Riot police surrounded Poland's Constitutional Tribunal after the government suspended its president, and Poland's president cut short a trip to Africa. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said four tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz, and Brent crude rose to $112.33. The S&P 500 fell 1.82% on a tech selloff, led by Alphabet's record loss. The US approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, and civilians were evacuated from Oleshky under a local truce.
World mood: Uneasy · 107 stories from 946 headlines
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said four oil tankers were hit or caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. It said they used unauthorized routes. Oman rescued 25 crew from one burning tanker. A UK maritime agency reported another tanker struck by an unknown projectile. Tankers keep transiting because freight rates are very high.
Why it matters: A large share of the world's oil passes through the strait, so attacks lift fuel prices everywhere.
The US and Iran have been at war this year, and shipping in the strait has been disrupted. Iran and the US dispute whether shipping lanes are clear of mines.
Riot police were deployed around Poland's Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw on Friday evening. The government suspended the court's president and vice president, and the justice minister asked to strip their immunity so they can be charged. Police detained three protesters who breached the fence. President Karol Nawrocki turned his plane back from a trip to Africa. Opposition lawmakers called the move a coup, and the tribunal used the same word.
Why it matters: The dispute over who controls Poland's top court tests the rule of law in a major EU and NATO member.
Poland's government under Donald Tusk and allies of the previous ruling party have fought for years over the Constitutional Tribunal. The previous government's changes to the court drew criticism from the EU. President Nawrocki is allied with the party that opposes Tusk.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran to push for a deal. President Trump said the war is "going to end soon" and that talks are ongoing. Pakistan's army said it is cautiously optimistic about its own mediation. Pakistan's spokesman also warned of powerful spoilers.
Why it matters: A deal could reopen Hormuz shipping and ease oil prices that are raising costs worldwide.
The US and Iran are in a war that began earlier this year. Qatar and Pakistan have acted as go-betweens.
Binance said about $6.3 billion in assets were affected by a hack. Two analytics firms linked it to a North Korean unit called TraderTraitor. Binance said about $3 billion is frozen and it will cover losses from company funds. It aims to let clients trade again within days.
Why it matters: Millions of customers of the world's largest crypto exchange wait on recovery, and theft may fund North Korea's weapons programs.
Binance is the largest crypto exchange. North Korea-linked hackers have stolen billions in crypto before, including a $1.5 billion theft from Bybit in 2025.
Final results show Netanyahu's bloc with 53 of 120 seats. His Likud party claims the vote was stolen, alleging foreign meddling to boost Arab turnout. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc also lacks a majority. Results go to the president on Nov. 4.
Why it matters: Weeks of coalition talks or a new vote will shape Israeli policy on Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu has led Israel for most of the past two decades. Arab parties turned out in record numbers this time.
The State Department approved a possible sale of 500 PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine. The estimated value is $2.1 billion. Congress must still be notified. The missiles are the main defense against Russian ballistic missiles.
Why it matters: Ukraine's air defenses have run short of interceptors as Russian missile attacks continue.
Ukraine depends on US weapons, and deliveries recently stalled.
A Russian drone hit a train station in Dnipro, killing 14 people and injuring 14. Strikes also cut power in the city. President Zelensky warned of more missile attacks.
Why it matters: Civilian rail hubs are key to moving people and aid across Ukraine.
Russia has invaded Ukraine for over four years and regularly strikes cities with drones and missiles.
Spain held a second day of mourning after two high-speed trains collided near Toledo. At least 69 people died, and victims came from 27 nationalities, Prime Minister Sánchez said. Transport Minister Óscar Puente said he will not resign. Investigators recovered the data recorders.
Why it matters: It is among Europe's deadliest rail crashes in years and raises questions about signaling and staffing.
Spain has one of Europe's largest high-speed networks. The government blames a traffic controller, while unions point to an outdated alert system.
US stocks fell as tech shares dropped on worries about AI spending. Intel had its worst day since the 1970s. Reddit fell 29%. Alphabet lost about $500 billion in value this week.
Why it matters: Falling tech shares hit retirement savings and may slow AI investment.
