Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned that Iran has escalated efforts to target U.S. personnel abroad, with plots reportedly reaching advanced stages in the Middle East. The U.S. State Department is adjusting staffing at embassies in the region amid these threats, particularly from Iranian-backed Houthis.

President Trump has reduced tariffs on select Canadian products vital to Maine’s agricultural sector, including packing machinery and specialised containers for wild blueberries. Senator Susan Collins supports these exemptions, citing their importance to local farmers amid criticisms from Democrats regarding political motivations behind the decision.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will cast their votes early in Palm Beach County, Florida, this Saturday, according to a White House official. Despite previously stating a preference for Election Day voting, Trump has recently voted by mail yet is critical of widespread mail-in voting.

The New York City Council has approved a bill to ban horse-drawn carriage rides by 2028, named after Romanch Mahajan, who died in a carriage accident. The legislation is now awaiting Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s signature and includes provisions for humane placement of animals and a transition plan for businesses.

The Justice Department has moved to dismiss over a dozen longstanding school desegregation cases without first determining if the districts have achieved “unitary status,” according to a Red Line for Civil Rights analysis. This action, affecting at least 18 cases, raises concerns about ongoing discrimination.

In a heated final debate for the Michigan Senate race, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed accused Republican Mike Rogers of being a “sock puppet” for Donald Trump, while Rogers labelled El-Sayed as untrustworthy and overly progressive. The contest remains critical ahead of the November midterms, with key issues including inflation and foreign policy.