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EconomyVietnam signs free trade agreement with four European countries

Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)—Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein—signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Sunday. It covers goods and services, intellectual property and sustainable development, and waives or reduces some customs duties. Norway says about half its exports to Vietnam will be tariff-free, rising to more than 98% within seven years.

VietnamEFTAfree trade agreementtariffs

DDWOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-18 09:19

Vietnam signs free trade agreement with four European countries

MAJOR

WorldFighting intensifies across Yemen as humanitarian crisis deepens

Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis has intensified on several fronts, with casualties on both sides. Saudi-backed forces are mounting a counteroffensive, while the Houthis claim to have downed Saudi aircraft. Aid agencies warn that civilian conditions are worsening, and more than 233,000 people have been displaced.

YemenHouthisarmed conflicthumanitarian crisis

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★★2026-10-18 09:16

Fighting intensifies across Yemen as humanitarian crisis deepens

MAJOR

SportsLIVE: Leeds United vs Manchester United – Premier League

Follow the live text updates, including team news, from Leeds United’s Premier League match against Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in focus.

Premier LeagueLeeds UnitedManchester United

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:16

LIVE: Leeds United vs Manchester United – Premier League

SportsWomen excel in drag racing, a sport faster than high-speed trains

Top Fuel drag racing is a top-level motorsport in which women regularly beat men and win major titles. Swedish driver Susanne Callin claimed her second European championship at Santa Pod in Britain, making it a fourth straight year that a woman has won. The report examines women’s success and factors including visible role models, a family-oriented culture and the sport’s entry routes.

drag racingwomen driversTop Fuelmotorsport

BBBC ChineseOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:09

Women excel in drag racing, a sport faster than high-speed trains

WorldLithuania tells residents to seek shelter after detecting flying object

Lithuania’s army and national crisis management centre said residents in central and northern areas were told to seek shelter for about an hour on Sunday morning after an unidentified flying object entered the country’s airspace.

Lithuaniaairspaceunidentified flying objectshelter alert

RReutersOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 09:05

Lithuania tells residents to seek shelter after detecting flying object

SocietyFrance protests ‘brought the entire population together for a common purpose’

About 800,000 people, including students, railway workers and Yellow Vest movement members, joined largely peaceful demonstrations across France this weekend. Sparked by high school protests over educational inequality and deteriorating school facilities, the movement has broadened into anger over living costs, public spending and climate inaction.

Franceprotestseducation inequalitycost of living

FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-10-18 09:05

France protests ‘brought the entire population together for a common purpose’

France: Who took part in Saturday’s protests?
Weeks of student protests over poor school conditions and growing anger about the cost of living prompted calls for a nationwide demonstration on October 17. Youth activists and Yellow Vest supporters joined, with living costs the main grievance. France 24’s Shirli Sitbon says the protesters did not get what they wanted.
Franceprotestscost of livingstudents
FFrance 24★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:03Original
France: Who was behind the violence at Saturday’s protests?
Clashes, fires, vandalism and looting marred demonstrations across France on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands protested rising living costs and poor school conditions. The Interior Ministry said about 400 people were arrested nationwide. France 2 examined who was involved in the violence.
Franceprotestsviolent clashescost of livingschools
FFrance 24★★★☆☆2026-10-18 09:01Original
France rocked by nationwide clashes, fires and looting as cost-of-living protests turn violent
Protests against the cost of living across France turned violent, with clashes, fires and looting reported nationwide.
Francecost of livingprotestsunrest
TTRT World★★★☆☆2026-10-18 05:35Original
Live: Vance blames immigration for violence during protests in France
US Vice President JD Vance blamed immigration for violence during protests in France on Saturday. He shared footage of a city hall on fire and warned Americans that congressional Democrats wanted a similar future for the United States.
France protestsimmigrationJD Vance
FFrance 24★★★☆☆2026-10-18 03:09Original

CultureStreet dance gives traditional culture a fresh expression

The fourth “Dancing Intangible Cultural Heritage” Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Street Dance Exchange Competition took place in Guangzhou on October 17. Young dancers blended Cantonese Opera, lion dance and Wing Chun with street dance to present traditional culture in a contemporary form and help pass it on to younger generations.

street danceintangible cultural heritageGuangdong-Hong Kong-MacaoGuangzhou

CCGTNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:02

Street dance gives traditional culture a fresh expression

CultureHilarious quips and ‘100,000-volt’ energy: the hypemen redefining Afrobeats

High-energy, improvised vocal interjections by hypemen have flourished at parties across west and central Africa. Nigerian performer Toby Shang is among the self-described pioneers of the Afrobeats offshoot known as Afrohype or lamba, while women including Lady Ponce have also made their mark in the male-dominated scene.

Afrobeatshypemenmusic culture

TThe GuardianOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:00

Hilarious quips and ‘100,000-volt’ energy: the hypemen redefining Afrobeats

PoliticsFrance protests: Did the government make the wrong decisions?

Paris police said Sunday that 855 people were arrested over protest-related violence in the capital the previous day, calling it a record. The prosecutor’s office said more than 500 remained in custody. France 24’s Shirli Sitbon analyses the government’s decisions.

