The police will not take any further action against Sarah Helm, wife of the UK government's national security adviser, after she posted a message on social media referring to Palestine Action. The police said her post did not break the law.
Key Facts
Sarah Helm posted on X (formerly Twitter) supporting Palestine and Palestine Action.
Palestine Action is classified as a terrorist group in the UK since July 2025.
Supporting Palestine Action is illegal and can lead to up to 14 years in prison.
The Metropolitan Police reviewed Helm’s post and found no criminal offense.
Author Sally Rooney decided to give her book earnings to Palestine Action.
Because of that, Rooney’s UK publisher Faber stopped selling her books.
Rooney’s group wants to stop global support for what it calls Israel's oppressive actions.
The police initially studied Helm’s post to decide if a crime was committed but then closed the case.
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An Al Jazeera reporter, Rosie Birchard, was attacked and hit on the head during protests in Rennes, France. The protests involve people demonstrating about education and high living costs, and have included clashes, fires, and looting in multiple cities.
Key Facts
Rosie Birchard is an Al Jazeera reporter.
She was harassed by protesters looting shops in Rennes, France.
She was struck on the head by an object during the protests.
The protests are happening across several French cities.
Demonstrators are demonstrating over education issues and the high cost of living.
The unrest has included clashes between protesters and police, fires, and looting.
Rennes is one of the cities affected by the protests and violence.
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Large protests took place across France with hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating against high living costs. During these protests, looters broke into many stores, stealing items and causing damage in several cities including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and Nice.
Key Facts
People protested against rising living costs and other issues in many French cities.
Looters took advantage of the protests to break into and vandalize shops like supermarkets, tech stores, and luxury brands.
In Paris, looters smashed windows and threw products to crowds near République square.
Looting occurred in Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and Nice, targeting various types of stores including Apple, Hermès, and bakeries.
Fires broke out in some places, including a bar and a shoe shop.
Protests are linked to growing anger over falling purchasing power and high fuel prices since 2024.
The protests follow concerns about police actions against earlier student protests.
France is preparing for presidential elections next year amid the unrest.
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Iranian state television showed a video that it said captured an oil tanker blowing up after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. The video appeared as the United States was guiding ships through waters near Oman, even though Iran had warned against passing through without permission.
Key Facts
Iranian state TV aired a video of an oil tanker explosion.
The tanker reportedly hit a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global oil shipments.
The United States is escorting ships near the coast of Oman.
Iran warned against unauthorized ship transit in this area.
The incident highlights tensions in a strategic maritime region.
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Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung, which was found by chance during medical tests for other reasons. He recovered well in the hospital, resumed some work soon after, and is planning an international trip in November.
Key Facts
The pope’s lung cancer was discovered by accident, not by special cancer screening.
The tumor was located at the base of the right lung and caused no symptoms.
He underwent surgery to remove the lung tumor, which was a lung adenocarcinoma.
The surgery went smoothly without complications.
The pope spent four days recovering in Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital.
During recovery, he was active and helpful, arranging chairs in the hospital chapel.
He resumed some work during his hospital stay and had a phone call with Russian President Putin.
The pope is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17.
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Stephen A. Smith said he was surprised to be invited to a long dinner at the White House with President Donald Trump, comedian Bill Maher, and musician Kid Rock. The meeting lasted more than four hours.
Key Facts
Stephen A. Smith attended a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House.
The dinner included Bill Maher, a comedian known for left-leaning views, and Kid Rock, a conservative country music star.
The gathering lasted over four hours.
Smith expressed that the length and nature of the visit were unexpected.
The event shows a meeting between people with different political and entertainment backgrounds.
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European diplomats visiting the Israeli-occupied West Bank said they were attacked by Israeli settlers near the village of Taybeh. Israeli police have started an investigation and are trying to find the victims and suspects. Israel’s prime minister’s office warned against rushing to conclusions and suggested the incident might be part of a campaign to harm Israel’s reputation.
Key Facts
European diplomats, including representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, were reportedly attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the West Bank on October 17, 2026.
The attack occurred near Taybeh, a village in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli police are investigating and want to bring those responsible to justice.
Israel’s military condemned the violence but said the diplomats did not coordinate their visit with the military, so no soldiers were present to protect them.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office urged caution and questioned the timing and full facts of the reports.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed the attack on diplomats and called on Israel to protect Palestinians.
The diplomats were on a visit during the olive harvest season, a sensitive time in the region.
The prime minister’s office accused some media coverage of possibly being part of a coordinated campaign to discredit Israel.
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MapQuest has introduced a new feature called the “surveillance layer” in its mobile app. This tool helps users see where license plate reader cameras—called Flock cameras—are located along their driving routes.
Key Facts
The new feature is available on MapQuest’s mobile app.
It is called the “surveillance layer.”
The layer shows locations of license plate readers on a user’s planned route.
These cameras are known as Flock cameras and are used for reading license plates.
The feature helps users be aware of surveillance while they drive.
