ELife scientific journal "Elife" publishes a discovery by scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand announcing a new species of hominid ("Homo naledi") in the Rising Star Cave in South Africa. Although the remains have yet to be properly dated, they could be three million years old.
Peter Robinson Peter Robinson, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, steps aside after the Democratic Unionist Party fails to get enough support to adjourn the assembly.
Migrant worker A U.S. federal jury awards nearly $17.5 million to five former migrant workers at a South Florida farm in their case of sexual harassment and abuse in their work.
Venezuela Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López is convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for allegedly inciting violence at anti-government rallies.
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan jails journalist Khadija Ismayilova after a trial that many believe is politically-motivated.
Lumad An indigenous Lumad child dies in an evacuation center while the Philippine Senate investigates the alleged September 1 murders of an indigenous Lumad family and the alleged rape of an indigenous Manobo girl by soldiers and militiamen of the Philippine Army.
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The United States Senate fails to pass a resolution blocking approval of the nuclear agreement with Iran, meaning it will be formally adopted on October 19.
Russia–United States relations The United States expresses concern about alleged escalations of Russian military activities in Syria.
European migrant crisis President of the United States Barack Obama directs his administration to accept at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next fiscal year from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Denmark reopens rail services to Germany after closing rail lines and a motorway in order to stem the flow of migrants on their way to Sweden.
2015 Pacific typhoon season In Japan, tens of thousands are forced to evacuate due to flooding and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Etau. So far, one person is reported as missing.
Operation Martyr Yalçın At least 30 people have been killed in the southeastern Turkish city of Cizre following clashes between Turkish security forces and pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) supporters. Locals say Cizre has been "under siege" since the military imposed a curfew.
Syrian civil war ISIL attacks a government held air base near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor with dozens of government loyalists and ISIL militants killed.