An energy conference is taking place in Riyadh despite a recent attack on the city’s airport. The meeting gathers 68 countries that produce and use most of the world’s oil and gas, focusing on how the war involving Iran has affected global energy supplies and routes.
Key Facts
A Houthi attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured 309.
The 25th World Petroleum Council Energy Congress and the 17th International Energy Forum are being held in Riyadh as part of Riyadh Energy Week.
Italy is joining the forum remotely, and Nigeria is sending a representative.
The IEF includes 68 countries responsible for over 90% of global oil and gas supply and demand.
Fossil fuels, including oil, coal, and gas, make up about 81% of the world’s energy use, with oil as the largest source (31.4%).
The Middle East is the largest oil producer, and three narrow sea routes (Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, and Suez Canal) are key for transporting energy worldwide.
The Iran war and conflicts in Yemen have reduced traffic through these routes, slowing shipments and raising costs.
Countries like Eritrea, Madagascar, Pakistan, Japan, and Kenya depend heavily (over 75%) on oil from the Middle East and face higher prices and delivery delays.
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The strong bond between the US and the UK, known as the "special relationship," is facing serious challenges. Actions by President Donald Trump and recent security concerns have caused the two countries to drift apart, especially in intelligence sharing and diplomatic support.
Key Facts
The US-UK "special relationship" is weakening due to increasing political and diplomatic strains.
President Trump’s “America first” policy has led to pushing traditional alliances aside.
Trump’s administration abruptly pulled 12 B-1 bombers from a British airbase after a threat of an Iranian drone attack.
The US has questioned its support for Britain in disputes like the Falklands Islands conflict and shown openness to ideas like a united Ireland.
Intelligence sharing, a key part of US-UK cooperation, is under pressure because British spies worry that President Trump might leak sensitive information.
David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and spy novelist, highlights these issues in his new book portraying a breakdown in cooperation.
British officials have expressed concern about Trump’s closeness to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which complicates intelligence trust.
The tension reflects a broader shift away from historic close ties formed during World War II and the Cold War.
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Elon Musk said he will offer his Starlink satellite internet service at affordable prices in India to compete with Mukesh Ambani’s telecom company, Reliance Jio. Musk criticizes the Indian government and Ambani for delaying Starlink’s approval, while India says all satellite services are still waiting for final security clearance.
Key Facts
Elon Musk plans to price Starlink internet service affordably in India.
Reliance Jio, owned by Mukesh Ambani, offers low-cost mobile data in India.
Jio Platforms is launching India’s largest-ever IPO, aiming for a $106 billion valuation.
Both Starlink and Jio’s satellite ventures are waiting for security approval to start services.
Musk claims the Indian government favors Jio and delays Starlink’s entry.
India’s government denies favoritism and says all satellite companies await final clearance.
Musk called Ambani “Prime Minister Ambani” in a social media post to challenge him directly.
Starlink is known for providing satellite internet and is planning to enter mobile networks in the U.S.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez started his campaign for a snap election set for November 29, 2026. The early vote was called after protests over Spain’s worsening housing crisis, which has put pressure on his left-wing coalition government.
Key Facts
The election was called early because of protests sparked by a housing crisis.
The crisis gained attention when 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home.
Sanchez's government failed to pass new housing protection laws in parliament before calling the vote.
Sanchez has been in power since 2018 and has an internationally known profile.
He promised to strengthen laws to protect tenants from housing speculation if re-elected.
The election campaign started in Dos Hermanas, a city important to Sanchez’s political career.
The main opposition is the conservative Popular Party (PP), led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who leads in most polls.
Feijoo criticizes Sanchez’s handling of a recent migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain’s north African enclave.
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An Australian hiker named Jordan Yap went missing while trekking alone in the remote Huayhuash mountain range in Peru. After a search, his family confirmed he was found dead.
Key Facts
Jordan Yap was a 30-year-old Australian man from Melbourne.
He planned a 10-day solo hike in the Huayhuash mountains, a difficult and high mountain range in Peru.
He last contacted family and friends on September 14 before starting the trek.
Yap did not return on his expected date and missed checking into a hostel and a flight.
He lost his satellite beacon, a device used to send signals in emergencies, just before his hike.
Friends and family expressed gratitude to search teams, police, and those who helped search for him.
The Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was notified.
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The TV show Saturday Night Live (SNL) made jokes about President Donald Trump being upset for not winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The show also mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream executions.
Key Facts
SNL aired these jokes on its October 10 episode.
The Nobel Peace Prize was given to South African human rights lawyer Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, not President Trump.
SNL hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che made fun of Trump’s reaction to missing the prize.
The segment referred to Trump’s past hopes of winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
SNL also joked about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s proposal to broadcast executions live.
The content was part of the Weekend Update portion of the show.
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A US fighter jet bombed a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. The US military said the ship ignored warnings and tried to break a blockade on Iranian ports.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman.
A US fighter jet dropped bombs on the cargo ship.
The US military that oversees the area is CENTCOM.
The cargo ship’s crew did not respond to repeated warning signals.
The US said the ship was trying to go through a blockade of Iranian ports.
