Edition 66 · Thursday, October 22, 2026
Here's what happened.
A chemical leak in Toledo, Ohio, forced nearly 1,000 residents to evacuate and prompted thousands more to stay indoors. The leak is slowing, and the mayor said it did not pose a long-term threat.
Roller coasters featuring steep drops, high speeds and tight curves are prompting renewed safety concerns after a man was thrown from his seat and died in Georgia. The incident has focused attention on whether increasingly extreme rides have gone too far.
Violent overnight storms moved through central Arizona, knocking down trees and utility poles and damaging homes. The National Weather Service warned of hail, heavy winds, flooding and the possibility of tornadoes.
California’s attorney general asked a federal judge to block the Trump administration from forcing the state to set aside up to 20,000 ballots that federal authorities say may have been mailed by noncitizens. The dispute places California’s election administration at the center of a federal-state legal battle.
California lawmakers have made it harder for seniors and people with disabilities to qualify for state-funded health benefits for a second consecutive year. The changes could push some Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including people with serious disabilities, off coverage.
A drone strike in Abyei killed more than 150 people amid Sudan’s civil war, according to the New York Times. The warring sides are using drones to attack across long distances, causing heavy civilian losses.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are engaged in what the New York Times describes as an “open war” after eight months of conflict. Both sides have turned to proxy groups, while civilians have suffered a heavy toll.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti. The four had been missing since Sunday.
Tesla said it plans to start selling its autonomous Cybercab to customers by the end of the year. The gold-colored two-seater lacks a steering wheel and other traditional controls, while federal regulators are investigating whether it meets vehicle safety standards.
Hugging Face has released an open-source AI model that works with DNA sequences. The model is designed to help researchers understand how genetic changes may affect gene activity and health.
The I.U.C.N. Red List classifies most shallow coral reef ecosystems as critically endangered. If climate change continues at its current pace, 96 percent could collapse within 50 years, including parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Human-set fires are spreading across New Guinea in a landscape parched by drought. NASA says emissions on both sides of the island are unusually high.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has driven 45.22 kilometers on Mars, reaching the distance on October 11, 2026. NASA says that sets a new record for the farthest distance driven on another celestial body.
Staff shortages have forced some maternity services in England to suspend deliveries, and up to 20 maternity units could shut. The crisis is also linked to rising C-section rates and longstanding concerns about whether hospitals can provide safe childbirth care.
A US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns has been halted. The lead researcher said the study would not move forward in Guinea-Bissau because it lacked the necessary governmental approval.
Researchers are publishing some of the first human data on psychedelics’ potential to reduce inflammation. The findings suggest possible applications for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, though the source describes the results as early potential.
Oil prices rose 3% to $112 a barrel, their highest level in five months, after attacks in Saudi Arabia and strikes on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz threatened crude supplies. The jump could feed through to energy and other everyday costs.
About 157 million Americans receive health insurance through their jobs. An employer survey found a moderate price increase this year, but workers continue to identify health costs as a major concern.
The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration, for now, from denying gender-transition medical treatments to transgender prisoners. The order keeps the Bureau of Prisons from implementing its proposed prohibition while the case continues.
AIPAC said it will stop endorsing candidates and making direct contributions to campaigns. Its affiliated super PAC will continue operating, preserving a major role for the group in election spending.
Chiricahua, an area of towering rock spires in southeastern Arizona known to Native Americans as the Land of Standing-Up Rocks, has become the nation’s newest national park. The designation passed Congress with bipartisan support, and President Donald Trump signed it Tuesday, making Chiricahua the 64th US national park.
Allegheny County in Pennsylvania has become the first county in the nation to pass paid parental leave. The policy also covers remote employees whose employers are based in other states.
Netflix has reported its latest quarterly earnings amid a management shakeup and layoffs affecting more than 1,000 employees. The changes come as the streaming company reorganizes its leadership.
A nearly $82 million U.S. government grant will support rural job training. The Department of Labor says the initiative is intended to address employers’ workforce needs in high-growth and emerging industries.
Manchester United suffered a heavy Champions League defeat against Como, who were playing only their third game in the competition. Nico Paz starred for the hosts, increasing pressure on United head coach Michael Carrick.
James Anderson’s playing career could be over after Lancashire decided not to offer England’s all-time leading wicket-taker a new contract. Anderson is 44, and the decision places his future in doubt.
Meta says more than 10 million people have set up its Muse AI app, with roughly one-quarter of users returning daily. Shopping is emerging as a major use: Meta said many engaged users made purchases averaging more than $200, while the company plans to expand Muse into a network of agents that can interact with friends, family and businesses.
BioWare is closing after more than three decades, ending development on its in-progress Mass Effect game. The studio’s closure follows EA’s $55 billion buyout by investment firms, according to the supplied report.
Capcom says a data breach exposed information associated with more than 11 million Capcom ID accounts. The company detected suspicious activity on October 19 and is warning users about potential phishing emails.
Fortnite is returning to iOS in Australia after a court ruled that Apple violated competition law. The decision requires Apple to open iOS to third-party app stores in the country.
Microsoft has revealed pricing for its Xbox cloud-gaming service, with 50 hours of ad-free stream time available at an introductory price of $11.99. The pricing applies to cloud-gaming limits on Game Pass announced the previous month.
A rule that would have limited eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is dead for now. Advocates said the policy could have weaponized debt relief against organizations the Trump administration disagreed with.
BioWare, the influential studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, has announced that it is closing after 31 years. The shutdown marks the end of a major game studio known for influential role-playing games.
Dame Judi Dench says her eye condition means she can no longer do a play, make a film or read. The actress discussed how the condition has affected her life on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Missiles struck Kyiv after Russia agreed to a US call to resume Ukraine peace talks. Moscow said it was ready in principle to restart negotiations, while President Donald Trump said the world was closer than ever to ending the war.
France has detected the first human case of Shamonda virus, officials say. The disease usually affects cattle, and the patient died in early October.