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October 26: Vučić Concedes in Serbia as U.S. Election Lawsuits Face Scrutiny
In Serbia
President Aleksandar Vučić has conceded his ruling party’s defeat in a snap parliamentary election following nearly two years of student-led protests. Vučić cited preliminary results showing overwhelming support for the student movement, potentially giving it a majority in the 250-seat parliament. The election drew record turnout, and crowds celebrated in Belgrade after the concession.
In U.S. elections
The Justice Department has sued at President Trump’s request to block Alaska from certifying its election results if Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses, MS NOW reports. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the lawsuit Sunday, arguing that Alaskans would be confused and would not have their votes heard.
Separately, a federal appeals court questioned the administration’s request to immediately segregate 20,000 California ballots that the Justice Department says were likely cast by noncitizens. At a rare Sunday hearing, Circuit Judge Mark Bennett questioned whether the appeals court had jurisdiction. The administration argued that the trial judge needed to act faster.
In public health
Barcelona has released more than half a million male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, which causes effective sterility, in Europe’s largest experiment aimed at countering mosquito-borne diseases. Trials continue until mid-November. The effort aims to replicate results from Singapore, where trials found a 70 percent reduction in dengue cases.
In luxury retail
Western luxury brands have lost roughly $280 billion in value this year as Chinese consumers spend less and direct more purchases toward domestic products. Chinese producers are increasingly competing on quality, not just price, adding pressure on Western brands.
In Brazil
Brazilians voted Sunday in a close presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro has pledged closer Washington ties and lower public spending. Bloomberg reports that both candidates made costly promises while saying little about how they would pay for them.
On Iran
The U.S. director of national intelligence warned that Iran was in the advanced stages of planning attacks against American officials abroad, prompting personnel evacuations. President Trump said Sunday he was weighing military action to “finish it off.” Tehran warned that American strikes would not change its position.
Storm Boelo in the UK
Two men were killed by falling trees Sunday, police said, one in southwest Scotland and another in London. Storm Boelo left more than 160,000 properties without power. The Met Office reported gusts reaching 84 miles per hour.
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