UNESCO’s executive board began voting Monday to select a new director-general, choosing between an Egyptian former antiquities minister and a Congolese economist in an election overshadowed by the U.S. withdrawal and a resulting budget crisis.

The contest for the leadership of UNESCO has narrowed to two candidates: Khaled el-Enany, Egypt's former Antiquities Minister, and Firme Edouard Matoko, a Congolese economist with extensive experience at the United Nations. Both candidates bring distinct backgrounds and priorities, with el-Enany enjoying support from Arab and African blocs, while Matoko emphasizes his commitment to depoliticizing the agency.

The incoming leader will be tasked with addressing a major budget shortfall following the withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO. The final decision on the new director is expected soon, as the agency faces a critical period of transition.

Khaled el-Enany and Firmin Matoko compete for UNESCO's top role

A tense race is underway to lead the United Nations Cultural Agency UNESCO. The final two candidates are Egypt's former Antiquities Minister Khalid El Anany and a Congolese economist and longtime UNESCO insider Firme Edouard Matoko. The winner will face the major challenge of a budget shortfall following the withdrawal of the United States. El Anany is seen as a frontrunner backed by Arab and African blocs. Matoko is campaigning on his deep United Nations experience and has pledged to depoliticise the agency. The final decision is expected next month.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Monday a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Chicago

Illinois, Chicago sue Trump over National Guard deployment

A selloff in French markets gathered pace after French media reports that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned. French stocks fell sharply, government bond yields were up 8 basis points and the euro was last down 0.65% at $1.1667.

Paris

French markets tumble after PM Lecornu resigns

Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has been charged with battery, intoxication, and unlawful entry after allegedly attacking a 69-year-old truck driver in Indianapolis. The driver stabbed Sanchez in self-defense, believing his life was in danger. Sanchez is currently hospitalised.

Indianapolis

Ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez faces criminal charges in alleged assault

U.S. President Donald Trump's battle with Democratic-led cities is heating up after 200 California National Guard troops have been reassigned to Oregon, despite a judge blocking the deployment to Portland.

Portland

Trump sends National Guard to Oregon despite court block

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip overnight and on Sunday, destroying several residential buildings, witnesses said, as Palestinians hoped a U.S. plan to end the war would soon ease their suffering.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue ahead peace talks

Amenhotep III ruled between 1390 and 1350 BC and was one of the most prominent pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

Cairo

Pharaoh's tomb reopened after more than 20 years of renovations

President Trump has thrust the U.S. military into a critical role deterring illegal crossings into this country at the southern border. As Charlie D'Agata reports, their presence is having unintended consequences.

Santa Teresa

U.S. military presence at southern border angers hunters, hikers

A new CBS News poll shows a majority of Americans disapprove of how President Trump and congressional Republicans and Democrats have handled the government shutdown. Willie James Inman reports on that and Mr. Trump's latest National Guard moves.

Washington

Americans fed up with shutdown, poll finds

Negotiators between Hamas and Israel will begin meetings in Cairo on Monday (October 6) for the release of the remaining 20 hostages and a prisoner swap.  There is a lot of pressure on both sides to get a deal done.

Negotiations between Israel, Hamas set to begin

Japan's ruling party picked hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as its head on Saturday, putting her on course to become the country's first female prime minister in a move set to jolt investors.

Tokyo

Right-wing Sanae Takaichi set to be Japan's first female premier

For a second day, Israel is launching more strikes on the Strip defying demands from the U.S. to stop attacks. At least 61 Palestinians were killed in attacks across the Strip.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment despite U.S. pressure to stop

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes to announce the release of all the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza in one fell swoop in the coming days.

Netanyahu: Gaza peace deal is 'close'

The government shutdown reached its fourth day on Saturday. The Senate on Friday went home after another failed vote to keep the government open. Willie James Inman has the latest.

No signs of compromise as government shutdown continues

Tensions are high in Portland, Oregon, as National Guardsmen could possibly be deployed there as early as this weekend. Federal agents and demonstrators squared off again, but Portland's mayor and chief of police say they don't need the help.

Protests in Portland as National Guard mobilizes

“I believe they are ready for a lasting peace.” the U.S president wrote on social media after Hamas announced it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians.

Trump urges Israel to stop bombing Gaza after peace breakthrough

Israel slowed its Gaza offensive on Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded it stop bombing in response to Hamas saying it was ready to free hostages under the U.S. plan to end the two-year-old war.

Could the Trump deal end the Gaza war?

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the head of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is therefore likely to become the next prime minister and the first woman to lead the country.

Japan's ruling LDP elects first female prime minister

U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged Hamas's partial acceptance of a ceasefire proposal drafted with Israel, and ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza strip.

Trump orders Israel to stop bombing Gaza

The state Attorney-General says the city is violating the law by sharing license data with federal agencies. The El Cajon mayor has accused the state of 'bullying' cities.

El Cajon

State sues El Cajon over license plate data

Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison on two prostitution-related charges. It follows a roughly two-month-long trial where Combs was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs sentenced to over four years in prison

The United States Senate on Friday (October 3) failed to advance competing plans to extend federal funding and end the government shutdown, likely pushing the funding lapse into at least next week.

U.S. Senate fails to pass funding bill to end government shutdown

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on social media another strike targeting a vessel allegedly connected to narco-trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. CBS News' Reed Cowan reports.

Hegseth announces another strike against vessel off Venezuela coast

Sarah Mullally has been named as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1,400-year history of the role, but her appointment immediately drew criticism from conservative Anglicans mainly based in Africa who oppose women bishops.

Canterbury

Church of England names first female archbishop

Israeli forces have intercepted the last vessel of an aid flotilla headed for Gaza. The convoy was in international waters, prompting accusations that Israel violated maritime law. Protests have been staged in cities around the world.

Israel's interception of Gaza aid flotilla prompts protests

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is issuing a Sunday evening deadline for Hamas to agree to a U.S. peace proposal, backed by the Israeli government, to end the war in Gaza.

Trump issues deadline for Hamas to reach ceasefire deal

Prince William opened up on comedian Eugene Levy's Apple travel show, "The Reluctant Traveler," about his wife Kate, his mother, Princess Diana, and changes to the monarchy when he becomes king.

London

Prince William opens up about family, future plans for monarchy

The White House says the first round of mass layoffs resulting from the government shutdown could be announced on Friday. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports.

Government shutdown mass layoffs could begin today, White House says

One of the two people who died during the Manchester synagogue attack on Thursday was possibly struck by police gunfire, authorities say. CBS News' Imtiaz Tyab reports.

Manchester

One victim likely killed by police during Manchester synagogue attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia on Thursday (October 2). He fired back at U.S. President Donald Trump's remark calling Russia a "paper tiger", suggesting NATO might be one instead. Putin also warned that if the United States supplied Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine it would trigger a dangerous new escalation.

Sochi

Putin warns U.S. Tomahawk supply to Ukraine would trigger escalation

Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of prisoners of war. About two hundred Ukrainian prisoners released by Russia have arrived in the Chernihiv region near Ukraine’s border with Belarus.

Breakdown