Qantas had to stop using a Boeing 787 plane in Rome because bedbugs were found in the economy section after flying from Perth. The flight from Rome to Perth was canceled so the plane could be cleaned deeply, and affected passengers were rebooked and given accommodation.
Key Facts
Bedbugs were found in the front part of the economy seats on a Qantas flight from Perth to Rome on October 9.
The plane was grounded in Rome and the flight back to Perth on October 10 was canceled for cleaning.
Bedbugs are small insects that bite humans and feed on blood but do not fly.
Experts say bedbugs likely came onto the plane in passengers’ luggage or clothes.
Qantas regularly cleans its aircraft and uses disinfectant every 50 days.
Passengers affected by the cancellation were offered places to stay and new flights within two days.
Bedbugs are hard to eliminate because they hide in small spaces and can survive without feeding for a long time.
Travel can spread bedbugs because they latch onto clothing and luggage from infested places like hotels.
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Travis Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Minnesota, won a giant pumpkin contest in California with a pumpkin weighing 2,389 pounds. He aims to break the world record for the heaviest pumpkin, which is currently held by a squash weighing 2,857 pounds set in England.
Key Facts
Travis Gienger has won five giant pumpkin contests in the US.
He brought his pumpkin from Minnesota to Half Moon Bay, California, for the event.
His pumpkin weighed 2,389 pounds (1,083 kg).
The current world record for heaviest pumpkin or squash is 2,857 pounds (1,300 kg).
The world record was set recently on England’s south coast.
Gienger has held the world record for the heaviest pumpkin in the past.
He is motivated to try and beat the current world record.
The contest involves weighing giant pumpkins and squashes to find the heaviest one.
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The BBC reality show Celebrity Traitors features celebrities trying to eliminate others secretly without being caught. The show has gained a large audience in the UK, attracting viewers of all ages and becoming a popular TV event.
Key Facts
Celebrity Traitors asks chosen celebrities to secretly remove other players without being discovered.
The show attracts over 10 million viewers for some episodes, beating other programs in its time slot.
It draws a younger audience, with 1.6 million viewers aged 16 to 34 watching the latest series premiere.
The show’s producer, Stephen Lambert, says the secret to success is “dramatic irony,” where viewers know more than the contestants.
The show is popular because it reveals the true personalities of celebrities under pressure.
Casting is easier because many contestants are fans of the show, but it is hard to get active sports stars due to their schedules.
The producer’s dream guest would be actor Tom Cruise, but securing him or top athletes remains difficult.
Other TV networks have tried similar shows but have not matched Celebrity Traitors’ success.
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A study shows women with autoimmune diseases are more likely than men to be told their symptoms are psychological or caused by stress. Women also wait longer to get a correct diagnosis and treatment for their conditions.
Key Facts
Women have up to a 74% higher chance than men of being told their symptoms are psychosomatic (caused by stress or anxiety).
Women are 46% more likely than men to get a psychiatric misdiagnosis.
About 43% of women reported being told their symptoms had a psychiatric cause, compared to 33% of men.
Women wait longer for an autoimmune diagnosis, often one to two years, while men usually get diagnosed within three months.
The study involved more than 6,600 patients, mostly women from the UK.
Common autoimmune diseases in women include thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s and Graves’, and systemic lupus.
The immune system attacks the body by mistake in autoimmune diseases, causing symptoms like fatigue, rashes, and muscle pain.
Researchers suggest historical biases in medicine may contribute to women’s symptoms being taken less seriously.
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A new app called ZyMix, aimed at UK university students, uses servers linked to Tencent, a large Chinese company on a US military blacklist. The US blacklist accuses Tencent of connections to China’s military, but the app company says Tencent only provides auxiliary services and user data is mainly stored in the UK and EU.
Key Facts
ZyMix is marketed as the UK’s first “super app” for Generation Z, combining messaging, payments, and community features.
ZyMix uses servers owned by Tencent Holdings, a Chinese company based in Shenzhen.
Tencent was added in January 2026 to the US Department of Defense’s list of Chinese military companies.
