Today’s desk

Thursday, October 29, 2026 edition: 82 stories with labeled sources. Every brief from Thursday, October 29, 2026 · All editions · RSS feed

Top Stories

• Police kill knife attacker outside Israel's embassy in Belgrade

  A police guard shot dead a teenager who attacked him with knives outside Israel's embassy in Belgrade early Wednesday, Serbian officials said, according to BBC, DW and Fox News. The guard had a minor face wound. Serbia raised its terror threat level to the highest setting.

• North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles into the sea

  North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast Thursday, South Korea's military said, according to the Associated Press and DW. The launch came from near Wonsan. Tensions have risen since land mine blasts at the border wounded three South Korean soldiers in September.

• Hackers leak details of more than 40,000 DHS employees

  Hackers leaked names, work addresses and phone numbers of more than 40,000 Homeland Security staff, including ICE and border agents, BBC, CNBC and NPR report. DHS says it is working to address a potential breach. More than 21,000 of the records are for Customs and Border Protection staff.

• Military puts Iran war cost at $47 billion, CBS News reports

  The Iran war has cost the US military at least $47.1 billion as of mid-October, according to CBS News, which cites a Central Command estimate. Most of it is for replacing used munitions. Only CBS News has reported the figure so far.

• Fuel costs strand world cruise passengers in Cambodia

  A US company running a years-long world cruise halted its voyage in Cambodia, blaming soaring fuel costs from the Iran war, the Associated Press and BBC report. About 200 passengers, mostly Americans, had to leave the Villa Vie Odyssey within hours. The company says it is trying to restructure.

• Spain mourns train crash victims as rail safety questions grow

  Spain began three days of mourning Thursday after a high-speed train crash near Toledo killed at least 68 people, BBC and ABC Australia report. The transport minister blamed an inexplicable decision by a control center. Rail drivers planned a strike over safety.

• Arab-led parties hold the key in Israel's coalition puzzle

  Netanyahu's camp lost its hold on power in Tuesday's vote, but most rival leaders refuse to work with Arab-led parties, NPR and The Guardian report. That could keep him in office for now. Arab-led party chiefs say they are ready to help oust him.

• Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who oversaw Maduro case, dies at 92

  Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who was overseeing the case against Nicolás Maduro, died Wednesday at 92, CBS News and the Associated Press report. He also rejected Trump's bids to move his hush money case to federal court. Judge Analisa Torres will take over the Maduro case, the AP reports.

• Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Mexican left's founding figure, dies at 92

  Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, who founded Mexico's PRD party and ran three times for president, died Wednesday at 92, El Universal and Infobae report. He was the first elected head of Mexico City's government. President Claudia Sheinbaum said he changed the country's political life.

• Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami and calls himself Brazil's leader

  Flávio Bolsonaro flew to Miami on Wednesday, days after he lost Brazil's runoff vote to Lula, BBC, DW and the Washington Examiner report. In a letter, he said the vote was stolen and called himself Brazil's true leader. Brazil had pulled his passports in a criminal case.

• Trump downplays reported Vance letter seeking to revive Iran talks

  JD Vance sent a letter to Iran's top security chief to try to restart peace talks, The Wall Street Journal reported, as cited by the Washington Examiner and The Independent. Trump denied he ordered a peace push and said it was about medical aid. He has said new strikes are an option after the November 3 vote.

• Pentagon's top war planner pushed out in latest military shake-up

  Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was pushed out as the Joint Staff's top war planner, ABC News and the Associated Press report, and ABC News says he has now retired. His office helps draw up war plans for the president. The AP says he is one of nearly two dozen top officers forced out under Pete Hegseth.

Politics

• Epstein files point to classified material and missing pages

  Records in the released Epstein files show classified material was handled by the Justice Department, according to CBS News. A CBS study of page numbers found gaps that hint many pages were pulled, such as Epstein's bank records. The Justice Department did not respond to CBS News.

