US officials signaled possible new strikes on Iran, and Brent crude passed $117 a barrel at one point. France deployed about 70,000 police for another day of cost-of-living protests. Gunmen killed seven people at a church funeral in Karak, Jordan. Russia and Ukraine agreed to a local ceasefire in occupied Oleshky, so aid can reach residents who have survived on weeds.
World mood: Uneasy · 67 stories from 713 headlines
President Donald Trump said on Friday the US may launch "another little Epic Fury" on Iran. A US envoy said a strike could come this weekend. US intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned that Iranian plots against US personnel had reached advanced stages. An adviser to Iran's supreme leader said the threats showed "desperation."
Why it matters: Renewed fighting would threaten Gulf energy supplies and push fuel prices higher for households worldwide.
The US and Israel launched a joint operation called Epic Fury against Iran at the end of February, starting a war. Neither side has made major attacks on land targets since early September. The US ambassador to the UN said the war could last another year.
France deploys 70,000 police for new weekend of protests
France deployed about 70,000 police and gendarmes on Saturday for a new wave of nationwide protests. The Louvre and other major Paris museums closed. Protests were banned in Marseille and Lyon, and a partial curfew covers parts of Paris until Monday. Students, unions and Yellow Vests plan to march over study conditions and purchasing power.
Why it matters: Unrest in the euro area's second-largest economy disrupts daily life and adds pressure on France's budget and borrowing costs.
The movement began more than a month ago with high school students protesting learning conditions. It grew into a wider protest over the cost of living. Last weekend, looting and fires broke out on the sidelines of marches, including at Limoges city hall.
October has seen the most attacks on commercial ships on record near the Strait of Hormuz, a Washington think tank said. A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile seven nautical miles off Oman but kept sailing. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said two supertankers hit naval mines on an unauthorized route and were left stranded.
Why it matters: A large share of the world's oil passes through Hormuz, so attacks raise shipping costs and fuel prices.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to open sea. Iran borders its northern side. Shipping there has been targeted repeatedly since the Iran war began.
Oil hits six-month high on fears of renewed Iran war
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose about 3.5% on Friday and passed $117 a barrel at one point. That was its highest level since April. The US Energy Department approved an emergency loan of up to 400,000 barrels from its strategic reserve to a Louisiana refinery. The reserve is at its lowest since 1982.
Why it matters: Higher crude prices feed into fuel, airfares and shipping costs, and airlines report fewer passengers as fares rise.
Oil prices have been volatile since the Iran war began in February. Tehran has threatened Gulf refineries and data centers if attacks resume.
Israel launches West Bank operation after two soldiers killed
Israel began a large military operation in the occupied West Bank after gunmen killed two soldiers near Hebron on Friday. Troops sealed off Hebron and Halhul and raided at least 15 towns, detaining dozens of Palestinians. Bulldozers demolished shops and a factory. The UN said it was "extremely alarmed" by the closures.
Why it matters: The closure restricts movement and work for Palestinians across the territory days before Israel's election.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and about 3 million Palestinians live there along with Israeli settlers. The two gunmen were killed by troops; Hamas praised the attack without claiming it.
Israelis vote on Tuesday in a close election between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. On Friday, Netanyahu told Israelis to prepare for international banking sanctions. He suggested cryptocurrency could help get around them. AI-generated images have flooded the campaign.
Why it matters: The result will shape Israel's approach to the Iran war, Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank.
Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. This is the first parliamentary election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Neither main party is expected to win a majority alone.
Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, on Friday. Seven people were killed and 34 wounded, officials said. The attackers escaped, and a manhunt is under way. King Abdullah II called it terrorism and vowed the "harshest retaliation."
Why it matters: The attack targets Jordan's Christian minority and raises security concerns in a country seen as stable in the region.
Jordan has a long-established Christian community of Greek Orthodox and other churches. Karak lies about 180 km south of Amman.
