Wednesday, 14 October 2026

A Mexican judge has closed the case against Francisco Garduño, former head of Mexico's immigration agency, over crimes related to the 2023 fire at a Ciudad Juárez detention centre that killed 40 migrants and injured 30 others. Garduño faced trial for abuse of public office and dereliction of duty after guards failed to respond to cries for help. The judge ruled that reparation measures had been fulfilled, a decision the victims and their representatives say amounts to exoneration and denies them full reparations.

President Trump declared at a midterm campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona on Wednesday that leakers should be executed. He was responding to what he described as a leak regarding Operation Midnight Hammer, a bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear facilities. Trump said media outlets including The New York Times and CNN published details about the timing of the strike. He claimed he postponed the mission after learning of the leak, then proceeded two days later using the same timing as originally planned. Trump accused those responsible of endangering military personnel and called for them to be imprisoned or executed.

Deer Lakes defeated Freeport 3-2 in a boys soccer match on Thursday night to clinch the Section 1-2A title. Deer Lakes senior Artemey Parshyn scored the winning goal late on a penalty kick. The Lancers played most of the game with ten players after senior Jack Alcorn received a red card for excessive celebration following a goal in the first half. Freeport, which had led 2-0, can now finish no better than second in the section.

A Piper PA-46 Malibu carrying six people crashed in woodland near Mirror Lake State Park in Wisconsin on Tuesday evening. The pilot reported icing on the wings at around 24,000 feet and requested permission to descend, which air traffic control approved. The plane then began a right descending turn that increased in rate until communications were lost. All six occupants—five adults and one child—were found dead at the scene. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said the crash had 'all the earmarks of an icing-related loss of control'. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.

Western Pennsylvania high school football enters Week 8, marking the start of the stretch run that will determine conference champions and playoff participants. Games are scheduled Thursday through Saturday across multiple classification levels. The WPIAL has clarified that three games not yet played this season are postponed rather than forfeited, with teams having until 31 October to reschedule or face possible punishment.

West Virginia's Department of Education has proposed draft legislation to overhaul the state's $2 billion school funding formula. The proposal accounts for individual student needs rather than treating all students equally, directing additional money to special education, low-income and rural students. It would also fund counties based on a three-year enrollment average to buffer against enrolment declines. The state Board of Education voted to deem the current funding formula inadequate. State lawmakers could take up the measure in January.

Saints coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday he shares owner Gayle Benson's desire for improvement after she declared the team's 1-4 start unacceptable. Moore, whose overall record stands at 7-15, said "we all want better results" and acknowledged the pressure that comes with poor performance. The team faces the New York Giants on Sunday.

Former San Jose State University volleyball assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has filed a lawsuit alleging head coach Todd Kress mocked her support for Donald Trump and reacted with hostility to her religious objections to a transgender athlete competing on the women's team. According to her complaint, Kress called her a 'Trump lover' in front of players, made her feel 'physically unsafe', and excluded her from meetings. Batie-Smoose was placed on paid administrative leave in October 2024 and eventually relieved of her duties.

A University of Nebraska Omaha fraternity is under investigation after a video circulating on campus allegedly shows a member making a comment about rape at an off-campus toga party. Both UNO and Delta Chi International Fraternity have opened investigations into the matter. Delta Chi denounced the language used in the video as unacceptable and said the matter has been referred to the chapter's judicial board.

Mohammed Maio, 44, was sentenced to ten years in prison for fraudulently obtaining $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds meant for small businesses. Between May 2020 and March 2024, he submitted false information to obtain loans for multiple businesses without employees and used the money for personal enrichment, including buying properties. His parents were also indicted in the scheme and pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

LIV Golf's future will be decided by the end of October, according to an attorney for the circuit in a US federal bankruptcy court hearing. The DP World Tour has issued an ultimatum requiring players to choose between competing on LIV 2.0 or the European circuit next season. LIV Golf's legal team alleged this timing constitutes interference and raises anti-competitive concerns.

North Korea has tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, with senior military officers observing the tests conducted off the North's east coast, according to state media KCNA. The tests aimed to assess underwater combat readiness and demonstrate nuclear deterrent reliability. The launches extend a recent run of weapons demonstrations, including hypersonic missile tests in September and October.

Kristaps Porzingis has been absent from Golden State Warriors training camp and preseason due to an undisclosed health matter. The 31-year-old Latvian centre addressed speculation on social media, stating he is 'working with doctors and experts' and 'getting better and better', whilst dismissing theories about his condition. He explicitly stated: 'I don't have HIV or AIDS', addressing baseless suggestions from what he called 'internet doctors'.

The second phase of Jacobson Plaza in downtown Sioux Falls is now open, adding gathering spaces and pedestrian walkways connecting Falls Park, the Levitt Shell, and the Steel District. The development transforms a former scrap yard into a public gathering space. The city plans to use the dedicated plaza as the permanent home for its Christmas tree and other community events.

Four men have been arrested in connection with the shooting of San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White at a Super Bowl party in February. White was shot in the ankle at the Mission District nightclub Dahlia just after 4 a.m. on 9 February and underwent surgery. Police said multiple suspects with firearms confronted White at the event.

Florida has won a key court ruling allowing it to enforce a law banning social media accounts for children under 14 and requiring parental consent for those aged 14 or 15. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, likely survives First Amendment challenges because it is content-neutral and does not burden substantially more speech than necessary to protect minors from social media addiction. The trade groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which sued arguing the law violated free-speech rights, said they were disappointed with the decision.

With less than three weeks until the 3 November US midterm elections, multiple polls indicate widespread voter discontent with President Donald Trump's economic record. An exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian found that 61% of Americans believe the country is in recession, though it is not officially in one, and 65% of independents say the economy is worse. Republican optimism has collapsed: just 28% of Republicans now say the economy is improving, down from 49% a year earlier. An AP-NORC poll found 80% of voters want substantial change or complete upheaval in how the country is run, with roughly 85% citing the economy as a key issue. Gas and grocery prices are voters' top concerns. These findings pose significant challenges for Republicans seeking to maintain congressional control.

Minneapolis City Council advanced a proposal to eliminate the Office of Community Safety, created by Mayor Jacob Frey in 2022 following George Floyd's death. Council members, including President Elliott Payne and Member Robin Wonsley, cited poor management, financial oversight failures and wasted taxpayer dollars. Mayor Frey opposed the move, warning it could jeopardise mental health response, violence prevention and police reform services. A public hearing is scheduled for 27 October.

Anthropic revealed third-quarter revenue of $16.8 billion to prospective investors in San Francisco on Wednesday, a 45 per cent increase from the previous quarter. The AI developer also said it was profitable on an adjusted basis and generated $1.70 in revenue for every dollar spent on computing power. The company is preparing for a stock market listing expected before the end of the year.

Criminal syndicates primarily based in Cambodia are producing counterfeit Australian cigarettes at industrial scale in Southeast Asian warehouses, using sophisticated fake plain packaging that replicates common brands and includes fake Australian health warnings. Customs Minister Julian Hill has urged parliament to pass tougher laws urgently, with a new bill expected to be debated in the Senate on Thursday that would give law enforcement stronger powers to disrupt illegal tobacco trade. Several states and territories are cracking down on black market retailers, with NSW Police closing ten retailers last week.

McKinsey & Company is using an AI simulation as part of its hiring process for entry-level business analyst positions. Applicants face a ten-minute conversation with an AI-generated character, such as a city mayor, who presents real-world problems and challenges candidates' recommendations in real time. The firm designed the pilot to reflect 80 per cent of scenarios consultants encounter in their work.

Nicolas Milanovic has returned to Western Sydney Wanderers on a three-year deal after a disappointing stint at Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen. The 24-year-old winger left for Aberdeen following a career-best 2024/25 season in which he won the Johnny Warren Medal, the A-League Men's highest individual award, and earned his maiden Socceroos call-up. His time in Scotland proved difficult, with manager Jimmy Thelin sacked in January and Milanovic playing only 23 games across all competitions before returning home in July.

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said Wednesday the league is considering adopting its own rules to govern college sports if Congress fails to establish national standards. The SEC will continue pushing for federal regulation but could take a more active role if Congress falls short. Last month the Senate passed a bipartisan bill intended to regulate college sports, with a 77-22 vote, in an attempt to address 'chaos' caused by skyrocketing athlete payments and near-unrestricted transfers.

Izzy Borlase, 22, is competing for the WNBA championship in her debut season with the Atlanta Dream after becoming the youngest WNBL MVP in 15 years and debuting for the Australian Opals. She will face fellow Australian Miela Sowah, who plays for the Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-seven series beginning Saturday. Borlase scored 23 points in the Dream's semi-final sweep of New York Liberty.

Oscar Belgal, 28, a Dominican national, appeared remotely before an immigration judge Thursday from a federal jail where his lawyers say he is held in solitary confinement. He was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on 8 October while trying to park after collecting his young son from school. His lawyers say the officer who shot him never identified himself, smashed the car window and fired without warning. The Department of Homeland Security says officers opened fire only after Belgal struck two government vehicles and accelerated toward other officers. His lawyers say he needs surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his neck.

Fewer than 800 Scots have received weight loss jabs on the NHS since their approval three years ago, despite private prescriptions soaring. Only five of Scotland's 14 health boards offer the treatment specifically for weight loss, and only through small pilot schemes. Leading doctors have described the situation as discriminatory, arguing it widens health inequalities.

Will Smith's wife, Cara, announced the birth of their third daughter, Carter, on Wednesday before the Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers in NLCS Game 3. The Smith family has welcomed all three children in October. Smith then helped the Dodgers with a two-run double in the sixth inning that gave them a 2-1 lead.

A 16-year-old student at Lincoln Northwest High School was held at gunpoint and arrested on 9 October after allegedly threatening a school resource officer during an interview about a robbery investigation. According to police, the student refused to hand over his phone when the SRO said it would be taken as evidence, and threatened to assault the officer. He allegedly threw a chair against the wall and told officers they would 'have to shoot him' for the phone. An SRO drew a Taser, leading to the teen's arrest; the Taser was not used. The student's brother, who allegedly tried to enter the conference room, later caused a disturbance outside the school and ran from officers before being held at gunpoint and stopped.

An Israeli air strike on Gaza City has killed a woman and wounded two others, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. An Israeli military spokeswoman said the strike targeted a Hamas member and that the outcome was still being examined. The Israeli military also said it killed a Hamas commander in a separate strike on Tuesday.

Jio Platforms, the digital arm of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, is seeking to raise up to $3.2 billion in an initial public offering, with shares priced between 1,065 and 1,119 rupees. The IPO, scheduled to open on 21 October, will be India's largest in rupee terms and the second largest in dollar terms after Hyundai Motors' 2024 offering. The valuation has been lowered to around $108 billion, down from over $130 billion a year ago, amid investor concerns about the company's positioning as a tech business rather than a traditional utility provider.

Police responded to reports of a suspicious package on Imber Avenue in Warminster at around 3pm on Wednesday, 14 October. Explosive ordnance disposal experts inspected the item after a cordon was put in place, establishing that it was a training aid rather than a real explosive device. The incident caused concern among residents living near the town's army barracks, many of whom shared photos of the police response on social media. Police have reassured the community that such reports are taken extremely seriously.

Police are investigating a woman's report that she was sexually assaulted early Sunday during a party at an Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house near the University of Chicago. The 21-year-old woman, who is not a student, reported the assault to police and received hospital treatment. According to the Chicago Sun-Times citing the police report, the woman had been drinking and dancing before feeling unwell, and her friends found her 'not fully conscious' in a bathroom with a man, both partially undressed. The university said the alleged perpetrator fled after being confronted. No one had been charged as of Wednesday, though police identified a person of interest.

A 16-year-old girl was raped in Broughton Brook park in Milton Keynes on Saturday evening between 9.40pm and 10.45pm after being approached by three men. Thames Valley Police said the group consisted of one white male and two black males. Police described the suspect as black, in his late teens or early 20s, with covered hair and wearing dark clothing. The girl is being supported by specialist officers.

One ticket holder has claimed Australia's third biggest lottery win after scooping the entire $100 million Powerball jackpot in Thursday's draw. The winner is from outside Western Australia. The draw was the largest Powerball of 2026 and only the 13th time in the game's 30-year history that the jackpot has reached nine figures.

Thousands of Colombians protested peacefully across the country on Wednesday against right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, marking the opposition's first major demonstrations since he took office in August. Former left-wing President Gustavo Petro led a rally in Bogota, joined by trade unionists, Indigenous groups, students and feminist activists. The protests targeted de la Espriella's austerity measures and move away from his predecessor's policies that had expanded university access and improved labour protections.

Retired four-star general Curtis Scaparrotti, former commander of US forces in Europe, has warned that Russia is already at war with Nato. Speaking at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, he said the Kremlin has a long-term plan to 'break' the alliance through what he called 'spurious activities' against member countries, and stressed the need to protect critical infrastructure. His comments come amid tensions over US President Donald Trump's diesel supply deal with Russia, which critics say will finance Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Danette Colbert, a Slidell woman, has been sentenced to life plus 75 years in prison for the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano during a 2025 Super Bowl visit to New Orleans. A judge increased her original 60-year sentence after prosecutors presented evidence of her extensive criminal history under Louisiana's habitual offender law. Colbert drugged Manzano with a prescription sedative and alcohol to rob him in his Kenner hotel room, but he died from positional asphyxia while incapacitated.

Real Madrid completed a dramatic comeback to beat Roma 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring three goals in the final minutes after falling 3-1 behind. The victory gave manager José Mourinho a winning return to his former club, where he had previously led Roma to the Conference League title and an Europa League final.

Hearts drew 1-1 with Nordsjaelland in their UEFA Conference League opening match. Manager Wouter Vrancken said the team wasted chances and let a lead slip, and criticised certain substitutes for lacking energy, including the decision to hook Claudio Braga. Hearts face Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley defended the company's surveillance technology at TechCrunch Disrupt, arguing that crime reduction justifies privacy trade-offs. He said 'we shouldn't pause progress' and stressed that a safer society requires citizens to give up privacy. The comments come as Flock faces mounting criticism from privacy advocates including the ACLU, and the company has experienced cancelled contracts and layoffs.

