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Disafter News
Today’s edition · Monday, November 2, 2026
World News
Oct 22 – Nov 2, 2026
Russia-friendly Iliana Yotova wins Bulgaria's presidency
Acting president Iliana Yotova won Sunday's runoff with 57.6% of the vote against pro-Western former prime minister Andrey Gyurov, who took 39.5% and conceded, becoming Bulgaria's first elected female president. Yotova, an ally of Prime Minister Rumen Radev, opposes military aid to Ukraine and favors dialogue with Moscow, reinforcing the government's Ukraine-skeptic turn. Turnout was only about 27 to 29%.
Iran and the US test diplomacy over Hormuz as threats escalate
After two days of Qatari-mediated talks, Iran says it could partly reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days instead of seven, but wants the US to lift its naval blockade, waive oil sanctions and unfreeze Iranian assets first. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered immediate responses to any threat, and President Trump has suggested a strike could follow Tuesday's midterm elections. At least four tankers were reported hit in the Gulf on Friday and Saturday.
Ebola deaths in DR Congo pass 5,000
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now killed more than 5,000 people, with over 10,000 cases since May, making it the country's deadliest outbreak and the second-largest on record. It has spread to 8 of the DRC's 26 provinces, and cases have been reported in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain behind it, and Saudi Arabia has suspended travel with Kenya.
Iran says tankers hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy says a supertanker caught fire after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's regular navy says two more oil tankers struck mines in the eastern part of the waterway. Both accused the ships of using "unauthorised routes." Oman's navy rescued 25 crew from a vessel it said was targeted off its coast. Meanwhile, a Qatari delegation is in Tehran for talks on ending the US-Iran war.
High-speed train crash in Spain kills at least 68
A Renfe high-speed train from Madrid to Seville slammed into the back of a stationary Iryo train near Urda, in Toledo province, on Wednesday morning, killing at least 68 people and injuring about 80. Spain's transport minister said a signaling system had failed along a 63-kilometer stretch and called the decision to let the Renfe train continue "inexplicable." Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared three days of mourning, and high-speed service between Madrid and Andalusia is suspended.
Israel's election leaves Netanyahu short of a majority
With about three-quarters of votes counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is on track for 54 of the Knesset's 120 seats, seven short of a majority, with Gadi Eisenkot's opposition alliance at 47 and Arab parties at 19. Both leaders have ruled out governing with Arab parties, leaving no clear path to a coalition. Turnout of 77.7% was the highest since 1999. Official results are due November 4, after which the president will choose who gets the first chance to form a government.
Israel votes in its first election since the Gaza war began
Israelis are voting today for all 120 seats in the Knesset, in what is widely billed as the most consequential election in the country's history and the first since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and its far-right coalition face an opposition bloc that includes the Yashar party of former army chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Lula wins Brazil's runoff for a fourth term
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beat Flávio Bolsonaro by nearly 4.4 million votes in Sunday's runoff, coming back after trailing 47% to 45% in the first round. It is the first time since 1985 that a first-round runner-up has won Brazil's presidency. Bolsonaro had not conceded, and his camp may challenge a court decision that kept polls open two extra hours. Lula's fourth, non-consecutive term begins January 5, 2027, and Brazilian stocks fell sharply on Monday.
Brazil votes in a tight Lula versus Bolsonaro runoff
Nearly 160 million Brazilians are eligible to vote today in the presidential runoff between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, after a close first round on October 4. Polls show another tight race. Voting closes at 5pm local time (4pm Eastern), with results expected tonight.
US says it could strike Iran this weekend as allies urge diplomacy
Foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt met in Istanbul on Friday and urged Washington and Tehran to return to talks, warning that further escalation "would create nothing but losers." They also called for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz to fully resume. The US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, said the US could "absolutely" strike Iran this weekend, while adding that President Trump is open to a deal and is not seeking regime change.
Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia kill four
Yemen's Houthis say they struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, where two people were killed and eight wounded, and claim attacks on another airport, the defense ministry in Riyadh and Aramco facilities over two days. Saudi Arabia says a drone aimed at the Shaybah oilfield was intercepted, but two people died in that incident. Aramco has ordered staff out of its Dhahran headquarters, the US has told diplomats' families to leave the country, and the attacks pushed oil to a five-month high.
North Korea raises border tension with South Korea
Kim Yo-jong, a senior official in North Korea's ruling party and Kim Jong Un's sister, said work to fortify the border will continue and that loudspeakers along it will be ready to operate within days. The warning follows an order from the North's army chief that border troops must act decisively if they feel threatened by South Korean forces, raising the risk of a clash along the heavily armed frontier.