• Hasan Piker sues Scott Jennings for $72.5 million over lynching claim

  Streamer Hasan Piker has sued commentator Scott Jennings for $72.5 million, NBC News and The Daily Wire report. Piker says Jennings aired an edited clip that falsely showed him backing the lynching of Black people. Jennings did not immediately respond, NBC News reports.

• James O'Keefe and Cam Higby charged over Minnesota voting video

  Minnesota has charged James O'Keefe and Cam Higby over an undercover video shot at polling places, ABC News, the Washington Examiner and the BBC report. Prosecutors say the men gave poll workers the names of real voters. Higby says he broke no law, and O'Keefe calls the charges lawfare.

• Judge rejects DOJ bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots

  A judge on Wednesday refused to let the Justice Department hold back 20,000 California mail ballots, NBC News, the Washington Examiner and the Los Angeles Times report. Judge David Carter said its claims that noncitizens cast them were not credible. The department says it will appeal.

• Report says Peltola campaign helped recruit second Dan Sullivan

  A New York Times report says Mary Peltola's campaign helped recruit a second Dan Sullivan for Alaska's Senate race, ABC News, Fox News and The Guardian report. Her campaign denies any role. President Trump said she should be removed from the ballot.

Business

• On this day, 1929: Wall Street crashes on Black Tuesday

  On October 29, 1929, stock prices collapsed on the New York Stock Exchange in a day known as Black Tuesday, History.com and Federal Reserve History report. More than 16 million shares traded. The crash helped speed the slide into the Great Depression.

• Justice Department questions Nvidia's Hugging Face deal

  The Justice Department is asking questions about Nvidia's nearly $13 billion purchase of AI platform Hugging Face, according to CNBC. The inquiry looks at how the deal may affect rivals. Nvidia declined to comment, and only CNBC has reported this so far.

• US worker engagement falls to lowest level since 2011

  US employee engagement fell to 29 percent last quarter, its lowest level since 2011, according to CNBC, which cites Gallup polling. The drop was sharpest among remote and hybrid workers, most of all at firms that use AI. Only CNBC has reported this so far, with no other outlet confirming it yet.

• Upwind raises $400 million after turning down Datadog offer

  Cloud security startup Upwind raised $400 million at a $3.8 billion value after turning down a buyout offer from Datadog, TechCrunch and Globes report. Bessemer Venture Partners led the round. Upwind's yearly revenue has grown fast as AI raises cyber threats.

• Family caregivers now spend over $11,500 a year, AARP finds

  Family caregivers now spend an average of more than $11,500 a year out of pocket, up about 60 percent since 2021, an AARP study finds, CBS News and NPR report. Housing, food and health care are the biggest costs. Many caregivers cut work hours or quit.

• Stellantis shares jump as turnaround gains despite cash outflow

  Stellantis shares jumped after the Jeep and Fiat maker showed progress on its turnaround plan, CNBC and RTE report. Adjusted operating income rose to 256 million euros. But the company still had about 4 billion euros in cash outflow for the quarter.

• Nelson Peltz's Trian offers $1.4 billion to take Wendy's private

  A group led by Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management offered about $1.4 billion to buy Wendy's and take it private, CNBC and the Associated Press report. The offer is $7.35 a share in cash. Wendy's shares jumped about 15 percent.

• SK Hynix posts record profit, says chips sold out through 2029

  South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix posted a record quarterly operating profit of 83.33 trillion won, CNBC, The Korea Times and Korea JoongAng Daily report. It said its main memory chips are sold out through 2029. Shares jumped almost 11 percent.

• Samsung posts record profit as AI lifts demand for memory chips

  Samsung Electronics reported a record quarterly operating profit of 107.4 trillion won, driven by demand for AI memory chips, the Associated Press and CNBC report. It was Samsung's fourth straight record quarter. But CNBC reports shares fell more than 4 percent as results only matched forecasts.

