A former UK national security adviser warned that Russia is increasing "hybrid attacks" on European countries, which use non-military methods like hacking and misinformation to cause harm. He called on the UK government to spend more on defending key systems like energy and transport to protect people and infrastructure.
Key Facts
Hybrid attacks use things like hacking, sabotage, and spreading false information instead of traditional warfare.
Russia is believed to be behind many such attacks in Europe since the war in Ukraine began.
MI5's chief said threats from countries including Russia and Iran have grown four times over the last ten years.
The former adviser said these attacks are becoming more dangerous and could lead to fatalities.
European leaders, including those in Germany and France, have warned about increasing Russian attacks.
The UK government is urged to boost its defense budget and improve protection for key services.
The adviser suggested the UK focus on working with allies rather than trying to influence President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine.
Russia denies responsibility for hybrid attacks despite widespread suspicion.
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Several Palestinians, including a child and four women, were injured during attacks by Israeli settlers in different parts of the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces also arrested Palestinian farmers and sometimes protected settlers while preventing Palestinians from harvesting olives.
Key Facts
Six Palestinians were injured in Ma’in village after attacks by Israeli settlers.
Israeli forces fired on Palestinian farmers in Deir Ammar and Tuqu, forcing them to leave their land.
Settlers raided a farm in Kafr Malek, killing about 20 sheep and causing a house fire with tear gas.
Olive trees were destroyed by settlers across the Beit Furik plain in the northern West Bank.
Settlers, protected by the Israeli army, fired live ammo to stop Palestinians from harvesting olives in Deir Jarir.
Around 300 attacks by settlers have been documented since the start of October, affecting the olive harvest season.
Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling supporting settlers taking over land and harvesting olives to claim ownership.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been criticized for not taking strong action to stop the violence ahead of October 27 elections.
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Pope Leo XIV will leave the hospital in Rome after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. He is expected to return to the Vatican and will lead a prayer from his apartment window on Sunday.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
He was treated at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital.
Doctors said he is well enough to leave the hospital.
The surgery lasted about 90 minutes and went without complications.
Pope Leo XIV resumed some work just days after the operation.
He will recite the Angelus prayer from the Vatican on Sunday.
The tumor was lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
His hospital stay was expected to last about a week before discharge.
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A fast-moving wildfire called the Norte fire destroyed and damaged several homes in Southern California, leading to evacuation orders for thousands of residents. Firefighters are working to control the blaze, which has spread over hundreds of acres, while officials continue to investigate its cause.
Key Facts
The Norte fire started near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente around 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Strong Santa Ana winds, dry plants, and warm temperatures helped the fire spread quickly.
The fire grew from 10 acres to 570 acres with zero containment as of Saturday morning.
About 4,000 homes were under evacuation orders, affecting around 13,000 people.
Multiple homes on Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano were burned or damaged.
Firefighters are working overnight to control hotspots and keep the fire from spreading.
Evacuation shelters opened in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente for displaced residents.
Two firefighters were hospitalized due to heat-related injuries during the firefighting efforts.
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Pope Leo XIV will leave the hospital four days after lung cancer surgery and plans to appear in public on Sunday for a prayer and blessing. His doctors say he is improving, but further tests are needed to see if the cancer has spread.
Key Facts
The Pope had surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous part of his right lung.
The surgery lasted about 90 minutes.
Blood tests and chest X-rays show steady improvement in his health.
The Pope will give the Angelus prayer and blessing in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.
He spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to urge peace amid the Ukraine conflict.
The Pope called for a humanitarian ceasefire in a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city to help evacuate people and deliver aid.
His public schedule is cleared until October 20 to allow for recovery.
He hopes to travel to Latin America in early November but it is unclear if he will be well enough.
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Large protests took place across France to oppose rising living costs and worsening public services, including schools. During these events, there were violent clashes between police and protesters that caused injuries, fires, and property damage in several cities.
Key Facts
Hundreds of thousands of people protested nationwide against inflation and poor public services.
Protesters broke into town halls and set fires, including a tourist office in Lyon.
Shops were looted in cities such as Marseille, Lille, Nice, and Paris.
Police used tear gas and water cannons against masked protesters throwing objects.
One protester lost a hand due to a police crowd-control grenade in Saint-Etienne.
Over 130 people were arrested during the protests.
The protests follow weeks of student demonstrations and increase political uncertainty ahead of France’s presidential election.
Many protesters called for President Macron to resign.
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Large protests took place across France against rising living costs, with clashes between police and some masked youths leading to fires, looting, and injuries. Authorities arrested over 130 people, and the unrest adds to political tensions ahead of France’s elections in six months.
Key Facts
Around 500,000 people marched across France against inflation, according to the CGT union.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to control violent protesters.
More than 130 arrests were made during the protests.
A male protester lost a hand due to a police crowd-control grenade in Saint-Etienne.
Several shops, including luxury stores and an Apple store, were looted in cities like Lille, Marseille, Nice, and Paris.
Fires were set at places including a tourism office in Lyon and several cars in Paris.