Russia and Ukraine agree local ceasefire in Oleshky
Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, the White House said. Melania Trump's office said she brokered it; reports differ on whether it starts October 27 or 29. Non-military teams will bring aid and help residents leave. Some residents have reportedly survived on garden weeds.
Why it matters: Civilians cut off from food, water and power could receive aid or evacuate to either side.
Oleshky lies in Ukraine's Kherson region, on the Russian-held side of the Dnipro River. Russia has occupied it since 2022. CBC reported that Pope Leo also helped broker the deal.
Lula and Bolsonaro hold calmer final debate before tied runoff
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro held their last debate on Friday before Sunday's runoff. Bolsonaro apologized twice, and Lula accused him of "licking Trump's boots." A Datafolha poll shows each with 50% of valid votes. A court ordered transport for Indigenous voters.
Why it matters: Latin America's largest economy will choose between its left-wing president and a right-wing challenger, affecting Amazon policy and trade.
Lula has led Brazil since 2023 after earlier terms in the 2000s. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Voting is compulsory for most adults.
Kenya reports second Ebola death as outbreak reaches four countries
Kenya said a 65-year-old woman died of Ebola, the country's second death. She was a close relative of the first patient, who had traveled from DR Congo. Seven patients are in isolation, with no new infections. Nigeria's first case is a Swiss diplomat's wife believed infected in Uganda.
Why it matters: Spread across borders in eastern, central and western Africa raises the risk for travelers and health systems.
Ebola is a deadly virus spread through bodily fluids. This outbreak started in DR Congo and has reached an eighth province there. Officials are checking whether the Kenya and Nigeria cases crossed paths at Uganda's main airport.
UN says drone strikes killed 306 in Sudan in three weeks
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned rising drone strikes across Sudan. At least 306 people were killed in the first three weeks of October, and hundreds more injured. A BBC investigation found paramilitary fighters systematically destroyed el-Fasher's healthcare system.
Why it matters: Civilians in one of the world's largest humanitarian crises face growing danger and loss of medical care.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have fought a war since April 2023. El-Fasher fell to the paramilitaries a year ago.
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck Nagqu in northern Tibet on Thursday night. At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured. More than 330 houses collapsed or were damaged, and over 12,000 people were evacuated. China ordered an "all-out" rescue.
Why it matters: Thousands of people in a high, cold region need shelter as winter approaches.
Nagqu sits about 4,800 meters above sea level, north of Lhasa. Chinese media said it was the region's strongest quake in five years.
AI-found flaws in PHP set off global cyber scramble
Governments and companies are rushing to patch critical flaws in PHP, a programming language behind about 70% of websites. AI tools uncovered the flaws, which then leaked online. Websites went offline worldwide this week, and hacking attempts rose. Japan plans to simulate cyberattacks in response.
Why it matters: Businesses and public services everywhere that rely on PHP websites face a higher risk of hacking until they update.
PHP is a widely used language for building websites. AI systems are increasingly able to find hidden software weaknesses.
Personalized mRNA vaccine cuts melanoma return in trial
A personalized mRNA vaccine for melanoma significantly reduced the risk of cancer returning or death within two years, trial results show. The vaccine, intismeran, is made by Moderna and Merck. Six melanoma specialists called the results clinically meaningful for patients after surgery, despite a muted Wall Street reaction.
Why it matters: Skin cancer patients could gain a new way to prevent relapse using their own immune systems.
Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer. The vaccine is built to match each patient's tumor, training the immune system to attack it.
Gunman kills one west of Paris in attack called racist terrorism
A gunman fired from a car in Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, on Friday. One person was killed and five were wounded, including a 12-year-old girl. Police arrested a suspect identified as Kévin T, born in 1987, within 20 minutes. President Emmanuel Macron called it a "racist terrorist attack."
Why it matters: France's anti-terrorism prosecutors are handling the case, which comes on top of a week of nationwide unrest.
