Starbucks China has introduced a new rule requiring customers to buy something if they want to sit inside its cafes. This policy aims to improve the experience for paying customers amid growing competition from local coffee brands like Luckin Coffee.
Key Facts
The policy applies to all 8,000 Starbucks stores across China starting Thursday.
Customers must purchase items to use seating inside the stores.
Starbucks China says the change is to improve the in-store experience for paying customers.
The move responds to heavy competition from local brands such as Luckin Coffee.
Luckin Coffee surpassed Starbucks as China’s largest coffee chain in 2023.
Starbucks China plans to add more staff and upgrade digital systems to improve service during busy times.
Similar seat usage policies and related challenges have appeared in Starbucks stores worldwide, including North America and South Korea.
Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999 and is currently the company’s second-largest market.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Waitrose is opening its first new supermarket in eight years in Cricklewood, north London, as part of a £1 billion investment plan. The company also plans to open more supermarkets and convenience stores over the next five years while updating several existing stores.
Key Facts
Waitrose is opening a new supermarket in Cricklewood, north London, and another in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, soon.
The company plans to open up to four large supermarkets and 100 convenience stores over five years.
Waitrose will refurbish some stores to add counters for meat, fish, sushi, bakeries, and fine wine.
Sales at Waitrose rose by 4% in the six months ending August 1, but operating profit fell by £7 million to £103 million.
Higher energy costs and investments in prices and loyalty programs affected profits.
Waitrose's parent, John Lewis Partnership, reported a £98 million pre-tax loss, partly due to lower department store sales.
The partnership has signed its first company-wide union recognition deal with Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union.
The union deal aims to improve worker support and relations within the company.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the health technology company Theranos, has returned to public attention. People remain interested in her story because of the unusual and dramatic events surrounding her rise and fall.
Key Facts
Elizabeth Holmes started Theranos, a company claiming to have revolutionary blood-testing technology.
Theranos’s technology was later shown to be unreliable and inaccurate.
Holmes faced legal trials and was convicted for fraud related to her company’s false claims.
Her story involves themes of ambition, deception, and the impact on the healthcare industry.
A podcast and media coverage have renewed public interest in learning more about her life and case.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
North Korea plans to restart loudspeaker broadcasts of propaganda along the border with South Korea after 16 months. This comes amid rising tensions following an incident where South Korean soldiers were injured by a landmine near the border, which South Korea blames on North Korea. North Korea has also been strengthening its border defenses and calls recent South Korean responses provocations.
Key Facts
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said loudspeakers will be ready to restart soon along the entire border.
These loudspeaker broadcasts are used to send propaganda messages and have been silent for 16 months.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stopped South Korea’s loudspeaker broadcasts in June 2025 to reduce tensions.
The loudspeaker broadcasts involve North Korea playing sounds like animal howls and South Korea playing K-pop music and news critical of North Korea.
Tensions increased after a landmine near the border injured three South Korean soldiers in September.
South Korea and the UN command said the mine came from North Korea, but North Korea denies this.
North Korea has increased border fortifications, including mines and barriers, declaring the border a permanent dividing line.
South Korea reports North Korean troops crossing the border during construction, leading to warning shots and loudspeaker warnings from South Korea.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of Democrats filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of wrongly pressuring states to remove voters and threaten local election officials. This legal action focuses on claims that the administration used flawed lists to target noncitizen voters just before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Democratic National Committee and others sued in federal court in Washington, D.C.
The lawsuit argues the Trump administration tried to force states to purge voter rolls and segregate ballots.
The Justice Department says it is working to protect election integrity by removing illegal noncitizen voters.
California and other states have been accused of not cooperating with federal requests about noncitizen voters.
A preliminary analysis in Los Angeles showed many individuals on the DOJ's list were actually born in the U.S., meaning they are citizens.
DOJ officials accuse California of ignoring federal law by not verifying voter citizenship.
Democrats say the administration’s lists are poorly made and undermine trust in elections.
The lawsuit mentions President Trump’s long history of spreading claims about voter fraud, which have repeatedly been disproven.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A serious security problem was found in PHP, a programming language used by many websites worldwide. This flaw allows hackers to take control of websites and steal data. Cyber-security groups and governments are urging website owners to quickly update their systems or temporarily shut them down to stay safe.
Key Facts
PHP is a coding language used since the 2000s to build many websites, including Wikipedia and WordPress.
The flaw lets attackers control servers without needing a password and could expose sensitive information.
Artificial intelligence helped discover these security weaknesses, which are described as very severe.
Many websites and government portals worldwide took parts of their services offline to protect against attacks.
The US National Security Agency and other international cyber groups advised urgent updates or taking systems offline.
Developers released patches to fix the flaws and strongly recommended everyone put these updates in place immediately.
Smaller organizations with less computer security could be at higher risk from this flaw.
