Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling allowing settlers to take olives from Palestinian orchards in the West Bank, claiming Jewish ownership of the land. This ruling comes amid increased violence during the olive harvest, including attacks on Palestinian farmers and journalists. Some other rabbis strongly opposed Lior’s ruling, calling it theft and morally wrong.
Key Facts
Rabbi Dov Lior said settlers can pick olives from Palestinian land they cannot access, viewing it as a way to claim ownership.
Lior described stealing olives as a “virtue” and encouraged settlers to “conquer the land” based on Jewish religious beliefs.
The West Bank has seen a wave of violent attacks by Israeli settlers and military against Palestinians during olive harvest season.
At least 19 people were injured in 34 attacks on Palestinian farmers on the same day as the ruling.
An American photojournalist was assaulted while covering the violence, and several vehicles were set on fire.
Other Jewish religious leaders condemned Lior’s ruling, calling it theft and saying only the state can take property legally.
Some analysts say this disagreement among rabbis might be political, as the government tries to present settlers as generally peaceful.
Rabbi Lior is influential among hardline settler groups and opposes any land compromise with Palestinians.
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Elon Musk told biographer Walter Isaacson that the only way to fix the U.S. national debt is by using artificial intelligence (AI) and robots, not by cutting government spending. Musk also said his previous effort, called DOGE, to help solve the deficit failed, and he shared his thoughts on politics and his time involved with the government.
Key Facts
Musk believes the national debt cannot be solved by government spending cuts alone.
He thinks AI and robots will be needed to fix the national debt problem.
Musk admitted the DOGE project, which he once led, was unsuccessful.
He said government leaders, including the president and Congress, generally do not want to reduce spending.
Musk said President Trump prefers to be liked and avoids making cuts that upset people.
Musk reflected that he spent too long away from his companies and should have returned focus to AI sooner.
The interview is part of a new podcast series by Walter Isaacson called "The Builders," featuring tech leaders discussing AI and technology.
Isaacson warns about the risks of AI systems that operate without close human control.
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Black voters will play a key role in deciding if the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) can grow their influence in the 2026 elections. Older Black voters, who have strong influence especially in Southern states, have been slower to support DSA candidates compared to younger Black voters.
Key Facts
Around 21% of Black Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they like leaders who identify as democratic socialists, while 11% dislike them and 65% are neutral.
Younger Black voters (ages 18–49) are slightly more favorable toward democratic socialists (23%) than those 50 and older (20%).
Angie Nixon, a Black state representative and DSA member, won a major statewide nomination in Florida, blending labor organizing and civil rights activism.
Donavan McKinney, also DSA-backed, won in Detroit’s Michigan 13th District, a center of Black political power.
Despite some successes, older Black voters often require candidates to prove they can win before offering full support, which limits DSA's reach.
Polls show younger Black voters are more open to democratic socialists, but they make up only a small share of the Black primary electorate.
Analysts say the DSA faces challenges in connecting race and class issues to gain wider support among Black voters.
The DSA aims to build a diverse movement by focusing on issues like Black workers’ rights, child care, housing, and food security.
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France is experiencing a new wave of protests involving students, labor unions, and Yellow Vest activists. These groups are protesting against high prices and social inequality, leading to some of the most violent clashes in recent decades.
Key Facts
Protests are happening across France nationwide.
Participants include students, labor unions, and Yellow Vest activists.
The protests focus on rising prices and economic inequality.
Authorities are concerned about unrest and violence.
Recent clashes have been among the most violent in many years.
The protests include school-led marches over several weeks.
The government is actively responding to the situation.
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The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, and several European finance leaders walked out of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Bangkok to protest Russia’s involvement. They left when the Russian finance minister began speaking, showing opposition to normalizing relations with Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, joined a walkout during an IMF meeting.
Leaders from France, Germany, Scandinavian, and Baltic countries also left the session.
The walkout happened when Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov spoke in Russian.
Nearly half the delegates participated in the joint departure.