France protestsParisarrestsgovernment decisions

FFrance 24Original★★★☆☆2026-10-18 09:00

France protests: Did the government make the wrong decisions?

SocietyOregon community mourns 4 killed in school shooting as 2 wounded survivors remain hospitalized

Four people were killed in a shooting at an Oregon elementary school. On Saturday, a special-needs teacher and a student who were wounded remained hospitalized; friends said their survival offered a glimmer of hope to the grieving community.

school shootingOregonwounded survivorscommunity mourning

TThe Associated PressOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 09:00

Oregon community mourns 4 killed in school shooting as 2 wounded survivors remain hospitalized

Society‘Our river is almost dead’: What’s killing an iconic Miramichi fishery?

Atlantic salmon numbers are declining in the Miramichi watershed as striped bass surge, heightening tensions around the iconic fishery.

Miramichi RiverAtlantic salmonstriped bassfishery

CCBC NewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:00

‘Our river is almost dead’: What’s killing an iconic Miramichi fishery?

CultureSudbury artist who made temporary Jesus sculpture rises above the uproar

In October 2016, Sudbury, Ont., artist Heather Wise made headlines worldwide for temporarily restoring a local statue of Jesus. A decade later, she says she can finally laugh about the uproar.

artistsculptureJesus statue

CCBC NewsOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-10-18 09:00

Sudbury artist who made temporary Jesus sculpture rises above the uproar

WorldWhy Starlink is so important for Ukraine

Starlink supports Ukrainian military communications, reconnaissance and drone operations. Kyiv has repeatedly reported disruptions or restrictions, and reports say SpaceX imposed a speed limit on terminals in Ukraine that could hinder real-time control and video feeds from fast-moving drones.

UkraineStarlinkmilitary communicationsdrones

DDWOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:58

Why Starlink is so important for Ukraine

SportsHaaland’s record scoring spree helps Man City to seventh Premier League win

Manchester City beat Ipswich 3-2 at home to extend their perfect Premier League start to seven wins. Erling Haaland scored twice, taking his season tally to eight and becoming the fastest player to reach 100 non-penalty Premier League goals, in 139 appearances. City continue to appeal a guilty verdict over large-scale financial wrongdoing.

footballPremier LeagueManchester CityErling Haaland

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:56

Haaland’s record scoring spree helps Man City to seventh Premier League win

SportsLigue 1: PSG return to the top after stunning Strasbourg comeback

Paris Saint-Germain fell behind Strasbourg for more than 60 minutes before substitutes helped turn the match around and send the team back to the top of Ligue 1. Fresh from a spectacular Champions League win over Manchester City, PSG are looking ahead to their clash with FC Barcelona with confidence.

Ligue 1Paris Saint-GermainStrasbourg

FFrance 24Original★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:48

Ligue 1: PSG return to the top after stunning Strasbourg comeback

SportsChelsea’s Emi Martinez expects to return in a few weeks after surgery

Emi Martinez was stretchered off after a head collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Everton and underwent surgery after being taken to hospital with concussion. He said the operation went well and he expects to be back in a few weeks. Mike Penders made his Premier League debut and may deputise until Martinez can train again.

footballChelseaEmi Martinez

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:40

Chelsea’s Emi Martinez expects to return in a few weeks after surgery

CultureAutumn scenes echo Tang poetry along Beijing’s Liangma River

Autumn light and yellowing willows transform Beijing’s Liangma River, whose six-kilometer waterfront links commercial and cultural areas. The river’s night cruise has returned, alongside new waterfront light-and-shadow experiences launched on September 24 for the 2026 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival Consumption Season.

Liangma RiverBeijing autumnTang poetrylight festival

CCGTNOriginal★☆☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:38

Autumn scenes echo Tang poetry along Beijing’s Liangma River

FlashTranslated by Minutes

🇮🇳 🪧 What's behind the new wave of mass protests in India?

Opposition parties and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have been seeking the resignation of the chief election commissioner over a voter roll revision that critics say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party

AFP News Agency10-18 08:37

WorldZelensky tells Trump Russia keeps violating energy ceasefire

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has attacked Ukrainian energy and oil and gas facilities 76 times since Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire. Russia’s strikes have continued, while Trump has not blamed Moscow and has instead pressured Kyiv to stop attacking Russian oil facilities.

Russia-Ukraine warenergy ceasefireRussian attacksUkrainian energy

TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-18 08:35

Zelensky tells Trump Russia keeps violating energy ceasefire

CultureLiangzhu Forum opens with focus on heritage conservation

The fourth Liangzhu Forum opened in Hangzhou on Sunday, bringing together officials, archaeologists and scholars to discuss cultural heritage conservation and international cooperation. Topics include early civilizations, ancient-city archaeology, protection technologies and sustainable tourism.

Liangzhu Forumcultural heritageinternational cooperationsustainable tourism

CCGTNOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:33

Liangzhu Forum opens with focus on heritage conservation

WorldSettler violence in West Bank draws international condemnation

France, Belgium, Poland and the United States urged Israel to stop settler violence in the occupied West Bank and hold those responsible to account. The calls followed a masked-settler attack on European diplomats and Palestinian olive pickers in Taybeh, and the serious beating of American photojournalist Heidi Levine a day earlier.

