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Bupyeong to turn tree waste into fuel and cut disposal costs

Bupyeong District will have a company collect tree waste for free and turn it into fuel for combined heat and power plants. The district expects to save about 39 million won a year.

“Through this agreement, we will turn discarded tree waste into eco-friendly renewable energy and actively respond to climate change and environmental problems.”
Cha Jun-taekBupyeong District mayor

South Korea creates semiconductor task force and India trade office

South Korea’s industry ministry will set up a senior-level team to support major semiconductor projects and a new office to expand cooperation with India, effective October 20.

Kim Min-seok criticizes shifting attacks on president and ruling party

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok criticized internal attacks over prosecution reform and the choice of a major-crimes investigation chief nominee, saying criticism should be made appropriately.

South Korea’s Lee defends agency chiefs’ attendance at cabinet meetings

President Lee Jae-myung said chiefs of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Office should attend cabinet meetings, rejecting criticism that their presence threatens independence.

Jeonbuk Office Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Military Service Evasion

The Jeonbuk Regional Military Manpower Office is expanding outreach and checks to prevent evasion of South Korea’s military service rules, and accepts tips year-round.

South Korea begins search for first prosecutor general under Lee

South Korea has formed a committee to recommend candidates for prosecutor general, a post vacant for 15 months. The new chief will lead a recently launched Prosecution Service after reforms reduced prosecutors’ investigative powers.

Disability budget scheme helps children start football class in Naju

Children with disabilities and their caregivers used South Korea’s personal budget scheme to set up a local football class in Naju. The scheme lets participants choose some services for themselves.

Children with disabilities and their caregivers started a local football class in Naju, South Korea.

They used the disability personal budget scheme, which lets eligible people turn part of their service vouchers into a budget for services they choose.

The scheme has been running as a pilot since 2024 and covers people eligible for at least one of four disability support vouchers.

The class offers an activity that was not available through the existing government support system.

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Kim Min-seok criticizes Joo Jin-woo over wordplay about South Korean president

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok criticized opposition lawmaker Joo Jin-woo for a comment mocking President Lee Jae-myung and renewed calls for suspending lawmakers who breach ethical standards.

Kim spoke at a Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting, according to the caption accompanying Yonhap’s report.

Kim criticised Joo in a Democratic Party YouTube appearance and comments reported on social media.

South Korea extends family care support for some disabled people to 2028

South Korea has extended a temporary rule allowing family members to provide support services to people with the most severe developmental disabilities or rare diseases through December 31, 2028.

New expiry date
December 31, 2028
Previous expiry date
October 31, 2026
Extension
2 years and 2 months
Eligible groups
People with the most severe developmental disabilities and people with rare diseases

South Korea’s Gyeonggi governor says president’s post was not aimed at her

Kim? Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae said she did not think President Lee Jae-myung’s recent social media post was directed at her, despite speculation about its target.

Some political observers interpreting the post as a criticism of Choo Choo Mi-ae

Target of Lee’s post

The post may have been an indirect reference to Choo, amid debate over welfare budget cuts and her official residence.

Choo said she did not think Lee was referring to her.

Understanding of ordinary people’s hardships

Lee criticized people he said could not understand the lives of ordinary citizens.

Choo said she had experienced a difficult childhood and had not lived extravagantly or harmed others through luxury.

Kim Young-hee becomes first North Korean defector to lead South Korea foundation

South Korea appointed Kim Young-hee as head of the North Korean Refugees Foundation, the first defector to hold the role since it was established in 2010.

World

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.

“One person is in cardiac arrest and around seven others have been injured”
Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters officialOfficial

Emergency response for Christa Pike delayed by confusion after failed execution

911 recordings show more than half an hour passed before Tennessee prison officials confirmed a call for medical help after Christa Pike survived a lethal injection attempt.

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.

Burnham says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard likely directed Fairford plot

The British prime minister said a suspected plot near RAF Fairford was likely coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC. Iran denies involvement.

Russia avoids Ukrainian energy targets in one night after ceasefire announcement

Russia hit no Ukrainian energy targets overnight into Tuesday, but attacked transport and logistics sites with missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed in Kharkiv.

Joseph Kabila leads new coalition with M23 rebels in DR Congo

Former president Joseph Kabila has launched a political and military coalition with M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. The group says it aims to unite resistance forces and may use force.

