Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would restart attacks on Russian oil refineries after pausing them for three days at Washington’s request, while Russia continued strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Russia reported a Ukrainian attack on a refinery in Ryazan on Thursday, with debris from intercepted missiles and drones starting a fire. Zelensky accused the US of withdrawing key support and said Ukraine would halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure only if Washington supplied more Patriot air-defence missiles.
The White House’s push for a Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire has collapsed. Russia launched a large drone attack on infrastructure in central Ukraine, while Kyiv said it would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries. Ukraine reported three killed and six injured in the Russian attacks; Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized limits on Ukraine’s defenses and called for continued partner support.
Russia said Ukraine targeted a refinery in Ryazan, where falling drone debris sparked a fire. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was done with the energy ceasefire and would resume strikes on Russian refineries. He said Ukraine would pause attacks on Russian energy sites again only if the US supplied Patriot interceptors.
Officials say Ukraine attacked a Russian oil refinery with drones and missiles. The strikes came hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a brief truce covering energy infrastructure, which Moscow had rejected, was over, as tensions with Washington deepened.
Ukraine has restarted strikes on Russian oil refineries as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy angrily accused the United States of dangerously withdrawing support vital to Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered attacks on Russian oil refineries to resume, intensifying a confrontation with Donald Trump over limits on US intelligence assistance.
Russia’s FSB arrested a Swedish citizen in Pskov region on terrorism charges and Japanese journalist Yuki Imai on espionage charges in Sakhalin. Days earlier, former president Medvedev wrote that Russia might need to “fill up the exchange pool with European and American idiots” to recover Russians held abroad.
Despite widespread criticism of the Trump-Putin diesel deal, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has broken with EU leaders to welcome the controversial agreement.
A new US indictment alleges a plot by Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores to torture political adversaries. The ousted Venezuelan leader and his wife are expected in court on Thursday to respond.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko called France’s detention of the DF Peak tanker near Réunion an act of piracy and a violation of international law and the 1982 convention, saying it should be condemned internationally. He said no Russian nationals were aboard, but that did not change Moscow’s view. France said the seizure aimed to combat Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
Built in 1869 on Emperor Meiji’s order, Yasukuni Shrine remained under military control until World War II ended. It now enshrines more than 2.466 million people, including 14 Class-A war criminals. The film visits the Yūshūkan Museum and speaks with Buddhist monks, historians and war survivors about whom the shrine commemorates and the history it seeks to glorify.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a missile aimed at the area around the holy city of Medina. Yemen’s Houthis then denied carrying out an attack on Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Houthis continued on Wednesday. The Houthis claimed a ballistic-missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities; the coalition said it intercepted a missile heading toward Riyadh. As fighting intensified across Yemen, casualties rose and aid access to Taiz was cut off.
The 2026 Baoji Marathon revealed its finisher medals, mascot and cultural products at a pre-race media briefing on October 15. The October 25 race expects 31,000 runners; 85,308 registered, with 79.2% from outside Baoji. The medal draws on a Western Zhou bronze basin, while mascot Baoma is inspired by Fengxiang clay sculpture. Organizers also outlined tourism offers and safety arrangements.
An ABC/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that a wide majority of Americans oppose livestreaming Hasan’s execution, while a slim majority support execution by firing squad for the Fort Hood shooter.
Seventy-two retired US generals, admirals and other senior officers have urged the government to cancel plans to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution by firing squad. They said a public broadcast would tarnish the military’s honour and could turn Hasan into a “martyr,” while making clear they do not oppose the death penalty itself.
United StatesNidal Hasanexecution livestreamPentagon
At least 29 people, mostly children, died when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan. Police arrested the owner and accused those responsible of severe negligence.
A roof collapsed at a private school in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 28 children and a female teacher and injuring more than 50 others, a hospital spokesperson said. Rescuers searched the rubble for anyone still trapped. Six of the dead were girls.
A roof collapsed at the Al-Khair Education Centre, a private school in Peshawar, killing at least 28 students and a teacher and injuring more than 20 people. Rescuers are searching for survivors, while authorities have ordered an investigation into the cause.
The roof of a private school in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, collapsed, killing 28 children and one adult and injuring more than 40 people. Rescue operations are continuing, the school owner has been detained, and the cause is under investigation.
A hospital official said a school roof collapsed on Thursday in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan, killing a teacher and 27 pupils. More than 30 people were injured, six of whom were believed to be in critical condition.
