BBC News

Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget
Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

We asked teens what schools should teach them about work. This is what they said
Teenagers say they want more work experience at school and opportunities to improve their communication skills.

French cities calm overnight after curfews imposed to quell violence, PM says
Sébastien Lecornu said new curfews for Tuesday night would be decided where necessary.

Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits
The families of the victims of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane had been campaigning for the change.

Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules
Penalties are seen as too harsh on motorists who are penalised for parking on private land.

US church on front line of battle against drug known as 'tranq'
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are more powerful and in plentiful supply, and they have transformed the drugs landscape.

Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitment
Small firms cite labour costs as a key factor in scaling back hiring, the Office for National Statistics says.

Can a simple photo of your face reveal how ill you are?
AI may help doctors judge how ill a patient is using a single photograph of their face, say US researchers.

Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC
Serhii Beskrestnov says there has not been enough time to warn people about incoming missile attacks. The White House said there had been no changes to intelligence sharing.

Watch: Ukraine says it carried out first drone airlift of wounded soldier from front line
The serviceman was surrounded by landmines and enemy drones so a ground rescue was not possible, Ukraine's military says.

How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?
Ahead of the midterms Trump has boasted about the performance of the US economy. BBC Verify looks at inflation, jobs and economic growth in the country.

I have a condition people are too embarrassed to talk about
Women share their experience of lichen sclerosus.

How the attack on an Australian MP unfolded
BBC's Katy Watson is in Wangaratta visiting the scene of the incident and the church where the community has held a vigil for the independent MP.

The singles choosing in-person dating events over apps
The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.

'The French correction' and 'Labour cuts £2bn from Army'
Violent unrest in France continues and Defence drops funding for frontline military vehicles lead Tuesday's papers.

Sign up now
From news and politics to technology and the royals, get the best BBC journalism to your inbox.

Mission blasts off for Mars to grab a piece of its moon
A spacecraft is set to launch on an ambitious mission to bring 10g of Martian moon dust back to Earth.

Rantzen felt 'deprived of choice' over her own death
A note written by Dame Esther Rantzen is released by her family following a private funeral.

Seventh day of violent clashes between Albanian protesters and police
Almost 300 people have been injured, more than half of them police, as violent anti-government demonstrations show no sign of easing.

NHS trust prosecuted over children's sepsis deaths
Charges relate to the deaths of a two-year-old and a three-year-old at Broomfield Hospital in Essex.

Kenya cult leader who told parents to starve children guilty of 191 murders
Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie was found guilty of 191 murder charges - all but one of them children.

Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Monfils separation
The two top tennis pros married in 2021 and have one child together.

Download now
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests

Maddison's magic moment for Spurs - 18 months in the making
On his first start since May 2025, James Maddison provided the moment of magic Tottenham were waiting for in their 3-1 victory against Coventry, writes Phil McNulty.

England unchanged to face France after Tonga defeat
Brian McDermott keeps faith with the England team beaten by Tonga as they bid to revive their Rugby League World Cup campaign against France in Perth this Saturday.

Will Lindblad and Lawson be retained by Racing Bulls? F1 Q&A
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the United States Grand Prix.

Race, illness, injury, repeat - REDs and why men are suffering in silence
British long-distance runner Jake Smith was enduring a relentless pattern of race, illness, injury, repeat - he had no idea he had REDs and was under-fuelling.

Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week?
After every round of Premier League matches this season, Troy Deeney gives us his team of the week. Do you agree with his choices?

Al Jazeera

Morocco’s not-so-new government faces new challenges
The new cabinet has doubled down on continuity at a time of regional turmoil and domestic anxiety.

Alberta voters reject separation from Canada, early results show
With more than one million votes counted, about 76 percent supported remaining in Canada.

US-Ukraine relations sour as Trump, Zelenskyy clash over talks, arms
Trump calls for Zelenskyy to be replaced as negotiator, while Ukraine's president says arms shipments delayed.

Palestine weekly: Israeli settlers attack journalist and diplomats
Settler olive harvest attacks top 2025 total, journalist and diplomats attacked as Israel halts Gaza commercial imports.

Egypt’s Hassan and Zico suspended over FIFA World Cup refereeing criticism
FIFA punishes Egypt's head coach, forward and team manager for their comments after their World Cup loss to Argentina.

