Africa
Overpacked stadium leaves 11 dead – At least 11 people died over the weekend during a concert in Congo. The stadium’s crowd size exceeded the number that security could control. Daniel Aselo Okito, Congo’s Interior Minister, called for the concert organizers to be punished for not limiting the number of people who attended the show.
Ghana in economic crisis – Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo said on television that the country is experiencing an economic crisis. Ghana’s currency is the world’s worst performing currency, and Akufo-Addo blamed illegal Forex traders for the crisis. He added that he can’t find an example in history when “so many malevolent forces have come together at the same time.”
Asia
Workers leave iPhone factory in China – After a COVID outbreak forced staff to lockdown at Apple’s largest iPhone assembly factory, videos surfaced showing people fleeing the plant. China continues a zero-COVID policy, but it is unknown how many cases of the virus were at the factory. Workers claimed the area around the plant was locked down for days.
Bridge collapse leaves dozens dead – Rescuers in India recovered 141 bodies after a bridge collapsed over the weekend. Around 133 bodies were returned to family members, and their funerals are expected to take place this week. The bridge was from the colonial era and collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi district. Rescuers are still looking for more survivors.
Europe
Man accused of being Russian spy – Officials in Norway charged a university professor with gathering illegal intelligence and acting as a Russian spy. He is accused of posing as a Brazilian academic and was named in Norwegian media as Russian national Mikhail Valerievich Mikushin. His lawyer denied the allegations.
Hundreds cross Channel in one day – Nearly 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel in 24 small boats this past Saturday. In October, 6,395 migrants crossed the channel. Officials declared dangerous conditions for some of the migrants who made the journey. So far this year, around 39,430 people have crossed the Channel in small boats.
Latin America
Lula takes Brazil presidential election – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beat far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential election. He won 50.9 percent of the votes and was previously found guilty of receiving a bribe from a Brazilian construction firm. The results of the election were surprising, even though opinion polls suggested he would win the election. Bolsonaro had yet to concede as of Oct. 31 and offered doubts about the election out- come, despite not offering evidence.
New frog species discovered in Ecuador – Scientists in Ecuador discovered six new species of rain frog in two national parks. All of them were found in deforested areas, and scientists suggested that the animals be added to a threatened species list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. More than 550 different species live in areas from Honduras through the Andes to northern Argentina and Brazil.
North America
Attacker targets Pelosi’s house – U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to the public for the first time since a man entered her home and attacked her husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer. She said she is “heartbroken and traumatized” by the attack. Paul Pelosi’s condition continues to improve, according to local reports. He suffered injuries to his arm and hands, and is a victim of a fractured skull.
Musk buys Twitter – Elon Musk completed a $44 billion deal to purchase Twitter. Numerous top executives of the company were reportedly fired. Musk has been critical of Twitter’s management and its moderation policies. He said he would reverse bans on suspended users like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