The US blacklist aims to limit military use of Chinese technology, but does not automatically stop all business with blacklisted companies.
Tencent denies being a military company and says it will work with the US government to resolve misunderstandings.
ZyMix’s initial privacy policy said user content was stored by Tencent in Europe, but this mention was removed after media inquiries.
The company says Tencent Cloud Europe BV provides only test services and does not store main user data.
UK security experts have expressed concerns over links between Chinese firms and British higher education and technology.
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 3.1%, citing strong performance in rich countries despite higher energy prices caused by the war with Iran. However, poorer countries remain vulnerable to rising costs, debt problems, and limited benefits from new technology like artificial intelligence (AI).
Key Facts
The IMF predicts the world economy will grow by 3.1% in 2026, slightly less than the 3.5% expected growth in 2025.
Energy prices have risen sharply due to the war involving Iran and the resulting geopolitical tensions.
Advanced economies have shown resilience, helped by increased investment and growth in AI technology.
Low-income countries, which have less access to AI benefits, face serious challenges from energy price shocks and high debt.
Global debt levels are very high, and the IMF advises governments to balance spending cuts with ensuring food and energy security.
The conflict has caused attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, increasing energy supply risks.
The IMF warns the global economy is divided, with some countries benefiting from technology while others struggle with war-related issues.
Continued war and geopolitical tensions could worsen inflation and financial difficulties, especially for poorer nations.
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Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic candidate for Georgia governor, participated in a debate alone after her Republican opponent, Rick Jackson, did not show up. Jackson said he missed the debate due to a scheduling conflict and claimed debates were not important to voters. The race is close, with early voting starting soon and President Donald Trump scheduled to campaign for Jackson.
Key Facts
Keisha Lance Bottoms debated alone because Rick Jackson did not attend.
Jackson said he had a scheduling conflict and was campaigning elsewhere in Georgia.
The debate lasted less than 30 minutes with two journalists questioning Bottoms.
Jackson is a healthcare business founder and political outsider.
Bottoms was Atlanta’s mayor and a senior adviser to President Joe Biden.
Polls show a close race, with Jackson slightly leading Bottoms.
If Bottoms wins, she would be the first Black woman governor in the U.S.
President Trump will hold a campaign rally in Georgia to support Jackson and a Republican Senate candidate.
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President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy facilities, calling for an end to the war. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces had struck six Ukrainian energy sites after the claimed ceasefire, while Russia rejected any pause in fighting.
Key Facts
President Trump said Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported six Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities after the ceasefire announcement.
Trump called the war in Ukraine a "disaster" and urged both leaders to end it.
Ukraine supports an energy ceasefire and says it had not attacked Russian refineries recently.
Russia rejected the idea of a ceasefire and pledged to continue its military operations in Ukraine.
Trump eased US sanctions on Russian diesel shortly before announcing the ceasefire, a move criticized by Ukraine and European countries.
Ukrainian and European officials worry that easing sanctions could strengthen Russia’s war effort.
Trump's announcement came days before US midterm elections, with price reduction on fuel seen as a possible motivation.
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The BBC has decided not to build a new studio for the radio show The Archers in Birmingham as part of cost-cutting measures. They are considering other studio options in the West Midlands and have not made a final decision on where the show will be recorded.
Key Facts
The Archers has been recorded in Birmingham for 75 years.
The BBC planned to build a new studio for the show in the Tea Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The BBC is reviewing existing studios and other options in the West Midlands.
The Archers’ production team will move to Digbeth in early 2028, but no new studio will be built there.
The BBC aims to save money while keeping the show’s quality high.
Cast members record about eight days a month and live in different locations across the UK.
The Mayor of West Midlands is disappointed and wants to keep the show’s production in Birmingham.
No final decision has been made about the show’s recording location.
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that very high stock prices and growing debt in AI companies could trigger a market crash. This could hurt global financial stability, especially in the US and Asia, causing broader economic problems worldwide.
Key Facts
The IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report highlights risks from high AI company valuations and rising debt.
An AI-driven market crash is one of three big risks, along with higher government borrowing costs and cyber-attacks.
