Brazil Runoff, French Protests, Iran Strike Warnings
Brazilians voted in a presidential runoff between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, with final polls almost tied. About 410,000 people marched across France over school conditions and living costs. Police made nearly 1,000 arrests after clashes. US President Donald Trump said the US could strike Iran "as soon as tomorrow" or reach a deal. Western Sydney's new international airport opened to passengers.
World mood: Uneasy · 68 stories from 764 headlines
Brazil votes in tight presidential runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro
Brazilians voted on Sunday in a runoff between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Nearly 159 million people are eligible to vote, and the final Datafolha poll gave Bolsonaro 51% and Lula 49% of valid votes. More than one million Lula supporters rallied in Rio on Saturday, according to The Guardian.
Why it matters: The winner will lead Latin America's largest economy and decide whether Brazil stays left-led or joins a regional shift to the right.
Lula, a left-wing former union leader, is seeking a fourth term. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted and jailed. Flávio finished ahead in the first round on October 4.
Trump says US could strike Iran soon or reach a deal
President Donald Trump said the US could strike Iran "as soon as tomorrow" or reach a "big, beautiful" agreement. Iran blamed Washington for earlier failed talks and warned any strike would bring a response "several times greater." Iran's president said many Iranians are struggling to afford food as the war continues.
Why it matters: A new round of fighting could disrupt Gulf oil supplies further and push fuel prices higher worldwide.
The US and Israel attacked Iran in February, starting a war now in its eighth month. Iran has struck US bases and Gulf energy sites in earlier phases. Talks to end the conflict have so far failed.
About 410,000 protest across France; nearly 1,000 arrested
Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday over school conditions and the cost of living. The Interior Ministry counted 410,000 people, including 110,000 in Paris, while unions said about 800,000. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said nearly 1,000 people were arrested after evening clashes, and 70,000 police were deployed.
Why it matters: The unrest pressures President Emmanuel Macron's government in his final months and has spread to other European countries.
The movement began more than a month ago with high school students protesting teacher shortages and run-down buildings. Unions and the Yellow Vests movement later joined, adding demands about wages and prices. The previous weekend saw looting and riots.
Serbia holds snap election as student movement challenges Vučić
Serbians voted on Sunday in a snap parliamentary election seen as a close race. Aleksandar Vučić, who has led Serbia for about 14 years and is seeking the prime minister's post, faces the Student List. That group grew out of almost two years of anti-corruption protests.
Why it matters: A change of government in Serbia would affect its path toward the EU and its ties with Russia.
Vučić has held power as prime minister and then president for more than a decade. Student-led protests began after a deadly accident in 2024 and grew into a national anti-corruption movement.
Israel heads to Tuesday election with Netanyahu and Eisenkot close
Thousands rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, three days before the general election. The October Council, founded by families of victims and hostages, demanded a state inquiry into the October 7, 2023 attack. Polls show Netanyahu's camp and challenger Gadi Eisenkot's camp roughly tied.
Why it matters: The result will shape Israel's approach to Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and seeks another term. Eisenkot, a former army chief, leads the Yashar party and vows to end Netanyahu's rule. Military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews are a major campaign issue.
Israel displaces about 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron after soldiers killed
Israeli forces sealed Hebron and demolished homes after two soldiers were killed at a checkpoint on Friday. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed displacements reached about 2,000 people, and the mayor called the city "a disaster zone." The army said it will close all land crossings with the West Bank on Tuesday's election day.
Why it matters: Palestinian workers are barred from Israeli areas for days, and thousands of families in Hebron have lost their homes.
The West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967, with the Palestinian Authority governing parts of it. Two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers near Hebron on Friday. Netanyahu then announced a large military operation.
Riyadh airport reopens as Saudi forces intercept Houthi missile
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened on Sunday after a two-week closure caused by Houthi attacks. On the same day the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh, after two drones the day before. A Houthi spokesman said the airport remains a "military target."
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites threaten air travel and energy supplies from the world's top oil exporter.
The Houthis are an Iran-aligned group that controls much of northern Yemen. They have fought a Saudi-led coalition for years and have expanded attacks since the US-Iran war began.
Ukraine says Starlink restored; Musk accuses Kyiv of breaking terms
Ukraine said its access to Starlink and the military-grade Starshield returned to full speed after more than a week of disruption. Elon Musk said SpaceX had slowed the service and accused Ukraine of using it for offensive drone strikes. "It is a civilian system, not a means of killing," Musk wrote.
