An Egyptian court convicted Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah of operating an unlicensed website, fined her 3 million Egyptian pounds and ordered the independent news outlet closed. Her lawyers said she was taken into custody until she pays the fine. Rights groups criticized the verdict amid wider pressure on journalists in Egypt.
Key Facts
The New Cairo Misdemeanours Court imposed the maximum penalty for the charge, according to the article.
Attalah had rejected the charge of operating a website without a licence.
Mada Masr has sought an operating licence from Egypt’s Supreme Media Regulatory Council since a 2018 media law took effect; its applications were rejected or left unanswered, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Prosecutors had summoned Attalah for questioning over allegations of publishing false news and running an unlicensed website, and she was later released on bail before trial.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said the judge cleared the courtroom, denied defence requests and appointed a lawyer over Attalah’s objection.
Amnesty International described the verdict as a blow to press freedom and said Attalah had faced years of harassment and intimidation.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said 25 journalists were behind bars in Egypt.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article says Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reported election victory would protect Brazil’s continued participation in BRICS and ease concerns that the bloc could lose cohesion under his rival, Flávio Bolsonaro. Analysts cited in the article say the result may help BRICS pursue cooperation and a more multipolar global order, but it does not remove the members’ major differences or make the bloc a unified counterweight to the United States.
Key Facts
The article reports that Lula won an unprecedented fourth term as Brazil’s president.
Lula helped create BRICS and has sought to expand the bloc’s role in global affairs.
Flávio Bolsonaro had links to Donald Trump and had called for reconsidering Brazil’s role in BRICS, according to the article.
Analysts said a Bolsonaro victory could have weakened BRICS cohesion or slowed cooperation on trade and financial reform.
BRICS makes decisions by consensus, so one member’s opposition can impede action, an analyst said.
Analysts cautioned that BRICS members have different economic interests and geopolitical goals.
The article says the election result may reassure emerging economies seeking more independence in international affairs.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A temporary ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky appeared to hold as an evacuation of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 civilians was planned. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also spoke with Vladimir Putin about ending the war, while Russia continued attacks elsewhere in Ukraine.
Key Facts
The Oleshky truce began at 3 a.m. Tuesday and was due to last until 11 p.m. Sunday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The planned evacuation was expected to begin Thursday or Friday, with buses taking residents to occupied Crimea and Russia.
Residents had been under blockade, with the last reported food delivery to stores in May.
Stubb and Støre described their call with Putin as “frank and substantive” and said major differences remained.
The leaders linked their call to expected Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks in Abu Dhabi next month.
Russia attacked Kyiv overnight with drones and ballistic missiles, killing at least one person and injuring 15, according to the article.
The strikes hit a university campus, a bridge over the Dnipro and metro infrastructure; ten other regions also came under fire.
Zelenskyy said Stubb and Støre had briefed him on the call and welcomed European efforts to end the war.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Voter turnout in Israel’s election reached 55.7%, the highest level in 53 years, according to the Central Elections Committee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to stay in power amid opposition over his handling of the wars in Gaza and Iran.
Key Facts
Israel held an election on Tuesday.
Turnout reached 55.7%, according to the Central Elections Committee.
The turnout was the highest in 53 years.
Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to remain prime minister.
Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving leader.
Opposition to Netanyahu includes criticism of his handling of the wars in Gaza and Iran.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least 62 people were killed in a Friday attack on Binnari village in northeastern Nigeria’s Taraba state, the National Emergency Management Agency said. Thousands were displaced, and police said the toll could rise as they recover more bodies.
Key Facts
Gunmen attacked Binnari village in Taraba state on Friday.
The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed at least 62 deaths.
Agency official Ladan Ayuba said thousands of people were displaced.
Amnesty International Nigeria said attackers burned homes, shops, food supplies and motorcycles.
Taraba police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah said officers were still recovering bodies and the death toll could rise.
Amnesty International Nigeria called for an impartial investigation and support for survivors.
Nigeria has faced a security crisis involving Boko Haram, kidnappings and armed bandit groups.
The Institute for Security Studies said profits from illegal mining help armed groups buy weapons and recruit members.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A localized ceasefire has begun in Oleshky, a Ukrainian town occupied by Russia, as residents face dire conditions. Russian strikes on Ukraine, including Kyiv, continue, according to the report.
Key Facts
A localized ceasefire has started in Oleshky.
Oleshky is under Russian occupation.
Residents of the town face dire conditions.
Russian strikes on Ukraine continue.
Strikes on Kyiv continue.
CBS News correspondent Aidan Stretch reported from Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani in Moscow. Iranian state media said they discussed energy cooperation and ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
Key Facts
The meeting took place in Moscow.
