Western Sahara mission closure sets UN personnel withdrawal in motion

Western Sahara peacekeeping ends after Russia vetoes US renewal

MINURSO’s peacekeeping operations have ended after Russia vetoed a US draft to renew its mandate, which expired on 31 October 2026; UN chief António Guterres confirmed the end of operations. Liquidation began on 1 November 2026. The UN plans to repatriate about 160 military observers and close 13 facilities and team sites in Western Sahara; around 180 civilian and affiliated personnel will also leave. A smaller team will oversee the phased closure and handover of the sites.

Russian strikes cut power to hundreds of thousands, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy said Russian strikes disrupted electricity supplies across 4 Ukrainian regions. Dnipropetrovsk’s governor later said most customers there had been reconnected, while repair crews continued work to restore the remaining connections.

Israeli settlers carry out record 397 October attacks, UN office says

The United Nations humanitarian office recorded 397 settler attacks in October, Al Jazeera said, citing Wafa. The violence reached Palestinian communities during the olive harvest; ACLED forecasts that continued outpost expansion would likely spread attacks further into rural areas.

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Israeli military withdraws from Hebron operation area

The Israeli military confirmed its withdrawal from the area of operation in Hebron. Displaced residents began returning and cleaning their homes, while the governor said authorities and Palestinian security forces were working to enable safe returns.

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UN refugee agency sends team as up to 50,000 flee to Kenya, it says

UNHCR has sent an emergency team to the region as people flee fighting between Ethiopia’s Somali and Oromia regional forces. The agency is working with Kenya’s government and humanitarian organizations to provide aid to people staying with host communities or sheltering in temporary locations.

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Oleshky ceasefire ends after evacuees reach Kyiv

The ceasefire around Russian-occupied Oleshky has ended after enabling an evacuation.

France’s police make 779 protest and Halloween arrests, ministry says

France’s Interior Ministry puts arrests during the demonstrations and Halloween night at 779, a combined total rather than a protest-only count. Students plan further blockades, and unions have called a nationwide strike and demonstrations for 5 November.

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France’s prosecutors confirm charges after 1 killed, 7 injured near Paris

France’s prosecutors confirmed formal charges against Kevin T. over the fatal Paris-area shootings. Prosecutors also requested that he be held in custody before trial; that request is distinct from a detention order.

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Iliana Iotova wins Bulgaria’s presidential runoff

Iliana Iotova wins Bulgaria’s presidency after a close first round against former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. Gyurov accepted the runoff results.

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Serbia’s Student List secures reported 140-seat majority

Serbia’s Student List is reported to have secured a parliamentary majority, following its lead in the preliminary count. That would allow the student-backed movement to govern without coalition partners, though a new government had yet to be formed.

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UK Chancellor John Healey announced £100 energy payment on 28 October

UK Chancellor John Healey announced a winter energy payment tied to households’ council-tax bands. The government plans automatic transfers into the accounts used to pay council tax from the start of January 2027.