Thursday, 8 October 2026

Fewer young people in Louisiana are using tobacco products, according to an FDA survey that found a decline from 2024 to 2025. Among young people who use tobacco, nicotine pouches are more popular than cigarettes. Health advocates say education, parent involvement and ID checks can help prevent youth nicotine use.

A man was arrested after travelling through Nebraska with $250,000 in stolen copper on Wednesday, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said. He was stopped whilst driving a freightliner truck westbound on I-80 near Lincoln at 2:12 p.m. after a deputy noticed the enclosed trailer leaning heavily to one side.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has sued TikTok, accusing the platform of hiding addictive design features and concealing their severe mental and physical health risks to young people. The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleges that TikTok violated Arizona consumer protection law by deploying manipulative tactics including infinite scrolling, auto-play, reward loops, and appearance-altering filters to maximise compulsive use among minors, including children under 13. Mayes alleges TikTok designed the app to exploit developing brains whilst profiting from user data, despite marketing safety measures to parents.

Boone County Board of Education has approved consolidations that will close Van Junior-Senior High School and Whitesville Elementary at the end of the school year. Van High students will attend Scott High, while Van Elementary and Junior High students will move into the Van High building to form a K-8 school. Whitesville students will attend Sherman Elementary. The consolidations, starting in the 2027-2028 school year, follow a proposal by superintendent Allen Sexton, driven by the district's budget deficit and low enrolment.

Six South Sioux City residents are challenging the city's approval of a conditional-use permit for a proposed rail spur and aggregate operation near Highway 77. The appeal questions zoning, notice requirements and the roles of the property owners, Martin and Janice Hohenstein. The operation, planned for 1600 East Avenue on land zoned Agricultural Transitional, could involve four trains monthly and 50 to 60 truck trips daily during peak season. The planning commission approved the permit in June after seven residents opposed it, citing concerns about traffic, odours, safety and groundwater impacts. The city council approved it in July by 7-1. Residents say the project would disrupt farmland and nearby homes.

A high-profile rape case at Cornell University is prompting Missouri lawmakers to consider changes to sexual assault laws. Annual security reports from major Missouri colleges show mixed trends in reported sexual offences from 2023 to 2025, with the University of Missouri-Columbia reporting 26 rape cases in 2023 declining to 17 in 2024 before rising to 20 in 2025, whilst Saint Louis University reported 20, 16 and 11 cases respectively. Missouri State's West Plains campus reported none. Students at MU said they were aware of university resources but found speaking up about assault frightening.

Country singer Ella Langley, 27, shared a series of photos from her Dandelion tour on Instagram, including a bikini selfie in a yellow string bikini. She captioned the post 'Not enough in the world', a reference to a viral video in which she declined a fan's dating proposal. Followers praised the photo and appreciated the caption's humour.

Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, an annual convention for the conservative youth organisation, will return to Phoenix from 17–20 December at the Phoenix Convention Center. Vice President JD Vance, Erika Kirk (widow of founder Charlie Kirk), and Donald Trump Jr. are among the confirmed speakers, along with media personalities and Trump administration officials. Thousands of attendees are expected to gather for the four-day event. General admission tickets cost $100 for adults and $50 for students, with VIP packages also available.

Jacob Aaron Hicks, 46, was arrested on 7 October on a charge of making an interstate threat to injure. He sent an email on 23 September to a Tucson news outlet claiming he would commit a mass bombing, threatening that 'You Americans will pay. Allah, to Allah.' He also mentioned having access to anthrax and C4 explosives. Investigators found he had drafted similar emails to send to other news outlets nationwide. Hicks claimed he had loaned his phone to a homeless person when the email was sent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on Thursday, pledging that Russia would 'do everything' to help resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States. Putin said Iran was making 'genuine efforts' to end the war through no fault of its own. Pezeshkian said Iran and the US had exchanged proposals and that Tehran was reviewing them, promising not to abandon negotiations despite US attacks.

President Trump rallied supporters in Syracuse on Friday to back Republican Bruce Blakeman's challenge to Governor Kathy Hochul, promising to help reduce taxes, energy costs and crime. Trump criticised New York's sanctuary laws and said criminal migrants had been released to 'prey on innocent New Yorkers'. Hochul defended her sanctuary protections, signed into law earlier this year, insisting that 'nothing in New York state law prevents cooperation with ICE'.

The Coalition released a plan this week to cut 650,000 temporary visas over four years, with Angus Taylor claiming it is 'budget neutral'. However, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie could not confirm during a News24 interview on Friday whether the Parliamentary Budget Office has officially costed the policy, saying only that the Coalition has 'worked extremely closely' with the watchdog. One Nation senator Sean Bell pressed her on whether the budget neutrality claim was based on internal costings or official certification.

Allegheny County Council's health committee voted 5-1 on Thursday to advance a proposal requiring employers to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave. The programme would apply to businesses with 15 or more eligible employees, with staff needing to have worked there for at least six months or 625 hours. The measure now heads to the full County Council for a final vote, where it needs a simple majority of eight votes to pass.

A judge in Baja California has convicted three Mexican men of murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend in April 2024. Callum and Jake Robinson and Jack Carter Rhoad were killed near Punta San José whilst on a surfing trip. Their bodies were found in a well on 3 May. Judge Raúl Hernández ruled that Jesús Gerardo García, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús were guilty of the murders, along with armed robbery and armed carjacking.

Republican politicians, including Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany, headlined a Hunter Nation rally in Green Bay on Thursday night. The event, held at the EPIC Event Center, focused on Second Amendment rights, hunter voting ahead of the midterms, and gray wolf management. Musician Ted Nugent, Hunter Nation's national spokesperson, also attended. Protesters gathered nearby to demonstrate against Tiffany and his campaign financing.

A federal immigration agent shot and wounded Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican man, while attempting to arrest him in New York City's Marble Hill neighbourhood on Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security said officers believed their lives were in danger. According to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Belgal accelerated his car towards officers and damaged their vehicles as they tried to detain him; a five-year-old child was in the car, though agents did not know this. Belgal was shot in the neck and survived. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting as 'unconscionable and incredibly serious'.

The Royal National Mòd, Scotland's annual Gaelic festival, has begun in Glasgow with record participation. More than 2,000 entries have been registered for the 194th edition, the highest number on record, with around 10,000 competitors, performers and visitors expected across the nine-day event running until 17 October. The festival celebrates Gaelic language, music, literature and heritage across 16 venues including the Royal Concert Hall and National Piping Centre.

Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of murdering his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, 19, a second-year clinical psychology student at the University of Lancashire in Preston. Prosecutors allege Owens drove more than 100 miles from Hartlepool through the night on February 4, arriving at her halls of residence with his head covered by a blanket. He is said to have acted out of sexual jealousy after learning Carla planned to meet a man she had been speaking to online and was due to fly to Romania the next day.

Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa has pleaded guilty to one federal count of wire fraud. Last February, Kriisa posed as a fictitious person named 'Irene' and emailed a victim demanding $9,000 to avoid litigation and publicity. He faces up to two years in prison with sentencing set for 22 December.

South Carolina continues to attract new residents at one of the fastest rates in the country, with roughly 80,000 added between 2024 and 2025, the fifth-largest population increase nationally. Most growth comes from people relocating from other states, many of them age 65 and older. State lawmakers are examining how to prepare for the changes ahead.

More than one-third of sexually abused children disclose their exploitation to AI chatbots rather than to adults, according to research cited by the Australian Federal Police. One in four children under 18 have experienced online sexual victimisation, or are friends with someone who has, an Adelaide University study found. About 15 per cent of those crimes involved artificial intelligence, with the technology used as a tool in a quarter of incidents of non-consensual sharing of sexual images. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett described the situation as 'quite heartbreaking', noting that ensuring AI responds appropriately is now critical. Concerns have grown after reports that ChatGPT provided instructions to a 16-year-old British boy on how to take his own life in May 2025, and to a California boy the previous month.

President Trump called on Democratic nominee James Talarico to debate Republican Ken Paxton on the debate stage during a rally with Paxton in San Antonio on Wednesday. Talarico, who has stopped campaign events due to flu, seized on Trump's comments to renew pressure on Paxton, posting on social media that the 'ball's in your court'. Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump's debate demand, though some Republicans worry he may become the first Republican to lose a Texas Senate seat in nearly four decades and have urged him to debate.

Senate candidates in three competitive states debated on Thursday night in races that will help determine control of Congress. In Georgia, incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff faced Republican Mike Collins. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed debated Republican Mike Rogers over an open Senate seat. In Maine, longtime senator Susan Collins met Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. The debates focused on affordability, the economy, tariffs and abortion rights, with personal attacks from both sides.

Dee Why Police Station on Sydney's northern beaches was evacuated on Thursday evening after a member of the public dropped a live military-grade hand grenade at the front desk. The bomb disposal unit was called in, deemed the item safe and seized it for examination. Officers returned by 7.40pm. Police said the grenade was found during a deceased estate property clean-up and the incident was not believed to be malicious.

Anthropic has launched OSS Scanner, a free service that provides open-source projects with regular security scans using its strongest AI models, including Claude Mythos. Projects that opt in will receive thorough, periodic vulnerability checks at no cost. However, the scans will be fully model-generated without human review, meaning reports may be incorrect or invalid, though this enables faster and more frequent scanning.

A woman has filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court against Nebraska and the state's Legislature, alleging they failed to protect her from harassment by then-Senator Dan McKeon. She claims McKeon made repeated inappropriate comments, made a crude remark about her trip to Hawaii, and allegedly touched her inappropriately at a party during the 2025 legislative session. After reporting the incident, she says McKeon ignored an order from the Legislature's executive board to stay away, and that the defendants knew of his continued actions but failed to address them. She also argues that a special personnel panel investigating the matter delayed its report by about 45 days beyond the deadline set by harassment policy. McKeon resigned in January after the executive board initiated expulsion proceedings, and a judge dismissed a misdemeanor charge against him in August.

BMW has revealed the 2027 iX3 M60 xDrive, positioned between the standard 50 xDrive and the forthcoming full-fat iX3 M. The dual-motor all-wheel drive SUV produces 450kW of power and 875Nm of torque, accelerating from 0–100km/h in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h. It shares the same 108.7kWh battery as the 50 xDrive but achieves a range of 754km under WLTP standards, down 51km owing to the extra performance.

Global PC shipments fell about 20 per cent in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to multiple analysts. IDC reported 62.7 million units shipped, down from 78.5 million in Q3 2025, whilst Omdia recorded a 21.2 per cent decline to 58.1 million devices. Both organisations attributed the drop to soaring prices for memory chips and solid-state drives, driven by demand from artificial intelligence data centres. Channels and retailers stocked up earlier in the year anticipating further price rises, leaving minimal demand in Q3.

The Tate brothers have mounted a legal challenge against their detention in Miami and petitioned for bail as they fight extradition to the UK. A US court has rejected their request to consolidate their cases, setting separate extradition hearings for 19 and 20 November. The brothers, held since July, argue their detention is unconstitutional.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces mounting pressure to overturn the Australian Taxation Office's decision to stop accepting credit card payments for tax bills starting December 1. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson warned the move threatens small business cash flow, saying businesses rely on the 55 days of credit available through credit cards to manage operations.

Democratic senator Chris Murphy accused the Pentagon of trying to hide the costs and consequences of the Iran war from Congress and the American public. Murphy, who sits on the Senate foreign relations and appropriations committees, said the Pentagon blocked him from a major US base in Qatar. He witnessed damage at the US embassy in Riyadh from an Iranian strike on 3 March and described it as 'extraordinary', far exceeding what the public had been told. Had the attack occurred during daytime, Murphy said, 'there's no doubt that there would have been many, many Americans killed'. Pentagon secretary Pete Hegseth, Murphy alleged, was 'determined to hide the cost and the consequences of this war'.

Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons has been accepted to Harvard's Crossover into Business programme, an online course tailored for professional athletes. The 23-year-old Dutch player has been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in April and is not expected to return until 2027. He said he wanted to use his recovery time to learn about the business side of football and develop beyond sport.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted 6-2 on Friday to approve adjustments to NU president Dr. Jeff Gold's contract, extending it from 2029 to 2032. The new contract removes additional performance-based salary increases from the previous agreement, though Dr. Gold remains eligible for standard merit-based raises. The changes also adjust buyout terms in case of resignation. Dr. Gold had declined a $159,386 performance bonus in August 2025, choosing instead to donate it to address the university's $20 million systemwide budget deficit.

An ICE agent shot a 28-year-old man identified as Oscar Belgal during a targeted enforcement operation in the Marble Hill neighbourhood of the Bronx on Thursday afternoon. A five-year-old child was in the car at the time; the child was unhurt. The man was conscious and taken to hospital with injuries to his neck that were not life-threatening. The Department of Homeland Security said Belgal had prior convictions for grand larceny and multiple arrests for assault, robbery, drug and weapons possession, and alleged associations with a gang. A federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation. The shooting sparked protests outside the hospital and sharp criticism from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, who both called for an end to ICE operations in the city. DHS said the man 'weaponized his vehicle' by accelerating towards officers, whilst some outlets reported he had attempted to drive away or refused to comply with orders. The NYPD confirmed seven rounds were fired.

Paul J. Gray, 51, from Kearney, Nebraska, was sentenced to a combined 321 months (just over 27 years) in federal court in Lincoln on Wednesday. He received 25 years for one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography, and a consecutive 21-month sentence for violating supervised release on a federal failure-to-register conviction. Authorities found thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos on an unauthorised smartphone discovered during a search of his apartment in August 2025. Gray has extensive prior convictions, including 1996 Lincoln County convictions for sexual assault of minors and a 2008 conviction for production of child pornography. He will serve lifetime supervised release after his prison sentence and must pay $5,000 to victim funds.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £48 million partnership combining government investment of £33 million with funding from Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK and Gates Ventures to accelerate dementia research. Speaking after his father Roy died from Alzheimer's last month, Mr Burnham said he wanted Britain 'to be the country that makes the breakthrough' in finding a cure. The money will support The Barbara Alliance, named after the late EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor, and will help recruit more people for clinical studies.

