As global institutions like the UN, the IMF, and the WTO struggle to contain escalating world crises, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech at the Valdai Discussion Club reflects a deep strategic grasp of major geopolitical trends, political analyst Hassan Hardan told Sputnik. With China, India»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has begun drafting contingency plans in case German Chancellor Friedrich Merz resigns or shifts his focus to domestic affairs amid disastrous election results and infighting within his coalition, the Western media reported on Friday, citing diplomats and offici»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China has canceled some October exports of petroleum products, including diesel and gasoline, to ensure domestic demand, Bloomberg reported, citing sources Buyers were not provided with further details, including the exact reason for the cancellation of supplies, the report said »»»

Expanded Vetri Payanam scheme covers 12,692 buses and could benefit 8.43m women daily Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay briefly turned bus conductor on Friday, handing out free tickets to women passengers as he launched a major expansion of the state’s free bus travel scheme. Vijay was seen»»»

Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev said more than 200,000 people commute to the capital every day as part of internal migration. The mayor made the statement at the scientific and practical conference «Development of Bishkek in the Era of Independence: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects.» Accord»»»

On October 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan (MFA) held a meeting to hand over charitable assistance to educational institutions under its patronage following a diplomatic charity fair. The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Tursunkulov, Dean of the Diplomatic Cor»»»

First published in Respekt. In Germany’s recent state elections, voters as young as 16 could cast ballots. The results confirmed a global trend of political division between young women and men. “On 1 January, we both deleted Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. And whichever of us would be the first to»»»

LONDON: On Sept. 28, two days before the terrifying incident that unfolded on board flydubai Flight 1073 on Wednesday, the airline was setting up its stand at the inaugural Syria Travel Show at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus. For Syria’s Ministry of Tourism, the event was a central part of efforts»»»

The deputy director-general of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has said that she is "deeply concerned" about the impact of the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict on agriculture in south Lebanon. The latest war "puts additional pressure on farmers and rural communities that, frankly, were»»»

Lieutenant General Sir Charlie Collins KBE DSO, Deputy Chief of the British Defense Staff (Military Strategy and Operations), concluded a visit to Lebanon on Tuesday 29 September, the British embassy said on Friday. During the visit, Lieutenant General Collins met Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri,»»»

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that rebuilding regions destroyed in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war is beyond the state's capacity, calling for funding as he visited the heavily damaged south. "I am aware of the magnitude of the crisis" including the destruction, displacement and loss of li»»»

Paris, France: Almost 400 high schools were closed across France on Friday over a week-long protest movement by pupils that has seen dozens of staff members wounded and some 2,000 people arrested, officials said. The movement, which began last week in the Paris region and rapidly spread nationwide,»»»

Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam arrived this morning at the Government Serail in Nabatieh, launching a visit to the city with a clear message: security and safety are the foundation for the return of residents and the reconstruction of the area. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of »»»

ISTANBUL: Turkish rescuers on Friday recovered the bodies of three miners trapped in a mine collapse in western Turkiye, raising the death toll to five, local authorities said. “The search and rescue operations carried out after the mine collapse in Soma district have ended and the bodies of the th»»»

The Lebanese Army announced that it has seized nearly 250 kilograms of explosives being transported from neighboring Syria into Lebanon, though it was unable to apprehend the smugglers. "An army unit seized approximately 245 kg of TNT, four explosive devices, eight detonators and electrical wiring »»»

Bulgaria will continue actively structuring the proposed investment project with Rheinmetall, building on Germany’s leading role as a key foreign-trade partner and source of foreign direct investment for the country, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander »»»

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis struck an electricity distribution station in the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-led coalition said Thursday, sparking strong condemnation from the Muslim world. The alleged attack came as fighting intensifies in Yemen, where government forces said they c»»»

Saudi Arabia's interior ministry said Thursday that the flydubai co-pilot, suspected of an attack stopped by the captain and passengers on a flight bound for Israel, has been transferred from the kingdom to the United Arab Emirates. The plane's captain and the co-pilot "after their health improved »»»

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that Iran will be "hit very hard" if it is found to be linked to a pilot's attack on a flydubai flight to Israel. The dramatic events a day earlier saw passengers help stop the plane from crashing, making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia before the»»»

Former US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband of 34 years, Bryon Noem, according to court filings seen by multiple outlets. The former DHS chief, dubbed ‘ICE Barbie’ online over her glamorous appearance while overseeing US President Don»»»

TOKYO (Sputnik) - South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young proposed to North Korea to start talks over last week's mine blast inside the demilitarized zone, when three South Korean servicemen were injured, the Yonhap news agency reported on Friday. "The root cause of this incident ultimat»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday that it had detained a man in Crimea who was passing information about the Russian armed forces facilities and the movements of military equipment to the Ukrainian Security Service. "The Federal Security Service of the Rus»»»

A scientific and practical conference «Development of Bishkek in the Era of Independence: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects» is held in Bishkek on October 2. The event was organized by the Bishkek City Hall and the Bishkek City Council. Speaking at the conference, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunusha»»»

Dubai Financial Services Authority chairman takes over at UAE's largest Islamic lender Dubai: DIB has appointed Fadhel Abdulbaqi Al Ali as chairman of its board of directors, effective 30 September 2026, the UAE's largest Islamic bank said on Wednesday. Al Ali succeeds Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shaibani,»»»

Captain Smit Machchhar opens up about life-threatening cockpit altercation Captain Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot injured during a cockpit altercation on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, has described for the first time how he fought to regain control of the aircraft while wounded. Speaking to Indian P»»»

