1. Iraqi authorities say more than 26 million pilgrims have attended Arba’een mourning ceremonies in the Arab country.
2. Amid deadly terrorist attacks, hundreds of thousands of people in Nigeria's northern city of Zaria mark Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam.
3. In Venezuela, campaigning ends as the country prepares for Sunday’s congressional elections.
4. An investigation is still underway to find the motive behind the shooting rampage that left 14 people dead in California.
5. US senators reject a bill expanding background checks for gun purchases, amid growing calls for stricter gun control laws following the carnage in California.