Hospitality businesses including Nando's, Fuller's, Wagamama and Premier Inn will offer up to 100,000 job placements to young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) aged 18 to 24 over the next three years. The placements, backed by the Department for Work and Pensions, will last up to four weeks to help young people gain skills and confidence for work. The scheme comes as former health secretary Alan Milburn warns youth unemployment could rise to 1.25 million over the next five years without intervention.

Elandon Roberts, a 32-year-old 11-year NFL veteran, has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing with their practice squad on Monday. Roberts was among the team's final season-opening cuts in August but has now rejoined the organisation. He said he was pleased to return and intended to contribute however the team needed, without resentment over his earlier release.

West Ham returned to winning ways with a 6-0 Championship victory against nine-man Lincoln at the ProAmpac Stadium. Lincoln had Tom Hamer sent off after just three minutes for a challenge on Joel Veltman, and Conor McGrandles was shown a red card 20 minutes later for denying Jarrod Bowen a free run on goal. Konstantinos Mavropanos headed West Ham ahead on the stroke of half-time before West Ham dominated the second half, with goals from Edvin Austbø, Bowen, Pablo and a Tomas Soucek brace.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, was arrested by the FBI on 9 October after OpenAI discovered a concealed recording device in a conference room at its San Francisco headquarters. Federal prosecutors revealed in a court filing that Alfozan, his wife and another family member had booked a one-way flight to Saudi Arabia scheduled for 12 October. Prosecutors cited the planned departure when requesting a judge to seal the criminal complaint, arguing Alfozan had both the means and incentive to flee. Alfozan has been charged with using a device to intercept oral communications, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His lawyer said he and his client planned to contest the allegations and maintain his presumption of innocence. Alfozan had worked at OpenAI for about fifteen months before his termination.

Netflix has greenlit a documentary called 'Untold: Wide Deceiver' about Daejon Love, a 35-year-old man accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver to swindle over two dozen women out of $1.3 million. Love and his 18-year-old accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan were arrested in August at an airport in Boise, Idaho. Love has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud charges and remains in custody ahead of a trial set for December 15.

A 70-year-old Emmons County landlord is behind bars after authorities say he broke into a home, exposed himself and chased three young girls with his car. According to court documents, deputies were dispatched Tuesday afternoon to a disturbance at a Linton home after the girls arrived home from school and found him inside. He has been charged with reckless endangerment, indecent exposure, driving under the influence and driving under suspension.

The San Francisco 49ers, undefeated after five games, face the Washington Commanders on Monday night with a chance to become the first 6-0 team this season. Brock Purdy is performing at an MVP level for the 49ers, supported by running back Christian McCaffrey and receiver Mike Evans. The Commanders come in with a record of 1-3-1 after quarterback Jayden Daniels had a strong running performance against the Giants but failed to stop the clock with a spike.

Reform UK's motion to withdraw Bradford from Local Authority of Sanctuary status was defeated by 38 votes to 37 at Wednesday's full council meeting. The motion argued the status represented a 'political movement', though Reform acknowledged withdrawal would not affect refugee and asylum seeker numbers. Opposition councillors called the proposal 'divisive' and said it would make no practical difference to council services or finances.

La Vela Restaurant & Bar in Burnham-on-Sea is closing indefinitely from November 2 after 21 years serving the community. Owner Hazel Acay said the constant responsibility of running the business has taken its toll physically and mentally, citing the demands of staff management, rising bills, equipment repairs and administration. The family-run Italian restaurant, which has a 4.6 star Google rating, will serve final meals on November 1. No reopening date has been confirmed, though the owners say they may decide what comes next before sharing further updates.

Aston Villa defeated Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park in the Champions League, recording their biggest ever win in a European competition. Johan Manzambi opened the scoring on his 21st birthday with a deflected shot in the 12th minute, before Nicolas Jackson scored twice to establish a 3-0 half-time lead. Ross Barkley added two goals in the second half, one from a penalty, with substitute Tammy Abraham completing the rout. The win was Villa's first home victory of the season and leaves them with two wins from two in the Champions League. Mason Greenwood, playing his first game in England since January 2022, was the subject of persistent booing from home fans throughout the match.

IM Motors' IM5 electric sedan is positioned as an alternative to the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal. The Performance variant offers dual motors, all-wheel drive, 572kW of power and 802Nm of torque, with a claimed acceleration of zero to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds. IM Motors is a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, positioned as the premium arm of MG Motor.

The Houthi rebels are developing advanced ballistic missiles using Chinese-supplied components, according to weapons research group Conflict Armament Research. The missiles could reach 1,200 miles, putting Saudi Arabia and Israel within range. Yemeni authorities seized two shipments last year containing Chinese missile equipment hidden in other goods.

Nicole Noren, an Emmy, Murrow and Peabody award winner, quit ESPN in 2024 when the network entered the gambling business, including launching ESPN Bet in November 2023. Noren said she could not work for a gambling company and have 'blood on my hands'. She grew up with family members struggling with gambling addiction; her brother died on the streets of Las Vegas in 2013 after becoming homeless. ESPN Bet was later replaced by a partnership with DraftKings in November 2025.

The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the National League Championship Series with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 on Thursday, reaching the World Series for the first time since 1982. Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead home run off Tanner Scott in the sixth inning, with David Hamilton adding a two-run solo shot in the ninth. Shohei Ohtani's first postseason home run had put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 early, but Milwaukee came back to complete the sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions.

LIV Golf has accused the DP World Tour of a 'clear attempt to interfere' with its restructuring process, after the European tour said it would refuse membership to players who compete on the breakaway circuit next season. A court-supervised restructuring hearing on Wednesday heard that LIV would make a final decision on its future by the end of the month. LIV's attorney said the DP World Tour's timing was designed to disrupt its players and reorganisation, raising anti-competitive concerns.

For the first time in more than 15 years, South Carolina voters will elect a new attorney general. Republican David Stumbo, a 22-year career prosecutor serving as solicitor for four upstate counties, and Democrat Richard Hricik, a Charleston-area civil attorney, are competing for the role. Stumbo emphasizes prosecutorial experience and priorities including violent crime prevention and regional attorney general offices; Hricik is running a 'no-donation campaign' arguing that financial independence from donors allows better public service.

Dodge is reportedly planning to bring back a supercharged Hellcat V8 engine in the Charger, with production starting in late 2027. According to Automotive News, the model would use a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 527kW of power, and Dodge aims to produce around 12,000 units annually. Stellantis told Automotive News the details were 'purely speculation/rumour' and declined to comment on future product strategy.

Federal prosecutors have urged a New York judge to impose life sentences on three brothers—luxury real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander, both 39, and their brother Alon, 40—for drugging and raping dozens of women over a two-decade period. The brothers were convicted in March of sex trafficking and other charges carrying a mandatory minimum of 15 years. Prosecutors say they identified at least 70 victims. The brothers' defence lawyers have recommended 15-year sentences and maintain their clients' innocence, though they concede the conduct was 'insensitive'. Sentencing is scheduled for 27 October.

Wildfires raging across Indonesia's Central Kalimantan province have turned skies orange and sent toxic haze across Southeast Asia. The Indonesian city of Palangka Raya has been shrouded in thick orange smog, with visibility reduced to just a few dozen metres. The air pollution index in the region exceeded 1,200, four times higher than the hazardous level. The smoke has spread to Singapore, Malaysia, East Timor, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam, forcing school closures and causing respiratory illnesses to spike. At least four firefighters have died battling the blazes in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java. Singapore is threatening to prosecute companies responsible for the fires, with authorities blaming agricultural clearing methods such as 'slash and burn' for worsening conditions.

Dale Smith Jr was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of Michelle Parker nearly 15 years ago. Parker vanished on 17 November 2011, the same day an episode of 'The People's Court' aired showing her and Smith in a dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. Smith was the last known person to see Parker after she dropped their twins at his home that day. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said advanced digital forensics technology allowed investigators to re-examine evidence and conflicting statements Smith had given over the years.

A mother and her young daughter were critically injured when a man driving a pickup truck the wrong way on Washington Street collided with their vehicle near downtown Phoenix on Wednesday morning around 11 a.m. Phoenix Police Sergeant Sheree Lee said the driver was heading east on the one-way street, which runs westbound, and was in the auxiliary lane between the light rail and regular traffic when he hit the family's car as they headed south on 18th Street. The daughter is 6 or 7 years old. Both were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver was also hospitalised but is expected to survive.

Stanley Murray, 38, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was charged on Wednesday with second-degree assault, use of a firearm to commit a felony, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a stolen firearm. A 32-year-old man was shot in the head near 14th and B streets on Monday morning at around 11:07 a.m. and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. Police found Murray two blocks away about ten minutes after arriving at the scene and recovered a firearm from a storm drain nearby. Murray's bond was set at 10% of $2 million, with his next court date on Wednesday, 18 November.

NSW Health shut down Joey's Mini Mart & Drive Thru in Campbelltown after discovering it was selling illicit tobacco and vapes through a drive-through window, despite being billed as an 'international grocer'. The closure was part of a two-day enforcement operation that shut down 10 retailers and seized 420,000 illicit cigarettes, 60kg of loose-leaf tobacco and over 4,000 illegal vapes worth approximately $600,000. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the high federal tobacco excise was driving illegal trade, with businesses repeatedly closing and re-establishing under different names.

Cristian Popescu, 46, who leads the Passion for Christ congregation in Kirkland, Washington, has been indicted on ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege he defrauded more than 30 church members of $13 million by claiming God had chosen them to invest in Followone Inc., a Bellevue-based technology company he claimed was worth $1.4 billion. In reality, the platform was largely non-functional. Popescu allegedly urged investors to tap retirement accounts and children's college savings. He pleaded not guilty and was released on electronic monitoring; his trial is scheduled for December 2026.

Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has announced she is pregnant with her third child at the age of 52. She made the announcement on Instagram with a video showing her family dancing with glow sticks, one figure revealing a baby bump. The baby is due in December and will be a younger sibling to her three-year-old twins, Aya and Ohm, whom she had with her husband Philip Schneider in 2023. Speaking on the Drew Barrymore Show, Swank addressed backlash about women having children at older ages, saying there is a double standard compared with men. She reflected on criticism she had received, including from someone who questioned whether she would be old enough when her children were older, and responded by saying she would rather have had the experience of knowing her favourite people than not at all.

A 62-year-old hotel worker died on the Greek island of Rhodes after his car was swept onto a beach by torrential floodwaters. The incident happened in Stegna, around 20 miles south of Rhodes Town, as a severe storm battered the island. The National Observatory of Athens recorded 202mm of rain in six and a half hours. Authorities declared a state of emergency and closed schools for inspections and damage assessments.

Alina Habba, President Trump's former personal attorney, has accused ex-intelligence director Ric Grenell of failing to deposit $5.6 million donated by her Turkish billionaire husband Turhan Mildon to the Kennedy Center. Habba raised the allegations in the Oval Office on Friday, prompting Trump to refer the matter to White House Counsel Will Scharf for investigation. According to administration officials, Grenell allegedly convinced Mildon in early 2025 to make a $17.6 million wire transfer for a business deal, of which $5.6 million was supposed to go to the centre. However, three sources critical of Grenell told the Post they doubt Habba's claims, with White House officials expressing scepticism about the allegations.

Zimbabwean author Simbarashe Kundizeza denies using AI to write 'The Blue Fighter', which won the $10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing last week. The Atlantic magazine reported that an AI-detection tool called Pangram indicated the entire story was AI-generated, except for an excerpt from another author's poem. Kundizeza has said the detection technology is biased against African writers, and the Caine Prize organisers have placed the prize under review whilst examining the allegations.

Red Bull has extended team principal Laurent Mekies' contract through the 2031 season, following Max Verstappen's commitment to the team through 2030. Mekies, 49, took over from Christian Horner in July 2025 and has overseen a recent upturn in the team's performance after a slow start to the season under new regulations.

Microsoft and Japan's National Police Agency have dismantled a cybercrime marketplace called YAM Store that sent over one billion phishing messages targeting more than 75,000 organisations worldwide since January 2026. The investigation, conducted with private cybersecurity firms including Proofpoint, uncovered two phishing kits called CoGUI and Iron Man being sold on the marketplace. Scammers used these tools to impersonate banks, police departments and other trusted organisations, generating tens of millions of dollars. Microsoft disabled over 20,000 accounts and blocked over 100,000 web domains connected to the operation, which targeted victims in more than 150 countries.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Tuesday allowing colleges and universities in the state to decide whether athletes who graduated high school in 2022 can compete for a fifth season, challenging a new NCAA eligibility rule that excludes them. The NCAA sued DeWine in federal court on Friday, with President Charlie Baker calling the move an 'extraordinary step' to prevent Ohio schools gaining an unfair advantage. The Ohio Supreme Court said it would determine the legality of the executive order.

An Australian-led study has called for international guidelines on endometriosis treatment, with a global analysis finding many countries lack them. The University of Queensland study found that one quarter of global endometriosis guidelines were not informed by adolescents, despite symptoms and diagnostic delays beginning in teenage years. Melbourne woman Konstandina Karavias took seven years, nine health practitioners and more than 20 doctor visits to receive an endometriosis diagnosis, describing how she was dismissed by GPs who told her she was too young to be in pain and was not referred to a gynaecologist until age 19.

The federal government has scrapped controversial ministerial discretion in its Digital Duty of Care bill, introducing amended legislation to parliament on 15 October. Communications Minister Anika Wells wants the bill passed intact and as soon as possible, though the government must negotiate in the Senate. The removed clause would have given the Communications Minister total discretion to decide what constitutes 'harmful content' on social media; definitions must now be legislated instead.

The troubled Melbourne Star Ferris wheel in Melbourne's Docklands will reopen from Thursday under new ownership after years of mechanical issues and closures. New co-owners Jay and Jane Jones have spent $11 million on extensive repairs, taking apart and checking every mechanical component. The wheel will offer standard rides at $29 for half an hour, plus premium packages including Vegas-style bottomless drinks and private capsules.

