News for October 23, 2026
Melania Trump helps forge a ceasefire deal in a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city, White House says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says first lady Melania Trump has brokered an upcoming ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war-ravaged Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians. She said in a White House announcement Friday that the situation there is “on the brink of disaster.” The localized ceasefire is set to begin Thursday. Ukraine’s lead negotiator for the agreement is thanking Melania Trump for her involvement and says the deal would be “extremely challenging to implement.” A Russian general says Russian forces will cease fire” on Tuesday.
2 ex-FBI officials charged with lying about involvement in investigation into Hunter Biden’s laptop
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two former FBI intelligence officials who specialized in foreign election interference have been charged with lying about their roles in investigating the origins of Hunter Biden’s laptop in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides surrendered Friday and made their first appearance in federal court in Washington. The Justice Department says Floris and Benavides lied to Congress in 2023 about the involvement of a specialized foreign-influence task force in investigations into Biden. Floris’ lawyers describe the case as “nonsense.” The case marks the latest in a series of politically charged investigative actions the Justice Department has undertaken in the run-up to the midterm contests.
Israel prepares to close West Bank after attack kills 2 soldiers, and other Mideast news
Israel said it killed two gunmen who shot dead two Israeli soldiers and thwarted a “terror attack” against Israeli civilians in the occupied West Bank. The prime minister’s office said Friday that the army had been ordered to close off the territory. The announcement comes ahead of Tuesday’s election, in which Israeli voters will decide whether to give Benjamin Netanyahu another term as prime minister. Arab political parties have asked Israel’s Supreme Court to bar election observers from carrying guns. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least one person.
Gunmen open fire at a church during a funeral in Jordan, killing 7 and wounding 34
JERUSALEM (AP) — Authorities in Jordan say that gunmen have opened fire during a funeral at a church in Jordan and killed seven people and wounded 34 others. The shooting took place at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak which is located about 180 kilometers or 110 miles south of the capital Amman. Images being broadcast on Jordanian state television show two gunmen who appear to be holding pistols approaching the church and firing shots. A third man who appears to be holding a semiautomatic rifle then appears and opens fire and all three then run toward the church. A government statement said that the attack was “carried out by unknown assailants” but didn’t say whether any gunmen were captured or killed.
Louvre and other museums closing for Saturday protests as French authorities deploy 70,000 officers
PARIS (AP) — French authorities have announced the deployment of 70,000 law enforcement officers nationwide to prevent violence during planned protests on Saturday. This move aims to avoid a repeat of last week’s unrest. Major Paris museums, including the Louvre, will be closed. Demonstrators, including students and labor union members, are protesting high living costs. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons are being deployed. Last week’s protests turned violent, with fires, looting and clashes with police. The Art Basel Paris event has also been affected, with organizers canceling the weekend program due to safety concerns.
Many feared trapped as a tall building collapses in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A multi-story building has collapsed in a busy commercial area of Kenya’s capital, and many people could be trapped beneath the rubble. The building was under construction when it collapsed along a busy commercial street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, which is often crowded with thousands of traders and residents. Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 upper floors under construction. Police fired tear gas at people they said were looting shops as officers sought to clear the area. Hours later, the chief said one woman was pulled out alive, while another person who was trapped somewhere inside went silent.
Police officer who shot and killed 1-year-old boy in Mississippi has resigned, Senatobia mayor says
The police officer who shot and killed a 1-year-old boy in Mississippi when he fired into a moving vehicle while responding to a shoplifting call has resigned. That’s according to Senatobia Mayor Greg Graves, who confirmed Friday that Sgt. Hunter Foster was no longer with the city’s police force. Foster’s attorney Martin Zummach declined to comment. He has said Foster had “no choice” but to shoot at the vehicle because it was moving toward him. Kohen’s family says the shooting was not justified. The Mississippi Attorney General’s office cleared Foster of criminal wrongdoing earlier this week following a monthslong probe into the June incident outside a Walmart parking lot. The state released Foster’s body-worn camera footage of the fatal encounter Thursday.
Suspect arrested after 1 killed in Paris-area shooting that is called a ‘terrorist crime’
PARIS (AP) — French authorities report that a shooting in a Parisian suburb on Friday left one person dead and several others wounded. Police arrested a suspect near Trappes. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that all security and judicial resources are fully mobilized. France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office took over the case and said it would investigate whether the shooting was racially motivated. The shooting occurred as France prepares for protests against the high cost of living on Saturday. Major museums are closing, and the government is deploying more security to prevent a repeat of last week’s violent unrest.