Masoud Pezeshkian is Iran’s president.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani is Qatar’s emir.
The leaders met on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Summit.
They discussed energy cooperation, according to Iranian state media.
They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, according to Iranian state media.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Africa’s Ebola outbreak has exceeded 10,000 reported cases, with most in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species, for which no approved vaccine or treatment is available, and cases have also been reported in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Key Facts
DRC health authorities reported 10,060 infections and 4,887 deaths since the virus was first detected there in May 2026.
The DRC said this is the deadliest Ebola outbreak in its history.
The World Health Organization described containment as a complex task because the outbreak spans eastern, western and central Africa.
Uganda recorded 20 cases and two deaths before the WHO declared it Ebola-free in late August.
Kenya reported its first Ebola case on October 6 and has recorded two deaths.
Nigeria confirmed one case in a Swiss woman who had travelled to Uganda; authorities identified 53 of her contacts.
The patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought care in Abuja on October 11 and tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola on October 20.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States and 30 other Western countries warned that food insecurity in Sudan is worsening and urged the warring sides to allow humanitarian aid through. Their statement says 19.5 million people face high levels of acute food insecurity, while conflict, aid obstructions, drought and reduced rainfall are worsening the crisis.
Key Facts
The war between Sudan's armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023.
The conflict has displaced 14 million people.
The joint statement estimates that 19.5 million people, or 41% of Sudan's population, face high levels of acute food insecurity.
Five million people are facing emergency levels of hunger, according to the statement.
The signatories warn that more than 825,000 children could suffer severe acute malnutrition without immediate action.
The statement says conflict damages infrastructure and disrupts food production, while aid obstructions and drought worsen food insecurity.
Islamic Relief East Africa's regional director said only 40% of Sudan's 2026 humanitarian needs plan had been funded as of September.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Danish and Estonian officials voiced skepticism about Finnish and Norwegian leaders speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The contacts came amid heightened tension between Moscow and Kyiv, and Estonia’s foreign minister said stronger pressure on Russia was needed to make it take peace talks seriously.
Key Facts
Danish officials expressed skepticism about the contacts with Putin.
Estonian officials also expressed skepticism.
Leaders from Finland and Norway communicated with Putin earlier in the week.
The contacts took place amid heightened tension between Moscow and Kyiv.
Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Margus Tsahkna posted a comment on X.
Tsahkna said increased pressure on Russia would make it take peace negotiations seriously.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article argues that supporting religious freedom and pluralism should be a foreign policy priority. It says countries protect their future by protecting pluralism at home and urging partner countries to do the same.
Key Facts
The article identifies religious freedom and pluralism as foreign policy priorities.
It says countries should protect pluralism within their own borders.
It says countries should press their partners to protect pluralism.
The article links domestic pluralism with protecting a country's future.
The article presents this policy as consistent with a country's ideals.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A UK court heard that businessman Philip Young drugged his former wife, Joanne Young, and invited men to sexually assault her over several years. Young has pleaded guilty to multiple abuse charges; four men on trial deny sexually assaulting her.
Key Facts
Prosecutors say the abuse took place at the couple’s home in Swindon, England.
Prosecutors told the court that Philip Young advertised his wife on dating and swinging websites while claiming the arrangement was consensual.
Joanne Young told police she believed she and her husband had a monogamous marriage and had not agreed to sex with other men.
The four defendants are Connor Sanderson-Doyle, Richard Wilkins, Norman Macksoni and Mohammed Hassan.
The alleged offences involving the four defendants occurred between 2016 and 2023, according to the prosecution.
Prosecutors said Philip Young had sought sedatives that could leave his wife deeply asleep and disoriented.
Joanne Young said she discovered a man in her bedroom during sex in 2023 and later learned her husband had invited him to watch.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli police arrested a man in his 20s after finding a knife on him near an event for Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats, during Israel’s election campaign. Golan’s party called the incident a suspected stabbing attempt, but police said no attempted stabbing took place.
Key Facts
The incident occurred Tuesday in Tel Aviv as Golan mobilized voters.
Golan’s security guards stopped the man, and a knife fell from beneath his clothing, according to his party.
Police confirmed they arrested a suspect carrying a knife and said officers found it during a search.
Police said the suspect is a Jerusalem resident in his 20s and was taken for questioning.
Golan leads The Democrats, a left-wing party formed from elements of Israel’s Labour Party.
Golan is part of an electoral alliance led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Golan’s party said Israel’s Shin Bet took responsibility for his security after a prolonged legal battle.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iran is resisting a new ceasefire unless the United States lifts sanctions and its naval blockade, and provides guarantees against renewed attacks. Tehran sees control of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, while regional governments and China are pursuing diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the US-Israel war on Iran.