France has a large Muslim and immigrant population and a long debate over racism and integration. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called the shooting probably Islamophobic.
An oil slick has washed onto beaches in Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates, forcing closures. The tanker involved reportedly hit a naval mine in early October. Satellite images show oil spread for miles along the coast. Experts said a swift response is key to limiting harm to marine life.
Why it matters: The spill threatens Gulf marine wildlife and coastal tourism and shows the environmental cost of attacks on shipping.
Tankers moving through the Gulf have been struck by mines and projectiles during the Iran war. The UAE's climate ministry sent teams to contain the oil.
Ministers in Istanbul urge US and Israel not to strike Iran
Foreign ministers from eight European and Middle Eastern countries met in Istanbul on Friday. They urged the US and Israel not to renew attacks on Iran. They warned new fighting would spread conflict and raise oil prices. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain is "redoubling" diplomatic efforts because the war is raising household bills.
Why it matters: The group adds diplomatic pressure on Washington as countries weigh the war's cost to energy prices.
Several US allies in Europe and the Middle East have pushed for talks since the Iran war began. Iran's president is also due in Moscow next week for a gas summit.
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh
Saudi air defenses destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis toward Riyadh, the Saudi-led coalition said. Earlier, a drone was shot down in the eastern region. Civil defense later said the danger had passed in Riyadh, Najran and Wadi al-Dawasir.
Why it matters: Attacks on the world's top oil exporter add to fears for Gulf energy supplies.
The Houthis are an armed movement controlling much of northern Yemen and are aligned with Iran. A Saudi-led coalition has fought them since 2015.
Hospital in Yemen's Taiz warns of collapse under Houthi siege
A hospital in Taiz, Yemen, warned it could collapse within days because of shortages of fuel, medicine and oxygen. Dialysis patients are getting shorter sessions. The UN says more than 800,000 people have been cut off from aid since the Houthis encircled the city in early October.
Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of civilians face shortages of food and medical care unless aid gets through.
Taiz is Yemen's third-largest city and has been a front line between Houthi forces and government troops for years. The Houthis tightened their encirclement this month.
Ukraine says Starlink still restricted despite Trump assurances
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Starshield, SpaceX's military satellite service, remains slow. Trump said Elon Musk "will never do anything wrong" and promised to talk to him if needed. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the limits are causing "direct casualties." Ukraine is working with Nokia and ICEYE on alternatives.
Why it matters: Slower satellite links weaken Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian strikes.
Ukraine's military relies heavily on SpaceX satellite internet. The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk ordered the slowdown; Trump asked him to lift it.
Russia, Ukraine and US talks planned for November in Abu Dhabi
Talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US are planned to resume in November in Abu Dhabi. Russia signaled readiness after Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Both Putin and Zelenskyy said they were open to negotiations. Both sides kept up strikes overnight.
Why it matters: Restarted talks offer a path toward ending a war that has killed many and disrupted European energy and food markets.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. US-brokered talks have met several times without a full ceasefire.
Romania blames Russia for deadly drone strike on Black Sea ship
Romania's president blamed Russia for a drone attack that sank a merchant ship in Romanian Black Sea waters. One crew member was killed and three are missing. Nine people were rescued. Strikes on shipping off Romania and Bulgaria have drawn condemnation in Europe.
Why it matters: Attacks in NATO and EU waters raise risks for Black Sea trade, including grain shipments.
Romania and Bulgaria are NATO members bordering the Black Sea. Shipping there has been hit repeatedly during the Russia-Ukraine war.
A tanker carrying about 40,000 tons of Russian diesel left the Baltic port of Primorsk on Friday. It is due in New York on November 7. The US Treasury issued a six-month waiver on October 9 allowing Russian diesel sales. US diesel costs about $6.30 a gallon, and Ukraine protested the deal.
Why it matters: The shipments aim to lower US fuel prices but give Russia new export income during the war.
