WORLD IN BRIEF:Trump backs Netanyahu, Pope Leo plans return, Sisi rules out third term and other stories

Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election

Donald Trump, United States president, has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, as the longtime leader seeks to strengthen his position. Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership and described him as a partner in efforts to secure peace.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Netanyahu a “great warrior prime minister”, saying he had remained strong despite significant opposition. He also credited the Israeli leader with joining the United States in launching strikes against Iran in February.

The conflict, now in its seventh month, has disrupted global energy markets and damaged critical infrastructure across the Middle East. Trump described Netanyahu as having grown stronger under pressure and said he had watched him navigate difficult circumstances.

However, the endorsement may not necessarily boost Netanyahu or his right-wing Likud party. Israeli public support for Trump has declined amid disagreements between the two governments over Iran, potentially limiting the impact of his backing.

France assesses damage after riots and looting during mass protests

France is assessing widespread damage after demonstrations over rising fuel prices, living costs and deteriorating public services escalated into riots and looting in several cities. Paris, Marseille and Lille were among the areas affected, with burnt-out cars, shattered shopfronts and debris left across streets.

About 550,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations, most of which were peaceful, while police arrested approximately 1,800 people. Some masked groups set fire to vehicles and buildings, looted shops and clashed with riot police, who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds.

France’s interior ministry said more than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured. The Retail and Trade Federation reported that about 1,500 shops and retailers were damaged, including designer stores in Paris. A restaurant was gutted by fire, while a McDonald’s restaurant in Lille was also reportedly set alight.

In Marseille, protesters broke into the city hall using a metal fence as a battering ram. Residents described the destruction as frightening, with one Paris resident telling AFP it resembled a war. President Emmanuel Macron was due to address the nation on Sunday evening following one of the country’s most serious outbreaks of disorder in recent history.

Fire at Canadian military base kills at least four, injures dozens

At least four people have died and dozens have been seriously injured after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, in what Prime Minister Mark Carney described as one of the worst peacetime tragedies to affect Canada’s armed forces on home soil. Authorities said the situation remained under investigation on Sunday.

The fire broke out at about 4pm on Saturday in a training area at the base, approximately 210 kilometres east of Edmonton. Strong winds reaching 96 kilometres per hour were reported at the time, although officials have not established the cause of the blaze.

Carney expressed condolences to the victims and their families and ordered flags on federal buildings across Canada to be lowered to half mast. CBC, the national broadcaster, had earlier reported seven deaths, citing unnamed sources, but authorities said they would not confirm final casualty figures until relatives had been notified.

Wainwright is one of Canada’s largest military bases and houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts army exercises. Census data recorded 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there in 2021. Defence Minister David McGuinty said he would travel to the area for briefings as the investigation continued.

US resumes intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after temporary pause

The United States has resumed providing Ukraine with critical intelligence to help detect and defend against Russian missile attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. The announcement follows a brief interruption that raised concerns about Kyiv’s ability to anticipate incoming strikes.

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Ukraine relies on US intelligence to identify fast-moving ballistic missiles launched by Russia against Ukrainian cities. Zelensky told NBC’s Meet the Press that the intelligence-sharing arrangement had been interrupted but was subsequently restored, adding that Kyiv was grateful for the resumption.

However, Zelensky criticised other US decisions, including a proposed arrangement to import Russian diesel and the easing of sanctions on Russia that had been expected to take effect this week. He warned that such measures could undermine Ukraine’s position in the war and urged Washington to remain an ally.

Relations between Zelensky and Trump have come under renewed strain, raising concerns about the future of US support for Kyiv. Zelensky said he hoped Trump would reconsider decisions he viewed as mistakes, arguing that they would benefit neither Ukraine nor the United States.

Pope Leo plans gradual return to duties after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV has pledged to gradually resume his usual duties after undergoing surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff made his first public appearance since the operation on Sunday, addressing pilgrims from a window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square.

Leo thanked people around the world for their prayers and said he would slowly return to his normal schedule after recovering from what he described as a delicate phase. He appeared unaided and spoke in a clear voice during his weekly midday address, five days after the operation.

The pope has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. His diagnosis has prompted questions about how the illness could affect his leadership of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.

Elected in May 2025, Leo is the first American pope and one of the youngest pontiffs in decades. He also urged those gathered in the square to put aside selfish ambitions and serve God without compromise as he begins his recovery.

