Russian missiles hit Kyiv hours after the Kremlin said it was ready in principle to resume US-mediated talks with Ukraine, and Russia freed American Stephen Hubbard during envoy Steve Witkoff's visit. Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia led the US to order some embassy staff to leave, Brent crude rose above $110, and China's CSI 300 entered a bear market. Doctors said Pope Leo XIV needs no further cancer treatment, and NASA's Perseverance rover set a new off-world driving record.
World mood: Uneasy · 66 stories from 622 headlines
Missiles hit Kyiv after Russia says it is ready to resume peace talks
Russian missiles struck Kyiv overnight, wounding six people, hours after the Kremlin said it was ready in principle to resume three-way talks with the US and Ukraine. Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg that talks could restart on or after November 10, while the Kremlin said Ukrainian and European proposals lacked substance. Trump said the sides were the closest yet to ending the war; Zelenskyy has said he backs freezing the front line as a first step and wants Kyiv at the table.
Why it matters: A restart of trilateral negotiations would be the first formal US-Russia-Ukraine talks in months on ending Europe's largest war since 1945.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Trump administration has pursued a negotiated settlement through envoys including Steve Witkoff, while Kyiv and European governments insist Ukraine must take part in any deal.
US orders some staff out of Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi attacks
The US State Department ordered non-emergency embassy staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia after attacks killed one person and injured eight at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and killed two at an oil facility. Saudi authorities said the two killed at the oil site were Nepali and Filipino nationals. Saudi Arabia cancelled its 'Davos in the Desert' investor forum and the UK is sending fighter jets to help defend the kingdom.
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi energy and transport sites pushed oil prices higher and raised concern over supply from the world's largest crude exporter.
Yemen's Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, has fought a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Regional tensions rose after the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February 2026.
Paris bans protests in parts of city after violent unrest
French police banned protests in parts of Paris on Thursday ahead of further demonstrations planned for the weekend after some of the worst street unrest in years. Macron accused foreign leaders of making 'stupid comments' about the riots for political gain, in an apparent reference to Trump, who has linked the unrest to immigration. An NGO, Alliance4Europe, said pro-Russian networks amplified anger online before the protests, and a poll showed Marine Le Pen leading presidential first-round voting.
Why it matters: The unrest has unsettled French debt markets and shifted the political landscape ahead of the next presidential election.
France has faced protests over living costs and government spending while its government tries to reduce a large budget deficit. Riots last weekend included the arson of the historic Limoges town hall.
AI-found PHP flaws force websites offline worldwide
Governments and companies in several countries took websites offline this week over two critical vulnerabilities in PHP, the programming language used by about 70% of websites, which allow remote code execution without authentication. The flaws were found using AI, and PHP's developers released fixes on Wednesday and urged immediate updates. Google, OpenAI and Amazon issued responses, and experts warned attacks could spread.
Why it matters: Unpatched servers running PHP across governments and businesses are exposed to remote takeover until updates are applied.
PHP is an open-source server-side language that powers a large share of the web, including common content management systems. AI tools are increasingly used to search code for security weaknesses.
New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion over user data
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company misled Facebook users about access to their data in a case linked to Cambridge Analytica. It is the largest penalty against the company, exceeding an $18 billion settlement with other states. Meta called the penalty 'a tax on speech'.
Why it matters: The size of the penalty raises the potential cost of privacy violations for large technology platforms.
Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, obtained data from millions of Facebook users without consent, which became public in 2018. US states have since pursued Meta over its data practices.
China's CSI 300 index enters bear market after 10-week slide
China's benchmark CSI 300 index fell 20% from its June peak, entering bear-market territory as a 10-week mainland selloff deepened. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 3.75% on the day. Separately, sovereign wealth funds' investments in China and Hong Kong rose 190% after an earlier slump.
Why it matters: Falling Chinese equities weigh on household wealth in the world's second-largest economy and on Asian markets.
The CSI 300 tracks the largest companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Chinese markets have been volatile as authorities try to support growth.
Nigeria's first Ebola case matches DR Congo's Bundibugyo strain
Nigerian health officials confirmed the Ebola case in Abuja is the Bundibugyo strain driving DR Congo's deadliest-ever outbreak, the first time it has reached West Africa. The patient, a diplomat's wife, had travelled to Uganda; Uganda says it has no active cases. Kenya has confirmed nine cases in one cluster, all improving, and Africa CDC convened health ministers.
