Explore

Jump to a category

Politics

Viral video does not show Mahfud MD becoming Indonesia’s attorney general

Fact-checkers found that a video claiming Mahfud MD was appointed attorney general reused footage of his 2025 appointment to a police reform committee. ST Burhanuddin remains attorney general.

“President Prabowo appoints Mahfud MD as attorney general”
TikTok account “JackyAccount that posted the video

Indonesia Permanently Bans Exports of Lobster Larvae

Indonesia has permanently banned lobster-larvae exports and will focus on raising lobsters at home. A new task force will target illegal shipments.

Jakarta Governor Holds Off on Ending Odd-Even Traffic Rule Until MRT Reaches Kota Tua

Pramono Anung says Jakarta’s odd-even traffic rule should stay in place until the MRT line reaches Kota Tua. The line is expected to reach Harmoni and Monas in 2027.

Prabowo orders stronger response to fires in Indonesia

President Prabowo chaired a meeting on forest and land fires, with about 639 hectares still being fought in six affected provinces. The focus is on Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra.

Indonesia Will Not Declare Forest Fires a National Disaster

President Prabowo's government says it can still manage the fires, with 639.23 hectares burning across six priority provinces. Discussions are ongoing about Malaysia's offer of firefighting help.

Groups Urge Indonesia’s PKB to Seek Inquiry Into Gibran’s Diploma

A civil society alliance asked PKB lawmakers to pursue a parliamentary inquiry into Vice President Gibran’s educational credentials after a Constitutional Court ruling. PKB says it will review the proposal.

Indonesia says 486 pieces of content were restricted during August riots

Indonesia’s communications ministry told the human rights commission it restricted 486 pieces of content during August’s riots, including a video of a man who later died after being beaten.

Indonesia’s communications ministry restricted 486 pieces of content during riots in August 2026, officials told the national human rights commission.

The commission is questioning ministry and Jakarta police officials about the unrest and possible limits on internet and social media access.

One removed video showed Bambang Setiawan being beaten on a street in Jakarta by an unidentified group.

Setiawan, a mirror vendor, later died while being taken to hospital.

Read full story →

Indonesian optimism about Prabowo government falls to 47.7%, survey finds

An SMRC survey found 47.7% of Indonesians think the country is heading in the right direction, down from 83% when President Prabowo took office in 2024.

Public sentiment that Indonesia was moving in the right direction stood at 83 percent when Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka were inaugurated.

Prabowo implemented budget cuts to fund priority programs, including free nutritious meals and Red and White village cooperatives.

SMRC conducted its national survey of 1,200 respondents.

The survey findings were reported, with optimism at 47.7 percent.

Indonesia Aims to Raise Revenue-to-GDP Ratio to 18% in Two to Three Years

Hashim Djojohadikusumo said Indonesia’s revenue-to-GDP ratio has stalled at about 12%. The government aims to raise it to 18% within two to three years.

Indonesia’s target
18% of GDP
Target timeframe
Two to three years
Cambodia’s revenue ratio
18% of GDP
Vietnam’s revenue ratio
23% of GDP

Indonesia warns of scams promising faster opening of MBG kitchens

The National Nutrition Agency says people posing as officials are asking prospective MBG kitchen partners for money in exchange for faster approval.

Indonesia Clarifies Roles of New Land Reform Agency and Land Ministry

Officials are defining the duties of Indonesia’s new National Agrarian Reform Agency to prevent overlap with the land ministry and improve coordination on land reform.

World

Putin urges CIS states to preserve Russian language and shared history

At a CIS summit in Turkmenistan, Vladimir Putin promoted Russian as a unifying language and backed efforts to preserve shared historical memory as Russia’s cultural influence faces pressure.

“a powerful unifying force throughout the vast space of the CIS”
Vladimir PutinRussian leader

Anantapur programme urges young people to prepare for disasters

A disaster preparedness programme at PVKK Engineering College in Anantapur urged young people to learn emergency response and included a fire safety drill.

