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Trump’s Russian diesel deal draws bipartisan criticism in Congress

Trump says he struck a deal with Putin to import Russian diesel to lower U.S. fuel prices. Lawmakers say it could support Russia’s war in Ukraine and violate U.S. law.

“The harm to the Ukrainians is real”
William Taylorformer U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and Atlantic Council senior fellow

Los Angeles moves to make some nitrous oxide sales a crime

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a ban on cannabis and tobacco retailers selling or distributing nitrous oxide. The mayor plans to sign it, and violations could bring jail time.

Katie Zacharia begins term as White House press secretary

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

Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel draws bipartisan criticism

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

Judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded ads promoting Trump

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

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

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

Federal agents search Ilhan Omar’s Washington home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musk gave more than $276 million to Republican groups.

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

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

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

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

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

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

US archbishop urges Catholic soldiers to avoid planned Hasan execution

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

Archbishop Timothy Broglio Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Purpose of public broadcast

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

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

Participation by Catholic service members

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

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

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

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

World

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.

“We plan to hold discussions including whether the existing rules are effectively functioning”
Toshimitsu MotegiJapanese foreign minister

Trump says he may meet Kim Jong Un during Asia trip in November

Donald Trump said he may meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a November trip to Asia, which includes a summit in China. No meeting has been confirmed.

Two men arrested over alleged bank card theft on flight to Singapore

Police arrested two Chinese nationals at Changi Airport after they allegedly took bank cards from two passengers’ bags during a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore.

Japan’s Yugama crater lake reopens after more than eight years

Visitors flocked to Yugama crater lake in eastern Japan after Kusatsu lifted access restrictions following a lower volcanic alert level. The area will close for winter after Nov. 8.

Eight injured in stabbing at supermarket in South Korea

A 59-year-old man was arrested after eight people were wounded at a Homeplus supermarket in Incheon. Police are investigating his motive.

Wildfire in Indonesia's Sumatra destroys nearly 300 homes

A wildfire in Bangka Belitung province destroyed nearly 300 homes and drove almost 1,000 people from their village. El Niño and strong winds helped fuel the blaze.

Chinese courts sentence three Myanmar crime group leaders to death

Courts in Fujian sentenced three leaders of crime groups operating in Myanmar to death. The case involved scam operations and the deaths of four Chinese citizens.

Two crime groups linked to the Wei family operated in Myanmar’s Kokang region, where they ran compounds and provided armed protection to criminal operations.

The groups and people working with them carried out telecom fraud and other crimes, including extortion and gambling.

Three defendants, including group leader Wei Huairen, were sentenced to death by courts in Fujian province in southeastern China.

The courts also sentenced three defendants to life in prison and 55 others to terms ranging from three years and three months to 24 years.

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Fire at plastic recycling plant in Nara; workers escape unharmed

A fire broke out at a waste-plastic recycling plant in Nara, Japan, on Oct. 13. Workers evacuated safely, and firefighters were still battling the blaze hours later.

A worker reported black smoke from the plant to the fire department.

Fire engines and other vehicles were still responding, and the fire had not been brought under control.

The fire was still intense, with no estimate for when it would be extinguished.

Indonesia moves eight endangered orangutans to safety after Borneo fires

Eight endangered orangutans were rescued from wildfires on the Indonesian island of Borneo and moved to safety.

Orangutans
8
Location
Borneo, Indonesia
Cause cited in headline
Fires

Indonesia's KPK Confirms Sting Operation at Disaster Agency

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission confirmed a sting operation at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency over suspected corruption. Details and the identities of those detained have not been disclosed.

KPK BNPB official

Operation at BNPB

KPK leaders confirmed that the commission conducted a sting operation at the agency.

An official denied any raid at the office from morning until noon.

Charges laid after infant found dead at Adelaide motel

An infant was found dead at the Tollgate Motel in Adelaide on Saturday. South Australia’s police minister says charges have been laid but has not disclosed who was charged or what the charges are.

Business

Rakuten TV plans audience measurement in Italy from 2027

Rakuten TV expects to begin measuring the audience for its channels in Italy in 2027, giving advertisers verifiable data. Its business services are also expanding into the US, Middle East and Japan.

Golden Goose and Disney Launch Mickey & Friends Collection and Store Tour

Golden Goose and Disney are launching Mickey & Friends sneakers, clothing and accessories on Oct. 13, with customization events planned at stores in several countries through early December.

BW ESS plans more than €1bn in battery projects in Italy

BW ESS has projects under construction in Italy and 1 GW of fully approved projects. The company says its Italian portfolio could attract more than €1bn in investment.

