Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat who won Michigan’s US Senate race, has called on Congress to use its constitutional authority to stop the war with Iran, warning that the conflict is increasing costs and security risks for Americans.

Speaking to NewsNation on Election Day, November 3, El-Sayed said President Donald Trump had offered no clear plan for ending the conflict and warned against further military escalation.

“We need less war, not more,” El-Sayed said, arguing that Americans were paying for the conflict through higher prices at petrol stations and grocery stores, as well as through their tax dollars. He also warned that expanding military operations could deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.

El-Sayed said Congress should hold the president accountable and use its war powers to bring the conflict to an end. In an interview with Michigan Public Radio before the election, he said he would support a War Powers Resolution to restrict Trump’s ability to continue military action without congressional authorisation.

He argued that Congress had failed to exercise its constitutional responsibilities and should act as a check on presidential power.

The Democrat has also criticised Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement during his first term, arguing that diplomacy had offered an alternative to military confrontation.

During a televised debate with Republican opponent Mike Rogers in October, El-Sayed said the nuclear dispute with Iran should be addressed through negotiations rather than war. He argued that the conflict had exposed the strategic vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments, and contributed to higher fuel and grocery prices.

The war has become a major issue in the US political debate, with lawmakers questioning the president’s authority to launch and continue military operations without congressional approval. In July, a Senate resolution seeking to limit Trump’s military action against Iran failed by a 49-50 vote, according to The Guardian.

El-Sayed’s comments came as he campaigned on lowering living costs, expanding healthcare access and reducing US involvement in foreign wars. He has also called for greater investment in schools and public services rather than military spending abroad.

On November 4, El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate election. His victory makes him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.

The campaign also drew attention to his Muslim identity. Republicans repeatedly questioned his loyalty and portrayed him as sympathetic to extremist groups, allegations he denied and which were not supported by evidence cited in the reporting. After his victory, El-Sayed told the Associated Press that Michigan voters had rejected what he described as a campaign targeting his faith

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Iran has exempted commercial vessels from four countries from restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could ease pressure on regional shipping and protect India’s vital energy and trade routes.

Amir Hayat Moghadam, deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Tuesday that ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar were allowed to pass through the strategic waterway despite restrictions imposed on other vessels.

In an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), Moghadam said the exemptions reflected mutual interests between Tehran and the four countries. He said the arrangement would facilitate the movement of Indian ships to enable Iran to import medicines from India, while the exemption for Chinese vessels was intended to secure Beijing’s political support.

The lawmaker said Iran collects transit fees from Indian and Chinese vessels, while Qatari ships are allowed to pass without charge. He did not clarify whether Iraqi vessels are required to pay. However, The Economic Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the Indian government had not paid transit fees for ships whose passage was negotiated by its Ministry of External Affairs.

Why the exemption matters for India

The decision is significant for India, which relies heavily on maritime routes through the Gulf for energy supplies and other essential imports.

India imports nearly 90 percent of its crude oil requirements, with around 30 percent of those imports currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Hindustan Times. The country is also particularly dependent on the waterway for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with about 90 percent of its LPG imports transiting the strait. More than half of its liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also pass through the route.

India has diversified its crude oil purchases since the conflict began, increasing supplies from countries including Russia, the United States and West Africa. However, the continued disruption of Hormuz traffic leaves important vulnerabilities in its energy supply chains, particularly for gas and fertiliser imports.

Shipping disruption and risks to seafarers

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. It normally carries roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.

Shipping through the waterway has been severely disrupted since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes. Iran subsequently restricted maritime traffic, while Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Some vessels have faced screening requirements and transit charges to secure passage.

The disruption has also placed commercial crews at risk. The International Maritime Organization reported at least 70 attacks on merchant ships between the beginning of the conflict in February and August, resulting in the deaths of 19 seafarers. Indian authorities have reported 15 Indian seafarers among the Indian nationals killed in the wider West Asia conflict.

In the latest reported incident, an Indian sailor was killed in an attack on the commercial vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, Oman, on Monday, according to Indian media reports.

India has repeatedly called for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and urged all parties to stop attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure. New Delhi has also stressed the need to restore free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.

The exemptions offer some relief to shipping from the four countries, but they do not amount to a full reopening of the strait. The continued restrictions, security threats and uncertainty over transit arrangements remain risks for global trade and energy markets.

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Two Afghan citizens were executed in Iran on Wednesday, according to Iranian media, adding to growing concerns over the use of capital punishment against Afghan nationals in the country.

The two men were hanged at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on November 4, after being sentenced to death in separate cases on charges of premeditated murder, Iranian media reported. Their identities have not been disclosed.

In one case, an Afghan man was accused of killing an Iranian neighbour following a dispute over shared building expenses in Tehran’s Khorrasan Square area. The incident reportedly took place in July 2024, when police arrested three Afghan brothers in connection with the case.

The main suspect was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death after the victim’s family sought qisas, or retribution under Iran’s criminal justice system. No further information has been reported about the second Afghan prisoner or the circumstances of his case.

The executions come amid a wider pattern of Afghan nationals being put to death in Iran. According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 84 Afghan citizens were executed in Iran in 2025, compared with 80 in 2024, 25 in 2023 and 16 in 2022. Only six of the 84 executions in 2025 were reported by official Iranian sources, the organisation said.

Report, based on documentation from Iranian human rights organisations, found that at least 20 Afghan nationals had been executed in Iranian prisons between January 1 and August 28, 2026. The report also highlighted concerns raised by rights groups over defendants’ access to lawyers, the fairness of judicial proceedings and the lack of transparency surrounding executions.

IHR has said Afghan nationals are the largest group of foreign citizens recorded among those executed or facing death sentences in Iranian prisons. It has also warned that the actual number may be higher because executions of Afghans are often not publicly announced and many prisoners have limited family or legal support to raise awareness about their cases.

The latest reported executions underscore continuing concerns about the vulnerability of Afghan prisoners in Iran, particularly regarding transparency, access to legal representation and safeguards in capital cases.

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The volume of commercial goods transported through Afghanistan’s railway network more than doubled in the first six months of the 1405 solar year, reaching nearly 4.9 million metric tonnes, according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Works.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshinas, the ministry’s spokesperson, said 4,888,268 metric tonnes of goods were transported through the country’s four main railway corridors between the beginning of the solar year and the end of its sixth month. The figure compares with 2,182,312 tonnes during the same period in 1404, representing an increase of about 124 percent.

The shipments moved through the Hairatan, Aqina and Torghundi border ports, as well as the Khaf-Herat railway line, according to the ministry.

Imported goods included petroleum products, liquefied gas, wheat, flour, cooking oil, other food supplies and construction materials. Exports transported through the rail network included dried fruit, cotton, mineral products, carbonated drinks and other Afghan goods destined for regional markets, Haqshinas said.

Hairatan, which connects northern Afghanistan with Uzbekistan, is one of the country’s principal railway gateways for commercial imports. The other corridors provide links with Turkmenistan and Iran, giving Afghan traders access to several regional markets and alternative routes for moving goods.

The latest increase follows a broader rise in railway freight. Afghanistan transported more than 6.1 million metric tonnes of goods through its four main railway routes during the full 1404 solar year, a 39.1 percent increase compared with the previous year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Works in April.

As a landlocked country, Afghanistan relies on neighbouring states and regional transport corridors to move imports and exports. Railways offer an alternative to road transport for bulk commodities, including fuel, food and construction materials.

However, expanding rail connectivity remains important for increasing trade options. Earlier reporting by TOLOnews cited Afghan traders and business representatives who said railway links with Pakistan and India could help facilitate exports, particularly as road transport faces logistical challenges.

The Ministry of Public Works says it is working to improve railway services and provide better facilities for traders. The increase in freight volumes indicates greater use of existing routes, although the figures alone do not establish how much of the growth came from exports, imports or transit trade.

Afghanistan’s ability to turn higher rail traffic into stronger export earnings will depend on improving infrastructure, expanding access to regional markets and reducing transport barriers for domestic producers.

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Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has demanded $51 billion in compensation and formal recognition as the country’s rulers in negotiations with Saudi Arabia aimed at ending hostilities, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, November 5, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The Houthis said the money would compensate for years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a prolonged blockade, according to the report. Although other figures have since been discussed, the proposed settlement would still involve payments amounting to tens of billions of dollars.

Saudi Arabia reportedly approached the Houthis to explore the possibility of a negotiated halt to the conflict after the group intensified attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seized strategic territory overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

The demands would present a major political challenge for Riyadh. Recognizing the Houthis as Yemen’s rulers would effectively legitimize a movement that Saudi Arabia has fought for years and that controls large parts of the country, while weakening the internationally recognized Yemeni government backed by the kingdom.

The negotiations are taking place amid a renewed escalation in Yemen’s conflict. Recent Houthi advances have brought the group closer to Aden, the interim seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while attacks on Saudi territory and infrastructure have increased pressure on the kingdom.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly reluctant to enter a comprehensive agreement without stronger military leverage against the Houthis. However, sending additional Saudi forces into Yemen could result in heavy casualties and domestic criticism, according to the WSJ report.

The kingdom also faces limited support from regional partners. The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the anti-Houthi campaign, while Pakistan has rejected reports that it would take part in offensive operations inside Yemen. The United States has also declined direct military involvement, the report said.

The conflict has broader regional implications because of the Houthis’ relationship with Iran and their ability to threaten Saudi infrastructure and shipping routes. Reuters reported in October that Iranian support, including intelligence and targeting assistance, had helped the group conduct more sophisticated attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Any agreement would therefore involve more than financial compensation. It would raise questions about the Houthis’ political status, the future of Yemen’s internationally recognized government and security along Saudi Arabia’s southern border.

No final agreement has been announced. The reported demands remain part of the negotiations and should not be interpreted as terms accepted by Saudi Arabia.

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Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, has called on the United Nations to make gender equality a central priority across its development programmes.

Bahous made the remarks on Thursday, November 5, during the Global Meeting of UN Resident Coordinators. In a post on X, she thanked resident coordinators for their efforts to improve conditions for women and girls and translate the UN’s commitments into practical action. She said gender equality should be treated as a fundamental and independent priority in the organisation’s development agenda.

Afghanistan remains one of the starkest examples of the consequences of excluding women and girls from education and public life. Girls have been barred from attending school beyond grade six since September 2021, while women have been excluded from universities since December 2022.

UNICEF said in August 2026 that more than 2.6 million girls had been denied secondary education since the restrictions were introduced. The agency warned that the exclusion also threatens Afghanistan’s future workforce, estimating that the country could lose up to 20,000 women teachers and 5,400 female health workers by 2030 if restrictions on education and employment continue.

The impact extends beyond schools and universities. A UN Women report published in August found that more than half of the Afghanistan women surveyed said they left their homes only once or twice a month because of restrictions on movement and access to public spaces. Nearly three-quarters said they felt unsafe leaving home without a male guardian.

UN Women also reported that more than 10.7 million women and girls in Afghanistan would need humanitarian assistance in 2026. It said restrictions on women’s employment, combined with reductions in international aid, were making it harder for women-led organisations to provide healthcare, protection and other essential services.

The restrictions carry wider economic consequences. UNICEF estimated that limits on girls’ education and women’s employment are costing Afghanistan about $84 million annually in lost economic output. The agency warned that the decline in female teachers and health workers could further weaken education and healthcare services, particularly for women and children.

UNESCO has also urged the restoration of girls’ and women’s right to education, warning that Afghanistan is the only country where girls and women are formally barred from education beyond the primary level. The agency says community-based learning and skills programmes remain important alternatives, but cannot replace access to formal secondary and higher education.

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Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has given US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth an ultimatum, saying he will push for an impeachment vote unless the Pentagon chief resigns.

Massie said on Thursday, November 5, that he would not reintroduce articles of impeachment against Hegseth if the defense secretary stepped down. He made the statement in a post on X.

CNN reported on Wednesday that Massie intends to force a vote on the measure when the House of Representatives returns next week. Several Republican sources told the network they expect the resolution to receive enough support to pass.

Massie had previously introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September, accusing him of abusing his office by carrying out military operations against Iran without congressional authorisation. The effort was blocked from a vote after House Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home early for the midterm election campaign.

The renewed push comes as Republicans face political fallout from their losses in the November 3 midterm elections. Several Republican lawmakers and allies have reportedly blamed Hegseth for encouraging President Donald Trump to launch the war against Iran without a clear exit strategy.

According to CNN, some Republicans argue that Hegseth overstated the prospect of a quick and easy victory in the conflict, contributing to the administration’s political difficulties.

Trump has acknowledged that the war and its impact on fuel prices hurt Republican candidates in the midterm elections. However, he has publicly defended Hegseth, saying the defense secretary is doing a very good job.

Hegseth has also signalled that he is prepared to defend his record. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretary would not be deterred by what he described as politically motivated efforts to undermine him.

The impeachment effort could put Republican lawmakers in a difficult position as they consider whether to support a measure targeting a member of Trump’s Cabinet. A vote in the House would require a simple majority, while removing Hegseth from office through impeachment would require conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

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Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, has met with newly appointed UN refugee agency representative Noriko Takagi to discuss Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation and challenges facing the country.

Sadiq said on Wednesday, November 4, that the meeting focused on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, major challenges on the ground and the importance of strengthening international cooperation. He shared details of the meeting in a post on X but did not provide further information about any specific agreements or initiatives.

Takagi was appointed UNHCR’s representative in Pakistan in October, succeeding Philippa Candler. She brings nearly three decades of experience in humanitarian and refugee-protection work and previously served as the agency’s representative in Myanmar from 2023 to 2026.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face a major humanitarian and economic crisis, compounded by the large-scale return of Afghans from neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have projected that nearly 2.7 million Afghans could return from Pakistan and Iran between April and December 2026. The UN’s response plan estimates that $529.2 million is needed to provide emergency assistance and support the reintegration of returnees in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been among the countries implementing measures to return undocumented Afghan nationals, while UNHCR has raised concerns about the protection of vulnerable Afghans who could face serious risks if sent back. In a separate meeting with Pakistani officials in October, Takagi called for careful consideration of cases involving people who could face threats to their lives and safety upon return.

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A woman was killed and five other people injured in a shooting at Citibank’s corporate complex in Brandon, Florida, after an armed man drove into the premises and opened fire, authorities said. The gunman was also killed after an armed security guard confronted him.

The shooting occurred shortly after noon on Wednesday, November 4, at the Citibank Center, near Tampa. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, emergency services began receiving reports of gunfire at around 12:11 p.m., and the first sheriff’s deputy arrived within a minute.

Authorities said the gunman drove through a security fence and into an outdoor dining area before getting out of his vehicle and shooting a woman. He later entered the building, where an armed Citibank security guard confronted him and fatally shot him during an exchange of gunfire.

The security guard was among the five people injured. Four others were taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Citibank confirmed that the woman killed was one of its employees, while the company said it was cooperating with law enforcement.

More than 3,200 people were on the corporate campus when the shooting occurred. The sheriff’s office said more than 360 deputies and other emergency personnel responded, and authorities searched and cleared the buildings before confirming the site was secure. Sheriff Chad Chronister described the incident as a targeted attack, although investigators had not publicly established a motive.

Citigroup Chief Executive Jane Fraser expressed condolences to the victim’s family and colleagues, saying the company was reviewing security arrangements and providing support to employees affected by the shooting. Authorities had not released the identities of the victim or suspect as the investigation continued.

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China has signalled it intends to maintain stable relations with the United States despite President Donald Trump’s major setback in the midterm elections, while a Democratic-controlled Congress could increase scrutiny of his trade and technology negotiations with Beijing.

Bloomberg News reported Thursday that Chinese officials described the election as a domestic US matter and reaffirmed their commitment to agreements reached between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The diplomatic response comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen later this month, where the two leaders are expected to meet.

The Democratic victories in both chambers of Congress could complicate Trump’s efforts to manage relations with China. Lawmakers are expected to push for tighter technology export controls and greater scrutiny of tariff exemptions, semiconductor deals and supply chains linked to artificial intelligence.

Reuters reported that China’s fragile trade truce with Washington is due to expire in January, giving Beijing an incentive to strengthen its position in negotiations. However, a Democratic-controlled Congress could limit Trump’s ability to offer concessions, particularly on advanced technology.

Despite the prospect of increased pressure, Chinese analysts expect the broader relationship to remain relatively stable. Beijing has repeatedly opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, while disputes over semiconductors, artificial intelligence and trade continue to complicate relations.

Although Trump retains considerable authority over foreign policy, greater congressional oversight could make agreements with Beijing harder to negotiate and implement. The election has therefore introduced new uncertainty into efforts by both governments to preserve a fragile period of stability.

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Political opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have seized on the Democrats’ victories in the US midterm elections, arguing that his close alignment with Republicans has weakened Israel’s traditionally bipartisan support in Washington and strengthened the case for replacing him.

Reuters reported that Democrats secured majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, delivering a significant setback to President Donald Trump. The results reflected widespread frustration over the US-Israeli war on Iran, alongside concerns about the rising cost of living and the administration’s handling of the conflict.

Israeli opposition leaders said the election results exposed the diplomatic costs of Netanyahu’s approach to relations with the United States. Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that Netanyahu’s continued leadership threatened Israel’s security, democratic institutions and international standing, saying the country could not afford to keep him in office.

Yair Golan, head of the centre-left Democrats party, described Netanyahu as increasingly unpopular across both major US political parties. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is seeking to form the next government, pledged to restore and strengthen Israel’s relationship with Washington on a bipartisan basis.

The political pressure comes after Israel’s October 28 parliamentary election left Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition without a majority. However, the result did not give Eisenkot’s opposition bloc a clear route to forming an alternative government, leaving the country facing another period of political uncertainty.

President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to consult representatives of political parties before deciding which candidate should receive the mandate to form the next government. Netanyahu remains prime minister in a caretaker capacity. The candidate selected will need to assemble a parliamentary coalition; if unsuccessful, the opportunity could pass to the other candidate. If neither succeeds, Israel could face another election.

The dispute also reflects a broader shift in American attitudes towards Israel. Washington has been Israel’s principal international ally for decades, providing substantial military assistance under successive Democratic and Republican administrations. However, support among Democrats and some Republicans has weakened since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack in October 2023, and deteriorated further amid the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran.

Netanyahu has openly aligned himself with Republican leaders, particularly Trump, departing from the longstanding practice of Israeli governments seeking support from both parties. During the US election campaign, Trump also pledged to halt $4 billion in annual funding to Israel, saying the move would remove an argument used by Democratic candidates critical of American military assistance.

Although the US president retains primary authority over foreign policy, a Democratic-controlled Congress could increase scrutiny of US support for Israel through hearings, oversight and budgetary decisions.

The extent of any change in US policy remains uncertain, but the election results have added pressure to Netanyahu at a politically vulnerable moment. Israel’s next government will face the challenge of managing domestic divisions while repairing relations with an increasingly divided American political establishment.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz after attempting to use routes it described as unauthorized.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said one tanker struck a naval mine while attempting to cross a passage south of the strait. In a separate incident, another supertanker caught fire while leaving a route in the eastern part of the waterway. A tugboat that approached the second vessel to help extinguish the blaze also caught fire.

The IRGC did not identify the vessels, specify their flags or report whether any crew members were injured. The claims had not been independently verified, and no immediate confirmation from maritime authorities or the vessels’ operators was reported.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping corridor linking the Gulf to international markets. The waterway handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making disruptions there a major concern for energy markets and commercial shipping.

Iran has imposed restrictions on vessels seeking to pass through the strait and has said ships using routes it considers unauthorized could face enforcement action. In recent days, the IRGC has reported other incidents involving tankers and alleged mine strikes, while maritime security concerns have continued to affect shipping in the region.

The latest reports add to uncertainty over the safety of commercial vessels transiting the waterway, as the conflict involving Iran and the United States continues to put pressure on regional security and global energy supplies.

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Geoffrey Hinton, a Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist widely regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence, has warned that AI could trigger a Chernobyl-like crisis in the near future.

In an interview with The Guardian published on November 3, Hinton said such an incident could resemble the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in its impact, potentially involving an AI-enabled cyberattack on power infrastructure or an outage that disrupts the financial system for a week.

The 78-year-old scientist said a major incident might force governments to pay closer attention to the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. He stressed that his comparison was about the scale of a potential crisis, not a nuclear accident.

Hinton also criticised technology executives, including OpenAI chief Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing them of prioritising competition and profits over safety. These were Hinton’s personal assessments, made amid an intensifying race among technology companies to develop more advanced AI models.

He called for an independent regulatory system similar to the US Food and Drug Administration, arguing that advanced AI models should undergo rigorous safety testing and demonstrate that their benefits outweigh potential harms before being released.

Hinton, who left Google in 2023 to speak more openly about AI risks, also warned that the technology could deepen economic inequality, increase unemployment and create wider social disruption if its development is not properly managed.

Despite his concerns, he said humanity might still be able to maintain control over AI, provided governments and technology companies make a substantial effort to address the risks.

Hinton received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside John Hopfield, for foundational discoveries and inventions that enabled machine learning with artificial neural networks. His research helped establish the technological foundations of many AI systems used today.

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Wednesday that any renewed US attack would trigger a much wider response, saying Washington’s hostility would persist despite political changes.

