Evening Premium Edition · Tue, Oct 27 · 7:36 p.m.

The Essential 10 · about 4 minutes

1. A federal grand jury rejected an indictment against former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson

   A federal grand jury in Washington on Tuesday declined to indict Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, over her account to lawmakers of Donald Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Justice Department prosecutors reportedly sought a charge based on allegations that she made false statements, MS NOW said. The decision does not prevent prosecutors from trying again.

   Reporting: The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNBC, The Washington Post, CBS News, The New York Times, wisn.com, wcnc.com

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2. The justices left in force a nationwide injunction against the administrative-closure rule

   The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to restore a Biden-era policy allowing immigration judges to temporarily pause deportation cases, leaving in place an agreement between the Trump administration and Texas that bars the practice while litigation continues. Its unsigned order gave no explanation. The cities and Centro Legal de la Raza alleged collusion in “manufactured litigation.”

   Reporting: ABC News, The Washington Post, Law Commentary, abc45.com, sjvsun.com, newrepublic.com

3. Netanyahu and Eisenkot’s blocs are projected to fall short of a Knesset majority

   Exit polls showed no clear winner in Israel’s election. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, was projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a majority. France 24 reported Eisenkot’s bloc ahead 52-50 and turnout at 77.7%, the highest in more than two decades. Final results may differ.

   Reporting: CTech, USA Today, The Jerusalem Post, France 24, CBS News, CNBC, The Times of Israel

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4. Justice Department asks Washington to set aside ballots from more than 400 people

   The Justice Department asked Washington state to set aside ballots cast in next week’s midterm election by more than 400 people it says may be noncitizens, pending confirmation of their citizenship. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Charles Neil Floyd described the alleged voters as the “tip of the iceberg.”

   Reporting: WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore, NBC News, Anchorage Daily News, CBS News, The Washington Post, The Guardian, knkx.org, electionlawblog.org

5. The U.S. military killed five people in a boat strike in the eastern Pacific

   The U.S. military said a strike Tuesday on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific killed five people. U.S. Southern Command described those killed as “narco-terrorists,” but the military provided no evidence that the vessel was carrying drugs. Al Jazeera said the strike brought the reported campaign death toll to 243; rights groups have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings.

   Reporting: Al Jazeera, Stars and Stripes, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, The Guardian, PBS News (with Associated Press)

6. The Democratic Republic of Congo recorded more than 10,000 confirmed Ebola cases

   DR Congo's Ebola outbreak had recorded 10,060 confirmed cases and 4,887 deaths by Oct. 25, health ministry data showed. Al Jazeera reported about 80% of new cases were outside monitored transmission chains. WHO said 50 of 66 affected health zones reported a new confirmed case in the past 21 days; Africa CDC planned a meeting of African health ministers Wednesday.

   Reporting: Al Jazeera, Reuters, CBC News, Anadolu Agency, France 24, China Daily Asia, National Public Radio, watchers.news

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7. Emergency Lawyers says Sudanese military drone strike killed more than 100 at Nyala market

   Emergency Lawyers, a rights group tracking violence in Sudan, said a Sudanese military drone strike on Tanqong Market in Nyala on Monday evening killed more than 100 people and injured 113. The group said many of those killed and injured were women and children, blamed the military and condemned the attack as a massacre.

   Reporting: Moneycontrol, The Times of India, oskaloosa.com, etvbharat.com, canberratimes.com.au

8. British prosecutors charged two men over a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford

   British prosecutors charged two London men under the 2023 National Security Act over a suspected RAF Fairford plot. Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service; police believe the country was Iran. Nouman Essghir, 24, was charged with a prohibited-place offense. The Wall Street Journal reported the U.S. pulled a dozen heavy bombers from the base.

   Reporting: CBS News, YouTube, Facebook, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, BBC News, Al Jazeera

9. Alex Pretti's parents demanded the Justice Department release evidence regarding his fatal shooting

   Alex Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, demanded Tuesday that the Justice Department release evidence related to the January shooting that killed the 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis. They said the federal government had kept them in the dark for 275 days, including about the officers’ identities. Minnesota officials have also sued for investigative materials.

   Reporting: NBC News, ABC7 Chicago, The Independent, Reuters, inforum.com

10. Melania Trump said the southern Ukraine ceasefire area was extended beyond Oleshky

    First lady Melania Trump said the ceasefire zone around Russian-occupied Oleshky has been extended beyond the city to let humanitarian convoys pass safely, Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi reported. The localized truce took effect Tuesday, Oct. 27, ahead of an aid mission. Ukrainian authorities say about 1,700 people remain in Oleshky; the pause is due to last through Saturday or longer.

    Reporting: The Korea Times, The Kyiv Independent, KPRC 2 Click2Houston, CNN, Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi, infonews.ca

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More stories

11. Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre called Putin about the Ukraine war

    Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute call with Putin. The Kremlin said a long-term peace was possible only if Russia’s interests were fully taken into account. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the initiative uncoordinated and said she saw no signs Russia wanted peace.