• Alphabet cloud revenue doubles, but earnings miss and shares fall

  Google's parent company Alphabet more than doubled its cloud revenue, CNBC and The Verge report. But CNBC reports overall profit and revenue missed forecasts, and shares slumped more than 10 percent. Heavy spending on AI pushed free cash flow negative.

• Microsoft reveals Azure revenue of $33.2 billion as profit jumps

  Microsoft beat forecasts and shared its Azure cloud revenue in dollars for the first time, the BBC, CNBC and TechCrunch report. Azure brought in $33.2 billion, up 48 percent. The results came days after Microsoft offered buyouts to about 60,000 workers.

Sports

• Stan Wawrinka's career ends with loss in Basel

  Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has played his final match, losing to Jiri Lehecka in Basel on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport. The 41-year-old Swiss star lost 7-5, 7-6. Only BBC Sport has reported this so far, and no other outlet has confirmed it yet.

• Lakers beat Clippers without injured star Luka Dončić

  The Lakers beat the Clippers on Wednesday without star Luka Dončić, who sat out with back tightness, the Los Angeles Times and New York Post report. Collin Sexton scored 21 off the bench. The Lakers are now 4-1 after a loss to Portland the night before.

• Russo hat trick sends Arsenal past Benfica 3-0

  Alessia Russo scored three goals as Arsenal beat Benfica 3-0 in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday, The Guardian and Sky Sports report. She became the top English scorer in the competition's history. The win lifted Arsenal to second in the table.

• Man City and Liverpool reach League Cup quarterfinals on penalties

  Manchester City and Liverpool won penalty shootouts on Wednesday to reach the English League Cup quarterfinals, the BBC and the Associated Press report. City beat Brighton and Liverpool beat Chelsea. Arsenal went out to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town a day earlier.

• Former Japan coach Okada quits soccer post over FIFA concerns

  Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada has quit a top job at Japan's soccer body over concerns about FIFA, the Associated Press and CNA report. He quit after the Asian soccer body said it would back FIFA's president. Gianni Infantino wants a new term in March.

• Antonelli on brink of Italy's first F1 title in 73 years

  Kimi Antonelli can clinch the Formula One title in Mexico City on Sunday, the Associated Press and Sky Sports report. He would be the first Italian champion since 1953. At 20, he would also be the youngest champion in the history of the sport.

• Sergio Pérez signs Cadillac F1 extension through 2029

  Sergio Pérez has signed a multi-year extension with Cadillac's Formula One team that runs through 2029, the BBC and Reuters via Sportstar report. The news came days before his home race, the Mexico City Grand Prix. Cadillac has yet to score a point this season.

• Bayern coach Vincent Kompany leaves hospital after collapse

  Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has left the hospital after collapsing at the club's training ground last week, the BBC and Sky Sports report. The club says the cause was meningeal irritation. No date has been set for his return.

• Valkyries can clinch WNBA title in Game 6 at Atlanta

  The Golden State Valkyries can win their first WNBA title with a win at Atlanta in Game 6 on Thursday, the Associated Press and CNBC report. The game tips off at 12:30 pm Eastern, an early start that drew criticism. The Dream say it is sold out.

• Brewers beat Rays 4-1 to win first World Series title

  The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win their first World Series, the Associated Press and NBC News report. Jacob Misiorowski threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Catcher William Contreras was named Series MVP after driving in four runs in the five games.

World

• Preparations underway to evacuate trapped residents of occupied Oleshky

  A local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky in southern Ukraine took effect October 27, and groups are preparing to evacuate trapped residents, according to DW. Roads into the town are being cleared of mines, and local groups are registering people who want to leave. A Save Ukraine lawyer said about 500 people may leave in stages.

• Report says North Korean workers in Russia help fund missiles

  North Korean workers are being brokered to Russian firms as forced labor, with most of their pay going to Pyongyang's missile program, according to ABC Australia, which cites a rights group report. Only ABC Australia has reported this so far. North Korea and Russia deny breaking UN rules.

