Politics

A 29-year-old immigrant from Uzbekistan ploughed a pickup truck into pedestrians along a cycle path in New York, killing at least eight people in a terror attack apparently inspired by Islamic State. The man was detained by police after being shot. Although vehicles have become a familiar weapon of choice for jihadists in Europe, these are the first fatalities from such an attack in America.

The first charges were laid in the investigation led by Robert Mueller, the special counsel looking into Russian interference in last year's election. Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's former campaign manager, and his business associate, Rick Gates, were charged with conspiracy and money-laundering. Both pleaded not guilty. George Papadopoulos, a junior adviser on foreign policy in the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about trying to forge links with Russian officials.

A judge blocked Mr Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces from coming into effect, at least until a lawsuit brought by a group of plaintiffs has been resolved. The Pentagon is currently working out how to put the ban into place.

A pyrrhic victory

Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner in Kenya's disputed presidential election, which was boycotted by his main opponent, Raila Odinga. Turnout was low at less than 40%, around half of that in the poll held in August, which was annulled by the supreme court because of irregularities. Mr Odinga said the result was a sham.

Liberia's supreme court halted a presidential run-off election that was to be held on November 7th, after complaints of fraud by a losing candidate in last month's first round. George Weah and Joseph Boakai are the two candidates in the run-off vying to replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Rating agencies criticised South Africa's latest budget, warning that debt may soar to as much as 60% of GDP.

Hamas, an Islamist party that took control of Gaza in 2007, started handing control over the territory's border crossings to the Palestinian Authority as part of the reconciliation deal between the two Palestinian factions.

Masoud Barzani, the president of Iraq's Kurdish region since 2005, resigned in the aftermath of a referendum on independence that led to Iraqi government forces taking back control of key oilfields and the city of Kirkuk.

The fall of Lenin

Ecuador's ruling Alianza PAIS party kicked out its leader, Lenin Moreno, who is also the country's president. The move is the latest in a battle between Rafael Correa, a former president, and Mr Moreno, who has distanced himself from the populist party by pursuing reform and building bridges with the opposition.

A recently elected governor was sacked in Venezuela after he refused to swear loyalty to the all-powerful constituent assembly aligned with President Nicolas Maduro's ruling socialists. Three opposition parties announced that they will boycott municipal elections in December.

A team of international lawyers concluded that a network of businessmen and state officials helped plan and cover up the murder in 2016 of Berta Caceres, an environmental activist in Honduras.

Contestants in Peru's Miss Universe pageant surprised the audience by reciting statistics about violence against women rather than their bust, waist and hip measurements.

Peaceable diplomacy

China and South Korea agreed to restore normal relations. The two countries' ties have been strained by South Korea's deployment of an American anti-missile system known as THAAD, which China describes as a threat to its security. China says its position has not changed, but it will ease its pressure on South Korean businesses.

China's internet censors announced new regulations aimed at curbing the spread of "illegal information". Staff at news websites will be required to undergo training in "the Marxist view of journalism". Those who fail to promote "a positive and healthy...online culture" face dismissal.

The courts in Australia removed five MPs from parliament because they hold dual nationality. They include Barnaby Joyce, the deputy prime minister. His dismissal has cost the government its one-seat majority. Mr Joyce has renounced his New Zealand citizenship and is contesting the by-election for his seat.

An official American watchdog reported that 43% of Afghanistan was either contested territory or under the control of the Taliban, slightly more than six months ago. The American army barred it from releasing details about the numbers, casualty rates and readiness of Afghan forces.

Spain reasserts control

Spain imposed direct rule on Catalonia, hours after the region's parliament had approved a unilateral declaration of independence. Catalonia's president, Carles Puigdemont, was stripped of his office and fled to Brussels to escape proposed charges of sedition and rebellion, which could carry a 30-year jail sentence. New elections have been set for December 21st, one reason why there was little protest against Madrid's action.

In Britain, Sir Michael Fallon resigned as defence secretary amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour, admitting that his conduct had "fallen short". Parliament is awash with rumours and speculation of many more accusations from women, and some men, of sexual harassment by MPs. Britain's deputy prime minister has also been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a Tory activist, which he denies.

France ended a two-year state of emergency, imposed following the terror attack on Paris in 2015. A tough new security law is now in place.

Cycle racked

Amsterdam's district court ruled that officials can ban beer bikes, a popular way for tourists to enjoy occasions such as stag parties, ruling that they are a public-order offence. Operators of the beer-chuggers' chariots successfully challenged a previous ban. But now the city's residents, fed up with freewheeling, drunken louts on their streets, have worked in tandem to pressure the council to act. There is no indication that it will back-pedal on this latest ruling.