A federal judge has extended CNN, MS Now and Politico's White House access until Monday while considering the legality of US President Donald Trump's press ban. Judge Timothy Kelly signalled scepticism about the administration's justifications for the ban. The three outlets sued the government alleging First Amendment violations after Trump announced the ban on 18 September, accusing them of spreading 'fake news'. Kelly is scheduled to rule on the ban's legality on 13 October.

A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces has won the WNBA MVP award for a record fifth time and a third consecutive year, becoming the first player in league history to achieve the three-peat. The 30-year-old led the league in scoring with 26.2 points per game while shooting nearly 53 per cent from the field, and also averaged 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks. Wilson received 65 of 74 first-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota's Olivia Miles finished second with 442 points, followed by Indiana's Kelsey Mitchell with 287 points and Caitlin Clark with 212 points. No other WNBA player has won more than three MVP awards. Wilson declined to attend a ceremony honouring her achievement on Friday, preferring to prepare for a must-win playoff game against Golden State.

Hurricane Isaias has intensified to Category 3 strength with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph. The storm is forecast to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast of the United States late Friday or early Saturday, with the exact location between Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Heavy tropical showers and localised flooding are expected inland over the weekend, with wind gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph and improving conditions by Sunday evening.

US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian and European officials in Miami on Friday to discuss proposals to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the talks, which included his chief of staff and senior officials. The discussions covered energy resilience, grain exports, security guarantees and Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. US envoy Witkoff described the talks as 'constructive' and aimed at achieving 'a durable and lasting peace' before winter. The meeting was overshadowed by Russian strikes that killed over 70 people in two days, including 30 on buses in Kramatorsk, and by Trump's announcement of a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Zelensky called 'a gift to Putin'.

A 28-year-old employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East died last week. A local Russian official linked her death to plague, but Russia's national public health agency Rospotrebnadzor said she died from pneumonia of unknown cause with no disease-related microorganisms identified. The Irkutsk region governor said contact tracing found no health issues or dangerous microorganisms. World health officials, the European Union and US President Donald Trump have called for transparency from Moscow. The incident has revived concerns about Russia's historical pattern of downplaying critical incidents and its inherited Soviet-era culture of secrecy.

Loggerhead sea turtles have laid a record 4,292 nests on Georgia beaches this year, a significant rebound from 358 nests in 2004. Hundreds of volunteers and professionals monitor the beaches from May through August to protect the nesting turtles. The effort is particularly intensive on Wassaw Island, a national wildlife refuge, where ecotourists document the turtles overnight.

A 28-year-old man from Sydney has been charged with possessing child abuse material depicting real and animated children, following reports from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Australian Federal Police began investigating in September after reports of material being uploaded to an online account. Police searched a property in Rydalmere on Thursday, seized devices and arrested the man. He faces two counts of using a carriage service to possess child abuse material and is due in Burwood Local Court on Friday.

Real Madrid are interested in signing Scott McTominay from Napoli, with the Spanish club making enquiries about the Scotland midfielder's availability. McTominay left Manchester United in summer 2024 for £25.9 million but is now in a contract standoff with Napoli, raising the prospect of a January departure. Reports suggest he is open to returning to the Premier League.

Derrick Petersen, 44, has been sentenced to 32 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary for assaulting two people he was living with in 2025 and attempting to contact them while awaiting trial. According to the Clay County State's Attorney, both victims were hospitalised. While in jail, Petersen broke a no-contact order to communicate with the victims and their family members. The State's Attorney said Petersen has a 25-year criminal record and had failed multiple rehabilitation efforts.

The Met Office has warned that snow is possible this weekend, particularly over higher ground in Scotland, as temperatures drop to around 10C in England and Wales and 8C in Scotland. Saturday will see colder air, brisk winds and showers moving across the UK, with frequent and intense downpours expected in northern parts. Weather forecasting models suggest further significant snowfall could arrive around 22 October, with up to 5cm settling over high ground in Scotland and 1cm in northern England.

Prime minister Andy Burnham has called on the Green Party to reverse its conference vote declaring Zionism is racism, calling it 'completely wrong' and saying it 'shouldn't be supported in any way, shape or form'. The motion was passed by Green Party members at the party's annual conference in Brighton on Sunday. Green Party leader Zack Polanski did not attend the debate or vote on the motion, which has prompted criticism from the party's former leader Caroline Lucas, who told the BBC that he 'should have been there' and should have voted against it.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for Eduardo Bolsonaro, a former lawmaker and brother of presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro was sentenced in June to four years in prison for lobbying the Trump administration to impose sanctions against members of the Brazilian government and higher tariffs on exports. He lives in Texas as a green card holder. Justice Alexandre de Moraes also cancelled his Brazilian passport and ordered his immediate arrest should he return to Brazil.

Kieran Hayler, Katie Price's former husband, is on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of three counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a girl aged 13 in West Sussex in 2016. He denies all charges. The alleged victim, now 23, gave evidence behind screens and became distressed during cross-examination. Hayler's defence claims no sexual activity took place and suggests the allegations are part of a campaign by Price against him. The prosecution contests this connection.

The Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to force a winner-take-all Game 5 of their AL Division Series. José Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, while pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey also went deep. Jo Adell contributed a two-run single during a six-run sixth-inning rally. Cleveland had fallen behind 2-0 in the series but has now won two consecutive games to stay alive.

The Trump administration has frozen green-card applications from Microsoft, Adobe and major IT outsourcers including Infosys, Cognizant and Wipro, and opened investigations into nine universities including Harvard and Yale. Vice President JD Vance said the administration wants tech companies to 'hire great American workers'. The freeze blocks a common path to permanent residency for foreign workers but does not directly affect current H-1B visa holders.

A woman died after a tractor-trailer hit her car, which was stopped in a travel lane on eastbound Interstate 10 near 355th Avenue in Tonopah, Arizona, late Wednesday night. First responders were called just before 11 p.m. The car had been stopped in the outside lane for an unknown reason when the tractor-trailer struck it from behind. The woman was taken to hospital, where she later died. The truck driver was uninjured. She has not been publicly identified pending family notification.

South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke has objected to Governor Rhoden's directive on dyed diesel, saying 'simply telling law enforcement not to enforce a law that is not on the books is illegal'. This follows President Trump's executive order relaxing dyed diesel sales and Rhoden's announcement of relaxed enforcement. Sombke has requested that lawmakers change the law during a tax holiday and reduce state taxes on clear diesel and gasoline.

Erica Terwillegar, a former Olympic luger who competed for the United States in 1988 and 1992, and her partner Peter Molinari are in a dispute with the owners of their $26,000-a-month condo at 150 Charles Street in Manhattan's West Village. The owners, Cathy Crane and Salvatore Trentalancia, claim the couple overstayed their lease, which expired in July 2025, and say they are owed over $300,000 in unpaid rent and utilities. The couple dispute this, saying they renewed the lease and attempted to pay rent but the landlords blocked their payments. Terwillegar and Molinari also allege the apartment was dirty and cluttered with the owners' belongings when they moved in.

A Mexican judge has convicted three men of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, 30, during a surfing trip to Mexico in April 2024. Jesús Gerardo García (known as 'El Kekas'), Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús were found guilty of murder, armed robbery and armed carjacking. The judge ruled they acted with premeditation. The three friends were camping in a remote beachside area near Ensenada when they were attacked in an alleged robbery attempt. Their bodies were found days later in a well with gunshot wounds to their heads. The convictions sparked emotional testimony from the victims' families, with Debra Robinson, the brothers' mother, telling the court the murders had taken 'the future we had imagined with them'.

Jade Morris, a prison officer at category A HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, has been jailed for 12 months after conducting a secret six-month romantic relationship with inmate Jerome Nunes between July 2022 and January 2023. The pair exchanged more than 5,000 messages via WhatsApp and Snapchat, along with sexually explicit photos. Prison officials became suspicious after Nunes attempted to hide a mobile phone by throwing it from his cell window during a search; when recovered, it contained evidence of their relationship. Morris, a mother of two from Holmer, Herefordshire, pleaded guilty in March to misconduct in a public office and encouraging Nunes to use an illegal phone. Nunes, who was serving a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine, received a nine-month sentence.

The Nebraska State Patrol arrested 60-year-old Randall Hedlund, a chiropractor at Albion Family Chiropractic in central Nebraska, after investigators were called on 23 September to investigate a reported sexual assault. According to court records, the alleged assault occurred in May and involved inappropriate touching and comments made after a treatment session. Hedlund denied wrongdoing when interviewed on 25 September and was charged with third-degree sexual assault, with a court date scheduled for 27 October.

Two window cleaners became trapped in a window cleaning cradle on the 15th floor of One Blackfriars on Blackfriars Road in Southwark on Thursday evening after it malfunctioned. London Fire Brigade was called at 5.22pm and dispatched a 64-metre turntable ladder, Europe's tallest aerial appliance, to reach the men on the suspended platform. The pair were brought down to safety and assessed by the London Ambulance Service at the scene. No one was injured. The incident was under control by 6.15pm.

Norman Begay, 65, of Flagstaff was struck and killed by a car on Route 66 at the intersection with Fanning Drive just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police, who do not believe the driver was impaired. No citations have been issued.

President Trump is reportedly preparing to allocate millions of dollars from his $400 million MAGA Inc. super PAC to defend his family against potential congressional investigations, should Democrats win control of Congress in the November midterms. According to the Daily Mail, Trump is 'angry' but 'not surprised' by the prospect. Democratic lawmakers have indicated they would investigate Trump family members, including first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron, for alleged use of the presidency for personal enrichment.

A Minot man, Casimir Black, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance resulting in an overdose death. Police say he sold methadone to a woman who died in February; investigators found messages between them on her phone in which she sought the drug. Black allegedly met her in Minot and exchanged two bottles of methadone for food and cigarettes. A judge set his bond at $25,000.

Michael Sheen came under suspicion in the latest episode of Celebrity Traitors when comedian James Acaster, secretly a Traitor himself, pointed out that Richard E Grant had seemed keen to spend time with the Welsh actor. Although Sheen had accurately speculated about other contestants' allegiances, Acaster's remark was enough to put his name into the mix. Despite receiving votes at the roundtable, suspicion quickly turned to other contestants.

The Pentagon announced it would livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, scheduled for December 3. This would be the first military execution by firing squad since 1945 and the first public execution in the United States in nearly a century. The announcement by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn fierce bipartisan criticism. Republicans including Senator Thom Tillis and Congressman Austin Scott opposed the plan, with Tillis calling it 'beyond disgusting' and Scott saying 'live-streaming executions is what jihadists do'. Vice President JD Vance expressed doubt the livestream would happen and said he would not watch it. Pope Leo XIV declared capital punishment 'inadmissible', and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called the decision 'barbaric'. President Trump initially endorsed the plan but later said he had not yet made a final determination on whether to proceed with the livestream.

Arsenal were hit hardest by injuries during the three-week international break, with six players sustaining problems including Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard. European football associations have raised serious concerns about the extended break and plan to ask Uefa to revert to the previous scheduling, citing player workload, injuries and financial difficulties. One FA president described the new format as 'a disaster'.

A 46-year-old Watertown man died in a single-vehicle crash early Thursday morning in Codington County, South Dakota. His 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix left the road on 173rd Street near 448th Avenue, about four miles southwest of Watertown, entered a ditch and rolled. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating.

An animal cruelty investigation is underway in Mitchell, South Dakota, after a video depicting a squirrel in a cage being dropped into water emerged on Facebook. Mitchell Animal Rescue TNR has contacted the Davison County State's Attorney and is urging prosecutors to pursue animal-cruelty charges. The video has since been deleted.

Two people are hospitalised in critical condition after apparent carbon monoxide exposure at an Anthem home near Club Pointe Drive and Hazelhurst Drive on Thursday morning. Fire officials believe they were doing construction work when they became sick. A construction worker at the scene said the two had been running propane-fuelled equipment in an unventilated area before they were overcome.

OpenAI last week fired three safety researchers—Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni—after an internal investigation found they violated company policies on handling sensitive information. The researchers have published an open letter disputing this, claiming they were fired for prioritising safety concerns and warning that their dismissals create a chilling effect on workplace culture. OpenAI responded Friday, insisting the decision was not about them raising safety concerns but about a 'significant breach of trust' involving the mishandling of sensitive information beyond what the researchers disclosed. The company said an investigation uncovered breaches it did not detail. The researchers deny violating policy, saying their engagement with external safety experts was coordinated with leadership.

Sunny Hostin, a co-host on The View, predicted Thursday that Texas will vote Democratic in the November Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton for the first time in about 30 years. Hostin cited polling showing Talarico ahead 51 to 45 per cent overall, and leading among women (56 to 40 per cent), voters aged 18 to 29 (66 to 22 per cent) and Hispanic voters (62 to 30 per cent). Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin agreed the state might flip blue, attributing Talarico's strength to frustration with President Donald Trump's administration.

New Medicaid rules tied to the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' came into effect on 1 October, affecting around 1,000 people in Nebraska including refugees and asylum-seekers. Green-card holders meeting certain requirements and Cuban and Haitian immigrants remain unaffected. Nebraska Appleseed warns the changes could increase insurance costs and hospital visits for all residents as people lose access to preventive care.

Prince Andrew won a legal challenge after Thames Valley Police used unlawful warrants to search his homes, but a High Court judge ruled the investigation can proceed. Police will keep the documents and devices seized in the raids. Andrew denies wrongdoing.

French students have protested across the country since late September, blocking high school entrances and demanding improved education funding, teacher numbers and school facilities. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons at rallies including one at Place de la Bastille in Paris, with demonstrations at hundreds of schools disrupted. More than 6,800 people have been detained since the protests began, of whom 86 per cent are minors. Students aged 15 to 18 have complained of absent teachers, overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated buildings and inadequate facilities. The Education Ministry reported 375 schools were fully or partially shut, though numbers had decreased by Friday as many students returned to classrooms. French student unions vowed to continue the protests despite a government claim of a 'marked slowdown'.

Police in New Delhi detained thousands of protesters on Saturday, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and other leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth movement demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The crackdown involved tens of thousands of security personnel deployed across the capital, metro stations shuttered, trains cancelled and mobile internet suspended. Protesters were calling for Kumar's resignation over a controversial revision of voter lists in which more than 130 million names were removed. Critics, including opposition parties, allege the revision favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The election commission and BJP deny the allegations. The CJP said three of its leaders had been taken to undisclosed locations and denied access to lawyers.