• Kosovo protesters demand resignations after woman killed despite warnings

  Protesters in Kosovo's capital demanded action Wednesday after a woman who had asked for help was killed, the Associated Press and Balkan Insight report. Balkan Insight says they want two ministers to quit. Arlinda Zekaj, 49, was killed Sunday near Peja, and Kosovo's leader blamed a chain of state failures.

• King Charles says Commonwealth leaders will discuss slavery's legacy

  King Charles says Commonwealth leaders will talk about the legacy of slavery at their summit in Antigua next week, The Guardian and BBC report. He spoke of the great suffering of the past as he began a Caribbean tour in the Bahamas. Campaigners said his words fell short of an apology.

• Gen Z protests spread across Europe as Germany braces for weekend

  Youth-led protests over schools, housing and living costs have spread across Europe, from France to Albania, BBC and DW report. Some ended in violence and looting. In Germany, a group called Gen Z regelt has called rallies in 23 cities this weekend, and some politicians fear unrest.

• US strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills five

  A US military strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific killed five people Tuesday, Southern Command said, according to The Guardian and Stars and Stripes. More than 70 such strikes have killed over 230 people. The administration has not shown proof the boats carried drugs.

• US sanctions Rwanda's defense ministry over Congo fighting

  The United States put sanctions on Rwanda's defense ministry Wednesday, accusing it of sending troops to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern Congo, the Associated Press and BBC report. A Rwandan bank was also sanctioned. Rwanda denies backing the rebels.

• US and Japan agree to build air-to-air missile plant in Japan

  The United States and Japan agreed to set up a plant in Japan to assemble AMRAAM air-to-air missiles used on F-35 jets, the Associated Press and Air & Space Forces Magazine report. Japan's defense minister announced the deal in the Philippines. The site has not been named.

• Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists

  A London jury found far-right activist Tommy Robinson guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists and causing them to fear violence, BBC, The Guardian and The Independent report. He was granted bail until sentencing on December 16. The charge carries up to 10 years in prison.

Tech

• Utah files criminal charges against Kalshi and its co-founders

  Utah filed criminal charges on Wednesday against Kalshi and its two co-founders, the Associated Press and KUER report. Ars Technica reports a US agency is suing Utah to stop it from using its gambling ban on Kalshi. Kalshi called the charges a crazy overreach.

• New York signs law limiting how AI chatbots treat kids

  New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law on Wednesday that bans a list of unsafe chatbot behaviors with children under 18, the Associated Press and Engadget report. Chatbots cannot pretend to be a real person or encourage self-harm. Companies that break the law could be sued by the state.

• Ofcom sets out age checks for UK social media ban

  UK regulator Ofcom has set out the ways social media firms could check that users are over 16, according to BBC News. The UK's ban on under-16s is due to start in March. Many adults may also have to prove their age.

• Europe plans first undersea internet cable to Greenland

  The European Union plans to build the first undersea internet cable linking Europe to Greenland, according to Ars Technica. The cable could later reach Canada, Japan and South Korea, bypassing the US. Only Ars Technica has reported this so far.

• FCC approves Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion Globalstar deal

  US regulators have approved Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion deal to buy satellite firm Globalstar, The Verge and Engadget report. The deal gives Amazon more satellites and airwaves. Leo will also run the satellite features on some iPhones and Apple Watches.

• Putin calls Musk a 'genius' and says they stay in touch

  Russian President Vladimir Putin called Elon Musk a genius on Wednesday and said Russia is in close contact with him about satellites, BBC News and The Guardian report. Putin said the contact helps keep Russian and Starlink satellites from getting in each other's way. SpaceX did not respond to the BBC.

• Google unveils Gemini 4 Carbon, but few can use it yet

  Google has announced Gemini 4 Carbon, a new AI model it says is a big step up in cybersecurity, Ars Technica, CNET and The Verge report. It comes just two weeks after Gemini 4 Argon. For now, only a small group of cybersecurity firms can use it.

