What are the most important events and topics in the news today?

Here's a roundup of the most important news and topics making headlines today, November 2, 2026:

U.S. Midterm Elections (2 Days Away)

The biggest story dominating U.S. coverage is the final stretch before Tuesday's midterm elections. In the United States, final campaigning is in full swing as the midterm elections are just two days away, with President Trump reiterating that if the Democratic Party takes control of Congress, he will actively exercise his veto power. Related developments include a federal judge throwing out one of Trump's lawsuits (see Legal below), and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy being hospitalized after a stroke, according to PBS reporting.

Legal/Political Fallout for Trump

A federal judge on Saturday threw out Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, with the judge saying the president was "grasping at straws."

Ukraine/Russia War

In a major defense development, the United States has approved a proposed sale of 500 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors to Ukraine, valued at approximately $2.1 billion, intended to strengthen Ukraine's air and missile defence capabilities amid continuing Russian attacks. Canada, Germany and Norway are among the countries expected to fund the purchase.

South Korea

President Lee Jae-myung is set to deliver a major policy speech today. President Lee Jae-myung will deliver a policy speech on the government's budget bill for next year, totaling KRW 821 trillion — the largest scale in history — though the opposition People Power Party has vowed a sharp confrontation over populist budget items. Separately, a two-month-old accident has come to light in which two training jets belonging to the 3rd Air Force Training Wing collided in mid-air, heavily damaging both jets, though the Air Force did not notify the outside world of the accident.

Global Security/Terror Threat

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said a Russian minor had been detained over a threat to carry out a terrorist attack in a Moscow park following a tip-off from the United States.

Crypto/Cybersecurity

In a major tech/finance story, the FBI says North Korea was behind the $6.3 billion Binance heist, the biggest crypto hack in history.

India

Several developments are in focus, including a Supreme Court circular restricting senior advocates from making oral mentions before courts coming into effect, issued October 27, which also encourages young and junior advocates to make oral mentions. Additionally, IDBI Bank employees and officers have announced a nationwide two-day hunger strike against the proposed privatisation and stake sale of the bank, called by the United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees, with demands including protecting service conditions and pension benefits.

Europe

Demonstrations over rising prices, education, housing and strained public services have spread across several European countries, with France deploying 70,000 police. Meanwhile in the UK, the Prime Minister addressed a historic issue, saying he is 'open' to formal apology for slavery, but rules out reparations.

Sports

In Premier League football, Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with Kai Havertz's early goal securing a statement 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

Entertainment/Culture

South Korea is mourning the loss of a beloved actor: the funeral procession for actor Choi Bul-am, who passed away on October 29 at age 87, is being held with burial in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, following a funeral mass presided over by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung at Yoido Catholic Church in Seoul.

Let me know if you'd like me to dig deeper into any of these stories!