The blockade is enforced by the US military to control shipping near Iran.
The cargo ship was a commercial vessel, meaning it was used for transporting goods.
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President Donald Trump said he will not rename the Hudson River or the Mississippi River but is considering renaming a river and an ocean before leaving office. He suggested the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean might be renamed "Trump Ocean" or "Ocean of the Americas."
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about renaming geographic landmarks at a rally in Tennessee.
He ruled out changing the name of the Hudson River because of explorer Henry Hudson.
He also said he will keep the Mississippi River’s name, noting his electoral win in Mississippi.
Trump wants to rename a river and an ocean before the end of his term.
Possible new names for an ocean include "Trump Ocean" or "Ocean of the Americas."
He previously renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and directed using "Lake America" for Lake Ontario.
These comments came during a public rally and show his interest in renaming well-known places.
This story is still developing and may have more updates.
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Halloween in the UK is changing from a one-night event to a month-long celebration, often called "Halloweenmas." More people are buying Halloween decorations like trees and wreaths, and younger adults are leading this trend by using social media to find ideas and shop for products.
Key Facts
The number of Halloweenmas products on the online platform Faire grew by over 500% from 425 in 2021 to 2,632 in 2025.
Popular Halloween decorations include trees, wreaths, and ornaments, with sales of artificial trees up 200% in September, according to retailer Wilko.
Halloween trees come in many styles, from spooky black tinsel shaped like a witch’s hat to child-friendly decorations like felt pumpkins.
The Box Party retailer has increased stock by 40% due to higher demand for Halloween party supplies.
Mintel research shows that people aged 16 to 34 spend more on costumes, makeup, and decorations for Halloween than other groups.
Social media helps spread Halloween trends, with 40% of buyers using platforms to shop directly for costumes and decorations.
Consumers view Halloween as a time for fun, creativity, and social moments, extending the celebration beyond just one night.
The trend fits into a desire for shared experiences and quality time before the Christmas season.
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Panama declared a state of emergency after two strong earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6, caused damage across the country. More than 100 aftershocks followed, damaging homes, schools, roads, and other buildings, but no deaths have been reported so far.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck Panama, one with magnitude 7.7 and another with magnitude 6.6.
Over 100 aftershocks were recorded, including some as strong as magnitude 5.8.
Damages were reported in all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories.
About 420 homes and an equal number of public schools were damaged.
Seven hotels, 13 churches, and nine bridges were also affected.
Twenty-seven people were injured with mild to moderate injuries.
Some communities remain cut off due to landslides and road damage.
The US sent a disaster response team and pledged $5 million in humanitarian aid.
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At the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Brisbane, Australian right-wing politicians and activists gathered to discuss how to defeat the Labor Party in the next election. The main issue was how conservative groups like the Coalition and One Nation could work together despite distrust and competition.
Key Facts
The CPAC event included performances, political speeches, and satirical media badges calling journalists "FAKE NEWS."
The conference focused on election preferences and voting strategies to replace the Labor government, which holds 94 seats.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson pledged to cooperate with the Coalition but expressed distrust and criticism of Coalition leaders.
The Coalition, led by Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan, struggled publicly to outline how they would work with One Nation.
Conservative groups agreed cooperation was necessary to avoid giving Labor another win in the election.
The event featured a mix of political figures, campaigners, and public performances including opera singers and impersonators.
CPAC highlighted tensions and divisions among Australia’s right-wing parties about election strategy and leadership.
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Flash flooding caused by a landslide hit the Budhi Gandaki river area in Nepal on Sunday. The flood destroyed buildings, homes, and a bridge in the Gorkha district, with people watching the disaster from higher ground.
Key Facts
The flood happened on Sunday in Nepal.
A landslide caused the flood to move downstream along the Budhi Gandaki river.
Buildings and homes were swept away by the floodwaters.
A bridge was also destroyed in the flood.
People recorded videos of the flood from safe, higher places in the Gorkha district.
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Fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen's government troops has increased. Aid groups report many displaced children are suffering from severe malnutrition because of the conflict.
Key Facts
Renewed fighting is taking place between the Houthi opposition and government troops in Yemen.
This violence has caused many people to leave their homes.
Mobile health clinics have found hundreds of displaced children with the most dangerous type of malnutrition.
Aid organizations say the hunger crisis is getting worse due to the fighting.
The conflict affects food security, meaning people do not have enough safe and healthy food.
The situation is creating a growing emergency for the health and survival of children.
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Charities and businesses in the North East of England are struggling with high diesel prices, which have risen above £2 per litre for the first time. These cost increases make it harder for organizations like cancer charity Daft as a Brush and Teesside Minibus Hire to afford fuel and plan for future upgrades or contracts.
Key Facts
Diesel price in the UK has gone above £2 per litre, mainly due to disruptions from the Iran war affecting oil supply.
Daft as a Brush charity spends £15,000 monthly on diesel, £5,000 more than last year.
The charity planned to switch to electric vehicles but now cannot afford it because diesel costs are too high.
Filling a diesel tank now costs more than double what it did before the price hikes.
Teesside Minibus Hire is struggling to keep contracts profitable because fuel cost rises are not covered in long-term agreements.
