Nicki Minaj appeared with Donald Trump at a Michigan rally on October 25 and urged support for Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. She has said she was finalizing citizenship paperwork, but has not publicly confirmed becoming a U.S. citizen; her voting eligibility therefore remains unclear.
Key Facts
Minaj was born in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and moved to the United States as a young child.
In a 2024 livestream, Minaj said, “I'm not a citizen of America.”
Minaj said in January 2026 that she was finalizing citizenship paperwork.
A White House spokesperson described the Trump Gold Card Minaj received as a memento, not a visa document.
Published accounts say Minaj has lawful permanent resident status.
Federal elections are limited to U.S. citizens, so permanent residency alone does not qualify someone to vote in them.
At the October 25 Michigan rally, Minaj praised Trump and said she would continue supporting him.
Speculation that Minaj might become White House press secretary followed a joking exchange aboard Air Force One; no appointment was announced.
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A viral grocery-store ad endorsing Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was first made for Cenk Uygur’s 2024 presidential campaign, according to the article. El-Sayed’s campaign said it had no connection to the ad, which criticizes U.S. aid to Israel and attacks Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Key Facts
Uygur, host of The Young Turks, shared the ad over the weekend; it had about 6.5 million views as of Tuesday.
Uygur said Rebellion PAC, a political action committee he co-founded, created the ad.
The grocery-store scene also appeared in an ad for Uygur’s unsuccessful 2024 Democratic presidential campaign.
The ad’s dialogue refers to $4 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel and an additional $26 billion.
The article says the $26 billion figure matches a supplemental spending package enacted in April 2024; that package also included $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance, including aid for Gaza.
An El-Sayed campaign spokesperson said the ad was not affiliated with the campaign and said El-Sayed has repeatedly condemned anti-Semitism.
A spokesperson for Rogers accused El-Sayed allies of spreading anti-Israel hate and said Rogers represents every Michigander.
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Democratic lawmakers called on Venezuela’s government to hold elections after opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to the country. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen described Machado’s return as “welcome news.”
Key Facts
María Corina Machado recently returned to Venezuela after nearly a year in exile.
Democratic lawmakers urged the Venezuelan government to hold elections.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Shaheen called Machado’s return “welcome news” in a statement shared on X Monday.
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The article says the 2026 midterm election’s final votes will be cast in seven days. It notes that tens of millions of people have already voted and says Democrats need to flip four Republican-held Senate seats; the provided excerpt does not include polling-place closing times or result estimates.
Key Facts
The article says the final votes in the 2026 midterms will be cast in seven days.
Tens of millions of voters have already cast ballots, according to the article.
Voters are casting ballots in Senate races.
Voters are casting ballots in House races.
The elections also include governor and state legislature races.
The article says Democrats need to flip four Republican-held Senate seats.
The provided excerpt does not state when polls close or when results are expected.
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The Des Moines Register’s editorial board endorsed Democrat Josh Turek over Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race. The board cited Turek’s plans to address economic pressures on farmers and his criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies, while noting Hinson’s statements opposing the Iran war conflict with her votes against ending it.
Key Facts
The Des Moines Register published its endorsement of Turek on Sunday.
The board said Turek was most likely to ease some pressures on Iowa agriculture.
Turek has pledged to urge President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran and stop disrupting markets for Iowa crop exports and farm inputs.
The Cook Political Report rates Iowa’s Senate race as a toss-up.
Hinson has called for an immediate end to the war in Iran, but voted four times this year against measures to end it immediately.
Turek has represented Carter Lake and part of Council Bluffs in the Iowa House since 2023.
Turek said on Facebook that he was grateful for the endorsement.
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Two Ghanaian twin brothers and a woman from Hawaii pleaded guilty to taking part in an international romance scam that stole $9 million from victims in the United States and Europe. The victims were often elderly people who were deceived by fake identities on dating sites and social media and persuaded to send money to accounts in Ghana.
Key Facts
Jamal and Kamal Abubakari, both 22, and Amanda Joy Opoku-Boachie, 53, pleaded guilty.
The scam ran from July 2024 to April 2026, and victims collectively lost $9 million.
Many victims lived in Ohio, where the charges were filed; others lived in 24 additional U.S. states, Germany and Austria.
The defendants face up to 20 years in prison and are due to be sentenced next year.
The three agreed to forfeit jewellery seized by investigators, including watches, rings, chains and earrings.
U.S. authorities said the defendants used false identities to build romantic relationships and direct victims to transfer money to Ghanaian bank accounts.
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A Russian military court sentenced IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy to 13 years in prison for cryptocurrency transfers that prosecutors said supported Ukraine’s armed forces and the Azov battalion. Russian media reported that Binance supplied investigators with his transaction records; Belenkiy denied the charges, and his defense plans to appeal.
Key Facts
The 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced 49-year-old Belenkiy to three years in prison followed by 10 years in a strict-regime penal colony.
