Yemen’s internationally recognised government says its forces recaptured positions and strategic heights east of al-Hazm in al-Jawf, while the Houthis say they stopped government advances in al-Jawf and Marib. Fighting and restrictions on access to Taiz are worsening shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies as displacement grows.
Key Facts
The government’s army media centre said the 1st Emergency Brigade seized weapons and ammunition depots and destroyed armoured vehicles in al-Jawf.
The Houthis said they had thwarted government advances in al-Jawf and neighbouring Marib.
The government said its forces repelled Houthi attacks near Taiz and on the Tur al-Baha front in neighbouring Lahij governorate.
Houthi-affiliated media reported that two air strikes hit an oil company facility in Bajil district, Hodeidah governorate.
Houthi forces hold key routes in and out of Taiz, restricting deliveries of food, fuel and medical supplies and making it harder for civilians to leave.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 290,000 people have fled their homes since fighting escalated in August.
The UN Population Fund said nearly 6,100 pregnant women were among the recently displaced, including 600 expected to give birth within two weeks of its Friday briefing.
The UN refugee agency warned that more than 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen face worsening conditions as services are disrupted and food and fuel prices rise.
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A canopy collapsed at Novi Sad’s railway station on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people and triggering protests over public spending, construction oversight and corruption. Student-led demonstrations expanded into a political campaign; the article says the Student List opposition movement came to power after elections last week.
Key Facts
The collapse killed 14 people at the scene; two of three people taken to hospital later died, bringing the death toll to 16.
Thousands protested in Novi Sad on November 5, 2024, demanding accountability; clashes followed and dozens were arrested.
On November 21, prosecutors announced the arrest of 11 people, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesic.
Students began a university sit-in after students and professors were attacked at a memorial event in Belgrade in November 2024.
Authorities published 195 documents about the station’s reconstruction on December 11, 2024, but protesters demanded full disclosure.
Prosecutors indicted 13 people in December 2024 over alleged crimes related to public safety, construction work and abuse of office.
In January 2025, prosecutors opened a separate investigation into possible financial fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to the station’s reconstruction.
The article says the protests developed into a political campaign that brought the Student List opposition movement to power after elections last week.
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The article examines why hopes for an Iranian uprising and the collapse of the Islamic Republic faded after U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior security officials. Experts interviewed by Newsweek say Iran’s entrenched Revolutionary Guard structure survived the attacks, while leadership changes gave the Guard greater influence.
Key Facts
The article says Iranian security forces killed thousands of civilians while suppressing nationwide protests in January.
It reports that U.S. and Israeli strikes in February killed Ali Khamenei and many senior security officials.
President Donald Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government,” according to the article.
The article says the strikes did not cause the Islamic Republic to collapse.
Analyst Khosro Isfahani said observers underestimated the regime’s capabilities and the Revolutionary Guard’s deep role in Iranian society.
Analyst Ali Alfoneh said a collective leadership governed Iran more effectively after Khamenei’s death.
Majid Sadeghpour said the Revolutionary Guard became a more prominent power broker under new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
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Stephanie Benedetti says she spent about 15 years seeking help for severe migraines and spent more than $1 million on consultations, tests and treatments. After six brain MRIs did not explain her symptoms, a dental scan led to surgery on old wisdom-tooth extraction sites; she says her migraines stopped afterward, though the reported link between jaw “cavitations” and broader health problems is disputed among dental professionals.
Key Facts
Benedetti said her migraines often occurred weekly or every other week and lasted two to four days.
She reported facial swelling, jaw and neck pain, gastrointestinal problems and other symptoms along with the migraines.
She said she consulted more than 20 doctors and underwent six brain MRIs and extensive testing.
Benedetti estimated that she spent more than $1 million on medical care, travel, medications and other treatments over 15 years.
In 2025, she requested a cone-beam CT scan, a 3D scan commonly used to examine teeth and jaw structures.
She said a Melbourne dental clinic found abnormalities at old lower-jaw wisdom-tooth extraction sites and recommended surgery.
Benedetti said she had two operations in 2026 and that her migraines stopped afterward.
Dental professionals disagree about how to diagnose cavitations and whether they are linked to broader health conditions.
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France 24 reports that Halloween celebrations have been embraced in many countries. A video roundup by Charlotte Hughes focuses on traditions, costumes and pumpkins, but the article text provides no specific examples.
Key Facts
The article covers Halloween celebrations around the world.
It says Halloween has been embraced in many countries.
The video is titled “The World celebrates Halloween: Traditions, costumes and pumpkins.”
Charlotte Hughes produced the video roundup.
France 24 issued the item on November 1, 2026.
The video is 1 minute and 44 seconds long.
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Youth-led protests in France have inspired demonstrations in Portugal, Italy and Germany. Protesters called for better education and healthcare, stronger climate protections and lower living costs, and opposed restoring compulsory military service; some rallies in German cities turned violent.
Key Facts
Demonstrations spread from France to Portugal, Italy and Germany.
Germany held particularly large rallies on Saturday.
