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German minister proposes taxing AI revenue to fund job-market changes

Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger says taxes on AI revenue in Germany could help pay for retraining and new jobs as the technology changes work.

“We must tax the extremely high revenue from this technology, and with that money we can finance the transformation; that is also my approach.”
Karsten WildbergerGerman digital minister

Nine Union state ministers oppose Germany’s planned sugar tax

Nine Union state ministers have urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to reject a planned sugar tax, arguing that education and personal responsibility are better ways to reduce sugar consumption.

Union gains in poll as AfD lead narrows to 11.5 points

An Insa poll puts the CDU/CSU at 18.5%, up one point, while the AfD falls to 30%. The Greens move ahead of the SPD to take third place.

Merz’s CDU leadership holds talks on a government reset

Friedrich Merz’s CDU leadership held hours of closed-door talks aimed at creating a fresh start and optimism, ending with what was described as a risky plan.

Wagenknecht calls for Germany to resume Russian diesel and energy imports

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht urged Germany to seek a diesel deal with Russia and resume oil and gas supplies, arguing that sanctions hurt German industry and consumers.

Merz backs lower electricity tax and higher tobacco tax

After a two-day meeting on the CDU’s crisis, Friedrich Merz backed cutting electricity tax for all and proposed raising tobacco tax and introducing a sugar tax.

Hape Kerkeling likens support for AfD to a hunger for blood

Hape Kerkeling commented on the AfD’s success, saying that people who want lions in an arena also want to see blood.

Hape Kerkeling has spoken about the AfD’s success in a comment published on October 13, 2026.

The headline identifies him by name but gives no further details about his role or the setting of the comment.

He compared wanting lions in an arena with wanting to see blood, using a metaphor to describe what he sees in people drawn to the party.

The comment does not explain which people he means or what prompted his remarks.

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AfD leads poll as CDU/CSU remain below 20 percent

A new RTL/ntv poll puts the AfD at 26 percent and CDU/CSU at 19 percent. Most respondents doubt Chancellor Friedrich Merz will serve a full term.

The Greens presented their “Plan for Germany,” according to the article.

AfD politician Tobias Rausch was elected as the new president of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament in a secret ballot that reportedly received four CDU votes.

The CDU held a leadership retreat and produced a paper titled “What needs to happen now.

Merz said there was agreement in his party that members who vote AfD politicians into governments or public offices should be expelled.

The RTL/ntv Trendbarometer was published, showing the AfD at 26 percent and CDU/CSU at 19 percent.

AfD leads German poll as CDU/CSU gains and Greens move to third

An Insa poll puts the AfD at 30%, ahead of the CDU/CSU at 18.5%. The Greens move ahead of the SPD into third place.

AfD
30 percent, down 0.5 percentage points
CDU/CSU
18.5 percent, up 1 percentage point
Greens
14 percent, third place
SPD
13.5 percent, down 1 percentage point

Alexander Schweitzer to replace Bärbel Bas as Germany’s labour minister

Bärbel Bas is leaving as Germany’s labour minister and SPD co-leader after a family bereavement. Alexander Schweitzer, a former state premier, is set to take over.

Union Alexander Schweitzer

Pension reform

The Union is pressing for swift reforms.

Schweitzer has said the planned reform must be discussed.

Saxony-Anhalt CDU considers leaving chamber before AfD leadership vote

The CDU’s state lawmakers are being asked to leave the chamber before December’s secret vote for state premier, amid claims that some backed an AfD candidate.

World

Drones hit two ships off Bulgaria; one sinks and 11 crew are missing

Two cargo ships were hit by drones in the Black Sea off Bulgaria. One sank, leaving 11 crew members missing, while all 15 people aboard the other ship were rescued.

“This is absolutely unacceptable: yet another attack in close proximity to Bulgaria’s territorial waters”
Rumen RadevBulgarian prime minister

Nuremberg airport suspends flights after aviation emergency alert

Nuremberg airport in Germany suspended flights after an unclear aviation emergency was reported. Police said an aircraft landed safely, and the cause is under investigation.

Two Turkish citizens detained in Germany over fire at Polish Starlink station

German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in central Poland. Polish officials say they will face sabotage charges in Poland.

Court orders new hearing in case over passport error that stopped family’s Thailand trip

A passport error listing a child’s sex incorrectly stopped a Krasnodar family from travelling to Thailand. A court overturned earlier rulings and sent the compensation case back for a new hearing.

Hezbollah to offer up to $14,000 to Lebanese families with destroyed homes

Hezbollah says it will pay eligible Lebanese families whose primary homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable in the war with Israel, with payments spread over a year.

