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Monday, October 19, 2026
Morning edition
AI
Opaque Systems says its team is joining AnthropicConfidential-AI company Opaque Systems says on its website that its team "is joining Anthropic to carry our work forward" and that the company "is winding down its operations," SecurityWeek reported Oct. 19 (single source). SecurityWeek reported that financial terms were not disclosed and that Opaque had raised a $24 million Series B at a $300 million valuation earlier in 2026.
China reports 4.5% third-quarter GDP growthChina's gross domestic product grew 4.5% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, up from 4.3% in the second quarter, according to National Bureau of Statistics data reported by Xinhua on Oct. 19. GDP for January through September was about 107.11 trillion yuan, up 4.6% year on year, Xinhua reported.
Forbes Advisor: average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.26%The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.26% on Oct. 19, compared with 7.46% a week earlier, according to Mortgage Research Center data reported by Forbes Advisor. Forbes Advisor listed the 15-year fixed rate at 6.48%, compared with 6.64% last week, and the 30-year fixed jumbo rate at 7.54%.
Fire burns roofs of commercial packing businesses on East Pico BoulevardA fire burned through the roofs of several commercial packing businesses in the 900 block of East Pico Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, CBS Los Angeles reported. The fire was first reported around 6:40 p.m., crews reported a knockdown just before 8:10 p.m., and "No injuries were reported," according to CBS Los Angeles, citing Los Angeles Fire Department officials.
Magnitude 2.1 earthquake recorded near ValenciaA magnitude 2.1 earthquake was felt in Stevenson Ranch and Valencia about 8:30 a.m. Sunday, The Signal reported. The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicenter about 6 miles southwest of Valencia at a depth of 1.9 miles, according to The Signal.
Circle of Hope tea party held at Bella Vida in ValenciaCircle of Hope, a group that supports cancer patients in the Santa Clarita Valley, held a fundraising tea party at Bella Vida, KHTS reported Oct. 18. "We had 185 women and men all in this room together," Circle of Hope board member Danyelle Sanders told KHTS.
Sen. Kevin Cramer speaks on Russia sanctions and Ukraine on "Face the Nation"Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Oct. 18, speaking about Russia sanctions, that "capitulating to a bully generally means they're going to make more demands going forward," according to the CBS News transcript. On Ukraine, Cramer said, "I would absolutely stop attacking Russia's energy facilities if I could have access to targeting capabilities."
Trump scheduled to hold rally in Kansas on MondayPresident Donald Trump holds a rally in Kansas on Monday, Oct. 19, and Vice President JD Vance campaigns in Hendersonville, North Carolina, according to WDAM's week-ahead schedule. Vance travels to Nebraska on Thursday, Oct. 22, WDAM reported; Election Day is Nov. 3.
Knitting group's knitted traffic officers installed in English villageMembers of the Knit and Natter group in Fillongley, Warwickshire, England, installed knitted mannequins dressed as traffic officers and knitted speed cameras on Oct. 13 after four months of preparation, Good News Network reported Oct. 18. Councillor Heather Badham said, "It has had a massive impact," according to the outlet.