What are the most important events and topics in the news today?
Here’s a concise rundown of the biggest stories as of Monday, November 2, 2026 (U.S. time):
•U.S. politics/elections: On the eve of the Nov. 3 midterms, President Trump held rallies in Iowa and Kansas as early votes cast surpassed 54 million. Separately, a federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if the GOP incumbent lost.[1]
•Public safety: A string of Halloween‑weekend mass shootings left at least six people dead and dozens injured across several U.S. cities.[2]
•Middle East/Iran: Tehran’s foreign minister said outcomes hinge on U.S. responses to Iranian “questions,” as Iran escalated rhetoric including designations targeting the U.K.’s armed forces; U.S. officials have warned allies to prepare for potential post‑election strikes and retaliation scenarios.[3]
•Ukraine: A localized cease‑fire was reported holding as Kyiv and Moscow await possible U.S.‑led talks in Abu Dhabi later this week (target window Nov. 6–10).[4]
•Economy/markets: The Fed left rates unchanged late last week; jobless claims fell to 194,000. This week brings the October jobs report on Friday, Nov. 6, with markets focused on labor data and mega‑cap tech earnings; Asian shares slipped Monday amid AI‑sector jitters and elevated oil (Brent ~ $112).[5]
•Weather: A powerful, cross‑country storm begins impacting the West today and moves into the Plains/Upper Midwest, with flooding risks already prompting warnings and evacuations in parts of the Southwest/Colorado. Election‑day weather impacts are possible in portions of the central U.S.[6]
•Corporate earnings to watch this week: Apple reports today (Mon., Nov. 2); AMD reports Tuesday (Nov. 3); Qualcomm reports Wednesday after the close (Nov. 4).[7]
•Public health/travel: Due to the Ebola outbreak (Bundibugyo virus) in the DRC, the CDC says that after Nov. 3, 2026, all passengers boarding international flights to the U.S. must attest they have not been in the DRC within the prior 21 days.[8]
Want a deeper dive on any of these (e.g., your local forecast, election races in your state, or market setup for the week)?
Backs: “Separately, a federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought to block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if the GOP incumbent lost.”
Backs: “A localized cease‑fire was reported holding as Kyiv and Moscow await possible U.S.‑led talks in Abu Dhabi later this week (target window Nov. 6–10).”