Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced he is extending the suspension of the state gas tax. This decision aims to help people as fuel prices rise because of the war involving Iran. The extension also includes extra support specifically for farmers.
Key Facts
Indiana is pausing its gas tax for a longer time.
The extension is a response to higher fuel prices caused by the war in Iran.
Governor Mike Braun shared this news on the social media platform X.
Farmers will receive additional help as part of the tax extension.
The governor said farmers have the hardest job in America.
The gas tax suspension helps reduce the cost of fuel for drivers in Indiana.
The move is meant to ease the financial impact on residents amid global conflict disruptions.
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Pakistan carried out air strikes on parts of Afghanistan, aiming at armed groups’ hideouts and claiming to have killed at least 22 fighters. Afghanistan reported that the attacks killed at least nine civilians, including women and children, and damaged houses in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
Key Facts
Pakistan said it attacked hideouts of armed groups in two Afghan provinces, killing at least 22 fighters.
Afghanistan said the strikes killed at least nine civilians and wounded 11 others.
The attacks happened in Kunar (northeast) and Helmand (south) provinces on Wednesday night.
Afghanistan’s government condemned the strikes and called them aggression.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering armed groups that attack its border areas.
Afghanistan denies these accusations and says Pakistan’s attacks harm civilians.
The tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan increased after three months of calm.
Independent verification of the casualties was not possible at the time of reporting.
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Democratic Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton debated in California’s race to become the next governor. They discussed topics like the economy, immigration, and healthcare during an hourlong CNN debate.
Key Facts
Xavier Becerra is the current Attorney General of California.
Steve Hilton is a former Fox News host running as a Republican candidate.
They are competing to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The debate took place on CNN and lasted about one hour.
Key topics discussed were the economy, immigration, and healthcare.
The debate is the first and only one scheduled before the election.
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South Korea’s exports reached a new record of $120.9 billion in September, driven largely by strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence (AI). Chip shipments grew over 260 percent, making up nearly half of the exports, and the country’s economy is benefiting from the global AI boom.
Key Facts
South Korea’s exports in September were $120.9 billion, up 83.5% from the previous year and surpassing the June record of $102.25 billion.
Chip shipments accounted for nearly half of exports, rising more than 260% to $60.3 billion.
Total exports from January to September reached $814.5 billion, higher than the full-year record of $709.7 billion in 2025.
The country recorded a trade surplus of $49.85 billion in the first nine months of the year.
South Korea is a major player in the semiconductor industry, with SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics controlling about 80% of the global high-bandwidth memory market.
GDP growth in April-June hit a 50-year high at 26.4% year-on-year (nominal).
The Ministry of Finance and Economy expects real GDP growth of 3% in 2026, the strongest since 2017 (excluding pandemic years).
The AI boom also pushed South Korea’s stock market (Kospi) up nearly 60% this year.
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The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, warned that huge investments in artificial intelligence (AI) could cause sudden drops in financial markets. He said AI has strong potential to help economic growth but also brings risks like market shocks, cyber attacks, and misleading deepfake videos.
Key Facts
The Bank of England is closely watching large amounts of money going into AI companies.
Some AI companies are valued at trillions of dollars based on expected profits.
Andrew Bailey warned that not all AI investments will succeed, and prices could drop.
Big tech firms like Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon have spent hundreds of billions on AI.
Two major AI firms, Anthropic and OpenAI, plan to sell shares on the US stock market.
AI can create cyber security risks by uncovering software weaknesses.
Deepfakes, realistic AI-made fake images or videos, are a rising concern.
Bailey said AI can also help speed up work for officials who set interest rates.
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Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton debated as candidates for California governor, discussing taxes, immigration, and AI rules just before voters start receiving ballots. Becerra emphasized his experience and opposition to former President Trump’s policies, while Hilton, endorsed by President Trump, criticized Becerra’s campaign efforts.
