The United Kingdom is dispatching military personnel and equipment to Belgium to assist in strengthening its defenses following a series of drone incursions into Belgian airspace, suspected to be orchestrated by Russia. Sir Richard Knighton, the newly appointed head of the UK military, revealed in an interview with BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Belgium had requested assistance earlier this week. The UK has responded by deploying resources to aid its NATO ally. The incursions, which occurred on Thursday night, forced the temporary closure of Brussels’ Zavantem Airport and were also reported near a military base. While the origin of the drones remains unconfirmed, Sir Richard acknowledged that it is ‘plausible’ they were directed by Moscow. The decision to support Belgium was made in collaboration with UK Defence Secretary John Healey. Germany has also pledged to provide anti-drone measures following a request from Brussels. The disruptions have impacted approximately 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers, with the carrier incurring significant costs due to flight cancellations and diversions. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken emphasized that the drone incursions, initially perceived as a localized issue, have now escalated into a broader threat affecting civilian infrastructure across Europe. Sir Richard further highlighted Russia as the ‘most pressing threat’ to Europe, citing its ‘barbaric’ actions in Ukraine and its involvement in sabotage and killings on UK soil. Recent months have seen a surge in drone sightings across Europe, including in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, with some officials attributing these incidents to Russian ‘hybrid warfare.’ The Kremlin has denied any involvement. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius suggested that the incursions could be linked to EU discussions about using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite the lack of public evidence, suspicions have been fueled by Russia’s increased airspace violations in Eastern Europe, involving fighter jets and larger attack drones. In response, the UK has deployed RAF Typhoon jets to participate in NATO defense missions over Poland, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank.
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Kenyan activists released from Ugandan detention after Museveni confirms arrest
Two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, have been released from detention in Uganda after being held for over a month. The arrests occurred on October 1, shortly after the activists attended a rally organized by Bobi Wine, President Yoweri Museveni’s most prominent political challenger. Museveni accused the duo of collaborating with the opposition to destabilize his government ahead of the January general election. Initially, the Ugandan government denied any involvement in the arrests. However, after weeks of diplomatic negotiations led by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, the activists were released to the Kenyan ambassador. The pair returned to Kenya on Saturday, alleging they were detained in a military facility under “inhumane conditions” guarded by Ugandan special forces. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a seventh term, warned that any attempts to protest in Uganda would “end up badly,” referencing the deadly November 2020 protests following Bobi Wine’s arrest. He also stated that Kenyan officials had requested the activists’ release or prosecution. Museveni’s critics accuse him of authoritarianism, citing his suppression of opposition voices within and outside his National Resistance Movement party.
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UAE: After hitting a 5-year low, gold jewellery sales pick up as prices ease
Gold jewellery sales in the UAE have experienced a resurgence following a significant drop in prices after reaching a peak in October 2025. According to data from the World Gold Council, demand for gold jewellery in the UAE plummeted to a five-year low of 6.3 tonnes in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 10% year-on-year decline and an 18% quarter-on-quarter drop. This was the lowest quarterly figure since the third quarter of 2020, when sales stood at 3.8 tonnes. The decline was attributed to record-high gold prices, which deterred buyers during the summer months. However, as prices began to ease, consumer interest in gold jewellery has gradually returned. Jewellers in Dubai report a noticeable uptick in sales, with customers strategically opting for lighter and more affordable pieces. Chirag Vora, Managing Director of Bafleh Jewellers, noted that the dip in prices has attracted bargain hunters, while Anil Dhanak of Kanz Jewels highlighted the seasonal boost from increased tourism and festive demand. In October, 24K gold prices in Dubai peaked at Dh525 per gram but have since dropped to Dh482 per gram. Spot gold closed at $4,001.21 per ounce over the weekend. Despite the recovery in jewellery sales, demand for gold coins and bars also declined, albeit at a slower pace, as investors anticipated further price rallies. Overall, UAE gold demand fell 9% year-on-year to 9.7 tonnes in the third quarter of 2025, the lowest since the second quarter of 2021.
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3 dead and 15 injured in tidal surge on Spain’s Canary Islands
BARCELONA, Spain — A devastating tidal surge on Spain’s Canary Islands has claimed the lives of three individuals and left 15 others injured, according to emergency services. The incidents occurred on Saturday along the coast of Tenerife, where powerful waves swept people into the Atlantic Ocean. Among the victims were a man and a woman who were pulled into the sea in the municipalities of La Guancha, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third man was discovered lifeless in the waters near a beach in Granadilla. Authorities had previously issued warnings about the hazardous conditions, urging the public to avoid coastal paths and refrain from photographing or filming the turbulent seas to prevent unnecessary risks.
