Tuesday, 20 October 2026

The Confederation of British Industry is warning Chancellor John Healey that an expected increase in bank taxes would be an 'own goal' for the UK economy. CBI chief Rain Newton-Smith will make the case at the organisation's autumn reception on Wednesday that raising the surcharge on bank profits would hurt Britain's competitiveness. The Government is reportedly considering increasing the surcharge from its current 3 per cent to 8 per cent, reversing a tax cut introduced by former chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Newton-Smith will argue that the UK's financial sector, centred in London, supports more than 650,000 jobs outside the capital and contributes over £200 billion annually to the economy. She will call for the Budget to give businesses 'breathing space' to invest, hire and innovate rather than holding back thriving sectors.

Police in South Dakota are searching for three missing people. Adam Hughes, 34, was last seen on 17 October in the 2400 block of Emerson Lane in Rapid City and is believed to be driving a black Toyota Tacoma with dealer plates; Rapid City police believe he travelled to the Lead/Deadwood area. Jackson Lee Edward Hinckley, 15, was reported missing on Tuesday evening in the 5900 block of Harper Court, Rapid City, wearing a white sweatshirt and jean shorts, and was driving a 2018 Subaru Impreza. Dorin Steiner, 16, ran away from home in Watertown at around 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 21 October, wearing a green hoodie and black sweatpants.

A house on Ullapool Road in Mount Pleasant was badly damaged by fire in the early hours of Wednesday, with firefighters suspecting it was deliberately lit. Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang before a car was heard screeching away from the scene. The fire appeared to have started at the front door.

William Reaves, a 77-year-old Vietnam war veteran, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday for the 1986 murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. He is the 18th person executed in Florida this year under Governor Ron DeSantis's aggressive use of the death penalty. Reaves's defence lawyers had argued that jurors were not told he was rated 100% disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder from his military service, and over 100 veterans had appealed to DeSantis to stop the execution.

North Dakota legislators met to discuss regulating artificial intelligence and data centres. Some people oppose data centres altogether. Senator Jose Castaneda said lawmakers want to regulate industries as a whole rather than individual facilities, noting that all industries affect the power grid. The upcoming legislative session is being seen as an opportunity to introduce bills establishing new rules for artificial intelligence.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of Starshield, a military-grade version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on for drone operations and defence against Russian attacks. On 14 October, Musk capped speeds so that equipment moving faster than 100 mph could not connect, rendering offensive and interceptor drones less effective. Musk initially denied involvement, claiming such limits are decided by the US military and President Trump. However, multiple sources told the Journal that Musk made the decision, though accounts differ on whether he consulted Trump beforehand. Trump denied ordering the restriction. By 15 October, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence confirmed the service had been restored, and Trump subsequently called Musk to ask him to lift any remaining limits.

Chinese car brand GWM has signed a multi-year sponsorship of the Parramatta Eels' NRL and NRL Women's teams as part of its push to become Australia's top-five automotive brand. GWM currently holds seventh place nationally with about five per cent market share, but only 3.8 per cent in New South Wales, where it says it underperforms. Chief operating officer John Kett said the Eels sponsorship targets the region, drawing a parallel between Parramatta's goal of a fifth premiership and GWM's ambition to climb the sales ladder.

The Gambia's Reparations Commission has received $2.5m from the sale of a mansion in Maryland that belonged to former president Yahya Jammeh. The US Justice Department had secured the property's forfeiture in 2022, alleging it was purchased with proceeds of corruption. The funds will compensate victims of abuses during Jammeh's 22-year rule, which ended in 2017 after he lost the 2016 election and was forced from office.

New York City Council voted Thursday to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park by June 2028, ending a 150-year-old tradition that will affect about 200 drivers. The ban passed 40–7, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani expected to sign it. The decision follows the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan in a carriage accident in Central Park this year.

West Virginia's public school system has lost 8,270 students in the past year, down to 226,687 enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year. This represents the second-largest decline in a decade, after the COVID-19 pandemic. All 55 counties experienced falling enrolment.

North Dakota's new state laboratory officially opened on Tuesday in Bismarck after more than two years of construction. The $70 million facility, the first new building on the Capitol grounds in 43 years, houses about 50 staff from the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Environmental Quality. The 104,000-square-foot building features enhanced safety equipment and expanded testing capabilities, including plans to test for PFAS ('forever chemicals') and substances in overdose cases within one to two years.

The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA season opener, held in Detroit on Tuesday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 22 points and eight assists, while Javonte Green added 19 points. Paul George scored 38 points in his debut for the Celtics, but Jayson Tatum struggled, missing 17 of 23 shots for 13 points.

More than 40 California multimillionaires, including Disney scion Tim Disney and Men's Wearhouse founder George Zimmer, have signed an open letter supporting Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on the net worth of billionaires living in California as of January 2026. The measure appears close in polling, with a September UC Berkeley survey showing 45% supporting it against 42% opposed, though prediction markets give it under 30% odds of passing.

A 36-year-old service station worker was critically injured after being run over by a ute at a Coffs Harbour service station on Tuesday night. He was trapped under the vehicle whilst checking fuel tank levels and required rescue by SES and NSW Fire and Rescue crews. The man was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. A 44-year-old woman was charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm and breaching bail, and was refused bail ahead of a court appearance.

SpaceX has posted its first profit as a public company, reporting $4.4 billion net income in the three months through September, more than double what Wall Street expected. Revenue soared 161 per cent to $14.6 billion, driven by growth in satellite communications and computing power leasing. The company has reversed losses from the year-earlier period.

Former President Bill Clinton campaigned in Florida on Tuesday night for Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly, one of several high-profile supporters backing the campaign. The visit came as more than a million people had already voted in Florida's early voting period.

French authorities are extending curfews and deploying extra police after rioters torched buildings and looted thousands of businesses over the weekend. The unrest, which has continued for five weeks, stems from student and worker protests demanding better schools and relief from rising living costs. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised a 'massive' police deployment ahead of demonstrations scheduled for 24 October, after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged authorities had underestimated the unrest and lost control in some cities.

The Milwaukee Brewers are facing complaints from fans seeking to redeem 'Timeless Tickets' purchased in 2015 for World Series games. Several hundred fans wanted to use the $1,000 tickets, which promised admission to any future game. Brewers president Rick Schlesinger acknowledged the team erred in its communications and that some fans were unhappy with their seat locations, saying the team has not lived up to the spirit of the programme and is working on a resolution.

American Airlines Flight 41, a Boeing 787-800 travelling from Barcelona to Chicago, reported brake problems and suffered a blown tire after landing at O'Hare International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft landed safely around 2:30 p.m. local time with 234 passengers and 11 crew members aboard. Passengers deplaned via stairs and were bused to the terminal. The airline said first responders met the aircraft as a precaution and apologized to customers. The aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance inspection; the cause of the brake malfunction remains unclear.

The West Virginia Department of Education is hosting the fifth annual Culineering Challenge in Charleston, with nine high school career and technical teams competing. This year's theme, 'Crash Test Yummy', requires students to design and build completely edible crash-test vehicles inspired by the state's parks. Each team includes engineering and culinary students plus a social media manager.

Leapmotor is considering introducing larger electric SUVs in Australia to compete with rivals. The brand's local boss Andy Hoang said the C16 and flagship D19 are under evaluation, with customers asking for six- or seven-seat models. Other Chinese brands including Deepal, GAC and Geely do not yet offer three-row SUVs in Australia.

Shelley Couzins, 58, uncovered a medieval gold reliquary cross worth upwards of £20,000 whilst metal detecting in a ploughed field on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, in August. She initially thought it was costume jewellery after finding it a foot below the surface, but fellow members of the Medway History Finders group confirmed it was real gold. The cross depicts Jesus's crucifixion on one side and Mary with the baby Jesus on the other.

Netflix reported third-quarter profit of $US3.66 billion, up 44 per cent year on year and exceeding analyst expectations of 82 cents per share. However, investors sent shares down after the company lowered its ad sales guidance, raising concerns about slowing revenue growth. Netflix also announced nearly 1,000 layoffs, about six per cent of its workforce, and said Peter Rice will replace Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria.

The US State Department has raised its travel advisory for Kenya from level 2 to level 3, urging Americans to reconsider travel to the East African safari destination. The upgrade cites violent crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest and health risks. Americans are advised to avoid certain Nairobi neighbourhoods and several counties, and areas near the Ethiopian border.

Plans from South Derbyshire District Council propose up to 750 new homes across three villages: Etwall, Hatton and Hilton. Local councillors say the expansion is excessive, particularly as Hilton's population grew by more than a quarter between 2011 and 2021. Residents and campaigners are being urged to respond to consultations about the schemes.

A colouring book collage created by Queen Elizabeth when she was eight years old, depicting a scene from the Pied Piper, is being sold at a Canadian auction house for £6,000. The artwork, signed 'The Pied Piper, by Lilibet 1934', was given to a palace staff member in the 1950s and has since entered a private collection. It is expected to sell on 22 October at Waddingtons in Toronto.

