India & Nepal: More than 200 deaths reported following heavy rainfall and flooding (CNN)
“The death toll from flooding and landslides in Nepal rose to 104 on Friday after 27 more deaths were reported since Wednesday evening, Phanindra Mani Pokharel, a spokesperson for Nepal's ministry of home affairs, said on Friday morning. At least 201 deaths have been reported across Nepal and the Indian states of Kerala and Uttarakhand as of Friday.”
Ethiopia: Mekelle struck in Tigray conflict, residents flee Amhara as battle intensifies (CNN)
“The Ethiopian government launched an airstrike Friday on the capital of the northern Tigray region, and residents in a city in the neighboring Amhara region said people there were taking flight from intensifying fighting. Humanitarian sources and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls the northern region, said the airstrike hit a university in the regional capital Mekelle.”
Russia: Gunpowder workshop explosion kills 17 (CNN)
“A deadly explosion at an ammunition disposal plant in Russia's western Ryazan province on Friday killed at least 17 people, Russia's official news agency TASS reported. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation said a criminal investigation had been launched into the blast. According to Reuters, an entire shift of workers was at the site when the brick building was ripped apart.”
US Congress: Free community college expected to be cut from spending bill (AP)
“President Joe Biden’s long-sought goal of free community college appears to be a victim of cost-cutting in his social spending plan, dealing a major blow to his vision for a historic expansion of educational opportunity to all Americans. Biden acknowledged as much in a televised town hall on Thursday night, citing the political realities created by Democratic holdout Sen. Joe Manchin and “one other person.””
Alec Baldwin: ‘Heartbroken’ over fatal film set shooting (BBC)
“Actor Alec Baldwin has expressed his shock and sadness after fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a prop gun on a New Mexico film set. He tweeted that he was in touch with her husband and had offered support. "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna," he wrote. Ms Hutchins, 42, was shot on the set of the western Rust while working as director of photography.”
Robert Durst: Charged with murder of his former wife (CNN)
“Convicted killer Robert Durst, who was the subject of the HBO docuseries "The Jinx," has been charged with the murder of his former wife, according to the Westchester District Attorney's office. The complaint was filed in Lewisboro Town Court in New York on October 19, district attorney spokeswoman Jess Vecchiarelli said. Kathleen McCormack Durst was last seen in 1982 and declared legally dead in 2017. Her body has not been found. Durst is battling Covid-19.”