Euronews •

Siberia plague outbreak is an 'isolated incident', virologist says

Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst says that while people may think of plague as “something medieval”, cases are reported every year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. However, he says the laboratory link makes this incident “a little more serious”.

Badenoch expected to announce plan to cut inheritance tax and claim UK faces ‘battle of ideas’ over spending – UK politics live
The Guardian •

Badenoch expected to announce plan to cut inheritance tax and claim UK faces ‘battle of ideas’ over spending – UK politics live

Conservative leader will deliver her keynote speech to Tory conference laterGood morning. Kemi Badenoch is expected to announce cuts to inheritance tax (IHT) this morning in a keynote conference speech that will claim the next election will be a “battle of ideas” between a government spending ever more money, and a Conservative party determined to make the state live within its means.The Tories ha...

Coalition MPs concede immigration pledge not fully costed by independent watchdog

Coalition MPs concede immigration pledge not fully costed by independent watchdog

The Guardian •

Angus Taylor says opposition ‘worked closely’ with Parliamentary Budget Office but Liberal sources say it has not yet conducted a full analysis of the policyGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastCoalition MPs concede the party’s newly released immigration policy has not been costed in full by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), despite Angus Taylor defending the plan as “bu...

Malaysia’s Melaka sets election date as BN, PAS near alliance against Anwar

Malaysia’s Melaka sets election date as BN, PAS near alliance against Anwar

SCMP •

Malaysia’s Melaka will hold a state election on November 14 as the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition nears a pact with Islamist rivals, leaving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s alliance facing another difficult contest after a string of recent defeats. The filing of nominations will begin on October 31 and early voting on November 10, Election Commission chairman Ramlan Harun said on Wednesda...

Singapore must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust: foreign minister

Singapore must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust: foreign minister

SCMP •

Singapore occupies a “peculiarly sensitive existential point” as it seeks to retain strategic options amid a great power rivalry, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said, doubling down on the city state’s stance of refusing to take sides. He also warned that the global landscape would remain unsettled if China and the United States failed to address their respective domestic issues. Speaking...

Singapore must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust: Foreign Minister

Singapore must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust: Foreign Minister

SCMP •

Singapore occupies a “peculiarly sensitive existential point” as it seeks to retain strategic options amid a great power rivalry, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said, doubling down on the city state’s stance of refusing to take sides. He also warned that the global landscape would remain unsettled if China and the United States failed to address their respective domestic issues. Speaking...

Singapore says it must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust

Singapore says it must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust

SCMP •

Singapore occupies a “peculiarly sensitive existential point” as it seeks to retain strategic options amid a great power rivalry, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said, doubling down on the city state’s stance of refusing to take sides. He also warned that the global landscape would remain unsettled if China and the United States failed to address their respective domestic issues. Speaking...

Russian strikes kill 24 across Ukraine after Zelensky warning

Russian strikes kill 24 across Ukraine after Zelensky warning

SCMP •

At least 24 people were killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine on Wednesday, including four young children who died when a missile slammed into a residential block in the north of the country as they slept. Windows shattered in the powerful blast in Pryluky, in the Chernihiv region, reducing one half of the five-storey building into a smoking pile of charred concrete and twisted metal. President...

Russian strikes kill 11 across Ukraine after Zelensky warning

Russian strikes kill 11 across Ukraine after Zelensky warning

SCMP •

At least 11 people were killed in Russian strikes on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including five when a missile destroyed a residential block in the north of the country. Emergency services picked through the rubble of the destroyed five-storey building in Pryluky, in the Chernigiv region, with fears that the death toll could rise. “There may still be people unde...

Russian barrage hits Kyiv hours after Zelensky warns of impending attack

Russian barrage hits Kyiv hours after Zelensky warns of impending attack

SCMP •

A missile attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv killed two people on Wednesday, the mayor said, after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of “massive strikes” heading towards the city. The capital has come under increased attack in recent weeks as winter approaches, with air raid sirens wailing nearly constantly to warn of incoming Russian strikes. Residents hunkered down in subway stations early on We...

Invasive plant spreads across Portugal and lengthens allergy season

Euronews •

Known for its showy plumes and used as an ornamental for decades, pampas grass, also known as Cortaderia selloana, is spreading, threatening biodiversity and raising vegetation management costs. Experts call for urgent action to halt its advance and reduce pollen exposure.