The Morning Briefing: October 15, 2026
Hormuz ship attacks, a Peshawar school disaster, Trump's midterm tour through the West, Florida's slow recovery from Hurricane Isaias, a New York pension fight, and the Brewers one win from the World Series.
Good morning. Here are the stories leading Thursday, October 15: two more ships down near the Strait of Hormuz, a school disaster in Pakistan, Trump’s midterm tour through the West, Florida’s slow recovery from Hurricane Isaias, a pension fight in New York City, and a baseball series on the brink.
Two ships sink near the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices fall anyway
A container ship and a dry bulk carrier sank near the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours after projectiles struck them in separate incidents, maritime officials said Wednesday, the latest in a surge of attacks around the waterway over the past 10 days. Iran has said it is stepping up strikes in response to the U.S. blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions imposed last month. Our earlier report on the sinkings is here.
Oil prices fell anyway. Brent crude dropped 1.31% to $104.67 a barrel and WTI fell 1.07% to $94.07 in early Thursday trading, reversing a three-week high, as traders weighed recovering Gulf supply against the shipping risk. The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that Gulf crude exports rose by 4.4 million barrels a day in September to about 75% of prewar levels.
A U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday that the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on so-called shadow fleet vessels that have carried oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, as a way to cut shipping costs. Shippers now pay around $34 a barrel to move oil from the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea to Asia, a record high, according to Reuters. Reporting based on coverage by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal.
School collapse in Peshawar kills at least 28 children and a teacher
At least 28 children and a teacher were killed Wednesday when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, according to Pakistani officials cited in international coverage. Rescue crews worked through the night and dozens more were reported injured. The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear. Read the full story. Reporting based on international coverage.
Trump asks voters to “pretend I’m running” as midterm tour rolls through Arizona and Montana
President Donald Trump campaigned in Arizona on Wednesday, backing Republican gubernatorial nominee Andy Biggs at a rally at Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport before flying on to Montana, the Associated Press reported. With 20 days to go until the November 3 midterms, Trump told reporters he expects to hold about 32 or 33 rallies in total, urging his supporters to treat the vote as though he were personally on the ballot: “Please pretend I’m running.”
At the Bullhead City rally, Trump argued that Republican turnout falls sharply when he is not contesting an election. Our coverage of the Arizona stop is here. Reporting based on coverage by the Associated Press, the Arizona Republic and IANS.
Florida Panhandle still without power days after Hurricane Isaias
Just over 17,000 Florida customers remained without power early Thursday, most of them in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, days after Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin with 105-mph winds on Oct. 9, according to the Naples Daily News. It was the first hurricane of an otherwise quiet Atlantic season, which forecasters blame on a strong El Nino.
There is quieter weather ahead: the National Hurricane Center said early Thursday that no tropical cyclone formation is expected anywhere in the Atlantic over the next seven days. Forecasters in Pensacola expect near-record heat around 90 degrees on Thursday before a cold front brings cooler air for the weekend. Reporting based on coverage by the Naples Daily News and the National Hurricane Center.
NYC comptroller Mark Levine drops plan to reinvest pension money in Israel Bonds
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine announced Wednesday he will not resume the city’s investments in Israel Bonds, reversing a pledge he made during the 2025 Democratic primary when he called them “a long-term safe and secure investment.” Levine cited financial considerations, saying city pension portfolios do not normally hold foreign sovereign debt.
Israel Bonds pushed back, noting Israel has never missed a principal or interest payment since the bonds were introduced in 1951 and that New York State’s pension system still holds about $360 million in them. Levine’s predecessor, Brad Lander, had let the city’s bond holdings lapse. Reporting based on coverage by the New York Post.
Brewers one win from the World Series; ALCS Game 3 moved to 1 p.m.
The Milwaukee Brewers can punch their ticket to the World Series on Thursday night, carrying a 3-0 lead into Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FS1) after Wednesday’s 6-2 win in Los Angeles. Read our Game 3 recap.
Meanwhile, Game 3 of the ALCS between the Rays and Guardians, tied 1-1, was moved up to 1 p.m. ET because of expected rain in Cleveland, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Reporting based on coverage by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Sportradar.
