World News

France: High schools blocked again as students reject government responses as 'meaningless'

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

Students blocked schools and universities across France on Thursday, November 5, 2026. They said the government’s response to their concerns was insufficient.

Key Facts

Students blocked schools and universities across France.
The protests took place on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Students described the government’s response as insufficient.
The article identifies the protests as student-led.
The report was published by France 24.

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France24

Bomb threats disrupt at least 15 flights across Europe, raising hybrid war fears

November 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Bomb threats disrupted at least 15 flights across Europe on Thursday, causing diversions, emergency landings and searches. All affected planes landed safely, and initial inspections found no suspicious items; authorities and airlines described some warnings as hoaxes, while the source and any coordination remain unconfirmed.

Key Facts

The alerts affected flights involving Italy, Ireland, the UK, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Finland, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Greece and Czechia.
Airlines named among those affected included Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Wizz Air, Finnair and LOT.
Two Ryanair flights bound for Sofia made emergency landings there; another flight from London landed in Plovdiv after diversion.
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome diverted to a French military airbase, and a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw diverted to Vienna.
Police searches at Prague airport and inspections of some planes in Bulgaria found no issues, officials said.
The threats followed seven flight alerts on Tuesday and a separate diversion on Monday; the article does not confirm whether the incidents were coordinated.
An Italian news agency, citing police sources, reported that an anonymous email in Italian warned of threats against flights to Rome.
Some analysts have speculated that the disruptions may be part of a broader hybrid campaign, but no responsible actor has been identified. The Kremlin denied responsibility for separate cyber-attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.

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Guardian World

Workers strike across France, hundreds of thousands expected to protest

November 05, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

Trade unions called workers across France to strike, with demonstrations expected in 260 cities and towns. Protesters are demanding higher wages, tax changes and better school conditions amid broader concerns about living costs.

Key Facts

Protests took place in Marseille, Lyon and Nantes on Thursday morning, with a Paris rally scheduled for 13:00 GMT.
Organisers expected hundreds of thousands of people to demonstrate.
The Education Ministry expected 16 percent of teachers nationwide to strike.
President Emmanuel Macron held a defence and security meeting on Wednesday to address public order.
Reuters reported that riot police fired tear gas at a demonstration in Lyon.
France has seen repeated protests since September, when students began protesting conditions at public high schools.
Reuters reported that a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting was moved from Marseille to Paris after six weeks of nationwide protests.

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Al Jazeera

Newly found prehistoric "giant rat" species named after princess

November 05, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Researchers identified a previously unknown rodent species from two fossilized teeth found in southern Thailand. The animal lived about 33 to 35 million years ago, weighed an estimated 30 kilograms, and was named Yakamys sirindhornae in honor of Princess Sirindhorn.

Key Facts

The fossils were found in 2004 at a coal mine in Krabi province.
Researchers from Thailand, France, and Canada identified the species through detailed analysis of a molar and an incisor.
The study was published in Scientific Reports.
The rodent belonged to the extinct Ischyromyidae family, an early major group of rodents.
The researchers estimated that it weighed around 30 kilograms, or 66 pounds.
Only two teeth have been found, so its appearance, diet, and behavior are unknown.
The Krabi basin has also yielded fossils of ancient primates, carnivores, and hoofed mammals.

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CBS News

Could this be the last Bonfire Night for noisy fireworks?

November 05, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

The UK government is considering cutting by half the permitted noise level for the loudest fireworks sold for private use. Campaigners say loud bangs can distress pets and trigger PTSD symptoms, while fireworks industry representatives warn that tighter limits could fuel illegal sales.

Key Facts

The government is reviewing fireworks rules focused on noise and antisocial behaviour.
About 20 million people in the UK use fireworks at home each year, according to industry figures.
The proposed change would reduce the limit for the noisiest fireworks for private use by 50%.
Dog owner Katherine Alderson said she uses insulation to reduce the noise reaching her home during fireworks celebrations.
Combat Stress says calls to its helpline rise around this time of year because fireworks can trigger PTSD symptoms in veterans.
Combat Stress is not calling for a ban and says it recognizes the cultural importance of fireworks displays.
The British Fireworks Association warned that stricter limits could lead to more illegal sales and make fireworks harder to regulate.
It is already illegal in the UK to sell fireworks to people under 18 or to set them off after 23:00, with exemptions for specified occasions.