    Reporting: BBC News, NBC News, Türkiye Today, ABC News (Australia), The New York Times, Al Jazeera

12. Russian drones killed five people at a park in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

    CBS News reported that victims of a Russian drone strike on a park in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region included a 34-year-old makeup artist and one-year-old Anne Helita. Five people were killed. Ukrainian officials said Starlink restrictions imposed without notice affected air-defense radars and drone interceptors; access was restored Saturday. Spichak’s sister described the family’s loss.

    Reporting: Social News XYZ, CBS News, YouTube

13. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces were recovering ground in multiple offensives

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Tuesday Ukrainian forces were retaking territory through a series of offensives, including an operation not previously announced in which troops used gas pipelines to outflank Russian positions. He said Kyiv’s battlefield position was its strongest in some time and could improve with more air-defense systems from Western allies.

    Reporting: Internazionale (with Reuters), Reuters, nacionale.com

14. Trump plans to loosen methane rules for oil and gas companies

    The Trump administration plans to loosen Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas companies, especially “marginal” wells, The Hill reported. Donald Trump is expected to announce the rollback at a Tuesday Texas rally. The Center for Western Priorities said it would scrap the Super Emitter Program, which requires operators to investigate large leaks flagged by satellites or certified third parties.

    Reporting: The Hill, iHeart, United Press International, The New York Times, WRAL News, westernpriorities.org, notus.org

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15. Donald Trump said East Potomac Golf Course renovation plans will continue despite judge's order

    Donald Trump said renovation plans for East Potomac Golf Course would continue despite a judge’s order, calling the course “extremely dangerous,” Golf.com reported. NPR reported Trump said work would still start next month and his administration would appeal. Federal judge Ana Reyes barred further tree damage without court approval and required 10 business days’ written notice before irreversible changes.

    Reporting: MyNorthwest (with Associated Press), National Public Radio, ESPN, The Independent, United Press International, golf.com

16. The Trump administration is weighing sanctions relief for the Russian Direct Investment Fund

    The Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund as part of efforts to improve ties and help end the Ukraine war, The New York Times reported. A U.S. official praised fund chief Kirill Dmitriev as “a helpful envoy.” Some Republican lawmakers argue the approach gives Putin economic benefits without pressuring him to end the war.

    Reporting: WION, Ukrainska Pravda, The New York Times, Ukrainian National News, breakingthenews.net

17. A federal judge temporarily blocked a rule giving refugees 10 days to challenge termination of their legal status

    U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick temporarily halted enforcement of a Trump administration rule that cut to 10 days the time refugees have to contest termination of their legal status. The pause runs through Nov. 6, while another judge weighs extending it. The Department of Homeland Security estimated the rule could affect up to 186,000 refugees.

    Reporting: The Hill, Devdiscourse, law360.com

18. Mary Peltola asked a federal judge to dismiss a Justice Department election lawsuit

    Mary Peltola, Alaska’s Democratic Senate candidate, asked a judge to dismiss a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to block certification if Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan loses. Her lawyers and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee called it an “unprecedented preemptive strike on democratic elections.” The ACLU and its clients also sought dismissal. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason fast-tracked the case.

    Reporting: Newsweek, Devdiscourse, Democracy Now!

19. Judge hears arguments over Justice Department bid to block California from counting ballots

    A federal judge in Los Angeles, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, heard arguments Tuesday over whether the Justice Department can stop California from counting ballots from about 20,000 people until their citizenship is confirmed. The administration sued in mid-October, accusing election officials of missing a 48-hour deadline to review its list. Data indicates noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare.

    Reporting: Reuters, Hometown News Group, The Washington Post

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20. Trump wiped away at least $119 million in unpaid restitution through clemency orders

    Donald Trump's clemency orders have erased at least $119 million in unpaid court-ordered restitution owed to crime victims since January 2025, a CBS News investigation found. CBS reviewed court judgments in more than 160 clemency orders. One victim said he felt victimized again, adding that he did not question Trump's constitutional authority but viewed authority and accountability as different matters.

    Reporting: Raw Story, CBS News, AOL

21. President Cyril Ramaphosa is deploying 510 soldiers to support police in KwaZulu-Natal

    President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized 510 South African National Defence Force members to KwaZulu-Natal to support police amid anti-immigration violence. The presidency attributed the violence to misinformation about a Constitutional Court asylum ruling. Police said a foreign national was beaten to death by about 50 people during a march last week. Eastleigh Voice said deployment runs until Nov. 30.

