Saudi Arabia
-
Trump’s special envoy tells Vladimir Putin he is a ‘humanitarian’
Steve Witkoff, the United States’ special envoy, lauded Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” for releasing a “wrongfully detained” American as Moscow continued bombing civilians in Ukraine. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again,” said Witkoff in a clip posted by Russian state media as he met with Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff is continuing attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (October 20). On Wednesday, Russia released 74-year-old teacher Stephen James Hubbard, who had been held for four years over claims he was a Ukrainian mercenary. Russia has continued its bombing of Ukraine, killing 328 civilians in September alone.
-
Besieged Yemeni city on verge of ‘unmanageable’ crisis, aid workers warn
Water and fresh food running out in Taiz as fighting intensifies and Houthi advance cuts off most supply routes
-
How the Mecca defense agreement between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will work
Turkey has submitted a mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to its parliament for ratification
-
Europe weighs energy-saving measures as Middle East crisis deepens
EU Energy Ministers will consider demand cuts if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed in the months ahead, according to a document seen by Euronews. #EuropeNews
-
Macron calls for extreme caution in Gulf, secures critical gas deal in Qatar state visit
French president concludes his state visit by reinforcing the strategic partnership with Qatar. He declares his Gulf tour objectives achieved after securing a crucial gas deal with Qatar as he seeks to lower tensions over living costs in France.
-
In The Room
France is reeling after a weekend of unrest that escalated dramatically. Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully, but elsewhere shops were looted, cars burned, police attacked and public buildings set alight. What began with schoolchildren furious about missing teachers, crumbling classrooms and a system they believe is failing them quickly became something much bigger. People of all ages joined demonstrations driven by anger over the cost of living, deteriorating public services and a future that feels increasingly out of reach. With France approaching a presidential election, the unrest exposes a deeper political crisis. But this is not just a French story. Across Europe, established parties are struggling to retain the confidence of increasingly disillusioned electorates. And Britain has experienced its own moments when public anger has spilled into violence. Helen MacNamara, who was inside government during the 2011 riots and has attended countless COBR meetings, examines what happens when governments begin to lose control of the streets, and what France's crisis might tell us about the pressures building closer to home. New episodes of In The Room come out weekly. Listen to the latest on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
-
Tommy Robinson voicemail left on Daily Mail journalist’s phone played in court
Audio of a voicemail Tommy Robinson left on a Daily Mail journalist’s phone has been played to jurors at Southwark Crown Court. The 43-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is on trial for allegedly harassing journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Andrew Young, causing them fear of violence, in August 2024 after they worked on a story about him while he was on holiday in Cyprus. The voicemail, released by the Metropolitan Police and played in court on Tuesday (20 October), was left on Ted Verity’s phone. It said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.” Mr Yaxley-Lennon entered not guilty pleas to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence in July last year.
-
Newspaper headlines: 'Burnham faces climate revolt' and 'Harry wants to fix feud'
Several papers lead on remarks from the Duke of Sussex yesterday, where he said he hoped to reconcile with his family.
-
UK fighter jets to fly 'defensive' missions to help protect Saudi
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting branded Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as "absolutely despicable and dangerous for the region." #EuropeNews
-
Man ordered to pay more than £2,000 for act after getting parking ticket
A man was ordered to pay £2,270 in fines and costs after he threw a parking fine notice on the ground in Cornwall. Stephen Lang, of St Martins Crescent, Camborne, was found guilty of littering at Exchequer Quay car park in Penryn on 20 November 2025. The court heard that the 58-year-old was issued with a penalty charge notice after his vehicle was found parked outside a marked bay. Lang approached the officer and challenged the notice before removing it from the vehicle and throwing it to the ground. The officer picked up the notice and placed it back on the vehicle before Lang removed it again and threw it in her direction. Lang was issued with a £250 Fixed Penalty Notice for littering, which he failed to pay despite a reminder. He was ordered to pay a £250 fine, £1920.90 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
-
France's Macron begins state visit to Qatar as part of wider Gulf tour
Qatar welcomed the French president with full state honours on his arrival in Doha as the two countries are strengthening their strategic ties. Facing protests at home, Macron is seeking energy deals with Gulf partners to help ease fuel prices in France, but also contributing to regional stability.