A California court has granted former boxer Wladimir Klitschko temporary guardianship of his 11-year-old daughter Kaya's inheritance following actress Hayden Panettiere's accidental overdose death. Klitschko filed an urgent petition after Panettiere's death left their daughter as her sole heir, citing concerns that property was being taken by federal law enforcement investigating the death and by an unnamed person attempting to sell items including jewellery at a pawn shop. Judge Stephanie Santoro granted him temporary guardian status of Kaya's estate pending appointment of a long-term administrator. Klitschko, a Ukrainian former world champion boxer, has had full custody of Kaya for most of her life and she has lived with him in Ukraine.

Major League Baseball has proposed reducing the regular season to 154 games, down from 162, and expanding the Division Series from best-of-five to best-of-seven starting in 2029. The proposals also include allowing the highest seeds in the Wild Card and Division Series to select their opponents. MLB says the shorter schedule would permit weekly off-days for player health and create a new Monday broadcast window.

President Trump announced Wednesday that all eligible children under 18 with valid Social Security numbers are now automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts, investment savings accounts launched in July. The announcement covers around 70 million children, up from 8 million since the programme's launch. Parents and guardians must formally activate accounts, either online or via a mobile app. Eligible babies and newborns receive a one-time $1,000 government contribution; other contributions require parental funding, with parents able to contribute up to $2,500 annually in pretax income. Employers, relatives and charitable groups can also contribute. Funds are restricted until the child turns 18 and may be used only for education, starting a business or home purchase.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader and MP for Lagan Valley, will be sentenced on Thursday 15 October for 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children. The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008. A court previously heard he could be jailed for up to 12 years.

Daryl and Debbie Doolittle, a retired couple from Beatrice, Nebraska, perform dulcimer music for residents at assisted living centres, playing familiar folk songs on the wooden instruments. Resident Donavin Diller said the performances cheer him up and offer encouragement, noting that he loves music. The Doolittles bought their first dulcimers around 2009 and have since developed simplified sheet music notation for roughly 300 songs to make learning easier, teaching beginners with cardboard dulcimers.

Dulance Morin, an agent with the Arizona Attorney General's Office, has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide in connection with the death of Mesa resident Maria Lewis, whom he is accused of shooting outside his home earlier this year. The family's lawyer said they are focused on obtaining justice and accountability. A judge granted the family's request to ban Morin from possessing firearms and imposed a no-contact order with the victim's family and responding officers.

The International Criminal Court has ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is fit to stand trial on crimes against humanity charges. Independent medical experts cleared him for proceedings, which are set to begin on 30 November. Duterte is accused of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder connected to his country's 'war on drugs' campaign.

Armed police were called to Victoria Street in Ladybank, Fife, at about 3.20pm on Thursday following a report of two men in possession of what appeared to be a firearm. Two men, aged 32 and 47, and a woman, aged 28, were arrested in connection with the incident. A firearm was recovered and no injuries were reported.

Brandon Wilson, 55, an Omaha firefighter, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with sexual assault of a child and sex trafficking of a minor. This follows his September arrest on four counts of visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct of a minor and four counts of unlawfully photographing a person without consent. Wilson remains employed by the Omaha Fire Department but has been placed on paid administrative leave. He is scheduled to appear in court on the new charges on Friday.

Isla Irwin, a 14-year-old girl, has been reported missing from the Blackmore Road area of Buckhurst Hill in Essex. She was last seen around 4.15pm on Thursday, October 8. Essex Police are appealing for information to locate her.

Paramount Pictures is developing a live-action film set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, the sci-fi video game from developer CD Projekt Red. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, known for producing the Transformers films, will also produce. No details have been announced about plot, cast or release date.

A couple from Walsall, both aged 51, have been ordered to repay £867,514.87 stolen from elderly victims across multiple locations, or face prison sentences. The pair must pay the full amount within three months or the woman faces five years in jail and the man six-and-a-half years. According to BirminghamLive, they targeted a man in his 70s from Snitterfield in Warwickshire, stealing nearly £339,000 between 2014 and 2018 by offering gardening, construction and housekeeping services at excessive rates, often doing no work. They also stole £273,990 from a woman in Kidlington and £9,110 from a woman in Wolverhampton. The couple were convicted last year and the repayment order followed a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation.

The U.S. Army has identified systemic failures that caused last year's midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. The helicopter collided with the descending airliner as it approached Reagan National Airport, sending both into the Potomac River. The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller could have prevented the crash but also acknowledged the military's own failings and other contributing factors. Families of victims, who pressed the Army for months to release the May-completed report, say they want more transparency and full accountability for how the risks were allowed to persist.

Federal prosecutors are seeking criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, over testimony she gave to the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack. The potential charges involve lying to Congress. Hutchinson testified in 2022 that Trump encouraged supporters to march to the Capitol despite knowing many were armed, and that a White House official told her Trump lunged at a Secret Service agent after being told he could not join them. Trump's driver later disputed the account of the alleged lunge. The Justice Department's civil rights division is leading the investigation, an unusual move since such cases are typically handled by the US attorney for Washington, D.C. No final decisions have been made about whether charges will be filed.

Police have identified a suspected Mexican cartel stash house in Barboursville, West Virginia following a joint investigation by the Huntington Violent Crimes Drug Task Force and the DEA. Officers seized more than 15½ pounds of cocaine and 12½ pounds of fentanyl from the location, with an estimated street value exceeding $1.5 million. The investigation into the Mexican-based drug trafficking organisation has been ongoing since July. No arrests have been announced at this time.

The stars of Outback Truckers, a documentary series following Australian truck drivers, are preparing for a West Australian world premiere of a new live show. Steve Grahame, Yogi and Sludge claim they have done more for Western Australian tourism than any other agency combined. The programme, now in its 13th season of filming, has become a massive hit in the UK, Germany and Poland, with audiences drawn to the trio's rough-around-the-edges charm. The three truckers, based south of Perth, attribute their enduring appeal to trucking and being unapologetically themselves.

A cast of the skull of 'Stan', one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils ever found, has been installed in the dining hall of Reuben College at Oxford University. The cast has been loaned from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for at least five years. The original fossil lived around 67 million years ago in what is now South Dakota and sold at auction for $31.8 million in 2020, a record for any dinosaur skeleton or fossil.

Britain's banknotes are being redesigned to feature four wildlife species instead of historical figures. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will each appear on different notes, with the first entering circulation within the next few years.

Merkur Slots' proposal to convert the former William Hill betting shop at 58 High Street in Bognor Regis into a 24-hour adult gaming centre has been refused by Arun District Council. Concerns were raised about noise and disturbance to nearby residents, particularly those living directly above and adjacent to the site, as well as the area being 'heavily saturated' with gambling venues.

Barton House, a historic guesthouse near Wantage in Oxfordshire, has been listed for £2.6 million by the Lockinge Estate. The Georgian property, believed to date from the 1780s, comprises the main house, annexe, stables and outbuildings across almost 11 acres. It has operated as a guesthouse with nine double bedrooms for 13 years, though planning permission exists to convert it back to a private dwelling.

Australia returns to South Africa for a three-Test series for the first time since 2018, when the Sandpapergate scandal engulfed the sport. The first Test takes place in Durban on Friday. The scandal, in which Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft received bans for attempting to rough up the ball, continues to loom over the series.

A body has been recovered from the water off Poole, Dorset, after emergency services were called to Sandbanks Quay on Wednesday morning. The man, believed to be in his 50s, has not yet been identified. Police are appealing for the public's help.

Firefighters are attending a blaze at a residential building in York Place, Brighton, with six fire engines in attendance. The Chichester Observer reports that residents were evacuated as the fire broke out on Thursday evening, 8 October.

A West Midlands teenager has been given a two-year criminal behaviour order following anti-social behaviour incidents involving a motorbike.

Scottish Conservatives are calling for a ban on balaclavas in Edinburgh city centre, citing concerns about antisocial behaviour. Miles Briggs MSP said 'things are getting worse and worse and there needs to be action taken on this'. The Scottish Government is open to further proposals, with an MSP saying the harassment 'cannot be allowed to go on' and the Government should 'consider efficacy' of current legislation.

A new federal task force is investigating Arizona State University and eight other elite universities, accusing them of visa fraud that undermines American graduate students and researchers. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito announced the investigation Thursday, saying the nine schools use J-1 visas for roughly 61 per cent of federally funded research positions, compared to a national average of about 38 per cent. Vance accused the schools of using the visas to undercut wages for American researchers. D'Esposito said subpoenas have already been served and investigations are underway at all nine schools.

Amaya 'Cookie' Diaz, 19, has been released on a $2 million bond while awaiting trial for the death of Caroline 'Caro' Peña, a mother of five, in Del Rio, Texas on 25 June. Diaz, along with her sister Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and friend Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the stabbing. Her family posted $200,000 cash to secure her release on Tuesday, though her sister remains in custody.

Federal disaster assistance is now available to help Wisconsin residents recover from severe storms and tornadoes that struck the state on 27 July. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared funding available to affected individuals across Forest, Outagamie, Vilas and Winnebago counties. Assistance programmes include grants for temporary housing and essential home repairs, low-cost disaster loans to cover uninsured property losses, and additional recovery support services.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties on Thursday as Hurricane Isaias moves towards the northern Gulf Coast. The category 1 hurricane is expected to make landfall late Friday evening, bringing heavy rain, strong wind gusts, flooding and the possibility of tornadoes through the weekend. The emergency declaration allows authorities to deploy resources and the National Guard if needed.

Violent anti-migrant protests broke out on Thursday in Johannesburg's Soweto township and the coastal city of Durban, following a court ruling that removed procedural barriers to asylum applications. Police said 10 vehicles were torched in Soweto and 14 in Durban, with foreign-owned shops looted in both locations. The unrest in Durban followed demonstrations demanding that a refugee centre stop processing asylum applications. Police reported no injuries. The government said the court ruling, which deemed certain asylum policy provisions unconstitutional, had been misrepresented and did not automatically grant refugee status. South Africa has withdrawn a new asylum directive issued in response to the ruling, citing overwhelmed refugee offices.

Billionaires across the United States are spending vast sums to support California's Proposition 39, a measure that would require voters to show identification before casting ballots. The campaign has received more than $36m, including $17m from conservative donor Richard Uihlein, and $8m from Joe Gebbia, an Airbnb co-founder and Trump administration official. The yes campaign has outraised opponents by as much as $13m. If approved in November, Prop 39 would require government-issued ID to vote in person or by mail, and would mandate that mail ballots include the last four digits of a government-issued ID number.

Jill Rose died on 4 April at Broomfield Hospital after being admitted with a urinary tract infection. An Essex County Council safeguarding enquiry found she experienced neglect, organisational failings and emotional harm, identifying failures to escalate her deteriorating confusion and immobility, delays in specialist input, and inadequate feeding and hydration. The enquiry also criticised discharge management and poor communication between staff and with her family. Rose was part of Mid and South Essex NHS Hospital Trust, which was previously criticised over record-keeping following another patient's death.

US prosecutors have charged ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores with conspiracy to torture political opponents and US citizens, adding torture counts to existing drug trafficking charges. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were captured on 3 January in Caracas during a US military operation and face a mandatory minimum 50 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Both have pleaded not guilty to the original charges and have not yet entered pleas to the new indictment, which alleges torture against nine people including three US citizens.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio became short with reporters when asked about allegations against US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle requested a donor cover a $100,000 credit card balance before her confirmation hearing, allegedly offering access to administration officials in return. Rubio told reporters he would not debate the claims.

Daniel Hillier of New Zealand made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at the Spanish Open despite mishitting his eight-iron shot. The 187-yard par-three ace at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid won him a BMW iX5 SUV valued at €140,000 (A$225,000). The prize was available only to the first player to make a hole-in-one on that hole during the tournament.

Two new bus services will launch on 25 October, giving residents direct links to Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. The routes will begin running when Wirral's bus network returns to public control for the first time in around 40 years. Mayor Steve Rotheram said the move means services will be driven by local need rather than commercial profit.

Alireza Sepahi, 25, was hanged at Isfahan Central Prison on 5 October, just hours after marrying student activist Mahshad Keshani, 22, over a phone line from inside the prison. Both had been arrested during anti-government demonstrations. The couple exchanged vows joined by their fathers, with a human rights lawyer reading the vows to bless them. Keshani, serving a five-year sentence, initiated the wedding as Sepahi's execution appeared imminent.

Basildon Council's planning committee unanimously rejected Taylor Wimpey's outline plans for 175 homes on green belt land beside Billericay Town FC, despite planning officers recommending approval. Residents and councillors cited concerns about traffic congestion on Tye Common Road, which they said was already at capacity, particularly on matchdays. The scheme would have included 50 per cent affordable housing, public open space, and new walking and cycling routes, and officers argued it would help address the council's housing shortage and that impacts could be mitigated.

A proposal for a new stadium at Regatta Place in Canberra has prompted concerns from pool supporters that it could overshadow plans for the Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park. Terry Slevin, president of Friends of Canberra Olympic Pool, said the proposal from a Canberra Airport-led consortium had created anxiety in the aquatic community. The aquatic centre already has $138 million allocated for it. Slevin said only Infrastructure Canberra could determine whether both facilities could be built side by side.

Netflix is releasing The Altruists on November 19, an eight-episode miniseries depicting the FTX scandal. The show stars Anthony Boyle as founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison. Bankman-Fried was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 2023 and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

DonnaJean Wilde, a 61-year-old Canadian grandmother, held an abdominal plank for five hours at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah on 4 October, breaking her previous world record of four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. The plank began at 3:03 p.m. and ended at 8:03 p.m., with judges monitoring throughout. Wilde said the last hour was most challenging and that she was concerned about maintaining her form.

The NFL has filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to rule on the regulation of prediction markets, arguing that states are better positioned to oversee sports-related contracts. The case centres on whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exclusive federal jurisdiction or whether states should regulate these markets as gambling. The NFL warned that without clarity from the Court, operators will continue exploiting regulatory gaps, endangering consumers and sports integrity.

