News Wrap: Hiring still strong despite inflation and interest rates

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• Judy Woodruff:

  The latest look at the U.S. economy is out, and hiring is still going strong, despite rising inflation and ever higher interest rates.

  The Labor Department says that employers added a net 261,000 jobs in October. That was less than the 315,000 jobs added in September, but still a strong showing. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.7 percent from September. Analysts say the question now is, how long before interest rate hikes slow the economy and inflation?

• Steven Ricchiuto, Chief Economist, Mizuho Securities USA:

  Is it something we're likely to see in the next one or two months? Or is it something that's going to take six to nine months to be reflected in the data?

  That's really the question. In this particular junction, the data is telling you that the labor market is not yet responding to the Fed rate hikes that have already been executed.

• Judy Woodruff:

  This was the government's last major economic report before Tuesday's midterm elections.

  Twitter began sweeping job layoffs today under Elon Musk's ownership. Up to 3,700 people could be affected, half of the company's work force. Employees have already filed a class action lawsuit alleging they were not given enough notice.

  In Iran, a new outbreak of anti-government protests rocked cities today. That came as the Islamic Republic marked the anniversary of its break with the United States in 1979.

  Amna Nawaz reports.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Outside the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, a state-sponsored crowd chanting "Death to America," marking 43 years since the embassy takeover amid the Islamic Revolution that brought Iran's hard-line theocracy into power.

  Many of today's protesters weren't even born in 1979, when Iranian students stormed this compound. They held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Today, state-run TV aired these commemorations nationwide, as anti-state protests explode across the nation. Led by women and girls, the march is in the name of Mahsa Amini, killed in police custody, now stretch into a seventh week.

  The regime has cracked down, 14,000 people arrested, at least 300 killed.

  Last night, at a California rally, President Biden weighed in.

  Joe Biden, President of the United States: Don't worry. We're going to free Iran. They are going to free themselves pretty soon.

  (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

• Amna Nawaz:

  Today, White House National Security Council official John Kirby said the president was expressing solidarity with the Iranian protesters.

  But Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi, fired back.

• Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian President (through translator):

  Mr. President, Iran was liberated 43 years ago and is adamant not to become your hostage.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Raisi's government is under pressure, facing a growing wave of rare, sustained public opposition.

  In several southeastern provinces today, new anti-government rallies broke out, part of a movement that shows no signs of slowing.

  For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Amna Nawaz.

• Judy Woodruff:

  In Ukraine, there are more signs that the government's forces are advancing in the south. Russia's President Putin today endorsed evacuations around Kherson amid reports of Russian units pulling back in places. Ukrainian officials told of civilians being forced to go to Russian-occupied Crimea.

  The two Koreas set up scores of warplanes today, but each state on its own side of the border. The South scrambled at fighter jets after tracking about 180 North Korean flights. In response, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded that North Korea end its provocative acts and resume nuclear talks.

  The former prime minister of about Pakistan, Imran Khan, is vowing to resume marching on the capital city after he recovers from being shot. He was wounded by a gunman on Thursday. Today, he accused government and military officials of orchestrating the attack, and he vowed he won't be stopped.

• Imran Khan, Former Pakistani Prime Minister (through translator):

  As soon as I get better, I will go back out on the streets. I will give the call again. Once more. And I will go to Islamabad, because, if these thieves take control, and if we accept this, this isn't what Pakistan was made from.

• Judy Woodruff:

  Across Pakistan today, Khan supporters were already on the streets blocking roads and battling police as they demanded political change.

  Back in this country, the founder of the Oath Keepers far right militia began testifying in Washington, D.C., on January 6 charges of seditious conspiracy. Stewart Rhodes portrayed his group as peaceful, despite evidence that he talked of — quote — "a bloody civil war." Prosecutors will cross-examine Rhodes next week.

  The chair of former President Trump's inauguration committee was acquitted today of secretly working for a foreign government. California billionaire Tom Barrack had been accused of illegally promoting the interests of the United Arab Emirates. He denied trying to hide his ties.

  Federal agents say they have identified a man who posted online threats against Jewish synagogues in New Jersey. Reports today said investigators now doubt that the man meant to carry out an actual attack. The initial warning prompted towns to deploy extra police.

  Hospitalization rates for the flu are the highest in a decade for this early in the year. Federal health officials said today that that's partly because fewer people are getting vaccinated. This year's flu is spreading faster than usual, but does not appear to be more severe.

  And, on Wall Street, stocks swung back and forth, but ended higher. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 400 points to close at 32403. The Nasdaq rose 132 points. The S&P 500 added 50. But, for the week, the Dow lost more than 1 percent, the Nasdaq fell 5.6 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 3 percent.

  Still to come on the "NewsHour": the five tribes of Oklahoma collectively endorse a candidate for governor for the first time; Ukraine's energy minister discusses Russian attacks on critical infrastructure as winter approaches; plus much more.

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