– A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Khuzdar in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, October 17, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The GFZ said the quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, or about 6
– Bilateral trade between Russia and Oman reached $1.5 billion in the first seven months of 2026, its highest level in a decade, according to Sergei Shoigu. The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council said trade had increased 22-fold over the
– A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Tibet in southwestern China on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens, Xinhua News Agency reported. The quake hit at 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22 in Baqên County, in
– Japan’s exports rose for a 13th straight month in September, but faster growth in imports left the country with a trade deficit of 536.6 billion yen. Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance showed exports up 16.7% year on
– St. George’s University has called for risk-based breast cancer screening across Africa after a study found that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan African countries were under the age of 40. The university urged healthcare
News
– A Japanese spacecraft has set off for Mars on a mission to explore the planet’s two small moons and bring back samples. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft, known as MMX, on an H3
– His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has arrived in Athens to begin an official visit to the Hellenic Republic. He was received at Athens International Airport by George Gerapetritis, Greece’s
Business
– Bilateral trade between Russia and Oman reached $1.5 billion in the first seven months of 2026, its highest level in a decade, according to Sergei Shoigu. The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council said trade had increased 22-fold over the
– Japan’s exports rose for a 13th straight month in September, but faster growth in imports left the country with a trade deficit of 536.6 billion yen. Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance showed exports up 16.7% year on
– South Korea’s semiconductor exports surged 222.5% year on year to $27.5 billion in the first 20 days of October, driving total exports to $61.6 billion. Overall outbound shipments more than doubled from the same period last year, according to
– Oil prices climbed sharply on Friday, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the first time since May. Worries that escalating Middle East tensions could further tighten supplies drove the rally. Brent for December delivery settled up $3.94,
– Egypt received a record $33.9 billion in remittances from citizens working abroad during the first eight months of 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt said on Tuesday, October 13, that inflows rose 27.2% from $26.6 billion a year earlier.
– Oman’s electricity production increased 4.3% year on year during the first eight months of 2026. Total output reached 37,481.8 gigawatt-hours, compared with 35,935.3 GWh in the same period of 2025. The increase amounted to about 1,546.5 GWh. Preliminary figures
– Indonesia recorded Rp131.1 trillion, about $7.33 billion, in foreign capital inflows through early October 2026. Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara presented the figure during the government’s latest state budget briefing in Jakarta. Most foreign investment moved into government bonds and
– The African Union has formally launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, known as AfCRA, in Mauritius. The agency will provide credit assessments for African sovereigns, companies, financial institutions and other issuers. Its launch took place in Port Louis during
Travel
Technology
– Scientists from Russia and China have developed an ultrasonic welding technology that doubles the strength of metal joints, TV BRICS reported. The report cited South Ural State University, known as SUSU, whose researchers carried out the work with Chinese
Sports
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland lead the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers released the nominees on September 8 ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and Vinícius Júnior also
Automotive
Jaguar unveiled the production Type 01 in New York on October 6, marking a major product launch for the British luxury brand. The four-door electric grand tourer is the first production Jaguar based on the dedicated Jaguar Electric Architecture. It

