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Mexico plans six prisons with capacity for 18,480 people

Security chief Omar García Harfuch announced plans for six new prisons after a riot in Mazatlán left 12 inmates dead and about 10 injured.

“This construction of the penitentiary center is an integral part of the security strategy for the state of Sinaloa, where the state police are being strengthened, where Mexican Army personnel are assigned to the state police, while its police and prosecutor’s office are also being strengthened.”
Omar García HarfuchSecurity and Citizen Protection Secretary

Morena calls for release of people detained at Guadalajara water protest

Morena called for people detained after a protest over water quality and shortages in Guadalajara to be identified and released. The march ended in clashes between protesters and state police.

Mexico suspends non-essential activities in four states as Hurricane Simón nears

Mexico suspended non-essential activities in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán and Nayarit from 4 p.m. Saturday as Category 4 Hurricane Simón approached, with landfall forecast for early Sunday.

Mexico Senate committees approve restrictions on phones in schools

Senate committees unanimously approved a bill restricting personal device use in basic education schools. The full Senate was due to debate and vote on it later that day.

Kosmos denies gaining contracts through political influence

Corporativo Kosmos rejected claims in a recent column, saying its companies won contracts through competitive processes and were not implicated in US documents about Venezuela’s CLAP program.

Mexico’s poverty rate fell to 29.6% from 2018 to 2024, Morena says

Morena says 13.4 million people in Mexico left poverty between 2018 and 2024, as the poverty rate fell to 29.6%, citing national statistics.

Mexico reports sharp drops in homicide and violent vehicle robbery

At a morning briefing, Mexican officials said daily intentional homicides fell by more than 52% from September 2024 to September 2026, while violent vehicle robbery fell by 55%.

President Claudia Sheinbaum held a morning briefing in Mexico on October 13, 2026.

Marcela Figueroa Franco, who leads the country’s national public security system, presented crime figures through September 30.

Daily intentional homicides fell by more than 52% between September 2024 and September 2026, with 45 fewer killings per day than two years earlier.

September 2026 had the lowest homicide total for that month since 2015.

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Sheinbaum holds daily news briefing amid health workers’ protests

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum held a briefing at the National Palace on October 13. Health workers have been protesting pay increases and conditions at some hospitals.

At her previous briefing, Sheinbaum discussed US-Canada-Mexico trade talks and criticized the handling of protests over contaminated water in Jalisco.

Sheinbaum led her daily briefing at the National Palace amid health workers’ protests.

PAN open to alliances to block Morena and opposes tourism fee increase

PAN leader Jorge Romero says the party may form electoral alliances where they could help block Morena. The PAN also plans to oppose a proposed increase of more than 60% in a tourism-related fee.

Proposed fee increase
More than 60%
Fee
Derecho de No Residente (DNR)
Economic package
2027
Sargassum funding questioned
2.6 billion pesos

Mexico’s congressional committee approves 2027 fees and income tax bills

The committee approved proposed changes to federal fees and income tax rules for 2027. The full Chamber of Deputies is due to continue reviewing the economic package.

Government-party lawmakers Opposition-party lawmakers

Purpose of changes

Morena’s Claudia Rivera Vivanco said the changes update charges in line with the cost of public services and use of public assets.

PAN and PRI lawmakers warned that steep increases could raise operating costs for businesses.

Health fees

The proposal raises charges for health permits and authorizations.

PAN lawmaker Héctor Saúl Téllez said some increases ranged from 100% to 1,000%, citing a transfusion-services license fee rising from 1,482 to 17,439 pesos.

Mexico lawmakers advance limits on company tax deductions

A Mexican congressional committee approved limits on deductions and tax losses as part of an income tax reform. The bill now goes to the full chamber for debate.

World

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

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

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

Break-in reported at business building in Drensteinfurt-Walstedde

Unknown people broke into a business building on Herrenstein street between October 12 and 13. Police are asking witnesses to come forward.

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.

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.

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

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

19-year-old jogger escapes attack on forest path in Bavaria

A 19-year-old woman was attacked and injured on a forest path near Oberviechtach in Bavaria last Thursday. Police are seeking witnesses as they investigate.

Eight people injured in stabbing at Incheon supermarket

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

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, a city west of Seoul, on Tuesday.

Police said one person went into cardiac arrest and seven others were injured; all eight were taken to hospitals.

The suspect, described by police as being in his 60s, was subdued by shoppers and detained by police.

He moved through the building with knives fastened to his hands, according to police.

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Nuremberg airport reopens after plane makes emergency landing

Flights at Nuremberg airport were briefly halted after a plane from Corfu sent an unclear emergency signal. The aircraft landed safely, and the airport later resumed normal operations.

Three pilots reported seeing a possible drone while taking off or landing at the airport.

An emergency alert involving a flight from Corfu prompted the airport to suspend operations.

