Cornell University’s faculty held a private meeting to discuss their confidence in the school’s leadership over handling sexual assault complaints. The university is conducting an independent review led by Sally Yates, and the president, Michael Kotlikoff, announced new changes including help from New York State Police to investigate allegations.
Key Facts
Faculty met to consider a no-confidence vote in Cornell’s administration over sexual assault handling.
The meeting was closed to reporters, but a news reporter got a secret video of it.
President Michael Kotlikoff said the external review has a broad mandate but he does not control it.
The independent review is led by former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates.
Kotlikoff announced a partnership with New York State Police for outside experts to investigate.
Faculty expressed concern about restrictions on academic freedom and student speech since 2023.
Seven men accused in a 2024 sexual assault case denied the allegations.
Another faculty meeting is scheduled for October 28, after which a vote on no confidence will take place.
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Some Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who usually face easy reelection battles are now dealing with tougher campaigns as Democrats target districts that have been solidly Republican for a long time. This change is due to voter frustration about issues like prices, corruption, and the war in Iran, leading Democrats to believe they have a chance to win in these traditionally safe areas.
Key Facts
Republicans like Reps. John McGuire (Virginia) and Lauren Boebert (Colorado) face stronger challenges despite previous easy wins.
These districts have not elected Democrats for many years or even decades.
Some Republicans are running attack ads against their Democratic challengers, a sign of tougher races.
Democrats report increased voter frustration with current political leaders and issues like inflation and the war in Iran.
Democratic candidates such as Callie Barr and Richard Ojeda observe a growing desire for political change among voters.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has listed several formerly safe Republican districts as competitive but has not yet spent money on them.
Some smaller progressive groups are starting to fund campaigns in these districts.
Political experts note this election cycle sees unusual weakness for Republicans in traditionally safe areas, different from past elections.
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Republican leaders are preparing for a possible leadership fight if they lose control of the House in the upcoming election. Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested he might stay in a leadership role even if the GOP becomes the minority, which could lead to a three-way contest with other Republicans like Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan.
Key Facts
Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects colleagues might want him to lead the party even if Republicans lose the House majority.
Steve Scalise is seen as a leading candidate for GOP leader but is focused on winning the election.
Jim Jordan is rumored to be preparing to run for leader because he did not seek a waiver to keep his current committee role.
Some Republicans think Johnson should step aside if the party loses the majority, while others support him staying.
A three-way leadership contest could split votes, possibly helping Jim Jordan.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer plans to stay in his current position and not run for higher leadership.
Party leaders are elected by secret ballot within the party rather than a public vote in the House.
Some Republicans are frustrated by leadership fights before the election, urging focus on winning November.
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A patient at a Sydney hospital was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly poured petrol on three patients and set one on fire. Hospital staff quickly put out the fire, and the injured patients suffered minor injuries and are in stable condition.
Key Facts
The incident took place at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, Sydney.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and other offenses.
Three patients, aged 54, 63, and 64, were attacked with petrol (a flammable liquid).
One patient caught fire but the flames were quickly put out by hospital staff.
The patients had minor burns or injuries and are currently stable.
Police and hospital staff responded promptly to the situation.
The health district is supporting affected patients and staff and confirmed there is no ongoing risk.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called the incident serious and said he asked for a review alongside the police investigation.
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Michael Ratney, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, discussed the danger posed by the Houthi group after their recent attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. He explained the Houthi threat and the context of the rising attacks in Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
Michael Ratney is the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The attack increased concern about Houthi activities in the region.
The Houthis are an armed group based in Yemen.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have been rising recently.
The attack happened amid regional tensions involving Iran and Yemen.
The discussion was part of a CBS News segment explaining the threat.
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SOS Children's Villages International, a global charity, decided not to release a report investigating its role in separating children from their families during Syria’s civil war. The charity has also not yet provided compensation to affected Syrian families despite previous promises.
Key Facts
Syrian security forces took hundreds of children from imprisoned parents during the civil war and asked charities like SOS to hide the children’s identities.
Sisters Layla and Layan Ghbeis were taken from their mother in 2015 and reunited three years later through a prisoner exchange.
SOS Children’s Villages acknowledged that over 140 children were placed in its care by Syrian security forces after President Assad’s fall in 2024.
The charity hired a Norwegian law firm to investigate its responsibility, and the report was delivered in December 2025.
SOS board chair Domenico Parisi later said the investigation was "compromised" and did not release the report, accusing some staff of trying to make the charity look bad.
Several national SOS associations from countries such as the UK, Norway, and Sweden withdrew from the federation after this controversy.
The charity receives funding from the UN and European governments and is reviewing its institutional responsibility.
The families affected by the children’s separation continue to suffer emotional trauma from these events.