Ryan Theaker, 30, a serving Merseyside Police constable, has been jailed for 11 years after being convicted of rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration. The attack lasted 80 minutes in a hotel room in 2023 against a woman he knew. His victim secretly recorded the events on her mobile phone, and the audio was played as evidence at Liverpool Crown Court. At sentencing, she told the court he had no place in society and described him as 'a monster', saying his actions had left her 'physically and emotionally damaged'. According to the Daily Mail, Judge Brian Cummings KC said Theaker was 'in large measure' responsible for the woman's suicide attempt in 2024 and had inflicted 'severe psychological harm'.

A Laotian man deported by the United States to South Sudan has left for his home country after spending over a year in detention in Africa. Thongxay Nilakout, 49, departed for Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Thursday after being held in Juba since July 2025. His attorney said the ordeal could have been avoided, as Nilakout had been willing to return to Laos before the deportation and a travel document had already been issued by Lao authorities.

Adidas is suing Sydney-based fast-fashion retailer White Fox in Australian Federal Court for selling and advertising clothes with a four-striped design. Adidas says the stripes are deceptively similar to its own three-stripe trademark, which has been registered in Australia since 1957. The German sportswear company claims it repeatedly asked White Fox to stop since March, but the company refused. Adidas alleges White Fox is using advertisements featuring models in genuine Adidas products to promote its four-striped clothing. White Fox denies any trademark breach and plans to argue that other major Australian brands including Cotton On and Sportscraft also sell clothing with similar decorative stripes. A trial is expected early next year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Russia's war in Ukraine as a dangerous stalemate and said the US is committed to securing a negotiated settlement to end the four-year-old conflict. The Trump administration is seeking to revive talks, with Ukrainian negotiators set to visit the US for talks on Friday and Saturday. Rubio warned that escalations could spark a wider conflict.

A 112-year-old house at 2 Sixth Avenue in San Francisco sold for $15 million in early October, nearly double its asking price of about $8 million. The listing agent received nine strong offers for the 4,490 square-foot property, which sits on an unusually large lot of 9,233 square feet bordering the Presidio National Park. The sale reflects San Francisco's extremely expensive housing market, where the influx of artificial intelligence industry money has driven prices to record levels.

A sailor on shore leave from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier docked in Belfast subjected a policewoman to what a court described as a 'horrific' tirade of misogynistic abuse. The News Letter reports he was fined for the incident.

Chef Raymond Blanc has said he arrived in England with almost no money and opened his first restaurant, Les Quat'Saisons, in Oxford in 1977 with only about £3,000. He staked his life savings on the venture, risking losing his house if it failed. He told The Telegraph that the financial pressure and fear of failure kept him motivated and sharp.

The FBI and Justice Department have seized scanning and phishing tools used by hackers that officials say are associated with the Chinese government and responsible for cyber attacks on power companies, airports, universities and critical infrastructure in the United States and abroad. The tools, called Microscan and FishHub, have been rendered inoperable. The operation targeted an unnamed U.S. power company, airports in Japan and Poland, Taiwanese universities and infrastructure companies, and other entities.

Jannik Sinner announced on Tuesday that he will miss the rest of the year due to knee inflammation, having not played since beating Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon in July. Novak Djokovic said he will reach out to Sinner, drawing on his own experience of recovering from major injury. Djokovic, speaking at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday, described the comeback process as both physical and mental, particularly difficult when a knee injury affects every movement.

OpenAI released nearly 400 AI-generated mathematical results across more than 700 manuscripts this week. The lab said it had consulted the Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence (AGMAI) to avoid past controversies, but TechCrunch reports that OpenAI fell short of those standards, particularly regarding human understanding of results. AGMAI's first recommendation was that frontier labs stop testing advanced problems on proprietary models, which OpenAI's release explicitly contradicted. Mathematicians told The Verge the sheer volume makes understanding what was released could take years.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of Gabriel Hargus, 49, of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, who is wanted on federal and state warrants for failure to register as a sex offender and parole violation. Hargus was convicted of possessing child pornography and third-degree sexual abuse of an underage victim, and is subject to lifetime sex offender registration. He was last seen in El Paso, Texas, and is believed to be evading law enforcement.

A photographer has created an exhibition in Wolverhampton featuring photographs taken inside Banks's Brewery before its closure. The images were captured in 2019.

Avon and Somerset Police authorised temporary powers to ban face coverings and enforce a dispersal zone in Bristol city centre between 4pm and 11pm on Friday, October 9. The measures were put in place ahead of protests by far-right group Bristol Rises and a counter-protest by anti-racism groups at College Green. Police arrested two people during the evening, including a man suspected of breaching the face-covering ban under Section 157 of the Crime and Police Act 2026.

Tim Cook stepped down as Apple CEO in September, replaced by John Ternus, the company's former hardware engineering chief. Cook is now executive chairman and told The Independent he is 'not meddling' with Ternus's work, though communication between them is 'frequent and significant'. He advised Ternus to 'make it your own job' rather than copying his approach, similar to advice Steve Jobs gave him.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed an antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Thursday, alleging the insurer used anticompetitive agreements to limit competition, increase insurance costs and reduce reimbursement rates. The lawsuit accuses Blue Cross Blue Shield of controlling about 65 per cent of Michigan's commercial health insurance market and 79 per cent of the preferred provider organisation market. Blue Cross Blue Shield responded that it was 'blindsided' by the announcement and fundamentally disagrees with the characterisation of an uncompetitive market.

Jade Morris, a 37-year-old custody officer at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, was jailed for 12 months for exchanging more than 5,000 Snapchat messages with inmate Jerome Nunes, 35, a convicted drug dealer. Morris also sent pictures of herself to Nunes through contraband mobile phones. The inquiry began after Nunes threw an illegally-held phone out of his cell window in October 2022. Morris pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and encouraging Nunes to use a prohibited device, whilst Nunes received a nine-month sentence for possessing and using unauthorised mobile phones.

Remnants of Hurricane Isaias are expected to bring rain and gusty winds to Pennsylvania starting early Sunday morning. Winds are forecast to reach up to 45 mph across the state.

Australia's four major banks have lifted variable mortgage rates by 25 basis points from Friday, following the Reserve Bank's latest rate increase to 4.60 per cent. Borrowers with an average loan of around $731,000 will pay approximately $5,568 more per year. Compare the Market economics director David Koch said the rise was 'a gut punch for households', noting that mortgage rates are now above 6 per cent across all major banks for the first time.

Kate Ceberano is touring Australia on her Australian Made Encore Tour, a 30-date national run starting in September and concluding in November, around the time of her 60th birthday. The singer said reaching 60 feels like 'stepping across' into a new phase of life where she has 'nothing to prove anymore'. With four decades of chart-topping music behind her, Ceberano performs at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Sunday.

Tony Romo was disqualified from a Korn Ferry Tour pre-qualifier tournament in Oklahoma on Friday, the same day he left CBS Sports. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback signed an incorrect scorecard during the final round. Playing partner Brandon Rice marked Romo down for a bogey five on the 16th hole, but Romo told him it was a four and signed that score. A local pro monitoring the group for slow play later reviewed the scorecard and believed Romo had actually scored a five on the 16th hole. Under PGA Tour rules, signing for a lower score than achieved results in disqualification. Romo accepted the ruling and was described as 'very complimentary' of how the event was run.

The Perth International Burlesque Festival launches its 13th annual season from 9 to 24 October, hosting cabaret and burlesque performances across inner-city venues plus Margaret River and Geraldton. International headliners including Raquel Reed and Kelly Ann Doll will join local performers. Festival owner Jessica Anne Gough, known as The Sugar Duchess, describes burlesque as 'a political movement' about 'body identity and acceptance'. Perth has multiple training pathways for aspiring performers.

A business tycoon is converting his father's former property into a childcare centre, described as a much-needed service in the area. This marks the developer's first venture into childcare provision.

Residents in the Perth suburbs of Mount Lawley and Highgate have reported missing wheelie bins on social media. Satellite images show dozens of yellow, green and red bins crammed into a backyard on William Street in Mount Lawley, so numerous they are visible from space. A restaurant owner reported 20 bins stolen from his business and being charged for replacements. An anonymous resident claimed a woman was seen attempting to take bins from homes; nearby residents said the person at the address had been hoarding for about a decade. The City of Vincent council said it was aware of concerns but could not comment on individual properties or compliance matters.

The documentary 'Always Lalisa' captures a pivotal year in the life of K-pop superstar Lisa as she takes a break from Blackpink to record and launch her first solo album, 2025's 'Alter Ego'. Directed by Sue Kim, the film follows Lisa, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, as she forms her own management company, performs at Coachella and the Oscars, and makes her acting debut in 'The White Lotus'. The documentary shows Lisa, now 29, relishing newfound independence after years of strict management under South Korean label YG Entertainment.

Ashton and Zachary Smith from Philadelphia were photobombed by hundreds of Croatian soccer fans when they emerged from City Hall in June to take wedding photos during the FIFA World Cup in the United States. Videos of the couple kissing among the fans became popular on social networks. The Croatian National Tourist Board and the Mi Hrvati fan group subsequently invited them to Croatia for a 'second honeymoon'.

Two separate crashes have blocked roads in the Norfolk and Suffolk area. Two people were taken to James Paget Hospital following a crash on the B1062 Bungay Road at Shipmeadow near Beccles on Thursday afternoon. Separately, the A143 Beccles Road in Bradwell closed both ways after a crash believed to involve three cars, with an air ambulance reported at the scene.

Major League Baseball proposed shortening the regular season to 154 games from 162 games starting in 2029 and expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven in bargaining with players. The proposal also includes allowing higher-seeded teams to select their postseason opponents from next year and making Monday a day off for most teams from 2029. MLB said player salaries would not be reduced to reflect fewer games.

Two Jamestown police officers rescued a 60-year-old man from the James River on 7 October after a woman called 911 saying he appeared to be drowning near the 1400 block of 2nd Avenue Northeast. The man appeared highly intoxicated and required medical and mental health care. He was taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for treatment and observation.

Darlington Nuwertey, 32, a science teacher at Oasis Academy Silvertown in east London, is on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court charged with nine counts of rape and abusing a position of trust. Mr Nuwertey claims the relationship with the girl was 'loving and consensual' and that he believed she was 18, but the girl told the court she was 15 and about to turn 16 when his unwanted attention began, and described multiple instances of rape including while she was his student. The prosecutor said the relationship was the product of grooming.

Zack Polanski came second to Labour in the Holborn and St Pancars by-election, losing to Sagal Abdi-Wali who won with 45 per cent of the vote to his 33 per cent. Although the Greens increased their vote share by 22 points compared to the 2024 general election, Polanski is facing calls to resign from senior party figures. The pressure intensified after the Green Party conference passed a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism; Polanski had left the conference to campaign in the by-election and did not participate in the vote. Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of the Jewish Greens, and former leader Caroline Lucas have both called for him to step down, citing his failure to show leadership on the motion. Polanski has said he would have voted against it and insists he will remain as leader, though he acknowledged that members will ultimately decide in a scheduled leadership election next year.

An MV-22B Osprey carrying four Marines burst into flames and hard-landed near Bladen Lakes State Forest in North Carolina during a training exercise on Thursday morning. All four personnel were taken for medical evaluation; at least one suffered burns and was treated at a nearby clinic. The aircraft belonged to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station New River and was carrying roughly 6,000 pounds of jet fuel. Civilian and military emergency services responded to the site. The Marine Corps said the incident is under investigation.

Blackburn's EG On The Move has acquired 37 car wash locations across France operated by IMO Car Wash. The company plans to rebrand the sites and integrate them with its existing network of 260 French petrol forecourt sites. Chief executive Zuber Issa said the acquisition reflects the company's commitment to investing in high-quality customer services and represents an opportunity for growth in France.

Manchester City has been found guilty of all 80 serious financial charges brought by the Premier League, with an investigatory panel determining the club artificially inflated revenue by more than $1 billion from 2009–18 to circumvent fair-play rules. The club faces potential severe sanctions, including possible expulsion from the top-flight, and has lodged an appeal. Star player Erling Haaland has called for unity, telling Sky Sports that the team must 'stick together' ahead of City's first match since the verdict, against Liverpool on Sunday.

Google is ending free access to Safety Signal, a feature that allowed emergency SOS, Fall Detection and Safety Check to work over cellular networks without a paid mobile plan on the LTE versions of the Pixel Watch 2 and 3. Users will need to pay for a carrier plan to use these features over cellular after 12 December, though they will continue to work over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Google will notify users through email and push notifications, with a 30-day transition period from when the notification is sent.

Five men who claim a paedophile priest groomed and abused them may seek the winding up of St Colman's College in Newry, Co Down, if agreed damages of £1.2m are not paid. Their lawyers have lodged a statutory demand and threatened a High Court petition. The Diocese of Dromore is facing uncertainty over its financial capability to fund historic clerical abuse compensation.

President Donald Trump planned to honour Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and other tech billionaires on Thursday, but the event was overshadowed when Vice President JD Vance announced Microsoft's suspension from a programme allowing companies to apply for green cards for H-1B visa holders. Vance, head of a fraud task force, alleged Microsoft had abused the visa system, saying the company fired 6,000 U.S. workers last year while obtaining 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards. 'You cannot lay off American workers and then replace them with foreign indentured servants,' Vance said. The move highlights tensions between tech firms and the administration's immigration restrictions.

A body has been found in the search for Anton Green, 43, from Manchester, who disappeared in Colombia in August after stopping contact with his family. Green had been living in the South American country for between two-and-a-half and three years. His family said the silence was entirely out of character. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, a family friend, shared an appeal for information on social media.

Shigella bacteria, which causes dysentery-like symptoms including bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach pain, is developing resistance to standard antibiotics. In 2023, 8.5% of shigella samples tested were extensively drug-resistant, compared with none between 2011 and 2015. The infection spreads through contact with faecal matter, including during sex, and is particularly prevalent among men who have sex with men.

State-owned universities in Western Pennsylvania have stabilised their enrolments amid a national 'enrollment cliff' — a projected shrinkage in the pool of traditional college-aged students. Eight of ten Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools saw increased or stable enrolment this fall, with total systemwide enrolment dropping only 0.6 per cent to 82,513 students. The stabilisation comes as college enrolment among 18- to 24-year-olds nationally has fallen about 1.2 million from its 2011 peak, attributed to declining birth rates after 2008 and rising college costs.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the UK government will introduce legislation to prevent non-compete clauses being used in employment contracts. Speaking at the Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester on Friday, Burnham said some companies have gone 'too far' with restrictive practices that trap workers. Non-compete clauses prevent workers from joining rival organisations or setting up their own businesses after leaving their role, and often require unpaid gardening leave. Burnham compared the move to the Bosman ruling, which revolutionised football transfers in Europe. Research cited by the government estimates around 5 million jobs in Britain are covered by such clauses, typically lasting around six months. The government will ensure the restrictions apply to both start-ups and the 'everyday economy'.