Why it matters: Ukraine's drone operations and front-line communications depend on SpaceX satellites controlled by a private company.
Starlink has been central to Ukraine's defense since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the restrictions caused direct casualties.
Iran war drives tanker rates to records and squeezes fuel supplies
Shipping crude from the US Gulf Coast to China cost as much as $80 million per voyage this month, about ten times normal. In Singapore, high-sulfur fuel oil now costs more than crude. Iran said two "unauthorized" tankers hit mines near the Strait of Hormuz, and the US tapped its emergency oil reserve again.
Why it matters: Higher shipping and fuel costs feed into prices for travel, goods and heating worldwide.
Much of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. The US-Iran war has made shipping in the region dangerous and expensive.
Cost-of-living protests spread to Italy, Spain and Portugal
Protests over wages, prices and public services took place in several European countries on Saturday. Italy sent 500 more soldiers to Milan, and clashes were reported in Rome, Turin and Bologna. A student march in Barcelona ended in looting, about 25,000 rallied in Madrid for state pensions, and Lisbon police cleared a housing protest camp.
Why it matters: Young people across southern Europe are pressing governments on housing and living costs, and some are planning a joint general strike.
Housing costs and prices have risen sharply in many European cities. Youth movements in Spain and Portugal are coordinating and want unions to call an Iberian general strike on November 11. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors after earlier violence.
Bulgaria votes for president after deadly Black Sea drone strikes
Bulgarians voted for president on Sunday in a field of 27 candidates. Polls showed acting President Iliana Iotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov in the lead. Both condemned recent deadly drone strikes in the Black Sea, where analysts say nearly 50 commercial ships were attacked in October.
Why it matters: Black Sea attacks have halted much shipping in the corridor, and NATO has stepped up maritime patrols.
Bulgaria is a NATO and EU member on the Black Sea. The war in Ukraine has spilled into shipping lanes, and candidates differ on how to approach the conflict.
US cuts embassy staff after warning Iran plans attacks on Americans
The US is reducing staff at four Middle East embassies after an intelligence warning about Iran. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton wrote that Iran is in "advanced stages" of planning attacks on Americans. Non-essential staff and families were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia this week.
Why it matters: US diplomats and citizens across the Middle East face higher security risks and reduced consular services.
Iran and the US have been at war since February. Iranian officials have said targeting Americans would be a response to killings of their leaders.
Russia and Ukraine agree local truce in occupied Oleshky
Russia and Ukraine confirmed a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The White House said First Lady Melania Trump brokered the deal after speaking with both presidents. Residents of the city had been eating garden weeds to survive, the BBC reported.
Why it matters: The truce may allow aid to reach trapped civilians in one of the war's hardest-hit areas.
Oleshky lies on the east bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region and has been under Russian control since 2022. Front-line fighting has left residents short of food and water.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian plants; occupied regions lose power
A Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed one person and injured ten, Russian media reported on Sunday. Ukrainian drones also hit a petrochemical plant in Omsk and one in Togliatti, and a strike in Oryol killed three. Russia said parts of Crimea and other occupied regions lost electricity after drone attacks.
Why it matters: Strikes on Russian refineries and grids affect fuel output and leave civilians in occupied areas without power and water.
Ukraine has expanded long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia during the war. Russia continues heavy attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Kim Jong Un visits China and opens new border bridge
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge into the Chinese city of Dandong on Saturday. He met Wang Huning, China's fourth-ranked official, and vowed to advance ties with Beijing. It was his first visit to China in more than a year.
Why it matters: The new bridge could expand trade between North Korea and its main economic partner, China.
China is North Korea's closest ally and largest trading partner. The two fought together in the Korean War, and Kim visited a war memorial in Dandong.
Indonesia cuts pipeline gas to Singapore by about 9%
Indonesia reduced natural gas exports to Singapore, saying it must meet domestic demand first. The cut totals about 31 million standard cubic feet per day from Natuna and Sumatra, the regulator's chief said. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said suppliers should "honour their commitments" under contracts.
Why it matters: Singapore relies on imported gas for most of its electricity, so supply cuts can raise power costs.
The two neighbors have been in a dispute linked to wildfires, according to Yonhap. Indonesian forest fires regularly send smoke haze over Singapore.