Why it matters: The spread of the outbreak to Africa's most populous country raises the risk of wider transmission across the continent.
Ebola is a severe viral disease spread through bodily fluids. Nigeria contained an earlier outbreak in 2014 that killed eight people.
Death toll from drone strike on Abyei market rises to 153
The death toll from Monday's drone strike on the Amiet market in Abyei, an area disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, has risen to at least 153, a local official said. Local authorities said the Sudanese army carried out the strike, which hit a fuel depot and caused a large fire. The UN envoy for Sudan has warned of a wider regional crisis.
Why it matters: The strike shows Sudan's war spilling into a contested border area, raising risks for South Sudan.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023. Abyei is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.
WMO says current El Niño could be strongest on record
The World Meteorological Organization said Pacific sea surface temperatures may rise to 3.8C above average between November and January, making the current El Niño potentially unprecedented. The UN released $50 million for 11 frontline countries including Chad and Somalia, and its aid chief said the humanitarian system cannot cope alone. Southern African states are strengthening disaster preparedness.
Why it matters: A record El Niño raises the risk of floods and droughts that affect harvests, water supply and health in many regions.
El Niño is a periodic warming of the tropical Pacific that shifts weather patterns worldwide. Strong events in the past have caused severe droughts and floods.
Brazil heads into tight Lula–Flávio Bolsonaro presidential runoff
About 20 million Brazilian families began receiving a 15% increase in the Bolsa Família program this week, part of an aid and tax-cut package announced by President Lula ahead of Sunday's runoff. Polls show Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a statistical tie after Lula lost the first round. Brazil's foreign ministry accused Argentina's President Javier Milei of interference after he called Lula a 'thief'.
Why it matters: The result will decide who governs Latin America's largest economy.
Lula, a leftist, has been a central figure in Brazilian politics for four decades. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards adopt 'offensive' doctrine as minister offers diplomacy
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a new 'offensive and asymmetrical' doctrine means they could invade any country that attacks Iran. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared to give diplomacy another chance if it sees a sincere US desire to build trust, and Iran's UN envoy asked the UN to denounce US and Israeli threats. A US-cited report said Washington has no plans to renew strikes on Iran before the November 3 midterms.
Why it matters: The standoff keeps shipping through the Strait of Hormuz at risk, affecting global energy supplies.
The US and Israel went to war with Iran on February 28, 2026. Iran has since used mines and attacks to restrict shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route.
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard during Witkoff visit
Vladimir Putin ordered the release of 74-year-old Michigan native Stephen Hubbard as he met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday. Hubbard had been held since 2022 on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Witkoff called Putin a 'humanitarian', and Trump welcomed the release after having requested it.
Why it matters: The release ends four years of detention for a US citizen and is being presented by Washington as part of wider dealings with Moscow over Ukraine.
Hubbard was detained in 2022 near Izium in eastern Ukraine. Russia and the US have exchanged or released several detainees in recent years as relations between the Trump administration and the Kremlin have changed.
Trump denies role in Starlink slowdown for Ukraine
Trump said he was not involved in reported restrictions on Starlink and Starshield satellite services used by Ukraine and did not know who ordered them. A report said Elon Musk ordered a reduction in Starshield services after Trump criticized Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. Kyiv reported the restrictions last week and considers the service vital to its defense.
Why it matters: Ukraine's military communications depend heavily on the satellite network, and the episode has prompted other countries such as India to examine their reliance on foreign technology.
SpaceX's Starlink has provided internet connectivity to Ukraine since early in Russia's invasion. Starshield is SpaceX's government-focused version of the service.
Macron secures Qatar gas deal and visits Riyadh on Gulf tour
French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a state visit to Qatar with a gas supply deal and a joint statement with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani calling for reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and implementation of the Gaza ceasefire. He then made an unannounced stop in Riyadh to express solidarity with Saudi Arabia over Houthi attacks and to seek oil and diesel imports. The trip aims in part to ease fuel-cost pressures behind protests in France.
Why it matters: New Gulf energy supplies could help France contain fuel costs that have fed street protests.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted since the Iran war began in February 2026. France has strategic ties with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both major energy exporters.
French 10-year bond yield tops 5% for first time since 2002
France's 10-year government bond yield rose above 5%, its highest level since 2002, after weekend protests and violence. The government is under pressure to cut spending while protesters demand more public spending.
