Monday, 19 October 2026

The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury are backing a $60 million project to rebuild the downtown Phoenix YMCA, which closed after 75 years. The three-storey, 55,000-square-foot facility will feature three basketball courts and programmes for youth basketball, health, wellness, education and workforce development. Developer VanTrust Real Estate will build three additional storeys above the centre with around 60 units of affordable housing. The facility is scheduled to open in 2029.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has called for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100 per cent, saying wealth inequality poses a danger to American society. Kirby, who earned $32.3 million in compensation in fiscal year 2025, made the remarks in an interview with the New York Times. His comments have drawn criticism from conservative politicians and commentators, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry calling the statement 'audacious' and others calling for a boycott of United Airlines.

Simon Richardson, 35, is accused of murdering Michael Mullins, 56, a headteacher at Stretford Grammar School in Manchester, on 20 April. Mullins was struck by Richardson's Volvo XC90 as he cycled home from work. Prosecutors say Richardson knew Mullins was trapped beneath his vehicle but drove on regardless, reaching 60mph in a 30mph zone, dragging him 1.3 miles before abandoning him on a grass verge. Mullins was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later. Richardson fled police the next day in a silver van.

Volvo Car Australia is recalling the Volvo EX30 after discovering that front seat head restraints may not have been manufactured to specifications and could move or detach from the seat during a collision, increasing the risk of serious injury or death to occupants. Owners of affected vehicles should schedule an appointment with an authorised Volvo dealership to have the fix carried out free of charge.

The United States' U-17 women's team beat Samoa 17-0 in the biggest win in World Cup history at any age level, surpassing Morocco's 16-0 win over New Caledonia in the 2025 U-17 men's World Cup. Forward Maddie DiMaria scored six goals, the most by any player in a Women's World Cup match at any level. Ten different US players scored in the group stage match in Morocco.

Democratic nominee Lynne Walz has promised to sign an executive order to expedite medical marijuana implementation in Nebraska if elected governor. She criticised the current administration for delaying the programme despite 71 per cent of Nebraskans voting for it. Walz said the delay prevents patients who need the drug from accessing prescriptions from their doctors.

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to advance to the World Series for the third time in their 29-season franchise history. Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero each hit two-run homers, with Díaz adding a two-run shot in the eighth inning. Freddy Peralta pitched 5⅓ innings for the Rays, who will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.

Graeme Souness has accused Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka of being a cheat who 'dives all over the place' on Piers Morgan's Football Uncensored show. The Liverpool legend claims Saka goes to ground too easily when losing possession and screams as he falls, with Arsenal teammates then pressuring referees to award fouls. Mikel Arteta has declined to respond, saying he is 'not going to speak about opinions'.

The New York Yankees are retaining manager Aaron Boone for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports. Boone will continue in the role despite the team being eliminated from the playoffs at home for the fifth consecutive season and failing to win a World Series for 17 years. Boone is the first Yankees manager since 1995 not to win a World Series title, and fans have called for his removal.

Arizona Representatives Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva said they were alerted to suspicious letters sent to their offices. Letters addressed to Ansari and Grijalva were sent to former addresses, whilst a letter to Stanton's Mesa office was intercepted before delivery. Similar letters containing unknown substances have been mailed to elected officials across the country, prompting investigations by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Doctors at Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts have developed an AI system that can predict cancer patients' survival outcomes from a single facial photograph. The tool was trained on more than 40 million facial photographs across various ethnicities and ages. It estimates a person's biological age and predicts cancer survival, with research finding that cancer patients look approximately five years older biologically than their actual chronological age on average. The findings were published in the Lancet Digital Health journal.

A Russian drone strike on a park in Nova Vodolaha, Kharkiv region, on Monday killed a one-year-old girl in her stroller and her mother, a primary school teacher, along with four others. Civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine surged 85 per cent in September compared to a year earlier, according to a UN report. At least 15 people were wounded in the park attack, including seven children.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule took blame for back-to-back fourth-quarter collapses, saying the team had 'failed' in games against Indiana and Oregon. Rhule said Nebraska is 'probably two plays away from being a top 10 program' but acknowledged the team must improve in late-game execution and at the line of scrimmage.

Anthropic is in talks with UK-based Nscale for a second $45 billion computing deal to lease capacity at a 460-megawatt data centre in West Virginia, according to reports. This would follow an initial $44.6 billion agreement signed in August between the AI firm and the Nvidia-backed infrastructure provider. The potential deal comes as Nscale faces challenges, including Microsoft's recent withdrawal from a flagship UK data centre project in Essex due to power grid connection delays. Both companies are preparing for stock market listings, with Nscale targeting a New York listing and Anthropic expected to go public this year. Anthropic has disclosed enormous computing commitments, with potential spending exceeding $750 billion on cloud contracts and data centre leases over coming years.

Tottenham have claimed their first victory of the season, beating Coventry 3-1 at home to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table. James Maddison, returning from a long injury absence, scored a sublime strike in the 14th minute. Coventry equalised early in the second half through Jack Rudoni, but Omar Marmoush restored Tottenham's lead with a curling shot, and Ben Davies sealed the win in stoppage time.

Deputy Katherine Frank was laid to rest Monday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as law enforcement officers from across the country joined residents lining the streets to honour her service. Dozens of people wore memorial shirts and carried flags along the funeral motorcade route from the Premier Centre to George Boom Funeral Home. A GoFundMe campaign set up for Frank's family raised more than $100,000.

Shane Hirstius, a Jefferson Parish firefighter, and Leah Fonte, an LSU dental student, both 21, were killed around 2:40 a.m. on Sunday when struck by a car on Nicholson Drive near the LSU campus. The couple had been walking on the shoulder after attending a friend's birthday party and chose not to drink and drive. Mia Dawson, 20, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, hit-and-run, reckless operation and driving while impaired. Her bond was set at $229,000 with a condition of house arrest if released.

A woman was found dead on Leakes Road at the intersection of Derrimut Road in Tarneit, Victoria, just before 6am on Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle that left the scene. She has not yet been identified. Victoria Police are appealing for information from anyone who travelled through the area and asking motorists to check dash cam footage that may have captured either the woman or the vehicle involved.

Chuck Amato, the longtime Florida State assistant football coach who led his alma mater NC State for seven seasons, has died at 80. He died early Monday at his Raleigh home under hospice care, having previously battled throat cancer. Amato coached the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2006, achieving an 11-win season in 2002—the program's only double-digit-win season in its history—and overseeing the four-year career of eventual NFL star quarterback Philip Rivers.

Microsoft has launched Guardian Agents, a new security feature designed to monitor the AI agents that companies deploy, warning that artificial intelligence models cannot be fully trusted. CEO Satya Nadella has cautioned enterprises against relying on assurances from AI model providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, and recommends implementing separate oversight systems not controlled by AI labs. Guardian Agents is part of Project Perception, which Microsoft introduced in June to combat AI-related security threats.

Australian independent MP Helen Haines is in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital after emergency surgery following an incident near her Wangaratta office in North East Victoria on Tuesday. Police say she was struck by a white Toyota Landcruiser driven by a 43-year-old man from nearby Tarrawingee, who was arrested at the scene by a passerby. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a deliberate attack and said the Australian Federal Police and spy agency ASIO had joined the investigation alongside state authorities. Police found a knife inside the vehicle and are investigating whether the incident was intentional.

Two 11-year-old boys, Stirling Jakubowski and Courtney Nightingale, were seriously injured after being chased and run off the road by a white ute in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne's east. The vehicle, which carried at least three people, sprayed the boys with silly string before swerving at them repeatedly until they lost control of their e-scooters and crashed. Courtney suffered skin grafts, a broken collarbone and broken finger, and may require plastic surgery.

Galleria Shopping Centre in Perth's Morley will unveil its $240 million Fashion Mall redevelopment on November 5. The revamped complex will feature close to 100 new outlets across fashion, technology, lifestyle, beauty and sport, with a total of 175 retailers upon completion. New stores opening on November 5 include Country Road, JB Hi-Fi, JD Sports, MECCA and Palermo Perfumes, which is entering Western Australia for the first time. Victoria's Secret, AJE and Nude Lucy will open in subsequent weeks. Myer will introduce a revitalised beauty hall with over 120 new brands, including 50 in beauty and skincare. The centre will also feature upgraded amenities, green spaces, and entertainment and dining precincts nearing completion by Christmas.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night to extend their undefeated season to 6-0. Brock Purdy threw a touchdown pass and Christian McCaffrey scored twice as the 49ers built a 20-point lead before holding off a second-half Commanders comeback. Washington's Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to cut the deficit but defensive stops near the goal line in the final minutes secured the win.

Hundreds of holiday-let properties are operating in Edinburgh despite being refused planning permission, according to analysis by housing campaigners. Of the city's 1,754 licensed entire homes available as short-term lets, 800 have had planning applications refused but continue advertising on websites such as Airbnb because they hold a licence. Campaigners are calling for Edinburgh City Council to use its enforcement powers more aggressively, including fining owners without planning permission.

James Duckworth has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan with a 7-5 7-6 victory over second-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi, ranked 50 places above him. The 34-year-old Australian, now ranked No.73, is enjoying a resurgence after a lean spell, with the win expected to lift him to at least No.68 next week and cementing his position as Australia's No.2 men's player behind Alex de Minaur. Duckworth has won 44 of 50 points behind his dominant first serve, hitting 37 winners and 17 aces.

Elon Musk announced plans to give every child in America a SpaceX share, worth approximately $10.5 billion, through Trump Accounts, a tax-deferred investment vehicle for under-18s. Brad Gerstner, founder of Altimeter Capital and an architect of Trump Accounts, said the donation is 'the tip of the iceberg' and predicted private contributions to the accounts could reach $100 billion by the end of 2027 as other Silicon Valley leaders participate.

An 18-year-old American citizen of Somali descent, Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, must remain in custody after a federal judge ruled he poses a risk to the community and is a flight risk. Mohamud was arrested in October after purchasing an AK-47 and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee for $600. Prosecutors say he planned to attack the mall during a Hmong community arts celebration, intending to harm as many people as possible in the name of ISIS.

A Latam Airlines Airbus A320 caught fire in its left engine as it prepared for takeoff from Lima to Piura on Monday. Passengers were safely evacuated as emergency crews responded. The airline described the incident as an 'unexpected technical event' and said all passengers disembarked as a precaution with their safety the top priority. No injuries were reported. The cause has not been revealed, and affected passengers were given assistance with rebooking on subsequent flights.

President Trump paused sanctions against Russia to purchase large quantities of Russian diesel, but Ukraine has launched extensive drone strikes on Russian oil facilities in recent days, significantly reducing Moscow's export capacity. The strikes, including over 1,000 drones deployed on Sunday alone, have cut Russian diesel exports by more than 75 per cent according to energy analysts. Trump blamed Ukraine for the resulting surge in diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Canada ended England's 41-game unbeaten run with a 24-21 victory in Toronto on Friday. The win is a landmark result for Canada, who drew 26-26 with England in September before securing victory. England head coach John Mitchell said his players may feel 'freer' now the unbeaten streak is over, and that defeat would help the team learn quicker. Mitchell has made four changes to the starting XV for the third Test in Ottawa on Friday, including dropping star back Ellie Kildunne to the bench in favour of Emma Sing at full-back.

A 36-year-old carpenter named Kaylub Giamanco fatally shot a 16-year-old shooter who killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Giamanco was on his lunch break when he heard gunfire and drove to the school, which his two daughters attend. He retrieved a legally registered 40-calibre pistol from his vehicle, entered the building and shot the teenager after a teacher had tackled him and was struggling to wrestle away his gun. CBS News reports that the gun used in the shooting was a birthday gift from the shooter's mother. Giamanco's mother said her son called her after the incident.

Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden leads Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers 56% to 36%, according to a poll of 500 likely voters conducted 12–14 October by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy for News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota. Among independents, 51% support Ahlers while 35% support Rhoden. Rhoden has also raised and spent far more: his campaign received $2.74 million and spent $2.76 million through 14 October, compared with Ahlers' $177,309 raised and $155,698 spent in the latest reporting period. Thirty-five per cent of voters polled did not recognise Ahlers' name, versus 1% for Rhoden. The general election is 3 November.

A Jefferson High School player tackled a Grant High School player carrying an American flag onto the field before their Friday match in Portland, Oregon. The Oregon School Activities Association confirmed the player was ejected and said there was 'no place for this behavior' in interscholastic sports. Portland Public Schools stated the student 'allowed his emotions to override his judgment in the heat of the moment' and that the incident had 'nothing whatsoever to do with the American flag'.

An Endangered Missing Advisory has been issued for Larry Williams, 84, from Lytton, Iowa, who left his home at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Monday, 19 October, saying he was headed to the Black Hills. He has not returned, and his wife is concerned he may be confused and disoriented. Williams was driving a black Toyota Prius with Iowa licence plate SF 691. Anyone who has seen him is urged to call (712) 662-7127.

France has launched a cleanup operation following a weekend of rioting that saw widespread looting and vandalism across the country. In Marseille, shop owners reported more than 600 premises looted, while more than 3,000 businesses were damaged nationwide. Authorities arrested 2,300 people and 1,000 police officers were injured. The rioting escalated from weeks of peaceful protests over education conditions and the cost of living. The government has pledged financial support including covering employee salaries for around 3,000 affected businesses and establishing a dedicated support fund for restocking. Police remain deployed and curfews are in place in some major cities as the government investigates the violence.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a new code of practice for private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales intended to curb excessive charges. Drivers will receive a guaranteed five-minute decision period when arriving at a car park and a ten-minute grace period to leave after their session ends without facing a penalty. Charges will be cancelled on appeal for genuine mistakes such as checking directions, and for circumstances beyond drivers' control including vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies and broken ticket machines. For minor errors like entering the wrong registration, drivers will face a maximum appeal charge of £20. The maximum parking penalty is frozen at £100, and operators who fail to comply risk losing access to DVLA data. The code is due to be laid in Parliament on Tuesday. The Daily Mail reports that ministers rejected lowering the cap to £80 and rejected a proposal for a 50 per cent early payment discount, maintaining the current 40 per cent discount instead.