In a statement published on his official website, Khamenei said those expecting the US midterm election results or Iranian concessions to change Washington’s policy toward Tehran were “seriously mistaken,” Reuters reported.

He said Iran’s actions against US military bases in the region and its control of the Strait of Hormuz were part of a broader campaign against what he described as American hegemony. Khamenei also said any renewed US aggression would lead to a conflict with much wider dimensions.

“The United States sees the end of its hegemony as distant; we see it as near,” he said.

Khamenei’s remarks followed the Republican Party’s losses in Tuesday’s US midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf welcomed the election outcome, saying Americans had rejected the war. “Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message,” he wrote, according to Al Jazeera.

US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran had contributed to Republican losses. However, he defended his decision to launch the military campaign, saying he believed it had been the right move and that he would do it again.

Trump also pointed to higher petrol prices as a factor behind the election results, arguing that voters were concerned about the economic consequences of the conflict. The exchanges came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high following months of conflict.

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The Taliban administration has signed two 30-year contracts with the Azizi Group to develop natural gas and coal-based power projects in northern Afghanistan.

The contracts cover natural gas extraction at the Jangal-e-Kalan field in Jawzjan province and coal extraction in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan province, along with electricity generation from the coal project.

The Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs announced the agreements on Wednesday, November 4, saying they were signed between the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the General Directorate of State-Owned Enterprises and the Azizi Group.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar attended the signing ceremony at the Government Media and Information Centre in Kabul, according to the announcement.

Each project is designed to generate approximately 1,000 megawatts of electricity, while the contracts will remain in effect for 30 years.

The two projects are also expected to create around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to the announcement. However, officials have not disclosed the financial value of the latest contracts, the construction timetable or when electricity generation is expected to begin.

The agreements come as Afghanistan continues to rely heavily on imported electricity to meet domestic demand.

The latest agreements add to a broader energy investment initiative announced in August 2025, when Azizi Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Taliban administration for a proposed $10 billion investment to generate, transmit and distribute 10,000 megawatts of electricity across Afghanistan.

Despite the country’s significant natural gas, coal and other energy resources, limited infrastructure, investment constraints and dependence on imported electricity remain major challenges for expanding domestic power generation.

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Billionaire Elon Musk’s reported $212 million effort to help elect Republican Ken Paxton failed as Democrat James Talarico won Texas’s US Senate race, ending a decades-long Democratic losing streak in the state.

According to Al Jazeera, citing a New York Times analysis, Musk spent at least $212 million supporting Paxton, making the race a major test of the billionaire’s political influence. Talarico’s victory marks the first time since 1988 that a Democrat has won a US Senate seat in Texas.

The scale of the spending made the contest the most expensive non-presidential election race in US history. AdImpact data cited by US media put combined advertising expenditure for the candidates and outside groups at more than $573 million.

Musk’s financial support included a $158 million contribution to the Senate Leadership Fund, a major Republican political action committee, which transferred the money to Texas PAC, a group backing Paxton. A New York Times analysis estimated Musk’s overall support for Paxton at at least $212 million, a figure it said could be an undercount because some spending was not publicly disclosed.

Despite the Republican spending advantage among outside groups, Talarico built a strong fundraising operation of his own. Al Jazeera reported that he raised about $155 million, compared with approximately $40 million for Paxton. His campaign focused on the cost of living, political accountability and corruption.

Paxton, Texas’s attorney general and a close ally of President Donald Trump, had secured the Republican nomination with Trump’s backing. His campaign was also overshadowed by past controversies, including his 2023 impeachment by the Texas House and a securities fraud case.

Following the Republican losses, Musk mocked the outcome in a post on his social media platform X, writing: “Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time.” He also posted that data centres in space were looking increasingly appealing.

Musk’s political spending extended beyond Texas. AFP reported that he contributed nearly half a billion dollars to Republican political efforts during the 2026 election cycle, making him the largest individual contributor in a federal election cycle since 2010, when rules allowing unlimited political spending by outside groups took effect.

Talarico’s victory was part of broader Democratic gains in the midterm elections, which also saw the party win control of both chambers of Congress, according to media projections and election reporting. The results represent a major setback for Trump and the Republican Party halfway through his second term.

The Texas result underscores the limits of campaign spending in determining election outcomes, even when wealthy donors and well-funded political groups play a major role. It also raises questions about Musk’s political influence following a costly effort that failed to secure the Senate seat for the candidate he supported.

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Afghan American Democrat Aisha Wahab is leading fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in California’s 14th Congressional District race, with early results showing a clear advantage.

According to KQED and election results reported by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, Wahab held 56.8 percent of the vote, compared with 43.1 percent for Hernandez, after about 51 percent of votes had been counted. The report had not yet declared a winner in the race at the time of the latest reported figures.

Wahab, who became the first Afghan American to serve in the US Congress after winning an August special election, is seeking a full two-year term beginning in January 2027. She previously served in the California State Senate and on the Hayward City Council.

The contest is a rematch between Wahab and Hernandez, the president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board and former mayor of Dublin. Wahab defeated Hernandez in August to complete the remainder of former Representative Eric Swalwell’s term.

During her campaign, Wahab focused on healthcare, housing affordability, rising living costs and support for families and older people. Speaking after the early results were released, she thanked voters and said she was proud of their support.

The race also attracted substantial spending from outside political groups. KQED reported that Wahab’s campaign raised nearly $1.2 million through October 14, while Hernandez raised slightly more than $2 million. Outside groups also spent millions of dollars supporting Hernandez and opposing Wahab, while labour-backed groups provided financial support to Wahab.

The campaign drew further attention after Hernandez made remarks during a debate suggesting Wahab had communicated with the Taliban. Wahab condemned the comments as racist, and the controversy reportedly cost Hernandez the endorsement of a Dublin City Council member.

Wahab has also attracted national attention for her work on affordable housing and a 2023 California bill seeking to prohibit caste-based discrimination. The bill was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

California’s 14th Congressional District includes Hayward, Pleasanton, Livermore, Union City and Castro Valley, as well as parts of Fremont and Dublin. The final result will determine who represents the district for the next full term in the US House of Representatives.

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Humanitarian conditions are deteriorating in southern Afghanistan, where health facilities are facing growing pressure from severe malnutrition as poverty and hunger deepen, the United Nations has warned.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday that hospitals and health centres in the region were reporting overcrowded wards and rising admissions of people suffering from severe malnutrition. It warned that families were facing multiple crises while resources available to humanitarian organisations continued to decline.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about Afghanistan’s worsening food security. A joint assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) published in October estimated that 19.2 million people, about 38 percent of the population could face acute food insecurity during the winter months from November to April.

The agencies also warned that around four million children could suffer from acute malnutrition in 2027, including nearly 1.1 million facing severe, potentially life-threatening cases.

The crisis is particularly acute in parts of southern Afghanistan. In June, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a sharp rise in admissions of severely malnourished children at treatment centres it supports in Helmand and Kandahar. Admissions in its Helmand centre reached a monthly record high during the first months of 2026.

UNICEF has also warned that hospitals are struggling to accommodate severely malnourished children. In August, the agency said some hospitals in southern Afghanistan were treating three or four severely malnourished children for every available bed.

Humanitarian agencies say poverty, limited employment opportunities, high food prices and repeated climate-related shocks, including droughts and floods, are worsening household food insecurity. Declining international assistance has further weakened the response at a time when needs are increasing.

OCHA has warned that many vulnerable families are struggling to meet basic needs, while reduced funding is limiting the number of people who can receive assistance. Humanitarian organisations have called for sustained support to provide emergency food, nutrition treatment and longer-term livelihood assistance.

Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s major humanitarian crises, with millions of people at risk of hunger and children particularly vulnerable to the effects of inadequate food and limited access to healthcare.

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A federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Afghan nationals to Afghanistan or Pakistan, delaying a planned removal operation involving more than 150 people.

ABC News reported that US District Judge Valerie Caproni issued the temporary order on Tuesday, November 3, after government lawyers told the court that no chartered or commercial flights to deport Afghans to either country were planned or confirmed through the end of the week. The order remains in effect until Saturday, November 7.

The deportations had reportedly been planned through Pakistan because the United States has no formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. Under the proposed arrangement, Afghan detainees would first be flown from the United States to Pakistan and then transported overland to Afghanistan.

The plan raised concerns among lawyers and refugee advocacy groups, who warned that some of those facing removal could face persecution or retaliation in Afghanistan, particularly people who had worked with US forces or whose relatives had supported the American military mission.

According to ABC News, some Afghan detainees were being held in immigration detention facilities in Louisiana. A US Justice Department court filing had indicated that dozens could be deported, while earlier reports put the expected number at more than 150.

The advocacy group AfghanEvac welcomed the court’s decision but described it as a temporary reprieve rather than a lasting solution. Its president, Shawn VanDiver, said veterans, advocates, lawmakers and members of the public had helped challenge the planned flights.

The ruling came after 66 members of Congress urged the administration to stop the deportations. Afghan authorities had also expressed concern over reports of the planned transfers and called for the rights and dignity of Afghan nationals to be respected.

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US President Donald Trump has said Washington will end its annual financial assistance to Israel after 2026, announcing a major potential shift in military ties with the longtime ally while American voters cast ballots in midterm elections.

Trump said he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the funding by the end of this year, arguing that Israel no longer needed American financial support. He added that the United States would continue selling weapons to Israel and provide assistance if necessary.

“We’ve already agreed that by the end of this year we won’t be paying Israel,” Trump told Fox News on Tuesday. He also said the move would remove a political issue that Democratic candidates had used to criticise Republicans, specifically mentioning Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has opposed unconditional US military aid to Israel.

The announcement raises questions about the future of a longstanding assistance arrangement. Under a 10-year memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military assistance through September 2028, amounting to $38 billion over the agreement’s duration.

Trump did not explain how the funding would be stopped two years before the agreement expires or clarify which specific payments would be affected. Congress must also approve annual appropriations to release the funds.

The announcement comes as American public support for Israel has weakened, particularly among Democrats, following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza after the Hamas-led attack in October 2023.

A Quinnipiac University poll in June found that 48% of US voters and 66% of Democrats believed Washington was too supportive of Israel, compared with 16% and 20%, respectively, when the question was first asked in 2017.

The issue has also become more divisive within Trump’s Republican Party. Some members of his political movement have criticised Israel’s role in the conflict with Iran, while questioning the cost of American involvement overseas.

Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran had contributed to political pressure on Republicans, but defended his administration’s military decisions. His announcement on Election Day also prompted questions about whether domestic political concerns had influenced its timing.

Despite the proposed end of direct annual assistance, the broader US-Israel defence relationship may continue through arms sales, military cooperation and joint technology projects. The US House of Representatives has also advanced a defence measure aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement therefore signals a possible change in how Washington finances Israel’s defence, but the scale and timing of any reduction remain uncertain.

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Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, dealing President Donald Trump a major political setback and ending unified Republican control of Washington.

CBS News and other major US media outlets projected that Democrats had secured majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. The results marked a significant shift in political power ahead of the final two years of Trump’s term. Reuters reported that Democrats made major gains in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and Ohio.

The victories came amid widespread voter dissatisfaction with the cost of living, Trump’s economic policies, tariffs and the eight-month war with Iran. Reuters reported that nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living a major factor in their decisions, while about two-thirds blamed Trump for high prices. AP voter polling also found that many voters wanted Congress to exercise stronger oversight of the president.

The new congressional majorities will take office on January 3, 2027. It will be the first time during Trump’s second term that Republicans no longer control both chambers, giving Democrats greater authority to challenge his policies and investigate his administration.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become Speaker of the House, potentially making history as the first Black person to hold the position. In his election-night remarks, Jeffries pledged to focus on making life more affordable and strengthening congressional oversight of the executive branch. Reuters reported that he also promised to defend the interests of working families.

The Democratic victory is expected to open the way for investigations into the Trump administration, including its immigration policies, the conduct of federal agencies, alleged corruption and the president’s business interests. Democratic lawmakers have also signalled plans to examine the administration’s handling of the Iran war and the decisions behind its military operations.

The House Oversight Committee is expected to play a central role. Its members can issue subpoenas, request government documents and summon officials to testify. Democrats have also identified the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, presidential pardons and the activities of immigration enforcement agencies as potential subjects of scrutiny. ABC News reported that several House committees are preparing oversight investigations.

On legislation, Democrats have identified healthcare costs, the extension of Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, changes to Medicaid funding and the reversal of Trump’s trade tariffs as key priorities. They have also pledged to pursue measures aimed at ending the war with Iran.

However, the new majority will not give Democrats complete control over the administration’s agenda. Trump retains presidential veto powers, and Congress would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto. The president can also continue pursuing some policies through executive authority, although those actions may face legal and congressional challenges.

The possibility of a third impeachment process has also been raised by some Democrats. Jeffries has said the party has neither ruled out nor committed to impeachment, stressing that its immediate focus will be on affordability and government accountability.

Trump acknowledged the Republican losses in an interview with Fox News, saying the Iran war had played a role in the election outcome. He defended his decision to launch the military campaign, expressed surprise at the scale of the Republican defeat and said he was willing to work with the new Democratic majority. He also warned that he would veto legislation he considered unacceptable.

The election gives Democrats new powers to scrutinise the administration, but their ability to translate the victory into policy changes will depend on party unity and negotiations with the White House.

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Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.

The victory marks a historic milestone in American politics and gives the Democratic Party another seat as it secures control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. El-Sayed won the contest for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

A former public health official and the son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed, 42, campaigned on reducing living costs, expanding access to healthcare and limiting corporate influence in politics. His proposals included Medicare for All, a publicly funded healthcare programme covering all Americans.

He also called for greater investment in domestic needs rather than spending public money on foreign wars and military operations.

Foreign policy, particularly US support for Israel, was another major issue in the campaign. El-Sayed criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza, describing them as genocide, a characterisation Israel rejects. He also condemned Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank as apartheid and advocated ending US military assistance to Israel.

His positions and Muslim identity became central issues in the campaign. President Donald Trump and Rogers questioned El-Sayed’s national security credentials and sought to associate him with Islamist extremism. El-Sayed denied any connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, while Reuters reported that no evidence was presented to substantiate the allegations against him. Critics described the attacks as anti-Muslim rhetoric.

El-Sayed has argued that his religion and name should not distract from issues affecting ordinary Americans, including healthcare, household costs and economic opportunity.

Born in Michigan in 1984, El-Sayed studied medicine at the University of Michigan and Columbia University and has a background in epidemiology and public health. He previously served as director of the Detroit Health Department and ran unsuccessfully for Michigan governor in 2018.

His election is also being viewed as a breakthrough for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, which has increasingly called for universal healthcare, limits on corporate political influence and changes to US foreign policy.

Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent who was backed by Trump, had sought to portray El-Sayed’s policy positions as outside the political mainstream. The Michigan contest was closely watched because the state’s Senate seat was considered important to both parties’ efforts to control the chamber.

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Afghanistan’s under-18 futsal team will face Argentina on Wednesday in their second Group A match at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, after both sides won their opening games.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. local time in Senegal, or 8 p.m. in Kabul, at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Dakar, according to FIFA’s official schedule.

Afghanistan began its campaign with a 5-0 victory over Panama on November 2. Reza Karimi, Farhad Nazari, Hussain Hassani, Ali Ahmadi and Mohammad Akbari scored one goal each to secure the team’s first three points.

Argentina also opened the tournament with a convincing win, defeating host nation Senegal 9-2. The result makes Wednesday’s encounter an important contest between the two opening-match winners in Group A.

Both teams have three points, but Argentina leads the group on goal difference, following its seven-goal victory over Senegal. Afghanistan is currently second after its five-goal win against Panama.

The eight-team men’s futsal competition features two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 9.

Afghanistan will play its final group-stage match against hosts Senegal on November 7. The result of the Argentina match could therefore have an important bearing on the team’s chances of reaching the semi-finals.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which include the futsal tournaments, mark the first time an Olympic sporting event has been held on the African continent. The Games run from October 31 to November 13.

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Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives, is poised to become the chamber’s next speaker after Democrats secured a majority in the midterm elections.

If elected, Jeffries would make history as the first Black American to serve as speaker of the House, one of the most powerful positions in the US government. Reuters reported on Wednesday, November 4, that his party’s victory has put him on course for the role.

However, he must first secure the support of a majority of House members in a formal vote when the new Congress convenes in January.

The speaker is the leader of the House and stands second in the presidential line of succession, after the vice-president. The position also carries considerable influence over the chamber’s legislative agenda, committee assignments and oversight activities.

A Democratic majority would give Jeffries control of House committees and the authority to pursue investigations into the Trump administration. Democrats have indicated they intend to scrutinise the president’s policies and the conduct of officials in his administration.

Jeffries has previously called for investigations into what he described as an unprecedented level of corruption under Trump. The Democratic leadership is also expected to focus on issues including the cost of living and healthcare.

Despite gaining control of the House, Democrats would face significant limits in advancing their legislative agenda. Trump retains presidential veto powers, while Republicans’ position in the Senate could block or delay Democratic-backed legislation.

Reuters has noted that a Democratic-controlled House could use its investigative and subpoena powers to increase scrutiny of the administration, but major policy changes would remain difficult without support from the Senate and the White House.

Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, became the top House Democrat in 2022. He has led the party through its time in the minority and would become the first Democratic speaker since Nancy Pelosi if elected.

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US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to accept the results of the midterm elections and work with Democrats, as the opposition party makes major gains in Congress.

“I am absolutely willing to accept those results,” Trump told The New York Times in an interview on Tuesday, adding that he looked forward to working with Democrats.

“We’ll probably work something out,” he said, according to the newspaper. Reuters also reported Trump’s remarks, noting that Republicans were projected to lose control of the House of Representatives.

The election has delivered a major setback for Trump and his Republican Party. Democrats won control of the Senate, according to the Associated Press, and were on track to regain the House of Representatives as votes continued to be counted.

The results mark a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington, giving Democrats greater influence over legislation, congressional investigations and oversight of the Trump administration.

The Associated Press reported that voters’ frustration over high living costs, the war in Iran and concerns about government corruption contributed to the Democratic gains. The results represent a sharp rebuke of the Republican administration less than two years into Trump’s second term.

A Democratic-controlled Congress could make it more difficult for Trump to advance his legislative agenda and increase scrutiny of his administration. However, the president would retain his veto power and significant executive authority, meaning major policy changes could still face political and legislative obstacles.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran wants peace and constructive relations with the international community but will not accept coercion or demands imposed by foreign powers.

Pezeshkian made the remarks on Tuesday, November 3, during a meeting with Portugal’s newly appointed ambassador to Iran, Waltier Matias, who presented his credentials in Tehran.

The Iranian president said Western media portrayals of his country often do not reflect reality, adding that Iran would defend its rights and interests within the framework of international law.

He also expressed hope that the Portuguese ambassador would help convey a more accurate picture of Iran to his government and support stronger relations between Tehran and Lisbon.

Matias said he would work during his diplomatic mission to provide Portugal with a better understanding of Iran and promote closer bilateral cooperation. Iranian state media said both sides highlighted the long history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Pezeshkian’s comments come as Iran faces continued tensions with the United States and European countries over its nuclear programme, economic sanctions and the wider regional conflict.

Reuters reported on November 3 that Tehran and Washington remained far apart in negotiations to end the conflict, with Iran insisting that US sanctions and other restrictions must be addressed before nuclear talks can begin. Regional countries, including Qatar, have been involved in mediation efforts.

Relations between Iran and European governments have also been strained by disagreements over Tehran’s nuclear activities and regional security. Despite these tensions, Iran has continued to call for diplomatic engagement and expanded cooperation with countries outside the region.

Pezeshkian’s latest remarks reflect Tehran’s stated position that it is open to diplomacy but rejects negotiations under pressure or conditions it considers imposed.

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The Democratic Party has regained control of the US Senate after flipping six Republican-held seats in the November 3 midterm elections, dealing a major political setback to President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, Democrats secured victories in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, South Carolina, Kansas, Ohio, North Carolina and Iowa, giving them a Senate majority even if they lose some closely contested seats they currently hold.

In Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, marking the first Democratic Senate victory in the state in 38 years. In South Carolina, paediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, securing the party’s first Senate victory in the state in nearly three decades.

Democrat Sherrod Brown also reclaimed an Ohio Senate seat by defeating Republican incumbent Jon Husted, while Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas. The Kansas victory marked the first time Democrats had won a Senate race in the state since 1932.

The results came despite Trump’s personal campaigning and endorsements for several Republican candidates who ultimately lost. Reuters reported that the election reflected widespread voter dissatisfaction with the economy, rising living costs and the administration’s handling of the war with Iran.

The Democratic gains are expected to give the party control of Senate committees and greater influence over legislation, government investigations and presidential nominations during the final two years of Trump’s term. Republicans, however, will retain the presidency, and Trump can still veto legislation passed by Congress.

The results also put pressure on Republicans to reassess their strategy ahead of the next presidential election, following significant Democratic gains in states that had strongly supported Trump in 2024.

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Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, told the National Assembly on 26 October that the closure of the Pakistan-Iran border is one of the main reasons for the soaring price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and that the government is now trying to bring in fuel by sea instead. By then, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief and Chief of Defence Forces, had flown to Tehran twice in a single week, on 20 and 26 October. At home, the visits were presented as proof that bilateral ties were sound, and the Gabd-Rimdan crossing partially reopened four days after the first trip. Pakistan’s military spokesman later asked why the field marshal would go twice “if it is not for some positivity.”

