Al Jazeera marked 30 years since its first broadcast in 1996 at a ceremony in Doha attended by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Director General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani called for renewal to protect the network’s independence and values.
Key Facts
Al Jazeera’s first broadcast was in 1996.
The network marked the 30th anniversary with a ceremony in Doha.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the ceremony.
Director General Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal Al Thani called for renewal.
Al Thani said renewal should protect the network’s independence and values.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Exit polls put Bulgaria’s acting President Iliana Iotova ahead of Andrey Gyurov in the presidential run-off, with about 51 percent of the vote to his 44 percent. The election took place amid concern over drone attacks on ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast that left 21 people missing and were suspected of being linked to spillover from Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Key Facts
Three exit polls reported Iotova leading with about 51 percent of the vote and Gyurov with about 44 percent.
Exit polls estimated voter turnout at 27 to 29 percent, up from 23 percent in the first round.
Official results were expected on Monday as ballots were counted.
The Bulgarian presidency has largely ceremonial powers.
If confirmed, Iotova would become Bulgaria’s first elected female president.
Iotova took over as acting president in January after Rumen Radev resigned to run in a parliamentary election.
Gyurov, backed by the pro-Western opposition, criticized Iotova for not explicitly blaming Russia for the Black Sea attacks.
Both candidates condemned the attacks and called for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ended on November 1, 2026, after the Security Council did not renew its mandate. Russia vetoed a U.S. draft resolution supporting Morocco’s sovereignty claim, and a separate Russian proposal to extend the mission was voted down.
Key Facts
The UN established MINURSO in 1991 alongside a cease-fire and a plan for a referendum on self-determination.
A smaller UN team will oversee the return of troop-contributing countries’ assets and the disposal of UN equipment.
Morocco welcomed the mission’s non-renewal, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front called it unacceptable.
Algeria said it regretted the decision and criticized what it described as bias in the U.S. draft resolution.
Morocco administers nearly all of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front seeks independence for the territory.
The UN classifies Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.
Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975, and the ensuing armed conflict lasted more than 15 years.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Police clashed with protesters in Portugal after thousands took part in a demonstration over housing. The protesters demanded that the government withdraw a proposed law, saying it would worsen the housing crisis.
Key Facts
Police clashed with protesters in Portugal.
Thousands joined the protest.
Protesters demanded that the government scrap a proposed law.
Protesters said the proposal would deepen the housing crisis.
The article does not identify the proposed law or report injuries or arrests.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Al Jazeera marked 30 years since its first broadcast in 1996. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended an anniversary ceremony in Doha with senior officials.
Key Facts
Al Jazeera began broadcasting in 1996.
The network marked its 30th anniversary.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the ceremony.
Senior officials joined the ceremony in Doha.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli police released two of three suspects in an alleged voter-bribery case linked by police to the Ra’am party, while a third suspect remained in custody. The head of Israel’s elections committee said that even if separate allegations of foreign interference are confirmed, they would not invalidate the election or its overall results.
Key Facts
Police said the suspects were connected to Ra’am, which denied involvement in the alleged bribery.
A judge ordered one suspect released under unspecified conditions and another placed under house arrest for eight days; the third suspect’s detention was extended for two days.
Likud alleged, without providing evidence in the article, that Arab-led parties had stolen the election.
Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc won 48 and Arab-led parties won 19.
The election results were due to be certified on Wednesday, after which President Isaac Herzog planned to consult the parties about forming a government.
The Shin Bet opened an investigation into allegations of foreign interference at the election commission’s request.
Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of trying to delegitimize the election results; Qatar denied funding efforts to influence the vote.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Residents filmed a house collapsing into a swollen river in Ecuador. Torrential rains and flooding linked to El Niño have affected parts of the country.
Key Facts
Residents recorded the house as it collapsed into the river.
The river was swollen by flooding.
Torrential rains have hit parts of Ecuador.
The flooding is linked to El Niño.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ralph Gonsalves said British officials strongly opposed putting slavery reparations on the agenda of the Commonwealth leaders’ summit and warned that the British prime minister might not attend if it was included. Reparations are not on the formal agenda, but leaders are expected to discuss the format of a proposed structured dialogue during a private retreat.
Key Facts
The Commonwealth Heads of Government summit is being held in Antigua and Barbuda and brings together leaders from 56 countries.
The summit’s stated priorities include trade, climate resilience, finance, sustainable debt, democracy and opportunities for young people.
Gonsalves, a former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, said British officials were joined by Canadian officials in opposing a formal agenda item on reparations.
Gonsalves said officials wrongly claimed that India opposed discussing reparations; he said India supported a related UN General Assembly resolution in March 2026.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham agreed to structured dialogue on reparations and said Britain would consider an apology, according to the article.