One dead and several injured in incident at Six Flags Over Georgia

One person died and several others were injured in an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Authorities are investigating how it happened.

One person died and several others were injured in an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Georgia.

The park is about 24 kilometres north-west of Atlanta.

Police have not said how the person died or what caused the injuries.

Witness accounts reported by some outlets say a person fell from the ride, but officials have not confirmed this.

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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.

Bild reported that three pilots separately saw an object during takeoff or landing, disrupting air traffic.

Nuremberg airport suspended flight operations after an aviation emergency alert.

Police said an aircraft had landed safely and that the cause was under investigation.

Japan and US to review off-duty rules after Okinawa killing

Japan and the United States will review rules for US troops’ off-base conduct after a Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a woman in Okinawa.

Suspect
Devin Ballard, a US Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
Victim
Anna Yagi, 39
Location
A hotel in Naha, Okinawa
Arrest
Oct. 4, 2026

Germany Detains People Over Fire at Polish Starlink Station

German authorities have detained people in connection with a September fire at a Starlink station in Poland. Reports differ on whether the case now involves three or four detentions.

Poland Russia

Responsibility

Poland says Russian intelligence services were behind the fire.

Moscow says accusations of Russian involvement are baseless.

Nature of the incident

Poland describes the fire as sabotage aimed at disrupting internet services, including for Ukraine’s military.

Moscow calls the accusations the result of anti-Russian hysteria.

China opposes India naming 28 locations in Ladakh

China rejected India's move to give standardised names to 28 locations and geographical features in Ladakh, saying the areas belong to China. India says the naming is for official mapping and identification.

Business

Spain’s Ibex seeks to hold gains as AI-linked stocks fall in Asia

The Ibex 35 is trying to hold its previous session’s 1.33% gain as AI-linked shares fall in Asia and investors await the first major US bank results.

“El Ibex trata de afianzarse cerca del umbral de los 19.300 puntos.”
ExpansiónFinancial news report

IMF raises 2026 global growth forecast as AI investment offsets war pressures

The IMF forecasts 3.1% global growth in 2026, citing AI investment as a boost while warning that war-driven energy costs weigh on the outlook.

AI-native companies are growing with far fewer employees

AI tools are helping some companies generate high revenue with small teams. Professor Pablo Foncillas says the model can be fragile and easy for competitors to copy.

Spain expects Financia Europa account to increase tax revenue

Spain’s Economy Ministry expects tax incentives for the Financia Europa account to raise revenue by moving savings from low-interest deposits into investments.

Renfe returned to profit in 2025 as commuter train disruptions rose

Spain’s Renfe posted a €60.2 million profit in 2025, its first in six years, while major disruptions on Madrid’s commuter rail network increased sharply.

Going public can cost companies 5% to 7% of the capital they raise

The cost of a stock market listing varies widely, but experts put it at 5% to 7% of the capital raised. European markets are trying to attract more companies as listings remain scarce.

China will halve tariffs on Spanish olive oil from 2027

China plans to cut its import tariff on EU olive oil from 10% to 5% for four years from January 2027. Spain, which supplies 77% of China's olive oil imports, is set to benefit.

China will halve its tariff on imported olive oil from 10% to 5% starting January 1, 2027, for four years.

Spain supplies 77% of the olive oil China buys, making it the product’s leading supplier to the Chinese market.

In 2025, Spain exported extra-virgin olive oil worth 114 million dollars to China.

The tariff cut is part of a wider EU-China deal that also lowers duties on EU footwear, car parts and ice cream.

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Asterion agrees to buy French vehicle rental company Fraikin for about €2bn

Spanish investment fund Asterion has agreed to buy Fraikin, a French commercial vehicle rental company with more than 50,000 vehicles, in a deal valued at about €2 billion.

Fraikin’s current owners took control after a debt restructuring and an injection of new capital.

Expansión reported that Asterion had agreed to acquire Fraikin.

The deal could close.

Spanish employers must notify staff of internal job vacancies

Spanish law requires employers to tell part-time, temporary, fixed-discontinuous and remote workers about vacancies before hiring someone from outside the company.

Workers covered
Part-time, remote, temporary and fixed-discontinuous employees
Notification deadline
Before the vacancy is filled by an external worker
Required channel
No specific channel required
Minor infringement fine
€70–€150

RBC estimates BBVA will distribute €41.4 billion to shareholders by 2028

RBC estimates BBVA will pay shareholders €41.4 billion from 2025 to 2028 through dividends and share buybacks, 15% above the bank’s target.

