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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

Researchers search Nikumaroro for Amelia Earhart’s missing plane

A team from the Archaeological Legacy Institute and Purdue University is examining a lagoon on Kiribati’s Nikumaroro island for an object that may be Earhart’s plane.

“Finding Amelia Earhart’s Electra aircraft would be the discovery of a lifetime”
Richard Pettigrewexpedition leader

Trump says he may meet Kim Jong Un during Asia trip in November

Donald Trump said he may meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a November trip to Asia, which includes a summit in China. No meeting has been confirmed.

Fire at plastic recycling plant in Nara; workers escape unharmed

A fire broke out at a waste-plastic recycling plant in Nara, Japan, on Oct. 13. Workers evacuated safely, and firefighters were still battling the blaze hours later.

Chinese courts sentence three Myanmar crime group leaders to death

Courts in Fujian sentenced three leaders of crime groups operating in Myanmar to death. The case involved scam operations and the deaths of four Chinese citizens.

Bedbugs found on Qantas plane, forcing Rome-to-Perth flight cancellation

Passengers reported bedbug bites on a Qantas flight from Perth to Rome. The airline cancelled the return flight to deep-clean the plane and rebooked affected travellers.

North Korea fires unidentified projectile toward eastern waters

South Korea’s military says North Korea fired at least one unidentified projectile toward the sea off its east coast. Japan said it detected the launch and suspected a ballistic missile.

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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Japan and US to review off-duty rules after Okinawa killing

Japan and the United States will review rules for US troops’ off-base conduct after a Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a woman in Okinawa.

The US military’s off-base conduct policy was strengthened after sexual violence incidents came to light.

Anna Yagi was allegedly robbed and murdered at a hotel in Naha.

Police arrested US Marine Devin Ballard on suspicion of robbing and murdering Yagi; he has denied the allegations.

Motegi said Japan and the United States were reviewing rules on off-base conduct.

Australia seeks to stop online broadcast of planned US execution

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will try to keep online footage of Nidal Hasan’s scheduled execution from being available in the country, though regulators’ powers are uncertain.

Prisoner
Nidal Malik Hasan
Scheduled execution
December 3
Location
Fort Hood, Texas
Planned method
Firing squad

North Korea fires ballistic missiles after South Korea’s hypersonic test

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, with at least one traveling more than 900 kilometers. South Korea said the launch appeared to respond to its recent hypersonic missile test.

South Korea North Korea

Cause of launch

South Korea’s military said the launch appeared to protest South Korea’s successful hypersonic weapon test and to demonstrate North Korea’s missile capabilities.

North Korea’s account of the October 12 launch was not reported.

DMZ mine blast

South Korea’s investigation concluded that North Korean forces planted the mines that wounded South Korean soldiers.

North Korea denied responsibility and accused Seoul of fabricating its findings or provoking it.

Wildfires injure orangutan Novita in Indonesia, leading to toe amputations

Rescuers evacuated Novita from a wildfire-hit area in Central Kalimantan. She is receiving intensive care after severe burns led to the amputation of four toe segments.

Business

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 is not buying Chipotle.”
Starbucks spokespersonCompany spokesperson

Social Security’s 2027 Cost-of-Living Increase Is Due for Announcement

U.S. officials are set to announce the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment on Oct. 14, after September inflation data is released. Forecasts put the increase at 3.5% or 3.6%.

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.

Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate roles over three years

Kroger says it will cut about 3,000 corporate roles over three years, citing efforts to simplify operations and adapt to technology. The company says it will invest in frontline workers.

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%.

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.

Bumble, a dating app company based in Texas, is reportedly in advanced talks to be bought by technology holding company Ithaca for around $1bn.

A deal could be announced as early as this week, according to the report.

Bumble shares rose almost 50% on Monday after the news, giving the company a market value of more than $580m.

That is still far below its value of more than $14bn after it listed on the Nasdaq in 2021.

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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.

An unexpectedly hot CPI reading of 3.8% led Kalshi markets to anticipate a possible peak of 4.8% in May.

Year-over-year inflation peaked at 4.2%, according to CNBC.

Year-over-year CPI rose 3.4%, according to CNBC.

Reports said Kalshi traders expected September CPI to rise 3.6% year over year.

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.

Company
UnitedHealth
Forecast
Profit forecast raised again
Publication date
October 13, 2026

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.

Admirers of Tomlin’s project Critics of the project

Time spent

They admired his dedication to a project developed over 12 years.

They questioned whether Tomlin devoted too much time to his virtual city.

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.

Science & Tech

SpaceX launches more than 6,300 pounds of cargo to the space station

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched from Florida on Tuesday with science, supplies and the final pair of roll-out solar arrays for the International Space Station. It is due to arrive Thursday.

