A declassified memo says Iran has increased its plans to attack U.S. officials in the Middle East. The memo, sent from the Director of National Intelligence to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warns that these attacks are becoming more advanced.
Key Facts
Iran has stepped up efforts to target and kill U.S. officials in the Middle East.
The intelligence came from a memo dated Friday that was recently made public.
The memo was sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The memo states the Iranian plots have reached “advanced stages.”
This warning came shortly after the State Department told some U.S. personnel to leave the region.
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The U.S. intelligence chief warned that Iran is increasing efforts to harm American personnel abroad, with some planned attacks now at advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries. In response, the U.S. is adjusting embassy staffing and reducing its military presence in the region due to these threats and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Key Facts
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent a memo warning of advanced plots by Iran targeting U.S. citizens overseas.
The memo was shared with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and obtained by CBS News.
The State Department has moved some non-essential embassy staff and families out of Saudi Arabia and reduced staff at other Middle East embassies.
U.S. military officials are quietly reducing troop numbers in the Middle East due to ongoing threats.
Houthi militants, supported by Iran, have increased drone and missile attacks on Saudi targets, including a deadly attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport that killed a U.S. citizen.
U.S. embassies in several Gulf countries have issued warnings for Americans to be cautious.
President Donald Trump has not ruled out restarting military strikes against Iran, referencing a previous campaign named Epic Fury.
Iran continues to claim responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in a key shipping area, the Strait of Hormuz.
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The Justice Department sent letters to California counties demanding they identify and separate ballots it thinks may belong to noncitizens. This is part of President Trump's efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting, though experts say illegal noncitizen voting is very rare and unlikely to change election results.
Key Facts
Federal prosecutors asked California counties to set aside ballots they suspect were cast by noncitizens.
At least 18 counties received letters with a 48-hour deadline to provide voter information.
The Justice Department wants details like Social Security numbers and ID to verify voter citizenship.
Officials in California oppose the demands, saying the data is unreliable and the requests could delay election results.
Voting is already underway in California, with over 330,000 mail-in ballots counted.
Earlier, 28 people on a suspected noncitizen voter list were charged with illegal registration and voting.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has filed 31 lawsuits to obtain voter lists, aiming to remove noncitizens.
So far, the Justice Department has lost 26 cases related to this and has no legal wins in these efforts.
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James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Texas, accused Elon Musk of trying to buy political power by funding Talarico’s opponent, Ken Paxton. Talarico spoke at a rally in Austin, saying Texas is not for sale and that his campaign is supported by many small donors, while Paxton relies on big money from Musk and others.
Key Facts
James Talarico is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Talarico’s opponent is Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and ally of President Donald Trump.
Elon Musk has given $158 million to a group that supports Paxton’s Senate campaign.
Talarico says Musk is trying to buy influence and control over Texas politics.
Talarico’s campaign raised $64 million from mostly small donors in one quarter.
Paxton has faced corruption accusations and was impeached by his own party in Texas.
Talarico’s rally attracted hundreds of supporters at the University of Texas in Austin.
This Senate race is one of the most expensive and closely watched in the 2024 midterm elections.
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Jack Ross, a former Tory activist who appeared in a hidden camera video offering to arrange contract killings, previously worked briefly for the Conservative Party doing social media tasks. The Conservative Party has suspended his membership while investigating, and Ross denies that his offers were serious.
Key Facts
Jack Ross worked for the Conservative Party until earlier this year, providing social media advice.
He was never a full employee or given access to Conservative Campaign Headquarters.
Ross was chief executive of Turning Point UK, linked to a right-wing American group.
He met several UK politicians, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and former PM Boris Johnson.
In undercover footage by Al Jazeera, Ross seemed to offer violent services like stabbing and shooting.
Ross says he did not mean his statements seriously and denies the allegations.
The Conservative Party has suspended Ross’s membership immediately as they investigate.
Kemi Badenoch called the allegations "shocking" and said she does not believe he is still a party member.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigned with Representative Ashley Hinson in Iowa to support Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. They focused on economic issues important to Iowa voters, emphasized the state's role in deciding Senate control, and addressed concerns like high prices and support for farmers.
Key Facts
John Thune and Ashley Hinson campaigned together in Iowa to boost Republican candidates before the November 3 election.
Iowa is seen as a key state that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Ashley Hinson is running for an open Senate seat against Democrat Josh Turek.
Democrats have not won a Senate race in Iowa since 2008.
Local voters are concerned about economic problems like high prices, housing, childcare, and costs for farmers.
Hinson supports policies such as making no tax on tips permanent, suspending the gas tax, and offering diesel relief for farmers and truckers.
Thune highlighted shared regional issues between South Dakota and Iowa, including transportation and national security.
Despite Iowa being a traditionally Republican state, polls show a tight race between Hinson and Turek.
