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Friday, 16 October 2026 Daily Edition

The Daily Edition

Friday, 16 October 2026

302 stories across 8 sections

The Takeaway

SpaceX launched 3 rockets in a span of 13 hours, setting a new record and causing the company's stock to jump by 7%. In Japan, Prime Minister Takaichi is considering welcoming Donald Trump during his upcoming Asia trip. Meanwhile, in Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has narrowed the gap with his rival Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of the country's October 25 presidential runoff.

In the tech world, a design review exercise found that AI agents were able to identify missing HTML alt text but failed to distinguish between the image's purpose and the fact of its absence. Additionally, family office heirs gathered in Singapore to discuss the importance of empowering the next generation to make decisions within family businesses and investment firms.

Written by urgent.news from the day's reporting.

AI

AI

Meta is taking on China’s open AI giants — with a little help from Apple

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 16 — Meta yesterday launched a new open-weight AI model which it claims rivals, and in some cas...

·malaymail.com·2 outlets

Meta has entered the competitive arena of open-weight AI models by unveiling Muse Spark Open, a model that the company claims rivals and sometimes surpasses similar products from leading Chinese developers. This new model is the most capable US open-weight model currently available, according to Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang, who shared the news on X.

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Server Prices Surge Up to Fourfold as AI Demand Squeezes Memory Supply

The price of a single server has surged as much as fourfold in just one year, putting corporate information technology (IT) infrastructure investment under severe pressure.

  • Server prices have quadrupled in one year, causing IT infrastructure challenges.
  • Memory costs rose from 39% in 2015 to 59% in 2023, now comprising two-thirds of manufacturing costs.
  • DRAM and NAND flash prices are projected to increase by 237% and 293% respectively this year.

·businesskorea.co.kr

Tech

Tech

Apple lists unreleased iPad mini accessory ahead of rumored launch

While Apple is rumored to be gearing up to introduce an OLED iPad mini later this month, an oversight on the company’s French site might have just confirmed the product’s existence. Here are the details. more…

·9to5mac.com·2 outlets

Apple has listed an unreleased Smart Folio accessory for the rumored OLED iPad mini on its French regulatory website, suggesting the product's existence. The listing, dated September 8, 2026, features a model number (A3632) not associated with any current products. The new accessory differs from the existing Smart Folio for the 6th generation iPad mini in several aspects.

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# A viral claim is not an incident report

A viral claim is not an incident report When the same claim appears in several communities over one afternoon, people often fold two questions into one: Is the claim supported?

  • Claim's accuracy cannot be validated by mere repetition across online communities
  • Evidence ledger should include assertion, provenance, confidence, distribution, and disconfirmation
  • Analyze claim spread through timestamps, repeated wording, and reposts, but not to establish intent

·dev.to

Evaluation Sets Demystified: Governance for E-commerce Product Search Retrieval

Short answer: use a staged retrieval design with explicit collections, bounded queries, and source context that a reviewer can trace.

  • Staged retrieval design ensures governance and traceability in e-commerce product search retrieval
  • Evaluation set captures item visibility, validity period, and evidence supporting answers
  • Pinecone, Weaviate, and Qdrant are popular vector service options for implementation

·dev.to

LG Electronics Expands Global Efforts to Combat Hunger Ahead of World Food Day

LG Electronics is stepping up its global efforts to address hunger and food insecurity ahead of World Food Day on October 16, combining public awareness campaigns with meal assistance and nutritional…

  • LG Hope Screen program uses digital billboards in major cities for public service campaigns.
  • Company provides meals to Indonesian landslide victims and implements nutrition programs in India.

·koreaittimes.com

How to A/B Test Two Landing Pages Using Campaign Links

You have two landing pages and one campaign link. You want to know which page converts better without sending half your traffic to a page you haven't tested.

  • Create stable campaign URL that redirects to one of two landing pages.
  • Server-side redirect endpoint assigns and consistently routes visitors to variant.
  • Pass variant through to landing pages and analytics tool to measure conversions.

·dev.to

Com2uS’ ‘Zeus: God of Pride’ Maintains Momentum 50 Days After Launch

Com2uS’ MMORPG Zeus: God of Pride is maintaining its early momentum 50 days after launch, supported by an expanding player base, new multiplayer content and continued communication with users.Com2uS, which publishes the game developed by Eiberton, said the title continues to rank among the top-grossing mobile games following its debut on…

  • Game servers expanded from 30 to 39, a 30% increase, to accommodate growing player base.
  • Guild Raid feature logged 51,649 attempts, highlighting importance of cooperative gameplay.

·koreaittimes.com

Business

Business

Unicaja is negotiating the final details to acquire WiZink

The Bank of Spain gives its approval to merge revolving credits in litigation into a bad bank, which are outside the operation. The Malaga-based institution wants to grow in consumer financing.

·expansion.com

Unicaja is in advanced talks to acquire parts of WiZink, a consumer finance bank, in a deal that has received approval from the Banco de España. The deal involves the creation of a "bad bank" to hold WiZink's revolving credit portfolio, which is embroiled in litigation over allegedly abusive interest rates. WiZink's parent company, Várde Partners, will retain the problematic credit portfolio, while Unicaja will acquire the bank's more valuable assets, including its consumer credit platform, fintech subsidiaries Aplazame and Lendrock, and its Portuguese business. The deal would mark Unicaja's first expansion outside of Spain.

