SBS NEWS

Japan Asks US for SOS to Help Lift China's Rare Earth Export Controls government to help persuade China. Citing sources in Washington and Tokyo, the Financial Times reported on the 20th local time that "the Japanese government recently made an urgent request to the U.S. SBS Oct 20, 2026 4:00 PM

Australia to Sue Five Major Tech Platforms, Including Facebook, Over Under-16 Social Media Ban Violations Bloomberg reported on the 20th that Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the plan in Sydney. SBS Oct 20, 2026 3:59 PM

US State Department Raises Kenya Travel Advisory Amid Rising Ebola Cases The U.S. Department of State has raised its travel advisory for Kenya, urging its citizens to reconsider traveling to the African nation amid a growing number of Ebola cases. SBS Oct 20, 2026 3:57 PM

Prolonged Iran War Brings Windfall to Americas Oil Producers Amid Surging Investment and Output The Financial Times reported on October 20 that amid growing concerns that supply instability of Middle Eastern crude could be prolonged, demand is flocking to the Americas to secure stable energy sources. SBS Oct 20, 2026 3:35 PM

"Private Jet Prices Skyrocket for Escaping Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks" According to private jet broker Luxaviation, the charter fee for a 14-seat jet flying from Al-Qassim Airport north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Geneva, Switzerland, reached 94,000 euros (approximately 140 million won) last week. SBS Oct 20, 2026 3:10 PM

"Mom, I'm on my way home" — Tear gas fired directly into 14-year-old's face from 2 meters away Analysis suggests that excessive use of force by police contributed significantly to the recent escalation of protests across France. SBS Oct 20, 2026 2:21 PM

Japan Considers Additional Investment of KRW 2.1 Trillion in Rapidus by 2029 KRW 2.1299 trillion) in Rapidus, a company it is fostering as a core pillar of its semiconductor foundry competitiveness, according to outlets such as the Yomiuri Shimbun. SBS Oct 20, 2026 2:06 PM

Japan to Introduce Safety Certification for Data Centers and Cloud Services, Aiming to Exclude Chinese Firms Related ministries, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, plan to introduce the certification system starting in fiscal 2027 for data center operators in Japan and cloud service providers with servers located within the country. SBS Oct 20, 2026 2:03 PM

White House SIF Co-Chair: "We Will Control AI Companies That Do Not Cooperate with Government" Department of Defense Under Secretary and co-chair of the White House Superintelligence Force , stated that if artificial intelligence companies do not cooperate with the government, various administrative measures such as export controls will be mobilized to control their actions. SBS Oct 20, 2026 1:59 PM

Tied Tombs with Ropes Still Not Enough: Monkeys Jump atop Gravestones in Fear [World Report] Monkeys cross the road completely unfazed by moving cars. Some are even seen lying on top of vehicles or freely climbing over fences. SBS Oct 20, 2026 1:49 PM