The US had restricted Russian energy after the 2022 invasion. The waiver followed a phone call between Trump and Putin.
Student movement challenges Vučić in Serbia election
Serbia holds a parliamentary election on Sunday that polls show is neck and neck. The Student List grew out of almost two years of anti-corruption protests. Aleksandar Vučić resigned as president to run for prime minister. Observers report allegations of irregularities and fears of a post-election crisis.
Why it matters: The vote could end 14 years of Vučić's dominance in a country seeking EU membership.
Vučić's party has led Serbia since 2012. Mass student protests began after a deadly station roof collapse in Novi Sad in 2024.
UK's Burnham raises Argentina's Falklands measures with Trump
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Donald Trump on Friday about the Sea Lion oil project north of the Falklands. Downing Street said he raised the "economic consequences" of Argentina's "coercive measures" for both countries. Argentina's bill toughens sanctions on firms in Falklands oil. A US official said Washington is watching its effect on US companies.
Why it matters: The dispute affects investors in a major South Atlantic oil project, including US firms.
Britain governs the Falkland Islands, which Argentina claims as the Malvinas. The two countries fought a war over them in 1982. Britain backs the islanders' right to develop their resources.
Argentine judge drops crypto fraud case against Milei
An Argentine judge dismissed the fraud investigation into President Javier Milei over the $LIBRA cryptocurrency. The ruling also cleared his sister and nine other defendants. The judge said investor losses and the token's collapse did not prove fraud. Milei had denied wrongdoing.
Why it matters: The ruling removes a legal cloud over Milei a year before Argentina's presidential election.
The $LIBRA token crashed after Milei posted about it on social media and then deleted the post. Investors lost money, and prosecutors opened a case.
Rubio urges Cubans to work with CIA for political change
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking change to form a "discrete partnership with the CIA." He said "now is the time." Trump told a Florida rally that US warships returning from the Iran war could "do a little stopover" in Cuba. He said Rubio could go to finish a deal.
Why it matters: The remarks raise tension between Washington and Havana and concern about possible US intervention in the Caribbean.
Cuba has been run by its Communist Party since the 1959 revolution. The US has kept an embargo on the island for decades. Trump said last month he expected a deal without military action.
US eases some tariffs on Canadian goods, adds others
The White House will ease tariffs on some Canadian products, including certain machinery, from October 30. It will add tariffs on others, such as carpets. Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced the cuts. The White House said removed items were being "replaced."
Why it matters: Importers and border-state businesses face changing costs on Canadian goods before the US midterms.
The US and Canada have been in a tariff dispute under Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Oil and gas have so far been left out.
US Justice Department sues over Alaska Senate election
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block certification of Alaska's Senate race if the Republican loses. It argues two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot could confuse voters. Trump said he ordered the suit. Democrat Mary Peltola is running against Senator Dan Sullivan.
Why it matters: The case could affect which party controls the US Senate after the November 3 midterms.
US midterm elections decide control of Congress. Federal prosecutors also asked California officials to set aside ballots they said may belong to noncitizens.
The World Health Organization announced a clinical trial of Ebola vaccines in DR Congo. It will test multiple vaccines for safety and effectiveness. One is Ervebo, approved for the more common Zaire strain. Researchers will see if it protects against the Bundibugyo strain behind this outbreak.
Why it matters: A working vaccine could slow an outbreak that has spread to four African countries.
There is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Ervebo was widely used against earlier outbreaks of the Zaire strain.
An unfinished multi-storey building collapsed in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi. Seven people were reported missing, and rescuers made contact with some trapped under the rubble. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja called for tougher penalties for rogue developers.
Why it matters: The collapse renews scrutiny of building safety in one of Africa's fastest-growing cities.
Eastleigh is a crowded business and residential district. Kenya has had several deadly collapses of buildings under construction.
