Germany’s labour minister and SPD co-leader, Bärbel Bas, has resigned due to the recent death of her stepdaughter and the political criticism she faced during her mourning. Her departure weakens the current coalition government led by CDU’s Friedrich Merz, which is already facing serious political and economic challenges.
Key Facts
Bärbel Bas resigned as Germany’s labour minister and co-leader of the Social Democrats (SPD).
Her resignation was prompted by the death of her stepdaughter and criticism from political opponents, including members of the coalition partner CDU.
Bas faced attacks for being absent during key economic reform talks, even though her family tragedy was known.
Lars Klingbeil, SPD co-leader and finance minister, criticized the disrespect shown to Bas and called for mutual respect in political debates.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz thanked Bas and expressed condolences, but his government is under pressure after poor election results.
The far-right party AfD, which is leading national opinion polls, commented on Bas’s resignation as a sign of the coalition’s collapse.
Bas will stay a member of parliament but her ministry handles important social welfare programs targeted for cuts by Merz.
The coalition government is divided over economic reforms, including pension changes, amid worries about Germany’s aging population and economic slowdown.
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A research team from Purdue University is on an expedition to Nikumaroro island to investigate if an object seen in a 2020 Apple Maps image is the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s lost airplane. The team is using underwater surveys and archaeology to study the site and will share updates during their nearly three-week trip.
Key Facts
The expedition is searching for Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed 10E Electra plane, which disappeared in 1937.
The “Taraia Object” was first spotted in a satellite image from Apple Maps in 2020.
Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute are funding the search.
Earhart worked at Purdue University as a career counselor and adviser.
The team left from Tarawa in October 2025 and plans to return around October 22.
The expedition uses underwater surveys and archaeological methods to examine the object.
If the object is confirmed to be Earhart’s plane, future missions will aim to recover it.
The search was delayed earlier due to cyclone season in the South Pacific.
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Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they carried out two deadly attacks on an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The strikes killed at least twelve people, including one American.
Key Facts
Riyadh's airport in Saudi Arabia was attacked twice over the weekend.
At least 12 people died in the strikes.
Among the dead was one American citizen.
Houthi rebels from Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Houthis are supported by Iran.
The attacks represent ongoing conflict in the region involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
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An explosion caused by unexploded ordnance in northern Israel near the Lebanese border injured about 20 people. The blast led Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel his visit to the West Bank, and authorities are investigating the site.
Key Facts
The explosion happened on Monday morning near the communities of Kibbutz Manara, Kibbutz Yiftach, and Neot Mordechai in northern Israel.
Approximately 20 people were injured, with eight in serious or moderate condition and others in mild condition.
Israeli medical teams (Magen David Adom) treated the injured at the scene.
Police from the Kiryat Shmona station secured the area.
Bomb disposal experts are examining the site to find out more about the ordnance and how it exploded.
The explosion was caused by unexploded ordnance, which means old military explosives that did not detonate before.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his planned trip to the West Bank due to the incident.
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Alvaro Pulido, a businessman wanted by the US for bribing Venezuelan officials to win state contracts, was taken into US custody. He was involved in a scheme with Alex Saab to funnel bribes in exchange for contracts worth over $2 billion amid Venezuela’s crisis.
Key Facts
Alvaro Pulido was indicted in US courts in 2019 and 2021 for bribery in Venezuela.
The DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security helped arrest Pulido, with a $10 million US reward offered for information.
Pulido is accused of using offshore companies to bribe Venezuelan officials linked to President Nicolás Maduro.
The scheme involved contracts to import food, medicine, and low-cost housing during Venezuela’s humanitarian problems.
Pulido has a past drug trafficking conviction from Italy in 1997 under a false name.
Alex Saab, Pulido’s longtime partner, pleaded guilty in a related case and agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors.
Venezuelan authorities remain silent about Pulido’s arrest amid internal political tensions.
Delcy Rodríguez, acting president of Venezuela after Maduro’s removal, had arrested Pulido in 2023 during an anti-corruption crackdown.
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Saba Capital, a New York hedge fund, is pushing to change the board of the Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust, a UK investment company, by trying to install three of its own nominees. Shareholders have rejected Saba’s demands twice before but now face another vote, while the trust has shown strong long-term returns despite recent ups and downs in its value.
Key Facts
Saba Capital is an activist hedge fund from New York that buys large stakes in UK investment trusts to demand changes.
The Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) has returned about 16.7% per year since 2018, beating the S&P 500 index.
Saba holds nearly 30% of the trust’s shares and wants to place three representatives on the board at the upcoming annual meeting.
The trust invests in fast-growing US companies, many linked to artificial intelligence and tech sectors, like OpenAI and SpaceX.
Saba proposes offering all shareholders a full cash exit at the net asset value (the trust’s estimated worth), which the trust says has already been offered but declined.
There are concerns that if Saba takes control, it might change management or merge the trust into a Saba-managed fund.
