A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tibet killed at least 16 people, while attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia pushed Brent crude to a five-month high. Russia said it would resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine as strikes continued on both sides. Finland licensed the world's first deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel, and Pope Leo's doctors said he needs no further cancer treatment.
World mood: Uneasy · 68 stories from 621 headlines
Magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tibet kills at least 16
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu, northern Tibet, at 10:33 pm on Thursday, killing at least 16 people. The latest local figures put injuries at 65, with at least 339 homes collapsed and at least seven aftershocks recorded. Search and rescue work is continuing, according to the Nagqu media office.
Why it matters: Chinese media called it the most powerful quake to hit the region in five years, leaving hundreds of families in a remote high-altitude area without homes.
Tibet sits on the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes the plateau prone to strong earthquakes. Nagqu is a sparsely populated prefecture north of the regional capital Lhasa.
Iran says seven tankers hit or damaged in Strait of Hormuz
Iran said seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight into Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they hit four vessels in the northern Gulf and that three more struck naval mines near the strait. Seafarers told Euronews that traffic through the waterway has fallen 90% since the war began and that at least 95 commercial seafarers have died.
Why it matters: The strait is a main route for Gulf oil and gas exports, so damage to tankers there feeds directly into world energy prices.
The United States and Iran have been at war since earlier this year, and the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Shipping through Hormuz has been repeatedly disrupted by attacks and mines.
US and Israel reported to be planning new strikes on Iran
A person briefed on war planning told NPR the US and Israel are preparing for a possible attack on Iran in early November, after the US midterm elections. President Trump told reporters the US had "knocked the hell out of them" and "may do it a little bit further." US Central Command said its naval blockade of Iran has stopped all seaborne trade except approved humanitarian aid for 100 days, and Iran said it is prepared.
Why it matters: Gulf states are bracing for renewed full-scale war, and Iran has said it would respond against countries in the region.
The US and Israel have fought Iran for about eight months, with strikes on Iranian territory and a US naval blockade. Both the US and Israel hold elections in the coming weeks.
Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites kill several
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continued, including a strike on King Fahd airport in Dammam that killed an Indian national, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh and drones aimed at the south. Saudi officials said drone debris killed two workers at an Aramco-operated oil field. The US ordered some diplomats and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, and Egypt's parliament will vote next week on authorizing military support for Riyadh.
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi energy and aviation sites have prompted US staff withdrawals across the Gulf, though the IMF says the economic impact on the kingdom is limited so far.
Yemen's Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, has fought a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The group has stepped up cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.
Brent crude rose above $113 a barrel, its highest level since May, after attacks in Saudi Arabia, tanker hits near Hormuz and Trump's remarks on possible new strikes on Iran. Brent stood at $113.62 in the latest data, up 6.6% over the month. Citi said it sees more upside risk to prices, while rising Chinese imports suggest China is drawing less from its stockpiles.
Why it matters: Higher crude prices raise fuel and heating costs for households and businesses worldwide.
Oil has stayed above $100 for much of the year since the Iran war disrupted Gulf shipments. China, the largest crude importer, had been drawing on its large inventories to limit purchases.
Putin agrees to resume talks as strikes on Kyiv continue
Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine next month, aimed at a final agreement rather than a pause in fighting, after meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Hours later Russian missiles struck Kyiv, and Ukrainian authorities reported at least nine people killed across the country in 24 hours, while Moscow said it downed hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks showed "no real change" in Russia's attitude.
Why it matters: The resumption of three-way talks is the latest US attempt to end Europe's largest war, though fighting has not eased.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Previous rounds of US-brokered talks have not produced a ceasefire, and the Kremlin has said European and Ukrainian proposals lack substance.
France restricts protests and extends Paris curfew after riots
President Emmanuel Macron said only union-organized protests will be allowed after weekend riots, and Lyon and Marseille banned all protests on Saturday. Paris extended an 11 pm to 6 am curfew in some areas until Monday, top museums will close Saturday, and police numbers will rise 20%; a court lifted a Paris ban for Thursday's student march, which drew thousands. Macron blamed "ultra-left groups," and France's 10-year bond yield hit a 24-year high.
Why it matters: The unrest and rising borrowing costs add pressure on the eurozone's second-largest economy.
