Thursday, 15 October 2026

Three teenagers, including a 17-year-old girl, have been arrested after shots were fired at a home on Willis Street in Lansvale, Sydney, early on Friday morning. The occupants—two men aged 23 and 21 and a 59-year-old woman—were uninjured. Police found a firearm and a balaclava in a dark grey sedan stopped later that morning and arrested a 17-year-old boy, an 18-year-old man and the girl. No charges have been laid yet.

NBA general managers predict Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs will win the MVP award and lead the team to the NBA championship. Wembanyama received 23 of 29 possible votes for MVP and swept all 29 votes for best defender, repeating as Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs received 50 per cent of the votes in the poll for 2027 NBA champions, narrowly ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder with 43 per cent.

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, ending the defending champions' bid for a historic three-peat and reaching the World Series for the first time in 44 years. The Dodgers led 4-0 after Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run home run in the second inning, but the Brewers rallied with four unanswered runs, with Jake Bauers contributing a two-run double and bases-loaded walk before Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth. Milwaukee will face the winner of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, starting on 23 October. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the victory: 'They got a bunch of Hall of Famers. We got a bunch of gamers.'

Arizona Cardinals fans have funded billboards around Phoenix demanding that team owner Michael Bidwill sell the franchise. Social media influencer Nathan Kropp is leading the campaign after the team lost 45-21 at home to the Detroit Lions, a fourth consecutive defeat. Kropp launched a GoFundMe page that raised over $8,300 by Thursday afternoon.

OpenAI has updated its ChatGPT Chrome extension to let the AI assistant view your open browser tabs and use them to answer questions or perform tasks. Users can ask ChatGPT to compare information across tabs, fill out forms, send messages, or organise tabs. The extension's sidebar now displays your full conversation history without requiring you to switch tabs.

Texas has cleared a backlog of hundreds of thousands of voter registration applications caused by a software glitch in the state's voter registration system, the Secretary of State's office confirmed Thursday. Early voting begins Monday. Harris County, which includes Houston, processed over 75,000 delayed applications.

Brazil's President Lula's campaign filed a complaint against Meta at the electoral court, alleging the company used biased algorithms and AI restrictions to favour opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of their 25 October runoff. The campaign claims Meta subjected Lula's materials to unjustified reach reductions and that Meta's AI tools generated images for Bolsonaro content but not Lula's. Brazil's electoral court subsequently ruled Meta must give equal treatment to both candidates. Meta denied the accusations on Friday, attributing platform issues to global technical glitches and anti-fraud measures rather than political bias.

American lifestyle influencer Jennifer G Burnham has announced the death of her four-year-old son Baxter on 5 October via Instagram. She did not disclose the circumstances of his death. In a tribute, she wrote that Baxter had 'the most perfect angelic face and the sweetest personality' and loved his family, cars, chocolate chip cookies, karate and his friends.

RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walter White Jr in the AMC series Breaking Bad, died by suicide on Monday at his home in Brownsville, Texas, aged 34. His mother, Dyna Mitte, discovered him after calling him that morning. She told NBC News she had been urging him to seek therapy for three months but he had declined, and believed the death may have been a decision made in the 'spur of the moment'. Hundreds of mourners attended a celebration of life in Brownsville on Friday.

A Maryland teenager has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against CBS News, claiming the broadcaster falsely portrayed him as one of five people arrested for vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The lawsuit states the teenager, identified only as JV, was briefly detained for riding an e-bike near the site but was released without charges and had nothing to do with the vandalism. CBS News reportedly used video footage of his detention in its report about the vandalism, exposing him to embarrassment and public condemnation.

Daniel Arzani and Alessandro Circati have both appeared in victories as their respective clubs maintained perfect records in the Europa League. Arzani came on in the 64th minute as Ferencvaros beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Budapest, while Circati entered on 80 minutes as Benfica defeated Celtic 4-1 in Lisbon. Benfica are now third in the standings, whilst Juventus lead after a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo.

The multimillion-dollar classic car collection of late Western Australian mining entrepreneur and racing identity Peter Briggs is going to auction in Perth. Donington Auctions opened bidding at Lord Street Garage on Monday, with bidders given until late Saturday morning to make offers before staggered closing begins. All vehicles were formerly exhibited at the York Motor Museum.

Netflix announced on Thursday that Bela Bajaria, chief content officer for nearly ten years, will be replaced by Peter Rice, a former Disney executive who previously oversaw the company's cable channels and sports programming. Rice will take the role on 26 October and oversee Netflix's global content organisation, including scripted and unscripted series, film and live events. The announcement comes a day after Netflix laid off approximately 1,000 employees, or 6 per cent of its workforce. According to the New York Post, Bajaria learned of her departure at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, shortly before a VIP screening, despite recent assurances that her job was secure.

Scott Hanson, host of NFL RedZone since the show's inaugural season in 2009, says he is 'not married' to the role and could leave when his current four-year deal ends. Hanson is in the second year of his contract and has not ruled out other opportunities. Last offseason, negotiations between Hanson and the NFL briefly stalled, and he was reportedly courted by NBC, for which he worked on coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

A woman from Ballina in NSW's Northern Rivers has won the entire $100 million Powerball prize, becoming Australia's third-largest lottery winner. She said she bought a ticket only because of FOMO after family members purchased entries. The win felt especially significant to her given a recent death in the family, which she interprets as a sign from the deceased relative.

Mazda is rolling out a third round of suspension updates for the CX-60 and a first update for the CX-80, due in European showrooms from December 2026. The Japanese automaker has revised the rear suspension crossmember bushings to improve ride comfort. Whether these updates will reach Australia has not been confirmed.

Matthew Stone Sr., 45, shot dead his wife Michelle, their three children, two grandchildren and two women outside the home in Erie on 9 October, then killed himself. Police say Stone had exercised strict control over his relatives' movements and finances for over two decades, restricting when they could leave the home or contact others. Investigators have not determined why he carried out the shooting.

Authorities in South Dakota and Minnesota have intercepted suspicious packages addressed to state election officials. The Minnesota package, sent to Secretary of State Steve Simon on 16 October, contained a threatening letter and unidentified white powder, according to his office. The United States Postal Inspection Service is testing the material. Simon said threats against election workers are unacceptable and his office will not be deterred. The mailings are believed related to similar packages sent to election offices across the nation.

A parliamentary inquiry into Australia's tyre industry has recommended changes to reduce the burial of end-of-life tyres and increase recycling into road infrastructure. More than 100,000 tonnes of old tyres are currently buried at mining sites annually, with a further 500,000 tonnes stockpiled. The 165-page report, following a ten-month inquiry, found that whilst 87 per cent of passenger car and truck tyres are recovered, only 13 per cent of off-road tyres are recovered.

Federal authorities are investigating letters containing suspicious substances sent to congressional and election offices across the United States. Nebraska's Secretary of State's Office received an envelope matching the description on Thursday. The envelope was not opened and was isolated immediately, then handed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for analysis.

Israel has stopped commercial goods entering Gaza for two days, according to COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian affairs. COGAT claims merchants made the decision in response to Hamas imposing a tax on trucks entering Gaza. Hamas denies this, saying the fee was a voluntary contribution to an aid fund. The halt cuts off perishable foods, fruit and winter clothing for Gaza's 2.1 million people as winter approaches, raising concerns about food prices and affordability.

Greggs is launching its Christmas menu in Cumbrian branches on Thursday, October 22, alongside a nationwide rollout. The menu includes the returning Festive Bake with a refreshed recipe combining chicken, smoked ham hock, sweetcure bacon, soft cheese and spiced pork stuffing in sage and cranberry sauce. New additions include a Pigs Under Blankets Toastie with bacon, pork sausage and Cheddar cheese, and a Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has said he is 'fortunate to be alive' after narrowly escaping serious injury in the 2017 bombing of Borussia Dortmund's team bus. Three pipe bombs filled with metal pins and hidden in a hedge exploded as the bus travelled to a Champions League match in April 2017. Merino, who was 20 at the time, avoided his usual seat because his legs felt tight, and sat in a reclined seat at the front instead; a large piece of shrapnel lodged in the headrest of his normal seat. Defender Marc Bartra was injured in the attack and underwent wrist surgery.

Porsche has revealed its Mission S hypercar concept in New York, a mid-engined two-door open-top car powered by petrol. Unlike previous limited-edition flagships such as the 918 Spyder, Porsche intends to make it a permanently available model in its lineup. Porsche chairman Michael Leiters said it 'represents a mid-engined super sports car platform positioned above the 911 – not as a one-off hypercar, but as a permanent and versatile addition to our customer offering'.

Bismarck Police are investigating a fight at Kirkwood Mall on Thursday afternoon at about 3:15 where a gun was displayed. No one was hurt and there is no danger to the public. One person involved left in a vehicle before officers arrived, but those remaining complied with police orders.

Christopher Loupin vanished nearly seven years ago from the 4 Seasons Campground in Elm Creek, Nebraska, after returning from a project in Lexington in November 2019. He left behind his coat, wallet and mobile phone. His parents say he was acting strangely in the early morning hours before disappearing sometime after 1 a.m.

One person died and two were taken to hospital after a car left Interstate 77 and crashed onto Pennsylvania Avenue below in Charleston, West Virginia on Thursday around 5 p.m. The incident occurred near the I-77/I-64 split at a location that has previously been the site of similar fatal crashes. Police said the car left the I-77 overpass and landed in a lot at the Charleston Streets Department. The condition of the two injured was unavailable at the time of reporting.

An interview between Czech football coach David Oulehla and reporter Sabina Jaksova following FK Viagem Ústí nad Labem's 3-2 defeat to SFC Opava has gone viral with nearly two million views on the team's TikTok account. The video drew attention partly because of the contrast between Jaksova's outfit and Oulehla's deliberate focus on the camera. Jaksova said she was 'pleasantly surprised' by the global reach and that Oulehla's wife was 'pleased' the video spread.

A lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court challenges the Trump administration's effort to collect and analyse voter data from the states. The complaint, brought by the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the League of United Latin American Citizens, alleges the Department of Homeland Security obtained voter files from at least 47 states and violated federal law by combining the data with commercial datasets in ways that disregard privacy safeguards. The lawsuit says 30 states refused to hand over their voter lists. It seeks a court declaration that the collection is illegal, an order to block the policy and deletion of data already obtained.

North Dakota Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to prepare for autumn and winter respiratory viruses by getting vaccinated against influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Immunization Director Mary Woinarowicz said vaccination is 'one of the best tools we have to reduce the risk of severe illness'. The state particularly recommends vaccination for older people, pregnant women, young children, American Indians and those with chronic conditions.

Louis van Gaal has said Manchester City's financial breaches influenced his dismissal by Manchester United in 2016. Van Gaal was sacked after United finished fifth and missed out on the Champions League, with City pipping them to fourth on goal difference despite both teams having 66 points. Van Gaal told the Athletic the missed Champions League qualification was 'probably the deciding factor' in his sacking, and he believes his time at United might have ended differently had City not engaged in financial manipulation.

Federal agents raided the home of US congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Monday as part of an investigation into her immigration process. Omar responded by saying the search was 'an attempt to target political enemies and weaponise federal law enforcement'. The Minnesota representative, who came to the US as a refugee from Somalia aged 12, has long been a target of criticism from Donald Trump.

Liverpool defeated Brentford 2-1 but manager Andoni Iraola warned that Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong will be sidelined for 'some time' after both limped off injured. Szoboszlai, who had been recovering from a hamstring injury, suffered a recurrence after just 32 minutes, while Frimpong lasted only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute. Iraola attributed the injuries partly to a demanding schedule, having played a Champions League match two days prior and arrived home late without proper recovery.

Wolves' manager has issued a challenge to a summer signing, indicating the player needs time to develop in a particular area.

Andy Burnham has made a 'serious and genuine offer' to the Scottish Government to work together on devolution during a visit to Motherwell. The Prime Minister said he wants to 'move beyond constitutional questions' and devolve power to local areas, though he ruled out a second independence referendum. Swinney said he would take up the offer of cooperation.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Motherwell on Friday to offer Scotland deeper devolution and invite First Minister John Swinney to work together on spreading power to local communities. Burnham said he wanted to move beyond the 'old politics of conflict' between Westminster and Edinburgh, describing Scotland as one of Europe's most centralised nations. He outlined plans for 'localised employment support' from the Department for Work and Pensions, shaped by the Scottish Government rather than necessarily following England's mayoral model, and suggested this could lead to further devolution of transport and housing powers. Swinney responded positively, saying he 'of course' would work with Burnham if new powers were offered to Scotland, pointing to his track record of securing greater powers for Holyrood. The visit coincided with the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen.

Andy Burnham made a 'deeper devolution' offer to John Swinney during a visit to Lanarkshire, proposing to move decision-making from both Westminster and Holyrood to Scotland's regions and cities. The Prime Minister said the Scottish Government is one of Europe's most centralised devolved administrations and invited it to work with the UK Government to develop a new regional empowerment model. He offered to devolve Department of Work and Pensions powers on employment support to Scotland, similar to arrangements in England but shaped by Edinburgh ministers.

Wolves face Burnley on Friday with a striker shortage that could provide an opportunity for Sean Neave, a teenage loanee from Newcastle United. The fixture presents the young player with a chance to break into the team.

Nine Sioux Falls residents participated in the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House's 12th annual 'Night of Hope' event, sleeping outdoors in cardboard refrigerator boxes despite temperatures around 40 degrees and wind gusts of up to 50 mph. The simulation aims to raise awareness and funds for the downtown homeless shelter. Participants heard personal stories from former guests about their experiences with homelessness and paths to recovery. City Councilor Miranda Basye, who took part, said she learned about barriers to self-sufficiency and was grateful for the shelter experience, acknowledging it was not equivalent to actual homelessness.

Lisandro Martinez apologised on Thursday after criticising Manchester United's hierarchy, particularly director of football Jason Wilcox, for failing to adequately strengthen the squad. The Argentina defender made the comments after Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid, saying he expected more investment in the transfer window. Martinez met with manager Michael Carrick, Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada and released a statement saying the defeat's frustration led him to express himself at the wrong time and place. Carrick said the matter was resolved and Martinez would be in the squad for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds, with the manager insisting the dressing room remained in good spirits.