Big tech firms are spending close to $1 trillion on AI.
Russia and Ukraine evacuated residents of Russian-held Oleshky during a rare local ceasefire. A joint aid mission brought food and medicine. Hundreds left for Russia's Anapa, and hundreds stayed. The UN said each day the truce holds brings hope.
Why it matters: Starving civilians cut off for months got food and a way out.
Oleshky sits on the Dnipro river's Russian-held bank, opposite Kherson. Strikes on the area had blocked supplies for months.
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed drones over several regions, including the east and south. It said earlier drones were aimed at Mecca and Medina, which the Houthis denied. Houthis also attacked Aden's airport and palace, Yemen's government said.
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi Arabia add to risk for Gulf energy supplies already strained by the Iran war.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition against the Houthis, an armed group controlling much of northern Yemen.
Novaya Gazeta, one of Russia's last independent newspapers, said it is closing under state pressure. Its former editor Dmitry Muratov, a Nobel Peace Prize co-winner, said it was killed. The UN rights chief said he is deeply concerned. The paper will cease operations on Nov. 9.
Why it matters: Russians lose one of the last domestic sources of independent reporting.
Founded in 1993, the paper investigated corruption and rights abuses; several of its journalists were killed over the years.
Pope Leo XIV mailed a ballot, the first pope to vote in a US election. Over 43 million ballots were cast early. Trump rallied in Florida. The midterms are Nov. 3.
Why it matters: The vote will decide control of Congress for the rest of Trump's term.
Democrats hope to win the House and possibly the Senate; Republicans hold the Senate 53-47.
The Justice Department escalated a case over a second candidate named Dan Sullivan on Alaska's Senate ballot. Republicans accuse Democrats of recruiting him to confuse voters. Democrat Mary Peltola denies knowing of any plot. Alaska's governor ordered an investigation.
Why it matters: The seat could decide Senate control days before voters go to the polls.
Republican Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola.
Brazil summoned Argentina's chargé d'affaires over how Flávio Bolsonaro left for the US after losing the election. Argentina denies being questioned. An Argentine judge ordered the government to disclose its role. Brazil's foreign minister met Rubio but they avoided the topic.
Why it matters: The affair strains ties between Brazil, Argentina and the US.
Flávio Bolsonaro lost the presidential runoff to Lula and had been ordered to surrender.
The US canceled the G20 family photo in Atlanta after about a third of members threatened a boycott. Australia, the UK and others refused to stand with Russia's Lavrov. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband confronted Lavrov. Rubio urged cooperation.
Why it matters: It shows deep splits over Russia's war as G20 members try to work on energy and trade.
The US hosts the G20 this year, with a leaders' summit planned for December.
Christine Lagarde will step down as ECB president in February, months before her term ends. Officials announced it Thursday. A race to find a successor has begun.
Why it matters: The next ECB head will steer interest rates for about 20 euro-area countries.
Exxon reported $15.4 billion in third-quarter profit, more than double a year ago. Chevron nearly tripled to $9.9 billion. BP earned $8.46 billion. Shell and TotalEnergies doubled profits.
Why it matters: Higher fuel costs for drivers and businesses are producing large gains for oil companies.
Refining margins rose as the Iran war and strikes on refineries cut supply.
Europe's benchmark gas price passed 101 euros for the first time since 2022. Winter is near and storage is historically low. Japan is also set to overtake China as top LNG importer.
Why it matters: Higher gas prices raise household heating and industry costs.
Europe lost Russian gas after 2022 and relies on LNG.
The Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged. It said underlying inflation has reached its 2% target for the first time since 2013. Prime Minister Takaichi said energy subsidies resume in December.
Why it matters: It signals Japan's long fight with weak prices may be over.
China's ruling party expelled 33 members at a major gathering. It was a record. Xi said the party must be wary of people with divided loyalty. Ten officials were promoted to the Central Committee.
Why it matters: It shows Xi tightening control over China's leadership.
France deployed 70,000 police for new protests on Saturday. About 160,000 are expected in Germany. In Italy, general strike marches turned violent in places. Demonstrators cite prices and lack of prospects.
