World 24/7: Conflict escalates in Gaza Strip; Saudi Arabia admits journalist was beaten to death

Saudi Arabia admits journalist beaten to death in consulate in Türkiye:In the development of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, on October 20, Saudi Arabian authorities admitted that journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in the country's consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye. "The argument between Khashoggi and the people he met in the consulate turned into a fight, leading to his death," Reuters quoted the announcement of the Saudi prosecutor's office as saying. Saudi authorities said the investigation is continuing. At least 18 Saudi citizens related to the incident have been arrested. In photo: Journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks at an event in London, England, September 29, 2018. Photo Reuters

Earlier, on October 18, Turkish investigators searched the Saudi Arabian consulate for the second time, where Mr. Khashoggi disappeared. Türkiye said it was expanding the search for journalist Khashoggi's body. Turkish authorities believe the journalist was murdered by Saudi secret agents inside the consulate, and his body was hidden in a nearby forest. Photo: Reuters

Also on October 20, US President Donald Trump said that Saudi Arabia's explanation for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was credible and said he was considering sanctions. In contrast to President Trump, many members of the US Congress doubted the veracity of Saudi Arabia's statement about Khashoggi's death after weeks of denying responsibility. In photo: Turkish police at the residence of Saudi Arabia's Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi in Istanbul, October 17. Photo: Reuters

Conflict escalates on the Israel-Gaza border:Clashes continue in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian protesters calling for the lifting of the Israeli blockade on Gaza and the right to return to their homeland and the Israeli army. Pictured: Palestinians remove Israeli barbed wire at the Israel-Gaza border, October 19.

Violence is rising again in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening. Israeli soldiers shot and wounded 130 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza Strip border on October 19. Pictured: Israeli soldiers next to the Israel-Gaza border fence.

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has said the government will seek to push for a vote in parliament to ratify the referendum results and urged lawmakers to support it. Changing the country's name would help Skopje clear barriers to joining NATO and the European Union. In this photo: Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev speaks to the media after the Macedonian parliament approved the country's name change. Photo: Reuters

Bombing at Crimea school, Russia:The incident occurred on October 17 at a school in the city of Kerch on the Crimean peninsula. At least 18 people were confirmed dead and about 50 injured. Crimea's leader, Sergei Askyonov, said a 22-year-old student at Kerch University took part in the attack. "The killer committed suicide. He was a fourth-year student at the university." Pictured: Emergency workers lift a stretcher to load an injured person onto a vehicle.

Authorities said they were investigating the motive for the attack. The suspect's ex-girlfriend said he had said he would get revenge for being bullied at school. Classmates described Roslyakov as quiet, withdrawn, unsociable and interested in serial killers. Roslyakov's parents are divorced. In the photo: Security camera captured the moment Vladislav Roslyakov brought a gun into the school. Photo: Twitter

Protests turn into riots in Haiti:At least one person was killed and dozens injured as thousands took to the streets in Haiti on October 17 to protest a corruption scandal involving Venezuela's Petrocaribe oil loan program, calling for President Jovenel Moise to resign. Pictured: Haitian National Police fire tear gas at protesters. Photo: Reuters

Canada becomes the world's largest legal cannabis market:Starting at 12:01 a.m. on October 17, adults in Canada will be allowed to carry and share up to 30 grams of cannabis in public, according to a bill passed in June. Citizens will also be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants at home and create products for personal use. Users must be 18 years of age or older. It is illegal to produce, distribute, use or sell cannabis to minors. Photo: Reuters

Some health experts in Canada have expressed concerns about the country's legalization of cannabis. However, the sale and use of cannabis is still strictly regulated. The government prohibits the sale of cannabis alongside alcohol and tobacco. Consumers are encouraged to buy cannabis from government-regulated retailers or fully licensed producers. Pictured: Leafy Growth CEO Bruce Linton applauds after handing over the first person in line to buy legal recreational cannabis, at the Tweed retail store in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Photo: Reuters

Flash floods damaged many roads in the Aude department, southern France.

Record rainfall causes flash floods in France:The strongest storm in a decade dumped three months’ worth of rain in the Carcassonne region of southwestern France in just a few hours on October 15. Rivers overflowed their banks, surpassing their highest level in 100 years. Photo: Reuters

Officials in the southern French department of Aude said 11 people had died. The Interior Ministry had previously put the death toll at 13. Two people were missing and eight were seriously injured. Elsewhere, flash floods overturned cars, flooded roads, damaged buildings and collapsed bridges. In northern Carcassone, local authorities had to ban traffic on a bridge. Photo: Reuters

Train crashes into hundreds of people at Indian festival:The burning of an effigy of the demon Ravana, part of the Dussehra festival, in Amritsar city, Punjab state, was held at 6:30 p.m. on October 19, after a large fireworks display. The event attracted hundreds of people to attend. To maintain a safe distance from the effigy, many people retreated to the nearby railway tracks. A few minutes later, amid the sound of firecrackers, a train crashed into the crowd, killing at least 59 people and injuring 100. In the photo: Hundreds of people gathered to watch the festival before the train ran over them. Photo:AFP.

According to witnesses, the Ravana effigy burning ceremony usually starts earlier but this time it was delayed due to an important guest arriving late. The diesel train was en route from Hoshiarpur city to Amritsar and there were no barriers near the tracks or any warning from the organizers. Photo: Reuters