The El Nino weather phenomenon gripping the planet is heading off the charts, the United Nations warned Wednesday, saying countries should take urgent action to prepare for the worst.
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Riyadh in a surprise "solidarity" visit, making him the first Western leader to touch down in the kingdom since Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis intensified their attacks this month.
The Ebola case detected in Nigeria is the Bundibugyo strain behind a major DR Congo outbreak, officials said Wednesday, marking the spread of the deadly disease to points across Africa.
- Around the world, far right blames immigrants for French protests
- Musk's SpaceX helps launch stock market gains
Economy
South Africa announced fresh fuel-relief measures on Wednesday to cushion motorists and commuters battered by record pump prices as uncertainty roils global energy markets.
October 21, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Paris Saint-Germain could be without star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL in the Champions League win against Barcelona while Ousmane Dembele also faces weeks out of action, the European champions said on Wednesday.
October 21, 2026
RECENT NEWS
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday took an apparent swipe at counterpart Donald Trump of exploiting France's riots for advantage in the US midterm election battle, as Paris prepared for more protests this weekend.
October 21, 2026
Russia's Vladimir Putin began talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff on ending the Ukraine war in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, with the American official saying he had brought "ideas" for a possible peace deal.
October 21, 2026
North Korea plans to begin once again blasting loudspeakers across its border with South Korea, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un said on Wednesday, after warning Pyongyang had moved new troop units into "firing position".
October 21, 2026
Politics
Stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, with sentiment boosted by news that Elon Musk's SpaceX reported its first quarterly profit as a public company.
October 21, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Indonesia's president lashed out at MSCI on Wednesday, accusing the index compiler of "trying to scare us" over its threat to downgrade the country's stock market.
More than 150 writers and personalities signed an open letter Wednesday urging the UK government to amend its "draconian" ban on Palestine Action after Irish author Sally Rooney said she was halting book sales in Britain as a result.
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised world leaders for making "stupid" comments about the rioting on the sidelines of protests in France, in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A shark that has become a viral sensation in South Korea was coaxed out of a canal in which it was stuck, authorities said on Wednesday, as falling temperatures raised concerns for its survival.
October 21, 2026
Boulevard
Residents of Indonesian Borneo urged the government on Wednesday to do more to combat the wildfires consuming vast tracts of land and emitting a foul haze that has sickened thousands and curtailed daily life for months.
October 21, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Paris Saint-Germain could be without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the rest of the season after the winger tore his ACL in the Champions League win against Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele faces weeks out too, the club said on Wednesday.
The second tranche of tickets for the landmark Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at London's British Museum went on sale Wednesday, as thousands joined an online queue shrugging off some initial visitor complaints.
Indonesia's president railed Wednesday against "countries that like to insult" his nation over wildfires that have razed vast areas, spewing toxic haze into neighbouring countries.
Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after being hit by a car, her husband said on Wednesday, hailing her as a "fighter" despite critical injuries sustained in what police described as a targeted attack.
October 21, 2026
- PSG's Kvaratskhelia set for months out with torn ACL
- UK approves drilling in controversial Jackdaw gas field
- Japan sends senior diplomat to Russia over detained journalist
- Carrefour shares plunge after profit warning on French protests
- Rising UK inflation, debt knocks govt ahead of budget
- North Korea says 'new firepower units' in place after border threat
- UK govt approves drilling in controversial Jackdaw gas field
- Australia lawmaker loses both legs after 'targeted' attack