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Vucic reportedly concedes defeat in Serbia snap election after record turnout

Updated since you read: Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Serbia's snap election following record voter turnout.

• Vucic reportedly conceded defeat in Serbia's snap parliamentary election, one report says, after turnout near 70 percent.
• Reported turnout figures differ: officials cited 64.9%, while one report describes turnout near 70%, with final results unconfirmed.

World News

Iran alleges mine strikes on four tankers in Strait of Hormuz

• Iran said four tankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Revolutionary Guards said three caught fire near Oman.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards dispute US Central Command's claim that main transit routes are mine-free, so status remains disputed.

World News

Defeated Flavio Bolsonaro leaves Brazil for US after election loss

• Flavio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States after losing Sunday's presidential election, according to reporting.
• The Supreme Court had ordered him to surrender his passports, while the money laundering accusation remains only an allegation.

World News

Judge denies DOJ bid to segregate California ballots tied to alleged noncitizens

Updated since you read: The Justice Department announced plans to appeal a federal judge's ruling that allowed California to continue counting contested ballots.

• A federal judge refused a Justice Department bid to stop California counting ballots tied to 20,000 government-flagged voters.
• Noncitizen status remains an allegation in this reporting, and the Justice Department says it will appeal.

World News

Melania Trump reportedly secures temporary Oleshky ceasefire, White House says

• The White House said First Lady Melania Trump secured a temporary ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, scheduled to start Oct. 29.
• Neither Russia nor Ukraine has publicly commented, so the agreement remains unconfirmed by the two governments involved.

World News

Vance reportedly sends letter to Iran's Rezaei to restart talks

• US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sent a letter to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei seeking to restart peace talks.
• The Journal reported Trump directed the letter, but Trump later disputed that and said he gave the go-ahead for outreach.

World News

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado returns to Venezuela after months in exile

• Machado, a Nobel laureate, reappeared in Venezuela on Sunday, her team confirmed, after nearly a year away.
• Her party says she made seven failed return attempts, and the reporting does not detail her next steps.

World News

Gulf states pursue multipart Iran deal as Qatari mediators visit Tehran

• Gulf states are working on a multipart deal to avert renewed US-Iran war, including Hormuz reopening and Houthi withdrawal from Yemen.
• Whether Tehran accepts any terms remains unclear, and the US concession being sought is reported rather than confirmed.

World News

Democrats lead national midterm polls as several Senate races stay close

• Democrats lead Republicans in national midterm polls six days before the November 3 vote, according to Reuters/Ipsos and RealClearPolling.
• Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, so Democrats need a net gain of four; several races appear too close to call.

World News

Novaya Gazeta announces closure, citing pressure from Russian authorities

• France 24 reports that Novaya Gazeta announced Friday it is closing, citing pressure from Russian authorities and special services.
• Operations are scheduled to end November 9; the closure rests on Sokolov's account of authorities' pressure.

World News

US officials say G20 group photo scrapped after European objections to Lavrov

• U.S. officials said European diplomats objected to posing with Lavrov and threatened to walk out, so the group photo was scrapped.
• Russia's foreign ministry says visa problems were resolved only at the last minute, and South Africa says its absence was not voluntary.

World News

China's Communist Party elite convene four-day plenum on party discipline

• China's Communist Party Central Committee began a four-day plenum on Monday with about 300 members discussing party discipline and self-governance.
• Xi is widely expected to secure a fourth term in fall 2027, though that remains unconfirmed.

World News

EU drops associate membership offer for Canada before Montreal summit

• The EU backed away from offering Canada associate membership talks amid member-state disagreements before the Montreal summit.
• Trump called the proposal laughable, while Carney says the talks will run another year and names do not matter.

World News

Labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta dies at age 96

• Labor leader Dolores Huerta died Wednesday in California at age 96, her family announced on social media.
• Earlier this year Huerta publicly said Cesar Chavez sexually abused her during the 1960s, leading to two children.

World News

Russian drone strike kills at least 13 at Dnipro train station

• A Russian drone struck a crowded railway platform in Dnipro on Thursday, killing at least 13 people, according to reporting.
• Zelenskyy reportedly confirmed a toll of 14, which differs from the 13 cited elsewhere, leaving the count unsettled.

World News

Russell Brand denies rape and sexual assault charges while testifying in London

• Russell Brand testified in his own defense in London, denying three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
• The complainants' allegations, spanning 1999 to 2009, remain disputed, and the reporting includes no verdict.