Amy Schumer posted photographs from a family vacation in Turks and Caicos, including images of her in a floral swimsuit and scuba diving. The 45-year-old comedian, who shares a seven-year-old son with ex-husband Chris Fischer, said becoming a mother and obtaining her PADI scuba certification were her two best life decisions. The New York Post reports that Schumer attended an impromptu wedding celebration on the beach near her resort accommodations.

Linfield came from behind to beat reigning champions Larne 2-1 at Inver Park, moving to within two points of leaders Coleraine. Leroy Millar gave Larne an early lead before Rhys Brennan levelled for Linfield and Ethan McGee won it late on. Manager David Healy said his side were 'deserved winners'. Larne have now suffered back-to-back league defeats, though they have three games in hand.

The Southside Melbourne Flyers have rebuilt with a young roster after losing several experienced players in the off-season. Forward Hannah Hank said the team embraces being the league's youngest and most inexperienced, viewing development as key to future success. The Flyers narrowly lost to Sydney Flames 77-73 with an average squad age of 22.8 years.

Australian Sports Group bought A-League Women club Canberra United in July after the club had been propped up by the ACT government for two years. Matildas veteran Michelle Heyman said the new ownership ends uncertainty about the club's future and allows her to focus on playing rather than being a spokesperson for the organisation. ASG will also have first rights to introduce an A-League Men side in Canberra for the 2028/29 season.

Missouri voters began no-excuse early voting on Tuesday, with steady lines reported in Jackson and Platte counties near Kansas City. Arkansas opened early voting on Monday. Missouri voters are deciding four amendments and one proposition on issues including abortion access, the sheriff's duties and the state's congressional map. Greene County in Missouri saw a line stretching out the door when voting opened at Springfield's Library Center, with 1,993 ballots cast by Monday. Boone County in Arkansas reported 548 people voting in person on Monday, a roughly typical turnout for the first day compared with 2022.

Microsoft is planning to release its next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, by Christmas 2028, according to Fortune's profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. The console is projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800 internally, though this could fall if Microsoft subsidises it. The company also plans a handheld device for the end of 2027. The high price reflects rising component costs and AI-driven shortages.

Phoebe Tonkin, star of the 2024 Netflix series Boy Swallows Universe, will head to Western Australia to film a new crime series, The Dark Lake, adapted from a best-selling novel by Melbourne author Sarah Bailey. The 37-year-old will play a rural town detective investigating a murder. Filming takes place in Perth's metropolitan area next year.

The New York Knicks hung an NBA Cup banner at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday before their season opener against Philadelphia, reversing their earlier decision not to commemorate the in-season tournament win. The team had previously said they were focused on bigger goals when they declined to hang the banner after winning the NBA Cup last December. They subsequently won the NBA championship, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals for their first title since 1973. Coach Mike Brown said the newly hung banner recognised the team's journey and ups and downs throughout the season.

The Wheeler County Sheriff's Office in northeast Nebraska issued a community alert on Tuesday afternoon following multiple recent fuel thefts. The office urged residents to protect their property and report suspicious activity, noting that rising gasoline and diesel prices may be a factor. Authorities advised against confronting suspects and encouraged people to note vehicle descriptions and licence plate numbers.

John Kerr, 75, has been struck off the teaching register by the General Teaching Council Scotland after a hearing found he made inappropriate comments to pupils while teaching history and modern studies at Berwickshire High School in Duns between December 2018 and February 2019. Kerr denied the allegations, but the panel concluded they had been proved. The Daily Record reports he also spat on one pupil's arm, pushed them and made threatening remarks, though the BBC Scotland report notes he denied all claims and said he had been away in Seville when one incident was alleged to have occurred. He has been removed from the register for one year.

Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli in a thrilling 4-3 Champions League victory over Bodø/Glimt. The midfielder's goals were his first of the season after he missed a month following heart surgery in early September to treat an irregular heartbeat. Matteo Politano's first-minute opener was cancelled out by Jens Petter Hauge, before McTominay restored Napoli's lead. Andreas Helmersen levelled again for the Norwegian club, but McTominay struck a second time on 71 minutes, and an own goal by Odin Bjørtuft sealed the result, with Sondre Brunstad Fet adding a late consolation for Bodø/Glimt.

Victoria's Premier Ben Carroll admitted he drove away from a petrol station without paying for fuel late on Monday night. After police contacted him on Tuesday through the Department of Parliamentary Services, he returned to the service station and settled the bill. Carroll said he had forgotten to pay while running errands and was grateful for the team's understanding.

Honda has raised the 2027 Accord's price by $1000 to $65,900 drive-away in Australia as part of a minor cosmetic update. The company has also reduced the complimentary Honda Connect subscription from five years to three. Honda Connect is a connected-car service offering remote door locking, air-conditioning control and vehicle information via a smartphone app.

The United States has imposed sanctions on five Chinese companies linked to Linwei Ding, a former Google engineer who founded Shanghai Zhisuan Technology. Beijing expressed 'firm opposition' to the move, saying it 'severely harms the legitimate rights and interests' of Chinese businesses and threatening unspecified retaliatory measures. Ding was convicted in January of theft of trade secrets after allegedly stealing Google's AI technology whilst secretly working with Chinese companies.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA season opener on Tuesday, overcoming a 22-point deficit with a 23-point unanswered scoring run. Cade Cunningham scored 22 points with eight assists, while Jalen Duren added 22 points and nine rebounds. Paul George scored 38 points in his debut for Boston, the most by a Celtic in a debut game, but the Celtics could not hold their lead. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff attributed the comeback to improved defense and contributions from Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green off the bench.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA season opener on Tuesday. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 22 points and eight assists, while Javonte Green scored 19 points after sitting out the first half. Paul George, the nine-time All-Star in his debut for Boston after joining from Philadelphia, scored 38 points but the Celtics could not hold their lead.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League, ending the Spanish club's 11-game winning run. PSG topped the table alongside Liverpool, who won 4-3 against Villarreal in a comeback victory. PSG's victory came at a cost, with injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sidelining two key attacking players.

A Minot woman has been charged with five felonies after deliberately setting fire to a duplex on 9 October. One man, who was asleep inside, woke up and slipped in burning cooking oil, suffering fourth-degree burns. Three people in an upstairs unit, including two children, were also in the home.

Craig Barker of Wigan admitted stealing coping stones valued at approximately £7,000 from historic boundary walls in the Rufford area of West Lancashire over several months in 2025. Local residents placed discreet tracking devices in stones they suspected would be targeted, after police found the remote locations difficult to investigate. When stones including one with a tracking device were taken on 25 October, officers traced it to Barker's home address. He received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 22 months.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson to life in prison without parole. Johnson was convicted in 1995 of murdering Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff William Hardy, who was shot twice in the head while working off-duty security at a hotel. Johnson has maintained his innocence and said he was elsewhere at the time. Ivey said she had concerns there was not enough direct evidence for the death penalty. The current district attorney and several former public officials have raised doubts about the conviction. Johnson's attorneys say they will continue fighting to overturn the conviction and secure a new trial.

Donald Trump has alarmed European leaders by suggesting Russia bears little responsibility for the war in Ukraine, saying 'Russia frankly has been fine on Ukraine' and that they 'have not been doing that much'. EU officials fear the U.S. president dislikes Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and may use this bias to push Ukraine into unfavourable peace terms. Meanwhile, Europe is stepping up support, having spent €236bn on Ukraine since 2022 compared with the U.S. outlay of €115bn.

NFL umpire Larry Smith will miss the rest of the 2026 season after tearing his quadriceps when he slipped on wet turf at Wembley Stadium during Sunday's Jacksonville Jaguars versus Houston Texans game. Smith fell on his back and fell again when attempting to stand, requiring a stretcher to be removed from the field. Heavy rain before the game left the natural grass slick, and players complained about the poor conditions.

Rio Ngumoha, aged 18, was named Uefa's player of the match as Liverpool came from behind to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League. Ngumoha set up goals for Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo in what outlets describe as a coming-of-age performance. The teenager has already made his England debut this season.

Blackpool defeated MK Dons 2-0 at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday evening, securing their first League One victory since the end of August. Second-half goals gave the Seasiders the win.

Elon Musk confirmed on Tuesday that SpaceX and Tesla are exploring a potential merger that would create a combined entity worth approximately $3.5 trillion, making it the largest corporate deal in history. Both companies have established special committees of independent directors to evaluate the proposal. Musk said there is 'a lot of merit' to combining the businesses, citing complementary work on artificial intelligence, chips, robotics and other technologies. However, Musk stressed that the committees have not reached agreement on terms and any deal would require approval from at least 50 per cent of Tesla shareholders. SpaceX shares rose sharply on the news, following the company's report of third-quarter revenue of $14.6 billion, up 161 per cent year-on-year.

Amazon has pledged to create 30,000 entry-level jobs for young people by 2030, with an additional 10,000 work experience placements. The 'Youth Promise' programme targets areas with the least opportunities. City AM reports the jobs will include full-time and seasonal roles paying at least £31,000 per year. The pledge comes as the Government seeks to reduce youth unemployment, with nearly one million 16 to 24-year-olds classified as Neets (not in education, employment or training).