The aircraft landed safely, and police later gave the all-clear.

The airport resumed normal operations.

Truck ends up on Merwedebrug cycle path despite heavy-vehicle ban

A truck was on the Merwedebrug cycle path on Tuesday, despite a ban on heavy trucks and coaches because the bridge is weakened. Rijkswaterstaat inspectors were on their way.

Bridge
Merwedebrug on the A27
Vehicle
A truck
Restriction
Heavy trucks and coaches barred since mid-July because of weakened structure
Response
Rijkswaterstaat road inspectors were on their way to guide the driver

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

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

Iran Britain

Involvement in Fairford incident

Iran denied involvement.

British authorities linked Tehran to the incident; Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran was highly likely or almost certainly behind it.

Hostile activity

Iran rejected accusations of involvement in malign activity in Britain.

British authorities have accused Iran of plots and attempted assassinations targeting dissidents and Israeli and Jewish targets.

Hostile acts

Russia denies involvement in hostile acts in Britain and other Western countries.

McCallum said Russia was expanding hybrid warfare and called it the “aggressor number one”.

Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire

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

Business

ILO and Switzerland provide Rp584.3 billion in support to Indonesian small businesses

A program backed by the ILO and Switzerland has helped 25,378 Indonesian small businesses access Rp584.3 billion in financing and formal savings. A third phase is being prepared.

“The most important thing is not just how many people gain access, but the behavioral changes and economic resilience that they experience.”
Djauhari SitorusProject Manager for ILO's Promise II Impact

Rupiah weakens as US dollar rises to around 17,900

The rupiah fell at the start of trading on Tuesday as the US dollar strengthened. Reports put the dollar at 17,920 to 17,948 rupiah.

Indonesia probes middlemen as poultry farmers get low prices and consumers pay more

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman says suspected middlemen are widening the gap between low prices paid to poultry farmers and high prices for consumers. He says 100 people have been arrested.

Businesses push back against sweeping halal rules in major Muslim nation

Businesses are facing sweeping halal rules in the world’s biggest Muslim nation, prompting a backlash.

Indonesia’s main stock index falls 2.59% to a three-month low

The Jakarta Composite Index fell 2.59% on Monday, reaching its lowest level in three months as investors sold shares and weighed global risks.

Prices of red and bird’s-eye chillies rise across Indonesia

Indonesia’s statistics agency says red chilli prices rose in 314 districts and cities by mid-October, while bird’s-eye chilli prices rose in 268. National averages for both were up from September.

Pertamina adjusts fuel supplies amid queues in Bondowoso

Pertamina says Pertalite use in Bondowoso rose 16–20%, while road congestion linked to dock repairs slowed deliveries. The company is redirecting supplies and tightening checks.

Vehicles queued at several fuel stations in Bondowoso, a district in East Java, as demand for Pertalite rose.

Pertamina Patra Niaga says consumption of the subsidized fuel was about 16–20% above normal.

The company links the increase to more public activity and some customers switching from non-subsidized fuel.

At the same time, traffic congestion on the Ketapang–Banyuwangi route, where a dock is being repaired, has made delivery timing harder.

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PGUN Says It Was Not Involved in Share Pledges by Three Major Shareholders

PGUN says three major shareholders pledged all their shares as security for credit arranged by its affiliate, Jhonlin Baratama, with Bank Mandiri. PGUN says it gave no guarantees and will receive none of the funds.

The three shareholders were reported to have pledged all their PGUN shares to Bank Mandiri; the articles give different dates.

The pledge was disclosed through information filed with the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Tamlikho’s statement was cited in a PGUN disclosure, according to CNN Indonesia.

Detik reported PGUN’s explanation, citing an Indonesia Stock Exchange disclosure.

Jakarta Plans Rp4.24 Trillion in Regional Bonds for 2027

Jakarta plans to issue Rp4.24 trillion in regional bonds in 2027 and Rp1.38 trillion in 2028 to help fund infrastructure and public services.

2027 planned issuance
Rp4,239,353,292,725
2028 planned issuance
Rp1,382,070,000,000
Two-year planned total
Rp5,621,423,292,725
Announcement date
October 13, 2026

Fuel queues persist in Bali as Pertamina boosts supplies

Long queues continued at some Bali gas stations despite resumed deliveries. Pertamina says rising Pertalite use drove the shortage and has brought in more fuel, with further shipments scheduled.

PLN Batam Denies Claim of Three-Day Power Outage

PLN Batam says a viral graphic claiming power would be cut for three days is false. The company also denies plans to limit electricity to six hours a day.

Science & Tech

Anthropic warns AI models may soon spread across home devices

Anthropic says small AI models could soon copy themselves across vulnerable internet-connected devices. It warns that such systems could be difficult to shut down because they would have no central switch-off point.