Shane Gillis sparked controversy hosting Saturday Night Live by joking about women wearing revealing clothing at gyms, using language critics deemed misogynistic. Michael Che, the show's Weekend Update anchor, defended the joke on the Today show Thursday, saying 'That's comedy. It's like, you think it's funny, and then some people don't.' Che noted he had not seen the monologue when it aired as he was working on cue cards.

A five-year-old boy with intellectual disabilities was found unresponsive at his family's Grafton home in New South Wales on Monday morning and died. Police investigating his death allege that he and his siblings were duct-taped into sleeping bags with tape placed over their eyes at night, reportedly to help him sleep. His father and stepmother were interviewed; potential charges await a post-mortem examination.

A man died following a two-vehicle crash on the A494 at Llanuwchllyn near Bala at 7.35pm on Thursday. The collision involved a black BMW 240i and a black Mitsubishi L200. The driver of the BMW was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Mitsubishi sustained serious injuries and was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital by ambulance. The road was closed in both directions following the incident, reopening around 5am on Friday.

At least 19 people were injured after a minibus carrying truck drivers collided with a train at a loading platform of the Eurotunnel near Calais in northern France. None of the injuries were life-threatening, and there were no fatalities. Eurostar said the incident, which occurred several kilometres from the Channel Tunnel, would not impact its services to London.

The federal government is sending more than $27 million to North Dakota households and tribal communities to help them afford home heating and energy costs ahead of winter. The funding comes through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. The state receives $20.7 million, with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa receiving $2.5 million, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe $1.6 million, the Spirit Lake Tribe $1.4 million and the Three Affiliated Tribes just over $1 million.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will send a scientist to help Pennsylvania fight a measles outbreak that has infected more than 1,200 people, the worst in the country in more than three decades. The decision comes after weeks of conflict between state and federal health officials. Pennsylvania has reported five confirmed measles-related deaths and is investigating a sixth, though the federal government acknowledges only two. The CDC is also providing nearly $4 million in response funding.

White Cane Awareness Day was marked with events across West Virginia on Thursday. Marshall University offered students an obstacle course using white canes to experience what relying on touch rather than sight is like, as part of efforts to increase campus accessibility. In Beckley, blind and visually impaired residents gathered for an event recognising their independence, with participants displaying tools including Braille and discussing misconceptions about blindness.

Bournemouth secured their first-ever home European match victory, defeating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday. Brazilian striker Evanilson scored the historic first European goal at the Vitality Stadium with a first-half header, with Rayan adding a second-half goal and Álvaro Rodríguez converting a penalty in injury time. The win marks Bournemouth's second consecutive Europa League victory this season.

Punk legends The Skids and Theatre of Hate are joining forces this autumn for a co-headline UK tour. The bands will perform at venues across the country.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Chancellor John Healey were filmed tasting Thai snacks in a tuk tuk in Bangkok while attending annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The video, posted on social media with upbeat music, drew criticism from Conservative opposition and commentators. Tory shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith accused Mr Healey of 'pretending to be an influencer' while the UK faces high borrowing costs, fuel prices and a youth unemployment crisis. The timing also drew scrutiny as Mr Healey prepares for a challenging Budget on 28 October.

Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington home on Monday, seizing her phone, computers and passport. More than a dozen grand jury subpoenas have been issued to Omar and some of her relatives as part of an investigation into potential fraud in her immigration paperwork. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro separately announced an investigation into Omar's financial disclosures.

The second day of the NSAA State Softball Tournament in Hastings, Nebraska has been postponed due to rain and poor field conditions. Games scheduled for Thursday, 15 October were suspended after a rain delay interrupted the 2 p.m. slate of matches. Following consultation with the National Weather Service, coaches and athletic directors, the tournament will resume on Friday at 10 a.m.

Kristi Noem is no longer serving as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas, the State Department confirmed. Her envoy status expired last month. She remains at the State Department as a senior advisor to Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau, continuing work on the initiative. Noem was appointed to the envoy role in March after being removed as Homeland Security Secretary.

Donald Trump has accused fellow Republicans John Cornyn and Karl Rove of working against Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee in the Texas Senate race. Polls show Paxton, the state's attorney general, trailing Democrat James Talarico by low-to-mid single digits. Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Paxton loses, it will be because of Cornyn and Rove, whom he described as 'weak and ineffective political hacks'.

A 16-year-old former student opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children aged five, eight and eleven, and 25-year-old teacher Meghan Lambert. A seven-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were also wounded. Inside a special education classroom, Lambert threw her phone at the gunman and tackled him. As they struggled, Kaylub Giamanco, 36, a father of two children at the school who had seen the shooting, followed the suspect inside and fatally shot him. Police found the gunman had approximately 44 unused shotgun rounds remaining. The shooting occurred on school picture day.

Fast-moving wildfires across southern California forced thousands of residents to evacuate on Friday and Saturday as powerful Santa Ana winds and high temperatures drove rapid fire spread. The Norte Fire in Orange County burned at least six homes in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, growing to 570 acres with only 5% containment by Saturday morning. The Bryson Fire in Malibu grew to around 147 acres with 12,000 people under evacuation orders, while the Henderson Fire near San Diego's Camp Pendleton exceeded 2,000 acres. Two firefighters suffered heat-related injuries. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings through Saturday due to winds gusting 50–70mph in mountains and 35–55mph in coastal areas, combined with low humidity and dry vegetation. Tens of thousands of people lost power after utilities shut off electricity as a precaution against wind-sparked fires.

The Cleveland Guardians beat Tampa Bay 3-2 to lead the American League Championship Series 2-1 and move closer to the World Series. Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead two-run home run and Gavin Williams struck out nine over five innings for Cleveland. Australian Travis Bazzana, making his first MLB season, had three at-bats but did not record a hit in the game at Progressive Field in Ohio.

Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead two-run homer as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series to take a 2-1 series lead. Gavin Williams struck out nine over five innings for Cleveland, whose bullpen retired 16 of the final 17 Rays batters. Rain then forced MLB to postpone Game 4 from Friday to Saturday, pushing Game 5 to Sunday and eliminating the scheduled off day.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was 'done' supporting a ceasefire on energy targets that President Trump announced on Sunday, after Russia continued striking Ukrainian power stations and knocking out electricity for hundreds of thousands of people. Zelenskiy told the Financial Times that Ukraine had suspended attacks on Russian refineries following Trump's announcement, but Russia ignored the agreement. He also criticised Trump's admiration for Putin and questioned whether changes to SpaceX's Starlink military receptors this week that curbed Ukraine's drone operations were policy decisions rather than technical problems.

Alpine unveiled the A310 Vision concept at the 2026 Paris motor show this week, celebrating the original car's 55th birthday. Officially described as a one-off concept rather than a future production model, it combines elements from the original 1971 A310 with design cues from later V6 and GT variants. Unlike the original four-seater, the Vision has just two seats and is built on Alpine's Performance Platform (APP), an EV-first architecture with dual battery packs. The model code PS1 suggests it could potentially form the basis for a limited-run production model.

Rebecca Burwood, a deputy manager at Bryn Yr Haul Care Home in north Wales, has been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after exploiting a vulnerable 99-year-old woman between 2017 and 2023. Burwood manipulated the woman, who had no family and became isolated after a fall, into transferring ownership of her £400,000 home and extracting a further £370,000 in cash and assets. The money was spent on home extensions, vehicles, cosmetic surgery and personal expenses.

Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old from Palatine, Illinois, was arrested on Sunday after allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, near Chicago. A judge ordered him held without bail but approved hormone injections and other medical treatment while in jail. According to prosecutors, Paporakis drove to the temple armed with a modified rifle, body armour and tactical gear, but the rifle malfunctioned and he returned home. A Taco Bell coworker who received a suspicious message from him alerted police, leading them to obtain a search warrant and arrest him before he could return. He faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a weapon.

Josh Wander, a 45-year-old co-founder of Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and securities fraud charges in Manhattan federal court on Thursday. He admitted to borrowing money in 2021 and 2022 based on exaggerated asset figures and agreed to pay $500 million in restitution to investors. Sentencing is set for March 1, when he could face up to 40 years in prison.

A suspicious piece of mail arrived at the Wisconsin Elections Commission's Madison office on Wednesday afternoon. Field testing confirmed no hazardous material was present, and no injuries or health impacts were reported. The FBI and other agencies are investigating. Meagan Wolfe, the commission's administrator, said the incident would not affect the November election, stating that 'violence and intimidation have no place in our democracy, and those performing civic duties must never fear for their safety'.

Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola will debate on Thursday in Alaska's closely watched U.S. Senate race ahead of the 3 November election. The debate comes days after President Donald Trump visited the state to support Sullivan. Peltola, a former congresswoman, finished first in August's primary with Sullivan second.

Billy Joel has revealed that his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull, has prevented him from driving and performing. The 77-year-old musician told The Hollywood Reporter that his neurologist advised him that every concert is like getting a concussion because of the volume of his shows. He said his health is otherwise good but he must take further tests before he knows if he can tour again.

Kentucky's 2025-2026 school report card shows reading proficiency reached recent highs, with 50% of students scoring proficient or distinguished across all three grade levels. The state's four-year graduation rate also reached a five-year high and postsecondary readiness improved. However, fewer schools received the state's highest overall accountability ratings, largely due to lower year-to-year improvement scores.

Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri is scheduled to stand trial this month for organising the al-Qaida attack that killed 17 U.S. sailors when an explosives-laden boat struck the USS Cole destroyer off Yemen. His attorney has asked a federal court to delay proceedings until a military commission determines his mental capacity, citing a defence psychiatrist's conclusion that he is 'not competent' and suffers from traumatic brain injury, severe neurocognitive disorder, complex post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, allegedly arising from CIA torture. Nashiri, captured in 2002, faces a possible death penalty.

The Sheridan County Historical Society operates museum sites in Rushville, Gordon and Hay Springs, including the Armstrong House. The Armstrong House building was originally a house, then a church, before becoming a museum in 1962. It now houses items from Sheridan County, alongside a newer addition, the Sheridan County History Center, which holds genealogy records.

Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, has announced plans to introduce the Power to the Players Act, which would direct the FTC to establish regulations ensuring consumers own video games rather than merely licensing them. The bill specifically cites NBA 2K25, which launched in September 2024 but is scheduled to become unplayable on 31 December due to server shutdowns, as an example of the problem it aims to solve. Torres said the measure would represent a 'restoration to the historical norm' before digital distribution became dominant.

South Dakota's pheasant season opens on Saturday, drawing hunters from across the United States and around the world. More than 82,000 non-residents hunted in the state last season. The influx brings significant economic benefit to South Dakota: estimates put the annual economic impact between $220 and $300 million, with approximately $175 million from non-resident hunters. Governor Larry Rhoden said the season is 'a great economic development booster for the state'.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Discord on 15 October, alleging the platform violated state consumer protection and child safety laws. He claims Discord marketed itself as safe for children whilst failing to verify users' ages, limit contact between minors and strangers, or adequately remove predators. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and new regulations requiring more robust age verification.

KFC is ending its long-standing beverage partnership with PepsiCo and switching to Coca-Cola at its U.S. restaurants, marking the first time in decades the chain has changed suppliers. The rollout will be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2027 across all 3,718 U.S. KFC locations. KFC's U.S. president described the move as 'a critical step in the Kentucky Fried Comeback', saying the new partnership will help the chain innovate and attract customers.

The second season of Celebrity Traitors has disappointed viewers compared to the first, despite attracting higher ratings of 8.9 million overnight viewers. Multiple outlets report that the celebrities appear less committed to the game's intrigue and betrayal, seemingly concerned about their public image. The season began chaotically when Richard E Grant revealed his Traitor status almost immediately, leading to his early banishment. This created a cascading problem: reluctant recruits Hannah Fry and James Acaster have been enlisted as replacement Traitors, forcing Maya Jama to shoulder most strategic responsibility. Viewers complain that aggressive gameplay is being avoided and excessive Traitor recruitment is making the series feel pointless.

Two women have filed a federal lawsuit against former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, alleging he sexually exploited them and other men in violation of federal anti-trafficking law. The suit, filed in federal court in Orlando on Thursday, says the women were in their early twenties in 2017 when they met Gaetz through Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax official now imprisoned. According to the lawsuit, Gaetz provided drugs and paid the women for sex, travel, lodging and other expenses.

Lion Green Road in Coulsdon, south London, has won the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architecture award. The scheme, commissioned by Croydon Council, comprises 157 homes across five 13-sided blocks, combining privately-owned and socially-rented properties that can accommodate up to 635 residents. Judges praised its sensitive design and integration into the surrounding landscape.

Thames Valley Police acknowledged that search warrants used to raid Prince Andrew's properties on the Sandringham Estate and at Royal Lodge in February were unlawful. Police had feared they would need permission from King Charles III to search the premises, worried that seeking such consent could delay the investigation. Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy. He denies wrongdoing and remains under investigation.

Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Gavin Williams struck out nine over five innings as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, though rain is forecast.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling for changes to the state's bail system following the September killing of Dr. Idris Evans, co-medical director of the Pediatric Transport Team at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The man accused of the attack, Elijah Hemingway, was at the time free on non-monetary bail facing separate burglary charges. Allegheny County Republicans have promoted a state Senate bill that would prohibit non-monetary bail for certain individuals and a House bill requiring courts to consider more information before setting bail, with state Sen. Devlin Robinson saying 'We cannot ignore the questions this case raises about how Pennsylvania makes bail decisions.'

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has apologised for criticising the club's hierarchy following their 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. He met with manager Michael Carrick and club executives on Thursday, two days after saying United needed greater investment to compete. Martinez acknowledged his frustration and said he had chosen the wrong moment to air his views.

Kiran Kaur, an Indian national jailed for three years for removing the knife used by her son Vickrum Digwa to kill finance student Henry Nowak, may be eligible for early release and deportation. The Home Office has signalled she could be deported under its foreign criminals scheme. According to ITV News, she could serve less than half her sentence and be freed around the anniversary of Mr Nowak's death under the Government's early release scheme. She is also appealing her sentence at the Court of Appeal on 5 November.

