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Trump says he is considering firing US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle

Trump says he is considering removing Guilfoyle after allegations of misconduct, including an alleged request for a donor to pay her credit card bill. Her lawyers deny wrongdoing, and a State Department inspector general investigation is under way.

“We're looking at it. Yeah, we're not happy.”
Donald TrumpUS president

Katie Zacharia begins term as White House press secretary

Katie Zacharia is starting her term as White House press secretary. President Trump said she will hold an introductory news conference Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel draws bipartisan criticism

Trump says Russia will supply diesel to help ease high fuel prices, but seven senators say the plan conflicts with a 2022 ban on Russian energy imports.

Judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded ads promoting Trump

A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from airing taxpayer-funded ads promoting the president and ordered it to cancel the remaining advertising purchase.

Trump says he may meet North Korea's Kim in November

Trump said he may meet Kim Jong Un during a November trip to Asia, which includes stops in Manila and Shenzhen. No meeting has been confirmed.

Kansas Senator Pays Six-Year-Old Campaign Bakery Bill

Sen. Roger Marshall paid $1,300 to a Kansas bakery after its owner said his campaign had left a $678.75 bill unpaid since 2020. The bakery owner confirmed the payment.

Federal agents search Ilhan Omar’s Washington home

Agents searched the home of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Omar called the search political intimidation; no charges against her were announced.

Federal agents searched the Washington home of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic member of Congress from Minnesota.

The Justice Department said the search was carried out under a court-authorised warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, but did not name Omar or explain the investigation.

News reports linked the search to a fraud inquiry about immigration paperwork filed by Omar’s late father when she was a child; officials have not confirmed that link.

Omar, who came to the United States from Somalia as a child, said the search was an attempt to target political opponents.

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Elon Musk gives more than $276 million to Republican groups since July

Musk has donated more than $276 million to Republican groups since July, making him the biggest known donor of the 2026 midterm elections. The largest share went to a group backing Republican Senate candidates.

Musk said he planned to do less political spending in the future.

Musk gave more than $276 million to Republican groups.

News outlets reported the newly disclosed donations, ahead of a federal filing deadline.

Political committees are due to report their third-quarter finances.

Republicans face elections as they seek to hold their congressional majorities.

Former DOGE staff raise at least $500 million for private firms

At least two dozen former DOGE staff have moved into private businesses, and firms they co-founded or invested in have raised at least $500 million.

Funding raised
At least $500 million
Former staffers identified
At least two dozen
DOGE operating period
January 20 to July 4, 2025
DOGE claimed savings
$215 billion

US archbishop urges Catholic soldiers to avoid planned Hasan execution

Archbishop Timothy Broglio told Catholic service members to seek exemption from the planned firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, which the Pentagon wants to livestream in December.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Purpose of public broadcast

Broglio questioned the value of broadcasting the execution and said it could harm the military’s reputation.

Hegseth said making the event public would help people understand the serious consequences of such acts.

Participation by Catholic service members

Broglio urged Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request exemption because participation would violate Church teaching.

Hegseth described using military members to carry out the execution; the sources do not state his view on religious exemptions.

Tillis says Trump’s Russian diesel deal may break the law

Senator Thom Tillis says Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel may violate US law. Tillis says the move could affect his support for year-end funding.

World

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.

“I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC),”
Andy BurnhamUK prime minister

Israel turns back Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight over Indonesian pilot

Israel denied a cargo flight from Addis Ababa permission to land because one pilot was Indonesian. The plane returned to Ethiopia, changed pilots and later landed in Tel Aviv.

Singapore advises citizens to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia

Singapore’s foreign ministry advised citizens to postpone all travel to Saudi Arabia after missile and drone attacks hit airports and other infrastructure. It urged those already there to avoid high-risk areas.

Iran warns it could target Gulf data centres and internet cables

Iran’s security chief warned that regional data centres, cables and AI facilities could be attacked if war with the US resumes. Key internet routes run through areas affected by fighting.