Rome: The State of Qatar participated in a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, held in the Italian capital Rome. The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Khalid bin Youssef Al Sada, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Italian Republic and Permanent R»»»

The sarcophagus in which the remains of Tsar Samuel will be laid to rest has arrived in Sofia. It will be placed in the southern part of the transept of Sofia's Church of St Sophia. The sarcophagus measures approximately 2.30 metres in length, 90–100 cm in width and 85–90 cm in height and is design»»»

Cape Canaveral: Four new crew members for the International Space Station docked Thursday at the orbiting laboratory where they will stay for approximately six months. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew-13 mission team lifted off at 11:10am local time (1510 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Flori»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian entrepreneur Konstantin Malofeev said on Friday that the US authorities appropriated $10 million from his accounts, and $5.4 million of that amount was transferred to the armed forces of Ukraine. Earlier in the day , the Investigative Committee of Russia announced the ini»»»

Support for Hungary’s governing Tisza Party has dropped nine percentage points since May, while Fidesz and Mi Hazánk have both gained ground, according to a new survey by 21 Kutatóközpont. The Tisza Party remains well ahead of its rivals despite a significant decline in support since May, according»»»

A proposal has been made to establish an Institute of Logistics and Connectivity of the Turkic World in Bishkek. The initiative was put forward by Ragip Kutay Karaca, Deputy Rector of Istanbul Aydin University and Professor, during the panel discussion «Dialogues of the Turkic World: A Common Futur»»»

During Question Time in Parliament on Friday, Finance Minister Galab Donev said that if the audit of public finances commissioned by the Bulgarian National Audit Office finds that budget expenditure was not properly accounted for in 2025, the report on the execution of last year's state budget will»»»

Dubai, UAE: A tanker was attacked Thursday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a British maritime agency said. The vessel was hit by an "unknown projectile" in the strategic waterway, "resulting in a fire," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said. The crew were reported »»»

New York, USA: Nike plans to cut an undetermined number of jobs and establish a new campus in India as it seeks to accelerate a turnaround following another downcast quarter. The sports giant unveiled the plan as it reported a modest decline in quarterly profits on lower sales. The company projecte»»»

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Contacts with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov allow for detailed discussions on technical issues related to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and are conducted at a highly professional level, Director General Rafael Grossi told RIA Novosti. »»»

Construction work at Shopokov Eco City residential complex has resumed. Earlier, construction at the complex was suspended due to financial problems faced by Doolot Kurulush, causing a number of problems for shareholders. In February 2026, construction work at the company’s facilities began to resu»»»

Tunis, oct. 2 (TAP)- The weather on Friday is sometimes densely cloudy in eastern coasts with scattered showers in the morning. Rain is forecast to move to the west during the afternoon, heavy at times with localised hailstorms, according to...»»»

113 boxes of narcotics uncovered in major Dubai Police operation Dubai Police have broken up an organised drug ring and seized 2,323 kilograms of narcotic pills and psychotropic substances, with an estimated street value of Dh 115,191,233. Fourteen Asian suspects were arrested in the operation, and»»»

Doha, Qatar: Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Ahmed Jassim Al-Suwaidi won the Amateur class and Silver Tour respectively as the 10th edition of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour got underway yesterday at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) indoor arena. Khalifa topped the 100cm »»»

US President Donald Trump and leaders of major AI companies signed a voluntary accord Tuesday to strengthen safety as the technology faces growing public concern. The agreement calls for internal controls, independent audits and board oversight while Trump rejected calls for government restrictions»»»

Dashcam captures bear slamming into car after blocking road in northern Japan Dashcam footage captures the dramatic moment a brown bear slammed its body against a car in northern Japan after two bears were spotted on the road. Police in Hokkaido Prefecture released footage showing the encounter, wh»»»

UAE earns praise for advancing international peace and security initiatives The Strategic Police Advisory Group (SPAG), chaired by the UAE, convened a side event on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), highlighting the UAE’s efforts and contributions to»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa made a winning start to their QSL Cup campaign as they beat Mesaimeer 4-2 in the second round at the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium of Al Wakrah Club yesterday. Their captain Yacine Brahimi provided Cheetahs with a robust start, striking in the 19th and 24th minutes of the mi»»»

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that his government would mobilize all available resources to secure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory and rebuild southern Lebanon, as Israeli strikes and shelling continue across the region. Speaking from Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Sala»»»

If the October 25 presidential elections were held today, the presidential ticket of Iliana Iotova and Kiril Valchev would receive 50.2% of the votes of those who have already decided who they would vote for, according to a nationally representative survey by the Sova Harris polling agency presente»»»

Doha, Qatar: Invest Qatar, the country’s Investment Promotion Agency, has concluded a high-level roadshow across New York and Boston in the United States, strengthening engagement with leading US investors, businesses and industry stakeholders while showcasing Qatar’s growing investment opportuniti»»»

Doha, Qatar: The opening card of the iconic Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend springs into life today at Saint-Cloud Racecourse, headlined by a pair of premier Group 1 PA features for three-year-old Purebred Arabians under the enduring sponsorship of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC).»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has signed an MoU with PwC Middle East to strengthen cooperation in strategic consulting and knowledge sharing. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation aimed at developing the capabilities of employees and »»»

ORA will advocate for religious support ‘at the highest level of the Department’ Washington: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs, the latest of his faith-related reforms at the Pentagon. He announced in a speech Wednesday that the office will help offer “first»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 102.78 points in July 2026, based on the updated 2024 base year (2024=100), up 0.71 percent month-on-month compared with June 2026. The National Planning Council said in a statement on Tuesday that this release incorporates an enhanced CPI met»»»