World
U.S. struck Iran's Qeshm Island in a secret campaign, Wall Street Journal reports, as Trump talks down a wider war
The United States attacked Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal, in the latest of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out — even as President Trump publicly played down a wider war after Tuesday's midterms.
UN's Western Sahara peacekeeping mission ends after 35 years as Security Council deadlock leaves it without a mandate
The United Nations' MINURSO mission ceased operations on November 1 after 35 years, when the Security Council failed to renew its mandate amid a U.S.-Russia standoff over the disputed territory's future.
Iran leaves Doha talks as draft U.S. deal circulates, with Hormuz reopening in two days on the table
Iranian negotiators left Doha on Sunday and a draft proposal for a deal with the United States is now circulating, an official told Reuters — while Tehran says its seven-step plan could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of a deal if Washington ends its naval blockade.
Iran's Guard says two tankers exploded after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said Sunday that two oil tankers, including a supertanker, exploded after striking naval mines on an unauthorized route through the strait; the claim has not been independently verified, and the U.K. maritime agency separately reported a vessel struck by an unknown projectile.
Severe Cyclone Murasu bears down on India's Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall due overnight
Severe Cyclone Murasu is racing toward India's Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, from late Monday night into early Tuesday, packing winds of 100–110 km/h and gusts to 120 km/h. About 2,000 people have been evacuated, with 30,000 more targeted.
Iran, Qatari mediators hold third day of talks in Doha to end U.S.-Iran war
Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha on Sunday for a third straight day of talks aimed at a deal to end the war, Reuters reports, with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of an agreement still under discussion.
320,000 march across France in third weekend of youth-led protests
An estimated 320,000 people marched across France on Saturday in a third straight weekend of youth-led protests over living costs and schools, with a festive Paris march ending in clashes at dusk and more than 560 arrests nationwide.
Iran's Khamenei orders military to answer any new attack without geographic limits
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the armed forces to meet any new attack with an immediate response without geographic limits and to expand target lists to cover U.S. and Israeli assets, as Qatari mediators worked Saturday to avert renewed fighting.
North Korea tests cluster-bomb warhead for tactical missiles, vows to field four types by year's end
North Korea said Sunday it tested a cluster-bomb warhead for tactical ballistic missiles on October 31, claiming it can devastate 12 to 13 hectares, and vowed to make four types of cluster warheads available to its military units by the end of 2026.
Congo's Ebola deaths pass 5,000 as outbreak becomes second-deadliest on record
Data from Congo's Ministry of Health released Saturday shows the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has killed 5,026 people out of 10,351 infected — a fatality rate of nearly 50% — with cases now confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Starved Oleshky residents return to Ukraine under rare local ceasefire
Residents of the Russian-occupied town crossed into Ukraine on Saturday, October 31, under a six-day local ceasefire mediated by Melania Trump and backed by Pope Leo XIV — the first humanitarian truce of its kind in more than four years of war.
Mayon volcano erupts in the Philippines, thousands evacuated as alert raised to Level 3
PHIVOLCS raised Mayon to Alert Level 3 after a moderately explosive eruption Friday sent ash 3,000 meters above the summit; more than 2,000 people were evacuated from the 6-kilometer danger zone, and the alert stayed in effect Saturday after a new ash emission.
U.S. approves $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine — but Kyiv may wait years for delivery
The State Department approved Friday the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine, paid for by allied donations rather than U.S. funds; President Zelenskyy warned deliveries may not begin for years, even as interceptor stocks run low.
Final Israel results confirm Netanyahu's bloc short of a majority, with Arab parties as kingmakers
Final results from Israel's October 27 election gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset — eight short of a governing majority — while the opposition won 48 and Arab-led parties took a historic 19, setting up difficult coalition talks.
Russian drone strike kills at least 14 at crowded Dnipro train station
A Russian drone struck a crowded platform at Dnipro's main railway station on Thursday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 14 others, Ukrainian officials said; President Zelenskyy called the attack "horrific" and urged allies to respond.
Russia says it downed most of 613 drones aimed at Moscow; Ukraine downs 97 of 112
Russia said it downed most of 613 drones headed toward Moscow overnight, while Ukraine said its defenses shot down 97 of 112 Russian strike drones and Russia struck Kharkiv, damaging a school.