Student protests that began in French schools grew over several weeks into the country's largest demonstrations in decades. Last weekend a town hall was set on fire and more than 2,000 shops were looted.
Study estimates heat killed 50,000 in European cities this summer
New research estimates that heat killed a record 50,000 people in European cities between June and August, with scientists attributing two in three of those deaths to climate change. Death rates were highest in Malta, Italy and Hungary, and researchers said poor health, loneliness and poverty worsened the toll.
Why it matters: The findings put a figure on the health cost of hotter summers for Europe's urban populations.
Europe is warming faster than the global average, and heatwaves have become more frequent and intense. Older and isolated people are especially vulnerable.
IUCN classifies 96% of assessed coral reefs as critically endangered
In its first global assessment of coral reef ecosystems, the IUCN classified 96% of assessed shallow-water reef systems as critically endangered. It warned nearly all reefs risk collapse within 50 years.
Why it matters: Coral reefs support fisheries, tourism and coastal protection for hundreds of millions of people.
The IUCN is the world authority on the conservation status of species and ecosystems. Coral reefs have suffered repeated mass bleaching events driven by warming oceans.
Polls show tie before Brazil's Lula-Bolsonaro runoff
Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro is within the margin of error, with pollsters describing a technical tie. The candidates face each other in a final debate. Lula has said his rival should be disqualified over alleged favoritism by Meta, which the company denies.
Why it matters: The result will shape policy in Latin America's largest economy, including management of the Amazon rainforest.
Lula, of the left-wing Workers' Party, returned to power in 2023. Flávio Bolsonaro is a senator and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The Nasdaq fell 2.6% as investors questioned heavy spending on artificial intelligence, and the S&P 500 closed down 1.21%. Meta shares sank nearly 7% after AI spending pushed its free cash flow negative, and its credit default swap prices reached record highs; CoreWeave shares are down 36% in October. Nvidia's Jensen Huang said demand for neocloud firms is strong but capital is scarce.
Why it matters: AI-related firms account for a large share of US market value, so doubts about their spending weigh on global stocks.
Large tech firms have committed hundreds of billions of dollars to AI data centers and chips. Investors have debated whether returns will justify the outlays.
AI-found PHP flaws force websites offline worldwide
Governments and companies took websites offline after PHP's developers disclosed two critical vulnerabilities, found by AI, that let attackers run code on servers without logging in. Fixes were released Wednesday, but a major tech firm reported millions of exploitation attempts and Amazon said it saw attacks before the warning went public. A UK minister said 500 new vulnerabilities had been found in government systems.
Why it matters: PHP underpins a large share of the internet, so unpatched servers worldwide are exposed.
PHP is a widely used programming language for websites. AI tools are increasingly being used to search software code for security flaws.
Ebola cases rise in Kenya as Nigeria traces imported case
Kenya is searching for a Ugandan contact of its first Ebola patient as confirmed cases linked to the Nairobi cluster rose to nine. Africa CDC is seeking the full travel history of Nigeria's imported Bundibugyo case, a Uganda-born woman living in Abuja, and its head warned leaders against politicizing the outbreak. Liberia tightened screening and Nigeria's Anambra state deployed nurses to its airport.
Why it matters: Cases in two major regional hubs raise the risk of wider spread across East and West Africa.
Ebola is a severe viral disease spread through bodily fluids. The Bundibugyo strain has no licensed vaccine, unlike the Zaire strain.
BBC investigation finds RSF deliberately targeted Sudan hospitals
A BBC investigation found that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces deliberately targeted hospitals. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the multiple attacks may amount to war crimes.
Why it matters: Attacks on hospitals deepen a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions of Sudanese.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary RSF have been at war since April 2023. Both sides have been accused of abuses against civilians.
WMO says current El Niño could be unprecedented in strength
The World Meteorological Organization said the current El Niño could be the strongest on record, with tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures possibly reaching 3.8°C above average from November to January. UN officials said it could cause floods and droughts worldwide; rain linked to it has sent near-record flows over Iguazú Falls.
Why it matters: Strong El Niño events disrupt rainfall, crops and fisheries across several continents.
El Niño is a periodic warming of the eastern tropical Pacific that shifts global weather patterns. Its effects come on top of long-term climate warming.