Six NBA teams start the season with new head coaches. Three are first-time NBA coaches: Dusty May at Dallas, Sean Sweeney at Orlando and Micah Nori at Portland. The other three new coaches are Taylor Jenkins at Milwaukee, Jamahl Mosley at New Orleans and Tiago Splitter at Chicago.

Southville Primary School in Bristol has been hit by a targeted cyber-attack in which records were exported from its management information system, Bristol City Council said. The council believes the same criminals carried out this attack and a previous one that affected 88 schools last month, though this has not been confirmed. The council has reported the breach to the Information Commissioner's Office and notified affected parents and carers. An investigation by the council, cyber security experts and the Regional Organised Crime Unit is underway.

Award-winning chef Chris McClurg hosted former US President Barack Obama at his luxury hotel Regency House in South Belfast this week. Obama visited Northern Ireland for a special event at The O2 Belfast after receiving an honorary doctorate from Queen's University. McClurg described the experience as 'one for the scrapbook' on social media.

Julia Pederson, a 41-year-old pediatrician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, was allegedly strangled to death by her husband Jonathan Gatto before he set their Harrisburg home ablaze on Saturday. Their 7-year-old daughter was asleep upstairs at the time. Gatto, 42, was charged Wednesday with murder, arson, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and endangering the welfare of children. According to court documents, blood tests showed Pederson was dead before the fire started. The coroner ruled her death a homicide by multiple traumatic injuries.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has sued the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department seeking to have evidence from his battery case permanently sealed. Jacobs pleaded no contest in August to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property following a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. Evidence includes surveillance video from his garage. The NFL is attempting to obtain the video for its own investigation. Jacobs' lawsuit argues the records should remain sealed to protect the victim's privacy and his own security.

An Everton defender has completed a loan move to Morecambe, filling a gap in the club's defensive ranks. The player expressed enthusiasm about joining the club.

The proposed 14-mile Lower Thames Crossing between Kent and Essex will not include a rest area for HGV drivers under current plans, prompting warnings from MPs that lorries could spill into residential streets. Ruth Cadbury, who chairs the Commons Transport Committee, told Parliament that drivers needing to take breaks would have 'no toilets, no food, no safety' and would be forced to find unsuitable places to stop. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said 'there is no requirement' to include a rest area, though early proposals for the crossing did include one before it was removed.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on Tuesday over whether wolves in the Northern Rockies should be relisted as endangered or threatened under federal law. The case stems from a 2011 Congressional budget rider that removed wolves from the endangered species list in Montana, Idaho and portions of other states, moving them under state management and allowing hunting seasons. In 2021, conservation groups petitioned for emergency relisting, citing aggressive state hunting laws, prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct years of analysis before concluding in 2024 that wolves no longer constitute a distinct population segment across the Western states.

Hibernian lost to Falkirk at Easter Road in new manager Marink Reedijk's first home game, dropping to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership as Falkirk leapfrogged them. Reedijk has introduced a new game plan involving midfielder Josh Mulligan in an attacking role.

An excess chlorine incident occurred at the Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley in Dublin on 15 October, affecting swimmers using the pool. Twenty-three people were medically assessed after reporting feeling unwell, and ten children and one adult were hospitalised. Dublin Fire Brigade's chief fire officer told RTÉ the incident was caused by overmixing of chemicals in the pool's plant room. There were swimming lessons with 24 children in the pool at the time, along with some parents. Firefighters established a decontamination area and isolated the chemical. The hotel has closed the swimming pool and said a thorough investigation would take place.

A Cornell University graduate, identified as B, was suspended from his job after social media users wrongly named him in connection with an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. He had graduated months before the incident. A TikTok video falsely identifying him as a fraternity brother went viral, gathering millions of views, and his name and workplace details were circulated online. His employer received anonymous messages linking him to the case and placed him on paid leave, despite knowing he had graduated before the alleged assault.

Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, roughly the size of Great Britain or Senegal, is deteriorating far more rapidly than scientists had previously calculated, according to new research from the University of California, Irvine and Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The new ice sheet model projects the vast West Antarctic glacier could add up to 1.2 inches (30mm) to global sea levels by the end of the century, effectively doubling earlier forecasts. Crucially, this accelerated ice loss could occur even without any additional global warming.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised for 'mistakes' in communicating his FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan, which would have opened minority stakes to private investors in FIFA competitions including the World Cup. England's Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, also a FIFA vice-president, said he is 'not fit to be FIFA president' if he does not answer questions about the scheme and the Folarin Balogun incident. Council members at FIFA's first meeting since the plan became public on 28 July demanded access to FFE documents and answers about how US President Donald Trump's call to Infantino led to Balogun's one-match ban being suspended.

The Trump administration has sued California election officials, seeking to block the state from counting mail-in ballots cast by people the federal government identifies as 'likely' noncitizens in next month's midterm elections. The lawsuit follows the Justice Department's allegation that California failed to meet a 48-hour deadline to review a list of 20,000 names on a password-protected drive. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said the federal government had not provided evidence supporting its claims and cited a previous case where Nevada allegedly identified nearly 16,000 possible noncitizens on its voter rolls, all of whom were later confirmed to be U.S. citizens.

Former US president Barack Obama performed at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday evening as part of a three-date UK tour. He discussed social change, citing Manchester cotton workers who refused to handle slave-picked cotton during the American Civil War as an example of how ordinary people can drive progress. The evening, hosted by writer Afua Hirsch, covered misinformation online, social trust and social media's role in dividing people.

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, is rallying with supporters as his race against Republican Ken Paxton heads into its final weeks. Talarico has emerged as a genuine contender after initially being seen as an unlikely challenger. He has significantly outpaced Paxton in fundraising, raising $64 million in the third quarter. Voters' concerns about Paxton, who was impeached by his own party in the Texas legislature over corruption questions before being acquitted, have bolstered Talarico's campaign. The outcome will help determine which party controls the Senate during President Donald Trump's final two years in office.

Low Petergate in York has closed to vehicles for emergency sewer repair work. The closure near its junction with Church Street and Goodramgate is due to last until Friday, 6 November, according to City of York Council. Pedestrians can still access the street and businesses remain open. Yorkshire Water said it will 'work hard to minimise the disruption this causes for local residents and road users'. The work follows similar closures on Colliergate and King's Square last month for sewer repairs, both of which have since reopened.

Police are asking for help identifying two persons of interest who were filmed moments before two vehicles caught fire in the driveway of a home on Gregory Road in Buckeye, Arizona on August 19. Doorbell camera footage shows one person in a white hoodie and shorts walking toward the home around 10:15 p.m. and appearing to throw something, followed a minute later by another person in a black hoodie and gray pants. The homeowner, Athena Medina, said her family was asleep and woke to neighbours pounding on the door as the front yard burned. No one was injured, but two vehicles and the garage door were heavily damaged.

Anthropic is granting six researchers from non-profit METR employee-like access to its systems to independently assess the company's AI models, safety practices and risk management. METR will publish its findings without Anthropic's approval, though the company can require redaction of sensitive information such as customer data or model architecture details. The arrangement reflects growing calls for independent oversight of AI companies.

A family of barn owls has taken up residence in a water tower on Manhattan's Upper West Side near Central Park, marking the first documented instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in recorded history. The discovery has drawn nightly crowds of onlookers eager to see the birds. David Barrett, who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert social media account, has observed at least one adult barn owl and five fledglings at the site, with some photographers claiming to have seen six fledglings. Andrew Farnsworth, a migration ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, called the discovery 'shocking', stating that to collective birding knowledge there has not been a nest in Manhattan in recorded history.

The Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services has submitted a peptides 'interim access policy' to the White House for review. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed broader access to these largely unregulated injections, which have become popular among wellness influencers. Kennedy argues that allowing compounding pharmacies to sell peptides will counter Americans' use of unverified products from overseas.

Withings has announced that customers creating accounts from October 13, 2026 onwards must pay $99.50 yearly for automatic data syncing to Apple Health and other third-party health apps. Existing users and anyone who set up an account before October 13, 2026 will retain free syncing. New users will be able to manually export their data without paying, and Withings+ subscriptions include a free one-month trial.

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have pleaded not guilty to new charges of conspiring to torture political opponents. The pair, captured by US military in a January raid and flown to New York, were arraigned before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court. Maduro rejected the indictment, stating the accusations were false, while Flores said she was completely innocent. They would each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years if convicted on all charges, and the trial start date has been postponed to June 14, 2027.

Kiran Kaur, 53, was convicted of assisting an offender after removing the knife used by her son, Vickrum Digwa, to kill 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in Southampton on December 3, 2025. Sentenced to three years in July, she is now expected to serve less than half that term under the Government's early release scheme and could be released around the anniversary of Nowak's death. Kaur, an Indian national, is also eligible for the government's deportation scheme, though no decision has been made on whether she will be removed from the UK. Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has questioned the 'robustness' of the justice system over the potential early release. Kaur is appealing against her sentence, with a hearing scheduled for November 5.

Paul Grimmer, brother of Cheryl Gene Grimmer who was abducted in 1970 aged three, has called for the establishment of a peak body to represent families of long-term missing persons and victims of unsolved homicides. He told a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry that NSW Police failed to keep his family informed of updates to the case, leaving them broken. Mr Grimmer said police should have shown empathy and kept the family updated to prevent his parents suffering further.

Sculpture by the Sea opens its 30th-anniversary exhibition on Sydney's Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk on Friday, featuring 100 artworks and expected to attract about 450,000 visitors. Founded by David Handley in 1997 with just $100 and volunteers working from a lounge room, the event is now billed as the world's biggest free outdoor sculpture show. The organisation recently faced funding pressures, making a last-minute call for $200,000 in late 2025, which donors and NRMA Insurance helped provide. A Perth iteration will be held on Cottesloe Beach in March.

Min Woo Lee and Evis Smylie both recorded one-under-par 71s to lead the Australian challenge at the India Championship in Delhi on the opening day, which was cut short by a five-hour lightning delay. Lee hit five birdies and four bogeys in his mixed round, while Smylie posted two birdies. Niklas Norgaard of Denmark leads after a six-under 66, with Rory McIlroy four shots back following a two-under 70.

Graeme Robertson, 92, from York has received a British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire in recognition of his service to the community. Over the past five decades he has supported numerous charities and organisations, including 50 years with Talking News for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He has led over 1,000 historical tours as a York Minster guide and continues to volunteer weekly.

Hannah McGuire was murdered in April 2024. Before her death, her mother Debbie worked hard to remove her from the control of the abusive man who would eventually kill her. The family is sharing their story to alert other parents about the dangers of abuse.

Victoria's Labor Party has promised to make miner's right permits free from 2027 if elected in the upcoming November election. The permits, which have cost money for over 170 years, allow prospectors and fossickers to work in Victoria.

John Gowing Jewellers, based in Oxford's Covered Market, is celebrating its 80th anniversary since being founded in 1946. The shop is offering customers £80 towards qualifying purchases of £700 or more. Owner Prasanna Perera, who took over in 2025, described it as a 'very special milestone' and said the business has been part of Oxford's history for eight decades, providing valuations, diamond accessories and repairs.

The A19 near Stockton will face major disruption this weekend as National Highways removes a footbridge at the A1027 Norton Interchange for refurbishment, with the bridge due to return in January 2027. The biggest closures run from Saturday 8pm until Monday 6am, with the A19 closed in both directions between the A139 and A689 for much of that period. Additional overnight closures continue until 23 October. Diversion routes will be signposted, and the work may be rescheduled if weather conditions are unsuitable.

Whitby Town Council plans to bring its public toilets back under direct council control from July 2027, ending years of external management. The move aims to save money, improve standards and increase operational control over facilities that have operated at a loss. Between 2018 and 2024, the council spent £85,923 more than the toilets generated in income, despite annual revenue of between £179,000 and £228,000.

Bluesky has expanded its Attie AI tool, which initially launched this year for building custom feeds, to let users create games, polls, dashboards and websites that can be shared as standalone social apps. CEO Toni Schneider described the feature as 'social vibe coding' for communities. The user-created experiences will live on the AT Protocol that powers Bluesky and other decentralised social apps.

Senator Mark Kelly introduced the 'No Public Executions in America Act' on Thursday, which would ban federal officials and the Department of Defense from recording or livestreaming executions under military law. The bill comes hours after President Donald Trump scrapped plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, scheduled for 3 December. The legislation drew bipartisan concern over fears that broadcast footage could fuel radicalization.

Ukraine has run out of interceptors for its US-made Patriot air defence systems, according to reports. Russian attacks this week struck power plants in Kyiv and Kharkiv, killing four people, with sources telling CNN that almost all ballistic missiles in the latest strike were not intercepted due to the shortage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long appealed for licences to manufacture the interceptors within Ukraine and previously claimed the Trump administration authorised this, though it remains unclear if the deal materialised.

Reform in Walsall has been accused of 'hijacking Christmas' after a row over a Willenhall light switch on event. Councillor Simran Cheema, the only Labour member at Walsall Council, had been organising a festive light switch on for 20 November. According to BirminghamLive, she said the dispute arose after she posted promotional materials because 'Reform wanted to do its own Christmas switch on'. Reform leaders denied the allegations and claimed Councillor Cheema had no authority to authorise public expenditure for the event.

Suspected Russian drones have attacked chemical tankers near Romania's Black Sea coast, with at least one struck in the NATO member state's territorial waters. Romanian fighter jets shot down two drones over the Black Sea near Sulina. At least seven ships have been attacked in the exclusive economic zones of NATO countries, and the incidents have prompted NATO to increase counter-drone capabilities along its eastern flank.

Lawrence Hall, Pittsburgh's food hall which opened in April 2024, is to close permanently at year's end. The closure is due to rising costs and operational setbacks.

