X suspends 13,000 accounts over suspected foreign influence ahead of US midterms

X said it suspended more than 13,000 accounts linked to three suspected foreign influence operations ahead of the Nov. 3 US midterms. The company said the networks used fake accounts to target political figures and described its voting-related safeguards and reporting tools.

Elena MarquezBased on 1 source2 min read•2m ago

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World

Indonesia Tests Dry-Ice Dispersal as Toxic Haze Spreads

Indonesia is trialing dry-ice dispersal over South Sumatra to ease toxic haze from widespread fires. The effort comes as nearly 900,000 hectares have burned since January and smoke has spread to several neighbouring countries.

Elena Marquez4 sources2 min3m ago

Entertainment

Cher, Grace Jones and Jennie front Moncler’s Re/Icons campaign

Moncler has cast Cher, Grace Jones and Jennie to front its Re/Icons campaign, photographed and directed by Gabriel Moses. The collection revisits four archive jacket designs and expands into a full ready-to-wear range for the first time.

Zeynep Kandemir3 sources2 min22m ago

Entertainment

Banana Republic and Henry Zankov launch 27-piece capsule

Banana Republic has joined designer Henry Zankov for a 27-piece limited capsule spanning clothing and accessories. Priced from $90 to $600, the brushed cashmere-led range is sold online and in select stores under the Future Heirlooms campaign.

Zeynep Kandemir1 source2 min23m ago

Entertainment

Mother links with Amoeba Music for holiday capsule

Mother has partnered with Berkeley-founded Amoeba Music on a six-piece unisex holiday 2026 capsule priced from USD 125 to USD 385. The limited-edition range centres on white denim, rainbow-logo jersey and a record tote.

Zeynep Kandemir3 sources2 min23m ago

Entertainment

Palm Beach label Coniglio plots more stores and global push

Coniglio Palm Beach, founded in 2023 by Christina Coniglio, has grown from a 400-square-foot shop to a flagship and seasonal store and now plans more locations and international expansion. The brand is known for adjustable, free-size resortwear and is backed by investors Andrew Rosen and Stacey Bendet.

Zeynep Kandemir4 sources2 min23m ago

World

Milei Backs Trump Ahead of US Midterms in Washington Visit

Argentine President Javier Milei used a Washington gala on Oct. 14, 2026, to back Donald Trump ahead of the US midterms, highlighting close ties cemented by a $20 billion currency swap and Trump's conditional support.

Elena Marquez7 sources2 min31m ago

Entertainment

Paul McCartney says Queen Elizabeth II blew him away: She was a babe

Paul McCartney told the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast that Queen Elizabeth II left him starstruck, joking about a childhood crush and his wife's claim the late Queen fancied him.

Frances Kelsall2 sources2 min32m ago

World

Pope Leo Undergoes Lung Surgery; Vatican Says It Went Well

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital to remove a small lung growth. The Vatican said the operation went well, with recovery expected to take about a week.

Elena Marquez8 sources2 min32m ago

World

Rotterdam's bin-lorry poems granted heritage status

Rotterdam's 1988 tradition of printing poems on garbage trucks has been added to the Dutch Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The city unveiled its latest poetic lorries to mark the Oct. 13, 2026 listing.

Elena Marquez6 sources2 min33m ago

World

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John takes leave as complaints face independent review

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the Greens party room after seven party members alleged he made inappropriate comments to women. He said he rejects the claims, while leader David Shoebridge said he accepted the leave and pointed to an independent review.

Elena Marquez3 sources2 min33m ago

Entertainment

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World

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Indonesia Tests Dry-Ice Dispersal as Toxic Haze Spreads

2 min3m ago

Milei Backs Trump Ahead of US Midterms in Washington Visit

2 min31m ago

Pope Leo Undergoes Lung Surgery; Vatican Says It Went Well

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Gemelli Hospital to remove a small lung growth. The Vatican said the operation went well, with recovery expected to take about a week.