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Lawyers for Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve board, said that President Donald Trump’s investigation committee is clearly biased against her. They criticized the committee for not sharing all evidence clearly and for having unclear rules about new allegations.
Key Facts
Lisa Cook is a member of the Federal Reserve board of governors.
President Trump’s investigation committee is looking into her.
Cook’s lawyers say the committee is biased against her.
They say the committee has not clearly shared all evidence.
The lawyers say the committee’s process is unclear and unfair.
They mention unspecified new allegations and unclear timing for sharing evidence.
The lawyers want a fair and transparent process.
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A new report shows that over 80% of ransomware attacks involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Cybercriminals are using AI tools to make their attacks more effective and harder to stop.
Key Facts
More than 80% of ransomware victims say AI was used in the attack.
The information comes from a cybersecurity company called Semperis.
Ransomware is a type of cyberattack that locks computer data until a ransom is paid.
AI helps criminals make ransomware attacks faster and more targeted.
These attacks are growing, making cybersecurity efforts more urgent.
The report highlights how technology can be used for harmful purposes.
Cybersecurity firms are working to stop AI-powered ransomware attacks.
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Republican Rep. Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill will have a debate for Alaska's at-large U.S. House seat on Wednesday night. Both candidates met the minimum vote needed to participate, and Begich is running for his second term.
Key Facts
The debate will take place at 11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday.
It is for Alaska’s single U.S. House seat, which covers the whole state (at-large).
Nick Begich is the current Republican representative seeking re-election.
Bill Hill is running as an independent challenger.
Both candidates passed the 5% primary vote needed to join the debate.
The political rating group Cook Political Report calls this race "Likely Republican."
The debate is hosted by Alaska Public Media, Alaska’s News Source, and KTOO.
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North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles into the East Sea, according to state media. The tests came after recent tensions with South Korea following a landmine explosion that injured South Korean soldiers.
Key Facts
North Korea launched two types of cruise missiles from a submarine on October 14, 2026.
The missiles were fired into the East Sea, also called the Sea of Japan.
North Korea said the missile tests did not threaten neighboring countries.
The tests followed a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone on September 21 that hurt three South Korean soldiers.
Both North and South Korea have been testing new missile technology recently, including hypersonic weapons.
Cruise missiles fly low and fast, making them harder to detect than ballistic missiles.
North Korea's submarine missile launches may increase its ability to strike from underwater and improve its defense strategy.
The Korean War ended with a truce, so the two Koreas are technically still at war.
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President Donald Trump told a crowd at a rally in Arizona that people who leak government information should be shot. The comment was made while he spoke to his supporters shortly before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump made the statement about "leakers" during a rally in Arizona.
He said leakers should face the death penalty by being "shot."
The rally took place on a Wednesday, close to the midterm elections.
The news was reported by CBS News.
The statement was part of a public speech to supporters, not a formal policy announcement.
The comment relates to concerns about leaks of government information.
President Trump is the current U.S. President, elected for a second term in 2024.
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Two people were reportedly in the back of an ICE vehicle when an ICE agent struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez during a pursuit in Houston. The local District Attorney is seeking to interview those two witnesses to investigate the incident further.
Key Facts
The incident happened at a strip mall near Houston during an immigration enforcement operation.
Miguel Parra-Hernandez was struck by an ICE agent's vehicle after running from an SUV that was pursuing another man.
Two unidentified men were in the back seat of the ICE vehicle when the incident occurred.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office wants to interview these two witnesses but they have been moved to a federal detention center.
ICE said the agent was chasing Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, who had a criminal record and a removal order.
Mendoza-Cervantes and Parra-Hernandez fled on foot after getting out of a vehicle.
The DA has interviewed Parra-Hernandez in the hospital, where he is stable and has not been charged.
The DA may charge the ICE agent with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon based on collected evidence.
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Maryland Republican Representative Andy Harris told a reporter she could face criminal charges if she recorded him during a public event. Harris cited Maryland's two-party consent law but the situation involved a public forum where recording is generally allowed without permission.
Key Facts
Rep. Andy Harris confronted reporter Cat Murphy after a debate in Cambridge, Maryland.
Harris said Murphy did not have permission to record him and threatened legal action.
Maryland’s two-party consent law requires both parties to agree before recording private conversations.
Public events with journalists usually do not require consent for recording.
At least eight journalists were recording Harris during the interaction.
Harris called for law enforcement to intervene and take the reporter’s camera.
Murphy said the debate was a public forum and did not require special press registration.
Harris is running for his ninth term in the House of Representatives and is also a trained anesthesiologist.
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Since becoming mayor in 2023, Denver's Mike Johnston has helped reduce the number of people living without shelter by 64%. This decrease is faster than the rate seen in the rest of the country.
Key Facts
Mike Johnston became mayor of Denver in 2023.
