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Greens seek stronger digital safety laws, including right to sue tech firms

The Greens want Australians harmed online to be able to sue technology companies and seek compensation, as Labor prepares to introduce digital duty of care laws to parliament.

“To meaningfully change the behaviour of big tech companies, the digital duty of care laws must include the right for Australians who have been harmed online to be able to take legal action and seek compensation for the damage done”
Sarah Hanson-YoungGreens communications spokesperson

Former NSW and federal MP Bruce Baird farewelled at Sydney funeral

Family, former colleagues and people he helped as an asylum seeker advocate gathered at St Andrew’s Cathedral to honour Baird, who died aged 84.

Victorian Liberals replace Croydon candidate over legal dispute

The Victorian Liberal Party has dropped Grant Hutchinson as its candidate for Croydon, citing new information about his ongoing legal dispute. Toby Wooldridge will contest the seat instead.

Greens senator backs military aid to Ukraine, challenging party leader

Sarah Hanson-Young said Australia should provide military aid to Ukraine if needed to defend its sovereignty, while Greens leader David Shoebridge opposes it.

WA education minister and universities disagree over merger plan

Western Australia’s education minister, Tony Buti, and the state’s universities are at odds over a proposed merger. The available information does not explain the plan or what happens next.

Victorian firefighters’ union threatens legal action over $644 levy

The union says it may take members to court to recover a $644 levy for legal costs. The levy is funding its ongoing dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria over a workplace agreement.

Anne Aly says she received 19 death threats in a week

Australia’s small business minister says she received 19 death threats on social media in a week after an opposition MP called for her to be “stoned in the square” in parliament.

Australian minister Anne Aly says she received 19 death threats on social media in one week.

She spoke after Liberal National MP Angie Bell said in parliament that Aly and the prime minister should be “shamed and stoned in the square.”

Bell made the remark while criticising a tax office decision to stop credit card payments for tax bills.

The Speaker made Bell withdraw the words after a government minister objected to their violent imagery.

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Chalmers warns of a year of economic strain and rising One Nation support

Treasurer Jim Chalmers forecast continued economic strain and urged progressives not to dismiss One Nation supporters as Labor prepares to introduce a 30 per cent tax on trusts.

NSW Right faction Labor MPs discussed potential backlash over the government’s economic policies.

Albanese rejected suggestions of a midterm slump and sought to reassure Labor MPs.

Chalmers warned of a year of economic strain and urged progressives not to sneer at One Nation supporters.

Labor is due to introduce its 30 per cent tax on trusts.

Australian PM brokered pause in ATO credit card payments

Australia’s prime minister personally arranged a pause in credit card payments to the Australian Taxation Office. The source provides no details on who is covered or how long the pause will last.

Reported action
The Australian prime minister personally brokered a pause
Payments
Credit card payments to the ATO
Publication date
13 October 2026

Senate inquiry could delay Australian online safety laws

The Coalition and Greens plan to send Labor’s online safety bill to a Senate inquiry, potentially delaying new protections for social media users.

The Coalition The Greens

The bill

The Coalition calls the bill deeply flawed and says it amounts to political censorship.

The Greens support an inquiry and want a digital duty of care law that keeps people safe from harmful algorithms.

The bill’s direction

The Coalition argues the bill should be abandoned.

The Greens want stronger penalties and would allow individuals to sue platforms for online harm.

Protester linked to anti-coal group restrained in NSW parliament

A protester linked to anti-coal group Rising Tide jumped into the NSW parliament chamber during Question Time on Tuesday. MPs forcibly restrained him.

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

SpaceX rocket plume creates a glowing ‘jellyfish’ in the dawn sky

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Florida sent a Dragon spacecraft toward the International Space Station and left a sunlit plume visible across parts of the eastern U.S.

“Early Tuesday morning NASA sent up a resupply mission for the ISS atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.”
Spectrum News 13News outlet

ORBES plans to send robots to the ISS and capture exterior footage

Founded by Anna Shaposhnik, ORBES is developing robots to support work and filming in space. Its first space-station robot is scheduled to travel to the ISS next year.

Gold nanogap sensor distinguishes amino acid handedness

Researchers at Osaka University tested a gold-wire sensor that identified amino acid types and handedness, offering a possible alternative to bulky methods used to search for signs of life.

New simulations suggest rare process forms Mars's giant Arsia Mons cloud

A French research team says simulations show the cloud that forms yearly downwind of Mars's Arsia Mons volcano may develop through a rare process that does not need seed particles.

Aquarius is best seen on autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere

The faint zodiac constellation Aquarius is easiest to spot in a dark sky during Northern Hemisphere autumn or Southern Hemisphere spring, using the Great Square of Pegasus as a guide.

CHIME detects ancient hydrogen that could help probe dark energy

The CHIME telescope has detected a faint signal from hydrogen in the early universe on its own, opening a faster, less expensive way to study dark energy.

Hubble data point to a possible second-generation planet around a white dwarf

Researchers found unusually high niobium levels in Hubble data from white dwarf HS 0209+0832, suggesting a planet formed from material shed by a dying star. The finding needs confirmation.

Researchers found evidence of a possible planet around the white dwarf HS 0209+0832, using old observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble first recorded about 100 chemical signatures it could not identify in this system in 1999.

