Week of October 26

2026-W44: Oct 26 – November 1, 2026
FINAL: Last update October 30, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: Brazil
Israel
Argentina
Venezuela
Ukraine

Lula wins fourth term in Brazil as Flavio Bolsonaro refuses to recognize the result

First published Mon, Oct 26 · Updated Thu, Oct 29

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential election, securing a fourth term in a comeback victory over the Bolsonaro camp. Flavio Bolsonaro refused to recognize the result, and the contest over the outcome continued after the vote was called.1 2 3

Brazilian markets convulsed after the result, with a sharp selloff expected once trading opened. The reaction followed an election outcome that investors had not anticipated.4 5

Attributed claim: Outlets described the result in sharply different terms. Fox News, a right-leaning outlet, called it a roadblock for the conservative wave as Lula held off the Bolsonaro challenge, while the Guardian US, on the left, called the win a comeback rebuke for Bolsonaro and the far right. Al Jazeera, a centre outlet, framed Lula's victory as a possible turning point for Latin America.6 7 8

Lula's win was reported as a dramatic comeback, and NPR grouped it with a Republican redistricting setback and spreading protests in Europe in its rundown of the day's news.2 9

UPDATES

Thu, Oct 29 · New development

Flavio Bolsonaro's party recognized Lula's win and Bolsonaro effectively conceded after Trump suggested he would not help, The Washington Post reported.10

Trump said the Brazil election looked "rigged," Reuters reported.11

Israelis vote in Knesset election as Netanyahu faces Eisenkot challenge

First published Tue, Oct 27 · Updated Fri, Oct 30

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Israelis voted in a national election on Tuesday, the first since the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack. Polls opened with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to hold office against a challenge led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli chief of staff. The vote was described as closely contested and as a referendum on Netanyahu.1 2 3 4

Eisenkot has emerged as Netanyahu's main opponent in the race, drawing support from Israeli voters. Coverage of the contest centered on whether Netanyahu could survive politically against that challenge.5 6 7

Attention turned quickly to what follows the close of polls, with the formation of a government after the count the immediate question. No result had been declared as voting began.8 9

Attributed claim: The election was framed in starkly different terms across outlets. The New York Times, in an opinion piece, argued that Israelis have chosen to be feared rather than loved, while AP and DW centered their accounts on the vote as a tense referendum on Netanyahu and the first election since the October 7 attack.2 10 3

UPDATES

Fri, Oct 30 · New development

Final results gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party and its allies 53 seats in Parliament, short of the outright majority needed to form a government, while the main opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48.14

Thu, Oct 29 · New development

Exit polls indicated no clear winner in the Israeli election, with the blocs led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot running close and both short of a majority.11 12 13

Coalition talks loom as the count points to a tied race between the two blocs.13 12

Justice Department charges former FBI Director James Comey for a third time

First published Tue, Oct 27

The Justice Department has brought federal criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey in Washington, D.C., the third time the Trump administration has moved to prosecute him. Outlets across the political spectrum reported the new case on Tuesday, describing it as another attempt by the administration to charge the former bureau chief.1 2 3 4

Fox News reported that the new Justice Department case concerns an alleged disclosure of national defense information. Other accounts described the filing as federal charges against Comey without specifying the underlying allegation in their headlines.5 1

By Thursday, BBC, CBS News, Reuters and Al Jazeera reported that Comey faces a third set of federal charges, with Reuters calling it a third prosecution attempt by the Trump Justice Department and CBS News describing the department as taking steps to charge him again. CBC reported that the administration is trying to prosecute the former FBI director for a third time.6 7 8 9 10

Federal judge rejects Justice Department bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots

First published Thu, Oct 29

A federal judge on Thursday rejected the Justice Department's request to block California from counting mail ballots from more than 20,000 voters the department alleges may be noncitizens. The judge ruled that no immediate action was necessary, delivering another setback to an administration campaign against voting by noncitizens. The case is not finished: the federal government immediately filed notice that it will appeal.1 2 3

The judge said the administration's bid would "wreak havoc" on democracy, language carried in headlines on the ruling. The Justice Department had sought an unprecedented order against California's ballot processing.3 4

A California election official said federal agents threatened him over "voter fraud," an account published the same day as the ruling. The Justice Department has threatened California state officials with imprisonment over the state's mail-ballot stance and warned that local election workers could be prosecuted.5

Justice Department subpoenas Los Angeles election workers days before midterms

First published Fri, Oct 30

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas to local election officials in California, including election workers in Los Angeles, as part of a widening voter fraud investigation. The subpoenas were sent days before the midterms, with the department seeking to prove claims about large numbers of illegal voters in the state.1 2 3

The subpoenas escalate a dispute between the Trump administration and California election officials over the state's voter rolls. The department has threatened California state officials with imprisonment over the state's mail-ballot stance and warned that local election workers could be prosecuted.1 4

Attributed claim: The New York Times reports the subpoenas are part of an effort to prove unsubstantiated claims about large numbers of illegal voters in the state. The Guardian US frames the same investigation as a criminal probe opened over alleged noncitizen voting in California, while AP News places the subpoenas in Alaska and California days before the midterms.2 4 3

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

Alaska governor orders criminal investigation into Mary Peltola's campaign over alleged spoiler recruitmentThu, Oct 29Alaska's governor ordered a criminal investigation into Mary Peltola's campaign, The New York Times reported. The order followed reporting that her campaign and national Democrats helped recruit spoiler candidates to the race. President Trump had lashed out at Peltola after that reporting, offering no explanation of what crime may have been committed.