Key Facts
China said it would send an envoy to countries in the region to help prevent another escalation.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye met Iranian officials and agreed to continue talks on regional peace and security.
Iran is seeking sanctions relief, an end to the US blockade of its Gulf ports and guarantees against renewed US attacks.
Iran says it will help restore normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for those measures.
Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
The United States wants Iran to make further concessions, including on its nuclear programme, before negotiating a final peace settlement.
The article says past ceasefire and diplomatic efforts broke down amid renewed attacks, strengthening Tehran’s demand for durable guarantees.
Trump said he had not decided whether to reach a deal with Iran or intensify military action, and had said attacks would wait until after the November 3 US midterm elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nearly 45 percent of Israeli voters had cast ballots by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the highest turnout recorded by that time in 50 years and 6 percentage points above the pace in 2022. The election focuses in part on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent wars; a civil rights group asked election officials to investigate reported delays at polling stations.
Key Facts
Israel’s Central Elections Committee reported that almost 45 percent of voters had cast ballots by 2 p.m.
Turnout was 6 percentage points higher than at the same time during the 2022 election.
Pollster Mitchell Barak said high turnout could help incumbent parties because parties need at least 3.25 percent of the vote to enter the Knesset.
Israeli officials reported long lines at several polling stations amid rainy and blustery weather in parts of the country.
Netanyahu urged his supporters to vote and said turnout was high among left-wing voters and Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Palestinian candidate Ahmed Tibi said Palestinian citizens of Israel were voting in unprecedented numbers.
Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot have ruled out partnering with Arab parties.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel asked the Central Elections Committee to investigate delays reported in at least 18 communities and concerns about police presence at a Negev polling station.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Israeli military said it detained an Egyptian civilian overnight after he crossed from Egypt into Israel near Nitzana. The man was transferred to security forces for questioning, and Israeli authorities are investigating; Egyptian officials have not publicly commented.
Key Facts
The Israeli military announced the detention on Tuesday.
The military said the man crossed a border fence from Egyptian territory into Israel near Nitzana.
The military did not disclose the man’s identity, motive, or whether he carried anything.
Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 reported that surveillance spotted the crossing and troops were sent to arrest the man.
Israeli outlet Ynet reported that the military was treating the incident seriously and investigating it.
Nitzana is in southern Israel near the Egyptian border, opposite the Al-Awja area.
Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979.
Ynet reported the crossing occurred less than a year after Israel’s defence minister declared the adjacent area a closed military zone and changed open-fire rules.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is traveling to the Philippines for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, where officials will discuss regional security and defense ties. The talks come amid South China Sea tensions and questions about Washington’s commitment to the region after shifting some military assets to the Middle East during its conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
The meeting runs from Wednesday to Thursday in the Philippines and brings together ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners.
India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and China are among the countries expected to send representatives.
The agenda includes Myanmar’s civil war and maritime disputes involving China and Southeast Asian countries.
The Philippines is expected to press ASEAN to finalize a code of conduct with China for managing South China Sea disputes.
The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
The U.S. Naval Institute reported at least eight close encounters in the South China Sea and nearby Luzon Strait this month.
China has not confirmed whether Defense Minister Dong Jun will attend in person; analysts say a meeting with Hegseth is possible.
U.S. military asset moves from South Korea and Japan to the Middle East have raised questions in Asia about Washington’s regional commitment.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre initiated a direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday morning. The call took place amid diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war with Ukraine; the article excerpt does not include further details about what the leaders said.
Key Facts
Alexander Stubb is Finland’s president.
Jonas Gahr Støre is Norway’s prime minister.
Stubb and Støre initiated a direct call with Vladimir Putin.
The call took place on Tuesday morning.
The call came amid broader diplomatic efforts to wind down Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The leaders described the call in a joint press release.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
An unnamed celebrity is asking London’s High Court to stop ITN and The Guardian from publishing his identity and allegations of sexual misconduct involving girls and young women. He denies the allegations; the court is weighing his claimed suicide risk against the public interest in publication.
Key Facts
The celebrity is seeking an injunction against two news organisations.
The allegations say he used his celebrity status to pursue sexual relationships with girls and young women.
The celebrity denies abusing his position to contact young women and teenagers in an attempt to have sex with them.
His legal team told the court publication would be highly likely to lead him to suicide and said he feared trial by media.
ITN and The Guardian argued that his suicide risk could be reduced and that there was no proper basis to block public-interest reporting.
A medical report said inpatient treatment could reduce the risk, though not eliminate it.
Justice Nicklin said the case involved significant public interest and urged the press and public not to speculate about the celebrity’s identity.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