Vadim Suflet, 41, died following a collision between a van and lorry on the M6 near Haydock in Merseyside shortly before 10pm on Sunday, 18 October. One of the vehicles caught fire, causing significant road damage and a large fuel spillage. The northbound carriageway remains closed for emergency resurfacing works, with no estimated reopening time.

Richard Becker, a former Grand Forks legislator, has died aged 84. Becker represented District 43 in the North Dakota House from 2015 to 2018, serving on committees focused on education and human services. During his career, he spent more than 45 years in the oil, gas and computer industries, chaired the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority and led petroleum software development.

Polymarket has removed a prediction market that allowed betting on whether any of seven Cornell University fraternity members accused of sexually assaulting a student in October 2024 would be charged with a felony sex crime. The market had generated over £450,000 in wagers since launching on 30 September. Activists and sexual assault advocates pressured celebrity endorsers of the platform, including LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Eli Manning, to condemn the betting market. A Polymarket spokesperson said the company had 'heard them loud and clear' and removed the market, which had been scheduled to close on 31 January.

Gas stations across Omaha are reporting fuel shortages, with several stations completely out of petrol. Multiple locations including Sam's Club and Cornhusker Quick Stop in Bellevue have posted about empty supplies. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order to address the issue, citing global supply disruptions and demand from the harvest season. The order is effective through 18 November.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been removed from the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List and will return to practice, becoming eligible to play in the Packers' Week 7 game against Detroit on 25 October after missing six games. Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. The NFL's ongoing investigation under its Personal Conduct Policy continues despite his roster status change.

Abdisamad Siad, 33, of Islington, has been charged with three counts of assault by beating following attacks on Jewish women in Stamford Hill and Clapton Common on Monday, 19 October. Video footage shows a man punching a woman pushing a pram twice in the face on Upper Clapton Road. Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation, detained the suspect and called police. Siad is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. He has also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent over a separate attack on a woman in Islington on Friday, 16 October.

The 2027 Toyota Fortuner has been spotted testing in Thailand ahead of an expected debut next year. The new model will feature sharper styling at the front and rear, with squarer headlights and a redesigned tailgate, but will retain the current platform and carry over many existing components including doors and wing mirrors.

Hunter Schafer, the 27-year-old star of HBO's Euphoria, has revealed she underwent gender-affirming surgery in December 2025. She told Elle magazine the operation was 'amazing' and that she loves the results. Schafer, who began transitioning at 14, said she had previously wanted to make her pre-transition body work but ultimately felt the surgery was the right decision for her.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored 179, his highest Test score, to rescue the Proteas from 40-4 and put them in a commanding position in the second Test against Australia. Bavuma batted across three days, combining with Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82) to help South Africa declare on 425 for 9. Australia lost one wicket for three runs in reply, trailing by 422 runs on first innings.

Two Nebraska volleyball players earned Big Ten weekly honours on Monday. Teraya Sigler was named Big Ten Player of the Week and Olivia Mauch was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after helping the No. 1 Huskers to a 2-0 week with victories against Northwestern and No. 13 Purdue.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams will miss six to ten weeks with a significant hamstring injury, coach Sean McVay said Monday. The injury occurred on a noncontact play during the Rams' 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Rams also lost defensive tackle Poona Ford for the season with a ruptured triceps and kicker Blake Grupe for the season after tearing a knee ligament.

A new synthetic opioid called cychlorphine has been linked to at least 55 deaths across the United States, with Tennessee particularly affected. The drug is said to be up to 10 times more powerful than fentanyl and poses a significant risk because even tiny amounts can cause fatal respiratory failure. Health officials have warned that cychlorphine is an unregulated novel opioid appearing in the illicit drug supply.

Residents of Alberta, a province of around five million people, are voting in a referendum on whether to remain part of Canada or start a process leading to a legally-binding second referendum on secession. Recent polls showed approximately 70 per cent in favour of staying part of Canada, with roughly 20 per cent supporting secession. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Prime Minister Mark Carney and both major political parties have opposed secession, though the independence movement has received support from the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Jack Cameron Wynne Davies, a 24-year-old rugby player, has died suddenly. Davies played for RGC and Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon as a second row. He joined Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon at 12, studied Physical Education and Sport at Cardiff Metropolitan University for three years, and rejoined the senior squads in 2023. Clubs across Welsh rugby have paid tributes to Davies.

Federal prosecutors are investigating representative Ilhan Omar for alleged immigration fraud, using DNA evidence to try to prove she married her brother in 2009 to help him obtain a green card, according to sources cited by the New York Post. The sprawling criminal probe, initiated by the Minnesota US Attorney's Office, has involved whistleblowers and government records. Federal agents searched Omar's Washington home in October, seizing her phone and other items marked as evidence, and prosecutors have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas to relatives.

LeBron James has ended eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers to join the Philadelphia 76ers. The move has made the 76ers consensus favourites at 8-1 to 9-1 odds to win the Eastern Conference, ahead of defending champions the New York Knicks. James, 41, remained among the league's top players last season, though questions remain about how much he has left. The 76ers also added Jaylen Brown in a trade with Boston, but centre Joel Embiid's durability is a concern—he has played fewer than 40 games in each of the past three seasons.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has urged Chancellor John Healey to slash government spending and reduce borrowing ahead of the Budget on 28 October. She warned that Labour's deficit reduction plans rely on 'huge cuts to the public sector in the final year of the spending period' that may never materialise before an election, calling them 'fictional cuts'. Badenoch highlighted Britain's rising gilt yields, with 30-year yields topping 6 per cent for the first time since 1998, and said the Conservatives would cut £70bn in spending. She also criticised the delay in setting out defence funding plans to reach 3 per cent of GDP, describing it as 'unconscionable', and warned that speculation of bank tax rises could increase mortgage costs and business loan rates.

Jaden Read, 24, from Clearwater, Kansas, was arrested on Saturday and charged with making threats against the president. Read made multiple comments on Facebook in response to news articles about Trump's visit to Wichita, including 'Let's shoot Trump honestly, where's our shooter?' and 'I just got a 308 and a 305 round and I'm killing this pedo.' He also commented that he knew where Trump's speech would be and had 'mapped out roofs around.' A Crime Stoppers tip on 15 October led authorities to the posts. Read was taken into federal custody and will remain there until his detention hearing.

Less than 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a storage tank at a trucking company into Slaughters Creek and the Kanawha River in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Crews are cleaning up the spill using vacuum trucks and skimmers, and have placed containment booms downstream to prevent further spread. The trucking company is responsible for cleanup costs and is under investigation by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for potential violations.

A Russian military satellite, Kosmos 2612, maneuvered to extreme proximity of ICEYE-X36, a commercial Earth-imaging satellite operated by a US company and used to provide intelligence to Ukraine, over the weekend. The orbital intelligence company LeoLabs said the Russian craft closed from hundreds of kilometres away to within approximately 500 metres, made small adjustments to maintain position, and then moved away. The intent remains unclear, though LeoLabs said the behaviour was consistent with rendezvous operations and could indicate 'intelligence collection' or preparation for future counterspace operations.

Abdisamad Siad, 33, has been charged with three counts of assault by beating after three Jewish women were assaulted at Clapton Common in Hackney on Monday afternoon. One victim was pushing a baby in a pram when she was punched twice in the face. All three women sustained minor injuries. Siad is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he entered not guilty pleas. He has also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with a separate incident in Islington. Police are treating the attacks as suspected antisemitic hate crimes and have increased patrols in the area.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has warned residents about companies offering unproven stem cell treatments without FDA approval. The companies, including Freedom Regenerative LLC, pitch treatments at restaurant dinners, claiming they can treat conditions such as pain, autism, dementia and diabetes, but these claims are not proven. Treatments cost between $9,000 and $29,000.

Belfast City Council has agreed to develop a commemoration programme for the Great Famine's 180th anniversary in 2027, with the aim of hosting the National Famine Commemoration in the city. The programme will focus on the contemporary shared experience of communities and the impact on Belfast, Ulster and the island of Ireland, including international aspects such as emigration. A report with a potential programme of events will be brought back by council officers, and the decision must be ratified by the full council at its November meeting.

An Arizona man has been indicted for allegedly forging receipts for musical instruments and using them to claim thousands of dollars through the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account programme. Between December 2024 and August 2025, Shawn Hantke, 55, allegedly submitted three fake receipts for guitars purchased at Guitar Center to the Arizona Department of Education. He was reimbursed more than $4,000. Hantke faces felony charges including fraudulent schemes and forgery, with potential prison time if convicted.

Catherine Breed, a 33-year-old ultra-endurance athlete, has completed an unprecedented 900-mile swim along the entire California coast in 111 days. She began on 1 July at the northern border of California and finished at San Diego's Coronado Beach on Monday. Breed swam approximately 10 miles a day with a support team.

The Lakers waived Dalton Knecht, their 17th pick in the 2024 draft, on Monday to comply with league roster rules requiring 15 players on standard contracts. Knecht, 25, showed promise as a rookie with back-to-back 27-point and 37-point performances and averaged 18.9 points in nine games in late November 2024, but his role diminished significantly afterwards. The New York Post reports he was previously used as trade bait when the Lakers attempted to deal him to the Hornets in February 2025 in exchange for Mark Williams, but the deal fell through after Williams failed his physical. Knecht released a statement thanking the Lakers organisation and fans, saying his departure marks the beginning of a new chapter.

The York County Sheriff's Office is looking for four people who threw an explosive device at a residence in Henderson, Nebraska on Sunday at 1:21 a.m. The incident was captured on video near the intersection of 10th and Maple streets. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 402-362-4927 or Lt. Alex Hildebrand at ahildebrand@yorkcountyne.gov.

Avon and Somerset Police recorded 149 driving offences on the M5 between junctions 26 and 27 near the Devon border on Saturday afternoon, using a clearly marked enforcement van. One motorist was clocked doing 107mph. Police said they enforce speed limits because high speeds reduce reaction time and increase stopping distances, potentially making collisions more severe.

FIFA has suspended Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for three matches and striker Mostafa Zico for five after they criticised the referee following a 3-2 World Cup defeat by Argentina. Hassan blamed refereeing errors for Egypt's elimination in the last 16, while Zico insulted the referee in a post-match interview. The Egyptian Football Association said it would request detailed grounds for the decision and consider whether to appeal.

Tottenham secured their first Premier League win of the season, beating Coventry 3-1 at home on Monday night to move out of the bottom three. Manager Roberto De Zerbi credited the victory to improved team unity following a clear-the-air meeting before their recent draw with Manchester United and a bonding trip to Marbella. James Maddison marked his first league start since May 2025 with a goal, while Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies also scored. However, Robertson, Adarabioyo and Marmoush all left the pitch in the second half with apparent injuries, though De Zerbi described them as 'nothing important'.

Gurinder Gill, 28, was arrested on murder charges after his wife Jasmine Gill, 30, a Sacramento nurse, disappeared on 30 September. Gill initially told police that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had taken her into custody while she was checking the mail at their home. However, when detectives contacted ICE, the agency confirmed no enforcement activity had occurred at the residence. Investigators discovered several inconsistencies in Gill's account. On 1 October, burned human remains were found in neighbouring El Dorado County, about 70 miles away, which were later confirmed to belong to Jasmine. Gill was arrested on 14 October and is being held without bail. The couple was involved in a divorce and child custody dispute at the time of her disappearance.

English golfer Charley Hull said she nearly got a 'hold tight' tattoo on her forehead during a drunken night in Ibiza at age 17, but her friend James intervened. She ended up with the tattoo on her foot instead, and James got a matching one on his arm. Hull woke up the next morning with no memory of the incident.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman rode the New York City subway on Monday to attack Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani over public safety, following the city's seventh subway homicide this year. Blakeman, Nassau County executive, vowed to increase police presence, hire more conductors and improve station lighting if elected on 3 November. He called Hochul the 'most pro-criminal governor' and said commuters feel less safe, contrasting his approach with the governor's congestion pricing scheme.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case about the role race plays in middle school admissions at four magnet schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. A parent group called the Association for Education Fairness alleges the district's policy is designed to boost admission of Black and Latino students while disadvantaging Asian American students. The court will consider whether the group has enough evidence of discrimination to proceed.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with eight offences after allegedly firing a semi-automatic rifle at a home in Gosnells, a Perth suburb, around 12.30am on Saturday. Seven people were inside the residence; one man sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. The boy was arrested at a car park in Belmont on Sunday. He faces charges including unlawful use of a firearm, endangering life, possession of stolen property and driving without authority. Police said the rifle used has not been found.

Lucero Acosta's Professional Fighters League debut in Chicago ended in a third-round technical knockout loss to Shannon Clark, but a wardrobe malfunction during the fight went viral on social media. Acosta subsequently reported that the incident resulted in a significant OnlyFans bonus, with the New York Post reporting she shared a figure of $500,000, though she did not clarify whether that represented total earnings, new subscriber revenue or something else.

Brooklyn Democrat Chi Ossé, 28, has missed four out of 18 legislative meetings without excuse, giving him the poorest attendance record of all 51 City Council members. He has led a campaign for the Communities United to Reject Brutality Act, which would restrict the NYPD's Strategic Response Group from policing demonstrations. The New York Post reports that Ossé has also skipped recent committee hearings to travel upstate for rallies on energy bills. Fellow councillor Oswald Feliz accused Ossé of prioritizing social media over legislative work, whilst Ossé said his absences were due to campaigning on energy issues.

Italy's government approved the deployment of 500 army troops to Milan on Tuesday following two days of unrest over the weekend in which demonstrators clashed with police, looted shops and vandalised property. The demonstrations began as a peaceful protest on Saturday over poor public services, rising costs and fuel prices, but several hundred hooded protesters, many believed to be minors, set bins ablaze and ransacked stores including Decathlon, Arc'teryx and Vodafone in the city centre. Police detained around 270 people, mostly minors. The cabinet also approved sweeping new security measures including up to five years' prison and €20,000 fines for violent protest participation, easier detention of minors aged 14 to 17, and making parents financially liable for damage caused by their children. Luxury shops on Milan's Via Montenapoleone, home to Chanel, Tiffany and Dior, boarded up their windows as a precaution. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the involvement of young people 'painful and frightening'.