The New York Giants released running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, 48 hours after he had two carries for 4 yards in a 34-27 loss to New Orleans. Harris criticised his role with the team, saying it was impossible to get into a rhythm without a steady workload. Coach John Harbaugh said he understood the sentiment but that opportunities must be earned.

An arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate columnist Karen Attiah and award her a year's back pay, finding the paper 'did not have good and sufficient cause' for her firing and violated her labour agreement. Attiah was dismissed last year following posts about conservative figure Charlie Kirk on the social media platform Bluesky. She celebrated the arbitration win on social media, saying she was 'happy to have been vindicated'.

Fifty years ago on 20 October 1976, a 670-foot Norwegian tanker called the Frosta struck the ferry George Prince on the Mississippi River near Destrehan, Louisiana, killing 77 people in the worst ferry disaster in US history. Only 18 of the more than 100 people on board survived. According to documentarian Royd Anderson, the ferry's driver was intoxicated and moved directly into the path of the ship at a time when ferries had right-of-way over large vessels. The disaster prompted changes in maritime law. A memorial ceremony was held on the anniversary.

Crawley Town have appointed Kevin Blackwell, 67, as interim manager after sacking Colin Kazim-Richards on Wednesday. Blackwell, a former Leeds United and Sheffield United boss, will take temporary charge of League Two's bottom side while the club recruits a permanent replacement. Director of football Erdem Konyar also parted company with the club.

Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case during the current outbreak, detected in a woman who travelled from Uganda to the capital Abuja. She developed symptoms on 7 October and was admitted to hospital on 11 October, where she tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring. Kenya reported its ninth case on the same day. Africa CDC director Jean Kaseya warned of an 'extremely serious threat', noting the outbreak has become the most geographically widespread in history, now affecting five countries across three African regions.

Victoria's government has pledged to ban smart glasses from every school across the state, including during excursions and sports carnivals, starting from 2027. The ban will apply to public, independent and Catholic schools, and in public schools will also extend to staff, parents and volunteers. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said the government was setting 'clear rules' to help students focus on learning and ensure 'a respectful and safe school environment'.

The Ministry of Justice spends almost £1.7 million a year on a 'disparities unit' with 20 full-time staff members who provide support and guidance on diversity and inclusion in prisons and probation services. The unit was renamed and expanded in October 2024. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy criticised the spending, arguing the money would be better used increasing prison capacity as the government releases thousands of prisoners early to ease overcrowding.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust declared a critical incident on Tuesday citing unprecedented numbers of patients in its emergency departments, with over 200 in A&E and more than 100 waiting to be seen. The incident was stood down on Wednesday at 13:30 BST after the number of patients waiting to be assessed dropped significantly and key A&E services were restored. This was the trust's fourth critical incident this year, though hospitals remain busy with patients still facing long waits.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel collapsed on the team's flight from Utah on Tuesday. The 19-year-old lost consciousness about ten minutes after takeoff from Salt Lake City. He regained consciousness quickly and was treated by team medical staff before the plane made an emergency return. Kindel was released from hospital on Wednesday after being evaluated.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel, 19, had a 'medical episode' on the team's flight from Salt Lake City on Tuesday shortly after takeoff, forcing the plane to return to Salt Lake City International Airport. Kindel is conscious, alert and in stable condition at University of Utah Hospital. Team physician Dr Dharmesh Vyas and medical staff attended to him on the plane and on arrival.

Dungannon Swifts progressed in the BetMcLean Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bangor. Manager Rodney McAree said his side were determined to advance 'by hook or by crook', describing the result as earned despite making 'hard work' of the match.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the company will attempt to catch both Starship's upper stage and Super Heavy booster for the first time in the vehicle's 15th test flight, expected next month. If successful, it would mark the first time an orbital launch vehicle has been fully recovered. Musk said success is 'more likely than not' on the next flight, though he acknowledged the attempt is not guaranteed to succeed.

The NFL will play the Steelers-Saints game at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday as planned, despite civil unrest that has gripped the French capital. NFL Executive Vice President Peter O'Reilly said heightened security measures will be in place and that officials are collaborating with Parisian and national authorities and the U.S. State Department. O'Reilly said the game was never in danger of being cancelled, and the league is confident the security measures will not drain resources needed for the broader response to the unrest.

Manchester City defeated AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick. Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also scored for City, who made eight changes from their previous match. Foden's three goals were his first Champions League goals in nearly twelve months and followed a strike against Ipswich on Saturday, ending a ten-month goalless run. Manager Enzo Maresca said he had held heart-to-heart conversations with Foden to help revive his form after a difficult two-year period. Stavros Pilios scored a consolation goal for the visitors early in the second half, though it proved a rare moment of quality from AEK.

Senior financial regulators have raised alarm over soaring debt levels in the artificial intelligence sector. The Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said 'none of us know' whether there is a 'bubble' in AI, but warned that high leverage and borrowing increase risks to the financial system. US bank Morgan Stanley expects AI-linked companies will borrow around £373 billion this year for data centre investment. The FCA chief added that risks to financial markets are currently 'on steroids' from the unchecked rise of AI.

King Charles hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said of Oman at a state banquet at Windsor Castle. In his speech, Charles praised Prince William and the Sultan's son, Sayyid Theyazin, who are joint patrons of an expedition through Oman. The speech came hours after Prince Harry published an interview in GQ magazine in which he said he 'wants it to work out' with his family but claimed others 'don't want to'. Charles did not mention Harry in his address.

King Charles hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said of Oman at a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, praising Prince William's relationship with the Sultan's son, Sayyid Theyazin, who were joint patrons of an Omani expedition. The banquet came hours after Prince Harry gave an interview to GQ magazine in which he said he 'wants it to work out' with his family but claimed others 'don't want to'. Harry's spokesman said this was not a 'swipe' at William, though royal commentators may interpret it as such. The King also praised Oman's efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz shipping route open as a 'great service' to the international community.

Plymouth Argyle suffered a 3-0 defeat at Stevenage on Tuesday, their second consecutive League One loss after losing 2-0 at home to Huddersfield Town. The defeats have seen them slip from top of the table to fifth place. Manager Tom Cleverley described the Stevenage performance as 'unacceptable' and apologised to travelling supporters.

A person wearing a Joe Biden mask ate a banana on a Texas family's doorstep in Watauga, west of Dallas, on Sunday evening around 8pm, captured on their Nest doorbell camera. The figure wore a T-shirt bearing the word 'FREEDOM' and touched the camera twice before eating the banana and leaving. Police found no evidence of a crime. Watauga police chief Jim Lewis said the individual's 'choice of attire and snack may have raised a few eyebrows' but neither 'appeared to have violated the law at this time'. Police warned that behaviour perceived as threatening could lead to dangerous confrontations.

Stephen Sexton, 39, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the rape, coercive control and murder of Joanna Derkacz, 37, at their home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on 28 December 2023. Prosecutors allege he killed her when she decided to end their relationship after he had subjected her to over a year of controlling behaviour. Ms Derkacz's body was discovered by her sister on her bed. The court heard that Sexton visited two sex workers shortly after the killing.

Maserati skipped the recent Paris motor show but plans to unveil its future direction in December in Modena. Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa said the brand 'needs product' and 'needs technology', which will be 'extensively presented'. Maserati boss Santo Ficili announced a new Levante concept, marking the brand's return to the large SUV segment, with a possible second concept based on the Quattroporte large sedan.

Gambian authorities have received $2,573,414 from the sale of a mansion in Potomac, Maryland, owned by former ruler Yahya Jammeh. The funds will be used to pay reparations to victims of abuse under his rule. The U.S. Department of State secured the forfeiture in 2022 after alleging the property was bought with proceeds of corruption.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in his first match after being suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation. His club Al Nassr beat Saudi Pro League rivals Neom 1-0, with Joao Felix, Ronaldo's Portugal teammate, scoring the winning goal. Ronaldo was suspended for 30 days and fined €255 after leaving Portugal's camp before a Nations League match against Denmark following a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus.

University of Pittsburgh police evacuated Wesley W. Posvar Hall on Tuesday afternoon following threats made toward a department inside. A Pitt student, Eden Ann Schwartz, 19, of Pittsburgh, is accused of posting an Instagram message stating 'ON MY WAY! TO BOMB THE STATISTICS DEPARTMENT' shortly before 2 p.m. Police took her into custody near the Cathedral of Learning within 40 minutes and charged her with making terroristic threats and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction.

SpaceX posted a quarterly profit of $4.4 billion for the three months through September, more than double what Wall Street expected, reversing losses from the year-earlier period. The company's satellite communications operations and computing power leasing businesses drove growth, with revenue reaching $14.6 billion, up 161 per cent. The stock rose 2.2 per cent in after-hours trading, though shares had faced pressure over concerns about spending on major projects to compete with rivals including OpenAI and Anthropic. Capital expenditures totalled $19.6 billion last quarter, nearly triple the figure from a year earlier.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was hospitalized in Salt Lake City on Tuesday after experiencing a medical episode during the team's flight home from a game against Utah Mammoth. The team plane returned to the airport shortly after takeoff, and Kindel was taken to University of Utah Hospital. He was reported to be conscious, alert and in stable condition. By Thursday, TribLIVE reported that Kindel had recovered from a vasovagal episode, a condition where heart rate and blood pressure drop suddenly, and had returned home to Western Pennsylvania.