World News

Jordan strikes southern Syria after church attack; Damascus disputes coordination

• Jordan's air force struck southern Syria after a deadly church attack in Jordan, according to Jordanian forces.
• Syria says the strikes lacked prior coordination, contradicting Jordan's account, and reports seven deaths including three children.

World News

Rights group says Sudanese army drone strike killed over 100 at Nyala market.

• Emergency Lawyers says a Sudanese military drone strike on a busy Nyala market killed more than 100 people on Monday.
• Sudan Doctors Network reports at least 21 killed, citing verification difficulties, so casualty figures remain disputed.

World News

Police Scotland confirm early-stage inquiries into Andrew and Epstein Balmoral visits

• Police Scotland said it is conducting early-stage inquiries into former Prince Andrew's time at Balmoral with Epstein and Maxwell.
• A Daily Express allegation of trafficking remains unverified, and the inquiry's scope and outcome are unknown.

World News

Taiz governor says siege has pushed Yemeni city into famine

• Associated Press reports a Saudi airstrike in western Taiz killed at least 13 people, per the Houthi-run health ministry.
• Taiz's governor says the city is in famine, while Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi calls the siege reports fabricated.

World News

Mexican politician Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas dies at 92, Mexico's president says

• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas died Wednesday at age 92, a leading figure of the Mexican left.
• Details of his death rest on the president's announcement, and no cause of death was stated in the reporting.

World News

Bulgarian minister says drones struck container ship off Black Sea coast

• Associated Press reports Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said three maritime drones struck the container ship Contship Jet on Wednesday.
• Russia has not taken responsibility, and the reporting does not establish who carried out the attacks.

World News

France's Senate approves bill letting courts deduct riot damages from family aid

• France's Senate approved a bill 229-105 allowing courts to deduct riot damages from family allowances and housing aid.
• Deductions apply only after a court ruling becomes final, and the over 1 billion euro damage total is an estimate.

World News

Arab-led parties could decide Israeli election if rivals agree to partner

• Arab-led parties Ra'am and the Joint List are projected to win 13 seats in the Oct. 27 Israeli election.
• Netanyahu and his main rivals have said they will not form coalitions with Arab-led parties after the October vote.

World News

Trump cancels Iowa and Kansas rallies, opts for virtual tele-rallies

• Trump announced he is cancelling Iowa and Kansas rallies in favor of tele-rallies, which the RNC confirmed.
• The RNC says the virtual format will reach more voters, but that claim is the party's own assessment.

World News

France deploys 70,000 police ahead of Halloween protests, citing disorder risk

• Al Jazeera reports France will deploy about 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide for Saturday's Halloween protests.
• Nunez told reporters demonstrations will not be allowed in city centres, leaving the outcome of Saturday's protests unknown.

World News

UAE diplomat Nusseibeh enters UN chief race amid Sudan support allegations

• Lana Nusseibeh, a UAE diplomat, declared her UN secretary-general candidacy this week with unanimous Gulf backing.
• The UAE denies allegations that it armed Sudan's RSF, and a Latin American grouping has objected to her entry.

World News

Hong Kong leader apologises as housing secretary resigns over Tai Po fire oversight

• France 24 reports Chief Executive John Lee apologised for the Tai Po fire, and Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned.
• Lee said Ho bore political responsibility, though no personal wrongdoing was found, and a three-month probe will follow.

World News

Kim Jong Un urges drone push as North Korea tests weapons, state media says

• North Korea tested attack drones, missiles and a multiple rocket launcher at a weapons demonstration, state media reported.
• Pyongyang has denied responsibility for the border explosions and warned of retaliation if provoked, so attribution remains disputed.

World News

Paris-area shooting suspect faces preliminary racist-motive murder charges, prosecutors say

• A Friday shooting in Trappes and La Verrière killed one man; prosecutors say the suspect faces preliminary racist-motive murder charges.
• Reported wound counts differ between outlets, and the anonymous schizophrenia claim has not been confirmed in the reporting.