A federal judge questioned the Trump administration's explanation for recent tree-cutting at a historic Washington golf course, which is subject to a temporary court halt. President Trump announced plans to close and redevelop the 106-year-old course for 15 months starting in November, despite legal challenges from the D.C. Preservation League and golfers who argue the work violates the congressional act that created the park.

Wickham Fire Station has warned that a one-way system introduced on Mill Lane in Hampshire could delay firefighter response times to emergencies. The station said the arrangement was imposed without consultation on its impact. Andrew Saint, whose brother-in-law is an on-call firefighter at the station, said the traffic changes had almost doubled his relative's journey time to reach the station, as the firefighter now had to take a longer diversion instead of using Mill Lane directly. Hampshire County Council introduced the temporary one-way system following the collapse of part of a roadside ditch, though the road has since closed completely after temporary traffic signs were vandalised and removed.

Mississippi's attorney general has ruled that a police officer's use of force was justified in a shooting that killed one-year-old Kohen Wiley in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia on 14 June. Police responded to a shoplifting call; the child's aunt, who was driving the vehicle, drove towards officers and struck one of them, after which an officer fired into the car, fatally shooting the boy. The family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, is seeking release of surveillance footage.

The United States and Cuba clashed at the United Nations as the Trump administration sought to build opposition to an annual resolution condemning Washington's decades-long economic embargo against Havana. US Ambassador Mike Waltz hosted a panel featuring Cuban dissidents and former prisoners, showing footage of alleged detentions and describing torture and persecution. Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán called the event a 'sham' and accused the US of 'enforcing collective punishment'. The vote takes place next week.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is set to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in both lungs. Hurts initially complained of calf pain on 4 October after being cleated during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. An ultrasound in London on 12 October revealed a superficial blood clot in his left calf, but he played the following day against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the Eagles and doctors determining that activity and mobility were important. Further testing revealed the condition had worsened to include blood clots in his lungs. He is on blood thinners and is expected to make a full recovery, though he cannot participate in contact activities until treatment is complete.

Kashim Chowdhury, 55, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of fraud for working multiple full-time government jobs simultaneously. Between February 2020 and September 2023, he held eight positions earning £349,378 total, with peak earnings of over £11,000 in a single month. The prosecution alleges he lied on job application forms and failed to disclose existing employment, exploiting the post-Covid work-from-home culture. At the height of the alleged fraud, he held five full-time posts contracted for 183 hours per week. Chowdhury told the court he made mistakes due to stress and caring for his unwell mother, and denies acting dishonestly or intending to defraud anyone. The BBC reports that some of his managers at various departments knew he had other jobs.

An 11-foot metallic object thought to be space debris was found in a cornfield in Stevens County, Minnesota, on 14 October. Authorities say the object, which bears serial numbers, poses no danger to the public. Sheriff Jason Dingman said multiple federal agencies are assisting but gave little information, suggesting higher authorities know what the object is.

An e-bike was stolen from outside PureGym on Stirling Road in York between 7pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 15 October after a thief cut the lock. North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the theft or recorded footage on their phone.

Myanmar's military-backed government has released photographs showing officials delivering two books sent by King Charles to detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, along with a sealed envelope and diplomatic communication. Suu Kyi, 81, has been imprisoned since the military ousted her administration in February 2021 and is serving an 18-year sentence on charges she denies. The delivery marks rare foreign contact with the Nobel laureate, whose health and whereabouts have been difficult to determine; she met a Red Cross representative in August.

One person was killed and another injured in a shooting near Alrahma Mosque on Albert Avenue in Columbus, Ohio on Monday afternoon. Columbus police responded to the incident at 2:10 p.m., and one person was pronounced dead at 2:19. Federal authorities from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the scene. CBS News reports the shooting stemmed from an altercation near the mosque. Independent World reports a photographer present said the shooting occurred during a funeral at the mosque.

Two people were injured in a head-on crash on Highway 2 near Stanley on Sunday night. A 28-year-old Devils Lake man was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes when he collided with a compact car driven by a 25-year-old Stanley woman, who suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital in Minot. The man sustained minor injuries and was arrested, facing charges of criminal vehicular injury and DUI.

Dylan McCann, 23, from Cookstown, died at the scene of a four-vehicle collision on the Armagh Road in Newry at around 6.30am on Monday. The crash involved a BMW, Toyota, van and lorry. Two other people, the driver and passenger of the van, were taken to hospital with serious injuries, whilst the drivers of the other vehicles were uninjured.

President Trump renewed calls on Truth Social for New Mexico to rename itself 'New America', asserting the change would add value and prestige to the state and boost home values and incomes. He also alleged the state has 'crooked elections'. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, rejected the proposal, saying the state has been New Mexico since before the United States existed and questioning what policy failure Trump was trying to distract from. She noted that New Mexico's elections are among the most secure in the country according to independent experts.

Two women have been found dead in a West Midlands town after neighbours raised concerns and alerted emergency services.

Houthi rebels killed at least 53 soldiers in a ballistic missile attack on a military camp in Yemen's southern Shabwa province on Monday, wounding a further 200 recruits. The Iran-aligned group acknowledged the strike. The attack comes amid a resurgence in fighting and displays the Houthis' growing military capabilities; they have repeatedly struck Saudi Arabia's main international airport in recent weeks and seized territory near a key shipping choke point. The attack prompted Saudi Arabia to cancel a global investment conference and extend remote schooling orders in Riyadh.

Cuban authorities say men of Cuban origin who attempted to enter Cuba by force from the United States in February have confessed to investigators and face terrorism-related charges involving explosives. Three attackers were killed in the confrontation with a Cuban coast guard vessel and a fourth died of his injuries. Prosecutors have not yet requested specific sentences, though the offences can carry the death penalty under Cuban law.

A shooting in Columbus, Ohio, near a mosque left one person dead on Monday. Police said the shooting occurred in a parking lot of an adjacent apartment complex and was not connected to the mosque or those inside, where an event was taking place. Sergeant James Fuqua emphasised that the incident was not an attack on the mosque itself.

Snow is forecast for parts of Scotland this weekend as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, approaches the UK. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for heavy rain across southern, central and north-east Scotland from 6am Friday to 3am Saturday, with rainfall of 20–40mm expected widely and up to 80mm in some locations. Higher ground in the Highlands could see snowfall rates of around 4cm per hour. The storm will also bring 70mph winds to Wales and southern England, with potential flooding and travel disruption across affected areas.

Pennsylvania is experiencing a measles outbreak with growing concern over cases during pregnancy. State health officials have identified congenital measles cases in the state for the first time in decades, which occurs when a pregnant woman becomes infected and transmits the virus to her baby in the womb. The health department has reported 66 measles cases in pregnant women since April.

Sean Higgins, accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a New Jersey crash in summer 2024, was over the legal alcohol limit at the time, his own defence acknowledged Monday. Higgins' lawyer conceded the driver's blood-alcohol content was .08, above the .08 legal limit, contradicting earlier claims it was .075. The defence suggested its own test yielded a lower result than the prosecution's assertion of .087. Despite this admission, Higgins rejected a plea deal offering 28 years in prison in exchange for guilty pleas to aggravated manslaughter and first-degree DWI. He faces a maximum of 91.5 years if convicted at trial, set to begin 4 January.

Protesters in Tallahassee unveiled a life-sized statue of Florida governor Ron DeSantis cast from gallium, a metal that melts at 29.8°C, to protest his climate inaction. The statue's face melted away to reveal a skull underneath. DeSantis has blocked climate legislation, removed climate terminology from Florida law, and called climate action a 'radical climate agenda'.

Chorley's FA Cup run ended when they lost their fourth qualifying round replay to Worcester City. Luke Rowe scored a late strike to secure Worcester's victory at Sixways.

Peter Schmeichel has praised David Raya's role in Arsenal's Premier League success. The former Manchester United goalkeeper told The Overlap that Arsenal would have been 'nowhere near the championship' without Raya, who joined the club in 2024 as a £27m signing. Schmeichel said he was initially surprised by the decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale but acknowledged that Raya's crucial saves throughout the campaign proved decisive. Raya, a three-time Premier League Golden Glove winner, has continued his strong form this season as Arsenal maintain their title defence, conceding just five goals in their opening seven games.

Schoolchildren, musicians and civic dignitaries came together at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre as this year's Poppy Appeal was launched. The event drew a packed audience to the venue.

Australia collapsed to 99 in their first innings in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, trailing by 326 runs after the Proteas recovered from 6-110 to declare on 9-425. Skipper Temba Bavuma scored a career-best 179, with Marco Jansen adding 85 and Simon Harmer 82. Jansen took 5-33 with the ball, whilst Kagiso Rabada claimed 2-33 as Australia's top order capitulated. Australia were forced to follow on and faced a batting crisis with several players' Test futures in doubt.

Littlehampton's annual bonfire event will proceed on Saturday despite weather warnings, organisers have confirmed. The event is one of the biggest in the town's annual calendar.

An Indian court has ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, leaders of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), after they spent a week in Delhi's Tihar jail. They were arrested for crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, a historic protest venue that police had removed from the list of approved demonstration sites. The CJP has been leading near-daily protests demanding the resignation of India's chief election commissioner over the removal of 130 million names from voter rolls, which critics say favours Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

More than three dozen members of US Congress have received envelopes containing white powder, with at least one hundred letters thought to contain the substance circulating in the US mail system. The mailings target lawmakers from both parties weeks before the 3 November midterm elections. The latest recipient was Virginia Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, whose Leesburg office was evacuated on Monday after receiving a suspicious envelope; preliminary tests showed the powder was not hazardous. Election offices in at least 15 states have also been targeted. The FBI, Capitol Police and US Postal Inspection Service are investigating, but no suspect has been named.

A 68-year-old man was assaulted in York city centre on Thursday, 15 October, at around 8.30pm near Sainsbury's and Bettys on Davygate. North Yorkshire Police says an unknown man grabbed the victim from behind, squeezed him around the waist and made threats to hurt him, then followed him to Bettys where he made gestures through the window. The attacker is described as a white male, around 5ft11, smartly dressed in a light top and dark trousers, with short dark hair, a goatee and well-trimmed moustache.

A newlywed couple returned from their wedding to find parcels containing £500 worth of honeymoon clothes had been stolen from the communal hallway of Pinnacle Apartments on School Road in Hove. The theft occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 16. The couple had received delivery notifications for the items but found all packages missing when they returned. Sussex Police has released images of three people it believes could help with the investigation.

A Baptist World Aid Australia analysis of more than 500 Australian fashion brands found 87% could not provide evidence of paying a living wage to workers in overseas supply chain facilities. In factories performing final assembly, cutting, sewing and printing, living wages—in some cases less than $180 a month—were paid in only 3% of cases. Report author Katherine Halliday said brands were improving their policies and sustainability reports but failing to deliver real progress for workers.

Rural Australians are 13 per cent less likely to survive cancer than urban patients, largely due to late diagnoses, according to Deakin University research. A national optimal care pathway for rural cancer patients was published on Tuesday, recommending care as close to home as is safely possible, with greater uptake of telehealth, stronger referral systems and improved financial and travel assistance. The guidelines seek to address an entrenched gap, with an annual shortfall of $9.23 billion in rural health spending, according to the National Rural Health Alliance.

Cotswold Wildlife Park has named three Humboldt penguin chicks after EastEnders characters: two females named Peggy and Pat, and one male named Phil. The names reference Peggy Mitchell, Pat Butcher and Phil Mitchell from the BBC soap. Penguin keeper Laura said the names were fitting because life among the penguins resembles the drama of the show, with arguments over nests and romantic dramas among the colony.

Tap Social, an award-winning Oxford social enterprise brewery, has achieved B Corp certification from B Lab, a non-profit organisation that assesses businesses on governance, workers, community impact, environmental practices and customer relationships. Founded in 2016, the brewery was created to support prisoners and prison leavers into employment through brewing, hospitality and events, and says it has created more than 112,000 hours of paid employment for this group. Co-founder Paul Humpherson said the certification represents 'a natural next step' for the organisation, giving it 'an opportunity to scrutinise every part of our business and ensure that our values are reflected in the way we operate'.

Yvette Fielding, host of the long-running TV series Most Haunted, visited Cogges Manor Farm in Witney for a special Halloween project in collaboration with farming game Hay Day. During the visit, Ms Fielding investigated the farm, often described as one of England's most haunted, and attempted to contact a ghost rumoured to be the spirit of a count who once owned the land. The partnership introduces a new in-game character called the Red Revenant, a vampiric figure, with players challenged to break a curse before Halloween on 31 October.

The Oxford City and University Morris side entertained shoppers across Oxford on Saturday with performances of Cotswold Morris dances. The troupe, made up of students, staff and alumni of Oxford University, performed at Westgate Oxford's Middle Square at 11am, outside The White Horse pub on Broad Street at noon, at the Schwarzman Centre in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter at 2pm, outside the Lamb & Flag pub in St Giles at 3.45pm and in Bonn Square at 5pm.

A woman accusing Russell Brand of rape told Southwark Crown Court she was left terrified of reporting the alleged assault in a Soho bar toilet in 2004 because of 2000s 'lad culture'. She waited nearly two decades before speaking to police, fearing she would not be believed and her character would be attacked. The 51-year-old former comedian and television host denies the charges.

Officers from the Smethwick Neighbourhood Policing Team arrested a wanted man in a shopping centre car park following a foot chase through Smethwick. The arrest came during patrols by the team.

The Mississippi attorney general has announced that a police officer was justified in using force that killed one-year-old Kohen Wiley on June 14 in Senatobia, and will face no criminal charges. Officers responded to an alleged shoplifting call at a Walmart; the boy's mother Vellesiya Wiley and her friend Latoya Ferrell left the store and drove away. Police said the car drove towards officers, prompting the shooting. Video footage shows officers surrounding the vehicle and shouting at the driver to stop before an officer fired, striking Kohen and wounding Ferrell. Neither woman has been charged with any crime. Kohen's family and their attorney Ben Crump dispute the account, with an independent autopsy suggesting the boy was shot from the side of the car, not the front, and argue that body camera footage should be released.

A Tucson man is accused of ramming a vehicle into a Circle K convenience store in Show Low before stabbing a woman multiple times on Saturday morning. The assault occurred just before 10:30 a.m. near State Route 260 and Cooley Road. The woman was found with multiple stab wounds in a car and was flown to a nearby hospital, where she remains in stable condition.

