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Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei scored decisive wins in key districts in Sunday’s midterm elections, consolidating support for his radical free-market agenda and securing billions of dollars in backing from the Trump administration. Widely viewed as a referendum on Milei’s first two years in office, the election saw his party, La Libertad Avanza, capture more than 40% of the vote, compared with 31% for the left-leaning Peronist opposition, exceeding analysts’ projections. The victory gives Milei’s party and its allies 14 seats in the Senate and 64 in the lower house, strengthening the government’s position to uphold presidential vetoes and block impeachment attempts. At party headquarters in Buenos Aires, Milei hailed the results as a mandate to pursue spending cuts and implement ambitious tax and labor reforms, while also positioning himself for a potential reelection bid in 2027. “The Argentine people have decided to leave behind 100 years of decadence,” Milei declared, referring to decades of Peronist administrations that presided over recurring inflation crises and sovereign debt defaults. High stakes for U.S. support The midterms drew intense attention from Washington and global markets. U.S. President Donald Trump had linked a $40 billion financial support package—including a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina’s central bank and $20 billion in private loans—to Milei’s performance, threatening to withhold aid if the Peronists prevailed. The tense backdrop added pressure on Milei, who had struggled to stabilize the peso and prevent a currency crisis in recent weeks. With Milei’s electoral success, Argentina’s markets were expected to rally. Analysts said the outcome reassures investors that Milei’s economic program could be sustainable, while leaving the Peronist opposition weakened and divided. Electoral map reflects growing support Milei’s party gained ground nationwide, including in Peronist strongholds. In Buenos Aires province, home to nearly 40% of the electorate, La Libertad Avanza narrowly triumphed after losing by 14 points in provincial elections last month. Other agricultural powerhouses, including Santa Fe and Córdoba, also backed Milei, drawn by his deregulation policies and tariff cuts benefiting the farming sector. Challenges remain amid austerity Despite the midterm gains, Milei must still navigate a fragmented legislature to advance his agenda. Experts caution that coalition-building will be essential to sustain control and pass reforms. The election also reflects public divisions over Milei’s austerity measures. While budget cuts have reduced inflation from 289% in April 2024 to 32% last month, many Argentines continue to struggle with rising costs and shrinking pensions. In Puerto Madero, some sectors praise the president for boosting foreign investment and lifting currency restrictions, while in poorer neighborhoods, citizens report hardship under his reforms. Electoral authorities reported a turnout of just under 68%, among the lowest since Argentina’s 1983 return to democracy. “I vote out of obligation, nothing more,” said Matías Paredes, a real estate broker, reflecting widespread public fatigue with the political class.   Source: AP

Ireland’s next president, Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent lawmaker known for her outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of European Union policies, won a decisive victory in Saturday’s election. Connolly, 68, secured 63% of the vote, comfortably defeating her center-right rival and former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys. Backed by Ireland’s left-leaning opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, Connolly is expected to be a vocal presence capable of challenging the center-right government, even though the Irish presidency is largely ceremonial. While Irish presidents do not have executive powers to shape legislation, they represent the country internationally and often serve as a unifying voice on major issues. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, a popular president who has been outspoken on Gaza, NATO spending, and other global matters. Connolly pledged to be “an inclusive president” who champions diversity and acts as “a voice for peace.” From independent lawmaker to Ireland’s presidency Connolly, a mother of two, has represented Galway West as an independent lawmaker since 2016, serving three terms. In 2020, she became the first woman to serve as deputy speaker of the lower house of Parliament. Raised in a social housing estate in Galway as one of 14 children, Connolly lost her mother at age nine. Her father worked at a local shipyard. She volunteered with community and Catholic organizations during her student years. Connolly holds degrees in clinical psychology and law, and practiced as a lawyer before entering politics. Her political journey began with the Labour Party when she was elected to Galway City Council in 1999, and she became Galway’s mayor in 2004. She left Labour in 2007 to continue as an independent politician. Critical views on Israel and the EU Connolly has been vocal about Israel’s actions in Gaza. In September, she faced criticism for describing Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people,” and for her reluctance to immediately condemn the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that triggered the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict. She later clarified that she “utterly condemned” Hamas’ actions while also criticizing Israel over what she described as a genocide in Gaza. On Europe, Connolly has criticized the EU’s growing militarization after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing historical comparisons to Nazi-era armament and questioning NATO expansion. She has emphasized Ireland’s military neutrality and opposed proposals to remove the “triple lock,” which governs the deployment of Irish troops on international missions. Appeal to voters Connolly’s message of social equality, inclusivity, and outspoken style has resonated with many, particularly younger voters. While she has pledged to respect the limits of the presidency, she has said she will speak out “when it’s necessary.” “Together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, champions diversity, and takes pride in our Irish identity, language, and new residents,” Connolly said during her acceptance speech at Dublin Castle.   Source: AP

