French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting Gulf countries for three days to discuss fuel supplies and strengthen strategic relationships. He will visit Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar to secure commitments for more diesel and petrol deliveries to France.
Key Facts
President Macron’s visit lasts three days and focuses on energy and strategic ties.
The trip includes stops in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.
France aims to increase fuel supplies, especially diesel and petrol.
The visit comes amid recent unrest in France, which Macron considered delaying.
French diplomat Bertrand Besancenot, who has experience in Gulf relations, commented on the visit.
Macron emphasized the need for France to assist the Gulf states.
The unrest in France remains a backdrop to the talks.
The discussions are part of broader efforts to manage energy needs and alliances.
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Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist, is on trial for allegedly threatening two journalists from MailOnline. He is accused of sending messages and making a phone call that made the reporters fear for their safety. Robinson denies the charges.
Key Facts
Tommy Robinson’s real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
He faces two charges of harassment causing fear of violence against journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.
The alleged harassment included social media posts, direct messages, and a phone call where Robinson said, “I’m coming to get you.”
Robinson shared photos and addresses of the journalists on social media, which scared them and their families.
The trial began at Southwark crown court with a jury of eight women and three men.
The prosecution said Robinson used intimidating tactics to threaten the reporters after MailOnline published critical stories about him.
The judge told the jury to focus on the facts and ignore political opinions about Robinson or the media.
Robinson claims the Daily Mail’s actions endangered his own family.
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Protests against the rising cost of living took place in Milan, Italy, leading to clashes between police and mostly young demonstrators. At least 200 people were arrested during two days of unrest, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has organized a security meeting to address the situation.
Key Facts
Violent protests occurred in Milan over the high cost of living.
The protests lasted for two days and involved mostly minors.
Police arrested around 200 people during the clashes.
The protests included scenes of chaos and looting.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a meeting to discuss security measures.
The situation in Milan reminded some of past violent protests in Paris.
The events highlight growing social tensions in Italy related to economic issues.
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Abdul Rahman Jabr and other Palestinians in the West Bank have faced increasing attacks by Israeli settlers since late 2023. In response, Palestinians are setting up fences and organizing neighborhood watches to protect their homes and land.
Key Facts
Abdul Rahman Jabr’s home in al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, has been repeatedly attacked by settlers since early 2023.
His vehicle was set on fire, windows broken, and settlers have come to his property multiple times in a short period.
Since October 2023, over 14,700 settler attacks against Palestinians have been recorded by a Palestinian commission.
Attacks increased by 63% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to 2025.
Palestinian communities like Sinjil have formed unofficial night guard groups to protect homes from settlers.
Israeli army actions have affected these Palestinian guard groups, including arrests and injuries.
Despite dangers, many Palestinians refuse to leave their homes or give up their land.
Efforts to protect land include installing barbed wire fences as physical barriers against settlers.
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An Al Jazeera investigation found that a group of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive farmers and American photojournalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank, contradicting official Israeli statements. The investigation used video and geographic evidence to show the settlers coordinated the attack while Israeli military vehicles passed nearby without intervening.
Key Facts
The attack happened on October 16 in Khirbet Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Heidi Levine, a 63-year-old American photojournalist, was seriously injured with broken ribs and fractured vertebrae despite wearing a press vest.
Al Jazeera’s Data Journalism Unit verified over 20 videos and photos, mapping the attack site and settler outposts involved.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, questioned settler involvement, while the Israeli army said it was handling a confrontation.
Evidence shows Israeli military vehicles passed the area before the attack but did not stop the settlers.
The attackers came from a settler outpost in Area B, where Israel controls security and the Palestinian Authority manages civil matters.
Settlers from multiple outposts gathered before moving to attack the farmers and journalists.
Palestinian youths responded to the assault by throwing stones to protect the victims and help rescue Heidi Levine.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia attacked Ukraine’s power system again using missiles and drones. He also said Ukraine did not get any early warning from partner countries about this attack, unlike before.
Key Facts
Russia used ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine did not receive early intelligence warnings this time from partner countries.
President Zelenskyy is concerned about recent U.S. actions that may help Russia, such as waiving sanctions and allowing Russian diesel imports.
The U.S. limited Ukraine’s use of a military-grade Starlink internet service, affecting Ukrainian drone control.
Ukraine faces a shortage of American Patriot air defense systems, making it harder to defend against attacks.
Zelenskyy is asking for continued support and new U.S. sanctions against Russia.
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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that local curfews would be imposed in some cities to protect businesses after weekend protests turned violent. He said these measures are targeted and called out an "ultra-left movement" for trying to cause widespread unrest ahead of next year's presidential election.
Key Facts
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu spoke after a crisis meeting on October 19, 2026.
He asked regional authorities to set curfews in certain cities to prevent further violence.
The curfews are described as partial and focused on specific areas.
The weekend protests included violent incidents and damaged shops.
Lecornu accused an "ultra-left movement" of organizing unrest across France.
This unrest is happening before the 2027 presidential election in France.
