BY. B. V. Phani Kumar
Russian drones and ballistic missiles struck 12 regions across Ukraine overnight, including Kyiv. At least 14 civilians were reported killed and 78 injured nationwide, with Kyiv alone reporting deaths and injuries. UN agencies continued delivering medicines, hygiene kits and winter supplies to frontline families. The attacks came even as diplomatic channels indicated possible renewed peace talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped a new trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could take place soon, preferably by early November. The development followed a Kremlin meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Russian officials indicated agreement in principle to resume talks. The situation remains fragile because heavy strikes continued during the diplomatic signalling.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy said it hit four vessels allegedly involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf, setting them on fire. It also said three more vessels struck mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents heightened concerns over shipping safety and energy flows through the region. Iranian forces warned of a wider response if provocations continued.
Saudi Arabia reported that a Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed two people and injured eight. A separate drone attack on a Saudi oil field was also reported to have caused deaths. The US State Department ordered non-emergency government employees and families to leave Saudi Arabia. The attacks mark a serious escalation in regional security risks.
Reports said the United States and Israeli militaries have developed plans for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections. The reported planning covers energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and missile and drone capabilities. Both countries have also increased military exercises, including flights over Iraq. The reports have added to fears of a broader Middle East confrontation.
A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu, Tibet, in southwest China late on Thursday. The quake triggered panic among residents, though full damage and casualty details were still being assessed. China’s earthquake monitoring network reported the event. Rescue and damage-assessment operations were expected to continue.
Nigeria reported its first Ebola case in more than a decade. The patient is receiving treatment in a hospital in Abuja. Nigeria became the fourth African country affected by the current outbreak, which has already caused thousands of deaths and infections across the region. Health authorities are expected to intensify contact tracing and containment measures.
UN agencies warned that the world has lost the chance to keep global heating within the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit agreed under the Paris climate accord. The latest emissions assessment still said sharp cuts in deforestation and greenhouse gas pollution could reduce the severity and duration of the expected overshoot. The warning underscores the widening gap between climate pledges and actual emission reductions.
The UN World Meteorological Organization warned that a strengthening El Nino pattern could push Pacific ocean temperatures to record levels. It warned of floods, droughts and other extreme weather impacts across vulnerable regions. The agency described the pattern as having wide-reaching consequences. Governments were urged to prepare early-warning and disaster-response systems.
The United Kingdom approved plans to extract natural gas from a large North Sea deposit. The government described the move as a pragmatic step towards energy independence. Environmental groups criticised it as a reversal of earlier climate commitments. The decision is likely to renew debate over energy security versus emissions targets.
Indonesia witnessed protests in several cities over rising living costs and the government’s handling of forest fires. Demonstrations began earlier in the week and spread to more than half a dozen cities. Protesters expressed anger over environmental damage and affordability pressures. The unrest adds to political pressure on the government.
The UK House of Commons Defence Committee warned that Britain has major gaps in Arctic defence capability. It said shortages of Royal Navy warships and submarines leave critical infrastructure in the High North exposed. The committee linked the concern to potential Russian activity in the region. The report is expected to influence UK defence spending discussions.
Italy’s Interior Ministry said it agreed to lift border controls with Spain for each other’s citizens. The move reflects efforts to ease travel and restore normal movement between the two European countries. It comes amid wider European discussions on border management and security cooperation.
Cybersecurity experts warned that millions of websites urgently need a security patch after critical flaws were found in PHP, a widely used programming language. The flaw could expose a large portion of the internet to exploitation. Website operators were urged to update systems quickly. The issue highlights continuing risks in global digital infrastructure.