Officials say a school roof collapsed in northwest Pakistan, killing and injuring dozens. More than 30 people were hurt, with six believed to be in critical condition.
An official said the roof of a private school in northwestern Pakistan collapsed, killing at least 17 students and a teacher. The headline reports at least 18 deaths and more than 30 injuries.
A school roof collapsed in Peshawar’s Afridi Abad area, killing at least 17 pupils and one teacher and injuring 12 others. Rescue workers cleared rubble and searched for survivors; the cause was not immediately known. Officials and local media say such collapses are becoming increasingly common in Pakistan.
A school roof collapsed in northwest Pakistan, killing a teacher and at least 17 children. Building collapses are common in the country, where construction standards are often poorly enforced.
A school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing at least 17 students, all under 13, and one teacher, a local hospital spokesperson said on Thursday.
🇻🇳 Vietnam mourns 700 war dead in major push to identify missing
Vietnam holds funeral rites for more than 700 of its war dead on Wednesday, unearthed in a major push to identify those missing from decades of conflict with France and the United States.
🇻🇳 Vietnam mourns 700 war dead in major push to identify missing
Vietnam holds funeral rites for more than 700 of its war dead on Wednesday, unearthed in a major push to identify those missing from decades of conflict with France and the United States.
Rostec says the Depesha ground robot, developed by High Precision Systems, can carry about 100 kilograms of cargo more than 20 kilometers during combat operations and evacuate wounded people from under fire. The platform can also be used for reconnaissance and reach speeds of up to 30 km/h.
Dennis Wilder, a U.S. international relations scholar and former CIA and National Security Council official, criticized Republican right-wing figures for attacking Elaine Chao over her visit to a Shanghai kindergarten. Some accused Chao of close ties to China, while a conservative outlet alleged the school had military connections. Wilder mocked those claims.
This week on Paris des Arts, Valérie Fayolle hosts TV presenter and photographer Nikos Aliagas, who takes viewers to his exhibition on old age at the Musée de l’Homme.
Prosecutors say a 14-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after wounding a school principal and a teacher in a shooting in France this week. The teenager said he acted in revenge for bullying.
Germany’s cabinet has approved draft legislation for a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks starting on 1 July 2027. The measure is intended to help finance statutory health insurance and reduce pressure to increase contributions.
Alcohol consumption is now banned at all train stations in Germany, aiming to improve behavior, reduce litter and protect travelers and staff. Left-leaning coalition talks are due to resume in Berlin, while police in Essen continue searching for a prisoner freed by two accomplices.
Eight of the 12 crew members aboard the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader are missing after a drone attack set the tanker ablaze near Sulina, Romania. Authorities have deployed helicopters and rescue boats to search in rough seas. Romania and Bulgaria's leaders are due to discuss whether to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty.
Romanian officials said two chemical tankers caught fire overnight in the country’s Black Sea territorial waters. Rescuers were searching on Thursday for eight missing crew members from one of the vessels, after Russian drones strayed into Romanian airspace.
EU leaders are expected to clash on Thursday over the scale, revenue sources and spending priorities of the bloc’s next long-term budget, with no quick agreement in view. The budget includes aid for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join Friday’s meeting to rally support amid renewed tensions with US President Donald Trump.
EU leaders are set for their biggest clash yet over the bloc’s next long-term budget as they seek a deal before next year’s French presidential election. The 27-member union wants an agreement by Christmas, fearing eurosceptic gains in elections across the bloc—especially in France—could derail later negotiations.
EU leaders head to a summit on Thursday seeking to agree by Christmas on the bloc’s nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034. Deep divisions over spending and concern that upcoming elections, especially in France, could strengthen eurosceptic forces cloud the talks.
France’s Interior Ministry published a study of violent deaths within couples in 2025. It recorded 136 deaths, including 111 women killed by a partner or former partner—an increase of 4%—and highlighted warning signs preceding these tragedies.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk said Wednesday that any disruption Ukraine reports in using the Starshield satellite communications system would be the responsibility of the US government, not his company. He said the US government owns and controls Starshield, while the military and ultimately the president decide any limits on speed or use.
Restrictions Ukraine has reported on its use of Starlink have highlighted Kyiv's reliance on the US satellite internet system for both offensive and defensive operations against Russia's invasion, analysts and observers say. An unnamed senior Ukrainian official said Starlink data speeds had been “throttled.”
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said connectivity for Starlink systems used by the military had been restored and was operating. SpaceX imposed speed restrictions without warning on Oct. 14, disrupting military operations, including the use of mid-range strike and interceptor drones. The ministry is still seeking to clarify the reasons and circumstances; the source did not say whether all restrictions were lifted.