“In Italy, we currently have projects under construction for about 200 MW, with a capacity of 1.4 GWh. We also have an additional 1 GW of fully authorised plants, developed through strategic partnerships, with the aim of installing them by 2030: overall, this portfolio is expected to attract more than €1 billion in corporate investment in the coming years.”
Ivan NiosiBW ESS executive director

Italian door-to-door sellers value flexible hours, survey finds

A survey of about 8,500 Italian direct sellers found that nine in ten value work-life balance and control over their schedules. Most use digital tools, and many say they build lasting trust with customers.

IMF raises Italy’s 2026 growth forecast to 0.8%

The IMF raised its forecast for Italy’s economic growth in 2026 to 0.8%, up from 0.5% in its July update.

IMF forecasts Italy inflation at 3.3% in 2026

The IMF expects Italy’s average inflation rate to reach 3.3% in 2026, above the euro area’s 3.1%, before easing to 2.8% in 2027.

Alfa Romeo shows Cuorerosso concept as a possible design direction

Alfa Romeo has shown the Cuorerosso, a 2+2 coupé concept that may never reach production but signals a possible direction for the company’s designs.

Alfa Romeo has shown the Cuorerosso, a concept car.

It is a 2+2 coupé, a type of car with a 2+2 layout.

The name means “red heart” in Italian.

The concept car may never enter production.

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IMF warns global economy may be nearing its limit after a run of shocks

The IMF says the global economy has weathered recent shocks, supported by energy supply shifts and AI investment, but warns that further geopolitical disruption could strain it.

The global economy weathered an exceptional series of shocks, culminating in war in the Middle East.

ANSA published the IMF warning that economic resilience is under strain.

European stocks edge higher as Milan tech shares fall

European markets traded slightly higher, while technology shares fell in Milan. Investors also watched bank deal-making and luxury stocks after LVMH reported nine-month revenue.

IMF global GDP projection
3.1% growth this year
FTSE MIB
Cautiously higher
German inflation
3.3% year-on-year in September, up from 2.9% in August
Weak Milan tech shares
STMicroelectronics, Technoprobe and Prysmian

IMF raises Italy’s 2026 growth forecast to 0.8%

The IMF raised its forecast for Italy’s economic growth in 2026 from 0.5% to 0.8%.

ApritiModa will open 100 Italian fashion and craft sites to the public

The 10th ApritiModa event will open 100 fashion houses, workshops and craft sites across Italy on 24 and 25 October. Visitors can see where Italian fashion and craftsmanship are made.

Science & Tech

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.

“HomePod mini 2 brings together Siri AI, gorgeous new colors, and incredible audio”
Kaiann DranceApple's vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

Apple reportedly plans HomeView smart home hub for November

Apple is expected to unveil its Siri-focused HomeView display on October 13 and begin shipping it around mid-November. A new Apple TV and HomePod mini are also expected.

GitLab fixes maximum-severity flaw that could let attackers run server code

The flaw could let attackers run code on affected GitLab servers without logging in. GitLab urges users of self-managed systems to install patched versions.

Ledger links CryptoBilis wallet implants to confirmed crypto thefts

Ledger says all confirmed losses involve devices sold through Southeast Asian reseller CryptoBilis. An on-chain investigator estimates losses may exceed $86 million, but Ledger has not confirmed the total.

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.

Scientists call for stronger safeguards against AI hacking

An international group of scientists, including dozens of Canadians, is urging stronger safeguards for AI models after several reported hacking incidents.

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.

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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.

Apple unveiled the Apple Home Collection in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

Availability of the lineup is scheduled to begin.

Some accessories are expected to launch.

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.

Affected brands
Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles
Incident identified
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Stores
Remained open
Other UK brands
Inside Story and White Stuff were unaffected

Honeybee stingers keep pumping venom after detaching from the insect

Researchers at Macquarie University filmed detached honeybee stingers pumping venom into a gel that mimics skin. Their findings reveal how the stinger’s tiny valves and lancets keep the venom flowing.

Sony Announces Japan-Only Midnight Black PlayStation 5

Sony will release a matte-black PS5 Digital Edition in Japan on Nov. 19 for ¥55,000. Buyers will need a separate disc drive to play physical games.

Sports

Bills beat Rams 37-34 in overtime for Josh Allen’s first OT win

Buffalo beat Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime after Josh Allen led a late drive and Tyler Bass kicked the winning field goal. It was Allen’s first career overtime victory.

“Guys kept chipping away, defense kept going out there making plays, special teams was big tonight”
Josh AllenBills quarterback

Dolphins and Browns lead NFL teams relying on rookies

After five weeks, Miami had 14 first-year contributors, while Cleveland rookies had played 1,401 snaps. The Ravens, Giants and Chargers also ranked among the top five teams in rookie playing time.

