Iraq's Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani says Turkish President Erdogan deserves a Nobel Peace Prize if Türkiye’s peace process with the PKK succeeds.

He argued resolving the Kurdish issue would elevate Türkiye’s regional position and allow it to play its “natural role.”

Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani:

Qatar supplies roughly one-fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade, and anything that affects it is quickly reflected in markets and among consumers everywhere.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the direct damage inflicted on some energy facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City have disrupted a significant portion of the country’s exports.

Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani:

Total revenues fell by 42% in the first half of the year, while public expenditures declined by 14%, without compromising essential services or development priorities.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski:

We listened to Lavrov's speech at the Security Council, which was mostly a rant against Europe.

Which told me that they've just realized that actually they can't fix this just with the United States.

Europe is paying for this war. Europe is consistent in supporting Ukraine, and we will continue to do so irrespective of what anybody else does.

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide:

It doesn't really make sense that people who are not paying much for supporting Ukraine are those who have the key role in negotiations.

We need a strong European voice.

WATCH: Top student in Azerbaijan delivers emotional speech after being barred from school for wearing hijab:

I scored 335 points. I don’t have a single B on my report card. Is this the respect I get?

The girl, visibly upset, challenged school officials directly:

Have I ever brought shame to this school’s name? Have I ever done anything wrong? And now you’re telling me I can’t enter the school.

Either take off your hijab or don’t come at all.

Why should I have to give up my religion?

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Our current pay-as-you-go system has no future in an aging society. If we continue as before, pension levels will fall and contributions will continue to rise.

We all have to be honest with ourselves. As long as we haven't found the fountain of youth that we can all simply step into, we need — and I want — a major reform.

I want a solution. I want a solution that makes our pension system secure in the long term.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

The German labor market is still too rigid and too inflexible.

It neither allows companies to grow quickly and easily nor allows jobseekers to find new work quickly and easily.

Startups in particular, but not only startups, need opportunities for flexible staffing.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Finally, we are taking advantage of the positive effects of the capital market in Germany, just as many other countries around the world have been doing for a long time. We are at least 30 years too late.

But, ladies and gentlemen, we are now making pensions stable and fair.

Why should only those who can afford to make additional private retirement provisions benefit from the capital market?

We are now enabling all employees to participate in the development of our economy.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

If I weren't involved in this conflict, my personal approval ratings would be better. But I have no intention of becoming the nation's darling.

My intention is to get this country back on track so that we can once again offer a reasonable future, especially for the younger generation.

Kremlin:

Contacts regarding the energy ceasefire in Ukraine are continuing, but there have been no changes so far.

Democrats are making several Republican strongholds competitive in the November 3 Senate elections, potentially expanding the 2028 presidential battleground map.

Trump won all six states by double digits in 2024, but dissatisfaction with his administration, high prices and controversial Republican candidates have helped Democrats close the gap.

Republicans see the trend as temporary, while former Obama strategist David Axelrod says Democrats' 2028 prospects depend on finding a candidate who appeals to rural and center-right voters.

Source: Axios

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

The studies we are seeing show that Germany is considered the most attractive investment destination in Europe.

Anthropic warned that small AI models could be just months away from gaining the ability to copy themselves across internet-connected household devices, including smart TVs and appliances.

The company tested an AI model across 15 inexpensive Android TV boxes and warned that such systems could spread without centralized control, making them difficult to shut down.

Although no fully autonomous, self-replicating AI has emerged, Anthropic cautioned that future models could operate beyond human control.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha:

We continue getting intelligence data from the American side.

It is also true that during yesterday's night attack, the air raid alert was launched with a delay, but that was because of a special type of weaponry used by the Russian side.

Saudi Arabia stopped issuing public warnings before four Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport that killed at least 18 people and wounded over 300.

Western officials said Saudi authorities had considered the alerts too disruptive after complaints from residents.

The government has not explained the silence, although warnings resumed on October 12.

Source: Reuters

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella:

Historically, the French left has always been very close to the Algerian regime, while the French right has always been more favorable toward the Moroccan regime.

Emmanuel Macron has managed to fall out with both countries, Algeria and Morocco. That takes some doing.

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella:

The best way to ensure our security is not to strengthen European defense, which in reality consists of buying American military equipment.

European defense means using European taxpayers' money to finance American military equipment.

Our ambition is to become sovereign again in defense and to allow European nations to increase their defense spending if they wish.

The UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding pandemic preparedness declaration on October 12, with 153 votes in favor, three against (the U.S., Israel and Argentina) and two abstentions.

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have suspended BBC FM radio broadcasts nationwide, citing unspecified “repeated violations.”

The BBC said millions of Afghans rely on its reporting and that it was working with authorities to resolve the issue.

The Taliban government said the ban would remain in place for the time being.