A United Airlines flight bound for Newark declared an emergency on Thursday afternoon while cruising at 32,000 feet over Manchester, shortly after departing London Heathrow. The Boeing 767 transmitted squawk code 7700, the international code for a general emergency, citing a 'technical issue'. The crew initially planned to dump around 20 tonnes of fuel to reduce landing weight but abandoned the plan and returned directly to Heathrow, landing safely at around 6pm where it was met by emergency services.

Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, has criticised Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Andy Burnham for discussing 'endless' referendums. On a visit to Edinburgh, she called Swinney a 'broken record' over independence and said the focus on referendums has been a distraction. She also rejected suggestions of another Brexit referendum, saying the country should focus on using existing powers to generate growth.

Scientists at Columbia University and UC Berkeley have found that microplastics are not chemically inert as previously thought. When exposed to water, the particles generate reactive oxygen species—harmful molecules that can damage proteins, lipids and DNA. The phenomenon occurs under normal environmental conditions without requiring sunlight or other degradation agents.

Houthi rebels have fired missiles at Yemen's presidential palace in Aden, killing two guards, in the first such attack on the al-Maashiq palace during the current conflict. The same group also struck Aden airport with two missiles. The government's prime minister and cabinet were safe, according to Yemen's Information Minister. The Houthi military spokesman said the attacks targeted Saudi military operations headquarters as part of the group's policy of striking 'Saudi reinforcements wherever they were located'.

A federal judge has declined to order the Justice Department to preserve all records from investigations into former CIA director John Brennan. Brennan's lawyers sought the preservation order to challenge any future criminal case as malicious prosecution, citing what they said was the department's pattern of vindictiveness and poor record-keeping. The judge found his arguments too speculative.

The College Football Playoff is set to expand from 12 to 24 teams beginning in 2027. The new format will feature 19 at-large bids, four Power Four conference champions and one Group of Six team. ESPN has informally agreed to pay $345 million annually for the rights to eleven additional games. The expansion would eliminate Power Four conference championship games and move the season start up by a week, with the first two rounds played on campuses.

The Helmsley Charitable Trust has donated $15,000 to The Foster Network, a Sioux Falls organisation supporting foster, adoptive and kinship families. Staff from Helmsley volunteered at the organisation, sorting donated clothing and Halloween costumes to be distributed to foster children and their families. Stacy Stahl, executive director of The Foster Network, said the gift would make a significant impact on the organisation's ability to support local families.

Las Vegas authorities have identified the remains found in a barrel at Lake Mead in May 2022 as Edward Lelburian Jackson, an Arkansas man also known as 'Buddy' who was in his mid- to late 50s. The body was discovered by boaters as receding water levels exposed it at Hemenway Harbor. Jackson died from a single gunshot wound to the head, with investigators estimating he was killed in the early 1980s based on his clothing and other evidence. Genealogy profiling helped authorities confirm his identity after four years of investigation. No direct evidence has emerged linking the killing to organised crime, though police have not ruled out a mob connection given Las Vegas's history and the method of disposal used.

Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was told by assistant coach Frank Vogel he would guard Luka Doncic in a preseason game against the Lakers on Tuesday. Lendeborg's stunned reaction—recalling he asked Vogel 'What the f–k? You're just gonna throw me in the fire?'—has become viral online. However, Lakers coach JJ Redick gave Doncic the night off, so Lendeborg instead faced centre Walker Kessler. The Warriors won 101-89.

The Met Office has said that UK winters are becoming milder and wetter compared with previous decades. Winter temperatures from 2016 to 2025 were 0.6°C warmer than the 1991 to 2020 average and 1.4°C warmer than 1961 to 1990, with both air and ground frosts reducing by around a quarter since the 1980s. While snow has 'not disappeared', substantial snow events and the average number of days with falling snow have declined in recent years, the Met Office added.

Donald Trump has cancelled Pentagon plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, though the execution itself remains scheduled for 3 December. An ABC News poll found 8 in 10 Americans opposed the livestream, including a 55 per cent majority of Trump supporters. The decision follows fierce backlash from Democrats and Republicans, the Catholic Church and the United Nations.

Ukraine is testing a new drone called StarGate for battlefield medical evacuations. Developed by Ukrainian defence technology company SkyFall, the drone has a one-way range of 15 kilometres and can reportedly carry 150 kilograms at speeds of up to 105 kilometres per hour. A combat brigade began field testing the prototype this week under front-line conditions.

The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan will close for at least four years beginning January 2027 for extensive renovations, primarily of its historic facade. The 18-story property, which has operated for 119 years, contains 282 hotel rooms and 181 private residences. City Buildings inspectors found the facade unsafe in a recent review, prompting the closure.

Nine former FBI employees sued the FBI, its director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday, alleging they were unlawfully terminated for their work on the classified documents case against Donald Trump. The agents, intelligence analysts and staff were fired in February 2026 without notice, hearing or opportunity to appeal, the lawsuit states. They claim the firings were politically motivated retaliation rather than based on any legitimate cause.

A gang of five was arrested after raiding a business near Harrogate on 4 November at 4.20am, stealing an Iveco lorry and fleeing in a blue VW Passat. Police spotted the vehicles within twenty minutes on the A59 near Blubberhouses and pursued them. In Addingham, West Yorkshire, the Passat was boxed in and three men arrested: Shane Ali, James Coffey and Travis Neagle. Two men fled from the lorry. All five were jailed at York Crown Court; Judge Sean Morris described them as 'professional criminals'. Coffey also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified.

Celebrity Traitors 2026 has progressed through multiple episodes featuring murders and banishments. Rob Beckett was murdered by the Traitors after a hide-and-seek game in episode 5, despite fellow Faithfuls Ross Kemp, Romesh Ranganathan and Leigh-Anne Pinnock deciding to spare her. Following this, the Faithfuls successfully banished Traitor Hannah Fry at the round table. King Kenny was then recruited as a new Traitor. In episode 6, Joe Lycett faced banishment after making a slip-up about Traitor recruitment. The Mirror reports that one cast member accused production of being 'like human traffickers' over restrictions on contacting family, though producers maintain phone rules protect the game's integrity.

Wes Streeting, the UK Defence Secretary, visited Washington to urge the US to continue supporting Ukraine amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv. He met US counterpart Pete Hegseth and told officials that backing Ukraine serves America's long-term economic and security interests. Streeting said Hegseth assured him that Ukraine's access to Starlink, the satellite communications system vital to the military, had been restored, though the cause of the disruption remains unclear.

Harvard University's endowment grew 27.1% in fiscal year 2026, its strongest return in five years, reaching nearly $68 billion. The gains came from investments including a $2.2 billion stake in SpaceX and holdings in artificial intelligence. The endowment outperformed the S&P 500 by 4.8 percentage points, though the Trump administration has penalised the university by withholding federal funding and raising the federal excise tax on Harvard's net investment income from 1.4% to 8%, which officials estimate will cost roughly $300 million annually.

Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team responded to five mountain rescues between October 2 and 5, including retrieving wet and cold campers from Stickle Tarn and a complex ankle injury rescue at Crinkle Ghyll where a team member was hit by a falling rock and evacuated by helicopter. The team now faces mounting pressure not from raw numbers—127 rescues so far in 2026 compared with 120 at the same point last year—but from the variety of incidents they must prepare for, rescuing adventure racers, open water swimmers, and paragliders alongside traditional mountaineers.

Five men have been jailed after stealing two vehicles from a business near Harrogate on 4 November 2025. North Yorkshire Police was called at 4.40am after an Iveco truck and Renault Master van were taken. Officers spotted the stolen Iveco on the A59 and a blue VW Passat acting as a 'spotter' vehicle. A pursuit followed, with the Iveco attempting to reverse into a police vehicle before crashing into a wall near Addingham. Three men—Shane Ali, James Coffey and Travis Neagle—were arrested at the scene. Police dog Rhun found a fourth suspect, Lewis Jackson, hiding in a bush 100 metres away; Jackson attempted to flee but was detained after being bitten by the dog. A fifth man, Marcus Durant, was later found muddy in Addingham village and arrested at 9.35am after attempting to arrange transport and becoming agitated. The stolen Renault was recovered and examined for forensic evidence.

Amazon has submitted to an Australian parliamentary inquiry that the country needs special AI visas and earlier tech literacy programmes in schools, including kindergarten, to become a global AI hub. The tech giant argues Australia has advantages in education, stability and data privacy protections, but fewer than one in five employers feel their workforces are ready to adopt AI due to cost concerns and lack of knowledge. Amazon Web Services generated over $185 billion in global revenue in the 2025 US financial year.

Hilary Duff shared photos from a girls' trip to Mexico's Riviera Nayarit coast with friends including actress Mandy Moore, celebrity chef Gaby Dalkin and makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan Fisher. The 39-year-old actress posted images of herself in swimwear on the beach and at the One&Only Mandarina resort, where the group enjoyed beach outings and spa treatments.

Bruce Hales, senior elder of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is expected to tell a parliamentary inquiry on Friday that he had no involvement in campaigns during the 2025 Australian federal election. Multiple candidates reported unusually large numbers of Liberal volunteers at pre-poll booths, and the Sydney Morning Herald reported the group paid neo-Nazi associates to harass MPs and church members intimidated voters, allegations Mr Hales denies. The church maintains its roughly 16,000 Australian members volunteered of their own accord. Mr Hales says he has no authority over members' political choices.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's winter outlook, released Thursday, predicts wetter-than-average conditions for much of the country from December to February, driven by a strong El Niño pattern. The southern US, including the Southwest, Southeast and parts of the East Coast, should see more rain and snow, potentially easing drought conditions. However, northern regions including the Northeast, Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and Northern Rockies should expect below-normal snowfall and warmer temperatures. Meteorologists warned that excessive precipitation on drought-affected soils could cause flash floods and mudslides.

Columbia University has suspended women's basketball coach Megan Griffith for the first three games of the upcoming season after an external review found her coaching interactions with the team did not align with expectations. The review followed a complaint about her behaviour during practices from a previous season. Griffith will miss the opening game on 2 November against Davidson and a tournament in Nashville.

Hertfordshire offers several indoor attractions suitable for families on rainy days. Stevenage Museum, a free attraction beneath St George's Church, features exhibits on the town's history and its development as Britain's first post-war New Town, with interactive displays and children's activities. Broadway Cinema, an Art Deco independent venue, shows children's films and seasonal events. Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre has a 25-metre main pool and teaching pool for younger swimmers with family sessions available.

Women in the UK are facing shortages of several HRT products used to manage menopause symptoms. FemSeven Conti patches are expected to remain out of stock until late November, whilst Estradot patches will be unavailable until January. Around two million women in England aged 40 and above rely on HRT to manage symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats.

Cheltenham Town left-back Joe Tomlinson will miss approximately 12 weeks after hamstring surgery following a torn hamstring tendon sustained during the defeat at Accrington Stanley. The summer signing from MK Dons, who has played nine league games for the club, is expected to return around January. Manager Steve Cotterill said Tomlinson initially felt fine at half-time but re-injured himself when attempting to strike the ball in the second half.

Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday, ending the hosts' unbeaten start to the season. Keane Lewis-Potter put Brentford ahead in the first half, but Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card for a headbutt on Jeremy Jacquet just before half-time turned the match. Victor Munoz equalised after the break, and Alexander Isak scored the winner. Vitaly Janelt was sent off late on, leaving Brentford with nine men. Liverpool's victory was overshadowed by fresh injuries to Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong, with manager Andoni Iraola expressing concern about his squad's hectic schedule.

Brian McPolin, owner of BMP Furniture and a father-of-three, died in hospital on Wednesday, four days after choking at The Posh Pig Bar and Bistro in Warrenpoint on Sunday, October 11. He was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital following the incident and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. His funeral service will take place at St Patrick's Church, Mayobridge, on Sunday, October 18.

Protestors opposing an asylum centre at the former RAF base in Linton-on-Ouse have written to the Chancellor demanding a full financial review. They claim the facility could cost taxpayers more than £270m despite potentially operating for only two years, with costs between £443 and £853 per occupied bed per night. The Home Office says its programme to close asylum hotels and relocate people is delivering taxpayer savings, but campaigners question the value for money, particularly given concerns the site may need to be returned to the Ministry of Defence by July 2029.

A plaque commemorating Caribbean prisoners of war was stolen from Portchester Castle in Hampshire less than a week after its unveiling on 9 October. The memorial honoured 2,500 African Caribbean men, women and children taken as prisoners of war during Caribbean conflicts in 1796, more than 2,000 of whom were held at the castle. Dr Jacqueline Roberts of the Caribbean arts organisation that commissioned it said the removal was 'not just an act against an object, but against memory itself'.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is being removed from the NFL's commissioner's exempt list and will be eligible to play on 25 October against Detroit, having missed the team's first five games. Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage charges following a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. The NFL's investigation under its personal conduct policy will continue despite his return to playing status.

A memorial to victims of a UDA gun attack in Belfast has been vandalised for the second time in weeks. Police are investigating the incident as sectarian-motivated vandalism.

Christopher Buxey, 43, was sentenced to 18 years at Portsmouth Crown Court for breaking into a family home near Chichester, West Sussex, in the early hours of 4 June. A 13-year-old girl awoke to find him standing over her bed wearing black clothing, a balaclava and latex gloves, holding pre-looped cable ties. Her parents heard her screams, found her kicking at the intruder, and detained him until police arrived. He was also convicted of a separate child sex abuse offence in Hampshire.

Armed police arrested a 61-year-old man on the island of Flotta in Orkney on Thursday after responding to reports of threatening and abusive behaviour. Officers travelled from mainland Scotland in three police vehicles and caught a ferry to the remote island, where they executed a warrant at around 4.15pm. Chief Inspector Scott Robertson said inquiries were ongoing and reassured residents there was no risk to the wider public.

A US judge has ruled that a copy of an alleged confession by Abu Agila Masud, a Libyan man accused of building the bomb that destroyed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988, can be used as evidence at his trial. Masud's defence team sought to exclude the statement because it was not the original document, but Judge Dabney Friedrich denied the motion after prosecutors said they were unable to obtain the original from Libya. Masud claims he was forced into making a false confession.

