Explore

Jump to a category

Politics

Welsh government and Labour agree £60m for additional learning needs

The Welsh government and Labour have agreed a budget deal that includes £60m for additional learning needs in schools. The supplementary budget will be debated in the Senedd on 3 November.

“This agreement reflects what can be achieved when parties across the Senedd work together.”
Rhun ap IorwerthFirst Minister

Neil Kinnock says Andy Burnham wants Britain to rejoin the EU

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock says Prime Minister Andy Burnham intends to take the UK back into the EU. Burnham has said he wants to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the bloc.

Burnham pledges to publish details of his dealings with Manchester City

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will publish details of his work with Manchester City’s owners while he was Greater Manchester mayor, after criticism of his comments supporting the club.

Home Office asylum AI summaries fail 22% of initial accuracy checks

A rights group says 22% of AI-generated asylum interview summaries failed initial expert checks, raising concerns about accuracy and oversight of Home Office tools.

Second wave of early prison releases begins in England and Wales

About 2,000 offenders are due to be released early this month, with 3,000 more to follow over the next year as the government seeks to ease prison overcrowding.

Farage pledges five-year suspension of UK asylum system

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says his party would suspend asylum claims for up to five years if elected, void pending applications and deport failed applicants.

Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says advisers confirmed Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum. He gave no details about the activity or whether it affected the result.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union.

He said he asked advisers about possible Russian involvement after taking office in July and was told that interference had occurred.

Burnham did not say what evidence supported that answer, describe the activity or say whether it changed the result.

A parliamentary committee said in 2020 that the government had failed to fully assess the possible impact of Russian state media and online accounts on the vote.

Read full story →

UK Cabinet Office scraps hiring platform, records £7.8m loss

The Cabinet Office closed a central government recruitment platform at a recorded loss of £7.8 million. It also disclosed a possible HMRC penalty of up to £8.9 million over contractor tax compliance.

Some shared services clusters raised concerns about the programme and preferred to use recruitment functions in their own enterprise systems.

The ATS programme was reset, and HMRC concluded that the department’s historic off-payroll processes were inadequate.

The Cabinet Office paid £15 million towards settlement of its IR35 liability.

The Cabinet Office reported the platform’s closure and a £7.8 million loss.

The Register published its report on the Cabinet Office’s annual report.

Two Crypto Billionaires Give $100 Million to Reform U.K

Two low-profile crypto entrepreneurs gave $100 million to Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K. Party, a move that could change British politics.

Donation
$100 million
Recipient
Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K. Party
Donors
Two low-profile entrepreneurs
Publication date
October 13, 2026

Farage rejects claim Reform would allow troops to use lethal force on migrant boats

Nigel Farage says a Reform UK government would not routinely use lethal force against migrant boats, after MP Robert Jenrick said Royal Marines could fire if needed.

Reform UK Luke Pollard

Use of force

Farage said force would be used only if soldiers were fired at. Jenrick said the Royal Marines should be able to use lethal force if necessary.

Pollard said armed forces must not take military action against civilians or accept an illegal order.

Returning boats to France

Farage said Reform would pick people up and take them back to France if it won the next election.

Pollard called the proposal abhorrent to military and British values.

Rightwing press backs Badenoch as it targets Prime Minister Burnham

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s proposed £10bn missile shield won enthusiastic coverage from rightwing newspapers, which the column says are positioning her as a challenger to Andy Burnham.

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.

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.

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.

Duane Davis faces life sentence for Tupac Shakur murder

Duane Davis, convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, is due to be sentenced in Las Vegas and faces life in prison without parole.

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.

Read full story →

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

IMF warns of risks from AI, rising bond yields and cyberattacks

The IMF says a downturn in AI investments, rising government bond yields and major cyberattacks could unsettle global markets. It urged authorities to limit excessive borrowing and strengthen cyber defenses.

“Uma correção no mercado de IA afetará a economia real”
Athanasios VamvakidisIMF deputy director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department

European datacenter growth could raise electricity bills by 2035

Datacenters are expected to use a growing share of Europe’s electricity by 2035, putting pressure on power networks and potentially raising bills. Governments may respond with price caps, taxes or other restrictions.

IMF warns Latin America to watch inflation as growth slows

The IMF expects inflation in Latin America and the Caribbean to reach 4.2% this year and 4.1% next year, while regional growth is forecast to ease to 2.3% in 2026.

OneDosh Cardholders Can Withdraw Cash at Visa ATMs Worldwide

OneDosh says its cardholders can now withdraw cash at Visa ATMs worldwide.

Oil prices dip as expected Russian diesel supplies offset Gulf risks

Oil prices edged lower after rising nearly $2 a barrel on Monday. Traders weighed possible extra Russian diesel supplies against threats to Gulf shipping and energy infrastructure.

Zenyum parent MakeO raises $10 million for Asian expansion

Singapore-based MakeO, Zenyum’s parent, raised $10 million to expand across Asia. Zenyum joined the group earlier in 2026 after MakeO agreed to acquire it.

