An Iranian woman who protested the country’s strict dress code by stripping to her underwear at Tehran University is missing following her detention. University officials cited mental health issues, claiming she was under severe pressure, but many view her actions as a bold protest against oppressive hijab laws. Detained by security guards after her viral demonstration, some reports suggest she may have been beaten during her arrest. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, demand her immediate release and an independent investigation into allegations of violence against her amid ongoing protests against the hijab mandate.

As the U.S. presidential election unfolds on November 5, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are preparing to cast their votes. Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, whose mission was extended, will vote electronically, thanks to a Texas law that allows space voting since 1997. After applying for an absentee ballot, they will complete their votes, which NASA securely transmits back to Earth for processing. This initiative ensures that even those in orbit can fulfill their democratic duties, showcasing the connection between space and societal participation.

Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, "predicted" that Donald Trump will win the 2024 US presidential election. In a video circulating online, the hippo was presented with two watermelons, each carved with the names of the two candidates—Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Moo Deng chose Trump’s watermelon, while another hippo in the enclosure ate the Harris-labeled one. This playful prediction came as Trump and Harris continued their final campaigns in key battleground states, with the election results expected soon. Over 78 million Americans have already voted.

Harinder Sohi, a Sergeant with Peel Regional Police in Canada, has been suspended after he was seen participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. A video circulating on social media showed Sohi holding a Khalistan flag while others chanted anti-India slogans. The protest is believed to be linked to a recent attack on the temple by Khalistani supporters. Peel Regional Police confirmed the suspension, citing an ongoing investigation. India's Prime Minister Modi condemned the temple attack and urged the Canadian government to ensure justice and protect Indian places of worship in Canada.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, speaking at an event in Delhi ahead of his November 10 retirement, emphasized that judicial independence does not always mean ruling against the government. He shared how his decision to strike down the electoral bonds scheme was lauded as "very independent" but stated that a balanced judiciary must rule based on the law and Constitution, irrespective of the government's position. He also highlighted how societal pressures, including interest groups and social media, challenge judicial decisions. Chandrachud urged the public to trust judges to act with conscience and justice.

The 2024 U.S. presidential election shows a strong gender divide, with women leaning toward Democrats and men more likely to support Republicans. Since the 1980s, women have increasingly favored Democrats, and turnout among female voters has consistently exceeded male turnout since 1964, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. Democrats have lost support from Black and Latino men but gained traction with women, especially on issues like abortion. Gallup reports young women today are more liberal on issues such as abortion and the environment, giving Kamala Harris an edge among women, while Donald Trump holds ground on immigration.

Maricopa County, Arizona, has implemented heightened security measures for ballot counting, including razor wire, iron fencing, metal detectors, armed guards, and bomb sweeps. Additional precautions like drones, mounted officers, and rooftop snipers are also on standby. This high security comes after Maricopa became a focal point for election conspiracy theories during the 2020 presidential election, when Donald Trump’s loss in Arizona sparked unfounded claims of voter fraud. Following widespread protests, armed gatherings, lawsuits, and audits challenging the results, officials have now transformed the vote-counting process, prioritizing safety to prevent disruptions and ensure an orderly election process.

In a tightly contested election, the fate of the 2024 US presidency between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump hinges on seven critical swing states. Both candidates have focused efforts in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada, which have histories of fluctuating support between Republicans and Democrats. Harris emphasizes women’s rights and minority issues, while Trump aims to rally rural and conservative bases. Both campaigns have tailored messages for specific state concerns, like manufacturing in Pennsylvania and immigration in Arizona. With the race neck-and-neck, these battlegrounds will likely determine the next president.

As the US election reaches its final day, the main question remains: how many women will turn out to vote? Abortion rights, stripped by the Supreme Court in 2022, have driven Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’s campaign, while former President Trump seeks to appeal to his base by reframing abortion as a state issue. President Biden’s withdrawal in favor of Harris raised debate on age in politics. Meanwhile, Trump’s promise of influence to Christian groups signals a new religious-political shift. As voters decide, the stakes are high for both social rights and party legacies.

University tuition fees in England will increase to £9,535 from April 2025, marking the first rise in eight years. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the change, saying fees will now align with inflation. The maximum maintenance loan will also increase, adding £414 a year to help students manage living costs. Phillipson emphasized that monthly loan repayments won’t increase, as they depend on earnings. The change follows a funding crisis in universities, partly due to a decline in international students. Critics, including some MPs, argue that education should be more affordable and have called for tuition fees to be abolished.