Why it matters: Higher yields raise France's borrowing costs and can affect financial conditions across the eurozone.
France carries one of the eurozone's largest public debt loads, and successive governments have struggled to pass budgets that reduce the deficit.
Tesla beats earnings forecasts as Musk weighs SpaceX merger
Tesla reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and sales even as auto revenue declined, while spending on AI and robotics trailed expectations. Elon Musk said there is 'a lot of merit' to merging Tesla with SpaceX, and both companies have formed special committees to study it, though no agreement has been reached. SpaceX shares rose 10% after its own earnings, and a merger would require approval by half of all Tesla shareholders.
Why it matters: A combination would be described as the largest merger in history and would join carmaking, rockets and AI under one company.
Musk leads both Tesla, the electric carmaker, and SpaceX, the rocket and satellite company that recently began reporting public earnings.
Pope Leo XIV needs no further lung cancer treatment, doctors say
Vatican doctors said on Wednesday that final tissue and molecular tests confirmed Pope Leo XIV's lung adenocarcinoma was localized and that no further treatment is needed. The 71-year-old had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13 and was discharged on Saturday. He will gradually resume his activities.
Why it matters: The leader of the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics is expected to return to his duties without further cancer therapy.
Leo XIV, born in the United States, was elected pope in 2025. His cancer diagnosis and surgery were announced this month.
UN report says pledges put world on course for 2.6C warming
A United Nations Environment Programme report said national commitments to cut emissions fall far short of the Paris goal of 1.5C and put the world on track for 2.6C of warming this century. The UN also reported a major increase in US climate pollution. The report comes ahead of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, in November.
Why it matters: The findings set the baseline for negotiations at COP31 next month.
UNEP publishes an annual Emissions Gap Report comparing pledged emission cuts with what is needed to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement targets.
El Salvador launches operation in Haiti to free kidnapped technicians
President Nayib Bukele said El Salvador launched a military operation in Haiti to free four Salvadoran Air Force technicians taken hostage by gangs after an attack on their armored vehicle on October 18. The men serve with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force. Bukele warned that failure to free them would trigger a far more powerful operation.
Why it matters: The kidnapping tests the international force deployed to counter gangs that control much of Haiti's capital.
Armed gangs have expanded control over large parts of Haiti amid political instability. The UN Security Council authorized a Gang Suppression Force to support Haitian police.
North Korea says border loudspeakers will be ready within days
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said propaganda loudspeakers along the entire border with South Korea will be ready to restart within days. She was responding to a South Korean presidential adviser who accused the North of planting mines that wounded South Korean soldiers. The statement was carried by state news agency KCNA.
Why it matters: Renewed loudspeaker broadcasts would signal a further deterioration in inter-Korean relations along a heavily armed border.
The two Koreas have used border loudspeakers for propaganda at times of tension. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has sought to reduce tensions with the North.
US embassy accuses Canada of election interference before midterms
The US Embassy in Ottawa accused the Canadian government of brushing off concerns about potential interference in the US midterm elections, citing Canadian tariffs, political meetings and anti-Trump ads. Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the claim, saying Canada is not involved and that the US started the trade actions. Sources told CBC no trade deal is expected before the November 3 vote.
Why it matters: The dispute adds to strains in a trade relationship between two of each other's largest partners.
The US and Canada have been in a trade dispute involving tariffs on both sides. Alberta voters this week rejected a proposal to begin separating from Canada.
Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack
Independent MP Helen Haines, 65, had both legs amputated after being hit by a car outside her electoral office in Victoria in what police treat as a targeted attack. The accused, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court in Wangaratta and did not speak. Security agencies will review protections for MPs, and a Perth man was separately charged after allegedly threatening staff at a state minister's office with nunchucks.
Why it matters: The attack has prompted a review of security for federal politicians across Australia.
Haines has represented the rural Victorian seat of Indi as an independent since 2019. Australian politicians have reported rising threats in recent years.
Argentina's economic activity falls 1.7% year on year in August
Argentina's economic activity fell 1.7% year on year in August, the sharpest drop of 2026, with manufacturing and trade leading declines across 10 sectors, though output rose mildly from July. Argentine dollar bonds have been the worst performers among emerging markets over two months, and Grupo México withdrew from bidding for the state rail freight firm Belgrano Cargas. The US ambassador said continued US support beyond 2027 depends on Argentina's political direction.
