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Japan's prime minister questions agriculture minister's future over budget remarks

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yanagisawa's remarks about cutting road budgets inappropriate and said she would consider his future. Yanagisawa denied seeking budget cuts.

“If what was said in Yanagi’s home district is true, it was really inappropriate and really uncool.”
Sanae TakaichiPrime minister

Japan considers including railways in defense-related spending

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

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

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

Takaichi to finalize Japan’s foreign resident policy by March

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

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

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

Oita to begin collecting lodging tax in June 2027

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

Komeito’s new chief calls for political realignment

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

Komeito leader Okamoto called for political realignment.

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

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

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

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Farm minister Kazuo Yana accused of election violation

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

Kazuo Yana’s election campaign took place.

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

Japanese lawmakers divided over nuclear submarine study in security documents

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

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

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

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

Ichikawa city government Gyotoku mosque congregation

Permission

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

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

Japan seeks tenfold increase in Cabinet public relations budget

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

World

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.

“the money that Hezbollah is promising does not exist”
Tommy PigottU.S. State Department spokesman

Israel turns back Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight over Indonesian pilot

Israel denied a cargo flight from Addis Ababa permission to land because one pilot was Indonesian. The plane returned to Ethiopia, changed pilots and later landed in Tel Aviv.

Attack on Riyadh airport kills one, injures 11, Saudi authorities say

A projectile struck a domestic terminal at King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, killing a Pakistani resident and injuring 11. The airport has been hit four times in five days.

Iranian man executed hours after marrying imprisoned girlfriend by phone

Alireza Sepahi, 25, married Mahsat Keshani, 22, by phone from prison in Iran. He was executed hours later after being sentenced to death for protesting against the government.

Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional developments

Turkey’s Hakan Fidan spoke by phone with Iran’s Abbas Arakçi about recent regional developments and efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts.

Turkey’s foreign minister meets Council of Europe assembly president in Ankara

Hakan Fidan met Petra Bayr, president of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, in Ankara on Oct. 13. No details of their discussion were given.

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 Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Iran was highly likely behind a suspected plot near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in southwest England.

He told Parliament on Monday that the operation was almost certainly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The incident began on September 27, when men were arrested near the base on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences.

Police found gasoline in vans but no viable explosives, and those arrested were released on bail without charge.

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Teenager killed and 24 injured in blast during hike in northern Israel

A teenager was killed and 24 people were injured when suspected unexploded Hezbollah munition detonated during a school hike near Israel’s border with Lebanon.

The school group was hiking in the Ramim Ridge area when the ordnance detonated.

According to a preliminary probe, the munition exploded after a student was believed to have picked it up and put it in his backpack.

First responders treated the injured, and the group was evacuated to three hospitals in northern Israel.

Saudi Arabia reports new missile and drone threats as Riyadh airport stays shut

Saudi Arabia reported new incoming drones and missiles on Monday after deadly Houthi attacks. King Khalid International Airport remains closed while authorities check its safety.

Airport
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Deaths
At least 18 in strikes on the airport last week, according to The Hindu
Saturday toll
13 killed in the October 10 attack, according to The Hindu
Reopening date
Not specified by the General Authority of Civil Aviation

Missile attack on Riyadh airport kills 12 and injures more than 300

A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured more than 300. Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels and vowed a response.

Saudi-led coalition Houthis

Responsibility

The coalition blamed the Houthis for the strike.

The sources identify the Houthis as the attackers but do not include a Houthi response accepting or denying responsibility.

Response to attack

The coalition threatened a decisive response.

The Houthis warned airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Saudi airports.

Interception efforts

The coalition blamed the Houthis for an attack that caused civilian deaths and injuries.

The Houthis said Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for what they described as failed interception efforts.

Netanyahu seeks probe into anonymous sources for Gaza documentary NAZA

Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an investigation and prosecution of anonymous Israeli military sources in NAZA, a film alleging the army used AI targeting systems in Gaza.

Business

Getty Images plans Chapter 11 restructuring and move to private ownership

Getty Images has secured up to $533 million from the Getty family and Koch Equity Development to restructure its debt and go private through a Chapter 11 process expected to finish by year-end.

“Getty Images is uniquely trusted around the world as the unparalleled leader in premium visual content”
Mark GettyGetty Images co-founder

Amazon in talks to buy AI startup Decart for about $7 billion

Amazon is discussing a roughly $7 billion purchase of AI startup Decart. Anthropic previously considered a $6 billion deal but passed after due diligence.

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.

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.

A new AP-NORC poll found most Americans think Trump is profiting from the presidency in unethical or illegal ways.

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults said he is either profiting illegally or acting unethically without breaking the law.

The poll also found that many believe Trump is more focused on personal wealth than helping the country since returning to the White House.

The findings come as his family's businesses have expanded in real estate and entered cryptocurrency ventures.

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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.

JP Morgan lowered its Apple price target to $340 over supply constraint concerns.

Nikkei Asia reported that Apple had told select suppliers to cut iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max component production because of soft demand.

JP Morgan raised its Apple price target from $340 to $360 and maintained its Overweight rating.

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.

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

Norway fines Microsoft-owned Xandr $9.6 million over Grindr data sharing

Norway’s data protection authority fined Xandr a record 92 million kroner for sharing Grindr users’ sensitive data with advertisers without verifying consent. Xandr has three weeks to appeal.

“Thousands of users in Norway have been subjected to unlawful sharing of their sensitive data.”
Line CollDirector General of Datatilsynet

Ivanti warns of actively exploited Connect Secure security flaw

Ivanti urged customers to patch a high-severity flaw in its Connect Secure remote access gateway after detecting limited exploitation. The flaw can let attackers run commands on affected devices.