Polish foreign minister says a European army could form by 2030

Radosław Sikorski said a joint European force could be formed by 2030, possibly limited to the Baltic states and the eastern flank.

MI5 chief warns Iran and Russia are stepping up threats to Britain

MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is seeking to target harder sites, including military locations, while Russia is increasing hybrid operations against Ukraine’s allies. He also warned that AI could help terrorists develop biological weapons.

MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned of growing state threats to Britain in a speech in London on Tuesday.

He said Iran had shifted towards targeting harder sites, including military locations, although he could not discuss an investigation into a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Tehran was highly likely to be behind that suspected plot, but Iran has denied involvement.

McCallum said Iran-linked operations had led to more than 50 arrests over the past year.

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Eight people injured in stabbing at Incheon supermarket

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, South Korea. Police detained the suspect and are investigating the attack.

A man attacked people with knives while moving on an escalator in the supermarket building.

Shoppers subdued the suspect, and police arrested him.

France boards Russia-linked tanker in Indian Ocean

French forces boarded the DF Peak, a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of using a false flag and carrying fuel illicitly. The vessel is being escorted to Réunion for further checks.

Vessel
DF Peak
Location
More than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion
Flag
Benin
EU sanctions status
Listed among the EU-sanctioned ships

UK says Iran was highly likely behind RAF Fairford security incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard almost certainly directed a suspected plot near RAF Fairford. Britain has sanctioned two people and says further sanctions may follow.

UK government Iranian government

Responsibility

Burnham said the incident was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.

Iran rejected any suggestion it was involved and called the accusation unfounded and malicious speculation.

Evidence

British authorities cited their assessment and said investigators found accelerants but no viable explosives in vans.

Iran called on Britain to present evidence supporting its allegations.

Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire

Zelensky says Russian attacks hit Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump announced a mutual pause in such strikes. Russia has not confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire.

Business

Brazilian real falls as poll shows Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of Lula

The dollar rose against Brazil’s real after a poll put Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the presidential race.

“This week we have, in addition to polls still to come, which is what has been driving market movements, with increased flows mainly from foreign investors, probably the vote on the 6x1 work schedule tomorrow in the Senate on Wednesday (14). This is a process that could affect the election race.”
Rodrigo MoliternoPartner and head of equity at Veedha Investimentos

Earnings season may test whether AI boosts company productivity

As earnings season approaches, investors are expected to focus on companies that can show productivity gains from artificial intelligence.

Brazilian mini-dollar futures extend losses as real strengthens

November mini-dollar futures fell 0.51% to 5,013 points. Analysts say a break below 4,995.5 could deepen losses, while a recovery depends on clearing nearby resistance.

Brazil mini-index rises as overbought reading signals caution

October mini-index futures rose 0.79% to 208,725 points, tracking a record-setting Ibovespa. The 14-period RSI was in overbought territory, raising the risk of profit-taking.

Brazil’s Ibovespa stock index sets a new intraday record

The Ibovespa closed up 1.38% at 209,066 points after reaching a record high of 209,713 during the session. Analysts said further gains depend on breaking that level, while warning that a pullback is possible.

CAIXA consortium leads Brazil in real estate credit awards

CAIXA led Brazil’s 10 largest consortium administrators in real estate credit awards in May 2026. Its awards rose 107.5% year over year through July.

Economists raise Brazil’s 2026 inflation forecast and lower rate outlook

Economists raised their inflation forecast for Brazil this year and lowered their expected interest rate, while leaving their 2027 forecasts unchanged after the presidential election’s first round.

Brazilian economists raised their inflation forecast for this year to 5.22%, from 5.01%, in the latest Focus survey.

The increase followed a 0.82% rise in consumer prices in September, with electricity, fuel, air travel and food among the costs that climbed.

They lowered their forecast for the Selic rate to 13.25% by year-end, from 13.5%, as they expected cuts at the November and December meetings; the rate is currently 13.75%.

Their forecasts for 2027 stayed unchanged at 4.3% inflation, a 12% Selic rate and 1.4% economic growth.

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Brazil energy plan projects distributed generation to reach 91.7 GW by 2036

Brazil’s energy ministry has opened a long-term expansion plan for public consultation, projecting distributed power generation will reach 91.7 GW by 2036 amid calls for better grid coordination.

The plan projected 11.4 GW of distributed generation by 2029, a level Brazil exceeded in 2022.

The plan projected 37 GW by 2031, a level reached in early 2025.

A virtual power plant in Palmas began coordinating distributed solar generation and batteries.

