Capital city and federal district of the United States
U2 has announced Carnaval de Luz, their 16th studio album, to be released on 13 November. The album features Dolly Parton on the final track Torn, described as a tender country duet. The Edge and Bono describe the project as a messy, provocative collection; the album includes collaborations with Martin Garrix and Ryan Tedder. Parton’s involvement marks her final vocal performance. The band previously released two EPs this year and has toured extensively.
Brazil has headed into a tight presidential vote on 4 October with incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro running level in polls. Campaigns have been dominated by the Banco Master scandal, mutual accusations over corruption and foreign interference, and last‑minute policy moves such as Lula’s increase to Bolsa Família benefits.
The federal government has redirected resources to search state voter rolls for noncitizen registrants and has charged dozens of people for alleged illegal voting. Officials and experts say the totals uncovered so far are tiny compared with more than 200 million registered voters, while states and courts have pushed back against rushed federal reviews as early voting begins ahead of Nov. 3.
US ambassador David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons. The State Department has clarified that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to do so. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan and Taipei continues to press allies for defence supplies.
Initial jobless claims have ticked down, while the four-week average stays near historically low levels. Openings have slipped, but hiring continues at a modest pace amid energy-price pressures and policy uncertainty. Forecasters expect September jobs gains with unemployment near 4.1% as the labor market remains sturdy.
The Senate war powers debate has progressed with Republicans leaning toward endorsing a resolution to end the Iran war as fuel prices remain high and voters demand relief. Lawmakers have increasingly tied costs of living to military actions while Democrats press for accountability ahead of the midterms.
Kremlin and White House officials have signalled ongoing dialogue on ending the Ukraine war, with discussions focusing on energy initiatives, potential prisoner exchanges, and trilateral talks that could bring Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to the negotiating table. Western mediation efforts continue ahead of winter.
Hegseth has announced a 20% reduction in flag and general officer positions across the U.S. military by January 1, 2027, following last year’s 10% cut. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline leadership and reduce bureaucracy, with critics warning of consequences for readiness and leadership turnover.
Tech leaders have signed a voluntary accord to implement robust internal safeguards and auditing for AI tools, with potential to become law over time. The agreement is non-binding and lacks enforcement, but signals a push for industry self-policing as officials discuss future regulation.
Milwaukee talks among G20 trade ministers fail to reach a common stance on overcapacity and forced labor. Only Mexico and Argentina join a US-backed statement on eliminating forced labor in supply chains, as tensions over tariffs and non-market policies persist.
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, ending a 12-year campaign against ISIL. Iraq will lead security efforts going forward, with Kurdish forces and Iraqi security services preparing to shoulder responsibilities. Sovereignty Days are marked as Iraq shifts to an Iraqi-led security posture amid regional tensions.
Burundi has agreed to receive people deported from the United States under third-country policies, but only those not facing criminal charges or terrorism links. Officials say preparations are underway to provide housing and integrate deportees into local communities; details on numbers, timing and funding remain undisclosed.
The State Department has amended ITAR to remove Syria from the denial list, allowing case‑by‑case consideration of US arms exports. The move follows steps to ease sanctions and hints at reopening Damascus embassy. Seven countries remain on the denial list as Washington shifts its approach to Damascus.
The Federal Reserve's inspector general has found major management and oversight failures in a $2.4bn–$2.5bn renovation of two Fed buildings but has not found reasonable grounds to refer criminal charges against former chair Jerome Powell. The report has fuelled political attacks and prompted Warsh to order an independent audit of project costs.
Senators have clinched a bipartisan framework to reform federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, aiming to accelerate approvals while preserving environmental protections. The measure, dubbed the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, is set to be a top priority in a lame-duck session after the midterms, with data-center power costs and grid upgrades central to the debate.
The SEC has moved to broaden access to private equity, venture capital and other private-market funds for individual investors. Proposals include expanding accredited-investor licenses, introducing an exam, and allowing advisers to charge performance fees. The shift aims to diversify retail portfolios, though risks, liquidity constraints and minimums remain.
The US Justice Department has indicted five individuals linked to a Kremlin-aligned network accused of planning killings of Russian dissidents abroad, including Kasparov and Ponomaryov. Kasparov has warned that his life is at risk and has called for continued opposition to Putin. The network’s operatives allegedly tracked targets in the US and Europe.
The United States has unveiled a large-scale investment package with South Korea that includes up to $200 billion in projects such as nuclear plants, a Texas gas facility, and the Alaska LNG pipeline. Seoul’s commitment hinges on commercial viability and legal compliance, while experts caution on Alaska’s project costs and timelines.
Trump has launched a 32-day campaign blitz across key states, rallying supporters as Republican candidates face tightened races amid concerns over the economy and Iran war. The visits to Texas, Oklahoma and other states aim to energize the base and bolster Senate and governor races ahead of the November 3 election.
The Strait of Hormuz remains volatile as ships navigate amid drones and missiles overhead. A captain has reported a sharp maneuver to avoid a collision and to alert the U.S. Navy of an attack, highlighting ongoing disruptions to oil flows and the difficulty of reopening regular traffic.
The US embassy has suspended consular services in Brazil ahead of the presidential election, citing security concerns. Australia closes its embassy in Brasilia; Brazilian federal police conduct preventive searches. The move comes as Lula da Silva and Bolsonaro lead in a tight race with a runoff possible on Oct. 25.