-
Albanian police deploy water cannons as protests hit seventh day
Albanian police deployed water cannons as protests continued into their seventh day on Monday (19 October). Officers responded with tear gas after demonstrators hurled rocks at them. Protesters also attacked government buildings and lit fires. Violence has erupted after high school and university students mobilised in a broader anti-government movement calling for prime minister Edi Rama to resign. It comes as thousands of rioters in France were arrested during the weekend’s widespread protests, with justice minister. Violence has also been seen in other parts of Europe, with similar incidents in Belgium and Italy.
-
Houthis attack city in Yemen that UN says is at 'grave risk' by rebels' siege
Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a residential area in Yemen’s third-largest city, killing two teenage girls
-
Qatar revamped defence system in six hours, intelligence chief says
At Doha’s Global Security Forum, Qatar’s head of intelligence revealed how the war with Iran forced the Gulf country to urgently redeploy its defensive assets, while the US ambassador to Turkey offered new insights into a fundamental shift in Washington's presence in the Middle East.
-
Democrat zings Hegseth when asked if she’ll quit drinking if elected
The Democratic candidate who went viral for her “drunk” and belligerent local TV interview took a shot at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being asked if she’d quit drinking if she were elected. Jaime West, who is running for a seat on the Fayette County Council in Indiana, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she claimed she drank only three beers before her now-infamous appearance, during which she warned Republicans, “we have guns too.” When Morgan asked if West would quit drinking if her long-shot bid for the council seat was successful, she replied, “I don't know. Why don't you ask Pete Hegseth, who is drinking whiskey as he's running an illegal war?” Morgan and guest Ben Ferguson pointed out that Hegseth had vowed not to drink during his time in Trump’s cabinet.
-
Boeing 737 Max 10 to be approved for US flights after years of safety concerns
Major customers for the Max 10 include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Ryanair
-
US certifying Boeing's largest 737 Max after years of delays, AP source says
The U.S. government is set to announce the certification of Boeing's 737 Max 10 jet after years of delays
-
The UK expands military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthis to include 'defensive' air patrols
Britain says it is expanding military support for Saudi Arabia against the Houthis to include “defensive” air patrols by Royal Air Force jets
-
UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
RAF Typhoon fighters to fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure in extension of UK support for Riyadh
-
UK to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
The UK announces it will provide additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate in the region.
-
UK fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against attacks from Iran-backed Houthis
The UK will fly defensive counter air missions using RAF Typhoon fighter jets to support the protection of Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure
-
UK to send jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks, and other Mideast news
An Israeli attack on a Gaza apartment has killed two people and injured others
-
F1 Q&A: Lindblad and Lawson futures at Racing Bulls, Rwanda, Imola and Red Bull as an engine supplier
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the United States Grand Prix.
-
Houthi attack kills 53 in biggest single loss of life since Yemen civil war reignited
More than 200 mostly young people said to be injured after ballistic missile attack on training camp for government forces
-
OpenAI Engineer Accused of Spying on Executives Ordered to Remain in Custody
A judge ordered Abdulrahman Alfozan to remain in custody, likening the Saudi government’s offer to secure the former OpenAI engineer’s release to a “blank check.”
-
It's about to get a lot harder to keep countries honest about climate change
A row over when to publish crucial climate change assessments risks letting countries off the hook on emissions cuts
-
Ex-OpenAI worker accused of bugging conference room planned to fly to Saudi Arabia, prosecutors say
Federal prosecutors say a former OpenAI engineer secretly installed a recording device in a conference room to gather company details
-
Video report: Could we see France’s chaotic protests spread to the UK?
France has seen its worst unrest in decades, with thousands arrested and buildings set alight. What began in September as a student protest over school conditions has grown into a nationwide backlash over living costs, drawing at least 800,000 onto the streets. Emmanuel Macron says “we feel anger and shame”, while unrest has spread to Belgium and Italy. So could Britain be next? The Independent political editor David Maddox says the Met Police’s experience of mass protests makes similar scenes unlikely, though violence cannot be ruled out.
-
Saudi Arabia to postpone in-person ‘Davos in the desert’ after Houthi attacks: report
The rebel group has delivered yet another economic blow to the kingdom
-
Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting device had Saudi support says court filing
The Saudi government did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.
-
Houthi missile strike on Yemen camp kills 50 security recruits, authorities say
Three missiles hit a camp in government-controlled Shabwa province that officials say was being used as a training centre for new recruits.