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Ukrainian strikes disrupt power and heating to 2 major cities in Russia
In a series of escalating attacks, Ukrainian strikes have disrupted power and heating systems in two major Russian cities near the Ukrainian border, according to local officials. The incidents occurred over the weekend, with drone and missile strikes targeting infrastructure in Voronezh and Belgorod. Voronezh, a city with a population of over 1 million, experienced temporary blackouts and heating cuts after a drone strike caused a fire at a local utility facility. Meanwhile, Belgorod, home to around 340,000 people, suffered significant damage to its power and heating systems, affecting approximately 20,000 households. These strikes are part of a broader pattern of reciprocal attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, as U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict have failed to make progress. Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting 44 Ukrainian drones in southwestern regions but did not mention the affected cities. The ongoing conflict continues to strain both nations, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries to cut off Moscow’s war funding, while Russia aims to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, a strategy Kyiv officials describe as an attempt to ‘weaponize winter.’
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The gentle but ruthless president blamed for shattering Tanzania’s aura of stability
Tanzania, once hailed as a bastion of peace and stability in Africa, is now grappling with its most severe post-election violence in decades. The crisis erupted following the 29 October election, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a landslide victory with 98% of the vote. However, the triumph has been overshadowed by widespread unrest, accusations of electoral malpractice, and a death toll that remains unconfirmed. Families across the nation are mourning loved ones lost in the violence, while regional and continental organizations have issued rare rebukes against the Tanzanian government. Samia, who initially inspired optimism with her calm demeanor and promises of reform upon assuming power in 2021, now faces mounting criticism for presiding over a repressive regime. Analysts attribute the unrest to years of simmering youth discontent, stalled reforms, and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s authoritarian tendencies. The protests, led by young Tanzanians, echo global Gen Z movements against unresponsive leadership. The CCM, a post-colonial liberation party, has long dominated Tanzania’s political landscape, but its recent actions—including the disqualification of opposition candidates and a brutal crackdown on dissent—have exposed a darker side of the nation. As Samia begins her second term, her legitimacy is under scrutiny both domestically and internationally, with calls for accountability and democratic reform growing louder.
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A boat from Myanmar with hundreds of migrants capsizes off Malaysia, 1 body found and 10 rescued
A devastating maritime incident unfolded last week in the Indian Ocean near the border between Thailand and Malaysia, as a boat carrying approximately 300 migrants from Myanmar capsized. According to officials, at least one body has been recovered, 10 individuals have been rescued, and dozens remain missing. The exact timing and location of the tragedy remain unclear, though preliminary investigations suggest the vessel sank three days ago after departing from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Malaysian authorities have launched a search and rescue operation after survivors were discovered drifting near Langkawi, a northern resort island in Malaysia. Among the rescued were Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority group from Myanmar, as well as a man from Bangladesh. Malaysian officials have raised concerns about the increasing activity of cross-border syndicates exploiting migrants through dangerous sea routes. This incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by Rohingya refugees, many of whom seek refuge in Malaysia due to its predominantly Muslim population. However, Malaysia has recently tightened its stance on accepting refugees, fearing a mass influx. Currently, around 117,670 Rohingya refugees are registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia, representing 59% of the country’s total refugee population.
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Why France’s ex-President Sarkozy may be released from prison after just 20 days
A Paris court is set to determine whether former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, will be released from prison just 20 days after his incarceration. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, was sentenced to five years in prison on September 25 for criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing during his 2007 presidential bid. The funds were allegedly sourced from Libya under the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. This marks the first time a former French president has been sentenced to actual prison time in modern history. Sarkozy’s legal team has appealed the conviction and filed for early release, citing Article 144 of France’s criminal code, which favors release pending appeal unless the defendant poses a flight risk or threatens evidence. The court’s decision is expected later on Monday. Sarkozy maintains his innocence, claiming the charges are part of a plot orchestrated by individuals linked to the Gadhafi regime. He also highlights that the court cleared him of three other charges and failed to establish a direct link between the Libyan funds and his campaign. Meanwhile, Sarkozy faces additional legal challenges, including a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing during his 2012 reelection bid and an ongoing investigation into alleged witness tampering in the Libya case. His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has also been implicated in the latter.
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BBC on Luzon Island as super typhoon nears Philippines
As Super Typhoon Fung Wong approaches the Philippines, Luzon Island braces for severe weather conditions expected to hit on Sunday. The typhoon is forecasted to unleash sustained winds of up to 185 km/h (115 mph) and torrential rainfall across multiple regions. Authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions, as the storm poses significant risks to infrastructure, agriculture, and public safety. Emergency response teams have been mobilized, and evacuation plans are being implemented in vulnerable areas. The Philippines, no stranger to typhoons, faces yet another test of its disaster preparedness and resilience. The impact of Fung Wong could disrupt daily life, damage property, and potentially lead to loss of life, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures.
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First cross-border event debuts at the National Games
The 15th National Games marked a historic milestone on November 8 with the debut of its first cross-border event, the men’s individual road cycling competition. Spanning an impressive 230 kilometers, the race route incorporated the iconic Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, symbolizing enhanced regional integration under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. Cutting-edge technologies, including facial recognition and drone surveillance, ensured seamless and efficient clearance for athletes throughout the event. This groundbreaking initiative not only showcased China’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure but also highlighted the growing synergy between Hong Kong, Macao, and the mainland. The event has set a new precedent for future cross-border collaborations in sports and beyond, reinforcing the National Games’ role as a platform for fostering unity and technological advancement.