The CBS News program "Sunday Morning" aired a special about Harry Houdini, marking 100 years since his death on Halloween. The show also featured stories on Israeli elections, old painted advertisements called "ghost signs," a new Netflix film about World War II Marines, and the care of ravens at the Tower of London.
Key Facts
"CBS News Sunday Morning" airs Sundays at 9 a.m. ET on CBS and streams on the CBS News app at 11 a.m. ET.
The program highlighted Houdini, the famous escape artist who died 100 years ago at age 52, exploring his life, debunking of fake mystics, and the mystery of his death.
Israeli elections were covered by a correspondent reporting from Tel Aviv.
"Ghost signs" are old painted ads from businesses long gone, and an artist is working to restore them.
The Netflix film "The Mosquito Bowl" tells the story of football players who joined the Marines and fought in WWII’s Battle of Okinawa.
The show remembers notable people who recently died.
A story featured the Tower of London's Ravenmaster, caretaker of ravens linked to a British legend about the monarchy.
Actress Parker Posey was profiled, highlighting her career and recent Emmy nomination.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended his choice to appear on a celebrity episode of the TV show Gogglebox, which supports the Stand Up To Cancer charity. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Burnham, saying she was surprised he had time for the show given his political duties.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will appear on a special celebrity Gogglebox episode to support Stand Up To Cancer.
Burnham hopes to bring some lightness and humor while backing the cancer charity.
Burnham will appear alongside Steve Rotheram, Labour mayor of Liverpool City Region.
Kemi Badenoch said she never had time for Gogglebox during her political roles.
Badenoch called Burnham’s Gogglebox appearances surprising because politics is demanding.
Burnham responded by saying the show is part of a yearly charity event and he is proud to take part.
The special Gogglebox episode airs on Channel 4 at 9:05 pm BST.
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First Lady Melania Trump has helped arrange a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the city of Oleshky, which is currently controlled by Russian forces. This pause in fighting is set to start on October 29 to allow elderly residents access to food, water, and medical care.
Key Facts
Melania Trump played a role in securing a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city occupied by Russia.
The ceasefire will begin on October 29, according to the White House.
Oleshky is described as being on the edge of a humanitarian disaster.
Most people left in the city are elderly and need urgent medical help and supplies.
The city was taken by Russian forces in early 2022 during the invasion.
Residents have had to eat garden weeds to survive due to lack of food.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially commented on the ceasefire.
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Senator Joe Manchin suggested that Senator Susan Collins should leave the Republican Party and become an independent. Manchin himself changed from Democratic to independent in 2024 and encourages other lawmakers to do the same.
Key Facts
Senator Joe Manchin is now an independent after leaving the Democratic Party in 2024.
Manchin suggests Senator Susan Collins should also become an independent.
Collins is currently a Republican senator from Maine.
Manchin wants more politicians to move away from the two-party system.
The two-party system refers to the dominance of Democrats and Republicans in U.S. politics.
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Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law of President Donald Trump during his first term, denies claims reported by Vanity Fair. The allegations involve a phone hack, spying activities, and money transfers related to the Middle East.
Key Facts
Jared Kushner served as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump during his first term.
Vanity Fair published allegations about Kushner being involved in a phone hack.
The report also mentions spying activities linked to Kushner.
Allegations include money transfers connected to the Middle East.
Kushner has publicly pushed back against these claims.
CBS News reported on Kushner’s reaction to the allegations.
The story is part of ongoing media coverage concerning individuals close to President Trump.
President Trump is currently serving his second term, having been re-elected in 2024.
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Newsweek publishes a yearly ranking called America’s Greatest Workplaces that highlights companies in the U.S. who create positive work environments. The 2027 rankings combine anonymous employee feedback with research to evaluate company culture, leadership, benefits, and opportunities for growth.
Key Facts
Newsweek has ranked America’s Greatest Workplaces for four years in a row.
The rankings focus on employee experience, organizational culture, leadership, and career opportunities.
The study uses anonymous employee surveys and additional research to assess workplaces.
Companies can join the 2027 rankings by registering with Plant-A Insights Group to collect employee feedback.
Employee responses are kept anonymous and contribute to the nationwide evaluation.
All organizations are judged by the same criteria, whether or not they participate directly.
The survey for the 2027 rankings closes on November 1, 2026.
The rankings help job seekers choose potential employers by providing data on workplace quality.
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Scientists used satellite data to study freshwater stored underground in the southwestern United States. They found that important underground water sources, called aquifers, are being drained faster than they can refill, which could threaten farming and food production in that region.
Key Facts
NASA scientists led a study that tracked changes in water stored on and under land worldwide from 2002 to 2025.
Aquifers in the U.S. Southwest are losing water faster than they recharge.
