Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has reportedly suffered a hack worth about $6.3 billion, which would make it the largest crypto theft ever recorded.

What happened

Binance announced the breach on Thursday, 29 October 2026, and suspended deposits and withdrawals while it worked to contain the damage. Its preliminary investigation reportedly found that the attackers got in through a compromised laptop belonging to one of its engineers, and used that access to carry out unauthorised transactions. Founder Changpeng Zhao confirmed that the exchange appeared to have been the victim of a cyberattack.

What Binance says

The exchange said about $3 billion of the stolen funds had already been frozen, although other reports put the frozen amount lower. Binance said it would cover all remaining losses, assured customers that their holdings were safe and said it was working with law enforcement. It promised a full technical report once its investigation is complete.

Who is suspected

Blockchain analysis firm TRM said it believed with high confidence that the attack was carried out by TraderTraitor, a North Korean state-backed hacking unit linked to the Lazarus Group. The firm warned that the stolen money could be used to fund North Korea's weapons programmes. North Korea has not commented.

Market impact

The price of Bitcoin reportedly fell by about 5 per cent to below $77,000 after news of the breach. The previous record crypto theft was about $1.5 billion stolen from the Bybit exchange in 2025, also blamed on North Korean hackers.

Why it matters for Nigerians

Binance has millions of users in Africa, and Nigeria is one of the world's biggest markets for crypto trading. Users are being advised to watch for official updates from the exchange and to be wary of scammers posing as Binance support staff.

Sir Patrick Stewart, the British actor who became a global star as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has reportedly died at the age of 86. He passed away on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at his home in Los Angeles.

What was announced

His spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, shared a statement on Instagram on Thursday saying the actor died from Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, in the care of his wife, Sunny, and surrounded by family and friends. The family described his final stage as a short and moving journey and said his grace would be remembered.

His life and career

Stewart was born in Mirfield in Yorkshire, England, and began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Over six decades he worked on stage, in film and on television. He reached millions of viewers as Captain Picard and later as Professor Charles Xavier, the leader of the mutants in the X-Men films. Despite his screen fame, he spent much of his career in the theatre, playing roles such as Macbeth and Claudius, and performing his own one-man version of A Christmas Carol. With his close friend Sir Ian McKellen, he starred in West End and Broadway productions of Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land, swapping roles between them.

Why it matters

Stewart was one of the few actors equally admired by Shakespeare lovers and science fiction fans. He returned to the role of Picard in a later television series and was knighted for services to drama. Fans around the world, including in Nigeria, shared clips of his most famous scenes as news of his death spread.

What happens next

Details of funeral arrangements have not been announced. Tributes from colleagues are expected in the coming days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a fresh warning to European countries, reportedly saying Russia is ready for war with Europe even though it does not want one.

What he said

Speaking at a Russia–Africa summit in Moscow, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Putin is said to have told any European country seeking a conflict to prepare for it, and warned that if things escalated there would be no winners at all. He argued that Western efforts to defeat Russia strategically had failed. He also said Moscow did not want the Baltic Sea to face disruption like that seen in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Iran war, which pushed up fuel prices around the world.

The summit

The meeting was attended by 48 countries, including 22 heads of state, according to reports. African countries have deepened trade and security ties with Russia in recent years, and the summit was seen as part of Moscow's effort to keep its influence on the continent.

Background

Tensions between Russia and NATO countries have risen in recent months. Several European governments have accused Russia of sabotage, surveillance of undersea cables and drone incursions into their airspace, including over Latvia and Estonia. Germany raised its assessment of the risk of war with Russia earlier this month. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues, and a Russian strike on a railway station was reported to have killed 14 people this week, an attack Ukraine's president condemned.

What happens next

European leaders are expected to respond to the remarks, and NATO is likely to keep up its patrols in the Baltic region.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly called Brazil's presidential election a disgrace, raising tensions with Latin America's largest country.

What he said

Asked by reporters on Thursday, 29 October 2026, whether he accepted the victory of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump reportedly described the election as a disgrace and an embarrassment to Brazilians, but said he did not want to say more at that time. He did not say whether he recognised Lula as Brazil's president.

Background

Lula, a veteran left-wing leader, faced Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in the election. Flavio Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump, has claimed he was the true winner. He reportedly travelled to the United States the day before Trump's remarks, after going into exile from Brazil, and declared himself the rightful leader. Earlier this week, a Brazilian court had banned him from leaving the country, according to reports at the time.

Why it matters

Trump's comments reportedly go further than his earlier remarks on the vote and are likely to strain relations between Washington and Brasília. The United States and Brazil are major trading partners, and relations were already tense after Trump imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods and criticised the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.

What happens next

Brazil's government has not yet responded publicly to the latest comments, and it is not clear whether the United States will formally question the result.