Pakistan pledges support to Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi attacks

After Houthi attacks killed at least 13 people in Riyadh, Pakistan pledged to support Saudi Arabia under their defence agreements. Pakistani jets and a Chinese-made air-defence system are reportedly deployed there.

Egypt’s Baha’i community faces a shortage of burial space

Cairo’s last remaining cemetery for Egypt’s Baha’i community is nearly full, while requests for burial grounds in other cities have been rejected, according to community members.

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.

Hezbollah will provide financial aid to families with damaged homes in Lebanon after this year's war with Israel.

The group's plan comes after Israeli bombardment and invasion displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Families must have used the affected property as their main home and must not own a second home.

Eligible families will receive up to $14,000, with different amounts for Beirut and its southern suburbs and for other areas.

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Houthis threaten response to any attack on Sanaa after coalition warning

The Houthis warned of a “painful” response if Sanaa is attacked. The warning came as Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones headed for Riyadh.

The latest conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis began after the rebels seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

A Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300.

Trump said the Houthis were “misbehaving very badly.

The coalition warned civilians to evacuate a site in Sanaa, and the Houthis threatened a response to any Saudi attack.

Saudi Arabia reports new missile and drone threats as Riyadh airport stays shut

Saudi Arabia reported new incoming drones and missiles on Monday after deadly Houthi attacks. King Khalid International Airport remains closed while authorities check its safety.

Airport
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Deaths
At least 18 in strikes on the airport last week, according to The Hindu
Saturday toll
13 killed in the October 10 attack, according to The Hindu
Reopening date
Not specified by the General Authority of Civil Aviation

Yemeni forces report advances in Marib as fighting kills civilians in Taiz

Yemeni government forces say they have taken positions in Marib, while Houthi shelling and clashes in Taiz have caused dozens of civilian casualties.

Yemeni government forces Houthi forces

Territory

The government says its operation aims to retake all remaining Houthi-held territory, including Sanaa.

The Houthis have held Sanaa since 2014 and made gains along the Red Sea coast in September.

Fighting

Government forces say they have advanced in Marib and are repelling Houthi attacks in Taiz.

Houthi forces have fought government troops in Marib and Taiz and shelled residential neighbourhoods in Taiz, according to the report.

Missile attack on Riyadh airport kills 12 and injures more than 300

A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured more than 300. Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels and vowed a response.

Business

McDonald’s Switzerland brings back The Prime for its 50th anniversary

The burger, created by TV chef René Schudel, won a fan vote and is returning to McDonald’s restaurants across Switzerland for a limited time, while stocks last.

Henry Schirmer to become Cofra CFO in January 2027

Cofra has named Henry Schirmer as its next CFO, starting 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval. He will succeed Florian Brenninkmeyer.

More vacant homes point to slight easing in Zurich rental market

Zurich’s vacancy rate rose from 0.48% to 0.52% in 2026, as lower net migration and more construction eased pressure. The market remains tight.

“In the canton of Zurich, after rising pressure, the first signs of easing are emerging. There is no all-clear, but the market is moving away from maximum scarcity.”
Ursina KubliHead of real estate research at ZKB

UBS customers receive overnight activation-code texts after technical problem

A UBS customer received two texts asking her to use an activation code after midnight. The bank reportedly told her the messages were linked to a technical problem.

UBS veteran Claudio Scarfone to retire at the end of October

Claudio Scarfone, a UBS executive who worked with independent wealth managers for more than 25 years, will retire at the end of October 2026.

Flexbase’s Aargau data centre and battery face financing and permit questions

Flexbase is building a data centre in Laufenburg, Switzerland, alongside a huge battery. The project faces questions over its financing, technology and missing permits for the battery and grid connection.

S&P cuts Zurich’s outlook to negative, keeps top credit ratings

S&P lowered Zurich’s outlook from stable to negative but kept its AAA long-term and A-1+ short-term ratings. It cited rising debt, spending and investment plans.

S&P Global Ratings has changed its outlook for the city of Zurich from stable to negative.

It has not lowered the city’s credit ratings, which remain AAA for long-term debt and A-1+ for short-term debt.

