Saudi-backed Yemeni government launches military campaign against Houthis
On October 4, 2026, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government announced a major military campaign against Houthi militia forces, striking targets in Sanaa and Saada to recapture territory and escalate pressure in the ongoing civil war. The offensive marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with the Houthis having recently tightened control over key areas and strategic cities.
House passes stopgap spending bill to prevent government shutdown before midterms
The House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution on Tuesday to fund the federal government through early December, avoiding a shutdown before the midterm elections. The bill passed with a 370-48 vote, with bipartisan support extending current spending levels until 11 December, well past the 30 September fiscal year deadline, and now moves to the Senate and President Trump's desk for signature.
Federal Reserve holds benchmark interest rate at 4.00% for fourth consecutive meeting
The Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate at 4.00% during the September 2026 policy meeting, marking the fourth straight pause since the last hike. Policymakers cited ongoing commitment to bringing inflation toward the 2% target while noting a shift in the balance of risks, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicating the Committee remains prepared to adjust policy based on incoming data on inflation and labor market conditions.
Brazil presidential election to run off on October 25 after no candidate reaches 50%
Brazil's presidential election will proceed to a runoff on October 25 after preliminary results showed no candidate securing an absolute majority in the first round. With vote counts still being finalized, Flávio Bolsonaro led with approximately 48.47% of the vote, while incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva trailed with just over 43%. The runoff will determine the next president in a contest dominated by issues of crime, corruption, and the political legacy of the Bolsonaro family.
M&A activity surges 48% year-over-year to $2.8 trillion in first half of 2026
Global mergers and acquisitions hit $2.8 trillion in the first half of 2026, marking a 48% increase year-over-year and reaching the highest year-to-date total since records began in 1980. Mega-deals over $10 billion accounted for nearly half of all M&A value, driven by AI infrastructure investments, corporate divestitures, and a 28% surge in industrial manufacturing. The momentum followed a record $4.6 trillion full-year 2025, the highest annual total since 2021.
Supreme Court upholds FCC fine system against wireless carrier challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected constitutional challenges from AT&T and Verizon, ruling 8-1 that the FCC's authority to levy fines on wireless carriers does not violate the Seventh Amendment, as companies can still challenge penalties through jury trials in federal court.
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery finalize $8.5 billion merger, new entity to launch October 6
Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Skydance Media finalized an $8.5 billion merger agreement, with the combined entity scheduled to officially close and launch on October 6, 2026. The deal brings together Paramount's assets with Warner Bros. Discovery under the Skydance corporate name, concluding prior legal and regulatory hurdles including an antitrust lawsuit. David Zaslav is expected to transition from his CEO role at Warner Bros. Discovery following the close.
ESA's Juice spacecraft uses Earth flyby to reshape trajectory toward Jupiter
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) successfully performed an Earth gravity assist on September 28, 2026, reshaping its trajectory toward Jupiter by 20 degrees and increasing its speed by 3.5 km/s. The flyby utilized planetary gravity to conserve fuel for the spacecraft's ongoing journey to Jupiter's icy moons.