Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will not agree to stop attacks on Ukraine’s long-range strike targets. He spoke against a ceasefire during a forum in Moscow, while also warning NATO not to threaten Russian territory near Europe with nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
Putin rejected a ceasefire that would stop strikes on energy sites in Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine had offered to stop attacks on Russian energy facilities if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian ones.
Russia has increased long-range strikes on Ukraine, hitting industries and transport routes.
A Russian drone recently hit a school in Kyiv, but no one was hurt as people were in shelters.
Putin wants Ukraine to become neutral after the conflict ends and prefers to resolve the war through talks.
He warned that threatening Kaliningrad, a Russian territory near Poland and Lithuania, could lead to Russia using nuclear weapons.
NATO received a warning from Russia about the possible use of nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad was attacked or isolated.
Putin mentioned the possibility of returning seized Western business assets if the situation improves.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Actor Bill Nighy won the best host award at the British Podcast Awards for his podcast "Ill-Advised," where he gives advice and talks about life and culture. Other winners included Pete Wicks, Sean Bean, and the Prison Radio Association for their work on various podcasts.
Key Facts
Bill Nighy, age 76, won best host for "Ill-Advised" at the British Podcast Awards.
"Ill-Advised" is a podcast offering wry advice and reflections on life, music, and books.
Pete Wicks won two awards for his podcast "Man Made," about modern masculinity and health.
Sean Bean's "Get Birding" won two awards including best lifestyle podcast and best video innovation.
The Prison Radio Association's "Hold or Fold" won best podcast and best factual podcast.
Fans chose "Hard Launch with Dan & Phil" as the listeners’ favorite podcast.
Other award categories covered arts, comedy, education, and more.
The event was the 10th annual British Podcast Awards.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump defended spending millions of taxpayer dollars on TV ads that promote his policies and leadership, saying the ads support the country and are not political endorsements. The ads have aired ahead of the midterm elections, showing scenes involving Trump, the U.S. military, and messages about his administration’s achievements.
Key Facts
The government spent at least $2.5 million on three different TV ads promoting Trump’s policies.
The Department of Homeland Security allocated $20 million for the advertising effort.
The ads aired before the November midterm elections and highlighted Trump’s leadership and U.S. military actions, including the ongoing war with Iran.
Some ads showed clips of Trump speaking against groups he called the “deep state” and “globalists.”
Critics, including some members of Congress, say the ads misuse taxpayer money and may break federal laws against political propaganda.
President Trump says he is promoting the country, not himself or any political candidates, since he is not running for office.
Senator John Thune said the messages are good but should not be paid for by taxpayers.
One ad’s footage was the same as a video played at a recent Republican convention.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Tennessee tried to put Christa Pike to death on Wednesday, but the execution did not work, and she is now in critical condition in the hospital. Pike was convicted of a brutal murder from 1995, and this event has sparked renewed talks about the death penalty in the United States.
Key Facts
Christa Pike is 50 years old.
She was convicted of killing her classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995.
Tennessee attempted to execute Pike on Wednesday evening.
The execution failed at the last moment.
Pike is now in critical condition in a hospital.
This incident has brought the death penalty back into national discussion.
The death penalty is a legal punishment where a person is put to death for a crime.
The debate about this punishment is often very heated and divided.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A bear was seen eating bread and pastries at a farmers’ market in Aspen, Colorado. Officials scared the bear away safely after it climbed onto tables to get food and later left the area.
Key Facts
The bear appeared early while vendors were setting up at the Aspen farmers’ market.
It stood on its hind legs and jumped on tables to eat baked goods.
A police officer scared the bear to protect people and food before wildlife officers arrived.
The bear climbed a tree and eventually left the market area.
Bears are very hungry before winter because they prepare for hibernation.
A drought has reduced natural food for bears, causing them to search more in human areas.
Photos and videos of the bear were taken by people at the market.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A woman's report of a sexual assault at a Cornell University fraternity has led to renewed calls to change New York state law on consent and intoxication. Current law only allows rape charges when a victim is unconscious, drugged without consent, or physically forced, making it hard to prosecute cases involving voluntary intoxication that impairs consent.