Trump announces $4.2 billion Audi plant in Georgia
President Donald Trump announced at a rally in Perry, Georgia, that Volkswagen will build a $4.2 billion Audi plant in the state. Trump said the plant will make 200,000 cars a year. He credited his tariffs, which he said have made the US richer.
Why it matters: The plant would add US auto manufacturing jobs and shift some German car production to America.
The US has placed tariffs on imported cars to push companies to build locally. The announcement came days before the November 3 midterm elections.
The White House will ease tariffs on some Canadian products, including certain machinery, from October 30. It will add tariffs on other goods, such as carpets. Former President Barack Obama mocked the trade war with Canada at a rally on Saturday.
Why it matters: Canadian exporters and US buyers face changing costs, especially in border states like Maine.
The US and Canada have exchanged tariffs since Trump's second term began. Energy trade between them has largely been left out of the dispute.
Obama campaigns for Democrats in Michigan and Ohio
Former President Barack Obama rallied in Detroit for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and in Ohio for Sherrod Brown. Obama said President Trump started "an unnecessary war that nobody asked for" with Iran. He also blamed the administration for rising living costs, while Trump cast his own ballot early in Florida.
Why it matters: The November 3 midterms will decide control of Congress for the rest of Trump's term.
Midterm elections choose all House seats and about a third of the Senate. A CNBC survey found corruption is voters' top issue, with fuel prices also a concern.
Justice Department sues over Alaska Senate race with two Dan Sullivans
The US Justice Department sued to block certification of Alaska's Senate election if Republican Dan Sullivan loses. It argues a second candidate named Dan Sullivan on the ballot could confuse voters. Trump said he ordered the suit, and Democrat Mary Peltola is the challenger.
Why it matters: The case could delay results in a close race that may affect control of the US Senate.
Sullivan is the Republican incumbent. Peltola, a Democrat, previously represented Alaska in the House.
New York Archdiocese agrees $800 million abuse settlement
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse agreed to an $800 million settlement with the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. It resolves claims by about 1,300 people, with each receiving at least $250,000. It is the second-largest such deal after the Los Angeles archdiocese paid $880 million in 2024.
Why it matters: About 1,300 survivors will receive compensation after years of legal claims against the church.
Catholic dioceses across the US have faced thousands of abuse lawsuits. New York opened a window letting victims file old claims.
Gunmen attacked a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Hammoud, Karak governorate, killing nine people. About 40 others were injured, and the toll rose after two victims died. King Abdullah II called it terrorism, and Jordan vowed to respond with "an iron fist."
Why it matters: The rare attack on Jordan's Christian minority has prompted tighter security across the country.
Jordan has a long-established Christian community and is usually seen as stable in the region. Officials blamed extremist ideology for the attack.
Mali's armed forces raised the death toll from a recent attack to 54. The army said the victims were buried at the site. Nine survivors were evacuated to the city of Menaka.
Why it matters: Repeated attacks in Mali's north threaten civilians and stability across the Sahel region.
Mali has fought armed groups, including jihadist fighters, for more than a decade. The country is run by a military government.
Kenya records second Ebola death as DR Congo starts vaccine trial
A 65-year-old woman became the second person to die of Ebola in Kenya. She was a close relative of the first victim, who had traveled from DR Congo, and Kenya has nine confirmed cases. In DR Congo's Ituri province, a trial began testing vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain.
Why it matters: Spread of Ebola beyond DR Congo raises the risk for East African neighbors and travelers.
Ebola is a deadly virus spread through bodily fluids. DR Congo has faced repeated outbreaks, and UN agencies say more funding is needed to contain the current one.
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 and hundreds injured in the first three weeks of October. UN News also reported that women are leading local emergency responses under siege.
Why it matters: Civilians bear the toll of a war that has created one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023. Both sides increasingly use drones.
Typhoon Champi kills one and injures over 500 in Taiwan
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, killing one person and injuring 527. Crews worked to restore power to tens of thousands of homes, and flights were canceled. The weakening storm is moving toward China and Japan.
Why it matters: The storm threatens coastal China and Japan next and disrupted transport in a key electronics hub.
Champi was earlier classed as a super typhoon, one of the strongest Pacific storms this year.
Gulf economies are speeding up efforts to diversify away from oil as the Iran war hits energy output and exports. The IMF says five of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries could see their economies shrink. Attacks have damaged energy sites in several Gulf kingdoms.
