Delegates from nearly 200 countries agreed on key parts of a new nature action plan at talks in Yerevan, after negotiations ran past their scheduled end. Countries acknowledged they are falling behind on the 2022 global biodiversity targets, and funding remains a major obstacle to speeding up conservation efforts.
Key Facts
The 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework set 24 targets, including protecting 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030.
The UN says the world is on track to meet only one of the 24 targets.
Scientists say human activity is driving species extinctions at 100 times the natural rate.
Countries have placed 252 million hectares of degraded land under protection, an area larger than Greenland.
The 2022 agreement included a goal of spending $30 billion on nature recovery by 2030 and mobilising another $170 billion from private sources.
More than $1 billion was pledged at the Yerevan meeting; half came from philanthropists, including Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild organisation.
Delegates discussed cutting subsidies for industries that harm nature, including large-scale fishing.
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Two firms, Wedgewood Polls and Median Strategies, admitted fabricating political polling during the 2026 U.S. election cycle. Wedgewood’s fake results appeared in polling trackers and received attention from media and political groups, exposing gaps in how pollsters and aggregators verify survey data.
Key Facts
Wedgewood Polls said its fabricated surveys were an experiment meant to test vulnerabilities in the U.S. polling industry.
The firm published fake results about competitive races in states including Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Kansas and Maine.
The New York Times said its polling tracker listed 15 Wedgewood surveys from June to October, then removed them.
The Times said it had asked Wedgewood about its personnel, methods and funding before listing the surveys.
The Times said Wedgewood’s results were not included in its presidential approval or national congressional polling averages.
Polling investigator FiftyPlusOne reported inconsistencies in raw data and technical identifiers linked to survey responses.
Wedgewood admitted that most of its results were fabricated after the investigation raised suspicions.
Median Strategies acknowledged in August that it had also faked results, describing the effort as a short-term social experiment.
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Footage from North Hollywood shows masked ICE agents arresting a man while a bystander walking his dogs is present. The footage appears to show an agent pointing a handgun at the bystander and agents lifting the arrested man by his arms and legs as he cries out in pain.
Key Facts
The incident took place in North Hollywood.
The footage shows masked ICE agents arresting a man.
A bystander walking his dogs was near the arrest.
An agent appears to point a handgun at the bystander.
Agents lift the arrested man by his arms and legs.
The man cries out in pain during the arrest.
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Three armed, masked men broke into a Toronto home early Thursday and attacked the family of real estate CEO David Morton, police said. Morton and his two adult daughters suffered gunshot wounds and remained hospitalized Friday; Morton said all four family members were also struck with a hammer. Police are searching for the suspects, who fled in an SUV.
Key Facts
The suspects entered the five-bedroom home in Toronto’s Bridle Path neighborhood through a back entrance at about 3:40 a.m. local time.
Police said the suspects went to the second floor and demanded valuables from the family.
David Morton, 75, and his daughters, ages 28 and 26, were shot while trying to fight off the intruders.
Morton said his wife, Doriana, 64, and the other family members were attacked with a hammer.
Morton and his daughters were still hospitalized Friday; he did not give details about their conditions.
Police said the three male suspects are believed to be in their 20s and wore dark clothing.
Toronto police reported 119 home invasions so far in 2026, 32.2% more than by the same point last year.
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Former Texas Republican Congressman Alan Steelman said President Donald Trump has turned the GOP into a “cult organized around one man.” Steelman is among former Texas Republicans backing Democrat James Talarico in his U.S. Senate race against Ken Paxton, while several cited polls show a close contest.
Key Facts
Alan Steelman represented Texas in Congress during the 1970s and previously led the Dallas County Republican Party.
Steelman said the Republican Party had changed since Trump’s rise to political prominence and no longer reflected principles he associated with past Republican presidents.
Roughly 25 former Texas Republicans have campaigned for Talarico, according to the article.
Talarico’s campaign released a list of more than 20 Republicans endorsing him over Paxton.
Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips said his endorsement reflected concerns about Paxton’s public career and that he believed Talarico would serve with dignity and honor.
Neil Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, said he voted for Talarico because character matters more than party affiliation.
An ActiVote survey of 400 likely voters conducted October 22–28 showed Talarico leading Paxton 52.1% to 47.9%, with a 4.9-point margin of error.
A Fox News poll conducted October 15–19 found the race tied at 49%, according to the article.
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Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday to seek steps that would restart direct U.S.-Iran negotiations. The talks are set to continue in Doha, while U.S. officials and regional leaders weigh diplomacy against the possibility of further military action.
Key Facts
Qatari mediators remained in contact with the White House during Friday’s discussions, according to a diplomatic source.
Qatar is proposing reciprocal steps to bring the U.S. and Iran back to talks on Iran’s nuclear program and other issues.
The Trump administration wants Iran to make nuclear concessions before talks resume; Iran has called for the U.S. to lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds and allow oil sales.
Qatar is urging Iran to allow U.N. inspectors to visit bombed nuclear sites, potentially in exchange for some sanctions relief.
The article describes differing views within Trump’s circle: Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio are skeptical of a deal, while Vice President Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner favor renewed negotiations.
Regional countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have urged Iran to resume negotiations before the U.S. midterms.
A White House official said the midterm results would not affect Trump’s decision-making on Iran; Saudi and Turkish leaders have also urged him to give diplomacy more time.
The article says a renewed conflict could damage energy infrastructure across the region and worsen the global energy crisis.
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CBS News announced the guests for the Nov. 1, 2026, episode of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” The program will also include an Election Day preview with CBS News elections and surveys executive director Anthony Salvanto.
Key Facts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to appear.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is scheduled to appear.
Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is scheduled to appear.
David Becker, executive director and co-founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, is scheduled to appear.
Anthony Salvanto will provide an Election Day preview.
The show airs on CBS News at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sundays.
The show streams on Paramount+ and CBSNews.com at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sundays.
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The Justice Department opened an investigation into voter-registration efforts by three Democratic-aligned groups in Arizona, citing reporting that appears to refer to an undercover video. The video shows a person asking about registering despite being ineligible, but it does not show the groups registering anyone; the announcement came after Arizona’s registration deadline and four days before Election Day.
Key Facts
The groups named are nonprofits Worker Power and Stand Indivisible AZ, and When We Count, a voter-registration program of the Democratic National Committee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said it referred the matter to the FBI.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine asked Arizona’s secretary of state and Maricopa County recorder to review registrations submitted by the groups.
The Justice Department’s announcement appears to refer to an Oct. 22 video by Muckraker, a right-wing media outlet.
The Democratic National Committee said it knew of no cases in which its fellows registered a noncitizen and called the allegations fabricated.
Arizona’s voter-registration deadline had passed weeks before the announcement.
Former Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell questioned the announcement’s timing and said election officials have limited time to review registrations.
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Elon Musk warned on X that a Democratic victory in the 2028 presidential and congressional elections could lead to a permanent one-party state. He argued that Democrats might make Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., states, change immigration policy, and expand the Supreme Court; Mark Cuban responded that such proposals could backfire.
Key Facts
Musk said voters should elect at least 51 Republican senators in the 2026 midterm elections to prevent the changes he described.
Musk claimed Democrats could seek statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., legalize the status of people living in the country illegally, and expand the Supreme Court.
Mark Cuban said he opposed those proposals and argued that independents could influence elections.
The article says Democrats were favored to win the House and faced a competitive contest to take control of the Senate in the midterms.
The article describes midterm elections as a test of the political climate and notes that the president's party has historically lost seats in them.
Donald Trump criticized proposals for statehood and Supreme Court expansion in an April statement, according to the article.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he supported Supreme Court reform when asked about adding justices, according to the article.
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The State Department approved a possible $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine. The purchase would be funded entirely by U.S. partners and allies.
Key Facts
The State Department announced the approval on Friday.
The proposed sale includes 500 Patriot interceptor missiles.