RBC analysts BBVA

Shareholder distributions

RBC estimates BBVA will distribute €41.4 billion between 2025 and 2028.

BBVA’s stated target is €36 billion over that period.

Profit

RBC estimates BBVA will earn €49.7 billion between 2025 and 2028.

BBVA forecasts earnings of €48 billion over that period.

Barceló expects profits to fall 25% in 2026 as US travel to Mexico drops

Barceló expects profit to fall to €250 million in 2026, mainly because fewer US visitors are travelling to Caribbean destinations, especially Mexico. It is still working to sell its travel division, Ávoris.

Science & Tech

Cyberattack overheats refrigeration systems in hundreds of French supermarkets

Hackers remotely changed Danfoss refrigeration settings, spoiling fresh and frozen food in hundreds of French supermarkets. French authorities have opened an investigation.

“The attack was probably launched around 11 p.m., but we only realised at 4 a.m., when our delivery driver saw that the storeroom was flooded.”
Charles DezonOwner of an Intermarché supermarket in Gradignan

Cyberattack Defrosts Refrigerators at Hundreds of French Supermarkets

A cyberattack remotely triggered defrosting at hundreds of French supermarket stores, spoiling fresh and frozen food and reportedly causing fires. French prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Hubble data point to a possible second-generation planet around a white dwarf

Researchers found unusually high niobium levels in Hubble data from white dwarf HS 0209+0832, suggesting a planet formed from material shed by a dying star. The finding needs confirmation.

GitLab urges self-managed users to patch critical code execution flaw

A critical flaw could let unauthenticated attackers run code on self-managed GitLab servers. GitLab has released fixes and urges administrators to upgrade immediately.

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.

Maynooth Researchers Build a DNA Computer That Needs No Continuous Power

Researchers at Maynooth University built a DNA-based computer that can perform calculations without continuous electricity. It can be reused for up to 25 calculations, though it is slower than silicon computers.

Epic Games shifts toward AI to speed up game development

CEO Tim Sweeney says Epic Games is reorganising to use AI more in game development. A Disney collaboration featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters is reportedly delayed.

Epic Games is making a major shift toward AI to speed up the development of its games, CEO Tim Sweeney said on Oct.

12.

The American company makes Fortnite and also provides its Unreal Engine development software to other studios.

Epic says it is moving developers into new roles to make greater use of AI, with Sweeney saying the aim is to help teams build more and better products.

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Meta unveils two AI models it says rival leading systems

Meta introduced Muse Wonder and Wonder Full, saying they perform comparably to models from OpenAI and Anthropic. The models are expected to be available through its Muse app for paid subscribers.

Meta invested US$14 billion in Scale AI and hired its co-founder Alexandr Wang.

Meta launched its Muse Spark model.

Meta launched Muse Code, a product for AI-assisted coding.

Meta launched the Muse agent app and revealed Muse Charm, a handheld AI hardware product, at its Connect developer conference.

Meta unveiled Muse Wonder and Wonder Full.

Cyberattack disrupts systems at TFG’s three UK fashion brands

The Foschini Group says a cyber incident affected IT systems at Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles in the UK. Stores remain open while the company investigates.

Affected brands
Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles
Unaffected UK brands
Inside Story and White Stuff
Stores
Open and trading
Other operations
TFG Africa and TFG Australia were not affected

Ahold Delhaize takes some systems offline after cyberattack

The grocery group says it disconnected some systems to contain a security issue. Stores remain open, but some online services and orders have been disrupted.

Shanghai robot debuts with a rated payload above five tons

Shanghai Chaifu Robotics unveiled its CR5000-3700 at an industry fair in Shanghai, demonstrating that it can lift a vehicle. Its performance in continuous industrial use remains to be proven.

Sports

Conor McGregor joins TikTok while recovering from knee injury

McGregor debuted on TikTok holding a baby goat. He is recovering from an ACL tear and is expected to remain out of the UFC until 2027.

“What’s up, folks? It’s Mac here with a mega announcement,”
Conor McGregorUFC fighter

AEW WrestleDream 2026 set for Oct. 17 in Orlando

AEW WrestleDream 2026 will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 17 in Orlando. Will Ospreay is set to defend the AEW World title against seven challengers in a new match type.

