Saturday, October 24

A declassified US intelligence memo describing Iranian plots against Americans led the day, as embassies cut staff. Court and election fights over Alaska's Senate race and California's ballots continued ahead of the November third midterms. Israel pressed a West Bank operation three days before its election.

1. 
   Iran
   US memo says Iranian plots against Americans in advanced stages

   Reports on a declassified US intelligence memo dated Friday say Iranian efforts to target and kill Americans have "substantially increased" and reached "advanced stages." The State Department is reducing staff at four Middle East embassies, and diplomats and other federal employees have been ordered to leave Saudi Arabia. The Hill reported the Pentagon has drafted options to attack Iran after the midterms.

   The question

   Do you trust the memo's warning that Iran is targeting Americans?

   I doubt itI trust it
   Read the story ›
2. Senate races
   Alaska Democrats move to stop Justice Department Senate suit

   NBC News reported that attorneys for Mary Peltola and Senate Democrats filed a motion urging a judge to drop the Justice Department's lawsuit over Alaska's Senate election. The suit cites possible voter confusion over two candidates named Dan Sullivan. President Trump said Friday he directed the filing, and Senator Lisa Murkowski condemned it, according to Headtopics.

   The question

   Should the Justice Department try to block Alaska's Senate result?

   No, let it standYes, block it
   Read the story ›
3. Voter rolls
   California must answer Justice Department ballot request

   Fox News reported that a court ordered California to respond to the Justice Department's emergency request to sequester mail-in ballots sent to what the department says are roughly 20,000 noncitizens. KCRA reported that local election officials are frustrated and confused. Los Angeles County said the demand could delay election results.

   The question

   Should California separate ballots even if results are delayed?

   Don't delay resultsSeparate them
   Read the story ›
4. West Bank
   Israel presses West Bank operation after two soldiers killed

   The Los Angeles Times reported that Israel pressed ahead Saturday with a major West Bank military operation, carrying out arrests and demolitions a day after two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers. Al Jazeera quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying "we will destroy this place." Palestinian officials called it "collective punishment," Headtopics reported.

   The question

   Should Israel close off the entire West Bank after the shooting?

   No, too broadYes, close it
   Read the story ›
5. Russia and Ukraine
   Ukraine says Starlink speeds restored after week of disruption

   President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that Starlink and Starshield speeds in Ukraine were restored, with the restoration beginning overnight. The Associated Press-style account in Adn reported that Elon Musk admitted he was behind the speed restriction. Musk had said Wednesday that the US government, not SpaceX, controls the limits.

   The question

   Do you believe Musk that the US sets the Starlink limits?

   I doubt himI believe him
   Read the story ›

• Cuba

  President Trump told a South Florida rally that warships returning from the Middle East could stop over in Cuba, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans to work with the CIA.

• Israel

  Al Jazeera reported Netanyahu and his rivals are tied days before Israel's Tuesday vote, with both camps fighting with bots, deepfakes and data.

• Tariffs

  President Trump exempted some Canadian imports, including plywood sheets and packing crates, from 50% tariffs, and Senator Susan Collins announced the move.

• Midterm messaging

  A CNN/SSRS poll showed Democrats ahead 49% to 39% nationally, with President Trump's approval at a record-low 32%, Hoodline reported.

• Elections 2026

  Early voting opened in New York, where Republican Bruce Blakeman made three New York City stops and criticized Governor Kathy Hochul's alliance with Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

• Brazil

  Brazil's runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro was set for October 25, with CNN describing it as a test of Lula's leftist legacy.

4 stories closed across 4 threads. Each stays on its thread’s timeline and reopens if the reporting comes back.