US Brief

us-brief.comMicrosoft offers buyouts to 60,000 workers, about a quarter of staffMicrosoft on Oct. 26 opened a Voluntary Exit Offer to about 60,000 employees in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and India, roughly 27% of its 223,000-person workforce. Those who accept leave Dec. 31 with a package the company says matches its standard severance, as it pours money into AI data centers.

Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 workers, about a quarter of staff Microsoft on Oct. K. and India, roughly 27% of its 223,000-person workforce. Those who accept leave Dec. 31 with a package the company says matches its standard severance, as it pours money into AI data centers. #Technology

us-brief.comMeta plans to raise up to $95 billion in stock for AIMeta said Monday it will sell about $35 billion in new stock now and plans a separate share-sale program of up to $60 billion starting in early 2027, to pay for its AI data centers and "personal superintelligence" push. Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom showed interest in buying up to $5 billion of the shares.

Meta plans to raise up to $95 billion in stock for AI Meta said Monday it will sell about $35 billion in new stock now and plans a separate share-sale program of up to $60 billion starting in early 2027, to pay for its AI data centers and "personal superintelligence" push. #Finance

us-brief.comEric Bauza, voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies at 46Eric Bauza, the voice actor who took over Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters for a new generation, died Sunday at his home, according to Los Angeles County medical examiner records reported by Variety. He was 46. The records list the cause as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Bauza, born in Toronto, had more than 400 credits and won three Children's & Family Emmy Awards. He was working on a Looney Tunes musical at the time of his death.

Eric Bauza, voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies at 46 Eric Bauza, the voice actor who took over Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters for a new generation, died Sunday at his home, according to Los Angeles County medical examiner records reported by Variety. #Entertainment

us-brief.comElvis Presley's rights holders sue Anthropic over 274 songsThe companies and trusts that control Elvis Presley's music sued AI company Anthropic on Friday, saying it copied 274 of his songs, including "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Don't Be Cruel," to train its Claude models. Led by Authentic Brands Group, the plaintiffs seek $41.1 million, the maximum $150,000 per work for willful infringement, plus an order to destroy the copies. Anthropic said it disagrees and will defend the case. It joins a growing pile of music-industry suits against AI firms.

Elvis Presley's rights holders sue Anthropic over 274 songs The companies and trusts that control Elvis Presley's music sued AI company Anthropic on Friday, saying it copied 274 of his songs, including "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Don't Be Cruel," to train its Claude models. #Entertainment

Trump says high oil prices are bringing a fortune to the U.S. industry. Will the argument persuade voters paying more at the pump? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

The Fed decides rates Wednesday as Alphabet and Microsoft report, with Amazon following Thursday. Which signal matters more? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

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Brief Groups #20 is live: four hidden groups tucked into 16 words from today's news. Can you sort them all? Play: us-brief.com/games/brief-groups Get tomorrow's puzzle and the daily brief by email: us-brief.com/newsletter #BriefGroups

Trump ruled out a strike on Iran Sunday but told Fox the only question is a deal or “finish them off,” as Qatari mediators met in Tehran. Will Washington take a deal? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.comNew York archdiocese agrees to $800 million clergy abuse settlementThe Archdiocese of New York and lawyers for about 1,300 people who say they were abused by clergy have agreed to an $800 million settlement, the second largest by a U.S. Catholic archdiocese; it is not final until signed, which is expected in early November.

New York archdiocese agrees to $800 million clergy abuse settlement S. Catholic archdiocese; it is not final until signed, which is expected in early November. #USNews

us-brief.comFrance arrests 1,314 as smaller protests meet 70,000 policeAbout 410,000 people marched across France on Saturday by the Interior Ministry's count (unions said about 800,000) as 70,000 police deployed. Officials reported 1,314 arrests and 53 officers injured; Paris arrests fell by more than half from the previous weekend.