Entertainment

• Family objects as George Michael items go to auction

  George Michael items, including the guitar from his Faith video, are being auctioned on Thursday, according to BBC News. They come from the collection of his late longtime assistant. Her brother objects to the sale, but her widower has the legal right to sell them.

• Hello Kitty maker Sanrio drops spy drama tie-up after China backlash

  Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, has apologized and ended its merchandise tie-up with the Japanese spy drama Vivant, BBC News, The Guardian and The Japan Times report. Chinese state media had attacked the show's portrayal of Chinese agents. The show's network says it is fiction.

• Castle Walls, billed as the first fully AI-made series, gets reviewed

  Castle Walls, a Turkish historical drama billed as the first series made end to end with AI for a major streaming service, is on Prime Video, The Guardian and Variety report. It has two short episodes. A Guardian review panned it.

• South Park's latest episode tackles a beef shortage

  The fourth episode of South Park's 29th season sends the boys after a beef shortage, according to Variety. The episode is titled Guinea Pig on a Stick. Variety notes it was not a Halloween episode, though it aired days before the holiday.

• First reactions praise new Hunger Games prequel and its star

  Early reactions to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are strongly positive, Variety and TheWrap report. Critics and writers posting online after the premiere praised Joseph Zada, who plays a young Haymitch. The film opens in theaters on November 20.

• Russell Brand takes the stand and denies all charges

  Russell Brand has given evidence at his trial in London and denied all charges of rape and sexual assault, BBC News, ABC News and The Guardian report. He said the allegations had a devastating impact on his life. The trial continues.

• Peter Medak, director of The Krays, dies at 88

  Peter Medak, the Hungarian-born director of The Changeling, The Krays and The Ruling Class, has died at 88, The Guardian, Variety and Screen Daily report. He died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. His family said he died peacefully at the age of 88.

• Iran hands film director Jafar Panahi a new prison sentence

  An Iranian court has sentenced director Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison and ordered his assets seized, The Guardian and Euronews report. He was sentenced without being present. Panahi won the top prize at Cannes last year.

• Barbara Barrie, Oscar-nominated star of Breaking Away, dies at 95

  Barbara Barrie, the actor nominated for an Oscar for the 1979 film Breaking Away, has died at 95, the Los Angeles Times, TheWrap and Fox News report. She died on Wednesday at her home in Manhattan after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her death was medically assisted.

• Hayden Panettiere's death ruled accidental as police close inquiry

  Police in South Carolina say the death of actor Hayden Panettiere was an accident, BBC News, NBC News and CBS News report. Police say their inquiry is now closed. She died in August at 36 from the toxic effects of several drugs, including fentanyl.

Health

• Africa health chief warns Ebola outbreak could reach the UK

  The Ebola outbreak in Africa has passed 10,000 cases and could spread to the UK and other countries, Africa's top disease official warns, according to The Guardian. Nearly 5,000 people have died, Congo's health ministry says. The strain behind the outbreak has no approved treatment.

• Top House Democrat asks watchdog to check TrumpRx savings claims

  Representative Frank Pallone Jr. asked the Government Accountability Office to review whether the TrumpRx website has saved Americans money, STAT and Bloomberg Government report. The White House claims $700 million in savings. Pallone says the government has not shared key details on its drug deals.

• Study estimates 3 in 4 NFL players who died had CTE

  About 75 percent of former NFL players who died from 2008 to 2023 had the brain disease CTE, a Boston University study estimates, CBS News and NBC News report. That is the highest estimate yet. CTE can only be confirmed after death, so the figure is a best guess.

• New organ donor rules let teams talk to families sooner

  The US organ transplant system is relaxing a rule that kept donation teams away from families until they decided to end life support, according to NPR. Officials say the change will prevent errors and lift donations. Critics warn grieving families could feel pressured.

• Wildfire smoke deaths in Canada up about 275 percent, report says

  Deaths linked to wildfire smoke in Canada have risen about 275 percent since the early 2000s, a Lancet report finds, CBC News and Global News report. About 4,000 deaths a year were tied to smoke from 2021 to 2025. Health groups say Canada needs to do more to adapt.

