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Sarah Helm, wife of the prime minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, posted on X in support of Palestine Action. Scotland Yard assessed the post and concluded it did not meet the criminal threshold. Earlier, a Reform UK MP sent a letter to the prime minister, while the Green Party leader defended Helm.
On the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, Volodymyr Zelensky said Starlink has not been fully switched off, but speed restrictions are hampering the use of interceptor drones and medium-range strikes. He also commented on PAC-2/PAC-3 missile deliveries under the PURL initiative, the US-Russia diesel deal, and talks with Putin.
A person described in court as 'well-known' is seeking to block ITN and Guardian News & Media from publishing serious allegations against him, including of a sexual nature. He denies the allegations and has submitted medical evidence of a suicide risk. Mr Justice Nicklin has granted anonymity to a number of individuals; a final ruling is expected following a hearing later this month.
Novak Djokovic has accepted an invitation to the ATP 500 tournament in Basel, which will take place in late October 2026. The 39-year-old Serb, ranked 11th in the race to the ATP Finals in Turin, will play there for the first time since 2011. Only Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz have so far secured qualification for Turin.
Ahead of a referendum in the Canadian province of Alberta on a future independence vote, experts note American political influence, AI-driven activity online, and growing distrust of the electoral system. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he does not expect interference by foreign states, including the US. Polls give separation supporters only about a quarter of support, but analysts fear the results will be contested regardless of the outcome.
Court documents show that Thames Valley Police feared, ahead of searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's residences, that he would cite the King's ownership of the Sandringham house to delay access, risking the loss of evidence. The warrants were later ruled unlawful, but the investigation continues.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as part of the first meeting of the fuel and energy sector investors' council, received delegations from Saudi ACWA Power led by Muhammad Abunayyan, Cengiz Holding led by Mehmet Cengiz, as well as the leadership of SOCAR and British Petroleum. The discussions covered expanding cooperation, green energy, infrastructure, construction of thermal power plants, and modernization of power grids.
On October 16, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes, artillery shelling and demolitions in southern Lebanon, with military equipment advancing toward the outskirts of the border town of Kfar Shuba. According to Lebanese authorities, since March 2 the attacks have killed 4,389 people and wounded 12,424. The shelling continues despite the 'Framework Agreement' of June 26 brokered by the United States.
The BCCI announced India's squads for the New Zealand tour: 5 T20s, 5 ODIs and 2 Tests. Rishabh Pant is included in the Test squad with a fitness-clearance caveat due to a strain, Jasprit Bumrah will play only in Tests. Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of the Tests and the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer leading the last two.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan, in an interview with Euronews, said the Black Sea will become safe only after the end of Russia's war against Ukraine, and called for stronger NATO oversight in the region. After drone attacks on commercial vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, he and Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev raised the security issue at the EU summit in Brussels and met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
On October 16, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the US President's Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. They discussed the development of strategic partnership between the two countries, the upcoming visit of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Uzbekistan, a ministerial meeting in the C5+1 format, and the second meeting of the Uzbek-American business and investment council.
The presidency of the DR Congo has ordered staff of the office of the president not to contact the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa until further notice. The directive was signed by the head of the office of the president, Anthony Nkinzо, and issued one day after searches at the homes of relatives of President Felix Tshisekedi in Brussels as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to revenues from the mining sector. The reason for the decision is not stated in the circular.
EU leaders at the summit in Brussels on 15–16 October rallied around Zelensky after his conflict with Trump, discussed his request for €70 billion in aid, made no progress on the union's budget, saw Italy and Spain move closer on migration, and demanded new trade measures against China while arguing over energy and the ETS.
Prominent Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling permitting Israeli settlers to take olives from Palestinian lands in the West Bank, including plots far from settlements. He claimed that Palestinians do not own the land, calling it 'stolen property.' The ruling was published by Israel's Channel 13 amid a surge in attacks on farmers during the harvest season.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that police officers and gendarmes will be able to use all available intermediate means on Saturday, including stun grenades. Hundreds of demonstrations are expected: according to territorial intelligence estimates, between 50,000 and 100,000 people will take part in the rallies outside the Paris region, and between 20,000 and 40,000 in Paris. The protests are driven by rising fuel prices, falling purchasing power and deteriorating public services.
Japan's first-ever female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said in parliament that household chores and personal care take her three to four hours more than her male predecessors in the post. Her remarks sparked a discussion about gender roles and work-life balance.
China's Foreign Ministry said that drawing Beijing into nuclear disarmament talks is 'unfair and unreasonable', after Donald Trump said the US was holding consultations with China and Russia on denuclearization. According to SIPRI, China has about 620 warheads compared with 5,042 for the US and 5,420 for Russia.
Anti-government protests in Albania are in their fourth day: thousands of young people are demanding the resignation of PM Edi Rama and education reform. Rama called for calm and blamed unnamed 'external forces'. Police are using tear gas and water cannons, and the EU has urged the authorities to respond proportionately.
