The World Brief for Thursday, October 29, 2026. Listen to today’s episode, or read each of today’s 18 stories below. Every story has an article with links to its sources.
United States
Fed Holds Rates Steady at 3.75% to 4% as Inflation Stays High
The Fed held interest rates steady at 3.75%-4% despite elevated inflation, with two officials voting for a hike. Chair Kevin Warsh also announced meeting changes.
UN Assembly Condemns US Cuba Embargo as Support Drops
UN General Assembly condemns US embargo on Cuba 130-17, with 25 abstentions, as support drops from last year amid US pressure and rising US-Cuba tensions.
Dolores Huerta, Who Co-Founded United Farm Workers, Dies at 96
Labor leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, has died at 96 in Bakersfield, California, her family said.
Judge Rejects Justice Department Bid to Pull California Ballots
A federal judge refused to order California to set aside ballots of 20,000 alleged noncitizen voters, rejecting a Justice Department demand before the November 3 midterm elections.
Brewers Beat Rays 4-1 to Win First World Series Title
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win their first World Series title, with Jacob Misiorowski pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
Utah Files Criminal Charges Against Kalshi and Two Executives
Utah filed criminal charges against prediction market Kalshi and two executives, alleging illegal online gambling promotion including undercover sports bets. Kalshi calls the charges overreach.
Hegseth Fires Pentagon Planner Brett Sylvia Amid Iran Debate
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Pentagon top military planner Brett Sylvia as Trump weighs renewed Iran strikes, a defence official said. No reason was given.
Obama Mocks Trump’s Cheesecake Factory White House Response
Obama and Trump traded jabs over Obama’s joke that the White House looks like a Cheesecake Factory, at rallies in Ohio and Georgia.
Trump Calls for Peltola to Be Barred from Alaska Senate Race
Trump called for Mary Peltola to be kept off the Alaska Senate ballot and prosecuted after a New York Times report on a recruited candidate named Dan J. Sullivan.
Around the world
Spain Train Crash Kills at Least 68 as Investigation Opens
A Renfe train hit a stationary Iryo train in Spain, killing at least 68. Officials point to a control-centre decision; investigation and national mourning follow.
Flavio Bolsonaro Flees to US, Claims to Be Brazil’s Leader
Defeated Brazilian candidate Flavio Bolsonaro flees to the US after Lula’s election win, alleging fraud and claiming to lead the opposition.
Israel Election Deadlocks, Netanyahu Stays as Caretaker
Israel’s election ended with no clear winner. Netanyahu stays caretaker as President Herzog prepares consultations on forming a government.
Putin Opens Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow as Leaders Gather
Putin opens two-day Russia-Africa summit in Moscow with 22 African heads of state, as Moscow seeks wider influence despite Western sanctions over Ukraine.
North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles into sea
North Korea fires about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan amid border tensions with South Korea, Seoul’s military says.
King Charles Begins Caribbean Tour Amid Reparations Calls
King Charles begins a nine-day Caribbean tour as calls for slavery reparations and an apology grow. The British government has ruled both out.
Africa’s Ebola outbreak passes 10,000 confirmed cases
Africa’s Ebola outbreak has passed 10,000 confirmed cases, most in DR Congo, with almost 5,000 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities.
EU and Canada Drop ‘Associate Member’ Plan From Summit Text
The EU and Canada dropped the ‘associate member’ idea from a summit declaration ahead of talks in Montreal, which officials plan to publish Friday.
Healey’s Budget Taxes Banks to Fund Energy Support
Healey’s first budget raises bank taxes to fund £100 energy payments. The Resolution Foundation calls the support poorly targeted and warns incomes will fall.
World Brief is written with AI assistance from published reporting and narrated with an AI-generated voice.