Jeremy Clarkson is hosting a fireworks night at his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer's Dog, near Burford on November 5, with tickets now on sale. The pub said it had received numerous enquiries about whether a fireworks celebration would take place this year. Organisers expect demand to be high and recommend buying tickets quickly.

Wirral Council is consulting on changing green bin collections from fortnightly to every three weeks, affecting about 142,000 households. The council says the move would save around £1.2m a year in collection costs. Weekly food waste collections, introduced separately, have reduced the volume of waste in green bins, making less frequent collection viable.

Former Merseyside Police officer Ryan Theaker, 30, has been jailed for 11 years with a further five years on licence after being found guilty of rape and two sexual assaults. His victim recorded nearly 85 minutes of the assault on an audio app on her phone, capturing her repeated pleas for him to stop. The victim told the court during sentencing that Theaker 'wasn't successful in fully breaking me', calling him a 'monster'.

Plans to convert a shop into an adult gaming centre at 15 Watford Road in Cotteridge, Birmingham, have been approved by councillors. The application triggered dozens of objections, including from Birmingham Selly Oak MP Al Carns, who raised concerns about negative impact on the area and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Roxanne Green argued the suburb already has three gambling establishments within 0.1 miles and called a fourth an 'overconcentration'. A council officer described the proposals as 'acceptable subject to conditions'.

Pat Cummins has said he is unconcerned about Usman Khawaja's autobiography, which will be the first account from an Australian player who participated in the 2018 Cape Town Test where the ball-tampering scandal occurred. Khawaja informed Cummins he would be writing the book, to be released shortly after Australia's Test tour of South Africa. A Cricket Australia investigation found no other player had knowledge of the plan to apply sandpaper to the ball.

Daniel Breijo will stand trial in April 2027 for the fatal shooting of Nicholas Van Pelt, an Air National Guardsman, at Van Pelt's Minot apartment on Christmas Eve 2023. Breijo is also charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and terrorising for shooting and injuring Van Pelt's girlfriend. The trial is scheduled for one week beginning 12 April. A judge previously rejected a plea deal that would have sentenced Breijo to 20 years and downgraded the charge to manslaughter. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.

The NHL's earliest leaguewide start in history has delivered high-scoring games with loose play and below-average goaltending. The first 110 games featured an average of 6.26 goals per game, up slightly from 6.1 a year ago, with notable blowouts including Pittsburgh's 7-0 win over Philadelphia and Colorado's 8-4 victory over Los Angeles. New York Islanders coach Peter DeBoer attributed the scoring to 'loose hockey still being played', whilst Utah coach Andre Tourigny suggested the pattern is typical of early seasons regardless of training camp length.

The United States Treasury Department has sanctioned 17 additional vessels connected to Iran's shadow fleet, which transports oil and petrochemical products. The sanctions are part of Operation Economic Outcast, the Trump administration's campaign to restrict Iran's revenue sources. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action aims to starve Tehran of money used to wage war in the region.

Michael Bogle, 38, was among 700 prisoners released early on 1 October under a scheme to ease jail overcrowding in England and Wales. The registered sex offender with 16 convictions linked to over 100 alleged offences committed shoplifting crimes on the same day he was released and again over the following days. He was arrested on 5 October and sentenced to eight months in prison on Tuesday.

Two Latvian men aged 32 and 36 were arrested inside RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire early on Thursday after Ministry of Defence Police found an abandoned vehicle during a security patrol and discovered a small breach in the perimeter fence. Counter-terrorism police are investigating. The men were initially arrested on suspicion of trespassing and criminal damage, then re-arrested under the National Security Act 2023 on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Police said there was nothing to suggest the incident was linked to a suspected plot last month to attack RAF Fairford, 145km west of London, which the government has linked to Iran.

South Dakota Republican Senator Mark Lapka has been charged with driving under the influence following an incident near Leola. The McPherson County state's attorney's office confirmed the charge on Thursday. Lapka is a first-term legislator scheduled for a court appearance within the next month or two. Dakota News Now reports he allegedly drove a combine tractor under the influence on Tuesday night.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers expects Colorado to challenge Nebraska's South Platte River lawsuit at every turn, but said Nebraska is confident in its legal arguments. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in June to hear Nebraska's case, and Colorado has since asked the justices to dismiss one of Nebraska's claims—that Colorado's groundwater-management system violates the 1923 South Platte River Compact. Nebraska also claims Colorado fails to deliver required summer river flows and disputes Colorado's handling of the proposed Perkins County Canal.

A thief was caught on camera raiding Beau Tanning Lounge in Orpington, south-east London, on October 3, intimidating a 19-year-old employee and fleeing with cash. The man, dressed in a grey tracksuit, entered through an open door while the worker was cleaning a tanning bed. When she returned, she found him attempting to take a drink from the salon's fridge; footage shows her trying to stop him before he intimidated her and escaped with the money. Police are investigating the incident.

Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol contestant, was convicted on 29 September of murdering his wife Ashley and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Flynn's attorney has said his former mistress, Alleigha Botner, was not charged because the evidence did not show she was involved in the killing. Botner's lawyer told Fox News Digital that while she exchanged over 100,000 messages with Flynn during their affair and said 'terrible things' about his wife, investigators found no evidence she participated in the murder.

Cuba's flagship baseball team Industriales has become the first team in the 65-year history of Cuba's National Baseball Series to wear a private sponsor's logo. The Havana-based team displayed the logo of A Granel, a fuel distribution company, on their jerseys and the outfield wall at their home stadium. The move represents a significant shift in a country that long rejected professional sports and advertising; Cuba's National Baseball Federation confirmed last year that new regulations now permit private sponsorship to help improve team conditions.

Jade Morris, a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office and encouraging an inmate to use a prohibited mobile phone. She had an intimate relationship with Jerome Nunes, a prisoner serving a 12-year sentence for drugs conspiracy, which lasted from July 2022 until January 2023. The pair exchanged thousands of illicit messages via Snapchat and WhatsApp, including explicit photos. The relationship was discovered when Nunes threw an encrypted mobile phone from his cell window during a search in October 2022.

Curtis Flowers, a Black man who spent more than 22 years in prison and was on death row in Mississippi, has died aged 56. The US Supreme Court threw out his conviction and death sentence in 2019, ruling that the removal of Black prospective jurors had deprived him of a fair trial. Flowers was tried six times for the 1996 shooting deaths of four people at a furniture store in Winona, Mississippi.

Curtis Flowers, a Black man who spent more than 22 years in prison on death row in Mississippi before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction and death sentence in 2019, has died at 56. He died Wednesday at his home in Mississippi. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the removal of Black prospective jurors during his sixth trial in 2010 deprived him of a fair trial.

Police are investigating threatening graffiti targeting a journalist in west Belfast. Two incidents of graffiti were reported—one on 6 October in the Glasvey Gardens area and a second on 8 October in the Suffolk Road area—which officers believe are linked. Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UK's head of nations and regions, condemned the graffiti as 'utterly unacceptable', saying it represents a direct attack on press freedom.

Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. gave a flood response update Thursday after storms flooded the metro last week. He said some people have lost everything and may be permanently displaced, requiring long-term housing. Damages have been estimated at $12 million in Douglas County and $1.1 million in Sarpy County.

President Trump said Thursday that the United States will not order military strikes on Iran before the November 3rd midterm elections. Trump has previously hinted at possible escalation after the elections, though he added that his team has been 'having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran'. Negotiations had stalled after Trump rejected Iran's proposal last month, but Iran said it received a US counterproposal and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would offer a formal reply within days.

A man in his 40s armed with a pistol and knife was fatally shot by security at a federal courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday morning around 9:30 a.m. The man attempted to fire his gun but failed, then pulled out a knife. The shooting occurred just inside the busy entrance where visitors pass through a security checkpoint staffed by armed officers contracted by the U.S. Marshals Service. He was from out of state and investigators did not immediately know why he was at the courthouse. A search of his car found nothing threatening.

Ryan Aldridge, Leeds Knights coach, believes Milton Keynes Lightning are moving in the right direction and may end their wait for a first NIHL National regular season title. Aldridge also says the days of easy wins in the second-tier league are gone, welcoming the increased competitiveness.

The Ministry of Defence has objected to proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm in North Yorkshire, citing concerns that 23 wind turbines reaching 200 metres high would cause unacceptable interference with radar systems at RAF Leeming and Brizzlee Wood in Northumberland. The MoD warned that rotating turbine blades create radar clutter that could compromise the RAF's ability to detect low-flying aircraft during training exercises and incoming threats. The project has been fast-tracked as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh can ultimately approve it outside the usual planning process.

Anthropic has updated its usage policy to ban users from engaging in 'sustained and needless abusive or cruel behavior' toward Claude. The company said the prohibition applies only to extreme cases where users repeatedly act cruelly with no discernible purpose, and does not cover ordinary frustration, criticism, dark creative themes, or model testing. Claude can already end conversations with persistently abusive users, which will remain the primary enforcement mechanism. The policy change also includes new restrictions on election interference, deceptive campaigns, weapons development, and surveillance. Anthropic has said it remains uncertain whether Claude has moral status but wants to reduce potential risks to the model.

Gemma Germeney, 31, and her children Lilly, eight, and Oliver, four, died in a fire at their home in Cambridge on 30 June 2023. An inquest heard the fire was most probably caused by an e-bike battery that was charging. The battery had previously been repaired by a technician who changed the fuse for £30 after telling Scott Peden, the children's father, that the battery was too powerful for the bike. Peden survived by jumping from an upstairs window.

Taishawn Terry Bailey, 23, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a shooting on Tuesday near 16th and McKinley streets in central Phoenix that killed Charles Hendrix, 56, and Jerry Braggs, 64. According to court documents, surveillance video showed Bailey at the bus stop with both victims. Bailey initially told police he left before the shooting occurred, but cell phone records placed him at the scene. He later claimed he acted in self-defence after one victim lunged at him with a knife.

Donald Trump says the United States is having productive talks with Iran and will not launch an attack before the midterm elections on 3 November. The US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February, and the war has become a key campaign issue as high petrol prices weigh on Republican candidates.

Australia will delay naming their side until the toss against South Africa, with Cooper Connolly's availability uncertain after he travelled separately wearing a mask due to a head cold. Cameron Green is unavailable with an abdominal strain and Josh Inglis has a fractured finger. Connolly and Nic Maddinson are contenders to fill the gap, with the pitch condition likely to determine the selection.

A man aged in his 60s was found dead at a home on Bryngs Drive in Harwood, Bolton, after police were called over welfare concerns at around 11.35am on Wednesday 7 October. Mark Lord, 63, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. Police believe the victim and suspect were known to each other and said there is no wider risk to the community.

Time Out magazine has named Crookes, in west Sheffield, the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the UK. The neighbourhood, popular with students and young families, was praised for its restaurants, cafes, bars and independent style. Local business owners and residents attributed the area's appeal to its tight-knit community feel and vibrant atmosphere.

Police have warned motorists about a rise in keyless vehicle thefts after three vehicles were stolen across two nights in Bradford. Two identical Ford Fiesta STs were taken from the Eccleshill and West Royd areas overnight between 6 and 7 October, with one recovered on Powell Road in Bolton Woods and the other still missing. A Toyota pickup truck stolen from Haworth the same night was also found in Bolton Woods. All three thefts are believed to have involved keyless entry systems, which criminals exploit using electronic devices to unlock and start vehicles remotely.

Downtown Sioux Falls will hold its inaugural Christmas Market on Saturday, December 5, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Cherapa Place Plaza. The holiday-themed outdoor market will feature vendors, lights, Christmas music, seasonal foods and drinks, and activities. Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., said the organisers look forward to 'building a new holiday tradition that brings energy, warmth, and community to downtown'.

Luis Cameron, a former Partick Thistle youth goalkeeper aged 19, appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He allegedly punched Daniel Colrain, a 21-year-old barman, on the head in Royal Exchange Square in the early hours of 4 October 2026, causing him to lose consciousness and strike his head on the ground. Colrain was found seriously injured at 3.05am and died in hospital the following day. Cameron was also charged with attempting to flee to Dubai and falsely claiming he had injured his hand hitting a wall. He was granted bail and committed for further examination.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has declined to rule out a post-election pact with the Conservatives, saying one before the next election is 'extremely unlikely' but adding 'After an election, who's to say?' This came one day after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch rejected the prospect in her party conference speech, saying 'We are not uniting with that.' The remarks followed an internal Reform investigation that concluded the party did not break electoral law.

North Yorkshire Council has named 23 people in High Court proceedings over an unauthorised traveller site near Hillam, west of Selby, after alleging that work continued despite a court order. The council served a temporary stop notice and secured an interim High Court injunction last month. Anyone found to have breached the injunction could face contempt of court proceedings.

Kelly Kershaw, 54, a cashier at Nationwide's Caernarfon branch, was ordered to repay £12,630 within three months or face five months in prison. She was jailed for 16 months in May after admitting five counts of fraud. Kershaw stole £13,333 from vulnerable and elderly customers to fund expensive holidays including safari trips to Africa, and visits to Paris, Tuscany and Dubai. Her crimes were discovered when colleagues spotted her social media posts showing the lavish trips.

Aminata Seck, a Kentucky State University women's basketball player from Senegal, has been released on a $2,500 bond after two months in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. She was detained at Louisville airport in August after overshooting her visa. An immigration judge granted the bond on Tuesday, which was posted on Wednesday. Fox News reports that Seck spent a week in isolation after refusing to remove a knee brace for a torn ACL, and that her surgery was postponed while in custody. Meanwhile, a men's basketball player from Mississippi Valley State, Qingfang Pang from China, was detained by ICE on 29 September and remains in custody. The Department of Homeland Security says Pang entered legally in November 2023 but remained in the US beyond his authorised departure date of 5 September 2024.