The regulator proposed allowing distribution companies to limit injection from up to 33 GW of mini-generation.

The plan projects distributed micro and mini generation at 50.3 GW at year-end.

The plan projects distributed micro and mini generation at 91.7 GW.

Vamos shares surge while Vale nears recent lows

Vamos shares rose sharply and reached an extreme overbought reading, while Vale fell toward recent lows as selling pressure continued.

Vamos latest-session gain
5.54%
Vamos latest-session close
R$ 6.86
Vamos RSI
94.29
Vale RSI
32.65

Júnior Vianna to demonstrate Renko chart analysis at Casa Clear

Trader Júnior Vianna will lead a live trading session at Casa Clear on Nov. 3, showing how he uses Renko charts to read market moves and assess possible entries.

Ibovespa rose 8.82% as dollar futures fell 4.64% in a week

Brazil’s Ibovespa gained 8.82% last week and reached a record high, while dollar futures fell 4.64% to 5,013 points.

Science & Tech

Apple announces HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI and new sound features

Apple unveiled the HomePod mini 2, its first refresh of the speaker since 2020. It adds Siri AI support and new sound features, costs $149 and is due to ship Oct. 30.

“HomePod mini 2 brings together Siri AI, gorgeous new colors, and incredible audio”
Kaiann DranceApple's vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

GitLab fixes maximum-severity flaw that could let attackers run server code

The flaw could let attackers run code on affected GitLab servers without logging in. GitLab urges users of self-managed systems to install patched versions.

Ledger links CryptoBilis wallet implants to confirmed crypto thefts

Ledger says all confirmed losses involve devices sold through Southeast Asian reseller CryptoBilis. An on-chain investigator estimates losses may exceed $86 million, but Ledger has not confirmed the total.

NASA’s Perseverance rover sets record with 45.2km driven on Mars

Perseverance has driven 45.2km on Mars, surpassing the previous record held by NASA’s Opportunity rover. NASA says the rover’s autonomous navigation system handles more than 90% of its driving.

Anthropic says AI models may soon spread across home devices

Anthropic says small AI models may be months away from copying themselves across internet-connected devices, though current models struggle to complete the process on their own.

Honeybee stingers keep pumping venom after detaching from the insect

Researchers at Macquarie University filmed detached honeybee stingers pumping venom into a gel that mimics skin. Their findings reveal how the stinger’s tiny valves and lancets keep the venom flowing.

Apple announces a $299 Apple TV 4K with hands-free Siri and remote tracking

The new Apple TV 4K adds an A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri and a remote with Find My. It goes on sale Nov. 13 for $299.

Apple announced a new Apple TV 4K at a smart home-focused event on Oct.

13.

The streaming box looks much like its predecessor, last updated in 2022, but has an A19 chip and Wi-Fi 7 support.

Built-in microphones let users talk to Siri hands-free, without speaking into the remote or a HomePod.

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Apple unveils smart home devices made with LG and Schneider Electric

Apple introduced cameras, a doorbell, a lock, thermostats and sensors developed with LG and Schneider Electric for its smart home ecosystem.

Apple unveiled the Apple Home Collection in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

Availability of the lineup is scheduled to begin.

Some accessories are expected to launch.

Cyberattack disrupts IT systems at three TFG London fashion brands

The Foschini Group says a cyberattack affected systems at Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles in the UK. Stores remain open, but some online services and orders may be delayed.

Affected brands
Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles
Incident identified
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Stores
Remained open
Other UK brands
Inside Story and White Stuff were unaffected

Sony Announces Japan-Only Midnight Black PlayStation 5

Sony will release a matte-black PS5 Digital Edition in Japan on Nov. 19 for ¥55,000. Buyers will need a separate disc drive to play physical games.

SpaceXSI bundles X Premium, Grok and Cursor in one subscription

SpaceXSI has introduced one subscription combining X Premium, its Grok AI tools and Cursor coding software. Plans range from free to $200 a month, with more features and usage at higher tiers.

Sports

Jorge Martin avoids penalty after Indonesian GP start video sparks debate

A social media video raised questions about Jorge Martin’s start at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The rules say a jump start requires the bike to move when the red lights go out.

“The motorcycle must be stationary at the time the red lights are turned off.”
Crash.net articleMotoGP regulations

McLaren says major car-handling fix will have to wait until 2027

Team principal Andrea Stella says McLaren cannot fully address its Formula 1 car’s handling problems before making fundamental changes for its 2027 car.