Southeast Asia’s haze crisis will persist until polluters pay
Cheap land clearing imposes costs across borders. ASEAN must change the incentives that keep the fires burning.

Israel’s elections 2026 explained in maps and charts
Israelis vote on October 27 in the sixth election since 2019. Here’s how the system works and who gets left out.

US Supreme Court to hear case on race in school admissions
A group of parents claims local admission policy boosts Black and Latino students while constraining Asian applicants.

Japan launches historic mission to bring back Mars moon samples
Japan has launched a five-year uncrewed mission to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons.

Fourteen dead in illegal Colombian gold mine collapse
Fourteen dead in illegal Colombian gold mine collapse

‘Deliberate’ car ramming of Australian MP an isolated incident, police say
A 43-year-old man accused of deliberately hitting Helen Haines outside her office is in police custody.

Angel Reese scores 30 as Dream stun Valkyries to go level in WNBA Finals
Atlanta Dream defeat Golden State Valkyries 79-65 to tie the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at 1-1.

PSG vs Barcelona: UEFA Champions League – Yamal, Torres, predictions, teams
Lamine Yamal faces ex-teammate Ferran Torres as in-form Barcelona take on holders PSG in a spicy encounter in Paris.

Man claims arm broken in violent ICE arrest
Video shows a man screaming in pain as ICE agents pin him down during an arrest in Long Beach, California.

Four dead as torrential rain batters eastern Spain
Cars swept away, roads submerged and residents isolated in parts of Spain's Mediterranean coast.

The human cost of surging US air strikes in Somalia
Families recount deaths, injuries and displacement as Trump accelerates US strikes against armed groups in Somalia.

Zelenskyy seeks answers to why SpaceX Starshield defence is failing
Zelenskyy seeks answers to why SpaceX Starshield defence is failing

Beyond money: Why young Tunisians are considering emigration
For many young Tunisians, the question is no longer simply how to make a living, but where they can build a future.

Saudi Arabia cancels 2026 ‘Davos in the Desert’ amid Houthi attacks
Riyadh postpones flagship investment conference until 2027, orders government staff to work from home.

‘Release Epstein files’, protester interrupts JD Vance’s speech
A protester demanding the release of the Epstein files interrupted US Vice President JD Vance's speech.

Rashida Tlaib demands arrest of Israeli soldier tied to Hind Rajab killing
US lawmaker says that government must arrest Israeli commander allegedly responsible for attack while he is in the US.

Hegseth meets Netanyahu on unannounced Israel visit
Hegseth has travelled to Israel to meet Netanyahu before a closely contested election, Axios reported, citing sources.

Exiled critic of Rwandan president found beheaded in Uganda
Ugandan police say a male body has been found in a village near Kampala, and his head has yet to be located.

Iran war live: Trump says US hits Iran hard ‘economically and militarily’
Trump says US continues to hit Iran 'economically and militarily' while praising Russia for doing 'nothing' to aid Iran.

Mahmoud Khalil takes deportation fight to the US Supreme Court
Lawyers for the former student leader seek to overturn an appeals court decision that would allow for his removal.

Global Times

Chinese PLA forces track, monitor USS Charleston illegally intruding into waters adjacent to China's Xianbin Jiao
In the early hours of Tueaday, the US littoral combat ship USS Charleston, illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to ...

Chinese FM shares four takeaways from Eurasian trip at joint press briefing with Bulgarian counterpart
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, ...

'Global South Dialogue: China-Indonesia Roundtable Forum' held in Jakarta: Building consensus for development, writing a new chapter of cooperation
The "Global South Dialogue: China-Indonesia Roundtable Forum," hosted by the Global Times, took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, with ...

China sees 192 million passenger border crossings in Q3; visa-free foreign arrivals rise 24.1%
China saw 192 million passenger entries and exits at its borders in the third quarter of this year, up 7.9 ...

China's Q3 economic data conveys confidence to a turbulent world: Global Times editorial

US-Japan drills lay bare true meaning of Japan's 'exclusive defense' narrative
Global Times

GT Voice: Japan's economic foundation undercut by defense spending
Global Times

China's manned deep-sea submersible completes 470th dive
China's research vessel Deep Sea No. 1, carrying manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong, is currently on the western Pacific Ocean for deep-sea scientific research. Jiaolong successfully completed its 470th dive on Oct. 15. A Xinhua reporter aboard Jiaolong photographed the exploration of the mysterious underwater world.