This loss risks the future of farming, rural economies, and the availability of food in these areas.
Human activities, especially irrigation and pumping groundwater, are main causes of this water loss.
The study used satellites to measure tiny shifts in Earth’s gravity that show changes in water storage.
The new method allows scientists to see exactly where water depletion is happening in the aquifers.
Groundwater pumping for agriculture had a stronger impact on water loss than climate factors like changes in rainfall.
Continued water loss may force farmers to dig deeper and more expensive wells to get water.
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Vladimir Duthiers and Kelly O'Grady have launched a new podcast called "Straight Up - After Hours with Vlad & Kelly." The show will cover popular current stories and provide discussions on various topics.
Key Facts
The podcast is called "Straight Up - After Hours with Vlad & Kelly."
Hosts are Vladimir Duthiers and Kelly O'Grady.
The podcast focuses on stories that many people are talking about.
A preview episode is available for listeners.
The show is part of CBS News content offerings.
Topics will include current news and cultural stories.
The launch was announced recently and is available to the public.
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The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Senator Roger Marshall for supporting the removal of the income limit for Social Security taxes. The editorial said this change would cause a large tax increase during peacetime.
Key Facts
Senator Roger Marshall is a Republican from Kansas.
He supports removing the cap on the amount of income taxed for Social Security.
Currently, only income up to a certain limit pays Social Security tax.
Removing the cap means high earners would pay Social Security taxes on all their income.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board called this change a major tax increase.
They described it as one of the largest peacetime tax hikes in recent years.
The criticism is focused on the potential economic impact of the tax change.
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The Cook Political Report, which predicts election outcomes, recently moved 19 U.S. House of Representatives seats toward the Democratic Party ahead of the midterm elections. This change shows some seats, especially ones held by Republicans, may be more likely to be won by Democrats.
Key Facts
The Cook Political Report is a nonpartisan group that forecasts election results.
It moved 19 House seats to favor Democrats.
Six Republican-held seats changed from "Toss Up" (uncertain) to "Lean Democrat" (more likely Democratic).
This update was issued less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
The changes reflect shifts in how competitive certain districts seem to be.
The report specifically named some representatives, such as Juan Ciscomani.
This type of analysis helps voters and campaigns understand which races are close.
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A rusty World War II shipwreck carrying large amounts of explosives was recently made safer by removing its three tall masts, which were collapsing and threatening to cause an explosion. The shipwreck remains on the riverbed near Sheerness, England, and experts will keep watching it to prevent any future dangers.
Key Facts
The shipwreck is the SS Richard Montgomery, a U.S. Liberty ship from World War II.
It sank in 1944 near Sheerness, England, carrying about 1,500 tons of explosives.
The ship’s three masts were rusting and starting to collapse, raising concerns they could trigger an explosion.
A marine salvage company safely removed all three masts using special equipment to avoid disturbing the explosives.
The operation was finished ahead of schedule and cost just under $13 million.
The British government keeps an exclusion zone around the wreck to keep people away.
Experts say removing the explosives would be very risky, so they remain inside the ship.
The risk of explosion is currently considered low, but the site will be continuously monitored.
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Ty Cobb, who used to work as a lawyer in the White House, said President Trump will probably not attend a required legal statement or may leave before it ends. Cobb believes this will cause the judge to throw out President Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC.
Key Facts
Ty Cobb is a former White House attorney.
A judge ordered President Trump to give a deposition, which means giving a sworn statement for a legal case.
Ty Cobb thinks President Trump will skip the deposition or leave partway through.
Cobb believes if President Trump does not complete the deposition, the lawsuit against the BBC will be dismissed.
The lawsuit involves President Trump and the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).
Cobb shared these thoughts during a CNN interview with Erin Burnett.
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First Lady Melania Trump helped arrange a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the city of Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid and evacuations. The ceasefire is planned to start on October 29 and aims to help civilians suffering from food and medical shortages amid the ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Melania Trump initiated talks for a ceasefire in Oleshky, a city occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine.
The ceasefire is set to begin on October 29 to enable aid delivery and civilian evacuation.
She worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to reach the agreement.
Oleshky has suffered from shelling, flooding due to a dam collapse, and severe shortages of food, medicine, electricity, heat, and water.
The city was captured by Russian forces in early 2022 during the invasion of Ukraine.
The Kakhovka Dam collapse in June 2023 caused deadly floods, with investigations suggesting Russian military involvement.
Ukraine has repeatedly requested a ceasefire to evacuate civilians, but Russia had not made any commitments until now.
First Lady Trump focuses on helping children affected by conflict and has reached out to Russian President Putin on related issues.
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The article shares a personal story about living with cancer, highlighting the emotional challenges that go beyond medical treatment. It describes how support groups, especially online ones started during COVID, helped people with cancer feel less alone.