• LA fire smoke exposed 7 million people to high lead levels

  Smoke from the Eaton Fire exposed about 7 million Los Angeles residents to lead levels more than 80 times normal for a day, a Caltech study finds, the Associated Press and ScienceAlert report. The plume carried far more lead and arsenic than smoke from a fire in wild land. The health effects remain unknown.

• HHS moves to let pharmacies make unapproved peptides

  The health department led by RFK Jr. will let compounding pharmacies make six unapproved peptides, NBC News, the BBC and the Associated Press report. The FDA will not take action against pharmacies that make them. The AP reports most FDA scientific staff opposed the plan.

Science & Climate

• Antarctic sea ice loss is making a deep ocean layer saltier

  The sharp loss of Antarctic sea ice since 2016 is making a key layer of the Southern Ocean saltier, according to Inside Climate News. The layer carries heat and carbon north to other oceans. Scientists say the change could have global effects.

• Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk set for first spacewalk on Thursday

  Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and NASA astronaut Anil Menon are set to walk in space on Thursday to install a new solar array on the space station, Spaceflight Now and CBC News report. It will be Kutryk's first spacewalk. A second outing on November 5 would finish a years-long upgrade.

• Virgin Galactic unveils Apeiron, its first new Delta-class spaceship

  Virgin Galactic has unveiled Apeiron, the first of its new Delta-class space planes, Space.com and The Verge report. The name, Greek for boundless, won a public vote. The company now expects to start flying paying customers again sometime in 2027.

• Himalayan building boom puts 300,000 people in flood risk zones

  About 300,000 people in parts of the Himalayas may now live in the path of floods, a new study finds, BBC News and the journal Scientific Reports report. Buildings in high-risk zones grew by nearly half from 2016 to 2023. Warming is speeding up the melting of glaciers.

• Trump moves to end Biden-era limits on methane from drilling

  President Trump said Tuesday his administration is ending a Biden-era rule that limits methane leaks from oil and gas drilling, the Associated Press, CNBC, Euronews and The Guardian report. He says the change will save $45 billion. CNBC reports the EPA's own modeling shows little effect on oil prices.

• Rubin telescope spots a possible new dwarf planet beyond Pluto

  Astronomers using the new Rubin Observatory in Chile have found an icy object beyond Neptune that may be a dwarf planet, CBC News, Space.com and ScienceAlert report. Named 2026 ED138, it is about 600 to 1,500 kilometers wide. More study is needed to confirm it.

• Bronze Age sword found in Italian lake is still sharp

  Archaeologists have pulled a bronze sword from Lake Mezzano in central Italy, and its edge is still sharp, Live Science and Archaeology News Online report. The sword dates to the 13th century BC. It may have been placed in the lake on purpose.

• Strong El Niño points to a warmer, wetter US winter

  A very strong El Niño is likely to shape the US winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's outlook shows. NPR reports what that could mean region by region. The North is favored to be warmer, and the South and East wetter.

Lifestyle

• Japan's 'haunted' homes draw bargain hunters as prices climb

  Homes in Japan where someone died a violent or lonely death are drawing buyers and renters with deep discounts, according to BBC News. One Tokyo renter pays almost 30 percent less for a flat where a man killed himself. Only BBC News has reported these accounts so far.

• Walmart prices its holiday meal basket at $3.50 a person

  Walmart's holiday meal basket will cost $35 and feed 10 people, or $3.50 a person, according to CBS News. The retailer says the kit has 18 percent more items and costs 12 percent less than the same items did last year. Only CBS News has reported the details so far.

• Obama's Cheesecake Factory joke turns into a fight with Trump

  Barack Obama joked that Trump made the White House look like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory, The Guardian and the Washington Examiner report. Trump hit back, critics called the joke elitist, and the Treasury chief ate at the chain. On Wednesday, Obama said he was a regular there for years.