Westbound Interstate 80 is closed near Ogallala at mile marker 126 whilst firefighters work to extinguish a semitrailer fire. A separate semitrailer fire is reported near Hershey at mile marker 160, where the right shoulder is blocked. Drivers are advised to keep left in the affected area.

OpenAI has revealed to investors that its annualised revenue is approaching $50bn, based on figures from the end of September. This is significantly less than the $70bn that had been widely reported after the company signalled that figure to investors last month. The discrepancy arose because OpenAI's investors had tried to calculate a comparison with rival Anthropic, which counts revenue from cloud partner sales. OpenAI does not include those partner sales in its figures.

Armed police were deployed to Aylesbury town centre on Thursday after multiple reports that a woman was carrying a weapon. Officers attended Friars Square Shopping Centre and located the woman, but discovered the suspected weapon was a plastic Halloween-style accessory. Thames Valley Police said there was no threat to the public and reminded residents to be mindful when carrying Halloween accessories that resemble weapons.

Panther Creek Mining has announced plans to idle its Samples Complex in Kanawha County, West Virginia, with layoffs of 109 employees expected in December 2026. The closure will affect the Samples Surface Mine and Toms Fork Preparation Plant and Loadout. According to a WARN notice, the planned layoffs are permanent.

Pupils and staff at St Martin's Comprehensive School in Caerphilly were evacuated on Thursday morning after a threat was received. The school followed lockdown procedures and sent students and staff home. Gwent Police attended as a precaution and are investigating whether the threat was a hoax. The school reopened as normal the following day.

An Aston Villa teenager is expected to return to action this weekend. He has been tipped to become an England star.

Devon and Cornwall Police have donated three drones to Peninsula Search and Rescue (PenSAR), a volunteer organisation supporting search and rescue teams across the South West. The drones, which the police force has used for three years, can operate in strong winds, rain and darkness with thermal imaging capability. Chris Linzey from the police drone team said the equipment represents 'a very big jump in the capabilities' for the search and rescue group, with batteries provided to ensure continuous operation.

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson in Maine's race against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Obama is headlining a fundraiser and making multiple endorsements ahead of the midterms. Fox News reports that former Obama strategists have urged Maine Democrats to unite behind Jackson, warning that internal party divisions could cost them the seat. Maine's race has drawn national attention after Democrats replaced their initial candidate, Graham Platner, following sexual assault allegations against him.

Tom Gormley, a father-of-two from Worcester, has died aged 44. Family and friends have described him as kind, charming and funny, with his cousin Trudy Gormley saying 'everyone who came into contact with him absolutely loved him'. A community gathering has been organised at Brickfields Park on Wednesday 14 October, and a GoFundMe fundraiser for a memorial bench and funeral expenses has reached its target of £1,800.

Wimbledon will not repeat the influencer disruptions that plagued the US Open last month, according to the All England Club's interim chief executive Richard Atkinson. The US Open accredited 100 influencers this year, twice as many as the previous year, and several matches were disrupted when influencers filmed videos and used ring lights during play. Atkinson said Wimbledon does not offer direct accreditation to influencers but acknowledged they could attend as guests of sponsor brands, where they would be 'tightly chaperoned'. He joked that Royal Marine commandos providing security at SW19 'would like nothing more than to sort out' any disruptive influencers.

Cameron Thomson, 22, founder of the Awareness Protection online group, has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work after admitting to harassing an innocent 70-year-old man in April. Thomson posted the man's name and address on social media, falsely claiming he was a registered sex offender imprisoned for child rape. He then travelled to the man's Cumbernauld home with between 50 and 70 people, repeatedly banging on the door and shouting abuse. Police established the man had been misidentified and had no convictions or allegations relating to sexual offending. The victim was forced to leave his home permanently. Thomson was also placed on a two-year community payback order and a 15-year non-harassment order, and banned from livestreaming and organising protests involving confrontation.

Gordon Slater, 66, was reported missing on 6 October and last seen in May. Williston Police Department has confirmed he was found safe on 8 October. Separately, police are searching for Raigan Reed, 24, who was reported missing on Wednesday after last being seen on Friday. Reed's disappearance is unconnected to Slater's case.

A government inquiry into Australia's AI future heard from data centre companies and financial institutions who say they are being wrongly associated with generative AI concerns. CDC, a data centre company part-owned by Australia's sovereign wealth fund that works mainly for government and universities, told the inquiry on Friday that public confusion about AI types meant it was not trusted as it should be. FinTech Australia urged politicians to look beyond generative AI to other applications already transforming the economy, including credit reporting and fraud detection.

A young boy, believed to be 6 or 7 years old, left Hillsgrove Primary School in Welling during school hours on Tuesday afternoon. A member of the public found him running in traffic along nearby roads, narrowly avoiding cars, and chased him down more than half a mile from the school. The school's principal said the incident is 'extremely serious' and has launched an investigation.

Aldi opened its first store in Norton, North Yorkshire on Thursday morning. Olympic judo bronze medallist Chelsie Giles, who competed at Tokyo 2020, officially opened the Commercial Street store at 8am alongside pupils from Norton Community Primary School. The store will employ 24 local staff and be managed by Fiona Piercy.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority has approved new investment to create 12 permanent firefighter roles and expand officer capacity for major incidents, following a summer that saw crews tackle around 1,400 outdoor fires, including 75 wildfires, during July and August. The authority will fund the expansion by deferring spending on vehicles and the estate, reducing planned reserve contributions, and bringing reactive maintenance in-house. The service faces financial pressures from funding reductions and inflation, and continues to seek fairer national funding and additional council tax flexibility.

Tesla has renamed its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system to Assisted Driving in Europe after Germany's Transport Ministry said the original branding was 'somewhat misleading'. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger raised concerns that the name suggested the system performs the entire driving task, when it actually only provides assistance for certain functions such as accelerating, braking and steering, requiring drivers to remain attentive. After discussions with Tesla in September, the company agreed to the rebrand. Bilger said he will now advocate for approval of Tesla Assisted Driving across Europe, with an EU-wide vote expected by the end of the year. The system is already available in eight European countries.

Middlesbrough FC will donate all proceeds from streaming their Legacy Game to the families of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who died in a head-on collision on the A66 in August. The club charged fans £3 for streaming passes, with several thousand people worldwide tuning in. More than £1.2m has previously been raised for the officers' families through a GoFundMe campaign.

Fatai Miao, a Chinese-born California construction entrepreneur, is under FBI investigation for allegedly accompanying Wanying Zhang, a realtor accused of spying for China, to Seattle in September 2025 to surveil the Taiwanese president's son. Miao took a one-way flight to China two weeks ago, according to prosecutors. The New York Post reports that Miao and Zhang are lovers, whilst CBS News describes him as a 'follower' according to a relative, and his son said he went to China to care for his wife receiving medical treatment.

St Oliver Plunkett Primary School in Strathfoyle, County Londonderry, closed on Friday because water was entering every classroom and shared area. The principal, Eamonn Moore, said ongoing roof work had left areas exposed. The school has experienced roof issues for nearly five years, but Thursday's adverse weather caused water ingress on an unprecedented scale. An emergency meeting was called with Education Authority officials, governors and roofing contractors. The principal hopes pupils will return on Monday.

US mortgage rates have risen for the seventh consecutive week, driving the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to 7.40%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. This is the highest level since November 2023. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage average also rose to 6.73%. Rising rates have constrained the housing market by adding hundreds of dollars monthly to borrowing costs, reducing homebuyers' purchasing power.

The Welsh Rugby Union has decided to reduce professional men's rugby regions in Wales from four to three from the 2028-29 season. Cardiff and Dragons will represent the capital and east, leaving one licence for west Wales, with Ospreys and Scarlets competing for it. The final decision on which west Wales team is culled will be made in June 2027. The WRU says it lacks sufficient resources to support four competitive professional sides beyond 2028, though critics including politicians and business leaders have questioned this decision given the organisation's recent financial turnaround.

Staff at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago are organizing a union, citing rolled-back benefits, increasing workloads and high turnover since the centre opened in June. Workers circulated a letter to colleagues this week announcing their intent to unionize, saying they have received only 'vague responses' from administrators to complaints they raised. The organizing effort, working with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, invokes Obama's own 2016 words supporting unions.

Police are seeking a man who allegedly exposed himself to a woman at Budby South Forest Nature Reserve near Mansfield on Saturday, 26 September at around 6.30pm. The man is described as black, approximately 5ft 8in tall, of muscular build with dark eyes and hair. He was naked except for boots and a hat, and was carrying a top and shorts. Nottinghamshire Police urge anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting incident 444 of 29 September.

Enfield Council is seeking to rent houses in Stoke Heath, Shropshire, to homeless families it owes housing support to. The move comes after plans to house asylum seekers at the same location were scrapped in July following local opposition. Shropshire Council has formally objected, citing poor transport links and lack of local services.

British soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment were stalked by a pack of hyenas while on patrol during Exercise Haraka Storm in the Laikipia region of Kenya. The regiment, comprising soldiers from Lancashire and the north east of England, is training to reinforce Nato's eastern flank. Lance Corporal Connor Brady said the soldiers used white lights and noise to deter the animals.

PepsiCo is raising prices on snacks including Doritos, Ruffles and SunChips, and cutting corporate costs, following weak third-quarter results in North America. The company says it must recoup rising costs for fuel, aluminium and agricultural commodities. Price increases will be in the single-digit percentage range and remain lower than at the start of the year.

A Hastings property company and its sole director, Jagmit Singh Ahudja, have been convicted of fire safety offences. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service prosecuted J&R Real Estate, the freeholder of a premises at York Gardens in Hastings, after Mr Ahudja failed to provide documents and information required by an authorised fire safety inspector. Both were found guilty at Brighton and Hove Magistrates' Court on 6 October 2026, with sentencing scheduled for 8 November 2026.

Ryan Hanafin, 22, was arrested in Vermont on Thursday hours after his mother Andria Hanafin, 49, was found fatally shot in her kitchen in Reading, Massachusetts. Her husband Matthew Hanafin, 48, discovered her dead around 12:38 a.m. when he returned home from work. Ryan Hanafin has waived extradition and agreed to return to Massachusetts. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said police believe a dispute may have occurred between them, describing it as 'alleged domestic violence', though details have not been made public.

DeShon Elliott, the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting strong safety, has returned to practice after recovering from knee and hamstring surgery. This opens a 21-day window during which the Steelers can activate him off the injured reserve list by 29 October. Elliott, 29, was placed on injured reserve at the start of the season to aid his rehabilitation following a significant injury midway through last season.

Sukanthini Subbiah, a 48-year-old doctor, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter following the death of seven-year-old Khushil Bandi at a community pool in Orlando on 10 April. According to authorities, Subbiah was watching Khushil and two other children at the Everbe Clubhouse pool. Surveillance footage showed Khushil began drowning within a minute of entering the water, and remained submerged for seven minutes whilst Subbiah was present. Police say she sent the other two children to help rather than intervening herself, and only alerted another poolgoer after several minutes had passed. That adult jumped in and retrieved Khushil, but he could not be saved despite Subbiah attempting CPR. Investigators concluded her negligence caused his death.

Dorset Police are appealing for help to identify a man whose body was found in the water near Sandbanks Quay in Poole at 08:38 on Wednesday, 7 October. The body was recovered by the coastguard and Dorset Police's marine unit. Detective Inspector Edmund Murray said there is nothing to suggest the death is suspicious, but police have been unable to identify the man despite extensive enquiries.

A landmark survey led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation and the University of Exeter has found approximately 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises living on Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. This is the highest figure ever recorded for the species and represents a dramatic recovery from fewer than 1,000 in the 19th century. The population is now considered one of the greatest conservation success stories of the Indian Ocean.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured Yemen's Perim Island in September, controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Djibouti. Saudi-backed Yemeni forces launched a counteroffensive in early October. The Houthis have fired on merchant ships since Gaza war began in 2023. If the strait becomes impassable, shipping would divert via the Suez Canal or southern Africa, raising costs for consumers. At least 3,700 refugees have crossed from Yemen into Djibouti since September, with the UN preparing to assist 10,000 more.

Joel Taggart, a long-time BBC Northern Ireland sports presenter and commentator best known for Saturday football coverage on Radio Ulster's Sportsound, is leaving the broadcaster as part of a voluntary redundancy drive. He will remain at the BBC until December. The redundancy is part of BBC Northern Ireland's cuts affecting up to 50 roles, with savings of £4 million expected in 2027 and 2028.

Powys councillors have backed incremental increases in Council Tax premiums on long-term empty properties from April, with rates rising to 300% for homes empty for 10 years or more. Properties empty for one to five years will face a 100% premium, those empty five to ten years a 200% premium. There are currently 897 long-term empty properties in the county. Conservative councillor Pete Lewington questioned whether premium charges alone would bring properties back into use, noting that previous increases from 50% to 100% had only reduced numbers by 40 properties.

Wiltshire Council is urging residents to prepare for an increase in winter storms this year and into 2027 that could bring more flooding incidents. David Bullock, the council's director of highways, said taking simple steps now can help people be better prepared and reduce the impact of severe weather. Residents are advised to check their flood risk, sign up for flood alerts, and create emergency plans.

Women's groups including Amina, the Muslim Women's Resource Centre, and Women Against the Far Right Scotland gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to protest Reform UK MSP Thomas Kerr's motion calling for restrictions on full-face coverings. Kerr's motion asks the Scottish Government to assess potential benefits of banning face coverings, citing public safety and community cohesion. Protesters accused him of using women's rights as a pretext to criminalise Muslim women's clothing. Community worker Fatma Elarby, who wears the niqab, said: 'You cannot hear my face, but you can hear my voice and I refuse to be silenced.'

Hawk T2 jets have resumed flying from RAF Valley following a crash last month in which two pilots ejected safely from their aircraft before it plummeted to the ground near Pencarnisiog in Anglesey. The aircraft had been grounded while investigations continued. RAF Valley said the decision to resume flying was taken after a thorough review and safety assurance measures had been put in place. The investigation will continue alongside normal operations.

Terry Pegler, the Norwich baker behind Terry Bakes, has posted videos on social media following his arrest on 24 September on suspicion of fraud by false representation. He was arrested alongside his 40-year-old wife and both were released on bail until 16 December. Customers have claimed they did not receive £25 mystery boxes they ordered, and Trading Standards has become involved in the investigation.

