Today's Headlines: America’s Elected Officials Are Living in Fear
Saudi Arabia Has Few Options as Houthis Aim at Heart of Its Ambitions
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
October 12, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

America’s Elected Officials Are Living in Fear

A Times investigation has found that violent threats have become a new normal among public officials, reshaped private lives, cost millions in security and pushed people out of office.

Saudi Arabia Has Few Options as Houthis Aim at Heart of Its Ambitions

Three deadly attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on an airport in the Saudi capital underscored the asymmetrical nature of their conflict with the kingdom.

Where Every Tree Hides ‘an Enemy’: How I Watched China’s Paranoia Grow

Returning to China after decades away, a correspondent finds bullet trains, dazzling skylines — and a surveillance state more paranoid and pervasive than ever.

World

Trump Told Ukrainians to ‘Get a New President.’ Ukraine Shrugged.

President Trump lashed out at President Volodymyr Zelensky for striking Russian oil refineries. Mr. Zelensky said he’ll stop — if Russia does too.

Wringing Hope From the Rubble of Gaza

The cease-fire last October ostensibly brought an end to Israel’s war in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. A year later, however, Israeli strikes, though less frequent, haven’t stopped.

Pope Leo Will Have Surgery to Remove Growth on Lung

A recent medical examination found a small nodule, he announced, adding that doctors would remove it this week.

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U.S.

Hurricane Isaias in Video and Pictures

It was the first Atlantic hurricane of the season, and the first to hit the mainland United States in two years.

Waves From Powerful Storm Pound Beach Homes in Southern California

Waves from Post-Tropical Storm Rachel crashed into beachfront homes in Long Beach, Calif. over the weekend, prompting evacuations.

Mr. Sparklepants and 29 Flamingo Friends Rode Out Isaias in the Bathroom

ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, Fla. squeezed a group of 30 flamingos into a bathroom to shelter them from Hurricane Isaias, which hit the Gulf Coast.

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Politics

Federal Judge Bars Trump Administration From Airing Publicly Funded Ads

A group of liberal organizations sued last week over the ads that praised the administration.

In Maine Senate Race, Anxious Democrats Turn to Bernie Sanders for a Jolt

Three months after a jarring summer candidate switch, some Democrats in the state are worried about the enthusiasm for their nominee, Troy Jackson, who is in a close race.

Democrats Press Pentagon on Iran Civilian Deaths

A new letter from 74 lawmakers suggests that civilian casualties will become a focus of investigation if Democrats take control of Congress.

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Business

San Francisco Isn’t Giving Up on Turning More of Its Offices Into Homes

The city has not completed a single office-to-housing conversion, despite hopes to meet housing demand and inject life into empty downtowns.

A Contagious Aversion to Overhead Lights

Plus: How far to go for a colleague, and now your chance to give someone advice.

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New York

Mamdani to Skip Columbus Day Parade. Some Italian Americans Are Glad.

City Hall confirmed that the mayor would not join Monday’s procession up Fifth Avenue, but would host an Italian American heritage reception soon.

5 Weeks of Pain Begin for New Jersey Commuters

NJ Transit riders who rely on the century-old Portal Bridge face service cuts and disruptions as transit officials complete its replacement.

‘He Went Inside, and We Waited as People Started to Stream Out’

Losing a precious item on a night out, recalling a big Knicks spring and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.

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Arts

Alex Gibney on ‘Musk’ and Why a 4-Hour Film Was Necessary

The documentarian also talks about trying to interview the trillionaire and the roadblocks the film has run into.

Sacha Baron Cohen to Star in Quentin Tarantino’s Debut Stage Play

“The Popinjay Cavalier,” directed by Tarantino, is scheduled to open for previews in London’s West End in February.

‘Da Bears’ and the ‘S.N.L.’ Sketch That Immortalized Mike Ditka

After a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, Ditka, the former Chicago Bears coach who died last week, became known far and wide as an indomitable leader of men.

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Books

Havana Syndrome Seems to Be Real. Why Did the C.I.A. Deny It?

In “The Havana Syndrome,” Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados make the case that a mysterious Russian weapon has been used to target American intelligence agents.

How a Pulp Fiction Master Found the Ultimate Real-Life Plot

In “The Case of the Autographed Corpse,” Jack El-Hai reveals how the relationship between a celebrity author and a captive healer reopened a closed case.

50 Years Later, a Hit Book on Women’s Sexuality Deserves Some Love

Its author became a pop culture celebrity, and sometimes punchline, but “The Hite Report” helped make way for frank discussions about pleasure.

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Science

New York’s Latest Famous Family Is a Hoot. Yes, They’re Owls.

The city’s latest feathered extraordinaires are captivating the Upper West Side with their screeches.