Some customers are choosing cheaper, unlicensed minibus hires due to price increases.
The UK government extended a fuel duty tax freeze to keep fuel taxes low, aiming to ease the impact.
Officials say the UK has a reliable diesel supply despite global conflicts affecting oil markets.
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A missile strike hit Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, killing 12 people and injuring over 300. Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels and promised a strong response, while the attack has increased tensions in the region.
Key Facts
The strike occurred at Riyadh’s international airport, causing 12 deaths and over 300 injuries.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition called the attack a "full-fledged war crime" and blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen.
Four Saudis and several foreign nationals, including a US citizen, were among the dead.
The attack led to suspension of airport operations and damage assessments.
Doctors were urgently called to handle the emergency, including wounded pilgrims going to Mecca.
Riyadh schools shifted to remote learning for a week due to security concerns.
President Donald Trump suggested the US might join military action against the Houthis.
This event is the deadliest attack inside Saudi Arabia in over ten years and follows the collapse of a truce in the Yemen civil war.
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Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi were released by a court after being detained ahead of large protests demanding changes to India’s election system. The city was heavily guarded with thousands of police and many transport services shut to prevent protests at a main site.
Key Facts
The court freed leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka with conditions to avoid public disorder for one year.
The CJP started after India’s Chief Justice called some unemployed youth “cockroaches,” and the group pushes for election reforms.
Police detained around 7,000 protesters on Saturday and released them later the same day.
The government blocked protests at Jantar Mantar by closing metro stations and barricading roads.
The CJP also calls for the resignation of Election Chief Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter list issues, which officials deny.
Many protesters, including student leaders and lawyers, were stopped or detained but released quickly.
The electoral roll update process has removed about 130 million voter names across India.
Despite restrictions, some protesters insisted on their right to protest peacefully in democracy.
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A new musical work called Atlantic Requiem was created to honor enslaved Africans. It uses historic insurance documents connected to the slave trade and will be performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers in London.
Key Facts
Atlantic Requiem is composed by David Önaç, based in Manchester.
The piece was commissioned by Culture&, an arts and heritage charity.
It uses old documents from Lloyd’s of London that insured slave ships during the transatlantic slave trade.
The work combines Catholic religious texts, historic records, and survivor testimonies.
It mixes musical styles like classical, jazz, and gospel from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
The performance is scheduled for Black History Month and will be led by conductor Malcolm J Merriweather.
One part of the requiem is based on an 1791 testimony describing the murder of an enslaved African woman on a ship.
The work aims to remember suffering while also moving toward healing and reconciliation.
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The UK Conservative party is considering scrapping new rules that require new homes to include solar panels, heat pumps, and good insulation, which may lead to higher energy bills. Meanwhile, the Green party has changed its stance and now supports some new nuclear power as part of its low-carbon energy plan.
Key Facts
The Conservative party may remove the future homes standard (FHS), which requires new houses to have energy-saving features like solar panels and heat pumps.
Installing these energy-saving features costs around £5,000 to £8,000 when building but can save over £1,300 yearly on energy bills.
If these features are added later (retrofitted), it would cost over £20,000.
The UK needs around 6 million new homes, and not including efficient energy solutions could raise bills for many years.
The construction industry has already prepared for the FHS by investing in skills and materials.
The Conservative party also plans to abolish environmental agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Experts warn that cutting back on environmental policies may harm the economy and public safety.
The Green party has shifted its policy to support new nuclear power reactors alongside renewable energy.
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A new type of online scam called calendar phishing is growing quickly. Scammers send fake meeting invites or reminders that appear on your digital calendar, tricking you into clicking links or giving out personal information.
Key Facts
Calendar phishing scams place fake events or reminders in your electronic calendar, like Google Calendar.
These scam events often include links or phone numbers that lead to fake websites or scammers posing as support.
Invitations can arrive by email and may be added automatically to your calendar, even if you don’t open the email.
Scammers sometimes use real platforms like Zoom to make invitations seem trustworthy.
The fake calendar entries might look like internal company meetings or include company logos to appear genuine.
Common scam titles include fake voicemails, payment confirmations, or notifications of unusual activity.
Clicking links or calling phone numbers in these invites can lead to your personal data being stolen.
Experts advise being cautious about any unexpected calendar events and not clicking on suspicious links.
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An Indian court ordered the release of three leaders of the "cockroach" movement a day after their detention ahead of protests in New Delhi. The protests were planned to demand the resignation of the head of India's Election Commission over changes in voter lists that removed millions of names.
Key Facts
The leaders were detained to stop a protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The "cockroach" movement is a youth-led online group opposing alleged voter list irregularities.
More than 133 million names were removed from India's electoral rolls in a recent revision.
Authorities say the revision removed duplicate, dead, or fake voters; critics say minorities were unfairly affected.
Thousands of protesters were detained by police in New Delhi to prevent the protest.
The court released the leaders with the condition they maintain peace for one year.
The United Nations Human Rights chief called for the release of all detained protesters.
Opposition figures, including Rahul Gandhi, vowed to continue protests despite the crackdown.
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