European Union leaders will meet to discuss the EU's next long-term budget, including how much money it will have and how it will be spent. A key part of the budget is funding support for Ukraine. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the meeting to seek more support amid rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
EU leaders will debate the size and priorities of the EU’s long-term budget.
The budget includes financial help for Ukraine.
No agreement on the budget is expected immediately.
Ukrainian President Zelensky will attend the meeting on Friday.
Zelensky aims to gain more support for Ukraine from EU members.
Tensions have increased between Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The talks are taking place in Brussels, Belgium.
Funding Ukraine is a major point of discussion during the EU budget talks.
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EU leaders from 27 countries are meeting to agree on the European Union’s long-term budget. They want to finalize the deal before the French presidential election next year, as they worry that future negotiations could be harder if eurosceptic parties gain power.
Key Facts
EU leaders are holding talks to decide the long-term budget for the European Union.
The budget talks involve all 27 EU member countries.
They aim to reach an agreement by Christmas 2026.
The timing is important because the French presidential election in 2027 could affect the deal.
Eurosceptic parties, who are skeptical of the EU, may win elections and make budget deals harder.
The budget will shape EU spending and priorities for several years.
France is considered a key country in these negotiations.
The discussions are taking place in Brussels, Belgium.
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Elon Musk said any problems Ukraine has with the Starshield satellite system are caused by the U.S. government, not his company. He explained that the Starshield system is owned and controlled by the U.S. military and President Donald Trump, who decide its speed and usage limits.
Key Facts
Starshield is a satellite communication system used by Ukraine.
Elon Musk is the CEO of SpaceX, the company involved with Starshield.
Musk stated that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government.
Any slowdowns or restrictions in the system are set by the U.S. military.
The final authority over the system’s operations is President Donald Trump.
Musk denied that SpaceX causes any issues with Ukraine’s use of Starshield.
The statement came amid reports of disruptions in Ukraine’s communications.
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In Tirana, the capital of Albania, students protested for better university conditions and called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. The protests turned violent for a second day, with clashes between demonstrators and riot police using water cannons, leading to arrests and damage to government buildings.
Key Facts
Students in Albania held protests demanding improved education and more job opportunities.
They also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The protests lasted two days and became violent.
Demonstrators built barricades in the streets of Tirana.
Riot police used water cannons to stop the protests.
Sixteen people were arrested after street violence.
Government buildings were damaged during the clashes.
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Istanbul experienced the heaviest rainfall in 84 years, causing severe flooding that led to the deaths of two people. Nearly 600 residents were rescued, schools closed, and authorities advised people to stay home unless necessary as the rain continues.
Key Facts
Two people died due to the flooding: a 14-year-old boy was electrocuted in a puddle, and a 34-year-old man slipped and hit his head.
About 595 people were evacuated from flooded areas to safe locations.
Istanbul received rainfall equal to one seventh of its usual yearly amount in just a short time.
Local officials urged residents to use public transport and extended metro hours until 2:00 a.m.
Flooding caused cars to be submerged, roads to collapse, and a river to overflow its banks.
Airports in Istanbul had disruptions, with 46 planes unable to land.
Schools were closed on Thursday and Friday, and some public employees were given leave to reduce risk.
The Istanbul metropolitan area, home to over 16 million people, is under flood watch, with warnings for other provinces too.
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Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional change to reduce the workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours and guarantee two days off per week without lowering workers' pay. The law, supported by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is expected to help over 30 million workers and was passed shortly before the country's presidential election runoff.
Key Facts
The working week in Brazil will be cut from 44 hours to 40 hours.
Employees will have two days off per week with no pay cuts.
The change is the largest update to workers' rights since 1988, when Brazil returned to democracy.
The amendment passed in the Senate with 75 votes for and 1 against.
The ruling is expected to benefit more than 30 million Brazilian workers.
Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro changed his vote to support the law due to its popularity.
The change will happen in stages, first reducing hours to 42, then to 40 over more than a year.
Critics warn it might increase costs for businesses and consumers, while supporters say better rest will improve worker productivity.
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China and North Korea officially opened a new border bridge called the New Yalu River Bridge. The bridge connects the Chinese city of Dandong with North Korea and aims to boost trade after years of delays and disruptions caused by strained relations and the pandemic.
Key Facts
The New Yalu River Bridge is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) long.
It is the most significant land border crossing between China and North Korea.
The bridge opening was delayed for several years.
Trucks bearing the national flags of China and North Korea crossed the bridge during the opening.
The bridge has four lanes for vehicles.
Both sides decorated the bridge with their national flags at the opening ceremony.
The bridge is expected to help renew trade and commerce between the two countries.
Previous trade and travel were limited due to diplomatic tensions and COVID-19 restrictions.