WHO warns of critical hospital shortages in Yemen's Taiz
The World Health Organization said 42 health facilities in Taiz city face acute shortages of fuel, oxygen, medicines and supplies, and that fuel shortages are disrupting water pumping and sanitation. A health ministry spokesperson said a Saudi strike on a house in Taiz governorate killed one civilian and wounded four. Fighting has also resumed on the city's outskirts.
Why it matters: Shortages threaten patients and raise disease risks in one of Yemen's largest cities as the regional war widens.
Taiz has been contested between pro-government forces and the Houthis for years. Yemen already faces one of the world's most severe hunger crises.
President Trump said Elon Musk has restored Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite network after speed and access restrictions, but declined to describe how it happened. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had asked Musk to lift a slowdown. Musk has repeatedly denied restricting access.
Why it matters: Ukraine's armed forces rely on Starlink for communications, so access affects its military operations.
SpaceX's Starlink has provided satellite internet to Ukraine since early in the war. Disputes over access have raised questions in several countries about dependence on privately controlled technology.
About 150,000 rally in Belgrade before Serbian election
About 150,000 supporters of the student-backed Student List movement rallied in central Belgrade on Thursday ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election. The leaderless movement aims to unseat the party of Aleksandar Vucic, which has governed for 12 years. Students traveled from across Serbia for the final rally.
Why it matters: The vote is the biggest electoral challenge the governing party has faced, with implications for Serbia's path toward the EU.
Student-led protests began in Serbia in late 2024 and grew into a broad movement against government corruption. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party has dominated politics since 2012.
Venezuelans hold first national protest in two years demanding elections
Thousands of Venezuelans protested across the country calling for elections, the first national demonstration in nearly two years. No date has been set to choose a successor to Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by US forces. Opposition leader María Corina Machado, outside the country for nearly a year, has said elections must be held by July 2027.
Why it matters: The timing of a vote will determine who governs Venezuela after Maduro's removal.
Maduro's 2024 re-election was disputed by the opposition and many foreign governments. Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize after living in hiding.
Former presidential candidate Luisa González was arrested in Ecuador in an investigation into alleged money laundering in campaign financing. Her Citizen Revolution Movement called the arrest politically motivated and demanded her release.
Why it matters: The arrest of the main opposition figure affects Ecuador's political balance.
González, an ally of former president Rafael Correa, lost presidential runoffs to Daniel Noboa. Ecuador has also faced a severe security crisis, including deadly prison riots.
El Salvador launches military operation in Haiti to free technicians
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele launched a military operation in Haiti to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians from the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, who have been held by gangs since Sunday. El Salvador deployed 100 special forces soldiers, and the US backed the effort. Bukele warned a larger operation would follow if the men were not freed.
Why it matters: The kidnapping tests the international force deployed to counter gangs that control much of Haiti's capital.
Armed gangs have controlled large parts of Port-au-Prince for years. A UN-backed Gang Suppression Force was set up to support Haitian police.
Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in New Mexico privacy case
A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $25 billion over user data privacy, in a case tied to Facebook's former friend-sharing feature and the Cambridge Analytica scandal. It is the largest fine yet against Facebook's owner, exceeding an $18 billion deal with California.
Why it matters: The penalty adds to financial pressure on Meta as investors question its AI spending.
In 2018 it emerged that data from millions of Facebook users had been harvested by the consultancy Cambridge Analytica. Meta has faced lawsuits from several US states over privacy.
Elon Musk revived talk of combining SpaceX and Tesla, calling it "a good idea"; a merged company would be worth about $3.5 trillion, the largest corporate deal on record. Any deal would need approval from 50% of Tesla shareholders. Tesla beat third-quarter earnings forecasts, and SpaceX recorded a $561 million gain from its stake in Boring Co.
Why it matters: The combination would create one of the world's most valuable companies under one owner.
Musk runs Tesla, SpaceX and several other firms. He has also spent heavily in US election campaigns.
UK consumer confidence falls at fastest rate since Brexit vote
UK consumer confidence fell at its fastest rate outside the Covid pandemic since the 2016 Brexit vote, according to GfK's barometer. The drop was linked to cost-of-living pressure from the Middle East war and comes less than a week before Chancellor John Healey's first budget.