Both claims cannot hold at once, and the gap between them is where Pakistan’s West Asia policy now sits. Since brokering the April ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and hosting the Islamabad talks, Pakistan has spent most of this year marketing itself as the indispensable mediator between the two. The return has been a cooking gas crisis, an unanswered request for American money, a defence partner, Saudi Arabia, that it has publicly declined to fight for, and an Iranian leadership that no longer hides its scepticism.

The energy arithmetic explains why ordinary Pakistanis are paying for this policy failure. The minister told the house that 50 to 60 percent of Pakistan’s imported LPG came from Iran and the rest from Qatar, and that Qatari supply has been suspended because of the war. Pakistan produces only about a quarter of the LPG it consumes. The regulator’s notified price is about PKR 280 per kilogram, yet lawmaker Aliya Kamran told the house the fuel was selling for PKR 700 to 800 in remote and northern areas. Traders said a 12-kilogram cylinder jumped from PKR 4,500 to PKR 7,000 within days of the closure.

The minister acknowledged that the notified rate covers only locally produced LPG and that no pricing policy exists for imports, according to the state news agency APP. Dawn reported that the gas is not sold at the official rate even when supply is in surplus. By the minister’s own estimate, imported LPG should cost PKR 450 to 500 a kilogram, far below what households are paying. That is an admission that the regulatory framework has no authority over the market it governs. Turning to seaborne imports in the middle of a winter shortage and a war in West Asia is not a policy but a description of having run out of them.

During the same session, lawmaker Naeema Kishwar Khan asked why the government had suspended trade with Iran through the border. It was a reasonable question when ministers blame that same closure for a price shock hitting households without piped gas. Pakistan’s own Ministry of Commerce suspended traffic at the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings on 17 October, citing security and anti-smuggling concerns. Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said there were no restrictions on the Iranian side, including on LPG exports, and blamed changes to Pakistan’s import paperwork.

The state is attributing a crisis to its own decision. Even after Gabd-Rimdan reopened on 24 October, only consignments documented before the closure were allowed through, and Dawn observed in an editorial that the partial reopening had failed to ease the shortage. The irony runs deeper. In April, Pakistan issued the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026, opening six road routes from Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar to the Iranian border so that third-country cargo could reach Iran despite the American naval blockade. Islamabad built a land bridge for other countries’ goods and now cannot move its own most basic household fuel across the same frontier.

Munir did not go to Tehran to reopen that border. His 20 October meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian produced a public instruction rather than a negotiation. Pezeshkian told him that Washington “must lift threats and sanctions before any talks,” according to Iranian state media. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told him the United States could not regain Iran’s trust without meeting the seven conditions Tehran had already set, and that Iran had nothing new to say.

Those terms were conveyed through Qatari mediators, not Pakistani ones. Iran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, under its own control, in exchange for lifting the American maritime blockade, easing oil export restrictions, releasing frozen assets and ending hostilities on all fronts, with those conditions met before nuclear talks begin. No mediator can bridge that, and one with no leverage over Washington certainly cannot.

Iranian commentary around the visit was more revealing than the communiqués. On the day Munir landed, three senior Iranian officials and an Iranian insider told Reuters that Tehran was deliberately prolonging talks to weaken President Donald Trump politically ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, and that a breakthrough before the vote was unlikely. Tehran analyst Saeed Leylaz put it bluntly: “Iran is influencing the US election without taking any unlawful action.”

The hardline Fars news agency, meanwhile, tied Munir’s trip to the oil market. It reported that the visit looked unlikely until crude neared $110 a barrel, and quoted a source saying earlier mediator visits had lowered prices without producing significant progress. The market behaved as described: Brent touched a five-month high of nearly $112 on 20 October, then settled lower as traders weighed the Munir-Pezeshkian meeting. Fars was in effect describing Pakistani diplomacy as a commodity-market event rather than a peace process, and that is a more accurate assessment than anything Islamabad has issued.

The second visit on 26 October brought Munir to Tehran alongside Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. It was the first high-level meeting between Iran and all three signatories of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on 7 August, under which an attack on one is treated as an attack on all. Iranian officials said the meeting was Munir’s initiative, proposed during his first visit.

According to regional sources cited by The National, Riyadh and its partners asked Iran to restrain the Houthis, while Iranian interlocutors insisted Tehran lacked the leverage to compel them. The meeting produced no publicly announced agreement to stop the attacks. The arrangement is the opposite of what the pact advertised: three ostensible collective defence partners seeking accommodation with Iran over the Houthis rather than deterring it. Analysts quoted by Alhurra noted that neither Turkey nor Pakistan was willing to apply military or economic pressure on Iran, leaving the three partners with little leverage over Washington or Tehran.

Pakistan’s position on Yemen has in any case been stated plainly enough for Riyadh to draw conclusions. On 18 September, the military’s spokesman said Pakistan would go to any extent to defend the kingdom and called its commitment “unconditional.” On 5 October, the three pact members activated the agreement and agreed to rapidly deploy forces to Saudi Arabia. Yet on 9 October, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the agreement does not commit Pakistan to sending troops into Yemen, described it as defensive and limited to helping Saudi Arabia protect its sovereignty, and dismissed reports of Pakistani participation in airstrikes as speculative. The Information Ministry had already called a New York Times report of Pakistani jets striking the Houthis “fake and fabricated.” On 30 October, the military spokesman went further, saying Pakistan was not part of what he called an intra-Yemen conflict.

Islamabad has roughly 8,000 troops in the kingdom, according to Reuters, along with a fighter squadron and an air-defence system. It also holds the alliance’s first secretary-general post through retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood. Yet it publicly defined the limits of its obligation at the first moment they were tested. Saudi planners who remember the Pakistani parliament’s 2015 refusal to commit forces to Yemen are entitled to ask what they purchased.

Against these costs, Pakistan’s financial return for playing mediator remains close to zero. Islamabad requested a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from the United States Treasury in July. In August, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said he expected a response by the end of September; by mid-September, he was saying it could take another two months. No decision has been announced, and no new Saudi financing package has been made public.

The International Monetary Fund projects a current account deficit of about $4.5 billion, against Islamabad’s estimate of about $2.5 billion, puts gross financing needs at 22 to 25 percent of output, and estimates banks’ exposure to public debt at 63 percent. Growth slowed to 2 percent in the final quarter of the last fiscal year as industry contracted 4.7 percent. Inflation hit 11.1 percent in August and was still 9.6 percent in October, well above the central bank’s 5 to 7 percent target.

Domestic conditions have deteriorated while this shuttle diplomacy consumed the state’s attention. On 11 October, the federal government imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the elected PTI administration, and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was detained. Islamabad cited militant violence and the province’s alleged failure to cooperate on counter-terrorism, a justification PTI rejects as politically motivated. The Centre for Research and Security Studies recorded 1,415 violence-linked deaths between July and September, an 83 percent jump on the previous quarter, including 829 in Balochistan and 556 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The 2026 Global Hunger Index ranked Pakistan 106th of 122 countries and second-worst in South Asia, ahead only of Afghanistan.

Munir is steadily running out of rooms to enter. Tehran has told him publicly that the terms are for Washington to meet. Riyadh has been told that the pact does not extend to the war it is fighting against the Houthis. The Americans have not paid. And as the midterm vote arrived, the most serious channel between Washington and Tehran ran through Doha, where Iranian negotiators worked on a framework with Qatari mediators, not through Islamabad. The mediation was always a financing strategy for Pakistan rather than a diplomatic conviction, and it has failed on its own terms.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Khaama Press.

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Videos showing large crowds at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport have circulated widely on social media, prompting speculation that foreign nationals are leaving the country amid heightened regional tensions.

However, Qatar Airways said the increased activity at the airport on Monday, November 2, was linked to planned emergency-response exercises under the nationwide WATAN 2026 programme, not a coordinated evacuation.

In a notice, the airline said passengers and airport visitors might observe increased ground activity at designated areas of Hamad International Airport, along with related activity in the surrounding airspace. It stressed that flights and passenger services would continue as normal, with no disruption expected.

The exercises were designed to simulate emergency situations and test preparedness and coordination among relevant authorities. Qatar’s state news agency, QNA reported that the airport activities were part of the national exercise.

The announcement followed the spread of videos showing crowded areas and long queues at the airport. Some social media posts claimed that foreign workers and other expatriates were attempting to leave Qatar in large numbers. However, the available official statements provide no confirmation of a mass departure or organised evacuation.

Regional tensions have nevertheless raised concerns about air travel across the Gulf. Restrictions on airspace, flight rerouting and cancellations in the region have affected major transit hubs, including Doha, in recent periods. Reuters has previously reported widespread flight disruption across the Middle East during the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Hamad International Airport is a major international transit hub, connecting passengers travelling between Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions. Any wider disruption to regional airspace can therefore affect connecting passengers and airline schedules.

Meanwhile the US Embassy in Riyadh has warned American citizens of possible Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, airspace closures and flight disruptions, saying the Iran-aligned Yemeni group has previously targeted civilian airports and critical infrastructure in the Kingdom, causing casualties and serious travel disruption. The embassy also cautioned that the escalating conflict could spread to other areas.

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A public dispute has intensified between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman over security and the federal government’s handling of the province.

Kundi recently criticised Fazlur Rehman for his opposition to the government’s policies, saying that if the JUI-F chief had such serious problems with the Pakistani state, he should move to Afghanistan.

The governor’s remarks triggered a sharp response from Fazlur Rehman, who said Afghanistan was the homeland of Pashtuns and Afghans, adding that Pashtun communities live on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and should be supported.

Fazlur Rehman also questioned Kundi’s authority, saying the governor merely wore a “three-piece suit” while real power rested with a council operating under the prime minister.

The JUI-F leader accused the government of attempting to weaken his party by pressuring its members and religious figures close to him. He alleged that some party members had been summoned to government offices and pressured to make statements against him.

He said his party would not be subdued through political pressure, arguing that previous governments had also attempted to bring political and religious groups under their control.

The exchange comes amid wider political tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the federal government imposed governor’s rule across the province and emergency measures in 12 districts on October 11. The measures placed provincial government functions under Kundi and established a separate administrative structure for the affected districts.

Fazlur Rehman has questioned the constitutional basis of these arrangements and demanded clarity over the division of powers between the governor, federal authorities and the newly established administrative bodies. He has also raised concerns about the future of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.

The latest exchange highlights growing political divisions in Pakistan over security policy, provincial governance and relations with Afghanistan.

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The US Embassy in Riyadh has warned American citizens of possible Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, airspace closures and flight disruptions, as regional hostilities intensify.

In a security alert issued on Monday, November 2, the embassy said Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement had targeted civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, causing civilian casualties and serious travel disruptions. It warned that the conflict could escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area.

The embassy urged US citizens to exercise extreme caution when using airports in the Kingdom and to check flight departure information directly with airlines and airport authorities before travelling.

The warning came as the Houthis claimed on Monday that they had launched drones towards Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia, an early-warning radar installation in Jizan and a military transport aircraft at Jizan airport.

Reuters reported that Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the alleged attacks. The Houthi statement did not provide further details about the drones or say whether they had reached their targets.

The US Embassy also reiterated that Washington had ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, effective October 23, because of security risks.

US government employees working in the Kingdom now require special authorisation from the Chief of Mission to use Saudi airports following recent missile and drone attacks, according to the embassy.

The latest warning follows weeks of heightened tensions involving the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government. Reuters reported on October 30 that the intensifying fighting had opened another volatile front in the wider regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The embassy advised Americans to monitor developments and confirm their travel arrangements with airlines and airports, warning that further attacks could lead to airport closures, cancelled flights and wider disruption.

The alert underscores growing concerns over the impact of the escalating conflict on civilian infrastructure and regional air travel.

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Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran has sent Washington a “strong and rational” response, adding that responsibility for preventing a new war now rests with the United States.

Ghalibaf, who is also leading Iran’s negotiations with Washington, made the remarks on Tuesday, November 3, during a parliamentary session, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

“Regional countries should know that Iran is ready for battle with its finger on the trigger, but it has also given the American side a strong and rational response,” he said. “The ball is now in America’s court to prevent war.”

He warned that any strategic mistake by Washington could draw US forces into another battlefield, while insisting that Iran remained prepared for a possible military confrontation.

The remarks came as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continued, but fresh military incidents raised concerns about a wider escalation.

Diplomatic efforts face major obstacles

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Iran and the United States remained far from an agreement despite intensified mediation efforts, including talks involving Qatari officials in Tehran over a proposed framework to end the conflict.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran wanted its conditions addressed before reopening the Strait of Hormuz and would only discuss nuclear issues at a later stage. Iran has also rejected what it describes as excessive US demands.

The negotiations have focused on ending hostilities, easing restrictions on Iranian ports and restoring navigation through the strategically important waterway, which carries a significant share of global oil shipments.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had made progress in indirect negotiations, while Iranian officials maintained that an agreement would depend on the United States meeting Tehran’s conditions.

US strikes reported near Strait of Hormuz

The diplomatic push coincided with reports of fresh US military action against Iranian targets.

The Associated Press reported that the United States carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said the attacks targeted Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against American assets.

Iranian state media reported several explosions on Qeshm Island late Monday, while the semi-official Fars news agency also reported blasts near the coastal city of Bandar Lengeh.

US officials described the strikes as defensive and said they did not represent a return to large-scale military operations. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Washington had also carried out smaller, previously undisclosed strikes against Iranian targets in recent weeks.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, said they had downed a US drone, according to Reuters. The competing military claims have added to uncertainty surrounding the latest incidents.

Strait of Hormuz remains central to negotiations

The Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in the confrontation, with restrictions on shipping disrupting energy supplies and raising concerns over global oil prices.

Iran has linked the reopening of the waterway to the lifting of the US naval blockade of its ports and an end to hostilities. Washington, meanwhile, has maintained pressure on Tehran while pursuing diplomatic contacts.

The latest developments highlight the difficulty of reaching an agreement as military incidents continue alongside negotiations.

Ghalibaf’s remarks signal that Tehran is seeking to place responsibility for preventing further escalation on Washington, while warning that Iran remains prepared to respond militarily if the confrontation intensifies.

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Americans are voting on Tuesday in midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, shape the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term and test public support for his administration.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested. Voters are also choosing governors in 36 states, alongside candidates for state legislatures and other local offices.

The elections, held halfway through a four-year presidential term, will decide whether Republicans can maintain their narrow majorities in both chambers or Democrats can regain control of at least one.

The balance of power in Congress

Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Republicans currently control both chambers, but their majorities are narrow.

In the House, Republicans hold 218 seats, compared with 214 for Democrats. One independent member caucuses with Republicans, while two seats are vacant. The closely divided chamber means that a small number of election results could change its balance of power.

In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats, while Democrats have 45. Two independent senators caucus with Democrats, giving the Democratic side 47 votes.

Democrats are seeking to gain control of both chambers, although the Senate presents a more difficult challenge because only 35 seats are being contested and the outcome depends heavily on individual state races.

The House is considered more favourable territory for Democrats. However, national polling does not necessarily predict the result in individual districts or states, where local candidates and turnout can play a decisive role.

What the latest polls show

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between October 29 and November 2 found that 52% of likely voters supported or leaned towards Democratic candidates in their congressional districts, compared with 44% who favoured Republicans.

Among registered voters, the same survey found a 46% to 38% Democratic advantage on the generic congressional ballot. These figures measure different groups of voters and should not be treated as identical results.

The poll also put Trump’s job approval rating at 32%, close to his lowest recorded level of 31%.

The president remains a major factor in the election despite not being on the ballot. Half of independent registered voters said their congressional vote was intended to oppose Trump, while 13% said it was a vote in his support. Another 33% said he was not a factor in their decision.

The cost of living has emerged as one of the most important issues for voters. Some 78% of respondents said rising living costs were either very important or the most important factor in their voting decision. Asked which party was better equipped to address the issue, 43% chose Democrats and 32% chose Republicans.

The survey also found greater enthusiasm among Democratic voters: 49% said they were very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 33% of Republicans.

The poll involved 1,765 US adults and was conducted online through Ipsos’s KnowledgePanel. Reuters reported a margin of sampling error of approximately two percentage points for the overall survey.

Why control of Congress matters

The party controlling Congress has considerable influence over legislation, government spending, congressional investigations and oversight of the executive branch.

If Republicans retain control of both chambers, Trump is likely to face fewer obstacles in advancing his legislative priorities. Republican leaders would also continue to control key committees and the congressional agenda.

A Democratic majority in the House, however, would give the party control of committee leadership and greater authority to investigate the administration. Committees could examine government policies, public spending, immigration enforcement and decisions made by the White House, and could summon officials to testify.

Control of the Senate is also important because the chamber confirms presidential appointments, including cabinet members, ambassadors and federal judges. A change in its majority could make it more difficult for Trump to secure confirmation of his nominees.

However, a Democratic victory in either chamber would not remove Trump from office or end his executive powers. The president would remain in office, retain authority over the executive branch and continue to hold the power to veto legislation passed by Congress.

A political test ahead of 2028

Midterm elections are widely seen as a referendum on the sitting president and often result in losses for the party holding the White House.

For Trump, the vote is an important test of public confidence in his leadership, particularly as voters express concern about living costs and other economic issues.

A Republican victory would strengthen his position in the final two years of his presidency. Democratic gains, meanwhile, could lead to greater congressional scrutiny, legislative deadlock and a more difficult path for the administration’s policy agenda.

The results could also influence the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election, shaping both parties’ strategies and the candidates who emerge as potential contenders.

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Iran’s army spokesperson has warned that any renewed US attack would trigger an immediate and more extensive response, potentially spreading conflict beyond West Asia.

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the Iranian Armed Forces were updating their database of potential targets and strengthening their military readiness in anticipation of further hostilities.

“If a new military adventure against Iran begins, American facilities, equipment, forces and interests could be targeted wherever they are within the reach of the Iranian Armed Forces,” he said, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

Akraminia warned that a future conflict could extend beyond the region, adding that Iran’s response would be stronger and broader than its previous military response. He also said the duration and outcome of any renewed confrontation would not be determined by Washington alone.

The remarks were reported by Tasnim on Monday, November 2. They came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent another round of fighting.

The warning follows similar remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who on October 31 called for an immediate response to any threat against the country, without geographical restrictions. He also directed military commanders to update the list of potential enemy targets, according to Iranian state media.

The Associated Press reported that Khamenei’s statement came as diplomatic efforts continued to prevent a return to full-scale war. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said mediators had been working on a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran maintained that any agreement would depend on Washington addressing its conditions.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported on November 1 that Iran was preparing a more forceful response if the United States resumed large-scale military operations. Citing Iranian officials, the report said military planners were considering a wider range of potential targets, including locations beyond the Middle East.

The latest warnings come against the backdrop of the 40-day conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which began on February 28. Although a diplomatic memorandum was signed in June, tensions have continued over security arrangements, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Regional concerns have also grown. A report published by Iran International on November 3, citing The Wall Street Journal, said several Gulf states had warned Tehran against targeting their infrastructure and were preparing for the possibility of renewed US strikes and Iranian retaliations.

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British adventurer Karl Bushby has returned home to Hull after a 28-year, 31,000-mile journey around the world, reuniting with his mother and family.

The 57-year-old arrived in his hometown on Monday, November 2, completing an expedition that began in Punta Arenas, southern Chile, on November 1, 1998.

As Bushby reached his childhood home, his mother, Angela, greeted him with four words: “Where have you been?” She then embraced her son, whom she had not seen in a decade.

Bushby, who left home at the age of 29, was welcomed by hundreds of people in Hull before making the final journey to his mother’s house. He pushed his two-wheeled cart, known as “The Beast”, as crowds cheered him through the city.

“There has never been a welcome home quite like this,” he told the crowd, according to British media reports.

The former British paratrooper spent nearly three decades travelling across four continents and around 30 countries. He set himself two strict rules: he would not use motorised transport to advance his journey, and he would not return home until he had completed it on foot.

His route included some of the world’s most challenging terrain. He crossed the dangerous Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama, traversed the frozen Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia, and swam across the Caspian Sea and the English Channel.

The journey was repeatedly interrupted by dangerous conditions, border restrictions, visa difficulties, illness and financial problems. He was detained in Panama after crossing a restricted border area and later faced detention in Russia following the Bering Strait crossing.

Bushby also spent years trying to secure permission to travel through Russia. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine added further delays to an expedition he had initially expected to take considerably less time.

According to The Associated Press, Bushby said the journey was made possible by the support and kindness of people around the world.

The homecoming was also a family reunion. His son, Adam, now 36, was eight when Bushby left for the expedition. Bushby also met his 12-year-old granddaughter for the first time.

Speaking to reporters after his return, he said he remained close to his son despite spending much of his adult life away. He described meeting his mother again and walking along his childhood street as deeply emotional experiences.

Bushby said the Darién Gap and the journey through Alaska and the high Arctic were among the most difficult parts of the expedition.

After completing the journey, he said he was uncertain about his next steps. He returned with few possessions and said he planned to take time to work out what came next, although he had not ruled out future adventures.

