Nov 2, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Turkish independent media and civil rights organizations have published August statistics detailing gender-based violence across the country.

According to news portal Bianet, men killed at least 25 women and injured 71 others during the month. Meanwhile, data from the We Will Stop Femicide Platform recorded 22 femicides and 33 suspicious female deaths. The platform reported that 55 percent of victims were killed inside their homes, primarily by spouses or acquaintances, with motives often linked to personal decisions or remaining undetermined.

In judicial developments, state broadcaster TRT Haber reported that the Siirt 1st High Criminal Court accepted an indictment against five suspects regarding the 2024 murder of a mother of four. Prosecutors relied on telecommunication records, license plate tracking, and digital footprints to charge the victim's former husband, former father-in-law, former brother-in-law, and two other defendants.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet, TRT Haber

Tensions intensified as the Israeli military launched operations and restricted movement across the occupied West Bank following a shooting near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded several others. Crossing points into Israel were ordered closed in response to the incident.

The military actions coincide with heightened international scrutiny of Israeli operations across the region. A UN committee report alleged that Israeli authorities have continued actions with genocidal intent in Gaza following previous cease-fire arrangements. Concurrently, an investigation by BBC Verify identified 254 incidents in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Israel where the military stated it was investigating casualties without publicly releasing any outcomes. Other reporting detailed how illegal Israeli settlers continue using livestock outposts to expand control over land in the West Bank.

Sources: Beta, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

Political pressure on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is growing as the country approaches elections following domestic protests and international fallout from the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.

European Parliament Rapporteur Tonino Picula stated that Brussels is re-evaluating its stance toward Vučić, characterising the upcoming vote as a decisive moment for Serbia's leadership and its European integration path. Meanwhile, regional analysts note that public sentiment shifted following the infrastructure tragedy in Novi Sad, which triggered anti-government demonstrations.

Amid these developments, Serbian opposition parties are deliberating whether to participate in the vote or form unified coalitions. Vučić recently hosted Hungarian political ally Viktor Orbán, reaffirming their close partnership despite ongoing political headwinds.

Sources: Beta, Danas, Index, Klix, N1

Bulgaria's Central Election Commission confirmed incumbent President Iliana Iotova won the presidential runoff election with 57.6 percent of the vote. Her challenger, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, secured 39.4 percent, while three percent selected the option for neither candidate.

Iotova, running alongside vice-presidential candidate Kiril Valchev, campaigned on opposition to military aid for Ukraine and favored diplomatic dialogue with Moscow. In contrast, Gyurov advocated for closer integration with Western allies and an expanded NATO presence in the Black Sea region.

The second-round runoff was required after no individual among the initial 27 candidates achieved an absolute majority during the first voting round.

Sources: France24, ORF, Sweden Herald, Tagesschau, Trend News Agency.

Poland and Hungary face heightened security concerns in educational institutions following recent violence and security threats.

In Poland, authorities are investigating three violent incidents in educational facilities within a single week. The latest attack occurred at a Warsaw higher education facility, where a 21-year-old student wounded three women with a "dangerous object" before staff disarmed her. Polish law enforcement has also detained several minors for allegedly planning violent attacks.

In Hungary, police opened an investigation after email threats claimed explosive devices were placed in more than 70 schools nationwide. Similar widespread bomb threats were reported simultaneously in Northern Ireland. Authorities in the affected nations are assessing safety protocols while investigating the origin of the threats.

Sources: 444, HVG, Rzeczpospolita, Telex, TVP info