U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein died at age 92 on October 28, 2026, after serving on Manhattan’s federal court since 1998. He handled cases involving President Donald Trump, the September 11 attacks, and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whose trial is scheduled for next June.
Key Facts
Hellerstein died surrounded by family, a court spokesperson said.
President Bill Clinton appointed Hellerstein to the Manhattan federal court in 1998.
Hellerstein was overseeing the case against Nicolás Maduro, who has pleaded not guilty to torture and drug trafficking charges.
The court expects to assign Hellerstein’s cases randomly to other Manhattan judges.
Hellerstein oversaw civil lawsuits arising from the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center.
He rejected Trump’s effort to move his New York hush money case to federal court and dismiss it based on presidential immunity.
Hellerstein presided over the trials of Charlie Javice and Bill Hwang, who were convicted in separate fraud cases.
Before becoming a judge, Hellerstein served in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps and practiced law for 38 years.
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President Donald Trump said Mary Peltola should not be allowed to run against Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska. His comments followed a New York Times report that Peltola’s campaign sought to recruit candidates, including Daniel J. Sullivan, to affect the election results.
Key Facts
Trump made the comments on Wednesday.
Peltola is a former Democratic representative from Alaska.
Peltola is seeking to run for Senate against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
The New York Times reported that Peltola’s campaign sought to recruit other candidates.
Daniel J. Sullivan was among the candidates the report said the campaign sought to recruit.
The reported effort aimed to affect the election results.
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CTV News reported that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra told business leaders that Canada could face blame if Republicans lose key races in the upcoming midterm elections. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected claims that Canada interfered in U.S. elections, as the two countries remain at odds over tariffs and Hoekstra’s public remarks.
Key Facts
CTV News reported that Hoekstra discussed swing races in Maine and Michigan at a closed-door meeting with business leaders.
Carney called the reported remarks “an interesting way of framing it.”
The United States and Canada have imposed retaliatory tariffs on each other.
Hoekstra has previously described Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st U.S. state as a “sign of affection.”
A House of Commons petition signed by more than 225,000 Canadians called for Hoekstra’s expulsion.
Hoekstra has accused Canadian officials of interfering in U.S. elections, citing criticism of tariffs and an Ontario anti-tariff advertisement.
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada would not interfere in U.S. elections and would not accept such interference in Canada.
The U.S. embassy denied that Hoekstra said Canada would face blame for a poor Republican result.
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Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s office plans to spend $43,278.64 on furniture for its new space in a smaller Washington, D.C., building. The administration says the move and education cuts will save money, while it continues efforts to reduce the Department of Education’s staffing and responsibilities; Congress has not voted to dissolve the department.
Key Facts
McMahon’s office told Congress its current furniture is worn out and does not fit the agency’s new office space.
The planned purchases include a desk, conference table, chairs and other items.
McMahon said the relocation to a smaller building would save $4.8 million annually.
The building formerly housed the U.S. Agency for International Development before the Trump administration closed it.
The department has nearly halved its staffing through workforce reductions, according to the article.
The administration has shifted special education services to the Department of Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department.
Congress established the Department of Education, and dissolving it requires congressional action; Congress has not taken that step.
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Rwanda has bars that serve only milk, and some tourists visit the country to try them. Al Jazeera’s Marah Rayan reports on the culture behind these milk bars.
Key Facts
Some bars in Rwanda serve only milk.
Tourists are visiting Rwanda specifically to try the milk bars.
The article explores Rwanda’s milk-drinking culture.
Al Jazeera reporter Marah Rayan reports on the topic.
The article is titled “Rwanda’s milk bars.”
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Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 winter payment for households in council tax bands A–D in England, alongside measures to reduce some business costs. He will fund the package partly through higher taxes on banks and income from savings and property, while official forecasts point to weak growth in household disposable income and higher energy costs.
Key Facts
The £100 payment will go to 20 million households in England in council tax bands A–D.
The cost of the payment package is £2.6 billion, including funding for the Scottish and Welsh governments to offer similar support.
The additional levy on bank profits will double to 6% for 15 months.
Tax rates on income from savings and property will rise by 2 percentage points.
The Office for Budget Responsibility said the higher tax on rental income could reduce the supply of rental homes and push rents up.
The government will cancel planned fuel duty increases and extend a VAT cut on electricity prices until next summer.
Businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure will receive a higher business rates relief threshold, rising from £12,000 to £18,000.
The official forecaster cut its outlook for economic growth in 2027 and forecast virtually no growth in household disposable income.
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The Office for Budget Responsibility says higher energy prices linked to the US-Iran conflict will slow UK growth, keep inflation elevated and reduce household living standards in the near term. It also expects interest rates and government debt costs to rise, while forecasting a later recovery in growth and household income.
Key Facts
The OBR raised its forecast for UK growth this year but cut its forecast for next year from 1.6% to 1%.
