4 Things To Know This Afternoon

1. J.D. Vance calls for direct talks with Iranian hardliners Vance is advocating direct talks as Iranian hardliners say removing nuclear material from Iran is a deal breaker. Oil prices are rising but remain below $100, and the Strait of Hormuz has seen 35 attacks on ships in 30 days.  2. United Airlines bans AI bots from booking flights United Airlines is blocking AI agents from booking flights....

1. U.S. Army Soldier Arrested in UK on Suspicion of Russia Espionage  A 41-year-old U.S. Army soldier remains in custody in London after British counterterrorism police arrested him on suspicion of espionage related to Russia. London's Metropolitan Police worked with U.S. authorities, including the FBI and Pentagon. Early reports suggest he had access to classified information and allegedly relaye...

1. Pete Hegseth Faces Impeachment Push Over the Iran War The White House is defending Pete Hegseth as Thomas Massie moves forward with an impeachment vote. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have blamed the Iran war for Republican election losses, but no one has been fired over the war. Reports say Susie Wiles was forced out after pushing for Hegseth's dismissal.  2. Trump Suggests the Election Was...

Stephen Miller named White House chief of staff. Susie Wiles is moving to Trump's political operation, and Miller is taking her place. Members of Congress, especially those who lost seats, blame Miller's handling of deportations for the GOP's losses, but he remains beloved inside the White House. Markets and data centers. Markets are rebounding after the post-election selloff, and Kevin Hassett sa...

Dow Falls More Than 1,700 Points as Investors Sell AI Stocks The Dow was down more than 1,700 points at recording time, and the Nasdaq fell more than 1,300 points into bear market territory. The sell-off comes amid concerns that Democrats could rein in data center expansion after the midterms. Paul LePage and Britt Taylor Flip House Seats for the GOP Paul LePage flipped a swing seat in Maine, and...

Republican turnout, polling uncertainty and concerns about a Democratic wave dominate the final day before the midterm elections. Republican early vote concerns Republican strategists report that the GOP is significantly behind in early voting, including in Texas and Georgia. Some Republicans frustrated with Washington are withholding their votes, raising concerns that Republican candidates at the...

1. Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Refineries After pausing for several weeks at the U.S.'s request, Ukraine hit Russian oil refineries again to cut off fuel for Russia's war effort. Erickson also criticizes European countries for still buying Russian natural gas, and says Ukraine is right to keep fighting. 2. Gulf Oil Flows Again, but at a Steep Price Oil exports from the Persian Gulf are back...

The economy is growing, but that doesn't mean your paycheck is keeping up. Republicans have warning signs in states they should be winning. And Google faces a challenge to the business that made it dominant. Here are the four things you need to know this afternoon: 1. Alaska: The governor has ordered an investigation following allegations of spoiler recruitment involving Mary Peltola's campaign. I...

Inflation is still a problem. Israel's election math is still a mess. And with the midterms almost here, political operatives are giving voters more reasons to distrust them. Here are the four things you need to know this afternoon: ➡️ The Federal Reserve: The Fed holds rates steady. I explain the inflation problem and why another increase could be ahead. ➡️ Israel: Netanyahu appears positioned to...

Israel's election, Bolsonaro's reported flight from Brazil, China's growth claims and Republican turnout concerns lead the four things to know this afternoon. 1. Israel's election and Netanyahu's future: High turnout and warnings of possible upsets raise questions about Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud. Exit polling had not been released when this episode was recorded at 3:15 p.m. Eastern. 2. Bolsonar...

1. Ohio Republicans respond to Vivek Ramaswamy's ad against Amy Acton. Jon Husted, Mike DeWine and other Republicans oppose the ad, while a 1978 arrest warrant tied to molestation allegations against Cletus Arthur supports Acton's account of her family living in a tent.  2. Trump is expected to remove 50% tariffs on major Canadian products in a bid to help Susan Collins in Maine and Mike Rogers in...

1. Abdul El-Sayed's Muslim Brotherhood letter  The New York Times reports that Abdul El-Sayed signed a letter supporting the Muslim Brotherhood while he was a medical student. His campaign declined to comment.  2. Vivek Ramaswamy's Amy Acton ad Vivek Ramaswamy's ad features Amy Acton's mother challenging her daughter's truthfulness. JD Vance declined to denounce the ad, and Ohio Republican candida...

