Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026
Morning Premium Edition
Two high-speed trains collided in Spain's Toledo province, killing at least 10 people
Two high-speed trains collided in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, killing dozens, with The Australian reporting at least 46 deaths and Newsdrum more than 40. Newsday reported two cars derailed and rail service was suspended between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
Reporting: Newsday, The Guardian, The Australian, freepressjournal.in, newsdrum.in, ktre.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc leads Israel's election with half of votes counted
With 51.8% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc led in Israel’s election tally with 55 of 120 Knesset seats, but remained short of a majority. The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot had 49 seats. Both vowed to form a government; full results are expected Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Reporting: CTech, The Jerusalem Post, CNBC, Axios, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, France 24 (with Agence France-Presse), Reuters
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Congo reported more than 10,000 confirmed Ebola cases in its deadliest outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has passed 10,000 confirmed cases, with government figures reporting 10,060 infections and 4,887 deaths. The figures also list 2,684 recoveries since the virus was first detected in May. Cases have been detected in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda; WHO Africa director Mohamed Janabi said Nigeria now has no Ebola cases.
Reporting: Agence France-Presse, Jacaranda FM, HuffPost, Voice of Nigeria, belaaz.com, okayafrica.com, sedaily.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast, killing at least three
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast early Wednesday, killing at least three people. The New Indian Express reported more than 87,000 evacuees across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh; The Economic Times reported at least 89,000. Reuters reported damaged houses and destroyed crops.
Reporting: The Economic Times, Reuters, newindianexpress.com
Central Command estimated the military spent at least $47.1 billion on the Iran war
A U.S. Central Command estimate put the Iran war’s cost at $47.1 billion through Oct. 16, CBS News and USA TODAY reported. About $29 billion went to replacing expended munitions, including weapons such as Patriot interceptors. The estimate was $3.5 billion above the previous update and excluded damage to U.S. bases.
Reporting: CBS News, The Sacramento Bee (with Reuters), The New York Times, Ukrainian National News
Qatari mediators proposed an agreement in Tehran to end the US-Israeli war
Qatari mediators presented Iran with a new draft deal to end the US-Israeli war on Sunday, an official briefed on the negotiations said. Iran is considering the proposal and is expected to respond by the end of the week. The draft reportedly sets a seven-day timeline with daily confidence-building steps, amid concerns Israel could resume attacks this week.
Reporting: Arab News, investingLive, The National, lbcgroup.tv
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Washington advised Gulf Arab states to prepare for a brief operation against Iran
According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a short, intense military campaign against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms, citing people briefed on the communications. India Today said Donald Trump had not made a final decision. Iran warned it could target regional economic and civilian sites if attacked.
Reporting: RBC-Ukraine, India Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of Israel, NV News, The Australian
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Washington jurors rejected an effort to charge former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson
Tuesday’s no-bill in Washington, D.C., rejected the Justice Department’s effort to charge Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, for her testimony to lawmakers about Donald Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division handled the case, an unusual move; some prosecutors reportedly doubted a conviction was attainable. Trump and allies had called for legal consequences.
Reporting: The Hill, NBC News, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS News (with Associated Press), electionlawblog.org
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The FBI searched a Beverly Hills mansion in the Eric Swalwell probe
The FBI searched a Beverly Hills mansion connected to billionaire donor Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday as part of an investigation into sexual-assault allegations against former congressman Eric Swalwell, a senior law enforcement official told The Washington Post. Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped out of California’s governor’s race in April. Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, previously called the allegations fabricated.
Reporting: Scripps News, The Washington Post, CNN, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, Politico, ABC7 New York, BBC News
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
A federal judge barred First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli from two criminal cases
U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright ruled Tuesday that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Los Angeles’ top federal prosecutor and disqualified him from overseeing two criminal cases. Seabright left the indictments in place. Essayli said the dispute would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court; Fox News reported the Justice Department has appealed.
Reporting: Bloomberg Law, Associated Press, Fox News, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, CBS News
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
A Serbian police officer shot dead an attacker outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade
A Serbian Gendarmerie officer guarding Israel’s embassy in Belgrade shot dead an attacker who stabbed him shortly after midnight Wednesday, outgoing Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said. Dacic said the suspected minor shouted “Allahu Akbar” and had displayed Islamic State symbols online. The officer suffered a minor facial wound. Serbia raised its terrorism alert to the highest level.
Reporting: Anadolu Agency, Reuters, Le Monde, Politico, Bloomberg, Deutsche Welle, Euronews, sanluisobispo.com (with Reuters)
Investigators implicated Ted Bundy in the 1974 Utah killing of a 17-year-old girl
Authorities announced Tuesday that DNA evidence links Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith in Utah. Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson said investigators were satisfied Bundy was responsible. Utah County Sgt. Mike Reynolds said a highly similar DNA profile linked to Bundy was found in evidence from Smith’s autopsy.
Reporting: ABC News (Australia), BBC News, CBS News, PBS News, WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore, The Guardian
Flávio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States despite a reported judicial travel ban
Two anonymous U.S. officials told The New York Times that Flávio Bolsonaro had departed Brazil for the United States following Sunday's presidential runoff defeat. Brazil’s Federal Police canceled his regular and diplomatic passports after he failed to surrender them under a court order. His brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, called reports of his flight a “lie.”
