Following Hamas militants’ deadly attack on southern Israel, world leaders and their intelligence agencies are scrambling through regional backchannels to contend with a hostage crisis of seemingly unprecedented global dimensions. https://ift.tt/NwcdQLi

The fates of congressional support for Israel and Ukraine may be linked in coming weeks as the Biden administration weighs combining aid for those countries, as well as funding for Taiwan and the U.S. border. https://ift.tt/QthayYZ

Republicans reclaimed the governor’s mansion in Louisiana when state Attorney General Jeff Landry won in a crowded field of 14 candidates. https://ift.tt/cOAMJ1e

What’s News: World-Wide https://ift.tt/Zbe7lws

How Baseball’s Data-Driven Scouting Machine Missed the Rangers’ Rookie Sensation https://ift.tt/bZxucnE

Denizens (Monday Crossword, October 16) https://ift.tt/rjQZySW

China’s Central Bank Steps Up Liquidity Support https://ift.tt/PzT9ULI

In China’s Calls for Mideast Peace, Hamas Assault Goes Unmentioned https://ift.tt/2ktjWPz

Violence Surges in the West Bank Following Gaza Attack on Israelis https://ift.tt/h1ZfAk3

Risk-Advisory Firms Decide Hong Kong Isn’t Worth It https://ift.tt/qeyDmwi