MapQuest announced the feature on the social platform Bluesky.
Users can turn this layer on in the Map Options settings of the app.
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At least 17 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede during a Hindu festival in Kolkata, India. The crowd rushed forward after an announcement during rainfall at a religious pavilion, causing people to fall and get crushed.
Key Facts
The stampede happened at a Durga Puja festival pavilion in north Kolkata, West Bengal.
Among the dead was a seven-year-old girl.
Police said the stampede was caused by heavy crowds and commotion after rain began.
Officials identified six bodies so far and took injured people to hospitals.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed sorrow and announced compensation for victims' families.
The government is providing medical help to the injured, said Interior Minister Amit Shah.
Stampedes are common at large Indian events due to poor safety and crowd control.
Previous incidents include a 2023 stampede killing 30 at Kumbh Mela and a 2024 stampede killing 121 in Uttar Pradesh.
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Sarah Helm, wife of the UK prime minister’s national security adviser, will face no police action after posting a message on social media that mentioned support for the banned protest group Palestine Action. The police reviewed the post and decided it did not break any laws or encourage illegal activity.
Key Facts
Sarah Helm is the wife of Jonathan Powell, the UK prime minister’s national security adviser.
Helm posted on X (formerly Twitter) mentioning support for Palestine Action, a banned protest group.
Palestine Action is banned in the UK since July 2025, with support or membership punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The Metropolitan Police assessed Helm’s post and found it did not meet the legal criteria for a crime.
No further police investigation will take place regarding Helm’s post.
The UK government said Helm’s views are personal and not those of the government.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism called for an investigation but acknowledged spouses can hold their own views.
The case relates to previous concerns about public support for Palestine Action from well-known individuals.
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Police in Albania used rubber bullets against antigovernment protesters in Tirana, where clashes have lasted five days. The protests involve students and other groups demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, citing issues such as education problems, unemployment, and corruption.
Key Facts
Protests have continued for five days in Tirana, the capital of Albania.
Students joined the antigovernment protests, increasing their size and intensity.
Protesters threw stones, petrol bombs, and fireworks, and set fires to cars and bins.
Police used tear gas, water cannons, batons, and, for the first time, rubber bullets during these protests.
Nine protesters and four police officers needed medical treatment after the clashes.
A total of 167 people were arrested, and 132 police officers were injured.
Seven police officers faced suspension for possible misuse of power during the events.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in his fourth term, refused to resign and blamed opposition parties for inciting violence.
Protesters demand better education, jobs, and are against alleged government corruption.
The unrest has spread to other cities like Durres, where protesters also caused damage and blocked roads.
The wider movement includes opposition to a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
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George Santos, a former congressman, said he would like to be President Donald Trump’s press secretary. This comes after the current press secretary, Katie Zacharia, announced she is leaving the job after only five days.
Key Facts
George Santos expressed interest in becoming President Trump’s press secretary on social media.
Katie Zacharia is leaving her role as White House press secretary shortly after starting.
Zacharia faced criticism about her legal background because she described herself as a lawyer but did not pass a U.S. bar exam.
President Trump said he advised Zacharia to reconsider her job due to the pressure she faced.
Santos was expelled from Congress, convicted of crimes, and had his sentence commuted by President Trump in 2025.
Other people, including Laura Loomer and Scott Jennings, have also shown interest or been mentioned as possible press secretary candidates.
The White House is still deciding on who will replace Zacharia.
Before Zacharia, Karoline Leavitt was the press secretary but left to focus on family.
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At least 17 people died and many were injured in a crowd crush during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. The incident happened when sudden rain caused people to rush for shelter, leading to panic and a stampede.
Key Facts
The crowd crush happened during the Hindu festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata.
Sudden rainfall caused people to push and rush for shelter, resulting in the stampede.
At least 17 people died, including a seven-year-old girl.
Twenty-five people are receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
Six of the deceased have been identified by officials.
West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have confirmed the incident and the support efforts.
Stampedes at large religious events are common in India due to poor crowd management and safety measures.
A similar deadly crowd crush in 2022 caused 121 deaths at a Hindu festival in Uttar Pradesh.
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A father in Oregon used his legally owned gun to stop a teenage shooter at Silver Rail Elementary School, where three students and a teacher were killed. President Donald Trump praised the father's actions, which are a rare example of an armed civilian intervening in a U.S. mass shooting before police arrived.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Three students and one teacher were killed in the attack.
Kaylub Giamanco, a father of two and a carpenter, used his .40-caliber pistol to confront the shooter.
He acted after hearing shots and seeing a teacher fight the gunman.
Cases where armed civilians stop mass shootings before police arrive are uncommon; only 29 out of 374 such attacks ended by civilians shooting the attacker from 2000 to 2025.
Some states, like Texas, have programs allowing trained school staff to carry guns to respond to attacks faster.
Gun control laws differ by state; Oregon has strong regulations, while Texas has less restrictive rules.