Reporting: The New York Times, TVP World, Anadolu Agency, Courthouse News Service, CNN, motherjones.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Donald Trump proposed rolling back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas producers
Donald Trump proposed rolling back Biden-era methane rules at a Tuesday rally in Lubbock, Texas. He said it would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion. NPR reported smaller wells produce 6% of U.S. oil and gas but account for up to half of oil-and-gas-field methane emissions. The EPA plans to end its Super Emitter Program.
Reporting: Fox Business, NBC News, The New York Times, National Public Radio, The Hill, Bloomberg, The Guardian
Judge Faruqui dismissed an obstruction-related complaint against former FBI officials
Federal Judge Faruqui dismissed on Tuesday a new obstruction complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, accused of lying to Congress about an investigation into Hunter Biden. He said he had not reviewed it for probable cause, called filing it without judicial review unprecedented and said he did not doubt prosecutors acted in good faith.
Reporting: United Press International, NBC News
A federal judge plans to name a special master over California voter rolls
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter will appoint a special master to scrutinize the Justice Department’s list of alleged noncitizen voters in California, a setback for the Trump administration. The master would assess claims involving about 20,000 people on the voter rolls and whether counties can separate ballots from ineligible voters; review could finish before the Dec. 11 certification deadline.
Reporting: ABC News, The Seattle Times, Streamline
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged Wednesday to strengthen U.S.-ASEAN defense ties, saying Washington would defend its interests and those of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. At meetings in Cebu, Philippines, he cited greater maritime domain awareness, interoperability and joint training. Reuters reported he proposed a defense framework amid South China Sea tensions.
Reporting: Devdiscourse, chinaglobalsouth.com
Donald Trump and James Talarico held competing Senate campaign rallies in Lubbock, Texas
Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico held dueling rallies about three miles apart in Lubbock, Texas, a week before midterm elections. Trump campaigned for Republican U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and criticized Talarico on immigration, the Second Amendment and barbecue, The Hill reported. NBC News said Talarico held a narrow polling lead.
Reporting: The Hill, NBC News, The New York Times, The Texas Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, CBS News
An Egyptian court ordered news outlet Mada Masr closed and fined its editor-in-chief
An Egyptian court ordered Mada Masr closed and its equipment confiscated, and fined editor-in-chief Lina Attalah 3 million Egyptian pounds for operating without a license. Attalah was detained for five hours and released after Mada Masr paid the fine, her lawyers and the publication said. Amnesty International called the verdict “a crushing blow to press freedom.”
Reporting: The Media Line, Demokratis, Le Monde, Newswav, myjoyonline.com, cphpost.dk, tempo.co
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi saw no evidence of Iran restoring bombed nuclear sites
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the agency found no indication Iran had tried to repair or rebuild nuclear facilities damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026. He urged Tehran to grant inspectors access to all nuclear sites, including damaged facilities. Iran says its program is peaceful.
Reporting: The Hindu, Mathrubhumi, The Straits Times, bangladeshpost.net
Houthis claimed a missile strike on Saudi Arabia's largest oil refinery
Oil prices rose more than 1% Wednesday after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed they had hit Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery with a missile, renewing concerns about supply risks. The refinery, Saudi Arabia’s largest, has capacity of 550,000 barrels per day. Saudi authorities had not confirmed the strike, while ING strategists said markets were pricing in greater re-escalation risk.
Reporting: Arise News, Anadolu Agency, Reuters, The Hindu, NV News, agbi.com, fxstreet.com
Zelenskyy says Russia’s security guarantees must wait until Ukraine’s guarantees and war terms are clear
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is seeking security guarantees of its own, but discussions should wait until the terms for ending the war and Ukraine’s guarantees are clear. He said Moscow wants a separate agreement with NATO or the United States and had raised the issue during a meeting with former President Joe Biden before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Reporting: The Kyiv Independent, RBC-Ukraine, Financial Times, Ukrainska Pravda
Melania Trump announces Oleshky ceasefire expansion for humanitarian convoys
The ceasefire around Russian-occupied Oleshky has expanded beyond the town to provide safe passage for humanitarian convoys, First Lady Melania Trump said. Ukrainian MP David Arakhamia said the truce runs through Nov. 1, with mine clearance, aid deliveries and evacuations. A local volunteer said about 500 people wanted to evacuate.
Reporting: UA News, Moneycontrol, Euromaidan Press, The Moscow Times, Meduza, Latin Times, freepressjournal.in
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady at its October meeting
Federal Reserve policymakers are widely expected to leave their benchmark rate unchanged at 3.75%–4.00% Wednesday, six days before the midterm elections, LiveSquawk reported. Euronews cited 3.7% inflation and elevated oil prices, saying investors see a December hike as likely. The Associated Press said it is Chairman Kevin Warsh’s fourth meeting, amid questions about his independence from Donald Trump.