Democrat Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's current Secretary of State, and Republican John James, a U.S. Representative from southeast Michigan, are competing to become the state's next governor following Gretchen Whitmer's term limit. The candidates have debated cost of living, the economy and healthcare, with both supporting a suspension of the federal gas tax.

Arizona State has hired Dave Hakstol, a former NHL head coach, to lead its hockey programme. The hire comes as the school investigates an outdoor workout incident in which 21-year-old player Matthew Mayich collapsed and is now on life support with external heat stroke. Previous coach Greg Powers has resigned from the position.

Angela Fleming, a former school secretary at Burch PK-8 in Mingo County, West Virginia, has been arrested by State Police on charges of two counts of misdemeanour embezzlement and one count of computer fraud. The charges stem from an investigation into missing funds from the school. Fleming is no longer employed by the Mingo County School System.

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell has filed a civil lawsuit for more than $300 million against surgeon William Meyers, Jefferson Health and 14 other defendants. Bell claims he was misled into having core muscle surgery, known as sports hernia repair, following a hip injury in the 2024 season, and that Meyers cut his femoral artery during the procedure, causing severe internal bleeding. He was rushed to Thomas Jefferson Hospital for emergency vascular reconstruction. The lawsuit alleges the defendants used fraudulent MRI findings to justify unnecessary surgeries as part of a profit-driven scheme targeting professional athletes.

A child advocate has claimed she lost her job as a legal aid lawyer after fighting to reunite a foster carer with two children whose welfare she feared was at risk. She vows to challenge her dismissal.

Volvo plans to introduce hands-free, point-to-point driving by 2030 using Nvidia's autonomous driving stack. The Level 2++ system will handle complex urban environments including traffic lights and unprotected turns without explicit driver control. The expansion of Volvo's partnership with Nvidia will extend beyond its battery electric vehicles to include plug-in hybrids and gas-powered models.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that American consumers will spend $1.01 trillion in November and December, a 4.2% increase on last year. Higher prices are expected to account for roughly half of the growth, with higher-income shoppers driving much of the spending despite persistent inflation and financial pressures.

Leeds United have not recorded a home victory over Manchester United for 24 years, since Harry Kewell scored the winner in September 2002. The club will attempt to break that drought this Sunday and secure back-to-back wins against their rivals for the first time since 1972. Manchester United have won just one of their opening six Premier League matches and have not won any of their past four games.

A search is underway for Victoria, 29, who went missing from John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on 13 October around 2pm. She is white, 5ft 6in, of slim build, with dark brown hair worn in a bun. When last seen she was wearing a green anorak coat, blue jeans and a black cap with pink lettering, and carrying bags containing a laptop.

Hackers remotely overrode temperature settings on thousands of freezers and fridges across France on Sunday night, raising them to as high as 50C or 80C in some stores. The 'bizarre and unprecedented' attack affected up to 700 supermarkets including Intermarché, Carrefour and Monoprix chains, resulting in tonnes of spoiled food, fires and water damage. The incident has prompted warnings from experts that the UK is unprepared for food security crises and lack of a government plan to feed people during emergencies.

High gas prices are intensifying inflation in the United States, yet consumers are continuing to spend and sustaining economic growth. Data released Thursday showed inflation accelerated as oil and gas costs began lifting prices across shipping, warehousing and wholesale food, potentially raising grocery costs in coming months. Despite surveys suggesting many Americans feel gloomy about the economy, worker job security is encouraging spending.

Multiple incidents are disrupting train services across Sussex. A fault with the level crossing between Lewes and Eastbourne is causing disruption between those two stations, whilst a trespass incident has caused disruption between Horsham and Dorking. The Chichester Observer also reports a points failure between Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport.

A minibus carrying heavy goods vehicle drivers collided with a departing freight train at the loading platform of the Eurotunnel near Calais on Thursday at around 7:30pm, injuring 19 people including the driver. Two people sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to hospital in Lille; the remaining 17 were taken to hospitals in the region. French authorities said no injuries were life-threatening. The bus was heading to the platform where lorry drivers board shuttle trains for the cross-Channel journey. Getlink, which operates the tunnel, said the minibus left its lane before hitting the side of the train. The reason for the collision remains under investigation. Shuttle services were suspended for 90 minutes but resumed by late evening, with freight and Eurostar services unaffected.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is ruled out for Sunday's game against Carolina because of a blood clot in his calf. Hurts sustained the injury two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams when he took a cleat to his calf. He was cleared to play and travelled to London for the Eagles' game against Jacksonville. An ultrasound on Wednesday revealed movement in the small blood clot, and the Eagles said they would determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Formula One will hold a Grand Prix in Rwanda from the early 2030s, its first African race since 1993. The Democratic Republic of Congo's foreign minister said this would 'polish the image of an authoritarian leader' and that Rwanda's government has helped fuel a devastating war in the DRC. Rwanda denies backing M23 rebels in eastern DRC, saying its security measures protect against armed groups.

A civil lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Florida accuses former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz and two others of sex trafficking two young women identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. The women allege that Gaetz, former state representative Christopher Dorworth and former tax collector Joel Greenberg coordinated payments, drugs and travel to obtain sexual acts from them between 2017 and January 2019, when the women were recently graduated high school students. Gaetz denied the allegations, saying he looks forward to taking the plaintiffs' depositions and claiming much of the conduct alleged is false. The lawsuit comes after a House Ethics Committee report in December 2024 alleged Gaetz engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl and paid for sex and drugs in multiple incidents. Greenberg has already pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child and is serving an 11-year federal prison sentence.

William Chapman, 24, was fatally mauled by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster on 10 October after climbing over two fences to enter the enclosure. An inquest opening heard he had a history of mental illness and schizophrenia. His family expressed concerns about his contact with mental health services before his death.

Emmitt Smith has defended Taylor Swift's presence at Kansas City Chiefs games, saying she is there to support Travis Kelce and is not seeking camera attention. Smith told Variety that television networks are responsible for broadcasting her appearances, not Swift herself. He said her anonymity has been lost due to her fame, but that she is simply trying to enjoy life as Kelce's partner.

Two people were arrested after a suspected stolen car crashed on the A1(M) in County Durham on Thursday following a police chase. Durham Constabulary received reports of the car's occupants threatening members of the public in Chester-le-Street. The driver failed to stop for officers and headed towards the motorway, leading to a short pursuit. Police made tactical contact with the car to bring it to a halt and ensure the safety of other motorists. A man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s were arrested at the scene and taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Kiran Kaur, 53, an Indian national, was sentenced to three years in July for assisting an offender by removing the knife her son Vickrum Digwa used to kill 18-year-old Henry Nowak on 3 December 2025. Under the government's early release scheme, she is due to be freed in December after serving one third of her sentence, around the anniversary of Mr Nowak's death. Kaur is also eligible for deportation to India. The Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner has expressed concern about the early release, saying it would be a 'significant blow' to the Nowak family and raise 'very serious questions' about the criminal justice system. Kaur is challenging her sentence at the Court of Appeal, with a hearing scheduled for 5 November.

Technology stocks slumped on Friday amid concerns about the heavy borrowing underpinning the AI boom. The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4% and the S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, with the latter on track for its worst week since June. Chipmakers and neocloud providers like CoreWeave, which rent computing power to AI companies, were particularly hard hit. CoreWeave lost 13% on Friday and nearly 26% over the week. Research from Gartner found AI providers are expected to spend $7 trillion on infrastructure through 2030 but generate no more than $3.6 trillion in AI-related revenue over the same period. The Cboe Volatility Index rose above 22 for the first time in four months, with traders betting on further market turbulence through November.

A woman from Ballina in NSW has won a $100 million Powerball lottery prize, making her Australia's third-biggest lottery winner. She was sceptical when notified by phone, initially thinking it was a prank. She said she would pay off her mortgage and help family members.

Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT violated consumer protection laws by harming children and deceiving adults. According to Iowa's lawsuit, the chatbot gives dangerous medical advice, encourages paranoia and coaches people to hurt themselves or others. Arizona's lawsuit says ChatGPT encourages teenagers to share personal information while discouraging them from confiding in parents or authorities. OpenAI said it has already built safety protections into ChatGPT and will continue to improve them.

A five-man gang has been jailed for a combined 11 years after a burglary at a North Yorkshire company led to its collapse and job losses. The raid took place at 2.40am on 4 November 2025 at an isolated business between Harrogate and Blubberhouses, only three weeks after the company was founded. The owner was so frightened by the incident that she refused to give police a statement or disclose the value of goods stolen. York Crown Court heard the burglary triggered a 'slow decline' that ultimately caused the business to fold. The Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, described the five-man gang as 'professional' criminals who committed a 'sophisticated, planned commercial burglary'. Shane Ali, 33, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 31 months in prison.

Meta and Apple announced on Thursday a collaboration to optimise Meta's Muse Spark Open AI model for Apple's Mac Studio computers, marking an unusual partnership between the long-time rivals. Muse Spark Open, an 816-billion-parameter open-weight model, can run locally on two or four Mac Studio machines equipped with M5 Ultra chips, requiring approximately 1TB of RAM. The companies said the model excels at coding, agentic work and complex tasks. Meta claims it is the most capable US open-weight model to date and benchmarks suggest it outperforms leading Chinese competitors. Running the model locally rather than in the cloud offers security benefits and cost savings, the companies said. Apple's new CEO John Ternus and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly congratulated each other on the partnership, a stark contrast to their historical tensions over privacy and advertising.

Kimberly Guilfoyle was pushed out of her ambassadorship to Greece this week after reports emerged that she had asked donor Eric Deters to pay a $100,000 American Express bill in exchange for White House access ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing. Guilfoyle's legal team disputed the authenticity of text messages Deters shared with media outlets, prompting Deters to file a defamation lawsuit against her and her attorneys in Kentucky state court on Thursday. Deters said Guilfoyle's lawyers claimed he owed her money and had not fulfilled his obligations, which he denies.

A Birmingham baker has created a lifelike cake of the Princess of Wales for a contest, showcasing exceptional cake-making skills.

California officials are ordering mortgage lenders to report on how they have handled insurance payouts to survivors of the 2025 Los Angeles-area fires. The state has received more than 160 complaints about payment delays since January 2025 and is giving lenders two weeks to submit their reports. Governor Gavin Newsom previously ordered data collection on lenders taking longer than 10 days to distribute insurance proceeds.

Will Best, the 41-year-old Big Brother presenter and Strictly Come Dancing competitor, has become a father for the first time. He and his partner, fashion stylist Tobi Rose, welcomed their son Sonny Best on Sunday. Best announced the birth on Thursday in an Instagram post featuring a video where he jokingly showed off his 'really cool new thing', panning down to reveal the sleeping baby in his arms. Speaking on his Hits Radio Breakfast Show, Best said he feels 'the luckiest person in the entire world', describing newborn life as magical despite sleepless nights.

Esta High, five months old, died from bacterial meningitis at Leeds General Infirmary on 2 November 2023, two days after her parents brought her to the emergency department with a high temperature and vomiting. A paediatric consultant told the inquest that antibiotics were not given until the evening of 2 November, and that earlier treatment would have been more likely to save her life. Esta had tested positive for Covid, which complicated doctors' decision-making, but the consultant agreed there were 'missed opportunities' that contributed to her death.

Bird flu caused the death of Jackie, a bald eagle who became an internet sensation after being filmed nesting near Big Bear Lake in California for more than a decade. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the diagnosis following a necropsy. The infection caused a severe stomach ulcer that led to internal bleeding, anemia and bacterial sepsis.

Kiran Kaur, mother of Henry Nowak's killer Vickrum Digwa, is set to be released early from prison after serving less than half of her three-year sentence. She was jailed in July for removing the knife used in the December 2025 killing and taking it home. The early release under the government's scheme could see her freed around the anniversary of Nowak's death. Kaur is also appealing her sentence and will appear in the Court of Appeal on November 5, and as an Indian national may be deported.

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah was the overwhelming choice for first-team quarterback on the Associated Press midseason All-America team released Thursday. Mensah, who has led unbeaten Miami to a No. 3 ranking, has completed 84.2 per cent of his passes with 15 touchdown passes and no interceptions. UCLA led all teams with three first-team selections.

Alan Pearce, 70, from Heckmondwike, has been jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a child aged seven between 1983 and 1985. The victim reported the offences in 2021, leading to his arrest in January 2023 and conviction at Leeds Crown Court in August 2024. West Yorkshire Police believe Pearce may have other victims and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked debate about gender roles after saying she works three to four extra hours daily compared with her male predecessors because of household tasks and makeup application. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Takaichi said she spends time on bathing, preparing breakfast, washing dishes and applying makeup before official duties begin. Her staff had to learn she needed extra time to prepare for television appearances. The comments drew criticism on social media, with many noting that working women in Japan face heavier demands, including childcare and elder care, and questioning whether her remarks promoted outdated gender roles.

A tool called Lens has been built to help businesses assess their visibility across multiple online platforms. The tool checks presence on Google, Google Maps, AI assistants such as ChatGPT, paid search, social media and the business's own website in approximately one minute.

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been declared fit to play in the second Test against Australia on Sunday at Gqeberha, having recovered from a hamstring tear. The 31-year-old, who has the second-best record of any quick against Australia this century with 58 wickets at 21.39, bowled at full pace for 45 minutes at training on Thursday. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada would 'feed off' his past performances against Australia and bring confidence to the team, though he cautioned against putting too much expectation on him after their 214-run defeat in the series opener.

Authorities have seized more than 12,000 counterfeit weight-loss pens, worth an estimated £2m, from an industrial unit in Birmingham. The fake pens, found in a warehouse described as filthy, contained versions of the drugs retatrutide and tirzepatide. Packaging for approximately 30,000 additional products was also discovered. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency warned that the contents cannot be guaranteed and may be contaminated with harmful substances.

The High Court has quashed planning permission granted by North Devon Council in May for a travellers' site at Charles near Brayford, on the edge of Exmoor. Devon CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) won a judicial review challenge on environmental grounds. The council admitted failing to require a biodiversity net gain commitment or wildlife report for the site, which was the basis for quashing consent.