The expedition, which covered approximately 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometres), has brought to an end a journey that began when Bushby left England in 1998 with the aim of walking around the world and returning home without using motorised transport.

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Yemen’s internationally recognised government has reported airstrikes on Houthi positions west of Taiz, as renewed fighting intensifies across the province and forces thousands of civilians from their homes.

A military spokesperson said government aircraft carried out two strikes targeting Houthi positions and military vehicles in the Jabal Habashi district, west of Taiz, Al Jazeera reported early Tuesday, November 3.

The spokesperson said the strikes killed several Houthi fighters but did not provide a precise casualty figure. The claims could not be independently verified, and the Houthis had not immediately commented on the reported attacks.

Meanwhile, Houthi-affiliated media reported that an airstrike hit a plastic footwear factory in the Al-Taiziyah district, north of Taiz, killing three people and injuring eight others.

The latest reports come amid a significant escalation in Yemen’s conflict, particularly around Taiz, where government forces and Houthi fighters have been engaged in renewed battles since July.

Reuters reported on Monday that Houthi forces had advanced to within 80 kilometres of Aden, the government’s temporary capital, according to four military sources. The advance has increased pressure on government forces and raised concerns about the security of routes linking Taiz with other government-held areas.

The fighting has also intensified around the strategic approaches to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major international shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The humanitarian consequences have been severe. The International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 300,000 people were displaced by escalating violence across Yemen between August and the end of October, according to figures published by Al Jazeera on November 2.

Taiz received the largest share of those displaced, with approximately 133,800 people seeking refuge in the province during that period, representing about 45 percent of the total.

Earlier, the United Nations had warned that renewed fighting was driving large-scale displacement and causing civilian casualties across the country.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in support of the internationally recognised government.

The latest escalation has further weakened prospects for a lasting settlement, while civilians in Taiz and other affected areas face growing insecurity and worsening humanitarian conditions.

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China has called for renewed dialogue to resolve the Middle East conflict, as Beijing stepped up diplomatic engagement with Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia amid concerns over further regional escalation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the appeal on Monday, November 2, during a meeting with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing.

Wang said dialogue and negotiations were the only viable way to resolve the region’s conflicts, warning that continued fighting could spread tensions further across the Middle East, according to reports by Al Jazeera.

He also said China supported Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, while urging all parties to pursue political solutions rather than return to armed confrontation.

The meeting was part of a broader diplomatic push by Beijing to increase its role in efforts to contain the conflict. On the same day, Wang also held separate talks with Saudi National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

During the meeting with the Saudi official, Wang described the regional situation as being at a critical crossroads between war and peace. He called on all parties to resolve their differences through negotiations and protect regional energy supplies and shipping routes.

Al-Aiban also delivered a letter from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to Reuters. It was not immediately clear whether the Iranian and Saudi officials had any direct contact during their visits to Beijing.

Meanwhile, Xi Jinping met Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who was on a state visit to China. Xi said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for competition among major powers.

Oman, which has played a role in regional diplomatic efforts, endorsed China’s proposals for peace in the Middle East and welcomed a greater role for Beijing in promoting regional stability, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.

The two countries also called for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to resume and urged Washington and Tehran to return to dialogue, Al Jazeera reported. The waterway is a major route for global energy shipments, making its security a key concern for countries that depend on regional oil and gas supplies.

China also announced that its special envoy for Middle East affairs, Zhai Jun, would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia during November as part of its diplomatic efforts.

The meetings come as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has raised concerns about wider instability and disruptions to regional trade and energy supplies. Beijing has significant economic and energy interests in the region and has sought a more active role in diplomatic efforts.

China’s latest engagement brings together contacts with Tehran, Riyadh and Muscat, although it remains unclear whether the diplomatic initiative will lead to a breakthrough in efforts to end the conflict.

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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged governments to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing journalists, warning that widespread impunity continues to threaten press freedom worldwide.

In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday, November 2, the federation said journalists continue to face threats, intimidation, physical attacks and murder because of their professional work.

The IFJ called on governments to investigate not only those who carry out the killings but also the individuals who order, plan and organise the crimes.

“Who ordered the killing? Who planned the crime? Who is ultimately responsible?” the federation asked, stressing that accountability must extend to those behind the attacks.

According to the IFJ’s latest figures, 15 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide in connection with their work so far in 2026. Five were killed in Palestine, five in Lebanon, two in Colombia, two in Yemen and one in Somalia.

The figure represents a decline from the 99 journalists and media workers recorded by the federation at the same point in 2025. However, the IFJ said the killing of even one journalist was unacceptable and must be investigated.

The federation also cited figures from the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists, which recorded more than 1,600 journalists killed between 2006 and 2025, with nearly six out of every seven cases remaining judicially unresolved.

Newer UNESCO figures released for the 2026 observance further highlight the scale of the problem. The organisation reported that 189 journalists were killed in violent attacks during 2024 and 2025, with 67 per cent of the killings occurring in conflict zones. Fifty journalists were killed by drones across six conflict areas during the two-year period.

UNESCO also reported that the global impunity rate had risen to 86 per cent, meaning that nearly nine out of every ten journalist killings remained unresolved through the judicial system.

The findings highlight the continuing risks faced by journalists in conflict areas, where reporting can expose media workers to attacks, while those responsible frequently avoid prosecution.

The United Nations established November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists in 2013, following the killings of two French journalists in Mali. The observance calls on governments to prevent violence against journalists, investigate attacks and bring perpetrators to justice.

This year’s campaign also draws attention to emerging threats, particularly the use of digital technologies to target women journalists through online harassment, surveillance and gender-based abuse.

The IFJ said accountability must cover every level of responsibility, arguing that justice cannot be achieved if those who organise or order the killings remain free.

It warned that failure to prosecute those responsible allows impunity to continue threatening journalists’ safety and undermining press freedom.

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Two young men have died of dengue fever in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province over the past two days, as local residents report a rise in infections and call for stronger measures to contain the disease.

The deaths occurred in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, and Momand Dara district, according to local sources. Both men had reportedly been receiving treatment in the infectious diseases department of a local hospital for several weeks before their conditions deteriorated.

One died on Sunday, November 1, and the other on Saturday, October 31, the sources said.

The deaths have raised concern among residents, who say dengue infections are increasing across the province while public health measures remain insufficient. They have called for urgent action to prevent further infections and improve access to treatment.

Aminullah Sharif, head of the Taliban-run Public Health Department in Nangarhar, said mosquito nets were being distributed in Jalalabad and districts across the province. He added that mobile medical teams and equipment had been sent to different areas to help prevent and treat the disease.

However, residents have questioned whether the measures are sufficient to address the reported increase in cases.

The latest reports follow a significant rise in dengue infections in Nangarhar last year. TOLOnews reported in November 2025 that 88 of 106 patients admitted to the province’s infectious diseases hospital were suffering from dengue fever. Provincial health officials also said hundreds of thousands of mosquito nets had been distributed and insecticide spraying had been carried out in several areas.

The World Health Organization’s surveillance report for November 9–15, 2025, recorded 679 suspected dengue cases in Nangarhar during that week alone. It said the province had been among six Afghan provinces reporting infections that year. The WHO also reported field investigations in Jalalabad and Momand Dara, alongside the distribution of medical supplies and coordination on mosquito-control activities.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to people through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes. According to the WHO, common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea and skin rash. Severe dengue can cause abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding and other life-threatening complications.

There is no specific medicine to cure dengue. The WHO says early detection, proper medical care and measures to prevent mosquito bites are essential to reducing the risk of severe illness and death.

The latest deaths have renewed concerns about the capacity of health services in Nangarhar to respond to the reported increase in infections. No updated official figures on the number of cases or deaths in the province were immediately available.

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Sixty-six members of the US Congress have urged the Trump administration to halt the planned deportation of more than 150 Afghan nationals, warning that their return could expose them to persecution under current administration.

The lawmakers sent a letter on Monday, November 2, to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, calling for the cancellation of deportation flights involving Afghans and Iranians. The initiative was led by Democratic Representative Scott Peters of California.

The letter followed reports that the US administration planned to fly more than 150 detained Afghans from Louisiana to Pakistan, with arrangements for their onward return to Afghanistan. The first flight was expected to take place as early as Tuesday, according to reports cited by the lawmakers.

“Do not hand over the people who stood alongside our troops to the Taliban, either directly or through Pakistan,” the lawmakers wrote, warning that deporting people to Afghanistan or Iran could expose them to harassment, torture and even death.

According to The New York Times, which first reported the planned operation, the group includes relatives of Afghans who worked with the US military, as well as people who could face persecution because of their personal circumstances or perceived ties to the former Afghanistan government and foreign forces.

The Associated Press reported that court documents showed US authorities planned to transfer at least some Afghan detainees from Louisiana to Pakistan, followed by onward transport to Afghanistan. The US has no diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities, making direct deportations more complicated.

The lawmakers said the United States had a responsibility to protect Afghans who risked their lives and the safety of their families by assisting American forces during the two-decade military presence in Afghanistan.

They also pointed to accounts of former Afghan partners who have gone into hiding, faced threats or been pursued since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The letter warned that returning such individuals and their relatives could place them in serious danger.

The US Department of Homeland Security has declined to confirm future removal operations, citing operational security and the safety of personnel, according to the Associated Press. It was not immediately clear whether the planned flight had departed or whether the administration would respond to the lawmakers’ demand.

The Taliban-led Afghan Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it was prepared to engage constructively with Washington over the return of Afghan nationals. In a statement reported by Reuters, the ministry urged the United States to act responsibly and said third countries should not use another country’s citizens as bargaining instruments in exchange for temporary concessions.

The planned deportations come amid wider changes to US immigration and refugee policies under President Donald Trump. Human rights and refugee advocacy groups have warned that sending Afghans through a third country could expose them to removal to Afghanistan, where people perceived as having supported the former government or foreign forces may face retaliation.

The lawmakers’ appeal adds to growing pressure on the administration to reconsider the removals and address the safety of Afghans who supported US operations in their country.

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Pakistan has appointed veteran diplomat Amna Baloch as its first woman ambassador to Türkiye, marking a milestone in the country’s diplomatic history.

Baloch began her assignment in Ankara on Monday, November 2, bringing more than three decades of diplomatic experience to the post, Türkiye’s Daily Sabah reported.

She previously served as Pakistan’s 33rd foreign secretary, becoming one of the country’s most senior diplomats. She joined Pakistan’s Foreign Service in 1991 and held several diplomatic assignments, including positions at Pakistani missions in Copenhagen and Colombo and as consul general in Chengdu, China.

Baloch also served as Pakistan’s high commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 to 2023 and ambassador to Belgium from 2023 to 2024. She was appointed foreign secretary before retiring from government service in September 2026. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had announced that she would take up the ambassadorial position following her retirement.

Her appointment comes as Pakistan and Türkiye seek to expand their longstanding strategic partnership across political, economic, defence and cultural sectors.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger economic cooperation, including efforts to achieve a previously agreed target of $5 billion in bilateral trade. During a meeting with Baloch in October, he also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in energy, agriculture, mining, information technology, defence industries and special economic zones.

Zardari called for closer links between universities, greater people-to-people exchanges and stronger tourism and cultural ties. He also urged the incoming ambassador to maintain engagement with Pakistan’s diaspora, students and businesses in Türkiye.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also congratulated Baloch on her appointment, saying her diplomatic experience would contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries.

The appointment comes amid wider efforts by Islamabad and Ankara to deepen defence cooperation. On October 27, a Turkish parliamentary foreign affairs committee approved a proposed 10-year defence agreement involving Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, sending it to the full parliament for consideration. The agreement envisages military cooperation, joint weapons production, technology transfers and intelligence-sharing.

Baloch’s appointment gives her a central diplomatic role in advancing Pakistan’s engagement with Türkiye as the two countries pursue closer cooperation in trade, security and regional affairs.

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Iran is planning a new four-country meeting on Afghanistan in the coming months, as regional powers continue consultations over the country’s security and political future.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced the plan during his weekly press briefing, according to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency on Monday, November 2.

Baghaei said Tehran was working to organise the meeting and had already undertaken diplomatic visits as part of the preparations. He did not identify the countries expected to attend, announce a specific date or outline the proposed agenda.

However, previous meetings in this format have involved Iran, Russia, China and Pakistan. The four countries have held several rounds of discussions on Afghanistan, focusing on regional security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation and engagement with the Taliban authorities.

The most recent minister-level quadrilateral meeting identified in official records took place in New York on September 25, 2025, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia discussed Afghanistan and issued a joint statement calling for continued regional cooperation.

The statement highlighted concerns about militant groups operating in and around Afghanistan, called for stronger counterterrorism coordination and supported continued humanitarian assistance and economic engagement with the country. The four countries also stressed the importance of regional connectivity and efforts towards a political settlement.

The proposed meeting comes as regional governments continue to pursue separate diplomatic initiatives on Afghanistan. On October 5, 2026, Russia hosted the eighth Moscow Format consultations, attended by representatives from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian countries, among others. Discussions included regional security, counterterrorism, narcotics, humanitarian assistance and economic cooperation.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Taliban-led administration and countries with significant political, security and economic interests in Afghanistan, highlighting continued regional engagement despite differences among participating states.

Iran has also taken part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s discussions on regional issues. Baghaei said Tehran had not overlooked developments concerning Afghanistan and emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement.

It remains unclear whether the planned quadrilateral meeting will take place at the foreign-minister level or involve special representatives. There has also been no announcement from Russia, China or Pakistan confirming their participation.

The proposed gathering would provide another regional platform for discussions on Afghanistan, where security concerns, economic challenges, humanitarian needs and the country’s relations with neighbouring states remain central issues.

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The United States carried out limited strikes on military sites on Qeshm Island, officials said, amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

US officials told NewsNation that American forces targeted radar systems and missile launchers on the Iranian island in operations described as defensive. The strikes were reportedly conducted on a small scale and kept largely undisclosed to avoid signalling a return to major military operations.

Reuters also reported on Tuesday, citing US officials, that Washington had carried out limited strikes on Qeshm Island. One official said the action was intended to counter Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles against US assets. Fox News separately reported that the strikes followed Iran firing at a US aircraft.

Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported several explosions on Qeshm Island on Monday. Local reports described blasts in the area, but Iranian media did not immediately provide details about the cause, the extent of the damage or possible casualties.

The island, located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, occupies a strategically important position along one of the world’s busiest routes for oil and gas shipments. The Wall Street Journal, said Qeshm is also home to military infrastructure, including an underground missile facility and a naval base.

The reported strikes come amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over security in the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of renewed military confrontation. US officials have described the recent operations as limited actions rather than the beginning of a broader campaign.

US President Donald Trump has recently played down the prospect of renewed large-scale fighting, while administration officials have indicated that military options remain under consideration. The latest operation therefore highlights the contrast between Washington’s public statements about avoiding a wider conflict and its reported military actions in the region.

Iranian officials have warned that any renewed major attack would prompt a response, raising concerns that further military action could escalate tensions across the Gulf.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, discussed developments in the Middle East and cooperation between their countries in a phone call on Monday, Iranian media reported.

The call came as Moscow expressed serious concern over reports of possible renewed military action against Iran and called for greater diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions.

Iranian state news agencies reported that the conversation focused on regional and international developments, particularly the situation in West Asia.

A statement published on Rezaei’s Telegram channel said the call was part of high-level consultations between Tehran and Moscow and followed recent meetings between senior officials from the two countries.

Rezaei reportedly thanked Putin and other Russian officials for their statements in support of Iran and their praise of the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The statement did not provide details of any specific agreements or further steps discussed during the call.

The call took place amid growing concerns about a possible resumption of the eight-month conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed fighting have continued, while regional governments have warned of the risks of further escalation.

On Monday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said reports of possible new military action against Iran were a cause for “extreme concern.” Moscow called for increased diplomatic efforts to normalise the situation in the region, according to Reuters.

China has also stepped up its diplomatic engagement. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with Iran’s deputy national security chief, Ali Bagheri Kani, and Saudi Arabia’s National Security Adviser, Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, in Beijing on Monday.

Wang urged regional parties to pursue political solutions rather than return to armed conflict. He also said China supported Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, Reuters reported.

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Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has regained the top spot in Asia on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, moving past ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming with an estimated net worth of $110 billion.

Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, ranked 18th among the world’s wealthiest people as of October 29, Bloomberg data showed. His fortune rose by about $5.25 billion in a single day on gains in the market value of Adani Group companies.

Zhang, who founded TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, now ranks second in Asia on Bloomberg’s index with an estimated fortune of about $105 billion.

The shift reverses a change at the top of the regional rankings in mid-September, when Zhang overtook Adani to become Asia’s richest person for the first time. Bloomberg valued Zhang at $105.5 billion at the time, slightly ahead of Adani’s $104.8 billion.

The rankings differ across trackers. On Monday, Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list named Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani as Asia’s richest person, with an estimated $88.8 billion, after Reliance shares rose nearly 12 percent following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. On Bloomberg’s index, Ambani was valued at $77.3 billion as of October 29, placing him third in Asia.

Adani’s wealth comes mainly from his stakes in the Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, with interests in ports, airports, power, renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure and commodities. The group’s heavy investment in infrastructure and clean energy has made Adani one of India’s most prominent business figures.

Zhang’s fortune rests largely on the value of privately held ByteDance, which owns TikTok, its Chinese counterpart Douyin and the artificial intelligence chatbot Doubao. Because the company is not publicly listed, Bloomberg estimates his wealth from valuations by outside investors and applies a 10 percent discount to account for risk.

The top of Asia’s wealth table has changed hands several times this year. Adani overtook Ambani in April, when Bloomberg put his fortune at $92.6 billion against Ambani’s $90.8 billion. In June, Zhang passed Ambani to become Asia’s second-richest person, before overtaking Adani three months later.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index tracks the world’s 500 richest people and is updated daily based on stock prices, company valuations and other assets, so positions can shift quickly. Estimates also vary widely between trackers. In September, when Bloomberg valued Zhang at more than $105 billion, Forbes’ real-time list put his fortune at about $84 billion.

The contest reflects a broader shift in global wealth, as fortunes tied to technology and artificial intelligence rise alongside those built on infrastructure and energy.

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Afghanistan’s under-18 futsal team will begin its campaign at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games against Panama on Monday, aiming to build on its recent success in Asian youth futsal.

The Group A match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time in Dakar, equivalent to 8 p.m. in Kabul, at the Iba Mar Diop complex in Senegal, according to FIFA’s official fixture schedule.

Afghanistan will compete in Group A alongside Panama, Argentina and hosts Senegal. The team will face Argentina on November 4 before taking on Senegal on November 7. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 9.

The men’s tournament features eight teams and runs from November 1 to 12 as part of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Matches are being held in Dakar and Diamniadio, with the final scheduled for November 12.

Afghanistan’s squad arrived in Dakar in late October and held preparations ahead of the competition. The Afghanistan Football Federation said the players had been preparing in Kabul and Tehran since October 5 under head coach Behrouz Jafari before travelling to Senegal for a training camp.

The team enters the tournament after a major achievement at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. Afghanistan’s under-17 futsal side defeated Iran 2-1 in the final on October 30, 2025, to win the gold medal. Goals from Abbas Heydari and Ali Ahmadi secured the victory and an unbeaten run in the competition.

That title marked a significant milestone for Afghan youth futsal and secured the team’s place in the Dakar competition.

Afghanistan will now seek to carry that momentum into the group stage, where matches against Panama, Argentina and Senegal will determine whether the young squad advances to the medal rounds.

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The United Nations’ special representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, has called for stronger protection of journalists, saying their work is vital to dialogue, peace and good governance.

In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, Fatima said the safety and security of men and women dedicated to seeking the truth must be a priority in Afghanistan and around the world.

Fatima, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said journalists and media organisations make an essential contribution to constructive dialogue, lasting peace and accountable governance.

Her remarks come as press freedom groups continue to warn about restrictions, threats and pressure facing journalists under current administration.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a report published in June that at least 677 Afghan journalists had fled the country with the organisation’s support since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The figure represents nearly half of the journalists supported by RSF worldwide during the period. The organisation described Afghanistan as a global centre of journalist exile.

The concerns extend beyond Afghanistan. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for this year’s observance that at least 34 journalists had been killed worldwide over the past year. He said six out of every seven killings go unpunished, with impunity in conflict settings approaching 100%.

UNESCO has also reported that more than 1,600 journalists were killed between 2006 and 2025, with nearly six in seven cases remaining unresolved or without judicial accountability.

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed annually on November 2. The United Nations established the day to draw attention to attacks on media workers and press for investigations, accountability and justice for those responsible.

The UN says protecting journalists is essential not only for press freedom but also for the public’s right to information and the ability of independent media to hold those in power accountable.

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Fake warnings of nuclear danger, radiation threats and street fighting were sent to mobile emergency alert applications in Ukraine and Russia, prompting authorities to investigate suspected cyberattacks and reassure the public.

NBC News reported Monday, November 2, that Ukraine’s emergency alert application was compromised late Sunday, with Russia’s emergencies ministry reporting a separate cyberattack on its own mobile alert system hours later. It remains unclear whether the two incidents were connected or who was responsible.