Reporting: The Guardian, Facebook, PBS News (with Associated Press), @LiveSquawk on X, fox61.com
Justice Department Epstein files indicate classified material was collected
At least three documents in DOJ’s Epstein files indicate classified information was included, CBS News reported. A March 25, 2025, record lists 16 items delivered to the deputy attorney general’s office, including classified material and two CDs containing classified materials. The documents do not clarify what was classified; then-deputy attorney general Blanche said nothing was withheld on national-defense grounds.
Reporting: CBS News
Villa Vie Residences halted the Odyssey global cruise in Cambodia
Villa Vie Residences suspended its Odyssey round-the-world residential voyage in Cambodia on Tuesday, requiring passengers to disembark in Sihanoukville. The company said fuel costs had risen more than 300% since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began. The Winnipeg Sun reported that an official said about 200 passengers were stranded.
Reporting: The Straits Times, AOL, wkyt.com, vnexpress.net, winnipegsun.com, ketv.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The agency placed a Miyoko's Creamery plant milk butter recall in Class II
The FDA classified the recall of Miyoko’s Creamery European Style Salted Plant Milk Butter as Class II on Oct. 23, citing yeast, mold and E. coli concerns. The 8-ounce packages were distributed in 10 states and bear lot code 07871. Prosperity Organic Foods initiated the voluntary recall Sept. 11; consumers can return the product for a refund.
Reporting: USA Today, wivb.com, ibtimes.com.au
Jio Platforms debuts at about 21% above its IPO price
Jio Platforms shares opened in Mumbai on Wednesday at about a 21% premium to their Rs 1,119 IPO price, giving India's largest-ever public offering a strong debut. The issue raised roughly Rs 30,200 crore and was subscribed 22.19 times, The Economic Times reported. Devdiscourse put Jio's market value at about $131.52 billion, making it India's second-largest company after Reliance Industries.
Reporting: Firstpost, Devdiscourse, The Economic Times, TradingView, Reuters
John Healey will present his first Budget in the House of Commons
Chancellor John Healey is due to deliver his first Budget to the Commons on Wednesday, October 28, at about 12:30 p.m. Full Fact said it is Labour’s third Budget since entering government and the first since Andy Burnham became prime minister. The Northern Echo said reported measures remain unconfirmed; Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch is expected to respond.
Reporting: fullfact.org, pembrokeshire-herald.com, thenorthernecho.co.uk
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in World Series Game 4
The Tampa Bay Rays staved off a World Series sweep Tuesday, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings in St. Petersburg, Florida, to force a Game 5. Milwaukee still leads 3-1. After rookie Cooper Pratt homered in the 12th, Tampa Bay scored twice, ending with pinch-hitter Ben Williamson’s winning single.
Reporting: USA Today, National Public Radio, ESPN, Chicago Tribune, Greenwich Time
Discord will make content from large public servers searchable on search engines
Discord plans to publish searchable pages for Discoverable Servers, making messages searchable on Google and other engines. Pages launch Nov. 16, 2026, and messages appear from mid-December. Admins can exclude channels or disable the feature; users can opt out of message display. Dexerto says opt-in is required in the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia and South Korea; teens are excluded.
Reporting: Shattered, mashable.com, dexerto.com, ign.com
Apple announced refreshed iMac and MacBook Pro models featuring its M6 chip
Apple unveiled updated 24-inch iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro models Tuesday, both powered by M6. The iMac moves from M4, while the MacBook Pro replaces last year’s M5 model; both designs remain largely similar. Apple says M6 improves graphics and AI performance. Preorders begin Wednesday, with availability starting Nov. 6. The Register reported iMac pricing starts at $1,499.
Reporting: Bloomberg, arstechnica.com, theregister.com, apple.com
Afternoon Premium Edition
Two high-speed trains collided in Spain, killing at least 68 people
The death toll from Wednesday’s high-speed train collision in Spain’s Toledo province has risen to at least 68, Deutsche Welle reported, superseding earlier reports of at least 10. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced three days of mourning. The cause of the collision remains unknown, according to reports.
Reporting: USA Today (with Reuters), New York Post, ABC News, CBS News, Deutsche Welle, Associated Press, NBC News, Reuters
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Netanyahu and Eisenkot both fall short of a projected Knesset majority
Exit polls showed no clear winner in Israel’s election, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival Gadi Eisenkot near the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority. Israel’s three main TV channels projected Netanyahu’s bloc at 51–52 seats, down from its 68-seat outgoing coalition; Likud was projected to remain the largest party.
Reporting: CNN, PBS News, ktalnews.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Supreme Court refused to intervene in a dispute over pausing deportation cases
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to intervene in a dispute over a Biden-era rule, leaving immigration judges unable to pause some deportation proceedings. Baltimore, Columbus, New Haven and the nonprofit Centro Legal de la Raza had sought to defend the rule. Texas alleged administrative closure had expanded dramatically during the Biden administration and effectively allowed people to stay indefinitely.
Reporting: The San Diego Union-Tribune (with Associated Press), Associated Press, The Texas Tribune, mundonow.com
The U.S. military killed five people in a strike on a Pacific vessel
The U.S. military said it killed five people Tuesday, Oct. 27, in a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific. U.S. Southern Command described those killed as “narco-terrorists.” PBS News said the military provided no evidence that the vessel was carrying drugs; the strike was part of a campaign begun in September 2025.