Key Facts
The debate took place days before California voters start receiving ballots for the November 3 election.
Xavier Becerra is a former congressman and health secretary under President Biden.
Steve Hilton is a former Fox News host and endorsed by President Trump.
Both candidates oppose a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires in California (the billionaire tax).
Becerra opposes Proposition 39, which would require voter ID for in-person voting; Hilton supports it but trusts California’s voting system.
The candidates clashed on immigration, with Becerra accusing Hilton of biased views on immigrants.
Becerra rose in the race after Eric Swalwell dropped out due to allegations, ultimately leading the primary.
Hilton aims to appeal to voters frustrated with the current government but faces challenges due to his party and Trump endorsement.
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Israel is preparing for an election less than a month away, which could change its government after years of conflict and the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The political situation is uncertain, with no party or leader clearly able to form a majority government in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Key Facts
The election is happening soon and is seen as very important after recent violence and wars involving Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition is expected to fall short of the required 61 seats to form a government.
Netanyahu’s main opponent is Gadi Eisenkot, former chief of Israel’s military, but he has ruled out working with Palestinian parties, which makes forming a majority difficult.
Latest polls show a nearly even split between Netanyahu’s bloc and opposition Jewish parties, but neither side is close to a majority.
Many Israelis express distrust in political parties and leaders, with public trust in government institutions dropping from 61% in 2012 to 34% in 2025.
The Hamas attacks on October 7 are a major issue affecting voters’ decisions, especially among Jewish Israelis.
Tensions between Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Jewish Israelis have increased since the attacks.
The political landscape includes far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is controversial for his strong anti-Palestinian views and proposed laws affecting Palestinians.
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New images from Google Maps show how much damage Gaza has suffered during the three-year war and ongoing crisis. The photos reveal destroyed buildings, crowded tent camps, and widespread destruction across many towns and neighborhoods.
Key Facts
The images were taken in June 2026 and show damage continuing despite a ceasefire that began nearly 12 months ago.
Many homes, businesses, places of worship, and infrastructure in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged.
Large tent camps have appeared along the coastline and within Gaza City to shelter displaced people.
Northern towns like Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, and neighborhoods in Gaza City such as Jabaliya and Shuja’iya, are heavily damaged or uninhabitable.
The UN says about 82% of Gaza’s buildings (roughly 200,000) are damaged, with two-thirds destroyed.
Gaza has about 2.1 million displaced people living in temporary shelters.
The UN estimates Gaza has 61 million tonnes of rubble, which is 20 times more than all rubble from wars worldwide in the past 18 years.
More than 74,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, mostly civilians; the war began after a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
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Switzerland has lost nearly 20% of its glacier ice in the last five years due to rising temperatures and less snowfall. Scientists report that many glaciers have shrunk or disappeared, with some areas now looking like bare rock instead of ice.
Key Facts
Swiss glaciers shrank by 5.5% in just the first eight months of 2026.
Since 2021, the total glacier ice loss in Switzerland is about 19.4%.
Glaciers are thinning by 2.5 to 4 meters on average in 2026.
Some glaciers collapse from the inside because of underground water streams that form holes.
The summer of 2026 was the hottest and driest in Switzerland since 1864.
Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average due to pollution and environmental damage.
Dust from the Sahara desert can speed up melting by darkening snow, but this year there was less dust.
One glacier, Plattalvafirn, lost 99% of its area in 20 years.
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The Kyiv Independent’s editor, Olga Rudenko, says the news site tries to report a full and balanced picture of the war in Ukraine, even though many readers prefer stories about Ukrainian attacks on Russia. She emphasizes that the outlet is not a propaganda tool and continues to cover Ukrainian challenges and problems, including corruption and military setbacks.
Key Facts
Many readers want news about Russia suffering during the war.
The Kyiv Independent covers Ukrainian attacks on Russia but also reports on difficulties Ukraine faces.
Editor Olga Rudenko says the site avoids becoming propaganda or only sharing popular stories.
