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Thousands of students blockaded high schools across France in recent days to protest the education system. Clashes with police left dozens injured and thousands arrested since late last month. Sophie Vénétitay said, "The public education system is in a catastrophic state." Students want better classrooms and more teachers for schools.
The Democratic National Committee sued US President Donald Trump on Wednesday over taxpayer-funded television ads. Ken Martin said, "Donald Trump is misusing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund pure propaganda ads." The lawsuits claim Trump used $20m meant for border security to boost Republican chances before the November 3 midterm elections.
The US Department of State designated Fiji-based Zhao Fugang for corruption on Wednesday. Officials said he paid bribes to advance Chinese interests. The US embassy noted his actions left the nation open to malign influence. Consequently, Zhao and his family got barred from entering the United States due to these activities.
Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told a US audience on Wednesday of China's sustained pressure. She said, "We face daily cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, information manipulation, economic coercion, and attempts to compromise our critical infrastructure." Tsai noted these activities aim to alter the security environment while avoiding any open military conflict.
Kidnappings are hitting families hard in Borno, Nigeria, as many struggle to pay high ransoms. Laraba Dauda, whose sister was abducted on January 13, 2026, said, "We need the government to come to our aid." Families now sell property and keep children from school, living in constant, painful fear.
Kurt Olsen, a Justice Department lawyer, lost his security clearance last month after failing a polygraph test. Sources said this failure played a role in the decision. Olsen told Reuters, "any suggestion of a revoked clearance is false." He remains a senior counsel in Miami despite the recent clearance loss.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering ending death sentences for 563 California prisoners before he leaves office in January. He discussed options after a botched execution in Tennessee. Newsom said, "I'm getting all those people in my ear: 'Don't do it. Don't do it.'" This move would clear the state's death row.
Yemeni government forces said they neutralised 1,860 Houthi fighters since launching a large-scale counter-offensive. The ongoing “Dawn of Yemen” operation started on Sunday to retake territory held by the group. Forces carried out 2,103 precise targeting operations across several fronts. Battles recently focused on areas around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
A tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Wednesday. The vessel was hit 94 kilometres north of Madinat ash Shamal. Authorities are investigating the incident, as casualties were reported after the attack on the ship.
Russia dismissed media reports of a second suspected plague case in Siberia on Wednesday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "the vast majority of what the media is reporting regarding this situation is false information." Meanwhile, the WHO urged Moscow to provide a formal response regarding the health institute worker's death.
President Donald Trump fought to rally Texas voters behind Senate candidate Ken Paxton on Wednesday as protesters repeatedly disrupted his San Antonio event. Trump stepped away from the microphone during the interruptions. He said, "He's going back home to mom," while police led several demonstrators away from the crowded rally stage.
Ukrainian forces are hitting Russian energy infrastructure to cut military funding. On October 2, the Volgograd refinery halted processing after a drone attack. Other sites in Moscow, Rostov, and Yaroslavl also got hit since August. These strikes damaged many refineries, forcing them to stop operations and causing major fuel fires.
A Florida appeals court on Wednesday ordered the expungement of a grand jury report criticizing the DeSantis administration. The panel said the report wrongfully impugned private individuals while exceeding its authority. "This is complete and total vindication," said Alex Lanfranconi, a spokesman for the governor, following the unanimous court decision.