Young entrepreneurs make Yunnan flowers more flourishing
Chinese actress cancels Bangkok fan meeting amid embassy travel safety alert

Chinese actress cancels Bangkok fan meeting amid embassy travel safety alert
Young entrepreneurs make Yunnan flowers flourishing

Danish man's Chinese steamed bun stall drawing 100-meter-long queue goes viral on Chinese social media
A recent video of a Danish man and his Chinese wife selling Chinese steamed buns and making over 50,000 yuan ($7,473) in revenue in a single day's sale went viral ... Chinese student's displays of Japanese militarist symbols spark public outrage; source recounts how incident was handled A Chinese student at Moscow State University has sparked widespread outrage after images circulated online showing him draped in Japan's Rising Sun flag - a symbol closely associated with Japanese ... Heightened vigilance needed in spring and summer 2027 due to super El Nino event A potentially record-breaking El Nino event is developing in the tropical Pacific and could bring significant climate and marine ecological risks to China in the spring and summer of 2027.

Chinese student's displays of Japanese militarist symbols spark public outrage; source recounts how incident was handled
Danish man's Chinese steamed bun stall drawing 100-meter-long queue goes viral on Chinese social media A recent video of a Danish man and his Chinese wife selling Chinese steamed buns and making over 50,000 yuan ($7,473) in revenue in a single day's sale went viral ... A Chinese student at Moscow State University has sparked widespread outrage after images circulated online showing him draped in Japan's Rising Sun flag - a symbol closely associated with Japanese ... Heightened vigilance needed in spring and summer 2027 due to super El Nino event A potentially record-breaking El Nino event is developing in the tropical Pacific and could bring significant climate and marine ecological risks to China in the spring and summer of 2027.

Heightened vigilance needed in spring and summer 2027 due to super El Nino event
Danish man's Chinese steamed bun stall drawing 100-meter-long queue goes viral on Chinese social media A recent video of a Danish man and his Chinese wife selling Chinese steamed buns and making over 50,000 yuan ($7,473) in revenue in a single day's sale went viral ... Chinese student's displays of Japanese militarist symbols spark public outrage; source recounts how incident was handled A Chinese student at Moscow State University has sparked widespread outrage after images circulated online showing him draped in Japan's Rising Sun flag - a symbol closely associated with Japanese ... A potentially record-breaking El Nino event is developing in the tropical Pacific and could bring significant climate and marine ecological risks to China in the spring and summer of 2027.

Overseas buyer attendance at first phase of China's Canton Fair hits record high
Myanmar coffee sector eyes bigger access to huge Chinese market

Myanmar coffee sector eyes bigger access to huge Chinese market
Overseas buyer attendance at first phase of China's Canton Fair hits record high

China's innovation-related investment holds steady despite broader fixed-asset decline
China's investment in innovation-driven sectors held up well in the first three quarters of 2026, even as overall fixed-asset investment continued to contract, official data showed on Monday. Investment in intellectual property products rose 9.3 percent year on year in the Jan.-Sept. period, while investment ...

China records 7.9-pct growth in cross-border trips in Q3
Chinese border authorities handled 192 million entries and exits in the third quarter of 2026, up 7.9 percent from a year earlier, officials said on Tuesday. Foreign ... China's value-added industrial output rises 5.3% in first three quarters China's value-added industrial output grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, with production of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries and industrial robots expanding rapidly, official data ... China achieves breakthrough in international standards for brain-computer interfaces The International Organization for Standardization has published an international standard on the reference architecture for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which was led by China. The standard establishes a complete technical framework ...

China's value-added industrial output rises 5.3% in first three quarters
China records 7.9-pct growth in cross-border trips in Q3 Chinese border authorities handled 192 million entries and exits in the third quarter of 2026, up 7.9 percent from a year earlier, officials said on Tuesday. Foreign ... China's value-added industrial output grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, with production of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries and industrial robots expanding rapidly, official data ... China achieves breakthrough in international standards for brain-computer interfaces The International Organization for Standardization has published an international standard on the reference architecture for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which was led by China. The standard establishes a complete technical framework ...