The agency says rising spending and a large investment programme could make it harder for Zurich to control deficits and debt.

It projects that debt could reach about 90% of the city’s current revenue by 2028, up from 63% in 2023.

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Givaudan's third-quarter organic growth accelerates to 8.6%

The Swiss fragrance and flavour maker reported faster growth in the third quarter, with its flavour business recovering and fragrance sales continuing to lead.

Givaudan recorded organic growth of 3.6%; Taste & Wellbeing grew by 0.5%.

Organic growth reached 8.6%, with Taste & Wellbeing up 3.5% and Fragrance & Beauty up 13.5%.

Sales totalled 5.89 billion Swiss francs, with organic growth of 5.2%.

Bank Syz appoints new private banking head and chief operating officer

Marc Brodard will lead private banking at Bank Syz, while Martin Freiermuth becomes COO, overseeing operations, technology and security.

Private banking head
Marc Brodard
Chief operating officer
Martin Freiermuth
Brodard’s reporting line
Philippe Turrian, head of wealth management
Freiermuth’s reporting line
CEO Nicolas Syz

NZZ editor succession reportedly pits Mark Dittli against Benedict Neff

A Swiss media outlet says Mark Dittli is a contender to lead the NZZ, while alleging that outgoing editor Eric Gujer favors Benedict Neff. The claims have not been confirmed here.

Mark Dittli Benedict Neff

Suitability

Inside Paradeplatz presents Dittli as a candidate with business experience from founding The Market.

The article says Gujer wants Neff, an NZZ editor, installed as his successor.

Political profile

The article says Zimmermann portrayed Dittli as left-wing because he briefly led Republik in 2018.

The article describes Neff as aligned with Gujer, but gives no account of Neff’s own political views.

Schweiter names Stefan Boenders as its new CFO

Stefan Boenders will become CFO of Schweiter Technologies on November 1, 2026, succeeding Urs Scheidegger, who is leaving at the end of December.

Science & Tech

Google launches Fitbit Edge with GPS, health tracking and replaceable battery

The $179.99 Fitbit Edge adds a display, built-in GPS and expanded health tracking to Google’s fitness lineup. Preorders are open, with sales starting October 27.

“Get an Edge on your health”
Google health divisionCompany health division

Fiat unveils concept that switches from six-seat car to pickup

Fiat showed its Multiplay concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Its sliding rear section changes it from a family car into a four-seat pickup with an open cargo bed.

Citroën unveils electric 2CV concept, with production planned for 2028

Citroën has shown an electric concept inspired by its classic 2CV. The company plans a European-built production model for 2028, targeting a price of around €15,000.

Nothing OS 5.0 with Android 17 starts rolling out to Phone (3)

Nothing has begun a staged rollout of its stable OS 5.0 update to Phone (3), bringing Android 17, a redesigned home screen and new features. Other eligible phones are due to follow through mid-January 2027.

Realme and OnePlus set ColorOS 17 update dates

Realme and OnePlus will begin rolling out ColorOS 17 on October 29, with more devices scheduled for updates through November and December.

US fast-charging network grows as Tesla raises Supercharger prices

The US reached 80,964 public fast-charging ports in Q3 2026. Tesla added the most, while its Supercharger prices rose and prices at other networks stayed nearly flat.

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.

Sony has announced a matte-black PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for Japan.

The console and its included DualSense controller have a matte-black finish.

It will go on sale in Japan on Nov.

19 for ¥55,000.

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Xiaomi tops AnTuTu’s September flagship and tablet rankings

In September AnTuTu rankings based on data from China, Xiaomi led the flagship phone and tablet categories, while Oppo topped the mid-range chart.

AnTuTu collected the performance data in China for its rankings.

Notebookcheck reported that the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max topped AnTuTu’s September Android tablet chart.

GSMArena reported that Xiaomi led the flagship and tablet categories in AnTuTu’s September rankings.

Why CarPlay and Android Auto can make phones overheat

Navigation, wireless connections and charging can heat phones in the car. Sunlight and hot or cold air from vents can add to the problem.

