DAILY NEWS Published: 2026-10-10 Author / editor: Board of Directors Saturday, 10 October 2026 | 18 Mizan 1405 Solar Hijri Afghanistan, the Region and the World: Social Struggles, Political Contradictions and International Developments Afghanistan, the Region and the World: Social Struggles, Political Contradictions and International Developments Afghanistan UN warns that ISIL-K remains a security threat beyond Afghanistan’s borders Alexander Zuev, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, has warned that the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch remains one of the group’s most powerful affiliates and that its activities threaten security in Afghanistan and the wider region. The assessment underlines that counterterrorism cannot be reduced to security operations alone. Poverty, social exclusion, weakened public institutions and crises of political legitimacy must also be considered when examining the roots of instability. (Afghanistan International) UN calls for an end to discriminatory restrictions on Afghan women The UN Human Rights Council has called for the repeal of policies and measures restricting the fundamental rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Continued exclusion from education, employment and social participation removes a substantial part of the country’s human potential from reconstruction and development. No society can achieve sustainable progress by denying half its population access to knowledge and meaningful participation. (Afghanistan International) Afghanistan, 25 years after the war began: calls for justice remain unanswered On 4 October, Human Rights Watch marked the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the US-led war in Afghanistan by stating that the United States and coalition countries had yet to provide genuine justice or redress for war crimes and other serious abuses. The organisation stressed the need for accountability and justice for the legacy of violence over past decades. Afghanistan’s history cannot be fully understood without examining civilian suffering, foreign intervention and the responsibility of those implicated in human rights abuses. (Human Rights Watch) The Region and the Middle East Attack on Riyadh airport marks a dangerous escalation in regional conflict Saudi authorities said attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a Saudia aircraft on Thursday killed three Saudi citizens and injured several other people. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility. The Saudi-led coalition subsequently launched airstrikes against areas under Houthi control. The widening conflict poses growing risks to civilians, air travel and vital routes of international commerce. (Reuters) Yemen: civilians remain trapped in the crossfire As Saudi Arabia and its allies intensified attacks against Houthi positions, reports emerged of explosions in Sana’a and civilian injuries. The UN special envoy for Yemen described the situation as unstable and raised concerns about the consequences for a population already facing severe food insecurity and a humanitarian crisis. Continued warfare threatens public infrastructure and the lives of ordinary people. (AP News) Lebanon: drone strike raises concerns over a wider regional conflict According to published reports, an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon wounded six people. The incident occurred amid rising regional tensions and continuing concerns that the conflict could spread beyond existing fronts. Each new attack increases the risk of undermining de-escalation arrangements and imposing further human costs on the region’s population. (AP News) West Bank: Palestinian man reports attack on himself and his five-year-old son According to the Associated Press, a Palestinian man said Israeli settlers attacked him and his five-year-old son and took their car. Israeli police reported the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the incident. Investigations are continuing. Protecting civilians and ensuring accountability for violence are fundamental principles of international law and must be applied without discrimination. (AP News) Popular Movements and Social Struggles India: young people continue protests over electoral roll revisions The youth movement known as the “Cockroach” movement prepared for a new demonstration in New Delhi on 10 October. Protesters oppose revisions to electoral rolls and allege that the process could disenfranchise large numbers of eligible voters. Authorities imposed security restrictions, deployed a substantial police presence and suspended mobile internet services in parts of the area. Claims concerning voter deletions require independent scrutiny, but the right to peaceful protest and transparency in electoral administration remain central issues in the dispute. (AP News) France: political and economic turmoil intensifies pressure on the government Student protests and social discontent in France continue amid concerns about public debt, the budget deficit and government economic policy. A Guardian report published on 10 October examined the simultaneous pressure exerted on French policymakers by financial markets and protesters. In this climate, disputes over public spending, social services and economic priorities have once again moved to the centre of French political debate. (The Guardian) California public workers authorise a strike Members of California’s public-sector union, SEIU Local 1000, have voted to authorise a strike. The vote gives the union the option of pursuing industrial action if negotiations fail, but it does not mean a strike has already begun. The development highlights continuing disputes over wages, working conditions and employee demands in the United States. (CalMatters) Mexico: healthcare workers challenge a wage agreement According to the World Socialist Web Site, workers at Mexico’s Social Security Institute have opposed a wage agreement they consider inadequate and have challenged their union leadership. The report describes growing discontent among healthcare workers. The details and political interpretation were published by that outlet; the dispute nevertheless raises a central question about labour relations: who determines wages and working conditions, and how effectively are workers’ voices represented in those decisions? (World Socialist Web Site) Germany: students protest against