From Democrats flipping Congress in Tuesday’s midterms to an actor’s rape conviction, these stories made headlines this past week. Or skip to the end to test your news savvy with a quiz.
Democrats secure control of Congress
WASHINGTON — Democrats seized control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, scoring sweeping victories in Republican strongholds for the first time in generations as tens of millions of voters delivered a rebuke to President Donald Trump.
Voters in conservative bastions who propelled the president to his second term just two years ago swung dramatically toward Democrats, fueled by deep frustration over the war with Iran, anxiety over the high cost of living and anger at Trump’s stewardship of the country.
Once seated in January, Democrats are expected to use their power to investigate Trump’s administration, family and allies and demand concessions on major legislation. The Democratic Senate also will be able to block Trump’s nominees.
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Trump: US to end $4B in annual aid to Israel
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he made a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington would stop $4 billion in annual funding to Israel after this year, but will still sell weapons to its close Middle East ally.
In a surprise announcement as U.S. voters headed to the polls for midterm elections, he cast the move as partly meant to take away a “bad talking point” he said left-wing Democrats used against Republicans over support for military assistance to Israel.
Trump did not explain how the funding would be halted at the end of this year, given that the memorandum of understanding that provides $3.8 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel each year does not expire until September 2028.
Private jet crashes in Florida; 9 aboard killed
Investigators on Monday examine the site where a Learjet crashed to the ground the previous day in the Palm Beach County city of Greenacres, Fla., killing all nine people aboard. The Bombardier-made private jet took off from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
A Learjet crashed last Sunday afternoon in a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board, U.S. transportation officials said.
The private jet had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
Videos on social media showed the jet slamming into the ground next to a road and exploding.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it launched an investigation into the crash, which Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called a "horrific tragedy."
In other news
Rulings: In the hours before polls opened for the midterm elections Tuesday, federal judges issued a series of rulings restricting the Trump administration’s unprecedented efforts to pressure state election officials over alleged noncitizen voting.
Crypto heist: Using a fake job interview and software hidden in an ad, hackers compromised the computers of two Binance software engineers, then used a third’s computer to drain $6.3 billion worth of crypto late last month, the exchange said Tuesday.
Ukraine: Officials said the death toll from a Russian bombing of an aid distribution point Monday in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region rose to 40, with dozens still missing in one of the deadliest strikes on civilians this year.
Rescuers search the bodies Wednesday at the site of an underground shelter in the compound of a local school, which was used as a humanitarian aid hub and was hit by a Russian airstrike, in the front-line town of Komyshuvakha in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
Threats: Hoax bomb threats disrupted at least 27 passenger flights in Europe on Thursday, forcing some unplanned landings and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others. At least seven flights and a cruise ship also received hoax threats Tuesday.
Trade: Imports increased to a record high in September amid robust domestic demand and the U.S. logged record goods trade deficits with several countries, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday, despite President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Fuel oil: The Energy Department said Wednesday it would loan 300,000 barrels of fuel oil from the U.S. emergency heating oil reserve to four companies in a bid to counter surging prices before winter.
The water cooler — trending news
Convicted: Comedian Russell Brand, 51, once a high-profile British broadcaster and star of several Hollywood movies, faces a lengthy jail term after a London court convicted him Thursday of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others. He faces jail and potentially further action as police said he was still under investigation for two other alleged rapes, one involving a then 16-year-old girl.
British actor and comedian Russell Brand and his wife, Laura, arrive Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court in London.
CFP rankings: Miami, Georgia, Utah and defending national champion Indiana earned the first four spots in the first edition of the 2026 College Football Playoff rankings unveiled Tuesday. The Top 25 rankings, will be updated weekly until the 12-team CFP field gets locked in Dec. 6.
World walk: Karl Bushby, a British adventurer who has walked around the world for almost three decades, finished his 31,000-mile trek Monday at the house where he grew up. Hundreds of cheering supporters greeted the 57-year-old Monday morning in the square of his home city, Hull. A feature-length documentary about his journey is in production.
Explorer Karl Bushby reunites with his mum, Angela, as he arrives Monday in hometown Hull, Britain, after a 28-year walk around the world.
John Frieda (1951-2026): British businessman John Frieda, the celebrity hairstylist and beauty entrepreneur behind the popular Frizz Ease hair care line who worked with stars including Princess Diana and Madonna, died at age 75. A Tuesday post on his Instagram page said he died “peacefully” and “surrounded by his family.”
Big number
$7.35 billion: The pre-tax amount that industrial conglomerate 3M said Tuesday it will pay over nine years to settle personal injury claims related to PFAS “forever chemicals” in its firefighting foam; 3M did not admit liability.
Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks Monday during a midterm rally in Swanton, Ohio.
Quote of the week
“The reason we lost is the war. If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” Vice President JD Vance wrote on social media Wednesday, distancing himself from President Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
