A France 24 arts program reports on a contemporary reinterpretation of “The Phantom of the Opera” returning to French cinemas, starring Deva Cassel and Romain Duris. The episode also covers Halloween in York, a new art space on Île Seguin, an exhibition about Amílcar Cabral, and choreographer Angelin Preljocaj’s latest work.
Key Facts
“The Phantom of the Opera” is returning to French cinemas in a contemporary reinterpretation.
Deva Cassel and Romain Duris star in the film.
The program reports that millions of visitors are expected in York for Halloween.
A new art space has opened on Paris’s Île Seguin, a former Renault factory site.
An exhibition in Paris revisits the ideas of agricultural engineer Amílcar Cabral, who was from Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde.
The episode looks at choreographer Angelin Preljocaj’s work, which draws on a generation’s anger.
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Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente faced calls to resign after a train crash in Toledo province killed 69 people on Wednesday. Puente ruled out stepping down on Friday; the crash was Spain’s second high-speed rail disaster this year.
Key Facts
The crash occurred in Toledo province on Wednesday.
The crash killed 69 people.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente faced calls to resign.
Puente said on Friday that he would not step down.
The crash was Spain’s second high-speed rail disaster of the year.
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A humanitarian aid convoy with Russian and Ukrainian officials entered Oleshky, a besieged city in Ukraine. The article says the convoy entered after a localized ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump.
Key Facts
The convoy carried humanitarian aid.
Russian and Ukrainian officials were in the convoy.
The convoy entered Oleshky.
The article describes Oleshky as besieged.
The convoy entered after a localized ceasefire.
The article says Melania Trump brokered the ceasefire.
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The UN human rights office said Israeli military operations are repeatedly displacing Palestinians into a shrinking area of Gaza and blocking many from returning to their homes. It warned that the destruction of civilian infrastructure and attacks on displacement sites raise concerns about ethnic cleansing.
Key Facts
The OHCHR said Israeli forces have expanded westward beyond the Yellow Line over the past two weeks, prompting new displacement in Shujayea and parts of central Gaza.
The UN agency said Israeli forces appear to treat the Yellow Line as a kill zone, preventing Palestinians from returning to areas beyond it.
The OHCHR reported attacks on displacement camps in Shujayea and said it received a report of a drone strike on a tent at Shujayea junction.
Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing said a fire after the reported tent strike displaced 200 families, or about 800 people.
The OHCHR said Israel has stated an aim of expanding its military deployment area to 70 percent of Gaza.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 1,574 people had been killed and 5,687 wounded in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began on October 11, 2025.
The ministry said Israeli attacks have killed at least 74,570 people and wounded 175,808 since October 2023.
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A collision between two trains near Urda, Spain, killed at least 69 people and injured more than 100, according to the article. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said public trust in high-speed rail had been damaged and called for an investigation and safety measures; officials said a preliminary report found a chain of failures and actions led to the crash.
Key Facts
The crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday in Castilla-La Mancha, as two trains traveled from Madrid toward Andalucía.
The trains belonged to state-owned Renfe and private operator Iryo; the Renfe train struck the rear of the stopped Iryo train.
The article says the crash was Spain’s second deadly train collision this year; 46 people died in a collision near Adamuz nine months earlier.
A preliminary investigation report said the Renfe train was traveling between 160 and 200 kph when it hit the Iryo train.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the LZB signaling system had failed before the crash and that an Adif operator told the Renfe train to move at normal speed.
Puente said procedures call for a maximum speed of 40 kph in that situation so drivers can see hazards ahead.
Sánchez said the government would investigate the causes and seek measures to strengthen rail safety.
The article says victims included people from at least 23 foreign countries.
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Storms Austen and Boelo brought England its wettest week in two years, and October rainfall across England reached 111% of the long-term monthly average. But Wales and most of England remain in drought, and officials say recovery will require sustained above-average rain; the forecast shows no significant rain for at least a week.
Key Facts
Rainfall over the past week ranged from 38 mm in central England to 87 mm in south-west England.
The Environment Agency moved north-west England from drought into recovery status after October rain.
Eleven reservoirs in England remain classified as exceptionally low.
Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset and Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex have less than 20% of their normal capacity.
Ardingly Reservoir rose by only 2% after the recent wet weather and is 19% full.
The Environment Agency says England needs at least 20% more rainfall than average over the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring.
High pressure is expected to bring settled weather, with no significant rain forecast for at least the next week.
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Protests are expected across France for a third consecutive Saturday as demonstrators oppose the high cost of living and call for more education funding. Police are preparing for possible unrest after earlier protests ended in rioting and looting in city centres.
Key Facts
The planned demonstrations would be the third Saturday of protests in a row.
