Researchers found that orangutans prefer food linked to sounds of laughter from their peers. The study showed that hearing laughter made the apes value the food more, suggesting emotions affect how they learn and make choices.
Key Facts
Scientists studied six orangutans in zoos to see if sounds influenced their food choices.
Orangutans were trained to find treats hidden under different substances like moss or sawdust.
Before choosing, orangutans heard recordings of either laughter or neutral environmental sounds.
Four out of six orangutans chose food associated with the laughter sound.
The findings suggest positive emotions like joy affect how orangutans learn and remember.
Researchers believe this emotional effect on learning also applies to humans, for example, in education.
Being in a good mood might make people value information more and affect their preferences for subjects.
The study helps understand the link between emotions and rational decision-making in animals and people.
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American Stephen Hubbard was released by Russia after being held for four years. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard, an American, was detained in Russia for four years.
The detention is described as wrongful.
Hubbard has now been released and returned to the U.S.
Steve Witkoff is a special envoy representing the U.S. in talks with Russia.
Witkoff met with Russian President Putin in Moscow shortly before Hubbard’s release.
The article also mentions other news topics but focuses mainly on Hubbard’s release and diplomatic engagement.
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Colombian authorities seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Cartagena. This is the largest drug seizure in Colombia in the last ten years. The shipment was headed for the Netherlands as part of a drug trafficking crackdown.
Key Facts
The cocaine seizure took place at Cartagena, a port on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Authorities confiscated 7.6 tonnes of cocaine in one shipment.
This is the biggest drug seizure in Colombia in the past decade.
The seized drugs were destined for the Netherlands.
The operation is part of a broader effort to fight drug trafficking in Colombia.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the seizure.
The crackdown aims to reduce illegal drug exports from Colombia.
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A video shows an Israeli settler yelling at and physically attacking a Palestinian child near Yatta in the West Bank. This area has seen an increase in violence from settlers, and human rights groups say those responsible are rarely punished.
Key Facts
The incident involved an Israeli settler and a Palestinian child near Yatta in the West Bank.
The settler was recorded shouting at and assaulting the child.
This area has experienced more settler violence in recent years.
The West Bank is considered occupied territory under international law.
Human rights organizations report that those who commit settler violence often avoid consequences.
The attack occurred during a broader incident involving a Palestinian family.
Settler violence has been a persistent issue in the region, affecting local communities.
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EU prosecutors are searching the offices of a far-right group in the European Parliament. The search is linked to an investigation into corruption involving the group’s earlier version.
Key Facts
The far-right group is connected to Marine Le Pen, a leading French presidential candidate.
The investigation is led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The probe focuses on graft, which means corruption or bribery.
The group’s offices in Brussels and Strasbourg are being searched.
The group being investigated is the current one’s predecessor, which is now closed.
This event happened on October 21, 2026.
Marine Le Pen’s party is called Patriots for Europe.
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Mexican prosecutors have charged César Jáuregui Moreno, a former state attorney general, with treason for allowing US agents to join a drug raid without proper permission. This followed a crash that killed two CIA agents and two Mexican officers during an operation targeting drug labs in Chihuahua.
Key Facts
César Jáuregui Moreno was the attorney general of Chihuahua state from 2023 until recently.
He is accused of letting US agents operate in Mexico without official approval, which is seen as a breach of Mexican sovereignty.
Two US agents, reportedly CIA operatives, and two Mexican law enforcement officers died in a crash on April 19 during a drug raid.
The US agents were said to be "instructor officers" providing training, according to Jáuregui.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum insists that foreign officials can only work in Mexico if allowed by the federal government.
Jáuregui denies the allegations and also faces other legal charges, including abuse of public office in Chihuahua.
A court will decide if there is enough evidence to continue prosecution at an upcoming hearing.
President Donald Trump has pressured Mexico to fight drug trafficking but Mexico resists US-led operations on its soil.
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Jason Alexander, the actor from Seinfeld, shared a story about his visit to Ramallah, a city in Palestine. During his visit, when Israeli soldiers fired shots nearby, the Palestinian people around him stayed close to protect him, which surprised him as a Jewish American.
Key Facts
Jason Alexander visited Ramallah, a Palestinian city.
He is a Jewish American actor known from the show Seinfeld.
He felt worried about visiting Palestinian areas before the trip.
During an Israeli military raid, soldiers opened fire near him.
The Palestinians with him formed a protective group around him.
This experience changed Alexander’s view of Palestinian people during his visit.
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President Donald Trump said his move to delay sanctions on Russia helped free an American who was wrongly jailed there. He admitted there was a trade-off but said the United States did not have to offer anything in return.
Key Facts
President Trump connected the release of a jailed American in Russia to his decision to delay sanctions against Russia.
The delayed sanctions were meant to reduce Russia’s ability to fight in Ukraine.
Trump acknowledged that holding back on sanctions was a kind of trade-off.
He also said the U.S. did not have an obligation to give Russia anything for the release.
This decision has received criticism from others who disagreed with delaying the sanctions.
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Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung, which was diagnosed as localized lung cancer. Doctors say he does not need any more treatment after the surgery because the cancer has not spread.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the lower part of his right lung.
The tumor was confirmed to be lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
Tests showed the cancer was localized, meaning it had not spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors conducted final tissue tests which confirmed the initial cancer diagnosis.
The pope’s medical team said no further treatment is needed currently.
Follow-up tests may be needed to check for any signs of cancer returning or spreading.
Surgery alone can be enough when lung cancer is caught very early.
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Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung and does not need more treatment, according to his doctors. The Pope returned to public appearances shortly after the operation and has urged peace in Ukraine during recent phone calls with leaders.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV had surgery on October 13 to remove part of his right lung.