Why it matters: Weaker activity and falling bond prices affect investor confidence in Milei's economic program ahead of the 2027 election.
Milei took office in 2023 promising to cut spending, curb inflation and privatize state companies. The US has offered financial support to his government.
Mexico charges ex-prosecutor with treason over US role in drug raid
Mexican authorities charged former prosecutor César Jáuregui Moreno with treason, accusing him of allowing US agents to take part in an April raid on a suspected drug lab. The case raises questions over whether Mexican law on foreign agents was followed.
Why it matters: The case highlights limits on US security operations inside Mexico at a time of pressure from Washington over drug cartels.
Mexican law restricts the activities of foreign agents on its territory. The US has pushed Mexico for tougher action against drug cartels.
Israeli military detains and releases US volunteers at West Bank olive harvest
The Israeli military detained about 80 US, Israeli and British volunteers helping Palestinians harvest olives near Nahalin, near Bethlehem, including New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, several rabbis and Israel's former deputy attorney general. They were taken to a police station and later released. The annual olive harvest has been marked by violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinian villagers.
Why it matters: The detention of a US congressional nominee draws attention in Washington to conditions during the West Bank harvest.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Palestinian farmers and international volunteers report harassment during the olive harvest, which Israeli authorities say they police to maintain order.
Gaza health ministry says Israeli attacks killed seven in 24 hours
Israeli attacks across Gaza killed seven Palestinians and wounded 24 in the past day, Gaza's health ministry said on Wednesday, including two killed by a drone strike near the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City. The ministry says 1,534 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began in October 2025. Israel said it killed a Hamas militant involved in planning the killing of four Israeli soldiers in 2025.
Why it matters: Continued deaths test a ceasefire that Qatar, France and others are urging all sides to implement fully.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025 after two years of war that began with the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Both sides accuse each other of violations.
Houthi shelling kills two civilians as besieged Taiz runs short of water
Yemen's Interior Ministry said Houthi shelling across Taiz governorate killed a civilian and a young girl and injured five others, as tanks fired in clashes on the city's outskirts. Oxfam warned the humanitarian situation in the city of more than 900,000 people is becoming unmanageable as water, fuel and fresh food run out. Houthi forces have largely encircled the city, cutting most supply routes.
Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of residents face shortages of basic supplies as fighting intensifies.
Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, has been contested since the civil war began in 2014-15 between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government.
A Japanese industry ministry official said supplies of the rare earth yttrium have 'stalled' in a supply-demand crunch, with the Financial Times reporting Tokyo is months from running out. China still controls most rare earth supply, and Western buyers are paying many times Chinese prices for heavy rare earths.
Why it matters: Yttrium is used in electronics, lasers and coatings, so shortages could disrupt Japanese manufacturing.
China dominates mining and processing of rare earth elements and has restricted some exports. Japan has sought to diversify supply since a 2010 dispute with China.
UK consumer price inflation accelerated to 3.5% in the year to September from 3.1%, the Office for National Statistics said, pushed up by higher petrol and diesel prices. Government borrowing also reached its highest level for a year. The figures come before Chancellor John Healey's Budget next week.
Why it matters: Rising inflation and borrowing narrow the government's room for tax and spending choices in the Budget.
Fuel prices have risen globally since the Middle East war disrupted energy supplies in 2026. The Bank of England targets 2% inflation.
UK approves Jackdaw North Sea gas field production
The UK's North Sea Transition Authority approved production from the Jackdaw gas field, about 150 miles east of Aberdeen, after the energy secretary authorized consent, with gas expected by the end of October. The project was first approved in 2022 but faced legal challenges from environmental campaigners. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch urged the government to overturn its ban on new oil and gas licences.
Why it matters: The field adds domestic gas supply for Britain while energy prices remain high.
Labour pledged in 2024 not to issue new oil and gas licences as it shifts toward renewables. Jackdaw was already licensed, but its approval was challenged in court over climate assessments.
Japan's half-year trade deficit nearly doubles on energy costs
Japan recorded a trade deficit of 2.82 trillion yen ($17.8 billion) for April to September, almost double a year earlier, government data showed. Higher costs for oil and LNG imports after disruption at the Strait of Hormuz drove the increase.
Why it matters: Higher energy import bills weigh on the yen and on Japan's economy.
Japan imports nearly all of its oil and much of its gas, largely from the Middle East.
