Yemen’s Houthis are continuing to target Saudi Arabia, according to Deutsche Welle. The Japan Times says the attacks are undermining the kingdom’s image as a safe investment hub, while Deutsche Welle reports they also threaten Riyadh’s regional and religious leadership and economic ambitions.
Kenya is on high alert amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with screenings intensifying at its Ugandan border, Africanews reports. Africanews says two cases have been recorded in Kenya and the virus has reportedly claimed one life there. The New York Times reports that Kenya announced a second infection, which is likely to increase scrutiny of government surveillance. This follows earlier reports that the second case was in a relative of the first patient.
A fault in the data-transmission network supporting Italy’s nationwide air traffic control system disrupted flights on Friday, including at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. The Straits Times reports the fault was fixed later that day and that authorities said it was not caused by sabotage. NDTV says aviation analytics company Cirium counted 192 cancellations as of around 1000 GMT.
France 24 says Starlink was restored, but The Straits Times reports that this week’s US decision to reduce the service had an immediate impact on an artillery unit in eastern Ukraine. France 24 says the slowdown was felt on Wednesday when air-raid warnings failed, amid daily Russian strikes by new motor-powered drones. Ukrainian military officials told The Globe and Mail that SpaceX had without warning interrupted military-grade Starlink terminals when they were moving at high speed; Marc DeVore of Chatham House said that, if the reports were true, it might be an attempt to pressure Kyiv to hold off on striking Russian energy facilities. This follows earlier reports of a restriction affecting Starshield that raised questions about Ukraine’s reliance on satellite internet.
The White House and Pentagon have prepared plans to use a Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb against military sites in Iran if President Trump orders it, CBS News reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. Hindustan Times reports U.S. officials have discussed using the weapon against Iranian energy and nuclear sites, but no strike has been confirmed. CNBC earlier reported the U.S. was reportedly considering the bomb as Iran vowed to fight on; Al Jazeera published an explainer about the weapon.
The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Leo XIV since surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, according to Euronews. The Guardian reports that Pope Leo is recovering after surgeons in Rome removed the lower part of his right lung in a lobectomy; it describes the operation as standard treatment for lung cancer caught early and says it can be curative. This follows earlier reports that doctors said his prognosis may depend on several factors and that the Vatican said he had resumed work at a restrained pace.
India issued a fresh advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia amid flight disruptions, with the Indian embassy saying Riyadh’s international airport remains closed to flight operations while airports in Dammam, Jeddah and Medina continue operating with some disruptions, The Hindu reports. Hindustan Times reports that more than 15 airlines have suspended or canceled services amid Houthi attacks, and that the United States, France, the UAE and Japan have restricted their operations to Saudi Arabia. This follows earlier reports of strikes on Saudi and Yemeni airports and Saudi Arabia suspending flights.
New York Representative Ritchie Torres is proposing legislation to protect consumers’ ability to use video games they have purchased. Engadget says Torres wants the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations ensuring buyers can play their games. Tom’s Hardware reports that the bill would require publishers to sell games as consumer-owned products rather than licenses, provide an offline mode and allow transfers.
More than $700 million in donor funding for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot be accounted for, according to Africa CDC and Congolese health authorities. They called for greater transparency after financial information provided by aid organisations left the funds unaccounted for, The Straits Times reports.
Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster on Thursday with thrusters that can let the car fly short distances, flip in the air and land; the company said production would start in 2028. CNBC reports that Tesla first showed the refresh concept in 2017 and has since missed every targeted delivery date.
Analysis of 2021 census data across 41 English cities and towns found that smaller places have higher rates of young people not in employment, education or training than the nine largest cities. Initiatives to address youth unemployment and offer training are being launched in towns including Telford.
Norwegian teenager Johannes Natland, 19, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London to 20 years in detention for a plot to murder an unidentified target in the UK, with a minimum of 13 years in custody, The National reports. The National says Natland was recruited by the Foxtrot network and arrested in a Huddersfield hotel in March 2025 with two firearms and ammunition. Euronews reports that UK Counter Terrorism Policing said Natland was acting on orders from someone in the Foxtrot Network, an international gang based in Sweden.
Kevin Warsh offered markets few clues about Fed policy in his final public appearance before the central bank’s October meeting, according to CNBC. NBC News reports that Warsh said the Fed is focused on taming rising prices but gave no hint about its next rate hike; two inflation reports this week set the stage for a hike potentially sooner than previously expected.
Crowds thronged New Delhi and waved Indian flags as protests intensified over a review of voter lists. Critics say the review is politically motivated and threatens to disenfranchise voters, allegations the Election Commission and Modi administration deny. This follows earlier reports that the government removed more than 100 million people from voter rolls and cracked down on the protest movement.
A Spanish arms company has begun delivering infantry fighting vehicles fitted with Israeli-made turret systems to Latvia, despite Spain declaring an arms embargo on Israel last year, Middle East Eye reports, citing Israeli business daily Globes. Latvia ordered 84 Mednieks vehicles from General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas last year, with delivery due to be completed by 2029, according to the report. The turrets are made by Israel’s Elbit Systems.
Georgia Democratic senator Jon Ossoff says he has no interest in running for president in 2028, reiterating that position during a debate this week, according to The Guardian. The Guardian says he is defying predictions of a tight re-election battle.
About 200 people were rescued Friday from an unregistered rehabilitation centre in South Africa, police said. The Straits Times said local media reported that some had been chained and denied food; the BBC reported that some patients were found with sores and in overcrowded rooms.
CBS News reports that doctors say Pope Leo's cancer prognosis may depend on several factors. The New York Times reports that the Vatican said he was in a good mood after the operation, had celebrated Mass at the hospital three days later and had resumed work at a restrained pace. The Vatican said surgery in Rome removed the lower lobe of his right lung, and The Globe and Mail and The Irish Times report the cancer was lung adenocarcinoma. This follows earlier NBC News and CBS News reports that he was diagnosed with lung cancer and expected to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule.
Tech billionaires have raised more than $340 million to defeat California’s proposed Prop 40, a one-time 5% wealth tax intended to fund healthcare and education, The Guardian reports. State campaign disclosures show the opposition spent at least $21.2 million during the first 19 days of September, averaging more than $1 million a day, with the election less than a month away.
Pre-order delivery estimates for Apple’s new Apple TV 4K and HomeView devices have slipped to late November for new orders, 9to5Mac reports. The products, unveiled this week, are not scheduled to be available until November 13.