“It’s been quite the journey. Folks may remember back in 2017 when we launched the ROSA on CRS-11 and that’s really where we demonstrated this innovative approach to deploying a solar array”
Gaurang PatelNASA Low Earth Orbit Program operations integration manager

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.

Airbus and Kratos fly Valkyrie combat drone in Europe for the first time

The uncrewed Valkyrie flew in Northern Europe, reaching Mach 0.8 and taking off with rocket assistance. Airbus and Kratos plan further tests ahead of a 2029 target.

NASA astronaut photographs auroras from the ISS with an iPhone

Anil Menon photographed colorful auroras from the International Space Station on Oct. 10 using an iPhone, during a period of strong geomagnetic activity.

Webb traces the most distant fast radio burst to a small galaxy

Astronomers traced the record-distant burst FRB 20240304B to a small, actively star-forming galaxy, using the James Webb Space Telescope to find its otherwise hidden host.

French astronaut Sophie Adenot says space brought a full range of emotions

After eight months in space, Sophie Adenot returned to Earth and spoke publicly in Cologne, Germany, on Saturday about the emotions she experienced.

Varda plans to expand its in-space manufacturing missions

Varda has two spacecraft in orbit and expects to launch a third soon. It plans seven more missions in 2027 as it builds toward regular in-space manufacturing and returns to Earth.

Varda Space Industries has two spacecraft in orbit after they launched together on a SpaceX rideshare mission on Oct.

1.

The Los Angeles-area company says this was the first time two commercial reentry vehicles launched to orbit at once.

Its spacecraft are designed as mini-factories that can make goods such as pharmaceuticals in orbit and bring them back to Earth.

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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.

FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the launch was scheduled for 6:33 a.m. EDT the following morning.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from Florida with a Dragon spacecraft on an ISS resupply mission.

People reported seeing the sunlit rocket plume across the eastern United States.

ESA’s Hera mission is set to reach the Didymos asteroid pair in November

Hera is due to rendezvous with Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos, where it will study the effects of NASA’s 2022 impact test. Two small spacecraft will also investigate the pair.

Mission
Hera
Destination
Didymos-Dimorphos binary asteroid pair
Launch
October 7, 2024, from Cape Canaveral
DART impact
2022

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.

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.

Sports

Commanders and Giants tie after Washington fails to stop the clock in overtime

Washington let the clock expire while in field-goal range, ending its chance to beat New York. Coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels accepted blame for the mistake.

“The sequence of that does not fall on him.”
Dan QuinnCommanders head coach

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.

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.

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.

Deebo Samuel expected to miss multiple weeks with hamstring injury

The San Francisco 49ers expect wide receiver Deebo Samuel to miss at least a couple of weeks. Nick Bosa could return from a calf injury against Washington in Week 6.

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.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has officially joined the Houston Texans after passing his physical on Monday.

The 24-year-old wide receiver was traded from the Arizona Cardinals, who selected him fourth overall in the 2024 draft.

Houston sent Arizona a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick, and received Harrison and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Harrison reunites with quarterback C.J. Stroud, his former teammate at Ohio State.

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UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava expected to miss season with knee injury

Nico Iamaleava is expected to miss the rest of UCLA's season after injuring his knee against Oregon. Coach Bob Chesney says medical evaluations will determine the final timeline.

Iamaleava landed awkwardly during a scramble against Oregon and was later replaced.

UCLA beat Oregon 17-15, improving to 5-0.

Chesney said medical evaluations would determine the final timeline for Iamaleava’s status.

CBS Sports reported that Iamaleava was expected to miss the remainder of the season.

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.

Final score
Bills 37, Rams 34
Game result
Buffalo won in overtime
Jackson's position
Rams left tackle
Chubb's position
Bills outside linebacker

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.

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.

Entertainment

Brazilian axé singer Netinho dies at 60

Netinho, whose 1996 hit “Mila” helped make him a leading axé singer, died in Salvador after a return of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“Artista extraordinário, talentoso, sensível e inovador, Netinho construiu uma trajetória marcada pela alegria, pela música e por um carisma inconfundível”
Netinho's teamArtist's representatives

Sean Combs Taken From Fort Dix for Treatment of Head Injury

Sean Combs was taken from Fort Dix prison for treatment of a head injury early Saturday and returned before sunrise. How he was injured has not been confirmed.

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.

Paul Panzer says his wife has died after 25 years together

German comedian Paul Panzer has publicly announced his wife's death. He says he will care for their son and is returning to the stage.

Rodrigo Faro says he worked as a child to help support his family

The Brazilian presenter says he and his brother began making commercials at age eight and gave their earnings to help support their mother.

Hillary Clinton and Kara Swisher to host weekly midterms podcast

Clinton and journalist Kara Swisher will launch “High Stakes” on Oct. 14, discussing U.S. political issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The weekly series will run as part of Swisher’s podcast for New York magazine.

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.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19.