European diplomats said the war in Ukraine is a critical issue for Europe.
The Saudi finance minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan, noted all members agreed on the meeting’s statement.
The US supported Russia’s presence at the meeting, despite European opposition.
The IMF meeting discussed the global economy’s resilience despite conflicts and warned about risks like rising public debt, trade tensions, and energy insecurity.
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There were protests in Paris against falling education standards, rising fuel prices, and the overall cost of living. Police were present on the streets as tens of thousands of people joined hundreds of demonstrations across France.
Key Facts
Protests started last month in poor northern suburbs of Paris, focusing on education issues like missing teachers and poor school conditions.
The protests quickly grew to target wider problems such as inequality and declining public services.
Hundreds of protests were planned across France to take place on the same day.
Tens of thousands of people were expected to participate in these protests nationwide.
Police were deployed in Paris to manage the protests and maintain order.
The demonstrations took place mainly around places like Place de la République in Paris.
The protests reflect growing public frustration with rising living costs and public service problems.
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A nursery owner and five staff members in China were sentenced to prison after more than 200 children were poisoned by lead-contaminated food. The nursery used inedible paint and toxic ingredients in meals, causing serious health issues among children and staff.
Key Facts
Li Huifang, owner of Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Gansu province, received a life sentence for selling toxic food.
In July 2025, 247 pupils and staff were found with high blood lead levels after eating poisoned food.
Staff used inedible paint in meals to make food look better and attract students.
Food samples had lead levels 2,000 times above China’s safety limit.
The nursery’s executive principal got 15 years in prison and a fine.
Four kitchen staff members received 6 to 8 years in prison.
An investigation uncovered attempts by officials and hospital staff to cover up the poisoning.
China introduced new rules requiring food safety tests for school meals and centralized food purchases.
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A new poll shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers by 46% to 44% in Michigan’s Senate race with less than three weeks to go before the November 3 midterm election. President Donald Trump has intensified his personal attacks against El-Sayed during the final weeks of the campaign.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat, leads Mike Rogers, the Republican, by 46% to 44% in a recent Michigan Senate poll.
The poll was conducted by Rasmussen Reports between October 12 and 14 with 798 likely voters.
The race is very close because the poll’s margin of error is 3 percentage points, meaning the lead is not certain.
President Trump mocked El-Sayed’s name during a rally in Georgia, saying he could call him whatever he wanted.
El-Sayed focuses his campaign on affordable living, reducing corporate influence, and expanding Medicare for All health coverage.
Rogers’ campaign centers on manufacturing, lowering drug and household costs, ending tariffs with Canada, and stopping the war with Iran.
Other candidates, including Libertarian Lydia Christensen and Green Party nominee Douglas P. Marsh, have minor support around 1-2%.
RealClearPolitics calls the race a toss-up, but El-Sayed is slightly ahead in polling averages and prediction markets.
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In October, at least 12 ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, amid tensions between the US and Iran. The US says it controls the strait and enforces a naval blockade on Iran, while Iran disputes these claims and accuses the US of exaggerating the situation.
Key Facts
At least 12 ships were attacked in the week ending October 16 near the Strait of Hormuz, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Many vessels hit refused to report attacks to UKMTO, making it hard to verify exact numbers.
The attacks included a new type where a tanker was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat.
Oil flow through the strait was about 11.6 million barrels per day, around 68% of pre-war levels.
Brent crude oil price reached $110 a barrel amid ongoing attacks and regional tensions.
US Central Command says 400 ships carrying 100 million barrels of oil passed through the strait in the last week.
The US claims to enforce a strict naval blockade on Iran’s southern ports to stop Iranian oil exports, costing Iran $25 billion.
Iran denies the US claims and says Washington exaggerates the situation to show success of its naval efforts.
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The Trump administration proposed painting the outside of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white. A recent report says this change could harm the building’s historic look and character.
Key Facts
The building dates back to the 19th century.