Gulf countries are exporting about 24.6 million barrels per day, more than before the Iran war began on February 28, according to data cited by Middle East Eye. The Oman-Dubai crude premium fell to $4.22 a barrel, its lowest since July, while Saudi exports reached a five-month high as its production hit a record low. The IEA chief said oil markets are unlikely to normalize next year.
Why it matters: Steady Gulf flows ease physical supply even as prices stay above $100 and diesel costs remain high worldwide.
Oil prices rose from below $70 to over $100 a barrel after the Iran war began and damaged Gulf refineries. Russia has rerouted some exports via the Northern Sea Route.
Rubio visits Reliance refinery as US and India near trade deal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured Reliance's Jamnagar refinery and met business leaders Gautam Adani and N. Chandrasekaran, saying its refining capacity could help India diversify energy supplies, including Venezuelan crude. Rubio said a trade deal is close and urged India to buy more US energy and defense goods. Separately, Indian Oil plans to slightly cut Middle East term crude purchases next fiscal year.
Why it matters: A US-India trade deal and new crude sources would affect energy flows for the world's third-largest oil importer.
The US and India have negotiated a bilateral trade agreement for months amid tariff disputes. India relies heavily on imported crude, much of it from the Middle East.
Indian court frees Cockroach movement leaders amid voter roll dispute
An Indian court ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, leaders of the youth-led Cockroach movement who spent a week in jail after defying protest restrictions in Delhi. The movement had called on India's election chief to resign after 130 million names were removed from voter rolls in a revision. India told a UN committee it opposes negative characterizations based on unverified allegations.
Why it matters: The removal of millions of names from voter rolls affects participation in the world's largest democracy.
India's Election Commission periodically revises voter lists. Opposition groups and protesters say the latest revision excluded eligible voters; officials say it removed invalid entries.
Climate · Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Indonesia faces worst wildfire season in a decade
Peat fires on Borneo have blanketed Palangkaraya in toxic haze for weeks, with residents reporting persistent coughs, lost income and disrupted schooling. Indonesia is experiencing its worst wildfire season in a decade.
Why it matters: Peat fires release large amounts of carbon and haze can spread across Southeast Asia.
Drained peatlands in Indonesia burn easily in dry seasons, especially during El Niño years, and fires can smolder underground for weeks.
Amazon fires rise 62% as deforestation hits record low
Satellites detected 9,045 fire hotspots in the Brazilian Amazon in the first half of October, 62% more than a year earlier, during a drought worsened by El Niño. Deforestation over the past year fell to its lowest level since 1988.
Why it matters: The rainforest stores vast amounts of carbon, so both falling clearing and rising fires affect global climate.
Brazil has tightened enforcement against illegal clearing in recent years. Drought makes the forest more vulnerable to fires often started for land management.
Japan launches mission to return samples from Martian moon
Japan launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft from Tanegashima Space Center on October 19. The mission aims to collect soil from a moon of Mars and return it to Earth for the first time.
Why it matters: Samples from a Martian moon could help scientists determine how Mars's moons formed.
Japan's space agency JAXA previously returned asteroid samples with its Hayabusa missions. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.
Spain accuses Milei of interference after he calls Sánchez a dictator
Argentine President Javier Milei called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez an 'unpresentable dictator' at an event in Madrid and urged Spaniards to vote out the Socialists before the November 29 snap election. Spain's foreign ministry called the comments shameful external interference. In Madrid, Milei also said Argentina would pursue the Falklands through diplomacy, not military means.
Why it matters: The remarks strain relations between Spain and Argentina weeks before Spain's general election.
Milei, a libertarian, has clashed repeatedly with Sánchez, a Socialist, since taking office in 2023. Milei has also faced accusations of interference in Brazil's and the US's elections.
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow Big Bend border wall
The Trump administration asked the US Supreme Court to permit construction of a border wall in the Big Bend area of the Texas-Mexico border. A federal judge had blocked construction during an ongoing legal battle.
Why it matters: The court's decision will determine whether wall building proceeds in a remote and environmentally sensitive border region.
Border wall construction has been a central immigration policy of the Trump administration. Big Bend is a national park area along the Rio Grande.
The Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as economists polled by Reuters had expected. The decision came after President Lee Jae-myung called for boosting housing supply.
Why it matters: Borrowing costs in Asia's fourth-largest economy stay steady as authorities weigh housing prices against growth.
