In 60 seconds: From a looming Iran strike to a record midterm turnout, this was a week that refused to slow down. Here are the seven stories that mattered most — and what to watch in the week ahead.
- The U.S. moved closer to new Iran strikes as Trump called Netanyahu — and Tehran answered.
- Binance reopened withdrawals in phases after the $6.3 billion hack, the largest in crypto history.
- More than 51 million Americans had already voted before Election Day — a midterm record.
- DoorDash bought Instacart for $17 billion, reshaping grocery delivery in America.
- A soaked Southwest braced for more flooding as an atmospheric river lingered into Monday.
The U.S. Capitol at dusk, seen from the eastern side. Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Some weeks deliver one big story. This one delivered seven — a possible war, a record hack, a record election, a $17 billion deal, and a farewell to a beloved captain. If you only have a few minutes, this is the week that was.
The 7 biggest stories this week
1. Trump called Netanyahu as the U.S. prepares new Iran strikes — Tehran just answered
The week's most consequential story broke on Sunday: with American strike planning against Iran reportedly advancing, President Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and Tehran answered with a warning of its own. The call put the U.S., Israel, and Iran back on a collision course just days before Americans vote, and it is the story to watch closest in the coming week. Read the full story →
2. Binance withdrawals reopen in phases after the $6.3B hack
The crypto world spent the week picking through the wreckage of the largest hack in its history. Binance, hit for $6.3 billion, began letting users withdraw again on Sunday — in phases, not all at once — as the FBI blamed North Korea for the theft. For millions of users, the phased reopening was the first real sign of normal returning. The next test comes November 3, when the exchange's proof of reserves is due. Read the full story →
3. 51 million Americans have already voted — and the 2022 record is already broken
Before a single Election Day ballot was cast, early voting had already beaten the 2022 midterm record: more than 51 million Americans voted early, including a record 2.8 million in Georgia alone. Whatever happens on Tuesday, the turnout story is already historic — and it is a sign of just how much is at stake in this election. Read the full story →
4. DoorDash buys Instacart for $17B
The biggest business deal of the week landed in your grocery cart. DoorDash's $17 billion purchase of Instacart joins two of America's largest delivery platforms, and it will shape what you pay for groceries, how fast they arrive, and which stores deliver to your door. It was also one of Senate Wire's most-read stories of the week — proof that readers care most about the deals that touch their daily lives. Read the full story →
5. An atmospheric river is hitting a soaked Southwest — and the flood risk runs to Monday
While the politics dominated headlines, the weather dominated life in the Southwest. An atmospheric river drenched an already soaked region, Arizona opened its second flood watch of the week, and forecasters warned the flood risk would run all the way to Monday. It was a reminder that the week's biggest danger for millions of Americans wasn't in Washington — it was in the sky. Read the full story →
6. A judge just killed Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal — and he can't refile it
In a clean legal defeat, a judge threw out President Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal — and this time, the ruling bars him from refiling it. The decision closed one of the year's most-watched media lawsuits and drew a sharp line around what even a president can demand from the press in court. Read the full story →
7. Patrick Stewart dies at 86 — and the West End will dim its lights for him
The week's saddest news came from the stage and the stars. Patrick Stewart — Captain Picard, Professor X, and one of the great Shakespearean actors of his generation — died at 86, and London's West End announced it would dim its lights in his honor. For millions of fans, he wasn't just an actor; he was the calm, moral voice of two beloved universes. Read the full story →
What to watch next week
Honestly, next week could be even bigger. Apple reports fiscal fourth-quarter earnings after the U.S. close on Monday, November 2. On Tuesday, November 3, Americans vote in the midterms — all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships. The October jobs report lands Friday, November 6. And tonight, the Oleshky ceasefire clock runs out at 10:59 p.m. Kyiv time, while the Justice Department's response in the election-worker protection case is due November 2. Senate Wire will cover all of it, as it happens — starting with the results on Tuesday night.
Sources: Each story above links to Senate Wire's full coverage, with reporting from wire services, official statements, and primary documents cited in each article.