Typhoon Champi kills one, injures over 500 in Taiwan
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan, killing one person and injuring more than 500. It toppled trees, cut power and forced about 5,000 people to evacuate. Hundreds of flights were canceled. The weakening storm is heading toward China and may near Japan's Kyushu on Monday.
Why it matters: The storm disrupts travel and power in Taiwan and threatens coastal China and southern Japan next.
Champi was earlier rated a super typhoon, one of the strongest Pacific storms this year. It is the 30th typhoon of the season.
India's government will lower prices on 137 cancer drugs from next month. The move follows a Supreme Court case filed in 2022 by a retired bank clerk who could not afford treatment. The court called drug mark-ups "extortion."
Why it matters: Millions of poorer patients could afford treatment they previously skipped or paid for with ruinous debt.
Most Indians pay for medicine out of pocket. High cancer drug prices have pushed many families into poverty.
IAEA says nuclear power could more than triple by 2060
The International Atomic Energy Agency said global nuclear power capacity could more than triple by 2060. Director General Rafael Grossi cited electrification and AI data centers. He also pointed to tech companies' demand for reliable, carbon-free power. Grossi separately called for inspectors to return quickly to Iran.
Why it matters: Growth in nuclear power would shape electricity supply, emissions and investment for decades.
The IAEA is the UN's nuclear watchdog, based in Vienna. Grossi is also seeking to become UN secretary-general.
Record heat in Europe this summer helped kill more than 50,000 people, a new study found. Nearly two-thirds of those deaths were blamed on human-caused climate change.
Why it matters: Health systems and cities across Europe face growing pressure to protect older and vulnerable people from heat.
Europe is warming faster than the global average. Heat waves are especially dangerous for older people.
Greece's parliament passed a law banning children under 15 from social media from January 1, 2027. Platforms must verify users' ages and face penalties if they fail. Greece is among seven EU countries seeking an age-check system with the European Commission.
Why it matters: Social media companies must change how they serve Greek children, and other EU states may follow.
Concern about children's mental health has led several countries to restrict social media for minors. UK regulator Ofcom admitted its online safety rules had not reduced harm to children.
Japan's inflation tops 2% for first time this year
Japan's consumer inflation rose above 2% in September for the first time this year. The reading adds pressure on the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates by year-end. The government is reviewing costly gasoline subsidies that keep prices near ¥170 a liter.
Why it matters: A rate rise would raise borrowing costs in the world's fourth-largest economy and could move the yen.
Japan spent decades with very low inflation and near-zero interest rates. The Bank of Japan has been slowly raising rates.
American Express to cut 5% of staff to prepare for AI
American Express is cutting 5% of its workforce to "prepare for AI," CEO Stephen Squeri said. The company is taking a $336 million restructuring charge for the third quarter. AI-linked job losses in the UK are running at twice the rate of the US and Germany, according to an Al Jazeera report.
Why it matters: Large employers are starting to replace white-collar jobs as they adopt AI tools.
Companies are spending heavily on artificial intelligence. Investors have grown worried about those costs, and tech stocks fell this week.
Qatar deal to buy US gas shows war reshaping energy trade
Qatar has agreed a deal to buy US liquefied natural gas, CNBC reported. Qatar is itself a top gas exporter. The deal shows how the Iran war has disrupted Gulf shipping and redrawn global energy flows. US gas exporters are among the main winners.
Why it matters: Shifting gas routes affect heating and power costs for importers in Europe and Asia.
Qatar ships most of its gas through the Strait of Hormuz, now a war zone. The US has become one of the largest gas exporters.
Moody's left France's credit rating unchanged at Aa3 on Friday. The decision gives some relief after a week of unrest. French borrowing costs have risen as debt and political risks grow. Analysts are debating whether the stress could spread across the euro area.
Why it matters: A stable rating helps keep French government borrowing costs from rising further.
Credit ratings judge how likely a country is to repay its debts. France has a large public debt and frequent changes of government.