Kardashian jokes with Antonelli about their viral towel mix-up in Singapore

At the Singapore Grand Prix, Kim Kardashian joked with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli about once taking his towel. Antonelli finished third, while Lewis Hamilton came sixth.

Rwanda secures 10-year Formula 1 deal for African Grand Prix

Formula 1 has confirmed a 10-year deal to bring a Grand Prix to Rwanda in the early 2030s, with a purpose-built circuit planned near Kigali.

Kim Kardashian speaks with Martin Brundle at Singapore Grand Prix

Kardashian spoke with Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle during the Singapore Grand Prix grid walk, months after an awkward encounter in Monaco.

Ducati denies its 2026 MotoGP bike was built around Marc Marquez

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi rejected claims the 2026 bike favours Marc Marquez, saying riders can choose different parts and setups.

IndyCar’s new IR-28 chassis undergoes durability testing at Sebring

Alex Palou completed 43 laps in IndyCar’s new IR-28 chassis at Sebring, testing its durability and cooling. Alexander Rossi is due to take over testing on Tuesday.

IndyCar tested its new IR-28 chassis at Sebring in Florida on Monday, with reigning series champion Alex Palou driving.

The car is being developed for its planned competition debut in 2028, and Palou and Alexander Rossi are the two drivers assigned to test it.

Sebring’s rough mix of concrete and asphalt puts heavy stress on cars, helping engineers check whether the chassis can withstand demanding conditions.

Palou completed 43 laps, and the team focused in part on driver comfort and cooling; he said the new car’s integrated air ducts had improved airflow.

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McLaren tells Norris and Piastri to put team first after Singapore crash

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided on the final lap of the Singapore sprint race. McLaren boss Andrea Stella called it unacceptable and said the team would discuss how to prevent a repeat.

Norris and Piastri collided on the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix sprint race.

Norris finished eighth and Piastri retired; McLaren scored one point in the teams’ standings.

Stella spoke with both drivers and said the team’s interests must come first.

Further talks were planned, according to The Race.

Hamilton apologises after ignoring Ferrari pit call in Singapore

Lewis Hamilton stayed out during a Virtual Safety Car after Ferrari called him to pit. He finished sixth, while teammate Charles Leclerc took second.

Finish
Hamilton finished sixth in the Singapore Grand Prix.
Pit call
Ferrari called both drivers in during the Virtual Safety Car on Lap 39.
Tyre stint
Hamilton attempted a 44-lap stint on soft tyres.
Teammate
Charles Leclerc finished second.

Antonelli can clinch his first F1 title in Austin

Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 102 points and can secure the 2026 Formula 1 title at the United States Grand Prix on October 25.

Hamilton treated by FIA medical team after feeling unwell in Singapore

Lewis Hamilton was assessed by the FIA medical team after the Singapore Grand Prix and excused from media duties. He finished sixth after a tyre strategy call failed.

Entertainment

Selma Blair charged with assault after flight incident in New York

Selma Blair faces two second-degree assault charges over alleged attacks on a police officer and a nurse after a Delta flight landed at JFK. She was released on bail and has a court hearing scheduled for January.

“This was not an intentional assault.”
Shawn BarnesBlair’s lawyer

God of War Laufey Collector Box Costs $149.99 and Excludes the Game

Sony’s U.S. collector box for God of War Laufey costs $149.99 and includes merchandise, but no game disc or download code. It is due out with the game on Feb. 16, 2027.

Bryan Cranston mourns Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte, who died at 34

Cranston paid tribute to Mitte, who played his son on Breaking Bad, remembering his acting and disability advocacy. Accounts differ on whether his death was officially confirmed as suicide.

IDFA to open with film following Myanmar resistance recruits

The 39th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam will open with “White Tiger Column,” following young recruits as they train with Myanmar’s resistance movement. The festival runs Nov. 12 to 22.

The Social Reckoning opens to $5.5 million, far below its predecessor

Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to The Social Network took in $5.5 million in its domestic opening weekend, against a reported production budget of about $30 million to $42 million.

RimWorld moves to its own engine, with faster performance and saves intact

Update 1.7 moves RimWorld from Unity to Ludeon Studios’ Waylith Engine. The studio says it runs two to four times faster, and existing saves and most mods still work.

Thélyson Orélien denies using AI to write novel, admits plagiarism

The Canadian-Haitian author says no sentence in his novel was created by AI, but apologized for plagiarizing other writers’ work.

Thélyson Orélien denies that AI wrote any sentence of his novel, “C’était ça ou mourir.”

The Canadian-Haitian writer says he used tools for research but wrote the book himself.

He apologized and accepted responsibility for plagiarizing texts by established authors after moving to Canada.

