Central Asian nation, largest landlocked country, growing regional influence
Two new short fiction collections praise human resilience: an eccentric mix of whimsy and gloom explores love and aging in Austria and Denmark, while a fragmentary novel follows a musician’s struggle with artistic integrity and the cost of pursuing art.
Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca is balancing a midfield rebuild with the ongoing Rodri saga. Rodri has surgery scheduled, will rest and return, while City weigh keeping him amid Real Madrid interest. The club is also shaping the squad around Elliot Anderson and youth prospects as they prepare for the new season.
Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian oil facilities deep inside Russia, hitting refineries in Bashneft-Novoil and Slavneft-Yanos, and carrying out Black Sea operations against vessels. The moves aim to disrupt Moscow’s war-financing oil revenues as fighting continues and civilian infrastructure faces pressure.
This week long-range Ukrainian drones and Russian missiles have struck cities deep inside Russia and across Ukraine. Attacks on Nizhnekamsk have killed and wounded dozens; Russia says it intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Kyiv and Moscow have exchanged heavy strikes that have damaged energy and civilian infrastructure and caused multiple civilian deaths and injuries.
Afghan Taliban diplomacy in Kabul and Europe is shaping migration policy. Germany has expanded deportations and opened Taliban‑led missions, raising safety concerns for Afghan activists and refugees who fled the regime. The move comes as Western states balance pragmatism with human rights warnings.
The Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence has detained six staffers from a women’s rights NGO and two UNAMA employees. The UN and Human Rights groups are calling for access, transparency and immediate release, as humanitarian work and aid delivery face growing obstacles amid cross-border clashes and a tightening security environment.
The Kremlin’s campaign has targeted energy facilities and a major refinery in Bashkortostan, with Ukrainian forces striking Salavat and Orsk. The attacks compound Russia’s refining shortages amid the war, while civilian casualties are reported and infrastructure damage grows across multiple regions.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
A blast in Sevastopol has killed a Russian Defense Ministry officer, with a Russian national detained on suspicion of carrying out the attack on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence. Authorities say the suspect acted on Kyiv’s instructions while the wider security picture remains murky, as Kyiv denies involvement.
The Taliban’s return to power has reached five years as Kabul marks the anniversary with ceremonies and crackdowns. While security has improved and some infrastructure projects advance, women face sweeping restrictions, humanitarian needs rise, and international recognition remains limited. Attacks against officials persist, while aid workers face detentions amid a fragile economy.
President Min Aung Hlaing has visited Moscow and held talks with President Vladimir Putin to deepen economic, energy and defence ties. The trip has included a Myanmar–Russia business forum and discussions about power plants, oil refineries and military cooperation; it follows a wider diplomatic push by Myanmar since contested 2026 elections.
Ratko Mladic has been buried in Belgrade after his body was flown from The Hague. Serbian authorities have provided military honours and high‑profile attendance while EU and rights officials have condemned the public glorification of a convicted war criminal. The funeral has reopened wounds across Bosnia and Serbia and heightened tension over Belgrade's EU ambitions.
Sabalenka has expressed concern over the smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium during her third‑round win at the US Open. She has called for greater awareness around the stadium area as players continue their campaigns for a third consecutive title. Other top players are also advancing, with Alcaraz and Medvedev confirming progress to the fourth round.
Leaders have convened in Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's 25th‑anniversary summit. Xi Jinping has told Vladimir Putin bilateral ties have grown "more solid" and promised "even brighter" prospects. The summit has drawn over a dozen heads of state while bilateral talks are focusing on economic cooperation, visa regimes and security topics as wars in Ukraine and between the US and Iran shape the agenda.
Turkey has deepened its ties with Russia, highlighting bilateral energy cooperation and nuclear plans as Erdogan positions Turkey within the SCO while stressing Western ties remain intact.
Ukraine has warned airlines and insurers that expanding long‑range drone strikes have made Russian airspace unsafe for civilian flights. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is not targeting civilian aircraft but that "drone‑infested skies" require airlines to rethink routes. Moscow has condemned the warning as "state terrorism" and moved to protect airports and keep services running.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek has leaders from China, Russia and India attending as partners discuss regional cooperation. Talks point to China and Russia strengthening ties and expanding influence, with India hedging its position amid competing regional interests. Turkiye seeks a more permanent role while maintaining ties with the West.
The United Nations and Western officials say al Qaeda has reestablished training camps and bases in Afghanistan over the past three years, with operations in at least eight provinces. Islamic State-Khorasan also appears to be rebuilding in the north, while the Taliban’s environment is allowing more regional activity. Washington maintains that intelligence and drone capabilities remain intact.
Elena Rybakina has moved to world No. 1 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka en route to winning the US Open final. Rybakina seals the top ranking while Sabalenka ends the year without a Grand Slam title, after a season of high drama and new milestones.
EU diplomats are negotiating the renewal of sanctions on more than 2,500 entities tied to Russia. France pushes for a narrowly tailored delisting of Usmanov, while Slovakia seeks broader relief. A decision on extending or shortening the regime is imminent as ambassadors gather in Brussels.
Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun has been recalled to the national team by coach Amir Ghalenoei for friendlies against Uzbekistan and Russia, after being left out of the World Cup squad earlier this year amid reports of political tension. Azmoun has 57 goals in 91 appearances and says he remains committed to the national side.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
Al-Hilal defeats Al-Ittihad 3-2 in a Saudi Clasico, Ollie Watkins stars with two goals, while Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory; the results shake up the league table as teams chase top position.
The CDC has warned it is aware and closely monitoring an outbreak following a Russian lab death linked to a plague sample. A US demarche asks Moscow for more information as authorities stress rapid treatment and close monitoring of exposed individuals.
Al-Nassr has beaten Neftchi 3-1 in the AFC Champions League after a one-hour delay caused by a missile alert in Riyadh. Ronaldo scored his 981st career goal and the match featured security alerts and audience warnings amid regional tensions.
Oil prices retreat from multi-month highs as the US lifts sanctions on Russia for 60 days to assess economic impact. The move follows tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine, with analysts cautioning that this is a short-term measure and volatility may persist as markets assess supply risks and diesel shipments.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink's military variant, Starshield, was slowed in mid‑October, degrading its drone and air‑defence operations. The Wall Street Journal has reported Donald Trump phoned Elon Musk and asked him to restore full service; Trump and SpaceX deny a formal White House order. Kyiv says speeds have only been partially restored and the disruption has cost defensive capability.
The government has implemented a temporary waiver on Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under a bipartisan act, with a 60-day review period to assess economic impacts. Lawmakers from both parties criticize or support the move as diesel prices rise and energy supplies fluctuate globally.
The United States, Russia and China are reportedly discussing a trilateral summit to end the Ukraine war, a plan that would exclude Kyiv. Rubio has warned of escalation risks and caravans of diplomacy are building around Samarkand as Trump engages with C5+1 leaders.
Rubio’s India visit has focused on energy and trade, highlighting coordination on refining capacity and diversifying energy portfolios. He has met India’s foreign minister in Mumbai and will visit Jamnagar’s Reliance refinery as part of efforts to steady fuel markets ahead of US midterms.