AFRICA

Thousands of Tunisians protest against Saied over economy, democracy

Thousands of Tunisians have staged the largest protest against President Kais Saied in years, accusing him of weakening democratic institutions and mishandling the economy. The demonstration took place in the capital on Saturday, led by the UGTT labour union and civil society organisations.

Protesters raised concerns about an economic crisis, deteriorating public services, recurring water and power cuts, and shortages of medicines and essential goods. Opposition parties from across the political spectrum joined lawyers, doctors, journalists, unemployed people and other civil society groups in marching along Habib Bourguiba Avenue.

Saied consolidated power in 2021 and 2022 by dissolving parliament, dismissing dozens of judges and ruling by decree. Opponents described the moves as a coup, while rights groups have accused his government of intensifying pressure on journalists, civil society organisations and political opponents.

Saied rejects accusations that he is a dictator and has blamed his opponents for fuelling economic problems and unrest. Saturday’s demonstration represents a significant challenge to his rule after years of divisions weakened the opposition’s ability to mobilise large crowds.

Sisi says Egyptian presidency will end in 2030, proposes leadership training programme

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt’s president, has said his current term will end in 2030 and outlined a plan for the country’s main military academy to train potential future leaders before then. The programme would place the academy at the centre of efforts to prepare candidates for positions of national responsibility.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony, Sisi said a committee overseen by the Speaker of Parliament would develop selection criteria and draft legislation for the programme. The committee is expected to include intellectuals, politicians and the ministers of higher education and justice.

Sisi said the proposed training would last 30 months, although he did not explain how graduates would be considered for elected or appointed positions. He said Egyptians would be able to “elect and choose from among” the programme’s graduates.

The president, a former general, reiterated that the constitution would not be amended and described the end of his term in 2030 as settled. The proposal highlights the military’s continuing influence in Egypt, where the armed forces have expanded their role beyond national defence into economic and civilian affairs.

Kenya confirms seven Ebola cases as three health workers test positive

Kenya has confirmed seven Ebola cases after three health workers who treated the country’s first patient tested positive, according to the Ministry of Health. Authorities said the latest infections were detected among people already in quarantine, with no evidence of wider community transmission.

The three health workers, two men and a woman aged 29, 35 and 32, treated the initial patient on October 3 and 4. They had been in quarantine since October 9 before developing symptoms and testing positive. The first patient had arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 3.

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The ministry said the second and third patients identified earlier were stable and responding well to supportive treatment. Health officials have been tracing and quarantining contacts to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Of 130 identified contacts, 128, or 98.5 percent, had been traced and placed in quarantine, the ministry said. It described the rate as higher than the 85 percent benchmark it cited as necessary to break the chain of transmission.

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo spreads to eighth province

The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed that its Ebola outbreak has spread to North Ubangi province, bringing the number of affected provinces to eight. The National Institute for Biomedical Research confirmed two cases, including one death, in the province bordering the Central African Republic.

North Ubangi joins North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and South Ubangi among the affected provinces. The spread into another region poses a fresh challenge for health authorities working to contain the outbreak.

The epidemic has also crossed Congo’s borders, with cases reported in Uganda and seven infections confirmed in Kenya this month. Kenya’s cases include three health workers who treated the first patient after his arrival from Congo.

The spread across provinces and into neighbouring countries increases the demands on surveillance, contact tracing and treatment services. Health authorities are continuing containment efforts as they work to prevent further transmission.

Abiy appoints caretaker government for Tigray, promises elections within six months

Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has appointed a caretaker government for the northern Tigray region and pledged to organise elections within six months following renewed fighting between regional forces and federal troops. His office said the temporary administration would seek to stabilise the region and create conditions for a free and transparent vote.

The appointment follows an offensive last month by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which reignited conflict with the federal government. The renewed fighting has revived tensions after the 2020 to 2022 war, which killed hundreds of thousands of people.

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Ethiopia’s military and a pro-government militia have made advances and taken control of large parts of Tigray, including the regional capital, Mekelle, according to the report. The conflict has also contributed to a breakdown in relations between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of supporting the rebels, an allegation Eritrea denies.

Abiy’s office said the caretaker administration would remain in place for six months while preparing for elections. The plan faces the challenge of establishing political stability and credible conditions for voting amid continued tensions and uncertainty over the region’s security.