Paris prosecutors announced Sunday the first arrest of suspects in connection with the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre, a week after the heist at the world’s most visited museum. The arrests took place on Saturday evening. Here’s what we know about the timeline: Oct. 10 Thieves use a false pretext to steal a basket lift. Paris prosecutor Laurence Beccuau said they made an appointment with the company that owned the truck before leaving with it, using threats but no violence. The company filed a complaint for the theft in the town of Louvres, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Paris. The name has made many wonder whether it was a coincidence. Oct. 19 9 a.m.: The Louvre museum opens to visitors. 9:30 a.m.: Thieves dressed like renovation workers park the truck equipped with a freight lift — a common sight in Paris — on the sidewalk at the foot of the Louvre, on Quai François Mitterrand alongside the Seine River. They put traffic cones around the truck to simulate a maintenance operation. Two people climb a ladder to reach a balcony and gain entry through a window. 9:34 a.m.: The two thieves enter the south end of the Apollo Gallery. An alarm is triggered at the security control room. A staff member in the room makes a radio call to command center members to alert them to the intruders. 9:35 a.m.: Robbers use disc cutters to neatly cut the glass of two display cases and take the jewels. Security officers make visitors evacuate, in line with requirements that focus on crowd safety. The museum manager calls the nearby police station to report a theft in progress and asks for immediate help. 9:36 a.m.: A team leader at the command center activates a special button linked to Paris police headquarters. 9:37 a.m.: A message is sent to staff to request that all the museum’s doors be closed. 9:38 a.m.: The thieves leave via the same window and flee eastward with two other people waiting for them on two scooters. They leave behind a yellow jacket similar to those often worn by construction workers and other equipment, including a disc cutter. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said that security officers on site prevented one thief from setting fire to the truck with the freight lift. 10:34 a.m.: Dati announces on social media that “a robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum.” Later that day: The emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, is found outside the museum. The thieves left with eight other objects of invaluable historic value. Oct. 22 The museum reopens. Beccuau, the prosecutor, says that about 100 investigators are working on the case ,in addition to forensics experts who are analyzing surveillance footage and 150 samples taken from the basket lift, inside the museum and on items found. Oct. 26 Beccuau says that investigators made arrests on Saturday evening, adding that one of the men taken into custody was preparing to leave the country from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Beccuau does not say whether any jewels have been recovered. She adds that investigators from a special police unit in charge of armed robberies, serious burglaries and art thefts made the arrests.  

Hamas has expanded its search for bodies of hostages in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian group said Sunday, a day after Egypt deployed a team of experts and heavy equipment to help retrieve them. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which took effect on Oct. 10, Hamas is expected to return the remains of all Israeli hostages as soon as possible. Israel has agreed to return 15 bodies of Palestinians for each one. Children and others watched the Egyptian equipment claw through the sand near badly damaged buildings in the southern city of Khan Younis. Hamas has returned the remains of 15 hostages but hasn't handed over any in five days. Israel has returned the bodies of 195 Palestinians, many of them unidentified. More complicated steps lie ahead under the ceasefire plan, including the disarming of Hamas and the postwar governance of famine-stricken Gaza, where the U.N. and partners continue to urge Israel to allow in more humanitarian aid. International media have been barred from Gaza aside from brief visits with Israel's military, and Israel on Sunday said that hadn't changed. Trump watches 48-hour period ‘very closely’ Hamas' chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said the group started searching new areas for bodies of the remaining 13 hostages, according to comments the group shared Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Saturday he was “watching very closely” to ensure Hamas returns more bodies in the next 48 hours. “Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not,” he wrote on social media. Hamas has repeatedly said efforts to retrieve remains face challenges because of the massive destruction. An Egyptian team with equipment including an excavator and bulldozers entered Gaza on Saturday as part of mediators' efforts to shore up the ceasefire, two Egyptian officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Hamas alleges violation after Israeli strikes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military's actions after Israeli forces struck the central Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza late Saturday, according to Al-Awda Hospital, which received the wounded. The military claimed it targeted militants associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group who were planning to attack troops. Islamic Jihad, the second largest militant group in Gaza, denied the allegation. Hamas called the strike a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement and accused Netanyahu of attempting to sabotage U.S. efforts to end the war. “Of course, we also thwart dangers as they are being formed, before they are carried out, as we did just yesterday in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said at the start of his weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday. Netanyahu also stressed that Israel remained in charge of its own security, after accusations last week that the Trump administration was dictating terms of Israel's response to security concerns in Gaza. Vice President JD Vance denied any such speculation during his visit. Israel also targeted Nuseirat on Oct. 19, after the military accused Hamas militants of killing two soldiers. Israel that day launched dozens of strikes across Gaza, killing at least 36 Palestinians, including women and children, according to local health authorities. It was the most serious challenge to the ceasefire. Over 68,500 Palestinians have died in two years of war sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed them without providing its own toll. Information-sharing on security threats Saturday's strike came hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio left Israel. He was the latest top U.S. official to visit a new center for civilian and military coordination that is attempting to oversee the ceasefire. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, visited last week. Rubio said Saturday that Israel, the U.S. and the other mediators are sharing information to disrupt any threats, and asserted that it allowed them to identify a possible impending attack last weekend. Around 200 U.S. troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries at the coordination center, planning the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza. The U.S. has said none of its troops will operate on the ground in Gaza.  