Houthis strike Aden airport as fighting surges across Yemen
Yemen's Houthis attacked Aden airport after warning people to evacuate, halting air traffic, as government forces reported 749 strikes on Houthi targets in 24 hours and the Houthis reported 101 Saudi strikes on Sanaa and eight provinces.
Britain's new budget offers £100 energy payment to 20 million households
Chancellor John Healey's first budget gives a one-off £100 Household Energy Payment to about 20 million households in council tax bands A to D in England, scraps gas standing charges and extends the electricity VAT cut to July 2027.
Netanyahu defies exit polls to lead Israel's count — but still short of a governing majority
With most votes counted Wednesday, Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc led Gadi Eisenkot's opposition 53 seats to 48, with Arab parties holding 19 — leaving neither side at the 61 seats needed to govern and Netanyahu staying on as caretaker prime minister. Follow-up to Press Pass USA's October 28 partial-count report.
At least 64 dead as two high-speed trains collide in central Spain
A Renfe high-speed train ran into the rear of a stopped Iryo train between Urda and Los Yébenes in Toledo province on Wednesday morning; Spain's transport minister said the train was authorized to continue despite an active red signal after a computer communications failure.
Israel's election count points to deadlock as Netanyahu's bloc leads but falls short of a majority
With more than half the votes counted Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc led with about 55 seats — short of the 61 needed to govern — while Likud remained the largest single party and Arab parties held the balance of power.
Cyclone Arnab makes landfall on India's east coast as more than 180,000 evacuate
Very severe Cyclone Arnab began crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam early Wednesday, with sustained winds of 125–135 km/h and gusts up to 150 km/h; no loss of life had been reported, though trees were uprooted and power disrupted.
Defeated Brazilian candidate Flávio Bolsonaro arrives in U.S. after Brazil cancels his passports
Sources told the BBC that Bolsonaro met his brother Eduardo in Florida, hours after Brazil cancelled his passports over a missed Supreme Court surrender deadline; the U.S. State Department confirmed it will issue visas to him and his family.
Britain and EU 'finding a way through' Made in Europe trade concerns, UK minister says
British business minister Jonathan Reynolds said Britain and the EU are “finding a way through” concerns over the bloc's proposed Made in Europe rules, which would favour European-made goods in procurement and subsidies.
Israel election exit polls point to deadlock: no bloc reaches a governing majority
Exit polls after Tuesday's Israeli election showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud as the largest single party but his bloc at about 50 seats, behind Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc at 52–53, with Arab parties surging to about 17–18 — leaving neither side at the 61 needed to govern.
Cyclone Arnab bears down on India's east coast as thousands evacuate ahead of landfall
Severe Cyclone Arnab is expected to hit Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning with winds gusting to 140 km/h; nearly 50,000 people are already in shelters out of an estimated 400,000 who need to evacuate.
Local ceasefire begins in Oleshky to let aid in and residents out
A localized ceasefire brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, with Pope Leo XIV's involvement, took effect Tuesday around the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, where the U.N. says up to 2,000 people are stranded; it is due to last through Saturday.
Israelis vote in first election since October 7 attack, with polls pointing to deadlock
Israelis voted Tuesday for all 120 Knesset seats in the country's first national election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023; final polls put neither major bloc on course for the 61 seats needed to govern.
Jordan strikes militant hideouts in Syria after deadly church attack; border crossing closed
Jordan says it hit groups blamed for the Karak church attack; Syria denies coordination, reports civilian deaths, and shut the Nassib crossing on Tuesday.
Drone strikes cut power across southeast Sudan, operator says
Strikes hit stations in four states covering about half of army-held territory; the RSF did not immediately respond and Reuters could not verify the account.
Russia accuses Ukraine of striking Oleshky ahead of planned ceasefire; aid corridor at risk
Moscow claims 18 artillery strikes and 120-plus drone attacks since October 19; Reuters could not verify the claim.
Israel votes Tuesday with no bloc holding a majority, polls say
Final polls put neither Netanyahu's bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition on course for 61 Knesset seats, leaving Arab parties potentially decisive in coalition talks.