Wireless connections
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular radios
Navigation
Apps can transfer data, render 3D terrain and use GPS
Charging
Wireless charging generates more waste heat than USB charging
Heat effects
A phone may throttle performance, halt charging or shut down

US Public Fast-Charging Network Passes 80,000 Ports

The US added 4,106 public fast-charging ports in the third quarter, taking the network past 80,000 despite slower growth than a year earlier.

Apple lets customers prepare iPhone Duo pre-orders ahead of Friday

Customers can save their iPhone Duo choices and payment details before pre-orders open on October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific time. The phone is due to launch October 23.

Sports

Rams tackle Alaric Jackson punches Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb after OT loss

After Buffalo beat Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime, Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson punched Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb during a postgame exchange at midfield.

“It's just emotions, you know what I mean? Emotional game. It was a close game,”
Bradley ChubbBills linebacker

Titans stick with Cam Ward as they face a 2027 quarterback decision

Tennessee coach Robert Saleh says Cam Ward will not be benched after the Titans fell to 0-5. His early numbers raise questions about whether the team may draft another quarterback in 2027.

Marvin Harrison Jr. trade to Houston becomes official after physical

Harrison passed his physical and is now a Houston Texan. The Texans sent Arizona a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for the receiver and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Rams lose to Bills and look to reset before facing Cardinals

The Rams lost 37-34 to the Bills, leaving them 2-3 despite gaining 454 yards. Puka Nacua said the team must regroup and define its identity before hosting Arizona.

Rams' limited investment in special teams faces renewed scrutiny

After another overtime loss, coach Sean McVay again criticized the Rams' special teams. The team has ranked near the bottom in several measures of investment in that unit.

Penix says he hopes to play next week after rib injury

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the Falcons’ overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib injury. He said he hopes to return next week, but further tests are planned.

49ers lead Week 6 NFL power rankings as several 0-5 teams struggle

The 49ers remain No. 1 in one Week 6 ranking, while the Vikings rise and the 0-5 Chargers, Titans and Dolphins sit near the bottom.

Two Week 6 rankings assess the NFL after five weeks of the 2026 season.

One list keeps the San Francisco 49ers at No.

1, with the Kansas City Chiefs second and the Jacksonville Jaguars third.

The other ranking also puts the 49ers at the top and highlights the strength of the NFC West.

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Jaguars left tackle Anton Harrison to have knee surgery

Anton Harrison will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after an injury against Philadelphia. His absence could last three to five weeks or the rest of the regular season.

Harrison injured his knee during Jacksonville’s 19-17 win over Philadelphia in London.

Reports said Harrison was set to have arthroscopic knee surgery, with his recovery timeline still uncertain.

Harrison is expected to have surgery when the Jaguars return from London.

The Jaguars are scheduled to play Houston at Wembley Stadium, with Walker Little expected to start at left tackle.

Oregon slips in power ratings after narrow loss with backup quarterbacks

Oregon fell to 3-2 after a two-point loss despite seven turnovers and a switch to its third-string quarterback. It dropped in the power ratings, but not as far as expected.

Oregon record
3-2
Margin of loss
2 points
Turnovers
7
Quarterbacks used
Backup starter; third-string quarterback

Two players ejected after opening-kickoff fight in London

Jacksonville’s Bryan Thomas Jr. and Philadelphia’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were ejected after fighting during the opening kickoff. A 90-yard Jaguars return for a touchdown was called back because of penalties.

Commanders and Giants tie 27-27 after Washington runs out of time in overtime

Washington had a chance to kick a winning field goal against New York, but Jayden Daniels was tackled with eight seconds left and the Commanders could not stop the clock.

Entertainment

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.

“This is slander and heresy.”
Thélyson OrélienCanadian-Haitian writer

Beats and Pokémon unveil special-edition Pill speaker for $149

The gray Beats Pill features Pikachu and Mimikyu artwork, custom packaging and three lanyard charms. It goes on sale October 15 for $149.

