- Record number of purges as Xi emphasises 'party discipline' at China political gathering BBC
- China Confirms Expulsion of 33 Officials, as Xi’s Purge Deepens The New York Times
- It can be lonely at the top. And that’s just how China’s leader likes it CNN
- After purges, China’s Central Committee praises the party’s ‘rigorous self-governance’ The Christian Science Monitor
- Xi Jinping elevates general who led purge of China’s military Financial Times
Flash floods kill five in Syria – Al Jazeera
Three dead after two helicopters collide midair near Oregon airport
The collision involving a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter occurred on Thursday afternoon, with both aircraft crashing in a field adjacent to a highway.
China expels a record number from Communist party amid Xi’s intensified purges of top officials
The unprecedented number of empty seats at the fifth plenum – a symbol of expulsions – serve as a symbol for the scale of the purges under Xi Jinping
China expelled a record number of officials from the Chinese Communist party (CCP) as it concluded a major political gathering, which saw an unprecedented number of empty seats indicating the scale of the purges under Xi Jinping.
A record 33 members were expelled at this week’s fifth plenum, a gathering of top officials that takes place roughly once a year.
Continue reading...Sam Wood to remain in custody after another failed bail bid over domestic violence charges
Former Bachelor star and wellness influencer stands accused of choking and assaulting wife at Noosa in Queensland
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Former Bachelor star Sam Wood will remain in custody while he awaits trial on domestic violence charges, after he was refused bail for a second time.
Wood, 46, from Melbourne, has been held in custody since his arrest on 4 October at Noosa.
On Friday supreme court justice Patrick McCafferty said Wood posed “an unacceptable risk” of further offending, meaning he will remain in the high-security Wolston correctional centre until his trial, which the court heard might not take place until 2028.
Democrats have an identity crisis – it won’t be an easy fix
Whatever the result of the midterm elections, the party is facing tough questions over what they stand for and who should represent them.
More than 43 million ballots cast so far in midterms early voting surge
Hispanic voters have helped drive the early voting numbers, which appear to outpace overall turnout for previous elections in some battleground counties.
Israel’s final election results show neither Netanyahu nor rival can immediately form government – NBC News
- Israel’s final election results show neither Netanyahu nor rival can immediately form government NBC News
- Netanyahu, at risk of losing power, steps up attacks on Israel's Arab parties Reuters
- After decades of boycotts, Palestinian citizens of Israel turned out to vote. It could shape what comes next CNN
- No Clear Winner in Israel Election, Final Results Show The New York Times
- ‘Arab voice doesn’t count’: Jewish Israeli blocs reject Palestinian support Al Jazeera
Watch: Why Australia’s mushroom murderer may now die in prison
Judges agreed with the prosecution’s appeal that Erin Patterson’s initial non-parole period of 33 years was insufficient.
Erin Patterson: Australian mushroom murderer loses appeal to overturn convictions – BBC
- Erin Patterson: Australian mushroom murderer loses appeal to overturn convictions BBC
- Mushroom killer to be jailed for life after appeals court finds sentence too light CNN
- Erin Patterson began the day with hope. Now Australia’s mushroom murderer knows she’s likely to die in jail The Guardian
- Woman convicted of mushroom poison murders in Australia ordered to never be released from prison CBS News
- Erin Patterson one of few Australians sentenced to die in prison ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Mushroom murderer fails to overturn convictions in Australian court challenge
Erin Patterson argued her trial was unfair due to seven grounds but three appeal judges dismissed them all.
Iran Update, October 29, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
- Iran Update, October 29, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Iran war live: Khamenei orders immediate response to any threat, anywhere Al Jazeera
- Middle East war update: Key insights for UAE residents on security and diplomacy Gulf News
- Iran Update, October 30, 2026 Critical Threats
- Morning update Middle East Eye
Exclusive | The Troubled History of Russia’s Anti-Plague Institute – WSJ
- Exclusive | The Troubled History of Russia’s Anti-Plague Institute WSJ
- Possible plague lab leak shows global biosecurity gaps Nature
- Why we’ll never have another Black Death Yahoo
- Plague risks in Russia and a dangerous delay on WHO pandemic agreement | Letters The Guardian
- Official says WHO does not know how lab worker in Russia died in plague case Newham Recorder
Many Cubans voted for Trump – now they’re turning on Republican immigration policies
President Trump's fellow Republicans might feel the brunt of frustration among Cubans at the ballot box, writes the BBC's Will Grant.
Antisemitism envoy proposes ‘external ombudsman’ to monitor ABC and SBS coverage of Israel and Middle East
Jillian Segal says perception of link between coverage of conflicts and hostility towards Jewish Australians ‘is itself a matter of public importance’
George Newhouse: We must protect Jewish Australians without casting suspicion on legitimate concern for Palestinians
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The federal government’s antisemitism envoy has proposed an “external independent ombudsman” to monitor ABC and SBS coverage of the war in Gaza, and a requirement that all visa applicants be screened for “the risk of holding antisemitic views”.
In an updated plan released on Friday, Jillian Segal said Australia’s two public broadcasters should be subjected to greater oversight.
Continue reading...Student-backed election winners demand sweeping resignations in Serbia
Days after ousting Aleksandar Vučić's party from power, Student List MPs call for top figures to stand down.
Student-backed election winners demand sweeping resignations in Serbia – BBC
- Student-backed election winners demand sweeping resignations in Serbia BBC
- Serbia’s students found a new way to topple a strongman The Economist
- After Vucic ouster, Serbia’s weapons-buying habits are under the microscope Defense News
- Serbia’s students demand resignations in police, judiciary as they prepare to take power AP News
- Serbian Students, Victorious and Leaderless, Go After the Media The New York Times
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 29, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 29, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 30, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Putin targets civilians in barbaric ‘safari’ attacks as Trump turns blind eye The Independent
- Kremlin Shows No Willingness to Support a Ceasefire Ahead of Planned Talks — ISW uatv.ua
- Russia unleashes killing spree against Ukrainian civilians on Thursday, targeting children, trains, and buses (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,708) EUobserver
Indians turn to start-ups to care for ageing parents as young become more mobile
Changing family structures in India are driving demand for start-ups offering services for eldercare.
Why is North Korea fortifying its border with South Korea? – The Guardian
- Why is North Korea fortifying its border with South Korea? The Guardian
- North Korea Continues Installing New Fencing 38 North
- Almost a million extra mines on the DMZ – and it’s not about war Lowy Institute
- Chung Dong-young claims landmines are "defensive"; Han Dong-hoon retorts "planting them on others' land is an attack" 재경일보
- Parliamentary audit of unification, foreign ministries Yonhap News Agency