China achieves breakthrough in international standards for brain-computer interfaces
China records 7.9-pct growth in cross-border trips in Q3 Chinese border authorities handled 192 million entries and exits in the third quarter of 2026, up 7.9 percent from a year earlier, officials said on Tuesday. Foreign ... China's value-added industrial output rises 5.3% in first three quarters China's value-added industrial output grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, with production of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries and industrial robots expanding rapidly, official data ... The International Organization for Standardization has published an international standard on the reference architecture for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which was led by China. The standard establishes a complete technical framework ...

New research sheds light on Liangzhu's role in the origins of Chinese civilization
The Liangzhu civilization in the lower Yangtze River basin offers important evidence of the emergence of early states in China. Archaeological ­findings reveal a society marked by social hierarchy, specialized ... Powerlifter Cui Zhe wins China's 1st gold at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games Cui Zhe claimed China's first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on Monday, winning the women's 41kg para powerlifting event with a best lift of 120kg. 2026 Festival of Lights held in Berlin, Germany The illuminated law faculty building of Humboldt University of Berlin is pictured during the 2026 Festival of Lights in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 18, 2026. The festival was held here from ...

Powerlifter Cui Zhe wins China's 1st gold at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games
New research sheds light on Liangzhu's role in the origins of Chinese civilization The Liangzhu civilization in the lower Yangtze River basin offers important evidence of the emergence of early states in China. Archaeological ­findings reveal a society marked by social hierarchy, specialized ... Cui Zhe claimed China's first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on Monday, winning the women's 41kg para powerlifting event with a best lift of 120kg. 2026 Festival of Lights held in Berlin, Germany The illuminated law faculty building of Humboldt University of Berlin is pictured during the 2026 Festival of Lights in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 18, 2026. The festival was held here from ...

2026 Festival of Lights held in Berlin, Germany
New research sheds light on Liangzhu's role in the origins of Chinese civilization The Liangzhu civilization in the lower Yangtze River basin offers important evidence of the emergence of early states in China. Archaeological ­findings reveal a society marked by social hierarchy, specialized ... Powerlifter Cui Zhe wins China's 1st gold at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games Cui Zhe claimed China's first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on Monday, winning the women's 41kg para powerlifting event with a best lift of 120kg. The illuminated law faculty building of Humboldt University of Berlin is pictured during the 2026 Festival of Lights in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 18, 2026. The festival was held here from ...

Chinese poetry builds bridges of cultural understanding in Riyadh
Basmah bint Saeed, a Saudi schoolgirl, first encountered the Chinese language as a child at her family home, where visitors from central China's Henan Province spoke Mandarin. Years later, driven by her growing interest in the language, she can sing than 100 Chinese songs, ...

China-hosted theater forum brings global voices together to discuss national theater
Scenic spots vie for non-player character actors who bring Chinese classics to life

Scenic spots vie for non-player character actors who bring Chinese classics to life
China-hosted theater forum brings global voices together to discuss national theater

Svoboda.org

Зеленский и Рубио обсудили Starshield, поставки перехватчиков
Президент Украины Владимир Зеленский обсудил с госсекретарем США Марко Рубио вопросы поставок перехватчиков против российских баллистических ракет и раннего предупреждения о российских ракетных ударах. Еще одной темой разговора был доступ к системам Starlink/Starshield, "который нужно восстановить", написал Зеленский. Он назвал беседу конструктивной. Украина в значительной степени полагается на американские разведданные для защиты от приближающихся ракет, беспилотников и самолетов. ВСУ...

Уиткофф встретится с Зеленским в Осло, а затем может поехать к Путину
США, Украина и европейские страны обсудят новые предложения по прекращению войны

Дроны атаковали диспетчерскую станцию нефтепровода под Тамбовом
Она относится к нефтепроводу "Дружба"

Росийский удар по Киевской области: трое погибших
3 человека, мужчина и двух женщины, погибли в результате российского удара по производственно-складскому предприятию в Обуховском районе Киевской области Украины, сообщают власти. Шесть человек ранены. Продолжается разбор завалов. В Харьковской области в городе Изюм под российский удар попали жилой сектор и гражданская инфраструктура, пострадали пять человек, сообщают власти. Украинские военные сообщают, что в ночь на 20 октября Россия нанесла удары 165 ударными БПЛА. "По предварительным...