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed confidence that he could swiftly help resolve the escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as crucial peace talks between the two neighbours entered their second day. The countries remain locked in a bitter security dispute, each accusing the other of cross-border aggression during fierce clashes earlier this month. The deadly fighting, the most serious in recent years, has raised regional alarm amid concerns over the resurgence of armed groups including al-Qaida. Pakistan maintains that Afghan authorities are allowing militants to cross over and launch attacks inside its territory, a charge vehemently denied by the Taliban government in Kabul. The latest round of negotiations began in Istanbul on Saturday, focused on turning a fragile ceasefire brokered in Doha into a long-term peace and border-security mechanism. Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Trump said he had been briefed about the talks. “But I’ll get that solved very quickly,” he remarked, praising Pakistani leaders as “great people.” According to Taliban-controlled media RTA, Afghan delegates on Sunday submitted a draft proposing commitments on respecting Afghan territory and airspace, along with restrictions on anti-Afghan groups operating from Pakistan. It also suggests forming a four-party channel to monitor ceasefire violations and share intelligence. RTA reported that Pakistan presented a counter-proposal on Saturday evening. However, Pakistani officials did not immediately comment. Islamabad has previously lauded Trump for assisting in easing tensions with India earlier this year, raising hopes that his renewed involvement could help stabilize another volatile regional conflict. Source: AP

A shooting during homecoming celebrations at Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University, a historically Black institution, left one person dead and six others injured on Saturday night. The incident occurred during outdoor festivities as students and alumni gathered to celebrate the occasion. Authorities detained one person who had a firearm and are investigating whether multiple shooters were involved, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said at a news conference early Sunday. However, officials believe there is no ongoing threat to the campus. “We don’t yet have many answers about what exactly happened,” the district attorney said. “At this point, we’re treating this as an isolated incident rather than an attempt to cause mass harm on campus.” The shooting took place around 9:30 p.m. outside the International Cultural Center, where tents and tables had been set up for tailgating and socializing after a football game earlier in the day. “It was a chaotic scene—people ran in every direction,” de Barrena-Sarobe said, urging anyone with video footage or information to contact the FBI. Officials have not released details about the victims or the conditions of the wounded. Chester County detectives are leading the investigation, supported by state police and the FBI. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on X that he had been briefed on the situation and that his administration is offering assistance. “Join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community,” he added. Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee described the incident as devastating for the university, which had been celebrating its proud legacy. “If there were a stronger word than ‘devastated,’ I’d use it,” he said. “But that’s where we are right now.” The campus is located about 45 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of Philadelphia.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced that it has begun withdrawing its fighters from Turkey to Iraq, calling the move a step toward supporting ongoing peace efforts with Ankara. The statement, released in northern Iraq, follows a symbolic disarmament ceremony earlier this year as part of the peace process between Turkish authorities and the outlawed group. The PKK has been waging an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since the 1980s, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Sabri Ok, a senior figure from the group’s umbrella organization KCK, said the withdrawal was being carried out with the approval of imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. He added that the shift of forces to the Medya Defense Area in northern Iraq aims to prevent fresh clashes or provocations during negotiations.   Source: AP

