US and Saudi Arabia block a global fee on shipping emissions as IMO meeting ends without new regulations (LINK) — ground.news: 131 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


Scandal-plagued Prince Andrew gives up British royal titles including Duke of York after 'discussion with king' (LINK) 17 October 2025

— Andrew will also give up use of his honours as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, meaning his only remaining title will be that of prince, which cannot be removed as he was born the son of a queen. Technically, Andrew will retain the dukedom, which can only be removed by an act of parliament, but he will not use it. The title, in effect, remains extant but inactive, like the HRH (His Royal Highness) honorific. Allegations about Andrew concern his relationship with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and recent details of his relationship with a prominent figure involved in a China spying case. It has also been reported that Andrew held meetings in 2018 and 2019 with Cai Qi, a member of China’s ruling politburo. Cai was suspected of being the recipient of sensitive information allegedly passed to China by two British nationals accused of spying for Beijing. The case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash was recently dropped by the CPS and both have denied wrongdoing. Andrew has already been stripped of his military titles and charity affiliations and banned from using his HRH honorific. His statement noted: "As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."


Chinese Communist Party expels nine top generals in anti-corruption crackdown: biggest purge since Mao era (LINK) — ground.news: 104 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


Protesters clash with police as Bangladesh's political parties agree to pathway for reform (LINK) — ground.news: 27 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


Zelenskyy holds out hope Trump will still provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles (LINK) — ground.news: 14 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


Al Jazeera: Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,331 (LINK) 17 October 2025

— Russian war correspondent Ivan Zuyev has been killed by a Ukrainian drone strike while on assignment on the front line of the war in southern Ukraine's Zaporizhia region, his publication, state news agency RIA said. Zuyev's colleague, Yuri Voitkevich, was seriously wounded in the attack.

— Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces carried out a massive overnight strike on Ukrainian gas infrastructure, which supports Kyiv’s military, in retaliation for what it said were Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure.


Pakistan, Afghanistan extend ceasefire as Doha talks set to begin, sources say (LINK) — ground.news: 25 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


Ivory Coast: 50 protesters sentenced to three years in prison (LINK) — ground.news: 12 media reports (LINK) 17 October 2025


As Israeli forces withdraw after ceasefire, Hamas tightens its grip on the streets of Gaza: clashes with armed gangs (LINK) 16 October 2025


US Treasury Secretary Bessent says US bought pesos again: currency tumbled 5.2 percent> (LINK) — ground.news: 10 media reports (LINK) 16 October 2025


The 10 worst cities to live in, ranked according to expats: Budapest, New York, Toronto, Rome, Kuala Lumpur, Vancouver, Milan, Nairobi, Dublin, Istanbul (LINK) 16 October 2025