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NASA released its final request for proposals for commercial low Earth orbit destinations October 9. The agency is seeking plans that cover development, certification and operation, together with transportation services for human spaceflight.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule allowing salt substitutes in foods governed by federal standards of identity that require or permit salt.

The Department of Agriculture confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 clade 2.3.4.4b by PCR testing in two Washington dairy herds. USDA says these are the state’s first confirmed livestock detections in the current outbreak.

The United Nations published a statement October 10 expressing concern over renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions. The statement, dated October 9 in New York, urges parties to stop hostilities and resume dialogue through the Pretoria Agreement framework.

The European Union issued a formal statement after the United States announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court as an institution.

The Council of the European Union gave final approval to three legislative acts covering defence investment, permitting, procurement and transfers between member states.

The European Council’s agenda, reviewed October 10, identifies competitiveness, energy costs and the 2028–2034 budget as central topics for a Brussels summit scheduled October 15 and 16.

The Department of Agriculture reported obligating $28 million in fiscal 2026 through its Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants program.

The Council of the European Union agreed on the key elements of its negotiating position for a market integration and supervision package intended to make capital flow more readily across national borders.

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot arrived at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, early October 10 after returning to Earth with Crew-12.

NASA described the Kentucky Reentry Probe Experiment’s third mission in an October 9 report. Twelve small capsules carried inside the Cygnus cargo spacecraft are designed to examine thermal protection materials as the vehicle returns through Earth’s atmosphere.

NASA outlined its contributions to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Martian Moons eXploration mission, which is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima Space Center on October 19 Eastern time, or October 20 in Japan.

The Department of Energy announced 12 Phase II Genesis Mission awards totaling $159 million and six additional Phase I projects. The selections bring the Phase II portfolio to 14 projects.

NASA reported that the Crew-12 Dragon splashed down off Los Angeles, California, at 11:34 a.m. Eastern, or 8:34 a.m. Pacific, on October 8. Recovery teams then began securing the capsule and preparing to lift it onto the recovery ship.

NASA and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding that organizes end-to-end cooperation on nuclear power and propulsion for civil space missions. The agreement is scheduled to take effect November 1.

Canada announced more than C$15.6 million for the Canadian Red Cross through its Humanitarian Workforce Program October 9. Public Safety Canada described the award as the first project under a program renewal announced in May.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada proposed adding or reclassifying 15 aquatic species populations under the Species at Risk Act and opened a 30-day public comment period.

The Environmental Protection Agency published a review of more than $90 million in grants and matching funds associated with 83 Chesapeake Bay watershed projects.

Canada announced a C$2 billion, eight-year program intended to support one million home-energy retrofits. The largest component is a heat-pump rebate designed to reach as many as 820,000 households.