AP: Trump's decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen (LINK) — 17 October 2026

IMF chief flags 'optimism' and 'worry' after Bangkok annual meetings: high debt levels and rising bond yields are tightening financial conditions as central banks focus on reducing inflation (ground news LINK) — 17 October 2026

— Debt repayments for low-income countries have surged to 14% of government revenue in recent years.s

US government interest costs hit record $1 trillion, risking debt snowball (LINK) — 17 October 2026

Ahead of next week's UN biodiversity summit, COP 17, UN chief urges governments to stop propping up polluting fossil fuels: 'Subsidising suicide' (LINK) — 16 October 2026

UN News: Guterres urges faster action and financing to stop biodiversity loss: "every day, humankind saws another branch off the tree of life" — (LINK)

Trump says Saudi Arabia may accept Israeli help against Houthis, revive Abraham Accords: normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is "back on the table" (ground news LINK) — 16 October 2026