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The U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to California counties asking them to set aside and check ballots that might belong to noncitizens. California officials oppose the demands, saying the data is unreliable and the process could delay election results and harm voter rights. Legal battles between California and the Justice Department continue as votes are being counted.
Key Facts
The Justice Department suspects some ballots were cast by noncitizens in California.
Letters were sent to at least 18 counties asking them to identify and separate these ballots within 48 hours.
The DOJ requests personal voter information like social security numbers to verify citizenship.
California’s secretary of state and county officials oppose the request, citing potential delays and voter disenfranchisement.
The DOJ recently charged 28 people from a list of 20,000 suspected noncitizen registrants with illegal voting and related crimes.
Data shows illegal voting by noncitizens is very rare and unlikely to affect election outcomes.
A court hearing on a lawsuit to block counting these ballots is scheduled soon.
Voting is already in progress, with over 330,000 mail-in ballots counted in California.
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Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola criticized a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department that aims to stop Alaska from confirming its election results if her Republican opponent loses. She called the lawsuit unnecessary and said it was an attempt to hold on to power unfairly.
Key Facts
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit related to election certification in Alaska.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent Alaska from certifying election results in a certain scenario.
Mary Peltola is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alaska.
Peltola described the lawsuit as frivolous and an act of corruption.
She said the lawsuit was a desperate move by Republicans to maintain power.
The lawsuit involves allies of President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
The legal action is connected to the 2024 Senate race in Alaska.
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Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., announced she is free of cancer six months after her diagnosis. She shared the news on Instagram, with her daughter Kai also speaking about her mother’s journey through breast cancer.
Key Facts
Vanessa Trump was diagnosed with breast cancer in April.
She had surgery and began a second phase of treatment in June.
Six months after diagnosis, Vanessa announced her cancer test results came back clear.
Her daughter, Kai Trump, shared a message about Vanessa’s cancer experience.
Breast cancer affects people differently and requires different treatments.
Vanessa Trump is 48 years old and has five children with Donald Trump Jr.
The family includes children aged 12 to 19 years old.
The news was shared on Instagram and will be followed with a longer video.
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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to make sure a top Interior Department official keeps all messages and data from his personal phone. This is part of a legal battle over President Trump’s plan to change the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. The case focuses on the government’s handling of tree removal and whether it followed environmental rules.
Key Facts
Judge Ana C. Reyes directed the Interior Department to preserve phone records of Gregory Wischer, deputy chief of staff for policy.
Wischer was involved in the golf course project and received a new golf course design on his personal phone.
The order covers all materials related to the golf course and the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed by the D.C. Preservation League and local golfers who oppose the administration’s plans.
The case challenges tree removal and whether environmental and historic preservation laws were followed.
The order does not require turning over the phone immediately, only ensuring data is saved.
The Interior Department ended the lease of the public golf course operator in 2025, clearing the way for government control.
A temporary stop on tree cutting remains until Monday, but an extension was denied by the judge.
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The US Department of Defense has labeled Chinese-funded Confucius Institutes on university campuses as a threat to national security. The Pentagon says these centers have been used to steal ideas and influence American students, and it has been working to close them down.
Key Facts
Confucius Institutes are Chinese-funded cultural centers on US university campuses.
The US defense department considers these centers a national security threat.
They accuse the institutes of spreading propaganda and trying to influence students.
About 80 new centers were found across 30 universities using different names.
The mission of these centers includes stealing intellectual property and influencing minds.
The Pentagon has been dismantling these institutes over the past two months.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has not commented on these claims.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced this information in a social media video.
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President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the upcoming Alaska Senate election, asking the Justice Department to potentially block the election result certification if the Republican candidate loses. This request is related to confusion caused by two candidates sharing the same name.
Key Facts
President Trump questions the fairness of the Alaska Senate race.
He is concerned about possible voter confusion due to two candidates having the same name.
President Trump has asked the Justice Department to stop certifying the election results if the Republican candidate loses.
The issue centers on ensuring voters know which candidate they are voting for.
The Justice Department is considering Trump's request.
The Alaska Senate race is attracting national attention because of this dispute.
Election certification is the official confirmation that the vote count is final.
This action by President Trump follows his ongoing focus on election integrity.
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An Indiana school bus caught fire just after the driver helped the children get off safely. The bus was completely destroyed, but all students were safely evacuated before the fire started.
Key Facts
A school bus in Indiana caught on fire and was destroyed.
The driver made sure all children got off the bus safely before the flames began.
A local resident recorded the moment when the bus went up in flames.
No students were injured in the incident.
The bus was left only with the frame after the fire.
The driver’s quick action prevented harm to the children.
The footage was reported by CBS News and Tom Hanson.
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Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John confirmed he will not attend parliament next week amid allegations of misconduct. The allegations, involving inappropriate behavior towards women, are being investigated by the WA Greens and an independent parliamentary body.
