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WATCH: Brad Raffensperger talks Georgia election security

October 26, 2026 • Us • ABC News

Summary

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger discussed election security and the political contest in Georgia in an ABC News segment. The segment aired as Election Day approached, on October 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Brad Raffensperger is Georgia’s secretary of state.
Raffensperger discussed election security.
The segment addressed political competition in Georgia.
The report said Election Day was approaching.
The segment was dated October 26, 2026.

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ABC News

Meet the real-life Scottish surgeon who inspired Sherlock Holmes

October 26, 2026 • Technology • Ars Technica

Summary

Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris’s new biography, *Sleuth-Hound*, examines Scottish surgeon Joseph Bell, who taught Arthur Conan Doyle at the University of Edinburgh and helped inspire Sherlock Holmes. The article describes Bell’s skill at inferring details about people from their appearance and highlights how his empathy and other traits differed from the fictional detective.

Key Facts

Joseph Bell was a surgeon at the University of Edinburgh and taught Arthur Conan Doyle when Doyle was a medical student.
Bell could infer details about people’s health, work, and habits by observing clues such as a limp, a callous, or a stain.
Bell once identified the route a patient had walked by studying the clay on the patient’s boots; Doyle used the incident in *The Sign of the Four*.
Bell worked with a local police surgeon on prominent murder cases of his era.
Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris wrote *Sleuth-Hound: The Case of the Real Sherlock Holmes*.
Fitzharris said Bell was deeply empathetic, unlike the common image of Sherlock Holmes.
Fitzharris is also the author of biographies of surgeons Joseph Lister and Harold Gillies.

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Ars Technica

Is the Federal Reserve likely to raise interest rates this week?

October 26, 2026 • Business • CBS News

Summary

Most economists and investors expect the Federal Reserve to keep its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% to 4% at its Wednesday meeting, despite rising inflation. Traders expect another rate increase in December, while some Fed officials say they can wait for more information before tightening policy again.

Key Facts

The Fed is scheduled to announce its rate decision at 2 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday.
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7% over the year through September, while core inflation rose 2.6%.
The Fed’s annual inflation target is 2%.
Gasoline prices above $4 a gallon accounted for more than half of September’s increase in consumer prices, according to the Labor Department.
In September, the Fed raised its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point, its first increase in three years.
CME Group’s FedWatch tool showed an 88% probability of no rate change in October and a 71% probability of a December increase.
The Fed’s quarterly projections signaled another rate increase later in the year.
New York Fed President John Williams said officials had time to gather more information after the September rate increase.

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CBS News

Walter Koenig, Ensign Chekov on the original 'Star Trek' series, dies at 90

October 26, 2026 • Us • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Walter Koenig, the actor who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series and its films, has died at 90. His agent said Koenig died Monday at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

Key Facts

Koenig played Chekov, the Enterprise’s Russian navigator, on the NBC series, which ran from 1966 to 1969.
He played Chekov in seven “Star Trek” movies beginning in 1979.
Koenig was born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1936, and graduated from UCLA in 1958.
After studying acting in New York, he began appearing on television in the early 1960s.
Koenig also wrote scripts, taught part time, and appeared in the 1990s science-fiction series “Babylon 5.”
He wrote the 1980 “Star Trek” book “Chekov’s Enterprise.”
Castmate George Takei described Koenig as a writer, teacher, thoughtful man, and loyal friend.

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PBS NewsHour

Apple releases iOS and macOS 27.2 with new Siri AI features, new Music logo

October 26, 2026 • Technology • Ars Technica

Summary

Apple released version 27.2 updates for iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS. The updates add Siri AI features, including conversation memory and access to more personal data, and expand Siri AI language support to French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish; Apple says the feature is unavailable in the EU and mainland China.

Key Facts

Siri AI can recall past conversations and use information from sources such as voicemails, Messages attachments, Calendar events and Safari history.
A new Excluded Apps setting lets users choose which apps Siri, Search and suggestions can access.
Siri AI adds support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, but remains unavailable in the EU and mainland China.
Messages adds context-based suggestions, such as creating a Calendar event from a dinner invitation.
Photos and Image Playground support SynthID watermarks to help identify images made or edited with generative tools.
The Apple TV app adds household profiles with individual recommendations.
The updates also include a new Apple Music logo and other changes, including Shared Albums improvements and FaceTime support for third-party sign language interpreters or live captioners.