Kazakhstan hosts first Open Asian Falconry Cup

Falconers from 10 countries competed in Kazakhstan’s first Open Asian Falconry Cup, part of a festival celebrating traditional hunting with birds of prey.

Canadian citizen detained in Tamil Nadu over boat purchase

Police detained a 48-year-old Canadian citizen of Sri Lankan origin in Nagapattinam district over his purchase of a fibre boat and an outboard motor.

Power bank fire diverts IndiGo flight from Delhi to Hyderabad

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai diverted to Hyderabad on Oct. 11 after a power bank caught fire in an overhead compartment. The plane landed safely, with no injuries reported.

Train derailment in Pakistan kills at least five and injures about 30

The Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab province, killing at least five people and injuring about 30. Rescue work is under way, and the cause is unknown.

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.

China opposed India's standardised names for 28 places in Ladakh on October 13, 2026.

The places are in the disputed western sector of the India-China border, where both countries claim territory.

India announced the names on October 2 and added the locations to its official map.

India says the move is intended to make maps and identification more precise and improve public awareness of the sensitive border region.

Read full story →

Indian Coast Guard seizes boat over suspected diesel smuggling off Mumbai

The Coast Guard seized a fishing boat and detained its seven crew members off Mumbai, after its captain said it had received about 4,000 litres of illicit diesel at sea.

Coast Guard ships detected the suspect boat near a merchant vessel and apprehended it after a pursuit.

A boarding team searched the boat and confiscated operational documents and six mobile phones.

The boat and crew were escorted to Mumbai Harbour, where a joint investigation was initiated.

Police investigate drugs and illegal racing in fatal Nedumbassery crash

Police are investigating whether a 19-year-old driver was under the influence of drugs and whether the car was racing when a crash in Nedumbassery killed three students.

Fatalities
Three students
Crash location
Nedumbassery, Kochi
Crash date
October 11
Driver
Suhail Sajeev, 19

India and China exchange claims over Ladakh after India names 28 locations

China opposed India’s standardised names for 28 places in Ladakh and reiterated its claim over the region. India said Ladakh is an integral part of the country.

China India

Claim over Ladakh

China said it does not recognise the Union Territory of Ladakh, which it described as unilaterally and illegally established.

India said Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

Naming locations

China strongly opposed India’s standardised names for 28 locations and geographical features.

India assigned standardised names to the locations on its official map to ensure accurate identification and improve public awareness.

Suspected hideout uncovered in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district

The Army and police found an AK-47, grenades and ammunition in a suspected hideout in Poonch. No one was arrested, and a separate search operation was under way in nearby districts.

Business

Chip stocks fall as investors weigh AI spending and Chinese competition

Chip shares fell across Asian markets after Broadcom CEO Hock Tan warned that some AI investors may not understand their bets and Chinese chipmaker CXMT reported progress on a new design.

“A lot of investors have no clue what they are investing in”
Hock TanBroadcom chief executive

Hyundai Green Food adds care support for employees’ older relatives

Hyundai Green Food has partnered with Careling to offer employees discounted home care, free hospital accompaniment and advice for caring for older family members.

APR shares slide on forecast for weaker-than-expected third-quarter profit

APR shares fell sharply in Seoul trading after an analyst forecast that its third-quarter operating profit would miss market expectations, despite revenue expected to meet them.

Shoe retailer Shoemarker joins Baemin’s shopping service

Shoemarker will begin selling shoes through Baemin’s shopping service on Oct. 14, starting with 30 stores in the Seoul metropolitan area. Baemin plans to expand the service to 50 stores by year-end.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics executive receives Industry Medal for MLCC work

Kim Wi-heon, who leads MLCC manufacturing technology at Samsung Electro-Mechanics, received an Industry Medal for work on core technologies and new products.

Lee Jae-yong’s Samsung Electronics stake rises to 1.75%

Lee Jae-yong’s stake in Samsung Electronics rose from 1.58% to 1.75%. The report gives conflicting details on whether the shares were bought or gifted by his mother.

South Korea to create 3 trillion won fund for overseas construction projects

South Korea plans a 3 trillion won fund to help companies win overseas construction work, with more support for projects that combine development, building and maintenance.

