The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the world is "holding its breath" over a possible North Korean nuclear testas North and South Korea exchanged warning shots,Israel and Turkey relaunched defense and security ties,220 were killed in Sudan amid continued fighting over land disputes,an airstrike in Myanmar saw at least 80 killed,six Palestinians were killed and nearly 20 wounded in the West Bank,and Iran's supreme leader vowed to retaliate after an attack on a Shia Shrine.In other news, Nigeria raised its security as the US issued a terror warning,and Ethiopia and Tigray met for talks in South Africa.

This week was largely dominated by rhetoric and accusations around nuclear warfare, starting with allegations from Russia that Ukraine is preparing to use a "dirty bomb" - a conventional munition with radioactive material - on its own territory.Although the West dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated, the IAEA said it would investigate.Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Russia and NATO held separate annual nuclear drills, with the alliance continuing its "Steadfast Noon" exercises and Moscow testing two intercontinental ballistic missiles.Amid the tensions, Russian Pres. Putin said on Thursday that the world is facing the most dangerous decade since World War II and asserted that Russia has "no need" to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine - a claim rejected by the US,which has reportedly sped up plans to deliver upgraded nukes to NATO bases in Europe.Meanwhile, the UK's new PM Rishi Sunak re-affirmed the country's support on a call with Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy on Tuesday, saying it would remain "as strong as ever under his premiership."On Saturday, Russia suspended a UN-brokered grain deal after Ukraine reportedly launched a drone attack on Crimea from the grain corridor and announced that its "partial mobilization" drive of 300k reservists - announced in September - has been completed.

China's Xi Jinping won a third term,Italy's new Premier Giorgia Meloni passed a confidence vote,Bolsonaro and Lula clashed in their last debate before Brazil's elections,New Zealand's parliament formed a female majority for the first time,Iraqi's parliament approved a new government,and Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan announced a "long march" to call for early elections.In the UK, Rishi Sunak became the next PMand appointed a new cabinet,Northern Ireland faces its second vote in six months,and a motion to cut ties with the British monarchy in Canada failed.Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon signed a "historic agreement" on their maritime border,the Kremlin said negotiations for the release of WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner should be "conducted in silence,"the FBI reportedly opened an investigation into an ex-CIA officer for allegedly spying for Qatar,the US charged 13 over alleged Chinese influence operations,and China was accused of hosting illegal police stations in the Netherlands.

With the midterms on the horizon, a poll found that two in five voters worry about intimidation at polling stations,a report alleged that a pro-China campaign is trying to influence the elections,an Arizona board of supervisors voted in favor of a hand-count audit in all precincts,Obama campaigned for Georgia Democrats,Republican Liz Cheney endorsed Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin,House Speak Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Bernie Sanders made a case for Democrats across five major talk shows,and polls showed that Oregon could see its first GOP governor in decades.Meanwhile,Lee Zeldin debated Kathy Hochul in the New York governor's raceamid a reported investigation into the Republican's campaign,Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist faced off in a heated debate,Patty Murray and Tiffany Smiley debated for the Washington Senate,and John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz faced off in the Pennsylvania Senate debate.In other news, the progressive caucus released and then retracted a letter urging Biden to engage with Putin to end the war, SCOTUS granted Lindsey Graham a stay in the Georgia election probe,jury selection began for the Trump Organization fraud trial,and a Jan. 6 rioter was sentenced for assaulting an officer.

A UK court heard demands to ban cotton imported from China's Xinjiang region,the UN suspended its anti-torture mission in Australia citing non-cooperation,an NGO report said that Turkey is forcing refugees back to Syria,Canada's human rights tribunal ruled that an Indigenous child welfare deal fell short,a Russian bill to expand an LGBTQ+ "propaganda" ban passed the first of three readings,and Arizona's attorney general agreed to postpone a near-total abortion ban until 2023.

A court ordered New York City to reinstate unvaccinated employees.

The European Central Bank hiked interest rates by 0.75%,US mortgage rates breached 7%,a survey found that the global economy is approaching a recession,and the International Monetary Fund cut Asia's economic forecasts.

NASA identified more than 50 "super-emitters" of methane gas,the UN warned that world governments' climate plans are "nowhere near" meeting its 1.5C goal,a report warned that climate change threatens global health,research showed that China's overseas power plants produce significant carbon dioxide emissions,and dozens were killed in the Philippines from a tropical storm.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband was attacked with a hammer in a home invasion,and Pakistan formed a committee to investigate a journalist's killing in Kenya.

Elon Musk completed his Twitter takeoveras internal research showed that the social media platform is struggling to keep "heavy" users engaged,Meta was fined $24.7M for violating campaign finance laws,and the US Dept. of Justice is reportedly investigating Teslas self-driving claims.

NASA launched a UFO study.

Mexico's Senate voted to end daylight saving time..