Iranian National Security Council Deputy Secretary Ali Bagheri Kani told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a Beijing meeting that Tehran would defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and resist pressure and threats. He said Iran remained open to dialogue with all parties and sought to advance regional peace and stability.

IranChinadiplomacyregional security

A prominent Michigan Democrat endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, unexpectedly boosting President Donald Trump’s Republicans two days before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

MichiganUS Senate raceendorsement

Democrats tried on November 2 to contain divisions in Michigan’s US Senate race after one of their own crossed party lines to endorse the Republican candidate. Both parties were making their final appeals ahead of midterms that will determine control of Congress.

US midtermsMichiganHaley StevensSenate race

Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers after losing the Democratic primary, provoking fierce backlash within her party. She had clashed with Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign over an outside group’s ad blaming high living costs on US support for Israel. Donald Trump praised her move and said he would welcome her into the Republican party.

MichiganUS Senate raceHaley StevensDemocratic Party

A new wave of apparent cyberattacks hit supermarkets across Europe on Monday, affecting fridges and freezers.

cyberattackssupermarketsfridges and freezers

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the Alyoshki humanitarian operation successful and thanked the United States for helping. He said there are no current plans for similar pauses elsewhere along the front and it is too early to discuss restarting Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine, noting that the global gas market extends far beyond Europe.

AlyoshkiKremlin briefinghumanitarian operationRussian gas

Russia’s human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova said she and Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets agreed to organize humanitarian missions to Alyoshki in the Kherson Region at least once a month, coordinated and mediated by US First Lady Melania Trump. The town still needs medicines, fuel and other supplies.

AlyoshkiRussia-Ukraine relationshumanitarian aid

Ukraine's General Staff said Russia used the humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky to rotate troops, strengthen positions, expand anti-drone netting on logistics routes and bring in ammunition. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said equipment shown moving in footage was used for demining under Ukrainian supervision and then returned to its prior location.

Russia-Ukraine warOleshkyceasefiremilitary movements

Yana Lantratova said the mission aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to people in need and enable those wishing to leave the combat zone to do so as safely as possible.

Alyoshkihumanitarian aidevacuationcombat zone

A temporary ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region enabled people to leave Russian-occupied Oleshky over the weekend. They reached the Chernihiv region on Saturday via Russia and Belarus, with some reuniting with friends and family they had not seen for years.

UkraineOleshkytemporary ceasefireevacuation

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said evacuees from Alyoshki would receive needed medical care, with healthcare workers and psychologists available at temporary accommodation centers. The first group choosing to remain in Russia initially arrived in Simferopol; some later moved to Krasnodar Region, while others wanted to stay in Skadovsk.

Alyoshkievacueesmedical caretemporary accommodation

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV did not air a Real Madrid La Liga match on Sunday after forward Kylian Mbappé sparked an uproar in China with comments about former leader Mao Zedong.

footballChinaReal MadridKylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid match this weekend could not be watched on television or digital streaming platforms in China, suggesting the backlash over a perceived insult to Mao Zedong has yet to fully subside.

Kylian MbappéReal MadridChinasports broadcasting

Kylian Mbappé apologised after comments about a meme portraying him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong prompted backlash in China. At least three Chinese companies have ended brand deals with the football star, and China’s Foreign Ministry has also responded.

MbappéChinaMao Zedong memebrand deals

Chinese state TV did not air Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander despite apologies from Kylian Mbappe, the club and La Liga. The blackout follows a furore over a video in which Mbappe called Mao Zedong a “dictator”; China’s broadcast overseer had announced a suspension of La Liga coverage.

ChinaReal MadridLa Ligabroadcast blackout

China's state broadcaster CCTV did not air Real Madrid's match on Sunday after Kylian Mbappé apologised for remarks about Mao Zedong. China Media Group acknowledged the apologies but has not said how long the La Liga broadcast blackout will continue.

ChinaLa LigaKylian Mbappébroadcast blackout

Uganda said on Monday it had started a phased withdrawal of its forces from Somalia. The drawdown will end an almost two-decade deployment supporting Mogadishu’s fight against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgency.

UgandaSomaliatroop withdrawalal Shabaab

Uganda has begun a phased withdrawal from Somalia. The first 109 troops reportedly left Mogadishu on Friday, and the pullout is expected to finish in August 2027. Ugandan forces deployed under a separate bilateral security arrangement will remain in the country.

UgandaSomaliatroop withdrawalAfrican Union

The United States reportedly backs a swift restart of Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines. A proposal by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would use a US intermediary and an escrow account to bypass European sanctions. Washington presented it as a way to lower energy prices before winter and is said to view Nord Stream’s resumption as part of a broader deal.

United StatesRussian gasUkraine pipelinesEuropean sanctions