Abbas Araghchi said Monday that the United States is the main cause of instability in the Middle East. He said instability in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz stems from US military aggression, speaking after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described his meeting in Tehran with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as productive. He said the countries’ strategic relationship had reached a new level through implementation of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. Lavrov’s visit was also set to address steps to de-escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf.
A Houthi ballistic missile attack on a training camp for Yemeni government forces in Shabwa province killed at least 53 people and reportedly wounded more than 200, mostly young recruits. The government called the strike a disaster and said an inquiry would examine how troops were left exposed; the president vowed an immediate hard response.
Yemeni military officials said Houthi rebels fired three ballistic missiles at al-Alam camp in Shabwa on Monday, killing at least 50 government forces and injuring more than 100. The Houthis claimed responsibility. The victims were new recruits. The attack followed weekend strikes in Houthi-held areas that the group blamed on Saudi-led forces.
A Monday attack by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels on a government security forces training camp in Yemen’s coastal Shabwa province killed 53 people and injured 200, according to the local authority.
Dozens of Yemenis are feared dead after the Houthis struck a military camp in Yemen’s Shabwa governorate. A Yemeni army spokesperson said the group fired three ballistic missiles at Shabwa.
A Houthi missile strike hit a military camp in Yemen’s Shabwa governorate during a training exercise, government forces said. Local authorities later put the death toll at 53, with 200 injured.
Local authorities say the death toll has risen to 53 after a Houthi missile strike on a military base in Yemen’s oil-rich southeastern Shabwa province on Monday. More than 200 others were injured.
Four Yemeni government and medical sources told Reuters that the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement attacked a government military training camp in Shabwa province on Monday, killing at least 18 people.
Alexey Govyrin, deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Economic Policy Committee, said continued monetary easing would boost Russia’s stock market, with real estate developers and highly indebted companies gaining most. He called the Bank of Russia’s October 23 rate meeting the next major catalyst.
Hungary’s 2027 budget will aim for a deficit of 4.9% of GDP, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Monday while presenting the government’s draft plan. The proposal is seen as a key test of credibility for the country’s euro-adoption ambitions.
A Florida court has issued an arrest warrant for 95-year-old former Cuban leader Raul Castro, NBC News reported. Charged in May, he faces four counts of murder, two counts of destroying an aircraft and conspiracy to murder US citizens.
Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev said Russia’s Energy Ministry considers storage systems necessary at every solar power plant. An under-construction facility in the Far East will use the system, and future solar projects are to include storage. Russia plans about 6.2 GW of renewable generation capacity.
Violence and destruction during weekend protests across France damaged landmarks and businesses. Most demonstrators peacefully opposed rising fuel prices, living costs and deteriorating public services, while masked groups set fires and looted. Authorities acknowledged losing control of some cities, and the prime minister empowered local mayors to impose partial curfews.
Andrew Smith says France’s escalating unrest exposes a troubling gap between legitimate public grievances and the government’s increasingly security-focused response. He argues that violence during largely peaceful demonstrations points to serious policing failures, while Emmanuel Macron’s response offers “very little of substance.” Economic insecurity, educational inequality and political paralysis are converging, he says, and repression risks worsening the crisis.
France protestssocial unrestcost of livingeducationEmmanuel Macron
Marseille and Lille soccer clubs say their shops were vandalized during protests in France. More than half a million people joined demonstrations against rising living costs and poor school conditions, which were mainly peaceful.
Hundreds of thousands protested in France over the weekend against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools and other public services. Police arrested nearly 2,400 people after violent groups fought officers and looted shops, deepening political uncertainty six months before elections.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled what he described as a "flying" car, equipped with thrusters, during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX rocket company's facility on October 16.
🚘 Elon Musk unveils Tesla's 'flying' car
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled what he described as a "flying" car, equipped with thrusters, during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX rocket company's facility on October 16.
