Key developments: The Houthis have stepped up their campaign, striking the Yemeni presidential palace and launching missile attacks on Aden’s airport, while also targeting Saudi interests and the critical Strait of Hormuz. The escalation has spurred Saudi air‑defence…
Trump Issues Executive Order Waiving Newly Mandated Sanctions on Russia
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on October 17, 2026 invoked a legal waiver that stops the United States from applying fresh sanctions on Russia mandated by a recently passed congressional law. The waiver allows the…
Drone strike forces Yandex data centre shutdown as Trump‑Russia diesel deal fuels diplomatic rift
A Russian drone attack on the Vladimir region crippled Yandex’s data centre, halting services across the company’s digital platforms. The strike underscores a new front in the Russia‑Ukraine war, where critical tech infrastructure is becoming a strategic target.…
Ukraine urges €70 bn EU defence boost as Russian missile and drone onslaught targets energy grid
The Ukrainian president has formally asked the European Union for at least €70 billion in extra defence funding for 2027, citing the intensifying Russian assault on the country’s power infrastructure. Moscow launched over 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic…
Massive Russian Drone and Missile Barrage Hits Ukraine’s Energy Grid on Oct. 16
Key developments: On the evening of Oct. 16, Russia unleashed a coordinated assault on Ukraine’s power sector, deploying over 320 drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The strike targeted more than 15 major generation and transmission facilities…
Poland signs $4.8 billion deal with Sweden’s Saab for three A26‑type submarines
Poland has finalized a major defence procurement by signing a contract with Sweden’s Saab to acquire three A26‑type submarines for roughly 47 billion crowns (about $4.8 billion). The agreement, announced on June 29, 2026, marks a significant boost to Poland’s naval capabilities…
Poland’s Prime Minister Tusk urges Ukraine to ease tensions and confront historical legacy
Poland’s leader Donald Tusk said Ukraine is seeking ways to reduce friction with Warsaw and that Kyiv should address its past as a prerequisite for deeper European integration. The call comes amid a series of diplomatic strains between…
Spain Calls Snap Election Amid Housing Crisis and Rising Political Tension
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap parliamentary election for November 29 after Congress rejected two housing‑decree proposals meant to tackle Spain’s worsening affordability problem. The move follows weeks of nationwide protests, with tents and banners filling Madrid’s…
Spain submits bid to host 2035 Rugby World Cup as it deports 21 foreign repeat offenders
Spain officially lodged its application to host the 2035 Men’s Rugby World Cup, with the Spanish Rugby Federation delivering a detailed questionnaire to World Rugby and pledging to deliver the “best World Cup in history”. The move leverages…
Pope Leo XIV Returns to Public Duty After Lung Cancer Surgery, While Italy Moves Forward with Electoral Reform and Secures EU Energy Deal
The Vatican released its first images of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on 16 October 2026, marking his first public appearance since undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous lump from his right lung. The sight…