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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.

“The harm to the Ukrainians is real”
William TaylorFormer US ambassador to Ukraine and Atlantic Council senior fellow

Musk gives $276 million to Republican groups for 2026 midterms

Elon Musk has given at least $276 million to Republican groups since July, as the party seeks to keep control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

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.

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.

Supreme Court to hear DOGE’s bid to withhold internal documents

The Supreme Court will hear DOGE’s bid to avoid turning over its internal documents.

The Supreme Court will hear DOGE’s bid to avoid turning over internal documents.

DOGE is seeking to keep its internal documents from being handed over.

The dispute is about access to DOGE’s internal records.

The source does not provide details about the documents or the background to the dispute.

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GOP groups pull planned spending from two vulnerable House districts

Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and a House GOP super PAC are redirecting planned spending from districts held by Tom Kean and Marianette Miller-Meeks to other races. Recent polling has raised concerns about the incumbents’ chances.

Politico reported that MAGA Inc. was planning major spending changes in the final weeks before Election Day.

A source confirmed to Fox News that MAGA Inc. was reallocating planned spending from Kean’s and Miller-Meeks’ districts, while a source said the Congressional Leadership Fund was also pulling its money.

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.

Search date
Oct. 12, 2026
Location
Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington, D.C.
Investigating agency
Homeland Security Investigations
Investigation status
Ongoing federal criminal investigation

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.

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico says flu caused campaign absence

James Talarico said he missed campaign events while recovering from the flu. A mental health clinic in Ohio denied claims that he was treated there.

World

Business

Russian warehouse insurance costs surged as drone attack risks rose

The average warehouse insurance rate in Russia rose 13 to 20 times year over year in the third quarter of 2026. Drone attack risk accounted for more than 90% of premiums.

“In the third quarter of 2026, it already accounted for more than 90% of the premium”
Yevgeny UfimtsevPresident of the All-Russian Union of Insurers

What state contributions and withdrawals may look like under PDS in 2027

The story focuses on how much the state may add to PDS savings in 2027 and when people may be able to withdraw the money.

Russian court awards apartment owners 15 million rubles over defects

After the Supreme Court reviewed a case involving serious defects in a 2013 apartment purchase, a regional court awarded two owners 15,094,479 rubles.

Alfa-Bank buys 4.85% stake in Medsi clinic network from AFK Sistema

Alfa-Bank bought a 4.85% stake in the Medsi clinic network from AFK Sistema.

Tax debt collection can block or divert credit card payments in Russia

People in Russia say attempts to pay credit cards are being blocked or redirected to tax debts. The tax service says banks must follow the legal payment order.

Tax debts can divert payments meant for Russian credit cards

Some Russian credit-card holders find payments applied to tax debts first, potentially leaving their loans unpaid and their card operations restricted.

Investigation alleges Deloitte helped conceal Abramovich assets and avoid tax

Investigations based on leaked records allege that advisers to Roman Abramovich backdated documents to hide assets in Cyprus companies and reduce tax liabilities. Deloitte Cyprus signed off on some accounts.

Investigations say advisers to Roman Abramovich backdated documents to conceal assets and reduce tax bills.

The allegations involve the Russian billionaire’s Cyprus-based companies and Deloitte’s Cyprus office, which reviewed or signed off on some accounts.

Cyprus required companies to publish financial statements, so advisers allegedly made it appear that valuable assets and funds belonged to companies in the British Virgin Islands instead.

One company’s accounts showed about $672 million in assets before revised accounts listed just $75,000.

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Russia says diesel exports could return to pre-crisis levels by year-end

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak says Russia could export 3 million to 3.5 million metric tonnes of diesel a month by year-end, above the volumes Donald Trump announced.

Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, after which Russian diesel exports fell.

Trump announced that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets, and the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel.

Novak said Russia could increase diesel exports to 3.0-3.5 million metric tonnes per month by the end of the year.

Russia suspends sales of several Chinese truck models over safety violations

Russia’s Rosstandart halted sales of several truck and special-equipment models from JAC, Dongfeng, Foton and XCMG after finding they failed safety and environmental requirements.

Affected truck brands
JAC, Dongfeng, Foton and XCMG
JAC model
K7 tractor unit
Dongfeng model
DFRZ-35 light truck
Foton model
77N5BJ medium-duty truck

Alfa-Bank buys 4.85% stake in Russian clinic group Medsi

Alfa-Bank bought 4.85% of Medsi from Sistema as the clinic group prepares for a possible stock market listing. The deal price has not been disclosed.

Dmitry Sergeev, Veles Capital Leonid Delitsyn, Finam

Estimated deal value

Sergeev estimated the deal at 3.3–3.5 billion roubles.

Delitsyn said the price could reach 6 billion roubles.

Russian borrowers struggle to repay credit cards as labor shortage eases

A Banki.ru headline says Russians are struggling to repay credit cards, while a labor shortage is easing as more older people work.

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 vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

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.

Dutch organisations develop MyCheck digital identity wallet

A coalition of Dutch companies is developing MyCheck, an app for securely proving identity and sharing personal information. Users choose what details to share.

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.

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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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.

Anthropic released a report on the risks of autonomous AI replication.

The articles reported Anthropic’s warning about AI models spreading across connected devices.

Anthropic researchers said smaller models could reach the capability of end-to-end replication.

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

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.

Critics of the apps Supporters of the apps

AI-generated code

Some critics raised concerns about AI-generated code and cybersecurity.

Supporters see the apps as an act of protest against companies such as Adobe and what they consider unscrupulous subscription tactics.

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.

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.

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.

Steve Smith was struck on the helmet by a short-pitched ball from South African bowler Anrich Nortje during the first Test in Durban.

Smith had an on-field concussion assessment and was cleared to continue batting, later scoring 27 runs.

He did not take the field when South Africa began its second innings.

Australia said he would be assessed further, with another check expected within 24 hours.

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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.

Hazlewood took nine wickets against the West Indies in Adelaide, his previous highest match tally since then.

Hazlewood dismissed David Bedingham in Durban during his second-innings bowling spell.

Fox Cricket reported Australia’s win and its 1-0 series lead.

The second Test is scheduled to begin in Gqeberha.

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

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.

Keri Russell says she and Matthew Rhys had sex on ‘The Americans’ set

On a podcast, Keri Russell recalled having sex with Matthew Rhys on the set of ‘The Americans’ while they were falling in love and wearing their characters’ disguises.

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.

Former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton and journalist Kara Swisher are launching a political podcast called High Stakes.

The show is set to begin on Oct.

14 as an episode of Swisher’s New York magazine podcast, On With Kara Swisher.

It is being made with Vox Media.

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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.

Standard and digital deluxe editions of God of War Laufey went up for preorder.

Sony revealed the U.S. Collector Box after PlayStation Spain had posted it early.

The Collector Box is scheduled to release alongside the game.

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.

Reported PC window
First quarter of 2027
Console launch date
November 19, 2026
Announced console platforms
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
Report source
GamesBeat

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.

Dionne Warwick cancels New York benefit show over severe leg and foot pain

The 85-year-old singer says pain has left her unable to stand or walk. Her Brazil tour dates remain confirmed for now.

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

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.

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.

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.

Doctors plan aortic valve replacement with future procedures in mind

At a cardiology meeting in Milan, specialists said the first valve replacement should be planned around possible future procedures. New European guidelines lower the recommended age for TAVI to 70.

Annual TAVI procedures in Italy
More than 14,400
New guideline age
70, down from 75
Long-term planning horizon
20 or 30 years
Congress location
Milan

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.

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.