Under the proposal, GHO would remain transferable, while return swaps, USAT withdrawals and issuer redemptions would each be subject to separate conditions.
Manfred Weber, Iratxe García Pérez and Valérie Hayer are expected to secure unopposed re-election, while tensions mount within the centrist alliance that backs Ursula von der Leyen.
Protests over rising living costs have spread across Europe. Since 2000, everyday prices have risen 59% to 78% in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. After inflation, average full-time wages fell nearly 5% in Italy, while rising 7% in Spain, 11% in France and 20% in Portugal. Housing has also become less affordable.
cost of livingEuropean protestsinflationwageshousing
Ukraine and Russia are discussing final details of a local ceasefire that would let civilians in Russian-occupied Oleshky and nearby settlements evacuate directly to Ukrainian-controlled territory, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said. No final agreement has been announced, and the timing of an evacuation remains unclear.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref discussed construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant during talks in Dushanbe, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said. He said energy cooperation, particularly the plant’s construction, was on the agenda.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it expects to rule at the end of November on Senegal’s challenge to CAF’s decision to strip the team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco. The parties’ arguments were heard in Lausanne on October 8.
footballAfrica Cup of Nationssports arbitrationSenegal
French officials acknowledged failures in law enforcement, introduced tougher security measures and pledged aid for businesses after cost-of-living protests over the weekend descended into violence, vandalism and looting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is in Tehran for his first visit since the US-Israeli war on Iran began. He met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the war and efforts to bring it to an end.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Tehran to discuss the war with the United States and efforts to end it. Gulf Cooperation Council states have urged Moscow to use its influence with Tehran to push for serious dialogue and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukrainian forces have completed a "first-of-its-kind" mission, using a heavy aerial drone to evacuate an injured soldier from a front-line position where ground rescue was impossible.
Ukrainian forces have completed a "first-of-its-kind" mission, using a heavy aerial drone to evacuate an injured soldier from a front-line position where ground rescue was impossible.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said Russian attacks have caused an estimated $7.7 billion in losses to Ukrainian businesses since the start of 2026, with more than 1 million square meters of property destroyed or badly damaged. A survey found declining production and widespread work stoppages during air raid alerts. The government has proposed a one-percentage-point VAT increase to fund compensation for war-risk insurance.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will be out indefinitely with blood clots, an absence that could keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The Philadelphia Eagles said Monday that quarterback Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs and leg, likely keeping the Super Bowl MVP out for the rest of 2026.
Gilead Sciences said on Monday that its experimental once-daily pill eased symptoms of a chronic bowel illness in more patients than a placebo in a mid-stage trial.
Residents of Alberta are voting on whether the province should start a process that could ultimately lead to independence. The motion is unlikely to pass, but separatists hope a strong showing will pressure Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to pay greater attention to their concerns.
Voters in oil-rich Alberta overwhelmingly backed remaining in Canada in the province’s first referendum on separation. Early results on Tuesday boosted Prime Minister Mark Carney’s drive for national unity amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats.
Alberta residents began voting in a non-binding referendum on whether the province should pursue separation from Canada. Polls cited in the report show most decided voters favor remaining in the country, while separatist organizer Cory Morgan says a substantial faction wants a binding vote. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the timing the worst possible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would respect Iran’s choice to join the Mecca Pact if Tehran believes it could advance peace. He recalled that Russia welcomed the pact’s formation and said its stated aims include stability, peace and cooperation.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to miss up to eight weeks after injuring his knee at the weekend. Manager Enzo Maresca said Erling Haaland, who took a knock to his foot and ankle, could be available for Tuesday’s Champions League match against AEK Athens.
Manchester CityAntoine Semenyoknee injuryChampions League
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West would prefer Ukrainians to adopt the so-called “freethought” promoted in Europe rather than traditional Christian values. He said the eradication of traditional Orthodoxy adds a religious dimension to the war against Russia and that Ukraine’s Orthodox Church is being targeted.