A senior U.S. administration official told Axios that the White House had no role in restricting Starlink in Ukraine. Axios reported that the Trump administration plans to contact SpaceX for answers. Ukraine said limits on Starshield, Starlink’s military version, disrupted some missions. Elon Musk said U.S. authorities own and control Starshield, with usage limits decided by the military and ultimately the president. The White House has not officially commented.
Elon Musk suggested the US government could be behind limits on the speed of SpaceX satellite technology used by Ukraine’s military, which Kyiv says impede its use of key defensive weapons. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Trump’s diesel deal and the restrictions left him feeling “betrayed.” EU leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine at talks in Brussels.
The Daily Telegraph reported that restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine have left a significant portion of the Ukrainian military’s drone arsenal unusable. Communications gaps of 10 to 20 seconds disrupted drone control and forced some missions to be canceled. The paper said a likely halt to intelligence sharing with Washington could further worsen Ukraine’s position.
Elon Musk said the US government, rather than SpaceX, controls any restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite system. Ukraine’s former defence minister urged the removal of speed limits to bolster the country’s defence.
Elon Musk said Wednesday that the US government made any decisions to restrict Ukraine’s use of Starshield. Ukrainian officials and US lawmakers had raised concerns about interrupted satellite communications and the consequences for Kyiv’s defence against Moscow.
Demonstrators and riot police clashed in Tirana on Wednesday as student protests entered a second day. Students are demanding better university conditions and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Protesters erected makeshift barricades while police used water cannon; overnight violence had led to 16 arrests and severe damage to government buildings.
France can reduce its budget deficit to 3% within three years, the country’s central bank governor told CNBC. The large deficit has been troubling investors around the world.
Severe flooding in Istanbul following the heaviest rainfall in 84 years, according to the governor, has killed two people. Nearly 600 stranded residents were rescued, while people were urged to stay home unless necessary. Schools closed as rain is expected to continue.
Heavy rain and widespread flooding brought Istanbul to a shutdown, leaving at least two people dead. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said some areas recorded their highest rainfall since 1985.
Torrential rain flooded hundreds of homes in Istanbul, caused roads to collapse and brought traffic close to a standstill. A 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted in a puddle in the Balat area. Flooding also affected hospitals and businesses, while schools closed and authorities urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas.
Torrential rain has triggered flash floods across Istanbul, sweeping cars through neighbourhoods, stranding people and causing landslides. Traffic has ground to a halt, and more rain is expected.
Ukraine’s naval forces said an overnight strike hit six Su-34M bombers at the Borisoglebsk military airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region, using the Neptune coastal missile system. Ukraine’s General Staff said all six aircraft were damaged to varying degrees, with explosions and a fire recorded at the airfield.
Brazil’s Congress approved a constitutional amendment reducing the workweek from 44 to 40 hours and granting employees two days off without a pay cut. Lula backed the measure, and his supporters hope it will improve his standing ahead of the presidential run-off in 10 days.
Brazil politicsworking hoursLulapresidential election
Brazil’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment reducing the workweek from 44 to 40 hours, with five workdays and no cut in pay. Lula is expected to sign it next week, potentially boosting his position ahead of the October 25 presidential runoff.
Brazil’s Congress approved a constitutional amendment capping the workweek at 40 hours and banning six-day work schedules, a change expected to affect more than 30 million workers. Lula championed the measure, while senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who had opposed it, ultimately voted in favor. The changes will not take effect before the presidential runoff.
Brazil politicsworkweek reformLulapresidential election
China and North Korea formally opened their most significant land crossing on Thursday, hoping to revive trade and commerce after years of strained ties and pandemic disruptions. Flag-decorated trucks crossed the 3-km New Yalu River Bridge, which links Dandong in China with North Korea.
China-North Korea relationsborder bridgetradeDandong
China and North Korea have officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge after a 12-year delay. The 3-kilometre crossing is expected to become the main land route between the two countries as they seek to improve relations.
China–North Korea relationsNew Yalu River Bridgecross-border transport
A four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea opened on Thursday, 12 years behind schedule, with the potential to substantially boost cross-border trade between the neighbours.
China-North Korea relationscross-border tradebridge
The New Yalu River Bridge linking China and the DPRK officially opened to traffic in Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, following an agreement between the two sides. A joint ceremony marked the opening. The bridge is expected to strengthen connectivity and support economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between the countries.