Why it matters: Weaker household sentiment can reduce spending and adds pressure on the government's budget plans.
Higher energy prices since the Iran war began have raised household bills in Britain. Consumer spending is a major driver of UK growth.
Barclays said it will cut 5,000 jobs, about 5% of its workforce, as it relies more on artificial intelligence. The bank cited efficiency savings from AI tools.
Why it matters: It is one of the largest AI-linked job cuts announced by a major bank.
Banks have been among the earliest large employers to deploy AI for customer service and back-office work.
Italian truck drivers blocked refineries and major roads to protest high diesel prices, leaving some supermarket shelves and petrol stations empty in southern Italy. The government warned blockers could face criminal penalties. Producers said halted buffalo mozzarella output has cost them €3 million.
Why it matters: The blockades show how high fuel prices are disrupting supply chains in Europe.
Diesel prices have climbed across Europe since the Iran war cut Gulf supplies. Road haulage carries most of Italy's goods.
Norway's $2.3 trillion wealth fund loses $30 billion in quarter
Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, reported a $30 billion loss for the third quarter. It said higher interest rates and market turbulence hit both its bond and equity holdings.
Why it matters: The fund owns stakes in thousands of companies worldwide, so its results reflect broad market stress.
Norway's fund was created to invest the country's oil and gas revenues for future generations. It holds about 1.5% of global listed shares.
Finland licenses world's first deep repository for spent nuclear fuel
Finland's government granted Posiva an operating license for the Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository at Eurajoki. It becomes the world's first licensed deep geological disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel.
Why it matters: It offers the first operating model for permanently storing high-level nuclear waste, a problem every nuclear-power country faces.
Onkalo is built deep in bedrock near the Olkiluoto nuclear plant. Most countries store spent fuel in temporary facilities.
Indonesia pauses large deforestation project after rice target met
Indonesian authorities paused what has been described as the world's largest deforestation project after reaching rice self-sufficiency about three years ahead of schedule. Around 4 million acres of rainforest, swamps and peatland could be spared, though the land's ultimate fate remains uncertain.
Why it matters: Peatlands and rainforests store large amounts of carbon, and clearing them releases emissions.
Indonesia launched large food estate projects to boost domestic rice production. Environmental groups had warned of the scale of forest clearance involved.
UN climate damages fund makes first country allocation to Nepal
The UN fund for climate loss and damage earmarked $20 million for Nepal after an August disaster, the first time it has allocated money to a specific country. The sum is a fraction of Nepal's own $5 billion loss estimate; the fund has $820 million in pledges against $2.8 billion in requests.
Why it matters: The first payout tests a mechanism that vulnerable countries fought for years to create.
The loss and damage fund was agreed at UN climate talks in 2022 to help poorer countries recover from climate-related disasters.
Pope Leo needs no further lung cancer treatment, doctors say
Pope Leo XIV's doctors said tests confirmed the lung tumor removed on October 13 was localized and that he needs no further treatment. The Vatican released the statement on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The outcome resolves uncertainty about the health of the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, was elected in 2025. He underwent surgery for lung adenocarcinoma earlier this month.
Aung San Suu Kyi speaks with son for first time in five years
Kim Aris spoke with his mother, detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, for 20 minutes by phone from Myanmar's embassy in London, their first contact in more than five years. He said she sounded "fairly healthy." The call came as restrictions on her detention have been loosened.
Why it matters: It is the first independent word on the health of Myanmar's best-known political prisoner in years.
Suu Kyi has been detained since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Her family had been unable to contact her.
European Parliament awards Sakharov Prize to the ICC
The European Parliament awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court and its officials for upholding international law and justice. The award came less than two weeks after President Trump announced sanctions against the court.
Why it matters: The prize signals EU backing for the court as it faces US sanctions.
The ICC in The Hague prosecutes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The US is not a member and has sanctioned court officials.
Drone strikes kill civilians in Ethiopia's Amhara and Tigray
Drone strikes on October 20 killed schoolchildren in Amhara and civilians in Tigray, residents told Addis Standard, as fighting continues between federal forces and armed opponents. Ethiopia has taken the border town of Zalambessa, raising fears of war with Eritrea, and hundreds of Ethiopians crossed into Kenya to flee separate fighting over a regional flag dispute.