The IMF says a crash could reduce investment, cause stock price drops, and tighten financial conditions worldwide.
Seven major tech firms (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla) make up over 35% of the US S&P 500 index.
The IMF doubts that AI needs the massive investments currently made by "hyperscaler" firms like Amazon Web Services and Google.
These companies have borrowed heavily, and hedge funds and regular investors have also taken on debt tied to AI stocks.
Financial deals linking stronger AI firms to weaker ones could worsen a stock price crash.
Since 2020, about $300 billion in deals connected top AI companies with weaker firms, supported by $650 billion in debt and $1.4 trillion in future commitments.
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Ukraine’s president says Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems are still happening even though President Donald Trump said both countries agreed to stop attacking energy sites. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially confirmed this agreement.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an ‘energy ceasefire’.
Ukraine’s president says Russian attacks on energy infrastructure continue despite this announcement.
Russia and Ukraine have not officially confirmed the ‘energy ceasefire’ agreement.
The attacks have targeted Ukraine’s electricity and energy facilities.
The situation causes ongoing damage to Ukraine’s power supply systems.
The ‘energy ceasefire’ is meant to protect vital energy sites from attacks.
The disagreement over the ceasefire’s status adds uncertainty to the conflict.
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Russia said European Union countries have bought $320.7 billion worth of its energy products since 2022, even though sanctions were placed because of the war in Ukraine. European officials criticized a U.S. deal to import Russian diesel and suggested using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine more.
Key Facts
Russia reported selling $320.7 billion of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) to EU countries from 2022 to 2026.
In the first nine months of 2026, Europe bought $21.3 billion worth of Russian energy.
Russia continues to supply energy under exemptions despite sanctions related to the Ukraine war.
EU countries have sent about €218.7 billion (around $244 billion) in support to Ukraine since the war began.
Some EU countries, like Slovakia and Hungary, are allowed to buy Russian oil via pipeline because of exemptions.
The figure does not count Russian oil reaching Europe after being processed in countries like India or Turkey.
The U.S. made a deal to import Russian diesel, which many European countries criticized.
President Donald Trump defended the U.S. decision, saying it was the right choice for Americans.
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Argentina temporarily closed the Iguazu Falls to tourists due to heavy rain from a strong El Niño weather pattern, which caused river water levels to rise quickly. The park reopened after water levels began to drop.
Key Facts
Iguazu Falls is a large waterfall on the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Heavy rain caused water flow in the Iguazu River to rise to over 12,000 cubic meters per second, more than six times normal.
Authorities closed the falls on the Argentinian side for safety reasons but reopened it after the river flow decreased.
The heavy rain was caused by a strong El Niño event, a natural weather pattern that changes winds and rainfall.
El Niño usually starts in the Pacific Ocean and peaks in December, but its effects can last into the next year.
Scientists say global warming is making El Niño events more intense.
Similar closures happened in 2023 and 2024 due to flooding from earlier El Niño activity.
Argentina’s coastal region had unusually high rainfall recently, linked to the current El Niño.
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Vikki Campion, wife of federal One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, has started working part-time as a media adviser for the New South Wales One Nation party ahead of the state election in March. Campion also writes a weekly opinion column for the Saturday Telegraph and has previously worked as a political contractor and media adviser.
Key Facts
Vikki Campion began working this week for NSW One Nation's state executive as a part-time media adviser.
She is married to Barnaby Joyce, a federal One Nation MP who switched from the Nationals last December.
Campion helped NSW One Nation leader Mike Newman with a press conference in Cessnock recently.
She writes a weekly column for the Saturday Telegraph and plans to continue doing so.
Campion has political experience, having worked for the Nationals and as a media adviser to Joyce when he was deputy prime minister.
She confirmed her role with One Nation is part of her political career and does not intend to run for office.
One Nation recently highlighted that they had many candidate applications but have only confirmed three NSW candidates so far.
Another former Coalition candidate, Katherine Deves, joined One Nation but is not yet confirmed as a candidate for the NSW election.
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Hackers attacked the cooling systems of supermarkets in France. They raised the temperatures to very high levels, causing fires and spoiling large amounts of food.
