Starting Thursday, drivers in the UK can see live fuel prices on Google Maps for the first time. This feature uses government data to help motorists find the cheapest petrol and diesel nearby, making fuel prices clearer and encouraging competition among sellers.
Key Facts
Google Maps will show real-time petrol and diesel prices from the government’s Fuel Finder.
Fuel Finder covers 99% of UK fuel stations and uses live data.
The average diesel price in the UK recently reached £2 per litre, up over 40% since February.
The service aims to make fuel pricing more transparent and promote competition.
The Competition and Markets Authority recommended this transparency in 2023.
Fuel Finder is also available on apps like Waze, PetrolPrices, AA, Confused.com, and RAC Fuel Watch.
The transparency might expose pricing strategies that keep local fuel prices high.
Energy minister Polly Billington called the move a “gamechanger” for helping drivers save money.
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Five local councils in Hull and Lincolnshire will each receive £222,000 from the UK government to help people access healthy and affordable food. This funding is aimed at areas with high levels of poverty and childhood obesity and will support projects like community food shops and mobile greengrocers.
Key Facts
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is giving £222,000 to each of 45 local authorities in England.
Hull City Council and four councils in Lincolnshire are included in the funding.
The areas selected have high deprivation and childhood obesity rates above the national average.
In Hull, 10.2% of children aged 4-5 and 19% of children aged 10-11 are obese.
The funding may support community food shops, mobile greengrocers, and help councils plan better for food access.
Challenges to getting healthy food include low income, poor local access, and time constraints.
Local leaders and groups aim to use this money to help residents get healthier food options.
A government meeting will give more details to local authorities about how to use the funding.
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Bluefin tuna have returned in large numbers to UK waters after almost disappearing due to overfishing. A new WWF report highlights this recovery and other wildlife improvements worldwide but also finds that overall wildlife populations have dropped by 73% since 1970.
Key Facts
Bluefin tuna vanished from UK waters by the 1960s because of overfishing tuna and their prey.
Recent recovery is due to international actions like lower catch limits and protecting spawning areas.
WWF calls the tuna comeback a successful example of good fisheries management.
Other successes include a rise in wild tiger numbers from 3,200 in 2010 to about 5,700 in 2025.
The green sea turtle is now considered less endangered after decades of conservation efforts.
Elephant populations are stabilizing or growing in parts of southern Africa thanks to new laws sharing tourism income with local people.
Despite these gains, WWF reports a global average 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations since 1970.
Conservation efforts alone are not enough, and habitat destruction from farming is a major threat.
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Margaret Hamilton, a computer scientist who created the software that helped NASA’s Apollo 11 astronauts land on the moon, has died at age 90. She led the team that developed important flight software and helped solve a critical computer error during the 1969 moon landing.
Key Facts
Margaret Hamilton was a software engineer who worked at MIT from 1959 to the mid-1970s.
She led the team that wrote and tested the Apollo 11 spacecraft’s flight software.
Her work helped fix a computer overload alarm during the 1969 moon landing, allowing the mission to succeed.
The term "software engineering" was popularized by her work and leadership.
Hamilton received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2016.
She was born in Indiana in 1936 and studied mathematics at the University of Michigan and Earlham College.
She passed away on September 30, 2023, and is survived by her family.
MIT and Earlham College praised her pioneering contributions to science and space exploration.
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A teenage witness in a Sydney court denies that his family tried to get as much money as possible from broadcaster Alan Jones. The witness says Jones sexually touched him when he was 17, and Jones has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Key Facts
The witness was 17 when Alan Jones allegedly kissed him and touched his bottom.
The witness started writing to Jones at age 13, asking for help after family difficulties.
The witness and his family exchanged many emails with Jones between 2013 and 2016.
The witness says his mother helped with some emails but the messages were mostly his own.
Jones claims he gave more than $100,000 but told the witness that help needed to stop.
The witness did not agree to Jones’s kiss and said he felt scared after the incident.
