serhiy Sternenko said satellite-communications missions required Starshield.
Reporting: Spectrum News, CBS News, FOX23 News Tulsa, Time, newswav.com, egyptindependent.com