A staggering 1,739 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats during the first week of October, an average of one every six minutes. On Monday alone, 609 people arrived in eight vessels. The Daily Mail's analysis of Home Office data found that under Andy Burnham's administration, 66 per cent of migrants attempting the crossing have successfully reached Britain, compared with 55 per cent during Sir Keir Starmer's first ten weeks as Prime Minister.

The Recording Academy has announced that the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala will continue in 2027, following the music executive's death in June at age 94. Davis died in his Manhattan apartment weeks after being hospitalised for an upper respiratory issue. The gala, held annually since 1975 on the Saturday before the Grammy Awards, is considered one of the industry's most exclusive events.

The M4 will experience overnight closures and lane restrictions at several junctions between Reading and Maidenhead from October 8. At Reading, the westbound exit and entry slips at Junction 11 will close between 9pm and 6am for drainage work, whilst a westbound carriageway closure is planned between Junctions 11 and 12 from October 8 to October 9 for maintenance. Work will also affect the eastbound M4 between Junctions 10 and 8 in Wokingham and Winnersh, and the eastbound carriageway within Junction 8/9 near Maidenhead. Drivers are advised to check National Highways updates and allow extra time before travelling.

Battersea Arts Centre will open Room 13, a sealed chamber in the building's original stone structure that was discovered during renovations following a fire on 13 March 2015. The theatrical Halloween experience, running from 16 October to 1 November, invites visitors to join paranormal investigators unravelling the building's mysteries through live performers and special effects. Pay-what-you-can tickets of £16 are available for the opening weekend, with standard admission at £20.

Wiltshire Police have imposed a dispersal order in Melksham town centre and King George V Park after a spike in antisocial behaviour linked to youths. Reports include drinking alcohol, entering derelict buildings, public defecation, theft and arson at the skate park. The Section 35 order gives officers power to exclude suspected offenders from the designated area for a set period, with anyone returning liable to arrest.

Mathematician Rachel Riley has spoken about how she secured her role on Countdown, revealing that 3,000 people applied for the position. She discussed the importance of mathematics and its surprising applications across various professions.

Preston City Council is introducing fresh changes to waste and recycling collection rounds months after a major shake-up in April led to bins not being emptied for weeks. The new changes will affect approximately 3,500 households and are designed to resolve problems that have persisted since the April overhaul, which coincided with the start of weekly food waste collections. Councillor Zafar Coupland acknowledged that while the earlier changes worked well in many areas, there have been recurring problems for some residents, and said the new amendments would streamline the service and support reliable collections.

US mortgage rates have risen for the seventh consecutive week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reaching 7.40% according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. This is the highest level since November 2023. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also increased, to 6.73%. Rising rates have constrained the housing market by adding hundreds of dollars to monthly borrowing costs, reducing homebuyers' purchasing power and deterring purchases.

Victor Montagliani, president of Concacaf, the North and Central American and Caribbean football confederation, has told staff he intends to stand for re-election next year. This rules out a challenge to Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency, a role Montagliani had been widely considered as a potential candidate for, particularly among European associations seeking a rival to Infantino. The Concacaf election will take place in the first quarter of next year, before the Fifa presidential vote on 18 March in Rabat.

EY's global revenues reached $57bn, up nearly 5 per cent year-on-year, driven by strong growth across its service lines. AI-related services surged by nearly 50 per cent as organisations sought technology combined with industry expertise. EY-Parthenon's strategy division led growth at 7 per cent, followed by tax at 6 per cent and consulting at over 4 per cent.

Alton Garden Centre in Wickford is launching a new, bigger and brighter Christmas department on 17 and 18 October. British Garden Centres, the centre's owner, will host a preview event on 16 October with tickets costing £6, with proceeds going to Greenfingers Charity. The main launch begins on Saturday 17 October with Santa cutting the ribbon, live festive music and an expanded Fern Christmas range.

Las Iguanas, a Mexican restaurant at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, offers tapas plates and substantial portions suited to social gatherings or pre-show drinks. The menu includes chicken quesadillas, sizzling fajitas with options for chicken, prawns, steak or mushrooms, and enchiladas. Churros are available with chocolate or dulce de leche sauce, and cocktails include piña colada, clover club and mojito.

Common Table Group, backed by former Whitbread senior managers, has purchased 57 sites from Whitbread including former Beefeater, Brewers Fayre and Cookhouse venues. The sites will reopen from next month with 700 jobs created. Whitbread closed its standalone restaurants in April as part of a £2 billion cost-cutting plan, citing rising business rates and national insurance.

Residents at Whitewater Place Care Home in Odiham participated in nature-themed activities led by Forest Sprites, a Fleet-based organisation, as part of the Acorns to Oaks initiative. The intergenerational session saw residents and children bond over autumn activities and share stories about their school days, with some residents reflecting on childhood games such as conkers. Separately, residents from The Fernes Care Home enjoyed an autumn outing to a local garden centre.

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd has applied to Cumberland Council for a Lawful Development Certificate to allow its Whitehaven restaurant to operate 24 hours a day. The application, validated on 6 October, seeks confirmation that no planning restrictions prevent unrestricted opening at the Bridges Retail Park site. Planning agent Savills said the restaurant can operate continuously because the original 1999 outline permission did not set operating hours.

Babergh district councillor Daniel Potter has defected from the Green Party to the Conservatives, citing a party conference motion declaring Zionism as racism and calling for a single Palestinian state as a key reason. The Green Party-led administration said the defection had not affected its majority or plans, with council leader Deborah Saw defending the Greens' commitment to both Israeli and Palestinian self-determination and condemning antisemitism.

Steam Dreams has announced two nostalgic steam train day trips for 2027. Passengers departing from Southend will travel to Portsmouth on Wednesday, May 12, while those from Colchester will journey to Bath on April 21. Both trips feature vintage carriages and offer Pullman Dining or First Class tickets.

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven has secured £5.6 million from NHS England to upgrade its renal and women's outpatient departments. The investment will address concerns about outdated facilities and increase capacity, reducing the need for patients to travel to Carlisle for care. Clinical staff said the improvements have been in development for six years and will separate maternity and gynaecology services into distinct units.

Home Office figures published on 8 October show hate crime in Essex rose to 3,936 offences in the year to March 2026, up by 324 compared to the previous year. Race-related hate crimes accounted for the majority, rising to 2,861 from 2,574. Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan, Essex Police's lead for hate crime, said the force was committed to tackling it through partnerships with community safety teams and regular contact with community leaders.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service uses drones equipped with thermal-imaging cameras, lights and loudspeakers to help tackle major incidents by providing real-time aerial views. Specially trained pilots can launch the drones within minutes to give incident commanders live information on a fire's size and spread, or to search for casualties. Station manager Steve Kirkham said the drones proved particularly valuable during weeks of wildfires this summer, one of the service's busiest in recent years.

Manufacturing company Leigh Spinners Ltd, which operated from a historic mill in Leigh, has entered liquidation and is now being managed by joint administrators from BDO LLP. The firm, founded in 1913 as a cotton spinning mill and later a manufacturer of non-turf grass and sports surfaces, has been family owned for over a century. However, the mill building itself, which houses more than 100 independent businesses and a cinema, remains open and unaffected. The mill's management urged visitors and customers to continue supporting the businesses operating there.

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry has heard that An Garda Síochána (Irish police) allowed cars to be taken into Northern Ireland for terrorist activity. Martin Bridger, an officer for the Police Ombudsman Northern Ireland, told the inquiry that a Garda whistleblower informed him that a senior Garda officer permitted stolen cars to cross the border to gather intelligence. The cars were to be used in terrorist activity by dissident republicans.

Two Latvian nationals, aged 32 and 36, were arrested at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire after security patrols found an abandoned vehicle and a small breach in the perimeter fence on 7 October. They have since been released on bail with strict conditions. Counter Terrorism Policing London is investigating the men on suspicion of trespass, criminal damage and an offence under Section 4 of the National Security Act, which concerns entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Police have searched two addresses in the Peterborough area, and specialist officers checked the abandoned vehicle but found nothing of concern.

An armed man was shot and killed by security at the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse in Nashville on Thursday morning. The man, around 40 years old and from outside Tennessee, entered the building's lobby at around 9:30 a.m. local time and pulled out a gun, which did not fire. He then pulled a knife before courthouse security shot him. He was pronounced dead later at a nearby hospital. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the investigation.

Ten shapeshifting creatures known as boggles, inspired by Cumbrian folklore, have escaped from Muncaster Castle and are hiding across Cumbria in the lead-up to Halloween. The competition, organised by Muncaster Castle, will release clues to their locations at 9am on Saturday, 10 October. People who find the boggles will win tickets to the Muncaster Halloween Family Festival during the October half-term.

Norfolk Trading Standards found an unroadworthy vehicle for sale during an inspection of two second-hand car dealerships on 6 October. One of five vehicles checked was deemed unsuitable for the road, prompting the authority to warn motorists to check vehicles before purchasing and to verify MOT history on the GOV.UK website.

The Grand York has won UK Independent Hotel of the Year in the Over 50 Rooms category at the Independent Hotel Show Awards. The hotel was recognised for its inclusive luxury and service. General manager Adam Dyke said the award reflected the team's hard work and Yorkshire hospitality.

NATO will hold its major annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, starting Tuesday and running for ten days, hosted by Italy with aircraft from 17 NATO countries. The exercise comes weeks after Russia warned it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if its territory came under threat. NATO's Head of Nuclear Policy, Nassima Barrows, said the routine exercise poses no threat and stressed it has been held at the same time each year for over a decade without postponement.

The A280 Long Furlong near Clapham Interchange in Worthing has been closed since 2 October following a burst water main. The road was initially expected to reopen on 8 October, but Southern Water discovered further damage to a highways drain in the road and footway, extending the closure until 17 October. Customer water supplies have not been affected by the incident.

A man in his 50s was stabbed multiple times during an altercation in Dartmouth Road, Paignton, at around 12.20pm on Thursday, October 8. He was taken to hospital where he remains in serious condition. Police believe the suspect and victim knew each other and say there is no wider risk to the public. Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

The former Great Alne Primary School, closed by Warwickshire County Council in August, is being converted into a £1.3 million special educational needs facility for 40 primary-aged children with autism, speech and language needs or emotional difficulties. The council had closed the school due to falling pupil numbers and financial deficits, despite objections from local councillors. The new facility is intended to address an identified shortage of 170 SEN places across the county.

A man in his 70s was assaulted on Queen Street in Tranmere at around 9.20am on Thursday, 8 October, sustaining a head injury and being taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. A 34-year-old woman from Tranmere was arrested at the scene on suspicion of section 18 wounding with intent and remains in police custody. The Liverpool Echo reports that police cordoned off a Tranmere flat and forensics were spotted at the scene.

Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters have voted a defender as their player of the month. The award recognises the defender's performances over the past month.

Cornwall Council officers wanted to discuss changes to home-to-school transport policy in private, citing financial implications, but councillors blocked the move. The review could lead to shared transport replacing individual taxi trips, pick-up points instead of door-to-door provision, and a 'nearest suitable schools' policy replacing parental choice. Councillors said the matter was politically sensitive but not commercially sensitive and should be debated publicly.

Chichester District Council has decided not to defend its refusal of plans for a solar farm in Runcton when the application goes to a second appeal. The council's planning committee was told that prospects of successfully defending the original reasons for refusal have weakened and that continuing to contest the matter risks a costs award against the council. Campaigners opposed to the solar panels on Runcton Lane have urged the committee to stand by the original decision before the appeal is heard in February 2027.

The University of Jamestown will hold a dedication ceremony on Friday, October 9th at 3pm for its newly renovated Badal Nafus Student Union, New Cafeteria, and Candy Unruh Garden. The renovation marks the university's recovery from a January 2025 fire that significantly damaged its kitchen and dining facilities. The event will recognise donors and supporters who contributed to the project.

The Trump administration imposed sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court on Friday, banning all US transactions with the tribunal and blocking its assets under US jurisdiction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures were intended to prevent the court from prosecuting American service members, border agents and political leaders. The sanctions come as the administration has pursued what it describes as a campaign to dismantle the court, which it accuses of seeking to prosecute Americans despite the US never ratifying the Rome Statute that established it. The ICC rejected the sanctions as an assault on the rule of law and said it would continue its work. The announcement came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Companies have 180 days to stop trading with the court under the new measures.

A crash has partially blocked the A345 Pewsey Road in Marlborough, Wiltshire, near its junction with the A4 Bath Road. Traffic is moving slowly in both directions, with congestion also affecting the High Street towards Oxford Street and Graham Hill northbound near George Lane. The circumstances of the crash and whether anyone has been injured remain unknown.

A woman was sexually assaulted on a Southeastern train travelling from Charing Cross to London Bridge at around 10pm on 23 September. A man boarded the train, sat next to her despite other seats being available, and assaulted her. Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to and describe him as being of either Black or South Asian heritage, wearing black headphones, a black t-shirt under a zip-up jacket, and carrying a large bottle of Lucozade.

Three people have been arrested following the death of eight-year-old tabby cat Max in Hull. A 37-year-old woman and two men, aged 47 and 75, are being questioned by police on suspicion of malicious communications and animal cruelty. Max disappeared from his owners' front garden on 14 September and five days later his distinctive white-tipped tail was posted through their letterbox. His body was later found by a dog walker in nearby woods.

Police in Lodi, California fatally shot Jonhatan Anguiano, 29, after he opened fire inside a McDonald's restaurant on 24 August. He had shot and injured a female colleague. The Daily Mail reports that Anguiano told colleagues he was suicidal. Officers arrived at the restaurant on West Lodi Avenue and Church Street around 9:30 a.m. after receiving reports of an armed person in the storage area. The injured employee was taken to hospital and later released to recover from her injuries.

England is facing an earlier-than-usual flu season, with hospital admissions for flu at the highest level the NHS national medical director can recall for this point in the year. According to the latest UK Health Security Agency surveillance report, flu swab positivity increased from 5.0% to 6.5% in the week ending 4 October, with hospital admissions reaching 1.97 per 100,000 people. September's figures exceeded those recorded during the same period over the past four years, with cases among young adults driving the increases since August. The flu vaccine offers protection against all three types of flu virus currently circulating, and 3.9 million people have already received their jab since the start of September.