Why it matters: A Gulf slowdown would affect millions of migrant workers and the money they send home.
The Gulf Cooperation Council includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. Their economies depend heavily on oil and gas.
Falling company profits are making China's $3.5 trillion stock rout harder to reverse, Bloomberg analysis carried by the Japan Times said. Investors see leaders in no rush to boost an economy slowing at a tolerable pace. Hong Kong developers are also shifting mainland investment from homes to commercial property.
Why it matters: Weak Chinese demand affects exporters and commodity producers worldwide.
China's property market has struggled for several years, weighing on household wealth. The Communist Party holds a key planning meeting starting Monday.
French government borrowing costs rose to their highest level in 24 years as unrest spread. Investors are weighing budget, growth and sector risks before more protests. Moody's kept France's credit rating unchanged at Aa3.
Why it matters: Higher borrowing costs make it harder for France to fund public services that protesters are demanding.
France has one of the eurozone's largest public debts. Political instability has made passing budgets difficult.
UK budget to add £1 billion for social and affordable housing
Chancellor John Healey's first budget on Wednesday will add £1 billion for social and affordable housing. That lifts the 10-year program above £40 billion, the BBC reported. The budget also includes a devolution package for English regions and £100 million for an AI biosecurity lab.
Why it matters: More public money for housing could help families struggling with rents in England.
Andy Burnham became UK prime minister and has promised local leaders more spending power. He also wants a closer relationship with the EU.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to form a "discreet partnership" with the CIA. President Trump told a Florida rally that US warships returning from the Iran war could stop in Cuba. Cuba's government mocked what it called US "desperation."
Why it matters: Rising US pressure raises tensions in the Caribbean and uncertainty for Cuba's 11 million people.
Cuba has been ruled by its Communist Party since 1959 and has faced US sanctions for decades. The Trump administration has said its goal is a change in Havana's leadership.
NASA and lander builders SpaceX and Blue Origin streamlined designs for crewed Moon missions planned for 2028. First, Artemis III will launch in 2027 to test lander operations in low Earth orbit. Its crew is NASA's Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas with ESA's Luca Parmitano.
Why it matters: The plan could return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972.
NASA's Artemis program aims to land astronauts on the Moon and build a long-term base. Private companies are building the landing craft.
US measles cases pass 4,500, more than double last year
US health authorities reported 178 new measles cases this week. The total reached 4,588 across at least 43 outbreaks, according to the CDC. That is more than double the number recorded in 2025.
Why it matters: Measles spreads easily and can be deadly for young children who are not vaccinated.
Measles is preventable with a vaccine. The US declared it eliminated in 2000, but falling vaccination rates have allowed outbreaks to return.
A study found summer heat caused about 50,000 deaths in Europe and cut GDP by €17 billion. Almost two-thirds of the deaths would not have happened without climate change, the researchers said.
Why it matters: Heat waves are costing lives and money, adding pressure on health systems and climate policy.
Europe is warming faster than the global average. Older people are most at risk during heat waves.
Albanian police fire tear gas on 12th day of student protests
Albanian police used tear gas on Saturday as student-led anti-government protests turned violent in Tirana. ANSA reported the Environment Ministry was set on fire and an attempt to storm city hall failed. The protests, now in their 12th day, are driven by anger over alleged government corruption.
Why it matters: The unrest adds to political strain in an EU candidate country and fits a wider wave of youth protests in Europe.
Students in Albania began protesting this month over what they call government corruption. Rival lawmakers scuffled in parliament on Thursday as demonstrations continued outside.
Gunmen attacked Binnari village in Taraba State, Nigeria. Police said at least 10 people were killed, locals put the toll at 20, and Amnesty International said at least 40. Police said a large group carried out the attack.
Why it matters: Rural attacks keep displacing families and disrupting farming in Nigeria's middle belt.
Nigeria faces violence from armed gangs, militant groups and land disputes in several regions. Families in the northeast are still searching for people missing after years of conflict.
Two rescued after building under construction collapses in Nairobi
A 16-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh area. Two people, including a pregnant woman, were pulled out alive, and five remain missing. Police are hunting for the owner and contractor and used tear gas to disperse looters.
Why it matters: The collapse raises questions about building safety rules in fast-growing African cities.
Building collapses have occurred in Nairobi before, often linked to weak enforcement of construction standards.