The bell from the USS John Marshall, a ballistic-missile submarine decommissioned in 1992, has been escorted from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia to San Antonio, Texas for a reunion of the vessel's former crew. The American Legion and police accompanied the bell on its journey. Marshall University had housed the bell for more than two decades and required a release from the National Register to allow the former crew members to take it to the gathering. The bell will return to the university after the reunion.

Two Chicago residents have filed separate class-action lawsuits against Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics, alleging the companies' delivery robots scanned their faces and hands without permission. The men claim the machines violated Illinois privacy law by collecting biometric data through cameras and LiDAR sensors when they retrieved orders from DoorDash and Uber Eats respectively. Both companies deny the allegations, with Coco calling the lawsuit 'frivolous' and Serve saying it does not use data to identify individuals or create biometric profiles.

A 34-year-old British tourist has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after falling around 10 metres from a cliff near Amado Beach in Aljezur, Algarve. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and was conscious but with incoherent speech when rescued. The man was using old cables attached to rocks, traditionally used by fishermen to access an area called Monte do Engenheiro, when one cable broke.

North Dakota law enforcement agencies issued 622 citations during September's 'Put the Phone Away or Pay' campaign targeting distracted driving. Of these, 289 were for distracted driving, 141 for speeding and 33 for failure to wear a seatbelt. Four people were arrested for driving under the influence. Law enforcement used high visibility patrols to discourage dangerous driving and recommend drivers set navigation and music before driving and keep phones out of reach.

Netflix posted third-quarter earnings of 87 cents per share, beating analyst forecasts of 82 cents, with revenue rising 12% to $12.87 billion. However, the company's decision to lower guidance for its advertising business prompted investors to sell shares, reflecting concerns about slowing revenue growth. The results come after Netflix announced plans to lay off about 6% of its workforce, nearly 1,000 positions, as part of wider organisational changes.

Kirklees Council leader Sarah Wood has responded to historic racist tweets posted from her former Twitter account. Her spokesman said 'many' of the posts were not made by her, claiming the account was accessed and managed by several members of her campaign when she stood as a Brexit Party candidate before being deleted. Councillor Tanisha Bramwell has made a formal complaint to the council, describing the posts' generalisations as racist.

The NFL said on Tuesday that security will be increased for Sunday's game in Paris between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints following unrelated protests and civil unrest in the French capital last weekend. Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president for club business, international and league events, said the league is collaborating with Parisian and French national authorities, along with the U.S. State Department, to ensure the safety of the teams and fans. O'Reilly said there was never serious consideration of cancelling or moving the game, which will be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

The AFL Origin clash between Western Australia and South Australia has been scheduled for 27 February 2027 at Optus Stadium, with a 4.40pm kick-off time. The later date and time slot is intended to benefit Fremantle's All-Australian players including Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark, who will have more recovery time after the AFL season. The change follows criticism of last season's February 14 fixture, when several players suffered injuries during the match.

Molly Picklum has moved to second place in the World Surf League live rankings after defeating Canadian teenager Erin Brooks at Peniche in Portugal. Brooks had won 15 successive heats and three straight WSL tour events, the first surfer to do so since Stephanie Gilmore in 2008. Picklum, 23, scored 6.83 and 4.50 in the quarter-final victory, with the defending world champion describing the win as crucial timing as the season nears its conclusion.

Poland's parliament approved two bills to ease the country's strict abortion laws, removing criminal penalties for helping women access abortion and allowing terminations in cases of severe fetal abnormalities. President Karol Nawrocki, aligned with the nationalist Law and Justice party, has said he will veto the measures. Campaigners described the changes as insufficient, noting they would not help most women seeking abortion, and called for protests demanding full decriminalisation.

Manchester United made an approach to sign Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, 20, in the summer but were knocked back by their Premier League rivals. Acheampong, regarded as one of the most highly-rated young players in the world, joined Chelsea's academy at age eight and has made over 50 appearances for the club. Chelsea declared him 'untouchable' and rejected multiple offers from European clubs as well as United's enquiry. The club is preparing to extend his contract beyond its current 2029 expiration.

A three-year-old girl in Fujian, China was rescued on Saturday after her head became trapped between safety bars on a twelfth-floor apartment window. Neighbours and a security guard held up a chair from a lower window to support her while firefighters arrived. Firefighters then cut through the metal bars to free her. The child's mother had left her alone in the apartment while shopping for groceries. The girl was taken to hospital as a precaution but was unharmed.

SpaceX announced third-quarter revenue of $14.6 billion on Tuesday, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $12.72 billion, representing 161 per cent growth year-on-year. The company's AI division, rebranded as its 'Super Intelligence' segment, generated $7.6 billion in revenue, surging over 800 per cent and now accounting for 52 per cent of total income. This growth was primarily driven by data-centre leasing to companies including Anthropic and Google, plus the recently acquired Cursor coding tool and Grok adoption. Starlink's connectivity business generated $5.2 billion in revenue with 13.6 million consumer subscribers, whilst the space division posted $1.8 billion. SpaceX spent $19.6 billion on capital expenditure, with $16.4 billion devoted to AI infrastructure. During the earnings call, Elon Musk said boards at both SpaceX and Tesla had formed committees to explore a possible merger at shareholders' request.

Anthony Keith Errigo Jr., 54, was arrested in connection with the death of Kiersten Fabiani, 61, in Phoenix. Fabiani was found naked and unresponsive beneath a pickup truck on 8 October and died ten days later in hospital from her injuries. Court documents indicate she suffered extensive injuries including deep cuts to her head and face.

The Gellert Global Group, a New Jersey cheese importer, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging Trump's power to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The firm is represented by the Liberty Justice Center, which argues no president should be able to use dormant statutes to impose tariffs without congressional limits. Trump invoked the Depression-era law in August, prompting Canadian retaliation, and last month announced a ban on nearly $1 billion of Canadian products including alcoholic beverages and dairy.

The NSW Teachers Federation has warned that unpaid work outside school hours is pushing teachers toward leaving the profession, threatening staffing levels. A survey of 1,400 union members found about 85 per cent of NSW teachers have considered leaving education because of shortfalls in allocated preparation time. Primary teachers currently receive two hours a week to prepare lessons and handle administrative tasks. The union argues this is insufficient, particularly given rising numbers of students with additional learning needs.

Chris Pratt returns as Lieutenant Commander James Reece in The Terminal List season 2, launching on Prime Video on October 21. Reece is a fugitive after killing those on his list, but is recruited by the US government following an Al-Qaeda attack in London. The season shifts focus from personal revenge to seeking redemption, with Reece uncovering a conspiracy linked to his family history.

Google is bringing Personal Intelligence, a personalized version of its Gemini AI assistant, to Android Auto starting today, with rollout to cars with Google built-in in the coming months. The feature will let Gemini access information from Gmail, Google Calendar, Maps, Photos, YouTube and Google Search to answer contextual questions while driving. Users must opt in for the feature to work.

James Weldon Johnson wrote 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1900 for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson, composed the music. First performed by Black children at a school where James Weldon Johnson was principal, the song was later adopted by the NAACP and sung at Civil Rights marches and events during the 1950s and 1960s. It is now widely called the Black National Anthem and is standard in Black churches and Black History Month programmes across the United States.

Pleasant autumn weather is set to dominate across the region through the weekend. Highs will reach the middle to upper 70s with clear skies and dry conditions, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Overnight temperatures will drop into the middle to upper 40s, with lows potentially reaching near 50 degrees by the weekend. A cold front is forecast to arrive on Monday, bringing clouds, cooler air and possible showers early in the week.

President Trump has announced plans to spend more than $400 million to support Republican candidates in the midterm elections on 3 November, according to a post on his Truth Social platform. The money comes from MAGA Inc, a super PAC, and an associated nonprofit called Securing American Greatness. Trump said more than $300 million has already been spent on advertising, voter contact, rallies and election integrity efforts. The Republican Party faces challenges ahead of the vote, with Trump's approval rating at 31 per cent in a Reuters-Ipsos poll, and some Republicans distancing themselves from the president. The spending announcement comes as Republicans seek to maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

The NFL is pressing forward with its first international game in France, a Steelers-Saints match scheduled for Sunday at the Stade de France, despite violent protests that have swept the country. More than 500,000 people marched over the weekend with some protests turning violent, involving looting, vandalism and attacks on police. TJ Watt's wife, Dani, questioned the decision on social media, asking how playing in the unrest makes sense. The unrest began last month over poor school facilities, teacher shortages and lack of funding.

Robby Froelich, a second-year sports turf management student at Southeast Technical College in South Dakota, interned with the Milwaukee Brewers this summer and will return to Milwaukee this week to help prepare the field for the World Series. The Brewers will face the Tampa Bay Rays, with the first two games in Milwaukee. Froelich developed his interest in turf management through a lawn care business he ran in his hometown of Hazen, North Dakota, and work at local golf courses. He said he learned from the Brewers that maintaining the turf, home plate, pitcher's mound and baselines is crucial not only for fans but to protect players.