CISA adds five exploited software flaws amid China-linked espionage concerns

CISA added five vulnerabilities in widely used software to its exploited-flaws catalog and warned that China-linked actors have used them to steal sensitive information. U.S. federal agencies had until October 11 to fix or remove affected software.

Docker fixes critical flaw that let attackers use users’ access tokens

A Docker Hub flaw let attackers use some users’ tokens to access and alter container images. Docker fixed it and says it found no evidence of exploitation.

Three Hyderabad residents lose ₹5.35 crore in cyber fraud

Three people in Hyderabad lost a total of ₹5.35 crore in separate cyber fraud cases. The city’s police commissioner warned people about digital arrest scams, fake trading apps and impersonation.

South Korea inspects Zeekr's handling of personal data

South Korea's privacy watchdog began an on-site inspection of Chinese automaker Zeekr on Oct. 2, examining how it collects, shares and transfers users' personal data.

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.

Attackers remotely changed supermarket refrigeration settings at hundreds of stores in France overnight from October 11 to 12.

The affected equipment included controllers made by Danish company Danfoss that manage store fridges and freezers.

Some units reportedly reached 50°C, causing food to spoil and, in some cases, fires.

Intermarché and Netto reported about 150 affected stores in one account and at least 300 in another, while Carrefour reported 80 and Coopérative U reported 80 of its 2,000 stores.

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DDoS attack disrupts Canonical websites for more than four hours

A second DDoS attack this year disrupted Canonical’s public websites for a little over four hours. Launchpad and the Snap Store stayed online, and no one claimed responsibility.

A more disruptive DDoS attack hit Canonical, taking down Launchpad and the Snap Store; 313 Team claimed responsibility.

Canonical confirmed that its websites were under a sustained DDoS attack.

Canonical said its team was still bringing affected services back, though most were accessible again.

The attack disrupted Canonical’s public websites for a little over four hours.

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

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

Vulnerability
CVE-2026-97229
Severity
CVSS 10.0
Affected software
GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition
Patched versions
19.4.2, 19.3.5 and 19.2.8

Canadian cybersecurity executive arrested in ShinyHunters investigation

Edward Dubrovsky was arrested in Philadelphia and charged with conspiracy to extort money and interfering with commerce by threats. The FBI suspects he was involved with ShinyHunters.

Hack exposes personal data of more than 400 Saemaul Geumgo members

A hack of Saemaul Geumgo’s insurance service exposed personal and account details of more than 400 members. The credit union has blocked the attack and reported it to authorities.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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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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.

Henderson injured his ankle during New England’s win over the Raiders.

ProFootballTalk reported that Henderson had a high-ankle sprain and was expected to miss multiple weeks.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kacey Musgraves welcomed James Talarico at her Dallas concert over the weekend.

Talarico is a Democrat running for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, where he is facing Republican Ken Paxton.

Kristi Noem criticized Musgraves for hosting Talarico and said she preferred country singer Ella Langley and Paxton.

Musgraves replied on X: “I don’t think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it.”

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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.

Blair was detained after her Delta flight arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

A police officer accused Blair of kicking her while transporting her from the airport to an ambulance.

A nurse at the hospital accused Blair of kicking her in the chest.

Blair was arraigned on two counts of second-degree assault, and a judge set bail.

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.

Age
34
Breaking Bad role
Walter White Jr.
Seasons on the show
All five
Disability advocacy
Promoted awareness, inclusion and representation for people with disabilities

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.

AI-use accusers Thélyson Orélien

AI use in the novel

Orélien has been accused of using generative AI extensively to write the novel.

He says no sentence in the book was created by a machine.

Four Beatles films planned for release across April 2028

Sam Mendes’ four Beatles films are planned for release a week apart in April 2028. Producer Pippa Harris says viewers can watch them across the month, rather than all in one day.

Health

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.

“Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition.”
Dong-Woo Ryustudy author, University of Cincinnati

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.

Mexico’s military health system faces medicine supply pressure

Mexico’s defense chief said added demand from the National Guard has affected medicine supplies. He cited higher supply figures than official documents reported for prescription filling.

Beam shares early data on rare-disease gene-editing therapy

Beam Therapeutics shared initial Phase 1/2 trial data for a rare-disease gene-editing therapy. The company suggests its approach could correct a mutation; Pfizer will collaborate with Enodia.

Heal Italia proposes national plan for precision medicine

A Heal Italia white paper proposes a national strategy to bring precision medicine into Italy’s public health service, with a plan to strengthen care in the south.

Suki raises $90 million to develop AI agents for healthcare tasks

Healthcare AI company Suki raised $90 million in Series E financing. It plans to build AI agents for tasks such as referrals and prior authorizations and expand features offered through technology partners.

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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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.

In the mouse protocol, the researchers trained mice for four to eight weeks.

The mice then had a period with no exercise.

The researchers trained the mice again to examine how cells recalled earlier exercise.

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.

Study population
More than one million women
Lab tests analyzed
More than 300 million
Study cohorts
United States and Israel
US dataset
52 of 90 lab tests showed statistically significant sudden changes

US man nearly dies after eating large amounts of beetroot

An 82-year-old man in the US developed a dangerous blood disorder after eating nearly three kilograms of cooked beetroot each week while taking heart medication.

Four medical staff suspended after cannula found in woman’s abdomen

Two assistant professors and two postgraduate students at Kakinada Government General Hospital were suspended for one month after a cannula was found in a woman’s abdomen following surgery.