Key Facts
Senator Jordon Steele-John will not attend parliament next week.
Allegations of misconduct against him date from 2017 to 2025.
The WA Greens commissioned an independent investigation into the claims.
The allegations include sexual harassment and serious sexual misconduct.
A letter signed by seven party members requested an investigation.
Steele-John denies agreeing to take leave and rejects the allegations.
Police closed a related investigation in May without charges.
There is internal conflict within the Greens party about the handling of the allegations.
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Independent MP Helen Haines was seriously injured after being hit by a car near her office in Victoria, Australia. Doctors had to amputate both her legs, but her condition has improved to serious but stable.
Key Facts
Helen Haines is an Independent Member of Parliament for the Victorian seat of Indi.
She was hit by a car near her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.
Initially in critical condition, surgeons worked to save her right leg, but both legs were amputated.
Helen Haines is currently in a serious but stable state at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.
Brendan Nugent, 43, from Tarrawingee, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official.
Nugent was also charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis.
Nugent appeared in court and did not seek bail.
Haines’s office plans to reopen next Thursday while she recovers.
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Senator Marco Rubio encouraged Cubans to act now for political change in Cuba, following President Donald Trump’s statement about the possibility of US naval presence near Cuba after a future Iran conflict. Both leaders have hinted at possible US intervention in Cuba, while also pursuing talks with Cuban officials, though these have not yielded progress.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio told Cubans that “now is the time” to push for political change.
President Trump suggested US warships might stop near Cuba after a conflict with Iran.
Trump joked about sending Rubio to Cuba to “finish up the deal” during a campaign rally.
Rubio encouraged Cubans to work secretly with the CIA to create change.
Both Trump and Rubio have supported a tough stance on Cuba, viewing it as a security threat.
The US government recently filed criminal charges against Cuba’s former leader, Raúl Castro.
Despite attempts to improve relations, US talks with Cuba have not led to better cooperation, resulting in more sanctions.
Trump said he hopes for a peaceful resolution but warned Cuba will not be allowed to threaten US security.
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Kaylub Giamanco, a father of two, stopped a gunman who had killed three students and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. He intervened by entering a classroom and shooting the attacker, who was later confirmed dead by police.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on October 15, 2026, at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
The attacker killed three students and one teacher, and injured another student and teacher.
Giamanco saw the gunman enter the school and immediately grabbed his own gun from his car.
He crawled through broken doors, entered the classroom where the attack was happening, and shot the gunman multiple times.
Police credited Giamanco with saving more lives by stopping the attacker.
A teacher also helped by wrestling the gunman to the floor, allowing Giamanco to act.
Giamanco expressed sadness for those who died and gratitude for saving others.
The family of one victim praised Giamanco for risking his own safety to help others.
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U.S. intelligence warns that Iran has increased efforts to target American diplomats and officials, with attack plans reaching advanced stages. Because of this threat, the U.S. is reducing staff at several embassies in the Middle East to protect personnel.
Key Facts
A memo from the Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, was sent to Senator Marco Rubio on October 23.
The memo says Iran's plots to kill U.S. officials have become more advanced.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen might expand attacks beyond Saudi Arabia.
The State Department is reducing staff and sending family members home from embassies in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.
The intelligence has been shared with senior State Department officials, but the memo suggests more U.S. personnel should be informed.
President Donald Trump mentioned possible renewed U.S. military actions against Iran.
The reductions are to keep only essential staff at risk of attacks.
The specific targets or countries outside the Middle East involved in the plots are not detailed in the memo.
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A new CBS 60 Minutes report covers the issue of "third-country deportations." Moussa Diawara, deported from the U.S., was sent to Mali by Ghanaian officials even though a U.S. judge ruled he could not be deported there. Diawara describes becoming homeless and hiding after this.
Key Facts
The report focuses on "third-country deportations," where people are sent to countries other than their home country.
Moussa Diawara was deported from the U.S. and then forced by Ghanaian officials onto a flight to Mali.
A U.S. immigration judge had ruled that Diawara could not be deported to Mali.
After arriving in Mali, Diawara became homeless and went into hiding.
The 60 Minutes report airs Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
The case raises questions about the legality and handling of deportations by multiple countries.
"Third-country deportations" is an immigration-related topic involving the U.S. government and other nations.
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A large online group called "The Kindness Mob" helps people who get hateful comments on the internet. One woman who posted a video about her weight loss shared how the group’s support helped her feel better.
Key Facts
"The Kindness Mob" has about 500,000 members.
The group focuses on supporting people targeted by hate comments online.
The woman posted a video showing her weight loss journey.
She received many mean comments before the mob offered kindness.
The mob’s positive messages helped her recover from online bullying.
Steve Hartman reported this story for CBS News.
The segment is part of CBS News’ "On the Road" series.
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