Reporting: Around Prague, PBS News (with Associated Press), Ukrainian National News, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, katu.com
Houthi missiles struck Aden International Airport in Yemen
Yemen said Houthi forces targeted Aden International Airport with two ballistic missiles on Wednesday, Al Arabiya reported. Arab News said the attack caused civilian injuries and material damage. The strike came hours after the Iran-backed group warned people to evacuate the area, The Washington Times reported.
Reporting: The Washington Times, Arab News, Al Arabiya, Reuters, The Times of Israel
An Iranian official called Qatari mediation ideas to end the war unacceptable
A senior Iranian official told Reuters Qatar’s ideas to end the war with the United States and Israel were “unacceptable,” and Tehran would show no flexibility on the nuclear issue, saying Qatar had not presented a proposal. Separately, an official briefed on the negotiations said Iran was considering a draft deal and expected to respond by week’s end.
Reporting: L’Orient Today, News.Az, Arab News, Reuters, The New Arab, investingLive, Hromadske
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The United States told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for potential strikes against Iran
According to The Wall Street Journal, Washington warned several Gulf Arab countries through diplomatic and military channels to prepare for a possible short, intense campaign against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms. Reports also say U.S. forces are reinforcing missile defenses and replenishing munitions. Trump has not decided, though reports say he is weighing strikes on infrastructure and nuclear sites.
Reporting: The New Arab, investingLive, The Times of Israel, Free Press Kashmir, Yeni Şafak, The Wall Street Journal, NewsCord, WION
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Federal Election Commission took its filing system offline after a reported breach attempt
The Federal Election Commission took its electronic filing system offline after a reported attempt to breach its systems, interrupting new campaign-finance disclosures a week before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. On Tuesday night, the agency said it had identified the issue and was implementing a fix; it has not said who was behind the attempt or whether data was compromised. The outage does not affect voting.
Reporting: Politico, Newsweek, CNBC, NBC News, securityboulevard.com, techtimes.co.uk
Chancellor John Healey announced a 100-pound energy payment in his first budget
Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 energy payment for households in council tax bands A to D in his first Budget. He extended the electricity VAT cut to July and said gas standing charges in England, Scotland and Wales will be scrapped during 2027, or as soon as possible after. He also promised similar electricity-bill reforms.
Reporting: The Independent, BBC News, The Guardian
Labor and civil rights advocate Dolores Huerta died at age 96
Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the organization that became the United Farm Workers, died Wednesday at 96, her family said. The New York Times reported that Huerta died of cancer at her home in Bakersfield, citing family spokesman Erik Olvera. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Reporting: NBC News, NBC Los Angeles, KCRA 3 Sacramento, ABC News, The New York Times, National Public Radio, Reuters, 19thnews.org
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro landed in Miami following his departure from Brazil
Brazilian senator and defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro landed in Miami Wednesday with his wife and two daughters after fleeing Brazil amid a money-laundering investigation. He traveled via Argentina and Ecuador aboard a private jet. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and has not been charged; President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called his departure “shameful,” Reuters reported.
Reporting: U.S. News & World Report (with Reuters), PBS News (with Associated Press), The New York Times, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle, BBC News, Miami Herald
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The United States sanctioned Rwanda’s defense ministry over its role in Congo
The United States sanctioned Rwanda’s defense ministry on Wednesday, increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw troops from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Demócrata reported that the Treasury considers the ministry a financier and military adviser to M23 operations. Rwanda denies supporting M23 and blames militias funded by the Congolese government; peace dialogue continues.
Reporting: Bloomberg, Demócrata
DRC public health institute reports 10,060 confirmed Ebola cases
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 10,060 confirmed cases and 4,887 deaths, according to the country’s public health institute, with figures through October 25. ABC News said it is the country’s largest outbreak on record and the world’s second largest. Cases have also been recorded in Kenya and Nigeria, AP reported.
Reporting: ABC News (Australia), HuffPost, watchers.news
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
A federal grand jury declined to indict former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson
A federal grand jury in Washington declined to indict Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, over her testimony to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack. Hutchinson has maintained her testimony was truthful, Reuters reported. The Justice Department could present the case again, and some department prosecutors doubted they could secure a conviction, The New York Times reported.
Reporting: Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Fresno Bee (with Reuters), The New York Times, CNBC, The Washington Post, ABC News, abc45.com
A federal judge disqualified prosecutor Bill Essayli from overseeing two criminal cases
Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, is unlawfully serving as a de facto U.S. attorney. He barred Essayli from participating in or supervising two criminal prosecutions, but delayed the disqualification while considering an anticipated Justice Department request for a stay pending appeal.
Reporting: Fox News, The Hill, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, ABC News, mynewsla.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The FBI searched a Beverly Hills home linked to donor Stephen Cloobeck
The FBI searched a Beverly Hills home linked to billionaire political donor Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday, Oct. 27, under a court-authorized warrant, the bureau told ABC News. Law Commentary reported agents sought electronic devices and records related to prostitution. ABC News, citing sources, said former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell does not live there but is believed to have stayed there.