The OBR expects inflation to peak at 3.8% in 2027 and average 3.4% next year.
Petrol costs almost £1.73 per litre on average, while diesel costs nearly £1.99, according to the article.
The OBR forecasts a dip in real household disposable income next year, with lower-income households expected to be hit harder.
The OBR says interest rates could rise from 3.75% to as high as 4.5% in the coming years.
Higher borrowing costs are expected to increase government debt-interest spending and borrowing.
The OBR expects inflation to fall toward the Bank of England's 2% target by the end of the decade.
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Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida by private plane on Wednesday after leaving Brazil despite a court order to surrender his passport. He lost Sunday’s runoff election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and faces a Brazilian investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering; his defeat is set to end his parliamentary immunity.
Key Facts
Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
He left Brazil in defiance of a court order to surrender his passport.
Bolsonaro lost a runoff election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday.
Brazilian authorities are investigating Bolsonaro over alleged corruption and money laundering.
His election defeat is set to end his parliamentary immunity.
The article identifies Kethevane Gorjestani as the reporter explaining how Bolsonaro left Brazil.
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The Interior Department is developing a plan to close East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., by Nov. 15, Justice Department officials told a federal court. The proposed closure is part of a possible redesign, which is under legal challenge; a judge has barred the government from removing or damaging trees at the course while the case continues.
Key Facts
East Potomac Golf Links has been open since 1920.
President Donald Trump said the course would close Nov. 15 for a redesign and reopen in about 15 months.
The Interior Department is developing a plan to carry out the proposed closure, according to a Justice Department court filing.
Administration officials have said there is no finalized proposal for the course redesign.
A local preservation group and two golfers sued over the potential overhaul.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes barred the government from removing or damaging trees at the site while the litigation continues.
More than 500 trees were cut down at the course over one weekend before the judge issued her order.
The Justice Department has appealed Reyes' decision, and the judge plans to schedule a hearing for Friday or Monday.
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US envoy Jeff Bartos read an anti-Castro book during Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez’s address at the United Nations. The incident came a day after US and Cuban delegates had a heated exchange during an annual vote on ending the US-imposed embargo on Cuba.
Key Facts
Jeff Bartos is identified as a US envoy.
Bartos read an anti-Castro book during the event.
The event took place during Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez’s UN address.
US and Cuban delegates had a heated exchange the previous day.
The exchange occurred during an annual vote on ending the US-imposed embargo on Cuba.
The article does not provide further details about the book or the delegates’ exchange.
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Russell Brand testified at Southwark Crown Court that he had wrongly used his fame to facilitate sex, but denied seven charges of rape and sexual assault involving six women. He said consent was essential and described the case as deeply traumatic; the trial concerns allegations dating from 1999 to 2009.
Key Facts
Brand gave evidence for about four hours on Wednesday.
He denies all seven charges, which involve six women.
The allegations span a 10-year period beginning in 1999.
Brand said he had misused his position and described his past behavior as reckless.
He said consent is essential and can be withdrawn at any time.
Brand said he could not remember some alleged incidents and recalled consensual encounters in others.
He acknowledged using the word “tart” in a phone contact entry for a woman who accuses him of rape.
The article reports that Brand discussed inconsistencies in his recollection during cross-examination.
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Gadi Eisenkot, an Israeli opposition leader, is seeking to become Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main challenger in an election cycle marked by growing public dissatisfaction with the government. Eisenkot served in the Israeli military for 41 years and later became its chief of staff; he has criticized Netanyahu over security failures.
Key Facts
Eisenkot is an Israeli opposition leader.
He is seeking to become Netanyahu’s primary opponent in an election cycle.
The article says Israelis are growing dissatisfied with current leadership.
Eisenkot served in the Israeli military for 41 years.
He later served as the country’s military chief.
Eisenkot has criticized Netanyahu over security failures.
He has called Netanyahu an “anti-leader.”
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Ukrainian Veterans Affairs Minister Vitalii Kim said Ukraine would keep fighting Russia even if European aid is withheld. In an interview in Paris, he described the toll of the war and plans to expand support for veterans as Ukraine faces uncertainty over a €90 billion EU aid package.
Key Facts
Kim said Ukraine would continue to defend itself without European support.
He said civilians in Kherson face bombardment and attacks from short-range drones.
Kim said Russian strikes on energy infrastructure are taking a cumulative toll.
He acknowledged that people are growing tired after prolonged warfare.
The article estimates that about 1.5 million Ukrainian veterans already need support, with the number expected to rise.
Kim said Ukraine plans to simplify veteran services and expand mental healthcare, drawing on French expertise.
The article cited uncertainty about a €90 billion European aid package and speculation about talks involving the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
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A prosecutor told a Cambridge Crown Court jury that Anthony Williams caused widespread fear when he allegedly stabbed passengers and staff on a London-bound LNER train on 1 November 2025. Williams admits several offences, including wounding 12 people, but denies 14 counts of attempted murder; the trial is continuing.
