News for October 22, 2026
Russian missiles pound Kyiv as Moscow says over 800 Ukrainian drones downed
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a nighttime missile barrage on Kyiv while its military says it intercepted more than 800 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and other Russian cities. The attacks dampen hopes for peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed “in principle” to resume negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S. but no date is set. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday reported deadly attacks across 12 regions with Kyiv enduring significant damage. Ukraine is bracing for winter as Russia targets its power grid. A U.S. envoy faced criticism for flattering Putin which highlights ongoing tensions and challenges in reaching a resolution.
Iran says 7 oil tankers attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as fears grow of a return to war
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Iran’s government says seven oil tankers have caught fire or been damaged in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid rising tensions over the prospect of a return to all-out war. Iranian state television cites the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy which threatens to strike U.S. military bases if the United States continues guiding commercial ships through the strait. The U.S. is meanwhile sending more military assets to the region. Mediators are trying to bring Washington and Tehran back to talks. Iran has proposed ending the conflict if the U.S. meets certain conditions. But U.S. President Donald Trump rejected it although discussions have continued.
Powerful Democratic Virginia state Sen. Lucas is accused of leading a marijuana criminal conspiracy
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — U.S Attorney General Todd Blanche says a powerful Democratic Virginia state senator charged with leading a criminal marijuana enterprise “put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve.” Blanche announced charges Thursday against Sen. L. Louise Lucas and six other defendants. Lucas says she won’t be “bullied” by the federal government after being charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. The charges come months after an FBI search of Lucas’ district office and a neighboring cannabis shop. Lucas has been a vocal critic of Republican President Donald Trump’s administration and has characterized the search as an attempt to intimidate her. Lucas’ attorney says, “This is the circus we always expected it to be.”
Deportations climb under Trump but fall short of White House target, a new report finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new report shows President Donald Trump’s administration has sharply increased deportations over the past year. A report released Thursday by the Migration Policy Institute shows deportations are on track to reach 660,000 since last October. Trump’s administration has pushed through restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration. Voluntary departures are at an all-time high, with 170,000 immigrants choosing to leave the United States since Trump returned to office.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. DeWine told reporters Thursday the spot is “deeply troubling.” DeWine’s remarks place him at odds with Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate who has taken responsibility for the 60-second video and is spending $4 million to broadcast it online and on TV. The Ramaswamy campaign’s hasn’t addressed DeWine’s call to pull the ad.
Average long-term US mortgage rate eases to 7.32% in first pullback since late August
Mortgage rates fell this week for the first time since late August, easing some of the pressure on prospective homebuyers facing higher borrowing costs on home loans. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 7.32% from 7.40% last week. One year ago, the average rate was 6.19%. The pullback comes as the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, has eased the last couple of weeks. Still, the average rate remains close to its highest level in nearly three years. The housing market has stalled this year in large part because of rising mortgage rates.
Sinking AI stocks undercut markets worldwide as oil climbs to its highest price since May
NEW YORK (AP) — AI stocks are dragging markets down worldwide. The S&P 500 sank 1.3% Thursday following even sharper losses in Asia, whose markets are full of AI and other technology stocks. The Nasdaq composite tumbled 2.4%, but stocks outside of tech held up better, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a more modest 40 points, or 0.1%. AI stocks have been shaky on worries that their boom may be under threat because of high interest rates. Also weighing on markets was a jump in oil prices. Brent crude oil touched its highest price since May because of worries about the war with Iran.
