- Oct 31
Syria weighs joining Mecca defence pact as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue
Foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Saturday, 31 October 2026, that Damascus is evaluating entry into the pact that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed in August. The move could draw another country into the kingdom's conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis.
- Oct 29
Mitsotakis tells UN Security Council Turkey-Libya memorandum is illegal
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the UN Security Council that the Turkey-Libya memorandum breaches the law of the sea, and displayed a map of the region to make his case.
- Oct 25
US State Department calls Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum ratification provocative
The US State Department said on Sunday, 25 October 2026, that the announced ratification of the Turkey-Libya memorandum has raised tensions, and it urged Greece and Turkey to settle their differences through bilateral dialogue.
- Oct 23
F1 keeps Qatar and Abu Dhabi finale as Middle East war fuels doubts
Carlos Sainz and other drivers doubt the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will go ahead, while the FIA says both remain on schedule for 29 November and 6 December.
- Oct 23
Asian confederation endorses Infantino for fourth FIFA term as candidate deadline nears
On Friday, 23 October, the Asian Football Confederation backed Gianni Infantino for a fourth FIFA term, reversing its earlier criticism of him. Opposition candidates have until 18 November to file, and none has done so yet.
- Oct 19
Macron secures extended Saudi diesel supply for France during surprise Riyadh visit
Saudi Arabia has agreed to keep supplying extra diesel to France 'for as many months as necessary', the Élysée said after an unannounced stop in Riyadh by Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, 21 October.
- Oct 19
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrives in Iran in first visit since war began
Sergei Lavrov reached Tehran on Monday, 19 October 2026, for talks with Abbas Araghchi and a planned meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian. It is his first trip to Iran since the war began in late February, as Moscow seeks a mediating role.
- Oct 6
Verstappen takes Singapore sprint pole after stewards clear him over yellow-flag pass
Max Verstappen will start the Singapore sprint from pole after stewards cleared him over a yellow-flag pass on Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh, 0.573 seconds behind teammate George Russell, and the Mercedes pair are struggling with an updated package.
- Oct 6
Fernando Alonso to return to Dakar Rally in 2027 with Aston Martin and Marc Coma
Fernando Alonso is set to compete in the 2027 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, driving a Prodrive-prepared T1+ prototype branded as an Aston Martin with co-driver Marc Coma.
- Oct 5
Bottas cycles from Sepang to Singapore over four days, dodging snakes and a chasing dog
Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas rode from Sepang near Kuala Lumpur to Singapore instead of flying, while the rest of the F1 paddock took flights of just over an hour. He reported snakes, a lizard, a chasing dog and cows blocking a track along the way.
- Oct 3
Formula 1 confirms 2026 season finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite Middle East conflict
Formula 1 will stage its final two 2026 races at Lusail and Yas Marina as planned, keeping Italy's Imola circuit on standby while regional conflicts reshape Middle East motorsport.
- Oct 2
Verstappen wins delayed Malaysia GP as software failure halts formation laps
Max Verstappen won his first race of the season in Sepang after an FIA engine software glitch on wet formation laps delayed the start by over 90 minutes.
- Sep 30
Max Verstappen leads opening Bahrain Grand Prix practice in Sepang
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set the fastest time of 1:37.520 in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, hosted at Malaysia's Sepang circuit following Middle East calendar changes.
- Sep 29
Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to claim pole position at relocated Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set a 1:35.130 lap to beat Lewis Hamilton at Sepang, securing his first pole position of 2026 at the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix.
- Sep 25
Milan prosecutors investigate AI voice cloning fraud that targeted 95 million euros at Fideuram
Italian authorities have launched multiple investigations after cybercriminals used artificial intelligence voice cloning to target bank executives, leaving up to 39.5 million euros missing from Intesa Sanpaolo subsidiary Fideuram.
- Sep 24
Saudi Arabia intercepts six Houthi missiles as rebels threaten US intervention
Saudi air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles fired toward Yanbu and Taif on September 24, as Houthi officials threatened to strike American assets if Washington intervenes.
