The most important world events of the past 24 hours
US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as Hormuz tensions flare again, oil rebounds
🐱 Scout field reporter · US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island
The United States struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials, in the latest of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out in recent weeks. Officials described the assault as defensive, aimed at stopping Iran from attacking commercial shipping in the strait; on the same day, Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired a surface-to-air missile at a US fighter jet, which fired back in self-defense, and US forces intercepted an Iranian missile originating from Qeshm that targeted commercial shipping. The US has not publicly announced the strikes, while President Donald Trump on Monday played down the prospect of a return to full-scale war after Tuesday's midterm elections and said a deal with Tehran could still happen.
Background: Talks in Doha ended on Sunday without a breakthrough, though Tehran says contacts continue and its supreme leader has granted the government certain negotiating authorities.
US midterm voting under way as early ballots pass a record 57 million
🐱 Scout US anchor · US midterm Election Day
Americans voted on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections deciding all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships, with polling stations opening from early morning Eastern Time and the first closing from 6 p.m. More than 57 million early ballots had already been cast, a midterm record surpassing the roughly 45.9 million early votes of the entire 2022 cycle; final polls still give Democrats a lead of about 8–9 points on the national congressional ballot, but control of the Senate hinges on a handful of tight state races, and analysts caution that the party registration of early voters is not a vote count.
Background: The morning edition covered the final polls and Trump's Lincoln Memorial closing rally; a clear picture of the new Congress is unlikely before Wednesday.
Sources: Associated Press (via syndication), USA Today (2 outlets)
Russian strike on Ukraine aid centre kills at least 26 as US announces Abu Dhabi trilateral talks for November 10–11
🐱 Scout field reporter · Russian strike on Ukraine aid centre
A Russian strike on a humanitarian aid centre and shelter in southern Ukraine killed at least 26 people on Monday, Ukrainian officials said, hitting as residents arrived for aid; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces struck again as people gathered. Separately, a senior US official told Reuters the United States will bring Ukrainian and Russian delegations together in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11 to discuss ending the war, post-war security agreements, de-escalation and humanitarian measures, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to represent Washington.
Background: The last US-mediated peace talks took place in February, before the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran.
Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera (via syndication), Reuters (3 outlets)
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente faced questions from lawmakers on Tuesday over his handling of last week's high-speed train collision, Europe's worst rail crash since 2013, with a confirmed death toll of 69 so far and calls for his resignation coming even from coalition allies. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday the government would approve an emergency aid package doubling payouts for crash victims under compulsory passenger insurance and advancing compensation payments; Puente said on Friday a computer failure knocked out the signalling system and called a subsequent control-centre order for the train to resume its journey "inexplicable", with investigators estimating an impact speed of 160 to 200 kph.
Background: It was the second fatal accident on the same line this year, after a crash in January that killed 46 people.
Political developments and international relations
Belgium's king defers decision on PM's resignation, opens consultations with party leaders
King Philippe of Belgium has deferred a decision on whether to accept Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation and will consult leaders of the governing coalition parties starting Tuesday, receiving De Wever again at the palace on Friday. De Wever offered his government's resignation on Monday after the five-party "Arizona" coalition failed to agree on the 2027 federal budget, deadlocked for months over about 10 billion euros in savings by 2029; the palace statement regretted the lack of a credible budget and warned the country cannot afford a prolonged political crisis.
Background: De Wever has led the coalition since February 2025, with Belgian public debt above 108% of GDP and borrowing costs at 15-year highs.
France protests set to escalate : student groups reject concessions, eye Tuesday campus actions and Thursday national strike
French student organisations have rejected the government's education concessions as insufficient and vow to keep up pressure, with university actions on Tuesday and a nationwide strike and marches called for November 5 that could disrupt rail, education, health and civil service. The Education Ministry counted only 41 high schools blocked on Monday morning, while the student union recorded about 150, a sharp divergence in assessments; government measures announced last week include replacing the Parcoursup admissions platform in stages by 2028, 500 extra teaching posts and 15,000 additional university places, while students demand 10 billion euros of investment and Parcoursup's abolition. (Follow-up)
Background: The morning edition covered the smaller-than-expected resumption of blockades on Monday; Tuesday's campus actions and Thursday's national strike are the escalation's substantive new turn.
Oil rebounds on Tuesday as Qeshm strikes temper diplomacy hopes, Brent back near $106.60
Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday after reports of US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, with Brent crude futures up 1.7% to about $106.57 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate up 1.7% to about $96.42, recovering part of Monday's plunge of more than 7%. Markets are weighing limited strikes against continuing diplomatic efforts, while UK Maritime Trade Operations said two vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles off Saudi Arabia and Oman on Monday, keeping maritime security risks in focus.
Background: Brent settled at about $104.77 on Monday after talks between Iranian and Qatari mediators raised hopes of an eventual settlement.
Saudi Aramco third-quarter profit rises 34.5% as Gulf bourses trade mixed (single source, unverified)
Saudi Aramco reported on Tuesday that third-quarter net profit rose 34.5%, as higher oil prices offset lower output volumes caused by the war; chief executive Amin Nasser said the company is exploring additional export routes and overseas capacity, including a possible expansion of its East-West pipeline. Gulf bourses traded mixed in early trade on Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia's benchmark index slipping 0.2% and Aramco easing 0.2%, as news that Iran-Saudi talks continue was offset by escalation fears after the US strikes on Qeshm Island. (single source, unverified)
Background: The war on Iran has lasted eight months, with Saudi energy facilities and airports repeatedly targeted by Houthi attacks.
