Report: Hezbollah Has Not Given Guarantees It Won't Intervene in War
BEIRUT —
A senior Hezbollah official told al-Liwaa newspaper that reports claiming the group pledged to stay out of a possible Iran-Israel-US confrontation are false, saying any decision to join a war depends on battlefield developments and Israeli actions. The report said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh did not raise the issue during his recent visit to Beirut.
Fadlallah: Iran Hasn't Asked Hezbollah to Join a War
Netanyahu Accused of Stoking Tensions With Iran Before Election
Anthropic Files for Public Debut Under Ticker 'ANT'
Politics
Fadlallah: Iran Has Not Asked Hezbollah to Support It If War Erupts
Lebanese MP Hassan Fadlallah said Iran has not asked Hezbollah to join militarily if a new war breaks out, adding that Tehran instead asks Lebanon what serves its own interests. He said Hezbollah's decisions are made by its own leadership, and that the power to start a war rests with the United States and Israel.
Jumblat Wants Dialogue With Hezbollah, Iran; Warns Against Civil War
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat called for dialogue among Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah and rival factions, and warned against civil strife. He criticized Israel's expansionist plans and said Lebanon should talk directly with Iran, since Hezbollah's decisions are made in Tehran.
Opponents Accuse Netanyahu of Stoking Tensions With Iran Before Election
Israelis head into Tuesday's election amid reports that PM Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with the military over a possible action that could reignite conflict with Iran. His office and Defense Minister Israel Katz denied the report, while opposition leaders accused him of risking regional stability for political gain.
Technology
Anthropic Officially Files for Its Public Debut
Anthropic has filed for an IPO under the ticker 'ANT,' reporting $16.3 billion in first-half 2026 revenue alongside an $80.7 billion net loss driven largely by noncash accounting adjustments tied to convertible debt. Its governance structure gives seven co-founders 50.1% of voting power, a setup critics call controversial given how little control public shareholders would have.
Microsoft Offers Buyouts to Around 60,000 Employees
Microsoft confirmed it is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees as part of its ongoing cost-cutting push. Eligibility covers vice president-level staff and below on select teams in the US, Canada, India, and the UK, with terms similar to standard severance, letting the company trim headcount without mass layoffs.
Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With OLED Display and A20 Pro Chip
Apple announced a refreshed iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display, a thinner body, and its new A20 Pro chip, with peak brightness more than double the previous generation. The Wi-Fi model starts at $699, with pre-orders opening October 28 and availability from November 6.
Weather
Sports
Mbappe's Late Winner Gives Real Madrid El Clasico Win Over Barcelona
Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including an 87th-minute winner, as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou. Raphinha had equalized after Mbappe's deflected opener, but Real pulled ahead late following a move started by Jude Bellingham, closing the gap at the top of La Liga to three points.
Carrick's Job on the Brink After Man Utd's 3-0 Defeat to Bournemouth
Manchester United's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left them just above the relegation zone in their worst-ever Premier League start. Pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher said head coach Michael Carrick is likely to be sacked, after he was applauded off the pitch in what was widely seen as a possible farewell.
Sunderland Remain Bottom After Goalless Draw With Leeds
Sunderland and Leeds played out a scoreless draw at the Stadium of Light, leaving Regis Le Bris's side bottom of the Premier League after six straight games without a win, while Leeds moved up to seventh. Brian Brobbey's close-range effort was saved by James Trafford, and VAR waved away a late Leeds penalty appeal.