the return of compulsory military service Reports indicate that tens of thousands of students in Germany have taken to the streets against the reintroduction of compulsory military service. The demonstrations have renewed public debate about militarisation, young people’s futures and the relationship between national security and individual freedoms. Public scrutiny of military policy and participation in debates about a country’s future are important elements of democratic life. (World Socialist Web Site) Chile: strikes and demonstrations against austerity According to the World Socialist Web Site, protests have erupted in Chile’s mining and healthcare sectors, while around 20,000 people marched against an austerity budget. The report describes discontent over economic policies and their consequences for workers and public services. A complete assessment requires examining union demands, the government’s position and the details of the budget together. (World Socialist Web Site) Nigeria: labour unions divided over strike action Reports published on 9 October describe divisions among labour unions in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory over proposed strike action. The unions do not share a common position on whether to proceed with or withdraw the strike. The dispute illustrates the importance of organisational coordination and agreement on common objectives in collective action. Further developments are needed to clarify the extent of the disagreement and the positions taken by the labour organisations involved. (Daily Post) Communist, Socialist and Left-Wing Parties India: left parties defend the right to protest and electoral transparency Five left-wing parties in India have condemned restrictions imposed on a planned protest in New Delhi. The demonstration concerns revisions to electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. The parties have described the restrictions as an infringement of the fundamental right to peaceful assembly. The dispute once again highlights the importance of independent oversight, administrative transparency and safeguards for citizens’ political rights. (Rising Kashmir) Palestine: Palestinian People’s Party prepares for parliamentary elections The Palestinian People’s Party has announced that it is intensifying preparations for parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 November. The party is seeking to build a broad alliance of left-wing, democratic and social forces as an alternative to the political polarisation between Fatah and Hamas. The scope and outcome of this effort will depend on the electoral process, cooperation among political forces and conditions on the ground. (International Communist Press) Britain: Communist Party stresses solidarity with the Palestinian people In a statement marking the International Day for Palestine, the Communist Party of Britain expressed support for solidarity movements and demands for Palestinian freedom and sovereignty. The party called for a permanent ceasefire, an end to the siege of Gaza and a halt to military cooperation that contributes to the continuation of occupation. This is the party’s stated political position and should be understood within the context of its broader political programme. (Communist Party of Britain) Czech Republic: Communist Party continues its election campaign The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia has stepped up its campaigning ahead of municipal and Senate elections on 9–10 October. According to International Communist Press, party representatives and candidates have held meetings with voters in several cities. The impact of these activities should be assessed against official election results and voter participation. (International Communist Press) Greece: Communist Party opposes military and energy cooperation with the US and NATO The Communist Party of Greece has continued political mobilisation and protests against the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The party opposes military and energy cooperation between Greece, the United States and NATO. This position reflects the party’s established foreign-policy outlook and opposition to NATO. (International Communist Press) Vietnam: Communist Party Central Committee concludes its meeting The fourth meeting of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam concluded in Hanoi on 8 October after four days of discussions. Details of the meeting have been published by Vietnamese state media. The decisions and priorities announced at such meetings can provide insight into the political and economic direction of the country’s leadership. (Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)) The Global Economy and Financial Institutions IMF and World Bank meetings take place amid debt and energy pressures The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are scheduled to take place in Bangkok, with government debt, economic instability and the effects of the energy crisis among the major issues on the agenda. The US Treasury Department has said that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not attend and that other officials will lead the American delegation. Discussions about international debt and financial policy are particularly significant for low-income and heavily indebted countries, since decisions by global financial institutions can affect public budgets, social services and development opportunities. (Reuters) Editorial Note Today’s developments, from Afghanistan and the Middle East to Europe, Asia and Latin America, demonstrate how closely security, livelihoods, social rights and political participation are connected. Wars and military conflicts impose heavy costs on ordinary people, while workers, young people and social movements in different countries continue to press for their demands to be heard. From the standpoint of historical materialism, understanding these events requires examining economic relations, structures of power, social interests and the specific conditions of each society. Scientific analysis must not replace reality with slogans; it must explain events through evidence, an examination of social contradictions and scrutiny of the actions of those responsible. Awareness, solidarity and informed public participation are essential elements of every effort to build a more just society and overcome poverty, discrimination and exploitation.