Xi carries out largest purge of 'corrupt officials' yet as China's Communist Party's annual gathering ends with more empty seats than ever

🔮 The removal of 33 members meant that the CCP saw more empty seats than ever before at its annual meeting, underscoring the scale of Xi's anti-corruption campaign. The party said it had 'squarely confronted the grim reality that party leadership had at times weakened or hollowed out' and that it will continue to 'enforce strict party self-governance, including turning the knife inwards to... curb disorder'.

🔮 In 2015, the Express reported that a Kremlin insider said nobody could be taller than the president in official photos.

🔮 An independent investigation will be launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

🔮 Brigitte Macron's defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens has suffered its first legal hurdle after a judge ruled that the right-wing commentator could not be held personally liable.

🔮 Violent protests have erupted at a Spanish university against far-right figure Vito Quiles dubbed 'Spain's Charlie Kirk' Vito Quiles pictures at a political rally in Pamplona on October 15 Members of the Basque police blocke the access to the University of Deusto to prevent potential disturbances that might arise from a visit by Spanish right-wing activist Vito Quiles on October 26, 2026 in Bilbao 'Today it has become clear who the real ultras are, and the majority of Spaniards have seen it,' he added on social media.

🔮 Mr Ranitz acknowledged the broadcaster's decision would disappoint many Dutch Eurovision fans and stressed the contest would still be aired on public channels.

🔮 Footage shows the oil rig off the coast of Gabon tipping at an angle Members of staff are seen in video putting on life jackets and running across the rig's deck Employees boarded life boats and drifted away from the rig as it collapsed Gabon President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema speaks with survivors and relatives affected by the sinking of the Borr Prospector 5 oil rig in Port-Gentil, Gabon Gabon's Ministry of Petroleum and Gas said it had activated a crisis unit and ordered the navy to reinforce search and rescue operations at sea, with helicopters and underwater equipment deployed. Petroleum and Gas Minister Clotaire Kondja said in a statement that the navy was assisting in the search-and-rescue operations and that the ministry had ordered a technical investigation to establish what happened. Mr Kondja assured that no harmful substances had been observed, adding: 'The area is under continuous surveillance, and pollution-response resources remain deployed to protect the coastline and Mayumba National Park.

🔮 While viewers mostly found humour in the moment, some social media users raised questions over why the TV crew were filming by the sea despite weather warnings. However, Ovejero later clarified that he and his colleagues had spent more than an hour in the area and had not expected to be struck by the waves.

🔮 Prison officials testified at a trial in July that Vegemite had been banned throughout the state´s 12 prisons for the past 20 years because it could potentially impair sniffer dogs´ ability to detect narcotics and could be used to brew alcohol because of its yeast content.

🔮 Forces were also 'demolishing illegal structures that could pose a security threat at the site of the encounter', they said, adding that 'counterterrorism operations' were underway at dozens of locations.