Urgent.News

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The Daily Edition

Thursday, 22 October 2026

372 stories across 8 sections

The Takeaway

Apple has launched its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, priced at S$3,099, making it the most expensive iPhone to date. The device features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner OLED screen. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. has taken on a new role as honorary chief customer experience officer for Specs, Snap's augmented reality glasses business, where he will be involved in creating original content and custom AR experiences.

In other news, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust reported a 21.6% increase in its Q3 distribution per unit, driven by higher revenue from industrial and logistics properties. Additionally, a Chinese technology firm has unveiled a new robot called H2-X, which is capable of disarming attackers and lifting cars. In the world of politics, JD Vance clarified that he will not endorse any more foreign candidates, after choosing not to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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

AI

AI

Canadian publisher says novelist Orelien used AI to write novel

MONTREAL — The publisher of top-selling Haitian-Canadian writer Thelyson Orelien said Wednesday it had confirmed that he used artificial intelligence to help write his novel "It Was Either That or Die." Orelien has denied allegations that he used AI on his breakthrough novel and, last week, Canadian publisher Boreal said it was standing by the 38-year-old writer. But on Wednesday, Boreal said it…

Montreal - The publisher of renowned Haitian-Canadian author Thelyson Orelien announced on Wednesday that it had confirmed the use of artificial intelligence in the creation of his novel, "It Was Either That or Die." Orelien adamantly denied any allegations of AI involvement in his groundbreaking work. However, Canadian publishing company Boreal, which had stood by the 38-year-old author, disclosed on Wednesday that it had carried out a more thorough investigation into the claims.

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Tech

Tech

Apple iPhone Duo hands-on: So what do you get for S$3,099?

Apple's first foldable iPhone Duo starts at S$3,099, featuring a 7.6-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip and cool multitasking capabilities. But is it worth buying?

Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, launches at S$3,099, making it the most expensive iPhone to date. The device comes with a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner OLED screen, which is 50% larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The internal screen boasts a matte finish, reducing reflections and glare for improved viewing and reading experiences.

The iPhone Duo features a titanium frame with a mirror finish and incorporates Apple's Ceramic Shield technology, providing excellent protection against scratches and dust. It uses the IP68 water and dust resistance rating, allowing it to withstand immersion in more than 1m of water for over 30 minutes.

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Merck Opens New Molybdenum Production Facility in South Korea to Advance Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing

Merck is expanding its semiconductor materials manufacturing capabilities in South Korea with a new molybdenum precursor production facility, strengthening its supply chain for advanced memory and logic semiconductor manufacturing.Merck Korea announced the opening of a new molybdenum dioxide dichloride (MoO₂Cl₂) production facility at its…

  • Merck opens new molybdenum production facility in South Korea.
  • Facility begins operations on October 22, 2023.
  • Molybdenum precursor supports advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

EA To Close BioWare; Cancels Next Mass Effect

For those who were worried about the future of BioWare following the critical reception to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it looks like the worst has come to pass. In the name of cutting costs, Electronic Arts (EA) will not only be shutting down the studio, but also cutting about 400 jobs, which amounts to around […] The post EA To Close…

Business

Business

Electric cars are booming worldwide, but Tesla is standing still.

The company is announcing progress on several future projects, but vehicle sales are stagnating. On the merger plans with rocket builder SpaceX, CEO Elon Musk said nothing at all this time.

Tesla has reported stagnant vehicle sales, with 487,000 vehicles delivered in the third quarter, slightly more than Wall Street expectations but less than the same period last year. The company's revenue remained steady at $28 billion, but adjusted profit fell to $1.7 billion. Despite this, investors are encouraged by Tesla's cautious investment approach, with spending on investments totaling $4.7 billion, and the company's cash flow coming in better than expected. CEO Elon Musk did not provide new information on potential merger talks with SpaceX.

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Agriculture, investment: Sindh CM, German CG discuss cooperation

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met German Consul General Thomas E. Schultze at the CM House here on Wednesday to discuss important matters related to President Asif Ali Zardari’s upcoming visit to Germany, along with bilateral relations, trade, investment and development cooperation.

Finance & Markets

Finance & Markets

Jio Platforms IPO draws strong demand within hours; Eternal Q2 net profit rises 92%

The qualified institutional investors showed strong interest for the IPO of Jio Platforms with subscription crossing 4x.

