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Xi sets priorities for China’s health system at national conference

Xi Jinping called for stronger disease prevention, medical services and health care coverage, saying China must make decisive progress toward its Healthy China goal during the 2026–2030 period.

“Prevention is the most economical and effective health strategy”
Xi JinpingChinese president and Communist Party general secretary

China’s health sector received 245.4 billion yuan in tax and fee relief

China says tax and fee policies cut costs for health and care services by 245.4 billion yuan from January to August 2026. Health equipment manufacturing and health services sales also grew.

China expands health services and sets 2035 goal for a healthy nation

China has expanded health care and prevention programs as part of its Healthy China strategy, with a national goal of building a healthy China by 2035.

China plans to recruit 35,700 civil servants for 2027

Online applications open from October 14 to 24 for central government agencies and their directly affiliated institutions. The written exam is scheduled for November 29.

China sets tougher protection plans for major archaeological sites

A national meeting in Zhengzhou set priorities for protecting major archaeological sites, including stronger monitoring and possible removal of poorly managed national archaeological parks.

China proposes faster export process for some civil aviation parts

China’s Commerce Ministry is seeking public feedback on draft rules that would let eligible aviation businesses register some exports and obtain an export document without applying for a licence for each shipment.

Beijing forum examines digital approaches to urban governance

More than 3,200 participants from over 70 countries and regions gathered in Beijing to discuss modern urban governance and the city’s system for handling public complaints.

The 2026 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints opened in Beijing on Monday for a two-day event.

More than 3,200 participants from over 70 countries and regions are taking part.

The forum’s theme is using digital tools to build a people-focused city.

Beijing began its public-complaints initiative in 2019 to respond to residents’ concerns and everyday problems.

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China updates its mineral resources catalogue with 174 mineral types

China has issued a new catalogue covering 174 mineral types and 119 subtypes, updating a classification system in place since 1994. It is intended to support resource management and planning.

China issued and implemented the previous mineral resources classification details.

China’s new Mineral Resources Law took effect, establishing special protection for strategic mineral resources.

The implementing regulations for the Mineral Resources Law took effect.

China published the updated Mineral Resources Catalogue.

China publishes 29 examples of redeveloping underused land

China’s Ministry of Natural Resources published 29 cases from 19 provincial-level regions showing ways to reuse idle and inefficiently used land. It plans to publish a new set of cases each year during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Number of cases
29
Categories
6
Geographic coverage
19 provincial-level regions
Publisher
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources

Former Central South University president charged with bribery

Prosecutors in Anqing, Anhui, have charged Zhang Yaoxue with taking bribes while holding senior education and university posts. The case will be heard by the Anqing Intermediate People’s Court.

Headline describes a red ribbon creating a striking new scene

The headline refers to a “red ribbon” and a striking new scene, but the published text gives no details about what happened or where.

World

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.

“I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC),”
Andy BurnhamUK prime minister

Israel turns back Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight over Indonesian pilot

Israel denied a cargo flight from Addis Ababa permission to land because one pilot was Indonesian. The plane returned to Ethiopia, changed pilots and later landed in Tel Aviv.

Singapore advises citizens to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia

Singapore’s foreign ministry advised citizens to postpone all travel to Saudi Arabia after missile and drone attacks hit airports and other infrastructure. It urged those already there to avoid high-risk areas.

Iran warns it could target Gulf data centres and internet cables

Iran’s security chief warned that regional data centres, cables and AI facilities could be attacked if war with the US resumes. Key internet routes run through areas affected by fighting.

Pakistan pledges support to Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi attacks

After Houthi attacks killed at least 13 people in Riyadh, Pakistan pledged to support Saudi Arabia under their defence agreements. Pakistani jets and a Chinese-made air-defence system are reportedly deployed there.

Egypt’s Baha’i community faces a shortage of burial space

Cairo’s last remaining cemetery for Egypt’s Baha’i community is nearly full, while requests for burial grounds in other cities have been rejected, according to community members.

Hezbollah to offer up to $14,000 to Lebanese families with destroyed homes

Hezbollah says it will pay eligible Lebanese families whose primary homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable in the war with Israel, with payments spread over a year.

Hezbollah will provide financial aid to families with damaged homes in Lebanon after this year's war with Israel.

The group's plan comes after Israeli bombardment and invasion displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Families must have used the affected property as their main home and must not own a second home.

Eligible families will receive up to $14,000, with different amounts for Beirut and its southern suburbs and for other areas.

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Houthis threaten response to any attack on Sanaa after coalition warning

The Houthis warned of a “painful” response if Sanaa is attacked. The warning came as Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones headed for Riyadh.

The latest conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis began after the rebels seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

A Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300.

Trump said the Houthis were “misbehaving very badly.

The coalition warned civilians to evacuate a site in Sanaa, and the Houthis threatened a response to any Saudi attack.