Residents in the B32 area of Birmingham are facing disruption to their water supply due to essential repairs being carried out.

Three cars were destroyed in an arson attack in the Cupar Way area of North Belfast at approximately 2.30am on Monday. Police believe accelerant was used to set one car alight, with the fire then spreading to two others. One car was completely gutted and the other two were extensively damaged. No one was injured. An unknown man was observed at the scene and is believed to have poured accelerant on to the vehicle before making off on foot in the direction of Shankill Road. Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told officials to consider more radical approaches to fixing Thames Water, moving away from previously drawn-up plans. The utility is running out of cash and recently asked creditors for an additional £2.4bn. One option being examined is converting about £100m of outstanding fines into a government stake in the company. Burnham previously promised to nationalise Thames Water, but is struggling to find a way to do so without spending billions of pounds or facing lengthy court battles.

Independent MP Helen Haines remains in critical condition in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after being deliberately struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. She has lost one leg, and doctors are working to save the other. A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee was arrested at the scene and has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum ten-year sentence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the Australian Federal Police, security agency ASIO and Victoria Police's counter-terrorism unit are investigating.

Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil, was killed on Friday afternoon when strong winds dislodged roofing material that struck him in the head while he was touring Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Taliesin West home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Winds reached speeds of around 22 mph with gusts up to 32 mph. He died instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

Fourteen people died and seven were injured when an illegal gold mine collapsed in the remote Chambero sector of Santa Bárbara de Iscuandé in Colombia's Nariño department on Monday. UPI reports that twelve of those killed were women, many supporting families. Rescue operations have concluded. The mine is in a remote rainforest area reachable only by boat or aircraft, and rescue teams initially faced difficulties accessing the site due to challenging terrain and security concerns from armed groups operating in the region.

Lisa Vanderpump is opening The Vanderpump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, featured in a new three-part Bravo series called Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas. The show premiered on 20 October with two back-to-back episodes, with the final episode airing on 21 October. The series follows preparations for the hotel's opening, with appearances from familiar faces including Tom Schwartz and Lala Kent.

Leicestershire County Council has warned that flooding is likely this winter in some areas of the county. At-risk areas including Bottesford, East Goscote and Newtown Linford have received flood defence items including sandbag alternatives and temporary barriers through a £400,000 community grant scheme. The council said preparation can help residents recover more quickly.

Chesterfield will host either Yeovil Town or Leatherhead in the FA Cup first round, depending on the result of a replay between the two non-league sides. The Derbyshire Times reports that Chesterfield and Yeovil Town are set for their first FA Cup meeting in nearly 50 years.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, has been charged with secretly installing a recording device in an OpenAI conference room to gather company details. Federal prosecutors say he was arrested mere days before fleeing to Saudi Arabia. His wife and son left the country the day after his arrest on a one-way ticket booked by a Saudi military official. Prosecutors argue Alfozan has little incentive to remain in the US, citing his significant compensation from technology work and bank accounts in Saudi Arabia, plus Saudi Arabia's lack of an extradition treaty with the US. Alfozan's legal team argues the family had booked tickets to Saudi Arabia more than two weeks before the alleged recording devices were installed, for his planned two-month paternity leave. A judge was to consider prosecutors' request to detain Alfozan until trial on Monday in federal court in San Francisco.

Northern Ireland's Justice Minister has said there is no compelling case to expand a scheme for removing foreign national prisoners from the region. The minister did not set out details of what expansion had been proposed or why it was rejected.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a bipartisan coalition of twelve attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission in a lawsuit to block PlayPower's acquisition of BCI Burke, two of the largest makers of commercial outdoor playground equipment. The coalition alleges the merger would reduce competition, drive up prices and reduce quality for schools, churches and parks. Five companies already control eighty-five to ninety per cent of the US market.

Proposition 319, on Arizona's upcoming ballot, would ban speed and red-light cameras statewide. Cities currently using the cameras could keep them temporarily but would need voter approval to continue them; cities without them could never add them. Supporters including Republican state Senator Wendy Rogers say the cameras violate privacy and serve as revenue tools for cities rather than safety measures. Opponents including Will Humble of the Arizona Public Health Association argue the cameras save lives by changing driver behaviour.

Wiltshire Police issued a warning on Monday, October 19, after becoming aware of potential plans for individuals to travel to south Wiltshire to engage in poaching and hare coursing. Rural communities have been advised to remain vigilant throughout the week and report suspicious activity.

Cyprus, a nine-year-old beluga whale, died at SeaWorld San Diego on Sunday, weeks after being rescued from the shuttered Marineland Canada park in Ontario and transported there on 22 August. The whale stopped eating two days before his death, prompting veterinarians to conduct medical examinations. An ultrasound revealed his intestinal tract was not functioning normally, indicating a serious life-threatening condition. SeaWorld said veterinarians worked through the night to stabilise him but were unable to save him. The two other belugas rescued alongside Cyprus, Xavier and Jasper, remain in stable health under close monitoring.

Twenty volunteers in Kempsey planted 1,500 daffodil bulbs along the A38 as part of a scheme to create a 'golden mile'. The project began in 2020 under the Main Road Working Party, which later became the Love Kempsey Working Party. Simon Bott, involved with the project, said the effort helps bring community cohesion and shows outsiders that Kempsey is a place where residents take pride. A spring event called Daffodowndilly will celebrate the daffodils' arrival and feature knitted daffodil chains made by the Women's Institute.

Police are offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to a wanted man in the West Midlands. No further details about the man's identity or the reasons for his wanted status have been provided.

Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson has apologized for aggressively swatting away the hand of a female training staffer as she arrived to assist an injured teammate during Saturday's loss to rival North Carolina. Robinson posted a public apology on social media and also apologized privately to the staffer. Coach Manny Diaz said the team will handle the matter internally but did not specify any disciplinary action.

Exeter City captain Jack Fitzwater has committed to the club by signing a new contract until summer 2029. The 29-year-old centre-back, who joined from Scottish side Livingston in 2023 and became captain this summer, has made 77 appearances and helped Exeter concede only six goals in 11 League Two games. Manager Matt Taylor praised Fitzwater's performances and leadership, saying the contract extension demonstrates the club's ambitions to keep its best players.

North Yorkshire Police have arrested a 50-year-old Scarborough man with connections to York and Hull after a 13-day search. The man was wanted on recall to prison and in connection with a domestic assault. Police thanked the public for sharing their appeal and providing information.

A Northern school has become the centre of a row over Christmas. The Advocate and The Examiner both report on the festive dispute, though neither outlet provides details of what sparked the disagreement or which specific issues are at stake.

Jack Dean, known online as JaackMaate, will switch on Norwich's Christmas lights on Thursday, 19 November with his Happy Hour podcast co-hosts Stevie White and Robbie Knox. The announcement came after the trio mentioned on their podcast that switching on the city's festive lights was on their bucket list. Some people have voiced frustrations at the choice, but Dean has responded in a video on Facebook, joking about the backlash and defending the podcast's love for Norwich.

David Sartin Jr., a 40-year-old from St. Petersburg, was arrested after allegedly robbing two Florida banks using a prosthetic old man mask. He is accused of robbing a bank in Largo on 24 August and another on 15 September, obtaining $2,900 and $2,554 respectively. Sartin previously served more than ten years in federal prison for robbing five banks in Texas using a similar disguise, and his supervised release began in May 2025.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and fined €255 (£215) by the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary council following his departure from the national team camp in September. The 41-year-old left Portugal's base in Copenhagen before a Nations League match against Denmark after being an unused substitute against Norway, accusing coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word about his role. Jesus denied making any agreement with Ronaldo. The disciplinary council upheld the charge against Ronaldo in full, finding he had intentionally committed an offence under the federation's regulations. However, the Guardian reports that Ronaldo successfully fought to reduce his punishment during the inquiry, presenting arguments about his disciplinary record and services to football, which led decision-makers to halve both his suspension and fine. Most outlets report the ban is backdated to 30 September, meaning he will be available for Portugal's next fixture against Denmark on 14 November.

Pope Leo has telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to urge co-operation with Russia on delivering food and medical aid to the blockaded town of Oleshky, where residents face a deepening food crisis. The Pope previously spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, asking him to arrange a ceasefire to facilitate aid entry. The Kremlin said Putin agreed to co-operate with the Pope to organise supplies, but did not mention a ceasefire.

Mississippi's attorney general has concluded a Senatobia police officer was justified in using force during a June shoplifting call at a Walmart that resulted in the death of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley. The officer fired into a car after it allegedly drove towards law enforcement. Kohen's mother, Vellesiya Wiley, and her friend denied stealing anything and disputed that the car headed toward officers. Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing Kohen's family, said a preliminary independent autopsy indicated the boy was shot from the side of the car, not the front, contradicting police claims.

Africa's top public health agency and Congolese officials have raised concerns that over $700 million in Ebola aid is unaccounted for, calling on aid organisations to provide more information about their spending. Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that $962 million from international donors has been disbursed since the epidemic began, but only $200 million has been accounted for by organisations on the ground. The outbreak, described as the world's fastest-growing on record, has spread into eight provinces in Congo and into neighbouring Kenya and Uganda.

Richard Riehle, the actor best known for playing Tom Smykowski in the 1999 comedy Office Space, has died aged 78. He died on 15 October of natural causes in Los Angeles. His career spanned nearly five decades across theatre, film and television, including roles in Casino, Bridesmaids, Star Trek and the television series The Mindy Project, NCIS and Barry.

Paris police on Monday imposed an overnight curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Place de la République and Les Halles shopping area to protect against violence and looting following rioting on Saturday. The curfew bans gatherings and demonstrations in these areas. The security measure comes before major sporting events: FC Barcelona will play Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League match on Tuesday, and the New Orleans Saints will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first NFL game held in France on Sunday at Stade de France. The NFL stated that preparations continue as scheduled and there has been no disruption at league sites.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after an e-bike was ridden in an anti-social manner in Whitby. The incident occurred around 3pm on October 15 in the Helredale Road and Rohilla Close area. The red and black Surron bike may also have been seen in the area on other days prior to the incident.

Joanna Reynolds of Colchester has been banned from every Co-op store across Essex for two years after admitting 41 thefts worth more than £3,500. Colchester magistrates imposed the two-year criminal behaviour order on October 12, also sentencing her to 48 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

Castleford Tigers hooker Ashton Golding has signed a two-year contract extension. The 30-year-old former Leeds and Huddersfield player, who joined on a deal until the end of the season in February, made 13 appearances and scored four tries for the Tigers in 2026. Director of rugby Chris Chester said Golding brings 'experience, quality and attitude' to the club.

Nebraska law creates a transparency gap for new political parties. The Nebraska Working People Party and America First Party do not have to disclose their finances until they are qualified to have candidates on the ballot, leaving at least two months of unreported spending on signature gathering. The Working People Party said it will not voluntarily disclose this information. Gavin Geis, executive director of Common Cause Nebraska, said Nebraskans cannot find out who funded the creation of these parties or challenge the spending.

Rio Ferdinand has expressed regret that Manchester United failed to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, the Morocco international who joined Manchester City for £86m over the summer. Ferdinand said United were interested but the fee was too high. The 19-year-old became the Premier League's most expensive teenager and impressed Ferdinand with a second-half appearance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, leading Ferdinand to say he was 'so gutted' at missing out.

By-elections will take place on 12 November in Wigan and Oldham. In Wigan's Hindley Green ward, seven candidates will stand following the death of long-serving Independent councillor Bob Brierley. In Oldham's Failsworth West ward, six candidates will contest the seat vacated by Reform UK's Mark Wilkinson, who stood down for health reasons.

An MTV worker has testified at Russell Brand's rape trial that the actor and comedian assaulted her at a London bar in 2004. The woman, the third complainant to give evidence, told Southwark Crown Court that Brand grabbed her breasts during conversation before dragging her to a toilet where he allegedly orally raped her. Brand, 51, is on trial accused of three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women between 1999 and 2009. He denies all allegations.

UEFA has set FIFA a deadline of 2 November to release documents relating to Gianni Infantino's aborted World Cup investment plan and other governance issues. The move follows disappointment from UEFA's European delegates at what they saw as a lack of clarity from FIFA president Infantino at a council meeting. UEFA is demanding answers to 42 questions including details of Infantino's remuneration, payments to Marc Anthony, and matters involving Donald Trump.

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night to remain undefeated at 6-0. Brock Purdy threw a touchdown pass and Christian McCaffrey scored twice as the 49ers built a 20-point lead before holding off a second-half rally. Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes for the Commanders to cut the deficit to 23-17, but the 49ers' defence made two crucial stops late in the game. Purdy became the highest-rated passer in NFL history during the game, achieving a 105.6 rating after his 1,500th career attempt. The Commanders fell to 1-4-1.

Tensions are mounting within the cabinet over home secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposals to lengthen the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to 15 years for foreign workers. Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh appeared to criticise the plans in a now-deleted post on her constituency website, saying prolonging the settlement wait could harm community cohesion. On Sky News, she repeatedly refused to say she backed the specific proposals, dodging the question seven times before telling presenter Sophy Ridge not to put words in her mouth. Housing secretary Angela Rayner has also publicly criticised the plans as 'un-British' and 'disruptive', particularly for care workers brought in to look after vulnerable people. Prime minister Andy Burnham is reportedly considering exempting care workers to avoid a Labour rebellion, though the Home Office warns this could trigger an exodus from the sector.

A study by mobile bar hire company Spin and Shake has ranked Wetherspoon pubs by Google Reviews. Walham Green in Fulham is the UK's highest-rated at 4.6 stars. In Hertfordshire, The Crown in Berkhamsted emerges as the best-reviewed, followed closely by The Port Jackson in Bishop's Stortford, both sharing a rounded 4.2-star score with two other pubs. The Three Magnets in Letchworth is the county's worst-reviewed location.

The Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium will close its Butterfly House and Aquarium at Sertoma Park on 3 January, relocating operations to the Great Plains Zoo campus. A new butterfly garden is expected to open there in early 2027, with a new aquarium following in early 2029. The Sertoma Park building will then serve as staff office space during construction.

