Morning Brief · Oct 31, 7:00 AM ET · 6:10

Chelsea v Manchester United buildup, Premier League, WSL and more – matchday live

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 0:00–1:32 · ▶ Listen from here

This is Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena, your AI anchor. Everything here is written and voiced by AI, from reporting we credit on screen. Here's what matters right now.

The Guardian notes that midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is taking on more defensive duties for his new team. Opta data show he is now winning an average of 2.3 tackles per Premier League game, up from 1.8 last season. He is also winning more duels – 4.8 compared with 3.8 previously – and more aerial duels, 0.9 versus 0.6. His possession gains have risen to 5.6 per match from 3.8, while he is sacrificing some of his offensive contribution.

NBC News says a manhunt is under way in Fairfield, California, after a shooter opened fire in a Spirit Halloween store on Friday night. One person was killed and six others were injured.

The Guardian reports that street protests over the cost of living and public‑service shortfalls are expected to spread to Germany and to restart in France on Saturday. Organisers are calling for peaceful rallies, while police have been deployed to deter looting and rioting. Recent weeks have seen student demonstrations, sometimes violent, in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania and France, with activists urging citizens to voice anger over education, housing and other services.

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 1:32–1:42 · ▶ Listen from here

We’ve got a manhunt after a Spirit Halloween shooting in California and a funeral shooting in Jordan—what do we actually know about who did it and why?

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Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 1:42–1:50 · ▶ Listen from here

The identities, motives and affiliations of the shooters in both the California and Jordan incidents remain unclear.

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 1:50–1:53 · ▶ Listen from here

And why was the funeral in Jordan targeted?

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Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 1:53–2:02 · ▶ Listen from here

Authorities have not disclosed any motive, group affiliation, or identity of the shooters, and it is unclear why the funeral was targeted.

World

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 2:04–2:18 · ▶ Listen from here

I'm Elena, with world news.

Al Jazeera reports the Russia‑Ukraine war has killed more than 120,000 dolphins in the Black Sea and left naval mines, causing widespread ecological damage.

Reporting in this segment

  • Dead dolphins, naval mines: Russia-Ukraine war destroys the Black Sea · Al Jazeera

Business & Tech

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 2:20–3:17 · ▶ Listen from here

I'm Theo, with business and technology.

Oil companies posted another quarter of sky‑high profits as the war in Iran lifts crude prices and, in turn, pump prices. NPR reports the surge in earnings follows the conflict‑driven price jump, and consumers see higher prices at the pump.

Scientists are replicating a 1960s planarian experiment that claimed worms could transfer memories by eating each other. WIRED says the original result was called sensational, but later the worms stopped learning, casting doubt on the finding.

Astronomers have found that a white dwarf’s density and the material it absorbs can tint its atmosphere pink or green. WIRED reports these dying stars are not limited to white, and the color shift depends on the star’s atmospheric composition.

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Science

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 3:18–3:46 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to science and health.

NPR reports that Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who first researched seasonal affective disorder, says the condition can make people feel like a hibernating bear. He describes the feeling as a “hibernating bear.” He explains how to identify the symptoms and outlines practical steps people can take to feel better. The segment provides guidance on recognizing the disorder and improving mood during the affected months.

Reporting in this segment

  • Do you have seasonal affective disorder? How to tell — and what to do about it · NPR

Sports

Read by Cal (AI anchor) · 3:47–4:18 · ▶ Listen from here

I'm Cal, with sports.

Yahoo Sports reports that the Premier League has compiled a list of the players who have created the most big chances so far in the 2026/27 season. It notes that a big chance is a clear scoring opportunity, and that the metric highlights players who regularly put teammates in favourable positions to score.

Yahoo Sports also says the Premier League form table has been refreshed ahead of the weekend clash between Newcastle United and Everton.

Reporting in this segment

Weather

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 4:20–5:02 · ▶ Listen from here

I'm Ivy, with your weather.

Here is the national forecast. The National Weather Service has a flood warning for parts of Arizona, and a flood watch for parts of Colorado and Utah. In the Northeast, highs from the 50s to the 60s with plenty of sunshine. In the South, highs from the 70s to the 80s with rain around, and a few thunderstorms near Miami. In the Midwest, highs in the mid 60s with rain around. In the West, highs from the 50s to the 70s with plenty of sunshine, and a few thunderstorms near Phoenix. The warmest spot on our map today is Miami at 84; the coolest, Boston at 53. If you’re flying, the FAA reports no major delays at the nation’s big airports.

Culture

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 5:04–6:04 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to culture and entertainment.

Variety reports Indian filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has died at 59. He passed away after a fall at his home in Mumbai on Oct. 30, the Press Trust of India confirmed. Gupta was known for the crime thriller Kaante, the gangster drama Shootout at Wadala and the Hrithik Roshan vehicle Kaabil. Director Milap Zaveri, a longtime friend who collaborated with Gupta, shared the news. The date of his passing was confirmed as Oct. 30.

Variety says the Tokyo International Film Festival hosted a masterclass with director Zeze Takahisa as part of its Tokyo Talk program. The session took place at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya before a full house. Zeze, who directed the festival’s opening film Sukiyaki, discussed his early work in pink cinema and independent films. He then answered questions about his more recent projects. Zeze was born in 1960 in Oita.

Reporting in this segment

  • Sanjay Gupta, Indian Director of ‘Kaante’ and ‘Zinda,’ Dies at 59 · Variety
  • Pink Film Veteran Zeze Takahisa Champions Original Stories at Tokyo Masterclass · Variety

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 6:04–6:10 · ▶ Listen from here

That's Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena. We're on around the clock.