US employers added 29,000 jobs in September, well below economists’ forecasts, while unemployment rose from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent, Labor Department data showed. Healthcare provided most of the gains, financial activities lost 7,000 jobs and annual wage growth slowed to 3 percent, its weakest pace in five years. Earlier job figures were revised lower.

US economyjobs reportunemploymentFederal Reserve

US job growth slowed much more than expected in September, while the unemployment rate climbed to 4.2%. Payrolls for the previous two months were revised sharply lower, making another Federal Reserve rate hike this month unlikely.

US jobsunemploymentFederal Reserveinterest rates

U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by only 29,000 in September, well below the expected gain of 84,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, while economists had expected it to remain at 4.1%.

U.S. economyjobsunemployment

The US economy added only 29,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate climbed to 4.2%.

US economyjobsunemployment

U.S. employers added just 29,000 jobs last month, a disappointing result, while the unemployment rate edged higher, the government reported Friday. The figures come a month before pivotal midterm elections amid voter discontent over high living costs and the economy.

US economyjobsunemployment

The US added fewer jobs than expected in September, while the unemployment rate edged higher, suggesting employers are cautious about hiring as costs rise.

US economyjobsunemployment

The G7 said it would immediately begin a coordinated release of 100 million barrels of diesel, crude oil and other reserves through the International Energy Agency, with a substantial diesel release planned during the first 20 days.

G7energy supplyoil reserves

The G7 will coordinate the release of 100 million barrels of diesel and other reserves through the International Energy Agency in an effort to stabilise global energy markets, according to a joint statement by its leaders.

G7International Energy Agencydiesel reservesenergy markets

G7 leaders have agreed to coordinate the release of up to 100m barrels from strategic diesel and crude oil reserves within four months, including an initial substantial diesel release in the first 20 days. Emmanuel Macron said the move aims to lower petroleum-product prices, while members committed to avoiding export bans amid Donald Trump’s pressure over soaring fuel costs.

G7dieseloil reservesfuel prices

G7 countries agreed to coordinate the release of 100 million barrels of diesel and other reserves through the International Energy Agency over four months, with a substantial diesel release frontloaded into the first 20 days. They will also coordinate refinery maintenance to avoid simultaneous shutdowns and raise utilization where possible to support refined-product supply, especially diesel.

G7diesel reservesInternational Energy Agencyenergy supply

G7 nations have agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, including diesel, as an energy crunch puts pressure on supplies.

G7oildieselenergy crunch

The France-led G7 announced plans to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil after Donald Trump threatened to ban diesel exports.

G7oildiesel exports

Government figures say Ebola has killed more than 4,000 people and produced about 8,300 confirmed cases across seven provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 2,000 patients have recovered. Médecins Sans Frontières says the real toll may be higher, while violence and a fire at an Ebola transit center are disrupting containment and contact tracing.

DR CongoEbolaoutbreakpublic health

Government data says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 4,018 people, with 8,300 confirmed cases across seven provinces. The burning of a patient transit camp near Bunia forced 19,000 people to flee, while weak infrastructure, armed conflict and mistrust of health workers have hindered containment efforts.

DR CongoEbolaoutbreakpublic health

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Public Health Institute says the current Ebola outbreak has killed 4,018 people among 8,300 cases, a 48.4% case fatality rate. The disease has spread across seven of the country’s 26 provinces, with 842 symptomatic patients in treatment or isolation.

Democratic Republic of the CongoEbolaoutbreakpublic health

Authorities say Congo’s Ebola outbreak has caused more than 4,000 deaths, while efforts to stop the virus from spreading continue to face difficulties.

Democratic Republic of the CongoEbolaoutbreak

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Chebarkul training ground in the Central Military District to observe the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercises. Held from September 28 to October 3, the drills are intended to improve commanders’ and headquarters’ practical skills in managing troop groupings.

Russiamilitary exercisesVladimir Putin

Russia’s Defense Ministry says the latest Izdeliye 347 ground-based missile system, fitted with a modified lightweight multipurpose guided missile, was used during the main stage of the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise. At the Chebarkul training ground, it struck artillery positions identified by aerial reconnaissance; the truck-mounted system has a range of up to 20 kilometers.

RussiaCenter-2026 drillsmissile system

President Vladimir Putin said the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise is being held under the Russian Armed Forces’ training plan. More than 47,000 servicemen are carrying out tasks at 11 training grounds and in the Caspian Sea, in coordination with the CSTO’s Interaction-2026 exercise.

Russiamilitary drillsCenter-2026CSTO

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said the Center-2026 strategic command-staff exercises began on September 28 and involve about 6,000 troops. Nearly 60 countries are participating, with seven sending military contingents and 51 dispatching observers. About 700 pieces of hardware, more than 600 drones and over 60 robotic systems are deployed.

RussiaCenter-2026 exercisesmilitary drills

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Chebarkul training ground in the Chelyabinsk Region on Friday, observing phases of the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercises and the related Interaction-2026 drills. Afterward, he spoke with military attaches from several countries.

Vladimir Putinmilitary exercisesmilitary attaches

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the ongoing Center-2026 military exercises are being conducted with account taken of experience gained from the special military operation. He added that new weapons and vehicles are being used in the drills.

Russiamilitary drillsspecial military operation

Student protests have spread across France, prompting schools to close as tensions continue to simmer.

Francestudent protestsschool closures

French high school students set fires outside schools and confronted police on Friday as protests forced the closure or disrupted education at more than 560 establishments. The movement showed no sign of easing, while demonstrations that began as student protests spiralled into violence.

Francestudent protestspolice clashesschool disruption

Student protests that began nearly two weeks ago in Seine-Saint-Denis have spread across France, with hundreds of lycées blockaded or closed and fires reported at schools, including a destroyed hall in Nantes. Staff, police and firefighters have been injured, while student groups report injuries among protesters. Demands include more funding, teachers, smaller classes and better buildings; the government fears further violence and political manipulation ahead of elections.

Francestudent protestseducationcivil unrest

Many schools across France remain closed as protests over learning conditions continue. The demonstrations have involved violence and blockades, with hundreds of arrests, while Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler spoke with students protesting in Paris.

Francestudent protestsschool closures

Sociologist and Paris VIII University professor Éric Fassin says the student protests are above all a demand for equality, dignity and recognition. Students from working-class suburbs are seeking the basic conditions needed to study and, ultimately, the same opportunities as students elsewhere. The movement has spread beyond the Paris suburbs while retaining its social, political and democratic meaning, amid France’s longer history of repressing social movements.

Francestudent protestsequality and dignity

A midday roundup of the most important stories from Europe and beyond on October 2, 2026, covering world news, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.

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Catch up on important stories from Europe and beyond on October 2, 2026, covering world news, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.

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