A youth initiative called “Gen Z has got this” led the German demonstrations.
Protesters called for better education and healthcare.
Demonstrators also called for stronger climate protections and a more affordable cost of living.
Protesters opposed a return to compulsory military service.
Some rallies in major German cities turned violent late in the day, particularly in Frankfurt.
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A France 24 video report examines the role of social media in protests in France. It says protesters were frustrated at being kept on the outskirts of Paris and that reports claimed posts about the demonstrations were being suppressed.
Key Facts
The report focuses on social media and protests in France.
Protesters were frustrated at being kept on the outskirts of the French capital.
The article mentions reports that social media posts about the demonstrations were being suppressed.
Daniel Quinlan provides further reporting in the video.
The video was issued on November 1, 2026.
The video is 1 minute and 45 seconds long.
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Protests over the rising cost of living and worsening school conditions took place across France for a third consecutive weekend. Clashes broke out in parts of Paris, where riot police used tear gas and small fires were reported, but demonstrations were less violent overall than those on October 17.
Key Facts
The demonstrations took place for a third consecutive weekend.
Protesters cited the rising cost of living and deteriorating conditions in schools.
Paris had a heavy police presence.
Riot police fired tear gas to push back protesters in parts of Paris.
Small fires broke out in several areas of the capital.
Similar scenes were reported in Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille.
The demonstrations were largely less violent than the unrest on October 17.
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Cambridge scientist Dr Marta Shahbazi died in a train collision near Urda, south of Madrid, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology confirmed. The crash killed at least 69 people, and Shahbazi had been travelling to a Spanish Society for Developmental Biology awards ceremony.
Key Facts
Shahbazi led a research group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge lists her as an affiliate associate professor.
She studied cell biology and early human development.
The Spanish Society for Developmental Biology had named Shahbazi the winner of an award for her research.
She completed her PhD at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre and joined the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in 2020.
The collision happened near Urda, south of Madrid, on 28 October.
A Renfe high-speed train struck the back of a stationary train operated by Iryo.
More than 540 people were on board the two trains, and Spain declared three days of national mourning.
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Israeli activists rallied in Tel Aviv and urged opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to work with Palestinian-Israeli parties. They called for a Jewish-Arab coalition government; the article does not say that one has been formed.
Key Facts
Activists held a rally in Tel Aviv.
The protesters urged opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to cooperate with Palestinian-Israeli parties.
The protesters called for a Jewish-Arab coalition government.
The article reports a call to form a coalition, not that a coalition was formed.
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UK minister Emma Reynolds said a possible formal apology for Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade would not include financial reparations. Andy Burnham also rejected reparations, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the government’s consideration of an apology.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is considering a formal apology for Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Emma Reynolds said an apology would be symbolically powerful but would not lead to financial reparations.
Reynolds said people in Britain today should not be held liable for historical wrongs in which they had no part.
Andy Burnham said Britain should acknowledge its history but rejected financial reparations.
Burnham is due to travel to the Caribbean for a Commonwealth leaders meeting.
Kemi Badenoch criticized the government’s consideration of an apology.
Badenoch also criticized the delayed defence spending commitment and said the Conservatives could fund the spending while cutting the deficit and lowering taxes.
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Cattle farmers in Malawi’s Mulanje district are travelling farther and starting earlier to find grass as dry conditions reduce available fodder. Farmers say the shortage has raised the cost of keeping cattle and cut milk production, while maize bran used as supplemental feed is also scarce and expensive.
Key Facts
Lawrence Abison and three friends travelled 27km from Nsanjama to collect grass along the Likhubula River.
After two hours of cutting grass, the group had enough to feed 10 cattle for one day.
Fodder gatherers say they began making river trips months earlier than usual and now travel farther.
Grass and reeds along parts of the Likhubula River have reportedly declined, and some areas of the river have become shallower.
Malawi faced dry spells and high temperatures during the 2023/24 rainy season, when El Niño affected rainfall patterns across southern Africa.
The Malawi weather department warned of below-normal rainfall and prolonged dry spells in parts of the country, including southern areas.
Farmer Macdonald Khandalawo said reduced feed has lowered his cows’ milk production.
Farmers said maize bran, used to supplement grass, is scarce and expensive following lower maize harvests.
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The UK Home Office continued sending asylum seekers to France weeks after the “one in, one out” scheme ended on 1 October. Officials chartered a flight on Wednesday and scheduled another for 17 November as they continued returns of people covered by the deal.
Key Facts
The UK and France announced the scheme in July 2025 to deter small-boat crossings across the Channel.
Under the deal, some asylum seekers who arrived in the UK were returned to France, while a similar number in France were brought legally to the UK.
Home Office officials were understood to be detaining dozens of people for return to France.
Seven of the scheme’s 23 deportation flights were cancelled between July and September, according to freedom of information data.
At least seven asylum seekers returned to France have come back to the UK since 1 October, the Guardian reported.
Two people interviewed by the Guardian said they returned to the UK after experiencing abuse by smugglers in France.