Michael Page signs multi-year deal with Misfits Boxing after UFC exit

The 39-year-old British fighter has signed a multi-fight, multi-year deal with Misfits Boxing after the UFC did not renew his contract. His first fight with the promotion has not been announced.

Makhachev and Prates reportedly targeted for UFC 336 in Toronto

Islam Makhachev is reportedly expected to defend his welterweight title against Carlos Prates at UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto, if negotiations continue as planned.

Alalshikh says Canelo Alvarez will fight in Riyadh despite airport attacks

Turki Alalshikh says Canelo Alvarez intends to face Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on Oct. 31 despite attacks on the city’s airport. The airport strikes caused deaths and injuries.

Indi Hartwell wins TNA Knockouts World Championship at Bound for Glory

Indi Hartwell defeated Xia Brookside at TNA Bound for Glory 2026 to win the Knockouts World Championship, with Mickie James serving as special guest referee.

CMLL confirms six matches for October 13 Arena Mexico card

CMLL confirmed six matches for its Martes Populares show in Mexico City on October 13, including a main event between Mascara Dorada and Zandokan Jr.

CMLL confirmed six matches for its Martes Populares show on Tuesday, October 13, at Arena Mexico in Mexico City.

The main event is Mascara Dorada against Zandokan Jr. The card also includes tag-team and six-person tag-team matches.

Two of those matches are scheduled as best two out of three falls contests.

The event is one of two CMLL shows taking place that day.

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AEW names confirmed for NJPW Power Struggle in Hiroshima

Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay and other wrestlers are confirmed for NJPW Power Struggle on November 3 in Hiroshima, with several championship matches planned.

Wrestling Observer reported that five AEW wrestlers had been confirmed for Power Struggle.

NJPW Power Struggle is scheduled to take place in Hiroshima.

Andre Fili Says He May Pursue Pro Wrestling After MMA

After a second-round knockout win over Kai Kamaka III, UFC fighter Andre Fili said he may try pro wrestling after MMA and plans to use steroids to get bigger.

Fight record after win
26-14
Opponent
Kai Kamaka III
Result
Second-round knockout
Professional fighting began
2009

Leon Slater becomes TNA’s youngest world champion at 22

Leon Slater defeated Nic Nemeth at Bound For Glory to win the TNA World Championship, becoming the youngest champion in the promotion’s history.

Kayla Harrison says she is ready to return after neck surgery

The UFC women’s bantamweight champion says neck surgery left her unsure she would feel like herself again. She is scheduled to defend her title against Amanda Nunes on Nov. 14 in New York.

Entertainment

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.

“I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight.”
Bryan CranstonActor who played Walter White

Van Gogh painting unseen in public for 60 years goes on display in Hong Kong

Hundreds queued in Hong Kong to see Van Gogh’s 1890 painting “Chestnut Trees in Blossom,” ahead of a New York auction on November 18 where it is expected to fetch about $180 million.

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii makes interrogation game with AI in about 30 minutes

Yuji Horii shared a short, text-based game in which players question a suspect. He said AI helped him make it in about 30 minutes, without drawing or programming.

Sean Lennon says he and Julian received equal inheritances

Sean Lennon said he and his half brother Julian inherited the same amount from their father, John Lennon, with Julian’s trust slightly larger by a negligible amount.

Chandler Riggs Makes Resident Evil 7 Fan Film and Seeks Cregger Collaboration

The Walking Dead actor Chandler Riggs made a 20-minute fan film based on Resident Evil 7 and says he would welcome working with director Zach Cregger on another film in the franchise.

Princess Eugenie shares video of daughter on eighth wedding anniversary

Princess Eugenie posted a video of Jack Brooksbank holding their two-month-old daughter, Adelaide, as she marked their eighth wedding anniversary.

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.

Actor Selma Blair faces two assault charges after an incident on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York.

The charges say she allegedly kicked a police officer taking her to hospital and later kicked a nurse in Queens.

She was arraigned in Queens on two counts of second-degree assault and has pleaded not guilty, according to one account.

A judge set bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond, and she was released.

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Ego Nwodim responds to Shane Gillis’ joke about women’s gym clothes

After Gillis joked that women at the gym “dress like whores” on SNL, Nwodim posted a gym photo captioned “whore reporting for duty.” Dan Levy also criticized the remarks.

Shane Gillis hosted “SNL” and joked about women’s workout clothes in his monologue.

Dan Levy posted a reaction criticizing the jokes.