Protesters are objecting to the high cost of living.
Demonstrators are demanding better funding for education.
Earlier demonstrations ended in rioting and looting in city centres.
Police are preparing for possible unrest during the weekend protests.
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After losing Brazil’s election to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Flávio Bolsonaro went to the United States and briefly declared himself the country’s “true president-elect.” He changed the wording to call himself Brazil’s opposition leader less than an hour later, and Brazilian newspapers and commentators mocked the claim.
Key Facts
Lula defeated Bolsonaro by 4.4 million votes, according to the article.
Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Tuesday, two days after the election loss.
On Wednesday, he posted a letter claiming he was Brazil’s “true president-elect” and alleging election fraud.
The letter compared Bolsonaro’s proposed opposition leadership from abroad to historical figures who led political causes from exile.
A revised version replaced “president-elect” with “leader of Brazil” about 58 minutes after the first post appeared.
The revised letter also replaced an outdated Brazilian coat of arms and the country’s former name, “United States of Brazil.”
The article says Trump administration officials reportedly urged Bolsonaro to change the wording to avoid a diplomatic dispute with Brazil.
Brazilian media figures and commentators criticized Bolsonaro’s actions and mocked his letter.
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French anti-terrorism prosecutors released details about the main suspect in a racist shooting in Trappes and La Verrière, near Paris. The 39-year-old suspect allegedly killed one person and injured five others in the October 23 attack.
Key Facts
The attack took place in Trappes and La Verrière, on the outskirts of Paris.
It happened on October 23.
The main suspect is 39 years old.
The suspect allegedly used a submachine gun.
The shooting killed 26-year-old Pengo Bossio Wangi.
Five other people were injured.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor released details about the suspect on Thursday.
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Swedish climate academic Andreas Malm said the UK had revoked his electronic travel authorisation without explaining why. He suspects the decision is linked to a planned conference appearance with Huda Ammori, but the Home Office did not discuss his individual case and said ETA cancellations reflect an assessment of potential risk to UK society.
Key Facts
Malm said officials told him only that his presence in the UK was not considered conducive to the public good.
He was scheduled to join Huda Ammori at a London conference organised by Tribune magazine.
Malm denied supporting or financing Palestine Action, which the UK has proscribed.
Malm said he would speak at the event by video link instead of travelling to the UK.
He said he had asked the authorities for an explanation but had not received one.
The Home Office said it could not comment on individual cases and described its general basis for cancelling ETAs.
Several public figures, including author Sally Rooney and Labour MP Clive Lewis, criticised the travel ban.
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A glacial lake outburst flood hit Bhutan’s Gasa Tshachu hot springs on Thursday night, washing away infrastructure. No deaths or injuries had been reported, but officials had not yet determined the full extent of the damage.
Key Facts
The flood followed the bursting of the Shintaphu glacial lake.
Bhutan’s state broadcaster BBS reported that two Bailey bridges may have been washed away.
Part of the road to Laya village was washed away and closed to traffic indefinitely, according to the newspaper Kuensel.
Authorities were assessing damage and monitoring a large artificial lake formed after river channels joined.
Residents along the Mochhu and Punatsangchhu river valleys were advised to avoid riverbanks and flood-prone areas.
India issued flood warnings for parts of West Bengal and Assam, according to NDTV.
Gasa Tshachu’s hot springs, a major tourist attraction in northern Bhutan, were also hit by a flash flood in 2021.
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Domestic abuse charities praised actor Patrick Stewart for speaking publicly about witnessing his father abuse his mother and for supporting efforts to raise awareness of domestic abuse. Stewart worked with Amnesty International and Refuge, and campaigners said his advocacy helped survivors speak out and contributed to recognizing children as victims in their own right under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Key Facts
Stewart first shared his childhood experience publicly in 2004 through an Amnesty International campaign against violence toward women.
He described how relatives, police, doctors and neighbors excused or concealed his father’s violence by blaming his mother.
Stewart became an ambassador for the charity Refuge in 2007 and continued the role for the rest of his life.
His work with Refuge included fundraising, attending events and contributing his experience to policy discussions.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognized children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.
Amnesty International UK chief executive Kerry Moscogiuri said Stewart’s openness encouraged survivors around the world.
Refuge chair Hetti Barkworth-Nanton said Stewart raised awareness of domestic abuse’s lasting effects on children.
The article reports that recent government figures showed nearly one in 10 adults in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the previous year.
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Georgia’s EU accession process remains suspended after the ruling Georgian Dream party won the disputed October 2024 parliamentary election and authorities later halted the process. Protests continue in Tbilisi but have weakened amid restrictions on dissent and opposition figures; polls cited in the report show more than 70 percent of Georgians support joining the EU.