Why it matters: Conflict on several fronts in Africa's second most populous country is pushing refugees across borders and raising the risk of interstate war.
Ethiopia has faced armed conflict in Tigray and Amhara in recent years. Relations with Eritrea have deteriorated since a 2022 peace deal ended the Tigray war.
Crowd beats foreign national to death in South Africa
A crowd of about 50 people beat an unidentified foreign national to death in South Africa. The killing follows a wave of anti-migrant protests in the country this year.
Why it matters: The attack raises concerns for the safety of migrants from across Africa living in South Africa.
South Africa has seen recurring outbreaks of violence against foreign nationals, often linked to unemployment and competition for jobs.
Police clashed with protesters in Tunisia's capital in rare unrest, as demonstrations took place in several cities. The protests coincide with a deepening economic, social and political crisis.
Why it matters: Street unrest is uncommon in Tunisia in recent years and signals growing public pressure on the government.
President Kais Saied has governed with expanded powers since suspending parliament in 2021. Tunisia faces high debt and shortages of basic goods.
North Korea says border loudspeakers will restart within days
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said propaganda loudspeakers along the entire border with South Korea will be ready within days. She was responding to a South Korean presidential adviser who accused the North of planting mines that wounded South Korean soldiers.
Why it matters: Resuming broadcasts would reverse a recent easing of tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The two Koreas have used loudspeaker broadcasts across the demilitarized zone as psychological warfare for decades, switching them off during periods of détente.
Taiwan closed offices and schools and cancelled hundreds of flights ahead of Typhoon Champi, which is weakening. Officials said the storm's radius of about 320 km is large enough to cover most of the island, and forecasters said its effects could last nearly two days.
Why it matters: The shutdown disrupts travel and business on an island central to global chip production.
Taiwan is regularly hit by typhoons between summer and autumn and has well-practiced closure procedures.
Canada unveils $6.2 billion plan for manufacturers hit by US tariffs
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $6.2 billion plan to support manufacturers affected by US tariffs, saying the tariffs weaken industry and reduce choice in both countries. The US Embassy in Ottawa said the Canadian government was brushing off concerns about potential interference in the US midterms, which Carney denies. Canada advised its diplomats in the US to avoid appearing with midterm candidates.
Why it matters: The two countries have one of the world's largest trading relationships, especially in auto manufacturing.
President Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and said he wants automakers to move production to the US. Relations between the neighbors have become strained.
UK approves Jackdaw gas field and creates energy wealth fund
The UK government approved the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea and announced a £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund to invest oil and gas tax revenues. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will block new North Sea licenses and keep Britain on track for net zero. Scottish politicians criticized the decision as taken outside Scotland.
Why it matters: The decision balances domestic gas supply against climate targets as UK energy bills rise.
North Sea output has declined for years, and governments have debated whether to approve new fields. Norway built a large wealth fund from its North Sea revenues.
US courts rule on voter ID and non-citizen voter checks
The US Supreme Court ruled that New Hampshire can bar student IDs as voter identification in next month's midterm election. Separately, a federal judge blocked Homeland Security operations in nine states aimed at identifying non-citizen voters, which critics said intimidate voters.
Why it matters: The rulings set voting rules less than two weeks before the November 3 midterms.
Voting rules have become a central dispute in US politics, with Republicans emphasizing fraud prevention and Democrats warning of voter suppression.
UAE nominates Lana Nusseibeh for UN secretary-general
The United Arab Emirates formally nominated its former UN ambassador Lana Nusseibeh to succeed António Guterres, adding a contender to a deadlocked race that includes Argentina's Rafael Grossi. Human rights groups criticized the nomination, citing UAE policy on Sudan and Israel.
Why it matters: The next secretary-general will lead the UN through several major wars and funding pressures.
Guterres's second term ends in 2026. The Security Council recommends a candidate, and its permanent members hold vetoes.
Israel arrests 36 in West Bank; strikes kill Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli forces arrested 36 Palestinians in the West Bank, and attacks on Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest have increased, Al Jazeera reported. Israeli strikes in Gaza City and Nuseirat killed at least two Palestinians. Drop Site News reported the UN will stop coordinating returnees' entry into Gaza from Egypt from mid-November, citing security risks and Israeli arrests.
