Japan’s Parliament agrees to hold next PM vote on Tuesday

LDP leader Takaichi is seeking to become Japan's first female prime minister.

Trump threatens Hamas with military action if group's bloodshed persists in Gaza

“It’s not going to be us,” Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the White House. “We won’t have to. There are people very close, very nearby, that will go in, and they’ll do the trick very easily, but under our auspices.”

Japan's parliament agrees on next PM vote on Tuesday

TOKYO - Japan's lower house scheduling committee board has agreed to hold a parliamentary vote to select the next prime minister on October 21, a senior committee member told Reuters on Friday.

Gene Simmons, Rush, Tom Morello, More Honor Kiss’ Ace Frehley: ‘My First Guitar Hero’

Musicians shared their memories of Frehley, who died on Oct. 16, celebrating his remarkable talent, unforgettable laugh, and impact across generations

Trump Refiles Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times, Which Again Calls It Meritless and an Attempt to ‘Generate PR Attention’

Lawyers for President Donald Trump refiled a defamation lawsuit Thursday against the New York Times, with a complaint that is less than half as long as the previous one — after a judge spiked the president’s initial lawsuit for being “tedious and burdensome.” As before, Trump’s

India to force drugmakers to upgrade plants after fatal cough syrup crisis

India has refused drugmakers’ requests to extend a year-end deadline.

New Zealand reimposes sanctions on Iran over nuclear non-compliance

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand is reimposing sanctions on Iran due to concerns about Iran's non-compliance with itsnuclear obligations, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Friday. The statement said the reimposition of United Nations

Kospi rally shows Trump’s trade war worries way overblown

South Korea’s stock market has just sent a powerful message to the world: global investors are adapting to the new trade era faster than many governments. The Kospi index closed at a record high on Thursday, climbing 2.49% to 3,748.37, after the International Monetary Fund

Trump slams 'stupid and outdated' blue slip rule for nominees

President Trump on Thursday yet again criticized the “blue slip” practice, which allows home-state senators to veto district court judge and U.S. attorney nominees. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said he has eight “Highly Respected” U.S. attorney nominees that

China's biggest shopping event starts five weeks early to revive spending

Typically a shopping event that begins on 11 November - Singles Day has kicked off earlier this year.

Gene Simmons Remembers Kiss’ Ace Frehley as the ‘Eternal Rock Soldier’

The lead singer honored his bandmate following Frehley's death on Oct. 16 at 74

Rogue black hole shocks astronomers with record radio blast

For the first time, scientists observed a black hole tearing apart a star far from its galaxy’s center, producing the fastest-changing radio signals ever recorded. The event, AT 2024tvd, revealed delayed bursts of energy months after the initial destruction, hinting at

Israel's government is trying hard to hide the new Gaza reality from the world

A week after the euphoria of the hostages' return, Israel is facing grim realities: the slow retrieval of bodies, Hamas' brutal control, and Trump's tightening grip on postwar diplomacy. Gaza's ruins now expose both Hamas' savagery and Israel's loss of control

Singapore grants conditional approval to import 1GW of low-carbon electricity from Sarawak

The project aims to supply electricity to Singapore from hydropower in Sarawak.

Death penalty sought for Bangladesh's ex-leader Sheikh Hasina

Hasina is being tried in absentia over her deadly crackdown on student-led protests last year.

‘Ragtime’ Review: Broadway Revival Is a Timely, Glorious Panorama of Changing Times in America

Whether “Ragtime” is presented in productions mammoth (as in its 1998 premiere) or modest (the 2009 revival), the musical, adapted from E.L. Doctorow’s kaleidoscopic 1975 novel, reverberates with the directness, passion and allegorical heft of an American folk epic. Lear

Work on Singapore-Sarawak undersea power cables to start in 2026, says Sarawak minister

Sembcorp Utilities is working with its Sarawak partner to import 1GW of low-carbon electricity to Singapore.

Today's Wordle clues, hints and answer for October 17 (#1581)

Your daily dose of Wordle assistance.

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi sends offering to Tokyo war shrine

She is expected to avoid visiting the shrine for fear of angering Asian neighbours.

Ex-Marine appeals extradition from Australia to US over claims of training Chinese pilots

Two South Koreans detained in Cambodia return home amid scam crackdown

This comes a day after Phnom Penh announced plans to deport 59 Koreans accused of working in cyberscam operations.

María Isabel – “Bien Bien” (Feat. El Guincho)

María Isabel last released music in 2023 with “ I Drove U Crazy .” Now the pop and R&B singer is back today with “Bien Bien” produced by El Guincho.

5 takeaways from the first New York City mayor's debate

Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo lobbed attacks at each other during the first of two general election debates in the New York City mayoral race on Thursday, as Cuomo seeks to chip away at his opponent’s comfortable lead. It was the

‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’ Review: Ben Stiller Directs an Unexpectedly Moving Documentary About His Famous Comedian Parents

"Stiller & Meara" begins to morph from a likable entertainment-world profile into something more resonant — a nearly novelistic portrait of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara’s life-and-art marriage.

