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Pakistan and Egypt condemned the Houthi attacks and reaffirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia

The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Egypt, Ishaq Dar and Badr Abdelatty, in a phone call once again condemned the attacks by Yemen's Houthis against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed full solidarity with the kingdom. The sides also discussed cooperation in the R-4 format and the upcoming meeting of the grouping. Separately, Dar spoke with Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi about the situation in the region and the OIC foreign ministers' meeting in Baghdad.

18 Oct 2026 · 18:001 min read

OTS Countries Align Information Policy and Media Cooperation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Astana hosted the 8th meeting of media agency heads of the Organization of Turkic States countries. An OTS action plan through 2027 was approved, and the venue and dates of the 9th meeting were set. In parallel, the Astana Media Week 2026 media forum discussed AI in journalism: growth in the number of media outlets in Kazakhstan, the risks of fakes, the problem of media 'invisibility' to audiences, and the new AI law.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:523 min read

Pope Leo XIV makes first public appearance after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, October 18, led the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the first time since his lung surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff, whose lower lobe of the right lung was removed on October 13 due to adenocarcinoma, thanked doctors and the faithful and said he would gradually return to his duties. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora described the pope's condition as satisfactory and sees no clinical obstacles to the trip to Latin America on November 6–17.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:493 min read

Drone debris damaged a car in Lithuania; NATO scrambled Italian fighters, Kyiv apologized

After a drone was detected in Lithuanian airspace, NATO scrambled two Italian Eurofighters. Debris damaged a moving car in the north of the country, with no injuries. Vilnius believes the UAV may have come from Poland or been a Ukrainian one launched toward St. Petersburg; Ukraine apologized. The investigation continues.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:302 min read

After riots in France, stores tally the damage: looting in nine cities, more than 600 law enforcement officers injured

Protests against the rising cost of living in France on October 17 escalated into mass looting and vandalism in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities. Carrefour reports 50 stores of its chain looted and damage exceeding €10 million; in total, according to the company's chief, around 1,500 stores of other chains were affected. The Interior Ministry reports more than 600 injured police officers and gendarmes and over 2,000 arrests.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:293 min read

EU Promises Nigeria €20 Million in Military Aid Through the European Peace Facility

The EU intends to allocate €20 million ($23 million) to support Nigeria's armed forces. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Nigeria's Defence Minister Christopher Musa and EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot in Abuja. An EU technical delegation will arrive in Nigeria in November to agree on the terms of deliveries.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:262 min read

Lavrov and Saudi Foreign Minister expressed concern over tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

On the sidelines of the ninth ministerial meeting of the Russia–GCC Strategic Dialogue in Manama, Sergey Lavrov and Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed shipping security, bilateral cooperation and OPEC+. Lavrov also held talks with Kuwait's foreign minister on de-escalation in the region.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:222 min read

Kremlin says Russian strikes aim to reduce Ukraine's 'offensive potential'

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Russia continues 'systematic and massive' retaliatory strikes against Ukraine. The day before, Ukrainian drones attacked facilities in St Petersburg and Leningrad region; the sides cite differing casualty figures.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:191 min read

Lavrov voiced support for GCC efforts to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East

At the ninth meeting of the Russia–GCC strategic dialogue in Bahrain, Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow supports the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in their desire to prevent a return to full-scale war in the Middle East, and presented an updated concept of collective security in the region.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:152 min read

Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his visit to Samarkand region with a visit to the Imam Bukhari complex

On October 18, 2026, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Samarkand region and, by tradition, began the trip with a visit to the Imam Bukhari memorial complex in the Payarik district. He was briefed on the fulfillment of instructions regarding the development of the complex and pilgrimage tourism. According to the press service, after the reconstruction completed in March, the complex serves more than 65 thousand visitors per day.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:142 min read

Egypt's Parliament Begins Emergency Session on Possible Troop Deployment to Defend Saudi Arabia

Egypt's parliament held an emergency session on Sunday to consider possible measures to defend Saudi Arabia, including the deployment of Egyptian troops, amid an escalation of Houthi attacks. The session was convened at the request of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi; earlier, the National Defense Council declared 'full solidarity' with Riyadh.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:112 min read

New mass protests took place in France: hundreds of thousands of participants, arrests and fires

On October 17, mass protests took place in France against the rising cost of living and for improved conditions in schools and the abolition of the current university admission system. According to available data, between 500,000 and 800,000 people took part in the actions. They were accompanied by riots, clashes with police and more than 1,000 arrests.

18 Oct 2026 · 17:072 min read

Russian diesel deliveries to the US will take 15–20 days after contracts are signed — Novak

Russian Deputy Prime Minister for the energy sector Alexander Novak said that after the signing of contracts, Russian diesel fuel will reach the US market within 15–20 days. No signing date was given, although Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev previously said the contracts would be signed 'within days.' The agreement announced by Donald Trump is seen as an attempt to lower fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:582 min read

Uzbekistan tightens penalties for involving children in drug use — up to 10 years imprisonment

The President of Uzbekistan signed a law strengthening the protection of children from violence. Involving minors in alcohol use carries up to 5 years, drugs — 5 to 7 years, and up to 10 years with aggravating circumstances. The law also provides for up to 25 years or life imprisonment for sexual violence against children under 14.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:572 min read

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez will return to action in a few weeks after a jaw fracture

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez underwent surgery after a jaw fracture sustained in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in a Premier League match (2:0). According to the player, he will return in a few weeks. His place will likely be taken by 21-year-old Mike Penders.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:541 min read

France assesses damage after mass riots: 1,800 detained, Limoges town hall burned

After Saturday's protests over the cost of living in France, around 1,800 people were detained, including a record 855 in Paris. Riots and looting hit Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg; in Limoges, a 19th-century town hall burned down. About 500 police officers and rescuers were injured, and a 17-year-old teenager lost a hand. Macron will address the nation, and politicians blame each other.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:404 min read

Saudi Arabia Lifts Danger Warnings for Southern and Southwestern Areas

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense on Sunday issued danger warnings for the southwestern city of Najran and the As-Sulayyil governorate, and shortly afterward canceled them, saying the danger had passed. The nature of the threat was not disclosed.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:261 min read

195 people detained in Belgium during protests against education policy

Belgian police reported 195 people detained during Saturday protests against education policy and budget cuts in Brussels and Liège. In Brussels, 150 people were detained, in Liège — 45, including minors. Police used tear gas and water cannons, and five officers sustained minor injuries.

18 Oct 2026 · 16:142 min read