Evening Premium Edition · Sat, Oct 24 · 7:06 p.m.

The Essential 10 · about 4 minutes

1. U.S. officials warned of increased Iranian threats to U.S. personnel and reduced staffing at Middle East diplomatic posts

   On Friday, the State Department ordered reductions in U.S. personnel at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, a U.S. official told Axios, citing Houthi attack threats and Iranian plots. The official said only essential staff would remain. Earlier, non-essential personnel and families were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia; CBS reported other posts adopted “restricted operations” status.

   Reporting: Associated Press, CBS News, Axios, The New York Times, BBC News, Bloomberg

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

2. The Justice Department intervened in Alaska’s Senate election and sought to block certification under specified circumstances

   Democratic and voting-rights groups seek to intervene in the Justice Department’s lawsuit over Alaska’s Senate-result certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. Alaskans for Mary, the campaign for Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, and the Democratic Senate campaign committee seek defendant-intervenor status to file dismissal motions; a group includes the League of Women Voters of Alaska, Common Cause and two voters.

   Reporting: Al Jazeera, CNBC, The New York Times

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

3. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China to open a new bridge linking the two countries

   North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China on Saturday, crossing the newly opened bridge to Dandong, according to Chinese and South Korean sources. He met Wang Huning, a member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee. China said it was willing to expand trade cooperation, and experts called the bridge a symbol of closer ties.

   Reporting: PBS News, The Economic Times, The Korea Times, Straight Arrow News, NDTV Profit, Al Jazeera, fox2now.com

4. The Justice Department sought information from California counties about potential noncitizens on voter rolls

   The Justice Department’s Friday letters asked California county election officials to identify potential noncitizens and set aside and verify ballots, giving them 48 hours. The department also requested personal registration information. NBC News reported letters went to 57 of 58 counties; The New York Times said every county received one. The Orange County Register, citing the Times, reported some lists had errors.

   Reporting: The Hill, Democracy Docket, The New York Times, NBC News, Reuters, Orange County Register, abc7chicago.com

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

5. Mass protests across France ended in clashes with police in Paris and arrests

   More than 400,000 people protested across France Saturday over living costs, fuel prices and school funding, with clashes breaking out in Paris after a mostly peaceful march. Paris prosecutors said 64 people were arrested and 40 placed in custody, including six minors; Anadolu reported 65 arrests in Paris. Lyon’s prefecture reported 29 arrests by 6 p.m.

   Reporting: Anadolu Agency, BBC News, PBS News (with Associated Press)

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

6. Gunmen killed at least 40 people in northeastern Nigeria, according to Amnesty International

   Amnesty International said at least 40 people were killed when gunmen attacked Binnari village in Taraba state’s Karim Lamido local government area on Friday afternoon. Police initially confirmed 10 deaths, while Amnesty said additional bodies were later recovered. Amnesty said attackers burned homes, shops, foodstuff and motorcycles; police said they looted food. Their identities and motives were not immediately known.

   Reporting: Arab News, News.Az, kslm.news, mezha.net

7. Gunmen opened fire at a church funeral in Jordan, killing and injuring dozens

   Jordanian authorities were searching Saturday for three gunmen who killed eight people and wounded 40 during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, Reuters reported. Al Jazeera said the attackers were masked and the shooting occurred in the village of Hamoud. No immediate claim of responsibility was reported.

   Reporting: National Public Radio, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Reuters, mysuncoast.com

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

8. Israeli forces demolished Palestinian homes and displaced residents in Hebron during a military crackdown

   Israeli forces have demolished homes and businesses and displaced almost 1,200 Palestinians in a large-scale operation in Hebron, according to local reporting. The operation followed a clash at a military checkpoint that killed two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority called for international pressure on Israel to protect residents.

   Reporting: BBC News, The New Arab, The National, bdnews24.com

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

9. The Pentagon prepared options for possible U.S. strikes on Iran as Tehran threatened retaliation

   The Hill reported U.S. military planners prepared options for possible strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms. Kurdistan24 said President Donald Trump was briefed on options and leaned toward renewed major combat, but no final decision had been made. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against another U.S. attack; Tehran threatened U.S. bases, warships and Gulf allies.

   Reporting: The Hill, Kurdistan24, Bloomingbit, CBC News, indiasnews.net

   Updated since this edition · Read the latest

10. Four pilots died when two Philippine air force planes collided during a training flight

    Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed Friday when two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided during a training flight and crashed within Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas province. Philippine Air Force spokesperson Colonel Alvin Jay Capinguian said an investigation is underway. No ground injuries were reported, and the air force temporarily grounded its SF-260 fleet.