Vice President JD Vance said during an interview that he believes President Trump would endorse him if he were to run for president in 2028, though he acknowledged he has not actually discussed a potential run with Trump. Vance expressed uncertainty about receiving an immediate endorsement, saying 'I would think so, but I don't know, man' when asked if Trump would back him 'right away'. He emphasised his current focus is on the midterm elections rather than planning a future presidential campaign.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine have both signed executive orders allowing the temporary use of red-dyed diesel fuel on public highways. Morrisey declared a 60-day state of emergency across West Virginia and said the measure will save drivers and businesses 20.5 cents per gallon. DeWine's order in Ohio remains in effect through 31 December. Both governors said the relief aims to lower transportation costs affecting prices across their economies.

Sudan's military carried out a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan on Monday, killing at least 153 people according to local officials. The death toll from recent attacks in the area has exceeded 250. Abyei's caretaker minister of information said the toll had risen from an initial 73 and was likely to rise further as recovery efforts continued.

Donald Trump lashed out at The Independent's White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg during an Oval Office briefing on Tuesday, telling him 'I don't know who the hell you are, but you better be careful.' Feinberg had questioned the administration's new $25 million fraud whistleblower scheme, noting that the False Claims Act, in existence since the 1860s, already allows whistleblowers to receive between 10% and 25%, compared with the proposed 1% commission. Trump defended the new proposal, arguing that the scale of potential fraud justified the different terms. Trump also called Feinberg 'a sick person' during the exchange. Feinberg responded by saying he had identified himself to Trump minutes earlier and was 'doing my job'.

The NFL says security will be heightened for the Steelers-Saints game in Paris on Sunday after civil unrest engulfed the French capital last weekend. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has a high comfort level in the teams playing safely, noting that protests are not unusual in France. The game at Stade de France will be the league's first in France.

Mark Fawke, known as 'Fawksey', died in a fire at his home on Beaufort Drive in Wallasey on Monday night, October 19. His dog, Hugo, also died in the blaze. Wallasey Village YFC, where Mr Fawke coached, and Port Sunlight Village FC, where he played, paid tribute to him, describing him as an inspiration to children across the Wirral and praising his dedication to grassroots football.

A US district judge dismissed Ann Altman's lawsuit against her brother, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, on Tuesday after she refused to attend an independent medical examination despite repeated warnings. Ann Altman had accused Sam Altman of sexually abusing her between 1997 and 2006 when she was aged three to sixteen. Sam Altman has denied the allegations.

Hotel reservations in North Platte, Nebraska have risen sharply ahead of Vice President J.D. Vance's planned Thursday visit. Hotels in the area expect to be sold out through the end of the week, with visitors arriving from across Nebraska and out of state. Hotel managers have declined to share detailed information, citing security policy.

Apple is expected to unveil an iPad mini 8 with an OLED display at a press and creator briefing in Los Angeles on 28 October. The device will reportedly feature the A20 Pro chip, offering up to 1.5 times faster CPU performance and 2.5 times faster GPU performance compared to the previous generation. MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens and an iMac with an M6 chip are also expected to be announced, though Engadget reports that the MacBook Pro will use current M5 Pro and M5 Max chips rather than the M6 family.

The US Embassy in France is warning Americans to avoid violent protest areas as unrest sparked by grievances including rising living costs and mass migration has led to curfews across the country. Partial curfews have been imposed in cities including Paris, Lille and Lyon from 19-20 October, with more possible. Riot police deployed tear gas near Place de la République in Paris, with torched vehicles and street fires reported.

Clarence Jean Miller, 41, of Oak Hill in Fayette County, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. He shared nine photographs and three videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct via a cellphone messaging app on 15 March 2025. Miller faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, plus supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and must register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 March 2027.

The Philadelphia Eagles are not being disciplined for how they handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clots, according to an NFL source. Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms after a blood clot in his left calf travelled to his lungs, and is expected to miss the rest of the season. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league welcomes an investigation into the matter after the players' union requested one, but defended the medical protocols followed.

Stephen Lang, 58, of Camborne, was ordered to pay £2,270 in fines and costs after throwing a parking ticket at a civil enforcement officer at Exchequer Quay car park in Penryn, Cornwall. Lang had been issued a penalty charge notice for parking outside a marked bay. When the officer issued the ticket, he removed it from his vehicle and threw it towards her, then repeated the action after she recovered it. Truro Magistrates' Court found him guilty of littering in his absence.

Police in Guinea-Bissau raided the offices of Danish researchers on Monday and seized doses of hepatitis B vaccine. The researchers, led by Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn of the Bandim Health Project, had been planning a trial that would deny hepatitis B vaccines to 7,000 newborns. The trial was supported by $1.6m from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with another $1.6m from private foundations. On Wednesday, a lead researcher confirmed the study 'will not move forward in Guinea-Bissau' after the researchers were not given necessary governmental approval. Guinea-Bissau's health minister had previously denied reports the trial would proceed.

Authorities are investigating after suspicious white powder was reported at the Omaha offices of both Senator Deb Fischer and Senator Pete Ricketts within days of each other. Fischer's office, located northeast of 120th Street and West Dodge Road, received the report on Tuesday at about 1 p.m. Ricketts' office, near 168th Street and West Dodge Road, reported a similar incident on Friday afternoon. The substance found at Ricketts' office was tested and determined not to be dangerous. The FBI is handling the investigation.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures in response to violent protests in Milan on Saturday, when rioters, many of them minors, looted stores and set fire to property in the city's central shopping district. A government decree calls for 500 additional soldiers to be deployed to Milan through the end of the year, requires parents to pay for damage caused by minors, and makes it easier to prosecute minors over 14. The decree creates a new criminal offense of violent participation in a demonstration, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Meloni said the presence of young rioters was 'painful and frightening' and that the government would add new beds to detention facilities and judges to the juvenile justice system. The decree must be converted to law by parliament within 60 days.

A coroner has warned that 1.6 million Hoover and Candy tumble dryers in UK homes may have potentially fatal defects, following a fire that killed Sohaib Ahmed, 38, and his daughter Manahal, nine, at their home in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, on 8 June 2025. Senior coroner Martin Fleming has called for a ban on sales of the specific model, a DX C10DCER-80 Hoover condenser dryer, while safety investigations take place. The inquest found the fire was 'more likely than not' started by the appliance, though the exact mechanism remains unclear.

Tracee Hutchison, a former TV and radio broadcaster who ran as an independent for Victoria's state seat of Nepean in a 2026 by-election, has decided not to stand in the state election in November. She faced death threats, images of herself being gagged, coordinated letterbox drops and coordinated harassment during the by-election, in which she won almost a quarter of first preferences. She cited rising violence towards women in her decision, noting she reported threats to the Victorian Electoral Commission daily during pre-polling but said little could be done.

Raffaele Cuica bridal boutique in Brunswick, Melbourne, is celebrating 70 years by making its debut at Melbourne Fashion Week. Founded by Italian tailor Raffaele Ciuca, who arrived in Australia in 1952 with a suitcase and tailoring skills, the boutique has become one of Australia's most recognised bridal shops. It stocks exclusive pieces from designers including Vivienne Westwood, Berta, Steven Khalil and Vera Wang Bride.

A parliamentary inquiry has begun into Australia's Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program, a $560 million invite-only grants scheme that funded Labor election promises. The Centre for Public Integrity reported in September that funding was tilted towards marginal and Labor-held seats. Key government figures including Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will not appear before the committee, though Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne will testify on Wednesday about the program's most contentious project: $6 million to Marrickville Golf Club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate.

Chris Hemsworth has partnered with Sydney distillery Archie Rose to expand its Australian whisky range into the US market. Hemsworth worked with his brother Luke on the campaign, writing, directing and producing a film for the brand whilst also helping develop new bottle designs and packaging inspired by the Australian landscape. The refreshed range includes three expressions: award-winning Single Malt at £119.99, Straight Rye Malt at £99.99, and a new Australian Original at £79.99.

Paris police have ordered new curfews in central areas following weekend riots and looting. A curfew on Monday night resulted in calm being restored, according to authorities. Fresh curfews are now in place for Tuesday night in the Republique square and les Halles district, running from 2100 GMT to 0400 GMT Wednesday. NPR reports that curfews are being imposed across city centres in Paris and Lyon 'for as long as necessary'. Police are patrolling the streets with multiple drones and helicopters deployed across several areas.

Turning Point USA and Students for Life of America have launched the 'Feminists Lied: Prove Me Wrong' tour, a partnership beginning Tuesday with eight college campus events. The tour aims to challenge what the organisations describe as 'the claim that feminism and reproductive rights have helped women more than they've harmed them'. Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins will speak at the events, posing questions about whether women have been told the truth about career success, equality and motherhood.

Rubbish overflowing from a bin at Hull Road shops by the junction with Melrosegate in York has sparked vermin fears. Liberal Democrat activist Andrew Mortimer said waste had been left littered on the pavement and the bin's size and collection frequency were inadequate. The council's environment lead said officials would monitor whether a larger bin was necessary.