Reporting: Law Commentary, The Washington Post, ABC News, Reuters, The Sacramento Bee
A Canadian official cited limited progress in recent trade talks with the United States
Canada has made limited progress in recent trade talks with the United States, a Canadian government official with knowledge of the discussions said Wednesday, Reuters reported. The Canadian Press also reported limited progress. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Donald Trump is moving closer to Canada's position, amid mixed signals from Washington, CTV News reported.
Reporting: Reuters, CTV News, meadowlakenow.com
The CDC warned that drug-resistant germs cause 50,800 deaths annually in the United States
The CDC warned Tuesday that drug-resistant germs cause an estimated 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths annually in the United States, calling them a growing threat, according to a new report. CDC director Dr. Erica Schwartz said antimicrobial resistance threatens modern medicine. The agency classifies four germs as urgent and tracks six on a watch list, including drug-resistant ringworm.
Reporting: ABC News, NBC News
Judge Valerie Caproni sentenced Tal, Oren, and Alon Alexander to 30 years in prison
District Judge Valerie Caproni sentenced brothers Tal Alexander, 40, and twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 39, to 30 years each in federal prison after their sex-trafficking convictions. The Justice Department said they operated a yearslong scheme targeting women and minors. At least 11 accusers spoke at sentencing; the brothers deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal.
Reporting: Anadolu Agency, The New York Times, CNN, ABC News, USA Today, The Guardian, NewsNation
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, crossing party lines about a week before Election Day. She said his approach could bridge partisan divisions; her father, former Republican Sen. Frank Murkowski, also endorsed him. Kreiss-Tomkins leads a four-way race, with a September New York Times/Siena poll reporting 40 percent support among likely voters.
Reporting: NBC News, Politico, Alaska Beacon, The Washington Post, Fox News, The Hill, Alaska Public Media, alaskasnewssource.com
An Egyptian court ordered news outlet Mada Masr closed and fined its editor-in-chief
Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah learned during release procedures that she had received a separate one-year prison sentence in absentia in 2024, the Associated Press reported. Democracy Now reported the case involved charges of publishing false news and managing an unlicensed website, and that Attalah faces a retrial in two weeks. Mada Masr said she intends to appeal.
Reporting: Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, The Jerusalem Post, Le Monde, Deutsche Welle, Democracy Now!, editorandpublisher.com
British authorities charged two men over a suspected plot against RAF Fairford
UK authorities charged Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, with conduct to assist a foreign intelligence service, and Nouman Essghir, 24, with entering, accessing, inspecting or approaching a prohibited place, over a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford. Both appeared Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Laurence Taylor, head of British counterterrorism policing, said he believed Iran was the country involved.
Reporting: The Hill, Iran International, asisonline.org
Halima Salman convicted of receiving weapons training from the Islamic State
New York woman Halima Salman was convicted Tuesday of receiving weapons training from the Islamic State, after her father took her to Syria as a teenager and arranged her marriage to a fighter, CBS News reported. CBS News said she recalled bombings during her final year of marriage.
Reporting: CBS News, The Guardian, richmondregister.com
Melania Trump says ceasefire zone expanded across Kherson region
Officials say a ceasefire around Russian-occupied Oleshky has expanded across a wider area of Kherson region and is holding. Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said both sides were meeting commitments; BBC News reported no violations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it proceeded “according to plan.” Evacuations are planned Friday; a local volunteer said about 500 people wanted to leave.
Reporting: BBC News, UA News, Latin Times, ukranews.com, abc17news.com
The U.N. General Assembly voted to condemn the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba
The U.N. General Assembly voted Wednesday for the 34th time to condemn the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, despite an intense American pressure campaign led by Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz. Just the News reported a 134-17 vote, while Responsible Statecraft reported 130 in favor, 17 opposed and 25 abstentions.
Reporting: Just the News, responsiblestatecraft.org
Mike Waltz said a Cuban diplomat would be sent back to Havana
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said a Cuban diplomat involved in Tuesday’s General Assembly confrontation would be sent to Havana within 24 hours. The clash came during debate over the U.S. embargo on Cuba, as Waltz urged member states to reject a resolution condemning it; he accused Cuban officials of disrupting his speech.
Reporting: Newsweek, CNN, Los Angeles Times, KSL News, Fox News
Villa Vie Residences suspended a three-year world voyage in Cambodia over soaring fuel costs
Villa Vie Residences suspended the MV Odyssey’s three-year world voyage in Cambodia, citing unsustainable fuel costs. The Florida-based company is evaluating restructuring and recapitalization options over 60 days. Villa Vie CEO Kathy Villalba said it could not secure fuel. The Los Angeles Times reported 203 mostly American passengers faced uncertainty; residents said they got seven hours’ notice to disembark.
Reporting: The Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, gCaptain, thetraveler.org
Senator Darline Graham narrowly leads Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in South Carolina poll
A New York Times/Siena poll found South Carolina’s Senate race effectively tied: Republican incumbent Darline Graham leads Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews by less than one percentage point. The poll surveyed 707 South Carolina voters and had a 4.3-percentage-point margin of error. Graham was appointed to finish the term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who died in July.
