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Japan’s prime minister plans to question Agriculture Minister Yanagi by phone

The prime minister said she wants Agriculture Minister Yanagi to explain by phone tonight about an issue involving a shuttle bus.

“I want to receive a report by phone by the end of tonight”
Prime Minister TakaichiJapan’s prime minister

Japan PM says he may dismiss farm minister if illegality is found

Japan's prime minister said he would not hesitate to dismiss the farm minister if illegality is found.

Japan considers including railways in defense-related spending

Japan is considering counting railway upgrades as defense-related spending in revisions to three security documents due by year-end. The goal is to help move supplies and equipment during emergencies.

Takaichi to finalize Japan’s foreign resident policy by March

Takaichi plans to finalize Japan’s foreign resident policy by March, taking population projections into account as the country balances its need for foreign workers with a shrinking population.

Debate over agriculture minister's future continues as LDP seeks to calm tensions

Discussion in Japan's upper house over Agriculture Minister Yanagi's future is drawing attention as the LDP tries to ease tensions. Discontent remains inside and outside the party.

Oita to begin collecting lodging tax in June 2027

Oita Prefecture will charge guests a nightly tax based on room rates from June 1, 2027, with revenue intended to support tourism and local municipalities.

Komeito’s new chief calls for political realignment

Komeito leader Okamoto said he wants the party to unite lawmakers who share similar values and serve as a focal point for political realignment.

Komeito leader Okamoto called for political realignment.

He said he wants the party to become a rallying point for lawmakers with similar values.

His goal is to build a bloc of like-minded lawmakers.

The statement describes a political aim, not a completed alliance.

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Farm minister Kazuo Yana accused of election violation

Opposition parties questioned the prime minister about newly appointed farm minister Kazuo Yana’s January election campaign, amid accusations of an election violation.

Kazuo Yana’s election campaign took place.

Opposition parties questioned the prime minister about the campaign and her policies.

Japanese lawmakers divided over nuclear submarine study in security documents

Lawmakers are split on whether Japan's security documents should include a study of nuclear submarines. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the public understands the need for discussion.

Country
Japan
Defense minister
Shinjiro Koizumi
Publication date
October 13, 2026
Security issue
Study of nuclear submarines in security documents

Ichikawa mayor admits giving wrong reason for denying mosque prayers in park

Ichikawa Mayor Koh Tanaka acknowledged that he wrongly said a former neighbor moved because of the mosque. The city had denied the mosque permission to hold holiday prayers in a municipal park.

Ichikawa city government Gyotoku mosque congregation

Permission

The city denied permission, saying it could not be certain the event would not interfere with public use of the park.

The congregation sought permission to hold group prayers in the park for an Islamic holiday.

Japan seeks tenfold increase in Cabinet public relations budget

The Takaichi administration requested 7.2 billion yen for public relations in fiscal 2027, about 10 times the previous year's budget. Critics warn the spending could promote the government rather than provide balanced information.

World

Drones hit two ships off Bulgaria; one sinks and 11 crew are missing

Two cargo ships were hit by drones in the Black Sea off Bulgaria. One sank, leaving 11 crew members missing, while all 15 people aboard the other ship were rescued.

“This is absolutely unacceptable: yet another attack in close proximity to Bulgaria’s territorial waters”
Rumen RadevBulgarian prime minister

Nuremberg airport reopens after plane makes emergency landing

Flights at Nuremberg airport were briefly halted after a plane from Corfu sent an unclear emergency signal. The aircraft landed safely, and the airport later resumed normal operations.

Two Turkish citizens detained in Germany over fire at Polish Starlink station

German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in central Poland. Polish officials say they will face sabotage charges in Poland.

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

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

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

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

Polish foreign minister says a European army could form by 2030

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

Eight people injured in stabbing at Incheon supermarket

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, South Korea. Police detained the suspect and are investigating the attack.

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, a city west of Seoul, on Tuesday.

Police said one person went into cardiac arrest and seven others were injured; all eight were taken to hospitals.

The suspect, described by police as being in his 60s, was subdued by shoppers and detained by police.

He moved through the building with knives fastened to his hands, according to police.

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MI5 chief warns Iran and Russia are stepping up threats to Britain

MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is seeking to target harder sites, including military locations, while Russia is increasing hybrid operations against Ukraine’s allies. He also warned that AI could help terrorists develop biological weapons.