It currently has natural, unpainted granite walls showing grey and pink colors.
The walls were carefully chosen for their natural appearance.
The plan is to cover the exterior with white paint.
A draft environmental report was published on Friday.
The report states painting the building would reduce its historical value.
The building is an important government landmark near the White House.
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A Mexican court sentenced three men to over 158 years in prison for killing two Australian brothers and their American friend during a robbery in Baja California in 2024. The victims were camping when the attackers tried to steal tires from their truck, shot them, and hid their bodies in a difficult-to-find well.
Key Facts
The victims were Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia, and Carter Rhoad from the United States.
The attack happened near Ensenada, Baja California, on April 27, 2024.
The killers used two guns, a 9mm and a .45 caliber pistol.
The three convicted men were identified as Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus.
Jesus Gerardo had a prior criminal record and was influenced by his former girlfriend, who was also sentenced to 20 years for her role.
The attackers burned the victims’ tents and truck to hide evidence.
The victims’ bodies were found dumped in a well that was hard to find and covered with boards.
Prosecutors believe the killers may be connected to another older murder but have not charged them for it.
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Many women gathered outside the police headquarters in New Delhi to protest against police violence. They said police were harsh to female protesters during recent demonstrations about problems with elections.
Key Facts
The protest happened in New Delhi, India.
Women led the protest outside the police headquarters.
They were upset about police brutality towards women during earlier protests.
The earlier protests were about election irregularities, meaning possible unfairness in voting.
The women demanded better treatment and accountability from the police.
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Mark Cocker has written his 1,000th country diary for The Guardian, a column that started in 1904. He writes short stories about nature and wildlife, often from his home in Derbyshire, and has been sharing his observations for nearly 40 years.
Key Facts
Mark Cocker wrote his first diary for The Guardian in 1987 after watching a jay bury acorns.
The Guardian’s country diary is the oldest nature column in an English-language newspaper, starting in 1904.
About 30 writers contribute to the diary, including farmers, scientists, and naturalists.
Cocker writes a diary every two weeks, usually about nature in Derbyshire.
It took him 10 years to learn how to write these short, focused nature stories well.
He has observed many bird species, including rare raptors like marsh harriers and red kites.
His latest book, The Nature of Seeing, includes some recent diaries and essays about experiencing nature deeply.
The diary column covers both local details and larger natural connections in short pieces of about 360 words.
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Pennsylvania is experiencing a large measles outbreak, with over 1,200 confirmed cases and six deaths. Because Lancaster County lacks its own health department, the CDC is sending a disease expert and nearly $4 million to help manage the situation and support local health efforts.
Key Facts
Pennsylvania has confirmed 1,222 measles cases and six deaths as of October.
Lancaster County, the outbreak center with more than 415 cases, does not have its own health department.
The CDC is sending a scientist, called a “disease detective,” to help control the outbreak.
The CDC released nearly $4 million to assist Pennsylvania’s measles response.
Lancaster County’s Amish community, about 8% of its population, has historically low vaccination rates.
The CDC director recommends the MMR vaccine as the best protection against measles.
Vaccine skepticism, partly influenced by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a concern for public health officials.
Local officials say having a county health department would allow faster and more precise outbreak responses.
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Andrea de Armas, a 26-year-old woman, found a lump in her breast but felt her concerns were ignored during an ultrasound. After further testing, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began treatment while starting her physician assistant program.
Key Facts
Andrea de Armas was 26 years old with no family history of breast cancer when she found a lump in her breast.
An ultrasound technician seemed to dismiss her concerns, but a radiologist recommended an immediate biopsy.
De Armas was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer the day before starting her physician assistant studies.
About 10% of new breast cancer cases are in women under 45, with very few diagnosed in their 20s.
Younger women often have more aggressive cancer types and are diagnosed at later stages.
De Armas was found to have a genetic mutation that increases breast cancer risk, which helped her and her family take preventive steps.