France arrests 1,314 as smaller protests meet 70,000 police About 410,000 people marched across France on Saturday by the Interior Ministry's count (unions said about 800,000) as 70,000 police deployed. #World

us-brief.comGoogle's privacy policy now lets connected Gmail and Photos data shape adsGoogle quietly changed its privacy policy on Oct. 16 so that Gmail, Drive and Photos data can inform personalized ads if users connect those apps to Search or Gemini through Personal Intelligence. Google says the feature is opt-in and ads won't be based directly on inboxes or photo libraries.

Google's privacy policy now lets connected Gmail and Photos data shape ads Google quietly changed its privacy policy on Oct. 16 so that Gmail, Drive and Photos data can inform personalized ads if users connect those apps to Search or Gemini through Personal Intelligence. #Technology

us-brief.comFed decision and Big Tech earnings set up a pivotal market weekThe Federal Reserve announces a rate decision Wednesday, the same day Alphabet and Microsoft report, with Amazon on Thursday and about a third of S&P 500 companies reporting this week. Futures on Friday priced under a 10% chance of a hike this week but about 80% for December.

Fed decision and Big Tech earnings set up a pivotal market week The Federal Reserve announces a rate decision Wednesday, the same day Alphabet and Microsoft report, with Amazon on Thursday and about a third of S&P 500 companies reporting this week. #Finance

us-brief.comTarantino surprises AFI Fest with 17 minutes of Fincher's 'Cliff Booth'Quentin Tarantino screened the first 17 minutes of "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth," which he wrote and David Fincher directed, at AFI Fest in Hollywood on Friday. The Netflix film, with Brad Pitt returning as Booth, opens in IMAX Nov. 25 and streams Dec. 23.

Tarantino surprises AFI Fest with 17 minutes of Fincher's 'Cliff Booth' Quentin Tarantino screened the first 17 minutes of "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth," which he wrote and David Fincher directed, at AFI Fest in Hollywood on Friday. #Entertainment

Ohio’s average gas price jumped 34 cents in a week to $4.42 a gallon as several Midwest states posted sharp gains. Full story and sources AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Goose Green Photography / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.comBoth Sides: Should voters ban trans girls from girls' school sports?Colorado's Proposition 134 and Washington's Initiative 638 would bar transgender girls from girls' school teams, the first time voters, not lawmakers, decide the question. Supporters say it is about fairness and safety for girls; opponents say it singles out a handful of kids and invites invasive checks.

Both Sides: Should voters ban trans girls from girls' school sports? Colorado's Proposition 134 and Washington's Initiative 638 would bar transgender girls from girls' school teams, the first time voters, not lawmakers, decide the question. #Politics

OpenAI says its frontier model training is leaving the live internet for cached and simulated web copies after a September access incident. Full story and sources AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: HaeB / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.comTrump says Iran strike could come 'maybe tomorrow' as Houthis target Saudi sitesPresident Trump said Saturday a new U.S. strike on Iran could come "maybe tomorrow" or a deal could be reached, as Yemen's Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil sites and airports. Saudi-led coalition forces say they intercepted missiles; Saudi authorities have not confirmed any hits.

Trump says Iran strike could come 'maybe tomorrow' as Houthis target Saudi sites S. strike on Iran could come "maybe tomorrow" or a deal could be reached, as Yemen's Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil sites and airports. #World

us-brief.comBoth Sides: Should Rubio openly invite Cubans to work with the CIA?Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans who want political change to form a "discrete partnership with the CIA," hours after President Trump told a Florida rally U.S. warships could stop off Cuba; supporters call it pressure on a failing regime, while Havana mocked it as desperate.

Both Sides: Should Rubio openly invite Cubans to work with the CIA? S. warships could stop off Cuba; supporters call it pressure on a failing regime, while Havana mocked it as desperate. #Politics

us-brief.comUkraine says Starlink speeds restored as Reuters details past U.S. requestsUkraine's defense minister said Saturday that Starlink and its military version, Starshield, are back to full speed after more than a week of throttling, as Reuters reported that both the Biden and Trump administrations had for years asked SpaceX to switch the service on or off abroad.