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In New Delhi, India, a large protest led by young people from the "Cockroach Janata Party" took place despite a heavy security presence. Authorities deployed over 30,000 security forces, closed more than 50 metro stations, and imposed a 24-hour internet blackout, but protesters found ways to avoid these restrictions.
Key Facts
The protest happened in New Delhi, India’s capital city.
It was organized by the "Cockroach Janata Party," a group led by Generation Z (young people born roughly between 1997 and 2012).
Over 30,000 security personnel were deployed to control the protest.
More than 50 metro stations were closed to limit movement.
Authorities imposed a complete internet blackout for 24 hours.
Despite these measures, protesters managed to find gaps in security and take part in the protest.
The information was reported by FRANCE 24 with video coverage by Navodita Kumari.
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Russia says Ukraine attacked an oil refinery near Moscow after Ukraine decided to end a pause on strikes on Russian energy sites. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy said the pause stopped after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire,” and he criticized U.S. actions, including limits on satellite internet used by Ukraine’s military.
Key Facts
Russia’s defense ministry reported a drone attack on an oil refinery in Ryazan, 180 km south of Moscow.
Ukraine had paused attacks on Russian energy sites after President Trump announced an “energy ceasefire.”
President Zelenskyy said Ukraine has ended that pause and will resume strikes on Russian refineries.
Zelenskyy accused the U.S. of weakening Ukraine by reducing intelligence sharing and limiting SpaceX satellite internet access used by Ukrainian forces.
Elon Musk said only the U.S. military and President Trump have authority over SpaceX’s military Starshield internet service.
Musk also posted messages calling for Zelenskyy to step down as Ukraine’s leader.
Ukraine depends heavily on Western military aid, especially from the U.S. and Germany.
Zelenskyy said he might pause strikes again if the U.S. provides Patriot missile defense systems.
The EU has pledged $50 billion to support Ukraine next year, though Ukraine plans to spend $175 billion on defense.
President Trump denied the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
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China and North Korea have officially opened the New Yalu River Bridge after waiting 12 years to complete it. The 3-kilometer bridge is planned to become the main road connecting the two countries, helping to strengthen their ties.
Key Facts
The New Yalu River Bridge links China and North Korea.
It took 12 years to finish building the bridge.
The bridge is 3 kilometers long.
It is expected to be the main land connection between the two countries.
The opening aims to improve relations between China and North Korea.
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Thousands of people in Colombia protested against the new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella on October 15, 2026. The protests are the first major opposition movement since he started his term in August, focusing on fighting crime and drug-related terrorism.
Key Facts
The protests happened in several cities across Colombia.
They expressed concerns about the future under President Abelardo de la Espriella.
De la Espriella took office in August 2026.
He has promised to fight crime and eliminate "narco-terrorists," which refers to drug traffickers using violence.
These protests are the first large demonstrations against his government.
The report was provided by FRANCE 24 from Bogotá, Colombia.
The protests reflect political and social tensions in the country.
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President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the network of wrongly editing his comments to suggest he called for violence during a 2021 rally. The BBC denies wrongdoing, continues its legal fight, and recently won a court decision allowing it to serve legal papers to Trump’s children despite his attempts to block this.
Key Facts
President Trump sued the BBC for $10 billion over a Panorama episode that edited his rally comments.
The BBC apologized for the editing, saying it gave the wrong impression.
The lawsuit started at the end of 2024, and the BBC is actively defending itself.
A judge allowed the BBC to serve legal papers to Trump’s children, Donald Jr. and Ivanka.
Trump tried to prevent his children from being deposed but the BBC kept pushing forward.
The BBC is a publicly funded UK broadcaster and is not controlled by commercial or political pressures like some US media companies.
ABC News paid Trump $15 million to settle a defamation suit, showing differences in media responses to Trump in the US and UK.
Other US broadcasters have faced pressure or legal challenges from Trump or regulators allied with him.
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Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in France, was measured to be nearly two meters taller in 2026 than it was in 2023. Surveyors put its height at 4,807.47 meters (15,772.5 feet) after conducting regular measurements since 2001 to study changes in the Alps.
Key Facts
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in France.
Its height in 2026 was measured at 4,807.47 meters (15,772.5 feet).
This is nearly two meters taller than the 2023 measurement.
Researchers measure Mont Blanc every 2-3 years.
The measurements help study how climate change affects the Alps.
The first recorded regular measurements started in 2001.
The increase in height shows natural changes in the mountain over time.
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Ukraine has reported slower internet speeds on the Starlink satellite system it uses during its conflict with Russia. This limitation has highlighted Ukraine’s dependence on Starlink for both military attacks and defense amid tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
Key Facts
Ukraine uses Starlink, a US satellite internet service, to support its military operations.
A senior Ukrainian official said Starlink data speeds have been deliberately reduced (throttled).
The slowdown occurred during a period of worsening relations between Ukraine and the US.
US President Donald Trump is working to reduce global fuel prices by buying Russian diesel and urging both sides to stop attacking energy sites.