East Timor, officially known as Timor Leste, became the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday, a milestone Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao described as a “dream realized” for the nation and a significant step toward boosting its struggling economy. The formal ceremony in Kuala Lumpur saw East Timor’s flag added to the stage alongside the other 10 member states, marking ASEAN’s first expansion since the 1990s after more than a decade of deliberations. “For the people of Timor Leste, this is not only a dream realized, but a powerful affirmation of our journey—one defined by resilience, determination and hope,” Gusmao said. ASEAN membership provides East Timor, a nation with a GDP of around $2 billion and a population of 1.4 million, access to a regional economic community of 680 million people with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently chairs the bloc, said East Timor’s accession “completes the ASEAN family” and reflects the bloc’s shared destiny and regional kinship. Analysts highlighted the significance of integrating Southeast Asia’s youngest and poorest nation. “The expansion demonstrates ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity, openness, and equal participation, especially amid rising protectionism,” said Angeline Tan of Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic & International Studies. East Timor, located between Indonesia and Australia, endured a prolonged struggle for independence. A former Portuguese colony for over four centuries, it declared independence in 1975 but was invaded by Indonesia nine days later, triggering a 24-year occupation that claimed tens of thousands of lives. A U.N.-supervised referendum in 1999 paved the way for full independence, restored in 2002. Led today by independence heroes Prime Minister Gusmao and President Jose Ramos-Horta, a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, East Timor faces challenges including high unemployment, widespread poverty, and malnutrition. About 42% of the population lives below the national poverty line, and nearly two-thirds are under 30, making youth employment a key priority. ASEAN membership opens doors for trade, investment, education, and digital economy initiatives. Gusmao said, “This is not the end of a journey; this is the beginning of an inspiring new chapter,” emphasizing the country’s readiness to innovate, learn, and strengthen good governance.   Source: AP

Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday signed an expanded ceasefire agreement during a ceremony attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose threats of economic pressure earlier this year helped end deadly clashes along their disputed border. Under the agreement, Thailand will release Cambodian prisoners while Cambodia will begin withdrawing heavy artillery. Regional observers will monitor compliance to prevent a resumption of fighting. Trump, who witnessed the signing with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, called the accord a major achievement. “We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” he said. Hun Manet described it as a “historic day,” and Anutin said the deal lays “the building blocks for a lasting peace.” The signing took place on the sidelines of the annual ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, marking Trump’s first event at the summit. His visit, which will continue to Japan and South Korea and may include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, is seen as an effort to strengthen U.S. influence in the region amid ongoing trade tensions and domestic political disputes at home. Trump also participated in cultural events upon arrival, performing a campaign-style dance with local performers while waving both American and Malaysian flags. He is expected to sign trade agreements with Malaysia and maintain focus on expanding U.S. supply chains to reduce reliance on China. The July border clashes, which lasted five days, killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. Trump had warned both nations that trade agreements could be withheld if fighting continued—a move analysts say was pivotal in prompting negotiations. Following Sunday’s ceremony, Trump also signed separate economic deals with Thailand and Cambodia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the ceasefire, emphasizing that reconciliation “is not concession, but an act of courage.” Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura called the agreement a “joint declaration” signaling both countries’ commitment to renewing relations, adding that “work has just begun.” Trump’s visit has also highlighted trade disputes, including ongoing tensions with China and recent friction with Canada over tariffs. He expressed optimism about negotiating comprehensive deals with Japan, South Korea, and China during the trip, emphasizing support for U.S. farmers and broader economic cooperation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was close with Trump during his first term, is absent from this year’s summit, reflecting more strained relations after recent disputes over tariffs and regional conflicts. Source: AP

For a week every October, people organizing international catch-ups and meetings on both sides of the Atlantic may be briefly confused: Did I just miss that conference call? Why is my grandmother calling me so early? Most people quickly remember: It’s that strange time each fall when Europe and the United States are out of sync as they switch from daylight saving time to standard time. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. And for those that do — mostly in Europe and North America — the date of the clock change varies, partly because of how time-related laws were developed in difference places. In countries that observe the practice, clocks are set forward one hour from standard time in March to make the most of increased summer daylight hours in the northern hemisphere. Clocks “fall back” again in the autumn to standard time. In the U.K. and Europe, this takes place at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. But in the U.S. and Canada, clocks go back one hour at 2 a.m on the first Sunday in November. That in-between week means that the time difference between the two sides of the Atlantic — for example between London and New York — is one hour shorter than usual, potentially causing chaos for coordinating Zoom calls or other meetings. The idea of daylight saving time had been floated for several hundred years, but didn’t become a standardized common practice written into law in many countries until the early 20th century. Europe first adopted it during World War I as a wartime measure to conserve energy. Germany and Austria began moving their clocks by an hour in the summer of 1916. The U.K. and other countries involved in the war followed soon after, as did the United States and Canada. Efforts were made over the years to coordinate time settings in Europe, and from 2002 all European Union member states adjusted their clocks twice yearly on the same days in March and October. However, there has been no success in coordinating the time change more widely. In the U.S., a 1966 law mandated a uniform daylight saving time nationwide, though the dates marking the twice yearly transitions have changed over the years. In 2022 the Senate unanimously approved a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, but it did not advance. The current dates were established by Congress in 2005. Many do not agree on the benefits of the seasonal time changes, and lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe have previously proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. So far no changes have been finalized.