Key Facts
The cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems in French supermarkets.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has supported Proposition 42. This measure would cancel Proposition 40, which proposes a one-time tax on billionaires in California.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom is a Democrat.
Proposition 40 is called the Billionaire Tax Act.
Proposition 40 would impose a one-time tax on billionaires in California.
Proposition 42 would stop retroactive taxes created by Proposition 40.
Newsom officially endorsed Proposition 42 on a Friday.
If voters approve Proposition 42, the tax from Proposition 40 would be canceled.
The issue will be decided by California voters during an election.
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Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico was at home in Austin recovering from the flu for the first eight days of October, according to security camera photos shared by his campaign. His absence from public events sparked criticism and rumors, which his campaign denied, providing evidence to show he was not hiding.
Key Facts
James Talarico was not seen in public for almost two weeks due to the flu.
His campaign shared security camera images showing him at home in Austin from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8.
The photos came from a backyard camera with timestamps and were verified by CBS News using satellite images.
Talarico canceled multiple public events during this period because of his illness.
His Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, and President Donald Trump criticized him for his absence.
The mental health facility mentioned in related rumors confirmed Talarico never received treatment there.
Talarico’s campaign called rumors about his whereabouts false and aimed at spreading conspiracy theories.
He made a public appearance again on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, saying he was feeling better.
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President Donald Trump held a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, to support Republican candidates before the November midterm elections. At the event, he spoke for about 80 minutes, criticized Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar and Somali immigrants, and called for voter support for Ohio Republicans.
Key Facts
The rally took place at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, with some empty seats visible.
President Trump was introduced by former NFL coach Jon Gruden and joined by Ohio Senator Jon Husted, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and others.
Trump repeated criticisms of Representative Ilhan Omar and her Somali immigrant community, while distancing himself from the federal search of her home that happened earlier that day.
Supporters chanted “deport” during discussions about immigration and Somali immigrants.
Protesters interrupted the rally but were met with negative reactions from the crowd.
Ohio is seen as a key battleground state in the upcoming midterm elections, with tight races for Senate and governor.
Trump urged voters not to let Ohio be “plundered” like Minnesota, referencing his ongoing political attacks connected to Minnesota’s Somali community.
Officials from Omar’s office condemned the raid on her home as an abuse of power and said she has done nothing wrong.
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A military police investigator testified that senior officers stopped his team from following evidence in a murder investigation involving a British SAS unit. The inquiry is looking into allegations that the SAS killed civilians unlawfully in Afghanistan and that these actions were covered up.
Key Facts
Delme Williams, a military police investigator, said senior officers controlled the direction of the murder investigation, preventing proper evidence review.
The investigation, called Operation Northmoor, examined 11 SAS operations in Afghanistan, including a 2011 raid killing nine people, some as young as 14.
Photographs from the raid showed bullet marks low on walls, which raised doubts about the SAS claim that those killed were standing and firing first.
Williams wanted forensic experts to examine the photos but was prevented by his commanding officers.
Another investigator said there may have been pressure from above to end the investigation without court cases.
Families of those killed say the victims were unarmed civilians shot in their beds.
The UK Ministry of Defence said the cases were investigated thoroughly, but no prosecutions were made.
BBC Panorama visited the site and found forensic experts agreed the bullet marks did not support a firefight scenario.
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Beau Lamarre-Condon is on trial in Sydney for the shooting deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, accused of using his police service gun. The case involves disputes over how the shootings happened, including DNA evidence and bullet wounds.
Key Facts
Lamarre-Condon is charged with two murders and one count of aggravated break and enter.
The shootings occurred at Jesse Baird’s home on 19 February 2024.
The prosecution says Lamarre-Condon posed as an UberEats rider to enter the home and shot both men.
The defense claims the killings happened during a struggle and that Davies shot himself.
DNA found in the gun’s barrel partially matched Davies.
A small bullet hole in a bedroom door showed no blood, raising questions about how Davies was shot.
Postmortem exams show severe but possibly survivable wounds on Baird and fatal brain injury.
CT scans display the bullet damage to both men’s skulls.
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