The protests included people of all ages and were mostly peaceful, though some acts of vandalism occurred.
The unrest follows student protests and the Yellow Vest movement and comes ahead of upcoming elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron.
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Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling allowing settlers to take olives from Palestinian orchards in the West Bank, claiming Jewish ownership of the land. This ruling comes amid increased violence during the olive harvest, including attacks on Palestinian farmers and journalists. Some other rabbis strongly opposed Lior’s ruling, calling it theft and morally wrong.
Key Facts
Rabbi Dov Lior said settlers can pick olives from Palestinian land they cannot access, viewing it as a way to claim ownership.
Lior described stealing olives as a “virtue” and encouraged settlers to “conquer the land” based on Jewish religious beliefs.
The West Bank has seen a wave of violent attacks by Israeli settlers and military against Palestinians during olive harvest season.
At least 19 people were injured in 34 attacks on Palestinian farmers on the same day as the ruling.
An American photojournalist was assaulted while covering the violence, and several vehicles were set on fire.
Other Jewish religious leaders condemned Lior’s ruling, calling it theft and saying only the state can take property legally.
Some analysts say this disagreement among rabbis might be political, as the government tries to present settlers as generally peaceful.
Rabbi Lior is influential among hardline settler groups and opposes any land compromise with Palestinians.
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France is experiencing a new wave of protests involving students, labor unions, and Yellow Vest activists. These groups are protesting against high prices and social inequality, leading to some of the most violent clashes in recent decades.
Key Facts
Protests are happening across France nationwide.
Participants include students, labor unions, and Yellow Vest activists.
The protests focus on rising prices and economic inequality.
Authorities are concerned about unrest and violence.
Recent clashes have been among the most violent in many years.
The protests include school-led marches over several weeks.
The government is actively responding to the situation.
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The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, and several European finance leaders walked out of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Bangkok to protest Russia’s involvement. They left when the Russian finance minister began speaking, showing opposition to normalizing relations with Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, joined a walkout during an IMF meeting.
Leaders from France, Germany, Scandinavian, and Baltic countries also left the session.
The walkout happened when Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov spoke in Russian.
Nearly half the delegates participated in the joint departure.
European diplomats said the war in Ukraine is a critical issue for Europe.
The Saudi finance minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan, noted all members agreed on the meeting’s statement.
The US supported Russia’s presence at the meeting, despite European opposition.
The IMF meeting discussed the global economy’s resilience despite conflicts and warned about risks like rising public debt, trade tensions, and energy insecurity.
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There were protests in Paris against falling education standards, rising fuel prices, and the overall cost of living. Police were present on the streets as tens of thousands of people joined hundreds of demonstrations across France.
Key Facts
Protests started last month in poor northern suburbs of Paris, focusing on education issues like missing teachers and poor school conditions.
The protests quickly grew to target wider problems such as inequality and declining public services.
Hundreds of protests were planned across France to take place on the same day.
Tens of thousands of people were expected to participate in these protests nationwide.
Police were deployed in Paris to manage the protests and maintain order.
The demonstrations took place mainly around places like Place de la République in Paris.
The protests reflect growing public frustration with rising living costs and public service problems.
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A nursery owner and five staff members in China were sentenced to prison after more than 200 children were poisoned by lead-contaminated food. The nursery used inedible paint and toxic ingredients in meals, causing serious health issues among children and staff.
Key Facts
Li Huifang, owner of Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Gansu province, received a life sentence for selling toxic food.
In July 2025, 247 pupils and staff were found with high blood lead levels after eating poisoned food.
Staff used inedible paint in meals to make food look better and attract students.
Food samples had lead levels 2,000 times above China’s safety limit.
The nursery’s executive principal got 15 years in prison and a fine.
Four kitchen staff members received 6 to 8 years in prison.
An investigation uncovered attempts by officials and hospital staff to cover up the poisoning.
China introduced new rules requiring food safety tests for school meals and centralized food purchases.
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In October, at least 12 ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, amid tensions between the US and Iran. The US says it controls the strait and enforces a naval blockade on Iran, while Iran disputes these claims and accuses the US of exaggerating the situation.
Key Facts
At least 12 ships were attacked in the week ending October 16 near the Strait of Hormuz, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Many vessels hit refused to report attacks to UKMTO, making it hard to verify exact numbers.
The attacks included a new type where a tanker was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat.
Oil flow through the strait was about 11.6 million barrels per day, around 68% of pre-war levels.
Brent crude oil price reached $110 a barrel amid ongoing attacks and regional tensions.
US Central Command says 400 ships carrying 100 million barrels of oil passed through the strait in the last week.
The US claims to enforce a strict naval blockade on Iran’s southern ports to stop Iranian oil exports, costing Iran $25 billion.
Iran denies the US claims and says Washington exaggerates the situation to show success of its naval efforts.
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A Mexican court sentenced three men to over 158 years in prison for killing two Australian brothers and their American friend during a robbery in Baja California in 2024. The victims were camping when the attackers tried to steal tires from their truck, shot them, and hid their bodies in a difficult-to-find well.
