Former BBC News Controller Craig Oliver has described the BBC as being in disarray and lacking leadership following the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Deborah Turness. Both stepped down amid allegations that a Panorama documentary misleadingly edited remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump to imply he incited the 2021 Capitol riot. Oliver told BBC Radio 4 that the corporation is “leaderless and adrift,” and criticized BBC Chairman Samir Shah for not taking stronger action to stabilize the organization. The crisis has deepened as questions grow over editorial bias and accountability within the public broadcaster. Tim Davie admitted “mistakes were made,” while Turness called her resignation a “difficult but necessary” decision. Analysts say the turmoil threatens the BBC’s credibility at a time of global scrutiny.

The BBC faces a major leadership crisis after Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness resigned amid outrage over a Panorama documentary accused of misrepresenting former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2021 Capitol speech. A Telegraph leak revealed that the program combined two separate speech segments to imply Trump incited violence. The controversy triggered fierce debate over BBC’s editorial integrity, with political leaders calling for structural reform. Trump hailed the resignations as “justified.” BBC Chairman Samir Shah expressed regret, while critics across the media called the edits “indefensible.” Davie, after two decades at the BBC, said his departure would allow new leadership ahead of the next Royal Charter. The BBC Board now faces mounting pressure to restore public trust and appoint a successor who can rebuild the broadcaster’s credibility.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has warned that 1.2 billion young people will enter the global workforce over the next 25 years, but current economic growth is failing to create sufficient job opportunities. Speaking at the World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, Banga emphasized that the world must prepare now to avoid a massive generational failure. He noted that by 2050, 85% of the world’s population will live in developing countries, where lack of education, skills, and employment could trigger inequality and instability. Banga stressed the importance of job creation in five key sectors—infrastructure and energy, agriculture and agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and mineral production and processing—and urged developing countries to modernize these sectors to attract private investment. He also called for global unity and compassion, reminding that employment, climate change, and governance are shared global challenges.

Gold and silver prices soared to record levels on Monday, October 13, as renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, combined with expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, boosted safe-haven demand. Spot gold climbed 1.5% to $4,078 per ounce, while December gold futures rose 2.3% to $4,093. Silver also jumped 2.7% to $51.70 per ounce. President Donald Trump recently threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and announced new export controls on key software, prompting global market concerns. Analysts note that geopolitical tensions and market tightness are driving investment demand for precious metals. Platinum rose 2.9% to $1,635.35, and palladium increased 3.6% to $1,452.50. Since January, gold has surged 53%, fueled by central bank purchases, ETF inflows, tariff-related economic uncertainty, and anticipated Fed rate cuts. Market watchers expect further rate reductions in October and December.

Global health authorities warn that typhoid, once easily treated with antibiotics, is returning in a far more dangerous form. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, particularly spreading from Pakistan, no longer respond to traditional or even newer antibiotics. In the UK alone, 702 confirmed cases were reported in 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year, mostly among travelers returning from high-risk countries. Research from Stanford University shows that resistant bacteria are rapidly replacing normal strains and spreading internationally. Experts warn that data from Africa and Oceania is limited, suggesting the real scale may be underestimated. Oral antibiotics still work in some cases, but their effectiveness is declining. Health authorities emphasize urgent global surveillance, new treatment development, and vaccination programs to curb this escalating threat. Typhoid is quietly becoming a major global health emergency.