South Korea's central bank has balanced concerns about high household debt and Seoul property prices with support for growth.
South Africa cuts fuel levies after prices reach record highs
South Africa will cut fuel levies by R3.00 per litre of diesel and R1.50 per litre of petrol from November 4 to December 1 after fuel prices reached records. Statistics South Africa said annual consumer inflation rose to 4.5% in September.
Why it matters: The temporary cut lowers pump prices for South African households and businesses during the holiday period.
South Africa imports most of its refined fuel, so global oil price rises pass quickly to consumers.
Dangote buys 24.76% stake in Kenya Pipeline Company
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote acquired a 24.76% stake in Kenya Pipeline Company from government institutions for about 42.5 billion Kenyan shillings. The company operates Kenya's main fuel pipeline network.
Why it matters: The deal is a large cross-border African investment in East Africa's fuel infrastructure.
Dangote owns Africa's largest oil refinery in Nigeria. Kenya has been selling stakes in state firms to raise funds.
India–New Zealand free trade agreement comes into force
A free trade agreement between India and New Zealand has come into force, covering trade, investment and student mobility. The deal includes protections for India's sensitive sectors.
Why it matters: The agreement lowers trade barriers between the two economies and eases movement for students.
India has signed several trade deals in recent years while shielding agriculture and dairy, areas of interest to New Zealand.
Taiwan charges five men over plot to injure comedian who mocked Xi
Prosecutors in New Taipei charged five men accused of accepting money from a person in China identified as 'K' to ram a car into comedian Huang Yi-hao, who has made jokes about Xi Jinping. Taiwan is also probing links between organized crime and what it calls Chinese transnational repression.
Why it matters: The case adds to Taiwan's accusations that Beijing targets critics on the island.
China claims self-governed Taiwan as its territory. Taipei accuses Beijing of using pressure tactics against Taiwanese critics, which Beijing rejects.
Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia sign defense industry pact
Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding to deepen defense industry cooperation, including joint military production, training and research. It follows an August defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Why it matters: The pact links defense industries of four Muslim-majority states across the Middle East and Asia.
Turkey has expanded its arms industry, including drones, and has sought partnerships with other Muslim-majority countries.
Thousands march in Greece over education funding and living costs
Thousands of students, teachers and civil servants marched in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras on Wednesday demanding more investment in education and affordable student housing. Rising fuel costs and housing shortages have fueled protests in several European countries, including France and Portugal.
Why it matters: The marches add to a wave of cost-of-living protests across southern Europe.
Greece emerged from a long debt crisis with tight public budgets. Housing costs in Greek cities have risen sharply in recent years.
US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau halted
A planned hepatitis B vaccine study in newborns in Guinea-Bissau, to be funded by the US CDC, will not go ahead, lead researcher Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer said. The trial drew international criticism, and police had raided the researchers' offices and seized vaccine doses.
Why it matters: The cancellation ends a study that critics said would withhold an established birth-dose vaccine from some infants.
The WHO recommends a hepatitis B vaccine dose at birth. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has praised the researchers involved.
New World screwworm found in US wildlife for the first time
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detection of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite in US wildlife, in an elk harvested on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas. The agency urged hunters and ranchers to stay vigilant.
Why it matters: The parasite threatens livestock, and its spread in the US could affect the cattle industry.
Screwworm larvae feed on living tissue of warm-blooded animals. The pest was eradicated from the US decades ago but has spread north through Mexico.
Space · Jezero Crater, Mars (operated from Pasadena, California)
NASA's Perseverance sets record for farthest drive on another world
NASA's Perseverance rover passed 45.22 kilometers (28.10 miles) on October 11, surpassing Opportunity's record for distance driven on another celestial body. Its self-driving system let it beat the mark in about five and a half years, compared with nearly 15 for Opportunity.
Why it matters: The milestone shows how autonomous navigation lets rovers cover more ground to study ancient Martian rocks.
Perseverance landed in Jezero Crater in 2021 to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples. Opportunity operated on Mars from 2004 to 2018.
Venomous primate unrecorded since 1930s found on Indonesia's Bangka
A big-eyed venomous primate not documented in scientific literature since the 1930s has been found on Indonesia's Bangka island, turning up in backyards, along roads and on power lines. Residents who find the animals have been calling the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center for help.
Why it matters: The rediscovery gives conservationists a chance to study and protect a species thought lost to science.