Key Facts
In 2026, the U.S. is expected to have over 2 million new cancer cases.
By 2040, about 26 million people in the U.S. will be living as cancer survivors.
Cancer affects more than just the body; it impacts emotions, relationships, and daily life.
Emotional struggles like fear and grief often last longer than the physical treatment.
Existing support systems for mental health can be hard to access or inconsistent.
COVID-19 made isolation worse for cancer patients who had to avoid contact.
Online support groups, like the one started by the author, offer emotional help and connection.
Being with others who understand cancer can make living with it feel more manageable.
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CBS News is introducing a new podcast called "Great Question," hosted by Tony Dokoupil. The podcast will feature Tony asking important and meaningful questions in conversations.
Key Facts
The podcast is named "Great Question."
Tony Dokoupil is the host.
The show focuses on asking thoughtful and important questions.
It is a new offering from CBS News.
The podcast is coming soon but no exact release date is given.
The preview or trailer is available to watch.
CBS News promotes this alongside other news content.
The podcast aims to engage listeners through conversation.
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Conservative radio host Jesse Kelly says supporting President Trump has been easy but that this period will end as Trump's final term nears. Kelly has started to openly criticize some of Trump's decisions, while still opposing Democrats strongly.
Key Facts
Jesse Kelly is a conservative radio host with a show on over 200 stations.
He acknowledges that President Trump's influence on conservative media won't last forever.
Kelly often supports Trump but says he will speak out when he disagrees with the president.
He recently criticized Trump for actions related to a conflict with Iran before an election.
Kelly believes most Trump supporters accept that Trump has flaws.
Some conservative media hosts focus on gaining access to the White House, but Kelly says he does not.
Kelly states the Trump era is ending as the president’s last term approaches.
The future for conservative media hosts may require adapting as Trump’s political dominance decreases.
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Anthropic's new report says its use of AI has reduced the hiring of junior tech workers and changed how work gets done internally. The company states AI now handles many tasks, increasing productivity, but some experts question how much this reflects broader trends or if the report mainly aims to boost Anthropic’s business value.
Key Facts
Anthropic’s report claims it now hires fewer entry-level technical workers due to AI adoption.
Since March 2025, junior tech hires dropped from 30% to 9%, and total tech staff share fell from 21% to 14%.
AI agents worked more hours than humans from May 2026 onward within Anthropic.
Employees spend about 22% of their time managing AI agents called Claude, double compared to a year earlier.
The report suggests AI use increases productivity by automating coding, sales, and contract tasks.
Some AI researchers say the report may be an attempt to increase Anthropic’s market value ahead of a public offering.
Research shows job market problems began before recent AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude were introduced.
Experts warn the report lacks independent review and doesn’t fully show worker experiences or broader industry impact.
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Forty years after the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed, the law permanently enforces strict drug penalties. However, funding for drug treatment programs has not been guaranteed and is decided each year during budget discussions.
Key Facts
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed 40 years ago.
The law made drug penalties permanent.
Drug treatment programs do not have permanent funding.
Funding for treatment is decided yearly during budget talks.
Congress controls how much money goes to treatment each year.
The law focuses more on punishment than treatment.
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An Australian female member of parliament was seriously injured in a violent attack, raising concerns about the increasing violence faced by women in public roles. The article also discusses challenges universities face in handling sexual assault cases, highlighting a no-confidence vote at Cornell University after a 2024 gang rape allegation.
Key Facts
An Australian woman MP was attacked and lost both her legs in the incident.
This attack has increased worries about violence against women in public life.
Cornell University is facing a no-confidence vote over how it handled a gang rape case from 2024.
Survivors and experts say institutions still struggle to properly address sexual assault.
The news includes broader discussions of violence and threats against women in leadership roles.
The article references videos and other reports on related issues globally.
The topic also covers threats faced by women migrants and the impact of violence on women's rights.
The coverage is part of a program exploring why women in public life become targets of violence.
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A man fired shots from his car in the Paris suburb of Trappes, killing one person and injuring four others. Authorities are investigating the case as a possible terrorist attack related to the victims' race, ethnicity, or religion.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on a Friday morning in Trappes, a suburb west of Paris.
One person died, and four others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl who was shot eight times but is now stable.
The gunman, a 39-year-old man, was arrested nearby shortly after the attack.
At least two victims were from immigrant backgrounds, including African and North African origins.
Prosecutors are examining if the attack targeted victims based on race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion and have opened a terrorism-related murder investigation.
The mayor described the shooting as random and aimed to cause massive harm.
French security forces, including elite units and 70,000 officers, have increased their presence due to ongoing protests and street violence in the country.
Some major Paris museums and events were closed or canceled for safety reasons following recent unrest.
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