OpenAI has introduced a new affordable version of its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT Go, in Bangladesh and 17 other Asian nations, following successful trials in India and Indonesia. The subscription plan aims to meet long-standing user demand for a cost-effective option while providing access to the latest GPT-5 model. Users will enjoy all free-version features plus additional benefits such as image generation, file uploads, advanced data analysis, and higher usage limits. The service is priced as the company’s most affordable plan, with India at INR 399/month and Indonesia at IDR 75,000/month. OpenAI’s CEO Nick Tarle emphasized the goal of bringing AI capabilities to more people. According to OpenAI, usage growth in lower-income countries has outpaced wealthier nations by over four times, reflecting the growing global demand for accessible AI tools.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has responded sharply to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s sarcastic comments about her “anger issues,” suggesting that he might be the one in need of anger management. Trump mocked Thunberg after her detention and deportation by Israeli authorities during a Gaza aid mission, calling her “angry” and “troublesome.” In a witty Instagram post, Thunberg thanked Trump for his “concern” about her mental health and offered to take his advice on anger management—if he could manage his own. This latest exchange continues a long-running feud between the two, dating back to Trump’s earlier mockery of Thunberg’s climate activism at the United Nations. Thunberg, now 22, gained fame for her Fridays for Future movement and remains active in humanitarian causes. She was warmly welcomed in Greece after being released, along with 171 activists deported from Israel.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that businesses in the U.S. and other countries are bearing the major burden of retaliatory tariffs. IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack said global growth remained steady in the first half of the year despite tariff uncertainties, but early signs of a slowdown are now visible. Inflation trends remain mixed: tariffs have pushed up some U.S. goods prices, while inflationary pressures are still low in China and parts of Asia. Although U.S. companies are absorbing part of the tariff costs, it is unclear how long this can continue. The IMF will publish its next World Economic Outlook on October 14, addressing the impact of tariffs on U.S. inflation and growth, followed by further discussions in November’s Article IV consultation. Kozack also noted that the Federal Reserve’s September rate cut, aided by labor market flexibility, carries inflationary risks, urging the Fed to closely monitor upcoming data.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Turkey after Israel intercepted several ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla. In Naples, protesters blocked train services, while in Rome, police surrounded demonstrators near Termini station. Videos on social media showed mass rallies in Berlin, Athens, and Istanbul. The flotilla, with more than 45 vessels carrying 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, aims to break the Gaza blockade with food and medical supplies despite Israeli warnings.

US tech giant Microsoft has disabled certain cloud and AI services for an Israeli Ministry of Defense unit following claims of mass surveillance on Palestinians. The decision, based on internal reviews of records and communications, aims to prevent the use of Microsoft technology for monitoring civilians. Microsoft stressed it never accessed customer content, consulted IMOD before acting, and said the move won’t affect its cybersecurity work in Israel or regional cooperation under the Abraham Accords. Further details are expected soon.

Uyghur-American activist Kuzzat Altay says China’s economic influence silences Muslim countries on Uyghur persecution. In a video message, he explained that trade and investment ties with Beijing prevent these nations from speaking out. Altay claimed China spends billions to pressure governments and media, while controlling information about repression in Xinjiang. He urged global support, warning that Muslim citizens would demand action if properly informed. Rights groups allege mass detentions, forced indoctrination, and abuses in China’s “re-education” camps, which Beijing denies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly expand global trade over the next 15 years. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), AI could lower business costs and increase productivity, potentially raising trade in goods and services between countries by 34–37%. WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill described AI as a “bright opportunity” for global commerce but cautioned that without proper policies, it may worsen economic inequality worldwide.

The UK, France, and other Western states plan to formally recognize Palestine, potentially at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Nearly 75% of UN members already do so, but the move remains largely symbolic since Palestine lacks defined borders and full sovereignty. Israel and the U.S. strongly oppose the initiative, calling it a reward for terrorism. Supporters argue it could revive the two-state solution and pressure Israel amid the Gaza humanitarian crisis and growing global outrage.

The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit concluded in Tianjin, China, with leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China’s Xi Jinping, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin emphasizing regional peace, security, and economic cooperation for the Global South. The summit highlighted resolving border disputes, boosting trade, investment, and independent monetary systems to reduce reliance on foreign powers. Leaders stressed unity among developing nations to counter Western influence, strengthen multipolarity, and build a cooperative framework for sustainable growth and global stability.

NVIDIA reported record revenue of $46.7 billion for Q2, a 56% increase year-over-year, largely fueled by AI data center demand. However, two customers contributed 39% of the total revenue, referred to as Customer A (23%) and Customer B (16%). Four other clients added 46% collectively. These customers are mainly OEMs, system integrators, or distributors, with cloud providers like Google and Amazon buying indirectly. Analysts caution that heavy reliance on few customers poses risks but foresee continued strong spending.