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

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

Marvin Harrison Jr. trade to Houston becomes official after physical

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

Rams lose to Bills and look to reset before facing Cardinals

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

Penix says he hopes to play next week after rib injury

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

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

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

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

One list keeps the San Francisco 49ers at No.

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

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

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Jaguars left tackle Anton Harrison to have knee surgery

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

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

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

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

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

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw ejected after headbutting Seahawks player

Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter against Seattle after a late hit on quarterback Sam Darnold led to a sideline confrontation and a headbutt to Ernest Jones IV.

Suspension
One game without pay
Teams
San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks
Players involved
Dre Greenlaw and Ernest Jones IV
Game result
San Francisco won 32-29

Rams' limited investment in special teams faces renewed scrutiny

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

Two players ejected after opening-kickoff fight in London

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

Entertainment

RimWorld moves to its own engine, with faster performance and saves intact

Update 1.7 moves RimWorld from Unity to Ludeon Studios’ Waylith Engine. The studio says it runs two to four times faster, and existing saves and most mods still work.

“We’re announcing update 1.7, which moves RimWorld from Unity to the Waylith Engine, our own in-house engine built by Ludeon Studios.”
Ludeon StudiosRimWorld developer

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.

Ben Affleck says he spent three years playing StarCraft after becoming famous

Ben Affleck said on a podcast that he stayed home and played StarCraft for three years after becoming famous. He also described playing other games before and after that period.

Peak, the co-op climbing game, is rated for release on PS5

Peak, a climbing game made by Aggro Crab and Landfall Games, has received a PS5 age rating from the ESRB, pointing to a console release.

Marvel Tōkon reveals four Year One DLC fighters

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will add Phoenix Cyclops, Jane Foster as Thor, Venom and Jubilee, along with a new Klyntar stage. The additions are due from November 2026 through summer 2027.

Haunted Chocolatier will focus more on action than Stardew Valley

Creator Eric Barone says his next game will emphasize adventuring, equipment and combat while keeping its town-game feel. It has no release date.

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

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

God of War Laufey’s Collector’s Box will not include the game it is themed around.

The box contains a light-up statue, a 51-card deck and a mini art book.

The UK edition is priced at £130, while the US price has not yet been announced.

Buyers who want to play will need to purchase the game separately; the US price is not given.

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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.

Horii released The Portopia Serial Murder Case.

Horii shared his new game in a post on X.

Horii said he spent about this long making the game with AI.

Free browser game simulates lives shaped by chance and statistics

A free browser game called 80億分の1 lets players experience a simulated life in a randomly chosen country, using statistics from 141 countries. It has drawn attention on social media.

Statistical coverage
Data from 141 countries
Languages
Japanese, English and Korean
Price
Free to play in a browser
Initial development
About four hours from the first AI prompt to release of the initial version

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.

Planet Zoo 2 adds birds, fish and conservation, but menus frustrate

Planet Zoo 2 expands its zoo-management game with birds, fish and wildlife reserves, but its fiddly menus and constant management tasks make play frustrating.

Health

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.

“At the cellular level, you probably weren’t.”
ResearchersExercise physiologists

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.

Epilepsy Drug Shows Promise for Osteoarthritis in Early Tests

Yale researchers found that lacosamide reduced pain and supported cartilage repair in mouse tests and human cartilage cells. The drug still needs testing in people with osteoarthritis.

More than 20,000 people in Yakutia received remote health monitoring

Since the start of 2026, 20,051 people with chronic conditions in Yakutia have had their health monitored remotely using devices that send medical data to health workers.

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.

A 39-year-old woman in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has been reported as the state’s sixth measles-related death in less than two months.

The woman was unvaccinated and had underlying medical conditions, the county coroner’s office said.

The coroner’s spokesperson said the probable cause was an acute cardiac event that may have resulted from measles complications.

Pennsylvania has confirmed 1,136 measles cases and 219 hospitalizations, with two-thirds of cases in adults.

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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.

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.

Funding
€8 million
Duration
Next two years
Announced by
Orazio Schillaci
Event
Heatwaves and health – Summer 2026 report and future prospects

Exercise may improve mood and quality of life during menopause, study finds

A review of 12 trials involving more than 1,000 women found that aerobic exercise and activities such as yoga were linked to better mood or quality of life during menopause.

Asti healthy ageing project presented as European good practice

A health authority in Asti presented its Communit-Action project in Vilnius, where it was recognised as a European good practice for supporting healthy and active ageing.