Трамп не исключил трёхсторонней встречи с Си Цзиньпином и Путиным
WSJ ранее утверждала, что это идея Путина

В Москве арестовали администраторов сайта с фотографиями поездов
Фотографии с их сайта использовались в расследовании о "бронепоезде Путина"

Сепаратисту Карлесу Пучдемону разрешено вернуться в Испанию
Девять лет он живёт в изгнании

Зеленский рассказал сенаторам США о сбоях в работе Starlink
Он подтвердил готовность к энергетическому перемирию

Суд в Грозном оштрафовал подругу Седы Сулеймановой на 150 тысяч
В конце августа Патяева вышла с одиночным пикетом в Грозном

США продлевают временную защиту для украинских беженцев
А также для беженцев из Судана

Власти Франции пытаются справиться с последствиями беспорядков
В ряде районов введут временный комендантский час

Шесть человек погибли при ударе по парку в Харьковской области
Среди погибших - годовалая девочка

Премьер Албании: к разжиганию протестов причастны Россия и Иран
Массовые протесты продолжаются шестой день

В канадской провинции Альберта проходит референдум о независимости
По опросам, число желающих отделения растёт, но они всё равно в меньшинстве

В Петербурге по статье об оправдании терроризма задержан блогер
По данным "Ротонды", это Владимир Серебровский, ведущий телеграм-канала

ООН сокращает продовольственную программу для сектора Газа
Будет урезана продовольственная помощь для 500 тысяч человек

НАТО и Литва начали учения по противодействию гибридным угрозам
Манёвры пройдут в районе Клайпеды и в Балтийском море с 19 по 30 октября

Германия ужесточит экзамен по немецкому языку для мигрантов
С 1 ноября для сертификата потребуется успешно пройти все разделы теста

Фильм Сергея Лозницы "Империум" победил на фестивале в Лондоне
Это картина о жизни в СССР 1970-х годов

Лубинец: Украина и Россия готовят эвакуацию населения из Алешек
Город в Херсонской области стал местом острого гуманитарного кризиса

Africanews

Kenya: Relatives welcome guilty verdict in Shakahola starvation cult massacre
Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, called the convictions a significant achievement, given the number of charges, accused and witnesses.

South Africa: Ramaphosa warns of devastating impact if US trade deal is lost
South African vehicles benefit from duty-free access to the US, and industry estimates indicate around 86-thousand jobs at car manufacturers are directly linked to the agreement, rising to 125-thousand when subcontractors are included.

Former president Thabo Mbeki denies ordering cover-up of apartheid-era crimes
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said Monday that he had neither ordered prosecutors to stop cases involving apartheid-era crimes nor struck secret deals to shield former security officers from justice.

Mali: Human Rights Watch Denounces Crimes Against Civilians [Africanews Today]
Human Rights Watch accuses the Malian army, its Russian allies from Africa Corps, as well as armed and jihadist groups, of committing serious violations of international law against civilians. The NGO is calling for urgent action from the African Union.

CAS verdict on Senegal AFCON title appeal 'expected end November'
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced Monday that a verdict on Senegal's appeal of the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title in favour of Morocco will be delivered at the end of November

Guilty as charged: Kenyan court finds cult leader responsible of 191 starvation deaths
A self-proclaimed Kenyan preacher and his associates were on Monday found guilty of murdering 191 people, mostly children, in an infamous starvation cult.

Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie faces verdict over 191 starvation deaths
A Mombasa court will deliver a long-awaited verdict on Monday in the trial of a self-proclaimed Kenyan preacher and his associates, accused of murdering 191 people, mostly children, in an infamous starvation cult.

Protesters block access to Paris' Louvre Museum in support of student movement
After a weekend of violent protests across France, students in Paris demonstrated again on Monday in front of the Louvre museum.

Pregnant women in Yemen at growing risk as healthcare limited by fighting
Women in Yemen face growing risks as fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed government forces limits reproductive health care with some facilities providing emergency obstetric care repurposing to treat war-wounded, the United Nations said Friday.