Slow lorises are the only venomous primates and are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal pet trade in Southeast Asia.
Gambia to compensate victims of Jammeh rule from seized US mansion
The Gambia confirmed it received $2.5 million from the sale of a Maryland mansion seized from former ruler Yahya Jammeh. The money will be used to pay victims of abuses under his rule.
Why it matters: The payments are a concrete step in returning assets to victims of human rights abuses.
Jammeh ruled The Gambia from 1994 to 2017 and went into exile after losing an election. A truth commission documented abuses under his government.
Satellite data helps Gabon catch illegal trawlers in marine reserve
A Gabonese patrol boat intercepted three unlicensed trawlers inside the Grand Sud Reserve in July after analysts at Global Fishing Watch used satellite data to locate them. Industrial trawling is banned in the reserve, one of West and Central Africa's largest.
Why it matters: Satellite monitoring offers coastal states a cheaper way to protect fish stocks that many people depend on for food.
Illegal fishing costs West African countries significant revenue and depletes stocks. Global Fishing Watch is a nonprofit that tracks vessels using satellite data.
ETH Zurich researchers find low-energy way to recycle acrylic glass
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a method that breaks acrylic glass, known as Plexiglas, almost entirely back into its original building blocks. The team says this makes high-quality recycling realistic and affordable for the first time.
Why it matters: Acrylic is used in windows, car lights and barriers, and most of it is currently not recycled into new material.
Most plastics degrade in quality when mechanically recycled. Chemical recycling aims to return them to their original monomers.
£3.6bn tunnel proposed to end sewage spills into Windermere
A £3.6 billion plan to build a tunnel that would stop sewage being discharged into Windermere, England's largest lake, has been unveiled. Sewage spills have been blamed for turning the water green.
Why it matters: The plan would remove a major pollution source from a lake in a UNESCO World Heritage area.
Sewage discharges by water companies into English rivers and lakes have become a major public concern in recent years.
Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in Champions League
Real Madrid won their third straight Champions League match, beating RB Leipzig 4-1 with goals from Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande. Tidiam Gomis scored for Leipzig.
Anthony Edwards scores 45 as Timberwolves beat Heat 131-106
Anthony Edwards scored 45 points, including nine three-pointers, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat 131-106 in their season opener. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 in his Heat debut.
Japan earned a team bronze medal at the artistic gymnastics world championships, ending a 60-year wait for a medal of that kind. China won the team title, ending the U.S. women's run of seven straight.
New light-based tool can inhibit neurons and heart cells
Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum and partner institutions in Germany and France developed optogenetic tools that switch off cell activity with light, which could help study conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Silverpit Crater confirmed as asteroid impact site
Scientists confirmed that the buried Silverpit Crater under the North Sea was formed by a roughly 160-meter asteroid about 43 to 46 million years ago, which triggered a tsunami.
Brent crude rose 1.65% to $110.62 a barrel after deadly Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and a US order for some diplomats to leave, though Gulf exports remain above prewar levels. Asian equities fell sharply, with the Hang Seng down 3.75%, the Shanghai Composite down 1.49% and the Nikkei down 1.94% as China's CSI 300 entered a bear market. European and US stocks rose, with the Euro Stoxx 50 up 1.4% and the S&P 500 up 0.58% after Tesla's earnings beat, while the US 10-year yield edged up to 5.146%. Gold fell 1.05% and copper 1.45%.
Middle East war keeps oil high
Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities and Iranian threats around Hormuz pushed Brent higher even as Gulf export volumes recovered. High energy costs are widening Japan's trade deficit and lifting inflation in the UK and fuel prices in South Africa.
China equity selloff
The CSI 300 fell 20% from its June peak, dragging Hong Kong and mainland indexes lower, even as sovereign wealth funds increased investment in the region. Rare earth supply strains from China are also affecting Japan.
European debt and unrest
French 10-year yields passed 5% for the first time since 2002 after violent protests, while cost-of-living demonstrations spread to Greece. European stocks still rose on the day.
Big tech earnings and risks
Tesla beat forecasts and Musk discussed a SpaceX merger, supporting US stocks, while Meta faces a $25 billion penalty and critical PHP flaws forced websites offline worldwide.
Latin American election risk
Argentina's activity fell 1.7% year on year in August and its bonds have lagged emerging markets, while Brazil approaches a close presidential runoff on Sunday.