Key Facts
The Georgian Dream party was officially declared the winner of the October 2024 parliamentary election, whose results were disputed.
Tens of thousands of pro-European protesters rallied after the election.
Authorities announced a suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process a few weeks after the election.
Smaller protests continue daily in Tbilisi, though they have lost momentum.
The report says dissenting voices are suppressed and opposition figures are jailed.
In 2025, the government adopted a stricter version of a foreign agents law that limits access to international funding and increases government control over civil society.
The government said the law would strengthen national sovereignty and ensure transparency among NGOs.
Opinion polls cited in the report show that more than 70 percent of Georgians want to join the EU.
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Ukrainians in Oleshky, a city held by Russia, may be able to leave during a local ceasefire. The report says U.S. first lady Melania Trump helped broker the ceasefire.
Key Facts
Oleshky is under Russian control.
Ukrainians in the city may have a chance to leave.
A local ceasefire is planned or underway.
Melania Trump helped broker the local ceasefire, according to the report.
CBS News correspondent Aidan Stretch reported on the situation.
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Imad Salem Zahra, a Palestinian child who survived a gunshot wound to the head, spoke to Al Jazeera about what happened. A photo of him after the shooting went viral.
Key Facts
Imad Salem Zahra is a Palestinian child.
He survived a gunshot wound to the head.
The article says Israeli soldiers shot him.
Zahra told Al Jazeera what happened that day.
A photo of Zahra after he was shot went viral.
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A localized ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region enabled an aid convoy and evacuations in Russian-occupied Oleshky. Russia and Ukraine said residents could leave for either country or stay and receive aid, while fighting continued elsewhere.
Key Facts
The ceasefire began four days before the operation and was scheduled to continue through Sunday evening.
A convoy of 25 buses, ambulances and aid supplies was assembled to deliver food and medicine and evacuate residents.
Authorities and volunteers estimated that about 2,000 people remained in Oleshky.
Ukraine’s ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said evacuations would continue until 2 p.m. local time, with aid distribution to begin 30 minutes later.
A volunteer said about 1,000 residents had told her they wanted to leave and reported pressure on some residents to evacuate to Russia.
Officials said crews completed demining designated routes into the city on Thursday; two people were killed during the work.
The White House said first lady Melania Trump brokered the mission, and Pope Leo XIV had urged both countries to help.
Russia and Ukraine reported continued drone and missile attacks elsewhere.
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Ukraine’s General Staff reported 49,040 Russian troops killed or incapacitated in October through October 28, a monthly record that approaches President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s target of 50,000. Ukraine is seeking more funding to expand drone production and is working with European partners on military satellite capabilities as it adapts to disruptions in Starlink service.
Key Facts
Ukraine’s previous reported monthly high for Russian casualties was 46,230 in September.
Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify casualty estimates from either side.
Ukraine’s defence minister asked European allies to fund a plan to produce about 16 million Ukrainian drones next year.
The Netherlands announced 500 million euros in immediate additional military aid and 1.2 billion euros in additional financing for Ukraine.
The UK increased its commitments by 10 billion pounds over three years, including 3 billion pounds for weapons.
Ukraine and Finland announced plans to develop an independent military satellite system, with satellite launches expected to begin in 2028.
The Institute for the Study of War said a 10-day Starlink outage lowered Ukraine’s drone interception rate from 77 percent to 74 percent.
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Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in Chicago ahead of the November 2026 U.S. midterm elections, the Vatican said. The Chicago-born pontiff is the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. election, according to the report.
Key Facts
The Vatican confirmed Friday that Leo submitted a mail-in ballot in Chicago.
Leo was born in Chicago and was formerly known as Robert Prevost.
The Holy See said Leo has voted in U.S. elections whenever he was eligible.
The Vatican said Leo also voted while living in Peru whenever he was eligible.
The Vatican said Leo believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democratic processes.
The ballot was cast ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
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Tens of thousands of students and union members protested in cities across Italy, calling for action on living costs, more investment in education and an end to wars in the Middle East. Authorities increased security around major sites as police monitored rallies, with brief clashes reported in Turin.
Key Facts
Demonstrations took place in dozens of Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Bologna and Genoa.
Protesters raised concerns about higher living costs and called for more investment in education.
The USB trade union called a general strike that drew truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers, among others.
Unions from Italy and five other countries called for an end to Middle East wars and for ports not to transport military supplies.
Police presence increased around Rome’s Colosseum and Milan’s cathedral.
Brief clashes between protesters and riot police occurred at the start of a rally in Turin.
The government approved a 175 million euro aid package for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by high fuel prices.
After clashes in Milan on October 17–18, the government tightened rules on public gatherings and eased restrictions on detaining minors.
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