Mario Nawfal

🇱🇧 A $13 chicken sandwich in Beirut has poured a whole gas station's worth of fuel onto the debate over Lebanon's extreme levels of inequality. It started with a trendy restaurant introducing a healthier version of the popular chicken shish taouk sandwich, charging nearly twice the usual price. The price sparked outrage in a country where the economy has shrunk by nearly 40% since its financial collapse in 2019. According to UNICEF, four in five Lebanese households struggle to afford basic necessities, while inflation is expected to reach 17.5%. Electricity costs have also skyrocketed, with private generator rates rising nearly 60% since February, leaving some households paying hundreds of dollars monthly on a minimum wage of just $400! Meanwhile, economist Sami Nader says 22 restaurants closed last month alone, reflecting the collapse of Lebanon's middle class. Of course, at the end of the day, the kind of sandwich you have for lunch says everything about the kind of life you have. Source: Reuters / Writer: Mhedi

🇫🇷 This is what Parisians think of the student protests Writer: Ian t.co/6v0v43azB2

🇪🇸 Shoppers in a Barcelona mall were stopped from leaving the building yesterday to prevent looting as chaos from the rest of Europe spread to the city. This is the end result of weak policing and boundless mass migration. Regular people have to face borderline criminal abuse because the police won't crack down on criminals properly. Writer: Mhedi t.co/LsT8rk17vJ

🇮🇷 There are signs of diplomacy this morning trying to avert another escalation in the Iran conflict An Iranian government aircraft returned from a one-hour stop in Dubai, shortly after a Qatari aircraft landed in Tehran Source: @MenchOsint / Writer: Ian t.co/9lY7tmaWS0

🇮🇹 Protesters forced their way into Rome's historic Colosseum, briefly occupying the ancient landmark to demonstrate against the Italian government and the war in Gaza. The demonstrators remained inside for several minutes before moving out of the area. For now, the odds of anything gladiatorial breaking out in Rome are thankfully low. Writer: Mhedi t.co/ekUwLfTzYS

The difference between those who have everything and those with nothing in this world is heartbreaking 💔 Source: ferdychildrenfoundation1 on IG / Writer: Ian t.co/Nue2kXFUg1

🇷🇺 Russia's busy fitting anti-drone netting to its energy sites Doesn't look like Putin's planning for an infrastructure ceasefire this winter Writer: Ian t.co/csfVMGTkiW

🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷 Chabad of Bel Air Rabbi Mentz says Trump is NOT being a very good mensch: “He has to do something, and he has to go and bring it back to the Iranian regime as best as he can. No more negotiations. If he doesn’t have Congress, he doesn’t have the purse, and he has to do things before January!” I imagine there are significant consequences if he fails to act, right? Isn’t that what he’s getting at? Writer: Jamie t.co/joNqU0OOGp

🇦🇪 An offshore oil leak has forced authorities in the UAE to close beaches across three northern emirates, as emergency teams work to contain the spill and assess its environmental impact. Ras Al Khaimah, a northern UAE emirate known for its beaches and luxury resorts, has announced the closure of all its beaches until further notice. Similar restrictions have been introduced in the neighboring emirates of Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah, with coastal areas closed as a precaution. Residents have reported strong, unusual odors in several coastal areas, although UAE authorities say they pose no health risks. The leak has been traced to a tanker offshore, but officials have not identified the vessel or explained what caused the incident. The spill comes as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has heightened concerns about maritime security and environmental risks across the Gulf. For now, authorities are urging fishermen and other sea users to avoid affected waters while containment and environmental assessments continue. Source: The National, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment / Writer: Mhedi

🇸🇦🇾🇪 Saudi announces successful interception of TEN Houthi missiles launched at its southern region The announcement comes after a missile warning was issued in Khamis Mushait, home to King Khalid Air Base in southwest Saudi Source: Al Jazeera / Writer: Ian t.co/ZNY2AdL2qp

Grok Bot can now get things done on your PHONE. No more tapping around. It connects directly to your calendar, reminders, contacts, messages, and location. Tell it to organize your appointments, set reminders, or message someone. All without opening every app yourself. You decide which apps it can access, so you're still in control. All those little jobs you keep putting off? Just give Grok Bot the list. @Grok @Bot @spacexai / Writer: Annette, Designer: Janné

Lamborghini: The Boeing of the roads Writer: Ian t.co/CA87lMnKGr

Standing this close to an unexploded cluster bomb while your friend shoots it isn't the wisest thing to do Writer: Ian t.co/Gv2GR6S3J8