The court also fined Belenkiy 500,000 roubles, about $6,300.
RIA Novosti reported that Belenkiy made 15 cryptocurrency transfers worth more than 120,000 roubles, about $1,500, between August 2022 and March 2024.
Prosecutors said the transfers funded Ukraine’s armed forces and the Azov battalion, which Russia designates a terrorist organisation.
Reuters reviewed Russian law enforcement documents that said Binance provided investigators with Belenkiy’s transaction history and that the records helped prosecute him.
Belenkiy’s defense questioned whether the data came from Binance, and Belenkiy denied the charges.
Binance said it does not comment on confidential law enforcement requests or individual cases.
TASS reported that Belenkiy was detained in September last year while visiting Moscow and that his defense will appeal the verdict.
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Rain has brought temporary relief from wildfires in Indonesia, but underground peat fires continue to burn. Toxic haze has spread across Southeast Asia, leading to school closures and respiratory illnesses.
Key Facts
Rain has offered brief relief from wildfires in Indonesia.
Underground peat fires in Indonesia continue to burn.
Toxic haze has spread across Southeast Asia.
The haze has led to school closures.
The haze has been linked to respiratory illnesses.
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President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio planned to visit Port Arthur, Texas, on Tuesday to view a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude for Texas refineries. Trump was also scheduled to campaign in Corpus Christi and Lubbock for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who is in a close race with Democrat James Talarico.
Key Facts
The tanker carrying Venezuelan crude had arrived, according to a congressional aide and two U.S. officials.
The oil was intended for processing at Texas refineries.
The article’s headline says Venezuela sent Trump 1 million barrels of oil as a gift.
Trump planned to visit Port Arthur with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump had campaign rallies scheduled in Corpus Christi and Lubbock.
Trump was campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
Paxton was in a tight race against Democratic candidate James Talarico.
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UK MPs warned that replacing copper-wire landlines with internet-based phone services could leave people in remote areas unable to call for help during power cuts or storms. The government and phone operators say the switch is needed because the old network is becoming less reliable, and ministers say they will consider the concerns.
Key Facts
Operators aim to complete the UK landline switchover by the end of January next year.
Traditional landlines can work during power cuts because they do not rely on mains electricity.
Digital landline services may stop working if a home loses power and its router backup battery runs out.
MPs from the Western Isles, the West Country and the Lake District raised concerns about weak mobile coverage and emergency access.
BT Openreach has supplied backup battery packs to vulnerable customers; MPs questioned whether the backup is sufficient.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said he would examine concerns and raise telecoms issues with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The government says providers must give vulnerable customers, including telecare users, a free backup battery unit.
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President Donald Trump said his administration will replace “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence” with “SI” and “Super Intelligence” in relevant federal documents. The White House says the change is intended to highlight the technology’s potential and U.S. leadership; it does not restrict AI development.
Key Facts
Trump said on Truth Social that the administration would ban the terms “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence” in relevant documents and other materials.
The White House said Trump signed an executive order in September directing executive branch agencies to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” instead.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston said the new terminology reflects the administration’s focus on innovation, economic growth and U.S. leadership.
Trump described “artificial intelligence” as an inaccurate name and said “Super Intelligence” better describes the technology.
The article says the terminology change does not slow or restrict development of the technology.
Researchers, policymakers and technology executives have raised concerns about possible job losses, misinformation, cybersecurity threats and loss of human control.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned in September that AI’s future could go badly if companies fail to maintain control as systems grow more powerful.
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Brazilian congressman Andre Janones helped Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign build a large WhatsApp following during the 2026 presidential runoff. His channel, Lula’s Army, grew from about 60,000 followers after the first round to nearly 11 million by election day, using frequent messages and simple tasks to encourage supporters to share campaign material and recruit others.
Key Facts
Janones is a 42-year-old congressman from Minas Gerais who previously helped coordinate Lula’s digital campaign in 2022.
Lula thanked Janones at his victory celebration and called him “our general.”
Janones launched the WhatsApp channel Lula’s Army months before the runoff.
The channel had about 60,000 followers after the first round and nearly 11 million by election day.
Janones urged supporters to recruit friends, share campaign videos and promote hashtags.
The channel sent messages that followers could forward or react to, but not reply to.
Researchers described the approach as “electoral gamification,” using shared targets to involve supporters.
The article says Lula had finished behind Flavio Bolsonaro in the first round before winning the runoff.
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Islamic preacher Yahaya Masussuka, 47, and a guest were shot outside his home in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina state, on Monday evening. Police said both died in hospital; authorities have not established a motive, though Masussuka had received threats after challenging some mainstream Islamic teachings.
Key Facts
Two assailants on a motorcycle shot Masussuka as he was saying goodbye to visitors.
A guest was also shot, and both men died after being taken to hospital, police said.
Masussuka posted videos questioning some hadiths, Islamic texts that record the Prophet Muhammad’s words and actions.