-
Saudi Arabia executes 2 Bangladeshis over 'indecent acts,' and other Mideast news
Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals for committing indecent acts in Mecca
-
Russia to be invited to G20 finance summit in Edinburgh despite European tensions
Last week, the UK Government announced that finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s leading economies will gather in Scotland’s capital.
-
Air pollution linked to higher risk of glaucoma and cataracts, study finds
Research review finds people living in most polluted areas suffer 70 per cent higher odds of glaucoma
-
US issues rare Middle East red alert to its citizens in the region
Washington has taken the rare measure to issue a red alert to US citizens in 12 countries across the Middle East, citing risks of potential attacks on US interests.
-
Gulf states top disaster resilience as Lebanon and Iraq lag far behind
As many as 87% of UAE residents say the government is well prepared for disasters while only 14% of Lebanese citizens believe the same, and more than half of Iraqi and Lebanese respondents say their governments do not care about them at all, latest study shows.
-
Bomb threat forces Tel Aviv to Vienna flight to land in Bulgaria
The Airbus jet landed safely in Bulgaria and all passengers and crew aboard were unharmed, officials said.
-
Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks
Egypt's top security body says it has agreed to support Saudi Arabia in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen
-
Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked him
Capt Smit Machchhar said he screamed for help as he reached to open the cockpit door on flight FZ1073
-
US ambassador to Israel condemns settler attack on US journalist, and other Mideast news
The U.S. ambassador to Israel condemns a settler attack that left an American journalist badly beaten in the West Bank
-
UAE agrees with Saudi Arabia to re-enter Yemen conflict amid Houthi gains
United Arab Emirates will reportedly resume payments to Yemeni forces as gains by Iran-backed Houthi fighters alarm Gulf state rulers
-
Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels' growing strength
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have showcased their growing military capabilities, repeatedly striking the airport in Saudi Arabia's capital and seizing territory near a key shipping chokepoint
-
Airstrike kills 3 children in Yemen, and other Middle East developments
An airstrike has killed three children in Yemen, according to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels
-
Trump’s appearance at Georgia rally disrupted by anti-ICE protesters – as it happened
This live blog is now closed.
-
Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issue
Chancellor says government will study responses to public consultation, with airports being ‘big part of jobs and growth’
-
Jon Rahm sacrifices £75m to secure exit from LIV tour
Jon Rahm sacrifices a reported $100m (£75m) still owed to him by LIV Golf to secure his exit from the league.
-
Sleeping Tesla driver using self-driving mode crashes into police car
A Tesla driver claimed he was asleep at the wheel when his vehicle, in Full Self-Driving mode, plowed into a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle, injuring two officers. The CHP car’s dashcam recorded the incident on October 13 on Interstate 80 in the Bay Area, where officers had sealed off a lane while they investigated a crash. The Tesla, driven by a 22-year-old from Sacramento, entered the closed area, marked by flares, cones and emergency vehicle flashing lights. It then hit the occupied CHP vehicle. CHP warned drivers that “despite its name, Full Self-Driving is not fully autonomous” and must be monitored at all times. Authorities have not yet announced what charges the driver could face.
-
Uzbekistan signs $4.7bn energy deals, plans two more nuclear plants
Foreign firms including ACWA Power, EDF and Toyota Tsusho are involved in projects covering 3,000 MW of generating capacity and 400 MW of storage. Tashkent is also preparing 128 oil and gas exploration blocks for investors and pursuing a future electricity connection to Europe.
-
The Independent: 40 years in 40 front pages
As The Independent celebrates its 40th anniversary, we take a look back at four decades of free thinking front pages
-
Democrat Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed claps back at JD Vance’s latest insult
Democrat candidate Abdul El-Sayed has responded to at Vice President JD Vance’s latest insult amid the heated Senate race in Michigan. Vance called El-Sayed “a little weasel” who should “show a little gratitude to that country that gave him everything” during a stop in Monroe on Thursday (October 15) in support of Republican Mike Rogers. Later that day, at a stop in Marquette, El-Sayed, a Michigan alum, responded to Vance, a graduate of their hated football rivals, Ohio State. “JD Vance called me a little weasel today. I'm, like, ‘No, no, no. What you're talking about is a f***ing wolverine,’ said El-Sayed, referencing his alma mater’s mascot. “You can take your Buckeye and go shove it somewhere else...Ohio. Here we might be [Northern Michigan University] Wildcats, we might be [Michigan State] Spartans, we might be [Michigan] Wolverines, but we will never be [Ohio State] Buckeyes.”