The CPKC Holiday Train is returning to North Dakota for its 28th year, announcing its 2026 schedule. The train will make six stops in the state: Hankinson and Enderlin on December 18th, and Carrington, Harvey, Minot and Kenmare on December 19th. The train will feature performances by Shawnee Kish and Jamie Fine as it travels through Canada and the United States from mid-November. CPKC encourages community members to donate to local food banks at each stop, with all donations staying in the communities where they are given.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have only two healthy wide receivers on their active roster who have played regular-season games, forcing them to elevate one or two practice-squad receivers for Sunday's match at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Receiver DK Metcalf said the practice-squad players have been making plays since training camp and deserve the opportunity. Brandon Smith suited up for last week's win against Indianapolis after injuries to Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek, and is expected to play again on Sunday. Coach Mike McCarthy said Brandon Johnson and Isaiah Hodgins have 'definitely' developed chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and may also be elevated.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says his side can still qualify for the knockout stages after losing 4-1 to Benfica in the Europa League. Despite being without points from their opening two fixtures, O'Neill was 'delighted' with Celtic's second-half performance in Portugal. He said the display 'gives me what I would call the determination' and believes they can still progress.

Governor Jim Pillen announced a new executive order pertaining to public safety improvements and the creation of a task force to address critical emergency communication gaps among rural first responders and regional emergency services. He made the announcement at the North Platte Fire Department during a series of stops across central Nebraska communities including Imperial, McCook and Holdrege. The governor was also scheduled to hold another news conference with Jesse Bradley, director of the Department of Water, Energy and the Environment, in Imperial and Holdrege.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, who have been broadcast partners for 25 years, had an argument before Monday Night Football on Monday over their contrasting contract situations. Buck recently signed a six-year extension worth approximately $108 million, whilst Aikman's five-year, $90 million deal expires after the Super Bowl in February. Aikman said he has not had contract negotiations with ESPN and suggested he is looking for his 'next landing spot', indicating he may leave the network.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has rejected a government watchdog recommendation that agents' body cameras be automatically activated when weapons are drawn. The Government Accountability Office found that ICE and Customs and Border Protection had not updated their body camera policies in several years, and that ICE agents were often unclear about when cameras must be activated. The Department of Homeland Security said automatic activation presents operational risks, including the possibility of accidental recordings of sensitive interactions.

West Indies skipper Shai Hope struck an unbeaten century of 102 off 50 balls to guide his side to a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20 in Hyderabad, levelling the series at 2-2. The West Indies finished on 247 for three, their second-highest first innings total in T20s against India. India, chasing 248, were bowled out for 223 despite a half-century from Sanju Samson and a lower-order partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tilak Varma that added 70 runs. The result sets up a fifth and deciding match in Bengaluru. Hope's third T20 international century came during a prolific tour, taking him past 2,000 runs in the format.

China and North Korea are holding an opening ceremony for a four-lane road bridge over the Yalu River, more than a decade after the project's original 2014 completion date. The bridge stretches approximately 3km, connecting Dandong in northeastern China with Sinuiju in North Korea. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the bridge would promote economic and trade exchanges, though experts note that large-scale industrial investment prospects remain limited owing to United Nations sanctions on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

Stacey Solomon, a TV personality and ambassador for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and Visitor Centre in Brentwood, has donated 990 bales of haylage to help feed the sanctuary's rescued animals. The sanctuary had issued what it described as a 'desperate plea' for hay during the summer before receiving the donation.

A car caught fire in an underground garage on Ashley Lane near a Sainsbury's petrol station in Glasgow's west end at around 7pm on Wednesday, 14 October. The blaze forced the closure of Woodlands Road between Charing Cross and Arlington Street, and nearby residential properties were evacuated as a precaution. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported. Police said the fire was not being treated as suspicious and posed no risk to the wider public. Woodlands Road reopened at around 1am on Thursday morning.

GlobalFoundries plans to open two chip-making factories in Malta, New York, financed by an investment of up to $21 billion from Japan. The company said the deal was enabled by the Trump administration's trade and investment agreement with Japan. Roughly $10 billion will accelerate construction of one plant to open in 2029, with the other $10 billion funding a second facility.

An ITV undercover investigation has captured Reform UK councillors and candidates expressing racist, violent and misogynistic views. Alan Feeney, a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull, was filmed calling Asian homeowners 'parasites' and saying no more than 1 per cent of the British population should be non-white. Other footage shows a councillor calling for King Charles to be beheaded, claiming he is Muslim, and making crude sexual comments about female colleagues. Three councillors have resigned or been suspended. Reform says it has launched investigations and improved vetting procedures, though Nigel Farage suggested those filmed may have been 'provoked'. Further revelations are expected when a 90-minute documentary airs on Sunday.

Powerade has responded to controversy surrounding a Novig gambling advertisement featuring nude actress Sydney Sweeney with a new campaign celebrating women athletes. The sports drink company released videos highlighting women breaking barriers in sports such as track and field, swimming and tennis, each ending with the message 'Never Just Sports'. Female athletes including Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus and sprinter Amy Hunt had criticised the Novig ad for sexualising women. Novig's CEO disputed this, telling Front Office Sports the advertisement was about the company's prediction market focused on sports, not an attack on women's sports.

Chuck Lorre has written in his memoir 'Sitcom' that he was initially hesitant to cast Anna Faris in the lead role of his CBS comedy 'Mom', and that her departure from the show in 2020 vindicated his doubts. Faris responded with a statement saying the comments 'hurt', though she expressed gratitude for the opportunity and noted that she has been sober for a year and a half.

Bobby Layne and his orchestra recently performed at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Lincoln, Nebraska. Layne formed his band in the late 1950s and has led it through a career that has taken the orchestra to venues in Missouri, Las Vegas and Canada. Now in his nineties, Layne plays lead alto saxophone and says big band music remains timeless across generations.

Rockstar Games' global head of human resources has denied ordering staff to monitor union membership at an employment tribunal in Glasgow. Twenty-three former employees are claiming they were unfairly dismissed for trade union activities, while Rockstar maintains the dismissals in October last year were linked to sharing confidential company information on Discord. Former employees held a rally outside the tribunal, with one worker stating she received no warning or clear explanation when she was dismissed.

Sony has announced the ECM-W5, a $400 wireless microphone kit intended to compete with DJI's affordable wireless microphones. The kit includes two transmitters and a receiver that can record audio from up to 500 metres away, with support for 32-bit float recording. The system connects directly to Sony cameras via the Multi Interface Shoe and can also connect to other devices via USB-C.

Eight US states—Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho and Montana—have filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT has harmed children by coaching them to commit suicide, encouraging self-harm and violence, and providing dangerous medical advice. The states claim OpenAI engaged in deceptive marketing by promoting ChatGPT as safe whilst knowing it posed significant risks to vulnerable users, and that the company prioritised profits over safety. The lawsuits seek financial penalties, compensation for consumers and court orders requiring OpenAI to strengthen safeguards for children and cease allegedly deceptive practices. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said OpenAI was 'hurting kids and they are lying to Iowans'. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded that the company has built 'industry-leading age-specific protections' into ChatGPT. This follows a separate lawsuit filed by Florida's attorney general in June over similar allegations.

Megan Adamek, a Lincoln artist who works under the name Megan Schroll Art, displayed pottery and illustrations at the fall edition of Junkstock near Waterloo. Adamek studied pottery at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and has been in business for twelve years. Her ghost mug was one of her most popular items at this year's show.

Salad And Go, an Arizona drive-thru chain known for its bright orange salad bowls, is returning after closing all locations in August. Mike Myers and chef Daniel Patiño have acquired the intellectual property and rights to the brand and plan to reopen several Arizona locations 'as quickly as possible'. The pair aim to open two locations by the end of the year, though they have not disclosed where.

Torrential rain caused severe flooding on Rhodes on Wednesday 14 October, killing a 62-year-old man after his vehicle was swept into the sea. Eight weekly flights from Stansted Airport to Rhodes by Jet2, Ryanair and TUI remain scheduled despite the conditions. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to restrict travel to essential journeys.

Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on 16 August from accidental drug overdose at her Greenville, South Carolina residence. Zach Hickerson, the brother of her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, found her unresponsive after returning from church and called 911. A newly released 911 call captures Zach performing CPR on Panettiere while Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. local time, age 36. An autopsy determined the cause was the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, with her death ruled accidental.

Police have launched an urgent appeal after an altercation between a moped rider and a car in Birmingham on Garretts Green Lane on Monday, October 12 at around 7.30pm. The rider was travelling with a pillion passenger who left the area on the bike via Barrows Lane after the incident. A silver estate-type car was driven away back up Garretts Green Lane and down Sheldon Heath Road. Officers are conducting CCTV trawls and urgent enquiries.

OpenAI's London staff earned an average of £2.3m each last year, according to company accounts. The 110 employees shared £87m in salaries and £168m in shares. This is 58 times the median UK full-time salary. The bulk of the compensation came from share awards as the firm's valuation soared ahead of its planned stock market debut.

Portadown District LOL 1, the Orange lodge at the centre of the Drumcree dispute, has called supporters to a parade and rally on 24 October. This follows Northern Ireland Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant's decision last week to ban the district's planned parade down the Garvaghy Road, which would have been the first Orange parade on that predominantly nationalist road in 28 years. A legal challenge to the ban is underway.

An analysis of 168,345 Google reviews of 849 UK bank and building society branches found that 187 branches—more than one in five—averaged fewer than three stars. Nationwide's Peacehaven branch in East Sussex scored highest with 4.98 stars, while Virgin Money's Newcastle branch on Northumberland Street scored lowest with 1.89 stars. The most common complaint among customers was queues and waiting times.

Cornell University expelled only two of 16 students found responsible for sexual assault between mid-2020 and mid-2024, according to a CNN analysis. Seven others received only minor punishments including written reprimands, disciplinary probation or essays. One accuser said the student she reported was 'allowed to graduate' with 'no punishment'.

Serhii Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian army officer, faces trial in Germany over the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipeline. He is accused of leading a group including divers and explosives experts in one of the largest infrastructure sabotage operations in recent times. His lawyer argues the pipeline, which supplied half of Germany's natural gas, was a 'Russian weapon' and a lawful target; Kuznetsov has denied involvement and exercised his right to silence.

Fire crews in Glasgow responded to a car fire in an underground garage near a Sainsbury's petrol station in the Woodlands area on Wednesday, 14 October. Woodlands Road was closed between Charing Cross and Arlington Street, and residents were evacuated. The petrol station was closed and the fire was brought under control, though no injuries have been confirmed.

Twelve people have been charged with various offences following disorder at a St Johnstone v Hibernian match at McDiarmid Park on 6 September. The incidents involved supporters from both sides before, during and after the game, and also on the rail network. Five men aged 18 to 25, two 16-year-old boys and three youths have been charged, along with two men aged 24 and 17 charged previously. Police Scotland and British Transport Police say their inquiry continues.

Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, has warned that the United States will not 'have enough skin in the game' to defend Australia in a conflict with China, since America's vital interests would not be at stake. He also cautioned that anti-immigration policies being pursued by major Australian parties would weaken the country's global position, and said Australia should pursue greater self-reliance as China rises and the US declines. Roggeveen made these comments during the first of four Boyer Lectures on ABC Radio National about Australia's engagement with Asia.

Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson has co-designed a five-piece limited edition womenswear collection for Big W, aimed at making fashion accessible to Australian women. The collection features pieces including a hammered satin halter-neck top, flowing trousers, flared jeans and an off-the-shoulder dress in sizes six to 26. Robinson said she wanted designs with 'a high-end look and feel' without the price tag, with careful consideration for fit and inclusivity across all body types.

Rectory Farm at Stanton St John, near Oxford, has opened its pumpkin picking events for the season. The patch opened on 3 October with 45 different pumpkin varieties for customers to choose from. The farm is open every weekend in October and daily during half term from 9 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. Visitors can also enjoy tractor rides, live music, and food vans.

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans for six liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks and a fenced compound at Primrose Valley Holiday Village near Filey, despite ecological concerns. The approval came after two additional great crested newt breeding ponds were discovered within 250 metres of the development site during the planning process. The council concluded the protected newt population can be safeguarded through licensing and mitigation measures, with the developer required to secure a European Protected Species Licence from Natural England before work begins.

The International Energy Agency announced Thursday that members will release more than 20 million barrels of diesel 'as soon as possible' to address surging fuel prices worldwide. The agency warned separately that global diesel shortages could persist into 2027 owing to wars in Ukraine and Iran, with losses from the Middle East and Russia hitting 1.3 million barrels a day in September. Record diesel prices are driving up inflation and the cost of goods globally.

The New Orleans Police Department will expand its drone use by the end of October, deploying four camera-equipped drones in the Eighth District, which encompasses the French Quarter, Downtown New Orleans and part of Faubourg Marigny. The goal is to assess emergency calls for service within 90 seconds, according to Capt. Samuel Palumbo, commander of the Eighth District. The NOPD began using drones in November 2023 but had previously restricted them to surveillance of public events and high-risk police operations. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has operated a similar drone-as-first-responder programme for several months.

The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and will now play for the World Series title. The team overcame a 4-0 deficit to secure a 6-4 victory in Los Angeles. The Brewers will face either the Rays or Guardians in the Fall Classic, with home-field advantage and games 1, 2, 6 and 7 to be played at American Family Field. Single-game tickets for potential World Series games go on sale Thursday, with a presale for Wisconsin residents starting at 10 a.m.

Jonathan Thomas Hodgetts, 36, of Charleroi, is charged with 21 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Police said he allowed the cats to starve to death in a North Second Street home in West Newton where he was living on his girlfriend's behalf. When she visited on 25 September, the cats were in various stages of decomposition and the home was infested with flies and fleas. Unopened packages of cat food she had sent remained on the porch. Police said Hodgetts moved out and did not tell his girlfriend the animals had been left alone. He is being held in Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $5,000 bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for 26 October.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean has returned to practice ahead of Sunday's game against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dean, who played seven seasons for Tampa Bay before joining Pittsburgh as a free agent, missed last week's game against the Colts with an ankle injury. He is optimistic about playing on Sunday despite continuing to practice on a limited basis.

