Israel: Polls open as Netanyahu faces tough test

Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]

“Voters in Israel are heading to the polls to elect 120 members of parliament, or the Knesset, in the first general vote since the October 2023 start of the genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s Likud Party and the far-right coalition it leads are facing off against an opposition bloc that includes the Yashar party, led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot.” (10/27/26)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/10/27/israel-election-2026-live-netanyahu-faces-tough-test-in-high-stakes-polls

US DOJ seeks new charges against Comey

Source: Deutsche Welle [German state media]

“The US Justice Department has launched a third attempt to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of illegally disclosing national defense information in 2016. … The Justice Department filed a legal document known as a ‘criminal information’ in early October, shortly before the 10-year deadline for prosecuting the alleged offense. Unlike an indictment, a criminal information does not require approval from a grand jury or judge. Prosecutors say the filing allows them to extend the statute of limitations, which determines how long authorities have to bring criminal charges. Comey’s lawyers dispute that interpretation. They argue that federal law explicitly requires an indictment within 10 years and that the government’s filing does not meet that requirement. They have asked a judge to dismiss the case. A ruling is still pending.” (10/26/26)

https://www.dw.com/en/james-comey-usa-donald-trump/a-79771256

Christian Support for Biblical Educational Coercion

Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger

“I recently received an email asking me to sign a petition that would put ‘biblical lessons’ back in public schools. The petition was sent out by an organization named Brave for Good, whose mission is to ‘equip families with stories, experiences, and community gatherings that nurture imagination, strengthen biblical values, and help raise a generation grounded in truth, courage, and character.’ … notice what that petition purports to do: It is based on forcing parents to send their children to a state institution to receive what amounts to religious indoctrination from government officials. How in the world can such a law be reconciled with the principles of a free society? It can’t be.” (10/26/26)

https://www.fff.org/2026/10/26/christian-support-for-biblical-educational-coercion/

AI giant Anthropic files to make stock market debut

Source: The Hill

“Anthropic publicly filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on Monday morning in what is expected to be a historic stock market debut. The S-1 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brings the Claude maker a step closer to becoming the first large frontier AI lab to go public. It is expected to be a major test for investors’ interest in the technology. The stock will trade under the ticker ANT on the Nasdaq exchange, according to the filing, and could happen as soon as November. The filing showed Anthropic’s revenue has drastically jumped in the past year, yet the company reported a net loss of $80.7 billion in the first half of this year. The company was valued earlier this year at $965 billion by private investors, The Associated Press reported.” (10/26/26)

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6171816-anthropic-files-for-ai-ipo/

Why the Middle East is already waiting out Trump’s presidency

Source: Asia Times
by Nouroz Khan Bijarani

“Eight months into the Iran war, Washington has neither broken Tehran’s resolve nor found a clear path out. The president’s own remarks point to a narrowing set of options. Trump told Time magazine he does not believe peace with Iran is ever possible, a striking admission from the leader still expected to negotiate one. … The Gulf states have reached the same conclusion. They are hedging accordingly against an American policy they no longer trust to last. The UAE joined the campaign against Iran in February, yet they opened a back channel with Iranians lately after the realization that it is better to deal directly instead of relying on the US.” (10/26/26)

https://asiatimes.com/2026/10/why-the-middle-east-is-already-waiting-out-trumps-presidency/

What Rubio really means when he talks about “civilizational” renewal

Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Andrew Earvolino

“‘The story of our civilization is the greatest story ever known to man.’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered these triumphalist words earlier this month as he stood before the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Rubio’s speech, which centered the need for Western civilizational rejuvenation, received laudatory marks among conservative circles. On a certain level, this is unsurprising. Civilizationism is indeed the cause du jour on the new right. But on closer examination, one suspects that Rubio is not truly offering some radical new vision, but a lot of the same.” (10/26/26)

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/marco-rubio-greece/

Algeria: Regime to send troops to Niger in first foreign deployment in over 50 years

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“Algeria on Sunday approved sending troops to neighbouring Niger to protect energy facilities, according to statements from both houses of parliament, in what is the country’s first foreign deployment of military forces since the 1970s. The rare measure comes as Algiers and Niamey strengthen security ties after moving earlier this year to repair strained relations and following a thwarted mutiny in Niger in August. The overseas deployment will be a first since Algiers sent troops to support Egypt during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.” (10/26/26)

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20261026-algeria-to-send-troops-to-niger-in-first-foreign-deployment-in-over-50-years

Education, Vouchers, and School Choice

Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Laurence M Vance

“Education is a service just like the many other services that Americans purchase every day. … But, it has been argued, education is different. It is one of the most important services there is. It can’t possibly be left up to the free market. If the government doesn’t provide, fund, or regulate education, then many children will receive a substandard education or no education at all.” (10/26/26)

https://www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/education-vouchers-and-school-choice-2/