The possible sale is valued at $2.1 billion.
U.S. partners and allies would provide all the funding.
The approval allows the sale to proceed as a possibility; it does not confirm that the missiles have been delivered.
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France is preparing for another weekend of Yellow Vest protests, with 70,000 police and security personnel deployed after recent riots and looting. In Israel, an inconclusive election left Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot without the seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The program also covers Donald Trump and Barack Obama trading remarks during the final days of the U.S. midterm campaign.
Key Facts
French Yellow Vest protesters plan rallies under the slogan “Act III – Halloween.”
France is deploying 70,000 police and security personnel for the protests.
The French government faces public grievances and mounting debt as it tries to restore order ahead of elections.
Neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor rival Gadi Eisenkot secured the 61 seats needed for an Israeli parliamentary majority.
Arab parties made gains in Israel’s election and could hold the balance of power.
Netanyahu challenged the legitimacy of the Arab parties’ result, while Eisenkot called for a Zionist government.
Donald Trump and Barack Obama traded barbs in public during the final days of the U.S. midterm campaign.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled the G20 foreign ministers’ traditional group photo in Atlanta after several countries, including Australia and the UK, said they would not appear alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ministers condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and faced disagreements over Ukraine, Poland’s bid to join the G20 and South Africa’s absence from the meetings.
Key Facts
Several European officials, the UK and Australia said they would boycott or leave a photo with Lavrov.
Rubio opened the meeting by saying countries faced interconnected economic and geopolitical crises.
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during the opening session.
Australia said it supported the decision to cancel the photo and would not normalize Russia’s invasion.
Russia opposed Poland’s membership in the G20, while Poland attended the meeting as a guest and sought membership with U.S. support.
Ukraine was not invited to this year’s meeting; U.S. officials said they chose to invite only formal G20 members.
South Africa, a G20 founding member and its only African member, was not invited to the meeting.
Participants said disagreements could prevent the foreign ministers from issuing a joint statement when the meeting ends.
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President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. war against Iran would end “soon.” The article says he is considering authorizing military strikes on Iran after the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
Trump made the statement on Friday.
Trump said the U.S. war against Iran would end “soon.”
The article describes the conflict as a U.S. war against Iran.
Trump is considering authorizing military strikes on Iran.
The potential strikes would come after the November midterm elections.
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Germany and France are preparing for protests over the Halloween weekend, with large police deployments and steps to protect businesses. Demonstrators have raised concerns including the cost of living, school conditions and young people’s prospects, while French officials warn of a high risk of disorder.
Key Facts
About 150,000 people have registered for Saturday protests in around 30 German cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne.
German police plan to deploy thousands of additional officers, and some shops have boarded up their windows.
The German protests are led by a group called “GenZ regelt!” and focus on the cost of living, school conditions, spending cuts and political decisions affecting young people.
France is deploying 70,000 police officers nationwide for another weekend of possible protests.
More than 40 Paris metro stations will close, and authorities have said face-covering masks will not be allowed at demonstrations.
French cities have seen protests for three consecutive weekends, including looting, riots and clashes with police.
France’s interior minister warned of a “very high risk” of disorder over the weekend.
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Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens traded criticism days before a planned joint campaign appearance. Stevens urged El-Sayed to condemn an outside political ad about U.S. aid to Israel and to remove his own ad featuring Tucker Carlson; El-Sayed said Stevens was reopening a primary that had ended three months earlier.
Key Facts
El-Sayed and Stevens were expected to appear together Sunday at a Detroit church with Rep. Jim Clyburn.
Stevens demanded that El-Sayed apologize for saying Israel was the reason Michigan could not afford schools, health care and child care.
Stevens called an ad by the outside group Rebellion PAC antisemitic and urged El-Sayed to condemn it.
El-Sayed's campaign said it had no connection to the Rebellion PAC ad.
Stevens also called on El-Sayed to take down an ad featuring Tucker Carlson.