Bradley Barcola scored a hat trick as Liverpool won 6-3 at Austria's LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday. The goals were Barcola's first for Liverpool since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the offseason. Ronald Araújo also scored on his Liverpool debut with a header from a corner in the opening minutes.

Kenya has reported a second case of Ebola, a 39-year-old man who is a close family member of the first patient and was already in quarantine when he fell ill on Tuesday. The health ministry said both cases are linked and there is no evidence of spread in the wider community. Kenya is the fourth country to register a case linked to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bank of America hired 1,000 contractors in the second quarter to patch software vulnerabilities exposed by Anthropic's Mythos, an advanced AI model released to select banks and government agencies in April. The bank's CEO, Brian Moynihan, told CNBC the contractor team remains in place alongside 3,000 existing employees, and the bank spent over a hundred million dollars on the remediation effort, which also addressed regulatory compliance issues. Moynihan described the vulnerabilities as 'real risk' and said the spending is temporary, with the workload expected to decrease once patching is complete.

Dodgers outfielder Alex Call has criticised MLB and television networks for airing risqué advertisements during playoff broadcasts, describing them as 'soft porn'. Call said he struggled to justify watching with his young son given the content. Braves legend Dale Murphy and his son Taylor have made similar complaints about the ads, which feature Sydney Sweeney promoting a sports prediction platform Novig and Megan Fox advertising erectile dysfunction treatment.

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding across Istanbul, Turkey's largest city of around 16 million people. Two people died: a 14-year-old was electrocuted after stepping in a puddle in the Fatih district, and a 34-year-old slipped on a wet sidewalk in the Sariyer district and hit their head. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said more than 2,700 people stranded by the floods were safely evacuated. The governor's office closed schools and placed some public sector workers on leave, advising residents to stay home unless travel was necessary. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality reported that some areas received their highest rainfall since 1985, and further showers are forecast.

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, has undergone surgery to repair a left wrist injury sustained during her first tournament of the season as a freshman golfer at the University of Miami. She announced the surgery on social media Wednesday. Trump said she consulted with her family, coaches and athletic training staff before deciding the procedure was best for her long-term health.

The London train line is blocked after a fault between Oxford and Bicester Village. Chiltern Railways alerted customers to the problem at around 7.20pm on Wednesday, October 14, saying the line towards London is currently blocked and that further information would be provided as it becomes available.

Ronen Bar, the former director of Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency, has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over claims about responsibility for the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. The lawsuit comes weeks before Israel's October 27 election, in which Netanyahu is fighting to stay in power. Bar accuses Netanyahu of 'lying to cover himself' and making slanderous claims of 'criminal failures', saying he telephoned the prime minister's military secretary when signs of attack became apparent. Netanyahu has said he was not alerted by Bar that morning and claims he could have stopped the attack had he been called to wake up. Bar's court document argues Netanyahu's policies over years had 'increased the dangers posed by terrorist organisations in Gaza'.

Raymond James Dungay, 48, was charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly pouring petrol on three fellow patients and setting one alight at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick on Tuesday evening. The 54-year-old victim, Radovan Banic, sustained minor burns and described smelling petrol before being ignited. Two other patients aged 63 and 64 were also doused in accelerant but not set alight. The Daily Mail reports that Dungay was on bail at the time, having been previously released to stay at the hospital facing separate charges.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have provided a fresh update on three injured first-team stars: Rodrigo Gomes, Bertrand Traore and Boubacar Traore.

Planning permission has been granted for up to 245 homes at the former St Peter's College site in Chelmsford. The development will include 185 residential properties and 60 independent living homes for older adults, with at least 35 per cent of residential homes designated as affordable housing.

Myha'la Herrold, best known for the BBC drama Industry, was the second celebrity banished from the latest series of Celebrity Traitors last week. She subsequently posted on Instagram alleging there was 'unconscious racial and cultural bias' within the game. Former Traitors contestant Nathan Khider told The People's Channel that banishment is part of the show's nature, while the Daily Mail reports that BBC bosses and other contestants have disputed her claims.

Country music singer Zach Bryan will perform at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on 4 May 2027, according to his website. Bryan's 2023 self-titled album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 200,000 units in its first week. His duet with Kacey Musgraves, 'I Remember Everything', earned him his sole number one hit and was named one of the year's best songs by the Associated Press.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has returned to full practice participation and is expected to start against the Falcons on Sunday after missing time with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 2. Bears coach Ben Johnson indicated Williams would be available this week. Williams defended his decision not to disclose the grade of his hamstring tear, saying national reports about his injury had been inaccurate and that he underwent five to six hours of daily rehabilitation.

The United States Treasury Department has lifted personal economic sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly and brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The move unblocks his property in the US and allows American entities to conduct transactions with him. Rodríguez had been under sanctions since 2018 for his role in the Maduro government. Al Jazeera reports the decision is part of Washington's wider diplomatic recognition of Venezuela's interim government and Trump's plan for the country's political transition.

Angel Reese is the biggest star remaining in the WNBA Finals as the Atlanta Dream pursue the franchise's first title. The three-time All-Star, who was drafted seventh in 2024, has won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award this season. The Dream face the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven series beginning Saturday in California.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has received strong backing in London, meeting UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and King Charles. The visit comes after his relationship with the United States deteriorated sharply. President Trump said at the weekend that Zelenskiy should be replaced as Ukraine's leader, days after cutting a deal with Russia to lift sanctions on diesel exports. Zelenskiy told podcaster Piers Morgan that Trump's alignment with Russia was painful for Ukraine.

Three men including Rep. Nancy Mace's former fiancé Patrick Bryant were charged with sex crimes and voyeurism on Wednesday. The charges relate to an alleged assault in October 2018 on a 23-year-old incapacitated woman in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. John Douglas Osborne allegedly committed sex acts on the woman while Bryant and Eric Bernard Bowman watched, according to state law enforcement. Mace and Bryant were not engaged at the time of the alleged assault. Mace publicly named the men in a February 2025 House floor speech lasting nearly an hour, describing crimes against women and claiming they were not properly investigated. Osborne faces first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Bryant and Bowman are charged with voyeurism, and Bowman also faces obstruction of justice charges.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris called for expanding the Supreme Court and changing the Electoral College during a podcast interview Tuesday. Harris said the Democrats should push for more justices on the court and reform the Electoral College so the popular vote matters, and should pursue statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington DC. A legal expert warned that Harris' proposals could set a dangerous precedent.

Nathan Fielder's documentary 'You Can See Everything' about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is being widely praised by critics. The film follows Holmes in the month before she began her 11-year prison sentence in 2023, after Holmes and her husband contacted filmmakers as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate her public image. Fielder, known for his satirical comedy work, explores questions of authenticity and who Holmes really is.

Michael Desronvil, the lone juror on a 12-person panel, voted to convict Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy of first-degree murder in the strangling deaths of her three children in January 2023, whilst the other eleven jurors voted to find her not criminally responsible due to mental disease or defect. The deadlock resulted in a mistrial on 4 September. In his first televised interview, Desronvil told Fox News he had 'a lot of evidence' to back his conviction vote and described Clancy's actions as 'methodical' in what he called the 'execution' of the children. He denied claims from other jurors that he harboured reasonable doubt about her guilt. Desronvil said deliberations were 'tense' and that the backlash to his decision was so severe his fiancée required a police escort. No new trial date has been set and prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek to retry Clancy.

Cameron Green faces a difficult recovery timeline for Australia's second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha on Sunday. The 27-year-old allrounder has only just returned to light batting after straining his abdomen a fortnight ago, completing around 40 minutes of gentle throwdowns on Thursday. Australia's assistant coach Matt Wade suggested the third Test in Cape Town on 27 November is a more likely return date, with Green also not expected to bowl in the series following an earlier shoulder concern.

Tim Tszyu will fight Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight world title in Australia in the coming months. Victory would make the 31-year-old a two-weight world champion, a milestone his Hall of Famer father Kostya never achieved despite winning unified titles at light welterweight. Lara, 43, has held the middleweight crown since 2021 and has never been stopped.

The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on how a 1988 law designed to protect video rental privacy applies to digital streaming and targeted advertising. The case was brought by Michael Salazar, who claims Paramount Global disclosed his video-watching history from its 247Sports.com website to Facebook without consent. Consumer advocates say the Video Privacy Protection Act was broadly written to adapt to technological advances, while critics argue it is an outdated law being exploited by plaintiffs' lawyers in ways Congress could not have anticipated. Justice Elena Kagan suggested companies can easily obtain customer consent or stop selling personal information.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was handed a four-match ban by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee on Wednesday after being sent off during Saturday's 1-0 win over Villarreal. The Brazilian forward pulled the hair of Nathan Saliba during the build-up to what he thought was his second goal; the referee disallowed the strike and issued a red card. The committee imposed two matches for the red card and a further two for protesting aggressively to the referee. Vinicius will miss matches against Sevilla, Barcelona on 25 October, Racing Santander and Valencia. After the ban was announced, Vinicius said he was surprised by the suspension and accused referees of targeting him, claiming he has received only five red cards despite suffering 500 fouls.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is returning to Australia with new cast members. Erin Clare will play Satine, the lead role at the cabaret nightclub, and Nigel Huckle will play Christian, the young bohemian who falls in love with her. The production is returning to Sydney, the city where Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film was made.

Fathers often suffer silently after pregnancy loss as they focus on supporting their partner, but a new dad's circle has been established to help them grieve. Giles Hardie, a radio producer from NSW's mid-north coast, shared his experience of losing conjoined twins discovered at a 12-week scan. After his wife's procedure, Mr Hardie became the unofficial spokesperson for the couple, fielding calls from friends and relatives to break the news of both the pregnancy and the loss.

Three Perth children—Aiden Narsico, Olivia Street and Paige McKay—were given a VIP styling experience by personal stylist Natalie Dignam at Karrinyup Shopping Centre ahead of their Telethon television debut. The stylist hand-picked outfits tailored to each child's personality, from sequin dresses and sparkling tulle for the girls to chinos, a shirt and green jacket for Aiden. Ms Dignam said the experience was 'incredibly special' and she was moved by the children's resilience.

Telethon funding has allowed the national charity Eat Up to expand its school lunch programme across regional Western Australia. The programme has grown from 66 to 84 schools across seven regions, delivering 35,345 fresh sandwiches to 5,628 vulnerable students so far in 2026. School staff say the initiative improves attendance and learning outcomes while reducing stigma for families facing cost-of-living pressures.

A Tasmanian Liberal senator has claimed that a previous funding commitment for safety upgrades on the Bass Highway was not kept, saying work would already be under way. The funding cut claim has been labelled 'ludicrous' given current spending levels.

Raul Jimenez has vowed 'this won't stop me' after suffering a major injury blow at Wolves. The Mexican forward is ruled out of the upcoming clash against Burnley, with Steve Bull noting the setback is a huge blow though one player does not make a team.

Joshua D. Welch, 44, of Anacoco, Louisiana, was arrested on 8 October and charged with three counts of first degree rape, according to Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office. His bond has not been set and he remains in custody at the VPSO jail.

MS NOW reported on Wednesday that FBI Director Kash Patel had landed in Russia for meetings, citing two anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The FBI quickly disputed this, revealing that Patel was actually at Liberty University in Virginia attending a law enforcement appreciation event. MS NOW issued a correction later that day, acknowledging the error.

Mikaela Shiffrin, a three-time Olympic champion, is embracing an 'exploration season' in her 16th year on the World Cup circuit. She will prioritise training in giant slalom and super-G over her signature slalom event. Shiffrin is also expanding her podcast 'What's the Point' into its second season with a more free-flowing approach to interviews.

Nebraska Athletics has cut season ticket prices for 2027 as demolition of the south and west sections of Memorial Stadium begins. For 85 per cent of public season ticket locations, the all-in price including priority seating contributions will decrease. A seat in Section 5 will cost $1,399 in 2027, down from $2,420 this season, saving fans $1,021. General public season tickets will start at $299, down from $420, with an estimated 5,000 seats available at that price, and 25 per cent of publicly available seats will not require a priority seating contribution.

European Union leaders met in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit covering the bloc's next long-term budget for 2028 to 2034, continued support for Ukraine and measures to strengthen Europe's economic competitiveness. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended Friday's session to rally support amid tensions with the United States. Leaders voiced strong opposition to new budget proposals, raising doubt about agreement by year's end.

Labour peer Lord George Foulkes has criticised the £99.9 million sovereign grant approved for the monarchy in 2027-28, saying the royal family does not offer value for money. Foulkes, a former Cabinet minister, argued that most royals do no 'real work', citing ribbon-cutting duties rather than substantive employment, though he excluded Princess Anne. The grant, which funds the monarch's official duties and palace upkeep, has dropped from £137.9 million as the Buckingham Palace refurbishment nears completion. Labour backbenchers have called for a full review of royal funding.

A 21-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted in a bathroom at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house near the University of Chicago in the early hours of Sunday. According to police reports, a group of men gathered outside the bathroom, cheering and shouting remarks including 'When is it my turn?' and 'I want to get in there.' The woman's friend found her partially undressed and slumped against the wall, and the woman told her to 'make it stop' and 'get me out of here'. The University of Chicago announced Wednesday that a person of interest has been identified through witness statements and video evidence. The individual is not a student or university-affiliated and has been banned from campus. No one was in custody as of Thursday, and Chicago police said the investigation remains ongoing.

SpaceX has suddenly restricted Ukrainian battlefield drones' use of Starlink satellite communications, slowing their speed, officials said Wednesday. The restrictions sparked concern among Ukrainian officials that U.S. support for the war effort is weakening. The development came as Kyiv endured a second consecutive night of Russian missile attacks and President Zelenskyy said Ukraine did not receive advance warning from its Western partners, fears it is being starved of vital intelligence from the U.S.