Reporting: The Hill, The New York Times, siena.edu
Michigan’s Senate contest is drawing attention to attacks on a Muslim candidate and debate over a progressive agenda
Republican Mike Rogers is attacking Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s tight race for an open Senate seat, portraying him as sympathetic to Islamist extremism and arguing his progressive policies are outside the mainstream. El-Sayed denies the allegation, while supporters call the attacks Islamophobic. Strategists say they aim to deter Jewish and Black Detroit-area voters who backed Representative Haley Stevens.
Reporting: Reuters
Evening Premium Edition
A Renfe train rear-ended a stopped Iryo train near Toledo, killing at least 68
A Renfe train rear-ended a stopped Iryo train near Toledo, killing at least 68 people, The New York Times reported. The crash was one of Spain’s deadliest and its third fatal rail accident this year. The same operators were involved in a January collision that killed 46 people.
Reporting: The New York Times, NBC News, New York Post, Deutsche Welle, Associated Press, Reuters, Euronews, wck.org
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.75% to 4%
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate target range at 3.75% to 4% on Wednesday, voting 10-2 at its final meeting before the midterm elections. Governor Lisa Cook and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack dissented, preferring a quarter-point hike. The Fed cited elevated inflation, and many economists expect another increase in December.
Reporting: U.S. News & World Report, Axios, NBC News, CNBC, CBS News, Fox Business, heraldonline.com (with Reuters)
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot lacked clear paths to a governing majority
With 85% of votes counted, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s was projected to win a 61-seat Knesset majority, Axios reported. It put their blocs at 53 and 48 seats, respectively, and Arab parties on track for a record 19. Turnout was 77.7%, CBC reported; coalition talks could last weeks, with another election possible.
Reporting: Deutsche Welle, BBC News, YouTube, Axios, CBC News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
A hacker took personal information from more than 40,000 Homeland Security employees
A hacker stole personal data on more than 40,000 Department of Homeland Security employees, and the nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets is hosting it online. The records include names, job titles and work contact details. The Verge reported access was gained through Okta; The Guardian said the release was the third government data disclosure in the last month.
Reporting: The Verge, TechCrunch, The Guardian, digitaltoday.co.kr
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Mary Peltola's campaign was involved in recruiting a second Dan Sullivan, a report says
The New York Times reported Wednesday that people working with Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola’s campaign helped recruit candidate Daniel J. Sullivan, who shares a name with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, for Alaska’s ballot, reportedly to draw votes from the incumbent. Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee denied involvement. Daniel J. Sullivan has denied running at Democrats’ behest.
Reporting: CNBC, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Axios, CNN, Associated Press, Fox News
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The United States told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for potential Iran strikes
Trump’s rally comment, “You’ll see Iran in a couple of weeks,” came as the WSJ reported Washington warned several Gulf Arab states of possible post-midterm military action through diplomatic and military channels. House of Saud also reported Tehran threatened Gulf desalination plants, power grids and oil facilities if Washington strikes again.
Reporting: House of Saud, The New Arab, investingLive, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of Israel, NewsCord, Yeni Şafak, New York Post
Iran rejected Qatari draft deal to end the war with the United States and Israel
Iran rejected a Qatari draft deal to end the war with the United States and Israel after mediators presented it Sunday, Asharq Al-Awsat reported. The draft sets out seven days of daily confidence-building steps, with several countries as guarantors. A senior Iranian official called the proposals “unacceptable.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was giving diplomacy a chance.
Reporting: Voice of Emirates, Modern Diplomacy, The Media Line, Reuters, Asharq Al-Awsat, The Jerusalem Post, coinpedia.org
An African health official warned the DRC Ebola outbreak could cross borders
A leading African health official warned that the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak could spread to Britain and other countries without urgent action, The News International reported, citing The Guardian. The Guardian reported that the outbreak had reached 10,091 cases and nearly 5,000 deaths. No approved treatment exists for the strain.
Reporting: Daily Sabah, The News International, YouTube, NewsCord, reliefweb.int, globaltimes.cn
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family landed at an airport in Miami
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and his family landed in Miami on Wednesday after his Sunday election defeat. Argentina’s migration department said they entered Argentina late Tuesday before flying by private jet via Ecuador. The U.S. government said it would grant them visas. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing in a money-laundering investigation and refused a Supreme Court order to surrender his passports.
Reporting: BBC News, Al Jazeera, NBC News (with Reuters), The New York Times, YouTube, PBS News (with Associated Press), Facebook
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged James O'Keefe and Cam Higby over a polling-place stunt
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Wednesday that conservative activist James O’Keefe and content creator Cam Higby face felony charges of unlawful voting and identity theft. Prosecutors allege they used disguises and names of registered voters, including deceased voters, at polling places during Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary. The pair said they sought to expose weaknesses in voter-vouching rules.
Reporting: Democracy Docket, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, NBC News, ABC News, MS NOW, The Guardian, newrepublic.com
HHS announced a plan to allow pharmacies to compound six unapproved peptides
HHS will temporarily allow compounding pharmacies to make six unapproved peptides while the FDA reviews them, using enforcement discretion rather than approving the substances. The policy applies in specified circumstances to state-licensed pharmacies, federal facilities and licensed physicians. Pharmacies must verify identity and purity and report adverse events and product-quality issues; FDA scientists raised safety concerns.