European fintech sovereignty faces a public-interest problem

The debate over European financial sovereignty has been prominent in fintech this year, but the story argues that people do not care enough for the idea to work.

European financial sovereignty has become a major fintech debate on the continent this year.

The idea is about Europe having greater control over its financial sector, but the available text gives no further detail on what measures are proposed.

The story argues that fintech sovereignty will not work because people do not care enough about it.

It does not identify which people or provide evidence for that view.

Read full story →

IMF lifts 2026 global growth forecast as AI investment offsets energy shock

The IMF forecasts 3.1% global growth in 2026, as AI investment helps offset higher energy prices linked to the Middle East war. It warns that risks are growing and benefits are uneven.

The IMF’s earlier outlook forecast global growth of 3.0% in 2026.

The IMF forecast global growth of 3.0% in 2026.

The IMF released its new forecast of 3.1% global growth for 2026.

The IMF forecasts global growth of 3.4%.

Apple’s Smartphone Share Reaches 22% as Global Shipments Fall

Apple’s share of global smartphone shipments hit a third-quarter record of 22%, even as its shipments fell and the market contracted 20% year over year.

Apple’s global share
22%
Samsung’s global share
23%
Global shipment change
Down 20% year over year
Global shipment level
Lowest since 2012

IMF warns poorer countries may need spending cuts or debt restructuring

The IMF says low-income countries hit by higher energy costs may have to cut spending or restructure debt, while urging targeted support for those most affected.

Chipmaker concerns weigh on world stocks as bonds rise

Renewed concerns about competition in AI chips pushed Asian stocks lower on Tuesday, while investors moved toward government bonds. European shares rose, and markets awaited U.S. inflation data.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

New simulations suggest rare process forms Mars's giant Arsia Mons cloud

A French research team says simulations show the cloud that forms yearly downwind of Mars's Arsia Mons volcano may develop through a rare process that does not need seed particles.

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 has unveiled two new AI models, Muse Wonder and Wonder Full, which it says can match systems from OpenAI and Anthropic.

The models are designed to handle complex, multi-step tasks, and Meta describes Wonder as its largest and most capable model so far.

Meta says independent benchmarking suggests the new models outperform its earlier Spark model and some systems from other companies.

The models are expected to become available through Meta’s Muse personal assistant app, but only to paid subscribers.

Read full story →

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.

Hubble observed HS 0209+0832 and recorded roughly 100 chemical features that could not be identified.

The team's paper describing its findings was published, according to Universe Today.

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

Cape Town plans to relocate two baboon troops from Simon’s Town

Cape Town authorities plan to capture two baboon troops near Simon’s Town and move them to enclosures for the rest of their lives, as part of a wider change to baboon management.

Cape Town authorities Some experts

Removal

Authorities plan to capture and permanently relocate the two troops to separate enclosures.

Some experts say the removal plans are not convincing.

Urban baboon management

Authorities say a “hard reset” will allow resources to be redirected to management efforts with better outcomes.

The experts say baboons should be kept out of urban areas, but the article does not give further details of their preferred approach.

Up to 6.5 million customer records may be exposed in Japan sushi cyberattack

Ride On Express says a ransomware attack on an outside server may have exposed data linked to up to 6.5 million accounts. Its websites and apps remain unavailable for orders.

Sports

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.

“when I’m done with my MMA career, I’m gonna get on a healthy amount of steroids, I’m gonna get big as f*ck and then you might see me in a pro wrestling ring.”
Andre FiliMMA fighter

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.

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.

Jason Hotch wins TNA International Championship at Bound for Glory

Jason Hotch pinned Mustafa Ali in a four-way match at TNA Bound for Glory 2026 to regain the International Championship. The match also featured Agent Zero and John Skyler.

TNA Bound For Glory 2026 features title defenses and Hall of Fame ceremony

TNA held Bound For Glory at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, with Nic Nemeth scheduled to defend the World Championship against Leon Slater and several other title matches on the card.

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.

AEW WrestleDream 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct.

17, at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.

The event is set to start at 7 p.m.

Eastern, with local start times varying around the world.

Read full story →

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.

Makhachev won the welterweight title by outpointing Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

Makhachev defended the belt by beating Ian Machado Garry over five rounds at UFC 330.

Prates knocked out Jack Della Maddalena, extending his win streak to three, according to the article.

Colmenero reported that Makhachev and Prates were expected to fight at UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto.

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.

UFC record
5-1
Misfits agreement
Multi-fight, multi-year
Age
39
Boxing record
2-0

Paulo Costa says he plans to fight before year’s end amid UFC dispute

Paulo Costa says he plans to compete before the end of the year, possibly outside the UFC. He has one fight left on his contract and disputes its terms.

Paulo Costa UFC

Offers

Costa says he has not received a recent offer from the UFC.

Dana White has claimed Costa turned down several offers.