Why it matters: Rising prices are driving unrest in several major European economies.
The protests began with students opposing budget cuts.
The EU and Canada announced an alliance at a Montreal summit and signed a digital trade deal. Germany resisted making Canada an associate member. Carney will attend a meeting of EU leaders in June.
Why it matters: Allies are building ties away from US trade threats.
Kim Jong Un called for absolute superiority in drones and watched weapons tests. North Korea fired missiles and rockets. Foreign ministers of South Korea, the US and Japan reaffirmed denuclearization.
Why it matters: Regional tension rises while diplomacy continues.
North Korea is under UN sanctions over its weapons programs.
Victoria's appeals court dismissed all grounds of her appeal. It also removed her parole eligibility. She killed three relatives with death cap mushrooms in 2023.
Why it matters: She will die in prison.
Patterson was convicted over a beef Wellington lunch.
Sir Patrick Stewart died after a brief struggle with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia. He starred in Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men. His family suggested donations to Alzheimer's research.
Why it matters: Fans worldwide mourn a prominent stage and screen actor.
An MSF treatment center in Ituri discharged its last Ebola patients. It is the first time since May it had none. Government data show over 5,000 deaths in the outbreak.
Why it matters: It marks progress in a deadly outbreak, though hunger affects millions.
Almost 200 nations approved two agreements to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Talks ran into extra time after two weeks. The UN says 252 million hectares are being restored.
Why it matters: Countries commit to protect nature.
The 2030 target is part of a global biodiversity framework.
A report says fire pollution killed 3,560 people in Indonesia in September. About 57.8 million breathed unhealthy air. Rain is set to ease haze. Nine rescued orangutans returned to the forest.
Why it matters: Haze affects health across Southeast Asia.
Clashes at Moyale push tens of thousands of people into Kenya. Gunfire is heard across the border. UNHCR warns of growing needs. Drone strikes killed 14 in Amhara.
Why it matters: A refugee crisis grows on the border.
El Salvador deployed 2,000 troops to Haiti after four of its personnel were kidnapped. Bukele did not say how long they will stay. Haiti set elections for Aug. 29, 2027.
Why it matters: Gangs continue to control much of Haiti.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado returned after nearly a year away. She called for an irreversible, peaceful transition. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez vowed an election. Two independent news sites were unblocked.
Chancellor John Healey presented a Budget described as small in scale. Think tanks warned of painful years as living standards stall. Forecasts show growth in living standards nearly halting.
Why it matters: Pay, energy bills and savings for UK households are affected.
Google's prototype satellite for space-based AI data centers has started working. It answered a prompt with a poem. Separately, Canada invested up to C$1.6 billion in Cohere.
Why it matters: Companies are exploring new ways to power AI as demand grows.
Kadeena Cox of Great Britain set a new world record to win the C4 1-kilometer time trial. The race was at the Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.
Researchers in Japan report that tiny twists in molecules may make nature's magnetic compass stronger. The team was led by Yasuhiro Kobori at Kobe University.
South Korea's Hanwha Systems won a contract to develop a constellation of synthetic aperture radar microsatellites. The radar satellites can image the ground in any weather.
Fear that big tech is overspending on AI drove stocks down. Alphabet's record drop spread to chipmakers and other firms. The S&P 500 fell 1.82% and the Nikkei fell 2.12%. Oil rose as tanker attacks in Hormuz continued, with Brent up 1.38% to $112.33.
AI spending worries
Alphabet lost about $500 billion in value and Intel had its worst day since the 1970s. Reddit fell 29%. Investors question whether AI spending will pay off.
Oil shock from Hormuz
Attacks on tankers pushed Brent higher. Oil companies reported record profits. Fuel costs remain high for households.
European gas and growth
European gas passed 101 euros. The euro zone grew 0.4% while France shrank. Lagarde's early exit adds uncertainty.
Japan inflation target met
The Bank of Japan held rates and said its inflation target is met. The yen was little changed.
Crypto hack and gold slide
The Binance hack shook crypto, though bitcoin edged up 0.28%. Gold fell 3.63%.
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