Why it matters: Continued violence and restrictions affect Palestinian civilians ahead of Israel's election.
Israel and Hamas fought a devastating war in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Settler violence in the West Bank has risen during olive harvests in recent years.
American held by Russia since 2022 arrives in the US
Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen detained by Russia, has arrived in the United States, his lawyer said. His family says he was living in the Ukrainian city of Izium when Russian forces took him captive in 2022, and he was sentenced to almost seven years on accusations of acting as a mercenary for Kyiv. US envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Putin for his release.
Why it matters: The release came alongside Russia's agreement to resume peace talks, a gesture toward Washington.
Russia has detained several US citizens since the invasion of Ukraine, and some have been released through negotiations or exchanges.
Albanian lawmakers scuffle as student protests continue
Opposition and ruling party lawmakers scuffled in Albania's parliament after its leadership refused to debate ten days of student demonstrations in Tirana. Street incidents were minor on Thursday, and the student movement has called a national rally for October 24. Prime Minister Edi Rama has said "antifa" is behind the unrest, DW reported.
Why it matters: The protests are part of a wave of student demonstrations across Europe, from France to Serbia and Greece.
Young Albanians have been protesting against corruption. Edi Rama's Socialist Party has governed Albania since 2013.
Thousands protest across Poland for legal abortion access
Thousands of people demonstrated across Poland on the sixth anniversary of a Constitutional Tribunal ruling that imposed a near-total abortion ban. Activist Zofia Marcinek of the Abortion Dream Team called the government's draft laws "token gestures" a year before the next parliamentary election.
Why it matters: Poland has some of the strictest abortion laws in the EU, and the issue remains central to its politics.
In 2020 Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled abortion for fetal abnormalities unconstitutional. The current coalition government pledged to liberalize the law but has struggled to pass reforms.
Liechtenstein prince vetoes parliament's abortion bill
Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein used his veto for the first time in his reign to block a bill that would have brought abortion law closer to much of Europe. Parliament approved the bill last month following a citizens' initiative backed by a national petition, and campaigners expressed dismay.
Why it matters: The veto shows the direct power the monarchy retains over legislation in the microstate.
Liechtenstein's constitution gives the reigning prince the right to veto laws. Abortion is largely prohibited in the country.
Japan's core inflation rises to 2.1%, highest this year
Japan's core consumer prices, excluding fresh food, rose 2.1% in September, the highest rate this year. The figure matched economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll.
Why it matters: Inflation data feed into the Bank of Japan's decisions on interest rates.
Japan spent decades with very low inflation. The Bank of Japan targets inflation of 2%.
Native wildlife rebounds on Samoan island after invasive species removed
One year after invasive rats and pigs were removed from Nu'utele Island, its forests, wildlife and food resources are showing strong signs of recovery. The island is a Key Biodiversity Area for Samoa.
Why it matters: The results support island restoration efforts across the Pacific.
Invasive predators such as rats have driven declines in native birds and plants on many Pacific islands. Eradication programs have restored wildlife on several islands.
Cambridge team develops $10 lab-grade optical sensor
Researchers at Cambridge created a $10 optical sensor small enough for wearable devices that matches the precision of laboratory equipment. In tests it identified foods, plastics and medicines with 100% accuracy and showed it could monitor blood glucose and alcohol without needles.
Why it matters: Cheap non-invasive sensing could make health monitoring more accessible.
Spectroscopy identifies substances by how they interact with light, but lab instruments are usually large and expensive.
France reports first known human case of Shamonda virus
French health and agriculture ministries reported the first documented human case of Shamonda virus, an insect-borne livestock disease from Africa, in a patient who died in early October after being hospitalized for an unrelated condition. Authorities said there is no risk to the general population at this stage.
Why it matters: It is the first time the virus has been detected in a human anywhere.
Shamonda virus has circulated in cattle in Africa and Asia for decades and is spread by biting insects.
Senegal unions hold general strike over labor law reforms
Senegal's labor unions held a 72-hour general strike from October 21 to 23 in protest at reforms to the Labor Code and Social Security Code. The government says the strike is illegal because the unions' notice did not follow required procedures.