West Banksettler violencediplomats attackedinternational condemnation

CCGTNOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-18 08:33

Settler violence in West Bank draws international condemnation

PoliticsUS military aid to Israel must be conditioned, California governor says

California Governor Gavin Newsom says US military aid to Israel must be conditioned.

US politicsIsraelmilitary aid

TTRT WorldOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:32

US military aid to Israel must be conditioned, California governor says

SocietyLisbon named Europe’s best city and cruise destination for 2026

Lisbon won two titles at the World Travel Awards Europe 2026, presented on Saturday in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor.

LisbontourismWorld Travel Awards

EeuronewsOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:27

Lisbon named Europe’s best city and cruise destination for 2026

Politics‘No Kings’ protests spread across the US ahead of midterm elections

Thousands rallied across the United States against President Donald Trump in “No Kings” demonstrations. The movement opposes what it views as Trump’s abuse of power, and demonstrators urged people to vote early before November’s midterm elections.

US politicsprotestsDonald Trumpmidterm elections

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:25

‘No Kings’ protests spread across the US ahead of midterm elections

WorldYoung protesters across Europe share grievances and tactics

Youth-led protests in France, Italy, Belgium and Albania reflect a wider “generational claim” among students who feel their future is being disregarded, policy analyst Alberto Alemanno tells Al Jazeera.

Europeyouth protestsstudentsgenerational grievances

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:25

Young protesters across Europe share grievances and tactics

SocietyPhotos: Protests across France spiral into looting, blazes and clashes

Cost-of-living protests in several French cities escalated into unrest, with cars burned, shops looted and public buildings attacked. Authorities reported about 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers. A 17-year-old in Saint-Etienne lost his right hand after being hit by a crowd-control grenade.

Franceprotestsunrestcost of living

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-18 08:21

Photos: Protests across France spiral into looting, blazes and clashes

Paris streets ‘devastated’ by protests, mayor says, as demonstrations continue across France
France is recovering from its worst protests in years, with buildings attacked and set ablaze around the country. More than 1,200 people were arrested on Saturday after demonstrations that began with students protesting the cost of living; some gatherings escalated into clashes, arson and looting.
France protestscost of livingclashes
TThe Guardian★★★★☆2026-10-18 07:48Original

WorldPossible drone explosion in northern Lithuania near Latvian border

A possible drone explosion was reported in northern Lithuania near the Latvian border. It is the latest in a growing series of drone incursions and incidents along NATO’s eastern flank, many believed to be spillover from Russia’s war in Ukraine.

LithuaniadroneLatvian borderNATO eastern flank

EeuronewsOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:14

Possible drone explosion in northern Lithuania near Latvian border

PoliticsThere is no split in MAGA

The author argues that MAGA has not split; instead, people are trying to redefine who belongs to the movement and what it represents. The piece says Trump’s alignment of MAGA with support for the Iran war and Israel at any cost betrays the 2024 coalition’s purpose, and points to young Republicans’ increasingly unfavorable views of Israel.

MAGAUS politicsRepublicansIsrael

AAl JazeeraOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:14

There is no split in MAGA

WorldHungary ready to let Ukrainian grain transit to Western Europe, prime minister says

Hungary will not obstruct Ukrainian grain shipments that merely pass through its territory, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said. His remarks followed Volodymyr Zelensky’s request at an EU summit, where the Ukrainian president said Russian attacks had made Black Sea shipments impossible and urged neighboring countries to enable transit westward.

HungaryUkrainian graintransit shipmentsHungary-Ukraine relations

TThe Kyiv IndependentOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-18 08:13

Hungary ready to let Ukrainian grain transit to Western Europe, prime minister says

WorldGerman police investigate fence breach at Leipzig airport

German police said on Sunday they were investigating a breach at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where a vehicle apparently drove through a fence.

GermanyLeipzig/Halle Airportairport security

RReutersOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 08:05

German police investigate fence breach at Leipzig airport

Police find breach in fence at Leipzig/Halle Airport
A hole was found in Leipzig/Halle Airport’s security fence late Saturday. Police believe a car may have driven through it, but found no vehicle or unauthorized people during a nighttime inspection. Flights in the airport’s northern section were suspended; three Russian An cargo planes grounded in Germany by sanctions are parked nearby.
GermanyLeipzig/Halle Airportairport securityRussian cargo aircraft
TTASS★★☆☆☆2026-10-18 07:25Original

PoliticsIranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister

Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister on Sunday, ending months of interim leadership at the ministry. A longtime defense-industry official with senior roles in aerospace and missiles, Ketabchi is subject to US and EU sanctions over his work in the sector.

Irandefense minister appointmentdefense industry

CCGTNOriginal★★★☆☆2026-10-18 08:02

Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister

PoliticsFreeland says her resignation led to a better outcome for Trudeau

Former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland believes her resignation, which prompted Justin Trudeau to step down, ultimately worked out better for him amid his sharply falling popularity and the likelihood of defeat.

Canadian politicsChrystia FreelandJustin Trudeau