🇧🇷 Controversies are intensifying in the final hours of Brazil's presidential election, with Lula facing questions over welfare payments, financial transparency and allegations involving social media platforms. Lula agreed to disclose their financial and telephone records, including information involving family members and associated businesses. However, none of them have been made public. Meanwhile, his government increased payments under Bolsa Família, Brazil's welfare program for low-income families, by 15%, raising the minimum monthly benefit from R$600 to R$691 just days before the election. The timing has drawn scrutiny, particularly after documents showed the proposal was formally submitted to the presidency only one day before the increase was announced in September. Brazil's electoral court has also ordered Meta to explain how political content is distributed following accusations that the platform may have not acted impartially towards the candidates. Meta denies favoring either candidate, while Bolsonaro's campaign has raised complaints about content supporting Lula. Source: CNN Brasil / Writer: Mhedi

One wrong move and you're toast ☠️ Writer: Ian t.co/pgudM05646

🇫🇮 They decided harassing and threatening a man minding his own business in a mall was a great way to blow off steam Of course, they had ZERO FEAR of any consequences. This is what happens when the law loses its teeth, and the woke convince you to part ways with common sense. Writer: Mhedi t.co/Zei7Wmp8iQ

🇧🇷 This election simulator is predicting a WIN for Flávio Bolsonaro in today's presidential runoff in Brazil It claims he will get 52.3% of the votes cast, compared to Lula's 47.7%, with a ±1.0% margin of error The projection is based on published polling aggregates to simulate the final outcome Writer: Ian t.co/I6RY1GIlqK

There are lucky escapes... Then there's this Writer: Ian t.co/bPWiIUa40g

🇺🇸 Trump is reportedly considering sweeping preemptive pardons for thousands of administration staffers ahead of the midterms. The proposal comes due to rising concerns that Democrats would launch investigations against him if they regain control of Congress. White House attorneys are now said to be exploring protections for officials involved in Trump's immigration, trade and military policies, shielding them from potential legal battles. Trump says he hasn't seriously considered the proposal but insists he has the constitutional authority to issue such pardons. In a statement of the matter, he said, “I certainly don't want to see innocent people go through hell and lose all their money." Source: Daily Mail / Writer: Mhedi

🇧🇷 Brazilians are heading to the polls today for an extremely close presidential race between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro. The latest polls show the two candidates virtually tied, although Bolsonaro finished ahead in the first round earlier this month. Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, while Flávio, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is campaigning to return the country's right wing to power. Both candidates made their final campaign appearances yesterday, with Lula rallying supporters in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, addressed a MASSIVE crowd of supporters in Belo Horizonte, in the crucial state of Minas Gerais, before heading to Rio. Source: Sky News / Writer: Mhedi t.co/144HW6SBe1

Somehow he managed to tackle himself 🤣 Writer: Ian t.co/tzaTbxhgD5

🇺🇸 Welcome to 2026, where your next-door neighbour is just as likely to steal your water (or record you doing it) as they are to invite you over for a cup of tea! 😂 Writer: Mhedi t.co/HhPLMjObtX

🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈 Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey is being accused of “political malpractice” after an intern job posting said they’ll basically hire anyone who isn’t an old, rich white man. An essay published in ‘The Atlantic’ said it was an open violation of civil rights law and wants the DOJ to look into federal charges. So, they want to lock him up for doing what Democrats do? This is getting a bit too petty at this point! Source: Fox News / Writer: Jamie

🇸🇦🇾🇪 Missile alerts have been issued in Khamis Mushait, home to King Khalid Air Base in southwest Saudi Arabia, believed to be caused by a Houthi missile launch No updates yet on whether it's been intercepted, but this follows a similar attack yesterday that was intercepted Source: War Front Witness on Telegram / Writer: Ian

In the Philippines, they've taken motorbike modding to a whole new level Up to 12 passengers? Yep Space for luggage? Yep Crash test rating? Not so good Writer: Ian t.co/ZYgOmELbjl

This is the wildest fight I've ever seen How the hell did that guy's pants come down, yet he carries on throwing hands? Insane Writer: Ian t.co/w4StKaBP9Q

🇧🇷 Councilwoman Iara Pimentel, from Lula's PT party, was hit in the head when her vehicle was attacked with bricks and bottles during a campaign event in Montes Claros, Brazil She was knocked out and taken to hospital Her condition is currently unknown Writer: Ian t.co/nflJfwPkAK

This train wasn't stopping for the crane that had fallen onto the tracks Brazil is wild Writer: Ian t.co/j2IssuyC3U

Tesla is building Megapacks as fast as humanly possible. That's exactly what the AI boom needs. Demand is through the roof, with almost all of 2027's production already sold out. The reason? AI data centres are hungry for electricity, and these giant batteries help keep the power steady when demand spikes. Tesla is ramping production to get more energy storage where it's needed, as quickly as possible. The AI industry wants more power. Tesla is working flat out to deliver it. @Tesla @TeslaEnergy / Writer: Annette, Designer: Janné

This is what modern warfare looks like now... Taking out drones with big sticks Writer: Ian t.co/NfUIBKVLv9