Reform UK leader Nigel Farage missed the chancellor’s budget speech, saying he avoided Parliament because he feared a physical confrontation over a reserved seat. At a press conference, he criticised the planned £10bn in aid for Ukraine, defended a proposed 10% tax on crypto gains and said Reform could be ready for a general election as early as December.
Key Facts
Farage said another MP had removed the paper slip marking his seat and that a previous seating dispute had turned physical.
Farage said he reviewed the budget line by line with economists instead of attending the Commons.
He said the £10bn in promised economic and military aid for Ukraine concerned him, especially whether the money would be spent properly.
Farage said Reform’s proposed 10% tax rate on cryptocurrency gains remained in place, describing it as a way to encourage activity in a regulated industry.
He criticised higher machine-games duty on gambling shops, saying it could hurt horse racing and push gambling offshore or into crypto.
Farage said Reform would be prepared for a general election as early as December and suggested the budget pointed to a possible election in May next year.
He said Tommy Robinson’s conduct in harassing journalists was wrong, but argued that party members who liked a social media post should not automatically face penalties.
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Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk while discussing Russia’s effort to build the Rassvet satellite network for military communications. The article says Starlink service used by Ukrainian forces was restricted in October and later restored, while Ukraine sought further talks and aid from its partners.
Key Facts
Putin said he was in contact with Musk and praised his work on Starlink.
Russia is developing the Rassvet satellite network as an alternative, with about 26 working satellites, according to the article.
The article estimates that about 10,000 SpaceX satellites are active.
Starlink and Starshield restrictions reportedly disrupted some Ukrainian drone operations and air defenses in October.
Ukraine’s president said Starlink and Starshield operations had been restored and speeds were adequate.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said proposed Ukraine-Russia-U.S. peace talks could take place in Abu Dhabi from November 6 to 10.
The article reports that Britain planned an additional £10 billion in financing for Ukraine over three years, including £500 million immediately for air defenses.
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Benjamin Netanyahu and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot both claimed victory in Israel’s election, according to the report. Arab-majority parties gained seats in the Knesset, while the report said conditions on the ground for Palestinians had not changed.
Key Facts
Benjamin Netanyahu is identified in the article as Israel’s prime minister.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot also claimed victory in the election.
Arab-majority parties celebrated gains in the Knesset.
The report said the election had not changed conditions on the ground for Palestinians.
Al Jazeera’s Marah Rayan reported on the election and its aftermath.
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Vladimir Putin addressed African leaders and government delegates at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where trade, security, arms deals and grain supplies are on the agenda. He presented Russia as a partner for African development and criticized Western countries, while the summit forms part of Moscow’s effort to expand its political, economic and military influence on the continent.
Key Facts
The two-day summit began in Moscow on October 28, 2026.
Delegations from 48 African countries are attending, including 22 African leaders.
Putin said Russia was ready to share expertise, including digital knowledge, and support local processing of raw materials.
Putin said Russia supported greater African influence in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
He said Russia was prepared to work with African countries on transport and agricultural infrastructure projects.
Putin said around 40,000 Africans were studying at Russian universities.
The article describes Russia's summit as part of a wider effort to expand its influence through political, economic and military ties, including activity by its Africa Corps.
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A collision between a Renfe train and an Iryo train near Urda, Spain, killed at least 68 people and injured dozens. Survivors described being thrown through carriages, escaping the trains and helping injured passengers as emergency crews set up a response centre in the town.
Key Facts
The crash happened Wednesday near Urda in Castilla-La Mancha, close to Toledo.
A Renfe train traveling from Madrid to Seville struck the back of an Iryo train on the same line.
At least 68 people died and dozens more were injured, according to the article.
Josimar Medina and his girlfriend, Vitoria Maia, were in the seventh carriage of the Renfe train and escaped.
Medina and Maia helped injured passengers while they waited for emergency crews.
Fredrich and Arabella Barilea, passengers on the Iryo train, said the impact threw Fredrich through the carriage.
Emergency services used a local sports centre in Urda as a triage post for people with minor injuries.