Experts expect more hacking attempts related to this weakness since details are now public.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany debated once in the race for Wisconsin governor. They discussed key issues like the 2020 election results and the Democratic Socialists of America during the debate.
Key Facts
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County executive and the Democratic candidate.
Tom Tiffany is a Republican and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The debate was the only one before the Wisconsin governor’s election.
Incumbent Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, is retiring.
Tiffany and Crowley disagreed on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
They also debated the role and influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
The debate focused on key issues important to Wisconsin voters.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow construction of a border wall in the Big Bend area of West Texas. A federal judge stopped the project because of a lawsuit claiming it violates environmental and historic preservation laws.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants to build a border wall in Big Bend, West Texas, to strengthen security on the border with Mexico.
The Justice Department filed an emergency request to the Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s order that stopped construction.
Environmental groups and local challengers filed a lawsuit to protect the landscape, wildlife, and a historic church in the area.
The court halted the wall after deciding that government officials exceeded their authority by waiving environmental laws to speed up construction.
The Big Bend region covers about 500 miles of the border and accounts for roughly 1% of migrant arrests according to critics.
The $1.7 billion project includes vehicle barriers, roads for patrol, lighting, and detection technology.
Former and current Homeland Security officials called the area a “high illegal entry” zone, justifying increased border barriers.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to allow construction to continue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar said she cannot stay in her Washington, D.C. home because of death threats after a federal raid there. She described the early morning raid by Homeland Security agents searching for evidence related to an ongoing criminal investigation about her immigration documents.
Key Facts
Ilhan Omar says she received death threats and fears for her safety after a federal raid at her home.
The raid happened on October 12 early in the morning, with 15 to 25 Homeland Security agents searching for about four to five hours.
Agents took 17 items, including phones, a camera, a Somali phrase book, and notebooks.
Omar was with her husband and son during the raid and said the event was chaotic and frightening.
She was allowed to call her attorney about an hour into the search and said the agents behaved decently.
Omar linked the raid to President Donald Trump, citing his past attacks and demands for her deportation.
She denied allegations that she married her brother, calling those claims false and based on conspiracy theories.
The Department of Justice confirmed the raid was part of a federal criminal investigation involving alleged fraud in her immigration documents.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The US Embassy in Canada accused Canadian officials of trying to interfere in the upcoming US midterm elections. Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, denied these accusations, saying their actions aim to protect Canadian jobs and economy amid ongoing trade tensions.
Key Facts
The US Embassy in Ottawa claims Canadian ministers openly discuss plans to influence US politics.
Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, reject these accusations.
The accusations come before the US midterm elections, which will decide control of Congress.
Canada and the US have been in a trade dispute, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other.
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly met US political figures, including governors and potential presidential candidates.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford denies any interest in interfering with US elections.
The trade tensions have led Canada to consider retaliatory tariffs to protect Canadian jobs.
US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra warned of close monitoring for election interference.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) likely broke the law by knocking on doors to ask about immigration status and voting, which may violate the Voting Rights Act. The judge ordered DHS to stop such election-related checks in nine states if the people involved are, or might be, U.S. citizens, at least until after Election Day.
Key Facts
DHS agents were conducting door-to-door visits to question people about their immigration status and if they voted in recent elections.
The Trump administration says this is to prevent illegal voting by noncitizens.
Critics say these visits could scare legal voters and stop them from voting.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin said these actions probably violate the Voting Rights Act's rules against intimidating voters or those who help them.
The judge blocked DHS from doing these operations in nine states, including California and New York, until Election Day polls close.
The government can try to appeal this order until 5 p.m. on Friday.
The judge noted that the government’s list of people to investigate was made using unreliable data.
Since President Trump began his second term, only 156 people have been charged with voting fraud, showing little evidence of widespread illegal voting.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, debated Democrat Adam Hamilton, a pastor, in a closely watched Senate race. The debate showed the election may be more competitive than Republicans expected, with both candidates trying to appeal to voters carefully.
Key Facts
The debate took place on Wednesday night and was hosted by Nexstar Media Group.
Roger Marshall is the current Republican senator from Kansas.
Adam Hamilton is a Democrat and a pastor.
The race in Kansas appears more competitive than many Republicans thought.
Hamilton tried to distance himself from well-known Democrats like President Joe Biden.
Both candidates aimed to balance their messages to attract voters in a battleground state.
The debate is part of the final stretch before the election.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) President Jacqui Heinrich criticized the White House for limiting journalist Andrew Feinberg’s access to cover President Trump. This action followed President Trump’s strong reaction toward Feinberg during a meeting in the Oval Office.
Key Facts
The WHCA President Jacqui Heinrich spoke out against the White House’s decision to restrict a journalist’s access.
The journalist affected is Andrew Feinberg from The Independent.
Feinberg was supposed to be the print pool reporter, meaning he would share news coverage with other journalists.
President Trump had an intense reaction toward Feinberg during an Oval Office meeting earlier in the week.
