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Saudi Arabia warns of penalties for helping border security violators

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry says people who help border security violators can face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to one million riyals.

“anyone who facilitates the entry of violators of the border security system into the Kingdom, or transports them within it, or provides them with shelter, or offers them any assistance or service in any form, exposes themselves to penalties”
Ministry of InteriorSaudi government department

Tamakkun is aimed at social security beneficiaries, orphans and people with disabilities

A headline identifies social security beneficiaries, orphans and people with disabilities as groups served by Tamakkun; no further details are provided.

Faisal bin Salman says leadership support boosts national library projects

Faisal bin Salman said leadership support strengthens the King Fahd National Library’s cultural and knowledge projects.

Saudi Civil Defense promotes 1,036 personnel

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense has promoted 1,036 personnel to the next ranks across various specializations, following a directive from the interior minister.

Saudi minister says kingdom is stronger against Houthi threat as Riyadh speeds projects

Saudi Arabia’s information minister said the kingdom was more united in confronting the Houthi threat and that Riyadh was accelerating major development projects.

Teaching master’s applications close Tuesday for new graduates

The National Institute for Professional and Educational Development is closing applications for its teaching master’s program on Tuesday. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree and at least a very good grade.

Saudi commerce minister appoints nine members to Makkah chamber board

Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi appointed nine members to the Makkah Chamber of Commerce board for a four-year term starting Oct. 24.

Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi has appointed nine members to the board of the Chamber of Commerce in the Makkah region.

The appointments cover the board’s next four-year term, which starts on Oct.

24, 2026.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel, the chamber’s current chairman, is among the appointees.

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Saudi minister says daily life is normal as security readiness rises

Saudi Media Minister Salman Al-Dosari said the country is preparing for different scenarios while daily life continues normally. He urged people to rely on official information about security operations.

More than 63,000 Saudi families acquired their first homes, according to Al-Dosari.

Saudi trains carried more than 38 million passengers, according to Al-Dosari.

Okaz reported Al-Dosari’s remarks at a government press conference.

Women’s share of Saudi Arabia’s workforce rises to 37%

Saudi Arabia’s minister of human resources said women’s share of the labor market has risen to 37%.

Reported share
37%
Attributed speaker
Minister of Human Resources
Outlet
Al Madina
Publication date
October 13, 2026

Saudi court upholds ruling against salary deduction for visually impaired employee

A court in Saudi Arabia upheld a ruling overturning an employer’s salary deduction from a visually impaired employee who could not use a fingerprint attendance scanner.

Employee Employer

Attendance registration

The employee said he attended work regularly and fulfilled his duties, but his visual impairment made repeated trips to the fingerprint scanner difficult.

The employer attributed the deduction to his failure to register attendance through the fingerprint system.

Salary deduction

The employee asked the court to overturn the deduction.

The employer deducted money from his salary because he did not register through the system.

Saudi court cancels salary deductions from visually impaired employee

A court in Medina cancelled salary deductions imposed on a visually impaired employee over missing fingerprint records, finding that he attended work and performed his duties. An appeals court upheld the ruling.

World

Emergency response for Christa Pike delayed by confusion after failed execution

911 recordings show more than half an hour passed before Tennessee prison officials confirmed a call for medical help after Christa Pike survived a lethal injection attempt.

“Per supervisors here at the DEC (Department of Emergency Communications) we have been informed it is a false call”
DispatcherDepartment of Emergency Communications dispatcher

Carney says U.S.-Russia diesel deal undermines efforts to end Ukraine war

Mark Carney told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a new Russian diesel supply deal with the U.S. would give Russia revenue and work against efforts to end the war.

More Canadian snowbirds are choosing destinations outside the U.S

Canadian retirees are swapping winter stays in Florida for places including Mexico and the Caribbean, citing safety concerns, costs and the weak Canadian dollar.

Coroner's inquest to examine death of Toronto woman who fell from balcony

A coroner's inquest is set to begin examining the death of a Toronto woman who fell from a balcony.

Inquest opens into Toronto woman’s 2020 death during police response

A 14-day coroner’s inquest is examining how Regis Korchinski-Paquet died after falling from a Toronto apartment balcony while police were in her home in 2020.

A timeline of key events in the Regis Korchinski-Paquet case

The story is about key events in the Regis Korchinski-Paquet case, but the available text does not describe those events.

Durham police warn of online group coercing children into harmful acts

Durham Regional Police say an online network called “The Com” is targeting young people and coercing some into harmful or criminal activities. They urge adults to talk with children and report safety concerns.

Durham Regional Police warn of threats linked to an online network they call “The Com,” also known as the Community.

The group’s primary targets are children and youth aged 8 to 17, contacted through platforms including Discord, Telegram, Snapchat, Roblox and Minecraft.

Police say the predators use friendship, romance, fear or threats to manipulate young people and keep them silent.

Some victims are pressured into hoax emergency calls, online attacks or other harmful acts, including self-harm or violence toward others.

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Duane Davis faces life sentence for Tupac Shakur murder

Duane Davis, convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, was due to be sentenced in Las Vegas. He faces life in prison without parole and says he will appeal.