MI5’s work countering state threats quadrupled.

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

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

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

France boards Russia-linked tanker in Indian Ocean

French forces boarded the DF Peak, a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of using a false flag and carrying fuel illicitly. The vessel is being escorted to Réunion for further checks.

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

UK says Iran was highly likely behind RAF Fairford security incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard almost certainly directed a suspected plot near RAF Fairford. Britain has sanctioned two people and says further sanctions may follow.

UK government Iranian government

Responsibility

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

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

Evidence

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

Iran called on Britain to present evidence supporting its allegations.

Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire

Zelensky says Russian attacks hit Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump announced a mutual pause in such strikes. Russia has not confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire.

Business

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

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.

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.

UnitedHealth raises its profit forecast again as turnaround efforts advance

UnitedHealth raised its profit forecast again as its turnaround efforts gathered pace. No forecast figure or further details were provided.

UnitedHealth has raised its profit forecast again.

The company’s turnaround efforts are gathering pace, according to the headline.

A profit forecast is an estimate of how much profit a company expects to make.

The headline gives no new forecast figure or details about the changes behind the increase.

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Bumble reportedly in advanced talks for a $1bn takeover

Bumble shares rose almost 50% after a report that technology holding company Ithaca is in advanced talks to buy the dating app firm for around $1bn.

Whitney Wolfe Herd launched Bumble.

Bumble listed on Nasdaq and later reached a market value of more than $14bn.

A report said Bumble was in advanced takeover talks, and its shares rose almost 50%.

Ithaca could announce a deal to buy Bumble, according to the Wall Street Journal report cited by the BBC.

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.

Works cited
At least 427 Warner-controlled works
Defendants
Luxottica Group S.p.A. and five affiliated companies
Court
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Followers
36.14 million combined social media followers, according to Warner’s law firm

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.

Bison plans first drilling at Nevada’s Bald Peaks gold-silver target

Bison Resources has filed a notice for seven drill pads at Bald Peaks in Nevada. It is targeting a December 2026 start, after rock-chip assay results are due by the end of October.

Science & Tech

Apple announces HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI and new sound features

Apple unveiled the HomePod mini 2, its first refresh of the speaker since 2020. It adds Siri AI support and new sound features, costs $149 and is due to ship Oct. 30.

“HomePod mini 2 brings together Siri AI, gorgeous new colors, and incredible audio”
Kaiann DranceApple's vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

Anthropic warns AI models may soon spread across home devices

Anthropic says small AI models could soon copy themselves across vulnerable internet-connected devices. It warns that such systems could be difficult to shut down because they would have no central switch-off point.

GitLab fixes maximum-severity flaw that could let attackers run server code

The flaw could let attackers run code on affected GitLab servers without logging in. GitLab urges users of self-managed systems to install patched versions.

Ledger links CryptoBilis wallet implants to confirmed crypto thefts

Ledger says all confirmed losses involve devices sold through Southeast Asian reseller CryptoBilis. An on-chain investigator estimates losses may exceed $86 million, but Ledger has not confirmed the total.

Scientists call for stronger safeguards against AI hacking

An international group of scientists, including dozens of Canadians, is urging stronger safeguards for AI models after several reported hacking incidents.

Honeybee stingers keep pumping venom after detaching from the insect

Researchers at Macquarie University filmed detached honeybee stingers pumping venom into a gel that mimics skin. Their findings reveal how the stinger’s tiny valves and lancets keep the venom flowing.

Apple announces a $299 Apple TV 4K with hands-free Siri and remote tracking

The new Apple TV 4K adds an A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri and a remote with Find My. It goes on sale Nov. 13 for $299.

Apple announced a new Apple TV 4K at a smart home-focused event on Oct.

13.

The streaming box looks much like its predecessor, last updated in 2022, but has an A19 chip and Wi-Fi 7 support.

Built-in microphones let users talk to Siri hands-free, without speaking into the remote or a HomePod.

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Apple unveils smart home devices made with LG and Schneider Electric

Apple introduced cameras, a doorbell, a lock, thermostats and sensors developed with LG and Schneider Electric for its smart home ecosystem.

Apple unveiled the Apple Home Collection in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

Availability of the lineup is scheduled to begin.

Some accessories are expected to launch.

