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+1 source·2 October 2026 · 18:33 UTCBreaking

Saudi Arabia plans assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold; options include coastal push or multi-front offensive, officials say

The offensive could mobilize over 100,000 Yemeni troops, with Riyadh seeking to reverse Houthi control of Bab el-Mandeb, a key shipping route. Pakistan has deployed up to 40,000 troops to defend Saudi borders, while France will send defensive systems to protect Yanbu.

+2 sources·2 October 2026 · 18:27 UTCBreaking

Ex-Royal Marine David Bell completes record 17,500-mile solo row across two oceans; says "I can't wait to have a beer, take the longest shower of my life"

Bell covered 17,500 miles in 327 days, starting from Peru and crossing both the Pacific and Indian Oceans to reach Kenya, subject to formal verification. His feat raised more than £110,000 for Rock2Recovery, a charity supporting military veterans with PTSD.

·2 October 2026 · 18:14 UTCBreaking

Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi; attack further unsettles region shaken by U.S.-Iran war

The co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani citizen, came close to crashing the aircraft and killing all 182 people aboard Wednesday's FlyDubai flight from Dubai. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radicalization" and warned, "whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price."

·2 October 2026 · 17:40 UTC

El Al cancels scheduled Dubai repatriation flights as Arkia operates first flight back to Tel Aviv for stranded Israelis; further flights planned

El Al had earlier scheduled two flights from Dubai at 11 am (0700 GMT) and 1 pm, but now plans to offer flights from Sunday onwards, with all seats fully booked. Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir have also been chartered to bring Israelis home, and further repatriation flights from Dubai are planned for the coming days.

·2 October 2026 · 17:40 UTC

Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners holds $1B stake in Phoenix Financial, which invested $456M in Israeli defense suppliers; conflict-of-interest questions renewed

Affinity first bought a 4.95% stake in Phoenix for $128.5 million in July 2024, then roughly doubled it before Trump returned to office. Phoenix's holdings include at least $265 million in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, plus stakes in Next Vision, Bet Shemesh Engines, and Reshef Technologies.

+1 source·2 October 2026 · 17:40 UTC

Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards announce 2026 finalists with record 10,000 entries; winners to be revealed December 8 in London

The competition received over 10,000 entries from 112 countries, the most ever, and supports the Born Free Foundation this year. The People's Choice Award is open for public voting until March 1, 2027, with the top prize being a safari with Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara.

·2 October 2026 · 17:26 UTC

South Korea threatens punitive steps against Ukraine over POW transfer disclosure; Seoul's anger may stem from worries about ties to North Korea

Seoul has provided $445 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2022, but has refrained from sending weapons, and experts say drastic measures are unlikely. The transfer could complicate Seoul's push for talks with Pyongyang, as North Korea has reacted with fury to past defections.

+2 sources·2 October 2026 · 17:26 UTC

Manchester City guilty of 114 financial breaches strains UK-UAE ties; Andy Burnham urged to reveal meetings with club's owners

The UAE has invested over £30 billion in UK sectors like defense and technology over five years, with an investment summit planned this month. Lib Dem Anna Sabine demands Burnham publish all meetings and hospitality from ADUG, citing his 'extraordinary' defense of the club.

+1 source·2 October 2026 · 17:26 UTC

Spanish rightwing parties vote down housing decrees as protests grow; eviction of 87-year-old woman sparks 'Your profits, our misery' chants

The rejected package included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulation of temporary lettings. People's party lawmaker Juan Bravo said housing becomes affordable by building more homes, not through decrees, while the Confederation of Tenants' Unions called for a general strike.

+1 source·2 October 2026 · 16:57 UTC

Hochul says DA, Cornell 'failed' Jane Doe as she hands gang rape probe to AG James; special prosecutor vows to find 'how was this woman denied justice'

Hochul cited a gap in state law, saying voluntary intoxication should not be a license for sexual assault, and will work with lawmakers to close the loophole. James said her office will review facts, gather evidence, and pursue prosecutions if warranted, focusing on the gang rape allegations.

·2 October 2026 · 16:26 UTC

Trump defies Democrats, diverts $52 million in Ukraine aid to Latin America; State Department ignored hold to send funds to Panama and Peru

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Gregory Meeks placed a hold on the diversion, warning it would violate statutory requirements and have consequences for the Department's relationship with their committees. The $52 million was first appropriated during the Biden administration after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 to encourage European allies to share munitions with Kyiv.

+1 source·2 October 2026 · 16:00 UTC

Von der Leyen tells Spajić 'We believe in Montenegro '28 by 28' as EU aims for 28th member by 2028; 15 of 33 chapters remain open

Montenegro has provisionally closed chapters on financial control, trans-European networks, free movement of workers, consumer protection, competition policy, and customs union in 2026. Von der Leyen announced the European Commission will present pre-enlargement policy reviews next week to ensure the EU is ready for new members.

·2 October 2026 · 16:00 UTC

Putin says all weapons 'on agenda' if Kaliningrad attacked; condemns NATO exercises and intercepts as 'an escalation'

Putin said Russia has "no intention of attacking anyone — neither in 2029, nor in 2030, nor in 2050," but warned that if faced with aggression, Russia would be compelled to respond. NATO countries have conducted several military exercises along Kaliningrad's borders in recent months, prompting Moscow to condemn what it called "provocative statements and actions."

·2 October 2026 · 15:07 UTC

President Trump says botched Christa Pike execution 'shouldn't be very difficult' as Tennessee halts remaining executions and orders review

Gov. Bill Lee halted the year's remaining execution and ordered a comprehensive third-party review, calling the state's duty to carry out sentences a serious responsibility. Victim's mother May Martinez said she watched Pike laugh and move during the failed injections, saying she didn't get justice for her daughter.

+1 source3 updates

2 October 2026 · 17:20 UTCChrista Pike survives 2 fatal doses in Tennessee execution; attorney reacts to botched lethal injection 2 October 2026 · 16:15 UTCChrista Pike in critical condition after botched execution attempt in Tennessee; officials say protocol followed, no further measures after second dose

·2 October 2026 · 14:37 UTC

Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia as fighting flares in the north, raising fears of a regional war

The breakdown follows months of disputes over Ethiopia's Red Sea access and alleged Eritrean backing of the TPLF. Cairo ordered an Ethiopian diplomat to leave after Addis Ababa expelled an Egyptian one, with Egypt citing 'the principle of reciprocity'.

+2 sources3 updates

2 October 2026 · 09:41 UTCEritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia as northern conflict escalates; African Union urges restraint and peaceful dialogue 2 October 2026 · 02:49 UTCEritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in tit-for-tat move as clashes continue between federal forces and opposition groups