California voter fraud allegations, questions about Abdul El-Sayed's naming story, unrest in France, and Republican turnout concerns lead the four things to know for October 19, 2026. California voter fraud allegations Federal authorities have arrested 20 people accused of illegal voter registration activity, according to the account presented in the episode. A Trump administration lawsuit also al...

1. Trump Cancels Execution Livestream President Trump has canceled plans to livestream an execution following bipartisan outrage. Polling described in the episode shows majority support for the execution but even greater opposition to broadcasting it. The cancellation follows concerns about footage of real deaths becoming viral memes. 2. Ukraine Plans to Resume Russian Refinery Strikes Ukraine say...

Ukraine's Starlink signal cut, inflation concerns, Netflix layoffs, and a tightening Texas Senate race lead the four things you need to know for October 14, 2026. Ukraine Starlink Cut Sparks Bipartisan Anger The Pentagon's involvement in cutting Ukraine's military internet signal draws frustration from Republicans and Democrats. The disruption hampers Ukraine's ability to detect Russian drones and...

1. Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns After White House Request Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned after the White House asked her to step down. Her departure follows reports alleging that she sought favors from wealthy people while in Greece, including help paying credit card debts. 2. Trump's Russian Diesel Purchases Raise Sanctions Questions President Trump's push to buy Russian diesel raises questions ab...

1. Russia Continues Energy Attacks as Ukraine Signals a Response Russia continues attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure despite President Trump's call for an energy ceasefire. Ukraine signals it will respond, risking further strain with Trump as he remains concerned about diesel prices. 2. Ilhan Omar Immigration Fraud Investigation Expands Federal agents have expanded an investigation into imm...

1. Houthi Attacks Hit Riyadh Houthi missile, drone and rocket attacks have left commercial jets burning at Riyadh's airport, while Pakistan has joined Saudi Arabia and other regional countries in the fight against the Houthis. Tanker attacks near Qatar have pushed oil prices higher. 2. Iran Strike Reports and US Military Damage The president says there will be no attacks on Iran before the midterm...

Republican turnout remains a major unknown as Democrats surge in some midterm polls. High bond yields pressure stocks, persistent inflation raises expectations of another Fed rate hike, and a Tennessee judge orders execution materials preserved after Christa Pike survives a lethal injection attempt. Midterm Polling and Republican Turnout Pollsters on the left and right question whether some polls...

Inflation outpaces wage growth, Democrats signal opposition to Trump's judicial nominees, reports of pneumonic plague emerge from Siberia, and Republicans increase spending in red states amid concerns about Senate control. Inflation and consumer debt Consumers continue spending even as inflation outpaces wage growth. Rising credit card debt and a climbing 10-year Treasury yield raise concerns abou...

The G7 plans to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude as oil prices decline. Weak U.S. hiring, an update on Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike, and Republican campaign spending shifts round out the October 2 news. G7 Oil Release and Iran Export Blockade The planned release aims to stabilize prices, with Brent crude briefly falling below $100 before moving back above that level. The...

Rising mortgage rates, a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, a ruling on presidential removal authority, and a reported failed Tennessee execution lead the October 1 news. Mortgage Rates and Bond Yields Rise Rising mortgage rates and the 10-year bond yield are adding to borrowing costs. Tariffs on materials and restrictions on building compound the pressure on homeownership. U.S. Sends More...

Flydubai Hijacking Ends With Emergency Landing A Dubai-to-Israel flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot attacked the captain and sent the plane into a 14,000-foot dive. A passenger intervened, and two passengers who were pilots helped land the aircraft. Whether the attack was intended to crash the plane or strike a target in Israel remains unresolved. Middle East Oil F...

Military leadership cuts, Canada trade tensions, Auburn athletic trade secrets allegations, and proposed student loan restrictions lead September 29's four things to know. Hegseth orders further military cuts The defense secretary seeks 20% fewer generals and admirals at the top of the officer corps. Republicans who spoke with Erick Erickson question his political future and criticize his relation...

UK Terror Suspects Released on Bail Five British terror suspects have been released on bail while the United States and United Kingdom investigate whether Iran was behind an alleged plot near a military installation housing a US bomber facility. British authorities say no conclusions can yet be drawn. Saudi Oil Pipeline Reopens Ahead of Schedule Saudi Arabia has reopened its pipeline to the Red Se...