Small-boat crossings were down about 40% so far this year compared with the same period last year, while irregular migration to Europe showed a similar decline.
After three weeks with no crossings, 263 people crossed in three boats on Thursday and 671 people in nine boats on Friday.
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Former UK chancellor Rachel Reeves said she believes the UK’s future lies in the EU and argued that Brexit has made the country poorer, weaker and less secure. She welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plan to pursue practical agreements with the EU while leaving any fundamental change to the next parliament and the public.
Key Facts
Reeves said supporters of rejoining the EU must explain the benefits and identify the right next steps.
Burnham wants to pursue agreements on food and drink, emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme at next month’s UK-EU summit.
Burnham said the UK would explore options for its long-term relationship with the EU after those talks.
Burnham told ministers not to advocate for specific outcomes in any process to renegotiate the UK’s EU relationship.
Burnham said the public should decide on any fundamental change to post-Brexit arrangements, with the decision left to the next parliament.
Reeves said she hoped the summit would confirm a youth mobility scheme and make progress toward UK entry into the EU’s Security Action for Europe scheme.
The EU launched the Security Action for Europe scheme as part of efforts to rearm after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A defence pact agreed with the UK in May opened the way for UK-based firms to take part in funded projects.
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President Donald Trump said he was not in a hurry to decide whether to strike Iran. He also said one or two sites in Iran still needed “taking care of,” while mediators sought to prevent a new outbreak of war.
Key Facts
Trump attended a Halloween costume party at Mar-a-Lago dressed as himself.
Trump said he was not in a hurry to decide on striking Iran.
Trump said one or two sites in Iran still needed “taking care of.”
Mediators are trying to prevent a new outbreak of war.
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Iran’s security chief said a letter from U.S. Vice-President JD Vance signals a “positive” shift and may help revive talks. Tehran said it is waiting for Washington’s response and that the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Iran’s conditions are met.
Key Facts
JD Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief.
The reported aim of the letter is to restart talks and avert further strikes.
Iran’s security chief described the letter as a positive signal.
Tehran said it is awaiting Washington’s response.
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions are met.
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Heidi Klum wore a costume designed to look like a giant severed hand at her 25th annual Halloween party in New York. In London, Maya Jama hosted a party dressed as Olympic runner Mo Farah, while guests at both events wore costumes inspired by celebrities, films and pop culture.
Key Facts
Klum said 10 to 20 people helped make her costume.
Klum said she got the idea after looking at her hand and imagining she could fit inside it.
Klum's past Halloween costumes have included a worm, Medusa and Princess Fiona from Shrek.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed as the twins from the horror film The Shining.
Jade Thirlwall wore a costume that made her look like a stone angel statue.
Maya Jama said Mo Farah supported her costume and lent her Olympic outfits, medals and trainers.
Katherine Ryan dressed as Jama, and Lily Allen wore a costume based on a Ticketmaster seating map with unsold tickets.
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England’s children’s home system faces rising costs, falling standards and growing use of illegal, unregistered homes. The British government is studying Denmark’s residential care model, including its focus on trained staff, family-like routines and support for young people moving toward independent living.
Key Facts
There were 669 children living in illegal, unregistered homes across England last year.
Councils spent more than £125 million to keep children in those homes.
Spending on children’s homes rose 96% in five years to more than £3.1 billion in 2023–24.
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister visited Denmark as part of a Department for Education review of the sector.
Josephine Schneider’s House in Copenhagen houses 12 children and young adults aged six to 23.
The home’s staff have degree-level training in social pedagogy, which focuses on psychology, child development and ethics.
Children at the Danish home are encouraged to invite friends and maintain family contact.
Residents aged 17 and older can live in a semi-independent flat and stay at the home until age 23.
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The article argues that media headlines describing France as “burning” overstate the scale of unrest and blur distinctions between property damage, violence against people, and state repression. It places protests in a longer history of French revolt and argues that inequality, discrimination, and hardship can also constitute forms of social violence.
Key Facts
The article describes the current movement as a largely peaceful student protest over education conditions, with some violent incidents.
It distinguishes violence by social injustice, revolt, repression, and inequality or precarious living conditions.
It recounts the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the killing of its governor after the defenders surrendered.
It says armed groups executed more than 1,000 prisoners in Paris in September 1792 amid fears of foreign invasion.
It describes the 1871 Paris Commune and the massacre of Parisians by government forces during Bloody Week.
It notes that labor unrest has included attacks on factories, machines, and employers’ representatives.
In 1886, miners in Decazeville killed mine official Jules Watrin after a dispute over working conditions.
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Serbia is marking the second anniversary of a concrete canopy collapse at a recently renovated railway station in Novi Sad. The article describes the collapse as a turning point for Serbian society and says it came amid a major political shift led by students.
Key Facts
The canopy collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia.
The station had recently been renovated.
The article marks two years since the collapse.
The article describes the tragedy as a turning point for Serbian society.
The article says an election had taken place one week before the anniversary.
It says the election ousted the country’s most powerful politician and brought a student-led bloc to power.
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