Here are today’s top stories.
Headlines
Banks Detected Rogue AI Agents Accessing Americans’ Accounts
Unvetted AI agents are accessing Americans’ bank accounts, prompting major banks to push back. Morgan Stanley has begun blocking third-party agents; JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Citi are also restricting them, and Chase warned customers not to share usernames and passwords with anyone. Source
A federal judge ordered President Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The suit centers on the broadcaster’s editing of his Jan. 6, 2021, speech, and the deposition must take place by Dec. 11. Read More
Pope Leo is progressing well following his lung cancer surgery, but he has canceled a planned trip to Assisi as he continues to recover. The Vatican has said the pontiff will need no further cancer treatment and will gradually resume his activities. Source
Politics
Control of the Senate may hinge on candidates neither party’s leadership wanted on the ballot. With less than two weeks until Election Day, the fight for the chamber puts Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the position of relying on nominees their parties did not want. Source
Todd Blanche of the Justice Department declined to rule out Justice Department action to block the certification of election results. The remark drew attention less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterms. Find out More
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., urged Republicans to pass another party-line budget reconciliation package during the lame-duck session, including action on the debt limit. The proposal would also provide about $100 billion for defense spending and farm aid, with federal debt having topped $40 trillion last month and stopgap government funding expiring after Dec. 11. See Details
U.S. News
Diesel prices averaged $6.31 a gallon Thursday, up more than 70% from a year ago, squeezing truckers heading into the holiday shipping season. At least 16 trucking companies sought bankruptcy protection between Sept. 18 and Oct. 21, while the industry also contends with a shortage of qualified drivers. See Details
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth banned U.S. troops from betting on military operations through the prediction market Polymarket. The move bars service members from wagering on the outcome of military operations. Read More
The Justice Department is allegedly investigating Corey Lewandowski, a former Department of Homeland Security official and longtime Trump adviser. Details of the investigation’s scope were not immediately disclosed. See Details
Business
Stocks slid Thursday as technology shares sank on renewed worries about heavy AI spending, with Meta shares plunging after its earnings. The Nasdaq led the declines as investors questioned whether Big Tech’s massive AI investments will pay off. Read More
Tesla shares fell almost 5% before the bell Thursday despite beating third-quarter earnings estimates, with adjusted earnings of 48 cents a share. Revenue of $28.05 billion came in just shy of expectations, deliveries fell 2% from a year earlier, and the company cut its full-year capital spending guidance to $20 billion from $25 billion. Source
Meta’s Muse AI assistant has reached 10 million U.S. downloads in 40 days, and it has drawn the oldest user base of any AI chatbot, with an estimated 46% of users aged 46 or older. Some seniors use it for tasks like comparing Medicare Part D plans, but privacy experts warn about how much personal data older users are sharing. Source
World News
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that the conflict “will extend” to American military bases across the Middle East if U.S. forces keep escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and claimed attacks on four vessels. Separately, an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, claimed by Houthi rebels, killed two people and injured eight. President Trump invoked Defense Production Act emergency powers to boost domestic oil production. Source
French President Emmanuel Macron said “illegitimate” protests will be banned as cities across France move to block demonstrations following weekend unrest. Student-led protests have spread across the country in recent weeks. Find out More
A fire that killed four Canadian soldiers at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta started on an automatic grenade launcher range during routine training, military officials said. The Oct. 17 blaze also injured 39 people, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said 50 investigators have been assigned to the case. See Details
Entertainment
Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, known for hits including “Swingin’,” “Seminole Wind” and “Straight Tequila Night,” has died at 71. The Orlando-born singer, a leader of the New Traditionalist movement, died Wednesday, and no cause of death was announced. See Details
The search for the next James Bond has reached final screen tests, with Callum Turner and Jack Lowden among the actors in contention. The casting decision is one of the most closely watched in Hollywood. Find out More
Kelly Reilly and Samuel L. Jackson appeared at Paramount’s U.K. upfront event to promote “Dutton Ranch,” the latest series in the “Yellowstone” universe. The showcase highlighted Paramount’s upcoming slate for British audiences. See Details
Sports
Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III connected four times for 130 yards and a touchdown as the Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 30-24 on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Cairo Santos sealed it with a career-long 58-yard field goal in the final two minutes. Source
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays open the World Series on Friday night in Milwaukee, with both franchises chasing their first championship. The 103-win Brewers swept the Dodgers in the NLCS and enter as -172 favorites, with Brewers catcher William Contreras tabbed as a World Series MVP pick. Read More
The Philadelphia 76ers rallied from 29 points down to stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in their home opener. Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Joel Embiid added 24 and LeBron James had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Philadelphia. Source
Off the Wall
A man eating an ear of corn at a crowded riverfront got some unexpected company when hungry cattle closed in for a taste. Video of the encounter drew attention online. Find out More