Stevens endorsed El-Sayed after he won the Democratic nomination, but the two have rarely campaigned together.
Stevens said she would vote for El-Sayed, while her fiancé, Jason Turkish, told The Detroit News he would vote for Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
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U.S. midterm candidates are using clothing to project their identity and connect with voters, as well as to appear capable of holding office. The article highlights workwear and outdoor clothing worn by Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Mary Peltola, and patriotic clothing used by Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson.
Key Facts
Stylist Joe Zee says candidates use their clothing both to look fit for office and to seem connected to voters.
Washington Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez often wears work jackets, flannel shirts, jeans and practical shoes, reflecting her background and the Pacific Northwest.
Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola wears rugged outdoor clothing that recalls her work on a fishing boat and emphasizes her Alaskan identity.
Peltola wore traditional Yup'ik boots when she was sworn in as a congresswoman in 2022.
Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson has worn American-flag-decorated high heels, denim and bandanas as part of a patriotic campaign image.
The article says Hinson has sought to distance herself from some Trump administration policy decisions while expressing loyalty to President Donald Trump.
Commentators say clothing can create a recognizable visual identity, particularly when voters encounter candidates briefly on social media.
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An Ohio man’s elaborate Halloween skeleton display brought joy to a woman undergoing cancer treatment. The encounter inspired him to keep the decorations up year-round, and CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman revisited the homeowner for an “On the Road” segment.
Key Facts
The display features elaborate Halloween skeleton decorations.
The homeowner is from Ohio.
A woman undergoing cancer treatment found joy in the display.
The encounter inspired the homeowner to keep the decorations up year-round.
CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman revisited the homeowner.
The story appeared in CBS News’ “On the Road” segment.
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Rising gas prices and new-car prices are leading many drivers in Texas to keep older vehicles running longer. As small independent garages become harder to find and dealership repairs can be costly, some drivers are seeking alternative repair options.
Key Facts
New cars cost more than $50,000 on average, according to the article.
The article says gas prices are climbing.
Many drivers are trying to keep older cars on the road longer.
Small, independent garages are becoming harder to find.
Dealership repairs can be expensive.
Drivers in Texas are turning to alternative car repairs.
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NASA is asking commercial companies for plans to reboost, service, or safely dispose of the Hubble Space Telescope. The request seeks information, not a commitment to fund a mission; companies must respond by November 30, and any mission would need to occur by 2032.
Key Facts
Hubble has no onboard propulsion and has gradually lost altitude since its orbit was last raised in 2002.
Hubble currently orbits about 292 miles (470 kilometers) above Earth, down from 362 miles (583 kilometers) in 2002.
Without intervention, forecasts point to Hubble reentering the atmosphere in 2033 or 2034, though solar activity can affect timing.
NASA says a mission could capture Hubble and raise its orbit to at least 373 miles (600 kilometers), improve its performance, or guide it into a controlled reentry.
NASA’s request says a boost or servicing mission must not harm Hubble and is expected by 2032.
A successful boost to 373 miles could keep Hubble in orbit for at least 25 more years.
NASA received eight responses to a similar 2022 request, including a robotic reboost concept from Astroscale and Momentus.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman proposed a crewed SpaceX Dragon servicing mission in 2022, before becoming NASA administrator.
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High pressure is expected to bring much of the UK a calm, largely dry spell lasting up to 10 days after storms Austen and Boelo. Fog may slow travel during mornings, and forecasters say wetter, windier weather could return around mid-November.
Key Facts
The Environment Agency said England had its wettest week in two years after Storms Austen and Boelo and another low-pressure system brought rain.
High pressure is expected to remain over or near the UK for at least 10 days.
Most areas are forecast to have light winds and little rain during the settled spell.
Dense morning fog could clear slowly and reduce visibility, causing travel disruption.
A few showers could affect Scotland’s Western Isles on Halloween evening.
Temperatures are expected to edge lower, especially overnight and in the early morning.
Forecasters say Atlantic low-pressure systems may bring wetter and windier conditions from around mid-November.
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