Oxford's food and drink festival in Broad Street has ended, and the street will now host Christmas markets. The Victorian Christmas Market runs from 12 to 15 November, followed by the main Christmas market from 21 November through 31 December. The markets will feature festive stalls including sausages and mulled wines, alongside a temporary Alpine lodge-style pub.

You Can See Everything, a documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim about disgraced biotech founder Elizabeth Holmes, earned $15 million during its debut weekend across 855 screens in the US and Canada, marking the largest limited-release opening since 2006's Borat. Holmes, 42, founded Theranos in 2003 and claimed its Edison test could detect conditions such as cancer and diabetes without traditional needles. At its peak in 2013 and 2014, the company was valued at $9 billion. Holmes is serving a prison sentence after being convicted of defrauding investors. The film was made in secret and has sparked renewed interest in the Theranos scandal.

Huntington will receive West Virginia's first Thomas Dambo Troll, a large recycled wood sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, through a $1 million placemaking initiative. The project is a partnership between the Huntington Area Development Council, the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. City leaders hope the sculpture will encourage visitors to spend time and money in the area. Dambo's trolls have become a global phenomenon, drawing over 4.5 million visitors annually, and the installation will place West Virginia on his international 'Trollmap'. The artist will visit Huntington next year to design a troll unique to the community, likely positioned on the Huntington Museum of Art's 50-acre property near its sensory trail.

Sir David Bell's independent review into antisemitism in English schools has found that three in five Jewish pupils said they had experienced or witnessed antisemitism, with around one in five all pupils witnessing it. The government has accepted all 27 recommendations, including requirements for schools to recognise antisemitism as a distinct category of harm, provide dedicated teacher training, strengthen Holocaust education, and improve incident reporting. Education Secretary Lucy Powell told Parliament that tackling antisemitism is a 'generational challenge' and stressed that all children and teachers should attend school 'free from fear'. The review also calls for strengthened guidance on political impartiality for teachers but stops short of banning pro-Palestine badges, instead encouraging schools to set their own dress codes. The National Education Union has criticised the recommendation to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism.

A pleasure boat drifting in the South Bay area of Scarborough suffered dual engine failure on Sunday, October 18. An RNLI volunteer inshore lifeboat crew, which had been carrying out routine training, was called to assist and promptly towed the vessel back to Scarborough Harbour.

Choice Housing is developing 12 new social housing apartments in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, costing £1.6 million. The development will include two one-bedroom apartments, seven two-bedroom apartments, two four-person two-bedroom apartments, and one duplex. It comes as figures from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive show a projected need for 1,229 new social housing units across the borough over 2024–27.

The A1 is closed southbound at the Spott roundabout near Dunbar following a crash on Tuesday evening around 7.15pm. Emergency services are at the scene. The number of vehicles involved is not yet known. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and allow extra travel time.

Dr Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, confronted employees at Kent Senior Care and Evergreen Adult Day Care in Flushing, Queens, over suspected Medicaid fraud. The visits were part of a broader crackdown in which CMS officials conducted more than 80 visits and delivered warning letters to providers across New York City. The crackdown involved the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the NYPD.

David Raya, Arsenal's goalkeeper, has revealed he would like to play in Spain's La Liga in the future. The 31-year-old, a Real Madrid supporter, said he is 'very happy' at Arsenal but would 'certainly like to experience the Spanish league'. He is shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy, awarded at next week's Ballon d'Or ceremony, and was named in the Champions League team of the season after keeping nine clean sheets in 14 appearances.

Boldmere Christmas Festival, which ran for 15 years on the Sutton Coldfield high street, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year. The event costs £24,000 to stage but generates only £14,000 from rides, market stalls and food vendors, leaving a £10,000 deficit. Organisers Boldmere Futures CIC say they 'weren't offered a penny' by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, which voted to refuse funding. Local residents have expressed disappointment online.

OpenAI has announced a locked chats feature for ChatGPT that allows users to secure sensitive conversations with a four-digit PIN or Face ID and Touch ID on supported devices. The feature is designed for situations where users might discuss personal matters or plan surprises and want to keep those conversations private when handing their device to others. Locked chats appear in a separate section and do not affect chat history, data retention or training settings.

The Metropole Hotel in Blackpool, which housed asylum seekers from September 2021 to July this year, is the subject of ongoing planning discussions by its operator Britannia. The hotel chain said 'a lot of planning and discussion is taking place behind the scenes' but has not yet disclosed details of its future. Blackpool South MP Chris Webb previously suggested it could reopen as a tourist hotel.

The US Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have reached a $5 million settlement with Instacart over allegations the company discriminated against US-born workers. The agencies said Instacart required physical mail applications for jobs advertised through a federal visa sponsorship programme, while allowing electronic applications for standard recruitment. Instacart said it complied with US law but agreed to the settlement to focus on its business.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg is spending $80 million to help Democratic candidates in the midterm elections, with contributions made in September and October particularly focused on House races. He is among the top five largest individual Democratic donors in the 2025–2026 election cycle. Donald Trump announced he intends to spend $400 million to aid Republican candidates, with $300 million already disbursed.

Pat Cullen, elected as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in July 2024 and former head of the Royal College of Nursing, will stand for the Northern Ireland Assembly. He will run alongside sitting South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey in the new constituency of South Belfast and Mid Down in elections next May. Sinn Féin said the party aims to elect two MLAs in the constituency.

Amazon announced plans to hire 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time workers across the United States for the 2026 holiday season, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. The company will post job listings weekly from October through December. Seasonal workers earn an average of $20 per hour, with specific roles offering between $20.25 and $24.50 per hour depending on position. Starting in 2027, seasonal employees working at least 30 hours per week will become eligible for the same healthcare benefits offered to full-time workers.

The New York Giants released running back Najee Harris two days after he criticised the coaching staff's running back rotation. Harris, a 28-year-old former first-round draft pick, started on Sunday in a game against the Saints but carried the ball only four times for two yards. He subsequently said it was difficult for running backs to develop rhythm with limited touches, though he clarified his comments were not directed at the coaching staff.

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing's 737 Max 10 for commercial passenger flights, marking the last variant of Boeing's best-selling 737 Max family to receive certification. The largest model in the family can seat up to 230 passengers and was unveiled at the Paris air show in 2017 to compete with Airbus's A321neo. The approval comes after nearly a decade of delays caused by safety scrutiny following two fatal Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as engineering changes including to anti-icing systems. Boeing expects to begin deliveries in 2027. Major customers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Ryanair, with the Max 10 comprising about 30 per cent of Boeing's Max backlog.

The UK government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, situated 150 miles east of Aberdeen and operated by Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh gave the go-ahead on Wednesday, saying it will support energy security with homegrown gas. The field is expected to increase domestic gas production by around 6 per cent at its peak, safeguard hundreds of jobs and provide an estimated £2.9 billion economic boost over its 11-year lifespan. The government will create an energy wealth fund using tax revenues from oil and gas extraction to invest in renewable projects. Environmental campaigners have condemned the decision, arguing it will harm climate targets and make minimal difference to energy security, while a separate decision on the larger Rosebank oilfield is expected later this year.

Michigan voters have requested more than 2.1 million absentee ballots ahead of the 3 November election, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the same period before the 2022 midterm. More than 789,000 ballots have already been cast, bringing the active registered voter turnout rate to 10.7 per cent. State election officials are advising voters to deliver ballots by hand to their local clerk's office, an assigned drop box or an early voting site rather than mailing them, with the US Postal Service recommending ballots be sent at least one week before the receipt deadline. Michigan law requires clerks to receive ballots by 8 p.m. on election day for them to be counted. Early voting sites are opening across the state on Saturday, 24 October and will operate for at least eight hours daily through Sunday, 1 November.

Josh Hazlewood's illness during Australia's second Test against South Africa at St George's Park left the team without its best bowler. Beau Webster bowled 19 overs, his most in a Test, while part-time spinners Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Nic Maddinson sent down 15 overs combined. Mitchell Starc acknowledged the unexpected challenge: 'If you know you're going to be a man down from the start, you're probably going with a different make up.' Hazlewood managed nine overs on Tuesday after missing the first session.

Apple has highlighted more than 50 third-party apps that are or will soon be optimized for the iPhone Duo foldable device. The App Store will label these optimized apps with a 'Made for iPhone Duo' badge. Apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Word and Outlook, Zoom, and Slack are taking advantage of the device's inner and outer displays and various folding positions.

Tiger Woods is poised to return to competitive golf in 2027 as part of his Jupiter Links team in the TGL league. The announcement came after Woods was replaced on the team roster, with Kevin Kisner's contract not being renewed to make room for Woods to play a full schedule. Woods has not competed since March 2026, when he was arrested on DUI charges in Florida; he completed an inpatient rehab programme and entered a plea deal reducing the charges in September.

Emma Kingdon, 38, has been elected president of the ACTU, Australia's peak union body, replacing Michele O'Neil. She will formally begin in December and work alongside new ACTU secretary Melissa Donnelly. Kingdon, who started her career at a KFC in Perth before becoming a union organiser, has spent ten years at the ACTU as national campaigns director and says securing greater workers' rights remains her priority.

