Turkish police raided Halk TV in Istanbul on Wednesday, with Euronews reporting that the channel was taken off air and 11 people were arrested. Euronews’ video and Africanews report that authorities appointed a trustee to take control of operations; the Euronews video headline says the raid sparked outrage over media freedom. The Financial Times describes Halk TV as the country’s most-watched news channel, while the BBC says the raid halted live broadcasts and Deutsche Welle reports a government takeover.
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October 2026 news
Saudi organizers say preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup are proceeding on schedule despite recent attacks, with the tournament still set for Jan. 7 to Feb. 5. The AFC says it is in no hurry to decide whether a delay is needed, though it has said postponing the tournament until 2028 is an option if necessary. Al Jazeera reports that the Asian Tour has postponed golf’s Saudi Invitational; earlier reports said the Asian Cup could be delayed by a year amid Houthi attacks.
Oil prices eased on Friday but remained on course for a weekly gain amid Middle East supply concerns, The National reported. The day before, the International Energy Agency said its release of emergency oil stocks would exceed its March target: members had released 330 million barrels, with the remaining 100 million to be released in a timely manner. The agency also said Middle East exports had recovered to pre-crisis levels and global oil storage was not tight, according to The National.
Russia says negotiations are still underway, hours after Trump announced a diesel deal with Putin. Africanews reports that Trump claims Moscow will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, with more shipments promised in November and beyond. This follows earlier coverage examining the deal’s potential impact on the United States and Ukraine. The New York Times video examines why Trump made the deal.
Yemen’s government says it will continue operating from Aden after Houthi missiles struck the presidential palace there on Thursday. The National reported Friday that Health Ministry figures put the toll at at least five security personnel killed and 16 injured; its Thursday report had cited the Information Minister saying two guards were killed. A government adviser told The National the attack would not disrupt state operations in Aden.
China and North Korea opened the New Yalu River Bridge on Thursday, October 15, after a 12-year delay, according to Euronews and Africanews. They describe it as a new four-lane road crossing and a major route for cross-border trade; The New York Times calls it the countries’ biggest border bridge. The Hindu says it was initially expected to enter use in 2014, when China had apparently completed its side but North Korea had not done corresponding work, while ABC News says it is being touted as a symbol of traditional friendship and deeper ties. This follows earlier reports, including the BBC’s account, that the bridge opened after a 12-year delay.
Visitors to Frieze London in the UK are becoming part of the artworks, climbing a giant interactive spider, entering virtual worlds and taking part in installations that turn spectators into participants.
Saudi Arabia is weighing a response as Houthi attacks continue against airports and oil facilities, including Saudi Aramco’s headquarters, The National reports. Analysts cited by the outlet identify options including intensified airstrikes, stronger Yemeni government forces and air defences, or renewed diplomacy. In a follow-up podcast, The National reports that at least 13 people were killed and hundreds injured in a weekend missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport, and examines Saudi security options as attacks continue. This follows earlier coverage, including Semafor’s report of a Houthi strike on Saudi Aramco’s headquarters after attacks that killed 13 and injured hundreds, as well as reports of coalition airstrikes on oil facilities in Yemen.
Yemen's Houthi-run health ministry said two people were killed in a strike on an oil company in the Red Sea province of Hodeidah, blaming Saudi Arabia. This follows reports of deadly Houthi attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia and Saudi flight suspensions.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is facing mounting questions about her background and legal credentials after a rocky debut. RTÉ reports that she gave an inconclusive answer about where she had passed the bar exam.
Hurricane Simon brought strong winds and heavy rain to Mexico's Pacific coast, flooding homes as it weakened to Category 3, according to RTÉ. CBS News reported that the hurricane lashed the coast and pounded resorts and towns.
A fire destroyed Paris’s oldest covered food market, a popular street food venue that authorities said had existed since 1615, according to RTÉ. The New York Times reported that the fire devastated Le Marché des Enfants Rouges.
Ukrainian company SkyFall has demonstrated StarGate, an aerial medical evacuation drone designed to carry a wounded soldier in an enclosed cabin. Euronews and Africanews report that footage showed it taking off, flying and landing with a person on board. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that enemy drones and artillery can leave wounded troops stranded for weeks or months, and describes the new drone as a potential way to evacuate them.
Student-led protests demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation entered their third day, with fires burning in central Tirana as protesters threw stones and police used tear gas and water cannon, Euronews and Africanews report. Al Jazeera says Rama dismissed calls to resign as protests continued in the capital and spread to other cities; Euronews reports that he condemned the chaos. This follows earlier reports of student protests turning violent amid anti-government unrest in Albania’s capital.
The IMF warned of risks from AI and debt while raising its forecast for world growth, CBC reports. RTE says the IMF described global financial-system risks as "elevated," including a possible AI-related market correction and cyber threats with potentially severe consequences; The Hindu also reports warnings about an AI market correction and cyber threats.
An anonymous modeller who says they work for a major insurer warns that parts of the insurance industry are understating climate-related disaster risks. The Guardian's writer says they are being pressured to cut forecasts of disaster losses to make insurance more affordable and win business, and alleges that such pressure is often aimed at lowering prices rather than improving models. The writer warns that insurers taking on too much risk could have far-reaching consequences for the global financial system.
A study found that bleached coral rebounded after touching healthy coral. Science reports that algal transfusion can let damaged coral repopulate in as little as four weeks, while Euronews describes recovery after contact with healthy clones as happening in record time.
Decisions on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields are expected shortly, the BBC reports. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged the prime minister to stop delaying decisions on North Sea oil and gas fields.
The Guardian published a puzzle centered on a round table on Oct. 12, then posted solutions to its puzzles later that day, including the round-table puzzle. The later post says six puzzles had been set earlier.
Parts of southern England have entered severe drought, while about 30 million people are under a hosepipe ban, according to the BBC.