Yalu River BridgeChina-DPRK relationsinfrastructure
China and North Korea opened a new four-lane road bridge on Thursday, 15 October, ending a 12-year delay and establishing a major route for cross-border trade.
ChinaNorth KoreaYalu River Bridgecross-border trade
China and North Korea officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge on Thursday, their most significant land crossing, seeking to revive trade after years of strained ties and disruption. Completed in 2014, it had remained unused because North Korean access roads were unfinished and the pandemic led to border closures. Its opening is the latest sign of warming relations.
China-North Korea relationsNew Yalu River Bridgeborder trade
China and the DPRK jointly held an opening ceremony on Thursday as the new Yalu River bridge began carrying traffic. It links Dandong in China’s Liaoning Province with Sinuiju in North Pyongan Province and has four lanes across a 28.5-meter-wide deck.
China-DPRK tiesYalu River bridgecross-border transport
The New Yalu River Bridge, linking Dandong in China with Sinuiju in North Korea, has opened, Chinese state media report. It is expected to become the main land route for trade between the neighbours as their economic ties improve; the opening had originally been planned for 2014.
China–North Korea relationsNew Yalu River Bridgetrade
The new bridge linking China and North Korea across the Yalu River opened to traffic on Thursday, with the two sides holding a joint ceremony. The infrastructure project is expected to boost trade and people-to-people exchanges between the countries.
China–North Korea relationsYalu River Bridgecross-border transport
A new four-lane bridge between China and North Korea has opened after a decade of delays. The opening follows the launch of a road bridge between North Korea and Russia about a month ago, part of efforts to strengthen their ties.
China and North Korea formally marked the opening of a major land crossing on Thursday, seeking to revive trade and commerce after years of strained ties and pandemic-related disruption to cross-border exchanges.
China–North Korea relationsborder tradebridge opening
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said a new bridge over the Yalu River, which forms the border between China and North Korea, will make trade and people-to-people exchanges easier. Agreed by both sides, it is due to open to traffic on Thursday, with a joint ceremony planned that day.
China-North Korea relationsYalu River bridgetradepeople-to-people exchanges
Developer House House says it will not release its co-op adventure game Big Walk on Xbox, aligning with the Palestinian-led BDS movement’s boycott of Microsoft over its contracts with the Israeli military and government. The game remains available on Microsoft Windows through Steam.
Volkswagen has spent decades trying to grow its US business. Now it can no longer afford to leave a market it has repeatedly struggled to crack languishing.
New Delhi was close to a lockdown on Saturday after the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janata Party called for protests. More than 30,000 security personnel were deployed, over 50 metro stations closed and authorities imposed a 24-hour internet blackout to suppress the movement, but protesters found ways around the restrictions.
Thousands marched in cities across Colombia on Wednesday to oppose policies of new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella. The protests were the opposition’s first show of force since he took office in August.
ColombiaprotestsoppositionAbelardo de la Espriella
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani next week, the US envoy said. The meeting highlights Washington’s engagement with the conglomerate amid Elon Musk’s recent public criticism of the Indian billionaire.
Marco RubioMukesh AmbaniUS-India tiesReliance Industries
A midday bulletin rounds up key stories from Europe and beyond on October 15, 2026, covering world affairs, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.
A morning roundup of important stories from Europe and beyond on October 15, 2026, covering world news, business, entertainment, politics, culture and travel.
Russian newspaper headlines focus on Moscow’s view that Ukraine and the EU are undermining prospects for peace talks, Washington no longer providing Kyiv with warnings of Russian ballistic missile launches, and mounting pressure on Germany over the Nord Stream blast investigation. Ukrainian authorities say they received no US launch data for at least two days and reported Starlink disruptions on October 14.
Surveyors said France’s highest mountain measured 4,807.47 metres last month, nearly two metres above its last reported height in 2023. Researchers have measured it every two to three years since 2001 to gather information on climate change’s effects on the Alps.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad, further worsening the mood around the hosts in their first home game since being found guilty of widespread breaches of Premier League financial rules. The European champions scored three times in the first 35 minutes through Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.
footballChampions LeagueParis Saint-GermainManchester City
Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 on Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase, sending a message to their rivals. PSG led 3-0 at halftime, but Erling Haaland scored twice as City came close to a second-half comeback. PSG remain top and face Barcelona next Tuesday.
footballChampions LeagueParis Saint-GermainManchester City
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain held on against Manchester City’s second-half comeback to win 4-2 away in the Champions League. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha put PSG 3-0 ahead before Erling Haaland scored twice. Maghnes Akliouche added a fourth, and Ferran Torres missed a late penalty.