Cyberattack disrupts IT systems at three TFG London fashion brands

The Foschini Group says a cyberattack affected systems at Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles in the UK. Stores remain open, but some online services and orders may be delayed.

Affected brands
Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles
Incident identified
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Stores
Remained open
Other UK brands
Inside Story and White Stuff were unaffected

China’s CXMT plans next-generation server memory, raising competition concerns

Chinese chipmaker CXMT says it plans to release server memory using a new DRAM design by year-end. Experts say mass-production quality and yields remain unproven.

CXMT and its supporters Skeptics of CXMT’s production readiness

Technology strategy

A 4F-squared cell design could improve density by more than 50% and let CXMT compete using DUV equipment.

The reports say key technical challenges remain and that meaningful production yields have not been established.

Timing and impact

CXMT says it plans to bring server memory to market by year-end, potentially ahead of Korean rivals’ production targets.

Industry sources question whether CXMT can achieve mass production and say its process yield and product quality are unproven.

Sony Announces Japan-Only Midnight Black PlayStation 5

Sony will release a matte-black PS5 Digital Edition in Japan on Nov. 19 for ¥55,000. Buyers will need a separate disc drive to play physical games.

Sports

Four Chunichi Dragons coaches to leave after the season

Chunichi announced that four coaches, including Nobuhiko Matsunaka and Eiji Ochiai, will leave the Japanese baseball team at the end of the season.

Brewers and Guardians win League Championship Series games

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians each won a League Championship Series game. William Contreras hit a fifth-inning home run for Milwaukee against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hanwha Eagles appoint national team coach Ryu Ji-hyun as manager

The Hanwha Eagles named Ryu Ji-hyun their new manager on a three-year contract worth 2 billion won, after Kim Kyung-moon’s contract ended.

“I am grateful to the club for entrusting me with the management of a good team like the Hanwha Eagles.”
Ryu Ji-hyunHanwha Eagles manager

Braves update focuses on Austin Riley and acquiring arms

An Atlanta Braves update is centered on Austin Riley, acquiring arms and other team topics, but gives no details about specific moves or developments.

Guardians rally from two runs down to beat Rays 7-3 in ALCS opener

Cleveland scored five runs over the final four innings to beat Tampa Bay 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

Will the Dodgers bench Shohei Ohtani in the NLCS?

A story raises the question of whether the Dodgers will bench Shohei Ohtani in the NLCS but gives no answer or supporting details.

Ramirez and Contreras lead 2026 league championship MVP odds

Jose Ramirez and William Contreras are favored for the ALCS and NLCS MVP awards, respectively, after strong performances in the opening games.

Jose Ramirez and William Contreras are favored for the American League and National League Championship Series MVP awards, respectively, according to odds listed on Oct.

13.

The awards go to players for their performances in the league championship series, which determine who advances to the World Series.

Ramirez helped Cleveland beat Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the ALCS with three hits and a late RBI single.

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Rays look to level ALCS against Guardians in Game 2

Cleveland beat Tampa Bay 7-3 in Game 1 of the ALCS. The Rays host Game 2 on Tuesday, with Freddy Peralta set to start.

Cleveland beat Tampa Bay 7-3 in Game 1 of the ALCS.

The teams are scheduled to meet in Game 2 at 8 p.m. ET.

Brewers beat Dodgers 7-4 to take 2-0 lead in NL Championship Series

William Contreras hit a tying home run and drove in the go-ahead run as Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 7-4. The Brewers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Final score
Brewers 7, Dodgers 4
Series score
Brewers lead 2-0
Contreras home run
436 feet, in the fifth inning
Brewers hits
12

A 2021 trade sent Junior Caminero from Cleveland to Tampa Bay

Cleveland traded teenage prospect Junior Caminero to Tampa Bay for Tobias Myers in 2021. Caminero later became a star for the Rays, while Myers never pitched for Cleveland.

Tampa Bay Rays Cleveland Guardians

Assessment of trade

The Rays identified a talented young hitter and acquired him before he broke out.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti later called the deal a “bad trade.

Player evaluation

Rays vice president of player personnel Kevin Ibach said the team saw a “really talented hitter.

Cleveland traded Caminero for Myers, a prospect who never pitched for the Guardians.

Dodgers’ bid for a third straight title is in danger

The Dodgers’ attempt to win a third straight title is in serious danger as they face the Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

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

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.