Jailed Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu threatens hunger strike
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu said he may start a hunger strike over being denied legal access. Lissu, 58, has been jailed for about 18 months on a treason charge that can carry the death penalty. He was arrested after demanding electoral reform.
Why it matters: His case is a test of political freedoms in Tanzania and draws international attention.
Lissu survived being shot 16 times in 2017 and later lived in exile. He returned to Tanzania in 2023.
Large storm system brings severe weather to eastern Australia
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology warned of hail, damaging winds and flash flooding across the east on Sunday. Alerts covered southern Queensland, western New South Wales, the ACT and eastern Victoria. More storms and flood risk are forecast for Monday.
Why it matters: Millions in four states face possible power cuts and flooding.
Spring often brings thunderstorms to eastern Australia, but forecasters called this system unusually large.
Storm Boelo disrupts travel in Scotland and northern UK
Storm Boelo brought gusts of up to 80mph to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Amber warnings are in place until Sunday evening, trains were canceled and events called off. It is the second named storm in two days after Storm Austen.
Why it matters: Travel and power networks across northern Britain face disruption through Sunday.
The UK Met Office names storms expected to cause significant impact. Storm Austen caused power cuts on Friday.
Western Sydney International Airport opens to passengers
Western Sydney International Airport began passenger operations as Greater Sydney's second airport. The new airport is in New South Wales, west of the city center. It adds capacity alongside Sydney's existing Kingsford Smith Airport.
Why it matters: Travelers in fast-growing western Sydney get closer access to flights, and the city gains airport capacity.
Sydney has relied on a single major airport for decades. Plans for a second airport were debated for many years before construction began.
Fire largely destroys Hitler's former Eagle's Nest retreat
A fire largely destroyed the Eagle's Nest, Adolf Hitler's former mountain retreat in the Bavarian Alps. About 200 firefighters fought the blaze, and police said local conditions hampered the effort. Police arrested a 33-year-old German man.
Why it matters: A widely visited historic site from the Nazi era has been badly damaged.
The Eagle's Nest was built in 1937-38 as a meeting house for Nazi leaders. After the war it became a restaurant and tourist site.
American Express to cut 5% of staff to prepare for AI
American Express said it will cut 5% of its workforce to "prepare for AI." The company is taking a $336 million restructuring charge in the third quarter, CEO Stephen Squeri said. The announcement came with its quarterly results.
Why it matters: It is another sign that large companies are replacing some office jobs as they adopt AI.
Banks and payment firms are adopting artificial intelligence for customer service and processing work.
Bodies believed to be four Salvadoran soldiers were found outside Port-au-Prince, the New York Times reported. The soldiers had been missing since an ambush by armed gangs. Separately, former president Michel Martelly registered as a candidate for the December 13 election, Haiti's first in ten years.
Why it matters: The deaths show the risks facing the foreign security mission meant to help Haiti hold elections.
Armed gangs control much of Port-au-Prince. An international security mission is helping Haitian police.
El Niño floods kill two and displace thousands in northeast Argentina
Flooding in Chaco and Corrientes provinces in northeast Argentina killed two people. More than 2,000 people were evacuated. Authorities warned river levels could keep rising for months.
Why it matters: Prolonged flooding threatens homes and farmland in one of Argentina's poorer regions.
El Niño is a periodic warming of Pacific waters that often brings heavy rain to northeast Argentina.
Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to son for first time in five years
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke with her son Kim Aris in their first call in more than five years. Aris said the 81-year-old "sounds strong" but lives in near-complete isolation. He called the call a public relations move by Myanmar's military leaders.
Why it matters: It is a rare sign of life from Myanmar's detained former leader, watched closely by her supporters abroad.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, led Myanmar's elected government until the military seized power in 2021. She has been detained since.
Archaeologists find what may be world's oldest shipwreck off Turkey
Archaeologists found a shipwreck off Turkey that sank about 4,500 years ago. They said it could be up to 4,700 years old, from the Early Bronze Age. That would make it the oldest known shipwreck in the world.
Why it matters: The find could show how early Mediterranean peoples built ships and traded.
Turkey's coasts lie on ancient trade routes linking Anatolia, Greece and the Middle East.
Asteroid Bennu samples point to mixed origins in early Solar System
New analysis of samples from asteroid Bennu suggests it formed where inner and outer Solar System material mixed. The study found Jupiter played a role in shaping its formation. The samples are about 4.5 billion years old.
Why it matters: The findings help explain how planets, including Earth, got their building materials.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission collected material from Bennu and returned it to Earth in 2023.