    Reporting: The New York Times, ABC News, The Eastleigh Voice, iol.co.za, express.co.uk

22. The CDC warned that drug-resistant germs pose a growing threat to Americans

    The CDC called drug-resistant germs a “growing threat to Americans,” estimating 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths annually in the United States. CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz said antimicrobial resistance threatens modern medicine. Candida auris, one of four “urgent” threats, had more than 50% growth in reported cases from 2022 to 2023.

    Reporting: ABC News

23. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui struck the amended complaint against former FBI officials

    Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed a superseding complaint against two former FBI officials and criticized the Justice Department’s handling of the case. The original complaint, accusing the officials of making false statements to Congress about their involvement in and knowledge of investigations involving Hunter Biden, remained in place as a preliminary hearing proceeded Tuesday.

    Reporting: KSL News, WTOP News, PBS News

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24. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham estimated flood costs at up to $300 million

    New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said flood recovery costs could reach $200 million to $300 million, with infrastructure damage alone potentially costing hundreds of millions. She had hoped costs would be $30 million to $40 million. The federal government partially granted the state’s emergency declaration request, and she signed executive orders involving $8.25 million.

    Reporting: National Public Radio

25. Boeing delayed its plan to boost monthly 737 output to 52 jets

    Boeing pushed its plan to raise 737 production to 52 jets a month to the second half of 2027, from an end-2026 target, and said it would miss its goal of delivering 500 737 Max jets this year. Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said Boeing would prioritize a disciplined ramp. Shares fell as much as 10%, reaching an 18-month low.

    Reporting: TipRanks, The Economic Times

26. El Salvador sent around 1,000 soldiers to Haiti after a gang ambush

    El Salvador sent about 1,000 soldiers to Haiti after four Salvadoran members of the U.N.-backed force went missing in an Oct. 18 gang ambush, a Haitian security official told Reuters. Bloomberg cited a researcher estimating at least 600 troops. Remains found Saturday remain unidentified; El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said they did not appear to be the missing men.

    Reporting: CBC News, Internazionale (with Reuters), The San Juan Daily Star, Miami Herald, Bloomberg

27. Flávio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States after losing the presidential runoff

    Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro reportedly left for the United States after Sunday’s runoff, Reuters said, citing two sources. A senior Brazilian Federal Police official said he had not departed through a regular migration point. Bolsonaro has not formally conceded, while his Liberal Party recognized President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory, saying questions about the vote needed clarification.

    Reporting: The Hill, National Public Radio, Anadolu Agency, Al Jazeera, Arab News, El País, NBC News

    Updated since this edition · Read the latest

28. Tal Alexander, Oren Alexander and Alon Alexander were each sentenced to 30 years in prison

    Brothers Tal Alexander, Oren Alexander and Alon Alexander were each sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sex trafficking by Judge Valerie E. Caproni in New York. A jury convicted them in March on all 10 criminal counts, including sex-trafficking charges. Prosecutors sought life; defense lawyers argued for 15 years. The brothers deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal.

    Reporting: CBS News, CNN, BBC News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Spectrum News, Reuters

29. The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General over shelf pricing discrepancies

    The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from 20 states sued Dollar General, alleging it routinely charged customers more at checkout than prices displayed on shelves, tags and advertisements. The complaint says the practice persisted for years and affected millions of purchases. Dollar General denied the allegations and said it would defend itself in court.

    Reporting: ABC7 Chicago, USA Today, WSVN 7News, The American Bazaar, Fox Business, tennessean.com, jerseyvindicator.org, ncnewsline.com

30. Anthropic warned in an IPO prospectus that advanced AI could pose existential risks to humanity

    Anthropic’s 92-page IPO prospectus warns that advanced AI could pose “catastrophic or existential risks to humanity,” particularly if systems are misused or allowed substantial autonomy. It also says liabilities from a catastrophic AI incident could exceed the capacity of any single insurer, or potentially the insurance industry as a whole.

    Reporting: Deccan Chronicle, cityam.com, aimagazine.com, dig.watch, reinsurancene.ws, storyboard18.com, theconversation.com

31. The Conference Board reported a rebound in consumer confidence

    U.S. consumer confidence rose in October for the first time in four months, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. Its index gained 7.5 points to 91.7, above Bloomberg’s 81.0 median forecast. Fergus McCormick, the Conference Board’s senior economist for global indicators, said improved business-condition perceptions drove the rise as gasoline prices eased. Fergus McCormick said confidence remains on a long-term downward trend.

    Reporting: PR Newswire, Reuters, Quartz, Bloomberg, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, rismedia.com

32. Weil Gotshal tapped restructuring specialists to assess its options including a possible wind-down

    Weil, Gotshal & Manges has tapped restructuring specialists to assess options, including a possible wind-down, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Davis Polk bankruptcy lawyer Brian Resnick and other Davis Polk lawyers are advising Weil, while earlier merger talks with a rival collapsed. The reports describe a possible course, not a decision to close.

    Reporting: Bloomberg Law, Reuters, @FT on X