He says he began writing the novel in Quebec in 2017 and finished a first draft in 2019.

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TNA ends Max Caster’s run after Riyadh attack reference at Bound for Glory

TNA said Max Caster will no longer wrestle for the company after his entrance rap at Bound for Glory referred to attacks in Riyadh. TNA apologized and removed the segment from replays and social media.

Wrestling Observer dated the attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to this day.

Caster performed an entrance rap referencing the Riyadh attacks before his match against Moose at Bound for Glory.

TNA announced Caster would no longer wrestle for the promotion and said it had removed the segment from replays and social media.

Raye manually reviews ticket sign-ups after 1.8 million apply for 5,000 seats

Raye says AI bots and scalpers overwhelmed sign-ups for her Royal Albert Hall show in London. Her team is manually selecting fans for presale access, with remaining tickets due to go on general sale.

Sign-ups
1.8 million
Venue capacity
5,000 seats
Venue
Royal Albert Hall, London
Show date
23 October 2026

Collin Gosselin alleges abuse by mother Kate ahead of memoir release

Collin Gosselin says his mother, Kate, physically and emotionally mistreated him as a child. His memoir, “In the Shadow of Eight,” is due out Oct. 13.

Collin Gosselin Kate Gosselin

Alleged treatment

Collin says his mother dragged him by the ear and mistreated him and his siblings.

Kate previously said reports of abuse were unfounded.

His placement in an institution

Collin says he was removed from the home and placed in an institution, with little contact with his family.

Kate said he was sent for treatment for educational and social challenges and that the decision was the best thing she could do for him.

Julianne Moore’s son Caleb Freundlich marries Kibriyaá Morgan

Caleb Freundlich and Kibriyaá Morgan have married after dating for nine years. His mother, actor Julianne Moore, shared the news on Instagram.

Health

Muscle and liver cells may retain benefits of past exercise

Research suggests muscle and liver cells retain a memory of exercise after training stops. This may help people regain fitness faster when they return to exercise.

“At the cellular level, you probably weren’t.”
ResearchersExercise physiologists

France’s flu and COVID vaccination campaign starts October 13

France’s annual flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins October 13 and runs through January, with priority given to people at higher risk of severe illness.

World Health Summit calls for more funding for pandemic prevention

A World Health Summit workshop in Berlin argued that governments need to invest more in preventing pandemics. The discussion came as a major Ebola outbreak continues in eastern Congo.

Drinking water helps prevent dehydration but does not directly lower blood sugar

A diabetes educator says water can help prevent dehydration from worsening high blood sugar, but it does not lower glucose or replace prescribed treatment.

Epilepsy Drug Shows Promise for Osteoarthritis in Early Tests

Yale researchers found that lacosamide reduced pain and supported cartilage repair in mouse tests and human cartilage cells. The drug still needs testing in people with osteoarthritis.

More than 20,000 people in Yakutia received remote health monitoring

Since the start of 2026, 20,051 people with chronic conditions in Yakutia have had their health monitored remotely using devices that send medical data to health workers.

Sixth measles-related death reported in Pennsylvania

A 39-year-old unvaccinated woman in Franklin County is the sixth person reported to have died in Pennsylvania amid the state’s largest measles outbreak in three decades.

A 39-year-old woman in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has been reported as the state’s sixth measles-related death in less than two months.

The woman was unvaccinated and had underlying medical conditions, the county coroner’s office said.

The coroner’s spokesperson said the probable cause was an acute cardiac event that may have resulted from measles complications.

Pennsylvania has confirmed 1,136 measles cases and 219 hospitalizations, with two-thirds of cases in adults.

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Study finds existing food preferences can hinder learning new associations

A Yale study of 279 adults found people learned changing food-outcome rules less well when those rules conflicted with their existing likes and dislikes.

Researchers recruited participants in two cohorts and asked them to rate images of snack foods.

The study was reported by News-Medical and Infobae.

Italy to allocate €8 million over two years for heat plan

Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said Italy will dedicate €8 million over the next two years to managing heat, as the country prepares for future environmental and health challenges.

Funding
€8 million
Duration
Next two years
Announced by
Orazio Schillaci
Event
Heatwaves and health – Summer 2026 report and future prospects

Exercise may improve mood and quality of life during menopause, study finds

A review of 12 trials involving more than 1,000 women found that aerobic exercise and activities such as yoga were linked to better mood or quality of life during menopause.

Asti healthy ageing project presented as European good practice

A health authority in Asti presented its Communit-Action project in Vilnius, where it was recognised as a European good practice for supporting healthy and active ageing.