Maria Pacheco, mayor of Kerman near Fresno, allegedly followed hairstylist Eric Bridges on 14 October, blocking his vehicle and confronting him over a belief that he worked for ICE. Surveillance footage captured an orange Nissan Altima trailing a white car, with audio of a verbal altercation in which Pacheco allegedly told Bridges: 'I'm looking for ICE and you look like ICE.' Bridges has no connection to ICE and has filed complaints with local police and the district attorney's office.

Australia's Renewable Energy Agency is funding a $5.35 million, three-year trial with up to 130 electric vehicles to test vehicle-to-grid technology. The trial, run with Jet Charge, AGL and the ACT government, will be Australia's biggest commercial deployment of the technology. The vehicles, many used for health service deliveries, will use bi-directional chargers to feed power back into the grid during high-demand periods while parked overnight at ACT government buildings.

England centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has signed a new contract with Bristol Bears. The 29-year-old South African-born player, who qualified for England on residency grounds and made his debut against Fiji, joined Bristol from London Irish in 2023 and has been named in the Gallagher Premiership team of the season for three consecutive years.

Cornwall's council leader and MPs met Prime Minister Andy Burnham's team at No 10 North on 19 October to discuss a devolution deal covering transport, skills and housing. The plans would make Cornwall one of the country's first single foundation strategic authorities without a mayor, avoiding the estimated £6 million cost of a mayoral election. Council leader Leigh Frost said the arrangement would allow Cornwall to be more efficient and ambitious.

The Australian production of Tony Award-winning musical The Book Of Mormon has returned to Crown Theatre Perth after first appearing there in 2019. The show, co-written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with Robert Lopez, follows two mismatched Mormon missionaries on a two-year mission. The current cast is led by Sean Johnston as Elder Price and Nick Cox as Elder Cunningham. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2011 and runs in Perth until 6 December.

Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth, has been suspended by the Labour Party after voluntarily referring himself for investigation over a taxpayer-funded Covid business loan. He is co-owner of Autoswot Limited, an online training company, which took the maximum £50,000 loan during the pandemic but ceased trading in late 2022 without fully repaying it. Moon said the business intended to repay the loan and made partial repayments until it failed due to market pressures.

The US Centers for Disease Control has reported a third measles death in 2024, bringing the total to three. The country is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with over 4,400 confirmed cases nationwide as of October 15. Pennsylvania has been hardest hit, with 1,286 cases and five deaths reported by state officials, though the CDC's count remains lower. The CDC declined to specify which state the latest death occurred in, citing privacy laws, though experts dispute whether such restrictions actually prevent disclosing state-level death counts.

Five teenagers were arrested after a firearm was reportedly spotted on Swanswell Street in Coventry at around 12.40pm on Tuesday, October 20. The group comprised two 18-year-old men, two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy, all arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. An imitation firearm was recovered from the scene and the five remain in police custody for questioning.

Nottinghamshire duo Jack Haynes and Liam Patterson-White have been selected for England Lions' 50-over and T20 squads. The pair will tour the Caribbean in November to face West Indies A.

Hampshire police are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins and a garage burglary in the Chilworth village on October 19. Offenders targeted five properties on Pinehurst Road, Roman Road, Hadrian Way, Bassett Heath Avenue and Lingwood Close during the early hours of the morning. Windows were smashed on two vehicles, but nothing was reported stolen. Two suspects, described as men of slim to average build wearing dark clothing, were involved, with one seen riding an electric motorcycle. Police are asking residents to check CCTV and doorbell footage.

Andrew Boff, a London Assembly member and one of the party's longest-serving politicians, has resigned from the Conservative Party after 53 years. He said he was blocked from standing as the Conservative candidate for London mayor because he supports remaining in the European Convention on Human Rights, contrary to party policy. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated in October 2025 that candidates must support leaving the ECHR. Boff will now serve as an independent Assembly member.

Kevin Lister was sacked by New College Swindon in September 2022 after refusing to use a 17-year-old student's chosen male name and pronouns in class. He is appealing a 2024 Bristol tribunal decision that he was fairly dismissed and not discriminated against for his beliefs on gender. At a London appeal hearing this week, his representative argued the college's gender reassignment policy was 'coercive', whilst the college said it sought only to change his behaviour, not his beliefs.

The UK Government has approved the Jackdaw gas field, located 150 miles east of Aberdeen and owned by Shell. The project is expected to supply gas to the UK grid within weeks and could deliver around six per cent of UK North Sea gas production. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the move will support energy security, though she acknowledged it will not lower household energy bills. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the decision will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm, but environmental groups have protested against the approval.

Kroger has broken ground on a new 99,000 square-foot Marketplace store in Huntington, West Virginia, located on Fifth Avenue and 24th Street. The store, expected to open in late 2027, will be Kroger's second Marketplace in the state and will feature an expanded grocery section, pharmacy, fuel station and pickup area. The current Kroger location on Fifth Avenue will close once the new store opens.

Simon Richardson is on trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court accused of murdering Stretford Grammar headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, after hitting him with his Volvo as Mr Mullins cycled home from work on April 20. Prosecutors allege Mr Richardson dragged Mr Mullins beneath the car for 2.2km (1.3 miles) before leaving him to die on a grass verge. Mr Richardson's cousin, who was a passenger in the car, told the court she heard 'moaning' from beneath the vehicle and that the defendant said 'he's under the car'. Mr Richardson denies murder, manslaughter and dangerous driving.

A boy in his late teens was stabbed on West Bromwich High Street near New Street on 20 October at around 3.20pm. He was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. Two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were arrested and later charged with wounding with intent. They remained in custody.

Aaron Messenbird, 32, threatened a group of people with a samurai sword in Milton Keynes at around 9pm on July 30 in what police described as a violent, unprovoked assault. One man suffered serious hand injuries, including tendon damage and rib injuries, when he attempted to protect others. Bystanders, including one wielding a spirit level, fought Messenbird off and he fled. He was arrested on August 5, pleaded guilty to threatening someone with a bladed article, possessing a bladed article in public, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court.

Seven Devon MPs, led by David Reed MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, have written to Chancellor John Healy asking for funding assistance towards a new headquarters for Devon Air Ambulance. The charity needs £10 million for a combined headquarters and airbase at Exeter Airport, having secured £5.1 million and needing a further £4.9 million. The letter notes the existing building's limitations are restricting the service as demand grows and incidents become more complex.

A former Cornell University student known as Jane Doe, who alleges she was gang-raped by seven men at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024, has written to the faculty senate saying she felt 'unsupported and disbelieved' by President Michael Kotlikoff. In a letter dated 14 October, she reported that Kotlikoff had reportedly asked 'Why did she wait so long to report it?' in a January 2025 meeting. She reported the alleged assault to campus police on 8 November, three weeks after the incident. Kotlikoff's administration disputes her account, stating the question was directed at bystanders who had not used the university's anonymous tip line, not at Jane Doe herself. The letter comes as the faculty senate prepares to vote on a motion of no confidence in Kotlikoff's leadership. The seven men accused have all denied wrongdoing and none has been charged with a crime.

Raising Cane's will open its first South Dakota location on 17 November at 4004 W. 41st St. in Sioux Falls, near the Empire Mall east of Interstate 29. The restaurant will create 165 jobs and serve chicken finger meals, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and Cane's sauce. An opening-day celebration will feature free giveaways including Cane's for a Year prizes.

A banned driver has been sentenced after leading Essex Police on a dangerous chase through Basildon. Buster Digby, 19, was spotted on 21 March in a black Porsche Cayenne at Festival Leisure Park, a vehicle that had failed to stop for officers the previous day. When the Porsche left the leisure park, it sped through a red light, crossed onto the wrong side of the road and travelled the wrong way around a roundabout before Digby abandoned it off Courtauld Road. An NPAS helicopter tracked him from above, enabling officers to detain him quickly. Digby was already disqualified from driving, held only a provisional licence and was not insured. At Basildon Magistrates' Court on 20 October, he was sentenced to 12 weeks in a young offender institution, suspended for one year, with a rehabilitation activity requirement and a further 18-month driving ban.

La Locanda, an Italian restaurant in Ribble Valley, has been named a finalist in the PAPA Awards 2026. The awards celebrate Italian food and hospitality nationally.

More than 150 people attended a public exhibition on Friday about the proposed Heronby settlement in North Yorkshire, which would create 3,500 homes, schools, shops, workplaces and a 50-hectare country park between York and Selby. Escrick Park Estate is leading the scheme as master developer. The exhibition formed part of an eight-week consultation, and the estate said the scheme 'won't happen overnight'.

A woman has been named as Yvonne Kemp following her death at a property in Moss Side, Manchester on Monday. Emergency services attended after reports of a disturbance at an address on Crondall Street at around 1.30pm. A 26-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Ashley Young has warned that Antonio Conte would be a disaster if appointed Manchester United manager. Young, who played under Conte at Inter Milan where they won Serie A together, says United's players would be unhappy with his demanding training regime and lengthy meetings. The Mirror reports that Conte has expressed interest in the role and has made two demands: full control over transfers and the authority to pick his backroom staff.

