Daily briefing · Sunday, October 25

Brazil holds presidential runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro

Brazil holds its presidential runoff Sunday between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round with 47% of votes, against Lula’s 45%, but neither secured a majority. Polls ahead of the runoff indicated a close contest. The result will shape Brazil’s economy and its relationships abroad. Congressional elections also matter: strong first-round results for Bolsonaro’s party and allies could ease his legislative agenda if he wins or complicate Lula’s ability to govern if reelected. Brazil heads to polls in runoff between leftist Lula and Bolsonaro Jr

Peltola seeks role in Alaska election-certification lawsuit

Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign and the Democratic senatorial campaign committee filed Friday night to join a Justice Department election lawsuit, Alaska Public Media reported Saturday. The department seeks to delay certification if Republican Senator Dan Sullivan narrowly loses, pending an investigation into possible confusion with another similarly named candidate. Peltola’s lawyers dispute the department’s legal authority. The ballot distinguishes the candidates through fuller names and identifies the incumbent’s party and officeholding status; Sullivan’s campaign said voters could tell them apart. The lawsuit requests court intervention and does not itself block certification. Peltola, Democratic Party move to intervene in DOJ election lawsuit

Singapore records unhealthy air as smoke arrives from Sumatra

Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index ranged from 118 to 148 at 10 a.m. Saturday, within the unhealthy band, AsiaOne reported. Hourly PM2.5 readings were elevated across the island, with the highest in the west. The National Environment Agency warned that winds could continue carrying smoke from Sumatra, although a forecast wind shift from Sunday could reduce it. The agency advised checking the latest hourly PM2.5 readings before prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. Hazy start to the weekend as PSI reaches unhealthy levels in Singapore; thundery showers expected later

Britain announces AI funding for biosecurity and cyber defence

Britain announced planned AI investments Saturday, including £165 million for biosecurity, an additional £120 million for the AI Security Institute and £130 million across two cyber-defence programmes. The biosecurity allocation includes £100 million for a laboratory to detect and monitor biological threats, plus £65 million for surveillance and development of medical countermeasures. Separately, OpenAI and Anthropic pledged up to £200 million in AI model credits. Those credits are distinct from government cash funding. The announcement sets out intended capabilities; the laboratory’s stated goals still need to be demonstrated in practice. Chancellor unveils Britain’s ambitious plan for AI

Serbian parliamentary vote tests student movement’s support

Serbians voted Sunday in a snap parliamentary election contested by Aleksandar Vučić’s governing-party alliance, a student-backed list and other challengers. The student movement emerged from protests after the 2024 Novi Sad railway-station canopy collapse and campaigns on accountability and transparent government contracting. Vučić, who resigned as president in September to seek the premiership, has promised higher wages, pensions and infrastructure investment. Voters choose electoral lists rather than directly electing a prime minister. The parliamentary outcome will influence domestic policy and Serbia’s balancing of European Union membership ambitions with ties to Russia and China. Serbians vote in historic election as students seek to end Vucic’s long grip on power · Factbox—Serbia election: Main players, voter concerns and what is at stake

Ukraine reports satellite connections restored at higher speeds

Ukraine said Saturday that Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, were functioning at their previous operating speeds after more than a week of restrictions. The defence ministry reported stable connections while equipment travelled above 400 kilometres per hour. This updates earlier restoration claims that Ukrainian officials had disputed. Here, speed refers to movement of the connected equipment, rather than download rates. Elon Musk later alleged that Ukraine had violated Starlink’s terms; a Ukrainian presidential adviser disputed his account. Responsibility for imposing the restrictions remained contested, despite the reported recovery. Ukraine says Starshield back to normal, Musk says Kyiv violated terms

Brewers rally for 2–0 World Series lead

Milwaukee recovered from a four-run first-inning deficit to beat Tampa Bay 5–4 Saturday and take a two-games-to-none World Series lead. Sal Frelick’s sixth-inning home run tied the score, and Cooper Pratt’s seventh-inning single brought home the winning run. Milwaukee’s bullpen supplied six scoreless innings, keeping the comeback within reach after the difficult start. The best-of-seven format means the Brewers need two more victories to win the championship. The series moves to Tampa Bay for Game 3 on Monday, giving the Rays their next opportunity to close the gap. Brewers take game two of the World Series 5-4 over the Rays

Spanish filmmaker José Luis García Sánchez dies at 85

José Luis García Sánchez, the Spanish director, screenwriter and producer, has died in Madrid at 85, Spain’s film academy announced Sunday. His film Las truchas won Berlin’s Golden Bear, and his screenplay credits included Belle Époque and Tirano Banderas, both recognised with Goya awards. He also won San Sebastián’s directing award for La corte del faraón. His career ranged across comedy, satire, literary adaptations and theatre. For viewers familiar with the Oscar-winning Belle Époque, which Fernando Trueba directed, García Sánchez’s writing credit offers a connection to his wider body of work. Muere a los 85 años el cineasta José Luis García Sánchez, Oso de Oro por ‘Las truchas’