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Radikale Töchter sue German government over democracy project funding halt

The NGO has sued the German government over the cancellation of about €290,000 in funding for its democracy project, which it says should still go ahead.

“Independent political education work is needed more than ever now.”
Cesy LeonardNGO founder

Saxony-Anhalt CDU considers leaving chamber to block AfD votes

CDU politicians have proposed that their state lawmakers leave the chamber during the first two rounds of December’s vote for minister-president, to prevent suspicions of secret votes for the AfD candidate.

Hape Kerkeling likens support for AfD to a hunger for blood

Hape Kerkeling commented on the AfD’s success, saying that people who want lions in an arena also want to see blood.

AfD leads poll as CDU/CSU remain below 20 percent

A new RTL/ntv poll puts the AfD at 26 percent and CDU/CSU at 19 percent. Most respondents doubt Chancellor Friedrich Merz will serve a full term.

AfD leads German poll as CDU/CSU gains and Greens move to third

An Insa poll puts the AfD at 30%, ahead of the CDU/CSU at 18.5%. The Greens move ahead of the SPD into third place.

Klingbeil says pension reform remains on schedule after Bas resigns

Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil defended former Labour Minister Bärbel Bas, saying the coalition’s pension reform is on schedule and will proceed under her successor, Alexander Schweitzer.

German labour minister Bärbel Bas quits after stepdaughter’s death and political attacks

Bärbel Bas is leaving her posts as Germany’s labour minister and an SPD co-leader, saying she needs time to grieve and faced political attacks. She will remain a member of parliament.

Bärbel Bas is leaving Germany’s labour ministry and co-leading role in the SPD, the country’s centre-left party.

She said her stepdaughter’s death left her needing time to grieve.

Bas also cited political attacks during her mourning, including criticism from the CDU, the SPD’s conservative coalition partner.

The disputes came as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition was divided over economic reforms, pensions and workers’ protections.

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Alexander Schweitzer to replace Bärbel Bas as Germany’s labour minister

Bärbel Bas has resigned as Germany’s labour minister and SPD co-leader. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to appoint Alexander Schweitzer on Tuesday, pending his oath in parliament.

Bärbel Bas announced her immediate resignation as labour minister and SPD co-chair.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to present Alexander Schweitzer with his appointment certificate at 5 p.m.

Schweitzer must be sworn in by the Bundestag.

German minister proposes taxing AI revenue to fund job-market changes

Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger says taxes on AI revenue in Germany could help pay for retraining and new jobs as the technology changes work.

Minister
Karsten Wildberger
Party
CDU
Proposal
Tax AI revenue in Germany
Proposed use of funds
Labour-market transition, including retraining and new work

Heino receives €7,500 settlement over AfD election campaign use

The AfD’s Uckermark district branch agreed to pay singer Heino €7,500 after using his name in election campaigning without permission. The dispute is now settled.

Heino AfD Uckermark district association

Use of Heino's name

Heino said he had not endorsed the candidate and objected to being used in political advertising without permission.

The candidate used Heino's name in election advertising; the articles do not state the district association's view.

Resolution

Heino sought compensation for damage to his image and accepted a €7,500 settlement.

The district association agreed to pay €7,500; Teichner apologized.

Wagenknecht calls for Germany to resume Russian diesel and energy imports

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht urged Germany to seek a diesel deal with Russia and resume oil and gas supplies, arguing that sanctions hurt German industry and consumers.

World

Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy wounded in deadly DR Congo attack

Tim Kennedy was shot three times in an attack in South Kivu province on September 17 that left 20 people dead or wounded. He is receiving medical care in the United States.

“thankful”
Derrick Van OrdenUS Congressman from Wisconsin

EU adds €25 million for migration cooperation in eastern Libya

The EU has signed an additional €25 million for border management, search-and-rescue and anti-smuggling work in eastern Libya, as it seeks to curb irregular migration to Europe.

Attacks push Kaduna residents from homes and drive up city rents

Kidnappings and attacks are driving residents from communities outside Kaduna, Nigeria, into the city, where demand for apartments has pushed rents higher.

African Union holds Kigali talks to advance eastern DRC peace process

Three former African presidents met Rwandan officials and regional representatives in Kigali to discuss security, refugee protection and cooperation as fighting continues in eastern DRC.

Climate activists protest African Energy Week in Cape Town

Greenpeace Africa and Extinction Rebellion campaigners protested in Cape Town against new oil and gas exploration in Africa. Police removed the protesters.

Sánchez confirms Moroccan warships entered Ceuta waters in July

Pedro Sánchez confirmed that Moroccan warships entered waters near Ceuta on 30 and 31 July, as large numbers of migrants arrived from Morocco. Spain sent naval ships to the area.

Oil and gas eruption in eastern Niger causes severe environmental incident

An oil and gas eruption at a Nigerien oil site has been under way since September 25. Two workers were injured, and authorities say it is only partly contained.

An oil and gas eruption began on September 25 at an oil site in eastern Niger, about 1,700 kilometres from the capital, Niamey.

The site is operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum, a local subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, and the incident occurred at the Goumeri W8 well in the Agadem oil block.

Crude oil and gas have surged more than ten metres into the air, then spread across the surrounding land.