Health unions have rejected the government's proposed 2.4 per cent pay rise for NHS doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers for 2027/28, describing it as below inflation and a real-terms pay cut. The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England told the independent pay review bodies that higher increases would require difficult trade-offs, potentially cutting services or increasing waiting times. The British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing criticised the proposal, with unions warning of further damaging strikes.

Matthew Knights admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm after attacking his partner at her Great Yarmouth home between 29 and 30 May. The couple had been drinking and she received a welfare check call from police, after which Knights became angry and abusive, damaging property including a television. He repeatedly punched her in the face while pinning her to the banister before she barricaded herself in her bedroom. Knights also admitted two counts of damaging property and appeared at Norwich Crown Court on 19 October.

Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a first-round exit at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, losing 4-3 to world-ranked qualifier Cheung Ka Wai. The seven-time world champion started poorly, losing the opening frame, but then won three consecutive frames with breaks of 56, 138 and 72 to lead 3-1. Cheung then took the last three frames in succession. This was O'Sullivan's first match in the UK since his defeat to John Higgins at the World Championship in April. The 27-year-old qualifier, ranked 110th in the world and in only his third tournament since joining the tour in 2024, said it was 'the best moment for me on the snooker tour'. O'Sullivan was among several top-16 players to exit early at the Waterfront Hall.

Michigan residents can safely dispose of unused prescription medications on Saturday during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, run by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Drop-off sites will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with about 20 participating locations in West Michigan and all 31 Michigan State Police posts serving as collection points statewide. Tablets, capsules and patches can be disposed of, but liquids, inhalers, syringes and illicit drugs will not be accepted.

West Midlands Police have launched a new film to warn schoolchildren about the dangers of shoplifting. The campaign aims to encourage discussions among young people about crime, peer pressure and the importance of challenging friends who are making poor decisions.

Cllr Shaukat Ali, the longest serving British Kashmiri Muslim councillor in Dudley's history, has received the freedom of the borough in recognition of his 27 years of service to the community.

Kiersten Fabiani, 61, was found underneath a vehicle in a north Phoenix backyard on 8 October after reports of an injured person. She was severely injured and unable to explain what happened. She died from her injuries on Sunday after ten days in hospital. Phoenix Police are investigating her death as a homicide and seeking a suspect.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said he will attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta on Wednesday, following his controversial involvement in the transgender athlete debate. He was ejected from a Chicago Sky game in August and banned from that arena after a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The WNBA has ruled him ineligible for the 2027 draft, stating that only women are eligible to play in the league. Fox News reports that Freedom says he has received thousands of death threats ahead of the game and is in contact with the FBI, with security arranged by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's office.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who sentenced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to up to 175 years in jail in 2018 for sexually abusing over 250 women and girls, has said the sport remains largely unchanged. Speaking at the World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam this week, she condemned reforms as 'window dressing' and said human rights must be prioritised over sporting success. Athletes remain afraid to speak out, she said, because they fear losing access to the sport they love.

A High Court lawsuit heard that two Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers and a Royal Ulster Constabulary officer allegedly set up a fake military checkpoint to murder Sean Farmer, 32, and Colm McCartney, 22, in Co Armagh in August 1975. The men were returning from a Gaelic football match at Croke Park when they were shot at Altnamackin, near Newtownhamilton. A senior investigator claimed the vast majority of the Glenanne Gang, a UVF faction blamed for 120 deaths during the Troubles, were members of the security forces.

Donald Trump has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election campaign, saying the Israeli prime minister had been a 'great warrior' and 'great partner for peace'. Trump also said Iran had been 'systematically destroyed both militarily and financially' and that 'unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job'. France 24 reports that Trump and Netanyahu discussed the possibility of attacking Iran together. The Israeli election is scheduled for 27 October, with Netanyahu's coalition currently projected to win 51 of 120 Knesset seats, narrowly behind the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot on 52 seats.

Nebraska football will play Washington in an evening game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, 31 October at 7 p.m., with the match televised on BTN and carried on the Huskers Radio Network. Nebraska arrives with a 5-2 overall record and 2-2 in Big Ten play, following a 17-14 loss to Oregon.

Kieran Hayler, 39, is on trial at Lewes Crown Court charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of a teenager in West Sussex in 2016. A jury of six women and five men began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon. The prosecutor told jurors to disregard 'big personalities' and 'big egos' in the case, including Katie Price, and focus on the complainant's evidence. The defence argued Hayler had been consistent throughout and urged the jury to remain calm and rational.

Police issued a 'save lives' appeal to motorists on Wells Road near Malvern Wyche C of E Primary School on Monday, October 19. Officers PCSO Watson and PCSO Burgat urged drivers to keep to the 30mph speed limit on the road, which passes through the Malvern Hills. They did not report whether any motorists had been caught exceeding the limit during their monitoring.

Pope Leo XIV has spoken by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging cooperation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into the embattled city of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region and the safe evacuation of civilians. The pope previously appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for a humanitarian ceasefire, expressing hope that food and medical aid could reach the city.

Anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson, 43, is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber through his X account between 5 and 7 August 2024. A prosecutor told Southwark Crown Court that Robinson used 'bully-boy, intimidatory tactics' to frighten the journalists after what he perceived as an intrusion into his holiday in Cyprus. One journalist was given close protection after photographs of his family were posted online; another moved house. The newspaper's editor-in-chief received a voicemail from someone identifying himself as Robinson saying 'I've already located every f***ing one of you.'

Dermot Curran, one of Northern Ireland's longest-serving politicians, has died at Downe hospital surrounded by his family. The SDLP councillor was first elected to Down District Council in 1973 and retired from local government in 2023 after serving for over 50 years. Colin McGrath, South Down MLA, described him as 'a remarkable public servant' who was 'a true man of the people' and a strong advocate for the fishing industry in his native Ardglass.

The Test Valley Business Awards returned on Saturday, 17 October, at Thruxton Circuit in Andover, bringing together around 100 guests to celebrate business achievement across the region. The awards, which have run for more than 20 years, recognised enterprises of all sizes and sectors, with focus on innovation, sustainability, rural enterprise and community involvement. Multax Ltd was a standout winner, taking home both the Corporate Business Award and the Innovation & Technology Award. Other winners included Sporty Bees Ltd, Cholderton Farm Shop & Café, Littlebigbox Limited and Lockerley Estate. Guest speaker Alex Lewis, a quadruple amputee and world record holder from Stockbridge, shared his story of resilience and community support.

Graham Media Group is recruiting a part-time accounts payable specialist to join its centralised team on a remote basis in one of several US markets. The role involves managing accounts payable processes for multiple properties, including seven TV stations, Social News Desk and corporate offices, reporting directly to the VP/CFO. Candidates should be detail-oriented and proactive, identifying opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.

North Dakota wildlife officials have prohibited the harvest of antlerless white-tailed deer in parts of southwestern and south-central North Dakota to protect a herd still recovering from major losses in 2021. The ban, effective immediately, covers deer gun units 3C, 3E1, 3E2 and 3F2. Since early August, officials have reported nearly 350 deaths from EHD, a virus spread by biting midges and often deadly to white-tailed deer. Hunters holding antlerless licences for the affected units will receive automatic refunds. Hunters in 13 additional units can voluntarily return their licences for refunds and restored bonus points or donate the fee.

New Interior Department planning documents for President Trump's proposed Triumphal Arch do not mention the 'military complex' he said it would host, though the agency said Monday the design could accommodate such a feature. Trump said in September he had agreed to convert the structure into a 'top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch' that would store drones and ammunition and accommodate snipers. The arch, planned at 250 feet tall, is proposed for a circle adjacent to the Memorial Bridge in Washington and faces legal challenges.

Sunderland face a significant injury crisis ahead of their Europa League clash with Lech Poznan on Thursday. As many as eight players could be unavailable, with forwards Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor dealing with minor injuries and defender Thomas Meunier ruled out with a hamstring injury. Manager Regis Le Bris said he decided not to rush Brobbey back and expected him to return next week if his recovery progresses well.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire, is urging people to avoid its A&E departments unless they have life-threatening illnesses or serious injuries. The health board said it is experiencing exceptional demand due to increased emergency attendances of very sick patients and a high number of patients waiting to be discharged. Patients attending with non-life-threatening conditions face long waits as staff prioritise the most seriously ill.

The government has confirmed a new railway station will be built at Bradford Interchange, expected to open in the 2030s as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme. The station will replace the existing Interchange, built in the 1970s, and will provide improved links to Leeds, York and Manchester. The Department for Transport said the new station, alongside the proposed West Yorkshire Mass Transit network, would unlock thousands of jobs and homes and more than £1 billion in economic benefits. However, it remains unclear whether the station will be a through station—where trains can pass through—or a terminus where trains reverse out, something local politicians have long demanded. The Transport Secretary said further work, including surveys expected to take at least a year, will determine this, and new viaducts may be needed if a through station is built.

The family and friends of Ruby Fuller from Crystal Palace, who died of blood cancer in May 2020, are attempting to visit all 272 London Underground stations in a single day on 30 October. The challenge, which would have been Ruby's 25th birthday month, will raise funds for CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association. Ruby's mother Emma Jones said the challenge was fitting because Ruby loved maps, planning routes and the Underground, and dreamed of working for Transport for London.

Mountain rescue teams were deployed after reports of a walker stuck under a boulder at Dropping Crag in the Lake District on Sunday evening. Cumbria Police alerted Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team at 5.29pm on 18 October after receiving multiple calls. The team leader could not speak directly to the person involved, but because the situation 'could have been serious', a multi-agency response was quickly mobilised. A member of the public freed the walker before formal rescue operations were needed.

A man has faced court after allegedly assaulting Christopher Jordan in jail. Jordan was taken to hospital and required surgery following the incident.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been ranked among the worst in the country for providing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children with special needs within the 20-week deadline. In the 2025/26 financial year, 93.33 per cent of plans were issued late, with the council facing a backlog of around 1,800 cases. The longest recorded wait was 150 weeks—nearly three years.

The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered all federal civilian agencies to remove artificial intelligence products from Chinese startup DeepSeek from their IT systems and banned future purchases. The order, issued in late July and made public on Monday, applies to civilian agencies including the Treasury, State and Justice departments but excludes the Department of Defense. The DHS said DeepSeek's models 'present multiple threat vectors' and warned that use could 'result in the transfer of sensitive data' to the Chinese government, citing China's legal system permitting government access to private company infrastructure. The ban also covers third-party products and services built using DeepSeek technology. China's Foreign Ministry said it opposes the 'over-generalisation of national security' and the politicisation of technology issues.

Ricky Patmore, 30, was wanted on recall to prison when spotted by Essex Police in South Ockendon on June 14. He rammed a police car with a grey MG, drove through a garden to escape, and was later found in Colchester. When police tried to detain him, he reversed and dragged an officer with the vehicle before crashing into a lamppost. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving twice, assault of an emergency worker, and driving without a licence or insurance. Southend Crown Court sentenced him to a year and nine months on October 9 and banned him from driving for two years and nine months.

Norfolk artist Adam Boggs has painted roughly 30 murals across Nebraska in the past year as he transitioned to full-time mural work. His latest project, a large mural on Long Pine's auditorium in the Sandhills, incorporates green, gold and red colours reflecting the area's autumn foliage. Boggs says murals create landmarks and marketing opportunities for small towns. His uncle, Seth Boggs, is also a prominent muralist in Nebraska.

Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old head teacher from Weaverham, was physiologically alive while trapped beneath a car and after being dragged along Wet Gate Lane, a court heard. Simon Richardson, 35, is on trial accused of his murder. Emergency medicine consultant Dr Terrance McLoughlin told the court that Mr Mullins's Apple Watch recorded a heart rate of 155 beats per minute before the collision at 6.07pm, dropping to about 150 after impact and 148 by 6.09pm, indicating he was alive and under stress. Dr McLoughlin said Mr Mullins suffered multiple traumatic injuries and cardiac arrest, though could not confirm if he was conscious while trapped.

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of drug dealing in Falmouth and Helston as part of ongoing police operations. Devon and Cornwall Police said the arrests, which include five for possession with intent to supply controlled drugs, are part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable people. Information from local residents helped support the operation.

Scott Boland took four wickets as South Africa reached 97-5 on the second day of their second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, with rain delaying play until the afternoon. Boland's relentless bowling exposed South Africa's batting frailties, including debutant Marques Ackerman caught behind for six. Captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 41.

Australian model Sahara Ray has died aged 34, her family confirmed. The swimwear designer and daughter of surfer Tony Ray died in hospital. According to the Daily Mail, she was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after a fentanyl overdose, and her family decided to switch off her life support as her condition worsened. No cause of death has been officially disclosed by her family. Ray had welcomed her first child, daughter Snow, earlier this year.

Nicola Thompson, 53, of Kendal, has appeared in court charged with falsely claiming Universal Credit by declaring she had no assets on 8 September. She offered no indication of plea at South Cumbria Magistrates Court in Barrow and will appear at Carlisle Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 20 November.

Experts predict the US economy will lose $1 billion in productivity on 19 November when Grand Theft Auto VI releases, as an estimated 1.5 million workers call in sick or take vacation. Companies are preparing for the impact as a frenzy builds around the latest instalment of the best-selling franchise. The game's publisher, Take-Two Interactive, expects more than $1 billion in operating cash flow this fiscal year, with nearly $600 million already raised from preorders.

The Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen has emerged as a key strength as the team pursues its first World Series title since 1982. Relief pitchers allowed just six runs over 40⅔ innings in the divisional and championship series, posting a 1.33 ERA—the fourth-best by any pennant winner entering the World Series since 1995. Manager Pat Murphy has relied on a core group of five relievers—left-handers Aaron Ashby, DL Hall and JoJo Romero, and right-handers Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill—who have combined to strike out 35 and allow only three earned runs over 35 innings.

Dylan Anthony, 19, and Kyron Anthony, 20, appeared at Swindon Crown Court charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following a shooting on St Paul's Street in Swindon on 19 June. Dylan pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to the other two charges. Kyron denies all charges. A trial is scheduled to begin on 2 November.