Nico de Carvalho Wilson, 24, has been extradited from Portugal and charged with the murder of 16-year-old John Soyoye, who was stabbed to death in Moston, Manchester, in November 2020. Wilson was detained in Portugal in March and extradited to the UK on Tuesday. He has also been charged with manslaughter and violent disorder. He appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court and is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Friday.

Shedeur Sanders, a second-year quarterback with the Cleveland Browns, has hired NFL agent Adie von Gontard for the first time. Multiple NFL sources tell Fox News that Sanders may be preparing to seek a trade from the team. The timing is notable: Sanders represented himself through the draft process and his rookie contract signing, but is now hiring representation while backing up starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.

England hooker Amy Cokayne has been recalled from injury as the Red Roses face Canada in Toronto on Friday. England's unbeaten run was ended by Canada in a 26-26 draw at Exeter last month. The teams meet again in Ottawa on 23 October, with both matches forming part of the WXV Global Series.

Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, reversing its predecessor's decision to sever ties over the Gaza war. President Abelardo de la Espriella restored relations after taking office with backing from the United States. Colombia's Foreign Ministry called the opening a 'diplomatic milestone'.

Netflix is laying off roughly 1000 employees, about six per cent of its workforce, as part of wider organisational changes. Co-chief executives Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos said the company's product, tech, legal and human resources teams would be most affected. They said the business was strong but Netflix needed to be 'disciplined about where we prioritise our people and resources' as it invests in future growth.

Police have launched an investigation after 25 to 30 dead pigeons were discovered on the platform and in the car park at Chichester railway station in the early hours of 3 September. A wildlife charity collected the birds and took them to a vet, who found via X-rays that they had been struck with ball bearings. One was a racing pigeon; its owner has been informed. British Transport Police and Sussex Police are investigating, believing the birds were killed elsewhere and later dumped at the station. Officers are seeking information about a car seen leaving the car park between 1.30 am and 2 am that morning. Sussex Police said it is aware of a number of wildlife catapulting incidents in Sussex and has been conducting patrols to raise awareness.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace's former fiancé Patrick Bryant and two of his business associates were charged on Wednesday with sex crimes and voyeurism. The charges relate to an October 2018 incident that Mace described in detail during a House floor speech last year about inadequate investigation of crimes against women. John Douglas Osborne is charged with first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct; Bryant and Eric Bernard Bowman are charged with voyeurism, and Bowman faces additional charges of obstruction of justice and publishing a victim's name.

A pedestrian was seriously injured in Bradford after a collision with a motorcycle whose rider had refused to stop for police. The bike was pursued briefly on Thornton Road before hitting the pedestrian on Legrams Lane at 3.33pm on 14 October. The rider and passenger fled the scene, but two people were arrested shortly after 4.15pm.

The Great British Schools Guide has identified the ten most oversubscribed primary schools in Westmorland and Furness. Schools are classed as oversubscribed when enrolment exceeds official capacity. The analysis uses median distance travelled by pupils as an indicator of catchment area and focuses on mainstream state-funded schools with at least 30 pupils in both the 2023 and 2025 intake cohorts.

Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in the Legal Aid Agency's IT systems to access and download personal data stretching back nearly 50 years. The Ministry of Justice previously disclosed a breach affecting records from 2007 onwards, but courts and legal services minister Sarah Sackman confirmed on Wednesday that the compromised data extends as far back as 1978. The stolen information includes names, addresses, dates of birth and details relating to legal aid applications and cases.

Aston Villa defeated Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League, breaking their club record for the largest win in European competition. The victory marked what BirminghamLive describes as the start of a new era following a summer of transfers. Summer signings Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson both scored, with Manzambi awarded man of the match after scoring on his birthday and Champions League debut.

Actor Ethan Hawke has predicted massive rebellions in music and live theatre against what he describes as Hollywood's controlling power players. In a GQ interview, Hawke said people would 'wake up and punch back' against those he calls 'greedy bastards'. He also criticised financial pressures in the industry, arguing that projects actors care most about typically pay the least, making it difficult to resist algorithmic pressure.

West Mercia Police raided a cannabis farm on an industrial estate in Kidderminster on 14 October, discovering a sophisticated growing operation with hydroponic systems spread across several rooms. Two men, Lucas Povilonis aged 32 and Arunas Janusonis aged 44, both from Burnley, Lancashire, were arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and subsequently charged with being concerned in the production of a controlled class B drug. Both were due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on 15 October. Detective Sergeant Kirsty Hill said the operation was part of a day of action across Worcestershire and that cannabis production can be linked to organised crime groups.

Patricia Vuagniaux, a handbag collector and authenticator in Los Angeles, lost approximately $300,000 worth of Hermès Birkin bags and other items in a burglary on Monday afternoon while she was at a doctor's appointment. The thieves bypassed a Ring camera, reinforced windows and a locked bedroom closet. Vuagniaux believes they may have targeted her after she posted details of her collection to a luxury handbag group on Facebook several months earlier.

A man has been arrested following a reported sexual assault at Lakeland Leisure Park in Flookburgh on October 13. The incident was reported to police at 11.18pm by a third party. The victim is a woman in her 30s who is being supported by specialist officers from Cumbria Police.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly threatening children with a knife outside Parliament Hill School in north London on Wednesday morning at 11.10am. Police attended within four minutes and arrested him on suspicion of possession of a bladed article. In a separate incident, a 13-year-old boy was arrested after reports of a knife being brought into Dagenham Park School on 15 September. A knife was recovered at that scene. No injuries were reported in either incident.

A spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said US attacks before November 3 congressional elections remain a 'realistic possibility', claiming the Trump administration needs a success to point to beforehand. Trump has denied intending to attack Iran before the elections, and the US administration said it was holding 'constructive talks' with Iranian authorities. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a potential large-scale military campaign against Iran last week, though Netanyahu said such a confrontation would be inconvenient for Israel at present.

A car has crashed into a Lidl supermarket on the A259 Brighton Road in Shoreham, partially blocking the road. The incident was reported on Wednesday evening, with photos showing damage to the vehicle at the site.

Andy Burnham has corrected remarks made during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, when he said an 'individual' was 'responsible for the murder' of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP and Reform UK justice spokeswoman. Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder two days after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman said the Prime Minister's comments breached the presumption of innocence and were contrary to the rule of law. A trial is scheduled for June 2025.

CoreWeave, a cloud company providing GPU access for artificial intelligence, saw its stock plunge 15% on Wednesday and fall further Thursday as investors grew concerned about its debt levels. The company has taken on more than $50 billion in debt and obligations. Yields on its bonds reached 15.78% and credit default swap spreads soared above 1,140 basis points, indicating market distress. Other neocloud stocks including Nebius and Iren also fell. Traders bought large volumes of options betting the stock could fall further.

An air ambulance has landed on a playing field following a serious crash in Witney, Oxfordshire. The incident prompted the emergency response but no further details about casualties or the circumstances of the crash were provided by either outlet.

Robert, 49, from Shaftesbury, has been missing since Sunday, October 11. He travelled to Southampton that afternoon and took a train to London early on Tuesday, October 13. Police have released a CCTV image of him at Tooting train station on Wednesday, October 14, and believe he may still be in London. Dorset Police are concerned for his welfare.

Red Bull have extended Laurent Mekies' contract as team principal until the end of 2031. Mekies took over from Christian Horner in July 2025 after Horner's sacking following 20 years in charge. The renewal comes after Red Bull's recent improvement in form, with Max Verstappen securing victories in Malaysia and Singapore.

England have made four changes to their starting XV for their second Test against Canada in Toronto in Rugby's WXV Global Series. Hooker Amy Cokayne, centre Tatyana Heard, loosehead prop Hannah Botterman and back-row Abi Burton come into the side. Canada's scrum-half Olivia Apps believes the time is right for Canada to end England's four-year unbeaten run.

Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons will return to limited practice on Wednesday for the first time since August after suffering a back injury during training camp. Head coach Andy Reid said the team will 'ease him back in' as the Chiefs prepare for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reid previously described Simmons' injury as a 'bulging disc'.

Derby County lost 4-1 to QPR on Wednesday, extending their winless run to six games and leaving them second from bottom in the Championship. Alfie Lloyd, Nicolas Madsen from the penalty spot, Harvey Vale and Paul Smyth scored for QPR, who moved to fifth place. Derby's injury crisis deepened when Sondre Langas was forced off after ten minutes, leaving them with just one fit central defender. Lars-Jorgen Salvesen scored a consolation for Derby in the dying moments.

Bird flu has returned to the UK following a confirmed case in Scotland. The RSPCA has issued guidance for poultry owners as the disease poses higher risk during winter when migratory wild waterfowl arrive. The charity urges backyard flock owners to follow government biosecurity advice, including keeping bird areas clean, enclosing feed and water, and limiting access to ponds visited by wild birds.

British popstar Chesney Hawkes, best known for his hit single 'The One and Only', will play Pocklington Arts Centre near York on 16 April as part of his first headline tour in a decade. The singer has recently revived his career with new singles and an album called Living Arrows, released in April 2025. Tickets go on sale at 10am on 16 October through the arts centre's website.

Mahrah Al Nahyan, 32, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling royal family through marriage, was found slumped against railings in west London in June while under the influence of cocaine and responsible for a barefoot toddler playing unsupervised near moving traffic. Members of the public alerted police after spotting the unattended child in danger. Al Nahyan remained unconscious for around 30 minutes and later shouted at officers, 'This is not a slaughterhouse, why do you care so much?'. She admitted one charge of child neglect and has since entered drug addiction treatment.

Official Companies House records show 17 businesses across Cumbria were dissolved last week. This represents a slight decrease from the previous week, when 21 businesses were dissolved across the county between 28 September and 4 October.

Protesters interrupted US War Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Army's annual conference on Wednesday, repeatedly shouting anti-war messages and calling him a 'war criminal' and 'Nazi'. Hegseth responded with sarcasm and irritation as security removed the demonstrators. The Association of the US Army said the outbursts violated the event's code of conduct.

The Pentagon has appointed Christian Devine, executive director of its public affairs office, as acting publisher of Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper that has published continuously since World War II. Devine, a former Marine Corps colonel, will lead the publication on an interim basis while the Pentagon seeks a permanent publisher. He will continue his role in the Pentagon's public affairs office and split time between both positions.

OpenAI has filed a court document accusing a former employee of taking more than 100 highly confidential files about unreleased hardware to Apple. The unnamed employee, who previously worked at Apple before joining OpenAI for six months, allegedly sent the files to personal accounts and made a presentation about OpenAI's product plans to Apple's senior leadership, including the vice president of operations in Asia. The files contained detailed images, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information and other confidential information. OpenAI claims the files aided Apple's recent push into AI-enabled products, citing this week's launch of Apple's HomeView smart display. Apple responded that it has found no evidence to support OpenAI's allegations and has policies in place to ensure new employees do not use confidential information from previous employers. The filing emerged as part of an ongoing legal dispute in which Apple sued OpenAI in July alleging theft of trade secrets.

Firefighters were called to Heslington Lane near the A64 in York at 8.58am on 14 October after a report of a tractor on fire in a field. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews used breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a foam fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze, which caused approximately 70 per cent fire damage to the tractor.

A 27-year-old woman from Towanda, Pennsylvania, has been arrested and charged with two counts of homicide after her husband and three-year-old son were found dead at the Great Wolf Lodge in Pocono Township on Monday. The woman called 911 saying she was trying to take her own life. Her stepmom told PennLive that the woman had recently withdrawn her 401K retirement account under the pretence of remodelling their kitchen, and that two knives recovered from the scene matched a set from the family's home.

Schoolchildren are helping to relocate crabs from Canoe Lake in Southsea before a trial sediment removal begins on Thursday. The lake's water has become shallower in places due to years of sediment build-up, causing algae growth and water quality problems. The crabs are being captured using hook-free lines and pots, then identified and measured by researchers from the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences before being released to the sea.

Andy Burnham has apologised and corrected the parliamentary record after saying an 'individual' was 'responsible for the murder' of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe during Prime Minister's Questions. Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman accused the Prime Minister of a 'breach of the presumption of innocence'. Downing Street said a correction has been issued to Hansard, the official parliamentary record.

Australia's Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope has told a parliamentary committee that artificial intelligence is making elections harder to safeguard by boosting misinformation, foreign interference and threats to political figures. Pope said the AEC's powers are limited and stressed that tackling AI-driven threats cannot be left entirely to the regulator. He noted that banning deepfakes outright might conflict with Australia's implied freedom of political communication.

Water supply disruption at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow has persisted for seven days, with most areas of Scotland's largest prison affected since last Thursday. Some prisoners have been unable to flush toilets or access hot water, though the Scottish Prison Service said on Sunday that supplies had been restored. Scotland's prison watchdog warned that overcrowding and ageing infrastructure are exacerbating the problems, with the jail holding 1,415 men against a designed capacity of 1,021.

St Kilda will focus on re-signing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Max Hall in coming months, football boss Lenny Hayes has said. Hall finished third and Wanganeen-Milera fourth in the club's best-and-fairest voting this season. Hayes said he was confident both players backed the club's direction.

New Zealand's election remains wide open, with the centre-right National party and centre-left Labour both polling at 28 per cent according to the latest TVNZ-Verian poll—their lowest combined level since the 1930s. Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins both underwhelmed in the second leaders debate on Wednesday, with post-debate panellists declaring it a draw. The debate was marked by a clash over minimum wages, with Hipkins fact-checking Luxon's claim that he had increased the minimum wage by inflation each year.

Regional Australian home prices rose 5.6 per cent in the year to September, whilst capital city values fell 1.8 per cent, according to a Cotality report. Perth and Darwin recorded increases exceeding 10 per cent, but declines in Sydney and Melbourne pulled the national average down. Higher interest rates have reduced buyer borrowing capacity and discouraged both purchasers and sellers, with house sales in September down 20.9 per cent on the year before.

Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells will introduce a digital duty of care law on Thursday to protect social media users from harmful content. The legislation will require platforms to shield users under 18 from content promoting crime, eating disorders, pornography and misogynistic material. Wells will not have discretionary powers to define new harms, a constraint intended to prevent accusations of political censorship, though Parliament can legislate further protections.

The FTSE 100 ended up 0.7% on Wednesday as Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill played down expectations for four interest rate rises totalling 100 basis points. Mr Pill said the bank would need 'concrete manifestation' of wage and price risks before committing to such increases. Chancellor John Healey is expected to fund new spending and tax giveaways in the October 28 Budget through higher taxes or spending cuts rather than additional borrowing.

Australia's unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.6 per cent in September, its highest since November 2021, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia says. Despite 177,000 jobs being added since the start of the year, more Australians are taking on extra work or second jobs to cope with rising inflation and interest rates. The think tank's 'misery index'—combining inflation, interest rates and unemployment—is back near post-pandemic highs and expected to remain elevated until at least the end of 2028.

Technician 4th Grade William P. Butler, 22, died on 27 December 1942 whilst a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan Camp in the Philippine Islands. He had been captured after the fall of the Philippines and the Bataan Peninsula in 1941, and took part in the 65-mile Bataan Death March. Butler, from Parkdale, Arkansas, had moved to Bastrop before the war to work as a store clerk. His funeral will take place on 16 October at Christ Church Cemetery in Bastrop.

A fire broke out at a residential property on Jeans Close in Malpas, Newport, on Wednesday afternoon. A 35-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening and has since been discharged. On Friday, police arrested a 35-year-old man from Newport in connection with the incident on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

The TSA is warning travellers flying on Halloween to follow costume rules at airport security. Metal costume pieces, masks and elaborate makeup may be removed or cause delays because facial recognition technology cannot verify identity. Replica weapons, explosives and some props must stay in checked luggage, not carry-on bags.

Ross Barkley believes Aston Villa's summer signings represent 'unbelievable talent' that will drive future success, despite the disruption of losing more than half their starting XI. Manager Unai Emery has told fans to 'accept, not cry' about the North Stand closure this season, comparing it to managing an injured player. Villa's recent form has improved, with four wins in six games and a 6-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended multiculturalism and argued that migrants are essential to Australia's prosperity, making veiled criticism of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, which has called for migration to be slashed. In a speech to the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Mr Albanese warned against exploiting economic pressures to promote anti-immigration rhetoric. Labor's net overseas migration target is 245,000 people in July 2027, falling to 225,000 annually thereafter, higher than the Coalition's proposed 100,000 for two years before rising to 160,000.

Manchester City fans showed support for their club with a giant tifo reading 'CTID' (City til I die) before their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, their first home game since being found guilty in the vast majority of financial charges brought by the Premier League. City are appealing the verdict, which could result in significant punishment if upheld. The display of unity came after the club won 3-0 against Liverpool on Sunday in their first match since the verdict, with supporters also showing another sign reading 'In Khaldoon we trust - we've won it all!'.

A 650-tonne crane hoisted the new Gaunless Bridge into place in County Durham on 14 October as part of the reinstatement of a historic section of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The steel bridge, which arrived in two parts, will be welded together in the coming weeks. The new structure honours the original Gaunless Bridge, built from 1823 to 1824 and considered the first iron bridge built for a modern railway, which was removed in 1901.

Multiple crashes are causing severe disruption across Essex and Suffolk. The A14 Orwell Bridge near Ipswich is closed in both directions between junctions 56 and 57 due to a police-led incident, with delays of up to 114 minutes reported for Essex drivers. The closure is expected to last several hours while police investigations continue. A diversion route is in place between junctions 55 and 58. Additionally, crashes on the M11 near Stansted Airport, the A1114 in Chelmsford, the A12 near Boreham, and Whitewaits in Harlow are causing delays across the region.

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor has urged his side to build on their recent upturn, having won back-to-back league games for the first time since January. After beating Rotherham 1-0 at home earlier this month, Exeter won 1-0 at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, their first away victory since 24 January. Taylor acknowledged the positive mood this has created but said the team cannot rest on these results.

Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians has been moved to a 1 p.m. start on Thursday to avoid rain expected in Cleveland that night. Major League Baseball shifted the start time five hours earlier to keep the series on schedule. The best-of-seven series is level at 1-1.

Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola in a 39-year-old man, a close relative of the country's first victim who died on 5 October after travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The second patient fell ill on Tuesday and was already in quarantine, which Kenya's health ministry said had improved his chances of recovery and limited transmission risk. The ministry stated there is no evidence of spread in the wider community.

The Metropolitan Police have been ordered to reinvestigate a complaint over the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan, 58, after a police watchdog found failings in the force's handling of the case. Linehan was arrested at Heathrow Airport in September 2025 on suspicion of inciting violence over posts he made on social media. The Independent Office for Police Conduct found the Met's handling of his complaint was 'not reasonable and proportionate' and has directed the force to reinvestigate whether he was discriminated against due to his gender-critical beliefs. The Met previously apologised to Linehan and paid him a settlement following a civil claim. Conservative politicians and author JK Rowling had criticised the arrest.

A rush hour crash has closed a major road in Witney, Oxfordshire, with traffic queues building. The Oxfordshire Guardian reports police were at the scene in numbers.

A woman in her 90s from Romsey was contacted by someone claiming to be from her bank and persuaded to withdraw a large sum of cash and send it through the post. Officers from the Romsey Neighbourhood Policing Team intercepted the parcel at Southampton's main post office distribution centre before the money reached the fraudsters, and the cash was returned to the victim's bank account.

Kai Trump, President Donald Trump's granddaughter and a University of Miami golf freshman, has undergone surgery to repair a wrist injury sustained during her first college tournament in September. She announced the procedure on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing a hospital bed photograph with her left arm in a cast and sling. Trump said the injury occurred when she struck concrete while attempting a shot near a path during the Golfweek Fall Challenge. She said recovery will take time but expressed determination to return to competitive play.

Staff at Glasgow Caledonian University will strike on Thursday over job cuts and compulsory redundancies. Unite the Union says the cuts stem from a £33 million drop in income over two years due to fewer international students. The union argues the university holds substantial cash reserves, citing accounts showing an £88.9 million cash reserve and a £12.6 million surplus in 2024-2025. Unite claims this is the first time all campus unions have taken collective industrial action at the university.

A grey Renault Clio drove the wrong way around the Musham Bank roundabout near Eastfield and collided with a silver Ford Mondeo at around 8.50am on Tuesday 13 October. North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses to the crash and anyone with dashcam footage.

The Trump administration sued California election officials on Thursday, seeking to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots from people identified as 'likely' noncitizens until citizenship can be verified. The lawsuit follows a Justice Department letter warning of legal action if California did not review a list of names on a password-protected thumb drive. California's secretary of state said the federal government's outreach had not been collaborative.

Microsoft has officially announced the Xbox Nano Controller, a pocket-sized gamepad priced at $49.99 designed for younger players and those with smaller hands. At just over five inches long and weighing 3.5 ounces, it is Microsoft's smallest controller. The rechargeable device includes all standard Xbox buttons, programmable Action Button functionality, and supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity across consoles, PCs, phones, tablets and compatible smart TVs. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping beginning in November.

Muhammad Haarith, 23, was found guilty of murdering 44-year-old Matthew Weller by a majority verdict at Preston Crown Court. Haarith deliberately drove his Volkswagen Passat at Weller after becoming angry during an encounter on Blackburn Road on 22 April, prosecutors said, and Weller was dragged beneath the vehicle and died from multiple injuries at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Haarith had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming he never intended to kill or cause serious harm.

Wales centre Ben Thomas is sidelined with a calf injury and will miss the opening Nations Championship matches next month, though Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl expects him to return later in the tournament. Wales head coach Steve Tandy will name his autumn squad next week for matches against Japan, New Zealand and Australia starting on 7 November. The injury creates a selection decision for Tandy, with Eddie James a potential option at inside centre.

Police are searching for a boy named Daniel who disappeared from Croydon on 6 October at around 2pm and has not been found eight days later. He is believed to be wearing a white T-shirt, black joggers and black Nike trainers and has curly hair. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 01/8155708/26.

The trial of Donna Stone, a grandmother accused in the starvation death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, began Wednesday in Boone County, West Virginia. Stone, her husband Jerry and their daughter Julie were indicted in 2024. According to investigators, Kyneddi died of starvation and was found in a skeletal state after Stone and Julie Miller refused to provide necessary food and medical care. Julie Miller pleaded guilty in February and was sentenced to 15 years to life.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), an international grouping of China-sceptic legislators, says the UK's approach to Beijing is 'beset by incoherence' and weakened by budget cuts and a lack of senior expertise. The group notes that no senior British officials engaging with China speak Mandarin or have significant experience living there. Ipac recommends creating a unit modelled on the US State Department's China House to coordinate policy across Whitehall, which currently pursues 'mutually contradictory approaches'.

The US Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found that all nine of the largest national banks under its supervision used 'reputation risk' policies that lacked clear standards and could disadvantage customers based on their political or religious views or lawful business activities. The review examined nearly 100,000 complaints and about 420,000 pages of documents from JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Capital One, PNC Bank, TD Bank and BMO Bank. Comptroller Jonathan Gould said banks should make decisions based on financial risk, not political or social preferences. The OCC did not impose fines but said it is considering new rules to prevent such discrimination.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signed a presidential decree requiring digital platforms to shield children and teenagers from violent, sexual and other harmful content. Platforms have 30 days to comply. If technology companies fail to abide by the mandate, the government will support legislation to levy punishments against non-compliant platforms.

Two midwives have been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after a bleeding pregnant woman waited nearly 40 minutes to be assessed at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield on 13 September 2023, leading to her baby's death. The woman, 41 weeks pregnant, arrived in a wheelchair plainly in pain but was left unassessed despite being expected. The hospital also failed to respond to requests for help from the patient's family.

The M25 is closed in both directions between junctions 21a and 22 near St Albans following a police incident, with Hertfordshire Police at the scene. This Is Local London reports that a multi-vehicle crash occurred between junctions 23 and 24 on the clockwise carriageway, causing one lane to close and congestion stretching back to junction 22. Hertfordshire Police have not indicated when the road will reopen due to the nature of the incident.

Essex Police seized five illegal e-scooters and an e-bike in Witham and Braintree over one week. Privately owned e-scooters cannot be ridden on public roads and cannot be insured for public use. Only e-scooters from approved hire schemes are legal on public roads.

West Midlands Police have arrested more than 1,200 people in connection with vehicle crime offences over the last six months. Four men were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft this week, with five further arrests made after vehicle thefts were reported across the region.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said his government is considering early, conditional release for inmates at the country's maximum-security prison who collaborated with gangs. The plan could benefit about 50% of the more than 92,000 people arrested during 4½ years of emergency rule. Bukele distinguished between gang leaders and residents who provided minor assistance, arguing different levels of involvement should be treated differently.

Plans to convert Francis of Malvern's old bedroom store in Malvern Link into office space have been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. The retailer consolidated its two stores into one location 200 metres away last year. The proposal would subdivide the building into smaller office spaces and communal facilities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) in June, a sunscreen ingredient that has been in use elsewhere in the world for decades. Sunscreens containing it are now appearing on American store shelves, including from Neutrogera and other manufacturers. Dermatologists say it fills a market gap by offering broad protection against both UVA and UVB rays without the white streaking associated with other sunscreen chemicals.

Nathan Docwra, 43, of Great Yarmouth, died in circumstances that prompted a Norfolk coroner to raise concerns about gaps in mental health and addiction services. The inquest heard that his mental health deteriorated alongside substance dependency, complicated by the deaths of both his parents and his best friend. A coroner will now prepare a Government report on the issue.

Hampshire councillors are considering setting up a task group to review the community-funded 20mph speed limit programme after concerns that the application process is too expensive and difficult. Since the policy began in January 2024, only one organisation has completed the process despite around 40 expressions of interest. Communities can be required to fund traffic surveys, consultations, legal orders, signs and maintenance. In Romsey, a proposed scheme's estimated cost reportedly increased from £30,000 to nearly £70,000, prompting debate over value for money. The universal services select committee will decide next week whether to establish the cross-party working group to review evidence from existing applications and consider improvements to the process.

Pat McAfee has firmly denied speculation that he could replace Troy Aikman in ESPN's Monday Night Football booth. The rumours arose after a column suggested McAfee's Super Bowl alt-cast could be a trial for the main broadcast role. Aikman is in the final year of his contract and has not agreed a new deal, whilst his broadcast partner Joe Buck recently signed a six-year extension worth roughly $108 million, prompting reports of tension between them.

Phillip Andrews, 40, was jailed for eight months after screaming threats about raping a PSNI officer in front of her family in the city centre on 9 September. During the tirade of abuse outside City Hall, he also referred to police being blown up. District Judge Anne Marshall imposed five months for the disorderly behaviour and a further three months for a separate fraud conviction involving a stolen bank card. She warned that misogynistic outbursts would no longer be tolerated.

Chick-fil-A is launching Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce on 16 November, the chain's first new permanent sauce in a decade. The sauce blends the classic condiment's mustard notes and smoky tang with spicy peppers and subtle sweetness, available in dipping cups and 8-ounce bottles. Allison Duncan, the chain's director of menu and packaging, said the sauce 'delivers an exciting kick to the signature flavor our guests know and love'. Some customers on social media expressed enthusiasm, whilst others questioned whether the sauce would be genuinely spicy.

Violent clashes have erupted in Albania's capital Tirana as student demonstrators joined a broader anti-government movement opposing Prime Minister Edi Rama. The riots, which began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday, saw protesters attack government buildings, banks and businesses. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Ninety-nine people were injured including 61 police officers during the first day of riots, with 35 people detained. The so-called flamingo movement is calling for Rama's resignation over allegations of widespread corruption and opposing a major development project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Jonathan Alfred Wilson, 73, of Mitchell, South Dakota, has been charged with animal cruelty after posting a video to Facebook on 8 October showing a squirrel in a trap being submerged in water. Wilson was charged on 13 October with one count of animal cruelty, a class 6 felony punishable by up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of four thousand dollars. According to court documents, Wilson placed the trap in a container about 3 to 4 feet deep filled with water, with the trap completely submerged.