Jacob Bridgeman fired an opening 8-under 63 to lead the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club in Japan, fresh from clinching the United States' victory at the Presidents Cup two weeks earlier. Keith Mitchell shot 65 on the second day to join Bridgeman at the top of the leaderboard after Bridgeman's second-round 68. Adam Scott and Justin Thomas moved to within one shot of the lead after three rounds.

The International Criminal Court has ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is mentally fit to stand trial on crimes against humanity charges related to his 'war on drugs'. An independent panel of experts found the 81-year-old able to understand the charges and follow proceedings, rejecting arguments from his legal team that he suffers cognitive decline affecting his memory. His trial begins on 30 November, where he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.

Middlesbrough will host Championship promotion rivals Wolves at the Riverside on Saturday in a match designated as the club's 150th fixture, celebrating 150 years since their formation in 1876. The sold-out game sees third-placed Boro face fourth-placed Wolves, separated by just one point. Boro will wear a special one-off navy blue kit, honouring the colours worn by the club's first team.

Katie Wiles, the daughter of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, recently travelled to Republika Srpska, the pro-Russian Bosnian territory, where she was pictured with Željko Budimir, the interior minister of the Republika Srpska administration. A spokesperson for Continental Strategy, the Washington lobbying firm where Wiles is a partner, confirmed she took the trip but said it was not on business. The photograph, which shows Wiles at a shooting range holding a rifle, was shared on social media and verified by CBS News.

Kobi, a Siberian husky in the care of Dogs Trust Snetterton, is seeking a loving new home in Norfolk. Described as gentle and affectionate, he enjoys long walks and relaxing at home. He gets along well with other dogs and can live with older primary school-aged children, but cannot live with cats.

Northern has announced plans to introduce 37 refurbished Class 350 trains across Manchester and the North West from early 2028, replacing its ageing Class 323 fleet. The £25 million investment aims to boost comfort, reliability and capacity on some of the region's busiest routes. The new trains will feature air conditioning, additional carriages, luggage racks and at-seat power points.

Freke Road in Wandsworth will close from 29 September to 2 November for Thames Water works affecting the stretch between Taybridge Road and Wix's Lane. No vehicles will be permitted to enter, proceed or wait along this section during the work. An alternative route will be signposted for affected traffic.

Repeated vandalism targeting Time Out Nursery's perimeter fence in Sherburn in Elmet is causing concern for staff, children and parents. The damage has resulted in financial costs and inconvenience. North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information and will increase patrols in the area.

The winners of The Scottish Asian Food Awards 2026 have been announced. Glasgow restaurants claimed several major awards, including Firangi in Cambuslang named Scotland's Curry Kings, Madras Cafe as Curry Restaurant of the Year, and The Wee Dhaaba in Govan as Desi Cafe of the Year. The event took place on 5 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.

A new spin-off of the Bridgerton franchise has been announced. Six actors with connections to the West Midlands are linked to the franchise.

An independent commission last week found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between 2009-10 and 2017-18, as well as three of four charges concerning a failure to cooperate with the investigation. City have appealed and deny any wrongdoing. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who finished second to City with Manchester United in 2017-18, joked that he may not live to see the final verdict, saying both men are in their sixties and 'we'll need to be lucky enough to still be around when the final verdict arrives'.

The BBC has apologised and paid substantial compensation to Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James, the founders of PinkNews, after a high court conceded that a 2024 iPlayer documentary and accompanying news article made false and defamatory allegations of sexual misconduct against them. The couple intend to donate the compensation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity. The allegations prompted investigations by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and led both men to resign from other positions.

The Camden County Sheriff's Office in Missouri has released body camera footage showing deputies' response to the drowning of two-year-old Iszabella Haas in March 2025. The girl's body was found near her family's property at Lake of the Ozarks after she went missing. Sheriff Chris Edgar said the release was prompted by public interest and what he described as misinformation about deputies' actions. The footage release follows a lawsuit filed by the girl's parents, Justin Haas and Katelee O'Bryan, against detectives Andrew Morgan and Dakota McGuire. The lawsuit alleges deputies used hostile questioning tactics and mishandled the investigation rather than searching for the child, and claims they staged evidence. Sheriff Edgar said deputies entered the home with the family's consent to help search and denied the allegations.

Manchester City were found guilty of all 115 charges of breaching Premier League financial rules by an independent commission, with the breaches occurring between 2009-10 and 2017-18. The club have denied all charges and launched an appeal. Striker Erling Haaland has urged fans and players to 'stick together' and remain positive as City prepare for their first match since the verdict, away to Liverpool on Sunday. City currently lead the Premier League after five games. Potential sanctions if the appeal fails could include points deductions, expulsion from the league and stripping of titles won during the period under investigation.

A Russian guided bomb exploded next to buses filled with passengers in Kramatorsk, in Ukraine's Donetsk region, killing 30 people on Thursday. The attack suspended public transport in the war-torn city. Oleksandr Honcharenko, head of the city's military administration, said rescue efforts were hampered by subsequent Russian drone attacks. The strike was part of a wave of Russian aerial assaults that have also worsened power outages in the capital, Kyiv.

Def Leppard and the Goo Goo Dolls have announced dates for a 2027 North American tour. The tour will include stops in Kansas City on 26 April and St. Louis on 7 June, along with North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Struts will appear as special guests. General tickets go on sale 16 October at 10 a.m. on Livenation.com.

Wales' transport minister Mark Hooper has announced plans to consider shutting some M4 junctions near Newport as part of an 18-month consultation on congestion. The proposals include full closure of junction 27 and closure of east-facing slip roads at junctions 25 and 26, described by consultants as the 'fastest and cheapest' way to make changes. Newport Council leader Dimitri Batrouni opposes the plan, saying it offers only 'marginal gain' while imposing a 'heavy price' on residents through increased traffic on local roads. Business leaders have also raised concerns about the impact on firms reliant on vehicle access.

Sioux Falls police are searching for a suspect who vandalized 18 headstones at a cemetery near East 10th Street and South Jessica Avenue on October 1, causing approximately $50,000 in damages. The force is asking the public for information and is offering a potential reward of up to $1,000 through Crime Stoppers.

Comedian Jon Stewart has urged Democrats against pursuing impeachment of President Trump if they regain congressional control. Speaking on his podcast 'The Weekly Show', Stewart called such proceedings a 'performative play', arguing Congress has already failed to hold Trump accountable for the January 6 Capitol attacks through two previous impeachments. He said Democrats should instead focus on economic issues and pressing matters 'killing people right now'.

A seven-mile walk from the village of Thixendale in the Yorkshire Wolds leads through dry chalk valleys to Wharram Percy, a deserted medieval village. The route passes through several distinctive valleys, including Water Dale and Court Dale, with views across the chalk landscape. The valleys are notable for being dry despite their steep slopes, having formed at the end of the last ice age 15,000 years ago when fast-running water carved deep valleys into frozen ground; the chalk bedrock means streams now drain away, leaving a unique landscape.

Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie 'DJ' Jones has received a heart transplant, coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Thursday. The surgery went well and Jones is recovering. Mizzou's medical staff initially detected a heart issue during freshman intake testing over the summer; the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where Jones was hospitalized, subsequently identified a much more serious problem.

Plans to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside have advanced following a public consultation that revealed strong backing for the project. The scheme would improve transport links for one of London's largest areas without a rail station. Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, called it 'a game changer for Thamesmead', saying it would unlock potential for thousands of new homes and a thriving town centre. Consultation responses highlighted the importance of fully accessible stations, safe cycling and walking routes, and improved bus connectivity, though concerns were raised about construction impacts including traffic and noise.

The Trump administration on Thursday suspended Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini from the Permanent Labor Certification programme, which enables employers to sponsor foreign workers for green cards. Vice President JD Vance accused the companies of fraud and abuse, saying Microsoft had particularly exploited the system. Vance noted that Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers in 2025 while obtaining 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said these eight companies had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009, receiving over 230,000 H-1B approvals and over 100,000 permanent labour certifications. Microsoft disputed the allegations, stating that 80 per cent of its H-1B applications were to extend or change the status of existing employees, not hire new arrivals.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has rejected accusations that his team favours Kimi Antonelli over George Russell, calling critics 'brainless' and 'completely nonsensical'. With Antonelli leading Russell by 84 or 86 points in the championship ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, online accusations of bias have mounted, particularly after Russell suffered an engine failure while running third in Malaysia last weekend. Wolff defended his record of equal treatment, questioning whether critics think he has 'a button that says George engine failure now'.

Nicolae Brica's car struck twins Thomas and James Plane in Norwich in the early hours of December 24 after they fell from a bike into the road. Thomas became trapped beneath the vehicle and was dragged along the road; a police officer held his hand as he died. James was hit by the car mid-call to emergency services and was thrown forward. Brica, who admitted causing the death and injury, has asked if he can be deported once sentenced.

Ospreys won 38-31 against Dragons in a United Rugby Championship Welsh derby at Rodney Parade on Friday night. The high-scoring match saw the lead change hands eight times, with Morgan Morris scoring two tries for the visitors, alongside tries from Sam Parry, Ross Moriarty and Keelan Giles. Dragons, previously unbeaten, lost for the first time, with Elliot Dee scoring twice, a penalty try and Anzelo Tuitavuki also crossing. The match proved costly for both sides, with Dragons losing three props and Ospreys losing new Australian winger Marika Koroibete and Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy to injuries.

Stephen Stanley, 37, of Callon in Preston, was jailed for two years at Preston Crown Court after assaulting a toddler just 17 months old. He forcefully gripped and repeatedly slapped the child, causing significant bruising to the face, bottom, lower back and thigh. Stanley then lied repeatedly about his involvement and attempted to blame others. The victim suffered no lasting physical damage.

The Draconid meteor shower is set to peak tonight as Earth passes through debris left by comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Up to 10 shooting stars per hour are expected after nightfall, with the display best viewed in the early evening rather than the small hours. The shower, active since October 6 or 7, will reach its peak on October 9, making tonight an ideal opportunity for UK stargazers to observe the event.

California strawberry farmers are using steam to treat soil as an alternative to chemical fumigants used to kill soil-borne diseases and weeds. Strawberry farmer Rod Koda said his steam-treated organic plots produced nearly twice the yield of other fields. Researchers have been adapting the technology, used in greenhouses for decades, to work in open fields as part of a broader effort to help organic farmers become more productive and reduce chemical use that environmental advocates say poses health risks to farmworkers.

Overton Public Schools announced Thursday that the Overton Eagles would forfeit their remaining three football games of the 2026 season following recent injuries to players. The school said in a social media post that it appreciated the players' and coaches' commitment throughout the season and apologised to the remaining opponents, Blue Hill, Southern Valley and Pleasanton, for any inconvenience. The Eagles finish with an 0-9 record.

Newcastle United's £69million summer signing Nick Woltemade is enduring a difficult spell at Juventus on loan. The 24-year-old striker missed an open goal in Germany's UEFA Nations League match against Serbia, prompting Italian media scrutiny. Juventus are reportedly considering other strikers in January, though they cannot recall Woltemade and must pay his weekly wages of over £150,000 until June.

York wedding catering company Baba Ganoush – Dining by Matthew Hyde Ltd ceased trading on 2 October and will enter liquidation on 30 October. The family business operated for ten years, providing catering for weddings, corporate events and other occasions. The closure has left couples without wedding breakfasts and staff out of pocket, according to reports on social media. A company spokesperson said they were working with couples, staff, venues and suppliers to make necessary arrangements.

Christopher Harrisson, 85, has died in HMP Grampian, where he was serving a life sentence. He was found guilty in March 2023 of murdering Brenda Page, a 32-year-old genetics expert, in her Aberdeen home in July 1978. Harrisson had been the prime suspect for more than four decades but was initially released due to insufficient evidence; he was arrested again in 2020 following a reinvestigation that began in 2015.

Somerset Council has pledged to resolve dangerous bumps on the A358 between Taunton and Ilminster after the government cancelled a plan to upgrade the route. The council's highways team is aware of the issue and is looking into short-term measures ahead of any major repairs. The local transport plan includes over £154m for highway maintenance up to April 2030.

The White Rabbit pub in Oxford has submitted plans to Oxford City Council to replace its existing parasol structures with a glazed photovoltaic canopy over its beer garden. The proposals also include retractable weather screens and landscaping works. Residents and nearby businesses can comment until 24 October, with a council deadline of 13 November for a decision.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said the party will not withdraw from the Northern Ireland executive over the Drumcree crisis, despite pressure from other unionists. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued interview letters to Sinn Féin politicians and others following a protest on Garvaghy Road. Robinson said the framework for parading and protests 'lies in tatters' following a reversal of a parade determination.

City of York Council's Parks Investment Fund, comprising £750,000 in council funding and up to £225,000 from developer contributions, is delivering improvements across 19 parks. Six projects have been completed, with all but one due to finish by February. The council has paused one scheme at Batchelor Hill and shelved five others pending further funding. Labour councillor Jenny Kent said the improvements had transformed parks that were previously in poor condition, whilst Liberal Democrat leader Nigel Ayre welcomed the spending but questioned whether it was sustainable long-term.

Oxford University Hospitals has called on patients to use accident and emergency services only for life-threatening conditions this winter as the Health Foundation warned the NHS would fall 'a long way short' of waiting time targets. The think tank's analysis suggests patients could wait around twice as long for treatment by 2029 if current trends continue. Oxford University Hospitals' most recent figures show 81 per cent of patients were seen within four hours, against a national target of 84 per cent.

The Fat Zebra in Market Square, Bicester, has closed after four years in business and new tenants will take over the premises. The cafe, which opened in April 2022, reported an annual turnover of nearly £297,700 and gross profit of over £200,000, but owners Rose and Johnny said 'business has been a bit slow' and decided to close while restructuring their position. In a statement, they thanked customers for their support and said they wished the new tenants well.

Oxford University contributes £17 billion to the UK economy annually and supports around 57,000 jobs across Oxford and the wider South East, according to vice-chancellor Professor Irene Tracey. The university's economic impact extends through supply chains, construction, tourism and hospitality. Companies formed from Oxford research employ around 10,500 people in life sciences, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering, with £1.1 billion invested in such spin-outs over the past year.