Why it matters: The standoff could disrupt economic activity and shape how the reforms are implemented.
Senegal's government has proposed changes to labor and social security rules, which unions oppose.
Guatemala jails seven ex-police over killing of gay couple
A Guatemalan court sentenced seven former police officers to prison terms of up to 60 years for the 2024 torture and killing of a gay couple at a police station.
Why it matters: The verdict holds police officers accountable in a case watched by rights groups in Central America.
Rights groups have long reported violence against LGBT people in Guatemala and few convictions of officials.
Colombia seizes 7.6 tonnes of Europe-bound cocaine
Colombian authorities seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine bound for the Netherlands at the port of Cartagena, which President Abelardo de la Espriella called the country's largest seizure in a decade. Two Dutch nationals wanted in the Netherlands were separately arrested in Colombia.
Why it matters: The seizure targets a major supply route of cocaine into European ports.
Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer, and much of the drug is shipped to Europe via container ports.
Australia offers astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for 2028 ISS mission
Australia's government sent an offer to the European Space Agency to fly astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station on a mission planned for 2028. She would become the first astronaut to fly under the Australian flag.
Why it matters: The mission would mark a milestone for Australia's space program.
Bennell-Pegg trained with ESA's astronaut corps and is this year's Australian of the Year.
Trump backs Ramaswamy ad featuring rival's estranged mother
President Trump told an Iowa rally he encouraged Vivek Ramaswamy to keep running an Ohio governor's race ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother disputing her account of her childhood. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, said the ad should come down, while Vice President JD Vance told Republicans to "stop whining." Acton called the ad "despicable."
Why it matters: The dispute has divided Republicans in a closely watched race ahead of the midterms.
Acton, a former Ohio health director, has said she experienced abuse and homelessness as a child. Ramaswamy is the Republican nominee for governor.
British singer Raye won the Mercury Prize for her album This Music May Contain Hope, beating Paul McCartney, Suede and Jade Thirlwall for the £25,000 award.
Daiki Hashimoto wins men's all-around gold at worlds
Japan's Daiki Hashimoto won the men's all-around title at the artistic gymnastics world championships, his seventh world title and fourth straight all-around crown.
Forge FC beat CF Montreal 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, becoming the first Canadian Premier League team to win the Canadian Championship.
Chornobyl fallout particles found unexpectedly stable
Using X-rays, scientists found that tiny radioactive particles left in Chornobyl soil 40 years after the disaster have trapped radioactive substances rather than releasing them.
Brent crude rose to $113.62, up 0.4% on the day and 6.6% over the month, after tanker attacks near Hormuz, Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and reports of planned US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Stocks fell on concerns over AI spending, with the S&P 500 down 1.21%, the Euro Stoxx 50 down 1.94% as French bond yields hit a 24-year high, and the Nikkei down 0.93%. The US 10-year yield dropped 3.75% to 4.953% as investors moved toward bonds, while gold slipped 0.95% to $4,021.90. Natural gas fell 2.5% and is down 17.3% over the month.
Gulf conflict lifts oil
Attacks on tankers in Hormuz and on Saudi oil and aviation sites, plus reports of new US-Israeli strike plans on Iran, pushed Brent to its highest since May. Higher fuel costs are feeding protests and weaker sentiment in Europe.
AI spending doubts hit stocks
Meta's negative free cash flow and CoreWeave's slide renewed questions about returns on AI investment, dragging the Nasdaq down 2.6%. Barclays' AI-linked job cuts and Musk's merger talk kept tech in focus.
Bond market stress and flight to safety
The US 10-year yield fell below 5% to its lowest in nearly a month as stocks slumped, while France's 10-year yield hit a 24-year high amid unrest. Norway's wealth fund reported a $30 billion quarterly loss from rate and market turbulence.
Cost of living and trade pressures
UK consumer confidence fell at its fastest rate since 2016, and Canada announced support for manufacturers hit by US tariffs while opening trade talks with Turkey. Japan's core inflation reached 2.1%, the highest this year.
Emerging markets before key votes
Brazil's Bovespa fell 1.15% days before Sunday's tied presidential runoff, though it remains up 8.9% over the month. Asian markets were mixed, with the Hang Seng up 0.58% and the Shanghai Composite down 1.2%.