Key Facts
New York law requires force, clear refusal, or being unconscious/drugged without consent for rape charges.
This creates a "voluntary intoxication loophole" where cases involving impaired but not unconscious victims are harder to prosecute.
A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in 2024 after being pressured into using drugs and alcohol at a Cornell fraternity.
Tompkins County DA initially did not file charges due to the limits of the law and the victim's statement.
The DA has reopened the investigation and may present it to a grand jury.
Advocates and some lawmakers want to change the law to better protect victims who are incapacitated by voluntary intoxication.
New York is one of 19 states with similar laws, but some other states are beginning to update their rules about intoxication and consent.
Legislative efforts in New York to change the law have stalled despite support from some politicians and prosecutors.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who promises to reduce the influence of big money in politics, held a fundraiser hosted by Jeffrey Soros, the nephew of billionaire George Soros. His Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, criticized him for accepting money from wealthy donors, while polls show the race between them is very close.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan as a Democrat.
He promises to reduce the power of big money in politics.
Jeffrey Soros, related to billionaire George Soros, hosted a fundraiser for El-Sayed.
Mike Rogers, the Republican candidate, criticized El-Sayed for accepting donations from wealthy people.
El-Sayed’s campaign responded by highlighting the millions spent by corporate interests supporting Rogers.
Recent polls show El-Sayed holds a narrow lead or they are nearly tied.
Senate Majority PAC, aligned with Democrats, has spent $30 million in Michigan.
Michigan’s largest newspaper, the Detroit Free Press, endorsed El-Sayed despite him never holding elected office before.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Republicans are facing growing concern from voters about data centers because these facilities can lead to higher electricity bills. As the midterm elections approach, some GOP members worry that support for data centers might hurt their chances with voters.
Key Facts
Data centers use large amounts of electricity to store and process data.
Higher power bills linked to data centers are becoming a concern for voters.
Republicans are worried these electricity cost worries could affect election outcomes.
The debate over data centers is increasing a few weeks before the midterm elections.
Some GOP members see data centers as a political risk due to public backlash.
The issue connects technology infrastructure with everyday financial impacts on voters.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Mortgage rates have risen sharply, reaching their highest level in nearly three years at over 7%. This increase is causing mortgage applications to drop significantly as homebuyers find it harder to afford loans, and some sellers are lowering prices to attract buyers.
Key Facts
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.28% as of the latest report by Freddie Mac.
Rates have risen about 0.94 percentage points compared to a year ago and 0.25 points in just the last week.
Higher rates are linked to rising 10-year Treasury yields, which increased since the start of the Iran war.
Mortgage applications fell 6% in one week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) made up 10.3% of applications, the highest share since October 2025.
Some home builders have started lowering prices to attract buyers amid slower sales.
Experts expect rates to decrease next year as energy prices fall and the Federal Reserve slows its interest rate increases.
Capital Economics predicts the average 30-year mortgage rate will be around 6.25% by the end of 2027.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A fake video pretending to be a BBC news report wrongly claims that an Indian passenger and the stabbed pilot were involved in an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight. The video is an AI-created deepfake with manipulated images, audio, and unrelated footage, while the real pilot is praised as a hero.
Key Facts
A fake "BBC" video claims an Indian passenger named Raghav Menon was behind the Flydubai hijacking attempt.
The pilot, Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was stabbed but is not involved in the hijacking plan.
The BBC never aired this report; the video was created using AI deepfake technology.
Experts found a 99% chance that the video was AI-generated and manipulated.
Visual inconsistencies and an AI watermark appear in the fake video.
The fake video includes unrelated footage of Dubai seen from the air, not linked to where the incident happened.
Sounds of passengers screaming in the video were copied from an old turbulence video on Facebook.