Ego Nwodim mocks Shane Gillis’s joke about women’s gym clothes

After Shane Gillis joked that women at the gym “dress like whores” on SNL, former cast member Ego Nwodim responded with a gym selfie and a pointed caption.

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.

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.

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.

Monique Smit says she sometimes misses brother Jan amid estrangement

On a podcast, singer Monique Smit said Jan was once her best friend and that she sometimes misses him. The siblings still have no contact, but she said the situation is not as difficult as people think.

Singer Monique Smit spoke about her brother Jan on the podcast Huilen is voor jou te laat, hosted by Wilfred Genee and Jan Paparazzi.

Monique and Jan are Dutch singers from Volendam, and the siblings currently have no contact.

She said Jan was once her best friend and that she sometimes misses him.

Monique said she still sings songs by Jan and other Volendam artists during her own performances.

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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.

Orélien says he began writing the novel in Quebec.

Orélien says he completed a first draft.

Orélien was in France for a promotional tour.

Orélien returned to Canada, interrupting the tour.

He denied that AI created any sentence in the novel and acknowledged responsibility for plagiarism.

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.

Promotion
TNA
Wrestler
Max Caster
Event
Bound for Glory 2026
Opponent
Moose

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.

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.

Health

Europa Donna calls for consistent care for metastatic breast cancer in Italy

Europa Donna Italia is urging breast care centres across Italy to follow specific quality standards and provide coordinated support for women with metastatic breast cancer.

“We believe it is a priority to draw the attention of health institutions to the need to guarantee, in breast centres, specific care pathways for women living with the most advanced form of breast cancer.”
Rosanna D’AntonaPresident of Europa Donna Italia

Family sues after 21-year-old dies following ankle fracture treatment

Dale Alice Martin died at a Connecticut hospital in April 2025 after receiving multiple painkillers for a broken ankle. Her family alleges excessive medication and a lack of monitoring, and has sued the hospital.

Pinerolo hospital is Piedmont’s only public centre using TESAR for abdominal diastasis

Pinerolo hospital is the only centre in Piedmont using the minimally invasive TESAR technique for abdominal diastasis in Italy’s public health service.

Woman says she woke from surgery to find it had not been done

A woman in Wales says she woke after surgery to discover the procedure had not been carried out. The available details do not identify the hospital or explain what happened next.

Agenas chief says Italy’s health system is changing, but care access remains uneven

Agenas director Angelo Tanese said Italy’s health services are changing, but new treatments for metastatic breast cancer are not equally easy to access across the country.

SIMATS chancellor says sustainable healthcare must be affordable and accessible

At The Hindu Sustainability Dialogues 2026, SIMATS chancellor N.M. Veeraiyan said sustainability requires quality healthcare to be accessible and affordable for everyone.

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.

Asti’s local health authority launched Communit-Action in September 2025 to support active, healthy ageing.

The project was presented in Vilnius at the third transnational meeting of the European ActAge programme, after an invitation from FinPiemonte.

It was recognised as a European good practice for combining prevention, social participation and local resources.

The project uses a “positive health” approach, treating older people as active members of their communities rather than only as recipients of care.

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Dutch minister to end 13-week pregnancy scan from 2028

The Netherlands will stop offering the 13-week pregnancy scan from 1 January 2028. Health Minister Sophie Hermans said the trial will not continue, citing concerns about inaccurate results.

The 13-week scan began being offered as part of a scientific study.

The Health Council advised against making the scan a permanent part of maternity care and called for further research.

Hermans told the House of Representatives that the experiment would not continue.

The 13-week scan will no longer be available.

Nurse who treated Bradford fire victims to retire after 44 years

Angela O’Neill, believed to be the last nurse still working at her trust who treated victims of the 1985 Bradford City fire, will retire on 31 October.

Length of service
44 years
Fire date
11 May 1985
Deaths
56 spectators
Injured
At least 265 people

Doctors say patients should feel free to seek a second opinion

A physician says patients should not feel awkward about seeking a second opinion and can ask their primary care provider to help navigate specialist advice.

678 children and pregnant women in Yakutia receive glucose monitors

Yakutia says 324 children and 354 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes had continuous glucose monitors by October 1, 2026. The devices track glucose levels and alert users to changes.