Under his leadership, unsheltered homelessness in Denver fell by 64%.
Denver’s rate of decrease is higher than the national average.
Johnston explained his approach during an interview on "The Takeout."
The article highlights Denver’s homelessness issue compared to national trends.
No detailed strategies from the administration are listed in the article excerpt.
The focus is on local government efforts and their results.
The information was shared in a CBS News broadcast.
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Denmark has said that US resource exploration in Greenland must follow Greenland’s own laws, responding to President Donald Trump’s claim that oil, gas, and mineral extraction will soon begin there. A recent agreement between Denmark, Greenland, and the US allows expanded US military presence but does not change rules about natural resource extraction or give special rights to US investors.
Key Facts
Denmark and Greenland insist that US companies must follow Greenland’s laws for resource extraction.
President Trump announced on social media that massive oil, gas, and mineral exploration is about to start in Greenland.
A recent agreement signed by the US, Denmark, and Greenland allows the US to expand military bases in Greenland but does not grant mining or drilling rights.
Greenland banned uranium mining and future oil exploration in 2021.
A Texas company, Greenland Energy, plans to drill for oil in 2027 but does not have a current permit.
Danish officials warn that Trump’s statements may not reflect changes in policy and should be viewed carefully.
Experts say Trump settled for expanded military rights, not control or annexation of Greenland.
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People across the United States are opposing the fast growth of data centres, which are large buildings that store computer power for internet and AI activities. This public concern has pushed politicians, including a US senator and members of both parties, to start working on new laws to control data centre expansion.
Key Facts
Data centres are large buildings full of computer chips that help run the internet and AI technologies.
Around 3,000 data centres currently operate in the US, with numbers expected to double soon.
These centres use a lot of energy, sometimes relying on diesel-powered generators, which worries local communities.
Local rules usually control data centre construction, limiting federal lawmakers' direct influence.
A growing public backlash has made data centre expansion a political issue across states like Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.
Both Democrats and Republicans are responding to this issue, but President Trump supports unrestricted AI and data centre growth.
Residents are concerned about noise, environmental impact, and the speed of data centre approvals.
Community groups opposing data centres have more than doubled in the first months of this year.
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A Saudi national working as an engineer at OpenAI was arrested by U.S. federal agents for allegedly placing a hidden audio recording device in a conference room used by executives. This case highlights the serious challenges that companies face in preventing spying and protecting sensitive information.
Key Facts
A Saudi engineer employed at OpenAI was arrested by U.S. federal agents.
He is accused of installing a secret audio recording device in an executive conference room.
The incident shows how difficult it is to stop espionage in technology companies.
OpenAI is a major company involved in artificial intelligence development.
The arrest is part of a broader concern about security risks in tech workplaces.
The case was discussed by CBS News Tech editor Tim Werth.
Espionage means spying to get secret information without permission.
This event comes amid rising worries about security in high-tech industries.
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Most toys sold in the United States are made in China, with nearly 80% of imported toys coming from there. The process from design to finished toy takes one to two years, and factories in Guangdong province play a major role by producing millions of toys annually for the U.S. market.
Key Facts
About 78.3% of toys imported into the U.S. in 2024 come from China.
Chinese toy imports to the U.S. were worth $9.8 billion in 2023.
Guangdong province is the main area in China where toys are made, especially the city of Dongguan.
The Mihox factory in Dongguan employs over 800 workers and makes around 55 million toys yearly for the American market.
Designing a toy takes one to two years, including prototypes and several design changes.
The factory receives about 20% of the toy’s retail price; for a $30 toy, that is about $6.
Chinese toy factories rely mainly on manual labor, as automation is mostly used only in moulding and packaging.
Even though labor costs in China have risen, most factories remain there due to efficient cooperation between different specialized facilities close to each other.
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A thinktank called the Resolution Foundation said stopping people with ADHD, autism, or anxiety from getting disability benefits through the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would not save much money. They warned this could make it harder for those people to work or take part in society but agreed the PIP system needs fixing because costs are rising too fast.
Key Facts
The Resolution Foundation said banning some mental health conditions from PIP would not save much money and could harm people's chances of working or joining society.
PIP spending in England and Wales has grown 183% since 2014 and is expected to reach £34 billion by 2030.
Around one in six current PIP claimants (about 670,000 people) do not have extra costs from their disability and might lose support if changes are made.
The number of young people claiming PIP for ADHD and autism has increased quickly, especially in richer areas.
The thinktank said PIP should be changed to better support people who need it most, focusing on their real costs and ability to participate in work or community life.
Past attempts to cut PIP spending by £5 billion failed due to political opposition.
Some government officials have suggested excluding people under 25 from PIP, but no final decision has been made.
The DWP said PIP is given based on how disabilities affect daily life, not on specific medical conditions.
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