Three deaths from float crushes raise safety concerns over Japanese festivals 19. October 2026 (11:08) Deputy mayor of Saijo died after becoming trapped under float, days after two similar incidents elsewhereThere is mounting concern over the safety of Japan’s traditional festivals after the death of a senior local official who was reportedly crushed beneath a float at the weekend, days after two men died in similar incidents in another part of the country.Akihiro Nabae, the deputy mayor of Saijo, in western Japan, was carrying a giant float with other participants in a festival on Saturday when he became trapped beneath the structure, Agence France-Presse reported. Nabae, 62, was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, local media said, adding that no one else was injured. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says 19. October 2026 (11:03) Ukrainian president accuses Washington of ‘denial of reality’ in ongoing row with Trump over apparent support for MoscowUkraine did not receive a warning from the US about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, reviving concerns that Washington is withholding intelligence in order to bully Kyiv into capitulating to Moscow.Yuri Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said on television on Monday morning that Ukraine had not received a warning before a Russian missile barrage hit power plants in Kyiv at around 11pm. Earlier, a Ukrainian government official had told the Guardian the US had not warned the capital about the impending missile strike. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
U.S. Political Money Funnels to Indian Bots to Lure Voters 19. October 2026 (11:02) At least three dozen videos of people on the street expressing support for a Democratic candidate appeared millions of times on social media. It was unclear who paid for them.(New York Times)
Does My Suit Make Me Look MAGA? 19. October 2026 (11:02) A reader wonders if he needs to rethink what he wears.(New York Times)
Does My Suit Make Me Look MAGA? 19. October 2026 (11:02) A reader wonders if he needs to rethink what he wears.(New York Times)
What Can We See in All the Recent Art About AIDS? 19. October 2026 (11:02) Nearly five decades after the disease first appeared, many filmmakers, writers and others are finding new meaning in catastrophe.(New York Times)
How Did Life Arise? Three Turning Points in Early Evolution 19. October 2026 (11:01) Where did it start? How did it grow complex? Why did it get big? Three moments in Earth’s early history when evolution suddenly, inexplicably turned up the dial.(New York Times)