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BBC Top Stories

Security ⁠officer killed in stabbing attack in Jordan’s capital

November 05, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

A security officer was killed in a stabbing attack in Amman on Thursday, and a second officer and the attacker were injured. Jordanian authorities said a preliminary investigation indicated the attacker had planned to target security officers; they arrested him and began investigating the incident.

Key Facts

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said a member of its forces died after being attacked with a sharp object in Amman.
State-run Al-Mamlaka TV reported that the attacker tried to seize the dead officer’s weapon.
A second security officer intervened and was injured, along with the attacker.
Authorities arrested the attacker, according to Al-Mamlaka TV.
The Public Security Directorate said a preliminary investigation indicated the attacker had planned to target officers of the General Security Directorate.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Amman said the attack took place near its premises, the Associated Press reported.
It was not immediately clear whether the stabbing was related to a recent deadly attack at a church in southern Jordan.

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Al Jazeera

‘Neocolonial belch’: what can Britain learn from backlash to Dutch slavery apology?

November 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Andy Burnham has pledged to seek dialogue with former colonies as Britain considers its first formal state apology for slavery, while ruling out reparations. The Netherlands’ experience shows that apologies can acknowledge historical harm but may not resolve descendants’ calls for change and justice.

Key Facts

The Netherlands began a series of public apologies in 2021, starting with Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema.
In December 2022, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized on behalf of the government for the Dutch state’s role in slavery.
Rutte said the Dutch state had enabled, encouraged and profited from slavery for more than 250 years.
The article estimates Dutch merchants trafficked about 600,000 enslaved Africans across the Atlantic and between 660,000 and 1 million across the Indian Ocean and East Indies.
The Netherlands legally abolished slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean in 1863, but enslaved people there did not gain freedom until 1873.
Dutch campaigners began demanding accountability in the 1980s, and slavery entered the school curriculum in 2006.
Linda Nooitmeer, a former chair of NiNsee, said the apology helped restore ancestors’ humanity but had not resolved concerns about the rights of people of African descent.

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Guardian World

Iran is the biggest winner of Tuesday’s election

November 05, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

The article says Tehran may see Tuesday’s U.S. election as a win for Iran, but the excerpt does not explain the election results. It reports that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson urged Americans to vote against President Donald Trump in the midterm elections, arguing that this could change U.S. policy toward Tehran.

Key Facts

The article frames Iran as a possible beneficiary of Tuesday’s election.
The excerpt does not state the election’s results.
Last month, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson sent a 25-page letter addressed to the American public.
The spokesperson was identified as Gen. Hossein Mohebbi.
Mohebbi urged Americans to vote against President Donald Trump in the midterm elections.
Mohebbi said a vote against Trump could change U.S. policy toward Tehran.

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The Hill

US Embassy Issues France Travel Warning as Nationwide Strike Chaos Looms

November 05, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

The U.S. Embassy in Paris warned Americans that a nationwide French strike on November 5 could disrupt public transport, flights and public services. Demonstrations are expected across the country, amid union demands over wages, pensions, public services and proposed 2027 budgets.

Key Facts

The embassy issued its alert on November 4.
The strike is expected to involve teachers, health care workers, government employees and public transport workers.
The CGT said it had recorded 1,512 strike calls and listed planned demonstrations in several French cities.
Rail disruptions could start the evening of November 4, while metro services may face delays and station closures.
Paris transport operator RATP said several metro stations would close from 10:45 a.m. on November 5 at police request.
The embassy advised travelers to contact their airlines because flights could be affected.
The U.S. State Department's France advisory is Level 2, or “Exercise Increased Caution,” due to terrorism and unrest.
French authorities reported violence at recent demonstrations, including an attack on military officers in Paris on October 31.

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Newsweek

Bomb threats cause major flight disruptions across Europe

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

Bomb threats forced airliners to make unplanned landings across Europe on Thursday morning, causing major flight disruptions. No country has blamed anyone for the threats, which came amid European officials’ accusations that Russia and Iran have carried out hybrid attacks and sabotage; both countries deny this.

Key Facts

The threats prompted airliners to make unplanned landings across Europe.
The disruptions happened on Thursday morning, November 5, 2026.
The article describes the threats as part of a series targeting flights in Europe.
No country has attributed responsibility for the threats.
European officials have blamed Russia and Iran for what they call hybrid attacks and sabotage.
Moscow and Tehran deny carrying out such a campaign.