South Korea plans to create a 3 trillion won fund to help its companies win construction projects abroad.

Finance and Economy Minister Lee Hyoung-il announced the plan at a government meeting in Seoul on October 12.

The government wants to move beyond supporting individual projects and build joint investment partnerships with other countries and regions.

It also plans to encourage packages that cover development, construction and maintenance, linking overseas work with local economies.

Read full story →

South Korea’s early October exports hit a record, led by chips

South Korea exported $26.1 billion in goods in the first 10 days of October, up 102% from a year earlier. Chip exports rose 170.9% and made up 46.7% of the total.

South Korea exported $26.1 billion in goods, while imports totaled $22.3 billion.

South Korea’s Customs Service reported preliminary trade figures for Oct. 1–10.

Lotte to present mobility businesses at Japan trade event

Six Lotte companies will showcase mobility technologies and services at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026 in Chiba from Oct. 13 to 16, seeking global business partnerships.

Participating companies
6 Lotte affiliates
Event dates
October 13–16, 2026
Venue
Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Exhibition concept
L.MoVE

South Korea completes first Arctic container voyage to Europe and back

The PanStar Acro completed a 50-day round trip via the Arctic. South Korea plans further trials before aiming to start regular services by 2030.

South Korean government Opposition lawmaker Kang Seung-kyoo’s office

Commercial prospects

The government plans further trial voyages and aims to launch regular service by 2030, with economic viability expected around 2040.

Kang’s office said the voyage had yet to prove commercial viability, citing cargo figures and the lack of imports.

South Korea central bank chief apologizes over warnings on leveraged ETFs

Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song said the central bank failed to give enough warning about single-stock leveraged ETFs, which were linked to market volatility.

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.

Read full story →

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.

Read full story →

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

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

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.

IDFA to open with film following Myanmar resistance recruits

The 39th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam will open with “White Tiger Column,” following young recruits as they train with Myanmar’s resistance movement. The festival runs Nov. 12 to 22.

The Social Reckoning opens to $5.5 million, far below its predecessor

Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to The Social Network took in $5.5 million in its domestic opening weekend, against a reported production budget of about $30 million to $42 million.

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.

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.

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.

Thélyson Orélien denies that AI wrote any sentence of his novel, “C’était ça ou mourir.”

The Canadian-Haitian writer says he used tools for research but wrote the book himself.

He apologized and accepted responsibility for plagiarizing texts by established authors after moving to Canada.

He says he began writing the novel in Quebec in 2017 and finished a first draft in 2019.

Read full story →

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.

Wrestling Observer dated the attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to this day.

Caster performed an entrance rap referencing the Riyadh attacks before his match against Moose at Bound for Glory.

TNA announced Caster would no longer wrestle for the promotion and said it had removed the segment from replays and social media.

Raye manually reviews ticket sign-ups after 1.8 million apply for 5,000 seats

Raye says AI bots and scalpers overwhelmed sign-ups for her Royal Albert Hall show in London. Her team is manually selecting fans for presale access, with remaining tickets due to go on general sale.

Sign-ups
1.8 million
Venue capacity
5,000 seats
Venue
Royal Albert Hall, London
Show date
23 October 2026

Collin Gosselin alleges abuse by mother Kate ahead of memoir release

Collin Gosselin says his mother, Kate, physically and emotionally mistreated him as a child. His memoir, “In the Shadow of Eight,” is due out Oct. 13.

Collin Gosselin Kate Gosselin

Alleged treatment

Collin says his mother dragged him by the ear and mistreated him and his siblings.

Kate previously said reports of abuse were unfounded.

His placement in an institution

Collin says he was removed from the home and placed in an institution, with little contact with his family.

Kate said he was sent for treatment for educational and social challenges and that the decision was the best thing she could do for him.

Julianne Moore’s son Caleb Freundlich marries Kibriyaá Morgan

Caleb Freundlich and Kibriyaá Morgan have married after dating for nine years. His mother, actor Julianne Moore, shared the news on Instagram.

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.

Read full story →

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.