The war is ongoing with increased Russian bombing and Ukrainian strikes damaging Russia’s economy.
Kyiv Independent is funded by reader contributions, with many members in London.
Ukraine’s media freedom has not worsened under President Zelenskyy but hasn’t clearly improved.
Zelenskyy has not held a press conference with independent media since February 2025.
There is ongoing criticism of Zelenskyy for attempts to weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, which were reversed after public protests.
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A woman who lived with Jesse Baird did not know that surfboard bags she saw and photographed contained dead bodies. Baird and Luke Davies were found shot dead in those bags, and Beau Lamarre-Condon, a former police officer, is on trial for their murders, pleading not guilty.
Key Facts
Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were shot and killed on February 19, 2024.
The bodies were hidden inside surfboard bags with a blue tarp, leaking red liquid.
Baird’s housemate saw the bags on the night of the murders and took a photo, thinking the liquid was rusted water.
She had never heard Baird talk about surfing or seen surfboards at the house.
Baird was supposed to move out on February 20, but his belongings were still in the house that day.
Messages from Baird’s phone claimed he was on a road trip and had arranged to pack up his things.
The surfboard bags and liquid were removed by February 22.
The bodies were found five days later near a rural monastery in Bungonia.
Lamarre-Condon says he acted in self-defense and panicked, leading him to clean up the scene.
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A passenger on an Israel-bound flight described the plane falling 17,000 feet in less than two minutes after the pilot allegedly stabbed the co-pilot. Other passengers and two pilots took control, and the plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia for landing.
Key Facts
The incident happened on Flight FZ1073 headed to Israel.
The plane dropped about 17,000 feet (5,200 meters) quickly.
The pilot reportedly stabbed the co-pilot during the flight.
Passengers said the fall felt like a "rollercoaster."
Several passengers helped take control of the plane.
Two other pilots on board assisted in landing the plane safely.
The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia instead of continuing to Israel.
Authorities are investigating the incident.
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says most Australian households are managing well despite rising interest rates and falling home prices. However, the RBA warns that a sudden drop in global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) could cause big problems for Australia’s economy.
Key Facts
Fewer than 1% of Australian home borrowers owe more than their house is worth (called negative equity).
Recent home buyers with loans close to their property value are more likely to be in negative equity but still mostly keeping up with payments.
A 20% drop in property prices would push about 5% of mortgages into negative equity.
Most homeowners have built up enough home value and savings to handle loan payments.
The RBA warns that a collapse in AI investment, fueled by high expectations and complex borrowing, could cause sudden drops in asset prices worldwide.
Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and rising tension between major countries, add to financial risks.
High global corporate debt and stock market prices are vulnerable to sharp corrections.
The risk of cyber-attacks, possibly helped by AI, and sudden drops in global bond markets are also major concerns.
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The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as the permanent Secretary of Labor with a vote of 47-41. He has been the acting Secretary of Labor, and his confirmation fills a job in President Trump’s cabinet that was empty since April.
Key Facts
The Senate vote was 47 in favor and 41 against Keith Sonderling’s confirmation.
Sonderling was already serving as the acting Secretary of Labor before being confirmed.
This position had been officially vacant in President Trump’s cabinet since April.
All Senate Republicans who voted supported Sonderling’s nomination.
All Senate Democrats who voted opposed Sonderling’s nomination.
Sonderling’s confirmation only needed more than half the votes to pass.
He will now serve as the official Secretary of Labor in President Trump’s cabinet.
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Two childhood best friends, Jen Taylor and Adrien Finkel, talked about Jen's breast cancer diagnosis and how they support each other. They discussed treatment, keeping in touch with friends as adults, and sharing their experience on social media.
Key Facts
Jen Taylor was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Adrien Finkel is Jen’s longtime best friend.
They spoke with CBS News reporter Julia Doyle.
They discussed cancer treatment challenges.