Saba’s nominees are not regarded as independent because some have close ties to the hedge fund’s boss, Boaz Weinstein.
Broker Investec warns that Saba has no clear plan and is asking for control before explaining future strategy or management.
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Oscar Belgal was shot in the neck by an ICE agent in New York while in a car with his child. He remains in federal custody with a bullet still lodged in his neck and is receiving limited medical care according to his lawyers.
Key Facts
Oscar Belgal, 28, was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in New York City.
The shooting happened while Belgal was inside a car with his 5-year-old child.
ICE officials said Belgal refused orders and used his vehicle aggressively toward agents; his lawyers deny this.
Belgal is held in solitary confinement at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center with poor conditions reported.
He has limited hearing and numbness on the left side of his face, and still has a bullet in his neck requiring surgery.
ICE has had at least 10 noncitizens injured and 6 fatal shootings since President Trump’s second term began.
The Department of Homeland Security restricts deadly force to situations where officers face imminent serious harm.
New DHS rules issued in October restrict vehicle chases following several ICE shooting incidents involving cars.
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Mohammed El-Kurd is a Palestinian writer and journalist who grew up in East Jerusalem. He wrote the book "Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal," which examines how people see Palestinian suffering, and it was recently translated into French.
Key Facts
Mohammed El-Kurd is a Palestinian poet, writer, and journalist.
He grew up in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.
His family was displaced from their home by Israeli settlers when he was a child.
He wrote a book called "Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal."
The book discusses how the suffering of Palestinians is understood and represented.
The French translation of the book was published recently.
He spoke about these topics in an interview with the show Perspective.
The discussion touches on broader issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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A 16-year-old boy is on trial after stabbing a 15-year-old girl at Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich. The boy’s mother told the court she received a message from him saying "sorry" shortly after the attack, which police responded to on March 11.
Key Facts
The stabbing happened at Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich on March 11.
The victim was a 15-year-old girl who was stabbed in the back.
The attacker, now 16, denies attempted murder but admits to carrying a knife and wounding with intent.
The attacker’s mother received a message from him saying "sorry" after the incident.
The mother described her son as quiet, smart, and with a dry sense of humor.
The boy wrote notes expressing hatred of women before the attack.
A teacher chased the attacker after the stabbing but could not stop him immediately.
The trial is ongoing at King’s Lynn Crown Court and is expected to last three weeks.
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A new long-term study shows that people who drank diet soda lost about the same amount of weight as those who drank water. This result was unexpected because many believe water helps more with weight loss.
Key Facts
The study compared weight loss between diet soda drinkers and water drinkers.
Both groups lost similar amounts of weight over time.
The study was conducted over a long period to track lasting effects.
Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
Water has no calories or sweeteners.
This finding challenges the idea that water is always better for weight loss than diet soda.
The research suggests diet soda might be a useful alternative for people trying to lose weight.
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Severe storms caused major damage to communities in the Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States over the weekend. Emergency aid, including disaster relief approved by President Trump, is being provided to affected areas.
Key Facts
Strong storms hit parts of the Southeast and Southwest U.S. this past weekend.
These storms caused significant damage to many communities.
President Donald Trump approved disaster relief for Wisconsin, one of the affected states.
Flooding led to roads being submerged in Texas.
Emergency services and FEMA are assisting people impacted by the storms.
Weather experts warn of more severe weather ahead, such as Hurricane Isaias approaching the Gulf Coast.
Various news reports cover related topics like rescue efforts and safety tips during severe weather.
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British comedian Russell Brand has gone on trial in London charged with rape and sexual assault involving six women. The trial began with jury selection and is expected to last about 10 weeks, with Brand pleading not guilty to all charges.
Key Facts
Russell Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
He faces 3 counts of rape, 3 counts of sexual assault, and 1 count of indecent assault.
The charges involve alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009.
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Allegations include rape at a hotel during a Labour Party conference and assault on women working in TV and radio.
Brand is 51 years old and was accompanied by his wife at court.
He became famous as a comedian and actor, with roles in movies and hosting TV and radio shows.
The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks and started with jury selection.
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Columbus Day is a federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October, so government offices are closed. However, the stock market stays open, the postal service does not deliver mail, and bank hours vary depending on the institution.
Key Facts
Columbus Day is a federal holiday on the second Monday in October.
Federal government offices are closed on Columbus Day.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq remain open during normal hours.
The U.S. Postal Service closes all offices and does not deliver mail on this day.
Some banks, like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, close for the holiday.
JPMorgan Chase branches are open but restrict online transactions on Columbus Day.
Retailers such as Costco and Walmart operate on regular schedules on Columbus Day.
The holiday is increasingly recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day in many places.
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Rep. Don Bacon criticized President Donald Trump’s deal to buy diesel fuel from Russia, saying it supports Russia’s war efforts. Bacon pointed out that most Americans support Ukraine and that this deal helps fund Russian attacks on cities.