    Reporting: The Times of India, Firstpost, AOL, Associated Press, New York Post, NDTV, aviationnews.eu

More stories

11. Flooding affected San Juan County in a major Four Corners region event

    Floodwaters inundated homes in San Juan County, New Mexico, prompting rooftop rescues as the San Juan and Animas rivers neared expected crests late Friday into Saturday. County emergency management public information officer Devin Neeley warned of historic danger. Bloomfield’s Water Reclamation Facility suspended operations, and untreated wastewater entered the San Juan River; officials asked residents and businesses to reduce water use.

    Reporting: Suara Garut, ualrpublicradio.org

    Updated since this edition · Read the latest

12. A detained man died at a Georgia immigration facility amid an ongoing hunger strike

    Luis Sandoval, a man detained at Georgia’s Folkston immigration detention center, died after being found with a ligature around his neck, ICE said. The agency said he was found at 1:46 a.m. and pronounced dead 42 minutes later. ICE did not say whether he had joined the reported hunger strike; an investigation and autopsy are planned.

    Reporting: The Guardian, thecurrentga.org

13. Documents and interviews indicate a Russian energy company secretly financed a U.S. firm involved in talks with the Kremlin over an Alaska gas project

    Executives have quit Polar LNG, an American startup seeking to liquefy and export Alaska North Slope gas, saying they recently learned it was secretly funded by Russia’s Novatek, The Wall Street Journal reported. Former chief executive Joel Riddle alleged Novatek also directed the project before necessary U.S. approvals were secured.

    Reporting: The New York Times, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, eurasiabusinessnews.com, mezha.net, investing.com, sfg.media

14. Some rural Alaska early-voting sites had not opened, prompting state officials to question why they remained closed

    At least 18 villages in Alaska had early in-person voting locations that failed to open, according to a Friday letter to the Division of Elections from state Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat. Wielechowski called the failures “shocking.” The division did not immediately respond to questions about this year’s voting issues.

    Reporting: The New York Times, adn.com

15. A ceasefire was brokered for the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, with Melania Trump claiming a role

    Russia and Ukraine confirmed a ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky for aid and evacuations, crediting U.S. first lady Melania Trump. The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16 to urge a truce, prompting criticism that his role was overlooked. The Daily Beast cites the White House for Oct. 29; The Moscow Times reports Oct. 27.

    Reporting: The Moscow Times, The Daily Beast, The Independent, Anadolu Agency

16. A woman died of Ebola in Kenya, becoming the second recorded fatality in the country’s outbreak

    Kenya has recorded its second Ebola death, officials said. The victim, a 65-year-old woman and close relative of the first victim, developed symptoms in quarantine. The first victim was a man who travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Seven other patients were receiving treatment; the ministry reported no evidence of community transmission.

    Reporting: The Sun, BBC News, Ukrainian National News, eyeradio.org, operativmm.az, gov.ng, addisstandard.com

17. A poll released before Brazil’s presidential runoff showed incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro statistically tied

    On the eve of Brazil’s runoff, reports on a CNT/MDA poll gave differing results. The Rio Times reported Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of Rio de Janeiro at 50.7% of valid votes and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at 49.3%; Al Jazeera gave Bolsonaro 46.3% and Lula 45%. Al Jazeera also cited a Datafolha survey showing 50% support for each.

    Reporting: Al Jazeera, riotimesonline.com

18. Thousands of Israelis rallied against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government shortly before the country’s election

    Thousands of Israelis rallied at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, three days before the general election, protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and calling for an independent inquiry into the security failures that led to the October 7, 2023 attacks. Al Jazeera reported that Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, joined the demonstration.

    Reporting: Al Jazeera, San Francisco Chronicle, France 24, A News, org.eg

19. Volkswagen planned a new Audi factory in Georgia

    President Donald Trump is expected to announce that Audi, Volkswagen’s premium subsidiary, plans a Georgia assembly plant, a government official told Reuters. The plant is expected to produce 200,000 SUVs annually, including Q7, Q8 and Q9 models. Reuters said Audi may announce plans to build 25,000 vehicles in South Carolina. Bloomberg reported Volkswagen hopes the announcement may bring tariff relief.

    Reporting: Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC

20. The U.S. Treasury proposed restrictions on certain high-tech investments in China and other countries of concern, drawing an objection from Beijing

    China’s Ministry of Commerce said Saturday it firmly opposed the proposed expansion and called it discriminatory and an overreach of national-security concerns, saying it could disrupt bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The ministry said Beijing would closely monitor developments and reserved the right to take corresponding measures. Treasury has proposed expanding restrictions on U.S. investments in sensitive technologies.