Indonesian authorities have paused a vast land-clearing project once called the world's largest deforestation project. The country reached rice self-sufficiency about three years early. As a result, about 4 million acres of rainforest, swamp and peatland may be spared. The final fate of the land is still undecided.
Why it matters: Keeping peatlands and forests intact protects wildlife and keeps large amounts of carbon out of the air.
Indonesia has some of the world's largest tropical forests. The government planned to clear land for food crops to secure rice supplies.
A newly FDA-cleared PTSD treatment uses personalized brain mapping and magnetic stimulation. In a clinical trial, symptoms fell by 52% and 68% of patients reached remission. Researchers said the approach could guide more precise treatments for other mental health conditions.
Why it matters: People with post-traumatic stress, including veterans, could gain a faster and more targeted treatment option.
PTSD is a condition that can follow trauma, causing flashbacks and anxiety. The FDA is the US agency that approves medical treatments.
Argentina identifies more victims of military dictatorship
Forensic experts have identified eight more victims whose remains were found near the La Perla detention center in Córdoba. That brings the number identified at the site to 38. Most were abducted in 1976 and included trade unionists, students and activists.
Why it matters: Families of the disappeared gain answers decades after the killings.
Argentina's military ruled from 1976 to 1983. Thousands of people were abducted and disappeared during that period, often called the Dirty War.
El Niño floods force over 2,000 evacuations in Argentina
Flooding in northeast Argentina has forced more than 2,000 people from their homes. Two people have died. Authorities warned river levels could keep rising for months.
Why it matters: Long-lasting floods threaten homes, farms and transport across the region.
El Niño is a periodic warming of the Pacific that shifts weather worldwide. It often brings heavy rain to northeast Argentina.
A preliminary magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu in the South Pacific on Saturday. It was centered 197 km west-northwest of Port-Orly, at a depth of 10 km. No damage reports were included in early accounts.
Why it matters: Shallow quakes in the Pacific can threaten island communities with shaking and waves.
Vanuatu lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes are frequent.
Fire hits Hitler's Eagle's Nest retreat; suspect arrested
Fire broke out at the Eagle's Nest, a mountain guest house in Germany once used by Nazi leaders. Firefighters found the building "completely ablaze." About 200 emergency workers fought the blaze. Police detained a suspect.
Why it matters: The site is a visited historic landmark tied to Germany's Nazi past.
The Eagle's Nest sits on a peak in the Bavarian Alps. It was built for Hitler in the 1930s and later became a restaurant and tourist site.
Storm Austen left thousands of homes without power in south-west England and closed schools in Cornwall. A gust of 76 mph was recorded on the Isles of Scilly. Storm Boelo is now bringing amber warnings to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with gusts up to 80 mph.
Why it matters: Back-to-back storms disrupt power, trains and roads for millions in the UK and Ireland.
Austen was the first named storm of the UK season. It also hit Brittany in France with gusts up to 160 km/h.
UK chancellor pledges AI security spending in budget
UK Chancellor John Healey said Wednesday's budget will commit hundreds of millions of pounds to AI for national security. Plans include £100m for what the government calls a "world first" AI Biosecurity Lab. Healey said Britain needs a "distinctively British" approach to AI.
Why it matters: The October 28 budget sets UK taxes and spending at a time of high energy bills.
Andy Burnham became prime minister this year, and Healey is presenting his first budget. A chancellor is the UK's finance minister.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Megech Irrigation Dam in Gondar on Friday. The project aims to expand farm output and improve water supplies. Officials said it will also create jobs for nearby communities.
Why it matters: More irrigation can help farmers grow food through dry spells in a country often hit by drought.
Most Ethiopians depend on farming, much of it rain-fed. The government has invested heavily in dams and irrigation.
South Africa-China trade jumps after zero-tariff deal
Trade between South Africa and China reached almost $15 billion from May to August. That is a rise of nearly 24% from a year earlier. The increase followed a zero-tariff agreement between the two countries.