Displaced families in Gaza fear worsening hunger as the World Food Programme cuts assistance because of a funding shortfall, while aid shipments have been suspended for a sixth straight day and commercial deliveries remain restricted. The WFP is reducing monthly food assistance from 1.6 million people to 1.1 million, alongside smaller rations and fewer hot meals.
The World Food Programme says funding shortages are forcing it to reduce the number of people receiving aid in Gaza from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, leaving about 500,000 without support. It says more than two-thirds of Gaza’s population faces acute hunger.
The World Food Programme says a funding shortage will leave about 500,000 people in Gaza without critical support. It received less than half its previous-year funding for its Palestine operation in 2026 and needs another $450 million for the next six months. Monthly assistance will fall from 1.6 million people to 1.1 million, with smaller food rations and fewer hot meals.
Funding has fallen by more than half from 2025 levels, prompting the World Food Programme to cut monthly assistance in Gaza from about 1.6 million people to 1.1 million from October. Two-thirds of the population face crisis-level food insecurity, while 200,000 people are at emergency levels and need immediate aid to prevent deaths from hunger.
GazaWorld Food Programmefood insecurityhumanitarian aid
The UN agency says Israeli restrictions are putting food supplies under strain as it cuts assistance for 500,000 people in Gaza. It now supports 1.1 million vulnerable people there.
The World Food Programme says funding shortages will reduce the number of people it helps in Gaza by about a third, from 1.6 million to 1.1 million. Daily hot meals from community kitchens will fall from 250,000 to 150,000, while families in hard-to-reach areas will receive meals every other day. The agency says the cuts reflect a lack of funding, not lower needs or access problems.
At least nine members of a security agency were killed and several others wounded in a mortar blast during a training exercise late Sunday in a city west of Libya’s capital, Tripoli, a local TV channel reported.
Ethiopia has established an interim administration in Tigray after federal forces pushed back Tigrayan fighters, giving it six months to prepare regional elections and restore stability. Rising tensions with Eritrea have fueled fears of a wider regional war.
Polish military police said on Monday they detained a Polish-Ukrainian dual national suspected of spying while the person was attending a reservist officer training course in the central city of Lodz.
Videos on social media showing French shopkeepers and locals taking matters into their own hands and confronting rioters have prompted an outpouring of public support and solidarity.
Robert Rubin urged the United States and China to draw on Cold War-era arms control mechanisms to address AI risks, warning at the 2026 Bund Summit in Shanghai that both could pay a heavy price if they fail to act. He proposed cooperation that limits risks while allowing both countries to benefit from the technology.
Marco Rubio led nearly 300 firms to Uzbekistan, seeking what he called “fair” trade competition amid China’s dominance. He said the Trump administration supports repealing the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik amendment.
The NBA season begins with several contenders looking to unseat the champion New York Knicks. LeBron James joins the 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo moves to Miami, and Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto.
Russia’s sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor says more than 14,000 mpox cases have been confirmed worldwide since the start of 2026, most in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Sierra Leone. Symptoms can include a rash or mucosal lesions lasting two to four weeks, along with fever, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
AnchorWatch launched a Nevada-chartered bitcoin custody service with a monthly fee cap of $10,000 and optional insurance of up to $370 million per client.
Trade between Azerbaijan and Russia totaled $2.684 billion in January-September 2026, down 26.6% from $3.659 billion a year earlier, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee. Azerbaijani exports to Russia rose 3.7%, while imports from Russia fell 36.3%.
A court in Mombasa, Kenya, found self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie and his associates guilty of murdering 191 people, all but one of them children. Prosecutors alleged the cult forced children to starve to “meet Jesus.” Investigators linked the group to mass graves and found emaciated survivors in the forest.
A Kenyan court is due to rule in the murder case against doomsday preacher Paul Mackenzie and 29 followers, who are charged with killing 191 children. Prosecutors say Mackenzie lured the latest victims to their deaths through notes written from prison; all defendants have denied the charges. Authorities say more than 400 bodies were found in Shakahola forest.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said the drone that crashed in Lithuania carried explosives and originated in Ukraine. The possible causes of the crash are under investigation.