2 min32m ago

Rotterdam's bin-lorry poems granted heritage status

2 min32m ago

Technology

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Ricursive Intelligence Wants AI to Design Whole Chips in a Week

Ricursive Intelligence, founded by Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini, is building AI that designs whole chips, learns across iterations, and aims to cut design time from months to a week.

3 min4h ago

Flock CEO Defends License-Plate Cameras and Rejects a Pause

Flock CEO Garrett Langley defended license-plate cameras at Disrupt 2026, rejected a pause, detailed limits, and said local leaders should set most rules.

3 min4h ago

Disrupt 2026 Narrows Startup Battlefield to Five Finalists

TechCrunch narrowed Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2026 from 20 startups to five finalists, with a judged final set for October 15.

3 min4h ago

Gudea Wants to Predict Social Media Crises Before They Erupt

Gudea pitched an AI storm tracker for the internet at Disrupt 2026 to forecast social media crises by mapping how stories spread.

3 min5h ago

Sports

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Wallabies hand Meredith No.10 for Sydney Bledisloe rematch

Australia have turned to Declan Meredith at flyhalf for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney. The Wallabies are chasing a first win in 12 meetings after a 50-19 defeat in Auckland, with both sides forced into changes through injury.

3 min3h ago

PSG spoil Guardiola's homecoming with 4-2 win at Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad on 14 October 2026 in the Champions League. City trailed 3-0 at half-time before a second-half fightback fell short on Pep Guardiola's first return to the stadium.

3 min6h ago

Lisandro Martinez says anger fuelled Man Utd blast but offers no apology

Lisandro Martinez says anger and frustration fuelled his criticism of Manchester United's hierarchy after the defeat at Atletico Madrid. He has not withdrawn the claim over summer recruitment, leaving his future uncertain.

2 min6h ago

Shakhtar fight back to beat AEK 3-1 at Stamford Bridge

Shakhtar Donetsk came from 1-0 down to beat AEK Athens 3-1 in the Champions League on 14 October. The match was played at Stamford Bridge, the club's temporary European home, where late goals and strong support secured an opening win.

2 min7h ago

Politics

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NZ First promises overhaul of combat sports regulation

New Zealand First announced on October 15, 2026 that it would overhaul combat sports regulation if elected. The party said its plan would create a Combat Sports Commission, set medical standards and penalise unsanctioned events.

2 min3h ago

Former Chinese soldier referred for hearing on whether he may stay in Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency referred Rong Xiang Yuan, a former Chinese soldier who emigrated to Canada in 2008, to the Immigration and Refugee Board for an admissibility hearing. The board will examine whether he may have committed war crimes during a conflict with Vietnam and whether he may remain in Canada.

2 min3h ago

Labor, Coalition set to reject ban on shackling during childbirth

Labor and the Coalition are set to oppose Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe's bill to prohibit shackling during childbirth. The government pointed to state and territory responsibility and the Coalition declined to back the bill, while Liberal Senator Paul Scarr criticised that stance.

2 min5h ago

Commerce Commission will not step in over Wellington water bills

The Commerce Commission has confirmed it will not intervene to hold down Wellington water bills, saying affordability is outside its mandate. Tiaki Wai bills are up 13.3% this year, with further rises projected, while the Commission will require regular reporting on infrastructure upgrades.

2 min5h ago

Finance

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Gold Eased Oct. 14 as Traders Braced for U.S. Inflation Data

Gold and silver eased Oct. 14 as traders braced for U.S. inflation data, with a firm dollar, higher yields and rate expectations driving the move.

3 min3h ago

Asian Currencies Split as Hot US Inflation Lifts Fed Hike Bets

Hot September US inflation lifted October Fed hike bets and split Asian currencies, with yen firming while won and Aussie weakened.

3 min3h ago

Oil Holds Above $100 as Gulf Exports Rebound

Oil steadied above $100 as higher Middle East exports met supply fears. Futures point to near $90 for 2026 Brent, with Asia and Hormuz flows setting the price.

3 min4h ago

Who Owns the Nikkei Average — and What You Need Permission to Do With It

Nikkei asserts ownership of its indexes, requires separate approval for three uses, and says prices, dividends and weights are all essential to calculation.

2 min5h ago