Jones faces 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching from incidents between 2003 and 2020.
The trial is taking place in front of Judge Glenn Walsh and is ongoing.
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South Korea said it will take legal action if fuel shipments from its ports to Russia break its laws, following a report about fuel trade with Russia. The government is checking the information and said South Korea’s export rules do not currently ban sending refined fuel to Russia.
Key Facts
South Korea is investigating fuel shipments that sent over 176,000 tonnes of mostly diesel fuel to Russia in July and August.
Seven tankers made 14 trips from South Korean ports to Russia’s far east during this time.
Three of these tankers are under UK and EU sanctions.
South Korea says exports of refined petroleum products to Russia do not violate its current laws, which mainly ban industrial goods.
It is unclear who owns the fuel or who sold it, as port records do not publicly show this.
Some tankers declared destinations like Japan or Singapore but then went on to Russia.
Ukraine has raised concerns about these shipments with South Korea and has its own data on the trade.
South Korea’s presidential office asked Ukraine to avoid public comments that could harm South Korea’s international reputation.
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At a Trump rally in San Antonio, at least 10 protesters were removed after interrupting President Donald Trump’s campaign speech. The president said the protesters were paid, but did not provide evidence.
Key Facts
The event was a Trump rally in San Antonio, Texas.
Protesters interrupted President Trump’s speech.
At least 10 protesters were taken out of the rally.
President Trump claimed the protesters were paid, but gave no proof.
The rally was held to support Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton.
Some supporters at the rally booed the protesters.
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South Korea’s government said it will take legal action if it confirms that fuel was illegally sent to Russia, following claims from an adviser to Ukraine’s president. South Korea has not confirmed these fuel exports and stresses it follows international sanctions against Russia.
Key Facts
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has not confirmed whether its fuel, including diesel, was sent to Russia.
An adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said 176,000 tonnes of South Korean fuel were shipped to Russia in July and August.
South Korea says some fuels like diesel and jet fuel are not on its export control list to Russia.
South Korea’s presidential office rejected the fuel shipment claim and urged Ukraine to avoid statements that could harm trust.
South Korea and Ukraine have had tense relations recently over Ukraine’s disclosure about North Korean prisoners of war.
Ukraine says about 14,000 to 15,000 North Korean soldiers support Russia against Ukraine.
North Korea and Russia have a mutual defense treaty signed in 2024.
North and South Korea remain technically at war since the Korean War ended without a peace treaty.
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The French finance minister, Roland Lescure, invited the UK to fully rejoin the European Union after the UK’s Labour leader suggested a possible second Brexit referendum. Lescure emphasized that returning to the EU would allow the UK to participate in important discussions and face global challenges together with other member countries.
Key Facts
Roland Lescure, French finance minister, invited the UK to "come all the way" back to the EU.
UK Labour leader Andy Burnham said a second Brexit referendum might be included in a future election plan.
Burnham expressed concern over new EU rules that could hurt UK industries and supply chains.
The EU plans to protect its industries from competition, especially from China, with new rules favoring EU companies in contracts and subsidies.
Including the UK in these rules is important to avoid disrupting EU supply chains, especially in car manufacturing.
Lescure spoke about French protests demanding better school conditions and said leaders must listen to young people.
France faces a high budget deficit of over 5% of its GDP, which Lescure called "alarming" and said must be addressed soon.
Lescure plans to reduce health spending and limit pension increases to balance France’s budget.
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Doctors in the UK performed the first testicular tissue transplant on a 19-year-old who had his tissue frozen before chemotherapy. The procedure may help boys who lose their ability to produce sperm due to cancer treatments to have biological children in the future.
Key Facts
A 19-year-old patient had testicular tissue removed and frozen three years ago before chemotherapy for a blood disorder.
Chemotherapy can damage sperm-producing cells and cause infertility.
Doctors transplanted the frozen testicular tissue back into the patient’s body to try to restore sperm production.
This is the first operation of its kind in the UK and the second in the world.
