Russia Frees American Stephen Hubbard and Agrees to Resume Ukraine Talks
Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American who had been imprisoned for more than four years on accusations of fighting as a mercenary alongside Ukrainian forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release during talks in St. Petersburg with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Hubbard was taken to Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff and President Donald Trump confirmed the release, which the Kremlin said followed a request from Trump.
Hubbard, a retired schoolteacher, had been jailed in Russia since 2022. Moscow portrayed the move as a goodwill gesture toward Washington while the U.S. administration pursues a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.
During the same visit, Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks after Nov. 10, Putin foreign-policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters. The Kremlin said the meeting with Witkoff was constructive, and Moscow also said a summit involving Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would take place in Shenzhen next month.
Witkoff had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo a day earlier, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described those talks as positive. Witkoff landed in St. Petersburg on Wednesday morning for the Putin meeting. Axios reported that he would present an updated peace proposal, and a U.S. official told AFP that Jared Kushner was expected to join the meeting virtually.
UK Deploys Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia After Houthi Attacks
Britain is sending Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to fly defensive missions over cities and critical infrastructure amid a sharp escalation of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Ministry of Defence said the warplanes would operate in a defensive role and would not be used to attack the Yemeni group.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the Houthi strikes "absolutely despicable and dangerous for the region." The deployment is the most significant British military mission in support of Riyadh since the conflict escalated.
The attacks prompted Saudi Arabia to cancel its flagship "Davos in the Desert" investment conference, postponing the event until 2027, and to order government staff to work from home.
Elon Musk Says SpaceX and Tesla Are Exploring a Merger
Elon Musk said his companies SpaceX and Tesla are exploring what would be the largest corporate merger in history, noting the tie‑up has “a lot of merit.” Special committees have been formed at both companies to study the possibility, though Musk cautioned it is premature to assume a deal will happen.
Musk is chief executive and largest shareholder of both firms. A combination would consolidate his holdings in rockets, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence into a single company valued at well over $3 trillion, and Tesla shares rose after his remarks.
Nigeria Confirms First Ebola Case as Regional Outbreak Spreads
Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Ebola in the current outbreak, detected in a woman who recently arrived in the capital Abuja from Uganda. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said the patient is in isolation in an Abuja hospital; sources said she is not Nigerian.
The woman began showing symptoms on 7 October and was admitted to hospital four days later. Kenya has since recorded nine infections, and the outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May, is increasingly seen as an international threat.
Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya called the situation an "extremely serious threat" and urged the international community to send funding, medical supplies and health workers.
Drone Strike Kills at Least 153 in Disputed Abyei Region
A drone strike on a market and nearby fuel depot in the disputed Abyei region on the Sudan-South Sudan border killed at least 153 people on Monday and left dozens injured, according to local officials. The attack pushed the reported toll from strikes in recent days above 250.
South Sudanese authorities and local officials blamed Sudan's military for the strike. Doctors Without Borders said it was treating 20 wounded people, while a fire at the fuel depot continued to burn.
Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Investigated Over Alleged Parliament Rape
The Metropolitan Police are investigating an allegation that former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman inside the Palace of Westminster in 2016. Scotland Yard confirmed it received a report from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 13 October.
Police did not name the suspect but confirmed a 63-year-old man is being investigated. Donaldson is currently incarcerated.
UK Approves Controversial Jackdaw Gasfield Development in North Sea
The British government has approved development of the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, a widely expected decision that clears the way for drilling to begin. The approval is presented as a step toward addressing high energy costs.
Environmental campaigners and a number of Labour MPs have criticised the move, calling for greater investment in clean energy instead. Shell had lobbied heavily for the field's approval.
Australian MP Helen Haines Loses Both Legs in Car Attack
Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines had both legs amputated after being struck in an apparent deliberate vehicle attack. Her husband said she is in stable condition.
Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent over the incident. He appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday facing multiple offences.
LeBron James's 76ers Defeat Knicks on NBA Opening Night
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on the league's opening night. LeBron James scored 14 points in his debut for the 76ers.
Before tip-off, the Knicks raised their championship banner for the first time in 53 years, celebrating the title they won in June.