World News

Seoul says North Korea fired roughly ten short-range missiles toward sea

• South Korea's military reported that Pyongyang launched roughly 10 short-range missiles from near Wonsan on Thursday.
• Japan said the missiles landed outside its economic zone, while Seoul calls the launches a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

World News

Police ask South African court to ban Durban anti-immigration marches

• Associated Press reports that South African police asked courts to halt planned anti-illegal immigration marches in Durban over alleged threats of violence.
• The KwaZulu-Natal High Court granted an interim order Wednesday; a Friday hearing will decide whether it becomes permanent.

World News

Prosecutor seeks death penalty for ousted former president Yoon on appeal

• A special prosecutor on Thursday demanded the death penalty for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol during his appeal hearing.
• Execution appears unlikely because South Korea has not carried out one since 1997, and no verdict date is set.

World News

Japan announces agreement with US for joint missile production facility

• Japan's defense minister said the US and Japan agreed to build a Japanese facility for joint production of advanced air-to-air missiles.
• Officials gave no further details on the agreement, so its costs, timelines and output remain unclear.

World News

Milwaukee Brewers capture first World Series title in franchise history

• The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win the World Series.
• The win is the franchise's first World Series title in its 57-year history, after one prior Series appearance in 1982.

World News

Serbian police kill knife-wielding attacker at Israeli Embassy, interior minister says

• Serbian police say a knife-wielding minor attacked a guard at the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade overnight and was shot dead.
• Israel's Foreign Ministry says no personnel were hurt, while the attacker's Islamic State ties rest on Dacic's account.

World News

US sanctions Rwanda's defense ministry over its role in eastern Congo fighting

• Associated Press reports the U.S. sanctioned Rwanda's defense ministry on Wednesday over its involvement in eastern Congo's conflict.
• Rwanda says it remains ready to implement the Washington Accords if Congo fulfills its commitments; Bessent demands troop withdrawal.

World News

Russia hosts third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28

• Russia is hosting its third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28 and 29, with 48 countries reportedly attending.
• Trade totals differ between sources, with Russian customs data showing about $27 billion and Al Jazeera citing over $28 billion.

World News

UN reports 36,000 people fled Ethiopian violence into Kenya

• The United Nations reported that 36,000 people have fled violence in Ethiopia into Kenya, sheltering in camps and villages.
• Local leaders express concern that host communities could be overwhelmed, while police report stray-bullet incidents in Moyale.

World News

Trump centers midterm campaign on himself as GOP faces low approval

• The White House describes Trump as the party's chief voice and top motivator for the midterm campaign.
• A mid-October CNN/SSRS poll found 4 in 10 registered voters see their vote as opposing Trump; overall effects remain unclear.

World News

Pakistan court sentences rights lawyers Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years

• Al Jazeera reports that an antiterrorism court sentenced lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison.
• The couple deny the charges, and their defence plans to petition the Supreme Court over the verdict.

World News

Romania alleges Moscow-backed network behind September fire near Brasov arms plant

• Romanian authorities say a Russia-coordinated network was behind a September fire near a Brasov weapons factory, naming three people.
• Russia's embassy calls the accusations baseless and says no evidence was presented, so the claims remain disputed.

World News

King Charles III begins Caribbean tour amid calls for slavery apology

• King Charles III began a nine-day Caribbean tour in the Bahamas, acknowledging past suffering amid apology calls.
• A Bahamas reparations committee chair questioned what the visit would deliver, and Guyana's president says an apology is next.

World News

Polish opposition leader suggests EU exit talks could pressure bloc

• Opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński suggested nationalist-led countries could open EU withdrawal negotiations to pressure the bloc to return powers.
• Prime Minister Tusk wrote that Kaczyński announced Poland should begin exit negotiations; Kaczyński says Tusk misrepresented him.

World News

Authorities move tens of thousands from India's coast before Cyclone Arnab landfall

• Andhra Pradesh authorities said nearly 50,000 people had moved to shelters by Monday night, according to Reuters.
• The Wednesday crossing is a forecast, and the evacuation totals were reported on different dates.

World News

U.S. and Cuban officials shout at each other during UN embargo debate

• ABC News reports U.S. and Cuban officials shouted at each other on the UN General Assembly floor Tuesday.
• Waltz's remarks alleged years of government corruption, a claim this single-outlet account does not independently verify.

World News

Abiy says Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 jets, plans S-400 purchase

• Ethiopia's prime minister announced on X in Moscow that 12 Russian Su-35 jets had arrived and four S-400 batteries would follow.
• No S-400 delivery date was given, and one military analyst says the jets suggest preparation for possible wars with other countries.