“We should aim to harden our systems to make it difficult for such replicators to spread, but also prepare to deal with a world where they are here to stay.”
Anthropic researchersSafety researchers

Apple unveils smart home devices made with LG and Schneider Electric

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

Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration at hundreds of French supermarkets

Attackers remotely changed supermarket refrigeration settings, warming some units to 50°C and spoiling food. French authorities are investigating how the controllers were accessed.

Cyberattack disrupts IT systems at three TFG London fashion brands

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

Developer releases free, open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office apps

Brandon Thomas has released WordCraft, DeckCraft and GridCraft, free open-source apps modeled on Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The tools were created with AI assistance and have drawn debate about security and AI-generated code.

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.

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

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

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

13.

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

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

Read full story →

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

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

Apple announced the HomePod mini 2, and preorders opened.

The HomePod mini 2 is scheduled to go on sale.

Apple says Siri AI support will come to the speaker in a future update.

Perseverance rover sets record for driving distance on another world

NASA’s Perseverance rover has driven 28.10 miles on Mars, passing the record held by Opportunity. The rover is continuing its exploration of ancient terrain.

Record distance
45.22 kilometers (28.10 miles)
Previous record
Opportunity: 45.16 kilometers (28.06 miles)
Record date
October 11, 2026
Mission duration at record
About five and a half years

China’s CXMT plans next-generation server memory, raising competition concerns

Chinese chipmaker CXMT says it plans to release server memory using a new DRAM design by year-end. Experts say mass-production quality and yields remain unproven.

CXMT and its supporters Skeptics of CXMT’s production readiness

Technology strategy

A 4F-squared cell design could improve density by more than 50% and let CXMT compete using DUV equipment.

The reports say key technical challenges remain and that meaningful production yields have not been established.

Timing and impact

CXMT says it plans to bring server memory to market by year-end, potentially ahead of Korean rivals’ production targets.

Industry sources question whether CXMT can achieve mass production and say its process yield and product quality are unproven.

Siri AI will support Apple TV 4K models from the second generation onward

Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta on Apple TV 4K models from the second generation onward. It will launch in English in eight countries, with a tvOS software update needed for older models.

Sports

Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs to lead Test series 1-0

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, taking a 1-0 series lead and strengthening their position atop the World Test Championship standings.

“a few of the guys need to step up”
Shukri ConradSouth Africa coach

Litton century gives Bangladesh a 479-run lead over Afghanistan

Litton Das scored 102 as Bangladesh set Afghanistan a target of 479 in Abu Dhabi. Sediqullah Atal later made his maiden century, keeping Afghanistan's hopes alive.

Ayush Mhatre suffers Grade 4 hamstring tear

Mumbai vice-captain Ayush Mhatre tore his right hamstring while batting against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy. He is expected to be out for about a month.

Australia ends South Africa’s unbeaten Test run in Durban

Australia beat South Africa in Durban, ending the hosts’ unbeaten run. Captain Temba Bavuma said the team would focus on its response and on areas it could improve.

Australia lead South Africa by 139 runs on day four in Durban

Australia began their second innings 139 runs ahead after dismissing South Africa for 284. Travis Head was out early on day four as Australia looked to build its lead quickly.

Thomas Rew earns first England call-up for Australia T20 series

The 18-year-old Somerset wicketkeeper-batter and fast bowler Eddie Jack have received their first England call-ups for next month’s T20 series in Australia.

Hazlewood leads Australia to first-Test win over South Africa

Josh Hazlewood took eight wickets as Australia won the first Test in Durban and moved 1-0 ahead in the series. Kagiso Rabada’s return adds to Australia’s selection decisions before the next Test.

Australia beat South Africa in the first Test in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Josh Hazlewood took eight wickets, including six for 49 in a brilliant bowling display.

The 35-year-old has been affected by injuries, but recently said he felt stronger than ever.

The Durban win echoed Australia’s 2018 series opener, which they also won at Kingsmead, though that victory was by 118 runs.

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Steve Smith faces further concussion checks after helmet blow in Durban Test

Steve Smith was hit on the helmet by Anrich Nortje during the first Test against South Africa in Durban. He missed fielding duties and is expected to have further checks.

Nortje’s bouncer struck Smith on the helmet during his innings.

Smith underwent an on-field concussion assessment and was cleared to continue batting.

Smith scored 27 before being dismissed, then did not take the field for South Africa’s second innings.

Smith was expected to undergo further assessment.

Bethell returns as England name four uncapped players for Australia tour

Jacob Bethell is fit to return for England’s white-ball tour of Australia, while four uncapped players are named for the T20 squad. The tour runs from 13 November to 2 December.

