Briefing

Jordan says its air force struck targets in southern Syria that it describes as terrorist hideouts linked to a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan. Syrian media report at least five people, including women and children, were killed. Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects linked to the church attack, which killed at least nine people.

JordanSyriaair strikeschurch attack

The United Nations warns that Israeli threats to erase neighbourhoods in Hebron amount to ethnic cleansing.

IsraelHebronUnited Nationsethnic cleansing

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are pursuing an urgent diplomatic effort to prevent another war with Iran. Houthi attacks are intensifying, tensions are mounting across the Middle East, and Donald Trump has threatened another US military operation. Can regional powers succeed where earlier diplomacy failed?

Iranregional diplomacyMiddle East tensions

Senior military and security representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey met Iran’s president in Tehran, with regional coordination on the agenda. Separately, Trump endorsed Netanyahu’s bid to win Tuesday’s Israeli election, while Egypt authorized military backing for Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthis.

IranSaudi Arabiaregional coordinationdiplomacy

Saudi Arabia and its allies sent senior security officials to Iran for talks on Monday amid fears of a renewed US-Israeli offensive that could further destabilize the Middle East. The Tehran meeting came as speculation grew that Trump might order strikes on Iran after next week’s midterm elections. It was the first high-level contact between Iran and Saudi Arabia since Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis escalated attacks.

IranSaudi ArabiaUnited StatesMiddle East diplomacy

The article says Starlink service in Ukraine was cut this month and cites a Wall Street Journal report that Elon Musk personally ordered the shutdown. It argues that Ukraine’s reliance on the private satellite service for communications and battlefield management leaves its military strategy exposed to U.S. domestic political incentives, and urges countries to rethink dependence on privately controlled technology.

UkraineStarlinkElon Muskprivate technology

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil’s runoff election after trailing, stopping a right-wing wave sweeping Latin America and defying predictions that the 80-year-old political veteran’s extraordinary career had reached its end.

BrazilLularunoff electionLatin American politics

Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva mounted a dramatic election comeback, defeating far-right rival Flávio Bolsonaro to win a historic fourth term. Lula received 4.4 million more votes, taking 51.79% to Bolsonaro’s 48.21%. After electoral authorities confirmed the result, Bolsonaro refused to concede and called for it to be annulled.

Brazil electionLulasocial media

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came from behind to win the presidential runoff, stopping a right-wing wave sweeping Latin America and defying predictions that the 80-year-old political veteran’s career had reached its end.

Brazil electionLulapresidential runoffLatin American politics

Israelis are preparing for the country’s first nationwide election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley examines Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pressure from rival Gadi Eisenkot over national security, the economy and ongoing settler violence in the West Bank. Supporters also welcomed Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado home after 11 months in exile.

Israeli electionsBenjamin NetanyahuWest BankMaría Corina Machado

Israeli voters are preparing for the country’s first general election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. Tuesday’s vote could end Benjamin Netanyahu’s lengthy rule. The video also examines the main contenders, how the election works, key issues and the implications for Palestinians and the rest of the world.

IsraelelectionBenjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition is narrowly trailing in polls before Israel’s election. He reportedly pressed the military to act against Iran and posted an AI-generated image of a nuclear cloud destroying Tel Aviv, warning voters they risked annihilation if they did not choose him. Netanyahu denied the reports, and the defence ministry said it had no intention of conducting operations against Iran.

Israel electionBenjamin NetanyahuIranmilitary action

Serbia’s Gen Z-led protest movement turned nearly two years of anti-corruption demonstrations into an election victory. The Student List won almost 53% of the vote, while the coalition led by Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party took less than 39%. Preliminary projections give the Student List around 140 of parliament’s 250 seats.

SerbiaStudent Listelectionanti-corruption protests

The opposition Student List’s victory in Sunday’s election ended 14 years of political dominance by Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party. Experts say the incoming government will focus first on domestic challenges, so any turn towards the West or improvement in ties with neighbours is likely to take time and unfold gradually.

SerbiaAleksandar Vucicforeign policyStudent List

After 14 years in power, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s party lost the parliamentary election. A student-led movement won a clear majority and pledged to “rebuild” the country after years of corruption. DW’s Idro Seferi reports on celebrations in Belgrade the day after the vote.

Serbiaparliamentary electionstudent movement

The United States and Canada are negotiating a deal to reduce US tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, according to two US and four Canadian sources. The governments are seeking to repair relations after trade talks collapsed in August.

tradetariffssteelautos

A 15-year-old is now in custody in a case concerning a weekend shooting at Florida A&M University.

shootingarrestFlorida A&M University

Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, received the 2026 Ballon d’Or from France Football at a ceremony in London. He scored 61 goals for Bayern last season as the club won the Bundesliga and German Cup, earned the European Golden Shoe and took bronze with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

footballBallon d’OrHarry Kane

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to receive it in 25 years. He scored 61 goals for Bayern in all competitions during 2025–26. Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for the third time.

Ballon d’OrHarry KaneAlexia Putellasfootball

Harry Kane, a striker for England and Bayern Munich, has won the Ballon d'Or. He is the first Englishman in more than two decades to receive the award.

Harry KaneBayern MunichBallon d'Or

Walter Koenig, who portrayed Russian navigator Pavel Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series and several later films in the franchise, has died at 90.

Walter KoenigStar Trekdeath

Walter Koenig, who portrayed Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series, has died, his representative confirmed.

Walter KoenigStar Trekobituary

Actor Walter Koenig, known for playing the youthful Russian navigator Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek television series and several films, has died at 90.

Walter KoenigStar Trekobituary

Jacob Morley, who was convicted of murder, escaped from a prison in Tennessee on Sunday, according to the state Department of Correction.

prison escapeTennesseeJacob Morley

Apple says a small number of iPhone Duo units have an inner-display glitch after users reported cracks on social media. Experts say there are too few cases to determine whether the issue is widespread; Apple advises affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement.

AppleiPhone Duofoldable phonesdisplay defects

Apple said Monday that it was aware of the reported issue and would replace affected devices under its AppleCare warranty.

AppleiPhone Duofoldable phoneswarranty

Apple says a small number of iPhone Duo units have an inner-display problem and advises affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Users have reported cracks and bright lines after opening the phone; iFixit suggested the foldable screen may press against a center bar.

AppleiPhone Duofoldable phonesscreen defects