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Ars Technica

Will the public change its mind about Meghan?

October 26, 2026 • World • BBC Top Stories

Summary

Reports say Meghan learned in 2018 or 2019 of sexual-abuse allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, in a letter from his first wife, Roslyn Loveless. The allegations have not been established in the article, and Thomas and Meghan’s half-sister Samantha have denied them; the new information has prompted fresh scrutiny of Meghan’s decision to remain distant from her father.

Key Facts

Roslyn Loveless sent Meghan a letter containing allegations against Thomas Markle, which police shared with Meghan in 2019, according to the article.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan said Meghan believed an investigation into the allegations was underway.
Thomas Markle has called the allegations lies and rejected them.
Samantha Markle also rejected the allegations and questioned the letter’s credibility.
Meghan’s distance from her father had previously drawn public criticism.
In December 2025, Thomas Markle told the Mail on Sunday that he wanted to see Meghan and meet her children.
The article says Meghan’s letter to her father during his 2025 hospital stay was understood at the time as a message of well-wishes; it now reports that she told him he would not see his grandchildren.

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BBC Top Stories

Catholic bishops say White House prayer photo with Trump was used politically

October 26, 2026 • Us • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Two Catholic bishops expressed regret over attending a White House meeting that led to the public release of a photo showing them praying with President Donald Trump. Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said he received many questions and comments, some expressing distress, about the meeting.

Key Facts

The meeting took place at the White House on Thursday.
Twelve bishops attended the meeting, including Archbishop Jeffrey Grob.
A photo showed bishops praying with President Donald Trump.
The photo was distributed publicly.
Grob issued a statement titled “A Public Apology” on Sunday.
Two Catholic bishops expressed regret about agreeing to attend the meeting.

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PBS NewsHour

A guide to the key ballot measures voters will decide on Election Day

October 26, 2026 • Us • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Voters in 39 states will decide on 145 ballot measures during the midterm elections, covering topics such as voting rules, transgender rights, taxes and abortion. The article describes measures on noncitizen voting and voter identification, and says voters in five states will decide measures involving transgender athletes and gender-affirming surgery for minors.

Key Facts

California and Colorado each have 14 ballot measures, the most of any states.
Six states will consider language specifying that only U.S. citizens can vote in state elections: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota and West Virginia.
The article says no state permits noncitizens to vote in statewide elections, and noncitizen voting in federal elections is already illegal.
Voters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio will consider constitutional amendments requiring voter identification.
The voter identification proposals differ by state and may require government-issued identification or Social Security numbers.
Florida requires 60% voter approval for constitutional amendments.
Nevada requires citizen-initiated constitutional amendments to pass in two successive elections.
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Washington will decide measures concerning transgender athletes in sports and gender-affirming surgery for minors.

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PBS NewsHour

Macklemore begins Free Palestine tour after Ed Sheeran fallout

October 26, 2026 • World • BBC Top Stories

Summary

Macklemore began his Free Palestine tour in Dublin after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian remarks. He says tour proceeds will support organizations helping Palestinians, and has upcoming shows in Paris and London.

Key Facts

Macklemore performed at Dublin’s 3Arena, which holds up to 13,000 people; tickets sold out.
Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, announced the tour after Sheeran’s promoter dropped him from the Loop Tour.
Macklemore said “Free Palestine” at two concerts and described deaths in Gaza from Israel’s military campaign as genocide; Israel rejects that claim.
Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoter, not by Sheeran himself.
Macklemore said proceeds from the Free Palestine tour will go to organizations supporting Palestinians.
The tour is scheduled to continue in Paris on Thursday and London on Friday.
The article reports that more than 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza, citing figures from the Hamas-run health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
The article says about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

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BBC Top Stories

To make AI morally good, tech companies are turning to religion. But some experts say it isn't that simple

October 26, 2026 • Technology • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Some technology companies are looking to religious traditions for guidance on teaching AI chatbots right from wrong. Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah said at the Vatican that these questions are beyond what a lab can answer, while experts caution that religion does not make the issue simple.