Caribbean leaders and campaigners welcomed the shift but said they still want to determine what reparations could involve.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called for a Commonwealth subcommittee to develop details for the dialogue over the next six to 12 months.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions left hundreds of thousands without power, while a separate strike in Vinnytsia killed two people. A limited ceasefire that enabled civilians to leave Russian-occupied Oleshky was scheduled to end Sunday night.
Key Facts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck energy infrastructure in four regions overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
More than 60,000 people in Dnipropetrovsk region remained without power by early evening as repair work continued.
Emergency power cuts were in place across Ukraine, and electricity and water supplies were disrupted in Kyiv.
A strike in Vinnytsia region killed two people, including a 13-year-old girl, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
Ukraine struck a missile-fuel producer in Russia's Rostov region, causing a fire and damaging four production facilities, Zelensky said.
The Kherson region ceasefire was due to end at 22:59 Ukrainian time on Sunday.
The ceasefire began Tuesday and was brokered with help from U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
The pause allowed residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky to evacuate through Russian-held territory, southern Russia and Belarus before entering Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
French prosecutors opened an attempted-murder investigation after petrol bombs were thrown at police and gendarmes during protests in Paris. More than 770 people were arrested across France, and authorities reported 159 law-enforcement members injured during protests and Halloween celebrations.
Key Facts
The investigation concerns attempted murder of people holding public authority.
Prosecutors said explosive devices were thrown at about 15 gendarmes and police officers.
Video showed an incendiary device engulfing a security officer’s lower body in flames.
The officer received minor injuries, and his protective leg and shin gear melted.
The gendarmerie said 13 members of the officer’s unit were injured.
No suspects had been arrested in connection with the firebomb incident at the time of the report.
The protests were held against rising living costs and deteriorating public services.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the violence by some protesters as extraordinary.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Thousands joined demonstrations organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt over the cost of living in cities across Germany. Most protests were peaceful, but clashes and looting broke out, especially in Frankfurt, where authorities reported arrests and injured police officers.
Key Facts
The demonstrations took place in several German cities.
The campaign group Gen Z regelt organized the rallies; its name means “Gen Z takes charge.”
The protests focused on the cost of living.
Shops were looted in central Frankfurt late Saturday.
German authorities reported at least 54 arrests in Frankfurt.
Authorities said more than 100 police officers were injured.
The article also reported outbreaks of violence in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg.
The article said protests over living costs, public services and affordable housing have also taken place across Europe.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to present immigration settlement reforms to MPs on Monday. The proposal would generally extend the wait for permanent settlement from five to 10 years, with some workers potentially facing 15 years, though the government is expected to offer an exemption for some care workers already in the UK.
Key Facts
The government’s response to a consultation on the reforms is due to be put before MPs on Monday.
The proposal would double the standard settlement qualifying period from five to 10 years.
Some workers in jobs below graduate level could face a 15-year qualifying period, subject to exemptions and reductions.
Mahmood has proposed allowing shorter waits for migrants who contribute to their communities or earn higher incomes.
Ministers have raised concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on care workers and social care staffing.
A letter to Mahmood and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper warned the plans could repeat injustices associated with the Windrush scandal.
The letter’s signatories called for the proposals to be abandoned or for additional safeguards, including protections for workers at independent care providers and for migrants’ family members.
The Home Office granted about 200,000 health and care worker visas in the last five years, according to the article.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa, where officials also laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy. The ceremonies put into effect diplomatic ties established after Israel recognized Somaliland in December 2025, a move Somalia and several regional organizations have condemned.
Key Facts
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the ceremonies took place last week and announced them on Sunday.
Ambassador Michael Lotem presented his credentials to Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Cirro.
Officials laid the cornerstone for an Israeli embassy in Hargeisa.
Israel recognized Somaliland on December 26, 2025, becoming the first United Nations member state to do so.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains claimed by Mogadishu and has no recognition from other UN member states.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud alleged that Israel seeks access to the Red Sea and wants a naval base in Somaliland; Somaliland’s president said no talks about a base had taken place.
Somalia, the Arab League, the African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
CBS News says Matt Gutman will report for 60 Minutes on Cuba’s worsening crisis. The report says the Trump administration has imposed economic sanctions that restrict Cuba’s oil supply and access to global trade; the administration says the measures target the country’s communist government.
Key Facts
Matt Gutman is traveling to Cuba for a 60 Minutes report.
CBS describes Cuba as facing a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The article says more than 9 million Cubans are affected.
The Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions on Cuba.
The sanctions restrict Cuba’s oil supply and access to global trade, according to the article.