The cancer was identified as lung adenocarcinoma and was localized, meaning it had not spread.
Doctors said no further cancer treatment is necessary.
The Pope left the hospital four days after surgery and spoke briefly to supporters.
He held his first weekly public audience since the operation at St Peter's Square.
The Pope spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about peace and aid in Ukraine.
He plans to travel to Latin America in early November.
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Sydney’s metro line extension in the city’s south-west will open on Friday, 30 October, ending over two years of bus replacements for commuters. The new driverless metro will reduce travel times and add capacity for more passengers during peak hours.
Key Facts
The south-west metro extension will officially open on 30 October, with the first train at 4:31 am.
It replaces the old T3 heavy rail line that closed in September 2024 for conversion to a driverless rapid transit system.
The continuous metro line will run 66 kilometers from Tallawong in the north-west, through Sydney’s CBD, to Bankstown in the south-west.
Travel from Bankstown to Central station will take 28 minutes, saving 6 minutes compared to the old rail line.
Some metro services run every 4 minutes during peak times and every 10 minutes during evenings and weekends.
Pink replacement buses will still run on opening day and the first weekend to help commuters adjust.
The project faced delays due to challenges converting old rail infrastructure, including adding mechanical devices to close platform gaps.
The entire metro project, including city and south-west sections, is expected to cost more than $20 billion.
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Diplomatic talks involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia have not yet led to a clear agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reluctant to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unless the meeting is held in Moscow, while technical-level talks may resume soon in Abu Dhabi.
Key Facts
Talks took place recently in Oslo (Norway) and St Petersburg (Russia) involving representatives from the US, Ukraine, Europe, and Russia.
Norway’s prime minister called the talks "good and constructive," but progress toward peace remains unclear.
US envoy Steve Witkoff met with President Putin, but Putin showed no strong interest in a leaders’ meeting with Zelensky outside Moscow.
The Kremlin may agree to technical discussions next month in Abu Dhabi but not a full trilateral summit yet.
Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov, said the new proposals did not offer much to solve the crisis but hinted some movement toward peace.
Russia knows Ukraine’s defenses are weak and may use the coming winter to continue military pressure.
President Donald Trump has eased some sanctions on Russia and criticized Zelensky, actions that Russia sees as easing pressure on Putin.
A possible meeting between Putin, Trump, and China’s Xi Jinping could happen next month during the Apec summit, seen as a significant global event.
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Cuba says the US is threatening other countries with punishments like tariffs and visa bans to stop them from voting to end the US embargo against Cuba at the United Nations. The US denies this and argues the Cuban government is responsible for its own economic problems.
Key Facts
Cuba accuses the US of pressuring countries before a UN vote on ending the US embargo against Cuba.
The US embargo on Cuba started in the early 1960s and is one of the longest economic blockades in modern history.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez claims US officials threaten to cut cooperation, deny visas, and support opposition groups to influence votes.
The UN General Assembly votes almost every year to end the US embargo, but the vote is not legally binding.
US officials, including Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, deny the Cuban claims and say Cuba uses the resolution to spread false information.
The US has also blocked oil supplies and threatened tariffs on countries helping Cuba with fuel.
The upcoming UN vote is expected around October 27 or 28, during heightened tensions between the two countries.
The US says Cuba's government, not the embargo, causes economic problems and accuses Cuba of supporting Russian fighters in Ukraine.
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Australian politician Helen Haines lost both legs after a car deliberately hit her. The driver, Brendan Nugent, has been charged with intentionally harming a government official.
Key Facts
Helen Haines is an Australian lawmaker.
She was struck by a car in what police believe was a deliberate attack.
The driver involved is Brendan Nugent.
Nugent has been charged with intentionally harming a commonwealth public official.
Helen Haines lost both legs as a result of the accident.
Police are treating the event as a criminal attack.
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New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has passed a law allowing human composting as a legal alternative to burial and cremation. This process turns human bodies into soil through natural decomposition in a controlled environment. Several local members of parliament said they plan to use this method after they die.
Key Facts
The new law allows human composting, also called terramation or natural organic reduction, as the third legal option for handling bodies in NSW.
The process involves placing the body in a vessel with organic materials like straw, where microbes break it down into soil in about 60 days total.
The soil produced is dry, nutrient-rich, and free of pathogens, and can help grow plants or trees.
The bill was introduced by independent MP Alex Greenwich, who researched the practice in Germany and the US.
Several MPs, including John Ruddick and Cameron Murphy, expressed their intention to use human composting after death.
The bill requires the NSW government to create regulations for the practice within 18 months.
Supporters highlight the environmental benefits, such as avoiding land use for burial and reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to cremation.
Some MPs emphasize the importance of respecting the dead and supporting families through the grieving process during human composting ceremonies.
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The UK Conservative Party has suspended Jack Ross, a former election candidate, after a video showed him discussing hiring contract killers and linking to a far-right activist with alleged paramilitary connections. The video came from an Al Jazeera undercover investigation that started in 2021, focusing on a UK group connected to a US right-wing activist group.
Key Facts
Jack Ross was a Conservative Party member and ran as a candidate in 2023.
Al Jazeera’s undercover investigation began in 2021 targeting Turning Point UK, linked to Turning Point USA.
The investigation filmed Ross discussing the costs of hiring hitmen and arranging violent attacks.
Ross introduced the undercover reporter to a far-right activist named Nesbitt from Glasgow.
Nesbitt is alleged to have paramilitary connections and offers violent services.
The Conservative Party suspended Ross immediately after the video emerged.
The party is conducting an investigation and has not given more details.
Turning Point UK has ties to senior Conservative Party members and leaders of Reform UK.
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