Freezing sperm only works for older boys and men, so this method could help younger boys who cannot freeze semen.
The tissue contains special cells that make sperm after puberty.
Results from the procedure should be known within a few months.
The operation was done by NHS doctors in Edinburgh, supported by research from the University of Edinburgh and funding from Children with Cancer UK.
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A small village in Sardinia, Italy, called Bolotana, has a high number of women living to 100 years old. Researchers found that nearly 14% of women in this village who reach 70 will live to 100, making it one of the places with the highest female longevity in the world.
Key Facts
Bolotana is a mountain village in central Sardinia, about 70 miles from Sardinia’s original “blue zone.”
A “blue zone” is an area with many people who live to be very old.
The study found 13.8% of Bolotana women who reach age 70 live to 100, second only to Hong Kong globally.
Italy’s overall rate is 3.5% of women living from 70 to 100.
Researchers looked at people born between 1900 and 1925 and found 38 lived past 100, 57% higher than Italy’s average.
As of last year, Bolotana had 12 centenarians among 2,266 people; 6 still alive are all women, with the oldest at 102.
The researchers noticed strong social connections among the elderly, which might help their long lives.
The village’s clean environment, healthy fresh foods, and physical activity are possible reasons for their longevity, but the exact reasons are not confirmed.
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Hurricane Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season and is expected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend. States like Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi have declared states of emergency as the storm approaches with strong winds and heavy rain.
Key Facts
Hurricane Isaias strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane Wednesday night.
It has maximum winds of 75 mph and is about 460 miles southwest of the Mississippi River mouth.
The storm is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast.
Florida and Alabama governors declared states of emergency for multiple counties.
Hurricane and storm surge warnings are in effect from Mississippi to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Forecasts predict 3 to 7 inches of rain, with some places possibly getting up to 10 inches.
Isaias is the first hurricane this season, marking the latest date for a first hurricane since 1905.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually quiet so far, partly due to a strong El Niño weather pattern.
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Japanese officials searched the offices of the country’s four largest breweries because they suspect the companies worked together to set prices for beer and other drinks. The breweries control over 90% of Japan’s market and may have broken laws that stop businesses from unfairly controlling prices.
Key Facts
Authorities raided Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Suntory Beer, and Sapporo Breweries.
These four breweries control more than 90% of Japan’s beer and beverage market.
The Fair Trade Commission suspects the companies agreed secretly on price increases.
Prices for beer and similar drinks have gone up several times, most recently in April 2023.
The investigation is about a possible violation of Japan’s anti-monopoly law.
The breweries said they will cooperate with the investigation.
The case is seen as serious because it affects many consumers across Japan.
Shares of the four companies fell after the raids were announced.
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The Indonesian government faces a lawsuit accusing it of serious negligence in handling wildfires that caused toxic haze across Southeast Asia. Indigenous and civil groups want the government to pay for healthcare costs and cleanup after the fires worsened this year due to dry weather caused by El Niño.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, and names President Prabowo Subianto and several officials as defendants.
The fires produce thick haze that affected Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, leading to school closures and health problems.
The fires are often started on purpose to clear land cheaply for palm oil plantations.
Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer and has been criticized for not controlling these “slash and burn” fires.
This year’s fires were worse due to El Niño causing very dry weather.
Defendants did not attend the first court hearing, which was delayed until October 21.
Plaintiffs want the crisis to be declared a national disaster and for the government to cover medical costs of those affected.
A similar lawsuit filed last year was dismissed by a court in South Sumatra.
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President Donald Trump held a rally in San Antonio, Texas, to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton ahead of the midterm elections. The event faced multiple protests, and Trump spoke on various topics including awarding Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the death penalty for drug dealers, and concerns about security related to Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump campaigned for Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.
Several protesters interrupted the rally and some were removed by police.
Trump promised to give Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
He expressed support for the death penalty for drug dealers.
Trump discussed the possibility of Iran attacking U.S. cities and emphasized protecting American cities.