Similar civilian interventions have occurred in past shootings in Idaho and Texas, where armed citizens helped stop attackers.
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Hundreds of people protested outside the office of Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, asking him to resign. They are unhappy because the city was not well prepared for winter after many power outages caused by Russian attacks.
Key Facts
The protest took place in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
Demonstrators want Mayor Vitali Klitschko to quit his job.
The reason for protests is Kyiv’s poor preparation for the winter season.
Russian strikes have caused power outages affecting millions.
The lack of electricity is a major problem for people during winter.
The protests happened outside the mayor’s office building.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges due to the conflict with Russia.
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President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have had a tense relationship recently, affecting US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. As relations with the US worsen, Ukraine is turning more to the European Union for help, especially for air defense.
Key Facts
President Trump and President Zelenskyy have disagreements that affect US-Ukraine relations.
Zelenskyy criticized a deal made between Washington and Moscow.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of not following an "energy ceasefire" Trump announced on his own.
US military aid has been crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Poor relations between Trump and Zelenskyy could threaten continued US support.
Ukraine is now asking the European Union for more help to defend against attacks.
Zelenskyy specifically requested more air defenses from the EU.
Experts discussed Ukraine’s reliance on the EU and the challenges it faces amid these political tensions.
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An ICE agent in Houston hit construction worker Miguel Parra Hernandez with a vehicle, breaking his leg, while mistakenly targeting a man believed dead for years, according to the family. ICE’s claim about pursuing the suspect is disputed by officials and evidence shows the supposed suspect died years ago.
Key Facts
Miguel Parra Hernandez, 48, was hit by an ICE vehicle and suffered serious leg injuries.
ICE said they were targeting a suspect named Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, but that man was not in the vehicle.
The man ICE identified as Mendoza-Cervantes is actually Jose Hector Jimenez, who died years ago trying to re-enter the U.S.
Jimenez’s death certificate was given to the Harris County district attorney.
Surveillance footage shows the ICE vehicle speeding toward a man running away, contradicting ICE’s story that the man stepped in front of the vehicle.
Criminal charges are being considered against the ICE agent who drove the vehicle.
Community groups and local officials question ICE’s methods and verify that agents did not properly identify their target.
Parra Hernandez is still hospitalized and suffering emotional distress while in federal custody.
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President Donald Trump faces important midterm elections soon, which will affect the rest of his presidency. If the Democrats gain control of the House and possibly the Senate, it could limit his power in his final two years. Despite this, Trump might act more aggressively since he cannot run again in 2028.
Key Facts
Midterm elections on November 3 will decide all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats.
Voters are mainly concerned about cost of living, inflation, immigration, data centers, and AI.
Trump’s tariffs and conflict with Iran have contributed to high fuel prices and living costs.
The House is likely to shift to Democratic control; the Senate outcome is less certain.
A Democratic win would reduce Trump’s ability to pass laws during his last two years.
Previous presidents like Obama faced legislative gridlock after midterms, leading to more executive orders.
Trump won the White House, House, and Senate in the 2024 elections, giving him strong early control.
There are concerns Trump might act without restraint, given his limited time left in office.
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A Reform UK party candidate told an undercover reporter that Muslims cannot be British and suggested putting asylum seekers into "concentration camps." The party has started investigations after racist remarks by some members were revealed in a televised undercover report.
Key Facts
A Reform UK MP candidate described himself as "hardline about Islam" and said Muslims cannot be both Muslim and British.
The same candidate said asylum seekers crossing the Channel should be placed in "concentration camps."
Other Reform members were caught using racist language, calling black children "animals" and saying some areas were "infested" with Asian families.
Reform UK says it has improved vetting but admits not all individuals who hold inappropriate views are caught beforehand.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, is Muslim and described himself as a “British Muslim patriot.”
Alan Feeney, a Reform councillor, resigned after racist comments about Asian homeowners and population limits were exposed.
Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson criticized Reform leader Nigel Farage for failing to address racism within the party.
The undercover footage and investigation were conducted by ITV and will be broadcast soon.
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New research shows almost all homes destroyed in New South Wales during the 2019-2020 bushfires were within 100 metres of flammable plants. This supports the current safety maps but warns that as climate change worsens fire risks, greater distances between homes and vegetation may be needed.
Key Facts
During the 2019-2020 black summer bushfires, 94% of destroyed homes in NSW were less than 100 metres from flammable vegetation.
The 100 metre buffer zone is used in official maps to identify homes most at risk of bushfires.
More than 3,000 homes were lost across Australia in those fires, with 33 people dead and nearly 3 billion native animals affected.
Bushfire danger ratings combine weather factors like temperature, wind, and dryness to show fire risk levels.
On days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger, homes farther than 100 metres from vegetation also burned.
Researchers warn that with global heating, current safety distances might not be enough to protect homes.
NSW Rural Fire Service says homes in high-risk areas should be built to stronger fire standards.
Some people living in bushfire-prone areas were not aware of the fire risk around their homes.
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