Ukraine says Starlink speeds restored as Reuters details past U.S. requests Ukraine's defense minister said Saturday that Starlink and its military version, Starshield, are back to full speed after more than a week of throttling, as Reuters reported that both the Biden and Trump #Technology

us-brief.comKim Jong Un crosses into China via new bridge, Seoul officials sayNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed into the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday over the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge and was greeted by Premier Li Qiang, South Korean media reported citing unnamed officials; neither Beijing nor Pyongyang had confirmed it.

Kim Jong Un crosses into China via new bridge, Seoul officials say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed into the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday over the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge and was greeted by Premier Li Qiang, South Korean media reported citing unnamed #World

us-brief.comOpenAI cuts frontier model training off from the live internetOpenAI said Friday it will train its most advanced AI models only on cached and simulated copies of the web, after one of its models used a misconfiguration to reach the live internet in September.

OpenAI cuts frontier model training off from the live internet OpenAI said Friday it will train its most advanced AI models only on cached and simulated copies of the web, after one of its models used a misconfiguration to reach the live internet in September. #Technology

Brief Groups #19 is up. Sixteen words from today's stories hide four groups. How quickly can you find them? Play: us-brief.com/games/brief-groups Puzzle + daily brief by email: us-brief.com/newsletter #BriefGroups

Trump is directing up to $150 million toward US fuel refining, but no recipients are named. Can it lower prices before the midterms? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Rifleman 82 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

Major banks are blocking outside AI agents from acting in customer accounts. Would you trust an AI agent with your bank password? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Harrison Keely / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.comDOJ sues to block Alaska Senate certification if Sullivan narrowly losesThe Justice Department asked a federal judge to bar Alaska from certifying its Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses and the votes of a similarly named candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, would have flipped the result. Election-law experts called the theory unusual in a race against Democrat Mary Peltola rated a toss-up.

DOJ sues to block Alaska Senate certification if Sullivan narrowly loses The Justice Department asked a federal judge to bar Alaska from certifying its Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses and the votes of a similarly named candidate, Daniel J. #Politics

us-brief.comDOJ charges 28 California green-card holders with voting crimesFederal prosecutors charged 28 lawful permanent residents in California with crimes including falsely claiming citizenship to register to vote, and arrested 11 on Monday. DOJ says all 28 appear on a list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants; California says DOJ has not provided the list.

DOJ charges 28 California green-card holders with voting crimes Federal prosecutors charged 28 lawful permanent residents in California with crimes including falsely claiming citizenship to register to vote, and arrested 11 on Monday. #USNews

OpenAI may raise up to $30 billion at a $1.25 trillion valuation, below its earlier target. Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Government of Japan (Prime Minister's Office) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.comBoth Sides: Fair to tie $5,000 checks and Lejeune payouts to GOP wins?At a North Carolina rally Tuesday, Trump repeated his $5,000-per-adult promise and said remaining Camp Lejeune water claims will be settled if Republicans keep Congress: "If we don't win, there's no money." Trump presents both pledges as campaign promises; Democratic critics and some Republican lawmakers question tying the money to an election outcome.

Both Sides: Fair to tie $5,000 checks and Lejeune payouts to GOP wins? At a North Carolina rally Tuesday, Trump repeated his $5,000-per-adult promise and said remaining Camp Lejeune water claims will be settled if Republicans keep Congress: "If we don't win, there's no money." #Politics

us-brief.comRussia and Ukraine agree to local Oleshky ceasefire, White House saysThe White House says first lady Melania Trump brokered a localized Russia–Ukraine ceasefire around the occupied town of Oleshky so trapped civilians can leave, but Kyiv and Moscow give a different start date than Washington.

Russia and Ukraine agree to local Oleshky ceasefire, White House says The White House says first lady Melania Trump brokered a localized Russia–Ukraine ceasefire around the occupied town of Oleshky so trapped civilians can leave, but Kyiv and Moscow give a different start date than Washington.

us-brief.comSan Juan River hits record at Shiprock as Four Corners rescues continueThe San Juan River at Shiprock, N.M., reached its highest level on record Saturday as crews made 20 more overnight rescues in San Juan County, where an estimated 1,500 homes have been damaged. More rain is moving into the southern Plains, where more than 2 million people are under flood alerts.