Gabon restores social media after eight-month suspension
Gabon's government restored access to social media after an eight-month suspension. It also made formal identification compulsory for all users from October. That ends anonymous use of social networks in the country.
Why it matters: People and businesses in Gabon regain online access, though now tied to their identity.
Gabon has been led by Brice Oligui Nguema since a 2023 military takeover, later confirmed by an election.
Three Central African Republic hostages freed after 10 months
Three hostages freed this week after 10 months in captivity arrived in Bangui on a UN flight. They are a local government official and two members of the national election authority. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra greeted them on their return.
Why it matters: Their release is a relief for election workers in a country where armed groups still operate.
The three were kidnapped in Bambouti in December, on the day of the general election. Armed groups control parts of the country's remote areas.
The United States designated Chiricahua in southeastern Arizona as a new national park. The area, known as the land of "Standing-Up Rocks," was previously a national monument. The park recognizes the area's Apache heritage and biodiversity.
Why it matters: National park status brings stronger recognition and can increase visitors to the region.
The Chiricahua Mountains were home to Apache peoples. The area became a national monument in 1924.
Thousands march in Turkey against journalist arrests
Thousands of people marched in 10 Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, against journalist arrests and media closures. The marches ran under the slogan "No to censorship, freedom for news." A deputy leader of the governing alliance's MHP party said false news is a crime everywhere.
Why it matters: Media restrictions affect what news millions of people in Turkey can access.
Turkish authorities have prosecuted many journalists in recent years, often on charges they deny. The government says it is fighting disinformation.
Scientists demonstrated an enzyme designed by AI that can be used in drug synthesis. The new model, RFD4-Proteina, was built by the Institute for Protein Design with NVIDIA. It achieved design success rates five to ten times higher than earlier models.
Why it matters: Faster protein design could cut the time and cost of making medicines.
Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. The Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington is a leader in computer-designed proteins.
Forgotten skull reveals new long-clawed dinosaur from Isle of Wight
Scientists identified a new species of meat-eating dinosaur from a skull found on the Isle of Wight. The fossil had sat in the Natural History Museum's collections for more than 100 years. The long-clawed dinosaur is the first of its kind found in Europe.
Why it matters: The find adds to knowledge of which dinosaurs lived in Europe and shows the value of old museum collections.
The Isle of Wight is one of Europe's richest sites for dinosaur fossils.
Skye Blakely won the women's all-around title at the world gymnastics championships. Frederick Richard then won the men's floor title ahead of Britain's Jake Jarman.
Paula Moltzan of the United States won the women's giant slalom by one-hundredth of a second. At 32, she is the oldest woman to win her first Alpine World Cup race.
Fossil bird from China may be earliest known flightless bird
A 150-million-year-old fossil found in China has dinosaur-like teeth and a claw. Scientists say it may show the earliest known loss of flight in birds.
Fears of a new US strike on Iran drove markets, because more fighting could choke Gulf oil shipments. Brent crude rose 2.8% to $111.70 a barrel, its gain over the month reaching 4.8%. US stocks slipped, with the S&P 500 down 0.52%, and the US 10-year yield rose to 4.99%. Brazil's real strengthened 1.11% against the dollar and the Bovespa rose 0.47% before Sunday's runoff vote.
Oil shock from the Iran war
Trump said a strike on Iran could come within a day, and tankers reportedly hit mines near Hormuz. Record shipping costs and tight fuel supplies keep pushing oil higher. That means dearer fuel, airfares and goods for consumers.
Brazil's election watch
Brazilians chose between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff polls called a near tie. Brazil's stock index has gained 10.4% over the month. The result will shape policy for Latin America's largest economy.
Europe's unrest and debt costs
Mass protests over living costs in France and other countries continued for a second weekend. French borrowing costs reached a 24-year high, while European stocks edged down. Higher interest bills limit what governments can spend on schools and services.
China's weak profits
Falling company profits are deepening a long slide in Chinese shares, though Shanghai rose 0.89% on the day. Investors see little sign of big stimulus before a Communist Party meeting. Weaker Chinese demand weighs on exporters around Asia.
Asian gas supply shifts
Indonesia cut pipeline gas to Singapore by about 9% to serve its own needs. US natural gas prices fell 3.36% on the day, a separate market from Asian supply. Tight regional supply could raise power costs in import-dependent Singapore.