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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

Pakistan train derailment kills at least four, injures dozens

The Rehman Baba Express derailed in Punjab province while travelling from Karachi to Peshawar. At least four people were killed, and reported injury totals range from 17 to 30 or more.

“conduct transparent investigations to determine the cause of the accident”
Asif Ali ZardariPakistan's president

Man killed in tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park identified as William Chapman

William Chapman died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The park remains closed while police and council investigations continue.

Anantapur programme urges young people to prepare for disasters

A disaster preparedness programme at PVKK Engineering College in Anantapur urged young people to learn emergency response and included a fire safety drill.

Kazakhstan hosts first Open Asian Falconry Cup

Falconers from 10 countries competed in Kazakhstan’s first Open Asian Falconry Cup, part of a festival celebrating traditional hunting with birds of prey.

Canadian citizen detained in Tamil Nadu over boat purchase

Police detained a 48-year-old Canadian citizen of Sri Lankan origin in Nagapattinam district over his purchase of a fibre boat and an outboard motor.

Suspected hideout uncovered in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district

The Army and police found an AK-47, grenades and ammunition in a suspected hideout in Poonch. No one was arrested, and a separate search operation was under way in nearby districts.

China opposes India naming 28 locations in Ladakh

China rejected India's move to give standardised names to 28 locations and geographical features in Ladakh, saying the areas belong to China. India says the naming is for official mapping and identification.

China opposed India's standardised names for 28 places in Ladakh on October 13, 2026.

The places are in the disputed western sector of the India-China border, where both countries claim territory.

India announced the names on October 2 and added the locations to its official map.

India says the move is intended to make maps and identification more precise and improve public awareness of the sensitive border region.

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Putin urges CIS states to preserve Russian language and shared history

At a CIS summit in Turkmenistan, Vladimir Putin promoted Russian as a unifying language and backed efforts to preserve shared historical memory as Russia’s cultural influence faces pressure.

The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed as the Soviet Union broke up.

The CIS adopted its charter.

A Kremlin initiative was launched to preserve the common Russian-language cultural and humanitarian legacy and promote Russian.

CIS leaders met at the Avaza resort in Turkmenistan, where concluding documents included a commitment to preserve historical memory.

Indian Coast Guard seizes boat over suspected diesel smuggling off Mumbai

The Coast Guard seized a fishing boat and detained its seven crew members off Mumbai, after its captain said it had received about 4,000 litres of illicit diesel at sea.

Boat
Haridwar Krupa
Crew
Seven members
Reported diesel received
About 4,000 litres
Reported diesel discharged overboard
Around 500 litres

Police say IIT Bombay student apologised after being caught cheating

Police say Sahil Wakode, who died in his hostel room hours after being caught cheating in an exam, had apologised and asked IIT Bombay for a second chance.

Wakode's parents Professor Suryanarayana Doolla

Allegations

They allege Doolla harassed Wakode and that he faced caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay.

Doolla denied the harassment allegations in his statement to police.

More than 100 foreign trekkers stranded by floods in Nepal

Flash floods washed away bridges and sections of a trekking route in Nepal’s Gorkha district, leaving more than 100 foreign trekkers stranded. Rescuers are working to reach people who want to leave.

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

Saracens dismiss academy player Totoa Auvaa after St Albans incident

Saracens dismissed 21-year-old forward Totoa Auvaa after an internal investigation into an incident in St Albans. Police are investigating an alleged assault there.

“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
SaracensRugby club

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.

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.

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.

Matt Duchene to miss up to three months after core muscle surgery

Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene had core muscle surgery and is expected to miss up to three months, the team said Monday.

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.

Wild forward Nico Sturm leaves game after puck hits his head

Nico Sturm left Minnesota’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights late in the first period after a puck hit him in the head.

Player
Nico Sturm
Team
Minnesota Wild
Opponent
Vegas Golden Knights
Incident
Left late in the first period after taking a puck to the head

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.

Grant Forrest wins Spanish Open to earn first Masters place

The Scottish golfer birdied the final hole in Madrid to win the Spanish Open by one shot. The victory earns him a place at next year’s Masters and The Open.

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

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.

Voice actor Kenichi Suzumura’s agency to close in March 2027

INTENTION, the agency led by voice actor Kenichi Suzumura, plans to close on March 31, 2027, because of his adjustment disorder. The agency says it will support its talents through the closure.

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.

Critics praise Paul Bettany’s new take on Vision in ‘VisionQuest’

Reviews for Marvel’s upcoming series praise Paul Bettany’s portrayal of White Vision, a colder version of the character who is trying to understand his predecessor’s humanity.

Hillary Clinton and Kara Swisher to launch political podcast

Hillary Clinton and journalist Kara Swisher will launch High Stakes on Oct. 14 with Vox Media. They plan to discuss political issues ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

God of War Laufey Collector Box Costs $149.99 and Excludes the Game

Sony’s U.S. collector box for God of War Laufey costs $149.99 and includes merchandise, but no game disc or download code. It is due out with the game on Feb. 16, 2027.

Sony revealed a $149.99 collector box for God of War Laufey in the United States.

The box includes a statue of Faye, a 51-card Oracle deck and a mini artbook.

It does not include the game, which must be bought separately.

The box is scheduled to release on Feb.

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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 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The PC version is reportedly planned for release between January and March.

Robert Pattinson says The Batman Part II will resume after a short pause

Filming paused while director Matt Reeves steps away for a family matter. Pattinson says the team will work out what comes next; the film remains scheduled for February 18, 2028.

Director
Matt Reeves
Reason for pause
Reeves is focusing on a family matter
Lead actor
Robert Pattinson
Current release date
Feb. 18, 2028

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.

Kelly Clarkson Art of Play

What the employee said

Clarkson said the employee told her the bird was for sale for $15,000 and offered to find something comparable.

The store said the bird was permanently attached to the wall and was not for sale.

How the encounter felt

Clarkson said she felt judged and treated rudely.

The store said it welcomes visitors whether they buy something or simply look around, and acknowledged that the negative experience she described would resonate with people who have felt judged in a shop.

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.

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.