US-Iran tensions peak, Saudi Arabia under attack, France riots and Ebola spreads
The week was dominated by escalation around the Gulf, with Hormuz shipping attacks, Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and the US pulling diplomats out. France saw its worst street unrest in years, and Ebola spread to Nigeria and a fourth African country. Sudan's drone war and Israel's West Bank operation added to a week of widening crises.
On Monday, Iran was reported to have hit at least 15 container ships in Hormuz over 10 days, and on Wednesday enriched uranium resurfaced as a sticking point in US-Iran talks. On Thursday Iran said seven tankers had been hit as oil reached $112, and on Friday Trump hinted at new strikes while ministers in Istanbul urged diplomacy. On Saturday the US ordered diplomats out of Saudi Arabia, citing Iranian attack planning, and Iran blamed the US for a failed deal. On Sunday Trump said the US may attack Iran as soon as Sunday or reach a major deal.
Houthi missiles killed at least 18 at a military camp in Shabwa on Monday, and Houthis besieged Taiz as UNHCR reported over 250,000 displaced in Yemen. On Thursday an attack on Dammam's King Fahd airport killed one and the US ordered personnel out of Saudi Arabia. By Friday the UN warned time was running out to reach Taiz, and on Saturday the Houthis claimed new attacks on Saudi oil sites and airports. On Sunday Saudi air defences intercepted a Houthi barrage near Mecca.
Paris imposed overnight curfews after France's worst rioting in years, and on Tuesday curfews were extended as the prime minister promised a massive security deployment. Talks with unions collapsed on Wednesday, and Paris extended its curfew to Monday on Thursday. On Friday France mobilised 70,000 security forces and banned gatherings. Almost 1,000 people were arrested at mass protests on Saturday, and on Sunday France fast-tracked a bill making protesters liable for damage.
Kenya confirmed a third Ebola case on Monday as the regional outbreak passed 4,300 deaths. Nigeria recorded its first case in Abuja on Tuesday while Kenya's count reached nine. On Thursday the WHO said Ebola spanned three African countries, and Nigeria's case matched the DR Congo Bundibugyo strain. On Friday Kenya reported a second death and the outbreak was described as spanning four countries, and on Sunday Uganda ordered a 21-day quarantine for returnees from DR Congo.
Russian missiles hit Kyiv power plants on Monday amid a US-Ukraine row over Starshield, and Nato added Black Sea forces on Tuesday after Russia said it hit five more merchant ships. On Wednesday the Kremlin offered to resume three-way talks in mid-November after Putin met Witkoff. Russian missile waves struck Ukraine on Thursday hours after that offer, and on Friday at least 14 civilians were reported killed. By the weekend a localised Oleshky ceasefire was claimed and Ukraine said Starlink access was stable again.
A drone strike on a West Kordofan market killed at least 80 people, with 160 reported dead in drone attacks across the period. On Tuesday strikes on markets and mourners killed well over 100, with some tolls reported up to 200. On Thursday the BBC found the RSF deliberately targeted hospitals. On Friday the UN said drone strikes killed at least 306 people in the first three weeks of October.
Israel arrested 10 over settler attacks on Monday as the WFP ended support for 500,000 people in Gaza. On Thursday an Israeli court freed nine settler suspects and Gaza strikes killed four. On Friday Netanyahu vowed a major West Bank operation after two soldiers were killed near Hebron. On Saturday Israel locked down the West Bank and razed part of Hebron, and on Sunday seven were reported killed in Gaza strikes.
A run of tremors near Vanuatu continued through the week, including an M6.0 on Monday and an M6.6 and M6.3 on Tuesday. On Saturday an M7.2 earthquake struck west of Sola, Vanuatu, and tsunami information was issued. An M6.1 quake followed near Port-Olry on Sunday.
Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.