Just the Facts
Each top story, read across outlets on the left, center and right, and rewritten with the spin taken out. Every fact links to the reports that state it.
Wednesday, October 21
Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after car attack; driver charged
Independent federal lawmaker Helen Haines lost both legs after being hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday. Police charged the driver, and the motive is not yet established.
Written from 8 reports by outlets across the spectrumChemical release in Toledo, Ohio prompts evacuation and shelter-in-place orders
A chemical release in north Toledo, Ohio led city fire officials to order evacuations near a terminal and shelter-in-place orders for a wider area. The reports say no explosion or casualties occurred.
Written from 4 reports by outlets across the spectrumFrench 10-year bond yield hits 5% as protests and riots spread across French cities
France's 10-year bond yield reached 5% for the first time since 2002 amid unrest. Protests that began with student demands turned violent, with at least 2,400 arrests over one weekend and curfews imposed.
Written from 8 reports by outlets across the spectrumUK to deploy RAF Typhoon jets to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks
The UK government said it will send RAF Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for defensive missions against Houthi drones and missiles. The Iran-backed Houthis have struck Riyadh and Saudi energy sites.
Written from 7 reports by outlets across the spectrumTrump says he will spend over $400M on Republican candidates before the midterms
President Trump said he plans to spend more than $400 million to help Republican candidates in the November 3 midterms, and that more than $300 million has already been spent. Reports also described Democratic spending and the parties' positions ahead of the vote.
Written from 4 reports by outlets across the spectrumRussia releases U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard during Witkoff talks in St. Petersburg
Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen jailed for more than four years on mercenary charges he denies, as envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin. Trump said the release came at his request and without a prisoner swap.
Written from 8 reports by outlets across the spectrumMusk says SpaceX and Tesla have formed committees to explore a merger
Elon Musk said on Tuesday that SpaceX and Tesla have formed special committees to explore a possible merger, calling it "a good idea" while stressing that no deal is agreed.
Written from 7 reports by outlets across the spectrumNigeria confirms first Ebola case in woman who flew to Abuja from Uganda
Nigeria's Health Ministry said on Tuesday that a woman who arrived in the capital, Abuja, from Uganda has tested positive for Ebola, the country's first case in the current outbreak. Contact tracing has begun, and the outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread.
Written from 6 reports by outlets across the spectrumOil prices reach five-month high before easing as Middle East attacks are reported
Brent crude briefly topped $111 a barrel on Tuesday, a five-month high, before retreating as Iran and its Houthi allies claimed attacks on oil infrastructure and ships.
Written from 4 reports by outlets across the spectrumWitkoff meets Putin in St Petersburg after Oslo talks; Russia frees Stephen Hubbard
US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday, a day after talks with Ukraine's Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo. Russia released American Stephen Hubbard at the start of the meeting.
Written from 7 reports by outlets across the spectrum
Tuesday, October 20
Zelensky says US is limiting Starshield, intelligence and Patriots; White House denies
Zelensky told a bipartisan group of senators on Monday that U.S. restrictions on satellite access, intelligence sharing and interceptor deliveries are hurting Ukraine's defenses. The White House and Trump have denied imposing restrictions, and Trump said the U.S. is still sharing intelligence.
Written from 5 reports by outlets across the spectrumDOJ charges 28 people in California with unlawful voting and election-related offenses
The Justice Department announced charges Monday against 28 people in California, saying they were on a list of about 20,000 names it sent to the state, amid a dispute over the state's voter rolls and mail ballots. California officials called the federal demands legally baseless and the state has refused to act on the list.
Written from 8 reports by outlets across the spectrumFrance imposes nightly curfews in Paris and other cities after weekend riots over living costs
Nighttime curfews took effect in Paris, Lyon and other cities after protests over the cost of living turned violent, and French officials said the curfews would last as long as necessary. The Interior Minister reported 2,513 people taken into custody.
Written from 8 reports by outlets across the spectrum