The French Interior Minister admitted that police lost control during the protests.
Massive cleanup efforts are ongoing after the protests caused significant damage.
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Titan, a 4-year-old boy with hearing loss, finally received hearing aids that allowed him to hear clearly for the first time. His joyful reaction showed the positive impact hearing aids can have on children with hearing difficulties.
Key Facts
Titan was born in 2021 with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, meaning he could hear only about 30% of normal sounds.
His hearing loss delayed his speech and learning, making it hard to recognize nursery rhymes and ABCs.
In October 2025, Titan got hearing aids that helped him hear his parents’ voices and his own laughter clearly.
His parents recorded his joyful reaction when the aids were switched on, showing how emotional and important this moment was.
Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss happens when both ears have damage in the inner ear or hearing nerves and is the most common permanent hearing loss in children.
About 1 to 2 infants per 1,000 births in the U.S. have permanent hearing loss.
Hearing loss can affect speech, language, learning, social skills, and school performance, especially in early childhood.
With hearing aids, speech therapy, and family support, children with hearing loss can still reach their full potential.
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The UK government plans to allow nearly 16,000 new homes to be built in the Norfolk Broads, a highly protected natural area, by letting developers pay into a nature restoration fund instead of directly preventing environmental damage. Critics, including a Labour MP and environmental experts, say this plan will not sufficiently reduce pollution or protect rare plants and animals in the area.
Key Facts
Nearly 16,000 new homes are planned for the Norfolk Broads, an important wildlife area in the UK.
Developers will pay £2,675 per house into a central fund for nature restoration, totaling £42 million.
The plan allows environmental harm if developers pay into the fund, which critics call a rollback of environmental protections.
The Norfolk Broads need a 91-97% reduction in nutrient pollution like nitrogen and phosphorus to recover.
Natural England, the government’s nature adviser, says the new homes will cause several types of environmental damage.
A Labour MP has asked the Office for Environmental Protection to stop the plan, saying it ignores pollution and science.
The plan relies on indirect conservation actions rather than reducing pollution from new homes.
Ministers say the scheme will help build more homes and improve nature in a coordinated way.
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Lebanon's economic crisis, ongoing since 2019, continues to cause problems for its people. The World Bank predicts the country's economy will shrink by 6.4% this year, with inflation reaching about 17.5%, making everyday goods more expensive for families.
Key Facts
Lebanon has been facing a severe economic crisis since 2019.
A recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah disrupted some recovery progress.
The World Bank expects Lebanon's economy to shrink by 6.4% in 2026.
Inflation in Lebanon is forecasted to reach around 17.5% this year.
Inflation means prices for goods and services are rising, reducing people's buying power.
The crisis has affected households, businesses, and how people shop.
There are growing inequalities visible in Lebanese society due to the crisis.
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British Summer Time (BST), also called Daylight Saving Time, ends on Sunday, 25 October 2026, at 2:00 am BST when clocks are set back one hour. This change means sunsets will happen earlier, and the clocks will move forward again on 28 March 2027.
Key Facts
Clocks in the UK will go back one hour on 25 October 2026 at 2:00 am BST.
This gives people an extra hour of sleep on that day.
BST was first introduced in the UK over 100 years ago to save fuel during World War One.
Some US lawmakers approved a bill in 2026 to keep daylight saving time year-round, called the Sunshine Protection Act.
Permanent daylight saving time would mean later sunrises in winter, especially in northern areas like Scotland.
Most of Europe changes clocks on the same day as the UK, but North America does so in early November.
The UK currently plans to keep changing clocks twice a year and has no plan to stop this practice.
Other continents like Asia, Africa, and South America mostly do not follow daylight saving time.
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France is facing widespread protests sparked by problems in schools, along with broader economic and social issues. The country struggles with high youth unemployment, social inequality, and financial challenges related to government spending and debt.
Key Facts
Protests started over school staffing and funding but have grown to include general economic and social frustrations.
Youth unemployment in France is about 20.6%, higher than in Germany, the U.S., and the U.K.
The 2018 Yellow Vest protesters have joined current demonstrations, linking education issues with inequality and government policies.
France’s government debt compared to its economy (debt-to-GDP ratio) is concerning and borrowing costs are rising.
About $100 billion is spent annually on education, with over 25% going to pensions for retired teachers.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman described France’s financial path as unsustainable.
The government has proposed budget cuts of €54 billion ($60.5 billion) but faces political challenges in passing them.
The upcoming presidential election adds tension to the current social and economic situation.
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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered local curfews in some cities to stop rioting and looting after recent violence targeting public buildings and businesses. Lecornu said no one died during the unrest and praised police efforts.
Key Facts
Curfews will be limited and apply only to specific areas in cities.
The violence included attacks on city halls, public buildings, and hundreds of businesses.
The unrest happened during nationwide protests.
No deaths occurred during the rioting, which Lecornu called a miracle.
Police faced violent groups but managed to control the situation.
Lecornu met with government officials to discuss the response.
Details about where curfews apply will be announced later.
