⚡ Today in History

On October 23, 1983, a suicide truck bomb killed 241 US service members at their barracks near Beirut International Airport — the deadliest single day for the Marine Corps since Iwo Jima in 1945. In 2001, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPod. Today, the US and Israel are drawing up new strike plans in the Middle East, while the Nasdaq just posted its worst day in four months.

Top News

Trump: US “not negotiating” with Iran — action coming “fairly soon” 11 DAYS TO MIDTERMS

Before boarding Air Force One Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters the US is “not negotiating” with Iran and that action will come “fairly soon.” The New York Times separately reported that US and Israeli officials have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile sites after the November 3 midterms.

Nasdaq drops 2.6% — worst day since June — as AI spending fears collide with surging oil −694 PTS

A wave of selling hit the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite on Thursday, dragging it down 694 points to 26,009 as Meta dropped 7% and fears about the cost of the AI boom intensified. The S&P 500 fell 1.21% to 7,663, while the Dow finished flat at 52,868.

7.0 earthquake strikes Tibet — at least 16 dead, 32 wounded 300+ HOMES DOWN

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Nagqu area in China’s Tibet region late Thursday, the strongest quake there in five years. At least 16 people were killed and 32 wounded, according to AFP, with more than 300 homes collapsed across the remote area still recovering from severe flooding in August.

After Trump call, Musk eases Ukraine Starlink restrictions — WSJ

President Donald Trump called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and asked him to ease limits on the military-grade Starlink system in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The Starshield network — which Ukraine relies on for battlefield communication — was “working more normally” by Thursday but still not at full capacity, according to US and Ukrainian officials.

Houthi drone hits Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield — 2 killed, Brent past $113 5-MO HIGH

A Houthi drone struck near Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in eastern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, killing two foreign workers — one Filipino and one Nepali — and injuring two others. Brent crude surged past $113 a barrel on Thursday to a five-month high as traders priced in growing risks to the region’s oil supply.

World

Russia struck Kyiv with cluster-warhead missiles hours after agreeing to talks

Hours after the Kremlin agreed to resume three-way negotiations with the US and Ukraine, Russia launched ballistic missiles armed with cluster warheads at Kyiv overnight on October 21–22. The strikes killed at least one person and wounded 24 across six districts of the capital, according to the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.

China’s CSI 300 enters bear market after 20% fall from June peak −20%

China’s CSI 300 — a benchmark tracking the 300 largest stocks on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges — closed 1.8% lower on Thursday, pushing its total decline from the June high past 20%. The index has now fallen for 10 straight weeks as investors exit Chinese equities amid weak earnings and fading hopes for stimulus.

Australian lawmaker has her left leg amputated after car-ramming attack

Independent MP Helen Haines, 65, a member of Australia’s federal parliament, had her left leg amputated after a car struck her outside her office in regional Victoria on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “a deliberate act” and said a counter-terrorism task force is investigating.

Israel votes Tuesday — polls show neither bloc can win a majority

Israeli voters head to the polls Tuesday, October 27, to elect the 26th Knesset — Israel’s parliament — in the country’s first election since the Iran war began in February. Polls show neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s coalition can reach 61 seats, with about 30% of voters still undecided.

Asian markets tumble as Wall Street sell-off spreads overseas

Japan’s Nikkei index dropped 2.65% and South Korea’s KOSPI fell 3.52% on Thursday as the sell-off that hit Wall Street on Thursday spread to Asia. Rising oil prices and fears about the cost of the AI investment boom drove declines across the region.

Politics

CNBC poll: Trump’s economic approval hits all-time low of 34% −31 NET

The CNBC All-America Economic Survey released Thursday found that just 34% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy — a record low across both of his terms. The same poll found 80% of registered voters rate the economy fair or poor, with 52% favoring Democratic control of Congress over 45% for Republicans.

Trump rallied in South Carolina for Sen. Graham — punches thrown, 9+ protesters ejected

President Donald Trump held a rally in Pendleton, South Carolina, on Wednesday to support Senator Darline Graham ahead of the November 3 midterms. The event was disrupted at least four times, with at least nine protesters ejected and video showing punches thrown between attendees and demonstrators.