Israeli and Indian leaders praised pilot Machchhar for his bravery during the event.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer convicted of killing Botham Jean in his apartment by mistake, was granted parole after serving seven years of a 10-year sentence. The parole decision was made despite opposition from Jean's family and after the board reviewed her prison conduct and rehabilitation efforts.
Key Facts
Amber Guyger was convicted of murdering Botham Jean in 2018 after entering his apartment, which she thought was her own.
Jean, a 26-year-old accountant from St. Lucia, was killed while eating ice cream in his home.
Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was granted parole after seven years.
Botham Jean’s family opposed her parole, feeling the 10-year sentence was already too short.
In 2024, a federal jury ordered Guyger to pay nearly $100 million to Jean's family in a civil trial.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole reviewed Guyger’s case and noted she completed programs to help her find employment after release.
Dallas Police Department stated it was not involved in Guyger’s parole decision and expressed sympathy to Jean’s family.
The parole board is based on documents and assessments, including Guyger's behavior in prison and lack of a violent record.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Students at a high school in Saint-Denis, near Paris, are protesting to demand better learning conditions, similar to those in wealthier areas. Police have responded with strong measures like teargas and blocking school entrances, highlighting long-standing issues in the education system.
Key Facts
Protests are happening at a high school in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris.
Students want improved conditions to help them learn better.
These demands focus on practical needs, not political ideas.
Police have used teargas and force to stop students from blocking school entrances.
A high school teacher spoke anonymously about the difficult daily realities students face.
The protests reveal deeper, ongoing problems in the local education system.
Saint-Denis is known for having fewer resources compared to more privileged areas in France.
The situation draws attention to wider issues of poverty and inequality in education.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Christa Gail Pike survived a failed execution in Tennessee after receiving two doses of lethal injection. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and Governor Bill Lee stopped all executions in the state for the rest of the year to review the process.
Key Facts
Christa Gail Pike lived through two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday.
The drug used was pentobarbital, intended to cause death.
Pike was snoring and alive after the doses, so she was rushed to a hospital.
Her lawyers say she is in critical condition but prognosis is unknown.
Pike’s lawyer said the execution was cruel and poorly handled.
Tennessee’s governor called the incident "deeply disturbing."
The governor stopped all executions in Tennessee for the rest of 2024.
A third-party group will review the state’s procedures for capital punishment.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump is campaigning in areas that typically support Republicans. Tom Homan, a border official, responded to questions about the death of Renee Good connected to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Key Facts
President Trump is actively campaigning in Republican-leaning states.
Tom Homan, involved in border security, addressed concerns about ICE’s role in Renee Good’s death.
The news program "The Takeout with Major Garrett" covered these topics recently.
The report mentioned other wide-ranging news but focused on U.S. political and law enforcement issues.
The topics include immigration enforcement and political campaigning ahead of midterm elections.
The Ice agency is being publicly discussed regarding its actions and impact on individuals.
President Trump's campaign events aim to strengthen support in traditional Republican areas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
CBS News Sunday Morning airs on Sundays and covers a variety of stories including the harm of holding grudges, the history of Ken Kesey's famous bus, musician Brandon Flowers' new album, and Aaron Sorkin’s new film about Facebook. The show features interviews, book recommendations, and updates on cultural events.
Key Facts
Holding grudges can increase heart problems, depression, and anxiety.
Ken Kesey’s 1964 "Furthur" bus, a symbol of the 1960s counterculture, is being restored and shown in San Francisco.
Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, released an album called "Thrasher" with country music influences from his Utah hometown.
Aaron Sorkin directed "The Social Reckoning," a film about Facebook based on whistleblower Frances Haugen’s document leak.
"CBS News Sunday Morning" is hosted by Jane Pauley and airs Sundays at 9:00 a.m. ET on CBS, with streaming available later.
Experts and authors featured include Meredith Lepore, Nancy Colier, Tyler VanderWeele, and Immaculée Ilibagiza.
The show includes book and music recommendations related to its stories.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
NASA launched the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station with four astronauts on board, including Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit. The SpaceX Dragon capsule launched successfully after a delay to fix a fuel leak, and the crew’s six-month stay will begin after a fast eight-hour trip to the station.