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, visited Urda after the crash.
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Qatar and other regional mediators are trying to broker a U.S.-Iran agreement before a possible resumption of U.S. and Israeli strikes after the U.S. midterm elections. The proposal under discussion would pair Iranian access for UN nuclear inspectors with limited U.S. sanctions relief, but Iran has not yet accepted it.
Key Facts
Mediators include Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, according to sources cited in the article.
The proposal seeks to restart inspections of Iran's nuclear sites, which were damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes.
The article says Iran wants the U.S. to lift its naval blockade and release frozen Iranian funds, while the U.S. has demanded that Iran give up its enriched uranium stockpile.
One proposal would allow Iran to sell oil under waivers and receive some frozen funds for humanitarian purchases if it permits inspections.
Iranian officials said they would seek Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's approval for the ideas, according to a regional source.
President Donald Trump said negotiations were taking place through mediators but that their success was uncertain.
U.S. and Israeli officials said a potential operation could involve a week of strikes on Iranian leadership, energy, nuclear and infrastructure targets.
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Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh accused Israeli political leaders of racism for ruling out coalitions with Arab parties, which were projected to win a record 19 seats. With neither main bloc near the 61 seats needed to govern, Arab parties could influence coalition talks, but opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot and his allies have signaled they want a Zionist government without them.
Key Facts
Palestinian citizens of Israel make up about one-fifth of the country’s population.
With 85 percent of the vote counted, the Central Elections Committee put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc at least at 53 seats and Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc at 48.
A party or bloc needs 61 seats to form a government.
Arab parties were projected to win a record 19 seats.
Abu Shehadeh leads Balad, one of the three parties in the Joint List, and was not a candidate in the election.
The elections committee voted to disqualify Abu Shehadeh after far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused him of supporting the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Abu Shehadeh withdrew in October after Supreme Court justices appeared likely to uphold his disqualification.
Former Israeli ambassador Danny Ayalon said Arab parties could have significant influence, while noting that an opposition alliance with them would require difficult political negotiations.
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Chancellor John Healey has asked every UK government department to cut its capital budget by 1% to help cover a £4.7bn shortfall in the Defence Investment Plan. He said the government would explain next year how it plans to meet its NATO defence-spending targets, including spending 3% of national income by 2030 and 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Key Facts
The 1% reductions are in addition to cuts requested earlier this year to fund the first £10.3bn of the plan's £15bn cost.
Departments have not yet decided which capital projects to cut.
Capital budgets fund long-term investment rather than day-to-day spending.
Healey said the government would set out its plan for meeting the defence-spending targets at next year's spending review.
Healey said the government would consider public-spending changes, private-sector partnerships and cooperation with international allies.
The proposed measures include treaty negotiations with Finland, Poland and the Netherlands on sharing defence resources.
Healey said the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank would be directed to invest £5bn in defence, dual-use technology and sovereign capability.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that the 3.5% of GDP target for 2035 will cost £35bn.
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With 85 percent of votes counted, no Israeli bloc had the 61 seats needed to control the Knesset, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained in office while coalition talks loomed. The article outlines possible outcomes, including another election, a coalition led by Netanyahu or challenger Gadi Eisenkot, and a unity government.
Key Facts
The pro-Netanyahu camp had won 53 seats, while parties aligned with Gadi Eisenkot had won 48, according to Israeli election officials.
Israeli Arab parties won 19 seats and could play a decisive role in coalition negotiations.
A majority in the 120-seat Knesset requires at least 61 seats.
President Isaac Herzog oversees coalition formation and can nominate a candidate, who has up to 42 days to form a government.
Netanyahu’s bloc was eight seats short of a majority at the time described in the article.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot said they would try to form a government.
If coalition talks fail, Israel could hold another parliamentary election.
Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister until a new government takes office.
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Myanmar's representative to the United Nations, Kyar Moe Tun, urged member states to help end the crisis in Myanmar and to stop remaining silent about the country's suffering. He said the international community had repeatedly failed Myanmar's people and held up a scarf bearing the names and ages of people he described as fallen heroes and innocent civilians.