Alaska governor orders criminal investigation into Mary Peltola's campaign over alleged spoiler recruitment

First published Thu, Oct 29

Alaska's governor ordered a criminal investigation into Mary Peltola's campaign, The New York Times reported. The order followed reporting that her campaign and national Democrats helped recruit spoiler candidates to the race. President Trump had lashed out at Peltola after that reporting, offering no explanation of what crime may have been committed.1

Trump demanded that Alaska candidates be removed over an alleged ballot scheme, Al Jazeera reported, and called for the state's Democratic Senate candidate to be prosecuted. The BBC reported that the Alaska governor ordered a probe into the Democratic campaign's alleged links to a rival candidate.2 3

Dan J. Sullivan switched from Republican to "undeclared" ahead of the general election, the Alaska Beacon reported. The switch came as the investigation into Peltola's campaign and the recruitment of rival candidates drew national attention to the Alaska race.4

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, dies at 96Thu, Oct 29Dolores Huerta, the labor leader and activist who advocated for farmworkers, died at 96. She founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez and coined the phrase "Sí Se Puede."

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, dies at 96

First published Thu, Oct 29

Dolores Huerta, the labor leader and activist who advocated for farmworkers, died at 96. She founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez and coined the phrase "Sí Se Puede."1 2 3

Huerta was remembered as a worker rights pioneer who wanted others to feel seen. A year before her death, she spoke to Forbes about her legacy and her continued activism.4 5

Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after Brazil election loss and passport cancellationWed, Oct 28Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's presidential election in Brazil, fled the country for the United States via Argentina after police canceled his passport in connection with an investigation. He landed in Miami on Wednesday, arriving in the US as Brazil's defeated presidential candidate.

Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after Brazil election loss and passport cancellation

First published Wed, Oct 28 · Updated Fri, Oct 30

Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's presidential election in Brazil, fled the country for the United States via Argentina after police canceled his passport in connection with an investigation. He landed in Miami on Wednesday, arriving in the US as Brazil's defeated presidential candidate.1 2 3

President Donald Trump had offered Bolsonaro an exit from Brazil shortly before his arrival in Miami, and the landing followed that offer.4

The flight through Argentina and the passport cancellation were reported as the circumstances of his departure, with his arrival in Miami expected and then confirmed.1 3 2

UPDATES

Fri, Oct 30 · New development

The United States is granting visas to Flávio Bolsonaro and his family, Axios reported.5

Trump approved allowing Bolsonaro to enter the US after the Brazil election loss, a source told CNN.6

Israeli exit polls show Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs tied, both short of a majorityWed, Oct 28Israelis voted in a national election on Tuesday, the first since the October 7 Hamas-led attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition facing opposition parties loosely led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief whose son was killed in the Israel-Hamas war. Exit polls indicated no clear winner, with the Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs running close but both short of a majority.

Israeli exit polls show Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs tied, both short of a majority

First published Wed, Oct 28

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Israelis voted in a national election on Tuesday, the first since the October 7 Hamas-led attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition facing opposition parties loosely led by Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief whose son was killed in the Israel-Hamas war. Exit polls indicated no clear winner, with the Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs running close but both short of a majority.1 2 3 4

Voters supporting two leading Arab parties turned out in record numbers to voice their opposition to the Netanyahu government, a strong showing that may bring the Arab parties a role in forming Israel's next government. Arab parties celebrated as the race remained without a clear winner.5 6

Coalition talks loom after the exit polls, and the result left the country in political deadlock, with Netanyahu and Eisenkot both claiming mandates. The Wall Street Journal reported that Netanyahu holds on as results show no clear winner.2 7 8

Attributed claim: The Economist framed the outcome as voters denying Binyamin Netanyahu a majority, while Axios described the two blocs as running close but both shy of a majority.9 1

Trump ends Biden-era methane limits on oil and gas drilling, citing $45 billion in savingsWed, Oct 28President Donald Trump said he is ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling, announcing the repeal of the Biden-era methane rule. He cited $45 billion in savings from the rollback. The change weakens methane limits on oil and gas producers.

Trump ends Biden-era methane limits on oil and gas drilling, citing $45 billion in savings

First published Wed, Oct 28

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

President Donald Trump said he is ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling, announcing the repeal of the Biden-era methane rule. He cited $45 billion in savings from the rollback. The change weakens methane limits on oil and gas producers.1 2 3

Trump announced the rollback at a campaign rally in Texas, telling the crowd he was undoing environmental rules that curb methane pollution. The announcement came during a midterm election push.4 1

Attributed claim: Outlets framed the rollback differently. Fox Business, a right-leaning outlet, led on the $45 billion in savings Trump cited, while NPR and Phys.org described the action as ending or weakening methane limits on oil and gas producers. The Guardian US reported it as a rally announcement to roll back environmental rules.2 1 3 4

Appeals court rejects Justice Department bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballotsTue, Oct 27A federal appeals court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's attempt to stop California from counting the ballots of 20,000 registered voters that the Justice Department claims are non-citizens. The court declined to let the department leapfrog the lower court, and a district court hearing will proceed.

