Mauritius
The FCDO lists curfews from 10pm to 4.30am across most of the main island on the nights of Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, ending at 4.30am on Monday 19 October. They follow unrest after a police shooting on 9 October. Full story in today's lead.
Sudan
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Security Council on 16 October that the conflict and humanitarian crisis continue to deteriorate without any visible breakthrough. "The picture is bleak", she said. The UN's meeting coverage says she singled out North Kordofan, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, condemned the 3 October drone strikes on two World Food Programme trucks that killed one driver, and urged all parties to avoid actions that cause spillover across the Sudan-Ethiopia border. Ethiopia's representative told the Council his country was troubled by reports that a neighbouring State was operating drone bases and conducting attacks inside Sudan. The UN summary does not name that State.
United Kingdom
The Home Office's final quarterly terrorism statistics, published on 8 October, show 3,867 terrorism-related arrests in Great Britain in the year to June 2026 and a record 275 people in custody. Full story in today's second piece.
Crisis guidance
The FCDO updated its Prepare for and deal with crises abroad guidance on 16 October. Its change note says it added advice on how to prepare for a crisis, updated information on sources of support in the UK and removed information on how the FCDO defines a crisis. The page tells people working abroad to learn their employer's evacuation and contingency plans, particularly in high-risk locations, and says "You should not expect the UK government to evacuate you in a crisis."
Saudi Arabia
The FCDO changed the Saudi Arabia safety and security section on 17 October. Its change note says only that it reflects the latest regional tensions. Check the page before any movement. The advice against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia, set on 16 October, remains on the Warnings and insurance page.