He had previously served nine months in jail after criticizing religious scholars and their teachings.
Masussuka advocated against violent extremism and for dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
Nigeria’s Network for Good Governance and Transparency gave him a Peace Ambassador Award last year.
The article reports that six other prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered in northern Nigeria over the past two decades.
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In an interview with FRANCE 24, Ron Gerlitz of Hebrew University's aChord Center described Israel's election as a test of the country's democratic institutions and Benjamin Netanyahu's political standing. He discussed Netanyahu's reputation on security, sources of his support, conspiracy narratives, the role of Arab parties, and the uncertain future of a two-state solution.
Key Facts
Ron Gerlitz is CEO of the aChord Center at Hebrew University.
Gerlitz said the main issue in the election is the fight over Israeli democracy.
The interview discussed the erosion of Netanyahu's long-standing association with national security.
Gerlitz examined psychological factors behind Netanyahu's continued support.
The discussion addressed the influence of conspiracy narratives.
Gerlitz considered the electoral significance of Arab parties.
The interview covered uncertainty about the future of a two-state solution.
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President Donald Trump said he would ban the term “artificial intelligence” in relevant documents and elsewhere. He called the term inaccurate in a post on Truth Social.
Key Facts
Trump made the statement on Tuesday.
Trump said the ban would take effect “in short order.”
He said it would cover relevant documents and “everything else.”
Trump described the term “AI/Artificial Intelligence” as inaccurate.
The article says Trump also criticized The Wall Street Journal, but provides no details.
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Russell Brand’s statements to police were read at his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. He said he had lived a very promiscuous life but had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity, and denied all charges.
Key Facts
Brand is accused of offences against six women, with allegations spanning 1999 to 2009.
He faces three rape charges, three sexual assault charges and one attempted indecent assault charge; he has pleaded not guilty.
The attempted indecent assault charge replaced an indecent assault charge on Tuesday.
Brand told police he had led a “very promiscuous” life and had sexual encounters in many locations and situations.
He said he did not recall meeting some of the women who accused him and suggested that any contact may have been consensual.
Brand described allegations in media reports as false and said consensual encounters had been reframed decades later.
Police interviewed Brand four times between November 2023 and July 2025, and he gave prepared statements during those interviews.
The trial is continuing at Southwark Crown Court in London.
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Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the CDC’s deputy director and chief medical officer, is leaving the agency after four months in the role. She is an infectious disease physician and former Texas health commissioner who was appointed in April to support CDC director Erica Schwartz.
Key Facts
Shuford is leaving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She served as the agency’s deputy director and chief medical officer.
She held the role for four months.
Shuford is an infectious disease physician.
She previously served as Texas health commissioner.
She was appointed in April to a leadership team supporting CDC director Erica Schwartz.
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The article says Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate race between Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya could be more competitive than expected. It points to the open seat and a Cook Political Report rating shift toward Republicans, while noting that Flanagan has stronger party organization behind her.
Key Facts
Senator Tina Smith is retiring when her term ends on January 3, leaving the seat open.
Flanagan is Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and has Smith’s endorsement.
Tafoya is a Republican and a former sports broadcaster with name recognition in Minnesota.
The Cook Political Report shifted the race from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat.”
The report cited a welfare fraud scandal and Flanagan’s underwhelming poll results as reasons for the shift.
University of Minnesota professor Larry Jacobs said Democrats have stronger organization, funding, and infrastructure in the state.
Political science professor David Schultz said Democratic Party fatigue and corruption concerns could help Republicans.
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Anthropic’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission devotes 93 of its 335 pages to risks that could affect investors and the company. It warns that rapid AI development, harmful use by bad actors, and failures in safeguards could cause serious harm, invite regulation, and damage Anthropic’s business.
Key Facts
Anthropic’s filing lists risks ranging from difficulty retaining staff and regulatory obstacles to cyberattacks and dangerous misinformation.
The company said its AI models could advance faster than it can develop and apply adequate safety measures.
Anthropic warned that increasingly autonomous AI systems could take harmful actions at scale without human intervention.
The filing said AI systems could become difficult to evaluate and safeguard, especially as they contribute to Anthropic’s research and development.
Anthropic described risks that bad actors could use AI to make chemical weapons or that authoritarian governments could use it to suppress citizens.
The company said a major safety incident involving any advanced AI system could bring industry-wide reputational damage, public backlash, or sweeping regulation.
Anthropic’s founders told prospective shareholders that the company aims to help realize AI’s benefits while avoiding its dangers.
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President Donald Trump is returning to Texas on Tuesday, one week before the midterm elections. He is expected to rally supporters in Corpus Christi to support Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in his competitive Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
Key Facts
Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday.
The visit comes one week before the midterm elections.
Trump is expected to hold a rally in Corpus Christi.
The rally is intended to boost support for Ken Paxton.
Paxton is the Republican Texas attorney general and a Senate candidate.
Paxton is facing Democrat James Talarico in a competitive Senate race.
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