Amanda Seyfried says she is uncomfortable filming sex scenes for now

The actor said she turned down a TV role that required frequent sex scenes, but did not rule out taking on similar work in the future.

God of War Laufey Collector’s Box Will Not Include the Game

The God of War Laufey Collector’s Box includes a statue, cards and an art book, but no copy of the game. The UK price is £130; the US version has not been announced.

RTL removes Unter Uns morning reruns ahead of planned end

RTL has replaced morning repeats of Unter Uns with Verklag mich doch!, but new episodes will continue in the afternoon until the soap’s planned end in March 2027.

Apple announces Vision Pro horror film Remnants for October 16

Remnants, a horror film by writer and director Ti West, will be released exclusively on Apple Vision Pro on October 16 in Apple’s immersive video format.

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.

TNA has ended wrestler Max Caster’s run with the company after his debut at Bound for Glory on Sunday.

Before his match against Moose, Caster performed a rap that referred to attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The attacks killed and injured people; accounts differ on the death toll, giving figures of 12 and 13.

TNA called the comments insensitive, said making light of violent attacks was wrong, and accepted responsibility for allowing them into the show.

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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.

RAYE announced a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall.

RAYE said the show had received 1.8 million sign-ups for 5,000 seats and that her team was manually reviewing the list.

Selected fans were due to receive a presale link and code by email.

The presale was due to begin.

The general sale was expected to begin, according to NME.

RAYE is scheduled to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Batman Part II pauses production as Robert Pattinson says team will regroup

Production is temporarily paused while director Matt Reeves focuses on a family matter. Robert Pattinson says the team will take a short break and then work out what comes next.

Film
The Batman Part II
Production status
Temporarily paused
Reason
Matt Reeves is focusing on a family matter
Release date
February 18, 2028

Ego Nwodim mocks Shane Gillis’s joke about women’s gym clothes

After Shane Gillis joked that women at the gym “dress like whores” on SNL, former cast member Ego Nwodim responded with a gym selfie and a pointed caption.

Shane Gillis Ego Nwodim and Dan Levy

The joke

Gillis joked that women dress like “whores” at the gym and commented on their shorts.

Nwodim mocked the wording in her Instagram captions; Levy said calling women whores for wearing short shorts was misogynistic.

Women’s gym clothes

Gillis criticized the shorts and described their appearance.

Levy said women wearing short shorts does not make them whores.

Hugh Grant backed out of replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men

Chuck Lorre says Hugh Grant withdrew from talks to replace Charlie Sheen on the sitcom. Ashton Kutcher took the role instead, and the show ran for four more seasons.

Health

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.

“primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles.”
Franklin County coroner’s office spokespersonCoroner’s office spokesperson

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.

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.

Europa Donna calls for consistent care for metastatic breast cancer in Italy

Europa Donna Italia is urging breast care centres across Italy to follow specific quality standards and provide coordinated support for women with metastatic breast cancer.

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.

France’s annual vaccination campaign against seasonal flu and COVID-19 starts on October 13 and is due to end in January 2027.

Health authorities are prioritising older people, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.

About 15 million flu vaccine doses will be available to doctors, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, around one million more than last season.

COVID-19 vaccination remains reimbursed for everyone, including people outside the priority groups.

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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.

A World Health Summit workshop on preventing the next pandemic was held in Berlin.

The World Bank-hosted Pandemic Fund awarded US$499.6 million to 20 projects.

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.

Educator
Megan Asterino-McGeean
Blood glucose measurement
Milligrams per deciliter
Water’s role
Helps maintain fluid balance; does not directly lower blood sugar
Outlet publication
Infobae, 2026-10-13

Intestinal gases may offer clues about gut health

Gut microbes produce gases as they break down indigestible food. Research suggests these gases may affect digestion and offer clues about gastrointestinal health.

Singapore public healthcare services recover after network disruption

A network connectivity issue disrupted some services at Singapore public healthcare institutions on Tuesday. Services were restored by 4.37pm, and most patients later reported little impact.