World News

Five dead in US strike on suspected drug boat in eastern Pacific

• The Guardian reports that Tuesday's US strike on a suspected smuggling boat killed five people in the Pacific.
• The Trump administration maintains those aboard were trafficking drugs, but has not provided definitive evidence.

World News

Nearly six million Haitians face severe hunger, new report says

• A new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report released Wednesday says nearly six million Haitians are experiencing severe hunger.
• The analysis projects severe hunger reaching 6.35 million by mid-2027, and the World Food Program says it needs $78 million through March.

World News

Turkish committee backs mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan

• A Turkish parliamentary committee approved a 10-year mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Tuesday, over opposition objections.
• Opposition lawmakers warn the pact could entangle Turkey in other conflicts, and the full assembly has not set a vote date.

World News

EU peacekeeping helicopter crashes in Bosnia, officials report three dead

• ABC News reports that an Italian CH-47 Chinook of the EU peacekeeping force in Bosnia crashed near Brcko on Thursday.
• Local officials report three dead and 12 injured, while EUFOR says only that a number of personnel were killed or injured.

World News

Iranian court sentences Jafar Panahi to new prison term in absentia, lawyer says

• An Iranian court sentenced Jafar Panahi in absentia to five years and one month in prison, his lawyer said.
• A friend said Panahi had not been detained, while the court also ordered all his assets seized.

World News

Philippine foreign secretary arrives in Myanmar to oversee humanitarian aid

• Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro arrived in Myanmar on Wednesday to oversee humanitarian aid distribution as ASEAN's envoy.
• The aid is expected to reach more than 11,000 households through November, but its effect on the government's standing is unclear.

World News

Albanian opposition lawmakers disrupt parliament with flares and smoke bombs

• Opposition lawmakers led by Sali Berisha disrupted Albania's parliament in Tirana on Thursday with flares and smoke bombs.
• Hundreds of people, including police officers, have been injured in the protests, which Rama has blamed on foreign forces.

World News

Court convicts Tommy Robinson of harassing two Daily Mail journalists

• Jurors at Southwark Crown Court found Tommy Robinson guilty on both harassment counts by a 10-2 majority.
• Robinson denied the charges, saying he panicked; he was granted bail before sentencing on December 16.

World News

Egyptian court orders Mada Masr closure; editor Lina Attalah reportedly detained

• A Cairo court convicted Mada Masr editor Lina Attalah of running an unlicensed website and ordered the outlet closed.
• Mada Masr says Attalah's whereabouts remain unknown even though the fine was paid hours after the verdict.

World News

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured in car strike, PM says

• ABC News reports that a car struck independent federal lawmaker Helen Haines, 65, on Monday, critically injuring her in Wangaratta, Victoria.
• Police are investigating whether the act was intentional, and Albanese has said the motive is not yet known.

World News

South African president authorizes 510 soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal after violence

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized 510 soldiers to deploy to KwaZulu-Natal after violence over an asylum ruling in Durban.
• The presidency attributes the violence to misinformation, and the deployment runs through the end of November.

World News

Nigerian probe says suspected miners suffocated in overcrowded detention cell

• A Nigerian government panel says 37 suspected illegal miners suffocated in an overcrowded detention cell held by NSCDC.
• Another report on an inquiry counts 33 deaths, leaving the toll disputed; the NSCDC commandant has been suspended.

World News

Iraqi court sentences six French nationals to life over IS membership

• An Iraqi court sentenced six French nationals to life and a seventh to 15 years for Islamic State membership.
• A defense lawyer said the defendants plan to appeal the verdicts to the Court of Cassation.

World News

Portugal clears housing protest camps in two cities; police report 31 arrests

• Portuguese police cleared a housing protest camp in central Lisbon, baton-charging demonstrators and making 25 arrests.
• Injury figures remain disputed, with the activist group Casa para Viver contesting police counts of injuries.

World News

Jailed Tanzanian opposition leader reportedly ends hunger strike after brother meeting

• Tundu Lissu ended a brief hunger strike Tuesday after a private meeting with his younger brother, according to his lead lawyer.
• The prisons service denied a hunger strike, and accounts of its start date conflict, leaving the timeline disputed.

World News

Church says more than 60 killed in attacks on Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region

• Church officials say at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Oromia.
• A local official blamed a rebel alliance that includes the OLA; the OLA has not commented and denies past attacks.