Saudi Arabia reports new missile and drone threats as Riyadh airport stays shut

Saudi Arabia reported new incoming drones and missiles on Monday after deadly Houthi attacks. King Khalid International Airport remains closed while authorities check its safety.

Airport
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Deaths
At least 18 in strikes on the airport last week, according to The Hindu
Saturday toll
13 killed in the October 10 attack, according to The Hindu
Reopening date
Not specified by the General Authority of Civil Aviation

Yemeni forces report advances in Marib as fighting kills civilians in Taiz

Yemeni government forces say they have taken positions in Marib, while Houthi shelling and clashes in Taiz have caused dozens of civilian casualties.

Yemeni government forces Houthi forces

Territory

The government says its operation aims to retake all remaining Houthi-held territory, including Sanaa.

The Houthis have held Sanaa since 2014 and made gains along the Red Sea coast in September.

Fighting

Government forces say they have advanced in Marib and are repelling Houthi attacks in Taiz.

Houthi forces have fought government troops in Marib and Taiz and shelled residential neighbourhoods in Taiz, according to the report.

Missile attack on Riyadh airport kills 12 and injures more than 300

A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured more than 300. Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels and vowed a response.

Business

IMF forecasts Saudi economy to grow 7.9% in 2027

The IMF expects Saudi Arabia’s economy to contract 3.3% in 2026, then grow 7.9% in 2027 as energy production and trade recover.

“Saudi Arabia is somewhat less affected, as an economy with more diversified export routes, with a projected contraction of 3.3 percent in 2026 and growth of 7.9 percent in 2027”
IMF reportInternational Monetary Fund report

Saudi Aramco targets 80% growth in gas sales by 2030

Saudi Aramco aims to increase gas sales by up to 80% by 2030, compared with 2021 levels. The company says it expanded its gas operations and opened six to seven processing plants and facilities between 2025 and 2027.

Saudi Arabia sets anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminum can lids

Saudi Arabia will impose anti-dumping duties of 15.8% to 38.7% on imports of certain Chinese aluminum beverage-can lids for five years.

Saudi energy ministry pavilion traces oil history and future in nine sections

At the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry is presenting a nine-section exhibit on the country’s oil history, energy products and sustainability efforts.

Delta delays Atlanta–Riyadh flights until March 2027 after airport attacks

Delta postponed its planned Oct. 23 launch of nonstop flights between Atlanta and Riyadh after deadly attacks and aviation safety warnings. The airline says it expects to begin service in March 2027.

Saudi Arabia says foreign investment in emerging sectors rose 162%

Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif said foreign direct investment in emerging economic sectors rose 162% over five years. He said Saudi Arabia will now focus on investment quality and productivity.

Saudi Cultural Fund support reaches 2.5 billion riyals

The Saudi Cultural Fund says it provided 2.5 billion riyals to cultural projects and activities from its 2021 launch through the third quarter of 2026.

The Saudi Cultural Fund has provided 2.5 billion riyals to cultural projects and activities since it was established in 2021, through the end of the third quarter of 2026.

The support involves cultural projects across Saudi Arabia, with the private sector contributing about 1.6 billion riyals, or 64% of the total, and the fund contributing 904 million riyals.

The fund says supported projects are expected to add 5.3 billion riyals to GDP and create more than 13,800 jobs.

These are estimates of the projects’ expected impact, not reported results.

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Saudi mortgage refinancing firm issues locally rated mortgage-backed securities

The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company issued its second residential mortgage-backed securities deal, supported by a 420 million riyal portfolio and rated by Moody’s and Fitch.

SRC launched its first residential mortgage-backed securities issue, establishing a local securitization model.

Al Eqtisadiah reported that SRC had launched its second issue, with local-scale ratings from Fitch and Moody’s.

ACWA chairman says AI offers opportunity despite challenges

ACWA chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said AI and other fast-changing technologies bring challenges and opportunities, and predicted solar technology efficiency will exceed 30% within two and a half years.

Solar technology efficiency forecast
More than 30% within two and a half years
Saudi electricity target
Half of electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030
ACWA’s Chinese projects
More than one gigawatt of capacity
Chinese wind acquisition agreements
One operating 250-megawatt site and four projects under construction totalling 1,000 megawatts

IMF sees Saudi Arabia leading G20 growth in 2027

The IMF expects Saudi Arabia’s economy to contract 3.3% in 2026, then grow 7.9% in 2027, the fastest rate among G20 economies.

International Monetary Fund Saudi Finance Ministry

2027 growth forecast

The IMF projects growth of 7.9%.

The ministry forecasts growth of 12.8%.

Saudi Arabia plans to raise East-West Pipeline capacity to 10 million barrels a day

Saudi Arabia is considering upgrades to its East-West Pipeline to raise capacity to about 10 million barrels a day. The pipeline offers an alternative route for crude exports to the Red Sea.

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

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.

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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.

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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.