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Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel draws bipartisan criticism

Trump says the U.S. will import Russian diesel to ease fuel prices. Lawmakers from both parties say the plan could help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine and may violate U.S. law.

“it’s illegal, immoral, wrong”
Angus KingU.S. senator from Maine

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.

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.

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.

Kansas Senator Pays Six-Year-Old Campaign Bakery Bill

Sen. Roger Marshall paid $1,300 to a Kansas bakery after its owner said his campaign had left a $678.75 bill unpaid since 2020. The bakery owner confirmed the payment.

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.

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.

Council vote
Unanimous approval
Penalty
Up to $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both
Ordinance sponsors
Imelda Padilla and Eunisses Hernandez
State legislation
SB 758 and SB 936

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.

Poll finds most Americans see Trump as profiting unethically or illegally

An AP-NORC poll found about six in 10 US adults believe Trump is illegally profiting from the presidency or acting unethically. Most also think he has prioritised personal and family business interests.

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

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.

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.

Court orders new hearing in case over passport error that stopped family’s Thailand trip

A passport error listing a child’s sex incorrectly stopped a Krasnodar family from travelling to Thailand. A court overturned earlier rulings and sent the compensation case back for a new hearing.

Hezbollah announces housing aid of up to $14,000 for displaced families

Hezbollah says it will pay eligible families whose homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable in the war with Israel up to $14,000 in Beirut and $12,000 elsewhere in Lebanon.

Polish foreign minister says a European army could form by 2030

Radosław Sikorski said a joint European force could be formed by 2030, possibly limited to the Baltic states and the eastern flank.

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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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.

MI5’s work countering state threats quadrupled.

Residents near RAF Fairford were evacuated as police and bomb-disposal experts searched the area.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran was highly likely or almost certainly behind the suspected Fairford plot.

Ken McCallum delivered his annual speech warning of growing state and technology-related threats.

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.

Vessel
DF Peak
Location
More than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion
Flag
Benin
EU sanctions status
Listed among the EU-sanctioned ships

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.

UK government Iranian government

Responsibility

Burnham said the incident was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.

Iran rejected any suggestion it was involved and called the accusation unfounded and malicious speculation.

Evidence

British authorities cited their assessment and said investigators found accelerants but no viable explosives in vans.

Iran called on Britain to present evidence supporting its allegations.

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

Japanese firms offer personalized bath products and training

Japanese companies are promoting tailored bath products made with regional ingredients, while a new online certification course teaches people about bathing culture.

“share the joy of bathing”
Tsutomu TanakaYuyaku brand overseer

Workplace expert offers advice on building better ties with junior colleagues

A workplace development expert explains why people may feel uneasy around junior colleagues and offers advice informed by the real-life experiences of Kishitaka no.

IMF raises Japan’s 2026 growth forecast to 0.7%

The IMF raised its forecast for Japan’s economic growth in 2026 to 0.7% and expects growth to stabilize next year.

Aeon's net profit nearly tripled as drugstore business performed well

Japanese retailer Aeon said its net profit for the six-month interim period was 13.3 billion yen, about three times the level a year earlier. Strong drugstore business helped drive the increase.

Aeon’s net profit triples to 13.3 billion yen in March-August period

Aeon reported net profit of 13.3 billion yen for March to August 2026, 3.3 times the year-earlier figure, as shopping malls and drugstores performed well.

Aeon’s first-half profit rises 1.7%, but second-quarter profit falls 23.5%

Aeon reported first-half recurring profit of ¥108.2 billion, up 1.7% from a year earlier. Profit in the three months to August fell 23.5%.

Japan’s 2026 rice harvest forecast to fall 1%

Japan’s 2026 rice harvest is projected to fall 1%. The forecast is relatively high despite concerns about prolonged rain in September.

Japan's 2026 rice harvest is projected to fall 1%.

The forecast is still described as relatively high.

The outlook comes amid concerns about prolonged rain in September.

Those concerns relate to the rain's possible impact on the harvest.

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Nissin to relaunch Black Pepper Crab Cup Noodles in Japan

Nissin Foods will launch its revamped Black Pepper Crab Cup Noodles nationwide in Japan on October 26, inspired by a Singapore crab dish.

Nissin launched Black Pepper Crab Cup Noodles.

Nissin announced the product’s return.

The product is scheduled to go on sale nationwide in Japan.