Reporting: Bloomberg, iHeart, The Hill, National Public Radio, CNN, The Washington Post
Donald Trump announced plans to roll back Biden-era methane rules for energy producers
Trump announced Tuesday that his administration would roll back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas producers, calling them “expensive and unnecessary.” He said the change would save $45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil. The proposed rollback must still complete the regulatory process. Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp said it gives companies a “free pass.”
Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, The Times of India, NBC News, Business Insider, National Public Radio
The Justice Department escalated cases involving critics of Donald Trump before midterms
The Justice Department escalated politically sensitive actions ahead of next week's voting, including searching Rep. Ilhan Omar's home, charging two former FBI officials and attempting to bring a third criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, ABC News reported. Prosecutors also unsuccessfully sought to indict a former White House aide who gave disputed testimony about Trump's 2020 election efforts.
Reporting: ABC News, Suara Garut
CNN, MS Now, and Politico updated their lawsuit seeking access to White House reporting pools
CNN, MS NOW and Politico amended their lawsuit seeking full access to White House reporting pools, including the Oval Office and Air Force One. Their filing says pool-duty restrictions continued after Judge Timothy Kelly ordered White House access restored, and alleges viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment. The order did not restore access to those locations.
Reporting: The New York Times, UA News, CNBC, MS NOW, Central Oregon Daily (with Reuters), AOL
Weil Gotshal & Manges plans to wind down operations
Weil Gotshal & Manges leaders told partners Wednesday the firm plans to wind down, Bloomberg Law reported. The Financial Times reported leadership said the firm should be dissolved. Bloomberg Law said the move followed partner departures and failed merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Weil brought in $2.1 billion in revenue last year.
Reporting: Bloomberg Law, Financial Times, abovethelaw.com, nonbillable.co.uk
Alphabet shares fell on quarterly earnings and advertising revenue misses
Alphabet shares fell in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company reported third-quarter earnings per share of $2.12, below analyst expectations, and Google advertising revenue missed estimates. The Wall Street Journal said shares fell as much as 7%, while XTB reported an 8.25% drop. Revenue rose 25% to $127.6 billion; Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said annual revenue exceeded $400 billion.
Reporting: Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, xtb.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Microsoft reported first-quarter revenue of $92.28 billion
Microsoft reported fiscal first-quarter revenue of $92.28 billion, up 19%, as Azure revenue grew 48% to $33.17 billion, topping Visible Alpha’s estimate of $32.84 billion. Adjusted earnings were $4.89 per share, above forecasts. The company forecast second-quarter Azure growth of 49% to 50%, and shares rose more than 5% in after-hours trading, Reuters reported.
Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, The Verge, Reuters, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, unite.ai
U.S. Central Command estimated the Iran war cost the military $47.1 billion
U.S. Central Command estimated the Iran war had cost $47.1 billion through Oct. 16, in figures provided to Congress, up about $3.5 billion from its estimate through Sept. 3. Munitions replacement accounts for the largest share. The estimate excludes damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East, which the Pentagon is still assessing.
Reporting: Around Prague, The Media Line, CBS News, USA Today, PBS News (with Associated Press), Stars and Stripes, The New York Times
JD Vance sent Mohsen Rezaei a letter to revive peace negotiations
JD Vance sent Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, a letter to revive peace talks, The Wall Street Journal reported. Sent at Donald Trump’s direction, the outreach tests whether the sides can find common ground to persuade Trump not to order a short, intense attack on Iran. VIN News reported Iranian officials were unaware of the contact.
Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, The Times of India, VIN News, Middle East Eye
Voting rights groups sued the Trump administration over naturalized citizen voting investigations
Voting rights groups sued the Trump administration on Oct. 28, seeking to block its initiative to investigate suspected noncitizen voters. The lawsuit says USCIS reassigned hundreds of agents to investigate people flagged as having voted while noncitizens, then used the findings to demand states withhold ballots from potential noncitizens until citizenship is confirmed. It alleges the program intimidates naturalized citizens.
Reporting: Reuters, Bloomberg Law
Denlay said federal agents threatened prosecution over counting 47 ballots attributed to noncitizens
Butte County Clerk-Recorder Keaton Denlay said federal agents threatened criminal prosecution as they delivered a letter demanding his office not count ballots from 47 people. The letters warned of potential charges for officials who knowingly tabulated ballots cast by people federal agencies identified as noncitizens. Denlay called the list a poorly formatted spreadsheet printout.
Reporting: The Guardian, electionlawblog.org
The Federal Trade Commission demanded data from nine companies over individualized pricing
The Federal Trade Commission is demanding information from nine companies, including Walmart, Uber, Delta Air Lines and Instacart, on whether they use personal data such as location, browsing history and income to set individualized prices, wages and job offers. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said consumers and workers deserve transparency; the agency plans a study.
Reporting: New York Post, Reuters, BigGo Finance, News.Az, The San Diego Union-Tribune, IndexBox, mlex.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
The Justice Department turned a Southern Poverty Law Center informant against the civil rights group
The Justice Department turned an informant against the Southern Poverty Law Center, The New York Times reported. Lawyers for the civil rights group said federal prosecutors capitalized on the informant’s money problems and exposure to indictment. The excerpt does not identify the informant or explain the alleged arrangement further.