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France24

Hong Kong activist jailed for 10 more years for collusion with foreign forces

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced on Thursday to 10 more years in prison for colluding with foreign powers. He has already spent almost six years behind bars and is now not due for release until late 2036.

Key Facts

Wong was sentenced on November 5, 2026.
The sentence is for colluding with foreign powers.
This is the second time Wong has been penalized under Hong Kong’s national security law.
Wong has spent almost six years in prison.
His expected release date is now late 2036.
Wong is a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

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France24

Police and firefighters around UK gear up for Bonfire Night disorder

November 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Police and fire services across the UK are preparing for possible disorder on Bonfire Night, following reports of fireworks being used against people and buildings. Police are increasing patrols and using measures such as dispersal orders and fireworks control zones, while firefighters’ unions warn that attacks and limited resources threaten crews and their ability to respond.

Key Facts

Seven people were arrested in Birmingham after fireworks were set off in the city centre on Halloween.
A pub landlady in Salford said a group of about 60 teenagers surrounded her pub, fired fireworks at it and harassed passersby.
Police in Scotland are mounting their largest operation since Donald Trump’s visit to the country last year, with officers and vehicles brought in from England and Wales.
Fireworks control zones in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow prohibit the use of pyrotechnics.
Police in West Yorkshire said the period around 5 November is one of their busiest times of the year; riot officers and helicopters are regularly deployed in Leeds’s Hyde Park area.
Police seized 30 tonnes of illegal fireworks in Bradford and Halifax before Halloween and Bonfire Night.
In England, 129 firefighters were injured in attacks in the year ending March 2025, up from 96 the previous year; 13 injuries were serious.
Scotland’s fire and rescue service recorded 16 physical attacks on firefighters and 20 attacks on property and equipment in 2025-26.

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Guardian World

Kenyan pharmacists warn against viral craze of using allergy drug for vaginal tightening

November 05, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

Kenyan pharmacists warned against inserting cetirizine tablets into the vagina after social media posts promoted the allergy medicine as a way to create vaginal tightness. They said the tablets are made to be swallowed, and that dryness can cause discomfort and tissue injury rather than strengthen vaginal muscles.

Key Facts

The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya said cetirizine has not been tested or approved for vaginal use.
Cetirizine is an oral antihistamine commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms.
The trend began with TikTok posts claiming the drug could reduce vaginal moisture and create a sensation of tightness during sex.
The pharmacists advised anyone who has tried the practice to stop and seek medical care for symptoms such as pain, bleeding, burning, itching, unusual discharge or fever.
Kenya’s health ministry expressed concern about the trend a day before the pharmacists’ warning.
The pharmacists said reports indicated higher demand, rising prices and shortages at some pharmacies.
A senior health official suggested tracking medicine distribution and purchases, but authorities have announced no formal decision.

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BBC Top Stories

Hoax bomb threats affect at least 20 European flights in a week

November 05, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

At least 15 commercial flights across Europe faced bomb threats on Thursday, bringing the number affected this week to more than 20. The planes landed safely or were diverted, and authorities reported finding no explosives or suspicious items in the searches described in the article; officials had not identified who was behind the threats.

Key Facts

An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome diverted to a French military air base, where all 151 passengers and six crew members left the plane safely.
A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome received a fighter-jet escort, and Rome's main airport paused flights for 30 minutes.
Wizz Air flights bound for Warsaw and Bucharest were targeted; both landed safely, with the Warsaw-bound flight rerouted to Vienna.
A LOT flight from Warsaw to Brussels landed safely, and a security check found no hazardous or suspicious items.
Three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia made emergency landings in Bulgaria; authorities reported finding no explosives or suspicious items.
Four flights headed to Prague landed and were checked, with police reporting no explosives or suspicious devices.
Flights arriving in Milan from Thessaloniki and Porto landed safely after bomb alerts; technicians were inspecting the planes.
At least seven other flights had received bomb threats earlier in the week, and some threats were sent to airlines by email.

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CBS News

Houthi missiles fired at Medina intercepted, Saudi coalition says

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi group toward the Medina region on Thursday. Saudi civil defence had issued a warning about potential danger near the Red Sea port of Yanbu shortly before, but officials did not say whether the events were connected.