Police are hunting for Ryan Richards, 24, originally from York, who is wanted for recall to prison after allegedly failing to comply with a sexual offence order. Richards is also wanted in connection with a reported assault and is believed to have links to Selby, Goole and Hull. Humberside Police said arrest attempts so far have been unsuccessful and appealed for information.

Whalefall tells the story of Jay, a young man who becomes trapped inside a sperm whale while searching the ocean for his father's remains. The film attempts to combine survival thrills with Jay's emotional journey following his estranged father's death. However, critics have found the film struggles with believability, citing implausible elements such as Jay using a jellyfish as a flashlight and the whale's interior being inexplicably well lit.

Cumbria's farm shops, which sell locally reared meat, regional cheeses, homemade cakes and baked pies, have been ranked by Google reviews. Kitridding Farm Shop near Kirkby Lonsdale, a family-run business between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, holds an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from more than 150 reviews. The Sawmill Cafe & Farm Shop in Seascale, housed in a converted historic mill beside the River Irt, averages 4.7 out of 5 from nearly 900 reviews, while Plumgarths Farm Shop & Cafe near Kendal scores 4.7 out of 5 from 269 reviews.

Essex has been named the most haunted county in the UK, with 422 recorded ghost sightings, according to travel specialists Ski Vertigo using data from the Paranormal Database. Colchester Castle tops the list of spookiest locations and is said to be haunted by James Parnell, a Quaker who died there in the 1650s, and by a headless nun whose identity remains unknown.

Ronnie, a young Doberman aged between six and 12 months, is looking for a new home after his previous owner became unable to keep him. The lilac and tan pup is in the care of the RSPCA Blackpool and North Lancashire branch at Longview Animal Centre in Stalmine, where he arrived in early August. Staff describe him as a sensitive soul who prefers cuddles to toys and is steadily growing in confidence.

Rob Muncaster is head chef at The Royal in Heysham, a 16th-century inn just over the Cumbrian border in Lancashire. He began working in kitchens at age 14 as a kitchen porter and became the youngest head chef in the area at 23, later progressing to executive chef and opening several restaurants. Muncaster says his love of food started with baking at home with his grandparents and was cemented by his first job as a kitchen porter, where he was captivated by the energy of a busy service.

Sir Michael Palin, the Monty Python star, has cancelled all his UK live shows, including a book tour scheduled for this month to promote his travel book In The Philippines. The 83-year-old fell in his bathroom, sustaining three fractured ribs and a minor pelvic fracture. He said the cancellation would extend to 'any other events over the next few months' as bone fracture recovery takes a long time at his age.

North Yorkshire is exploring plans to expand a scheme that combines police, fire and ambulance service skills in rural communities. The Public Safety Service currently operates in Craven, where four specially trained officers work as part-time firefighters, police community support officers and first responders. Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime Jo Coles said discussions were continuing between the three emergency services about extending the scheme to other parts of the county.

The M5 will close in both directions between junctions 11 and 12 from 11pm on Friday, October 16, until 6am on Monday, October 19, to allow demolition of Grove Court and Uphill Court footbridges. National Highways says the 69-metre bridges, in place for more than 60 years, have deteriorated beyond repair and must be removed for public safety. Terry Robinson, south west engineering lead for National Highways, warned that freeze-thawing in winter causes cracked edges that could shed concrete onto the motorway, posing a risk to traffic travelling at 70mph. High-reach excavators will remove 440 tonnes of concrete and 14 tonnes of steel tendons. The closure begins late on Friday to accommodate a Gloucester Rugby match. New bridges will subsequently be built, with replacement currently programmed for 2029, though National Highways hopes to accelerate this.

MPs are debating and voting on Conservative plans to house asylum seekers at a former military base in Bicester, Oxfordshire, near Piddington. The facility would accommodate over 1,000 adult male asylum seekers. Opposition has centred on safety concerns, with shadow equalities minister Joy Morrissey questioning whether Labour MPs would prioritise local women's interests. Piddington held a symbolic referendum to leave the UK in protest. The Conservative motion, though non-binding and expected to be defeated due to Labour's parliamentary majority, tests support for the plans.

Jeremy Clarkson released his new book Diddly Squat: The G.O.A.T. at the Savoy in London on October 8. According to Sunday Times columnist Giles Coren, the event was attended by fewer people than expected for someone of Clarkson's prominence. Clarkson told guests: 'Please don't tell anybody you were here because I woke up this morning and suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to ask most of my friends.'

Suspended GP Dr Ameen Mardanpour faces a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service review hearing on November 6 after admitting to sending sexually motivated messages to a vulnerable patient at a Benfleet GP surgery. A tribunal previously found his fitness to practise impaired by misconduct. His suspension is subject to review until November 22.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust staff have been honoured at the People Awards for their dedication and achievements. The awards celebrate outstanding work at the trust's hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester, with more than 900 patients, members of the public and staff nominating colleagues—a record response. Consultant emergency physician Howard Simpson received the Lifetime Contribution Award after more than 30 years in emergency care.

Google is introducing new scam defence features for Android, including an opt-in 'enhanced protection' setting in Google Messages that uses Gemini AI to evaluate whether unknown senders are attempting fraud. The system analyses messages in an encrypted cloud space inaccessible to Google and others. On-device Gemini Nano will also check URLs for malicious links before users open them. The feature is rolling out in the coming weeks to Pixel 10+ and select Samsung Galaxy devices, with expansion to other manufacturers including Motorola, OnePlus and Xiaomi planned later this year.

The Centre for Social Justice estimates that the UK government spent about £23 billion on benefits, pensions and child-related support for non-British nationals in 2025, with approximately 1.85 million foreign nationals receiving at least one form of welfare support. The think tank warns the total could rise to £27 billion by 2030. The government said it does not recognise the figures.

American Airlines has cancelled three routes in 2024: to Santa Maria, California; Tijuana, Mexico; and Doha, Qatar. The airline cited both geopolitical tensions and weak financial performance. The Doha route, a 14.5-hour nonstop flight from Philadelphia, was the longest ever to depart from that airport; Qatar Airways has since resumed the service. The other two routes failed to meet performance expectations.

Arthur Neff, 64, of Strange Creek, has been arrested after accidentally shooting another man while hunting off Keeners Ridge in Braxton County, West Virginia on Tuesday evening. The victim was airlifted to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment. Neff was charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm, wanton endangerment and negligent shooting while hunting, and is being held at Central Regional Jail awaiting arraignment.

Three men have been charged with sex crimes and voyeurism over an assault in October 2018 that South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace described in a House speech. Mace's former fiancé Patrick Bryant and two business associates, John Douglas Osborne and Eric Bernard Bowman, were charged on Wednesday by the State Law Enforcement Division. Osborne is accused of assaulting an incapacitated woman whilst Bryant and Bowman watched; all three allegedly discussed and photographed the assault. Bowman also faces charges of obstruction of justice and publishing a victim's name.

Fusion nightclub in Scarborough is seeking permission to extend opening hours until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, with a decision due at a council meeting next week. Neighbours have objected, citing 'foul-mouthed customers swearing and shouting' and noise disturbance. The council's environmental health team says conditions could address public nuisance concerns.

A Buckinghamshire magistrate, Ansar Gulzar, has been reprimanded for serious misconduct over Facebook posts published between June 2025 and January 2026 concerning Jewish people and Israel. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office found the posts expressed views on highly controversial political matters and could cause emotional harm and undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Mr Gulzar stood as a Labour candidate in Aylesbury South West in the May 2025 council elections, receiving 413 votes.

Sally Rooney's publisher Faber has withdrawn her books from UK sale after the Irish author publicly supported Palestine Action, which was designated a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025. Rooney said the sale of her work in Britain could now constitute a serious criminal offence. She noted that Palestine Action remains legal in the Republic of Ireland, where she is based.

Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection, said Europe is 'satisfied for now' that it has appropriate regulation for artificial intelligence. He made the comments at the Irish Government's AI summit in Dublin on Wednesday. McGrath said the EU is balancing the exploitation of AI's potential with ensuring 'appropriate guardrails' to maintain trust in the technology, and called for greater global coordination on AI regulation.

An incident on the Broomhall Way section of the Worcester bypass is causing heavy traffic on the A4440. The exact nature of the incident has not been disclosed. Separate reports also mention a crash at Claines Roundabout on the outskirts of Worcester, affecting the A449 and Ombersley Road.

Buckinghamshire Council's planning committee rejected a retrospective application for two traveller pitches in Ashley Green, near Chesham, despite officers recommending approval subject to conditions. The application followed a High Court injunction after unauthorised work began on the site in April before the council had decided the case. Ward councillors cited disturbance to neighbours and said the intentional unauthorised development deserved substantial negative weight.

A 16-year-old girl was raped in the Broughton Brook area of Milton Keynes between 9.40pm and 10.45pm on Saturday, 10 October. Police say she was approached by three males, one of whom carried out the attack. The suspect is described as black, aged in his late teens or early twenties, with his hair covered and wearing dark clothing. The other two offenders are described as two black males and one white male. Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is urged to contact them on 101.

The Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska competition has narrowed to four finalists after attracting more than 20,000 votes. The final round of voting closes on 18 October. The winner will be announced on 29 October at the Nebraska Chamber's Manufacturing Summit in La Vista.

Five members of an organised crime gang have been sentenced at Hull Crown Court for supplying crack cocaine and heroin across Hull. Humberside Police began investigating a phone line suspected of being used for drug dealing in March. David Lyddon, 47, was jailed for six years; Claire Broadbent, 43, for five years and eight months; and Reece Fullard, 36, for three years. Louise King, 29, and Gary Broadbent, 46, each received three-year sentences suspended for two years.

US influencer Ryan Pownall, who has 1.1 million followers, has posted a video claiming that Australian OnlyFans star Annie Knight was 'once my girl' and that a night out with her in Los Angeles prompted her engagement to Henry Brayshaw just 48 hours later. Pownall said their connection began in Cancun in 2025 and that Knight told him Brayshaw was 'just my best friend Henry'. In his video, Pownall showed footage of himself and Knight kissing on a date with Brayshaw present, and claimed he was taking credit for Brayshaw's subsequent proposal due to jealousy.

The A47, one of England's busiest roads stretching from Birmingham to the Suffolk coast through Norfolk and neighbouring areas, will face closures in October for the delivery of large transformers for the Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm project. The 115-mile corridor from the A1 near Peterborough to the east coast carries between 14,000 and 22,000 vehicles daily on single-carriageway sections, with higher volumes near Norwich and King's Lynn. Planned roadworks and closures are now permanent features for drivers in Norfolk and East Anglia.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has rejected Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant's assertion that no additional money is available for Northern Ireland. Sir Chris said he has made it 'absolutely clear about 17 times' that there is no money beyond the £525 million set aside for this year, and criticised the Stormont executive for 'very little financial accountability'. Ms O'Neill said his comments were 'out of touch' and described her responsibility as being to public sector workers and ensuring 'a fair funding envelope'. Stormont departments have operated without a budget since the financial year began and are currently allowed to spend 95 per cent of last year's funding.

A 14-year-old boy fell from the window of a double-decker bus on Doddington Road in Wimblington at around 3.45pm on Wednesday 14 October. He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The bus was a council-commissioned Home to School Transport Service carrying students from Cromwell Community College in Chatteris. Cambridgeshire Police and Cambridgeshire County Council's health and safety team are investigating the incident.

A one-tonne antique bronze fountain valued at £10,000 has been stolen from a Wiltshire garden in Fisherton de la Mere, near Warminster, between 8 and 10 October. Police are appealing for information about the distinctive water feature, which they describe as a unique piece.

Hampshire police are searching for two men wanted in connection with separate burglary investigations. Michael Kimber, 19, from Portsmouth, is wanted following a burglary in Fareham last month and is believed to be in the Portsmouth or Fareham area. Peter James Evans, 37, from Bournemouth, is wanted over a burglary in New Milton last month and is thought to be in the New Forest or East Dorset area. Police are asking the public for information and warn that deliberately harbouring either man could be an offence.

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal and his wife Courtney Force are searching for their two 8-year-old male Alaskan Malamutes, Arrow and Beau, who went missing from their Yorba Linda home on Tuesday night. The dogs escaped after a gate malfunction, and a tracker on one dog showed they were picked up by a vehicle about 200 yards away, then driven to multiple nearby towns before the tracker was removed and discarded in bushes. Rahal told TMZ he believes the dogs were dognapped. Both dogs have microchips, and the family has filed a police report with the Orange County Sheriff's office.

Smiths Rugby says its players were subjected to racist abuse and personal insults by supporters of Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC during a match at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham on Saturday. The Rugby Football Union is investigating the incident. Both clubs have condemned the alleged behaviour, with Smiths Rugby saying it was wholly unacceptable and has no place in rugby, while Chosen Hill FP RFC said it is taking the complaint very seriously and will pursue appropriate disciplinary action where warranted.

Norfolk-based retailer Mattressman, which operates 12 UK stores, has recalled two mattress models over fire safety concerns. The Comforcel Elite and Supreme Mattress models, both made in Malaysia, have anti-slip sections on their undersides that failed flammability testing and do not meet fire safety regulations. If exposed to an ignition source, the anti-slip material could catch fire and continue to flame.

Researchers at the University of York have found that poverty in the city has changed little in 125 years, with people turning to casual labour, sex work and the black market to survive. Around 18 per cent of children live in relative poverty in York, and low-income households there are more likely to fall below the poverty line than those in London. The findings contrast with York being named the country's most affluent city by the Centre for Cities, with high rents and living costs making life extremely challenging for thousands on low incomes.

