Business

    – Microsoft is offering a voluntary exit package to about 27% of its workforce as it seeks to fund a costly AI infrastructure expansion while protecting capital efficiency. The offer, announced on Monday, applies to certain employees in the United

    – South Korea’s current account surplus reached $116.63 billion in the second quarter, the second-largest among major economies after China, central bank data showed. The surplus was larger than those of Germany and Japan combined, Yonhap News Agency reported. China

    – Bilateral trade between Russia and Oman reached $1.5 billion in the first seven months of 2026, its highest level in a decade, according to Sergei Shoigu. The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council said trade had increased 22-fold over the

    – Japan’s exports rose for a 13th straight month in September, but faster growth in imports left the country with a trade deficit of 536.6 billion yen. Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance showed exports up 16.7% year on

    – South Korea’s semiconductor exports surged 222.5% year on year to $27.5 billion in the first 20 days of October, driving total exports to $61.6 billion. Overall outbound shipments more than doubled from the same period last year, according to

    – Oil prices climbed sharply on Friday, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the first time since May. Worries that escalating Middle East tensions could further tighten supplies drove the rally. Brent for December delivery settled up $3.94,

    Health

    – Malaria has killed 22 people in Namibia’s Zambezi Region this year, as cases since January reached 33,944, health authorities said. Three clinics, Muyako, Choi and Sesheke, have emerged as the main hotspots. They accounted for 49% of the 706

    Sports

    Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland are among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers announced the men’s shortlist on September 8 before the awards ceremony in London on October 26. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and

    Lionel Messi has ended his international career with Argentina after 21 years at senior level. The 39-year-old leaves with national records for both appearances and goals. Messi played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 times. His international career included

    International motorsport governance and European state leadership converged at the Hungaroring circuit as Federation Internationale de l’Automobile President Mohammed Ben Sulayem held high-level meetings with regional government figures during the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. Official reports published by Emirates

    Spain reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday, as Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute at Dallas Stadium. The substitute took a pass from Ferran Torres and finished low past Diogo Costa.

    Norway reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after beating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16 on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored twice late at New York New Jersey Stadium. Brazil, the five-time champion, exited before the

    Spain moved into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, and Pedro Porro added the other goal. The result ended Austria’s campaign in

    Mexico advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday. The co-host beat Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium. Julián Quiñones scored in the 22nd minute. Raúl Jiménez added the second goal nine minutes later.

    England reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 after captain Harry Kane scored twice late in a 2-1 win over Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday. Congo DR led through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal and held that