Key Facts
Crew-13 launched from Cape Canaveral with four astronauts: Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov.
Jessica Watkins is the first Black woman to lead a crew into orbit.
The launch was delayed for three weeks to fix a leaking fuel system in the SpaceX Dragon capsule.
The trip to the space station took about eight hours, a fast transit time.
Joshua Kutryk's wife is expecting their third child while he is in space.
This is SpaceX's 13th crew mission for NASA, excluding the 2020 test flight.
Crew-13 mission patch and items referenced good luck symbols related to the number 13.
SpaceX launched multiple missions the same day, including a Falcon rocket carrying over 100 mini satellites.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Massachusetts judge rejected Lindsay Clancy's request to dismiss murder charges in the case of her three children's deaths. The decision allows prosecutors to retry Clancy after a mistrial when jurors could not agree on a verdict.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy faces murder charges related to the deaths of her three children in January 2023.
Plymouth Superior Court Judge William F. Sullivan denied her motion for a not guilty ruling.
A previous trial ended in a mistrial because jurors could not reach a unanimous decision.
Prosecutors presented physical and circumstantial evidence that Clancy was alone with her children when the killings happened.
The children died from asphyxia, with evidence suggesting they were strangled with exercise bands.
Clancy’s mental health was a key issue, with experts disagreeing on her criminal responsibility.
The judge ruled that deciding her legal responsibility is up to a jury, not the judge.
A hearing is set for November 2 to discuss next steps and the timeline for a possible retrial.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A report from Australia's eSafety Commissioner found that online gaming platforms are not doing enough to protect children from harmful content. Meanwhile, tech company Atlassian signed a 10-year deal to buy solar energy from a community-owned solar farm to power its new Sydney headquarters.
Key Facts
The eSafety report says gaming platforms vary in how well they prevent children from seeing harmful content.
Some platforms let children enter their age freely, making it easy to access content without proper checks.
Human moderators to review harmful content on gaming sites are limited in number.
Atlassian agreed to buy nearly 70% of the solar farm’s energy for 10 years.
The solar farm is located in Goulburn, NSW, covering 2.2 hectares with 2,300 solar panels and a battery system.
The solar farm is owned by about 288 local investors who each contributed at least $400.
Atlassian’s new Sydney office, 39 floors tall, will open in 2028 and use this renewable energy.
The project received a $2.3 million grant from the New South Wales government to support local jobs and suppliers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
British police arrested a 27-year-old man who has both UK and Iranian citizenship. He is suspected of planning a terrorist attack on a U.S.-operated air base in the United Kingdom.
Key Facts
The suspect is 27 years old and holds dual nationality: UK and Iran.
He was arrested by British police in Westminster, London.
The arrest relates to an attempted terrorist attack earlier this week.
The targeted site was a U.K.-owned air base run by the U.S. military.
Police suspect the man of preparing to carry out terrorist acts.
The investigation is ongoing to determine more details about the plot.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nike, the largest sportswear company in the world, has faced several challenges recently, including losing sales, customers, and market share to competitors. The company has started a turnaround plan led by Elliott Hill, but progress is slow, and the loss of football star Kylian Mbappé to rival brand On raises questions about Nike's future appeal.
Key Facts
Nike's sales and customer base have declined in recent years.
Elliott Hill, brought out of retirement two years ago, is leading Nike's turnaround plan.
Nike lost football star Kylian Mbappé, who ended his 20-year deal to join the Swiss brand On.
Nike’s stock price dropped 75% over five years, leading to its removal from the S&P 100 index.
Strategic errors include shifting focus to online direct sales and making limited edition shoes widely available, which reduced demand.
Nike invested more in digital operations than new product innovation during John Donahoe’s leadership, contributing to its challenges.
Competitors like On and Hoka gained market share by responding better to current trends.
Nike’s past success included signing major athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo, but recent partnerships have changed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