Paris Saint-GermainManchester CityChampions Leaguefootball
Paris Saint-Germain scored three times in the first half, while Erling Haaland’s second-half brace helped Manchester City fight back before PSG secured a 4-2 win at the Etihad. The result came as City faces uncertainty over an independent commission’s finding of widespread financial-rule breaches.
footballChampions LeagueParis Saint-GermainManchester City
CSTO peacekeepers practiced repelling a simulated attack on a humanitarian aid convoy during the Indestructible Brotherhood 2026 exercise in Belarus. The drills also covered convoy protection, electronic warfare against explosive devices and recovery of a damaged armored personnel carrier.
Australia’s regulator, ASIC, has proposed stricter rules aimed at protecting users’ digital assets and crypto trading, while safeguarding the country’s financial stability.
Brazil’s presidential election could have worldwide consequences because the country contains the largest part of the Amazon rainforest, a vital carbon sink. Environmentalists warn that a Flávio Bolsonaro victory could weaken forest protections, while deforestation has fallen under Lula and is projected to reach its lowest level in a decade in 2026.
Brazil electionAmazon rainforestenvironmental policy
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko advised residents able to temporarily relocate for the winter to do so. Many residents derided the advice, saying his administration had failed to prepare the capital adequately for Russian attacks and pointing to a severe shortage of suitable bomb shelters.
Suspected Boko Haram fighters coordinated an assault this week on an army base in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, killing at least 10 soldiers and wounding at least 20, military sources and residents said Thursday.
Aramco’s headquarters was hit, flights have been suspended and oil prices are rising. The IMF warns that the economic impact of attacks on Saudi Arabia could be felt worldwide.
Malaysian property tycoon Lee Yeow Seng has become one of Singapore’s most aggressive commercial real estate buyers and is pursuing a deal valued at $760 million.
Singapore propertycommercial real estateLee Yeow Seng
Tycoon Piling Into Singapore Property Eyes $760 Million Deal
FlashTranslated by Minutes
At least five people were injured on Oct. 15 after a Russian drone fell in Kyiv’s central Pecherskyi District, Mayor Vitalii Klychko reported. Two of the wounded have been hospitalized.
Video: Serhii Korovayny / the Kyiv Independent.
At least five people were injured on Oct. 15 after a Russian drone fell in Kyiv’s central Pecherskyi District, Mayor Vitalii Klychko reported. Two of the wounded have been hospitalized.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, appeared together at a royal-style public event on Thursday, their first joint appearance since returning to the United Kingdom with their two children.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, says the United States and Iran need to agree within weeks on a mechanism for fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Otherwise, parts of Asia and Africa could face a food crisis, as missing the planting season would sharply reduce agricultural productivity and raise prices.
United StatesIranStrait of Hormuzfertilizer shipmentsfood crisis
US and Iran have weeks to avert food crisis, UN official warns
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🇵🇰 Pakistan police crack down on pro-Khan protest
Police opened fire at a protest in northwest Pakistan, leaving several people injured, as authorities cracked down on supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, a police official and a member of Khan's party said.
🇵🇰 Pakistan police crack down on pro-Khan protest
Police opened fire at a protest in northwest Pakistan, leaving several people injured, as authorities cracked down on supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, a police official and a member of Khan's party said.
Bitcoin hit an intraday low of $81,514.28 on Oct. 14 after September inflation exceeded forecasts. Glassnode’s latest on-chain data points to a calmer holder base despite the price moves, while the tougher test lies near $80,000.
At the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged ambitious progress on Ukraine’s EU accession, including opening all six reform clusters for Ukraine and Moldova by year’s end. He called integration a practical way to support Ukrainians facing Russian attacks. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said he saw no major obstacles to opening the two remaining clusters.
Ukraine EU accessionEU summitIrelandRussian attacks
China’s economic growth is expected to edge higher in the third quarter from a more than three-year low, aided by fresh policy easing. The improvement may only be enough to reach the lower end of Beijing’s full-year growth target.
Balkan countries’ approaches to Israel differ according to domestic politics, defence deals and strategic interests, experts say, rather than reflecting a common regional position. Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided internally, while Serbia combines diplomatic support for Palestine with arms exports and growing defence cooperation with Israel.