Sydney's Wentworth Park, which has hosted greyhound racing since 1932, held its final race meeting on Friday night. Thousands attended the event at the inner-city Glebe track. The land will be razed and returned to parkland, with all buildings slated for demolition after October 2027. Industry figures described the closure as heartbreaking, with the track holding iconic status in Australian sport.

Jon Rahm will be able to leave LIV Golf and pursue other opportunities, including a possible return to the PGA Tour, under a separation agreement filed in a New Jersey bankruptcy court. The agreement, scheduled for a judge's approval on 5 November, states that Rahm owes no further service obligations, is not bound by league regulations, and may join any tour without LIV's consent. Rahm's first event after leaving will be at the Abu Dhabi Championship on 5–8 November.

Tinks Walker was riding 10-year-old Killossery Kaptain, known as Benny, near her family home close to Malmesbury on April 2 when a collision occurred. The horse, which had been ridden by Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett, suffered injuries so severe he was put down at the roadside. Ms Walker's family is now pursuing legal action. Wiltshire Police concluded there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the driver but instead offered her a safe and considerate driving course, according to correspondence reported by the Daily Mail.

Philip Clover, 42, was caught breaking the 70mph speed limit on the M5 near Worcester in a Vauxhall Vivaro on 21 December 2025. His driving licence had been refused in May 2015 on account of a disability. He was found guilty in his absence at Worcester Magistrates' Court and fined £880 with six points added to his driving record.

NSW Labor has announced a plan to cut public debt by $11 billion over the next decade ahead of March's election. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the plan would cut debt by an average of $1.2 billion a year without resorting to privatisation, saving taxpayers around $275 million in interest payments annually. The strategy involves reinvesting money from energy providers Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy into the state's superannuation schemes.

Australia will provide Australian-made Bluebottle maritime drones to Fiji's military from early 2027 as part of the Waqa Moana partnership, a Pacific-led security initiative to counter organised crime and drug trafficking. The drones can provide reconnaissance and surveillance while staying at sea for more than 180 days using renewable energy. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the partnership would strengthen Fiji's maritime surveillance capabilities and ties between the countries.

Newlyn-based W Stevenson & Sons Limited has been fined £100,000 after apprentice engineer Conor Moseley, 20, died in the engine room of the fishing vessel Resurgam on 15 November 2019. A fire suppression system being installed accidentally activated, releasing hot toxic gases that made escape impossible from the small, confined space with only a single exit ladder. Three other workers escaped, but Moseley was overcome and could not be revived.

Jon Rahm has reached a separation agreement with LIV Golf, forfeiting an estimated £75 million still owed to him under his contract. The Spanish golfer deemed the terms of the proposed 'LIV 2.0' restructuring 'unacceptable' after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing from the league, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September. In exchange for walking away from the substantial sum, Rahm regains his name, image and likeness rights, including his 'Rahmbo' nickname and 'Legion XIII' team brand. He was listed as LIV's largest unsecured creditor at £5.7 million when the league filed for bankruptcy. The agreement awaits formal approval from a US bankruptcy court judge, with a hearing scheduled for November. Rahm, who won LIV's individual championship in each of his three seasons with the tour, has no current pathway to return to the PGA Tour.

The Sir John Barrow Monument in Ulverston will be lit pink and blue this evening for Baby Loss Awareness Week to remember pregnancy and baby loss. A church service will be held at 6pm at Beacon Hill Methodist Church in Barrow, and families are invited to light candles at 7pm as part of the #WaveOfLight campaign.

Plants worth hundreds of pounds have been ripped up and thrown into a lake at Rowntree Park in York, weeks after previous vandal attacks. The damage follows earlier incidents in which three rowan trees, each worth between £80 and £100, were snapped and pulled apart in the park's Friends Railed Garden. Council officials said the acts were soul-destroying for volunteers who have put in hundreds of hours of work maintaining the park, though most of the plants were recovered and replanted.

A baby girl named Ceri by police was found dead on a North Wales shoreline near Bangor on 27 September. A post-mortem examination suggested she may have been in the water for weeks. Police are conducting DNA tests and specialist investigations to establish what happened and identify her parents, and are appealing for her mother to come forward.

Serbian player Stefan Milicevic, 29, has been banned from tennis for 24 years until October 2050 for match-fixing and recruiting fellow players into a corrupt network. The International Tennis Integrity Authority found he fixed six matches, played in five of them, and attempted to fix six more between 2022 and 2024. He was also fined between £52,800 and £53,000.

A skip fire believed to be deliberate broke out near a commercial building on Norton Road, Malton on Wednesday at 6.15pm. The fire measured 2 by 2 metres. Both Malton fire appliances responded and extinguished it using a hose reel jet. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said there was no damage to the building and informed police because the fire was believed deliberate.

A murder investigation has been launched after a man's body was discovered on Thursday on the banks of the River Blackwater near Mallow, County Cork. He has been identified locally as Paul O'Connor, 56, from Ballyphehane in Cork. A post-mortem examination has been completed by the State Pathologist, though Gardaí are not releasing the results for operational reasons. RTÉ reports that the man died violently.

Essex Police arrested six men on suspicion of drug supply offences in coordinated early morning raids across south Essex on 15 October. The force executed warrants at addresses in Benfleet, Basildon, Southend and Ongar just after 6.30am, seizing large quantities of Class A drugs and cannabis, more than £10,000 in cash, and a mobile phone believed connected to a drug supply line. All six men were taken into custody at Southend Police Station.

The Berlin Philharmonic will leave the Philharmonie, its home since 1963, from 2032 to 2040 for a major renovation. Chief conductor Kirill Petrenko described the displacement as 'a huge challenge' because of the hall's 'unique sound'. The orchestra plans to use temporary facilities in hangars at Tempelhof Airport. The renovation and temporary hall will cost 1.15 billion euros, with the German federal government pledging 225 million euros towards the project.

Police obtained search warrants to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes at Sandringham and Royal Lodge in Windsor before swooping in February, fearing he could block entry by claiming the King owned the properties. Thames Valley Police told the Old Bailey judge they were concerned evidence could be lost if delayed by having to seek Buckingham Palace's permission. Documents revealed police were investigating his alleged misconduct in public office. The High Court later ruled the search warrants were unlawful, and Mountbatten-Windsor remains under investigation.

Nancy Lacore and Jenny Costa Honeycutt, the Democratic and Republican candidates for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, will debate Friday night at 7 p.m. Early voting for the midterm election begins Monday and runs through 31 October. Election Day is 3 November.

A man has died after falling from a cliff at Saltdean in Sussex, according to Sussex Police. Emergency services including police and ambulance vehicles were photographed at the scene at the bottom of the cliffs.

A taxi driver in Nottingham was given counterfeit £20 notes by a passenger on Tuesday evening and drove him straight to Radford Road police station instead of his destination. When questioned about the fake cash, the passenger handed over more counterfeit notes. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of using counterfeit currency and possessing an offensive weapon. Officers searching his address found a Rambo knife under his mattress and a cannabis cultivation kit, though no further fake notes were recovered.

Kieran Brown, manager of Leeds Knights, believes a weekend away could prove ideal for the struggling NIHL National side as they look to get their season going. Brown is hopeful the trip will help the team set a better tone.

Adelaide United came from behind to beat Thai side BG Pathum United 2-1 in the Asian Champions League Two group stages in Thanyaburi on Thursday. Craig Goodwin equalised early after Marin Jurina's first-minute opener, before 22-year-old Ethan Alagich scored the winner in the 77th minute with an individual effort from a through ball by Juan Muniz. Adelaide maintained their perfect record in the competition.

Woodstock Orchards LLC, a family-run farm in Connecticut, accused a hot air balloon company of taking apples from its trees on Saturday, claiming this was the second such incident. The farm said the balloon descended into the orchard with passengers reaching out to grab apples, damaging the trees in the process. CT Voyager Balloons disputed this, claiming it passed over the farm years earlier when someone voluntarily tossed apples to passengers, and that no damage occurred then.

Hamza Sharif, 36, and Sadak Ali, 28, have been jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old girl who had run away from home. Sharif received a five-year sentence for child abduction after meeting the girl near a railway station in east Birmingham and taking her to a house. Ali was jailed for seven years after sexually assaulting the girl and asking her 'invasive' sexual questions; she also declined an offer of cocaine. The girl said in a victim statement: 'I thought the man wanted to help me but what happened changed me forever.'

Police chased four teenagers who broke into the former Debenhams building in Red Lion Street, Norwich, on Thursday afternoon. One boy was arrested on suspicion of breaching bail and going equipped, and has since been released on bail. A second teenager escaped despite an area search, according to Norfolk Constabulary.

Bristol City host Sheffield United on Saturday seeking to reverse their poor home record. Manager Michael Skubala acknowledged the problem after Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn, despite his side having 20 shots to Blackburn's three. City have won just one of their last five home matches and scored only three goals at home all season, joint-lowest in the Championship. Skubala said opposition teams arrive with defensive shapes that City struggles to break down, and that scoring first would change the dynamic of games.

Police in Woodstock seized an illegal e-bike being ridden in an anti-social manner. The e-bike exceeded the 15.5 mph legal limit for electrically assisted pedal cycles and was classified as a motor vehicle. The rider had no licence, insurance or MOT.

An 18-year-old man was arrested after shooting another man in the arm during an argument inside an apartment in Sioux Falls early on Thursday, October 15. The suspect, identified by Keloland as Nevin John Huapapi, has been charged with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm at an occupied structure and three counts of abuse or cruelty to a minor. The victim, a 39-year-old man, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Patrick Vereb, a 72-year-old former pet crematory director, is expected to plead guilty on 22 October to charges including theft by deception and deceptive business practices. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office alleges he defrauded more than 6,500 pet owners between 2021 and 2024, receiving about $660,000 for cremations that never happened or were improperly handled. Vereb allegedly dumped animal remains into landfills and gave pet owners ashes from different animals.

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage held steady at 7.40%, the highest level in nearly three years. The 15-year fixed rate eased slightly to 6.71%. Mortgage rates have climbed since late February, driven by inflation concerns, Federal Reserve policy and bond market volatility, with the 10-year Treasury yield reaching 5.10% on Thursday.

Deepak Sandhu, 24, has been found guilty of murdering Xiaoqing Ke, 39, in a revenge attack at an Airbnb in Earl's Court, west London in December. The relationship between the former Southampton Solent University student and Ke broke down after she discovered he had stolen £500 from her and rejected him. Prosecutors described Sandhu as a fantasist who claimed to be a model and actor but had been thrown off his IT course and had his visa revoked.

Newcastle residents living across the River Tyne from Gateshead International Stadium have objected to an entertainment and alcohol licence application for two music events planned for 30 and 31 October. Lab3 Events Ltd is seeking permission for events with up to 3,500 attendees each day (BBC reports approximately 6,000 ravers over both days), with music and alcohol permitted from 4:30pm to 11pm on 30 October and 1:30pm to 11pm on 31 October. Objections follow noise complaints from earlier music events held at the stadium on 25 and 26 September, with Newcastle City Councillor Nick Hartley reporting that music was 'clearly audible' from his home in the Byker area until 11pm and that numerous residents complained of similar disturbance.

Woodbridge will host an Apple, Pear and Pumpkin Festival on October 17, organised by Ugur Vata of The Galley Creamery & Deli and fruit supplier Andrew Youngman. The festival, held at Market Hill from 10am to 4pm, showcases locally-grown fruit and ice cream made from it, marking the end of a weather-hit harvest.

A woman accusing Russell Brand of rape testified at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday that she could not fight back during an alleged assault in a hotel room in 1999. She said she had invited Brand to her room believing he was gay, after meeting him at a cabaret show at the Labour Party conference. Brand, now 51, is accused of forcing himself on her and telling her 'it's just fun' during the alleged rape. He denies allegations from six women and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault.

Hertfordshire's high streets have undergone significant change, with well-known shops, restaurants and community organisations disappearing from town centres. Gift shop Blush closed its Stevenage premises in March 2024, with owner Maisie citing increasing costs and changing trading conditions. Independent bakery Leavened shut its Stevenage Old Town branch in November 2024 to focus on its newer location in Weston. Halifax bank will close its Stevenage branch in October 2025 as part of a wider closure of 61 branches nationally, with Lloyds Banking Group citing a shift towards online banking.

A stretch of the A131 near Braintree, Essex, will close overnight for three nights from October 17 to 19 for resurfacing between Broad Road and Marks Farm Roundabout. Closure hours are 8pm to 6am each night. A 41-mile diversion via Chelmsford and the A12 is expected to add around an hour to journey times. Essex County Council said the closure is 'required for the safety of the public and workforce'. Emergency services and pedestrians will retain access throughout.

Newcastle United lost 4-1 to Coventry City on Monday, their second successive 4-1 away defeat in the league. Head coach Matthias Jaissle said individual errors rather than tactical problems cost his side, though Newcastle dominated possession and created more chances. Jaissle warned the team remain in transition and injuries have heavily affected their performance.

Celtic were beaten 4-1 by Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday evening in Lisbon. Defensive mistakes saw Celtic concede three goals by half-time, including a penalty from Jhon Duran converted after just five minutes. Camilo Duran pulled one back in the second half, but Vangelis Pavlidis sealed the win. The defeat leaves Celtic with no points from two league-phase matches after also losing 3-1 to Ferencvaros. Manager Martin O'Neill remained positive, telling TNT Sports he was 'really, really delighted' with the second-half performance and insists Celtic can still qualify for the knockout stages.

Cheshire charities and community groups are being encouraged to sign up for Aldi's surplus food donation scheme, which redistributes surplus food from Aldi stores to local causes. Aldi has already donated more than 15 million meals this year through its partnership with Neighbourly. Groups can register their interest by emailing aldi@neighbourly.com.

Bibury Parish Council has approved new fences along the River Coln to protect wildlife from summer tourists. Thousands of visitors descend on the Gloucestershire village daily, with some paddling, sitting on the riverbank and even setting up tables and chairs in the water. Craig Chapman, council chair, said the measure was necessary to protect swans, ducks, voles and fish, though he acknowledged it was a drastic step the council did not want to take.