Bolton on indictment says he has ‘become the latest target in weaponizing’ the DOJ

Former national security adviser John Bolton, who was indicted Thursday, said he is “the latest target” in what he alleges are President Trump’s efforts to weaponize the Justice Department (DOJ). Bolton, who served as the national security adviser during Trump’s first term

Two South Koreans detained in Cambodia return home after crackdown on scam operations: Police

Seoul said 63 South Koreans had been detained by authorities in Cambodia, and vowed to bring them home.

Home Front – “Street City Kids (In A New Dark Age)” (Inepsy Cover)

Home Front are releasing their sophomore effort called Watch It Die next month. The Edmonton post-punk crew shared the lead single “ Light Sleeper ” last month, and now they’re back with some non-album music: A cover of Inepsy’s “Street City Kids (In A New Dark Age).”

Troubled Venue Brooklyn Mirage, Which Never Opened, Is Now Gonna Be Torn Down

After months of renovations , the Brooklyn Mirage was scheduled to reopen in May . That never happened, and more shows were canceled until the CEO of Avant Gardner split with the company and the owner of the East Williamsburg venue eventually filed for bankruptcy in August.

Magnitude 6.1 quake hits southern Philippines

Argentina's pension system among the worst

According to the 2025 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, Argentina's pension system ranked 51st out of 52 countries surveyed, while those of Chile and Uruguay stood out in the region. The Netherlands topped the list globally with a score of 85.4 (A rating).

Luis Mendo is self-publishing a book about his life as a writer/artist...

Luis Mendo is self-publishing a book about his life as a writer/artist in Japan . “You don’t buy the book, you support the artist.” (You’ve maybe seen his work; Mendo does illustrations for Craig Mod’s books.) 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →

Deaths in Gaza continue despite cease-fire, IDF fire kills dozens since Friday

At least 38 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since last Friday's U.S.-brokered cease-fire, while clashes between Hamas and local militias escalate amid widespread destruction and a mounting humanitarian crisis

Kali Uchis Was Told to ‘Stick to English’ in Her Music Because It Was ‘Easier to Sell’

"I always felt that [not] utilizing everything that God gave me into my art is the same as spitting in God’s face," said the singer

India says unaware of Trump-Modi conversation on Russian oil

It comes hours after Mr Trump indicated he spoke with Mr Modi, who pledged to halt Russian oil purchases.

GOP rep says energy is being wasted on assigning blame during shutdown instead of finding a solution

Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.) said Thursday that members of Congress are exerting too much energy dishing out blame for the ongoing government shutdown instead of ending it. “All of the energy is going towards assigning blame to one side or the other when it should be

Johor to step up efforts to weed out vape traders

The Health Ministry is pushing for a vape ban by setting the deadline for mid-2026.

Greek Parliament passes bill providing for 13-hour workdays

Greece's Parliament approved this week a controversial labor reform that allows for an extended workday of up to 13 hours, despite widespread national protests and strikes.

Cameron Winter Covers Bruce Springsteen For ROG Xbox Ally Commercial

Geese are Getting Paid. For a new ROG Xbox Ally commercial, Cameron Winter covered Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A. track “Dancing In The Dark.”

‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ Review: The Mark Taper Forum Has an Ensemble Comedy Rich and Rewarding Enough to Merit Extensions

If ever a play seemed tailor-made — tailor-braided? — for the Mark Taper Forum stage, at least in the 2020s, it’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.” The most intimate of the three Music Center theaters in downtown L.A. is clearly upholding its mandate to do programming that

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has officially launched its 2025/26 Antarctic field season.

October 16 marked the arrival of the first aircraft at Rothera Research Station and the departure of the Falklands-flagged RRS Sir David Attenborough from the UK. The new season brings a full schedule of ambitious science, deep-field exploration, and major infrastructure

Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton indicted: 5 takeaways

John Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump who is now counted among his foes, was indicted Thursday over allegations he shared and stored classified information. Federal prosecutors say that Bolton sent more than a thousand pages of “diary-like entries”

The Economist: After 20 years of left-wing rule, Bolivia is about to swing right

By the time Rodrigo Paz arrived at his final campaign event in El Alto, the sprawling city on a plateau that overlooks the Bolivian capital of La Paz, the crowd had spent hours under the hot sun.

All 99 Nights in the Forest classes in an overall tier list for beginners, team players, and solo survivors

Save yourself some diamonds and buyer's remorse.

Paul Metsa & Alan Sparhawk Share Song Ahead Of No Kings Protests

Earlier this month, Alan Sparhawk contributed to a benefit compilation for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Now he’s joining forces with beloved Minnesotan folk artist Paul Metsa for a new song called “No Kings (No Crown)” ahead of the No Kings protests .

Los Bukis Plot Final Dates of Reunion Tour for 2026

Spanish-language act Los Bukis have announced the final pair of dates for their reunion tour, which debuted internationally in 2021. After nearly 40 sold-out stadium concerts since 2021, and becoming the first Spanish-language artists with a residency in Las Vegas, the group

Rush Pay Homage to Kiss’ Ace Frehley: ‘An Authentic Rock Star’

The band recalled nights on tour in 1974 spent “doing whatever nonsense we could think of” to make the wild Spaceman laugh

My first adventure of the day is going to the Shunkaen Bonsai...

My first adventure of the day is going to the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum . Other Japan bonsai recs welcome! 💬 Join the discussion on kottke.org →