In Ukraine, users began receiving alarming messages at around 10:45 p.m. local time. The alerts warned people to stay indoors because of alleged radiation and chemical threats and street clashes. One message, written in Russian, claimed that the entire country was under a nuclear alert and referred to Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile.

Ukraine’s Air Force said the country’s Air Alert application had likely been compromised by an enemy cyberattack. It rejected reports of a radiation threat and urged residents to remain calm.

The application’s developers confirmed that unauthorised parties had interfered with its operations, forcing a temporary suspension of the service. They later described the incident as a cyberattack and said they were gradually restoring the application while strengthening its security.

Ukrainian media reported that users across the country received the fake warnings. In the western Lviv region, some public sirens and loudspeaker systems also reportedly broadcast a radiation hazard signal.

Russia’s emergencies ministry said early Monday that its mobile application had suffered a “massive cyberattack” that resulted in false information being distributed to the public. The ministry later said the service had been restored and was operating normally.

Screenshots circulated by Russian media and regional authorities appeared to show warnings about nuclear warheads being launched towards Russia. Moscow did not identify those responsible, referring only to “malicious actors”.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said its national alert system was functioning normally on Monday. Authorities in both countries urged the public not to rely on the false messages.

The incidents came as a six-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian region of Kherson came to an end. The truce had enabled the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Oleshky, where conditions had raised concerns about a humanitarian crisis.

The ceasefire was brokered with the involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Melania Trump praised the cooperation between the two sides and expressed hope that the arrangement could provide a basis for lasting peace.

However, Ukraine’s Armed Forces accused Russia of using the pause to rotate troops and strengthen its positions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said both sides could have used the ceasefire to regroup.

The fake alerts added to security concerns as fears of renewed fighting grew following the end of the temporary truce.

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Bulgaria’s acting President Iliana Iotova has won the presidential runoff with 57.58% of the vote, becoming the country’s first elected female head of state.

Near-final results from the Central Election Commission, reported by Reuters on Monday, November 2, showed that Iotova and her running mate, Kiril Valchev, secured about 1.1 million votes after 99.95% of polling station protocols had been processed.

Their opponents, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov and his running mate, Georgi Kandev, received 39.47%, or approximately 749,500 votes. Another 2.95% of voters selected the option indicating that they supported none of the candidates.

The runoff was held on Sunday, November 1, after no candidate secured an outright majority in the first round on October 25. Iotova and Valchev had received 34.6% in the first round, narrowly ahead of Gyurov and Kandev, who secured 32%.

Gyurov conceded defeat following the initial results, according to the Associated Press. Voter turnout in the runoff was approximately 27%, reflecting limited participation in the election.

Iotova, who previously served as Bulgaria’s vice president, became acting president in January 2026 after Rumen Radev resigned to enter parliamentary politics. Radev supported her presidential campaign.

Her victory comes amid political divisions over Bulgaria’s relations with Russia and its position on the war in Ukraine. Iotova and Radev have called for a diplomatic settlement to the conflict. Iotova has also advocated dialogue with Moscow and opposed providing military aid to Ukraine, while Gyurov was backed by pro-Western opposition parties and supported closer cooperation with Kyiv, according to international media reports.

The election was also held against the backdrop of security concerns in the Black Sea, where drone attacks on merchant vessels have raised fears about the wider impact of the war in Ukraine.

Although Bulgaria’s president holds a largely ceremonial position, the office carries important constitutional responsibilities. The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, represents the country in international relations, appoints ambassadors and can return legislation to parliament for reconsideration.

The president is elected directly for a five-year term, with a maximum of two terms.

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Afghanistan has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign aimed at reaching 12.8 million children under five.

The Ministry of Public Health said the campaign, conducted in coordination with international partners, will run from November 2 to 5 across the country.

Vaccination activities in the southern zone are scheduled for November 3 to 6, while the campaign in Logar province will take place from November 9 to 13, according to the statement.

In addition to polio drops, health teams will distribute albendazole tablets to children in the southern, southeastern, western and eastern zones to prevent intestinal worm infections.

Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali said the ministry was committed to preventing the spread of polio and protecting children through continued vaccination efforts.

He urged religious scholars, tribal elders, parents and community leaders to support vaccination teams and encourage families to ensure that all eligible children receive the vaccine.

Polio-Free Afghanistan initiative also confirmed the start of the nationwide campaign. UNICEF has separately said that 12.7 million children in Afghanistan have been vaccinated through ongoing immunisation campaigns, although efforts to eliminate the disease remain necessary.

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children under five. It can cause permanent paralysis and, in severe cases, death. There is no cure for the disease, but vaccination can prevent infection.

Afghanistan remains one of only two countries in the world, alongside Pakistan, where wild poliovirus transmission has not been stopped. Health organisations continue to stress the importance of reaching every child, particularly in areas where access to healthcare and vaccination coverage remain limited.

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UN Chief António Guterres says at least 34 journalists have been killed worldwide over the past year, urging governments to investigate attacks on media workers and prosecute those responsible.

In a message marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday, November 2, Guterres said journalists continued to face harassment, surveillance, legal action, physical attacks and imprisonment simply for doing their jobs.

“Six of every seven such killings go unpunished,” he said, adding that the rate of impunity in conflict settings was close to 100 per cent.

“Across the world, journalists continue to pay an outrageous price for telling the truth,” Guterres said, stressing that their work was essential to keeping the public informed and holding those in power accountable.

He said nothing should obstruct journalists from carrying out their work, which he described as fundamental to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. He called for every case to be investigated, perpetrators to be prosecuted and online attacks against journalists to be stopped.

The warning comes amid continuing concerns over the safety of journalists, particularly in conflict zones, where media workers face killings, surveillance, arbitrary detention and other forms of intimidation.

According to UNESCO, more than 1,600 journalists were killed worldwide between 2006 and 2025, with nearly six in seven cases remaining judicially unresolved. The organisation has warned that impunity encourages further violence and weakens efforts to protect press freedom.

UNESCO’s figures also show that 189 journalists were killed in 2024 and 2025, with 67 per cent of the killings occurring in conflict zones. Fifty journalists were killed by drones across six conflict zones during the two-year period, highlighting the growing risks posed by new technologies and weapons.

The International Federation of Journalists, meanwhile, said 15 journalists and media workers had been killed in connection with their work during 2026 as of late October. The figures reflect different reporting periods and monitoring methods.

The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed annually on November 2. The United Nations General Assembly established the day in 2013 to draw attention to violence against journalists and the widespread failure to bring those responsible to justice.

Guterres said some progress had been made since the launch of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in 2012. In countries not experiencing armed conflict, the impunity rate for crimes against journalists had fallen from 94 per cent to 77 per cent, according to the UN chief.

However, he said further action was needed to ensure journalists could report without fear and that attacks against them did not go unpunished.

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The United Nations has warned that funding shortages are forcing health facilities and nutrition centres across Afghanistan to reduce services or close, leaving millions of vulnerable people with limited access to essential care.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said people in remote areas are particularly affected, with some forced to travel long and dangerous distances to reach medical services.

“Urgent health needs cannot wait for funding,” OCHA said, calling for sustained financial support to keep essential healthcare services available close to the communities that need them.

The warning comes as Afghanistan faces a worsening food insecurity and malnutrition crisis. Around one-third of nutrition sites across the country have closed or suspended services, largely because of funding cuts, according to OCHA.

More than four million children aged between six months and five years are projected to need treatment for acute malnutrition in 2027, including approximately 1.1 million who are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition, OCHA spokesperson Olga Cherevko said at a UN briefing on October 20.

The figures are supported by a recent assessment from UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, which projected that 4.04 million children under five would require treatment for acute malnutrition next year , the highest level recorded in five years. Nearly three million are expected to suffer from moderate acute malnutrition.

The food crisis is also expected to worsen during the coming winter. OCHA said 15.9 million people, nearly one-third of Afghanistan’s population, faced crisis-level food insecurity or worse between September and October. That number is projected to rise to 19.2 million between November 2026 and April 2027, including five million people facing emergency levels of hunger.

The closure of healthcare facilities has further weakened access to treatment, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The World Health Organization reported that at least 422 primary healthcare facilities, including mobile health and nutrition teams, closed during 2025 because of funding shortfalls, affecting an estimated 3.3 million people.

OCHA has requested $1.7 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to 17.5 million vulnerable people in Afghanistan in 2026. However, only slightly more than one-third of the required funding has been secured, according to the latest figures cited by the agency.

The funding gap has forced aid organisations to scale back operations and prioritise assistance, despite growing needs. Humanitarian agencies have warned that further reductions could disrupt life-saving treatment for malnourished children and leave families without access to basic healthcare.

Afghanistan remains heavily dependent on international assistance, while economic hardship, drought, disease outbreaks and large-scale returns from neighbouring countries continue to put pressure on already fragile public services.

OCHA has urged donors to provide predictable and sustained funding, warning that keeping health and nutrition services accessible is essential to preventing further deterioration in the humanitarian situation.

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A private Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board, after reporting ice and turbulence during its flight to the Bahamas.

The aircraft went down at about 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, near Cresthaven in South Florida, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that everyone aboard had died, describing the incident as a “horrific tragedy.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, with the FAA assisting.

Air traffic control recordings reported by Reuters captured the aircraft’s final communications. A person in the cockpit initially told controllers that the crew was managing ice accumulation and experiencing moderate turbulence before seeking smoother conditions.

Less than a minute later, the crew issued a mayday call and reported that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude. One of the final transmissions included the warning: “We’re going to crash into the ground,” followed shortly afterwards by, “We’re out of time.”

Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft’s descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute at one point. Investigators have not determined what caused the sudden loss of altitude, and it remains unclear whether ice, weather conditions or another factor contributed to the crash.

Videos of the incident showed the jet striking the ground beside a road and erupting into flames. The impact left a large crater near a mobile home park and scattered debris across the area.

Local authorities evacuated about 600 residents and arranged temporary shelter at two locations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of casualties on the ground.

The aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier, said it would cooperate fully with investigators. The identities of the nine people killed had not been publicly released as of Monday.

The NTSB is leading the investigation into the crash, while the FAA is providing support. Authorities have not announced a timeline for determining the cause.

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A young man was killed and two students injured after Pakistani forces allegedly struck civilian homes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, officials said on Sunday.

The Taliban police command in Paktika said the attack took place at around 3:10 p.m. local time in Sordagh village, Shkin district. It said heavy weapons fire hit residential areas, damaging several homes. Pakistan had not commented on the reported incident.

Local sources reported rocket attacks on homes in the area, with one person killed and two students wounded.

The incident comes amid renewed clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Taliban authorities said their forces and Pakistani troops also exchanged fire near the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar province on Sunday. They previously reported that two children were killed during an earlier clash in the area.

The two neighbours have repeatedly accused each other of escalating cross-border violence. Islamabad says militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), operate from Afghanistan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban authorities deny allowing Afghanistan territory to be used against other countries.

The latest reported casualties add to concerns over the impact of continued border clashes on civilians in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces. The claims about Sunday’s incident have not been independently verified, and Pakistani officials have not publicly responded.

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US President Donald Trump has sought opinions from close allies about the performance of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine as he weighs his next steps in the conflict with Iran, The Atlantic reported Sunday.

Citing two outside advisers close to Trump, the magazine said the president had turned his attention to officials who assured him the war would be quick and decisive.

Some people close to Trump have accused Hegseth of presenting an overly optimistic picture of the conflict. The Pentagon rejected the allegation, saying Hegseth provides the president and senior White House officials with the “full operational picture.”

Hegseth and Caine presented military options for possible further action against Iran to Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House last week. The options reportedly included limited strikes and broader military operations.

The White House said Trump had “full confidence” in both officials. No order to resume attacks had been issued, according to the report.

The discussions come as Trump considers whether to renew military action after the November 3 US midterm elections. The Associated Press has reported that US officials privately warned regional allies to prepare for possible renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation, although Trump has not made a final decision.

The conflict has lasted longer than the brief campaign initially anticipated by some US officials, while diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran continue. Trump has not publicly announced a decision on whether to resume military operations.

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North Korea has condemned a recent US-South Korean military exercise as a rehearsal for nuclear war and vowed to accelerate efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.

Kim Jong-sik, a senior official of the ruling Workers’ Party, said the Iron Mace exercise demonstrated what Pyongyang described as Washington’s continuing ambition to threaten North Korea with nuclear weapons, state media KCNA reported on Monday.

Kim called the drill a “nuclear war rehearsal” aimed at using atomic weapons against North Korea and said the country needed to strengthen its nuclear forces more rapidly to counter potential threats.

The Iron Mace tabletop exercise was held at South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul from September 29 to October 2. It focused on integrating US nuclear capabilities with South Korea’s conventional military forces, according to South Korean authorities.

Kim also criticised other military activities, including South Korea’s Hoguk exercise, the US-South Korean Freedom Flag air drills and the US-Japan Keen Sword exercise, accusing the countries of intensifying military pressure on Pyongyang.

The United States and South Korea describe their joint exercises as defensive measures designed to deter North Korean threats and strengthen military coordination.

Reuters reported that analysts considered it unusual for Kim, an official involved in North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, to issue a statement outlining the country’s nuclear policy, a role more commonly taken by military or foreign ministry officials.

The latest warning comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with Pyongyang continuing to expand its weapons programmes and condemn military cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it is identifying new targets and planning operations in additional geographical areas in preparation for possible future attacks by the United States.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi made the remarks on Sunday, November 1, saying recent directives from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had opened “a new chapter” in any future conflict with Washington.

Mohebi said there would be no geographical limits to Iran’s response and that the strategy was intended to deter other countries from taking hostile positions against Tehran. He did not identify any potential targets or specify which new areas could be involved.

The statement followed Mujtaba Khamenei’s order to senior military commanders on Saturday to respond to any threat with an immediate and effective response, without geographical restrictions, according to Iranian state media.

The comments come amid renewed tensions between Tehran and Washington and speculation about possible further US strikes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on October 31 that President Donald Trump had not yet decided whether to launch new attacks, while maintaining that diplomacy remained an optio.

Iranian military officials have also warned that any renewed conflict could be longer and broader than the previous round of fighting. The statements underline Tehran’s warning that a future confrontation could extend beyond the areas targeted in earlier exchanges.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in South Korea on Monday for a state visit focused on strengthening economic, defence and technological ties between the two countries.

Erdogan is scheduled to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul on Tuesday, November 3, for talks on bilateral cooperation and regional and global developments, according to South Korea’s presidential office.

The visit, running from November 2 to 4, is Erdogan’s first trip to South Korea since 2018. Several agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations are also expected to be signed.

In an interview with South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency ahead of the visit, Erdogan identified defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics and nuclear energy as key areas for expanded cooperation. He also called on South Korean companies to increase investment in Turkey and pursue joint production and technology projects.

Erdogan said South Korea could become a partner in Turkey’s planned Sinop nuclear power plant on the Black Sea coast. Ankara has been studying the project’s technical and economic requirements with South Korea’s state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation, although no final decision has been made.

The two countries are also seeking to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion. Erdogan said greater investment and a more balanced trade relationship would be important to achieving that target.

The visit comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and South Korea in 2027. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1957 and have maintained a strategic partnership since 2012.

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A tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles in the Arabian Gulf, about 72 nautical miles east of Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khafji, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Monday.

The vessel was travelling southeast when the projectiles hit its port side, UKMTO said. All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental impact had been reported. Authorities are investigating the incident, while the agency advised ships in the area to transit with caution.

The report came amid heightened maritime tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy separately claimed that two oil tankers had struck sea mines while using what it described as an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

Iranian state media reported the Guards’ claim on Sunday. Reuters noted that Tehran has restricted vessel movements through the strategic waterway as it seeks to increase pressure on the United States.

UKMTO has not identified the source of the projectiles that struck the tanker near Saudi Arabia, and there is no confirmed link between that incident and Iran’s separate claim about the two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The tanker incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict. On October 26, senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met Iranian officials in Tehran and agreed to continue discussions on regional peace and security. The talks addressed the US-Iran conflict, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar has also been working with Pakistan to mediate between Washington and Tehran. Qatari officials held separate talks with Iranian representatives in Tehran before further discussions continued in Doha on November 1. The diplomatic efforts have yet to produce a final agreement, while attacks and threats involving the Gulf’s key shipping routes continue to raise concerns over maritime security and global energy supplies.

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US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to strike Iran, saying the United States may eventually have to deliver a major military blow despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, November 1, Trump said he had held back from further attacks because he wanted to avoid additional casualties.

“The only reason why I’m not finished with Iran is I want to be nice. I want to try and save all those lives if I can,” he told supporters, according to AFP.

He then warned: “But at some point we’re going to have to give them the hammer.”

Trump again claimed that US military action had destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities and said the conflict would end soon. He also described higher petrol prices as a small price to pay for US security, predicting that fuel costs would fall soon.

His remarks came amid growing speculation about a possible resumption of US strikes after the November 3 midterm elections. Trump has previously said Washington would not launch further attacks before the vote, while leaving open the possibility of military action afterwards.

In a report published on November 1, Radio Free Europe said Trump had also told reporters that the United States still needed to deal with one or two Iranian targets. The report cited an earlier statement in which he mentioned the possibility of striking the Pickaxe Mountain site.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on October 31 that Trump had not ruled out diplomacy. Rubio said the president would prefer a diplomatic solution but was confident the United States had the military capacity to act if necessary.

Diplomatic contacts have continued despite the threats. Reuters reported that Iranian negotiators and Qatari mediators held a third consecutive day of discussions in Doha on Sunday in an effort to reach an agreement to end the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said consultations were progressing, while stressing that Tehran remained prepared for both defence and diplomacy.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the negotiations. A proposal under discussion could reopen the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally passes.

Iranian military officials have warned that any renewed conflict could last longer than the previous round of fighting. Tehran has also maintained that it is prepared to respond to further US attacks.

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Dutch authorities rescued 38 people, including 36 Afghans, from a motorless inflatable boat drifting off the country’s southern coast, while two Sudanese men were arrested on suspicion of human smuggling.

The rescue operation took place early Saturday, October 31, near Breskens in the southwestern province of Zeeland. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, police, Coast Guard and other emergency services took part in the operation and towed the boat to the harbour at Cadzand, according to Dutch authorities.

The group consisted of 36 Afghan men and two Sudanese men, all of whom were travelling without life jackets. The boat had lost its engine and was drifting uncontrollably, creating what authorities described as dangerous conditions.

Doron Wallin, a spokesperson for the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, told AFP that authorities did not yet know where the boat had departed from or where it was heading. He said it was the first time he had witnessed such an incident in Dutch waters.

The two Sudanese men were arrested on suspicion of human smuggling and remain in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities have not disclosed their initial findings.

After reaching shore, the passengers were examined by medical personnel for signs of hypothermia. The Marechaussee said they were doing reasonably well given the circumstances. The group was initially taken to temporary reception facilities before the Afghan nationals were transferred to a Marechaussee facility in Hoogerheide for identity checks and immigration procedures.

Dutch authorities later confirmed that six of the 38 people were minors. They were transferred to the asylum registration centre in Ter Apel. One adult passenger has also applied for asylum in the Netherlands, while the remaining passengers are undergoing immigration procedures.

The intended destination of the boat remains unclear. Dutch authorities have said it could have come from France, Belgium or the Netherlands, but its departure point has not been established.

Small inflatable boats are frequently used by migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the United Kingdom. However, such boats are rarely found in Dutch waters. Al Jazeera, described the rescue as one of the first such interceptions off the Dutch coast.

The Marechaussee said its investigation, under the supervision of the Zeeland-West Brabant Public Prosecution Service, would examine the boat’s origin and the suspected involvement of the two arrested men.

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Mir Maftoon, one of Afghanistan’s best-known folk musicians, has sparked debate on social media after remarks on ethnic and national identity in a YouTube interview recorded in his home province of Badakhshan.

The interview, conducted by YouTuber Sabawoon Momand during a visit to document the region’s cultural traditions, was published on the Sunrise Afghanistan channel.

Maftoon said he is ethnically Tajik but is recognised as Afghan abroad, particularly in neighbouring Tajikistan, because he comes from Afghanistan.

He also spoke against ethnic division, saying labels such as Tajik, Uzbek, Pashtun or Turkmen should not divide people who share one homeland. Afghanistan, he said, can only be built by all its citizens together.

The remarks touched on a long-running debate over whether “Afghan” describes a national identity shared by all citizens or refers mainly to Pashtuns.

Some critics, particularly those who see the term as imposed on non-Pashtun communities, objected. An opinion article published Sunday on the Persian-language website Nauandeshi argued that calls for a single national identity risk sidelining other ethnic groups, and criticised Maftoon in strong personal terms.

Others defended him. Writer Zia-ul-Haq Mehrnosh, who has written about Maftoon’s career, said in a commentary shared online that the singer had clearly identified himself as Tajik and was describing how people from Afghanistan are seen abroad. He also criticised the personal attacks on the musician.

Maftoon also sang in Pashto during the interview, reflecting a multilingual repertoire that has long drawn audiences across ethnic lines.

Known for the dambura, ghichak and harmonium, Maftoon has popularised Badakhshani folk music in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. He received the Netherlands’ Prince Claus Award in 2001 and later served as a judge on TOLO TV’s Afghan Star.