    Reporting: PBS News (with Associated Press), Suara Garut, The Hill, Bloomberg, koreaherald.com, forth.news, com.my, com.cn

21. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to act, renewing U.S. pressure on Havana

    Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio mocked Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s public appeal for Cubans seeking political change to form a discreet partnership with the CIA, saying the agency seemed desperate to sell its services “like a tube of toothpaste.” President Donald Trump suggested at a Fort Myers rally that U.S. warships returning from Iran could stop near Cuba; his remarks did not establish that military action was authorized.

    Reporting: Proto Thema, Arab News, Open Magazine, Latin Times, Suara Garut, dainikjagranmpcg.com

22. A tanker carrying Russian diesel set sail for the United States under a controversial agreement between Washington and Moscow

    Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the first tanker carrying Russian diesel under a new U.S.-Russia import agreement had sailed. Kpler said the vessel was bound for New York, with arrival expected Nov. 7. The Associated Press reported the agreement is unlikely to meaningfully reduce fuel prices and has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats.

    Reporting: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, KTVN 2 News Nevada, India Today, The Nation Thailand, Vietnam.vn, substack.com

23. Dengue cases continued to rise in Florida after an emergency declaration

    Locally acquired dengue infections have been reported beyond Hillsborough County, Udaipur Kiran reported: Manatee County confirmed another case, while Brevard and Orange counties also reported local infections. The Florida Department of Health is working with local mosquito-control authorities on surveillance and prevention, including aerial spraying. The Osprey Observer reported more than 200 cases in Hillsborough, the vast majority of Florida’s reported cases.

    Reporting: Osprey Observer, udaipurkiran.com

24. German authorities arrested a man accused of contributing to the suicide of a 14-year-old girl in Indiana whom he met online

    German police arrested an 18-year-old man in Hamburg on Thursday after an FBI tip, in connection with the death by suicide of a 14-year-old girl from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hamburg prosecutors accuse him of influencing her through Discord to harm herself while he was 17. NBC Chicago, citing NDR, reported he later sought recordings of her suicide and threatened people close to her.

    Reporting: Demokratis, Suara Garut, CBS News, ABC News, Dawn, nbcchicago.com

25. Six Flags planned to add seatbelts to its Goliath coaster after a rider’s fatal fall

    Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly said the company will install seat belts on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and coasters with similar restraints. The move follows the Oct. 12 death of 42-year-old Atlanta rider Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, who was ejected. Goliath remains closed during the investigation; independent engineers and ride inspection specialists will review safety procedures.

    Reporting: CNN, PBS News, ssbcrack.com, twaslnews1.twaslnews.com

26. Typhoon Champi killed one person and injured hundreds in Taiwan before moving toward China

    Champi weakened to a tropical storm after passing Taiwan and was heading north toward China, where it was not expected to make landfall, Reuters reported. Anews said one person had died and more than 600 were injured in Taiwan, and that over 5,000 people were evacuated. Power had returned to more than 90% of over 340,000 affected households.

    Reporting: Firstpost, AOL, GMA News Online, Reuters, Proto Thema, A News, Al Jazeera

27. A man was fatally shot in the Paris suburb of Trappes in an attack authorities are investigating as terrorism

    A shooting in Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, killed one person and wounded five; authorities are investigating it as a suspected racist terrorist attack. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said it spanned three locations over about 15 minutes. Police arrested the suspect less than 20 minutes after the first shots, The Economic Times reported.

    Reporting: The Economic Times, France 24, searchlightmagazine.com

28. Protesters demanding Albania’s prime minister resign clashed with police in Tirana

    Thousands rallied in Tirana Saturday, demanding Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets; Reuters reported protesters set fire to the Agriculture Ministry entrance. Authorities said more than 300 protesters and police were injured and dozens detained. Opposition supporters burned pillows placed by Rama as a dialogue gesture.

    Reporting: Bloomberg, News.Az, The Hindu, UA News, Daily Sabah, France 24, Euronews, PBS News

29. A preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu

    A preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Vanuatu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, prompting a tsunami warning that was later rescinded. The quake was centered 197 kilometers west-northwest of Port Olry, called Port-Orly by The Hindu, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Several aftershocks followed, including a preliminary magnitude 6.3 quake. There were no immediate reports of damage.

    Reporting: The Hindu, Al Arabiya, WTOP News, starbeacon.com, rollingout.com