Student protests in Albania escalated, with reports of fires at government buildings. Euronews reports that clashes between student protesters and police in Tirana took place on Tuesday, 13 October, and demonstrations continued overnight into Wednesday. DW reports a fire at the Education Ministry, while BBC Turkish says government buildings were set on fire.
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October 2026 news
State procurement of landline telephones in Russia tripled in the first eight months of 2026 as mobile internet outages affected nearly 80% of the country, Euronews reports. Rostelecom’s chief urged Russians to keep a landline at home as a precaution.
The FSB arrested a Swedish citizen in Russia’s Pskov region on terrorism charges and Japanese journalist Yuki Imai on espionage charges on Sakhalin, Euronews reports. The arrests came days after former president Dmitry Medvedev wrote that Russia may need to “fill up the exchange pool” to recover Russians abroad.
US President Donald Trump defended his approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying negotiations require making deals rather than trading insults. This follows reports that Trump said Russian diesel was for world markets, not the United States, according to The Hindu.
Israel and Iran met at a rare summit in Baku, alongside Middle Eastern and Asian leaders, according to Euronews. Azerbaijan said it serves as a connecting hub in Eurasia; the meeting focused on confidence-building measures and addressing differences, as well as opportunities involving transport corridors and economic realignments.
Hundreds of protesters marched through Bangkok on Thursday, 15 October, opposing the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank being held in the Thai capital. Both outlets’ headlines say protesters warned of destructive capitalism.
Syria has arrested Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, who is accused of involvement in the 2013 coastal massacres. Euronews reports that Kayali, 70, commanded al-Assad-affiliated militia forces that carried out summary executions of more than 450 civilians in Bayda and Baniyas in May 2013.
Euronews reported that Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, called Trump's Russian diesel deal a gift to Putin. As EU leaders arrived in Brussels for a summit, the agenda included spiralling energy prices, an unfinished seven-year budget and Trump's pressure on Ukraine; Euronews also interviewed Jordanian Investment Minister Abu Abughazaleh.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino apologized to the Fifa Council in Zurich on October 15 for failing to consult it about a proposed sale of stakes in Fifa competitions, but European football leaders remained unconvinced he was fit to continue leading the organization. The National reports that council members also questioned him about the $4.2 billion Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension and the Fifa Peace Prize awarded to Donald Trump. The Guardian reports that European leaders are increasingly confident they can find a candidate to challenge Infantino in next year’s presidential election, and said he failed to answer dozens of questions at the meeting.
President Donald Trump has canceled plans to livestream Nidal Malik Hasan’s firing-squad execution, which Hindustan Times reports remains scheduled for December 3. The Guardian and The Irish Times report that the plan drew widespread condemnation; The National says it had been proposed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and faced criticism, including from within Trump’s political circle. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009; CNBC reports that more than 32 others were injured. The New York Times says only the victims’ immediate families would witness the execution, while BBC Turkish reports that Trump cited people not wanting to watch and describes it as the first military execution in more than 60 years.
Ethiopian forces have expanded their control in Tigray, Al Jazeera reports, while Eritrea denies troop movement inside northern Ethiopia and the United States calls for de-escalation. Africanews reports that a spokesperson for an Ethiopian pro-government militia said Eritrean troops in Tigray suffered heavy losses and were retreating toward the border.
Commercial goods have stopped entering Gaza, raising fears of worsening shortages. Cogat blamed traders’ decision to stop coordinating shipments on a 10,000-shekel fee per lorry and a demand that 30% of sales be in cash; Hamas denied the fee was a tax, calling it a voluntary community contribution, and said cash payments were necessary. The National reported that humanitarian aid and commercial lorries from Egypt continued to enter, while Cogat said total lorry arrivals would fall by half to around 300. Palestinian importers told The Globe and Mail that Israel, not the merchants, had decided to halt commercial imports.
Days after Navi Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, the White House imposed fresh sanctions on the International Criminal Court, and Pillay said the timing was no coincidence, according to Africanews. This follows reports that Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize, with The Guardian saying the committee recognized her for promoting international law.
UAE leaders, including President Sheikh Mohamed, sent condolences to Saudi King Salman after Houthi attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. The National reports that Saturday's attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300, while another strike on Sunday killed one and injured nearly a dozen; the airport has been shut since Saturday. This follows earlier reports of Saudi flight suspensions after deadly Houthi airport strikes.
Cornell University suspended or banned fraternity parties after allegations of a gang rape on campus in 2024, according to reports published Oct. 13 and 14. RTÉ reports that parties and social events at fraternity houses are prohibited until the end of the academic year. The Globe and Mail says the university will give New York State Police a role in investigating campus sex crimes, while CBC reports the alleged gang rape has fueled continued calls for action.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards almost certainly directed a suspected plot targeting a UK airbase used by the U.S. military. Axios reports that Burnham made the accusation in the House of Commons on Monday, and that Iran’s ambassador to the UK denied Tehran’s involvement and called for evidence.
Israel has halted commercial goods entering Gaza, cutting off a key source of supplies, including food and other goods, according to the reports. The Globe and Mail says the move could immediately reduce supplies because Gaza relies on goods Israel permits through border crossings. RTÉ reports Israel blamed a dispute over taxes between local merchants and Hamas; the Financial Times says Israelis and Palestinians are trading blame, while Al Jazeera reports Hamas denies the tax claims.
Fox News reports that at least 139 migrants died and 84 remained missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off Djibouti, while more than 80 people survived. RTE’s headline also says 139 people were killed, but its report says at least 109 died, including 15 children, and about 116 went missing, citing a UN agency.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition says Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport 20 times since the start of October. The spokesperson said the attacks involved 10 drones, four ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and two unidentified projectiles. The Straits Times reports that the UN Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks, while Semafor notes that airports are becoming targets in escalating wars.
A secondary school pupil shot and wounded a headteacher and a female staff member with a hunting rifle at a school near Marseille, according to RTÉ. The Irish Times reports that police said there was no apparent link to recent protests.