Key Facts
Kyar Moe Tun is Myanmar's representative to the United Nations.
He was appointed before Myanmar's democratically elected government was ousted in 2021.
Moe Tun urged UN member states to help end the crisis in Myanmar.
He called on member states to stop their silence about the suffering in Myanmar.
He said the international community had failed the people of Myanmar repeatedly.
During his speech, he held up a scarf bearing names and ages of people he described as fallen heroes and innocent civilians.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his position on Brexit had not changed and that the government would not restore EU freedom of movement during this Parliament. He said he would seek practical improvements to the UK’s relationship with the EU at a summit in Brussels on 20 November, while any fundamental change would be for the public and a future Parliament to decide.
Key Facts
Burnham said the government had a collectively agreed position on the EU and that it matched what he had said during the Makerfield by-election.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out restoring freedom of movement, joining the EU single market or joining a customs union.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of creating confusion and asked whether he wanted a referendum on rejoining the EU.
Burnham said the UK had experienced low growth and insufficient control over migration after what he called a harder Brexit than voters had been promised in 2016.
At the 20 November Brussels summit, Burnham plans to discuss youth mobility, food and drink, energy, and cooperation on illegal immigration.
In a letter to Cabinet ministers, Burnham asked them to stay aligned and not publicly advocate specific options or predict the summit’s outcome.
Burnham said any fundamental change to the UK’s relationship with the EU would be for the public to decide and a matter for the next Parliament.
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Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who was set to oversee the criminal trial of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, has died at age 92, a court official said. Hellerstein served on the federal bench in New York City for nearly three decades and handled many high-profile disputes.
Key Facts
Hellerstein was 92 when he died.
A court official confirmed his death.
He was set to oversee Maduro’s criminal trial.
Maduro is described in the article as a deposed Venezuelan leader.
President Bill Clinton nominated Hellerstein in 1998.
Hellerstein served as a federal judge in New York City for nearly three decades.
He oversaw many high-profile disputes during his judicial career.
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Two high-speed trains collided near Mora and Orgaz in Spain after a Renfe train was told to move while an Iryo train ahead remained stopped. Passengers described severe injuries and damage, while residents and emergency workers helped people leave the trains and get medical care.
Key Facts
The trains were travelling from Madrid toward Seville when they collided about 140 kilometres south of Madrid.
The Renfe train carried 397 passengers, and the Iryo train carried 147.
A reported problem with the automatic signalling system had led trains on the affected stretch to stop.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente said an employee ordered the Renfe train to resume travel at 08:36, and the collision occurred about 17 minutes later.
Passengers reported broken arms and noses, smoke, overturned carriages and people thrown from their seats.
Some passengers helped injured people, and residents brought water and cars to assist with evacuation.
The article says Spain had suffered another high-speed rail disaster near Adamuz in January, in which 46 people died.
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Families in Khartoum are struggling to afford food as prices rise and the Sudanese pound weakens during the war between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces. Residents interviewed by Al Jazeera described irregular or insufficient incomes, borrowing money, and skipping meals to cover expenses.
Key Facts
The war between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces has continued since 2023.
Rasha Abdelaziz Musa sells tea for seven hours a day and supports her four children while her military husband has been away on the front lines for more than eight months.
Musa said feeding her family costs about 40,000 Sudanese pounds a day, not including rent and other expenses.
Ahmed Youssef supports a family of 12, and said his household spends more than 100,000 Sudanese pounds a day.
Ali Fadil said he sometimes skips meals to pay school fees or medical costs and borrows money for other expenses.
A survey of four markets in Khartoum State found recent increases in prices for sugar, cooking oil, bread, lentils, rice, and powdered milk.
Al Jazeera-monitored parallel-market exchange rates put the U.S. dollar at 10,050 Sudanese pounds on Friday, up from 9,500 the previous day.
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Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro and his immediate family arrived in Miami on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. He had refused to surrender his passports as ordered by Brazil’s Supreme Court in connection with a money-laundering probe; the U.S. State Department said it granted visas to him and his family on Tuesday.