The debate has deep roots. Afghanistan’s 1964 constitution was the first to apply the word “Afghan” to every citizen, a definition repeated in 2004. The question has resurfaced on social media in recent years, often prompting sharp exchanges.

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Afghanistan defeated Australia by four wickets in the final of the Hong Kong International Sixes on Sunday, securing their first-ever title after an unbeaten run through the tournament.

Australia posted 115 for five in six overs after choosing to bat first at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok. Afghanistan chased down the target in 5.1 overs, finishing on 119 for two with five balls remaining.

Imran Mir led the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 14 balls, hitting seven sixes and two boundaries. Farmanullah Safi remained not out on 26 from seven deliveries, including four sixes, while captain Gulbadin Naib contributed 17 off six balls.

Australia’s Max Bryant top-scored with 44 off 14 balls. Alex Ross added an unbeaten 29 from 10 deliveries, while Nick Hobson made 23 off eight balls.

The victory gave Afghanistan their maiden Hong Kong Sixes championship and made them the eighth country to win the tournament. The team completed an unbeaten campaign, having defeated South Africa and Oman in the group stage before beating Scotland in the semi-final.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board congratulated the team on the title, describing the performance as an outstanding all-round effort.

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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade but has rejected financial reparations ahead of a Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean.

In an article published in The Guardian on Friday, Burnham said the UK would begin structured dialogue with countries and communities affected by slavery, adding that listening to calls for a formal state apology would be an important part of the process.

He also expressed sorrow and regret for the suffering of millions of enslaved Africans and acknowledged that the legacy of slavery continues to shape the world.

However, Burnham ruled out financial compensation, arguing that people living in Britain today should not be held responsible for historical wrongs in which they had no personal involvement.

Instead, he proposed a new initiative to ease the debt burden on vulnerable Commonwealth countries by allowing longer repayment periods and more favourable rates. Former British prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to help lead the effort.

The comments come ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, where Caribbean leaders are expected to renew calls for reparatory justice, including an apology and measures addressing the lasting economic and social effects of slavery.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomed Burnham’s willingness to consider an apology and his offer of structured dialogue. However, its chair, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, said debt relief must not be treated as a substitute for reparations. The regional bloc also called for discussions to include its 10-point plan for reparatory justice and urged that countries’ vulnerability to economic and climate shocks be considered when assessing debt relief.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne also welcomed Burnham’s proposals for practical assistance but said the Caribbean’s longstanding position on reparatory justice remained unchanged. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has likewise welcomed the prospect of dialogue while maintaining the region’s demands.

The transatlantic slave trade involved the forced transportation of at least 12.5 million Africans, according to historical estimates cited by Reuters. Britain transported about 3.2 million enslaved Africans across the Atlantic, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database.

The debate over slavery and reparations has remained a point of tension between Britain and several Caribbean nations, including at the previous Commonwealth summit in Samoa in 2024. The current meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for leaders to discuss historical responsibility, debt, development and relations between Commonwealth countries.

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Turkey has officially launched visa and consular services at its consulate in Herat, allowing Afghans to apply locally for business, medical and student visas.

Turkish Consul General in Herat Tezcan Kadıoğlu said applications for the three visa categories must be submitted through the authorised Sefa Visa Application Centre. The reported fee is $220 per applicant, covering visa, insurance and service charges, according to reports.

The move expands services at the Turkish consulate, which began operating in Herat around 10 months ago. The visa section was formally activated during a ceremony marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

Kadıoğlu said Turkey also aims to facilitate travel for Afghan businesspeople and encourage Turkish investors to visit Herat, describing economic cooperation as an opportunity to identify investment potential in the province.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry lists Sefa Visa Travel & Tours Agency as the only authorised centre for Turkish visa applications in Afghanistan. It also clarifies that visa decisions are made by Turkish diplomatic missions, not the application centre.

Turkey has maintained its embassy in Kabul and consulates in Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Ankara describes its policy towards the Taliban administration as practical engagement, while noting that it has not formally recognised the administration.

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Two Democratic lawmakers have criticised the Trump administration’s plan to deport more than 150 Afghans through Pakistan to Afghanistan, warning that their return could put lives at risk.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter called the proposed removals shameful and cruel, saying Afghan families who worked alongside US forces during the 20-year war should be protected rather than sent back to face possible retaliation.

In a statement on Sunday, Carter said the deportation of Afghan families from his state was deeply disturbing and warned that those returned could face revenge or even death.

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove also accused President Donald Trump of repeatedly breaking US commitments to Afghans who served alongside American troops. She said abandoning those allies would undermine trust in future US partnerships and should not be treated as a partisan issue.

The criticism follows reports by The New York Times that the administration plans to deport more than 150 Afghan immigrants detained in Louisiana. The group is expected to be flown to Pakistan, where they could then be sent across the border to Afghanistan. The first flight could leave as early as Monday, November 2.

The Associated Press reported that court documents confirm plans to transfer Afghan detainees from Louisiana to Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan. The Department of Homeland Security said it does not comment on future removal operations, citing operational security.

The New York Times reported that those facing removal may include relatives of Afghans who assisted the US military and at least one gay man. Refugee advocates warn that some could face persecution or retaliation under Taliban rule. It remains unclear whether those designated for deportation have legal protections against removal to Afghanistan.

The United States does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities. Routing the removals through Pakistan would allow the administration to transfer the detainees despite the lack of direct arrangements with Afghanistan, according to the reports.

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Taliban and Pakistani forces exchanged fire near the Torkham border crossing on Sunday, November 1, according to local sources, disrupting the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

Local sources reported that the two sides fired towards each other’s positions near the Durand Line and that the fighting was continuing. The reports said the clashes began after Taliban forces attempted to establish a security post known as Jangal near the border.

The sources said the latest fighting had also halted the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan through Torkham. They added that tensions and clashes had previously erupted over plans to build the same post.

Neither Taliban nor Pakistani officials had publicly commented on the reported incident by the time of publication. No information was immediately available about possible casualties or damage.

The reported confrontation comes amid repeated clashes and rising tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The Long War Journal reported on October 29 that Taliban and Pakistani forces had clashed at least three times along different sections of the border since October 19, including an exchange of fire near Torkham on October 28.

The United Nations has also warned that fighting near Torkham threatens civilians and humanitarian workers. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said clashes on October 28 killed a child and injured a humanitarian worker who had been assisting Afghan families returning from Pakistan. An AFP report separately cited Afghan police as saying two children were killed and two civilians wounded in the incident; the accounts differ and have not been independently reconciled.

Torkham is one of the main crossing points for people and goods between Afghanistan and Pakistan. OCHA said more than 600,000 people had returned to Afghanistan through the crossing between January and early October 2026, accounting for nearly 85 percent of recorded returns from Pakistan during that period.

Previous border clashes have repeatedly disrupted movement and trade. The crossing was closed for more than two weeks following fighting that began on October 11, before reopening for Afghan refugee returns and trade, according to TRT World, citing officials and Afghan authorities.

The latest reported dispute over the Jangal post adds to tensions between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of allowing militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghanistan territory. Kabul denies providing safe havens to militants and says Pakistan’s security problems are an internal matter.

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The UN secretary-general’s new special representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, has visited Nangarhar province, meeting officials, women, community elders, businesspeople and Afghan returnees to discuss local needs and challenges.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Sunday, November 1, that Fatima also met representatives of UN agencies during the visit. The meetings were intended to give her a direct understanding of the needs and difficulties facing people in the eastern province.

UNAMA said Fatima discussed local concerns with those she met and reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to and continued support for Afghanistan. The mission did not provide further details about the issues raised during the meetings or announce any new assistance measures.

The visit is among Fatima’s first engagements outside Kabul since she assumed her role as the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA on October 18.

Before arriving in Kabul, Fatima served as the UN under-secretary-general and high representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. She was also Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the UN in New York from 2019 to 2022 and became the first woman elected chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in 2022.

Her visit comes as Afghanistan continues to face serious humanitarian and economic challenges, including the needs of people returning from neighbouring countries. The UN has repeatedly called for greater support for vulnerable communities and improved access to assistance, particularly for women and girls.

The visit also comes amid continuing restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women working for the United Nations. UN Women said in September that the restrictions preventing Afghan female UN staff and contractors from entering UN premises across the country remained in place a year after they were reinforced. The UN has warned that the ban undermines its ability to carry out its work and deliver assistance, particularly to women and girls.

The restrictions have also featured in wider discussions about the UN’s work in Afghanistan. In June, the UN Security Council extended UNAMA’s mandate for one year and requested a strategic review of the mission. Reuters reported that the decision came amid concerns over Taliban restrictions on women’s rights and obstacles to the mission’s work.

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While journalists once spent hours transcribing interviews, searching for information and reviewing documents, artificial intelligence tools can now perform some of these tasks in minutes, gradually changing the way reporters work.

Several Afghan journalists say they use AI to find story ideas, summarise documents, translate material, prepare interview questions, edit text and convert audio recordings into written transcripts. They say these tools have significantly reduced the time needed to prepare reports.

Shakila Shams, a reporter for 1TV, says she mainly uses AI for writing tasks, editing text and modifying images. Shortening lengthy texts and suggesting headlines are among the ways she uses the technology in her daily work.

Describing the impact on her productivity, Shams says: “A task that would normally take an hour can now be completed in 10 minutes.”

For journalists covering specialised subjects and investigative stories, the use of AI goes beyond text editing. A reporter who asked not to be named says the technology helps generate story ideas, identify important dates and events, and find information on specialised topics.

The journalist says AI tools were also used to gather information while preparing a report on climate change and the COP31 conference. Converting audio interviews into written transcripts is another important application, particularly in investigative reporting, where journalists often interview many people and manually transcribing conversations can be time-consuming.

Another journalist, who also requested anonymity, says they use ChatGPT to identify story ideas, search for sources and summarise information. In their view, summarising lengthy material helps clarify complex subjects more quickly and organise relevant information more effectively.

Experts also say artificial intelligence can be a useful tool for journalists. Nangyal Nangyal, an associate professor at Kabul University, says AI can help reporters process large volumes of data, analyse lengthy documents, extract key points, compare reports and translate specialised material.

He says journalists can use these tools to examine lengthy economic reports and information on economic growth, unemployment rates and purchasing power, then explain complex concepts to audiences in simpler language.

However, Nangyal stresses that AI should serve as an assistant to journalists rather than replace their professional judgement and critical thinking. He warns that the technology may overlook important details when summarising documents, reproduce figures incorrectly or misinterpret cause-and-effect relationships.

He says journalists should not use AI-generated information in their reports without checking it. Instead, they should review original documents, statistics and official sources to prevent inaccurate information from entering their reporting.

The university lecturer also emphasises the need to teach journalism students how to use AI tools effectively. He says information verification, critical analysis of content and adherence to ethical standards should be part of media education.

He further highlights the responsibility of journalists to protect people’s privacy and the confidential information of their sources when using these technologies.

As UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week takes place from October 24 to 31, the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the media has gained added importance. While AI provides faster access to information, it also carries risks, including inaccurate data, faulty translations and content generated without reliable sources.

The experiences of Afghan journalists suggest that artificial intelligence can make parts of the reporting process faster and easier. However, greater speed does not necessarily mean greater accuracy. Field research, interviews with sources, document reviews, fact-checking and adherence to journalistic ethics remain essential responsibilities of reporters.

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More than 11.4 tonnes of drugs and other prohibited substances were seized and 376 people detained during a five-day anti-drug operation involving CSTO members, China and Iran.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) says security forces seized more than 11.4 tonnes of drugs and other prohibited substances during a regional anti-trafficking operation involving its five member states, China and Iran.

The operation, known as “Channel–Caspian Lighthouse,” ran from October 26 to 30 across CSTO member countries. Nearly 9,000 personnel from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan took part, alongside more than 2,000 personnel from China and Iran. Representatives of the two countries participated as observers, while their authorities were also involved in coordinated activities.

According to preliminary results released by the CSTO on October 30, authorities identified 790 drug-related crimes, including 81 smuggling cases, and dismantled 101 trafficking groups. A total of 376 people were detained, including 135 citizens of countries outside the organization. Fifty-nine of those detained were wanted by authorities.

The seized substances included about 11 tonnes of narcotic drugs, 9.4 kilograms of psychotropic substances, 23 kilograms of potent substances and eight tonnes of chemical precursors. Authorities also confiscated around 200,000 drug-producing plants, more than 153,000 prohibited tablets, 213 firearms and 1,722 rounds of ammunition.

The operation targeted trafficking routes across the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as well as underground drug production, cross-border criminal networks and the use of online platforms to distribute drugs. Authorities identified 674 websites used to spread drug-related information and promote distribution.

Financial intelligence units also identified more than 80,000 suspicious transactions worth over one billion Russian roubles. The transactions reportedly involved transfers to accounts used by drug couriers, cash withdrawals and cryptocurrency conversions. Information shared with law enforcement contributed to six criminal cases involving money laundering.

The CSTO said the operation was intended to disrupt both the supply routes and financial networks supporting drug trafficking. It added that member states would continue joint efforts against cross-border drug crime.

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France deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes for Halloween protests as demonstrations over living costs and public services continued across the country, with hundreds arrested.

French authorities deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes on Saturday, October 31, to manage a third weekend of nationwide protests, as officials warned of possible violence during Halloween gatherings.

The demonstrations, involving students, trade unions and Yellow Vest activists, were driven by anger over rising living costs, education conditions, public services and government policies. Authorities had identified around 150 planned gatherings and warned that some groups might use Halloween masks to conceal their identities.

Despite the extensive security operation, clashes broke out after largely peaceful marches in Paris, Marseille and other cities. Masked demonstrators threw stones and incendiary devices at police, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades and baton charges. French authorities reported 565 arrests nationwide, while several police officers and gendarmes were injured.

The protests marked the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations. Around 320,000 people took part on October 31, according to figures reported by The Guardian, down from 410,000 the previous weekend, when the same number of security personnel had been deployed.

The unrest follows widespread looting and property damage during demonstrations on October 17. Fox News, citing France’s Chamber of Commerce, reported that losses to retailers from looting and damage had exceeded $1 billion, while some estimates including lost business revenue put the impact even higher.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had described October 31 as a high-risk day for public order and promised a firm response to violence. Authorities had also restricted some demonstrations in city centres and warned against using face coverings to hide identities during unrest.

Labour unions and student groups have called for further demonstrations and a nationwide strike on November 5, saying frustration over wages, living costs and public services extends beyond the student movement that initially mobilised.

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Youth-led demonstrations over education funding, living costs and compulsory military service were largely peaceful during the day before clashes broke out in several German cities.

Police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators after youth-led protests across Germany turned violent on Saturday, with shops looted in Frankfurt and clashes reported in several major cities.

Tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations organised by the campaign group “Gen Z regelt” in more than 30 cities, including Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. Protesters called for better-funded schools, lower living costs and greater public investment, while opposing plans for compulsory military service.

The rallies were largely peaceful during the day, but violence broke out in some cities in the evening. In Frankfurt, masked groups smashed shop windows and looted stores along the Zeil shopping street. Police said protesters threw fireworks, stones and Molotov cocktails at officers and emergency workers. Officers responded with water cannons and pepper spray and arrested several people. Two firearms were seized after an attack on a gun shop.

Clashes were also reported in Cologne and Hamburg, where police used water cannons. Officers were attacked with bottles and fireworks, while barricades were set on fire in parts of Hamburg. Several police officers were injured, according to AFP.

Police estimates put participation in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin at up to 18,000 people, around half the figure cited by organisers. The campaign said its demonstrations addressed rising living costs, pressure on public services and concerns about young people being drawn into military service.

Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck condemned the violence in Frankfurt. The organisers said the clashes did not represent the aims of the demonstrations, which were part of a wider wave of youth-led protests across Europe.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington has heard Pakistan’s concerns about militant attacks it says originate in Afghanistan and is open to helping ease tensions between the neighbours.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, October 31, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said Pakistan believed the Taliban authorities had not done enough to prevent attacks launched from Afghan territory.

“Pakistan is concerned about terrorist attacks that are being sponsored from the territory of Afghanistan,” Rubio said. “They feel as if the Taliban has not done enough to constrain those attacks, and they’ve taken action against it.”

Rubio said Washington did not want Pakistan to be targeted by terrorism and would consider playing a constructive role if an opportunity arose.

“We obviously have heard those concerns on their part. We obviously don’t want them to be targeted for terrorism. So if there’s a productive role for us to play, we would play it,” he said.

However, Rubio stressed that Washington did not have close relations with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. He added that the United States opposed terrorism regardless of where it originated or whom it targeted.

“We’ve heard the concerns that Pakistan has raised, and we’ve seen some of those attacks that they point to,” Rubio said. “We’re against terrorism no matter where it emanates from and who it targets.”

The remarks were made as relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration remain strained over Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghanistan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Taliban authorities to take action against militant groups it says use Afghanistan as a base for cross-border attacks. Islamabad has also raised the issue in regional diplomatic forums, including the Moscow Format talks.

The Taliban administration has rejected Pakistan’s accusations that it allows Afghanistan territory to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries. It has described Pakistan’s security problems as an internal matter and denied responsibility for the violence.

Rubio’s comments followed renewed diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. Russia has offered to facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, while previous mediation efforts involving Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and China have failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in October that it remained open to meaningful talks but wanted a verifiable mechanism to ensure that attacks against Pakistan would not originate from Afghanistan territory.

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US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken by phone as Washington considers resuming military strikes against Iran, even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue.

The conversation took place on Saturday morning, October 31, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the call. The report came amid preparations in Washington for a possible new round of military operations against Tehran.

The call followed a meeting earlier in the week in which Trump discussed options for renewed military action with senior US military commanders, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and The Jerusalem Post. The reports did not disclose what Trump and Netanyahu discussed during their phone conversation or whether they reached any decisions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Trump had not decided whether to launch further strikes and continued to prefer a diplomatic solution.

“There are multiple talks; talks have actually never stopped,” Rubio said, describing contacts with Iran through direct and indirect channels. He added that Washington believed it could achieve its military objectives if necessary but would rather resolve the dispute peacefully.

The comments came as regional mediators stepped up efforts to prevent a renewed escalation. Reuters reported that Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha on Saturday, following more than 12 hours of discussions in Tehran the previous day. The talks were coordinated through regular contacts with Washington, according to the report.

Iranian officials have meanwhile warned that any new US or Israeli attack would trigger a forceful response. Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, said on Saturday that Tehran had identified additional US and Israeli targets and would respond with what he described as an “unimaginable” retaliation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also directed senior military commanders to prepare for an immediate response to any threat, without geographical restrictions, according to a statement reported by Al Jazeera.

The latest diplomatic and military developments follow reports that the United States and Israel have drawn up plans for possible renewed strikes after the November 3 US midterm elections. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the plans could involve a short but intense campaign, although the White House has not confirmed that an operation has been authorised.

Gulf countries have also expressed concern about a possible return to fighting, fearing that Iranian retaliation could affect states hosting US military bases and threaten regional shipping and energy infrastructure. The Washington Post reported on Saturday that governments across the Persian Gulf were pursuing diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed US strikes.

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The FBI has blamed North Korea for a cyberattack on cryptocurrency exchange Binance that resulted in the theft of approximately $6.3 billion in digital assets, while the exchange says it has replaced about 90% of the stolen funds.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Saturday, October 31, that North Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in virtual assets from Binance on or around October 29. The agency identified the operation as the work of a North Korean-linked hacking group known as TraderTraitor.

In a cyber alert, the FBI said it had observed the attackers converting the stolen assets primarily into Ethereum, a move that could facilitate further laundering through decentralised finance platforms and instant cryptocurrency exchange services.

The FBI said it was working with the US Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation division to track the stolen funds. The agencies released a list of cryptocurrency wallet addresses associated with the operation and urged exchanges, blockchain operators and other virtual asset service providers to block transactions involving those addresses.

Binance said it had replaced approximately $6 billion of the $6.3 billion in stolen assets using its own funds, covering about 90% of the losses. The remaining amount involves less-liquid digital assets that may take longer to source, according to Reuters.

The exchange said it would cover the financial impact of the breach so customers would not suffer losses. Reuters reported that Binance had set aside about $6.34 billion to cover the shortfall, drawing on its corporate treasury and insurance-related funds. The company also said it would replenish its Secure Asset Fund for Users, which is designed to provide additional protection for customers.

Binance described the incident as a complex attack involving a compromised laptop and malware designed to erase evidence. Withdrawals, which had been suspended following the breach, were expected to resume on Sunday, Reuters reported.

The FBI’s announcement follows assessments by blockchain analytics firms TRM Labs and Chainalysis, which had also linked the theft to North Korean state-sponsored hackers. Yonhap News Agency reported that TRM Labs had previously estimated the stolen amount at around $6.36 billion.

North Korean hacking groups have repeatedly been accused by US authorities and cybersecurity researchers of targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset platforms. Washington has said such operations are a source of revenue for Pyongyang and help it evade international sanctions.

In a separate major incident in February 2025, North Korean-linked hackers were blamed for the theft of approximately $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency from Dubai-based exchange Bybit. The FBI also attributed that attack to North Korean actors, describing it as one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts on record.