Hertfordshire is packed with picturesque places to enjoy autumn walks as leaves turn shades of gold, orange and red. Heartwood Forest, managed by the Woodland Trust and England's largest planted native woodland with over half a million trees, is particularly spectacular during autumn. Other notable locations include Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve near Hitchin, Norton Common near Letchworth, Fairlands Valley Park, and a fifth location offering woodland, meadows and lakeside trails.

Lee Jackson, a 40-year-old father-of-four from Frinton, died following an assault at Valley Farm Holiday Park in Clacton on 14 October. Daniel Fox, 39, of Hampden Crescent, Warley, has been charged with murder and also faces charges of burglary, two counts of making threats to kill and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker. Jackson's family described him as bringing 'laughter, joy and happiness' to those around him.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom announced on social media that he plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta on Wednesday as a fan. Freedom and fellow former NBA player Royce White have declared for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women, though they are not eligible according to a person familiar with the decision.

The A350 at Crockerton, just south of Warminster in Wiltshire, has been closed due to a water main leak that is affecting the road surface and making it unsafe for traffic. Wessex Water crews are working overnight to repair the leak. The closure is expected to remain in place until at least Tuesday evening, with a signed diversion in place via the A36 and A303.

New wayfinding signs installed in Penrith as part of a £170,000 project to improve navigation and showcase the town's heritage contain spelling errors, including spelling St Andrew's Church as 'St Andew's Church' on at least two signs. Penrith Town Council has confirmed it is arranging corrections. Former town councillor Jeff Thomson questioned who approved the signs and said the public should not bear the cost of corrections.

Firefighters rescued a person stuck in a public toilet in Selby around 3.09pm on 19 October, caused by a defective door. A second rescue took place at 5.48pm on 21 October in Easingwold, where firefighters used small tools and collective strength to free someone trapped at an address in the town. Both people were released unharmed, though further details about the Easingwold incident were not shared.

Astley Vineyard, a family-run business near Stourport in the West Midlands, has been put on the market. The vineyard is one of the UK's oldest.

Ian Riles, suspected of fatally shooting 22-year-old Jessica Villanueva near San Antonio on Wednesday, died Friday from his injuries. Villanueva, a Doane University senior from Texas who was visiting from out of state, was found dead at the scene. Authorities treated the incident as a domestic violence-related murder-suicide.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN's chief international anchor, announced on Monday that she is leaving the network in June after 43 years. The 68-year-old, who began at CNN in 1983 as an assistant on the international news desk and became one of the network's most recognised correspondents, said she had made the decision 'after many months of thought and a few sleepless nights'. Her nightly show Amanpour will end in May, with a weekly version continuing until June. In a statement, she said: 'Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.' CNN chairman Mark Thompson described her as 'one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere'. Her departure comes weeks after Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. Though not thought to be directly connected to the ownership change, some outlets note that CNN staff have expressed concerns about the merger given the Ellison family's closeness to the Trump administration.

The National Student Ombudsman has concluded that the University of Technology Sydney failed in its handling of complaints from Jewish students following a pro-Palestine protest in March 2025. Education Minister Jason Clare endorsed the criticism. Some Jewish students received no response to complaints, whilst others received generic responses that did not address their specific concerns.

Hanshin Tigers third baseman Teruaki Sato has been officially posted by the club, giving MLB teams a 45-day window to negotiate with him. The 27-year-old won the Central League triple crown this season with a .306 average, 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. He is expected to travel to the United States in November to meet with interested teams.

A 14-year-old boy was stabbed on the ninth floor of the Arndale Centre car park in Manchester at 3.20pm on Saturday. Two 14-year-old boys were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and remain in custody. The victim was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and is in a stable condition.

One Nation held a campaign event at Pakenham's Railway Hotel on Monday, with state leader and local candidate Warren Pickering addressing supporters. Pakenham is one of Victoria's most marginal seats, currently held by Labor's Emma Vulin, who is not recontesting. Pickering said people from both major parties were joining One Nation because they wanted change. Primary support for One Nation stands at 23 per cent, with the coalition at 28 per cent, according to October polling.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet will consider a new 'commuted sums' policy on Thursday, requiring developers to pay one-off sums towards future maintenance of non-standard highway assets such as specialist street lighting, bespoke paving, trees and landscaped areas. The council argues the policy would prevent taxpayers bearing long-term costs of maintaining more expensive infrastructure installed by developers. Payments would be based on projected lifetime maintenance and replacement costs.

Lee Jackson, 40, from Frinton, was found with serious injuries at Valley Farm Holiday Park in Clacton on Wednesday 14 October and pronounced dead at the scene. Daniel Fox, 39, of Hampden Crescent, Warley, has been charged with his murder. Fox is also charged with burglary, two counts of making threats to kill, and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker. He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court and will enter pleas to the seven charges in January, with trial fixed for 26 July.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant warned a parliamentary inquiry that artificial intelligence is being weaponised against Australian schoolchildren. Apps capable of generating sexualised deepfake images are downloaded about 200,000 times a month by Australians, she said. The watchdog has taken enforcement action against eight such services, resulting in stricter standards and age restrictions. Inman-Grant said the commissioner remains limited in addressing non-sexual deepfakes, such as face swaps or harmful memes, that may cause distress but do not meet complaint thresholds.

Sam Fender has announced his biggest headline tour to date, The Proper Massive Stadium Tour 2027, which will see him play six cities across the UK and Ireland. The Geordie singer will perform at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on July 8, with other dates including two nights each at London's Wembley Stadium and Newcastle's St James' Park, and two nights at Manchester's Etihad Stadium. Tickets go on general sale at 9.30am on October 30, with a fan pre-sale beginning earlier for those who pre-order his new album.

A road sweeper was involved in a fire on St Nicholas Avenue, the road serving York Designer Outlet, on the morning of 19 October. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended at 10.27am. Crews used a thermal image camera to monitor the vehicle and ensure it was fully extinguished before handing the incident over to responsible persons.

Australian model and swimwear designer Sahara Ray has died aged 34. According to reports, she overdosed on fentanyl on Friday and was taken to a Los Angeles hospital where she was placed on life support. Her family decided to take her off life support on Sunday. Ray became well known after being photographed on holiday with singer Justin Bieber in 2016. She had welcomed her first child, a daughter named Snow, in January this year.

US stock markets have climbed as artificial intelligence-linked shares recovered from last week's sharp sell-off and oil prices fell. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebounded after posting their biggest weekly drop since late June, driven by investor concerns about financing the costly AI infrastructure build-out. Healthcare stocks hit a record high, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose, ending an eight-day losing streak.

Kelly Petts, a 45-year-old from Redcar who is petrified of flying, jumped from a plane on 4 October to raise funds for Teesside Hospice. She has raised £958 through sponsorship and secured a further £1,000 through a BGF Foundation Community Grant. Petts said the experience was terrifying and has not cured her fear of flying.

A North Yorkshire vet has warned pet owners against punishing barking dogs as Halloween approaches, when constant doorbell rings and knocks from trick-or-treaters can cause stress. Veterinary surgeon Nicola Bryden from VetMedi.co.uk in Sutton-on-the-Forest recommends a 'five-minute doorstep hack' including leaving a sign asking trick-or-treaters not to knock because a nervous dog is resting inside, placing a bowl of sweets on the doorstep for children to help themselves, and muting digital doorbells for the evening. She notes that barking is a natural instinctive response for many breeds and should never be punished, and that costumes can also upset dogs as masks and unusual appearances make people harder for them to recognise.

Nic Perks, who runs The Easby Loop Cafe near Easby Abbey, has submitted an application to North Yorkshire Council for permission to retain a food and drink trailer and outdoor seating area. The café opened in June 2025 and has become popular with walkers and visitors. Richmondshire Ramblers and Richmond Civic Society have both backed the application, though the civic society expressed regret that permission was not sought before opening.

Part of the M27 between junctions 1 and 2 near Southampton was closed in both directions for several hours on Saturday after police responded to a welfare concern involving a woman. The motorway shut from around 1pm, causing severe congestion with delays of almost 30 minutes and average speeds of around 5mph. Hampshire police confirmed the incident was resolved at around 7.30pm and the woman was given into the care of health care professionals.

Play equipment at Victoria Park in Malvern was vandalised overnight between 8 and 9 October. Malvern Town Council said it was 'sad' to see the damage. The toddler multi-play unit reopened on 14 October following temporary repairs, with permanent repairs planned for later in the week requiring a 24-hour closure.

Sam Fender has announced his 2027 Proper Massive tour, a stadium tour across the UK and Ireland that will kick off at Newcastle's St James' Park on 3 and 5 June. The tour will also visit Cardiff's Principality Stadium, London's Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium, Manchester's Etihad Stadium and Dublin's Marlay Park, with a European festival headline slot at Rock Werchter in Belgium on 3 July. Wunderhorse will support across all dates.

Seventy-six Cumbrian businesses—18 pre-starts and 58 existing firms—have been awarded grants totalling £1 million. The Cumbria Rural Enterprise Grants scheme received 470 expressions of interest requesting £10.8 million, plus 35 late submissions for nearly £700,000. A grant panel reviewed 134 full applications requesting almost £2.3 million and selected the funded businesses. Lesley Robinson, head of business growth and support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said the volume of applications 'clearly demonstrates the desire and continuing need for business grants and access to funding'.

San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel hosted a TikTok livestream e-dating matchmaking session over the weekend whilst sidelined with a hamstring injury. Samuel acted as a wingman for two people during their virtual first date. He is in a relationship with Mahogany Jones and was not participating in the dating himself. The livestream went viral on social media.

The Justice Department arrested more than two dozen foreign nationals in California as part of a sweep targeting alleged noncitizen voters ahead of midterm elections. However, Los Angeles election officials questioned the reliability of a 20,000-name list the department provided, saying nearly 40 per cent of a sample appeared to be U.S.-born citizens.

Families of 200 victims killed by the British Army and RUC have written to Secretary of State Chris Bryant opposing any legacy mechanism biased towards veterans. They claim current arrangements create a 'morally wrong hierarchy of victims' that protects army veterans and former policemen.

Sandbach councillor Nicola Cook has questioned Cheshire East council's figures showing a five per cent rise in town centre footfall, arguing that the data generated from mobile phone activations is inaccurate. She said businesses and residents report footfall is down, not up. Council leader Nick Mannion acknowledged the mobile phone mast data is 'not ideal' but said it has been used by government and local councils for years as a proxy indicator.

European stocks sank on Monday following violent protests over the weekend in France that left public buildings burned and hundreds of shops looted. The FTSE 100 fell 1.1% to 10,764.69, while the CAC 40 in Paris dropped 1.1% and Frankfurt's DAX 40 retreated 1.2%. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a state of emergency could be imposed 'if needed', adding that curfews were a better solution to the crisis stemming from weeks of student demonstrations demanding better school conditions.

Six Premier League players, including Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, remained standing rather than taking the knee during Saturday's No Room For Racism fixtures. Guehi said he has not been taking the knee for some time, preferring to clap instead. He suggested the gesture may have lost its impact and called for more to be done to tackle racism, describing it as a 'wider societal issue' in which football plays a role as a 'beacon of hope'.

Parents in Cumbria will save an estimated £39 million this school year thanks to expanded government childcare support. The extended funded childcare entitlement now offers eligible working parents of children aged nine months to two years up to 30 free hours per week. Children's Minister Josh MacAlister said the scheme will help Cumbrian parents save an average of £8,000 per child.

A 14-year-old boy was stabbed on the ninth floor of Manchester Arndale's car park on Saturday afternoon and taken to hospital in a stable condition. Two 14-year-old boys were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. They have since been released on bail, police confirmed on Monday.

The M25 will face 31 planned overnight closures between Monday, October 19, and Thursday, October 22, according to National Highways. Most closures begin at 10pm and finish at 5.30am the following morning, affecting full carriageways, slip roads, and connecting roads. Drivers are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time, and check for updates before travelling.

Four members of the English family died in a suspected arson attack on their house in the Birchwood estate in Waterford, Ireland. Parents Philip and Kim English died alongside their children Callum, aged 12, and Jayden, aged 9. Gardaí believe the fire was linked to drug debt intimidation, with the family targeted over someone else's debt. Two other children who were in the house remain in critical condition in hospital.

Nigel Farage undermined his own claims about a £5m gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne when he told the Sun in May that it was a 'reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years', according to one of his closest aides. In undercover footage seen by the Guardian, Dan Jukes suggested this was not the intended message, saying 'That was not the line to take from the press office.' Farage is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog over whether the undeclared gift should have been registered under parliamentary rules.

North Yorkshire Council is considering a funding package of up to £18.5 million to support Scarborough Group International's plans to redevelop Scarborough's former Brunswick Centre. The package would comprise an £8 million council loan and £10.5 million in grant funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and Pride in Place programme. The site would be transformed into a leisure destination featuring a six-screen cinema, family entertainment facilities, restaurants, cafes and retail units.

Frustrated with ads, tracking and sluggish interfaces, smart TV owners are turning to AI to strip away bloatware. Solutions like 'dumbtv' and 'cleanyourtv' use AI vibe coding to remove sponsored ads, disable tracking features and speed up app launchers, with some tools claiming to be fully reversible. One user reported asking an AI agent to remove 'ads, bloatware, spyware' from their TV's interface.

Cash has been stolen from The Polly Tearooms on Marlborough High Street in Wiltshire in an overnight burglary. The incident occurred just before midnight on 12 October. Wiltshire Police launched an investigation, with forensic teams attending the scene on 13 October. Police believe the suspect is a male of slim build wearing dark clothing.

Simon Richardson, 35, of Sale is on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of murder, manslaughter and dangerous driving in the death of head teacher Michael Mullins, 56, from Weaverham. Dash cam footage released by the Crown Prosecution Service shows Richardson driving 'erratically' at speed before striking Mr Mullins on his bicycle at the junction of Paddock Lane and Dunham Road on 20 April. The vehicle trapped Mr Mullins beneath it before driving 2.2km to Wet Gate Lane, where security footage allegedly shows it reversing over his body. Richardson's cousin, a passenger in the Volvo, told the court she screamed 'bike' three times before the collision and heard Mr Mullins 'moaning' under the vehicle after impact.

