6 AM · While you were asleep · Saturday, October 31, 2026

43 million early votes, judge blocks threats to election officials, Oleshky evacuation, France protests, toddler bar recall

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STORY 1 OF 5

More than 43 million Americans have voted early

More than 43 million Americans had voted early in person or returned mail ballots five days before Election Day, nearly 10 million more than at the same point in 2022, according to an Associated Press analysis. Texas was up about 50 percent, with more than…

✔ Sources: AP via Killeen Daily Herald, Al Jazeera, BBC via Yahoo News

STORY 2 OF 5

Judge bars Justice Department from threatening to prosecute election officials

U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued a temporary restraining order on Friday barring the Justice Department from threatening to prosecute state and local election officials who do not follow the administration's demands based on its list of alleged…

✔ Sources: Reuters via Yahoo News, Fox News

STORY 3 OF 5

Residents evacuated from Russian-occupied Oleshky under a local ceasefire

Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region were evacuated on Friday in the first joint relief operation by both sides in the nearly five-year war, Reuters reports. A local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump took effect in Oleshky…

✔ Sources: Reuters via West Hawaii Today, Kyiv Independent

STORY 4 OF 5

France deploys about 70,000 police for Halloween protests

France is deploying about 70,000 police officers nationwide for protests on Saturday, October 31, after widespread violence and looting during demonstrations on October 17. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez banned protests in city centres, allowing them only…

✔ Sources: Euronews, Al Jazeera and AFP

STORY 5 OF 5

FDA warns parents not to serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels toddler bars

The FDA advised consumers not to buy or serve Once Upon a Farm Tractor Wheels Organic Toddler Soft-Baked Bars, in all flavors, lot codes and expiration dates, after reports of toddlers aged 1.5 to 2.5 years having complete airway obstruction. The FDA says…

✔ Sources: FDA, Food Safety News, Business Wire release via SustainabilityHQ

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