Reporting: The New York Times
The Justice Department is assessing Nvidia's proposed acquisition of Hugging Face
The Justice Department is asking how Nvidia’s proposed $12.93 billion acquisition of Hugging Face could affect competition, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the matter; CNBC separately confirmed the inquiry with a source. Officials are examining whether the deal would give Nvidia control of a key distribution platform for AI, the sources said.
Reporting: Investing.com News, Pluang, CNBC, News.Az, Reuters
A Serbian Gendarmerie officer shot dead a knife-wielding attacker outside the Israeli Embassy
A Serbian Gendarmerie officer guarding Israel’s embassy in Belgrade shot dead a knife-wielding attacker shortly after midnight Wednesday. Caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dačić described the incident as a terrorist attack, saying the officer acted in self-defense and suffered a minor facial wound. Dačić said security agencies had monitored the attacker as an Islamic State supporter. Serbia raised its terror alert to the highest level.
Reporting: NBC News (with Associated Press), BNO News, Deutsche Welle, ABC News, Bloomberg, Associated Press, Politico, europeanwesternbalkans.com
Seawater inundated coastal communities from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area
Record-high tides flooded streets, homes and businesses from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area this week. A San Pedro tide gauge reached 8.02 feet Monday, breaking its 2005 record, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters said tides could remain near record levels through Wednesday, while scientists warned flooding may preview more dangerous conditions this winter.
Reporting: Patch, New York Post, The Guardian, ABC News, foxweather.com, lbpost.com
Three maritime drones hit the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet in Bulgarian Black Sea waters
Three maritime drones struck the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Wednesday, and all 18 crew members were rescued uninjured, Bulgarian authorities said. The vessel was sailing from Haifa, Israel, to Constanta, Romania. The attack occurred about 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla, near Cape Kaliakra, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said.
Reporting: The Goshen News, Liga News, Ukrainian National News, Associated Press, NV News, seenews.com, burgasmedia.com
Updated since this edition · Read the latest
Manhattan federal judge Alvin Hellerstein died Wednesday at 92
Manhattan federal judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who oversaw cases involving Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump and Sept. 11 lawsuits, died Wednesday at 92, the court said. Sahara Reporters, citing the court, reported natural causes. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1998, Hellerstein rejected Trump’s bid to move his hush-money conviction to federal court to seek dismissal on immunity grounds.
Reporting: The Independent, nacionale.com, weartv.com, saharareporters.com, wabcradio.com
Bill Essayli vowed to remain Los Angeles' top prosecutor despite an unlawful appointment ruling
Essayli said his office expected Seabright’s ruling, which disqualified him from participating in or supervising cases after finding he was unlawfully serving as a de facto U.S. attorney. The order will not take effect until the court rules on the government’s stay request. Essayli pushed back and vowed to remain.
Reporting: The Hill, Los Angeles Times, ABC News, New York Post, couriernews.com (with Associated Press)
Greenville police concluded that actress Hayden Panettiere died accidentally
The Greenville Police Department in South Carolina said actress Hayden Panettiere’s death was accidental and that it had closed its investigation. Panettiere, 36, died Aug. 16. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office attributed her death to toxic effects of five drugs, including fentanyl. CNN reported investigators had examined whether she obtained illicit and possibly counterfeit drugs from a Southern California dealer.
Reporting: NBC News, Deadline, Variety, CNN, ABC7 Chicago, LiveNOW from FOX, Page Six
Meta and Snap returned to Los Angeles Superior Court over teen mental health allegations
Meta and Snap are back in Los Angeles Superior Court for a potential bellwether trial over claims their apps were designed to hook young users. Two teenage girls say Snapstreaks, push notifications and view counts worsened their mental health. Jury selection was set for Wednesday. In March, a jury awarded a plaintiff $6 million in damages against Meta and YouTube.
Reporting: The Hill, ABC7 Los Angeles
Eli Lilly said its experimental retatrutide beat Ozempic in weight loss and blood-sugar reductions
Eli Lilly said its experimental drug retatrutide outperformed Ozempic in an 80-week phase 3 trial involving 1,298 adults with Type 2 diabetes. Participants lost an average of 44.3 pounds on the 9-milligram dose and 47.4 pounds on the 12-milligram dose, compared with 20.9 pounds on 2-milligram Ozempic. A1C fell 2.2 percentage points versus 1.8.
Reporting: The American Journal of Managed Care, Demokratis, Fierce Biotech, BNN Bloomberg, abc45.com, pharmaphorum.com, hcplive.com, everydayhealth.com
The United States sanctioned 10 individuals and one entity over North Korean worker schemes
The United States imposed sanctions Wednesday on 10 individuals and one entity accused of helping North Korean IT workers defraud businesses and generate revenue for weapons programs. The Treasury Department said networks used stolen identities and documents to secure jobs at legitimate firms, including U.S. companies. Targets include two Russians, eight North Koreans and a North Korean-controlled entity in Russia.
Reporting: Reuters, Facebook, yna.co.kr, sanctions.com