Ego Nwodim shared a gym photo and a post-workout meal photo with pointed captions on Instagram Story.

Voice actor Kenichi Suzumura’s agency to close in March 2027

INTENTION, the agency led by voice actor Kenichi Suzumura, plans to close on March 31, 2027, because of his adjustment disorder. The agency says it will support its talents through the closure.

Agency
INTENTION
Closure date
March 31, 2027
Announcement date
October 13, 2026
Reason cited
Kenichi Suzumura’s adjustment disorder

Glen Schofield says Krafton made him release The Callisto Protocol early

Glen Schofield says Krafton withdrew three promised months of development time during the pandemic, forcing his team to release The Callisto Protocol in December 2022 with problems still unresolved.

Glen Schofield Krafton

Development time

Schofield said Krafton promised three extra months and then withdrew them, forcing the game to ship.

Schofield said Krafton thought the game was a complete failure; Krafton’s own account is not included in the sources.

Management and development

Schofield said many of the studio’s problems were caused by Korean management.

Schofield said Krafton required a PlayStation 4 version, which he said would cost an extra $20 million; the sources do not include Krafton’s response.

Ben Affleck calls Justice League reshoots the low point of his career

Affleck says making Justice League was a deeply negative experience, citing the reshoots after Zack Snyder left the film and tension between the director and studio.

Health

At least 90 lawsuits allege weight-loss drugs caused vision loss

Patients in the US say drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy caused a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. The link remains disputed.

“[The doctor] said right away, stop taking Ozempic”
Michelle FennellOzempic claimant

Authoritarian parenting linked to depression and aggression in children

A study in China found that rigid, authoritarian parenting is linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior in children. Experts say repeated violence and coercion can harm children’s emotional development.

Mexico’s military hospital fills just 56% of prescriptions in 2026

Mexico’s Central Military Hospital filled about 56% of prescriptions in 2026, leaving many patients to pay for medicines themselves. The shortfall comes after years of declining supply rates.

Study links several health issues to early-onset Alzheimer’s years before diagnosis

A Finnish study found several health conditions were more common in people later diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, especially in the five years before diagnosis. The findings do not show that these conditions cause the disease.

Pope Leo XIV to have lung nodule removed in surgery this week

Pope Leo XIV says doctors found a small, early-stage lung nodule and recommended surgery. The Vatican expects him to stay in hospital for about a week.

Pope Leo XIV enters Rome hospital for planned lung nodule surgery

Pope Leo XIV arrived at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for surgery to remove a lung nodule. Tests will show whether it is cancerous and whether he needs further treatment.

UK demand for pears rises as nutritionist highlights health benefits

Demand for pears in the UK rose 28% from the same period a year earlier. Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert highlighted their fiber and other nutrients.

Demand for pears in the UK rose 28% compared with the same period a year earlier.

Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert said pears offer fiber, water and useful nutrients.

A medium pear has about 6 grams of fiber, which can support regular bowel movements and feed gut bacteria.

Research links regular pear consumption with lower heart and stroke risk, though the reasons are not fully established.

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WHO estimates more than 800 million children have unsafe blood lead levels

The WHO says more than 800 million children have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, and is launching a week-long campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention.

A study led by researchers at China’s Southeast University estimated that the highest numbers of lead-poisoning deaths were concentrated in China, India and Bangladesh.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimated that lead poisoning caused 3.5 million deaths and more than 71.5 million years lost to disability worldwide.

The WHO’s week-long awareness campaign is scheduled to begin.

Regular exercise linked to slower decline in people with Parkinson’s

A study of 294 people with Parkinson’s found that those who were more physically active had slower declines in movement and thinking skills, though it cannot show exercise caused the difference.

Participants
294 people with Parkinson’s
Follow-up
Up to seven years
Most active group
More than eight hours of physical activity a week
Study journal
Neurology

Dietz & Watson is redesigning cold cuts amid health concerns

As health concerns and falling deli-counter sales put pressure on cold cuts, Dietz & Watson says it is close to completing a line of redesigned products.

Health critics and influencers Dietz & Watson

Health concerns

Critics say cold cuts contain additives and have been linked to health problems.

The company is redesigning its products as “clean” cold cuts.

Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove an early-stage lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV, 71, is due to have surgery to remove a lung nodule found during a routine exam. Most lung nodules are benign, and many cause no symptoms.