Japan-controlled tankers return to the Middle East after months away

Japan-controlled tankers have returned to the Middle East after months away, during more than seven months of conflict in the Persian Gulf.

Tankers
Japan-controlled
Return
Middle East
Conflict duration
More than seven months

Hyogo company offers plant-based alternative to Akashi octopus

A company in Hyogo Prefecture has begun offering a plant-based substitute for Akashi-brand octopus after its price rose sharply.

Japan has 1.55 million borrowers with three or more unsecured loans

At the end of fiscal 2025, 1.55 million people in Japan had three or more unsecured, unguaranteed loans from moneylenders, the highest number in 12 years.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Filippo Ganna joins Lidl-Trek on a three-season deal

The Italian rider will leave Ineos after eight years to join Lidl-Trek through 2029. He says he hopes to race the Classics and support the team in Grand Tours.

“I have big goals that I hope to achieve with Lidl-Trek, especially in the Classics; with the team we will have, nothing is impossible. Of course, Grand Tours remain an important goal, and I hope to support the team while also seeking my own opportunities.”
Filippo GannaItalian cyclist

Lakshya Sen loses to Chou Tien Chen in Denmark Open first round

India’s Lakshya Sen lost 18-21, 21-13, 15-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and exited the Denmark Open after a 63-minute match.

Jakob Schubert completes the first repeat of a 9c climbing route

The Austrian climber completed DNA in France, becoming the first person to repeat a route graded 9c, the highest level of climbing difficulty.

India recall Krishan Pathak for Asian Champions Trophy squad

India have recalled goalkeeper Krishan Pathak and kept most of their Asian Games gold-winning team for the Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab. Harmanpreet Singh will captain the 18-player squad.

Nick Blakey leaves Sydney Swans for North Melbourne after hotel scandal

North Melbourne secured defender Nick Blakey in a major trade with Sydney. Blakey apologised for his role in the Pullman Hotel incident, which led to club suspensions and a police investigation.

Niemann and Ancer reportedly set to leave LIV Golf in 2027

Joaquin Niemann and Abraham Ancer are reportedly planning to leave LIV Golf before its 2027 relaunch. Ancer is expected to pursue the DP World Tour; Niemann's destination is less certain.

Mikey Lewis left out of England’s World Cup opener against Tonga

England have left half-back Mikey Lewis out of their opening men’s World Cup team against Tonga in Perth. AJ Brimson starts at full-back, while Jack Welsby is on the bench.

England have left Mikey Lewis out of their men’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga in Perth.

The Hull KR half-back is one of three non-playing reserves, despite making England’s tournament squad ahead of 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor.

Harry Smith will partner captain George Williams in the halves.

AJ Brimson was chosen at full-back ahead of Jack Welsby, who is on the bench.

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Final Demand disqualified after positive test; Mullins fined

Final Demand was disqualified from second place in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham after testing positive for mepivacaine. Trainer Willie Mullins was fined £1,100.

Final Demand finished second in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Final Demand tested positive for mepivacaine, and an investigation examined the failed test and missing CCTV footage.

Reports said Final Demand had been disqualified and Mullins fined £1,100; Cheltenham was fined £5,000 for the CCTV rule breach.

Safiya Al Sayegh ends professional cycling career for religious reasons

The UAE rider, who was the women's peloton's only hijabi cyclist, has retired at 25. She said continuing felt wrong because of her religious beliefs.

Age
25
Professional debut
Joined UAE Team ADQ in 2022
National titles
Multiple titles in the UAE
Continental championships
Finished on the podium at the Asian Continental Championships

Softer autumn golf courses can help players score better

As UK courses soften after a dry summer, more receptive greens and fairways may give golfers better scoring chances, according to the writer.

Shorter hitters The article’s author

Distance off the tee

Shorter hitters may say they lose the advantage of extra distance from firm summer fairways.

The author argues that finding fairways is just as beneficial as gaining 10 or 20 yards of run.

Flyers place Helge Grans on waivers as Maple Leafs face a defensive gap

Philadelphia placed defenseman Helge Grans on waivers after one game this season. Toronto could consider him while Chris Tanev is injured, but no move has been announced.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

No Man’s Sky is coming to iPhone and iPad on October 28

Hello Games is bringing the full No Man’s Sky game, with its updates, to iPhone and iPad. The mobile version will be free to try and will not include multiplayer or settlements at launch.

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.