Unifor workers at Stellantis have voted 97 per cent in favour of authorizing a strike, while negotiations remain stalled. The workers are based at factories in Windsor and Toronto, as well as the idled Brampton assembly plant.
Russia’s sanitary watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, says it is monitoring mpox as the disease continues to spread worldwide, with Africa remaining its epicenter. The WHO reports more than 193,000 confirmed cases globally from 2002 through September 2026.
At least 15 vessels have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 10 days, with drones and mines among the reported weapons. A ship sailing from Karachi to Fujairah sank after hitting a mine last week; all 21 crew members were evacuated. Floating containers prompted searches for cargo, while the attacks have driven up oil prices and raised concerns over marine damage.
Strait of HormuzIran attacksshippingmarine environment
Protesters in Albania say demonstrations will grow more intense, while Prime Minister Edi Rama rejects demands that he resign. High living costs, corruption, poor public services and limited opportunities are fuelling public anger.
A drone hit a transport hub near a market in al-Dibab, West Kordofan, twice on Sunday evening, killing 80 people, mostly commuters heading home. A witness said one of the dead was his brother. The RSF-declared administration accused the army of carrying out the strike.
At least 80 people were killed in a drone strike near a market in Al-Dibab, in Sudan’s southern West Kordofan state, on Sunday evening, a medical source and a witness said Monday. It was among the deadliest single attacks since war began between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces in 2023.
Sudandrone strikeWest KordofanRapid Support Forces
Court filings indicate that Character.AI’s bankruptcy this week was a key part of a deal allowing Disney to hire most of its staff, including former CEO Karandeep Anand, and potentially acquire most of its technology. The remaining company would retain responsibility for lawsuits and regulatory investigations involving chatbot safety.
A BAZ tractor unit has traveled about 10,850 km, including 8,883 km of operational testing, with no critical flaws found during scheduled maintenance at the 10,000-km mark, Romanov said. The vehicle is now handling transport tasks at the Yamburg field.
Pakistan halted trade with Iran at the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan crossings in Balochistan, leaving about 2,000 trucks stranded. Islamabad cited security concerns, while Tehran said technical issues and precautionary measures prompted the temporary halt. The move comes as Pakistan mediates between Iran and the US.
Best Buy is offering the base M4 Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for $649 for the day, down from its usual $799. The discount makes it a more appealing budget Mac desktop, though the newer, faster M6 model costs only $130 more.
🇦🇱 Still smiling at 117, Albanian may be world's oldest woman
Official documents suggest that 117-year-old Qamile Marra is two days older than Britain's Ethel Caterham, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living woman.
🇦🇱 Still smiling at 117, Albanian may be world's oldest woman
Official documents suggest that 117-year-old Qamile Marra is two days older than Britain's Ethel Caterham, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living woman.
As concerns mount over AI’s economic and societal effects, Elon Musk and officials at AI giant Anthropic have pledged to give the public access to coveted shares in their companies.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is prepared to help find mutually acceptable solutions to the US-Iran conflict. He called for a return to the pre-crisis situation in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, including restoring freedom of navigation and guarantees against renewed aggression, and praised Iran’s diplomatic efforts and international mediators.
At a joint Monday press briefing with Russia's Sergei Lavrov, Iran's Abbas Araqchi called for diplomacy on regional matters and blamed Washington for insecurity and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine says 23 more children returned from Russian-occupied territory over the past week. They are receiving psychological support and help restoring Ukrainian documents. Among them is 9-year-old Stefan, whom Bring Kids Back UA says was forced to receive military training at school, including instruction in handling grenades and firearms.