Pix of the Day, 19 October, 2026 - Across the world
Pix of the Day, 19 October, 2026 - Across the world

Freshwater fish scarcity drives aquaculture in the Republic of Congo
More than a dozen rivers, including the Tchinouka, run through Pointe-Noire. But despite their potential as sources of freshwater fish, many are unusable because of pollution and other challenges.

France's unrest: Why are immigrants being blamed for the violence?
US President Donald Trump has declared that France is "burning", blaming immigration for what he described as the country's decline.

French government under pressure after weekend of violence
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday to assess a weekend of violence and looting during protests against the rising cost of living.

Kenya confirms eighth Ebola case as regional outbreak spreads
Meanwhile, in the DRC, the outbreak has spread to an eighth province, North Ubangi, where two cases, including one death, have been confirmed.

Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF picks Mnangagwa as leader after 2028
Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party has endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain its leader beyond 2028, as the 84-year-old seeks to extend his time in power

Undead stalk the streets of Mexico City at 19th annual Zombie Walk
The undead stalked the streets of Mexico City on Sunday for the 19th annual Zombie Walk. The gathering has become a tradition in the Mexican capital. It combines horror-inspired costumes and makeup with a family-friendly celebration.

Niger: Fuel shortages leave drivers stranded in Niamey
The cause of the shortages and when supplies will fully return to normal remain unclear, leaving motorists uncertain about when they will be able to fill their tanks without long waits.

Mali's army and rebel opponents guilty of human rights violations, new report finds
Mali's army and its Russian paramilitary allies have killed civilians in violation of international law, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch.  The army's rebel opponents have done the same, the report claims.

Kenya cult deaths: Court set to rule in preacher's murder trial
Mackenzie also faces separate charges of manslaughter and terrorism, which he denies. The verdict is being closely watched by victims’ families seeking justice three years after the discovery.

DR Congo: Ebola outbreak deepens mental health crisis amid stigma and conflict
The World Health Organization has warned that it could surpass the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which erupted more than a decade ago and killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa.

France: Paris, Lyon and Marseille count the cost after violent protests
Streets littered with broken glass, burnt bicycles and debris greeted residents in France on Sunday 18 October, following demonstrations that left extensive damage across Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers at first appearance since surgery
Pope Leo XIV thanked the thousands of faithful in the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalised earlier this week.

Russia: Huge flames and smoke rise over St Petersburg after drone strikes
Huge plumes of black smoke billowed over St Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, on Sunday, 18 October, as a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack sparked fires at industrial and logistics facilities. Russian officials said 126 drones had been intercepted in the surrounding region.

IMF annual meeting: Developing nations need greater digital connectivity
An AI boom is lifting technology-exporting economies. But rising energy costs and climate disasters are pushing many developing nations into debt distress. Greater digital connectivity would allow them to benefit from tech advances.

Cameroon's opposition MRC elects its first female president, Tiriane Noah
Cameroon’s main opposition MRC elected a new party president on Saturday, Tiriane Balbine Noah. She replaces Maurice Kamto and becomes the first woman to lead the party.

Smashed storefronts, burned buildings: France wakes up to aftermath of violent protests
France woke up Sunday to devastated streets after clashes between police and protesters, mass looting and fires erupted nationwide as marches against rising costs of living degenerated into "extreme" violence.

Nigeria's Army Chief of Staff visits troops in Borno after deaths of 15 soliders
The Nigerian Army Chief of Staff is visiting troops stationed in the northeast of the country, a few days after jihadists killed fifteen soldiers in the region.

Sudanese gold miners describe deadly airstrike that killed 72
Sudanese miners injured in a deadly airstrike along the border with Egypt last week have been describing how the incident unfolded.

DRC accuses ex-president Kabila of planning 'general attack' on the country
Officials in DR Congo are accusing former president Joseph Kabila of planning a general attack on the country. Kabila on Monday joined forces with the rebel M23 to head a new outfit , taking a more direct role in the insurgency ravaging eastern DRC.

Egypt's President Sisi will step down when term expires in 2030
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says he’ll leave office when his term expires in 2030. Making the announcement on Saturday, Sisi described the matter as “completely settled.”

Senegal's Macky Sall withdraws from race for UN top job
Senegal’s former President Macky Sall is pulling out of the race to lead the United Nations. Saturday's announcement comes one day after an informal straw poll by UN Security Council members saw all seven candidates receive at least one veto.