After looting during weekend riots across France, the government has called on online reselling platforms to crack down on the sale of stolen goods. Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff held emergency meetings with representatives from Vinted, Amazon, eBay, Meta, TikTok and Leboncoin, demanding they remove suspicious listings without delay. According to Wired, an agreement was signed at the Monday meeting requiring platforms to monitor advertisements for looted goods, forward reports to investigators and provide the government with updates within 48 hours.

Westmorland and Furness Council has delayed for a second time its decision on the future of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston, which the council has proposed closing. The October 27 cabinet meeting has been postponed so councillors can review more than 500 consultation responses, financial reports, building surveys and other evidence. The council cited concerns over occupancy rates and buildings not meeting modern standards.

Tadeusz Podlasinski, a 60-year-old Polish lorry driver, was found guilty on Monday at Leicester Crown Court of attempted rape, attempted assault by penetration, and intentional strangulation. He attacked a woman on Baines Lane near Leicester Forest East services on the M1 on 25 April. The court heard he grabbed her and tried to push her into bushes, demanded she remove her clothes, and strangled her when she screamed for help. She fought back by pushing him away and he walked off towards the services. He was arrested three days later and is due to be sentenced on 3 December.

A 20-year-old man found in the River Orwell near Stoke Bridge, Ipswich, on October 12 has been identified. Suffolk Police say his cause of death is unknown, though a post-mortem has been completed. Police are working with the Suffolk Coroner's Service to establish how he entered the water.

A woman was arrested after driving the wrong way on a freeway off-ramp near Loop 202 and Broadway Road in Mesa on 4 October, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Callers reported that she rear-ended another vehicle before turning around and driving wrong-way on the off-ramp, then crashed into two other cars. A test showed her blood-alcohol content was 0.263, over three times Arizona's legal limit of 0.08 per cent. She was arrested for aggravated DUI, wrong-way driving, hit-and-run, and endangerment, and has not been publicly identified.

Three men died at Burning Man festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert in late August and early September. All three deaths involved cardiovascular disease. Two of the men also had drugs in their systems: one had methamphetamine and MDMA toxicity, the other cocaine and methamphetamine toxicity, according to the Washoe County Medical Examiner. The first man, aged 62 from Santa Monica, collapsed at the festival on 3 September and died at the scene. The second, aged 51 from Truckee, California, suffered chest pains and died in an ambulance on 4 September. The third, aged 60 from Yuma, Arizona, was found unresponsive in his vehicle.

Preston North End have parted ways with coaches Peter Murphy and Andy Liddell as manager Graham Alexander reshapes his backroom team. The club's loan transfer business this season has proved less successful than in previous years, and Alexander is exploring options including signing free agents before the January transfer window.

John Mincher, a 39-year-old NHS worker who featured on the 2024 series of Great British Bake Off, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to making two Category A indecent images of a child. He was arrested in August and released on conditional bail. He is due to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 16 November.

Sheffield Wednesday are close to the top of League One but are struggling to convince. Manager Henrik Pedersen said after a recent match that the basics were not there, and fans have begun chanting for him to leave, unhappy with the quality of football. New ownership has been welcomed, but results on the pitch remain a mixed bag.

West Sussex County Council has received more than £118 million in contributions from developers but has not yet spent the money.

The Greening Campaign is inviting Hampshire communities to participate in a two-year scheme focused on climate resilience and practical environmental projects. Activities include home energy improvements, community food growing, repair and reuse schemes, wildlife habitat creation and heatwave preparedness.

Hampshire Music Education Hub, run by Hampshire County Council's Music Service, has won the Music Hubs and Schools Music Services Jazz Education Award at the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The award, presented at London's World Heart Beat venue on 13 October, recognises the hub's work introducing children and young people to jazz and helping them develop as musicians. More than 110 young musicians participate in specialist ensembles including two big bands and four jazz combinations, with outreach activities reaching over 1,400 primary school pupils annually.

King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford has topped Essex's 2026 GCSE league table with an Attainment 8 score of 83.0, nearly double the England average of 46.2. The selective school's pupils achieved strong results, with 87 per cent gaining grade 7 or above in English and maths, and 99 per cent achieving grade 4 or above in both subjects across a cohort of 151 pupils. The school has also educated notable alumni including actor Joe Thomas, known for playing Simon Cooper in The Inbetweeners, and Formula 1 driver Oliver Bearman.

Dr Augustine Okolie, a Colchester doctor, has admitted working as an Approved Clinician without the required approval between 2018 and 2023. A fitness to practise hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council found his admissions proved: he knew he lacked the status and failed to confirm it when asked in an email on 2 March 2023. The panel is still considering whether he also failed to respond to a further request in April 2024 and whether he misled colleagues by claiming approval since 2017.

Colchester Zoo has been ranked seventh among UK zoos, safari parks and wildlife parks in a study by travel specialists Ski Famille. The Essex attraction achieved a Google rating of 4.67 out of five based on 21,593 reviews. Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in Pembrokeshire topped the rankings with 4.75, while Tropical Birdland in Leicestershire came third with 4.74.

Jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks is closing its stores on Boxing Day to give staff an extra day with family, continuing a 107-year tradition. The company will also give employees an extra week's pay in December. Natalie James, regional head of retail, said the gesture reflects the company's 'people-first approach' during the busy festive season. Beaverbrooks was named the Number 1 Best Retailer to Work For in the UK at the Best Companies Awards 2025.

Frinton, an Essex seaside town with 4,951 residents, has been named one of the UK's eight friendliest retirement towns by World Atlas. The organisation praised the town's relaxed atmosphere, colourful Victorian beach huts, independent shops and lack of traditional seaside amusements. World Atlas described it as a 'vintage oceanfront sanctuary' ideal for people seeking peace and comfort in retirement.

Marks & Spencer is recruiting more than 300 seasonal workers across Cheshire for the Christmas period, including posts at stores in Chester, Crewe and Warrington. The roles pay £13.41 per hour, with staff starting from 25 October. Regional manager Joanne Bethel said the retailer is looking for new joiners who are passionate about customer service and teamwork.

Outline plans have been submitted to convert three central Burnley properties into a 16-bed block of student accommodation for University of Lancashire students. The development on Bank Parade would involve converting buildings that are partly vacant and partly fire-damaged. The accommodation would comprise 16 individual bedrooms with shared facilities including communal kitchens, dining areas and a games room, with bedrooms ranging from 9.2 to 24 square metres.

Florida topped the men's preseason AP Top 25 college basketball poll on Monday with 47 of 59 first-place votes, returning to No. 1 after winning the national championship two seasons ago. Coach Todd Golden said the ranking reflects expected standards for the programme. In the women's poll, South Carolina earned No. 1 with 23 first-place votes from a 31-member panel on Tuesday, the fifth time in seven years under coach Dawn Staley.

Ronald Araujo, on loan at Liverpool from Barcelona, insists it is premature to discuss his future at the club despite establishing himself as a first-choice right-back. Liverpool have a £47m option to buy the 27-year-old Uruguay international at the end of the season. Araujo has impressed since arriving in the summer, adapting quickly to the Premier League and becoming a fan favourite, though he prefers to play centrally rather than on the right.

Brown discharge entered the Severn Estuary near Magor on 14 October, described as warm and brown by those who witnessed it. Natural Resources Wales is investigating and has identified potential sources, collecting water samples. Welsh Water says its storm overflow at Magor has not spilled for more than six weeks and is working with a third party to establish why it was used.

Thirteen cannabis farms have been uncovered across Wiltshire between January 2023 and September 2026, but only one person has been charged in connection with any of them. The most recent discovery was made in Swindon on 16 October, when officers found around 100 plants at an address in Penhill following patrols in Moredon.

The garden at Langside Library in Glasgow's south side is set to be revamped with nearly £175,000 of developer contributions once the library's current refurbishment is finished. The volunteer-run garden has been closed since late 2024 to allow contractor site access, but Glasgow City Council's proposal will fully reinstate and enhance it with improved paths, seating areas and enhanced planting. The total scheme will cost almost £227,000, with Glasgow Life providing around £87,000 and councillors considering the proposal this week. The library refurbishment is now scheduled to continue until spring next year.

Four Salvadoran air force technicians serving with the international Gang Suppression Force in Haiti are missing after armed gangs ambushed their armored vehicle on Sunday on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The ambush occurred in Santo, Croix-des-Bouquets, about seven miles from the capital. Explosives struck the vehicle, setting it on fire, though all four service members initially escaped. Salvadoran forces deployed helicopters to support the personnel and force the criminal groups to retreat.

Conwy County Council's cabinet unanimously backed a scaled-down dog ban on a limited area of Rhos on Sea beach following widespread public opposition. The seasonal restriction will run from May 1 to September 30, revised from an initially proposed year-round ban on the Cayley Promenade beach. A public consultation drew 3,637 online responses, with 65% of respondents opposing the year-round ban. County-wide rules will require dog owners to clean up waste immediately, carry waste bags, and keep dogs on leads if directed by officers.

A judge increased bond to $50,000 for Jose Ortega-Romero, 32, accused of causing a crash on 4 October in Douglas County that killed 70-year-old Christopher Szalkowski. Ortega-Romero was charged with disobeying a stop light, not having an operator's licence and misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. He had previously posted 10 per cent of a $7,500 bond.

Jamie Keegan, 38, of Peterborough, was jailed for two years and two months on 15 October after admitting stalking involving serious alarm or distress. He harassed a woman for months after she ended their month-long relationship in December 2024, refusing to accept her rejection. Despite her attempts to cut contact, Keegan sent abusive messages, created fake social media accounts, contacted her family and workplace, and sent pictures of himself with rope near her home, threatening to harm himself.

A 16-year-old was taken to hospital after being assaulted by two youths in St Helen's Square, York on Monday, 5 October between 4.50pm and 5.10pm. Police said the youths mocked the teenager and his companions, 'prodding them with a fishing net' before one punched the victim in the face multiple times and another kicked him in the ribs. The victim suffered facial injuries and was later discharged from hospital.

Halle Berry attended a hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday regarding a temporary domestic violence restraining order filed by her ex-husband Olivier Martinez. Martinez has accused Berry of physically abusing their 13-year-old son Maceo during a September incident, allegations Berry denies as 'entirely meritless'. Maceo testified for nearly four hours at the hearing, which was described as 'icy'. Berry's 18-year-old daughter Nahla is expected to testify virtually, having previously stated she never witnessed abuse.

A man has been charged with weapon and theft offences in Tamworth after an alleged incident at Elmhurst Drive, where the Jolly Sailor Retail Park is located. Riyen Lea, 39, of no fixed address, was charged with possession of a knife blade, theft from a shop and failing to comply with a community protection notice after police responded to a report of attempted shoplifting. Officers searched his bag and found items relating to a reported theft from another store, along with a lock razer. He was due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday 19 October.

Pendle Borough Council has taken enforcement action against the owner of a long-term empty home in Chapel Street, Nelson, after it fell into disrepair. An inspection in July 2025 revealed poor conditions, prompting the council to serve a notice requiring improvements. The owner was ordered to pay £424 in prosecution costs and a £26 victim surcharge at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on 7 October, and received a 12-month conditional discharge. The council says it will continue monitoring the property.

Amazon has signed an agreement with nuclear reactor company X-energy and utility American Electric Power to build a new nuclear power plant in Indiana. The facility, to be sited at a former coal plant near Terre Haute in Sullivan County, would generate up to 960 megawatts of carbon-free electricity. It would consist of 12 Xe-100 small modular reactors, an advanced but unproven technology still undergoing development and licensing. Amazon says the plant could create 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions, though no construction timeline has been announced. This is the second such collaboration between Amazon and X-energy, with the companies targeting 5 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity across the US by 2039.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as part of a nationwide tour to expand domestic defence manufacturing. He toured Riverside Machine and Engineering, which produces precision components for defence contractors and has received over $160 million in subcontracting work. Hegseth said the company's ability to innovate quickly makes it essential to military readiness and the Pentagon's supply chain.

Two people have been jailed for the killing of a 53-year-old man in a vicious attack outside a Doncaster social club in 2023. The victim's daughter expressed disgust at the sentences handed down.

Ofcom is investigating a complaint from former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards about Channel 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, which aired in March and starred Martin Clunes. Edwards says the programme gave a 'wholly misleading and unfair version of events' and that he was not given a fair opportunity to respond to inaccuracies. Channel 5 has defended the drama, saying it was based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, journalists and court reporting.

A rugby ball was kicked from a rooftop into Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium during their 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday. Video footage showed a man kicking the ball from a height; it appeared to strike the stadium roof before landing on the pitch, where staff removed it during play. Brentford confirmed the incident to police, describing the behaviour as 'dangerous and potentially very harmful'. The club said it is supporting the authorities' investigation to identify those responsible, which may result in criminal prosecution. The Mail reports the ball is believed to have been kicked from the Memento Kew Bridge apartment complex nearby.

UEFA has issued FIFA a deadline of 2 November to answer 42 questions and release key documents relating to Gianni Infantino's presidency. The questions cover the failed World Cup sell-off scheme known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, valued at $4.2 billion, which Infantino proposed in July and withdrew following European resistance. They also address alleged conflicts of interest involving Donald Trump and his family, payments to American singer Marc Anthony, the handling of US striker Folarin Balogun's disciplinary case, and the operational independence of FIFA's judicial and ethics committees. Infantino apologised for the scheme at a FIFA Council meeting last week but declined to provide substantive answers or documentation, prompting UEFA's written demands.

A West Yorkshire Police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman in 2002, more than 20 years before she reported the offence in December 2024. PC Jo Lavender, 45, was convicted at York Crown Court. He joined West Yorkshire Police in 2005, three years after the attack. Lavender is bailed ahead of sentencing on 3 November. West Yorkshire Police said it would continue with misconduct proceedings to bar him from policing. Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins praised the victim's bravery and urged other survivors of sexual offences to come forward.

Trinity Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, and Natalia Bryant walked the runway for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on Sunday. The pair are childhood friends who met when their fathers, Dennis Rodman and Kobe Bryant, were Lakers teammates in 1999. Rodman described the moment as 'a full circle' experience, telling Entertainment Tonight that having a familiar face was 'really nice' and that she felt 'empowered, confident and girly' on stage.

An emergency services incident is partially blocking Hither Green Lane near Ryecroft Road in Lewisham. The road is blocked in both directions, causing queueing traffic. Bus routes 181 and 225 have been diverted.