The restrictions on Starlink affect Ukraine’s ability to communicate and carry out operations against Russia.
The tension follows comments from Elon Musk criticizing Ukraine’s attacks on Russian data centers.
Starlink’s role shows Ukraine’s reliance on foreign technology during the war.
The issue adds complexity to the Ukraine-US partnership amid the ongoing conflict.
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A new four-lane road bridge has opened between China and North Korea, 12 years later than planned. This bridge will help increase trade between the two neighboring countries.
Key Facts
The bridge connects China and North Korea.
It has four lanes for road traffic.
The opening was delayed by 12 years.
China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner.
China supports North Korea politically and diplomatically.
The two countries have had some disagreements in the past.
The new bridge aims to boost cross-border trade significantly.
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Kyiv’s mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, has suggested residents who can temporarily leave the city for winter should do so due to safety concerns. Many residents complain about the lack of enough bomb shelters to protect them from Russian attacks, and although the city plans to build and improve shelters, critics say these efforts are insufficient and delayed.
Key Facts
Kyiv’s mayor advised some residents to temporarily leave the city for winter safety.
Residents say there are not enough proper bomb shelters in Kyiv.
Many people blame the city officials for poor preparation against Russian attacks.
The Kyiv city council promised to build new shelters and improve existing ones.
They also plan to add surface-level bunkers at bus stops.
Critics feel the measures come too late to address the current danger.
The shortage of shelters has caused frustration among Kyiv residents during the ongoing war.
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Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), will be sentenced for multiple sexual offenses against two women when they were children. He was found guilty of 18 counts, including rape, for crimes committed between 1985 and 2008.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Donaldson, aged 63, is the former leader of the DUP, leading from 2021 to 2024.
He was convicted in June 2026 of 18 sexual abuse charges, including one count of rape.
The offenses involved two women when they were children and took place over more than two decades (1985-2008).
Victims shared impact statements describing long-lasting emotional harm caused by the abuse.
Donaldson has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the privy council since his conviction.
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found unfit to stand trial but was found to have helped with his offending.
Eleanor faces no prison time but may receive a treatment order or absolute discharge; she has appealed the court's findings.
Donaldson is to be sentenced in Newry crown court and faces a lengthy prison term.
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A fishing boat called Kilda went missing near Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis. One fisherman, Douglas Craigie, was found dead, while two others, Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison, are still missing. Search efforts by coastguard and rescue teams are ongoing despite bad weather.
Key Facts
The fishing boat Kilda left Brevaig, Lewis, around 7:30 AM on Tuesday.
The boat was reported overdue at 9:20 PM the same day.
Douglas Craigie, 49, was found dead near Port of Ness early Wednesday.
Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing.
Rescue efforts involved helicopters, aeroplanes, lifeboats, and coastguard teams.
Searches were paused Wednesday night but resumed Thursday amid gale-force winds.
Police ask the public not to conduct their own searches to avoid danger.
Families of the men are receiving specialist support, and privacy is requested.
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Balkan countries have different and sometimes opposing views on Israel’s war in Gaza, shaped by their own politics, history, and interests rather than a shared position. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ethnic groups have contrasting attitudes towards Israel and Palestine, while Serbia maintains a complex relationship by supporting arms sales to Israel despite backing Palestine in international voting.
Key Facts
Balkan countries show varied and individual positions on Israel and Gaza, not a unified stance.
Bosnian Muslims generally support Palestinians, relating to their own history of conflict, while Bosnian Serbs largely support Israel.
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik supports Israel as part of his political strategy, linking it to ethnic and religious alliances.
Dodik also has political ties to Russia and support for President Donald Trump’s movement.
Serbia has a history of supporting Palestine but has sold arms and ammunition to Israel since October 2023.
Serbia opened a drone assembly plant linked to Israel in September 2023, indicating growing defense cooperation.
Balkan countries’ foreign policies on Israel are influenced more by domestic politics and local national stories than by Middle East issues directly.
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The U.S. is not fully prepared for the consequences of warfare in outer space. Attacks on satellites could disrupt global services like financial transactions and navigation, and damage the military’s ability to operate on Earth.
Key Facts
Satellites are essential for global economy and military missions but are vulnerable to attacks.
China has developed satellites with robotic arms and lasers that can disable U.S. space equipment.
Russia may use an orbital nuclear weapon that could threaten many satellites.
Experts warn that both military and civilian satellites could be targeted in future conflicts.
The U.S. recently confirmed it has weapons in space aimed at deterring enemies.
The defense industry currently lacks enough supplies and skilled workers to quickly recover from satellite attacks.
The U.S. has over 13,000 operational satellites, far more than China’s 1,400, but China and Russia are increasing their space capabilities.
Analysts believe the U.S. might be ready to start a war in space but not ready to handle its aftermath.
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