Why it matters: Cheaper trade can lower prices for consumers and open markets for South African exporters.
China is South Africa's largest trading partner. Both are members of the BRICS group of emerging economies.
Nippon Steel to invest $3 billion in new US Steel mill
Nippon Steel will invest $3 billion in a new hot-strip mill at U.S. Steel. It is expected to be the largest project in the company's pledge to invest $11 billion by 2028.
Why it matters: The investment supports American steelmaking jobs and deepens Japan-US industrial ties.
Japan's Nippon Steel bought U.S. Steel after a long political fight in Washington. The deal came with investment promises.
Australian MP's condition improves after alleged attack
Independent Australian MP Helen Haines is now in serious but stable condition, Melbourne's Alfred hospital said. She lost both legs after an alleged car attack near her electorate office in north-east Victoria on Monday.
Why it matters: The attack has renewed concern about violence against women in public life.
Haines represents the rural seat of Indi in Victoria as an independent. The attack happened near her local office.
The Milwaukee Brewers won the first game of the World Series 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Rays. Relief pitcher Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third to end the game.
Skye Blakely wins world all-around gymnastics title
American Skye Blakely won the women's all-around gold at the world gymnastics championships. She returned from a ruptured Achilles tendon that happened before the 2024 Olympic trials.
Montreal beat Ottawa Rapid 1-0 to take first place in the Northern Super League. Tanya Boychuk scored in the 81st minute, and goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert kept a shutout.
The Dallas Cowboys recognized the cheerleaders' association as their bargaining representative. The team agreed without a legal fight, after years of squad campaigns for better pay.
Claude Monet's painting Iris sold for 50 million euros with buyer fees at a Paris auction. It is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction in France.
Bronze statue of Cyrus the Great installed in Atlanta
Crews installed a 29-foot bronze statue of Cyrus the Great in Atlanta. Cyrus was the ancient Persian king who wrote an early declaration of religious tolerance.
Cambridge team builds a $10 optical sensor for wearables
Cambridge researchers built a $10 optical sensor that works like lab equipment. In mice tests it identified foods, plastics and medicines, and tracked blood glucose without needles.
A revised Imperial House Law took effect on Saturday. It lets the imperial family adopt males aged 15 or older from 11 former branch families, and keeps male-only succession.
Investors worried that the US may soon renew strikes on Iran, which would threaten Gulf oil supplies. Brent crude rose 2.8% to $111.70 a barrel, its highest in months. Wall Street's S&P 500 slipped 0.52%, and the US 10-year bond yield edged up to about 4.99%. In Brazil, the real strengthened 1.7% against the dollar before Sunday's tight presidential runoff.
Oil climbs on Iran and Hormuz risks
Talk of new US strikes and a record month of ship attacks near Hormuz pushed oil higher. Brent is up 9.5% in a month. That feeds into fuel, airfares and diesel, which costs about $6.30 a gallon in the US.
Gas prices slide as trade routes shift
US natural gas fell 3.36% and is down about 20% over the month. Qatar's deal to buy US gas shows how the war is redrawing energy flows. Cheaper US gas helps exporters but not Gulf-dependent buyers.
Brazil's close election moves markets
Polls show Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro tied before Sunday's runoff. The Bovespa rose 0.47% and is up 10.4% in a month. The real gained against the dollar, lowering import costs for Brazilians.
AI reshapes jobs and tech stocks
American Express is cutting 5% of staff to prepare for AI, and doubts about AI spending hit tech shares this week. Global PHP security flaws found by AI added costs for businesses. US stocks are down 1% over the month.
Prices and rates in Japan and Europe
Japan's inflation passed 2%, raising the chance of higher interest rates. The Nikkei fell 0.34%. In Europe, Moody's held France's rating, but unrest and debt worries kept the Euro Stoxx 50 down 3.3% over the month.