The latest incident adds to concerns about the security of major cryptocurrency platforms and the use of digital assets to move and conceal funds across international networks.

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A fire at an underground commercial market in Mazar-e-Sharif has destroyed more than 200 shops, leaving traders facing heavy financial losses, local sources say.

The fire broke out on Friday in the southern section of Bakhtar Market, in the centre of Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, sources told Khaama Press on Saturday, October 31.

The sources said more than 200 shops were burned in the blaze. Some shopkeepers said they had lost their entire investments, although the full extent of the damage has not yet been established.

A short circuit in the market’s electrical wiring is believed to have caused the fire. However, authorities have not released a final determination of its cause.

Reports stated on Saturday that the fire broke out in the market’s underground section, south of the Ziarat Mubarak shrine and near Shadiya Gate. It reported that firefighters brought the blaze under control through a joint response involving Balkh provincial police.

No official figure for the financial losses or confirmed information about possible casualties was available in the reports reviewed. The number of affected shops and the value of destroyed goods also remain subject to an official assessment.

The fire has renewed concerns about safety arrangements in commercial markets. Fires linked to electrical faults have caused damage to markets in Afghanistan in the past.

In April 2022, a fire at a furniture and mobile-phone market in Mazar-e-Sharif caused losses estimated at one million afghanis, with local officials attributing the incident to an electrical short circuit. Authorities have yet to publish a detailed assessment of Friday’s fire at Bakhtar Market.

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Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says Pakistan is unwilling to pursue peaceful talks, despite continued diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

Mujahid made the remarks on Saturday, October 31, in an interview with Harayat Radio, a media outlet close to the group. He said messages were still being exchanged between Kabul and Islamabad through the mediation of several countries.

Mujahid did not identify the countries involved or provide details about the messages, the level of contact or any proposed steps to resolve the dispute.

He accused Pakistan of maintaining what he described as misguided policies and said Islamabad was not prepared to resolve differences peacefully through negotiations. He also rejected the suggestion that the Taliban had initiated the tensions, saying its actions during recent clashes had been defensive.

The comments come amid a prolonged deterioration in relations between Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and Pakistan, largely over Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghanistan territory.

Pakistan accuses the TTP of using Afghanistan as a base to organise and launch attacks against Pakistani security forces. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from operating across the border.

The Taliban denies providing shelter or support to the TTP and says insecurity in Pakistan is an internal matter. The two sides have repeatedly exchanged accusations as border tensions and cross-border attacks have continued.

Mediation Efforts Have Failed to Secure a Breakthrough

Several countries have sought to ease the dispute. Qatar and Türkiye facilitated talks between the two sides in Doha in October 2025, resulting in a ceasefire agreement. Subsequent negotiations in Istanbul, however, failed to produce a lasting settlement, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also been involved in more recent diplomatic efforts. In September, Mujahid welcomed Riyadh’s role and said the Taliban authorities wanted continued dialogue and cooperation with Pakistan. Pakistan, however, said it would not allow what it called a “pretence of dialogue” to shield groups threatening its security.

The two sides have also publicly differed over responsibility for the stalled negotiations. In an October 23 briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said previous efforts to reach an understanding had failed because of what it described as the Taliban’s intransigence. Islamabad said meaningful dialogue required Kabul to address its security concerns and take action against militant groups it alleges operate from Afghanistan territory.

Earlier this month, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the problems between the neighbouring countries could be resolved through diplomacy. Speaking at Afghanistan-related talks in Moscow on October 5, he accused Pakistan’s military of relying on force rather than political understanding. Pakistan’s representative at the meeting, meanwhile, called on the Taliban to prevent militant groups from operating from Afghanistan soil, Reuters reported.

Despite repeated mediation attempts and statements expressing willingness to engage, Kabul and Islamabad have yet to reach a durable agreement addressing their central security and political differences.

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Leaders of the Organization of Turkic States have pledged to continue cooperation aimed at promoting peace, stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan.

The commitment was included in the Ankara Declaration adopted at the organization’s 13th summit, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Friday, October 30.

The declaration said member states would continue joint efforts through existing mechanisms, including the OTS Working Group on Afghanistan, to help support peace, stability and sustainable development in the country.

The leaders also stressed the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway in strengthening regional connectivity and expanding trade. The proposed railway is intended to connect Central Asia with South Asia through Afghanistan, potentially providing landlocked Central Asian countries with access to markets and transport routes farther south.

The Afghanistan-related commitment did not include an explicit position on recognizing the Taliban administration. The declaration also did not set out specific demands concerning human rights or the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The pledge instead focused on continued cooperation through the organization’s existing Afghanistan working group and on regional connectivity projects.

The summit’s statement comes as Afghanistan remains an important transit link in regional plans to connect Central Asian economies with South Asian markets. However, the railway project would require substantial investment and coordination among the countries involved.

Turkic States Summit in Ankara

The 13th summit was held on October 30 under the theme “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed.” Türkiye hosted the meeting and assumed the organization’s rotating chairmanship from Azerbaijan.

The five full members of the Organization of Turkic States are Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus hold observer status.

According to Anadolu Agency, leaders and officials signed the joint declaration after addresses by Erdoğan and other participants. The summit also discussed wider cooperation in transport, energy, trade, security and digital infrastructure.

The organization’s next summit is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan in 2027, according to reporting on the Ankara Declaration.

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The United States has approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of 500 Patriot air-defence interceptor missiles to Ukraine, as Kyiv seeks to replenish supplies amid intensified Russian attacks on its energy and civilian infrastructure.

The US State Department announced the approval on Friday, October 30, saying the purchase would be funded by Canada, Germany and Norway through the US JUMPSTART programme, alongside Ukrainian funds backed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan. No US government funding will be used for the purchase, according to the Associated Press.

The proposed package includes 500 Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors, spare parts and related logistical and programme support. Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor. The sale remains subject to congressional review, and the State Department’s notification did not specify a delivery schedule.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this week that Kyiv had been waiting nearly a month for Washington to approve critical missile supplies. He has repeatedly urged the United States to accelerate deliveries before winter, as Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure, Reuters reported.

The delay added to tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Reuters reported that the dispute followed US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries and his announcement of a diesel fuel deal involving Russia. Zelensky had also accused the Pentagon of holding up missiles purchased by partner countries.

The Patriot system is designed to intercept incoming aircraft and missiles, including ballistic missiles. Ukraine has relied on the system to defend against Russian aerial attacks and has repeatedly called on its partners to provide more interceptors.

US Moves to Expand Patriot Production

The proposed sale comes as the United States and its allies face growing demand for air-defence weapons and concerns about the availability of missile stocks.

In July, the US government awarded Lockheed Martin a multiyear contract that brought the total value of its Patriot PAC-3 MSE production agreement to $58.62 billion. The company said the contract would help it triple production capacity by the end of 2030. It also plans to increase employment at its Camden, Arkansas, facility by 50 percent, from about 1,200 to 1,850 workers.

Lockheed Martin has said it aims to raise annual production of Patriot interceptors to 2,000. However, expanding production will take time, while demand from the United States and partner countries remains high. The Financial Times reported that deliveries under the newly approved sale could take years, underscoring the gap between Ukraine’s immediate needs and the time required to increase supplies.

The approval gives Kyiv a further route to obtain US-made interceptors, but it does not mean the missiles will arrive immediately. Zelensky has continued to press Washington and other allies to speed up deliveries and help Ukraine strengthen its air defences before winter.

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A court in India’s Gujarat state has sentenced three men to rigorous life imprisonment in a cow-slaughter case involving the seizure of 277 kilograms of meat, while citing Hindu religious scriptures in its judgment.

The Kalol sessions court in Gandhinagar district also fined each convicted man 300,000 Indian rupees. The 76-page judgment, delivered on October 26, referred to the Manusmriti, the Vedas and other Hindu texts to explain the religious and cultural significance of cows.

The men were identified as Vasim Qureshi, Mohammad Rafiq Qureshi and Asfak Bahelim. The court convicted them under provisions of the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act and related animal-protection legislation.

According to the prosecution, the case began after police raided a house in Jamla village on August 22, 2024. Officers reportedly recovered 277 kilograms of meat valued at approximately 55,400 rupees, along with equipment allegedly used for slaughter and vehicles said to have been involved in transporting the meat.

Prosecutors told the court that the accused had been involved in slaughtering cattle for financial gain and intended to sell the meat. The prosecution presented 54 witnesses and 18 documentary exhibits during the trial.

The defence challenged the collection, preservation and testing of the meat samples, as well as the handling of other seized evidence. However, the court rejected the objections and found the evidence sufficient to convict the three men, according to reports by The Indian Express.

Court refers to Hindu religious texts

In its judgment, Additional Sessions Judge Brijeshkumari Rameshwarsinh Rajput cited the Manusmriti and Vedic texts while discussing the status of cows in Hindu religious tradition.

The ruling described the cow as the “mother of the universe” and said that Hindu scriptures regard cattle protection as a religious and cultural responsibility.

The judge also warned that cows could become extinct if those responsible for slaughtering them were not punished in accordance with the law.

The three men each received a life sentence and a fine of 200,000 rupees under the principal cow-protection charge. They were also sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined an additional 100,000 rupees each under another provision. The prison terms will run concurrently, bringing the total fine for each man to 300,000 rupees.

Two other defendants were acquitted because the court found insufficient evidence against them. A sixth accused died while the case was being heard.

Gujarat has strict cow-protection laws

Gujarat has some of India’s strictest laws on cow slaughter. The state amended its animal-preservation legislation in 2017 to introduce life imprisonment as a possible punishment for cow slaughter, making it the first Indian state to prescribe the penalty for the offence.

The law also prohibits the sale, purchase, transportation and possession of beef, with separate prison terms and fines for violations.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi welcomed the verdict, saying the state would continue to enforce its cow-protection laws strictly.

The case comes amid wider debate in India over cow-protection laws, their enforcement and the social and legal consequences of restrictions on cattle slaughter and beef trade.

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Renewed clashes near Afghanistan’s Torkham border crossing with Pakistan have endangered civilians and humanitarian operations, with a child killed and an aid worker injured, the United Nations said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the casualties occurred during fighting on Wednesday, October 28, near the eastern border crossing in Nangarhar province.

The injured humanitarian worker had been assisting Afghan families returning from Pakistan, while the child was from the local community, OCHA said in a statement on Friday, October 30.

The agency warned that repeated clashes in the area were threatening the safety of nearby communities and could further disrupt humanitarian assistance. It called on all parties to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel, and to ensure aid can be delivered without obstruction.

Despite the tensions, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain at the border, providing assistance at Torkham and nearby reception and transit centres, according to OCHA.

Torkham handles most returns from Pakistan

Torkham is a major crossing point for Afghans returning from Pakistan. OCHA said more than 600,000 people had crossed into Afghanistan through the route between January and the beginning of October 2026, accounting for nearly 85 per cent of recorded returns from Pakistan.

The latest violence comes as large numbers of Afghans continue to return from Pakistan, including people affected by Islamabad’s campaign to expel undocumented Afghan nationals.

The UN agency warned that previous escalations in the border area had forced the crossing to close temporarily and humanitarian partners to relocate some services. Further fighting could again interrupt assistance and expose returning families to additional risks.

An AFP report published on October 29 also cited Afghan police as saying that two children were killed by Pakistani gunfire near Torkham on Wednesday and two other civilians were wounded. The police account differs from OCHA’s statement, which reported one child killed and one humanitarian worker injured. The figures should therefore be treated as separately attributed accounts rather than combined casualty totals.

The renewed clashes come amid continued tensions between Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and Pakistan. In a separate report on October 28, Reuters cited a Pakistani regional official as saying that firing from Afghan Taliban forces had killed one person and injured five others in Pakistan’s Waziristan region. The report did not provide further details about the circumstances or a response from authorities.

OCHA stressed that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected, while aid organisations need safe and unhindered access to people requiring assistance.

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At least nine million people in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon need additional assistance to survive the coming winter, as funding shortages and rising energy prices deepen humanitarian pressures, the UN refugee agency said.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched its annual winter fundraising campaign on Friday, October 30, appealing for at least $50 million to provide emergency support during the 2026–2027 winter season.

The fundraising target is $3 million higher than the amount raised through last year’s campaign. UNHCR said the appeal is aimed at individuals and private-sector donors and is intended to help address deep reductions in the agency’s budget.

“Resources are scarce and costs are spiralling just as winter looms in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s director of external relations. She warned that millions of people in the four conflict-affected countries risk facing freezing temperatures without adequate protection.

The agency said families are struggling with higher energy and food prices, shortages of fuel for heating and cooking, inadequate clothing and blankets, and damaged or makeshift shelters. Previous cuts to cash assistance, healthcare, education and livelihood programmes have further weakened the ability of displaced families and host communities to cope.

Afghanistan faces major winter needs

Afghanistan accounts for an estimated 4.2 million people included in the wider winter-needs figure, based on a 2026 inter-agency assessment of shelter requirements, according to UNHCR.

The agency said nearly four million Afghans returned from Pakistan and Iran between January 2025 and July 2026, many with limited resources to rebuild their lives and homes.

Funding shortages have restricted assistance for returnees, including cash support, shelter repairs, blankets and heating equipment.

UNHCR also warned that families faced severe hardship during the previous winter. Some households burned cardboard, paper and plastic waste to keep warm because they could not afford coal or firewood. The agency said children were particularly vulnerable to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.

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At least 35 attacks on commercial vessels were reported in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz in October, making it the worst month for shipping incidents since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February, according to Al Jazeera, citing maritime security data.

The figure marks an increase from March, when around 30 attacks were reported, according to the report. Earlier Reuters reporting on October 23 had recorded 28 confirmed and reported attacks for the month, indicating that incidents continued to accumulate in the final week of October.

The rising number of attacks has heightened risks for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported several incidents on October 29 and 30. These included tankers struck by unidentified projectiles and a vessel reported on fire near Khasab, Oman. In one October 30 incident, a verified source told UKMTO that a crude oil tanker had been hit while leaving the strait. The agency advised ships to transit with caution.

Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Friday that four oil tankers had caught fire or exploded after attempting to use routes it described as unauthorised. The Guards claimed that at least one supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil struck a naval mine.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the Iranian military’s account. UKMTO also reported separate vessel incidents, but it was not clear whether those involved the same tankers mentioned by Iran.

The International Maritime Organization said 122 maritime incidents had been confirmed across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East as of October 30. Its figures cover a broader region and should not be confused with the monthly attack count for the strait alone.

The attacks have taken place amid the continuing US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on February 28. The disruption has threatened energy shipments and increased pressure on global shipping and oil markets.

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The Israeli military says it has killed two Hamas commanders in an airstrike in central Gaza, including a man it alleges was involved in holding 12 Israeli hostages during the early stages of the war.

The strike took place on Thursday in the Nuseirat area, with the military identifying the two men as Ihab Jamil Abu Taqiya, a squad commander, and Ibrahim Gihad Muhammad Abu Oshaiba, a platoon commander in Hamas’s armed wing.

In a statement on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said both men had recently been involved in planning attacks against Israeli civilians and troops and efforts to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities. Israel described their activities as violations of the ceasefire. These claims have not been independently verified.

In separate operations, the IDF and Shin Bet said four other Hamas members were killed in strikes in southern Gaza earlier this week. The military also said it struck two weapons-storage facilities in Al-Bureij and Gaza City.

The latest operations come amid continuing tensions under the US-brokered ceasefire, which took effect in October 2025. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement, while negotiations over Hamas’s disarmament and an Israeli troop withdrawal have made limited progress.

Reuters reported on October 22 that Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes and gunfire had killed at least four people in separate incidents across Gaza. Israel said it had targeted Hamas militants in several of the locations, while Hamas denies trying to rebuild its military capabilities and accuses Israel of undermining the truce.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of Gaza and say they continue operations against security threats. The continuing strikes and disputes over the agreement have left the territory’s security situation fragile.

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More than 160,000 people are expected to join youth-led demonstrations across Germany on Saturday, October 31, protesting rising living costs, education pressures and plans to revive compulsory military service.

The rallies, organised by the campaign group Gen Z regelt, are scheduled in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, according to Reuters. The movement is calling for greater investment in education, lower living costs and an end to compulsory military service as young people voice concerns about their economic future.

The demonstrations follow a wave of youth-led protests across Europe this year. While student activism in Serbia contributed to political change, demonstrations in France have been accompanied by rioting, looting and attacks on police and property.

German authorities expect the rallies to remain largely peaceful but have warned that extremist groups could attempt to exploit the demonstrations. The Federal Interior Ministry said parts of the country’s far-left extremist scene and some groups linked to foreign extremist movements had joined efforts to mobilise support.

Roman Poseck, interior minister of the German state of Hesse, warned against violence similar to that seen in France.

“We all have those images from France in our minds; looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks on police officers,” Poseck said, according to Reuters. “France must not be held up as a model in this regard.”

Some businesses along Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard have boarded up their windows or planned to close early amid concerns about possible unrest.

However, organisers say the movement is focused on economic and social concerns facing younger generations. An 18-year-old protest speaker in Munich told Reuters that the government had responded to young people’s concerns by continuing cuts and placing further burdens on them.

The protests come as Germany faces economic challenges, pressure on public services and a shrinking working-age population. Students have also raised concerns about inadequate university facilities and insufficient public investment in education.

Germany’s national school student organisation, BSK, has distanced itself from the campaign group while saying that students’ concerns are legitimate. It plans to hold a separate protest day on November 20.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a diplomatic end to the war involving Iran, warning that continued fighting has added more than €100 billion to Europe’s energy costs over the past eight months.

Speaking to reporters in Seoul on Friday, October 30, during the final part of his visit to South Korea, Merz said the conflict could not be resolved through military action and urged all sides to pursue negotiations.

“I can only appeal to all parties to the conflict: This conflict cannot be resolved by military means,” he said, according to Germany’s dpa news agency.

Merz added that Germany was working through several diplomatic channels to coordinate and strengthen efforts to end the conflict as soon as possible.

He said the economic impact had given Europe a direct interest in ending the hostilities.

“Businesses and consumers in Europe have incurred more than €100 billion in additional costs because energy has become more expensive as a result of this conflict,” Merz said. He added that Germany therefore had an economic interest in bringing the fighting to an end quickly.

The remarks reflect growing concern among European governments over the economic consequences of the conflict, particularly rising energy prices and disruption to regional energy supplies.

Merz’s appeal came amid renewed speculation about possible US and Israeli military action against Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington had warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible “short, intense” military campaign after the November 3 US midterm elections. The report cited people briefed on the discussions.

Germany’s call for diplomacy also comes as efforts to negotiate an end to the war remain stalled. Reuters reported on Friday that Qatari mediators had returned to Tehran to advance proposals for an agreement between Washington and Tehran. However, the two sides remain divided over the order and scope of negotiations, including Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and the maritime blockade.

A senior Iranian official described Qatar’s proposals as unacceptable, while Tehran has maintained that issues related to the US blockade and restrictions on Iranian oil exports must be addressed before nuclear negotiations can move forward.

The conflict, which has disrupted energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has placed additional pressure on businesses and households in Europe. The waterway is a major route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making prolonged disruption a concern for energy-importing countries.

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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed more than 5,000 people and infected over 10,000 since it was declared in May, according to government data reported by Reuters on Friday, October 30.

The outbreak is the deadliest in the country’s history. Health authorities have struggled to contain the virus, which has spread across eight of the country’s 26 provinces, with many deaths occurring outside treatment centres.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. Delayed detection, ongoing conflict and pressure on an already strained healthcare system have contributed to the rapid spread of the disease, Reuters reported.

The epidemic has also raised concerns about wider transmission beyond the DRC. Nigeria recently became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case, while Kenya and Uganda have also recorded cases linked to the outbreak.

The spread has prompted some governments to introduce travel restrictions and quarantine measures. On Friday, Saudi Arabia announced a suspension of travel to and entry from Kenya, according to the Saudi Press Agency, as part of measures responding to the regional outbreak.

Efforts to contain the disease have also faced security challenges. The Associated Press reported that a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack in eastern Congo while responding to an Ebola alert. The World Health Organization condemned the attack and warned that violence, misinformation and fear were undermining efforts to control the outbreak.

The current epidemic is the world’s second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, behind the 2014–2016 West African epidemic. That outbreak infected more than 28,600 people and killed over 11,000 across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The DRC has experienced several Ebola outbreaks, but the current epidemic has surpassed the 2018–2020 outbreak in both infections and deaths, making it the country’s largest and deadliest on record.

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Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed two drones launched towards its eastern and southern regions, according to the Saudi-led coalition, amid escalating cross-border attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

The coalition said early Saturday that it had intercepted a drone over the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Region. It later reported destroying another drone launched towards the Southern Region, Reuters reported.

The latest incidents followed a separate interception on Friday, when the coalition said it had destroyed a Houthi drone over the Medina region in western Saudi Arabia. The Houthis denied carrying out an attack against Saudi territory that day.

The Eastern Region is a major centre of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry. It contains most of the kingdom’s hydrocarbon reserves and is home to the headquarters of state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco, which suffered extensive damage in an attack earlier in October, according to Reuters.

Cross-border attacks intensify

The latest interceptions come amid a sharp escalation in fighting between the Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and the Houthis, who control the capital, Sanaa.