She had surgery and balanced chemotherapy with her school schedule by attending early morning treatments and classes later in the day.
Doctors note that young cancer patients often have special needs because they juggle treatment along with work, studies, or family.
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A Florida woman, Kennedy Ward, was bitten by a stray cat she was feeding and later found out the cat had rabies. After receiving rabies treatment, Ward had severe allergic reactions due to an underlying rare genetic disorder, leading her to spend 10 months in the hospital.
Key Facts
Kennedy Ward was feeding stray cats and was bitten by one named Baby in February 2023.
A nearby cat tested positive for rabies, so health officials advised monitoring Baby, who later died showing signs of rabies.
Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated quickly, but a vaccine after exposure can prevent the disease.
Ward received rabies post-exposure treatment, including vaccine shots and immune globulin.
After each vaccine dose, Ward’s throat swelled shut, and she had to be intubated (a breathing tube inserted) multiple times.
She was in and out of comas and spent a total of 10 months in the hospital.
Doctors discovered Ward has hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic disorder causing severe swelling and reactions like hers.
HAE is caused by a problem with a protein called C1 inhibitor and is different from normal allergic reactions.
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Harry Styles performed a new song called "What Is Enough" at Madison Square Garden to honor his late friend and former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, who died two years ago. Styles spoke to the crowd about the importance of friendship and support before playing the unreleased track.
Key Facts
Harry Styles played a new song named "What Is Enough" during his concert at Madison Square Garden.
The song was written in memory of Liam Payne, who died two years ago from a fall in Argentina.
Styles dedicated the performance to Payne and thanked friends who have supported him.
This concert was part of Styles’ “Together, Together” tour residency in New York.
Fans heard the song for the first time and praised it as beautiful on social media.
Styles began his solo career after leaving One Direction in 2017.
His album "Harry’s House" won a Grammy and a Brit Award in 2022.
Styles encouraged fans to support and take care of each other during his speech.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to help fight in Yemen again by funding some government forces, while Saudi Arabia will provide air support against the Iran-aligned Houthi fighters. This new cooperation comes as the Houthis have made advances, causing concern in the Gulf region.
Key Facts
The UAE will resume payments to some Yemeni government forces fighting the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia will offer air cover to support these forces.
The Houthis have increased attacks, including drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia.
The UAE stopped its operations in Yemen and funding in January but is now re-engaging.
The Southern Transition Council (STC), a separatist group in southern Yemen, has asked for a referendum on independence, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not agreed.
Yemeni government forces have launched a counterattack against the Houthis, but with limited success.
Houthi missile attacks recently struck near the Aden airport, but no casualties were reported.
Egypt’s president is preparing for possible defense actions to support Saudi Arabia if needed.
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Vice President JD Vance said it will take more than 18 months to improve the U.S. economy. He said the country is starting to make progress, with new investments coming in, but the economy was not broken by just one presidential term.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance spoke at a town hall in Michigan, shown on CBS News.
Vance said fixing the economy will take time, longer than 18 months.
Many Americans are unhappy with the economy and inflation.
Most voters blame President Trump’s policies for economic problems.
President Trump rates his administration’s handling of the economy as an "A+".
Vance said investments are coming into the U.S., but factories need to be built before hiring workers.
The town hall program airs on October 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and can be streamed online.
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In France, large protests began against the rising cost of living, with many people demonstrating in cities. Authorities detained dozens of protesters, and the events are seen as important for the mood in the country before upcoming elections to choose a new president after Emmanuel Macron.
Key Facts
Protests started on a Saturday across France about the high cost of living.
Dozens of people were arrested by French authorities during the demonstrations.
The protests are seen as a sign of public feelings before France’s next presidential election.
Emmanuel Macron is the current president, and his term will end soon.
The cost of living has been a major concern for many people in France.
The protests occurred nationwide, showing widespread discontent.
This social unrest could influence political decisions and future leadership in France.
The article included related news on global topics but focused mainly on France’s protests.
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