Appeals court rejects Justice Department bid to set aside 20,000 California mail ballots

First published Tue, Oct 27

A federal appeals court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's attempt to stop California from counting the ballots of 20,000 registered voters that the Justice Department claims are non-citizens. The court declined to let the department leapfrog the lower court, and a district court hearing will proceed.1 2 3 4

The dispute pits the Justice Department against California election officials. The administration has threatened state officials with imprisonment over California's mail-ballot stance and warned that local election workers could be prosecuted.1

Santa Clara County refused to share voter registration data or to stop counting ballots despite the department's demands. The county's position mirrors the state's resistance to the federal request.5

The appeals court's ruling keeps the case in the district court, where a hearing is scheduled. The department had asked the appellate panel to intervene before that hearing took place.3 6 7

Attorney General Blanche defends DOJ suit to block Alaska Senate results if Republican losesMon, Oct 26Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a Justice Department lawsuit that would block certification of Alaska Senate results if the Republican candidate loses, saying the department is "doing our own research under the law." Blanche also said of the Alaska suit that "there could be a crime."

Attorney General Blanche defends DOJ suit to block Alaska Senate results if Republican loses

First published Mon, Oct 26

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a Justice Department lawsuit that would block certification of Alaska Senate results if the Republican candidate loses, saying the department is "doing our own research under the law." Blanche also said of the Alaska suit that "there could be a crime."1 2 3 4

The suit is pre-emptive: it targets the results before they are certified, and it would take effect only if the Republican loses the race. The New York Times describes the filing as part of a new pre-emptive phase in President Donald Trump's election attacks.5 3 4

Attributed claim: Outlets frame the filing differently. The Guardian US (left) leads on Blanche defending a pre-emptive suit to block certification of the Alaska Senate results, while NPR (centre-left) leads on Blanche defending a suit that would block the results if the Republican loses. Politico (centre) leads on Blanche's claim that "there could be a crime."2 3 4

Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado returns from exile to cheering crowdsMon, Oct 26María Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader, returned home after nearly a year abroad. She came back from exile to crowds of cheering and jubilant supporters, in what Fox News described as a surprise return.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado returns from exile to cheering crowds

First published Mon, Oct 26

María Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader, returned home after nearly a year abroad. She came back from exile to crowds of cheering and jubilant supporters, in what Fox News described as a surprise return.1 2 3 4 5 6

Musk says SpaceX restricted Ukraine's Starlink access; Kyiv disputes terms-of-service claimMon, Oct 26Elon Musk said SpaceX was behind restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink access, and Ukraine said Starshield service was back to normal. Musk said Kyiv violated the terms of service; Ukraine disputes that claim.

Musk says SpaceX restricted Ukraine's Starlink access; Kyiv disputes terms-of-service claim

First published Mon, Oct 26

Elon Musk said SpaceX was behind restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink access, and Ukraine said Starshield service was back to normal. Musk said Kyiv violated the terms of service; Ukraine disputes that claim.1 2 3

Senator Mark Kelly said Musk having the power to cut off Starlink to Ukraine is "beyond disturbing to me."4

U.S. allies are racing to escape SpaceX's orbit, according to The Wall Street Journal.5

The U.S. military gave Musk's SpaceX access to sensitive tracking data. Top Republican lawmakers also expressed concern over Musk's influence in elections.6 7

Anthropic files for IPO after $80.7 billion first-half loss and $430 billion in locked-in computingMon, Oct 26Anthropic filed for an initial public offering, becoming the first frontier AI lab to list its shares. The filing, an S-1 with the SEC, puts the company's finances and computing commitments in front of public investors for the first time.

Anthropic files for IPO after $80.7 billion first-half loss and $430 billion in locked-in computing

First published Mon, Oct 26

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Anthropic filed for an initial public offering, becoming the first frontier AI lab to list its shares. The filing, an S-1 with the SEC, puts the company's finances and computing commitments in front of public investors for the first time.1 2

The prospectus shows Anthropic lost $80.7 billion in the first half of 2026, a net loss of more than $80 billion for the six-month period. The filing also discloses $430 billion in locked-in AI computing.3 4 5

Wall Street rose as the IPO filing sharpened focus on the AI trade. Questions about the safety of AI accompanied the debut, and the prospectus drew scrutiny of what sits under the hood of the company's business.6 7 8

Attributed claim: Fortune reported that Eric Schmidt's path to a $20 billion Anthropic windfall began with an introduction from Cami Clark, while AI: Reset to Zero put Anthropic's compute bill at $750 billion. The two figures describe different things: one investor's stake and the company's computing obligations.9 10