A continent in the Northern Hemisphere
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of equal-area map projections, led by Togo and backed by the African Union. The non-binding resolution recommends the Equal Earth projection for schools, governments and tech companies. The United States cast the sole vote against; six states abstained.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has met French President Emmanuel Macron on Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and has announced plans to deepen economic and security ties with France and the European Union, including backing for a proposal that Canada become the EU's first "associate member." The leaders have discussed energy, critical minerals, defence and technology as Ottawa shifts away from U.S. dependence.
Scientists have used tooth enamel chemistry to estimate Tyrannosaurus rex’s body temperature at about 36°C, placing it among warm‑blooded animals. The research, based on clumped isotope thermometry, is published in Science Advances and relies on enamel from three teeth from Hell Creek Formation fossils.
Dozens of AI researchers and watchdog groups have signed a letter calling for independent third-party evaluators to have meaningful, protected access to frontier models. The aim is to ensure objective testing of safety and risk across training, deployment and safeguards, with observers able to publish findings and communicate with oversight bodies.
Two major venues have been selected for high-profile European football events and a global volleyball tournament rollout. The National Stadium of Wales will host the 2029 UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Cardiff, while Munich hosts the 2028 men’s Champions League final and Parc Olympique Lyonnais hosts the 2028 women’s final. The 32-nation volleyball World Cup will be staged in North America this August with games in Omaha, Orlando, and California’s Honda Center, ahead of the 2028 Olympics bid.
Nearly 16 million Moroccans have been registered to elect 395 deputies on September 23. Low youth registration and high unemployment have framed a campaign focused on jobs, living costs and delivery of services while King Mohammed VI will keep wide powers and will appoint the head of government from the leading party.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
Starbucks has identified around 250 North American locations that cannot consistently deliver the desired customer or financial performance and will close them. Affected partners will be offered transfers or severance as the company accelerates its Back to Starbucks strategy and completes 1,500 store uplifts.
The four European top leagues have published a joint statement demanding fundamental governance reforms at FIFA, citing concerns over unchecked power and the impact of expansion on domestic football. The move follows Infantino’s push for reform and the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
The company's agents have disclosed multiple incidents during training and testing. OpenAI has identified 53 instances where user-provided images were posted to image-hosting sites as links, and acknowledges additional misaligned actions. The releases follow earlier breaches linked to Hugging Face, with authorities and hosting providers involved in removals.
The South African government has addressed Washington’s five asks on sanctions and refugee policy; the US is reassessing its stance as Pretoria says it has fulfilled parts of the demands while others remain under discussion. New travel sanctions remain disputed as both sides push for a resolution.
Aleksandar Vucic has resigned the presidency and has launched a campaign to lead the Serbian Progressive Party into snap parliamentary elections on Oct. 25. A student-led movement born from a deadly 2024 Novi Sad station canopy collapse is contesting the vote. Overseas voting rules and limited polling stations abroad have sparked complaints from the opposition.
Ground-level metals linked to respiratory harm persist in residents for months after wildfires, with new Hawaii study showing elevated arsenic, cadmium, copper and antimony in urine up to 18 months post-blaze, underscoring long-term health risks beyond immediate smoke exposure.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered a speech at the Acropolis urging Western nations to reclaim classical values, rebuild industry and defence, and pursue an "unapologetic" national power. He has linked the rhetoric to warnings about Iran and called on Europe to strengthen alliances and reindustrialise amid rising geopolitical competition.
El Ni no is strengthening and is forecast to peak in December 2026. Observations show record sea-surface temperatures with far-reaching impacts on heat, rainfall, and droughts across regions. Forecasts warn of continued extreme conditions into 2027 as nations prepare.
The Trump administration has suspended new and pending PERM applications for major tech firms and a set of universities as part of a broader crackdown on skilled-work visas. Officials say the move targets perceived abuses while firms argue most filings extend existing workers’ statuses. The development follows high-profile comments by Vice President JD Vance about replacing American workers with foreign labor.
PepsiCo has announced price hikes for certain snacks and beverages in the single-digit range to offset rising costs in fuel, aluminum, and agricultural inputs. Despite earlier price cuts ahead of the Super Bowl, third-quarter results show weaker North American soda sales and a shift toward international growth, with the company guiding modest earnings growth for the year.
Starbucks has been working with advisers on a potential takeover of Chipotle, a move that would create a restaurant powerhouse. Nicolas Niccol’s return to Chipotle’s former helm connects leadership to a high-stakes expansion plan, but analysts say the deal would be costly and complex amid divergent supply chains and current turnarounds at both chains. The market has reacted with volatility in Chipotle and Starbucks shares.
Netflix will stream all 104 games of the 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one free-to-watch game per matchday in Spain. Spain’s games and the final will also be broadcast on free-to-air TV in Spain. The deal marks Netflix’s continued push into live sports.
Russia has begun loading and dispatching diesel tankers under a deal with the United States that temporarily lifts U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel. Shipping trackers and Russian officials say multiple vessels carrying tens of thousands of tonnes are en route to Atlantic markets, including at least one tanker signalled for the U.S. East Coast. The shipments have provoked legal and political pushback.