Key Facts
The victims were Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia, and Carter Rhoad from the United States.
The attack happened near Ensenada, Baja California, on April 27, 2024.
The killers used two guns, a 9mm and a .45 caliber pistol.
The three convicted men were identified as Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus.
Jesus Gerardo had a prior criminal record and was influenced by his former girlfriend, who was also sentenced to 20 years for her role.
The attackers burned the victims’ tents and truck to hide evidence.
The victims’ bodies were found dumped in a well that was hard to find and covered with boards.
Prosecutors believe the killers may be connected to another older murder but have not charged them for it.
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Many women gathered outside the police headquarters in New Delhi to protest against police violence. They said police were harsh to female protesters during recent demonstrations about problems with elections.
Key Facts
The protest happened in New Delhi, India.
Women led the protest outside the police headquarters.
They were upset about police brutality towards women during earlier protests.
The earlier protests were about election irregularities, meaning possible unfairness in voting.
The women demanded better treatment and accountability from the police.
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Mark Cocker has written his 1,000th country diary for The Guardian, a column that started in 1904. He writes short stories about nature and wildlife, often from his home in Derbyshire, and has been sharing his observations for nearly 40 years.
Key Facts
Mark Cocker wrote his first diary for The Guardian in 1987 after watching a jay bury acorns.
The Guardian’s country diary is the oldest nature column in an English-language newspaper, starting in 1904.
About 30 writers contribute to the diary, including farmers, scientists, and naturalists.
Cocker writes a diary every two weeks, usually about nature in Derbyshire.
It took him 10 years to learn how to write these short, focused nature stories well.
He has observed many bird species, including rare raptors like marsh harriers and red kites.
His latest book, The Nature of Seeing, includes some recent diaries and essays about experiencing nature deeply.
The diary column covers both local details and larger natural connections in short pieces of about 360 words.
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A Florida woman, Kennedy Ward, was bitten by a stray cat she was feeding and later found out the cat had rabies. After receiving rabies treatment, Ward had severe allergic reactions due to an underlying rare genetic disorder, leading her to spend 10 months in the hospital.
Key Facts
Kennedy Ward was feeding stray cats and was bitten by one named Baby in February 2023.
A nearby cat tested positive for rabies, so health officials advised monitoring Baby, who later died showing signs of rabies.
Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated quickly, but a vaccine after exposure can prevent the disease.
Ward received rabies post-exposure treatment, including vaccine shots and immune globulin.
After each vaccine dose, Ward’s throat swelled shut, and she had to be intubated (a breathing tube inserted) multiple times.
She was in and out of comas and spent a total of 10 months in the hospital.
Doctors discovered Ward has hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic disorder causing severe swelling and reactions like hers.
HAE is caused by a problem with a protein called C1 inhibitor and is different from normal allergic reactions.
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Harry Styles performed a new song called "What Is Enough" at Madison Square Garden to honor his late friend and former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, who died two years ago. Styles spoke to the crowd about the importance of friendship and support before playing the unreleased track.
Key Facts
Harry Styles played a new song named "What Is Enough" during his concert at Madison Square Garden.
The song was written in memory of Liam Payne, who died two years ago from a fall in Argentina.
Styles dedicated the performance to Payne and thanked friends who have supported him.
This concert was part of Styles’ “Together, Together” tour residency in New York.
Fans heard the song for the first time and praised it as beautiful on social media.
Styles began his solo career after leaving One Direction in 2017.
His album "Harry’s House" won a Grammy and a Brit Award in 2022.
Styles encouraged fans to support and take care of each other during his speech.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to help fight in Yemen again by funding some government forces, while Saudi Arabia will provide air support against the Iran-aligned Houthi fighters. This new cooperation comes as the Houthis have made advances, causing concern in the Gulf region.
Key Facts
The UAE will resume payments to some Yemeni government forces fighting the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia will offer air cover to support these forces.
The Houthis have increased attacks, including drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia.
The UAE stopped its operations in Yemen and funding in January but is now re-engaging.
The Southern Transition Council (STC), a separatist group in southern Yemen, has asked for a referendum on independence, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not agreed.
Yemeni government forces have launched a counterattack against the Houthis, but with limited success.
Houthi missile attacks recently struck near the Aden airport, but no casualties were reported.
Egypt’s president is preparing for possible defense actions to support Saudi Arabia if needed.
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In France, large protests began against the rising cost of living, with many people demonstrating in cities. Authorities detained dozens of protesters, and the events are seen as important for the mood in the country before upcoming elections to choose a new president after Emmanuel Macron.
Key Facts
Protests started on a Saturday across France about the high cost of living.
Dozens of people were arrested by French authorities during the demonstrations.
The protests are seen as a sign of public feelings before France’s next presidential election.
Emmanuel Macron is the current president, and his term will end soon.
The cost of living has been a major concern for many people in France.
The protests occurred nationwide, showing widespread discontent.
This social unrest could influence political decisions and future leadership in France.
The article included related news on global topics but focused mainly on France’s protests.
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