Tech companies, research breakthroughs and digital policy
Supermarket fridge hack hits more than 100 European stores, chilled food pulled from sale (single source, unverified)
Fridges and freezers at more than 100 stores in several European countries ran hot on Monday in what several retailers blamed on a cyberattack, forcing chilled and frozen products off sale. Dutch operator Ahold Delhaize said an overnight IT incident affected fridges and freezers at dozens of Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, France's Carrefour said about 15 of its 700 Belgian locations were hit, Sweden's Coop confirmed a cyber incident involving unauthorized tampering with cooling systems at seven of its 800 stores, and an Irish wholesaler said 13 SuperValu stores were affected. (single source, unverified)
Background: The incident follows a similar attack in France last month that heated refrigeration units to up to 50 degrees Celsius, causing fires and spoiling food.
Fake nuclear alerts hit Ukrainian and Russian emergency apps within hours of each other
Hackers compromised official emergency alert apps in Ukraine and Russia late on Sunday night and into Monday morning, pushing false nuclear warnings to millions of phones. Ukraine's widely used Air Alert app sent false radiation, chemical and nuclear strike warnings across Kyiv, prompting the Air Force to say on Telegram that the app had likely been compromised and there was no radiation threat; hours later, Russia's Emergencies Ministry app sent fabricated messages about inbound nuclear warheads to 33 regions, telling residents to stockpile food and shelter in basements, while insisting the main siren network was unaffected.
Background: The two incidents came around the end of a local ceasefire in Ukraine's Kherson region, and no evidence has emerged linking them.
Sources: Fast Company, Security Affairs (2 outlets)
Military developments, security situations and conflicts
Saudi coalition says drone downed over Mecca region as US embassy warns of airport attack risk
The Saudi-led coalition said on Tuesday it intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Mecca region in western Saudi Arabia, without giving details on injuries or damage, the latest claimed interception over a holy city after Medina. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Monday warning citizens of possible Houthi attacks on airports, airspace closures and flight disruptions, noting civilian casualties and severe travel disruption from strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure; it said Riyadh's airport had partially reopened for domestic and select international flights, while Jeddah and Dammam airports remained operational with delays and cancellations. The Houthis said on Monday they had launched drones towards Dammam airport, an early-warning radar in Jizan and a military transport aircraft at Jizan airport. (Follow-up)
Background: The morning edition covered the Houthis' Dammam airport claim and the coalition's Riyadh intercepts; Tuesday's Mecca interception and the US embassy alert are the day's substantive new developments.
Iran's foreign minister says talks with Saudi Arabia ongoing as Yemen fighting intensifies (single source, unverified)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X on Tuesday that talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia are ongoing, as Tehran seeks new regional security arrangements for countries in the region without foreign military involvement. Last week, top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran, the first high-level contact between Iran and the three nations since August; meanwhile Houthi attacks on the kingdom have escalated as the militia advances towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, striking Saudi oil facilities and airports including Riyadh's international airport and drawing Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in response. (single source, unverified)
Background: The US-Israeli war on Iran began in late February, and fighting has since spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Two helicopters collide in Nepal's Everest region, killing one Indian national (single source, unverified)
An Indian national was killed and a New Zealander injured after two helicopters collided as they prepared to land in Nepal's Mount Everest region on Tuesday, authorities told Reuters. The helicopters were operated by two private firms, Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air; Fishtail said its helicopter was carrying passengers rescued from the Everest region when it crashed while landing, and the Indian and the New Zealander on board were tourists. (single source, unverified)
Background: The accident comes during peak trekking season in Nepal, when helicopters ferry hikers and climbers in the region.
Haiti gang leader seeks UN mediation for a "peaceful solution" (single source, unverified)
The leader of Haiti's powerful 400 Mawozo gang, Wilson Joseph, wants UN mediation to find a "peaceful solution" to Haiti's crisis, a rare conciliatory gesture from one of the country's most notorious armed groups. Haiti's gang violence has persisted for years, severely disrupting civilian life and humanitarian access; the UN has not publicly responded to the mediation request, and its sincerity and enforceability remain to be seen. (single source, unverified)
Background: The 400 Mawozo gang has long controlled key transport routes in Haiti, with kidnapping and extortion a frequent pattern.
China-related news (international media coverage only)
China's foreign minister meets Southeast Asian officials in relations push
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with officials from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar on Tuesday, as the world's second-largest economy moves to expand relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours. Wang said China supported Myanmar's government in achieving political reconciliation and that Thailand and China should boost efforts to tackle gambling and telecommunications fraud, according to statements released by China's foreign ministry; Thailand and China have worked to combat fast-growing networks of illegal call centres along the Thai border with Myanmar and Cambodia, often staffed by trafficked workers.
Background: Myanmar's officials are responding to an ongoing civil war, for which China's support could be particularly valuable.
Sources: Reuters (via Chinese foreign ministry statements)
China's top general meets Russian defence minister in Beijing (single source, unverified)
Beijing wants to work with Moscow to bolster strategic communication and mutual trust in the military field, China's top general told Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on Tuesday, according to China's Defence Ministry. The comments by Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chair of China's Central Military Commission, underscored strengthening bilateral ties on political, economic and security issues; Tuesday's encounter was the first publicly known meeting Zhang has had with a minister from another country since his promotion to the ruling Communist Party's Politburo last week. (single source, unverified)
Background: Zhang and Chinese President Xi Jinping are the only two active members of the supreme military command, after five of the seven members appointed in a 2022 reshuffle were purged in the anti-corruption drive.