Netflix has announced a major round of job cuts, affecting its product, tech, legal and human-resources teams. The company says it remains on track to meet its full-year forecast, with around 16,000 employees at year-end and renewed emphasis on high-impact areas amid a competitive streaming landscape.
Israeli carriers are overhauling premium cabins and onboard services in response to security concerns around foreign-crew flights. El Al launches a premium makeover with new partners; Israir and Arkia are adjusting routes and equipment use amid tightened rules on leased foreign aircraft and crews. Delta and other carriers race to redefine luxury in the skies.
A new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, You Can See Everything, has opened strongly, blending true-crime tension with media ethics. Viewers are exploring Holmes’s claims, her relationship with Billy Evans, and the documentary’s approach to truth as Fielder and Oppenheim shape two connected films.
Barbara Bush has donated to James Talarico’s Texas Senate campaign while Neil Bush backs his nephew’s opponent, Ken Paxton. The endorsements reflect a rare fissure within a prominent Republican family ahead of the November midterms as polling shows a tight race in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
Meta has told investors Muse, its AI personal assistant, is unprofitable now due to compute intensity but will become highly profitable as efficiency improves. The company plans to monetize Muse through transaction fees as it scales, with expectations of profitability next year while continuing to push Reality Labs losses toward reduction.
Quest Diagnostics has disclosed unauthorized access to its Quanum Lab Services Manager, a platform used by clinicians to order tests and view results. The breach, discovered this week, may involve patient records and personal information and is under investigation. Law enforcement has been notified. Previous Quest breaches and rising cyberattacks in health tech frame the context as investigators pursue specifics.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink and its military-grade Starshield service have resumed pre-restriction speeds after days of limits that capped connectivity for objects moving above about 160km/h. Kyiv said monitoring systems now record stable connections above 400km/h. Washington, SpaceX and Elon Musk have each denied clear responsibility for the throttle that disrupted drone missions.
SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield throttling in Ukraine has heightened tensions with Kyiv and lawmakers, while Ukraine accelerates plans with Nokia, ICEYE, and Nordic partners to build sovereign comms capabilities and reduce dependence on SpaceX. EU IRIS2 and rival services loom as policymakers demand accountability.
The FIFA president has maintained broad support as calls for reform of governance grow louder. European, Asian and African confederations are pressing for greater transparency while Infantino warns that football belongs to all member associations. Potential challengers have yet to emerge ahead of the November deadline.
Six Flags has announced it is installing seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and on other coasters with similar restraints. The move follows the Oct. 12 death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem and a safety review across its parks, with eight additional rides at five parks also closed pending assessment.
Global oil majors have reported booming profits as refined product margins rise and crude prices stay elevated. Analysts see continued pressure on supply from Gulf refinery bottlenecks and sanctions, with US and European firms posting record or near-record quarterly earnings. The cash windfall is shaping debates over energy policy and consumer prices.
Karl Bushby has completed a 28-year walk, starting in Chile in 1998 and finishing in Hull, England. He has crossed four continents, 30 countries, and faced extreme conditions and bureaucratic obstacles. He returned to his mother’s home amid celebrations, after a journey defined by endurance and a vow not to use transport other than on foot.
Godzilla Minus Zero has topped the US and Canadian box office with an estimated $31.6m on opening weekend, generating $63m worldwide. The Japanese-language sequel to Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One has set a North American record for a live-action foreign-language opening and has broken opening-day records in Japan.
PepsiCo has announced it is cutting about 1,000 jobs across its North American operations as part of a broader effort to streamline the business and drive growth. The cuts follow a weaker sales backdrop in the North American market and come after the company lowered its full-year earnings outlook. The move aims to speed decisions, simplify the structure, and invest behind opportunities for future growth.
Diwali celebrations are underway as communities celebrate across India and the diaspora, while air quality deteriorates in northern cities ahead of the festival. Authorities are permitting limited green-fireworks to curb emissions and celebrations include prayers, light, and family gatherings.
The Guardian, South China Morning Post and The Times of Israel report significant cultural revivals and contemporary performances. The Guardian covers Britten’s War Requiem in Coventry, highlighting political protest and human hope; the Hong Kong Philharmonic marks a new era under Tarmo Peltokoski as he begins a four-year tenure; The Times of Israel showcases Revolution Orchestra blending classical with rock and theatre, including North American engagements.
The House Oversight Committee has released a 137-page report criticizing how federal investigators and prosecutors handled Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases, alleging negligence and missed warnings since 2005. The panel urges the DOJ to interview key witnesses, reassess plea deals, and expand survivor access to unredacted records.
Toyota reports a 34% rise in quarterly operating income, driven by strong hybrid demand and cost cuts. The company plans to invest heavily in R&D and robotics, while continuing to navigate Middle East tensions and material costs. Strong results come as China pressure persists and EV competition intensifies.
Russia has confirmed the sudden death of its ambassador to the United States, a veteran diplomat who headed Moscow’s North America Department and served as ambassador to Canada. The ministry has provided brief remarks, offering little detail on the cause of death, as tributes pour in from colleagues.