Shakur and members of his entourage were involved in a casino brawl at the MGM Grand.

Shakur was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas and died in hospital six days later.

Davis was arrested in connection with Shakur’s killing.

Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder.

Davis was scheduled to be sentenced in a Las Vegas courtroom.

Composer Don Spike says he won 50,000 won in lottery

South Korean composer Don Spike posted that he matched four lottery numbers and won 50,000 won. He recently opened a restaurant in Gyeongju after serving a prison sentence for drug offences.

Lottery prize
50,000 won
Numbers matched
4
Social media post
October 11
Finalized sentence
2 years in prison

Navi Pillay urges US to defend human rights amid ICC sanctions

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay urged the United States to resume its role as a defender of human rights. She also voiced support for the International Criminal Court after the US announced sanctions against it.

Navi Pillay US government

Role of the ICC

Pillay expressed solidarity with the court’s work promoting international criminal justice.

The US has imposed sanctions targeting the ICC and says it will not allow the court to prosecute Americans.

US leadership

Pillay urged the US to return to a role as a defender of human rights and a liberator for the rest of the world.

Rubio called the ICC a “rogue court.

Man arrested after handing himself in over death of Jayda Allen Bonner

Jayda Allen Bonner, 21, was found dead in a Carlton apartment. A 31-year-old man who knew her has been arrested, and police are investigating.

Business

JP Morgan raises Apple price target to $360 despite iPhone demand concerns

JP Morgan raised its Apple price target from $340 to $360, saying reported iPhone 18 Pro production cuts may reflect normal adjustments. It expects the iPhone Duo to help offset a delayed base-model launch.

“there is nothing beyond the typical production adjustments Apple makes every year.”
JP Morgan analystsAnalysts

Warner Music sues Ray-Ban owner over alleged use of its music in ads

Warner Music Group sued Luxottica and affiliated companies, alleging they used at least 427 Warner works in social media marketing without licenses or payment.

Apple reportedly cuts iPhone 18 Pro parts orders amid weaker demand

Apple has reportedly asked suppliers to reduce parts production for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. One account puts October order cuts at 15% to 20%.

Mike Tomlin shares a 12-year Minecraft city project

The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach has launched a YouTube channel to show a sprawling city he built in Minecraft over 12 years.

Sushi-Con 2026 draws crowds to New York expo

More than 60 companies took part in Sushi-Con 2026 in New York, where visitors sampled Japanese foods and watched a bluefin tuna-cutting show.

AI Cited in Nearly 192,000 US Job Cuts Since 2023

Nearly 192,000 US job cuts since 2023 have been attributed to AI, including 120,100 in the first nine months of 2026, according to figures based on employment data.

Xbox CEO reportedly says new game ideas are vital to the company’s future

Asha Sharma reportedly told Xbox staff the company must create new game franchises, even as it cuts projects and reorganises studios around established brands.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly told staff the company needs new game ideas to survive.

She made the comments at an internal town hall last week, according to a transcript cited by Windows Central.

Sharma said Xbox must build lasting new franchises as well as support its best-known games.

Her remarks come as Microsoft reorganises its gaming division around established brands such as Fallout and other major series.

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Poll finds most Americans think Trump is profiting from presidency

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say Donald Trump is illegally profiting from the presidency or acting unethically, an AP-NORC poll found. The White House rejects the accusations.

Trump returned to the White House, according to the article.

Trump family businesses rapidly expanded their real estate empire and entered cryptocurrency ventures.

Voice of Alexandria published the article reporting the AP-NORC poll results.

Kalshi traders expect US inflation to stay high after a likely 2026 peak

Kalshi traders expect US inflation to remain elevated, with September CPI forecast at 3.6% year over year. They see limited odds of new highs this year.

September CPI forecast
3.6% year over year
August CPI increase
3.4% year over year
May 2026 inflation peak
4.2% year over year
Chance of a 2026 inflation high
Just under one in three

Starbucks denies plans to buy Chipotle

Starbucks said it is not planning to buy Chipotle, contradicting a Financial Times report that it had been working on a possible offer. Starbucks shares rose after the denial, while Chipotle shares fell.

Starbucks Financial Times report

Takeover plans

Starbucks said it was not buying Chipotle.

The Financial Times reported that Starbucks had worked on a takeover offer.

IMF sees US inflation rising in 2026 before easing in 2027

The IMF forecasts US inflation at 3.6% in 2026 and 2.8% in 2027, with underlying inflation not returning to its 2% target until mid-2028.

Science & Tech

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.

“We should aim to harden our systems to make it difficult for such replicators to spread, but also prepare to deal with a world where they are here to stay.”
Anthropic researchersSafety researchers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Apple announced the HomePod mini 2, and preorders opened.

The HomePod mini 2 is scheduled to go on sale.

Apple says Siri AI support will come to the speaker in a future update.

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

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.

Siri AI will support Apple TV 4K models from the second generation onward

Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta on Apple TV 4K models from the second generation onward. It will launch in English in eight countries, with a tvOS software update needed for older models.

