What are the 10 biggest news stories from today?

I'll gather today's biggest headlines for you — searching the latest news from October 24.

The 10 biggest news stories for today - Saturday, October 24, 2026:

1. US Government Shutdown Enters Day 24 - Federal Workers Miss Paychecks
Many federal workers will miss their first full paychecks today as the shutdown enters its 24th day. The shutdown began on October 1.

To keep troops paid, President Donald Trump signed an order directing the Pentagon to ensure active-duty military personnel are paid despite the shutdown. The Defense Department has begun paying troops tapping $8 billion in research and development funds and separately accepted a $130 million private donation from an anonymous Trump "friend" to help cover salaries for roughly 1.3 million active duty personnel.

2. September CPI Release Delayed to Today for Social Security COLA
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is set to release the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) on October 24, allowing the Social Security Administration to calculate the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The announcement was initially scheduled for October 15 but was delayed due to the government shutdown. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday it would publish September's consumer inflation report on October 24 to assist the Social Security Administration with its annual cost-of-living adjustment.

The timely release is crucial as it impacts over 74.5 million Social Security beneficiaries. Only a skeleton crew has been called back to publish the single report ensuring the Administration can calculate the COLA on time.

3. White House East Wing Demolished for Trump Ballroom
A demolition crew finishes tearing down the White House's East Wing ahead of construction for a new ballroom.

The East Wing, where first ladies created history, planned state dinners and promoted causes, is now history itself, turned into rubble as part of the Republican president's plan to build a ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House at an updated cost of $300 million. Photos taken Thursday by The Associated Press showed the demolition.

4. New York Attorney General Letitia James Arraigned on Bank Fraud Charges
New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty on Friday (October 24) to charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The arraignment took place in a federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, where James entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker.

5. Powerful Earthquake in Tibet Kills 16
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck China's Tibet region, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens.

An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck China's southwestern region of Tibet at around 10:33 p.m. (1433 GMT) on Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 32 others, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Nagqu City's emergency management bureau. The epicenter was in Baqen County in Nagqu.

6. Oil Prices Surge to 5-Month High on Iran War Fears
Brent crude climbed towards USD114/bbl yesterday and rose further on Friday, reaching its highest level in more than five months, as escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and reports of potential renewed US strikes on Iran increased concerns over Middle East supply risks.

Oil prices have climbed to their highest level in more than five months, with Brent crude rising 1 per cent on Friday to $114.72 a barrel.

7. Trump Ordered to Give Deposition in $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit
A US federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The case concerns an edited speech featured in a BBC documentary. The broadcaster has acknowledged that the editing was misleading but denies legal liability for defamation.

8. Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain
Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least four people in the Gaza Strip in separate incidents on Thursday, health officials in the enclave said.

Since October 11, 2025, the first full day of the so-called ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 1,538 Palestinians in Gaza.

Separately, Hamas threatened to carry out another Oct. 7-style attack against Israel, warning that it could strike inside the country, in the West Bank or abroad.

9. UK Budget Announcements
Britain will provide £20.4 billion ($27.3 billion) of additional capital to the state's business lender and infrastructure bank in next week's budget.

The chancellor will also unveil AI spending aimed at shoring up the UK's defences in Wednesday's Budget, including £100m in 'world first' AI Biosecurity Lab.

10. Global Markets Under Pressure / India Business News
International markets remained under pressure on October 23 as concerns about the war involving Iran pushed oil prices higher.

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