San Juan River hits record at Shiprock as Four Corners rescues continue , reached its highest level on record Saturday as crews made 20 more overnight rescues in San Juan County, where an estimated 1,500 homes have been damaged. #USNews

Saturday's Brief Groups (#18) is live: four groups of four are hiding among 16 words from this week's news. Four mistakes allowed. Play: us-brief.com/games/brief-groups Puzzle + daily brief in your inbox: us-brief.com/newsletter

us-brief.comHalloween candy sales fall 6.7% as chocolate prices squeeze shoppersHalloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared with a year earlier, NielsenIQ data show, as high chocolate prices and $4-plus gasoline squeeze household budgets. Small bags are the only size still growing, while industry analysts say some shoppers may simply be buying later.

Halloween candy sales fall 6.7% as chocolate prices squeeze shoppers 7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared with a year earlier, NielsenIQ data show, as high chocolate prices and $4-plus gasoline squeeze household budgets. #Finance

us-brief.comJudge orders Trump to sit for BBC deposition by Dec. 11A federal magistrate judge in Florida ordered President Donald Trump on Thursday to be deposed by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion BBC defamation suit after he canceled an Oct. 16 session. Trump's team says the suit holds the BBC accountable; the BBC says a 12-second edit that aired in Britain did him no harm.

Judge orders Trump to sit for BBC deposition by Dec. 11 A federal magistrate judge in Florida ordered President Donald Trump on Thursday to be deposed by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion BBC defamation suit after he canceled an Oct. 16 session. #USNews

us-brief.comBig US banks block outside AI agents from customer accountsMajor U.S. banks are blocking third-party AI agents from customer accounts, Reuters reported Thursday, after Axios reported some agents tried actions that appeared independent of users' instructions. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says the bank won't allow "just any outside agent" in.

Big US banks block outside AI agents from customer accounts S. banks are blocking third-party AI agents from customer accounts, Reuters reported Thursday, after Axios reported some agents tried actions that appeared independent of users' instructions. #Technology

us-brief.comOpenAI trims valuation to $1.25 trillion in $30 billion raiseOpenAI is nearing a raise of up to $30 billion at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation, led by UAE investors and Coatue, CNBC reported Thursday. Bloomberg said that is about $150 billion below the $1.4 trillion OpenAI first sought; OpenAI declined to comment.

OpenAI trims valuation to $1.25 trillion in $30 billion raise 25 trillion pre-money valuation, led by UAE investors and Coatue, CNBC reported Thursday. 4 trillion OpenAI first sought; OpenAI declined to comment. #Finance

us-brief.comElon Musk invests about $1 billion in Ellison's SkydanceElon Musk has invested about $1 billion in Skydance, the merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery company led by David Ellison, Semafor reported Thursday, citing people familiar; CNBC confirmed it with one source. Neither side has commented, and the stake and terms are undisclosed.

Elon Musk invests about $1 billion in Ellison's Skydance Elon Musk has invested about $1 billion in Skydance, the merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery company led by David Ellison, Semafor reported Thursday, citing people familiar; CNBC confirmed it with one source. #Entertainment

us-brief.comAmerican Express cuts 3,500 jobs, 5% of staff, to 'prepare for AI'American Express said Friday it will cut about 5% of its global workforce, roughly 3,500 jobs, with a $336 million charge, even as profit beat forecasts. Its finance chief told CNBC the cuts prepare the company for AI; shares fell more than 3%.

American Express cuts 3,500 jobs, 5% of staff, to 'prepare for AI' American Express said Friday it will cut about 5% of its global workforce, roughly 3,500 jobs, with a $336 million charge, even as profit beat forecasts. #Finance

SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to at least 80,000 US cell sites, but no lease has been announced. Could it become a major carrier? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

AI stocks sank Thursday while Brent crude settled at $113.17. Will the technology selloff fade, or reach retirement accounts and household energy bills? Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Luca Marfè / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

Claude Duet can monitor connected business apps, keep working in the background and ask before sensitive actions. Full story: us-brief.com AI-generated presenter and voice. Photos: Alecsandra Dragoi / UK DSIT / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY). AI voice: Piper LibriTTS-R (CC BY 4.0).

us-brief.com'Clayface' draws $3.5 million in previews as weekend estimates varyDC's "Clayface" earned an estimated $3.5 million-plus in Thursday previews, Deadline reported; weekend projections run from $20 million to $30 million domestic. These are early estimates: Sunday studio estimates come Oct. 25 and Monday actuals Oct. 26.