No one has died, but two workers were injured and taken to hospital.

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At least 72 gold miners killed in strike near Sudan-Egypt border

A Sudanese rights group says air strikes killed at least 72 gold miners near the Egypt-Sudan border. It blamed Egypt, which has not commented, but the claim has not been independently verified.

Reports described earlier strikes on mining sites in the same border region, followed by a large-scale Egyptian security operation.

Air strikes hit artisanal gold-mining sites in the Sudanese border region.

Emergency Lawyers reported at least 72 deaths and said the toll was provisional.

At least 139 migrants dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti

A boat carrying 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen capsized near Obock. At least 139 people died, 84 are missing and 82 survived.

Deaths
At least 139, including 15 children
Missing
84 people
People aboard
305
Location
Near Guhere, north of Obock, Djibouti

Egypt’s Baha’i community faces a shortage of burial space

Cairo’s last remaining cemetery for Egypt’s Baha’i community is nearly full, while requests for burial grounds in other cities have been rejected, according to community members.

Baha’i community and rights advocates Egyptian government

Burial capacity

Community members say their last remaining burial place is quickly running out of room.

The government has said there are sufficient burial sites to meet the needs of all citizens.

Requests for new sites

Community members say requests for grounds in Alexandria and Port Said were rejected without clear written explanations.

The government response cited in the article says it does not impose restrictions on personal belief or religious affiliation.

AKA and Tibz murder trial adjourned as defence challenges firearm evidence

The trial over the 2023 murders of rapper AKA and businessman Tibz in Durban was adjourned as the defence challenged evidence linking a firearm to one accused.

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

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 vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

Volkswagen plans a cheaper, redesigned next-generation ID. Buzz

Volkswagen says a new ID. Buzz is in development, with a lower price and upgrades planned. The company has not announced a launch date.

Honda unveils CB250SS scrambler concept in China

Honda showed the 249cc CB250SS concept at a motorcycle trade show in Chongqing. A production version is expected in China first, but availability elsewhere is unconfirmed.

Citroën unveils €15,000 electric 2CV concept planned for 2028

Citroën has shown an electric concept inspired by its classic 2CV, targeting a European-built production car priced around €15,000 by 2028. Its battery size and driving range are not yet known.

Fiat unveils concept that switches from six-seat car to pickup

Fiat showed its Multiplay concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Its sliding rear section changes it from a family car into a four-seat pickup with an open cargo bed.

Nothing OS 5.0 with Android 17 starts rolling out to Phone (3)

Nothing has begun a staged rollout of its stable OS 5.0 update to Phone (3), bringing Android 17, a redesigned home screen and new features. Other eligible phones are due to follow through mid-January 2027.

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.

Sony has announced a matte-black PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for Japan.

The console and its included DualSense controller have a matte-black finish.

It will go on sale in Japan on Nov.

19 for ¥55,000.

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Xiaomi tops AnTuTu’s September flagship and tablet rankings

In September AnTuTu rankings based on data from China, Xiaomi led the flagship phone and tablet categories, while Oppo topped the mid-range chart.

AnTuTu collected the performance data in China for its rankings.

Notebookcheck reported that the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max topped AnTuTu’s September Android tablet chart.

GSMArena reported that Xiaomi led the flagship and tablet categories in AnTuTu’s September rankings.

Google launches Fitbit Edge with GPS, health tracking and replaceable battery

The $179.99 Fitbit Edge adds a display, built-in GPS and expanded health tracking to Google’s fitness lineup. Preorders are open, with sales starting October 27.

Standard price
$179.99
Stephen Curry Special Edition price
$219.99
Battery life
Up to seven days on a charge
Automatic activity tracking
Up to 100 activities

Why CarPlay and Android Auto can make phones overheat

Navigation, wireless connections and charging can heat phones in the car. Sunlight and hot or cold air from vents can add to the problem.

Next iPad mini may cost about $799, up from $599

Apple’s upcoming iPad mini is expected to add an OLED screen and may cost about $799, compared with $599 for the current model.

Sports

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

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

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

Dolphins and Browns lead NFL teams relying on rookies

After five weeks, Miami had 14 first-year contributors, while Cleveland rookies had played 1,401 snaps. The Ravens, Giants and Chargers also ranked among the top five teams in rookie playing time.

Penix says he hopes to play next week after rib injury

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the Falcons’ overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib injury. He said he hopes to return next week, but further tests are planned.

Jordan Love and Drake Maye rise in Week 6 fantasy projections

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

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw ejected after headbutting Seahawks player

Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter against Seattle after a late hit on quarterback Sam Darnold led to a sideline confrontation and a headbutt to Ernest Jones IV.

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

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

Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson expected to miss weeks with ankle sprain

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

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

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

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

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

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Marvin Harrison Jr. trade to Houston becomes official after physical

Harrison passed his physical and is now a Houston Texan. The Texans sent Arizona a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for the receiver and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

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

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

Harrison passed his Texans physical, making the trade official.

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

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

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

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

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

KJ Bolden Kalen DeBoer

Pass interference call

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

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

Josh Allen retakes lead in NFL MVP betting odds

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

Entertainment

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.