The White House then limited Feinberg’s ability to cover President Trump’s activities.
The WHCA’s statement defends journalists’ right to access the president and cover news.
This incident highlights tension between the White House and certain members of the press.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar might go to jail or be deported while federal officials look into claims about her U.S. citizenship. Omar denies any wrongdoing and says the investigation is meant to intimidate her politically.
Key Facts
President Trump made statements about possible jail or deportation for Ilhan Omar.
Federal authorities are investigating claims related to Omar’s U.S. citizenship.
Ilhan Omar says she has done nothing wrong.
Omar describes the investigation as political intimidation.
The situation is happening as midterm elections are coming up.
The investigation could affect Omar’s political career.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A fire broke out at the Brookdale assisted-living facility in Clinton, Mississippi, causing evacuations and ongoing searches. Some residents were taken to hospitals with non-serious injuries, while others were moved to a nearby church to be with their families.
Key Facts
The fire happened on Wednesday at an assisted-living facility in Clinton, Mississippi.
The facility houses 102 people.
The Clinton Fire Department responded around 5 p.m. local time.
It is not yet clear if anyone has died in the fire.
Some residents were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Other residents were taken to Morrison Heights Baptist Church to reunite with families.
Governor Tate Reeves said multiple fire departments, health officials, and emergency teams are working at the scene.
The situation is still developing, and more information will be shared as it becomes available.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
French police banned protests in parts of Paris following violent demonstrations linked to the rising cost of living and fuel prices. President Emmanuel Macron criticized US President Donald Trump for using the unrest for political advantage ahead of the US midterm elections.
Key Facts
Protests were banned from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in key areas of Paris, including near the presidential palace, parliament, the Louvre, and Champs-Elysees.
The ban followed violent unrest during recent student and Yellow Vest protests.
French police said organizers could not guarantee the prevention of violence and vandalism.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu planned to meet with mayors from Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, cities affected by riots.
A curfew was imposed in parts of Paris for some nights to maintain public order.
The Yellow Vest movement and high school students planned more demonstrations over the weekend.
Macron accused President Donald Trump of exploiting the unrest for political gain before the US midterms.
French intelligence services were involved in preparing for the upcoming protests.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in Victoria, Australia, was fined $10,000 after more than 700 frozen and taxidermied native animals were found on his property without the proper licenses. The animals included protected and threatened species, and some live reptiles were also kept in poor conditions, which broke wildlife laws.
Key Facts
Glenn Richard Rollo, 74, was fined $10,000 and pleaded guilty to 13 charges related to illegal possession and selling of wildlife.
Authorities found over 700 dead native animals frozen or taxidermied, including birds, possums, echidnas, and threatened species like barking owls and diamond pythons.
His property included 14 freezers full of animals and enclosures with 15 live reptiles, some of which were not properly cared for.
Rollo did not have the required licenses under Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975 to possess or trade these animals.
The law requires licenses for trading dead animals and for taxidermy to protect native wildlife and ensure their welfare.
The case was discovered during a wider crackdown on illegal wildlife trading in Victoria.
Officials stressed the importance of wildlife protection laws and the need for anyone keeping animals to follow them strictly.
An animal rights MP called for stronger, updated wildlife laws in Victoria, noting the fine was too low to act as a serious warning.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American, was released from a Russian prison after four years. He had been convicted in Russia of being a mercenary for Ukraine, which he denies. His release happened while a US envoy was visiting Russia to encourage peace talks.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard is a 74-year-old US citizen.
He was held in a Russian prison for four years.
Russia convicted him of being a mercenary for Ukraine.
Hubbard denies the claim that he was a mercenary.
His release happened during a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia.
The envoy's visit aimed to get Russia to rejoin peace talks.
The article focuses on a development related to the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers had their final debate for the open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. This election is important because it could affect which political party controls the Senate.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is a Democrat and former Wayne County health official.
Mike Rogers is a Republican and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Both candidates debated twice, with the second debate being less heated than the first.
The Senate seat in Michigan is currently open, meaning no incumbent is running.
The outcome of this race could influence control of the U.S. Senate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man was arrested and charged for threatening staff at Western Australian minister Hannah Beazley’s office while holding nunchucks. This incident follows an attack on federal MP Helen Haines, who was seriously injured outside her office in Victoria.
Key Facts
The man, 56 years old, threatened staff at Hannah Beazley’s Victoria Park electoral office with nunchucks.
Police arrested him and charged him with being armed to cause fear, making threats, and cannabis possession.
No one was hurt in the incident at Beazley’s office, and Beazley was not present at the time.
The attack on Helen Haines in Victoria resulted in her losing both legs and being hospitalized.
A community vigil was held for Helen Haines, showing local concern about violence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called such threats “far too prevalent” and said Australians should settle disputes peacefully.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn spoke about the unique threats faced by women in public roles.
Labor, Coalition, and crossbench MPs expressed concern about their safety following these attacks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