The team matched many of those signatures to niobium, an element that can form in the unusual conditions inside dying stars.

The amount detected was about 1,000 times the level in our Sun, pointing to a planet made from material shed by the star.

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FAA analyst Kayla Bigham works to keep commercial spaceflight safe

Kayla Bigham analyzes rockets and reentry capsules for the FAA, assessing risks to the public as commercial spaceflight grows.

After learning about the Apollo 1 and Apollo 13 emergencies, Bigham shifted her goal from becoming an astronaut to keeping space exploration safe.

Bigham investigated fires and gas explosions in the oil and gas industry.

Bigham worked on developing Part 450 regulations for commercial launchers.

Vast engineer Brianna Clark works on technology for future space living

Brianna Clark, a propulsion engineer at Vast, contributed to a demo that tested technology for future human living in low Earth orbit. She is also set to work on Haven-1, whose launch is planned for no earlier than the first quarter of 2027.

Role
Propulsion engineer at Vast
Haven demo
Tested technology for future human living in low Earth orbit
Haven-1
Launch planned no earlier than Q1 2027
University
California State University, Long Beach

Halley's Comet disappointed many viewers in 1986 but advanced astronomy

Halley's Comet was a letdown for many skywatchers in 1986, but spacecraft observations turned its return into a major scientific opportunity.

Public viewers Astronomers

Expectation

Many members of the public expected a “once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

Comet experts warned in the mid-1970s that it would likely disappoint much of the public.

Outcome

Many viewers found the comet underwhelming or could not see it clearly.

The return was an unprecedented scientific opportunity, and spacecraft revealed secrets of the comet.

SpaceX set to send solar arrays and supplies to the space station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch the CRS-35 cargo mission from Florida on Oct. 13, carrying 6,300 pounds of supplies, science equipment and the station’s final pair of new solar arrays.

Sports

Filippo Ganna joins Lidl-Trek on a three-season deal

The Italian rider will leave Ineos after eight years to join Lidl-Trek through 2029. He says he hopes to race the Classics and support the team in Grand Tours.

“I have big goals that I hope to achieve with Lidl-Trek, especially in the Classics; with the team we will have, nothing is impossible. Of course, Grand Tours remain an important goal, and I hope to support the team while also seeking my own opportunities.”
Filippo GannaItalian cyclist

Lakshya Sen loses to Chou Tien Chen in Denmark Open first round

India’s Lakshya Sen lost 18-21, 21-13, 15-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and exited the Denmark Open after a 63-minute match.

Jakob Schubert completes the first repeat of a 9c climbing route

The Austrian climber completed DNA in France, becoming the first person to repeat a route graded 9c, the highest level of climbing difficulty.

India recall Krishan Pathak for Asian Champions Trophy squad

India have recalled goalkeeper Krishan Pathak and kept most of their Asian Games gold-winning team for the Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab. Harmanpreet Singh will captain the 18-player squad.

Nick Blakey leaves Sydney Swans for North Melbourne after hotel scandal

North Melbourne secured defender Nick Blakey in a major trade with Sydney. Blakey apologised for his role in the Pullman Hotel incident, which led to club suspensions and a police investigation.

Niemann and Ancer reportedly set to leave LIV Golf in 2027

Joaquin Niemann and Abraham Ancer are reportedly planning to leave LIV Golf before its 2027 relaunch. Ancer is expected to pursue the DP World Tour; Niemann's destination is less certain.

Mikey Lewis left out of England’s World Cup opener against Tonga

England have left half-back Mikey Lewis out of their opening men’s World Cup team against Tonga in Perth. AJ Brimson starts at full-back, while Jack Welsby is on the bench.

England have left Mikey Lewis out of their men’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga in Perth.

The Hull KR half-back is one of three non-playing reserves, despite making England’s tournament squad ahead of 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor.

Harry Smith will partner captain George Williams in the halves.

AJ Brimson was chosen at full-back ahead of Jack Welsby, who is on the bench.

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Final Demand disqualified after positive test; Mullins fined

Final Demand was disqualified from second place in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham after testing positive for mepivacaine. Trainer Willie Mullins was fined £1,100.

Final Demand finished second in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Final Demand tested positive for mepivacaine, and an investigation examined the failed test and missing CCTV footage.

Reports said Final Demand had been disqualified and Mullins fined £1,100; Cheltenham was fined £5,000 for the CCTV rule breach.

Safiya Al Sayegh ends professional cycling career for religious reasons

The UAE rider, who was the women's peloton's only hijabi cyclist, has retired at 25. She said continuing felt wrong because of her religious beliefs.

Age
25
Professional debut
Joined UAE Team ADQ in 2022
National titles
Multiple titles in the UAE
Continental championships
Finished on the podium at the Asian Continental Championships

Softer autumn golf courses can help players score better

As UK courses soften after a dry summer, more receptive greens and fairways may give golfers better scoring chances, according to the writer.

Shorter hitters The article’s author

Distance off the tee

Shorter hitters may say they lose the advantage of extra distance from firm summer fairways.

The author argues that finding fairways is just as beneficial as gaining 10 or 20 yards of run.

Flyers place Helge Grans on waivers as Maple Leafs face a defensive gap

Philadelphia placed defenseman Helge Grans on waivers after one game this season. Toronto could consider him while Chris Tanev is injured, but no move has been announced.

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

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.