They talked about navigating friendships during adult life.
They use social media to share their journey.
The interview is part of a CBS News extended segment.
The focus is on personal experience and support, not medical details.
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Heavy rain and storms are expected to hit south-eastern Australia starting Thursday, with the largest rain amounts in Victoria. Some parts of Victoria could receive as much rain as they normally get in two or three months, and storms with strong winds are also possible.
Key Facts
A weather system will bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales.
Victoria could get between 25-50mm of rain in most areas, with some parts seeing up to 150mm.
Areas like Gippsland and the Otway ranges may receive three months’ worth of rain.
Melbourne is expected to get 30-50mm of rain over the next few days.
Flood warnings have been issued for parts of Gippsland and central Victoria.
Thunderstorms and strong winds could affect coastal Victoria on Friday and Saturday.
Canberra and Sydney will also have rain and storms on Saturday, with up to 50mm in some Sydney suburbs.
The rainy weather should clear by Sunday, creating good conditions for the NRL grand final in Sydney.
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Christa Pike, a Tennessee inmate on death row, was reported by her lawyers to still be alive after receiving two doses of lethal injection drugs. Her legal team asked the Tennessee Supreme Court for action, stating that witnesses saw her given the drug pentobarbital but she remained alive afterward.
Key Facts
Christa Pike is a death row inmate in Tennessee.
She was given two doses of lethal injection drugs.
The drug used was pentobarbital, which is commonly used for executions.
Pike’s lawyers said she was still alive after the injections.
The timing mentioned was around 8:26 p.m. when the drugs were given.
Pike’s federal public defenders filed a motion with the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Witnesses reported that she remained alive after the doses.
This case raises questions about the execution process in Tennessee.
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The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as the new Secretary of Labor with a 47 to 41 vote. Sonderling had been acting labor secretary since April, after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left the post amid investigations into her conduct.
Key Facts
Keith Sonderling was confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Labor.
The vote was 47 in favor and 41 against.
Sonderling has held several roles in the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during President Trump’s first term.
He was the acting labor secretary since April after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left.
Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid reports of an internal investigation and a negative work environment.
The Labor Department’s inspector general reported a toxic work environment under Chavez-DeRemer.
Sonderling was not heavily mentioned in the report, except for some distrust from Chavez-DeRemer and her chief of staff.
The Senate vote was the last business before members began campaigning for the midterm elections.
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Japan has increased the fees for foreigners applying for permanent residency by 20 times, now costing 200,000 yen ($1,270). New rules also require applicants to meet higher income, pension, and Japanese language standards to manage the country's growing number of foreign residents.
Key Facts
Permanent residency fee in Japan rose from about 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen starting October 1, 2026.
New requirements include earning at least the average Japanese household income (5.75 million yen in 2024), pension equivalent to 30 years in the employee system, and basic Japanese language ability.
Japan's foreign resident population reached over 4.12 million by the end of 2025, an increase of 9.5% from the previous year.
Visa fees were also increased five times in July 2026, the first change in 50 years, to reflect inflation and currency changes.
Long wait times of over seven hours were reported at immigration offices as many rushed to apply before the fee hike.
Some applicants with financial difficulties or refugees are eligible for discounts on fees.
The government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi since October 2025, aims to manage immigration carefully to address public concerns.
Language schools and Japanese proficiency test enrollments have risen due to new language requirements starting April 2027.
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The Jonas Brothers are going on a new tour that looks back on their past music. They are also working on new songs and a podcast. A CBS News reporter talked with them while they were filming a commercial in New York City.
Key Facts
The Jonas Brothers have been a band for more than 20 years.
They are starting a nostalgic tour, which means they will play old favorite songs.
They are creating new music in addition to the tour.
The brothers are launching a new podcast.
The interview took place during a commercial shoot for Blue Diamond Almond Breeze.
The location of the interview and shoot was New York City.
The news was shared through CBS News with accompanying video footage.
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