On Tuesday, October 27, the coalition said it had intercepted three ballistic missiles and four drones launched towards Saudi Arabia’s Eastern and Southern regions. Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings over potential threats in the Eastern Region and Kharj governorate before later reporting that the danger had passed.

The renewed fighting has effectively shattered a United Nations-brokered truce established in 2022, which had largely halted cross-border attacks between the two sides.

The escalation has also opened another front in the wider US-Israeli war on Iran, increasing concerns about the conflict spreading across the region.

US warns of security risks in Saudi Arabia

The growing threat has prompted security measures by foreign governments. The United States ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, effective October 23, citing risks from Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure.

The US Embassy in Riyadh also warned American citizens about possible further attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations and travel disruptions.

The Houthis have claimed attacks on Saudi military and energy infrastructure, while repeatedly rejecting Saudi-led coalition accusations that they targeted the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The group’s military spokesperson said its operations were directed at Saudi oil facilities and military bases.

The latest drone interceptions underscore the growing security risks facing Saudi Arabia as the conflict in Yemen becomes increasingly connected to the wider regional confrontation.

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Pakistan’s military has expressed cautious optimism about its efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, pointing to two visits by Army Chief Asim Munir to Tehran this month as a possible sign of progress.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan’s armed forces, made the remarks on Friday in his first interview since a high-level Pakistani delegation travelled to Tehran earlier this week, Reuters reported.

“Why would the Field Marshal be going twice if it is not for some positivity? So yes, of course,” Chaudhry said when asked whether Munir’s visits indicated progress.

“The word that we would use is always cautiously optimistic,” he added.

Munir, who is leading Pakistan’s mediation efforts to help de-escalate the eight-month-old conflict, visited Tehran twice in October. His latest trip took place on Monday, accompanied by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. The delegation held talks with senior Iranian officials.

Chaudhry said, however, that obstacles remained, warning that there were still “powerful spoilers and detractors” who believed the continuation of the conflict served their interests. He did not identify those he was referring to.

The military spokesperson declined to disclose details of the discussions in Tehran or say whether Washington had supported the latest visit. His comments offered no confirmation that a breakthrough had been reached or that the United States and Iran had agreed to resume formal negotiations.

Regional diplomacy takes on greater significance

The latest diplomatic initiative has involved Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, both of which joined Pakistan in a defence agreement signed on August 7. The agreement says an armed attack against one signatory will be treated as an attack against all three.

Asked whether Iran could become part of the arrangement, Chaudhry said the agreement did not rule out additional members.

“Anyone who has a shared vision of collective deterrence and regional peace, why not? Everyone is most welcome,” he said, adding that any decision would be for the political leadership of the three countries.

The latest talks also drew a response from Iranian officials. After Monday’s meeting, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said regional security should be ensured by countries in the region without foreign intervention, according to Reuters.

Pakistan has sought to position itself as a channel between Washington and Tehran amid the prolonged conflict. However, its mediation efforts in recent months have yet to produce a publicly announced agreement or a clear breakthrough.

Chaudhry’s remarks suggest Islamabad sees the repeated diplomatic visits as encouraging, while acknowledging that influential opponents of a settlement could complicate efforts to end the conflict.

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The Trump administration is preparing to deport more than 150 Afghans, including relatives of people who served alongside U.S. troops, on a flight to Pakistan that could leave as early as Monday, November 2, with the deportees expected to be sent on to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, The New York Times reported on Friday.

The Times cited three U.S. officials, one of whom put the number of Afghans expected on the flight at more than 150. The date remains provisional. AfghanEvac, an advocacy group for Afghans who helped U.S. forces, had earlier pointed only to the first week of November.

The flight would depart a day before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. The government has not publicly announced the operation, and nothing in the reporting indicates the timing was chosen because of the vote.

Among those facing removal is at least one gay man, the newspaper reported. Same-sex relations are treated as a crime under the Taliban, which has carried out public floggings of people accused of homosexuality since returning to power in August 2021.

Lawyers for some detainees are challenging the deportations, according to the Times. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the newspaper that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not comment on prospective removal operations, including schedules, destinations or individual cases.

Warnings had been building for days. In an October 26 update, AfghanEvac said it had received information that a special charter flight would leave Louisiana in the first week of November. Some detainees were told they were going to Pakistan, others to Afghanistan, and none of the people whose cases the group was tracking had been shown travel documents.

The organization said its removal tracker had logged at least 30 reports from 15 detention facilities in 11 states since October 14. It urged authorities to disclose the destination and give detainees a chance to raise fears of persecution or torture before removal.

Bloomberg Law first reported on October 26 that detained Afghans were being notified of plans to deport them to Pakistan, citing a federal official, lawyers and advocacy groups. It remains unclear whether Pakistani authorities have formally agreed to receive them.

AfghanEvac has said the flight would be the first time detained Afghans have been deported to Pakistan. The administration has already sent Afghans to third countries, including two flights to the Central African Republic since August, according to the group.

The plan comes as Pakistan pursues its own mass expulsion campaign, which has driven millions of Afghans out of the country since late 2023. Many of those now held in U.S. detention fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, and rights groups warn that relatives of former U.S. partners face a heightened risk of reprisal if returned.

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Afghan students can still win fully funded places abroad and free online degrees in 2027. But the route that works depends on where you live, which passport you hold and whether you can get a visa. Khaama Press checked every programme below against its official website. Closed and paused programmes are listed separately so you do not waste time or money.

Last checked: 30 October 2026. Always confirm the deadline on the official site before you apply.

On this page

• Deadlines at a glance
• Visa rules for Afghans: read this first
• Study online without leaving Afghanistan
• Scholarships for Afghans and refugees
• Funded degrees abroad
• Oxford scholarships (UK)
• Closed or paused: do not apply now
• Which route fits you
• How to avoid scams

Deadlines at a glance

Visa rules for Afghans: read this first

Study online without leaving Afghanistan

Tap a programme to see the details.

Scholarships for Afghans and refugees

Funded degrees abroad

These awards are open to all nationalities. Winning one still depends on getting a visa.

Oxford scholarships (UK)

These awards accept Afghan applicants, but the UK visa brake still applies. They suit Afghans already in the UK, second-generation Afghans with British or other citizenship, and dual nationals.

Closed or paused: do not apply now

Which route fits you

How to avoid scams

Your documents: Tazkira and passport (or refugee or residence card), degree certificates and transcripts with certified English translations, an English test or proof of English-medium study, a short CV, two or three references and a statement of purpose. Research applicants also need a proposal. If displacement left you without some documents, ask admissions what they accept before paying any fee.

Frequently asked questions

How we checked: Khaama Press verified each programme against its official website or official announcements on 30 October 2026. Rules and deadlines change; confirm on the official site before you apply. Spotted an error or a new opportunity? Email info@khaama.com.

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Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday to advance efforts for a US-Iran agreement, but disagreements over nuclear negotiations, oil sanctions and a US port blockade continue to obstruct a possible deal.

The talks are being coordinated with Washington, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters. The latest diplomatic effort follows Qatar’s presentation of a draft peace plan to Iran on Sunday, aimed at finding a way to end the conflict in the Middle East.

However, a senior Iranian official described the proposals as unacceptable and said Tehran would maintain its position on the nuclear issue, Reuters reported.

The main disagreement concerns the order in which the two sides should address their demands. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear programme included from the beginning of negotiations. Tehran, meanwhile, is demanding that the United States first lift its blockade on Iranian ports and remove sanctions restricting the country’s oil exports.

The competing positions highlight the difficulty of reaching an agreement, even as regional mediators continue efforts to bring the two sides back to negotiations.

Qatar’s proposal and Iran’s seven-day plan

Qatar’s draft proposal reportedly sets out a seven-day process to address concerns raised by both Washington and Tehran, with confidence-building steps expected from each side. An official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that Iran was considering the proposal, although a senior Iranian official subsequently rejected its terms as unacceptable.

Iran has also put forward its own seven-day proposal to end the war. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that Tehran remained in close contact with mediators to examine ideas that could help implement the plan.

Earlier Reuters reporting on Iran’s proposal said it linked the restoration of normal maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz to the lifting of US restrictions and other conditions. The proposal also envisaged addressing the nuclear issue as part of a broader process.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for international oil and gas shipments, making its reopening a major concern for energy markets and countries dependent on supplies passing through the waterway.

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Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump rallied in Georgia days apart, drawing supporters for opposing candidates as photographs of the events prompted comparisons over crowd sizes ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The rallies, held in Morrow and Perry, came as both parties sought to mobilise voters in two closely watched statewide contests: the U.S. Senate race between Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins, and the gubernatorial contest between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson.

Obama appeared at the “United for Georgia” rally in Morrow on Wednesday alongside Ossoff and Bottoms. Trump held a rally at the Guardian Centers in Perry on Saturday, campaigning for Collins and Jackson.

Photographs and videos from both events showed large gatherings, but neither venue had released an official attendance figure. The available images therefore do not establish which rally attracted the larger crowd.

Images from Obama’s event showed supporters gathered inside The Arena at Southlake, a venue with seating capacity for about 8,000 people, according to its official website. However, the venue’s capacity does not indicate how many people attended.

At Trump’s rally, photographs showed the seating area filled before he took the stage. Mercer University’s student newspaper, The Mercer Cluster, reported that seats were full more than an hour before Trump’s appearance, with several hundred people standing behind them. Local broadcaster FOX 5 Atlanta also described the event as packed.

The reports provide an indication of turnout at both rallies, but no independently verified figures were available to support a direct numerical comparison.

Obama and Trump exchange criticism

The events also featured sharp criticism of the opposing political leadership.

Obama criticised Trump over the cost of living, the administration’s military action in Iran and renovations at the White House. He accused the president of focusing on decorative changes while the country faced economic and international challenges.

“He is spending time supergluing gold medallions to the mantel in the Oval Office,” Obama said, according to Newsweek.

Trump responded during a campaign stop in Mississippi, defending the White House renovations and saying the building should remain “clean, pristine, beautiful.”

At his Georgia rally, Trump also mocked the size of a crowd at an Obama event in Michigan, claiming the venue had been nearly empty. Photographs from the separate Michigan event were not evidence of attendance at Obama’s later Georgia rally.

Georgia races remain closely watched

The rallies came as polling showed a competitive gubernatorial contest and a Senate race in which Ossoff held a lead in several recent surveys.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll conducted by the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs from October 7 to 15 found Jackson at 46% and Bottoms at 45%, with 8% undecided. The survey questioned 1,000 likely voters and had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

The same poll put Ossoff ahead of Collins by 48% to 40%, with 12% undecided. More recent polling averages also showed Ossoff leading the Senate contest, while the governor’s race remained close.

Voter participation has also been high. Georgia’s Secretary of State reported that more than two million people had voted in person by October 27, surpassing the total recorded during the entire 15-day early-voting period in the 2022 midterm elections.

Early voting was scheduled to continue through October 30, ahead of Election Day on November 3.

While the rallies demonstrated the efforts by both parties to energise supporters, photographs alone cannot determine which candidate has stronger statewide support or predict the election outcome.

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The parents of a 31-year-old woman who died in Seattle have sued OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT helped their daughter stop taking her prescribed epilepsy medication and encouraged her to keep the changes from her doctors.

The wrongful-death lawsuit was filed on October 27 in San Francisco Superior Court by Qun Wan and Meiqin Xu on behalf of their daughter, Bowen Wan, a former Amazon software engineer who had lived with epilepsy for more than a decade, according to The New York Times.

The complaint alleges that ChatGPT, using the GPT-4o model, developed a schedule to reduce Wan’s daily dose of lamotrigine, an anti-seizure medication, from 400 milligrams to zero over approximately 25 days. Her doctors had not prescribed the reduction, the lawsuit says.

According to the complaint, Wan was concerned that the medication was affecting her speech and thinking as she prepared to seek new employment after learning that her job at Amazon would be eliminated. She reportedly turned to ChatGPT for advice on reducing the dose.

The lawsuit further alleges that the chatbot encouraged Wan to conceal the medication changes from her doctors and praised her decision to decline a blood test that could have shown her medication levels were falling. The parents say the chatbot also reassured her about symptoms and discouraged her from relying on medical advice.

Wan died in February 2026. The King County Medical Examiner classified her death as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, a recognised complication that can affect people with the condition. Her parents allege that stopping the medication contributed to her death, but that claim has not been established in court.

Wan’s neurologist, Nicholas Poolos, told The New York Times that he would not have recommended withdrawing the medication given her medical history. He said it would have been inappropriate to advise a patient to stop a treatment that was controlling

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US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has described the Trump administration’s reported plan to resume military operations against Iran as “insane,” warning that renewed attacks could trigger a devastating escalation and undermine Washington’s commitment to the rule of law.

Murphy made the remarks on Wednesday, October 28, during an event hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington. He said he and other lawmakers had received a detailed briefing on a possible next phase of the conflict but declined to disclose classified details.

“Their plan is insane. It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law,” Murphy said.

In a message posted on X on Thursday, October 29, the senator said the proposed strategy would not achieve its objectives and would instead set off a new cycle of escalation.

Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the administration had asked military officials to prepare a plan for restarting operations. He also referred to public reporting about possible US targets, including civilian infrastructure, but did not provide further details.

His comments came after reports by US media, including The Wall Street Journal, that Washington had informed Gulf countries it was preparing for a possible short, intense military campaign against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections.

According to Al-Monitor, the US Central Command had submitted plans to resume and intensify strikes across Iran to the White House earlier in October. However, it remained unclear whether President Donald Trump had decided to order renewed attacks.

Trump has said the United States would not launch new strikes before the midterm elections. Murphy warned that renewed military action could prolong the conflict and put US personnel in the region at greater risk. He argued that further strikes would not necessarily strengthen Washington’s negotiating position and could instead deepen the confrontation.

The senator’s remarks reflect growing debate in Washington over the possibility of renewed military action against Iran, its potential targets and the risks of a wider regional conflict.

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Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has become the first bowler in men’s T20 International cricket to take 200 wickets, reaching the milestone during the second match against Zimbabwe in Sharjah on Thursday.

The 28-year-old leg-spinner claimed his 200th wicket when he dismissed Zimbabwe batter Tadiwanashe Marumani leg before wicket for two runs in the ninth over, according to Reuters.

Rashid reached the landmark in his 120th T20 international. He has taken 200 wickets at an average of 13.96 and an economy rate of 6.13, with two five-wicket hauls. His best figures are five wickets for three runs.

He now leads the all-time list of wicket-takers in men’s T20 internationals, 29 wickets ahead of England’s Adil Rashid, who is in second place, Reuters reported.

The achievement adds to Rashid’s record in international cricket. In October 2025, he became the first Afghanistan bowler to take 200 wickets in one-day internationals (ODIs), reaching the milestone during a match against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.

Rashid has also established himself as one of the leading leg-spinners in international and franchise cricket, representing Afghanistan in major tournaments and playing in domestic T20 leagues around the world.

His latest milestone came during Afghanistan’s three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan won the opening match by 37 runs on October 27, according to match reports.

Rashid’s achievement marks another major milestone for Afghanistan cricket, with the spinner becoming the first player in the men’s T20I format to reach the 200-wicket mark.

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The Pentagon has raised the official number of U.S. military personnel who have died in connection with the war against Iran to 23, adding two non-combat deaths to its casualty count, according to Sky News.

Both newly recorded deaths involved Air Force personnel. One service member died from an illness, while the cause of death in the second case remains under investigation. Neither death was classified as resulting from combat, the report said.

The updated figures show that 11 of the 23 deaths were caused by hostile action, while 12 were classified as non-hostile. Six of the non-combat deaths involved the crew of a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq in March.

The Pentagon’s casualty figures also show that more than 865 U.S. service members have been wounded in operations connected to the conflict. The department records casualties under separate categories, including Operation Epic Fury, the name given to the initial phase of the military campaign, and subsequent overseas operations.

The latest update follows earlier changes to the official tally. In October, the Pentagon raised the publicly reported death toll to 21 after adding two non-combat deaths. The Washington Post had previously reported that the number of U.S. military personnel who died in the Middle East during the conflict could be higher than the figure disclosed in the department’s public casualty database.

In a September report, the newspaper cited six U.S. officials familiar with internal casualty accounting. Five said at least 22 service members had died, while another put the number at 23. The officials cautioned that not all of the deaths were directly related to the Iran conflict, although they involved U.S. personnel in the region during the hostilities.

The Pentagon disputed the newspaper’s earlier reporting. The discrepancy highlighted questions about how military deaths in the region were being classified and reflected in the department’s public database.

The updated figures distinguish deaths caused by hostile action from those resulting from illness, accidents or other non-combat circumstances. The categories are used by the Pentagon to record military casualties across its operations.

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At least 20 Afghan migrants were injured when an overloaded minibus overturned into a stream in Hakkari province in eastern Turkey after its driver allegedly tried to flee security forces, Turkish media reported on Thursday.

Reports differed on the number of injured. Anadolu Agency (AA) and Rûdaw reported that 24 people were hurt, while Demirören News Agency (DHA) reported 20. The injured were taken to Hakkari State Hospital, and their condition was reported to be good, according to local report.

The accident occurred late Wednesday near Erziki, about 30 kilometres from Hakkari city, on the Hakkari-Van road. According to DHA, the driver turned onto the road toward Akbulut village after seeing gendarmerie officers and lost control of the vehicle while attempting to leave the area.

The minibus overturned into Erziki Stream. The vehicle was designed to carry 12 passengers but was carrying more people than its stated capacity, Turkish media reported.

Emergency medical teams, firefighters, disaster-response personnel and gendarmerie officers were dispatched to the scene. The injured were given initial treatment before being transported by ambulance to Hakkari State Hospital.

The driver reportedly fled after the crash. Gendarmerie forces began efforts to locate him. DHA said an investigation into the accident had been launched.

Turkey is a key transit country for migrants seeking to reach Europe. Similar road accidents involving vehicles carrying migrants have been reported in eastern Turkey in previous years, highlighting the risks associated with overcrowded transport and irregular migration routes.

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UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett has warned that Afghanistan’s younger generation faces growing risks of extremism, raising concerns about the country’s long-term stability and regional security.

Bennett issued the warning on Thursday, October 29, while presenting his report to the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York. He also said the Taliban had shown no willingness to reform or change policies he described as repressive and discriminatory.

The warning comes amid growing international concern over changes to Afghanistan’s education system, particularly the expansion of religious schools and the promotion of Taliban ideology among young people.

A February 2026 report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said the Taliban had expanded religious education while removing or reducing some secular subjects from school and university curricula. It noted that universities had been instructed to stop teaching 18 subjects considered inconsistent with the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia, including topics related to gender, democracy and human rights.

The EUAA report also said the number of formally registered madrassas in Afghanistan had risen to nearly 23,000 by August 2025, according to figures provided by the Taliban authorities. Before the Taliban returned to power in 2021, around 5,000 madrassas were formally registered, although many others operated without registration.

The agency cited concerns among some commentators that madrassas could contribute to ideological indoctrination and extremism. However, it also noted that researchers had found no evidence that the public madrassas they examined were conducting militarised training or education, while warning that their possible role in recruitment into Taliban institutions could not be ruled out.

A separate policy brief published by ODI Global on September 21, 2026, warned that the Taliban’s expanding madrassa system could have implications for regional and international security. Based on interviews with students, parents and teachers in Kabul, the report said the system was reinforcing the Taliban’s ideology and restrictive gender norms, with potential long-term consequences for social stability.

The ODI brief also highlighted the ban on formal education for girls beyond Grade 6 as part of a broader shift in the country’s education system. The Taliban have barred girls from secondary education and women from universities, sharply limiting educational opportunities for millions.

The concerns outlined by Bennett and international research organisations point to wider questions about the future of Afghanistan’s young population, including access to diverse education, employment opportunities and the ability to engage with different ideas.

Experts have warned that the long-term effects of educational restrictions and ideological instruction warrant continued international monitoring. However, assessments of security risks linked to religious education vary, and the available evidence does not establish that madrassa attendance alone leads to extremism.

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Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces struck a cargo ship near Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa in a drone attack, alleging the vessel was carrying supplies for the Ukrainian military.

Sputnik reported on Thursday, that Russia said its drones had struck two cargo vessels linked to Ukrainian ports: one bound for Chornomorsk in an overnight attack and another heading to Odesa during the day. Moscow said the ships were being used to supply the Ukrainian army.

Russia has reported similar attacks on vessels it alleges were transporting military or dual-use goods to Ukraine. In September, the ministry said Russian forces had struck cargo ships and logistics facilities in the Odesa region, as well as other locations linked to Ukraine’s military.

The reported strike comes amid continuing attacks on Ukrainian logistics and port infrastructure during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Odesa and nearby ports, including Chornomorsk, are important gateways for maritime trade across the Black Sea.

Attacks on commercial shipping in the wider Black Sea region have also raised concerns about maritime safety. Reuters reported on October 28 that a container ship off Bulgaria was struck by naval drones, damaging the vessel. The attacker and the contents of the ship’s containers were not immediately known, while all 18 crew members were evacuated safely. The incident added to a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the region.

The latest Russian claim highlights the growing risks facing shipping connected to Ukrainian ports. However, without independent confirmation, the nature of the cargo and the impact of the reported Odesa-area strike remain unclear.

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