Contract and compensation

Costa wants to complete his contract and has criticized offers of five-round fights without additional compensation.

Not stated

AEW’s Anna Jay says she needs shoulder surgery

Anna Jay says she will have shoulder surgery after seeking several medical opinions. She has not given a recovery timeline.

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

Rebecca Allen to leave UMG UK role after 27 years at Universal

Rebecca Allen is set to leave her role as UMG UK's Chief Artist and Strategy Officer after 27 years at Universal. She was promoted to the newly created role in December 2025.

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.

Lana Del Rey debuts new song at Singapore Grand Prix

Lana Del Rey performed live for the first time in nearly a year at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, debuting “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” from her forthcoming album “Stove.”

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.

Fontaines D.C. release first guest duet, featuring Rosalía

The Irish band has released “Where Is Gone?,” a duet with Rosalía and its first song to feature an outside vocalist. The track is on the band’s fifth album, due October 16.

Selma Blair charged with assault after flight incident and released on bail

Actor Selma Blair was charged with second-degree assault after an incident on a Delta flight to New York. She posted $20,000 bail and was released.

Selma Blair was arrested after a disturbance on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York on Sunday.

She is accused of injuring two flight attendants, and authorities say she also assaulted a police officer and a nurse after landing.

Blair was taken to a hospital for evaluation and later appeared in Queens Criminal Court.

She was charged with second-degree assault and released after posting $20,000 bail.

Read full story →

Hundreds queue in Hong Kong to see long-unshown Van Gogh painting

Hundreds queued in Hong Kong to view a Van Gogh painting not shown publicly for more than 60 years, ahead of its November 18 auction in New York.

Van Gogh painted “Châtaigniers en fleurs.

After Van Gogh’s death, the painting passed to his brother Theo.

Collector Harriet Harris-Jonas acquired the painting.

The Blaquier family acquired the painting from art dealer Wildenstein.

Five works from the collection were unveiled at Sotheby’s in London.

Hundreds queued in Hong Kong to see the painting ahead of its planned November 18 auction.

CJ ENM and MBC Group partner to expand Korean entertainment in MENA

The companies signed a multi-year deal to bring Korean shows to MBC Shahid and MBC4, with more than 13 new titles planned for 2026.

New titles
More than 13 scheduled for release during 2026
Library titles
More than 20 from CJ ENM
Streaming service
MBC Shahid
Linear channel
MBC4

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.

Hardcore fans seeking a close adaptation Zach Cregger’s approach

Adaptation approach

Some hardcore fans wished for a 1:1 adaptation of the games.

Cregger was against a 1:1 adaptation, believing the games had already told their stories perfectly.

Marion Cotillard to lead jury at 2026 Marrakech Film Festival

The French actor will chair the jury at the 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival in November. The jury will choose the Étoile d’Or from films in the international competition.

Health

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.

“This is a health threat that is largely invisible. A child can be exposed without showing any obvious symptoms. The damage to their developing brain and nervous system may be already taking place.”
Bruce GordonWHO director a.i., Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration

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 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.

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.

Pediatrician says open communication matters more than blaming screens

A pediatrician argues that children’s connection is threatened not just by technology, but by adults’ reluctance to discuss its role in their lives. The advice is to replace blame with curious conversations.

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.

A study found that more physical activity was linked to slower declines in movement and thinking skills among people with Parkinson’s.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati followed 294 patients for up to seven years.

Parkinson’s is a brain disease that affects movement and can also affect thinking.

People who were active for more than eight hours a week had almost no decline in test scores of thinking skills, while those active for up to four hours a week had a larger decline.

Read full story →

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.

The World Health Organization classified cured meats as a Group 1 carcinogen.

Dietz & Watson began work on its goal of creating a nearly complete line of “clean” cold cuts.

Men's Health reported that the company was close to reaching that goal.

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.

Study location
China
Study finding
Authoritarian parenting linked to depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior
Article publication
2026-10-13 11:32 UTC
Stephan Bender's institution
University Hospital of Cologne

Studies differ on whether sperm counts are falling worldwide

A 2022 global analysis estimated large declines in sperm concentration and total count, while a 2025 review of US studies found no overall change in its initial analysis.

2022 global analysis 2025 review of American men

Overall trend

Estimated average sperm concentration fell 51.6% and total sperm count fell 62.3% between 1973 and 2018.

Found no overall change in sperm concentration in its initial analysis of samples collected from 1970 through 2018.

Adjusted findings

Not stated.

After adjustments for geographic region and fertility status, found a modest annual decline.

Scope

Combined 223 studies involving more than 57,000 men from 53 countries.

Covered 58 studies involving 11,787 American men without known infertility issues.

Fitness coach says bulky, hard-to-use gear can waste home gym money

Fitness coach Jacob Zemer says home gyms can start with bands, dumbbells and a bench. He warns that equipment taking up space and rarely used may be a poor investment.