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Washington (AFP) – President Joe Biden hails the US midterm elections as “a good day for democracy” and “a good day for America.”

Geneva (AFP) – A Ferrari race car of legendary Formula One driver Michael Schumacher will be auctioned next week by Sotheby’s. It is one of the highlights of the auction house’s “Luxury Week” in Geneva, along with exceptional jewels including a rare blue diamond estimated at between 10 and 15 million Swiss francs and a bracelet once belonging to Empress Eugénie of France.

Athens (AFP) – Protesters in Greece clash with riot police during a general strike and demonstrations over price hikes and spiralling inflation. “I chose to strike today rather than go to work. When I work 15 hours a day, it is the only weapon I have,” says health worker Giota Kokolessi.

Fairfax (United States) (AFP) – Americans go to a polling station in the city of Fairfax, in the state of Virginia, as voting opens in the United States midterm elections. These elections could give a parliamentary majority to the Republicans, limit the powers of President Joe Biden for the next two years and pave the way for a return of Donald Trump to the White House.

Beijing (AFP) – From Beijing to Bangkok, stargazers marvel at the ‘Blood Moon’ in the night sky during a total lunar eclipse.

Beijing (AFP) – People in Beijing, the capital of the world’s most populous country China, comment on the world’s changing population, which is expected to reach 8 billion by mid-November.

New York (AFP) – At polling stations across the United States, voters share their concerns and hopes as they cast their ballot in the midterm elections. Their choices, along with those of millions who already voted by mail or early in-person, will decide the control of US Congress, as well as many governorships, state legislatures and local offices.

Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) (AFP) – Huge crowds of Sikh pilgrims join a procession in Pakistan’s Punjab province to celebrate the 553rd birth anniversary of their spiritual leader, Guru Nanak.

Pale (Myanmar) (AFP) – Almost two years after seizing power, Myanmar military has been unable to crush “People’s Defence Force” militias that have sprung up to fight the coup, but many are forced into risky trial-and-error operations to churn out their own rockets, mines and mortars.

Boston (AFP) – The US state of Massachusetts on Tuesday elected Democrat Maura Healey as America’s first openly lesbian governor, TV networks said.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – American actor and director Sean Penn presents President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with an Oscar statuette during his return trip to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Penn says “When you win, bring it back to Malibu,” to which Zelensky replies, “in my peace life it was a dream”.

Moscow (AFP) – A funeral service is held at the Moscow Christ the Saviour cathedral in honour of the pro-Kremlin archpriest Mikhail Vasilyev who died in Ukraine over the weekend. Russian President Vladimir Putin posthumously awarded him with the highest state decoration.