China's Ministry of Commerce said China would take resolute countermeasures to protect its industry's legitimate rights and interests if the UK restricts Chinese electric vehicles. Responding to reports that Britain may follow the EU, the spokesperson called China-UK automotive cooperation mutually beneficial and urged the UK to follow WTO rules.
Elon Musk says he will give one SpaceX share to every child in the United States next year. Valued at about $10.7 billion (€9.5 billion) at Friday’s closing price, the pledge leaves unanswered who would qualify and how the shares would be distributed.
Elon Musk says he plans to give one SpaceX share to every child in the United States next year. Valued at about $10.7 billion (€9.5 billion) using Friday’s closing price, the proposed giveaway has no announced eligibility rules or distribution plan.
Elon Musk says he plans to give one SpaceX share to every child in the US starting next year. CNBC estimates the shares would be worth about $10.5 billion, based on around 72 million US children as of July 2025. Musk called it the first of many giveaways. The story also notes Gwynne Shotwell’s planned gifts to Trump Accounts and Musk’s donations to Republican midterm-election PACs.
Elon Musk says he plans to give every child in America a stake in SpaceX, the $2 trillion aerospace and artificial intelligence company, as scrutiny of technology firms’ social impact intensifies.
Elon Musk pledged to distribute one SpaceX share to every American child after rival Anthropic said it would set aside part of its shares for public benefit.
A court filing submitted Monday said an ex-OpenAI employee accused of placing a recording device in an executive conference room appears to have received considerable support from the Saudi government.
About a month after launching 10 satellites, a LandSpace Zhuque-2E rocket reignited its engine and came down over the US Midwest after a 75-to-80-minute flight, without completing an orbit. Social media footage showed fiery debris heading north from Kansas toward Minnesota; experts linked its timing and trajectory to the launch.
Sergey Lavrov said some are trying to sideline the establishment of a Palestinian state and weaken related resolutions. Russia and Iran insist on implementing those resolutions, as well as UN Security Council resolutions on Lebanon.
The Verge interviews Illinois Governor JB Pritzker about AI, technology, privacy and the role of government. Pritzker also says the state is discussing with the Bears and the NFL how to keep the team in Illinois.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang told Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin that China is ready to deepen alignment of development strategies and make fuller use of their trade-in-services and investment agreement. Li said China wants to import more quality Belarusian goods and supports Chinese firms investing there, while calling for an open, transparent and predictable business environment.
China-Belarus tiesdevelopment strategytrade in servicesinvestment
Norway’s government has decided to assess online games and messaging services for their potential risks to children, rather than grant them the broad exemptions initially expected.
Russian roller skaters earned 17 medals at the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay: seven gold, three silver and seven bronze. The Russian team placed sixth in rink hockey. The event was held in Asunción from October 2 to 18, with Russian athletes competing under their national flag and anthem.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday that a fire at a military base in Alberta killed four soldiers and injured dozens. He described it as one of the worst peacetime tragedies to strike Canada’s armed forces on home soil.
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have signed a letter of intent and are considering a joint spectrum bid for European direct-to-device satellite services to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The carriers would build the ground infrastructure, while a satellite partner yet to be selected would supply the constellation.
A moving index over the weekend helps explain how the mark price fell 5.9% from the open to its low, even though minute-by-minute closing gaps between the mark and index stayed under 3%.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu accused the “ultra-left movement” of trying to orchestrate “deep unrest across the country” before next year’s presidential election. France 24 International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley revisits his remarks after violent protests shook the country over the weekend.
French politicsSebastien Lecornupresidential electionprotests
Rising borrowing costs and political uncertainty are straining France’s finances. Oxford Economics warns that a severe bond-market shock could push France and Italy into recession in 2027, though a debt crisis is not part of its central forecast.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would continue implementing economic and investment agreements with Iran despite the difficult situation. He spoke at a joint press conference after talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The Minutes Reader extension turns the original page into a focused reading view and translates articles and video subtitles on demand. It is in limited beta.
TASSOriginal★★★★☆2026-10-19 15:29
