Capital city and federal district of the United States
Bolivia’s attorney general has been arrested amid a crackdown on narco-trafficking and corruption as Washington tightens security links with the Paz administration. The development follows U.S. visa sanctions and a broader push to reform the justice system. The case intertwines with recent seizures, extraditions, and high-stakes diplomacy in the region.
Partial returns from Sundays vote have shown Senator Flavio Bolsonaro opening a lead over incumbent Luiz Incio Lula da Silva with about 51% to Lulas 41% in early counts covering roughly a quarter of electronic ballot boxes. Neither campaign has secured an outright first-round victory; polls and reporting had predicted a tight race and a likely runoff on October 25.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SpaceX has flown Starship into low‑Earth orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, and has deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites. The Super Heavy booster has returned to the Gulf of Mexico; the upper stage has completed multiple orbits before a planned reentry and splashdown west of Chile during a roughly 10‑hour mission on Monday.
Citadel founder Ken Griffin has pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University: $2 billion to build a 35-acre Wynwood campus in Miami that aims to open for students in 2028, and $1 billion to boost priorities at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus, including renaming its School of Computer Science after Griffin.
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 and South Korea have announced a broad energy investment package that includes up to $200 billion in projects, with Alaska LNG viewed as a potential centerpiece. Seoul’s involvement depends on commercial viability and legal compliance, while experts caution on Alaska LNG's costs and timelines.
Trump is touring multiple red states ahead of the midterms, arguing for manufacturing growth and tariff policies while pressing voters to connect his record to the ballot box amid concerns about the economy and conflict with Iran.
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.
As Brazil heads to a high-stakes presidential vote, Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro remain the leading contenders. Voters will decide whether Lula secures a fourth term or Bolsonaro returns his family to power. The race also shapes Brazil’s stance on the Amazon and relations with the United States, with a broad field of other races on Sunday’s ballot.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the twice-yearly clock changes, has cleared the House but is being held up in the Senate by Sen. Tom Cotton. Trump says the country wants more afternoon sunlight, while Cotton argues winter mornings would be too dark for children and workers.
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.
The Tigray conflict has intensified as federal forces retake Mekelle’s airport and push into the city center, while the TPLF withdraws from Mekelle to operate from another location. Regional and international actors warn of a potential wider war in the Horn of Africa.
Wanying Zhang has been arrested in Los Angeles on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China. She allegedly surveilled the Taiwanese president’s son and his family in 2025, sending photos, videos and license-plate data to Chinese officials. Taiwan’s presidential office condemns the act as transnational repression while the Chinese embassy has not responded.
The electoral court has ruled neither Lula da Silva nor Flávio Bolsonaro has won outright in the first round. A runoff will take place on Oct. 25, 2026, with the next term beginning Jan. 5, 2027. Both campaigns are targeting moderate voters amid corruption concerns and a shifting regional alignment.