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The Netherlands will not add more dental school places despite a growing shortage

Education Minister Rianne Letschert rejected advice to expand dentist training, citing its cost. The government will instead add places for dental hygienists from 2027-28.

“zeer kostbaar”
Rianne LetschertEducation minister

First stone laid for Agnetentuin redesign in Sittard

A first stone has been laid for the redesign of Agnetentuin in Sittard. No details about the changes or timetable are given.

Column says Pim Fortuyn’s rise cost politics a valuable tool

A weekly political column says Pim Fortuyn’s rise coincided with the loss of a valuable political tool and argues that behind-the-scenes politics could use support.

Dutch environmental law makes permits easier but oversight harder

A report says the Dutch Environment and Planning Act has made permit applications easier, but left supervisors with less oversight, putting compliance with environmental rules at risk.

Denk Vooruit bus to visit Lochem market on Wednesday

A bus called Denk Vooruit is scheduled to be at the market in Lochem on Wednesday. No further details are provided.

Dutch innovation policy at risk without a successor to growth fund

Research says hundreds of companies and research institutions could lose vital support to bring promising technologies and prototypes to market if the National Growth Fund is not replaced.

Dutch official must review whether three pig farms broke tail-docking rules

A Dutch court ruled that the state secretary for agriculture must assess whether three pig farmers met the conditions for docking piglets’ tails and whether enforcement is needed.

A Dutch court ordered the agriculture state secretary to review tail docking at three pig farms after an animal-welfare group challenged her refusal to act.

Tail docking means cutting or shortening piglets’ tails, a practice farmers say helps prevent pigs from biting one another.

The practice is banned in the Netherlands except in limited cases, including when piglets are no more than four days old, injuries have been found, and steps to prevent biting have first been tried.

The state secretary had rejected the group’s requests, saying the rules did not clearly explain when action was required.

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Dutch domestic violence hotline warns it cannot keep up with reports

Veilig Thuis says rising reports and staff shortages are causing long waits to assess possible domestic violence and child abuse, and is asking the government for more funding.

Veilig Thuis received 136,000 reports, more than 90,000 of them concerning families it had not previously worked with.

Veilig Thuis warned that rising reports and limited resources were preventing it from handling reports on time.

Rising interest rates add pressure to heavily indebted governments

Higher US borrowing is pushing up interest rates worldwide, increasing the burden on governments with large debts. France is especially exposed because it has high debt and weak growth.

Publication date
October 13, 2026
US borrowing needs
Drive up US interest rates and rates worldwide
France
Described as a eurozone weak link because of high debt and low growth
Possible growth driver
The AI revolution, if it delivers the promised growth

Wadden Sea centre faces bankruptcy after public funding offer withdrawn

The municipality of Het Hogeland and Groningen province say they will not help keep the Wadden Sea centre in Lauwersoog financially afloat. Its directors will seek a rescue plan over the next two weeks or apply for bankruptcy.

Wadden Sea Centre Municipality of Het Hogeland and province of Groningen

Financial support

The centre’s director says the organisation has no prospects without support and criticised the authorities for withdrawing.

The municipality and province have said they do not see a role for themselves in keeping the centre financially afloat.

Two-way shipping resumes on the IJssel between Arnhem and Zutphen

Ships can again travel in both directions on the IJssel after rising water levels ended a one-way restriction. The change means inland vessels no longer need to make long detours.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 raised its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% as it released its outlook during meetings in Bangkok.

Strong investment in artificial intelligence is helping offset higher energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East.

The boost is strongest in advanced economies and countries that supply AI hardware, while many energy-importing countries are facing weaker growth.

Countries directly affected by the conflict are expected to suffer steep downturns, including Saudi Arabia, where the economy is forecast to shrink by 3.3%.

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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.

Brent futures settled at $106.65 a barrel, their highest close since September 15.

Iran-aligned Houthis struck Riyadh’s international airport, and tanker attacks were reported near the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent futures were down 61 cents to $106.04 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate was down 47 cents to $93.27.

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.

Outlet
Sifted
Published
13 October 2026
Region
Europe
Debate
European financial sovereignty has been a major fintech discussion this year

Global debt tops $365 trillion, increasing pressure on governments

Global debt exceeded $365 trillion in the first half of 2026, reaching 310% of global GDP. Rising interest costs and economic shocks are making it harder for governments to manage their debts.

Altcoins fall as crypto-market optimism fades

Alternative cryptocurrencies fell by as much as 10% in 24 hours as investors took profits and confidence in the wider crypto market weakened. Bitcoin held steady, raising its share of the market to 59.8%.

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.

Read full story →

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

Chicago Cubs news item lists five names

A Chicago Cubs news item lists Cabrera, Shaw, King, Detmers and Gray, but gives no further details.

Brewers go up 2-0 as Guardians strike first in ALCS

The Brewers moved ahead 2-0 in their playoff series. The Guardians scored in the eighth inning of Game 1 against the Rays in St. Petersburg.

Hanwha Eagles appoint national team coach Ryu Ji-hyun as manager

The Hanwha Eagles named Ryu Ji-hyun their new manager on a three-year contract worth 2 billion won, after Kim Kyung-moon’s contract ended.

“I am grateful to the club for entrusting me with the management of a good team like the Hanwha Eagles.”
Ryu Ji-hyunHanwha Eagles manager

Brewers beat Dodgers 7-4 to take 2-0 NLCS lead

Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 7-4 in Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was removed in the third inning after allowing three runs.

Brewers beat Dodgers 7-4 to take 2-0 lead in NL Championship Series

William Contreras hit a tying home run and drove in the go-ahead run as Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 7-4. The Brewers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Brewers deal Dodgers another blow in NLCS

The Brewers dealt the Dodgers another setback in the NLCS during a difficult trip to Milwaukee for the back-to-back World Series champions.

Four Chunichi Dragons coaches to leave after the season

Chunichi announced that four coaches, including Nobuhiko Matsunaka and Eiji Ochiai, will leave the Japanese baseball team at the end of the season.

Chunichi announced four coaching departures on October 13.

The Japanese baseball team said Nobuhiko Matsunaka, Eiji Ochiai, Ryosuke Hirata and Yutaka Nakamura will leave at the end of this season.

Matsunaka has been the team’s batting coordinator for two seasons.

Ochiai previously led the farm team to a Western League title and a farm championship in 2025.

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Orioles prospect season review: Michael Forret

The story focuses on Orioles prospect Michael Forret, but the supplied details do not include his season performance.

Forret pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays against the New York Mets in a spring training Spring Breakout game at Clover Park.

Yahoo Sports published the season review.

Dodgers’ bid for a third straight title is in danger

The Dodgers’ attempt to win a third straight title is in serious danger as they face the Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

Matchup
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Game
Game 2 of the National League Championship Series
Date
October 12, 2026
Venue
American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A 2021 trade sent Junior Caminero from Cleveland to Tampa Bay

Cleveland traded teenage prospect Junior Caminero to Tampa Bay for Tobias Myers in 2021. Caminero later became a star for the Rays, while Myers never pitched for Cleveland.

Tampa Bay Rays Cleveland Guardians

Assessment of trade

The Rays identified a talented young hitter and acquired him before he broke out.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti later called the deal a “bad trade.

Player evaluation

Rays vice president of player personnel Kevin Ibach said the team saw a “really talented hitter.

Cleveland traded Caminero for Myers, a prospect who never pitched for the Guardians.

Former Orioles pitchers face a rough day

The story describes a rough day for former Orioles pitchers. A photo shows Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Wells leaving the mound in Game 1 of the ALCS against Cleveland.

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.