Despite Texas being a Republican stronghold, Republicans are facing challenges due to Trump's approval ratings, the Iran conflict, and rising gas prices.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, did not attend the rally and was at another event instead.
Democrats see the Senate race in Texas as competitive because of strong fundraising by Democrat James Talarico and concerns about Paxton’s character.
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Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was known for his powerful roles in Bollywood and Marathi films, and he won several national awards for his acting.
Key Facts
Nana Patekar died at 75 after a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa.
He was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors tried CPR for 45 minutes but could not save him.
Patekar started his film career in 1978 and became widely famous after the 1989 movie Parinda.
He won three national awards for his roles in Parinda, Krantiveer, and Agni Sakshi.
Besides acting in movies, he was active in Marathi and Hindi theatre and also worked as a director and writer.
He co-founded the Naam Foundation in 2015 to support farmers and rural development in Maharashtra.
Patekar was known for speaking openly against government policies, especially on farmers’ issues.
In 2018, he faced sexual harassment allegations that sparked India’s #MeToo movement but was cleared by police in 2019 due to lack of evidence.
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Since late September, students in France have been protesting against problems in their schools, such as not enough teachers and poor building conditions. The protests have sometimes turned violent, with many people hurt and hundreds arrested. The reasons for the protests are connected to real issues, but experts say other countries face similar problems, and the scale of unrest is unusual in France.
Key Facts
Students across France have protested against school underfunding and staff shortages since late September.
The protests involve lycées, schools for 15-18-year-olds.
Some schools have heating or cooling problems, and teachers can be absent for long periods without replacement.
Students are also upset about mobile phone bans and long school days ending at 6 pm.
The French university placement system, Parcoursup, causes stress because not all students get their chosen courses.
France spends more per high school student than the EU average, and teacher shortages are less severe than in some countries.
The protests have involved violence, with hundreds of injuries and about 500 arrests during recent clashes.
Police are tasked with keeping order but not to confront the students directly.
French social history includes street protests as a traditional way to express political power.
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Three people died in attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports carried out by the Houthi militia from Yemen. The attacks are part of ongoing fighting between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Iran-supported Houthis.
Key Facts
Two attacks on Saudi airports happened on October 6 and 7, killing three people and injuring 36.
Two women (Moroccan and Algerian) died at Abha International Airport, near Yemen's border.
One Sudanese man was killed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The Houthi group claims responsibility for the attacks using missiles and drones.
Houthis also attacked Aden International Airport in Yemen during this period.
The attacks were said to be a response to Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas.
The Saudi-led coalition has targeted more than 80 Houthi military sites in response.
The conflict in Yemen has worsened recently, displacing over 200,000 people and threatening a key global shipping route at the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
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High school and university students in France are protesting again, demanding more government funding for education. The government has tried to ease tensions, but the protests continue, with police facing criticism for their handling of demonstrations.
Key Facts
Students across France protested again on Thursday, following large protests two days earlier.
The protests focus on demands for increased funding for education.
Mayor Bally Bagayoko of Saint-Denis defended students and asked police not to charge them during a protest.
The French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, spoke on TV, supporting police actions and denying orders to crack down on students.
An investigation started after a 17-year-old student was injured during protests in Marseille.
Student leaders and teacher unions are calling for more strikes and demonstrations across the country.
The Interior Ministry said about 250,000 people joined protests, while organizers claim about 450,000.
Police have suspended the use of stun grenades in student protests due to concerns over force used.
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President Donald Trump announced he will give former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This honor comes after the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame chose not to include Clemens.
Key Facts
President Trump said he will award Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Medal of Freedom is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
Clemens is a former Major League Baseball pitcher known for his successful career.
The MLB Hall of Fame has repeatedly declined to induct Clemens.
President Trump described the Medal of Freedom as a “big step up” from the Hall of Fame recognition.
The announcement shows the President’s decision to honor Clemens independently of the baseball organization.
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