Russia says it will open a humanitarian corridor to besieged Oleshky
Russia says it will open a corridor to the occupied town where residents have been eating weeds and pickles to survive, NPR reported Monday — though the start date of the promised pause remains disputed.
Brazil's Lula wins historic fourth term as Bolsonaro refuses to concede
Lula took 51.8% of the vote in Sunday's runoff, but Flávio Bolsonaro rejected the result and vowed to seek its annulment after a court ruling extended voting by two hours.
Serbia's Vučić concedes defeat to student-led movement in historic election
The longtime leader conceded Sunday as the Students' List won a projected 135 to 140 of 250 seats, ending his grip on power after more than a decade.
María Corina Machado returns to Venezuela after more than 10 months in exile
The Nobel laureate appeared at the Santa Rosa church in Barquisimeto hours after announcing 'Estoy aquí. Con ustedes.' on X.
Nearly 1,000 detained as hundreds of thousands march across France
The Interior Ministry counted 410,000 marchers nationwide and nearly 1,000 detained as cost-of-living protests stayed largely peaceful until late clashes.
Ukraine and Russia trade fatal drone strikes as 153 drones rain down overnight
Kharkiv and Vinnytsia were hit while a Ukrainian strike on Belgorod killed one and injured 10, according to Ukrainian and Russian reports.
Russian drone strike kills 3, wounds 12 at apartment building in eastern Ukraine
The drone set a fire on the fourth floor in Synelnykove; an 11-year-old girl was among the wounded, the regional governor said.
Oil rig sinks off Gabon — 5 of 115 aboard missing as search continues
The jack-up rig Prospector 5 sank Saturday evening during jacking operations off Gabon; 110 of the 115 aboard are safely accounted for and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
Thousands rally in Tel Aviv demanding October 7 inquiry, three days before Israel's election
Bereaved and hostage families led the Hostages Square rally demanding a state commission of inquiry ahead of the October 27 vote.
Kenya reports second Ebola death as outbreak stays within one cluster
A 65-year-old woman who developed symptoms in quarantine died October 23; nine cases confirmed, seven patients still in treatment.
Around 1,200 Palestinians displaced as Israel begins Hebron operation
The operation follows a checkpoint attack that killed two Israeli soldiers; the Palestinian Authority calls it 'collective punishment.'
Ukraine says Starlink back above 400 kph after week of throttling
Defence Minister Evhenii Khmara says speeds are back to normal after restrictions cut them to about 160 kph and disrupted frontline communications.
Trump says U.S. will 'take care of Cuba' on its way back from Iran
At a Florida rally, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be sent to finish a Cuba deal after Iran — as an oil blockade strains the island.
Russia and Ukraine exchange 270 prisoners each in first swap since August
The UAE-mediated exchange is the first in two months. Kyiv says Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. agreed to technical talks in early November.
Melania Trump brokers local ceasefire in Ukraine's Oleshky to evacuate stranded civilians
The Oct. 29 ceasefire would let aid reach and evacuate some 2,000 mostly elderly residents trapped near the front lines.
Israeli strikes kill at least four in Gaza as ceasefire death toll passes 1,500
UNICEF says 351 children have been killed since the October 2025 ceasefire — eight of them in the past six days.
Suspected Ukrainian missile strike hits defense-electronics plant in Oryol, Russia
Oryol's governor confirmed damage to an industrial facility after at least four explosions — one of Ukraine's deepest strikes into Russia in months.
7.0 earthquake in Tibet kills at least 16 as rescuers race through the night — 65 injured
Strongest quake to hit China since January 2024. More than 12,000 evacuated, 339 homes collapsed; Xi orders all-out rescue effort.
Taiwan shuts down as Typhoon Champi closes in — one dead, 94 injured
All 262 domestic flights canceled and financial markets closed as Champi — packing 191 kph gusts — bears down. Closest pass expected around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Russia pounds Kyiv hours after Putin agrees to fresh peace talks
21 missiles and 210 drones hit the Ukrainian capital overnight — two killed, 34 injured — just hours after Witkoff's meeting with Putin.