“California’s billionaire tax proposal has become one of the midterm elections’ most controversial measures, with the entire country watching to see if California’s voters will approve an unprecedented tax on billionaires’ net worth. But before voters can actually say yes or no to the tax, they’ll have to figure out how to do it. Approving Proposition 40, the tax on billionaires, is surprisingly complicated because there are two other competing ballot measures that contain ‘poison pill’ language designed to cancel out Proposition 40. These other measures (Proposition 41 and Proposition 42) do not specifically say they are designed to kill the tax, and public polling shows that at least some voters who want to support the billionaire tax could be unknowingly planning to vote against it.” [editor’s note: Be thankful for small victories maybe – SAT] (10/27/26)
“At least 21 people have been killed and 40 others were wounded in a drone strike in Nyala, Darfur, the AFP news agency reported, citing a medical source and witnesses. A Nyala resident said that the attack took place at around 8pm (18:00 GMT) on Monday at a market in the north of the city – which serves as the de facto capital of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. … The Sudanese military, which has been at war with the RSF since April 2023, regularly strikes Nyala, where the RSF has declared an administration rivalling the military-backed, internationally recognised government in Khartoum. The RSF has in turn launched strikes targeting Khartoum’s airports, as well as dams and power stations in the government-controlled east.” (10/27/26)
“A bomb exploded Tuesday near a bridge that crosses Colombia’s border with Venezuela, injuring at least four police officers in the Colombian city of Cucuta, officials said. Norte de Santander provincial Gov. William Villamizar said on X that police were investigating who was responsible for the attack. The explosion was set off in front of the local branch of Colombia’s tax collection agency near the Francisco de Paula de Santander International bridge. Footage of the aftermath showed a truck and several motorcycles that were damaged by the blast. The attack comes as Colombia’s conservative government changes the nation’s security strategy and takes a more confrontational approach towards gangs and rebel groups.” (10/27/26)
“A federal judge Monday night temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting down additional trees or closing down a public golf course that the president intends to upgrade to a championship-level course. Judge Ana Reyes, in a lengthy, cutting opinion, found that the president’s public statements were at odds with the administration’s assertions in court that the felling of more than 400 trees earlier this month was routine maintenance and not preparation for the president’s grand vision for East Potomac Golf Links. … A preservation group and two local residents asked the court to bar further tree cutting after theInterior Department earlier this month cut down more than 400 trees on short notice.” (10/26/26)
Well, the longest from here on out, anyway, unless this fundraiser lasts until after the winter solstice on December 21 (when the days stop shortening and start lengthening).
Our annual fundraiser total remains at $1,053.
Our goal is $5,503 — with supporter GL pledging to “match funds” for half of that once we’ve raised the first $2,751.50.
We’re a reader-supported publication.
You’re a reader. So …
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“A localized ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect early Tuesday ahead of a humanitarian mission brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, as missile attacks resumed in Kyiv. The local pause in fighting started at 3 a.m. to allow an aid mission into the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine later this week. According to her office, Melania Trump led talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine after meeting with U.N. officials who briefed her on the situation in the town. … Up to 2,000 people are stranded in Oleshky with dwindling food and medicine. They are unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area, according to the U.N.” (10/27/26)
“A federal appeals court on Monday dismissed the Justice Department’s effort to force California election officials to set aside thousands of ballots that the Trump administration claims may have been cast by alleged noncitizens. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said in a 2-1 decision that it lacked jurisdiction over the appeal and granted a motion by the top elections official from Los Angeles County to dismiss the effort. The federal government, Judges Mark Bennett and Gabriel Sanchez said, failed to allow a federal district court ‘adequate opportunity’ to consider its request for temporary relief. Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented.” (10/26/26)
“The French government announced on Monday that it would phase out an unpopular online university admissions platform, a significant concession to high school students who have led a protest movement that has mushroomed into weeks of nationwide unrest. The measure, one of several announced by the education ministry, did not mollify the students. Leaders of high school and university student groups called on them to protest again on Oct. 31 and Nov. 5, even after meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and hearing the proposals.” (10/26/26)
“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)
“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)