A report based on people familiar with Rockstar’s plans says the PC version could arrive between January and March 2027.

Rockstar has not announced a PC release, and the game is currently listed only for those consoles.

If the reported timing is accurate, PC players would wait only a few months after the console launch.

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Lucian Piane, ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ composer, dies at 46

Lucian Piane, a composer and guest judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” died at 46 after being struck by a vehicle in Glendale, California, according to authorities.

Glendale emergency crews responded to a reported collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at San Fernando Road and Harvard Street.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

News outlets reported Piane’s death and his work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Jade Anna says she and Kenneth ended their engagement over future plans

Jade Anna says she and Kenneth made a joint decision to end their relationship because their future plans and careers no longer aligned. She is moving from Rome back to the Netherlands.

Move
Jade moved to Rome in January.
Proposal
Kenneth proposed in May.
Breakup announcement
Jade said the relationship ended about three months after the proposal.
Reason
Jade cited their future plans and careers.

Kacey Musgraves Fires Back at Kristi Noem Over Texas Senate Candidate

After James Talarico appeared at Musgraves’ Dallas concert, Kristi Noem criticized the singer’s support for him. Musgraves replied with a jab about Noem’s account of killing her dog.

Kristi Noem Kacey Musgraves

Political support

Noem said she would take Ken Paxton over James Talarico.

Musgraves welcomed Talarico at her Dallas concert.

Criticism

Noem said she preferred Ella Langley over Musgraves.

Musgraves replied with a reference to Noem’s account of killing her dog.

Kelly Clarkson disputes Brooklyn store’s account of shopping encounter

Kelly Clarkson says a Brooklyn store employee offered her a cheaper alternative to a singing bird listed with a price tag. The store says the bird is a wall fixture and was not for sale.

Health

BioNTech cancer vaccine misses one goal in pivotal trial

BioNTech’s experimental mRNA vaccine for head and neck cancer failed to meet one of two primary goals in a pivotal trial.

“support continued evaluation”
Özlem TüreciBioNTech co-founder and chief medical officer

Suspected cholera cases triple in Yemen amid renewed fighting

Yemen has recorded 8,034 suspected cholera cases and 27 deaths this year. Cases tripled in three weeks as fighting displaced people into unsanitary camps.

Kudumbashree promotes local nutritious foods during Poshan Maah in Kozhikode

Kudumbashree in Kozhikode is holding food festivals and cooking contests to promote nutritious dishes made with local millets, tubers and leaves during Poshan Maah.

Review finds insufficient evidence for medicinal cannabis to treat insomnia

A review of nine trials involving 537 adults found too little reliable evidence to recommend medicinal cannabis for insomnia. The findings do not prove the products are ineffective.

EU regions urge stronger local role in cardiovascular health strategy

The EU Committee of the Regions unanimously adopted recommendations calling for more prevention and greater involvement of local authorities in European cardiovascular health efforts.

Flu season is starting early, raising questions about vaccination

Flu season is kicking off early. The story raises the question of whether people are getting vaccinated but gives no further details.

DEA proposes strict controls on concentrated kratom compounds

The DEA has proposed emergency restrictions on four kratom-linked substances, while Michigan lawmakers consider whether to ban kratom or regulate its sale.

The DEA has proposed emergency restrictions on four kratom-linked substances found in some concentrated products.

The proposal would place the substances in Schedule I, the federal category for drugs considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States.

Kratom comes from a tree native to Southeast Asia and is sold in the United States in products such as powders, capsules and liquids.

It is marketed for pain relief and other uses, but as an herbal supplement it does not face the same safety testing rules as prescription medicines.

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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.

Pennsylvania announced the first two measles-related deaths, both infants in Lancaster County.

A 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County and an 18-year-old Mifflin County resident died after measles-related complications.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the fifth death, involving a 20-year-old woman with a compromised immune system.

Pennsylvania reported the sixth death, involving a 39-year-old woman in Franklin County.

Higher physical activity linked to slower decline in Parkinson’s study

A study following 294 people with Parkinson’s for up to seven years linked higher activity levels with slower declines in thinking and movement. It does not prove exercise caused the difference.

Participants
294 adults with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease
Average age
66
Follow-up
Up to seven years
Activity groups
Up to four hours, four to eight hours, and more than eight hours weekly

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.

Traditional view of exercise adaptation Exercise-memory research

Effects of a break

Muscle gains and insulin sensitivity can drift back toward their starting levels, often within weeks.

Cells may retain memories of earlier training during a period without exercise.

Regaining fitness

The traditional “use it or lose it” view implies that benefits fade when training stops.

People with a training history may get fit again faster, and previously trained mice grew bigger muscles when they retrained.

Large study finds abrupt shifts in health markers at menopause

A study of more than one million women found sudden changes in several health markers around menopause. Researchers say the findings are observational and need further study.