Key Facts
Flavio Bolsonaro was a defeated candidate in Brazil’s presidential election.
Bolsonaro and his immediate family landed in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday.
Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports.
The passport order was connected to a money-laundering probe.
Bolsonaro refused to surrender his passports.
The U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday that it had granted entry visas to Bolsonaro and his family.
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Partial results from Israel’s general election show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc leading, but without enough seats for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot and Netanyahu both say they will try to form a government, while Arab-led parties could hold the balance of power amid uncertainty over uncounted ballots.
Key Facts
With 85% of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s Likud and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies were projected to win 53 seats.
Eisenkot’s Yashar party and three other Jewish opposition parties were projected to win 48 seats.
Arab-led parties were on course to win 19 seats, which would give them a potentially decisive role in coalition talks.
Between 430,000 and 480,000 absentee ballots from soldiers and diplomats remained uncounted.
President Isaac Herzog said he would consult political factions after receiving official results, expected the following week.
The election turnout was 77.7%, the highest in Israel in more than two decades.
Most Jewish parties had pledged not to form a government with Arab-led parties.
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An Iranian court sentenced film-maker Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison and ordered all his assets seized, his lawyer said. The court also imposed a two-year travel ban and social-media ban; Panahi was sentenced in absentia and had not been detained as of Monday evening.
Key Facts
Panahi’s lawyer, Mostafa Nili, said the charges in the latest case remain unclear.
Nili said Panahi had not been told when the latest hearing would take place and learned of it after his bank accounts were frozen.
The ruling follows a separate one-year prison sentence issued in absentia last year for “propaganda activities against the system.”
Panahi returned to Iran in March after an overseas trip promoting his film It Was Just an Accident, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year.
A human rights lawyer said confiscating Panahi’s assets could violate Iran’s constitution unless authorities establish a clear legal basis linking the property to an alleged offence.
Panahi’s lawyer said he faces three open legal cases.
Artists and human rights advocates voiced concern that the ruling reflects risks for people working independently in Iran.
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Canada and the European Union will meet in Montreal on October 29–30 for their 21st summit, aiming to strengthen political, economic and strategic ties. The talks come as trade relations between Canada and the United States have worsened, and are expected to cover trade, technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and financial services.
Key Facts
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are expected to attend.
The summit is expected to build on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2017 and removes duties on up to 99 percent of imported goods between Canada and the EU.
Von der Leyen proposed in September that Canada become the EU’s first associate member, and Carney welcomed the proposal.
The article says Canada sent nearly 80 percent of its exports to the United States before President Donald Trump’s tariffs strained relations.
After trade talks between Ottawa and Washington broke down in August, Trump imposed a 50 percent levy on $20 billion of Canadian goods, according to the article.
Canada responded with tariffs on selected U.S. goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances, farm equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
The EU says Canada is the only non-European participant in its Security Action for Europe defence procurement programme, which provides €150 billion in loans to EU member states.
Canada and the EU are expected to explore cooperation in areas including defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and financial services.
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After Israel’s election on Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to face greater constraints as caretaker prime minister. Experts say his government may still have significant powers, including the authority to wage war against Iran, so the election may not immediately change Israel’s approach to Iran.
Key Facts
The article examines how Israel’s election could affect its policy toward Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to serve as caretaker prime minister after the vote.
Experts say a caretaker government could retain significant powers.
Those powers may include the authority to wage war against Iran.
The article does not report a final election result or a specific change in Israeli policy toward Iran.
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A gunman opened fire in Trappes, a suburb of Paris, in what the article describes as a racist attack. Five days later, the attack had killed one person and injured five others, and the local community was receiving support.
Key Facts
The shooting took place in Trappes, near Paris.
The attack occurred five days before the report was published on October 28, 2026.
One person was killed and five others were injured.
The victim, Bossio Wangi, was 26 years old.
Hundreds of people marched through Trappes over the weekend to honor Wangi and support his family.
Mediators were mobilized to help the community.
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