Key Facts
Williams, 33, is accused of trying to murder 10 passengers and staff aboard the train.
The court heard that passengers ran to hide in toilets, storage cabinets and under seats.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton showed jurors CCTV of passenger Stephen Crean trying to wrestle a knife from Williams.
Train worker Samir Zitouni was stabbed multiple times while trying to stop Williams with a frying pan, the court heard.
Scott Green was stabbed while attempting to take the knife from Williams, according to the prosecution.
The prosecutor said the train driver made an emergency stop in Huntingdon.
The court heard that Williams allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old boy in London and attacked three people in Peterborough before the train incident.
Williams admits offences including wounding 12 people, but denies 14 attempted-murder charges.
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A YouGov survey commissioned by the Australia Institute found that 42% of Australians viewed the United States as a threat, while half viewed it as a friend. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said social media helps spread political hate and abuse, and described the online climate as especially harsh for women in public life.
Key Facts
Only 4% of young Australians surveyed called the US a close friend, while more than half viewed it as a threat.
Indonesia scored 14 percentage points higher than the US in the survey’s friend category.
Twenty-one percent of respondents said they had confidence in Donald Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.
Chalmers spoke at the Political Book of the Year awards in Canberra.
Chalmers said social media had created a system for mass-producing hate and political abuse.
Chalmers said digital misogyny follows women in public life.
Police charged a 43-year-old man over the alleged attack on MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office; Haines was recovering in hospital.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party accused Arab political parties of trying to steal the election through widespread voter fraud. Preliminary results showed no clear winner, and the allegations appeared in a statement Netanyahu shared on X.
Key Facts
Likud made the allegations on Wednesday.
The party accused Arab political parties of widespread voter fraud.
Likud alleged that the parties used bribery, voter intimidation and forgery.
Netanyahu shared the party’s statement on X.
Preliminary election results showed no clear winner.
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The New York Times reported that Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee worked to find and encourage a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to enter Alaska’s Senate race. Peltola’s campaign and the DSCC denied involvement, while Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan’s campaign and President Donald Trump accused Democrats of trying to mislead voters; the second candidate remains on the ballot after a state Supreme Court ruling.
Key Facts
The Senate race pits Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former U.S. representative.
A second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., is also on the ballot; the incumbent is listed as Dan S. Sullivan.
The New York Times based its report on interviews, documents, and text messages related to the recruitment effort.
Peltola’s campaign said it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.
A DSCC spokesperson denied the group’s involvement with Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
Alaska election authorities sought to disqualify the second Sullivan before the August primary, but the state Supreme Court ruled he could appear on the ballot.
President Donald Trump called the reported effort “election fraud” and urged voters to choose the “real” Dan Sullivan.
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Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro fled to the United States after losing Sunday’s election, traveling through Argentina and Ecuador. Brazil’s Supreme Court had ordered him to surrender his passports amid ongoing investigations, but he did not comply; his departure triggered a search for his whereabouts.
Key Facts
Flavio Bolsonaro lost Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday.
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports.
The court’s order came amid concerns he might leave Brazil and investigations involving him.
Bolsonaro did not surrender his passports and left Brazil.
He traveled to the United States via Argentina and Ecuador.
His departure prompted Brazilian authorities to search for him.
Related reports say he arrived in Miami and that the United States granted him a visa.
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Greenville police said they have concluded their investigation into actor Hayden Panettiere’s death and ruled it accidental, citing the medical examiner’s determination and investigative findings. A coroner previously said she died from an accidental drug overdose involving fentanyl.
Key Facts
Panettiere, 36, was pronounced dead at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said emergency responders tried advanced cardiac life support measures.
The coroner’s office reported no signs of trauma.
Police said a preliminary investigation had found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
A police report said Brian Hickerson, described in the article as Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, and his brother Zach were at the scene.
The Hickerson brothers called 911, according to the police report.
Authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, investigated the circumstances of her death.
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The Federal Reserve kept its target interest rate at 3.75%–4%, saying it needs more economic data before deciding whether to change rates again. Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation remains too high, while the U.S. economy remains resilient and signs suggest policy is having an effect.
Key Facts
The Fed held rates steady after raising them for the first time in three years at its September meeting.
Ten of the 12 committee members voted to keep rates unchanged; Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack voted for an increase to 4%–4.25%.
The Fed said it wants more information because inflation remains high and economic conditions are uncertain.
Warsh said the next meeting’s decision will depend on economic data released before then.
The Fed’s next meeting is scheduled for December 8–9.
The federal funds rate influences borrowing costs for items such as mortgages, credit cards, and business loans, as well as returns on savings.
The Fed aims to keep inflation at 2% a year and support a stable job market.
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