Sports

Rams tackle Alaric Jackson punches Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb after OT loss

After Buffalo beat Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime, Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson punched Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb during a postgame exchange at midfield.

“It's just emotions, you know what I mean? Emotional game. It was a close game,”
Bradley ChubbBills linebacker

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.

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.

Jordan Love and Drake Maye rise in Week 6 fantasy projections

Jordan Love and Drake Maye move up in Week 6 fantasy football projections, while several players lose ground. Four teams are on bye, lowering projected scores and tightening lineup choices.

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.

NFL playoff projections shift after the season’s first five weeks

Early projections put the Patriots and 49ers among the stronger playoff contenders, while the Cowboys and Chargers face weaker odds. The 14-team postseason begins in January.

Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson expected to miss weeks with ankle sprain

Henderson has a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks, but he does not need surgery. He was injured in New England’s win over the Raiders.

Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson has a high-ankle sprain after leaving New England’s win over the Raiders with an ankle injury.

A high-ankle sprain affects the ligaments above the ankle and can take time to heal.

He is expected to miss multiple weeks, but does not need surgery.

Henderson had 42 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown in four appearances this season.

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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.

Reports emerged that Arizona was trading Harrison, but his destination was initially unknown.

Houston beat the Tennessee Titans 26-3, and head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the trade after the game.

Harrison passed his Texans physical, making the trade official.

Bills beat Rams 37-34 in overtime as Josh Allen earns first OT win

Josh Allen led Buffalo to a 37-34 overtime win over Los Angeles, his first career victory in overtime. The Bills improved to 4-1, while the Rams fell to 2-3.

Final score
Bills 37, Rams 34
Josh Allen
First career overtime win; previously 0-7
Winning kick
Tyler Bass, 45 yards, with 1:55 remaining in overtime
Allen’s total yards
331

Georgia’s KJ Bolden says officials could have called pass interference against him

Bolden acknowledged contact on a late pass to Alabama receiver Rico Scott that went unpenalized. Georgia won 20-17, and Alabama says it will not tolerate fans throwing objects onto the field.

KJ Bolden Kalen DeBoer

Pass interference call

Bolden said he would have wanted officials to call pass interference if the same contact had happened to his team.

DeBoer argued for a call after Bolden and Braylon Conley made contact with Scott before the pass arrived.

Josh Allen retakes lead in NFL MVP betting odds

Josh Allen is back as the betting favorite for NFL MVP after a strong Monday night performance, with Brock Purdy close behind. Denzel Boston is now favored for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Entertainment

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.

“within the first three months”
Industry sourcesSources familiar with Rockstar’s plans

Yujiro Hanma teased as a new Tekken 8 DLC fighter

Bandai Namco has shown a brief preview of Baki character Yujiro Hanma in Tekken 8. His release date has not been announced.

USC Names Epic Universe Creative Executive Steve Tatham Program Director

Steve Tatham, who led creative work on Universal’s Epic Universe, will direct USC’s Themed Entertainment Program and join its faculty.

Gears of War: E-Day tops Xbox digital stores in several countries

Gears of War: E-Day reached No. 1 on Xbox digital stores in the US, UK and other countries. Estimates put its sales at 230,000 copies across Xbox and Steam.

Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School arrives on PS5 on 5 November

Publisher iam8bit Presents and developer Coin Crew Games will release the puzzle game Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School on PS5 on 5 November 2026.

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.

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.

RimWorld is moving from Unity to Waylith, an engine built by its developer, Ludeon Studios.

The change is part of update 1.7, which the studio says keeps the game looking and playing the same.

Ludeon says performance improved by two to four times in its tests, including faster loading and gameplay.

Existing saves and most community mods still work with the new version, and saves can also be used again in version 1.6.

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GTA 6 leaker threatens full-game release if meme coin reaches $30 million

Anonymous leaker CyberLeek says it will release an alleged playable version of GTA 6 if its Solana meme coin reaches a $30 million market value. The build has not been verified.

CyberLeek shared leaked GTA 6 gameplay footage; reports describe it as 24 or 25 minutes long.

Tom's Hardware reported CyberLeek’s ultimatum to Take-Two and Rockstar.

GamesIndustry.biz and other outlets reported the threat to release the alleged build if the coin’s market capitalization reaches $30 million.

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.

Creator
Yuji Horii
Game
Komiya in the Interrogation Room
Creation time
About 30 minutes
Suspect
Komiya, a 72-year-old former locksmith

Epic delays Marvel and Star Wars game amid reported AI-first shift

Epic Games has delayed an unannounced shooter featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters, with developers reportedly told to use AI tools for its production. The game has no new release date.

Epic Games management Some Epic developers

AI in development

CEO Tim Sweeney says AI can empower creators and help teams make more and better products.

Some developers were reportedly shocked by the AI-first pivot, and some hoped the directive was not fully serious.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outlet
CNN
Published
October 13, 2026
Video length
1:22

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.

Pope Leo XIV to have lung nodule removed in surgery this week

Pope Leo XIV says doctors found a small, early-stage lung nodule and recommended surgery. The Vatican expects him to stay in hospital for about a week.