World news, briefly.
Updated daily at 7 AM Philippine time
Stories remain available for at least 90 days after their last retrieval. Times use Philippine time.
First published 20 October 2026
At least nine judges are handling challenges to President Donald Trump’s Washington construction and redevelopment projects, including a proposed arch, a White House ballroom and golf-course renovations. The cases could help define the limits of presidential power over federal property and the capital.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
President Donald Trump justified his reversal of almost five years of sanctions against Russia as part of peace negotiations. He did not name any hostage.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
Nine FBI agents, analysts and operations specialists sued to reverse their dismissals, calling the firings political retaliation. The employees were fired after participating in investigations involving President Donald Trump.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
A teenager opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killing three children and one teacher. The shooter was killed by an armed bystander, according to The New York Times.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
A coalition including the League of Women Voters sued the Trump administration over its effort to collect and analyze voter data from states. The complaint alleges DHS obtained voter files from at least 47 states and violated federal privacy and election safeguards.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
A new AP-NORC poll found that a strong majority of voters believe President Donald Trump is falling short both domestically and internationally and want major change in the upcoming midterm elections.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Capitol Police are investigating suspicious mailings sent to congressional and election offices nationwide. Several packages containing unknown or powdery substances were intercepted or received about three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
Election officials said they feared the administration could use its own unsubstantiated claims to challenge the results of November’s midterm elections.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
The lawsuit seeks to temporarily block California from counting mail ballots cast by voters the administration claims are likely to be noncitizens, opening a new front in its legal fights with election officials.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
The Justice Department threatened California with legal action over alleged noncitizens on its voter rolls. The Trump administration has made identifying noncitizen voters a priority, although evidence indicates such voting is exceptionally rare.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
A federal judge extended White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, finding that President Donald Trump likely broke the law by trying to bar them.
investing.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
A federal appeals court questioned whether President Donald Trump had legal authority to deploy National Guard troops to patrol Washington, D.C.; the case remains pending after a lower court ruled the deployment unlawful.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
An AP-NORC poll found that about six in 10 U.S. adults believe President Donald Trump is profiting from the presidency illegally or in an unethical but noncriminal way.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
The Trump administration is shortening the period refugees have to challenge termination of their status. Critics warn the policy could place tens of thousands of people who fled persecution or war on a path toward deportation.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a watchdog’s lawsuit seeking public records about Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, a case that could determine how much information the administration must disclose.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
Federal agents searched Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington home three weeks before her reelection race. Democrats criticized the search as possible political retribution, while the administration cited allegations involving Omar.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to leave amid criticism over allegations of improper and possibly illegal conduct before and during her tenure in Athens.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 13 October 2026
A federal judge ordered a 24-hour halt to tree-cutting at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Course, criticizing the administration for not adequately notifying the court about holiday-weekend work connected to President Trump’s plans.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 13 October 2026
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cancel remaining television commercials paid for with taxpayer money to promote President Donald Trump’s political message, following a lawsuit challenging the campaign as unlawful political propaganda.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Several Republican-led states have adopted new voting rules resembling proposals advanced by President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections, drawing criticism from voting-rights advocates who say the changes damage confidence in elections.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home on Monday as part of a criminal investigation, according to two people familiar with the matter, while the nature and scope of the investigation remained unclear.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
According to The Associated Press, Elon Musk has donated more than $276 million since July to influence the 2026 midterm elections, with much of the money supporting efforts to preserve Republican majorities in Congress.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Federal agents searched Representative Ilhan Omar's home within 60 days of the midterm elections, a period when the Justice Department has historically avoided such investigative steps involving political candidates.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
More than three dozen voting laws passed in Republican-controlled states are taking effect for the first time this year, including changes to acceptable identification and requirements for proof of citizenship.
cmg-cmg-rd-20056-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
US District Judge Jennifer Rochon temporarily barred taxpayer-funded advertisements promoting President Donald Trump after plaintiffs including Common Cause challenged them as political propaganda intended to help Republican candidates in the midterm elections.
channelnewsasia.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Elon Musk has become by far the largest known midterm donor through a $276 million effort aimed at preserving Republicans' Senate majority.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Police said a gunman in Erie, Pennsylvania, killed eight people, including seven relatives, before taking his own life, and the father of a toddler killed in the shooting said the gunman was a grandfather in the family.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon temporarily barred taxpayer-funded political advertisements featuring President Trump after plaintiffs including Common Cause alleged they were propaganda intended to help Republican candidates in the November 3 midterm elections.
marketscreener.com (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
The Justice Department launched an antitrust investigation into ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News over White House pool coordination after the networks agreed not to substitute for CNN when the administration blocked its scheduled pool duties.
opb.org (English) ↗＋ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
AP reported that factory closures and layoffs linked to higher imported-parts costs are contributing to voter backlash against Republicans, although tariffs are not the only cause of manufacturing job losses and some affected workers remain Republican supporters.
apnews.com (English) ↗＋ Save