The administration says the sanctions target Cuba’s communist regime.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed U.S. negotiations with Iran and the possibility of renewed combat, according to U.S. and Israeli sources. Trump says he wants to allow negotiations to continue, while Netanyahu is pressing for a strike after Tuesday’s midterm elections, the sources said.
Key Facts
An Israeli source described the call as “tough,” while a U.S. source called it “direct.”
The White House and Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the call.
Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran’s national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, last week about potentially restarting negotiations.
Trump told reporters that negotiations were going fine and that he was not in a hurry.
Trump said the U.S. may still need to target one or two nuclear sites in Iran, including a site he referred to as Pickaxe Mountain.
Qatari mediators met Iranian officials for a third consecutive day on Sunday to try to restart direct U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was no agreement yet and that progress depended on the U.S. answering Iran’s questions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New South Wales police have begun highly visible armed patrols in busy Sydney areas after a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in December 2025. The operation will also cover major events and places of worship, while officials and rights groups debate safeguards and the expansion of police capabilities.
Key Facts
The Armed Response Command deploys specially trained officers carrying rifles in busy tourist areas of Sydney.
Police say the officers will also patrol major events, including sports matches, and places of worship.
Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in the Bondi Beach shooting on 14 December 2025.
The attack prompted gun law reforms and a crackdown on hate speech in Australia.
The operation is expected to eventually include 250 officers.
Jewish community representatives welcomed the patrols, while Amnesty International Australia called for clear rules and independent oversight.
Naveed Akram has been charged with 78 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
His father, Sajid Akram, was killed by police at the scene.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Qatar hosted a third day of indirect US-Iran talks in Doha as it sought agreement on releasing more than $6 billion in Iranian assets and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran proposed reopening the strait within two days if the US lifts its blockade on oil ships, eases sanctions and allows the assets to be released, while the talks also face disagreement over Iran’s nuclear program.
Key Facts
Qatar is mediating the talks in Doha.
The proposal involves releasing more than $6 billion in Iranian assets and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran offered to reopen the strait within two days of US action on the blockade, assets and oil sanctions.
Araghchi said there were no current plans for direct talks with Washington.
The talks continued despite unidentified missiles striking a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker near the strait on Friday.
UAE envoy Anwar Gargash said escalation was not in the interests of Iran or its neighbors and that Gulf states were prepared for a worsening crisis.
Iranian parliament deputy speaker Ali Nikzad said Iran would not negotiate over its nuclear program.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was open to a diplomatic solution, while Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei said he had received a letter from Vice-President JD Vance seeking to revive talks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Indian opposition parties held protests in New Delhi on Sunday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and a nationwide review of voter lists. Demonstrations over the review have continued since the summer, led by the youth movement Cockroach Janta Party.
Key Facts
The protests took place in New Delhi.
Indian opposition parties staged the protests on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The protesters opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
They also opposed a nationwide voter list review.
Demonstrations over the review have taken place since the summer.
The youth movement Cockroach Janta Party has led the demonstrations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Residents of Oleshky who had requested evacuation were reunited with their loved ones in Ukrainian-controlled territory on Saturday, October 31. A localized ceasefire had been in place since Tuesday to allow evacuations from the Russian-occupied front-line city, where civilians face shortages of basic necessities.
Key Facts
Oleshky is under Russian occupation and lies on the front line.
The city is facing a humanitarian crisis.
Civilians in Oleshky lack basic necessities.
Residents who had requested evacuation were evacuated on October 31.
The evacuees were reunited with their loved ones in Ukraine.
A localized ceasefire had been in place since Tuesday.
The article describes the evacuation as taking place during the first humanitarian truce of the war.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli forces have kept Hebron under siege for 10 days after an October 23 attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, while warning they may widen the offensive. Palestinian officials report displacement, damage, business closures and school disruption; arrests and settler attacks have also continued elsewhere in the occupied West Bank.
Key Facts
The siege began after an October 23 attack near Hebron killed two Israeli soldiers.
Hebron’s mayor said more than 3,300 Palestinians have been displaced or affected, and Israeli forces have demolished 15 homes and other structures.
The mayor estimated daily economic losses at more than 12 million shekels, or $3.8 million, and infrastructure damage at more than $1.9 million.
According to the mayor, 327 businesses have closed and about 80,000 students have missed 10 days of school.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinian teachers in Masafer Yatta on Sunday and seized their vehicle.
The UN humanitarian office said settlers carried out 397 attacks on Palestinians across the West Bank in October, the highest monthly total since monitoring began in 2006.
Between October 20 and 26, 57 Palestinians, including nine children, were injured in attacks by settlers and Israeli forces, according to the article.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