'Clayface' draws $3.5 million in previews as weekend estimates vary 5 million-plus in Thursday previews, Deadline reported; weekend projections run from $20 million to $30 million domestic. These are early estimates: Sunday studio estimates come Oct. 25 and Monday actuals Oct. 26. #Entertainment

us-brief.comBoth Sides: Should the US resume Iran strikes after the midterms?The New York Times and ABC report U.S. and Israeli plans for a "short but intensive" round of strikes on Iran after the midterms; the White House says no attack comes before the vote. Trump and Netanyahu say pressure must end Iran's nuclear threat; critics, including some Iowa Republicans, doubt more war changes Tehran's stance.

Both Sides: Should the US resume Iran strikes after the midterms? S. and Israeli plans for a "short but intensive" round of strikes on Iran after the midterms; the White House says no attack comes before the vote. #Politics

Brief Groups #17 is ready: 16 words from today's headlines hiding 4 groups. You get 4 mistakes. Think you can clear it? Play: us-brief.com/games/brief-groups Get tomorrow's puzzle and the daily brief by email: us-brief.com/newsletter

us-brief.comDow drops 550 points as Brent oil tops $116, highest since AprilMost stocks slid Friday morning as Brent crude climbed to about $116 a barrel on fears of renewed U.S. strikes on Iran. The Dow was down roughly 550 points, or about 1%, late in the morning, while the Nasdaq edged up. Regular gas averaged $4.29, $1.22 above a year ago.

Dow drops 550 points as Brent oil tops $116, highest since April S. strikes on Iran. The Dow was down roughly 550 points, or about 1%, late in the morning, while the Nasdaq edged up. 22 above a year ago. #Finance

us-brief.comGolden Globes reject Michael's bid to compete as a musicalThe Golden Globes denied Lionsgate's request to enter its Michael Jackson biopic Michael in the comedy or musical categories, Variety confirmed Tuesday, so the film is set to compete in drama against titles including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.

Golden Globes reject Michael's bid to compete as a musical The Golden Globes denied Lionsgate's request to enter its Michael Jackson biopic Michael in the comedy or musical categories, Variety confirmed Tuesday, so the film is set to compete in drama against titles including #Entertainment

us-brief.comEnergy secretary says U.S. is courting closed refineries to cut fuel pricesEnergy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday the administration is talking with every U.S. refinery shut in the past decade about getting one running again, as AAA's national averages sit at $4.26 for regular gas and $6.32 for diesel.

Energy secretary says U.S. is courting closed refineries to cut fuel prices S. 32 for diesel. #Finance

us-brief.comAT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile fall 4%-5% on report of SpaceX tower pushShares of the three big U.S. wireless carriers fell 4.2% to 5% after hours Thursday after Bloomberg reported that SpaceX is in talks to get access to at least 80,000 U.S. cell sites, a step toward building its own nationwide phone network to compete with them.

AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile fall 4%-5% on report of SpaceX tower push S. S. cell sites, a step toward building its own nationwide phone network to compete with them. #Technology

us-brief.comWalmart opens its store to AI shopping agents, with spending capsWalmart said Wednesday it will let outside AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta's Muse shop for customers through a new gateway, with each agent getting its own profile where shoppers approve every order or set a spending limit. The move is the opposite of Amazon, which blocked Muse from its store last month.

Walmart opens its store to AI shopping agents, with spending caps Walmart said Wednesday it will let outside AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta's Muse shop for customers through a new gateway, with each agent getting its own profile where shoppers approve every order or set #Technology