Key Facts
Rep. Don Bacon is a Republican representative from Nebraska.
He expressed disapproval of President Trump’s diesel purchase deal with Russia.
The deal occurs while energy prices are rising in the U.S.
Bacon said 70% of Americans support Ukraine in the conflict.
He believes providing money to Russia helps fund its military actions.
The criticism was shared on the social media platform X.
The issue relates to the ongoing war involving Russia and Ukraine.
The focus is on the moral implications of trading with Russia during war.
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President Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an "energy ceasefire." However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he did not know about any such agreement.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine reached an "energy ceasefire."
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said this information was new to him.
The "energy ceasefire" idea was announced by President Trump in the past.
No confirmation or details about this ceasefire have come from Ukraine.
The situation involves ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
CBS News reporters Aidan Stretch and Ramy Inocencio covered the story.
The term "energy ceasefire" suggests a pause in fighting related to energy sources or infrastructure.
President Trump made this announcement recently, but it has not been verified by both sides.
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The International Energy Agency (IEA) says the world is facing its biggest energy crisis ever, caused mainly by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war. These conflicts have disrupted oil and gas supplies, causing fuel prices to rise and creating fears of energy shortages globally.
Key Facts
The energy crisis has lasted more than seven months with little improvement.
The US-Israel war on Iran has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Fuel prices have gone up and supply chains are affected worldwide.
Global oil reserves are dropping quickly, despite G7 countries using emergency stockpiles.
The Russia-Ukraine war adds pressure by damaging energy facilities in both countries.
The IEA warns that unresolved Middle East tensions could hurt the global economy.
The coming winter in the Northern Hemisphere may make the situation worse.
The energy industry will take time to recover and may change permanently due to this crisis.
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Scientists warn that this year’s El Niño could be one of the strongest, threatening crops and food supplies, especially outside the U.S. Some farms manage better by growing plants year-round, which helps soil hold more water and survive droughts and heavy rains. Practices like planting cover crops or perennials help farms absorb water, reduce flooding, and protect yields.
Key Facts
El Niño this year may be the strongest ever, causing bad weather for farming in many regions.
The U.S. will face less severe effects than Central and South America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa.
Farms with plants growing all year (cover crops or perennials) keep soil moist and more resilient.
Having roots in the ground year-round improves water absorption by about 16% during droughts.
Cover crops and perennials can soak up heavy rains better, reducing water runoff and flooding.
If one third of Iowa’s farmland used these methods, flood risks could drop by 20%.
Farmers use methods like planting trees, bushes, or prairie strips among crops for better soil health.
Current U.S. crop insurance favors traditional crops like corn and soybeans, making it harder for farmers growing cover crops or perennials to get financial support.
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Google is launching the Fitbit Edge, a new fitness tracker that fits between the Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air in price and features. It has a bigger screen than the Charge 6, more health sensors than the Air, and a battery life of up to seven days without always-on display.
Key Facts
Fitbit Edge has a 1.34-inch OLED touchscreen with 46% more viewable area than the Charge 6.
The device is water and dust resistant with an IP68 (5 ATM) rating.
Battery lasts about 7 days without always-on display; around 2 days with it on.
It works with Android and iPhone via the Google Health app and can store a week of detailed health data offline.
Edge includes GPS, ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, skin temperature sensors, and an altimeter.
It lacks a microphone, speaker, NFC (no tap-to-pay), and full WearOS app support.
Fitbit Edge will come with a silicone band for $180; a special edition costs $220.
The device connects to Google Health Premium service with AI health coach features available by subscription.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has the power to cancel all death sentences in the state. If he does this, it would be the largest action against the death penalty ever taken by a U.S. political leader.
Key Facts
Gavin Newsom is the governor of California.
He can commute, or cancel, all death sentences in California.
Commuting a sentence means changing a death sentence to a lesser punishment.
No other U.S. political leader has had the chance to stop as many executions at once.
This action would be a major step against the death penalty in the United States.
California has many people currently sentenced to death.
Newsom’s decision could save many lives.
This issue is connected to his potential goal to become president.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered authorities to reveal and prosecute soldiers and officers who appeared in the documentary NAZA, which reports on civilian deaths in Gaza. The film, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has been internationally recognized but faced strong criticism and legal threats from the Israeli government.
Key Facts
Netanyahu asked the attorney general and Israeli internal security (Shin Bet) to identify soldiers and officers interviewed in NAZA.
He called for criminal investigations related to information security, defamation, and harm to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.
NAZA, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers, details Israeli actions that led to civilian deaths in Gaza.
The film won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival with a record-long ovation.
Israeli officials and supporters have accused the filmmakers of treason and threatened them and their families.
The military advocate general said prosecution would need proof of security breaches but disciplinary actions might still occur.
International journalist organizations say the government's actions threaten press freedom.
The film’s reporting builds on previous investigations by several media outlets between 2023 and 2025.
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