Michigan and Kansas hold final Senate debates before midterms

Republican candidates in Michigan and Kansas made careful breaks from Trump during Wednesday night’s debates, the last face-offs before the midterms. In Michigan, Republican Mike Rogers debated Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for the open Senate seat, while Kansas Senator Roger Marshall faced Democrat Adam Hamilton in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1932.

Women favor Democrats by 22 points, CNBC survey finds

The same CNBC survey, released Thursday, found women prefer Democratic control of Congress by 22 percentage points, while independents favor Democrats by 16. Democratic voter enthusiasm also outpaces Republican interest: 72% of Democrats report being highly interested in the November 3 midterms compared to 62% of Republicans.

Wall Street braces for midterm results — Bloomberg warns of post-election volatility

Bloomberg reported Thursday that Wall Street is preparing for stocks to fall if Democrats retake both chambers of Congress on November 3. Analysts point to the party’s platform of higher corporate taxes, tighter tech regulation, and expanded social spending as factors that could drive further selling.

Markets

S&P 500 falls 1.21% to 7,663 — Nasdaq posts worst day since June NASDAQ −2.6%

US equities sank on Thursday as surging oil prices and fears about AI spending costs hit the market from both sides. The S&P 500 dropped 1.21% to 7,663 and the Nasdaq fell 2.6% to 26,009, while the Dow finished flat at 52,868 as defensive stocks offset the tech decline.

Meta reverses after-hours gains, drops 7% in regular trading

Despite beating third-quarter revenue estimates, Meta Platforms shares fell 7% to $648.52 on Thursday as investors focused on the company’s narrowed capital spending forecast of $135 billion to $145 billion for 2026. The decline erased the 4% after-hours gain from Wednesday night and weighed on the broader Nasdaq.

Brent crude surges to $113 — five-month high — on Houthi oilfield attack

Brent crude climbed 4% to $113.17 at Thursday’s close and held around $113 on Friday morning as the Houthi drone attack on Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield added to supply fears. WTI crude rose 2.4% to $99.47, nearing the $100-a-barrel mark.

Gold falls 2.1% to $4,042.80 as safe-haven demand shifts to bonds

Gold fell 2.1% to $4,042.80 an ounce on Thursday, its steepest one-day decline in weeks, as investors moved from precious metals into US Treasuries. The 10-year Treasury yield fell below 5%, making government bonds a more attractive safe-haven option amid equity turbulence.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says capital for the AI boom is “scarce”

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC on Thursday that demand for neocloud firms — companies that rent AI computing power — is “off the charts,” but the capital to fund their growth is running short. Huang pointed to higher interest rates and a glut of existing debt as key barriers, adding to fears that drove chip and AI stocks lower across the session.

Entertainment

Tom Skerritt, star of Alien and Top Gun, dies at 93 60+ YEAR CAREER

Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor known for playing Captain Dallas in Alien, flight instructor Viper in Top Gun, and Sheriff Jimmy Brock on TV’s Picket Fences, died Wednesday of natural causes. Skerritt had a career spanning more than 60 years, beginning with War Hunt in 1962.

World Series Game 1: Brewers host Rays tonight in Milwaukee 8 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays open the 2026 World Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee tonight at 8 PM ET on Fox. Neither franchise has won a World Series title in its history.

DC’s Clayface opens Friday — projected $25M–$30M debut

Warner Bros.’ R-rated horror film Clayface, based on the Batman villain, opens in about 3,500 theaters today. Directed by James Watkins and starring Tom Rhys Harries, the film is the third release from James Gunn’s rebooted DC Studios universe.

Wicker opens with Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage

Wicker, a dark romantic fantasy based on Ursula Wills-Jones’ short story “The Wicker Husband,” opens in theaters today. The film follows a woman in a small village who commissions herself a husband made of wicker, starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage.

LAIKA’s Wildwood debuts — studio’s latest stop-motion adventure

Wildwood, the latest stop-motion film from Portland-based LAIKA Studios, opens this weekend. Directed by studio head Travis Knight and adapted from Colin Meloy’s novel, the film features the voices of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, and Carey Mulligan.