Key Facts

Tech companies are racing to build more powerful artificial intelligence.
Some companies are asking how to teach chatbots right from wrong.
Some technology companies are looking to religion for guidance on AI ethics.
Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah spoke earlier this year at the Vatican.
The event presented Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI.
Olah said traditions such as religious ones have considered these questions for millennia.
The article says some experts warn that using religion to guide AI is not simple.

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PBS NewsHour

80 injured after bus plunges down embankment near Barcelona

October 26, 2026 • World • Al Jazeera

Summary

A bus collided with a car and plunged down an embankment near Barcelona. The crash injured 80 people, including four who were seriously hurt; no deaths were reported.

Key Facts

The crash happened near Barcelona.
A bus collided with a car.
The bus plunged down an embankment.
Eighty people were injured.
Four people were seriously injured.
No fatalities were reported.

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Al Jazeera

Serbian student movement eyes power after election triumph

October 26, 2026 • World • France24

Summary

A student-led movement defeated Aleksandar Vucic’s party in Serbia’s snap election, prompting celebrations in Belgrade. Residents also cleaned a park after Vucic supporters who had camped there for more than a year left.

Key Facts

The election was a snap election in Serbia.
A student-led movement’s list defeated Vucic’s party.
The winning list appeared on the ballot as number three.
People celebrated in Belgrade by honking horns and displaying movement symbols.
Residents cleaned a park between parliament and the presidency.
Vucic loyalists had camped in the park for more than a year before leaving.

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France24

15-year-old arrested in connection with shooting near FAMU

October 26, 2026 • Us • ABC News

Summary

A 15-year-old was arrested in connection with a shooting near Florida A&M University in Tallahassee that injured 12 people, including six children. Police said 11 victims had gunshot wounds, and the teen faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder; prosecutors plan to try him as an adult.

Key Facts

Police said the shooting happened Saturday night near Perry and Manatee streets, outside FAMU’s Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Authorities arrested Anthony Rivers III on Sunday, according to police.
Rivers faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of possessing a firearm as a delinquent.
State Attorney Jack Campbell said Rivers would be prosecuted as an adult.
Six victims remained hospitalized after the shooting, including one in critical condition, according to a Sunday police update.
Police said a physical altercation preceded the shooting and investigators believe it stemmed from a dispute among people who knew one another.
Police said none of the victims appear to have been the intended targets and that the investigation remains active.

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ABC News

Nate Silver: Polling ‘would have to be very wrong’ for Republicans to maintain House control

October 26, 2026 • Us • The Hill

Summary

Pollster Nate Silver said polling would have to be very wrong for Republicans to keep control of the House. He cited strong turnout in Democratic primaries and early-voting data, speaking a little over a week before the midterm elections.

Key Facts

Silver made the comments on Sunday.
He said polling would have to be very wrong for Republicans to retain House control.
Silver pointed to high turnout in Democratic primaries throughout the year.
He also referred to early-voting data.
The comments came a little over a week before the midterm elections.

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The Hill

Australian politics live: Lambie says Hanson hasn’t apologised to her over cartoon mocking her medical condition

October 26, 2026 • World • Guardian World

Summary

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said Pauline Hanson has not personally apologised to her over a One Nation cartoon mocking Lambie’s medical condition. In a separate incident in Victoria, police charged a 59-year-old man after the husband of a Liberal election candidate was allegedly assaulted while retrieving campaign signs.

Key Facts

Hanson publicly apologised for the cartoon, which was later removed from online platforms.
Lambie told ABC’s 7.30 that Hanson had not contacted her personally to apologise.
Mark Nicholson, the One Nation candidate who co-founded the cartoon studio, said he would not apologise at this time.
Lambie called on Nicholson to withdraw from the Victorian state election.
The husband of Amanda Dow, a Liberal candidate for Yan Yean, suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital; he has since been discharged.
Police charged a 59-year-old Mernda man with recklessly causing injury, criminal damage and unlawful assault over the alleged incident.
The accused man was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 1 February 2027.

