Brazil, India, Somalia.

Today's three stories you should know.

Oct 30, 2022

Brazil

Huge moment in Brazil today as leftist former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was projected winner in a presidential election run-off, defeating far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. With nearly 99 percent of votes counted, Lula was set to win with about 50.8 percent to Bolsonaro’s 49.2. Now, all eyes will turn to what happens next. Bolsonaro has sparked fears that he may not accept the result with a series of comments suggesting he was dubious that the vote would be free and fair.

India

More than 90 people were killed in India when hundreds were sent plunging into a river after a busy footbridge collapsed. The bridge in the western state of Gujarat was packed with more than 400 people celebrating Diwali, or the festival of lights, and the Chhath Puja holidays. The suspension bridge, built during British colonial rule and more than 150 years old, had recently reopened after six months of renovation. Accidents caused by old and poorly-maintained infrastructure are common in India.

Somalia

The death toll from yesterday’s twin car bombings in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu has risen to at least 100 - a horrific number with more than 300 people also wounded. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud blamed the al-Shabab armed group for that attack, which took place at a busy intersection outside the education ministry. Since coming to power in May, Mohamud has launched a renewed offensive against the group and found some success on the battlefield. Shabab, though, retains rural territory and has demonstrated again its ability to hit the capital with regular attacks.