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Garment, textile machinery, accessories: expo opens in Lahore

LAHORE: Pakistan’s largest garment, textile machinery and accessories exhibition opened in Lahore on Thursday, drawing more than 550 companies from 30 countries. Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain on Thursday inaugurated a four-day exhibition of garments, textile machinery and accessories at the Expo…

·brecorder.com

Governor’s Rule in KP termed as per law

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan stated that the eradication of terrorism is indispensable for the country’s development. He noted that the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is in accordance with the Constitution.

·brecorder.com

Nongshim Showcases Shin Ramyun at KOOM Week

Shin Ramyun, South Korea's representative instant noodles that has entered over 100 countries worldwide, will reveal its record of challenges and innovations in the heart of Manhattan, New York, in celebration of its 40th anniversary.Nongshim announced that it will participate in the K-startup festi

  • Nongshim will showcase 40-year journey of Shin Ramyun at KOOM Week 2026.
  • Interactive pavilion at Manhattan's KOOM event to inspire startup founders.
  • Food truck on 23rd Street offers K-food fusion with New York cuisine.

·businesskorea.co.kr

Finance & Markets

Finance & Markets

MSCI weighs downgrading Indonesia to standalone-market status

MSCI said investors had raised concerns about opaque ownership structures, concentrated shareholdings and suspected coordinated trading, which it said undermined the market's investability.

·thejakartapost.com·6 outlets

MSCI is considering downgrading Indonesia from emerging-market status to standalone-market status due to concerns over the country's equity market investability. The rating agency has received feedback from investors about opaque ownership structures, concentrated shareholdings, and suspected coordinated trading, which it believes undermine market accessibility.

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SECP chief proposes establishing national agri spot market

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu has proposed establishing a national agricultural spot market to connect farmers, warehouses, banks and buyers through a common digital trading platform, helping secure better prices for growers, reduce post-harvest losses and expand access…

·brecorder.com

World

World

Trump scraps plan to livestream execution after fierce backlash

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday canceled plans to livestream the firing squad execution of a convicted military base mass shooter, reversing a widely condemned move by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

·nst.com.my·6 outlets

US President Donald Trump canceled a plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a convicted military base mass shooter, on Thursday, reversing a decision that drew widespread condemnation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had proposed the livestream, now faces criticism for the move, which was opposed by politicians, religious leaders, and foreign governments.

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US sanctions Cuban, Iraqi banks over ties to Iran

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on a Cuban state-owned bank and an Iraqi bank, accusing both of helping Iran access the global financial system. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Cuba’s Banco Internacional de Comercio S.A., known as BICSA , saying it has provided services since at least 2022 to Iran’s…

·gulfnews.com·3 outlets

Science

Science

Online sports betting linked to rise in depression and anxiety treatment

More people are receiving treatment for depression and anxiety in states that legalized online sports betting.

·medicalxpress.com

A new study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a link between the legalization of online sports betting and a rise in mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, among adults aged 18 to 64 who have employer-sponsored health insurance. Researchers compared health insurance records from 2016 to 2023, analyzing states with and without legalized sports betting.

The findings show a roughly 5% increase in prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, as well as a 5% to 7% rise in outpatient diagnoses of depression and anxiety, following the legalization of online sports betting.

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Health & Medicine

Health & Medicine

A papacy interrupted: Pope Leo's cancer battle raises questions over his next moves

ROME, Oct 16 — With Pope Leo XIV recovering in hospital yesterday following his lung cancer operation, questions a...

·malaymail.com

Rome, October 16 - Hospitalized Pope Leo XIV is grappling with lung cancer, leaving the Vatican and the global Catholic community in a state of uncertainty. The 71-year-old leader, who was elected just two years ago, underwent surgery to remove a portion of his lung on Tuesday and is now undergoing further tests to ascertain his condition.

In the interim, he is recuperating at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, expected to stay for several days. Vatican officials have assured that his post-operative progress is "as expected," with a recent chest X-ray showing a good recovery of the operated lung.

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JI, Alkhidmat launch 10-day fumigation drive to curb dengue

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Karachi on Thursday launched a 10-day fumigation campaign across all districts of the city, while Alkhidmat Karachi will carry out spraying at government offices to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and flies and avert dengue and malaria outbreaks.

·brecorder.com

Culture

Culture

Lyon edge Crystal Palace in Europa League as Sunderland snatch late winner against Torreense

PARIS, Oct 16 — French club Lyon held off Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Europa League yesterday, while Sunderlan...

·malaymail.com·3 outlets

Paris, October 16 - French football powerhouse Lyon secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Europa League, while Sunderland staged a remarkable late comeback to defeat Portuguese second-tier side Torreense. Other notable wins in the league phase included Bayer Leverkusen's 4-0 triumph over Lech Poznan, AC Milan's 4-0 drubbing of Red Bull Salzburg, and Benfica's 4-1 thrashing of Celtic.

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