Frontline workers in DRC receive Ervebo vaccine amid growing Ebola outbreak
Frontline workers in DR Congo received the Ervebo vaccine on Friday as the country’s worst ever Ebola outbreak continues to spread. Ervebo is effective against the Zaire strain of Ebola. Authorities hope it will offer some protection against the Bundibugyo strain driving the current outbreak.

All seven candidates to lead UN receive Security Council veto in informal poll
All seven candidates to lead the United Nations received a vote of "discourage," effectively a veto, from a permanent UN Security Council member in the latest informal poll, a diplomat said Friday.

Iran denies being behind Houthi attacks as Aden airport hit
Iran has denied any involvement in an escalation of attacks by Houthi rebels on Saudi targets. The international airport in Yemen’s interim capital Aden was struck by two missiles late on Friday, the second such incident in less than two weeks.

Ex-fighters in Ethiopia's Tigray region register for reintegration programme
Hundreds of former fighters in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have been signing up for a government programme to help them return to civilian life.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI formally appoints first woman-led government
Morocco's King Mohammed VI formally appoints the members of his country's new government, led for the first time in its history by a woman prime minister, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri.

Kenya confirms third Ebola case as health officials race to contain outbreak
Kenya has confirmed its third Ebola case, raising concerns over the spread of the deadly virus across East Africa. The Health Ministry says the latest patient is a 65-year-old woman and a close relative of the country’s first two cases. She had been in quarantine since October 6.

DR Congo bans activities of 13 political parties linked to Joseph Kabila as opposition cries repression
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has banned the activities of 13 political parties, including the PPRD of former president Joseph Kabila. Presented as a national security measure, the decision has divided the political class and reignited debate over democratic pluralism in the country.

Rights group says eastern Libyan authorities are carrying out executions
Human Rights Watch says the military has killed an estimated 31 people since late August, with at least 50 other people at risk.

Ethiopian gains in Tigray risk wider war with Eritrea, analyst warns
Ethiopia’s military advances in northern Tigray do not spell an end to the conflict but have the potential to increase the risk of war with neighboring Eritrea, an analyst with knowledge of the region has warned

Africa overtakes Europe in Catholic population as global mumbers reach 1.422 billion
Africa now has more Catholics than Europe. The Vatican’s latest statistics put Africa’s Catholic population at 288 million, slightly ahead of Europe’s 287 million.

Vatican releases first images of Pope Leo XIV since his surgery
Doctors says the 71-year-old pontiff is showing steady improvement since having part of his right lung removed on Tuesday.

South African pastor, wife arrested after 200 found in suspected illegal rehab centre
Police in South Africa have arrested a pastor and his wife after a raid on a church-run rehabilitation centre in Mpumalanga province revealed shocking living conditions.

Belgium: Pumpkimania festival takes over Groot-Bijgaarden Castle
Foxes, owls and deer made from pumpkins have taken over Groot-Bijgaarden Castle near Brussels. The Pumpkimania festival features a 772kg giant, pumpkin boat rides and Halloween activities until 1 November.

South Africa: Rescuing and relocating wild honeybees in Cape Town
A father-and-son team at the Cape Honeybee Conservancy have moved over 250 wild bee colonies from urban locations since 2018.

Ethiopia appoints interim Tigray government after TPLF ouster
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Friday the establishment of an interim administration in the northern Tigray region, which has been controlled by rebels who have clashed with federal forces in recent weeks

Kenya on high alert as Ebola outbreak in DR Congo fuels border fears
Kenya is on high alert as it races to contain Ebola! Linked to a deadly outbreak in the DRC, the virus has reportedly claimed one life in Kenya, with two cases recorded. At the Ugandan border, screenings are intensifying, with travelers undergoing temperature checks and handwashing measures.

Chinese navy ship brings free care and medicines to Abidjan
A Chinese Medical ship with a crew of 376 arrived at the port of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday and began offering free medical consultations and medicines to local residents

Russian missiles spark huge factory fires in Ukraine’s Odesa and Zaporizhzhia
Russian strikes ignited massive fires at businesses in Odesa and Zaporizhzhia as President Zelensky met European leaders for talks.

Pix of the Day, 16 October, 2026 - Across the world
Pix of the Day, 16 October, 2026 - Across the world