Key Facts

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said air defences intercepted and destroyed the missile.
The coalition said the missile was aimed at the Medina region, which includes one of Islam’s holiest cities.
Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency issued a warning about potential danger in Yanbu Governorate.
Officials did not establish a link between the missile interception and the Yanbu warning.
The Houthis have said they would not target the holy cities of Mecca or Medina.
The article says the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Yanbu in recent months.
Yanbu is the Red Sea terminus of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, which lets the kingdom transport oil without using the Strait of Hormuz.

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France24

How elderly ‘unsung heroes’ powered Lula’s historic fightback in Brazil

November 05, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Older Brazilians who skipped the first round returned to vote in the runoff, and the article says their turnout helped Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeat Flávio Bolsonaro and secure a fourth term. More than 1.4 million of the 3 million additional runoff voters were over 70, though experts were still studying how the vote shifted.

Key Facts

Celia de Oliveira Soares, 101, went to a polling place in Rio de Janeiro and voted for Lula.
Soares was among more than 1 million older people who missed the 4 October first round but voted in the runoff on 25 October.
The article says Lula became the first candidate in Brazil’s democratic era to recover from losing the first round and win the election.
Lula gained 10.3 million votes between the first and second rounds.
Of 3 million additional voters in the runoff, 1.4 million were over 70.
Other factors cited for Lula’s gains included expanded welfare benefits, a large WhatsApp mobilization and student-led street protests.
A 114-year-old retiree, Josefa Pereira da Conceição, voted in Brazil’s northeast wearing a shirt supporting Lula.
Lula thanked older voters at his 81st birthday event and praised images of elderly people being brought to polling places.

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Guardian World

South Africans eager to vote as local elections put failing services in focus

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

South Africans voted in local elections on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Corruption, failing infrastructure and worsening essential services were key issues shaping the vote.

Key Facts

The elections were held on Wednesday, November 4.
Nearly 30 million people were eligible to vote.
The elections were local, covering communities across South Africa.
Corruption was among the issues shaping the vote.
Failing infrastructure and deteriorating essential services were also key concerns.
FRANCE 24 correspondent Eunice Masson reported from the ground.

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France24

Investigation after 'hundreds' of letters found dumped

November 05, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

Royal Mail is investigating after about 400 undelivered letters were found on a country road in the Mobuoy area outside Londonderry. Police said follow-up inquiries led to the discovery and seizure of more mail, and are continuing inquiries with Royal Mail.

Key Facts

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said an estimated 400 unopened letters were handed to his office after they were found on Wednesday.
The letters were found in the Mobuoy area outside Londonderry.
Many letters were bundled with elastic bands and addressed to people in the Derry area.
Durkan said some letters appeared to come from health trusts, government departments and banks.
Royal Mail said its teams would recover and process the mail so it could be returned to the postal network for delivery.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said follow-up inquiries led to the discovery and seizure of a further quantity of mail.
Police said their inquiries are ongoing and they are liaising with Royal Mail.

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BBC Top Stories

Sudan accuses Ethiopia of allowing RSF drone launches from its territory

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

Sudan accused Ethiopia of allowing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to launch drones from Ethiopian territory. FRANCE 24 discussed what the allegation could indicate about the RSF’s military capabilities and foreign support with Ali Mahmoud Ali, a Sudan researcher at the conflict-monitoring group ACLED.

Key Facts

Sudan accused Ethiopia of permitting RSF drone launches from its territory.
The RSF is a paramilitary force involved in Sudan’s conflict.
FRANCE 24 interviewed Sudan researcher Ali Mahmoud Ali about the allegation.
Ali Mahmoud Ali works with ACLED, which monitors conflicts worldwide.
The report raises questions about the RSF’s military capabilities and foreign backing.

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France24

Ethiopian families fleeing conflict face difficulties with food access

November 05, 2026 • France24

Summary

Renewed conflict in Ethiopia has displaced thousands of civilians. Years of war and major budget cuts have left many camps for internally displaced people with little humanitarian support, limiting residents’ access to food and health care.

Key Facts

Renewed conflict in Ethiopia has displaced thousands of civilians.
Many displaced people live in camps within Ethiopia.
Humanitarian organisations have largely left many of the camps.
The article links reduced aid to years of war and heavy budget cuts.
Many camp residents lack access to food.
Many camp residents also lack access to health care.
FRANCE 24 correspondent Tom Canetti reported on the situation.

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