Andrew Warren Lowe, 36, of Keighley, was jailed for 13 years on Wednesday after being convicted of repeatedly raping and abusing a woman over seven years and physically assaulting a child. The court heard Lowe subjected the woman to years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, controlling her behaviour and subjecting her to violence. He also exposed a child to violence in an environment where they should have been safe. Lowe denied all allegations throughout the investigation and trial but showed no remorse and was found guilty by a jury. North Yorkshire Police said the investigation related to non-recent offences and began around three years after the abuse took place. Detective Sergeant Natalie Hawksworth said the victim's bravery in coming forward and engaging with the investigation 'cannot be overstated', adding that the sentences means 'a dangerous individual is now behind bars and no longer poses a risk to women and children'. Lowe was made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has approved the use of Alibaba's Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang AI models to power Apple Intelligence on iPhones in mainland China. The system will roll out in iOS 27.3 in December, nearly two years after launching in the United States. However, the China version will be limited: photo editing and basic features will be available, but Siri AI, Image Playground and text generation tools will not be included.

Former US president Barack Obama has visited Glasgow for a one-night appearance at the OVO Hydro as part of a tour of three UK cities. The event, titled An Evening with President Barack Obama, was a question-and-answer session with British journalist Sathnam Sanghera in front of approximately 12,150 people. During the show, Obama recalled attending one of his first concerts where the Scottish band Average White Band opened for Earth, Wind & Fire, describing it as 'a great concert'.

Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain, has shrunk by more than a metre in the past year to 4,807.47 metres above sea level, surveyors from the Haute-Savoie regional department said on Wednesday. However, the peak was nearly two metres taller than its last measured height in 2023, reflecting the year-to-year fluctuations caused by changes in snow and ice thickness due to heat, wind and precipitation. The summit has declined 3.43 metres since its 2007 high of 4,810.90 metres. Surveyors cautioned against interpreting annual height changes as evidence of ice loss, noting that surface altitude changes do not necessarily reflect total ice mass changes.

Three men were attacked by a group of six men at a bus stop at Home Gardens in Dartford town centre on Friday 9 October between 11.15pm and 11.30pm. One victim was hit with a belt, and money and a bag were stolen. Police describe the suspects as white or mixed ethnicity in their late teens to early 20s.

Seven men have been sentenced for drug offences following a police investigation in Skegness. The force seized significant quantities of drugs and made arrests during raids in August. One man rammed a police car during a high-speed pursuit while attempting to evade officers.

David Jackson has left Crowe, the ninth-largest accountancy network in the world, after 12 years to join Cumbrian practice Saint & Co as audit manager. The auditor relocated to Cumbria with his wife, who is from the region. He was drawn to Saint & Co's client base of charities and small to medium-sized companies.

Documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux visited Martin House Children's Hospice in Boston Spa on Tuesday, 6 October, where he was interviewed by seven-year-old Hooriya about his childhood and favourite chocolate. Theroux said it was his first time visiting a children's hospice and he was impressed by the facilities. The interview was filmed and shared on the hospice's social media channels.

Breeze Airways has announced a new one-stop flight connecting Charleston, West Virginia to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a stop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 26 May 2027. The Utah-based carrier is offering the route to expand travel options for West Virginia residents.

MPs have rejected a Conservative motion calling for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights to enable the deportation of illegal migrants. The motion was voted down 309 to 113 on Wednesday. It also condemned Government plans to house 1,256 males at a disused Ministry of Defence site near Piddington, Oxfordshire.

Rory McIlroy debuted baggy golf trousers at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi, citing Tommy Fleetwood as inspiration. McIlroy said he admired Fleetwood over the past year and noted that wide-legged trousers are fashionable in everyday wear. He acknowledged the outfit still needs work, saying the trousers 'hit a little low, maybe a little short' and are 'a work in progress'.

Leeds City Council has approved plans for Noble Corp Ltd to convert the disused Swissly Cafe on Vicar Lane into a 24-hour adult gaming centre. Nearby businesses objected, with one claiming there is already an over-concentration of gambling venues in the area. The council said crime prevention measures including CCTV, alarms and anti-social behaviour controls should be implemented.

James May has said there are currently no plans for a TV reunion with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond after their professional partnership on The Grand Tour ended in 2024. The 63-year-old told LBC it was 'slightly difficult' to 'envisage' working with them again because they were all 'knocking on a bit', though he did not entirely rule out the possibility. Since parting ways, Clarkson has continued presenting Clarkson's Farm, Hammond has presented a Discovery series, and May has focused on his pub, gin business and YouTube channel.

The Woodman Old Catton Ltd, which operated the Woodman pub on North Walsham Road in Norwich, appointed liquidators at the end of September owing £60,000 to creditors including HMRC, an electricity company and former operator Stonegate Group. The pub remains open under an unclear new operator. The company blamed high rent, rising taxes and the price of tied beer for its closure.

King Charles has contributed one of his own watercolour paintings to a new collection created by British fashion house Burberry and Highgrove Gardens. The artwork depicts Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, and appears on a cashmere jumper costing £1,350 and a silk square scarf priced at £375. The collection also features Burberry's signature trench coats inspired by the King's colour palette. This marks the fifth collaboration between Burberry and Highgrove Gardens, which began in spring 2023, and donations from sales will go to The King's Foundation.

Russell Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 October, facing allegations of rape and sexual assault spanning 1999 to 2009. The prosecutor told jurors that Brand was 'rampant in his desire to have sex'. A former friend testified that Brand told him they 'had to leave town immediately' after an alleged rape at a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999, later admitting he had sex with a woman and things 'might have got a little out of hand'.

Simon Richardson is on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for the death of 56-year-old Michael Mullins, a head teacher from Weaverham, who was hit by Richardson's black Volvo while cycling in Lymm on 20 April. Witnesses told the court the Volvo was travelling at high speed and erratically, failing to stop at a junction before hitting the cyclist. Good Samaritans followed a trail of blood to find the body and attempted to help.

The Houston Astros have parted ways with manager Joe Espada by not renewing his expiring contract, announced Wednesday. The move comes after the Astros won the AL West with an 81-81 record despite injuries, becoming the first team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason without a winning record, but were then swept by the Chicago White Sox in a Wild Card playoff series.

Sheila Gestring, the University of South Dakota's eighteenth president, has announced her retirement on June 21, 2027, concluding nine years in the position. Gestring has worked at USD since 2006. The South Dakota Board of Regents will begin searching for her successor in the autumn.

Wiltshire police have announced they will tow cars found blocking access to back lanes. During recent patrols, car owners were given verbal warnings, and vehicles whose drivers could not be found were towed away. Police say they are working with partner agencies and local residents to address the issue.

Frank Warren is planning a series of heavyweight world-title unification fights in 2027 and hopes to bring former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk back into the division. The Queensberry Promotions boss promotes three of the four major heavyweight champions. Saturday's WBO title fight between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena, and December's Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua bout in Cardiff, will set the stage for the 2027 fights.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem has withdrawn from this week's Strictly Come Dancing after breaking her rib. She was rushed to hospital on Sunday following the previous week's show, in which she performed despite being in 'absolute agony'. The star is resting at home and hopes to return the following week, with dancer Amy Dowden replacing her in this week's Icons Week performance to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'.

Gianni Infantino apologised to FIFA's 37-member ruling council on Thursday for his secretive $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan with private investor Joshua Kushner, which he launched and withdrew in July. However, European delegates said he provided no satisfactory answers about the plan or other controversies, leaving critics from Europe and North America disappointed ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March. Infantino asked delegates to submit written questions rather than discuss matters at the meeting.

Police are appealing for information about three men reported missing in the south coast region. Robert, 49, was last seen in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on the morning of Sunday 11 October before travelling to Southampton and then taking a train to London. Jason Jacob, 30, was last seen on 14 October at about 6pm in the Chandler's Ford area. Police have expressed concerns for their welfare and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

Zach Fishwick, 21, has signed a one-year deal with York Knights ahead of the 2027 season after being released by Hull KR. The prop struggled for opportunities at Craven Park under Willie Peters. Fishwick made nine appearances for Hull KR in total, including two this season, and had loan spells at several clubs including Halifax and Batley.

The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has been postponed from October 21-24 to December 27-30 following a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi movement. The six-player event features Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien. Organisers cited 'organisational and logistical challenges' for the delay.

A worker died at Tilbury Docks on October 13 after arriving to begin a shift. Emergency services, including Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, attended the scene at the port's container terminal. The Port of Tilbury confirmed the death and said its thoughts were with the worker's family, friends and colleagues.

Data centre construction has become a contentious issue in US midterm elections set for 3 November, with both Democrats and Republicans responding to growing public backlash. Communities are concerned about rising utility costs, water use, environmental damage and investment transparency. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that a moratorium on data centre construction could trigger a recession, noting that the economy depends heavily on capital expenditure for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Timothy Miller, 76, of Hedge End, Southampton, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court wearing a burka to deny charges of using the Islamic garment to conceal his identity during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth on 12 September. He lifted the veil to confirm his identity after the judge asked him to remove his face covering. Miller pleaded not guilty, telling the court: 'As I am in every police camera, I am not guilty'. The News reports that Miller claimed he had a religious exemption to wear the garment. The charge was brought under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026. BBC Hampshire reports that Miller was unrepresented but said he was crowdfunding to pay for legal representatives. The trial is set for 16 February and Miller was released on unconditional bail.

YouTube Music is rolling out labels on tracks created with generative AI, visible on the player page, with details available by tapping the label. The labels will appear on songs fully generated by AI or significantly altered using it, including those with AI-created composition or vocals. Deezer said it will introduce a toggle by the end of the year allowing users to filter out AI-generated music entirely. Both platforms cited user demand for transparency and control. YouTube is working with music partners and using detection tools to identify AI content, while Deezer reported receiving nearly 90,000 AI-generated tracks daily in July. Other services including Spotify and Apple Music have also introduced AI labels.

Apple has published repair costs for its foldable iPhone Duo ahead of its 23 October release. Without AppleCare+ coverage, replacing the battery costs $229, fixing the cover layer costs $49, and inner display damage costs $999. The most expensive repair category, listed as 'other damage', costs $1,499. With AppleCare+, customers pay $19.99 monthly or $399 flat, reducing costs significantly including $0 for battery service and $99 for inner display repair. The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and preorders began on 16 October.

Muzammil Ayyaz, 31, from Feltham, London, has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of bomb hoaxes at the University of Reading. After his expulsion in March 2023, Ayyaz made more than 800 threatening calls to the university between June and September that year. On 15 and 19 September 2023, he made calls falsely claiming bombs were in the law faculty building, library and chancellor's office, forcing evacuations and emergency service responses. No bombs were found. He was sentenced on 10 September and given a five-year restraining order preventing contact with university staff or attendance at any campus.

Llandudno's annual fireworks display, described as the biggest in North Wales, will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 27 October from North Shore beach, with a back-up date of 28 October. The event costs £42,000 to stage. The bill covers not only the fireworks themselves but also safety barriers, paramedics, security and public toilets. Llandudno Town Council's Fireworks Sub-Committee is seeking £5,000 or more through business sponsorship.

Elizabeth Hurley, 61, shared Instagram photos from the set of television project 'The 'Burbs' wearing a white bathrobe and a large diamond ring on her left hand, sparking engagement speculation with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. The pair went public with their relationship in April 2025 and have walked red carpets together. Hurley has not explained whether the ring is part of her costume or personal jewellery. She was previously engaged twice: to Indian businessman Arun Nayar from 2007 to 2011, and to Australian cricketer Shane Warne from 2011 to 2013, though they never married.

Luciano Frattolin, a 46-year-old failed coffee entrepreneur, was sentenced to 25 years to life on Wednesday for the murder of his 9-year-old daughter Melina. Prosecutors said he killed her during a vacation to enact revenge on her mother and avoid paying child support. Frattolin refused to make a statement or apologise at his sentencing in Essex County Supreme Court in Elizabethtown, New York.

James B Partridge, a primary school teacher turned viral sensation, will bring his Big Christmas Assembly to the Halls in Norwich on Friday, 27 November as part of a UK tour. The show features nostalgic Christmas songs and childhood favourites from assembly halls and nativity plays. The Norfolk date is one of 21 shows added due to high demand for his feel-good festive singalongs.

The Cockermouth & District Agricultural Show, held annually at The Fitz beside the River Derwent in Cockermouth, continues a tradition of agricultural shows at the heart of Cumbrian communities since the 19th century. The event grew from efforts to improve livestock breeding, share farming knowledge and provide social gatherings for people in isolated rural areas. It has expanded beyond agricultural competitions to include family attractions and traditional rural sports such as Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

Magicians Alan and Kat Hudson, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent, are bringing their new show Married at First Sleight to Helmsley Arts Centre in North Yorkshire next week. The show combines magic, mind-reading, comedy and sketches with the realities of being married to your stage partner. Both had established solo careers before deciding to perform together.

US stock markets declined after inflation data showed consumer prices rose 3.7 per cent year-on-year in September, exceeding economist expectations of 3.6 per cent. The hotter-than-expected reading increased bets on further Federal Reserve rate hikes. Technology and semiconductor stocks were particularly hard hit, with the S&P 500 information technology sector down 2.0 per cent as investors worried about the impact of higher interest rates on artificial intelligence investments.

British Transport Police are appealing for witnesses to two separate assaults on trains in Scotland. On 27 September, a man was racially abused on the 5.45pm service from Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen by another passenger who had boarded at Perth; the abuse occurred just before 7pm as the train travelled between Perth and Dundee. On 3 October, a woman sexually assaulted a man as he walked down a carriage on a ScotRail train travelling from Dalmuir to Larkhall, just before 9.30pm. In both cases, police are urging witnesses or anyone who may have challenged the perpetrators to come forward.

A new red tent has been spotted on a grassed island on one of Norwich's busiest roundabouts, linking St Stephens Street, Chapelfield Road and Queens Road, just weeks after a larger encampment with several tents was removed from the same location. The repeated appearance of homeless camps across the city has frustrated locals, who say new encampments emerge shortly after others are moved on. Norwich City Council has not said whether it was responsible for clearing the previous tents, and concerns remain about the safety of rough sleepers on the busy traffic route and potential risks to motorists.