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Russell Brand, a comedian, is on trial in London accused of raping a woman in 2004 at a birthday party. The woman described how Brand grabbed her, took her to a toilet, and assaulted her while she was shocked and tried to resist. Brand denies all charges, which include rape and sexual assault from incidents between 1999 and 2009.
Key Facts
Russell Brand faces charges including three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The alleged attack happened at a bar in Soho, London, during a birthday party in 2004.
The woman said Brand grabbed her breasts, dragged her to a toilet, and raped her orally.
The victim told police she was in shock and felt numb after the assault.
Brand allegedly acted normally afterward, suggesting they swap numbers.
She said Brand exposed himself again in a car and urged her to perform oral sex, which she refused.
The woman reported Brand’s behavior after media reports about his alleged sexual misconduct surfaced in 2023.
Brand denies all the accusations and pleaded not guilty in court.
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Kenya has reported a third case of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus during the largest Ebola outbreak in history, which is mostly affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo region. The US role in fighting Ebola has decreased after funding cuts and changes in health policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, including building a controversial quarantine center in Kenya and pulling back support from global health agencies.
Key Facts
Kenya’s first cluster of Ebola cases now includes three confirmed patients with Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
The Ebola outbreak has killed over 4,300 people and infected more than 9,000, mainly in Central Africa.
The US built a quarantine center at Kenya’s Laikipia air base for Americans returning from Ebola-affected areas, but it faced protests and legal challenges.
Many Kenyans mistrust government information about Ebola and the new quarantine center.
The US has cut funding to global health programs like USAID and the CDC, including closing HIV prevention offices in several African countries.
These funding cuts have led to clinic closures and reduced efforts to monitor and respond to disease outbreaks.
The US officially left the World Health Organization (WHO) in January, withdrawing financial support and complicating international cooperation.
Experts warn these changes reduce the ability to stop the current Ebola outbreak and prepare for future health emergencies.
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Australian MP Helen Haines was critically injured after being struck by a car in a deliberate attack near her office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The suspect, a 43-year-old man, was arrested at the scene, and police are investigating the incident with the help of counter-terrorism units.
Key Facts
Helen Haines is a 65-year-old Independent MP representing Indi in Victoria, Australia.
She was hit by a white Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office around 3:35 pm local time.
The driver, a man from Tarrawingee, was arrested on the spot by a passer-by and police.
A knife was found inside the suspect’s vehicle.
It is unclear if Haines and the suspect knew each other.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, described the attack as deliberate and called for concern for politicians’ safety.
There has been an increase in threats and harassment toward Australian lawmakers in recent years.
Australian officials from different parties expressed shock and support for Haines.
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Russell Brand is on trial for multiple sexual offenses including rape, accused by six women of actions that happened between 1999 and 2009. One woman described an alleged attack at a party in London in 2004, where she said Brand forcibly assaulted her, which he denies, claiming any contact was consensual.
Key Facts
Russell Brand faces seven charges: three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one indecent assault.
The accusations involve six women and cover events from 1999 to 2009.
One woman said Brand grabbed her breasts during a conversation at a birthday party.
She alleges Brand dragged her into a toilet, which was flooded on the floor, and sexually assaulted her there.
The woman said she closed her eyes and tried not to be there during the alleged attack.
After the alleged assault, Brand reportedly asked to swap phone numbers.
Brand denies all charges and says any sexual contact was voluntary.
The trial is ongoing and expected to last six weeks.
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Qatar will soon announce a new regional defense partnership to improve its military strength. The news was shared by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs at a security event in Doha.
Key Facts
Qatar is creating a regional defense partnership.
The goal is to boost Qatar’s military capabilities.
The announcement was made by Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
Sheikh Saoud is Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
The information was shared at the Global Security Forum in Doha.
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France and Albania are experiencing violent protests involving many young people. In France, large demonstrations over high living costs and school conditions have turned destructive. In Albania, protests against corruption and a luxury tourism project linked to President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner have also led to clashes with police.
Key Facts
France saw one of its worst civil unrest episodes in years with protests involving about 550,000 to 800,000 people.
Demonstrations in France started with students demanding better schools but grew to include broader economic complaints.
Violence in France included fires, looting, damage to public buildings, and many arrests.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and promised legal action against those responsible.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance blamed the unrest in France on immigration and called for border closures.
Albania’s protests began peacefully but grew violent over corruption and a controversial tourism project.
The tourism project in Albania is connected to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
In Albania, protesters damaged government buildings, blocked roads with burning barricades, and clashed with riot police using tear gas and water cannons.
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An Australian independent lawmaker, Helen Haines, was hit by a car in an attack outside her office. She was seriously hurt, and the driver was arrested. The government’s counterterrorism team is investigating the incident.
Key Facts
Helen Haines is a 65-year-old federal independent lawmaker in Australia.
She was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV in Wangaratta, Victoria state.
The attack happened outside her electoral district office in the afternoon.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested by police.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the crash was likely deliberate.
Australia’s counterterrorism team, including police and intelligence, is investigating.
The incident is being treated as a serious and intentional act.
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