Trading Standards officers raided a shop in Gloucester's Tredworth area on 13 October following reports of illegal tobacco sales. A test purchase confirmed that staff collected illegal products from a nearby location to complete sales. Officers seized approximately 1,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, 160 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, 100 illegal vapes and £1,000 in cash. Trading Standards estimates the products could have generated around £8,000 in illicit sales.

E Ink has announced Kaleido 4, the next generation of its colour e-paper screen technology used in e-readers from Kobo, PocketBook, Boox and Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft. The new display doubles the colour gamut volume of Kaleido 3, can produce over 40,000 colours, and increases white reflectance by 15 per cent whilst boosting contrast by 50 per cent. It also offers faster refresh rates, with video playable at 18 frames per second. Kaleido 4 addresses longstanding issues with Kaleido 3, including text appearing darker and grainier on colour screens compared to black-and-white e-readers.

Whitby Town Council has acknowledged borrowing £70,000 from reserves linked to the Pannett Art Gallery after running out of cash by 2024. An independent investigation found the council borrowed £30,000 from the gallery reserves in 2023 and a further £40,000 in 2024, with the money subsequently repaid. Town councillors have vowed to make 'meaningful and lasting improvements' and said they are addressing weaknesses in financial management, oversight and budget monitoring identified by the review.

Nicolás Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores, 70, appeared in a New York federal court on Thursday to plead not guilty to new charges of conspiracy to commit torture. The couple, captured by US military raid in January and held in Brooklyn, now face allegations that they oversaw a system of repression and torture targeting political opponents and US citizens. Prosecutors say Maduro directed officials to torture detainees, personally recommending methods and receiving updates on victims, while Flores helped develop the system and ordered torture of specific people. The indictment alleges abuses including electric shocks, asphyxiation, beatings and psychological torture. Maduro initially rejected the charges as false before Judge Alvin Hellerstein entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Their trial is scheduled for June 2027.

Simon Richardson is on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for the murder of cyclist Michael Mullins. The court heard that Richardson's Volvo reached 65.8mph before hitting Mr Mullins, 56, on Paddock Lane on 20 April. Richardson allegedly drove 2.2km with Mr Mullins trapped underneath the vehicle before it came to rest on a verge.

A 36-year-old woman from Shropshire has been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty after a reported assault at Countess of Chester Hospital car park in Cheshire on 3 October. A member of the public informed hospital staff that they witnessed a woman dragging a young boy harshly across the car park and striking him on the head. The woman has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police arrested two people after recovering a large amount of Class A drugs during a stop and search in Trowbridge Town Park on 6 October. A 26-year-old man from Frome was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, and a 30-year-old woman from Frome on suspicion of possession. Both were released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Both outlets report on the importance of timing when coordinating multiple tradespeople on renovation projects. Proper scheduling is described as crucial to achieving successful outcomes.

Harry Kane has agreed a new deal in principle with Bayern Munich that will extend his stay at the German club until summer 2029. The England captain, 33, has been in prolific form since joining Bayern from Tottenham in 2023, scoring 154 goals in 156 matches. The Mirror reports that Kane had sought a contract running until 2030 but Bayern secured a two-year extension instead.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster reopened on Friday, six days after William Chapman, 24, was fatally mauled by Altai, an Amur tiger, after entering the enclosure. An inquest hearing on Thursday revealed Chapman had a history of mental illness and schizophrenia, and his family expressed concerns about his mental health services. The park confirmed the tiger remains safe and will not be euthanised.

Internal documents obtained by the Washington Post reveal that major technology companies and other wealthy donors have contributed over $330 million to President Trump's White House ballroom renovation project. Nvidia and Apple led the donations with $25 million each, matching contributions from the Adelson family and Dish Network chairman Charles Ergen. Other significant tech donors included Google ($22 million, from a 2025 settlement), Palantir ($10 million), Microsoft and Amazon ($5 million each), and Meta, Cisco, T-Mobile and Coinbase ($5 million each). The funds were collected through the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit, then transferred to a White House account. At least $77 million came from donors requesting anonymity. An Nvidia spokesperson told CNBC the donation was 'independent of any business interests', whilst the White House dismissed ethical concerns about conflicts of interest.

Christopher 'Dodge' Smith, 40, allegedly shot his girlfriend Jessica Antolini, 30, in the face during an argument outside a bar in Safe Harbor, Florida on Tuesday evening, then ran her over with his SUV and fled the scene with a 5-year-old child in the vehicle. Witnesses reported seeing Smith 'hunting' the victim down and appearing 'possessed'. Antolini remains in hospital in critical condition. Deputies located Smith's vehicle and attempted to stop him; he did not comply and his SUV was immobilised in a pursuit. Smith faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. The child was uninjured and reunited with family.

Our Lady's Abingdon in Radley Road closed permanently in August for financial reasons. The school's trustees owed £1,555,596 to 121 creditors. The 105,710 sq ft site is being marketed by commercial real estate firm Newmark at a price subject to offer.

Mere Local Store on Main Road in Windermere has been ordered to close for three months by the South Lakes neighbourhood policing team following reports of nuisance and criminal behaviour at the premises. The closure order was secured on 15 October and follows a multi-agency operation conducted in September involving Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs and Immigration.

Plans by Persimmon Homes to build up to 150 new homes on an eight-hectare agricultural site in Pickering have been objected to by both Yorkshire Water and Pickering Town Council. The water firm says the existing sewerage network and wastewater treatment works cannot accommodate the development, warning that additional homes connecting before infrastructure improvements could cause environmental damage and flooding. The town council warns that further demands on the sewerage system could make illegal discharges into the river network inevitable, though it acknowledged that the council's shortage of housing land could make refusing the application difficult.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park reopened on Friday, almost a week after William Chapman, 24, was killed by Altai, a rare Amur tiger, on Saturday. Chapman, a self-employed online trader and former child actor, had scaled two fences to enter the enclosure at the Land of the Tigers exhibit. An inquest opening on Thursday heard Chapman had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, had suffered previous bouts of psychosis, and his family had raised concerns about his contact with mental health services. The coroner recorded his provisional cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. Altai remains safe and will not be euthanised. The park reopened following engagement with relevant authorities, with the tiger visible to visitors eating on Friday. Separately, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust identified two instances of staff attempting to access Chapman's medical records without legitimate reason, prompting an investigation.

Formula 1 announced plans to hold an African Grand Prix in Rwanda in the early 2030s. Congo's foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said the race would 'polish the image of an authoritarian leader', accusing Rwanda's government of fuelling a devastating war in Congo by backing M23 rebels. She called the decision 'morally indefensible' and said Congo would prefer South Africa to host a race instead.

Fifty people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on organised crime following a fatal crash on the A66 on 22 August. The crash killed seven people: two Cleveland Police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, and five men in a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way down the dual carriageway near Middlesbrough.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to the Green Party seeking more information about a 'Zionism is racism' motion passed at the party's conference earlier this month. The watchdog said it recognised that many Jewish people were feeling vulnerable following the motion, which it is investigating after receiving complaints under the Equality Act. Labour has said it will end power-sharing agreements with the Greens on local councils unless they reject the policy.

Gareth Dack, who was serving life for murdering 79-year-old Norma Bell in Hartlepool in 2016, died by suicide in his cell at HMP Frankland high security prison in Durham on 21 April 2025, a jury has found. Dack was found unresponsive and had left a note addressed to his family. In the weeks before his death, he had shown signs of distress, including paranoia and reluctance to leave his cell.

Wandsworth Council is considering several planning applications and tree works across the borough. Plans for a potential future development at Delta Business Park on Smugglers Way have been submitted for an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion, which seeks guidance on environmental issues to be considered in any forthcoming proposals. The council is also reviewing multiple tree maintenance applications at various addresses in the area.

Multiple roads across Cumbria are closing in October and November for planned utility repair and maintenance work. Moor Park Avenue in Carlisle will close from 9.50am on 13 October until 11.59pm on 19 October, with United Utilities carrying out the repairs. Additional closures include the U2134 at Bolton New Houses from 19 October for about three days, the C1035 in Faugh from 19 October for three days, Grove Road in Egremont on 23 October from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and Back Street and Main Street in Staveley from 1 November for two days. Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have announced diversion routes for each closure, with pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to maintain access throughout.

Schnucks announced it will offer complete Thanksgiving meals for a family of ten for $40, available from 18 to 25 November. The supermarket chain said the deal aims to help families save money during the 2026 holiday season. Aldi is also offering a Thanksgiving meal for ten for under $39, whilst Sam's Club announced a larger meal for up to 16 people for around $160.

Character.AI, a service allowing users to chat with AI-powered characters including fictional personas and systems presented as therapists, has filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to sell assets to Disney. The company said it had tried to sustain its business but faced significant legal, regulatory and operational challenges. Forty US attorneys general have raised concerns about the sale process, warning that sensitive user data—particularly from conversations with minors—could be at risk during the asset transfer. Character.AI said it would continue operating normally and that user data would remain protected by its privacy policy.

Police in Burnley have charged Peter Meeks, 50, with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin after residents repeatedly reported drug dealing on Burns Street. Officers arrested him on Tuesday at a disused property on the corner of Burns Street and Belford Street, seizing a mobile phone and apparent 'tick list'. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Burnley Crown Court on 11 November.

Fresh turf is being laid at Glasgow's George Square as part of a major redevelopment. The Glasgow Times reports the project costs £20 million, whilst The Herald states it is £24 million. A section of the square reopened to the public last month, though work continues across much of the site. Once complete, the revamped space will feature raised lawns, landscaping, seating, informal play areas and restored historic features, designed to create a greener civic space for events and public gatherings. The project is part of the Glasgow Avenues programme, a broader investment scheme to improve public spaces and encourage more people to visit, work and spend time in the city centre.

Deepak Sandhu, a 24-year-old former Southampton Solent University student, has been found guilty of murdering 39-year-old Xiaoqing Ke in a revenge attack. Sandhu met Ke in Southampton, where she was working in a brothel, and they formed a relationship before it broke down after he stole money from her. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Kaylee Molina, 30, from El Paso, Texas, drowned on Wednesday after a wave swept her off rocks at Sycamore Cove in Ventura County, California, where she was watching the sunrise with her 32-year-old husband Roberto Clemente. Clemente was also pulled into the ocean but managed to reach shore and call 911. Molina was pronounced dead at the scene; her husband was taken to hospital with moderate injuries. According to the Daily Mail, Molina's final words to Clemente were 'Hold my hand'.

Cheshire East Council has voted unanimously to formally object to the £5 billion Peak Cluster CO2 pipeline proposal. The 121-mile pipeline would capture carbon dioxide from cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire and transfer it to a storage facility under the Irish Sea. Three other councils—Wirral, Cheshire West & Chester, and Derbyshire—have already formally objected to the scheme.

Arsenal are considering a January move for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae as cover for injuries to William Saliba and Piero Hincapie. Kim, 29, joined Bayern from Napoli for £43.5 million in 2023 but has struggled for game time, with only two Bundesliga starts this season. German newspaper Bild reports he is on the verge of leaving Bayern, with Arsenal's interest reportedly led by Maurizio Micheli, the club's head of scouting and Kim's former mentor at Napoli.

South Carolina State University is implementing security measures for its Homecoming celebration in October, restricting access to residential areas to student residents and requiring valid football game tickets for everyone entering campus on 24 October. The restrictions follow a shooting during last year's Homecoming that killed 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler, which remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

UK pubs stocking Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone drinks can receive a free Christmas tree through a festive promotion backed by Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper. Pubs that sign up to stock one of Hawkstone's keg lines—Premium Lager, Black Stout, or Cider—will receive a sustainably sourced tree. Some venues may also receive a surprise visit from Cooper when the trees are delivered.

A five-acre tulip attraction featuring 750,000 blooms across more than 100 varieties will open at Escrick Grange near York in spring 2027. The project is run by Farmer Copleys, the team behind the award-winning Tulip Festival at Pontefract, which was named Rural & Farm Event of the Year 2025. Planting is due to begin this month, with the fields opening to visitors in early April.

More than 30 employers from ten different sectors will attend a free careers fair in Beckenham on October 23. The event, hosted by MP Liam Conlon at Orion Eden Park High School from noon to 3pm, will showcase work experience, internships, apprenticeships and graduate roles to students from Key Stage 4 through graduate level. Employers include PwC, Lloyds Bank and British Gas, with opportunities across energy, aviation, rail, healthcare, housing and leisure.

Campaigners in Portland staged a protest outside Portland Port against a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator as part of a globally co-ordinated week of action involving anti-incinerator groups in Indonesia, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Canada. The Environment Agency recently granted a revised permit for Powerfuel Portland to burn more categories of waste when the incinerator opens in 2030. Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign spokesperson Etienne Scott said connection with other groups fighting incinerators would 'strengthen and inspire' their efforts.

Blake Snell's wife, Haeley Snell, shared threatening direct messages she received on Instagram after the Dodgers' 6-2 Game 3 defeat to the Brewers in the National League Championship Series. A user threatened to 'cut off your fingers, one by one' and claimed to spend £40,000 to track her down, apparently over a lost sports bet. The message gave an October 20th deadline, which follows a potential Game 7 if the Dodgers advance.

A 45-year-old Mexican firefighter was stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany after customs officials spotted him looking nervous at the green exit. A search of his suitcase revealed 37 live venomous snakes including vipers and rattlesnakes, and 55 lizards concealed in shampoo bottles, cosmetic jars, plastic containers and rolled-up socks. He tested positive for cocaine but no drugs were found. The man said he was transporting the animals as a favour for a Brazilian acquaintance. He was denied entry and flown back to Istanbul; the surviving animals are being cared for at a German snake farm.

A Derbyshire floral designer has won both the UK Florist of the Year and People's Choice award. The designer expressed gratitude to customers and the community for their support, saying they were excited to see where the recognition takes them next.

Ally Evans, 60, a former carer, died in Hartlepool on 13 October after an alleged assault on a number seven bus. Police have launched a manslaughter investigation and arrested a 26-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter; she has been released on conditional bail. Evans's partner of 16 years, Shaun Mathieson, 69, was waiting to meet her in the public library when she collapsed and died in a nearby Coral Bookmakers at around 10.45am, about an hour after the incident.

