Heathrow and the third runway: Chancellor Healey calls the project a growth driver, Mayor Burnham holds back
Chancellor John Healey, speaking at IMF meetings in Bangkok, said airport expansion, including Heathrow's third runway,
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Canadian PM Carney says foreign forces are trying to divide the country ahead of the Alberta referendum
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at a rally in Edmonton that forces outside the country are seeking to divide Canada ahead of the Alberta referendum scheduled for Monday. The vote will determine whether a second, binding referendum on the province's separation should be held. Carney also emphasized Alberta's role in Canada's energy independence and the Pacific Link pipeline project.
Ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz remain 70% below pre-war level — UKMTO
The British maritime agency UKMTO reported that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains roughly 70% below pre-war levels amid ongoing attacks on commercial vessels. Over the week, 125 outbound and 129 inbound transits were recorded, along with 12 attacks, including the sinking of a container ship after it was struck by a projectile on October 13.
Canada Threatens Forced Sale of Cleveland-Cliffs Assets Over Planned Stelco Layoffs
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said that the American steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs could be forced to sell its Canadian assets if it cuts up to 500 employees at Stelco. Ottawa cites job-preservation commitments made when Stelco was purchased in 2024 under the Investment Canada Act. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lorenzo Goncalves called the government's actions 'bullying' and attributed the layoffs to Trump administration tariffs.
Chinese Cars Recorded Sensitive Data During Norwegian Army Exercises
During exercises of the Norwegian Home Guard near Oslo Airport, soldiers discovered that rented Chinese Deepal (Changan) cars recorded video from cameras: who got into the vehicles, routes driven, and access codes to military facilities. It is unknown whether the recordings were transmitted to third parties. The army continued using the cars until the end of the exercises and preferred local restrictions to an outright ban.
Tanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil hit a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, IRGC reports
The IRGC Navy stated that a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil struck a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, causing an explosion and fire. Iran called the vessel 'illegal' and accused it of disabling navigation systems. US Central Command (CENTCOM) maintains that the strait is controlled by the US and remains open.
Mexican court sentences killers of Australian surfers and their American friend to 158 years in prison each
A Mexican court sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the murder of brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad in 2024. The trio was killed during a surfing trip in Baja California during an attempted robbery. The court also ordered the defendants to pay compensation to the victims' families.
Norte Fire in Orange County, California: Mandatory Evacuations Ordered
California authorities on Friday ordered mandatory evacuations in five zones of Orange County due to the rapidly spreading Norte fire, which started in San Clemente. The fire grew from 10 to 50 acres in roughly 30 minutes, and structures are threatened. In addition, two other fires in Southern California — Henderson and Bryson — remain uncontained.
The Economist: US sanctions and military blockade have plunged Iran into its most severe economic crisis
According to The Economist, the Iranian rial has lost half its value in a year, inflation has reached 90%, and last month, for the first time since 1979, no oil was shipped for export. The US has supplemented sanctions with a military blockade of ports. Whether the pressure will force Tehran to stop the war now in its eighth month remains unknown.
Uzhydromet: cool weather without precipitation expected in Uzbekistan on October 17
According to the Uzhydromet forecast for October 17, variable cloudiness without precipitation is expected in most regions of Uzbekistan, with temperatures of 20–25 degrees. In Tashkent, 22–24 degrees. Rain is possible in foothill and mountain areas, in high mountains turning to snow in places.
Mark Wahlberg to Open Affordable Municipal Gym Fitness Club Near Las Vegas in December
Actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg presented at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco the concept of Municipal Gym — the first club, spanning 32,000 square feet, will open in December near Las Vegas. The project is positioned as an affordable alternative to expensive longevity clubs: for $99, they promise three blood tests and an hour with a doctor, while competitors charge tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Australia proposes a law on a 'switch' for recommendation algorithms in social media
The Australian government has introduced the Digital Duty of Care bill to parliament, which would require social media platforms to let users turn off recommended content and see only posts from accounts they follow. The initiative was backed by the 'Fix Our Feeds' campaign; critics, including the Trump administration, fear censorship, while implementation raises doubts given difficulties with the already existing social media ban for children.
Trial of Block House steakhouse chain heiress: child abduction and spy scandal in Germany
In Hamburg, the trial continues of Christina Block, accused of organizing the violent abduction of two children from Denmark. The case has led to the biggest spy scandal in Germany in recent years: in October, former intelligence chief August Hanning was arrested on charges of treason.
Fast-spreading wildfires engulf homes in Southern California
The Norte fire in Orange County destroyed or damaged several expensive homes in San Juan Capistrano, having started in San Clemente. The fire covered about 465 acres, mass evacuations were ordered. The Bryson fire near Malibu and the Henderson fire near Camp Pendleton base are also raging. Strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and unusual heat of up to 38°C create a high fire risk through the weekend; tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County were left without electricity due to preventive power line shutdowns.
Italian Defense Minister Calls US Restrictions on Ukraine Support a 'Complete Mistake'
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the BBC that the US restriction of Ukraine's access to satellite systems and intelligence is a 'major mistake' that risks prolonging the war. Earlier, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Trump's deal to buy diesel from Russia.
Trump Suspends New Sanctions Against Russia Two Days Before They Were to Take Effect
Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing the Graham sanctions law against Russia and Iran, but simultaneously suspended the tariffs and most of the sanctions it provided for, citing US national interests. The decision drew criticism from congressmen of both parties, a welcome from Moscow, and an escalation of the conflict with Zelensky.
IMF Bangkok meetings week in review: battling crises and the AI boom, praise for the UK and the 'second China shock'
BBC economics editor Faisal Islam summed up the annual IMF meetings in Bangkok: the global economy is being pulled in different directions by an energy shock, trade conflicts and war on one side, and massive AI investment on the other. The IMF called the UK a 'model pupil', and Chancellor John Healey linked strong growth data to AI investment. A separate theme was the 'second China shock' in electric vehicles and the UK's rapprochement with the EU.
Two-week autumn half-term breaks in England's schools: parents and teachers cannot agree
A growing number of schools in England are introducing two-week autumn half-term breaks instead of one week. Parents view the change differently: some struggle with expensive childcare, others save on holidays. Teachers mostly support the reform, noting a drop in sickness absence.