Jio Platforms executed a successful IPO on the opening day, receiving strong demand from institutional buyers within two hours. The Rs 30,213 crore offering saw QIB subscription nearly five times over. Jio's strategic focus spans telecom, AI, cloud services, and digital offerings, though retail and non-institutional investor engagement appeared limited.

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World

World

Oil rises as US orders diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions

NEW YORK: Oil prices rose on Thursday as more attacks by the Houthis in Saudi Arabia prompted the United States to order some diplomats and family members to leave its missions in the Kingdom.

Crude oil prices surged on Thursday as the Houthis launched multiple attacks in Saudi Arabia, prompting the United States to instruct some diplomats and their families to temporarily relocate from its missions in the country. Brent crude futures surged $1.29, or 1.2%, to $110.11 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 97 cents, or 1%, to $98.12. Brent had steadied on Wednesday, while WTI had dipped 67 cents.

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Meta ordered to pay $25bn in user data privacy case

A judge in the US state of New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $25 billion (€22.2bn) to the state after a jury found last month that the social media giant had deceived users in a case related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Science

Science

Africans reuse, repair, recycle and resell waste: What's needed to build on the circular economy basics

In many African cities, a broken fridge is rarely thrown away immediately. It may be repaired and resold, dismantled for spare parts or collected for its metal components.

In many African cities, broken appliances and clothes are not immediately discarded; instead, they undergo repair and resale, or are dismantled for spare parts and metal extraction. Leftover crop materials are converted into animal feed, compost, cooking fuel, or biogas. These actions are primarily driven by necessity, as incomes are limited and replacement expenses can be prohibitive.

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Health & Medicine

Health & Medicine

FDA patient, consumer reps often tied to pharma-funded groups

Patient and consumer representatives advising U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expert panels might actually be a Trojan horse for the pharmaceutical industry, a new study says.

A recent study raises concerns about the role of patient and consumer representatives advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The research, published in Health Affairs Scholar, suggests that these representatives may have hidden ties to organizations funded by pharmaceutical companies. A 10-year analysis of nearly 240 FDA advisory committee meetings revealed that almost 40% of these gatherings included at least one patient or consumer representative with active industry connections.

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AI Detects Half of Lung Cancers Missed on Neck CT Scans, Highlighting New Opportunities for Medical Imaging

Artificial intelligence could help identify lung cancers overlooked during routine interpretation of CT scans performed for other medical purposes, according to a new study highlighting the potential…

  • AI software AVIEW LCS detects 51.3% of lung cancers missed in neck CT scans
  • Study analyzes 81,794 CT exams, finds 80 cancers not documented initially
  • AI uncovers additional diagnostic information without extra imaging exams

Culture

Culture

New Netflix series starring Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo to premiere in December

"Tantara," a new Netflix original Korean series starring actors Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo, will be released on Dec. 11, the streaming platform said Thursday. Set in the 1960s-80s, the period drama follows Min-ja (Song), who overcomes poverty and ventures into the recording industry, and her childhood friend Dong-gu (Gong), who supports her dream. The show's cast also includes Kim Seol-hyun, Cha…

Netflix has announced that its new original Korean period drama, Tantara, will premiere on December 11. Set between the 1960s and 1980s, the series stars Song Hye-kyo as Min-ja, a woman who overcomes poverty to enter the recording industry, and Gong Yoo as her childhood friend Dong-gu, who supports her ambitions.

The production features a cast including Kim Seol-hyun, Cha Seung-won, Lee Hanee, and Na Moon-hee. According to The Korea Times, the series marks the return of screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung, who previously wrote Worlds Within, That Winter, the Wind Blows, and Our Blues.

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Athletics bet on youth with 31-year-old Taylor Smith to lead baseball operations

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Saying “the world is run by 31-year-olds today," Athletics owner John Fisher hired as his president of baseball operations someone he hopes continues the organization's rich history with analytics but also brings new ideas about where the sport could be headed.Taylor Smith's meteoric rise — seven years with the Tampa Bay…

  • 31-year-old Taylor Smith appointed as president of baseball operations for Athletics
  • Smith has seven years of experience with Tampa Bay Rays and two with Boston Red Sox
  • Owner John Fisher believes Smith's youth and fresh perspective will benefit team

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