Nvidia has launched new open-weight models for running AI agents in enterprise environments and on consumer PCs. The Nemotron 3.5 Super VL is a 120-billion-parameter model for enterprise use, while two lightweight Bolt models are designed to run locally on AI PCs with Nvidia RTX Spark chips, being released through partners including Microsoft and Dell. Nvidia claims the Super VL completes tasks faster than competing models from Anthropic and OpenAI.

Police in Jamestown, North Dakota are investigating after multiple gunshots were fired during an altercation in a downtown parking lot early Sunday. Officers were dispatched around 12:25 a.m. on 18 October to the 100 block of Second Street NE following reports of a disturbance and possible gunshots. Police confirmed that no one was injured and no property damage was found, but located evidence showing multiple rounds had been fired.

A natural flood management scheme on the River Dove in North Yorkshire has been completed, reconnecting 27 hectares of floodplain to the river and creating over 7,500 cubic metres of flood storage. The two-year, £306,000 project was delivered by the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to reduce flood risk for the villages of Kirkby Mills and Keldholme. The scheme involved 18 farms and 15 landowners and was funded through sources including £154,000 from the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee's Local Levy and £134,000 from the Flood Defence Grant in Aid.

TP-Link has signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Key Tronic to assemble routers domestically, with production expected to begin in early 2027 at a Mississippi facility. The move follows an FCC ban in March on importing consumer routers made outside the US, which the agency designated a security risk. TP-Link cannot currently sell its Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US, though other router makers have received exemptions.

President Trump signed an executive order on Monday creating a dedicated women's health division at the National Institutes of Health and establishing a White House Women's Health Task Force. First Lady Melania Trump, who championed the initiative, said it will establish 'a new standard for women's health in America' and represents 'a transformative moment'. The task force, led by White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., will focus on accelerating research into diseases affecting women, using artificial intelligence for medical discovery, and improving access to affordable treatment. The executive order directs the new division to be established within ninety days. No specific funding amounts were announced.

Minister Anna Turley has responded to Bicester Town Council over controversial proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at MOD Bicester, breaking months of silence. The Government acknowledged the "strength of feeling" in the community and said the site would provide "largely self-sufficient" accommodation with 24-hour security and CCTV monitoring. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will make the final planning decision.

Wakefield Council has voted to scrap its two-hour free parking scheme and reintroduce charges at off-street car parks. The Reform UK-led council said the scheme, reintroduced by Labour in November 2025, was unaffordable at £1.8m a year. Councillor Keith Anderson said there had been no increase in footfall while the scheme was in place. The decision is opposed by Labour MP Simon Lightwood and thousands who have signed a petition against it.

Mohamed Mohamoud, 22, from Bristol, has been jailed for 12 years for terrorism-related offences after travelling to Somalia to join Islamic State. He was recruited through conversations with an IS AI chatbot used by terrorist recruiters and flew to Somalia in January last year claiming to his family he was visiting beaches and relatives. He was offered a role as a spy but rejected it, seeking instead a combat position in the 'killing zone'. After counter-terrorism operations prevented him from becoming a martyr, he returned to the UK in March, but continued contact with IS recruiters. He was arrested on 20 January this year and convicted at Winchester Crown Court in August.

Duncan Ferguson has been appointed manager of Glentoran. The News Letter reports that he joked during his first training session about having 'only got the one player being sick...normally it's two or three', and he has highlighted his ambitions for the Irish League. Former players have welcomed his arrival as significant for both the club and the league.

Two military helicopter pilots escaped after their helicopter crash-landed in a parking lot at Lake Havasu State Park, Arizona, around 10 p.m. on Sunday. Both pilots were able to walk away and were taken to Havasu Regional Medical Center for evaluation. The aircraft began leaking fuel, prompting firefighters to use foam to contain it. Military personnel are investigating the cause.

Three people were arrested during joint raids by immigration officers, police and other agencies on cash-intensive businesses in Conwy county on 16 October. The operation, part of a UK-wide National Crime Agency-led campaign called Operation Machinize, targeted vape shops, mini-markets, car washes, takeaways, massage parlours and barbers. Trading Standards officers seized illicit tobacco, and North Wales Police reported that counterfeit goods were also seized at another property.

Love Island Australia star Trent Woolman, 28, was airlifted to hospital after falling into a bonfire while working alone in a paddock at his sister's rural property in Victoria. He suffered burns to his arms, mouth and airways. Doctors discovered he also had a brain cyst and bleeding, which delayed his skin graft operations by several days. He has now undergone the grafts and faces several more weeks of recovery.

A by-election will be held in Birmingham's Shard End ward on 26 November after Alan Feeney resigned as councillor. Feeney was elected for Reform UK in May's local elections but quit the party last week after an ITV News investigation recorded him describing an area as 'infested' with Asian families and calling them 'absolute parasites'. He also reportedly said no more than 1 per cent of the UK population should be non-white. Reform UK has claimed the by-election will be a 'two-horse race' between them and Labour, and their councillors have already been campaigning in the ward.

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in a disputed adoption case involving an Afghan child orphaned in a U.S. Army raid. Joshua Mast, a military lawyer, and his wife adopted the girl after her parents were killed in a September 2019 U.S. Army raid. The child's Afghan relatives challenged the adoption, which lower Virginia courts had agreed was flawed, but the state's highest court sided with the Masts, citing a six-month legal deadline.

The Mayor of Norton, Cllr Di Keal, has raised concerns over anti-social behaviour at Lakeside, a beauty spot off Welham Road. She reports that attempts have been made to hurt the swan living on the lake and that an estate agent sign has been thrown into the water. Teasing and attempting to hurt the swan are illegal acts, and Cllr Keal has asked North Yorkshire Council Streetscene to remove the sign and urged residents to report any such behaviour to the police or to her directly.

Reform UK councillor Sean Smith has called for an emergency meeting at Cornwall Council following the resignations of chief executive Kate Kennally, chief operating and finance officer Annabel Scholes, and service director Rachael Rothero within a week. Smith said the departures raise 'serious concern' and called for a full public briefing on leadership, financial safeguards and service protection. He noted that in September staff were warned of an £11 million in-year budget deficit and highlighted the council's borrowing of £1.571 billion as of March 31, 2026, placing it seventh among English councils by total debt.

TV presenter Jeff Brazier has pleaded guilty to two motoring offences. A speed camera caught him driving 7mph above the 30mph limit on Lincolnshire's A16 near Burwell at 11.11pm on 5 April. He also failed to provide information about the driver's identity. In mitigation, the 47-year-old said he had wanted his solicitor to challenge the speeding charge and believed he was in a 40mph zone. He added that poor communication with his solicitor meant he missed his chance to contest it and later failed to follow up on the charge notification sent by Lincolnshire Police on 18 September. Brazier entered his pleas through the fast-track Single Justice Procedure and did not attend court.

Oxford United supporters heading to the Kassam Stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on 20 October are being advised to allow extra time due to roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road. Diversions will be in place on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road after the match to manage traffic flow. The club urged fans to plan journeys in advance.

Referee Ben Whitehouse has retired from officiating to join Wales head coach Steve Tandy's coaching team full-time. Whitehouse, who was a television match official at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will work on law, discipline, decision-making and communication. His final match will be Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby between Ospreys and Dragons.

Actor and singer Donnie Wahlberg's private jet skidded off a runway at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Sunday. The Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft failed to gain altitude during takeoff from Runway 1L and ran out of pavement, veering right and striking the airport's perimeter fence. Wahlberg, who had just completed the final show of New Kids on the Block's Las Vegas residency, shared a video thanking the pilots and saying everyone on board was safe. The jet carried eight people total.

Peter Hill from West Bromwich has reached his 25,000th pub visit as part of a record-breaking pub crawl that started in 1984. He has spent £336,000 on the endeavour so far.

Celtic winger Jota has made his comeback after 18 months out with a serious knee injury sustained at Dundee United in April 2025. The 27-year-old Portuguese player has appeared as a substitute in recent victories over Motherwell and Hearts, including a 7-1 win at Celtic Park on Sunday. Jota said he wrestled with his 'demons' during the lay-off but emerged stronger, saying he is 'very positive that good things will come' and is confident he will be better than ever once fully fit.

Jobson Laurindo, 29, of Weston Turville, was sentenced to two years in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court on 12 October after pleading guilty to cocaine supply offences. Police found 48 wraps of cocaine in the driver's door pocket of his silver Ford Mondeo in Meadowcroft on 4 June. Separately, Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police seized over £300,000 worth of cocaine and £13,000 in cash during a raid on a property in Barnet, Greater London on 20 October, arresting a 33-year-old man.

Riverside Gardens, a Government-grant-funded park at the heart of Shrewsbury's regeneration plans, officially opened on 19 October, six weeks earlier than expected. The park is the first phase of Shropshire Council's Smithfield Riverside programme, transforming the area between the River Severn and The Darwin shopping centre. Visitors can access a play area, open recreational space, and distinctive climbing boulder formations made from English sandstone, limestone, basalt and granite, including locally sourced Grinshill sandstone. The park also provides a new through route from Frankwell to Raven Meadows, supported by a new lift from Frankwell car park and step-free access via Welsh Bridge.

Tom Noller, restaurant manager at L'Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria, has been named a 2026 Master of Culinary Arts in Service, one of the UK hospitality industry's highest honours. The award recognises exceptional skill, creativity, precision and professionalism in service. Held once every four years, it is regarded as one of the highest levels of professional recognition in British hospitality.

The Stone Trough Inn, an independent country pub located in Kirkham Abbey between York and Malton, has been named a regional finalist in the Wedding Industry Awards 2027 in the Venue (Other) category for Yorkshire and the North East. The pub launched its wedding business in November 2024. Philippa Marks, head of weddings and events, said couples value having the venue exclusively to themselves and appreciate that the experience comes without the high price tags typically associated with exclusive-use wedding venues.

A festive ice rink complete with hourly snowfall is returning to York for the first time in more than a decade. Thor's on Ice will open on 13 November and run until 3 January at York Museum Gardens, behind the York Art Gallery. The 4,950 square foot rink will offer seasonal street food, festive drinks, live entertainment and a partnership with York restaurant Lucia serving Champagne, cocktails and mulled wine.

The Government confirmed it would need extra funding to host the XLZD dark matter experiment at Boulby Underground Laboratory near Whitby if the UK's bid is successful. Science minister Chris McDonald said Government support for the laboratory is guaranteed until 2027-28, but a successful bid would require investment above current budgets. The minister cited increased operating costs from expanded capacity at the mine.

Alberta residents have voted decisively to reject a path toward independence, with preliminary results showing 76 per cent backing remaining in Canada compared with 23 per cent supporting a legal process that could lead to separation. Monday's non-binding referendum was the province's first vote on the issue. Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the result as a victory for national unity at a time when Canada faces a trade war with the United States and threats of annexation from US President Donald Trump. However, separatist leaders vowed to continue their campaign, with more than 300,000 voters backing the move toward independence and activist Jeffrey Rath arguing the movement had already succeeded in building support and dominating provincial political debate.

Royal County Down Golf Club has submitted a planning application for a significant upgrade of its championship course in Newcastle, which could help position it to bid for The Open golf championship. The work would involve changes to nine holes, including new tees, bunkers and reconfigured fairways. The club hosted the Amgen Irish Open in 2024, which attracted approximately 70,000 spectators.

Scott Allaker, 50, of Beech Avenue, Brentwood, admitted five counts of shop theft between August and October. Police stopped him on London Road, Wickford, shortly after he stole eight bottles of champagne from BP in Hutton Mount on October 11 and found champagne, Prosecco and meat worth £1,117.55 in his car. The thefts occurred at three BP service stations in Herongate and Orsett Cock, plus Hutton Mount and Tesco in Hanging Hill Lane, Brentwood. Allaker was remanded on conditional bail and is banned from BP, B&Q, Sainsbury's and Tesco stores in Essex and Suffolk until sentencing on November 25.

A 28-year-old Fargo woman was seriously injured in a head-on crash on Highway 46 near Kindred, North Dakota on Sunday afternoon around 3:23 p.m. A 22-year-old Wahpeton man driving an eastbound 1995 Dodge Ram pickup attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone, crossed railroad tracks and collided head-on with a westbound 2011 Subaru Outback. The Fargo woman, who was wearing a seat belt, was airlifted to Sanford Health in Fargo. The Wahpeton driver and his 19-year-old female passenger were taken by ambulance to the same hospital. The Wahpeton man was not wearing a seat belt and faces multiple charges including DUI-drugs, criminal vehicular injury, reckless endangerment, driving under suspension, drug possession and providing false information to law enforcement.

Armed police were seen at Colchester's Whitehall Industrial Estate on Grange Farm Road after Essex Police made an intelligence-led arrest linked to allegations of violence. A man was arrested and taken into custody. Essex Police said they did not believe there was a risk to the wider public.

Two 15-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after an incident in Welland on 18 October. They allegedly waved a suspected gun at four young boys while on an e-scooter. West Mercia Police have now released both boys on bail pending further enquiries and believe the weapon was a BB gun.

A new lesbian pub called Dorothy's is set to open in south-east London after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £46,000. Co-founders Molly McCabe and Beth White are converting the former St George's Tavern in Camberwell into the community-focused venue, situated behind Burgess Park on Rainbow Street. The fundraiser highlighted the decline of queer spaces in London, particularly lesbian venues, with the pub aiming to provide a 'real queer home' and space built on 'genuinely inclusive hospitality'.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is set to buy Doncaster Sheffield Airport and over 1,000 acres of adjacent employment land from landowner Peel, bringing the site into public ownership. The purchase will be funded by 'at least some' of Doncaster's £160m gainshare funding. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the deal would provide 'long-term control, certainty and flexibility' and help create thousands of jobs, though SYMCA officers warned the project was 'not without risk to the taxpayer given the sums of public funding involved'.

The company behind Dhamroo, a popular Indian restaurant on London Road in Headington, Oxford, has called a creditors' meeting for November 12 as part of a Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation process. Although the meeting does not necessarily mean the restaurant will close, the process is used when a company is struggling financially. Dhamroo opened in late 2025 and has achieved a 4.9 out of five rating on Tripadvisor.