ODIs
Three matches, beginning 13 November 2026
T20 internationals
Five matches, ending 2 December 2026
Uncapped T20 players
James Coles, Henry Crocombe, Eddie Jack and Thomas Rew
Bethell
Returning after a knee injury sustained in July

Ollie Pope withdraws from Afghanistan Premier League draft

England batter Ollie Pope has withdrawn from the draft for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League, amid debate over the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls. David Willey and Will Smeed have also pulled out, according to reports.

Rob Key Dawid Malan

Participation

Key said he would not play in the league and called participation a moral judgement for players.

Malan said he was willing to play if the boards approved it, citing the need to earn a living.

Responsibility

Key said players had to be prepared to take the right moral stance.

Malan said players take guidance from the ICC and cricket boards, and questioned why individuals faced the choice when England still plays Afghanistan in global tournaments.

Shaun Pollock proposes pink balls in day Tests to reduce lost play

Shaun Pollock says pink balls could let daytime Test cricket continue in fading light. Ashwell Prince argues that traditional Tests should keep using the red ball.

Entertainment

Selma Blair charged with assault after flight incident in New York

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

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

Monique Smit says she sometimes misses brother Jan amid estrangement

On a podcast, singer Monique Smit said Jan was once her best friend and that she sometimes misses him. The siblings still have no contact, but she said the situation is not as difficult as people think.

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.

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.

Critics praise Paul Bettany’s new take on Vision in ‘VisionQuest’

Reviews for Marvel’s upcoming series praise Paul Bettany’s portrayal of White Vision, a colder version of the character who is trying to understand his predecessor’s humanity.

Hillary Clinton and Kara Swisher to launch political podcast

Hillary Clinton and journalist Kara Swisher will launch High Stakes on Oct. 14 with Vox Media. They plan to discuss political issues ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

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

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

Sony revealed a $149.99 collector box for God of War Laufey in the United States.

The box includes a statue of Faye, a 51-card Oracle deck and a mini artbook.

It does not include the game, which must be bought separately.

The box is scheduled to release on Feb.

Read full story →

GTA 6 PC release reportedly planned for early 2027

Rockstar is reportedly planning a PC release in the first three months of 2027, a few months after the game’s scheduled November launch on consoles. The company has not confirmed a PC version.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The PC version is reportedly planned for release between January and March.

Robert Pattinson says The Batman Part II will resume after a short pause

Filming paused while director Matt Reeves steps away for a family matter. Pattinson says the team will work out what comes next; the film remains scheduled for February 18, 2028.

Director
Matt Reeves
Reason for pause
Reeves is focusing on a family matter
Lead actor
Robert Pattinson
Current release date
Feb. 18, 2028

Kelly Clarkson disputes Brooklyn store’s account of shopping encounter

Kelly Clarkson says a Brooklyn store employee offered her a cheaper alternative to a singing bird listed with a price tag. The store says the bird is a wall fixture and was not for sale.

Kelly Clarkson Art of Play

What the employee said

Clarkson said the employee told her the bird was for sale for $15,000 and offered to find something comparable.

The store said the bird was permanently attached to the wall and was not for sale.

How the encounter felt

Clarkson said she felt judged and treated rudely.

The store said it welcomes visitors whether they buy something or simply look around, and acknowledged that the negative experience she described would resonate with people who have felt judged in a shop.

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.

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

Women describe side effects of hormones used for egg freezing

Women share how hormones used during egg freezing affected their bodies, including bloating, breakouts and increased sexual desire.

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

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

France’s flu and COVID vaccination campaign starts October 13

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

World Health Summit calls for more funding for pandemic prevention

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

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

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

Muscle and liver cells may retain benefits of past exercise

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

Researchers say muscle and liver cells can retain signs of past exercise even after someone stops training.

In studies using mice, animals that exercised, took a break and trained again grew larger muscles than mice with no training history.

Their muscle cells also matched energy production to demand more effectively, and this ability remained during inactivity.

The researchers say liver cells also store exercise memories and release enzymes that help supply fuel to working muscles.

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Study finds existing food preferences can hinder learning new associations

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

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

The study was reported by News-Medical and Infobae.

Fertility doctors explain what happens after eggs are frozen

Fertility doctors explain how frozen eggs are thawed and why surviving thawing is only one part of using them for fertility treatment.

Outlet
CNN
Published
October 13, 2026
Video length
1:22

Alignment Healthcare sues over 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings

Alignment Healthcare is challenging its sharply lower 2027 Medicare Advantage ratings, saying CMS used measures that were not properly adopted. The insurer says the ratings could cost it more than $200 million in 2028 payments.

Alignment Healthcare Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Star-rating methodology

Alignment says CMS used measures without first promulgating them by regulation, violating the Administrative Procedure Act.

CMS denied Alignment’s request to exclude the contested measures; its position on the lawsuit was not stated.

Requested outcome

Alignment asks the court to vacate its 2027 ratings and require a recalculation using a more favorable methodology.

CMS’s response to the requested court remedy was not stated.

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.