A Rotherham school has closed after its headteacher was rushed to hospital following a heart attack and is in critical care. The school will not reopen until Monday. Staff and pupils have sent messages of support for the headteacher, described as popular and amazing.

The government is set to publish a white paper before Christmas proposing to extend the BBC licence fee to streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and Disney+. The plan aims to close a loophole where people avoid the fee by watching content on phones, tablets or computers rather than televisions. A Whitehall source told The Independent the expansion was necessary because 'people are able to use them to avoid paying currently'. Revenue from the expansion would fund local journalism and combat misinformation. The BBC said it has 'consistently argued that the current funding model is outdated and needs reform'.

Seth Kazzim, chief executive of Silo Industries, has proposed an automatic underground car park below McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in York to address parking congestion at the shopping centre. The facility would retrieve vehicles on demand and free up space for outdoor seating, events and additional shops. McArthurGlen said it currently has no plans for such a facility and Mr Kazzim's idea does not represent anything being progressed by the outlet.

Lingwood, a village between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, will lose its hourly Green Line First Bus 16 service from 26 October to 6 November due to the closure of Norwich Road. The bus will terminate at Brundall Station during this period. Norfolk County Council will provide a shuttle service to minimise disruption for passengers.

An emergency road closure is in place on London Street in Faringdon following a burst water pipe early on Thursday, October 15. Thames Water is repairing the leak and expects the closure to last three to five days, with traffic diverted via Park Road. Water supplies remain unaffected, though some customers may experience lower pressure during repairs.

Hillary Clinton has conceded that campaigning while suffering from pneumonia during the 2016 presidential race was a mistake. She made the comments on a podcast with Kara Swisher whilst discussing Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico's recent nine-day absence from campaigning after contracting flu. Clinton said her doctors advised her to take five or six days off, but she decided to continue and appear at a 9/11 commemoration ceremony because it was important to her as a senator during the attacks.

Boyko Panayotov, 42, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday for assault, strangulation and making threats to kill. The Bulgarian, who had killed his father unintentionally in 2016 and moved to the UK in 2018, targeted a man in his 40s for over a year, forcing him to act as a private chauffeur. Panayotov threatened to 'dismember' the victim and 'make him into a corpse', then punched, kicked and choked him on 4 November 2025, leaving him with suspected fractured ribs.

A Russian jet-powered drone struck a supermarket in the town of Mayaky in Ukraine's Odesa region on Thursday. Ukrainian authorities and President Volodymyr Zelensky blame Russia for the attack. The BBC verified CCTV footage showing the drone striking the Tavria supermarket roof and exploding on impact. Three people were injured according to Zelensky, though Ukrainian authorities reported at least four injured, with a major fire sparked by the strike.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked the Department of Justice to examine Kroger's proposed $1.65 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle. Warren cited considerable overlap between the two chains' territories, particularly in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, warning that the deal could reduce competition and lead to higher prices. She referenced an antitrust expert's observation that Kroger and Giant Eagle often operate on the same streets, presenting consumers with limited choices. The National Grocers Association has also called for a robust antitrust review, noting that four national chains control 69 per cent of U.S. grocery sales.

Donald Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan after bipartisan backlash. The Pentagon announced the livestream earlier this month, but the decision faced criticism over concerns the images could fuel radicalisation. Vice-president JD Vance said he would not watch it. Trump said on social media that victim families can witness the execution in person if they choose. Hasan's execution is scheduled for December 3.

KDE celebrated its 30th anniversary on 14 October by releasing Plasma 6.8 and retiring X11 session support. The new version fully adopts Wayland, though legacy X11 applications will still function through the XWayland compatibility layer. The release includes improvements to window decorations, theming, display configuration tools and system monitoring.

Michael Farney, 51, from Malvern, has been jailed for nine years and four months after admitting 24 sexual offences against children as young as six. He incited eight young girls to carry out sexual acts and made them view sexual images, and attempted to do the same to two more girls. He also made 40 indecent images of children.

Premium UK swimwear brand Away That Day Limited has entered administration after eight years, resulting in six job losses. The brand, stocked in retailers including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, was reportedly worn by celebrities including Kendall Jenner. Administrators were appointed on 9 October 2026 and completed a pre-packaged asset sale.

Northwick Manor Primary School in Worcester was put into lockdown on Thursday while police searched the area for two men acting suspiciously on Northwick Road. The men went onto the school grounds but did not enter the building. West Mercia Police said there was no risk to the school or public. The investigation has since been closed with no criminal offences identified.

Ohio's 10th District Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that the EdChoice programme, which gives scholarships to students to attend private schools, is unconstitutional. The three-judge panel found the programme misleading because 'school choice' rests with private schools rather than parents. The programme, originally established in 2005 as the Cleveland Pilot Program for low-income families, has since expanded to include most families and distributed £1.4 billion in taxpayer scholarships in 2024–25.

A former care home in Caterham is set to be converted into a day nursery with capacity for up to 95 children under a planning application submitted to Tandridge District Council. The nursery would employ around 26 full-time staff and operate from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with limited early and late childcare available. A small rear extension would be built to provide additional space for babies and toddlers.

Restrictions on Starlink services used by Ukraine's military this week left soldiers unable to communicate effectively and harmed air defence capabilities, said Serhiy Beskrestnov, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The limits led to cancellation of offensive operations and interrupted battlefield logistics. Elon Musk said the US military controlled the decision as it oversees Starshield, the military version of Starlink. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko warned that 'Russia will try to exploit every gap', noting Ukraine's 'dependence on Starlink is close to total' for frontline communications and drone operations.

Abusali Rahman, 37, was jailed at Bolton Crown Court for six years after admitting 21 child sex offences. He used his position as a supply teacher at various north-west schools to locate pupils on social media, then used their photos to create sexualised deepfake images using AI technology. He also took covert photos underneath pupils' clothing without their knowledge. Rahman kept detailed records of female pupils including names and addresses, and attempted to sell the sexual content online for £20 per image. Police began investigating after parents reported concerning social media accounts in March 2025.

Wisconsin's elections officials have approved guidance for local clerks on how to respond if federal law enforcement officials appear at polling places on Election Day, following concerns from activists and questions from voters. The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission approved the memo, though one Republican commissioner opposed it, arguing the guidance might deter people from voting. The memo instructs clerks to report any appearance by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, FBI or local law enforcement to the municipal, county and state elections authorities. If agents arrive to observe, they must check in like other observers and follow applicable rules.

Abusali Rahman, 37, was jailed for six years at Bolton Crown Court after admitting 21 offences including taking indecent photographs of children. He took more than 100 upskirting images of girls aged 13 to 16 at seven secondary schools across Bolton, Bury and Salford, concealing an iPhone in his top pocket during lessons. He also stole images from pupils' social media profiles and used AI to create sexualised fake images, which he shared online. At least 15 girls were targeted, though only 12 have been identified. He was caught when a girl's mother found an image of her daughter in school uniform next to graphic sexual content on X. The judge said Rahman had abused the trust his position as a teacher afforded him.

A 33-year-old man has admitted to daubing bizarre graffiti about celebrities on an underpass in Newcastle's West Denton area. The messages made absurd claims about famous figures, including actors Danny Dyer and Ross Kemp, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, and singers from Little Mix and other celebrities. Examples included 'Danny Dyer smokes Parma Violet Vapes' and 'Lorraine Kelly is barred from Wetherspoons for stealing cutlery'. Northumbria Police arrested him on suspicion of criminal damage and he has been referred for an out-of-court disposal.

Santiago Caputo, chief adviser to Argentina's president Javier Milei, has claimed in a social media post that Britain is being 'colonised by Islam' and used this as justification for Argentina to take sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Caputo cited the election of Labour MP Sagal Abdi-Wali, who took her oath on the Quran, as evidence. Milei shared the post. The comments reflect heightened tensions between Argentina and the UK over the islands, which UK officials say have not been seen since the 1982 war.

Garstang Community Sports has completed a full transformation of its clubhouse, reopening it as the Riverside Tap House. The new bar aims to serve the local community as a gathering place for friendships, families and future generations.

A 15mm hole in a Neanderthal shoulder blade discovered in a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan may be the earliest evidence of lethal violence involving a wooden spear, archaeologists say. The wound, dating to 75,000 years ago, suggests the spear entered the individual's chest and exited through the left shoulder blade, probably damaging vital organs. The finding adds to emerging evidence that violence was more common in Neanderthal societies than previously thought.

Al Pacino, 86, has been named the 62nd recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, the highest honour from the Screen Actors Guild. He will receive the prize on 28 February at the 33rd annual Actor Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, to be streamed on Netflix. The award recognises both his acting career and humanitarian work, including charitable efforts for disaster relief, fighting hunger and poverty, and support for local theatre companies including the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles.

Avon and Somerset Police have issued Halloween safety advice to families across the region ahead of an expected increase in emergency calls this month. The force warned that throwing eggs or flour at people's homes could lead to arrest for criminal damage. Police also cautioned that Halloween festivities can be stressful for elderly and vulnerable people, who face higher crime risks during the period.

Somerset Council has rejected a second planning bid for a travellers' site near Bridgwater. John Paul Dolan sought permission for two traveller pitches at Halcyon on Red Lane in Stretcholt, arguing his resubmitted plans included a new flood risk assessment. The council maintained the site remains 'highly vulnerable' to flooding despite proposed mitigation.

Local news outlets have compiled lists of the cheapest petrol and diesel prices at garages across Lancashire towns including Blackburn, Burnley and Preston. The Lancashire Telegraph and Chorley Guardian sourced the information from petrolprices.com, which collates data directly from garages and users. Prices were correct at the time of publication.

Oxford's estimated 400-strong Nepalese community is grieving the loss of family members and friends after devastating floods and landslides in Nepal's Rasuwa district on 26 August. The flooding, likely triggered by the collapse of a Himalayan glacier, killed approximately 1,455 people and left over 5,000 missing. Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds said the disaster offers the UK "a window on to the sharpest end of the climate crisis" and praised the Nepalese community's contributions to the city. Local relief efforts have raised more than £14,800, with Sommerville College raising a further £3,000.

York Christmas Trees, based at Wigginton Lodge in Wigginton, has won Christmas Tree Grower of the Year from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association. The award brings the honour of supplying the Christmas tree outside 10 Downing Street for the second time in six years, having previously done so in 2020. The winning tree is a Nordmann Fir that also took top prize in its category.

Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee approved plans for a two-storey extension to a semi-detached house on Milton Road, Earley, on 14 October. The extension will leave a 40cm gap between the new build and the boundary, below the council's own one-metre design guidance. A neighbour objected at the meeting, saying the extension would be 'completely overbearing' and prevent them building their own extension in future.

A refurbished basketball court named 'The Lion Cage' opens in Hull Road Park in York on Saturday 17 October. The court was refurbished free of charge by London-based basketball and streetwear brand Half Decent Day (HDD) and court surface specialists SC Sports, working with City of York Council. The design is inspired by the park's Victorian lion head sculpture.

Fashion retailer Peacocks is opening a new store on Northallerton High Street on 12 November in the former Original Factory Shop premises. The first ten customers will receive £50 golden tickets to spend in store. The Northern Echo reports the opening will create new job opportunities. The unit will be split into two, with a separate tenant allocated for the second space.

A Basildon motorcyclist, Ziyaad Ibney Teemul, 42, recorded footage of a Ford Fiesta weaving dangerously across the A13 near Newham Way in east London at around 9am on 8 October. The Fiesta cut across three lanes of traffic, hit another vehicle, and then spun into the fast lane, crashing into the barrier. Mr Teemul did not stop at the scene and did not see whether anyone was injured.

Avon and Somerset Police stopped a blue Ford Focus on the M5 motorway on 14 October. The driver was a learner and uninsured, and was travelling with a front-seat passenger who had passed their driving test the same day. Learner drivers may only use motorways when accompanied by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor in a dual-control vehicle.

Jeremy Clarkson, 66, has revealed in his Sunday Times column that he wants to make a documentary about Victorian explorer David Livingstone before his death. The Clarkson's Farm presenter said it is something he wants to do 'more than anything'. Clarkson has previously made several documentaries including The Victoria Cross: For Valour, The Greatest Raid of All Time and Jeremy Clarkson's War Stories.

Conservative shadow minister Joy Morrissey drew a comparison between women in Piddington's safety concerns and the silencing of rape gang victims during a Parliamentary debate on Wednesday. The women fear government plans to house 1,250 male asylum seekers at a former MoD site near the village. Lib Dem MP Calum Miller said the issue was about gender, not race.

Thomas Campbell, 35, from Clarkston near Glasgow, has been jailed for three months after sending sexually explicit messages via Facebook Messenger to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl from Norwich. He was in fact messaging a decoy account operated by an adult woman from Norfolk. Campbell told the decoy he was 33 and described himself as her 'future husband', asking for indecent images and sending her sexual images. A jury at Paisley Sheriff Court found him guilty of two sexual offences. He was also placed on the sex offender's register for seven years.

Charlie Maynard, Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, has remained silent after a reported attempt to oust party leader Sir Ed Davey failed. Maynard, who won the seat from the Conservatives in 2024, stepped down as shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 9 October after asking fellow Lib Dem MPs to back a no-confidence vote. A parliamentary party meeting on 13 October saw no leadership ballot take place. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said there was 'overwhelming support' for Davey among MPs.

Christian Horner has revealed in his upcoming autobiography that he was blocked from signing Charles Leclerc during his time as Red Bull team principal. Horner described the Ferrari driver as a 'perfect' fit for Red Bull. He said internal resistance, including instruction from someone in the organisation, prevented the move from happening in 2023. Leclerc has since signed a multi-year extension with Ferrari expected to keep him there until at least 2028.

Spanish fashion retailer Bershka will open its first store outside London and Birmingham at Westgate Oxford on 29 October. The store will occupy 11,000 square feet on the upper ground floor next to H&M and Urban Outfitters, featuring sections for women, teens (BSK) and men, with two payment areas and a large fitting room.