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Guardian World

Vance Jokes About Trump Noticing 'Physiques of Everybody' at Montana Rally

October 26, 2026 • Us • Newsweek

Summary

Vice President JD Vance joked at a rally in Belgrade, Montana, that President Donald Trump had been noticing people’s physiques. Vance was there to support Montana Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections and also drew a reaction after mispronouncing Helena.

Key Facts

Representative Ryan Zinke complimented Vance’s blue eyes at the Belgrade event.
Vance said the president had been noticing “the physiques of everybody lately.”
Trump has repeatedly commented on Senator Jon Husted’s build, including calling him “a pile of muscle.”
At a Michigan rally, Trump commented on rapper Nicki Minaj’s appearance and asked her to stand.
Vance was in Montana to support House candidate Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme.
Vance first pronounced Helena as “Huh-LAYNE-a”; people in the crowd shouted the local pronunciation, “HELL-a-na.”
Vance laughed at the mistake and said he was humble enough to admit when he was wrong.
After Montana, Vance was scheduled to travel to Topeka, Kansas, to support Senator Roger Marshall in his race against Adam Hamilton.

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Newsweek

FTC demands Anthropic leaders testify in consumer harm investigation

October 26, 2026 • Technology • The Hill

Summary

The Federal Trade Commission has asked Anthropic executives to testify in a consumer harm investigation, an FTC spokesperson confirmed to The Hill. The probe concerns Anthropic, which makes the Claude AI model; the article excerpt gives no further details about the potential harms under review.

Key Facts

The FTC asked executives from Anthropic to testify.
The request is part of an FTC consumer harm investigation.
Anthropic makes the Claude AI model.
An FTC spokesperson confirmed the request to The Hill on Monday.
The FTC is a consumer protection agency.

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The Hill

Trump's media bans 'deprive the public', press freedom groups argue

October 26, 2026 • Us • BBC US

Summary

Six journalists, scholars and advocates have sued the Trump administration, arguing that selective White House media bans violate the First Amendment. They ask a federal court in New York to block the bans, saying they restrict their work and limit the public’s access to reporting; the White House has been asked to comment.

Key Facts

The Knight First Amendment Institute and Yale Law School’s Media and Information Access Clinic filed the lawsuit for the six plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs seek a court ruling against the bans and an order stopping their enforcement; they do not seek financial damages.
CNN, Politico and MSNOW filed a separate lawsuit over restrictions on their White House press access.
A federal judge ordered the White House to restore credentials for journalists affected by the separate case while it proceeds.
The outlets later said their reporters were allowed back into the White House complex.
The White House has continued to bar some journalists selectively, including CNN reporters seeking to travel aboard Air Force One.
The White House barred an Independent correspondent from covering Trump’s trip to Iowa after Trump criticized the reporter at a press conference.
The White House took control of the press pool in February; the pool had previously been managed by the White House Correspondents’ Association.

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BBC US

6 citizens sue Trump over media ban, saying it deprives them of news as audience stakeholders

October 26, 2026 • Us • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Six citizens filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over his bans on some media outlets from White House premises. They argue that the bans violate not only news organizations’ rights but also the public’s right to independent reporting about the president and government.

Key Facts

The lawsuit was filed Monday.
Six citizens are suing President Donald Trump.
The citizens say they watch and read news and need it for their jobs.
The lawsuit challenges Trump’s bans on media outlets from White House premises.
The plaintiffs argue the bans violate news organizations’ rights.
The plaintiffs also argue the bans violate the public’s right to independent reporting about the president and government.

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PBS NewsHour

Trump administration illegally fired James Comey's daughter, judge rules

October 26, 2026 • Us • BBC World

Summary

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally fired former federal prosecutor Maurene Comey in July 2025. Judge Jesse Furman ordered her reinstated and awarded back pay through December 2025, when she took another job; the Justice Department said it will appeal.

Key Facts

Maurene Comey argued that she was fired because of her father, former FBI Director James Comey, or her perceived political views.
Judge Jesse Furman said her dismissal violated the Constitution and her right to a fair legal process.
Furman said federal prosecutors can be dismissed only in a particular way and for certain reasons.
The Justice Department said former Attorney General Pam Bondi made the decision to fire Comey.
Comey worked on cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The Justice Department said it disagrees with the ruling and will appeal.

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BBC World

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