France faces a deepening crisis of confidence in its public finances, with borrowing costs at their highest in more than two decades and French government bond yields above those of Italy and Greece. Debt is nearing 120 percent of GDP and the deficit exceeds 5 percent, putting pressure on the government to curb spending as protesters demand more education investment. A divided parliament and an approaching presidential election make agreement difficult, raising fears the trouble could spread across the eurozone.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the 7th CICA summit in Baku. Lavrov arrived in Azerbaijan the previous day and also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to hold numerous meetings during the seventh CICA summit in Baku, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. He has already met bilaterally with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Russia launched what was described as a “massive” attack on Ukraine, involving hundreds of drones. Kyiv said Moscow had chosen to “deliberately” escalate its attacks.
Russian forces launched a drone attack lasting more than 10 hours in Ukraine’s Kirovohrad region, the State Emergency Service said. Strikes hit businesses, logistics centers, warehouses and homes in Kropyvnytskyi, as well as transport infrastructure in the Kropyvnytskyi and Novoukrainka districts. Three people were killed and six wounded.
The governor of Ukraine’s central Kirovohrad region said it suffered the largest Russian attack on its territory during the war overnight, leaving three people dead and six wounded.
Turkish media say Richard Heart, founder of Hex, was arrested in Istanbul. Police reportedly seized $4 million in cash and 64 luxury watches in a raid on his residence.
Hex founder Richard Heartarrested in Istanbul, Turkish media report
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🇨🇳 🇰🇵 Crowds gather for China-North Korea bridge opening
Crowds gathered in Dandong, Liaoning Province, as China and North Korea are due to open on a new bridge linking the nations, 12 years after its construction.
🇨🇳 🇰🇵 Crowds gather for China-North Korea bridge opening
Crowds gathered in Dandong, Liaoning Province, as China and North Korea are due to open on a new bridge linking the nations, 12 years after its construction.
Ukraine’s parliament approved a bill taxing e-commerce and international parcels by 252 votes, meeting a condition linked to an approximately $700 million IMF tranche and 3.7 billion euros in EU macro-financial assistance. It introduces VAT on parcels worth up to 150 euros; the tax could take effect on July 1, 2027, subject to a separate government decision.
The seven-part documentary, which premiered on major Chinese platforms, will roll out overseas in multiple languages. Two foreign observers travel along historic Long March routes, exploring how its spirit connects with modern China. The film marks the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March victory.
Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia and Ukraine will hold government talks in Lviv on Nov. 5, addressing border crossings, humanitarian aid and a school for Ukrainian children in Bratislava. He also confirmed talks with Russia on Nov. 25 through a joint economic commission, suspended after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
India has used about half of the more than $140 billion it raised through special measures earlier this year to support the rupee, bankers estimate. The spending highlights pressure on the currency and the central bank’s resolve to reverse its slide.
IndiaReserve Bank of Indiarupeeforeign exchange reserves
The article argues that U.S. export controls and technology partnerships could turn AI leadership into long-term dependence on a single ecosystem. It calls for broader access, capacity-building and a meaningful role for developing countries in global rule-setting, and outlines China’s AI governance initiatives and potential contributions.
Russia’s Federal Security Service says it detained a Swedish citizen in Pskov Region after he illegally crossed the border. The FSB alleges he had fought alongside Ukraine’s army and entered Russia under the pretext of joining its armed forces to target military facilities. A case has been opened over illegal border crossing, with possible terrorism and mercenary charges under consideration.
The NSA, CISA and FBI jointly accused Chinese AI firms of using “industrial-scale” distillation to obtain capabilities from advanced U.S. models. The article says China rejected the charge as baseless and argues Washington is invoking security to pursue industry monopoly and technological hegemony.
The NSA, CISA and FBI jointly accused Chinese AI companies of industrial-scale knowledge-distillation campaigns targeting U.S. frontier models. The article calls the allegations baseless and without legal grounds, arguing that knowledge distillation is a routine global practice and accusing Washington of applying a double standard to China while using the issue to discredit exchanges and contain its technological progress.
The NSA, CISA and FBI jointly accused Chinese AI companies of conducting industrial-scale knowledge-distillation campaigns against US frontier models. The article calls the allegations unfounded, says distillation is common worldwide, including among US firms, and argues Washington applies a double standard that reflects anxiety about China’s AI industry.
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BBC NewsOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-15 10:27
MAJORRussia and Ukraine resume energy strikes despite Trump warnings
Russia says Ukraine has resumed attacks on oil refineries
‘We’re done’: Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries as anger mounts with Trump