Meta's AI assistant Muse has become one of only twelve mobile apps to reach 10 million US downloads within its first 40 days. However, the company paused a feature allowing users to share conversations after security researchers at Claroc discovered that over 6,800 shared chat links were publicly accessible via DNS records. The exposed conversations contained sensitive information including loan applications, bank fraud alerts, company revenue reports and staff vacation calendars. Meta said it paused the functionality to review the report and consider changes to how these links can be discovered. During earnings, Meta also said Muse has over 10 million users, with about 25% using it daily and shopping being a popular activity.

Two men have been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service as part of an investigation into a suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Counter Terrorism Policing said it was 'highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement' in the activity that took place on 27 September. A warrant of further detention was granted, allowing the men to be held without charge until 27 October.

Eden police in Penrith seized a Porsche Cayenne for driving in an anti-social manner on Middlegate. The vehicle was taken under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act after causing public alarm, distress or annoyance.

The first poll following weekend violence in France shows little movement in the presidential race. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen remains well ahead with 34 to 38 per cent support, whilst far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon holds a strong second place despite government attempts to link him to the unrest. The Ifop and Fiducial survey, conducted from Saturday evening through Monday, suggests the battle for second place will be crucial, as France's system requires a two-person runoff if no candidate wins an outright majority in the first round.

Luke Ings, from Bracknell, has been freed from prison after judges at Wolverhampton Crown Court ruled he had been sentenced in error. He was 17 when sentenced in 2006 for robbery and assault on a teenager, given 21 months initially but held indefinitely under a detention for public protection (DPP) order until his release earlier this month. Mr Ings said adjusting to life after two decades inside is 'amazing' but overwhelming, spending time relearning modern life from opening a bank account to understanding social media.

Reports of a significant diesel spill on the Wyche Road have been received. Details of the incident's extent and cause remain unclear from available reports.

UK police have re-arrested two men on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service as part of an investigation into activity at RAF Fairford air base in southwest England last month. The arrests involve a 24-year-old UK citizen initially detained outside the military base on 27 September, and a 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual citizen previously arrested in London. Counter Terrorism Policing's Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the force considered it 'highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement'. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the activity was likely co-ordinated in Iran, noting the base has been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran.

A federal grand jury has indicted Mark Milk and Kevin Chapman in the March death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel of Sioux Falls. Both men have been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death. Prosecutors say Milk, Wendel's uncle, gave her cocaine that killed her, and Chapman sold the cocaine to Milk. A charge against a third suspect, Jon Rogness, has been removed; Rogness has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges in the case. Milk and Chapman are scheduled to appear in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa, on 30 October.

Curt Safranek requested copies of communications between DHHS employees and the firm Alvarez & Marsal regarding the 'interRAI' tool, which calculates funding for Nebraska families receiving Medicaid waivers. DHHS estimated the cost at $976,263.77 and gave a completion date of September 2076, prompting Safranek to sue. The agency said the request would require 26,017.5 hours of work from three employees.

Newcastle United are preparing for a trip to Crystal Palace after back-to-back Premier League defeats, including a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at home. Manager Matthias Jaissle held a player meeting following the St James' Park boos. The club sit 11th in the table with eight points. Jaissle's position is not under threat despite the poor run, though Newcastle's lack of firepower has been highlighted as a concern.

Two men were rushed to hospital with serious injuries after an industrial accident at an industrial unit on Knowsthorpe Lane in Cross Green, Leeds, at 4.15pm on Monday, October 19. Emergency services were called following reports of the accident. Leeds CID conducted initial enquiries on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive.

Former Super Bowl champion Cordarrelle Patterson was arrested in Tennessee on a domestic assault charge after his wife alleged he grabbed her hair and arm during a dispute early Saturday. She told police she feared for her safety and that of their children. A responding officer observed bruising on her left bicep consistent with her account. Patterson was released the same day on a $1,000 bond.

Glasgow City Council will propose limits on pupil numbers for primary one and secondary one classes from 2027/28 onwards. The move comes as population growth increases school enrolments, though projections suggest a 5.2% decrease in primary school numbers over the coming decade. Councillors will discuss the proposals this week.

A fallen tree has blocked the A4095 Bicester Road between Bicester and Chesterton in Oxfordshire. The AA confirmed the incident, reporting partially blocked and slow traffic on both ways between Alchester Road and Vendee Drive. Traffic in the area appeared minimal by 6pm.

British police have rearrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service over a suspected plot at RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run air base in western England. The men, a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, were arrested under the National Security Act. They had been bailed pending further investigation after the incident on 27 September.

A Cornell University student alleging gang rape by Chi Phi fraternity members has dropped her civil case against Orazio Petito, whom she mistakenly identified as the chapter's president. Petito was not accused of sexual assault. The actual president's identity remains unclear. The student has also released a letter criticising Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff's response to her allegations.

Health inspectors shut down the Rendezvous Cafeteria and patient kitchen at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago after finding more than 200 live cockroaches and black slime on an ice machine dripping onto ice used in food preparation. The inspection also revealed grease buildup, a leaking sink, damaged door gaskets and milk crates used as shelves. The Daily Mail reports that a previous pest-related violation from an April inspection had remained unresolved.

A US food importer has sued President Trump over 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing he lacked legal authority to impose them without congressional approval. Gellert Global Group, a New Jersey-based cheese importer, filed the lawsuit in the US Court of International Trade on Tuesday, challenging Trump's use of Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a Depression-era law never before used to impose tariffs. The Liberty Justice Center, which previously succeeded in overturning Trump's reciprocal tariffs at the Supreme Court, is representing the company. The lawsuit seeks to declare the tariffs unlawful and order refunds with interest for duties already paid. Gellert estimates the tariffs will cost it around $40 million annually on cheese imports alone. The Trump administration said Congress empowered the President under Section 338 to offset discrimination by foreign governments against US commerce.

A teenage girl was sexually assaulted on the X21 bus in Dudley on 30 June. Nearly four months later, West Midlands Police have released a CCTV photograph of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident, which happened in Draycott Drive. Anyone with information should call 101 or message via Live Chat, quoting reference 20/306036/26.

England began their one-day international tri-series in Pakistan with an 87-run defeat in Rawalpindi. Pakistan reached 9-302 despite reaching 5-133, aided by Arafat Minhas's 59 and Hasan Nawaz's 79, both dropped catches. England collapsed from 5-197 to 214 all out in 38.4 overs, with Minhas taking a career-best 6-40.

Bradley Warby, 41, from Peterborough, has been jailed for one year and two months after sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on a train to Peterborough in April. He followed the girl and her mother through King's Cross station after initially approaching them, and later assaulted the girl when she was sitting alone on the train. A bystander reported the incident to British Transport Police, and Warby was identified through CCTV and arrested in August. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault.

Lancashire Police have sworn in more than 60 new recruits across two ceremonies, granting them policing powers after pledging to serve with 'fairness, diligence, and impartiality'. The Blackpool Gazette reports that 63 officers were sworn in, with the attestation ceremony described as 'one of the defining occasions in every officer's policing career'.

Big Brother housemate Omar, 21, has been issued a formal warning by producers after his treatment of fellow contestant Rhianna, also 21, provoked more than 7,000 complaints to Ofcom. During Monday's episode, Omar was seen swearing and shouting at Rhianna during heated arguments, telling her 'don't talk about me', 'don't cry' and 'don't look away from me'. Producers intervened to check on her wellbeing. Women's Aid criticised the show for giving a platform to 'worrying' coercive and controlling behaviours, saying it risked presenting abuse as entertainment. On Wednesday, Omar was called to the Diary Room and told his language and dismissiveness of housemates' feelings could cause offence. He denied wrongdoing. ITV stated that housemates receive respect training and are monitored 24 hours a day.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt owns about 1% of artificial intelligence startup Anthropic after investing tens of millions in its 2021 Series A funding round, when the company was valued at $461 million. If Anthropic reaches a $2 trillion valuation at its expected initial public offering, Schmidt's stake could be worth as much as $20 billion, adding significantly to his estimated $57.5 billion fortune. Anthropic could begin marketing its IPO as soon as November, potentially listing before Thanksgiving.

Bayern Munich and Arsenal drew 2-2 in a Champions League group-stage match at the Allianz Arena, with Harry Kane scoring from the penalty spot and providing an assist for Alphonso Davies. Declan Rice equalised for Arsenal in the 82nd minute. Kane is odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in London on Monday, after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season. Competitors include Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé. Kane would become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 if successful. The result ended Arsenal's run of 14 successive Champions League group-stage victories but maintained their unbeaten start to the competition.

Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley has expressed frustration with the Public Employees Retirement Board over its continued payment to Thomas Pfeifle, the executive director who resigned in September after three months. Pfeifle, who earned $205,000 annually, stopped working on 21 September but remains on the payroll through his approved resignation date of 31 October. Foley estimates the board will pay roughly $23,000 in salary and benefits for unperformed work, with $7,800 already distributed.

Overseas voters in Australia and elsewhere can begin casting ballots in New Zealand's election after the final leaders' debate. Prime Minister Chris Luxon's National party enjoys a four-point polling bump, reaching 32 per cent in the TVNZ-Verian poll, five points ahead of Labour on 27 per cent. Labour leader Chris Hipkins won the debate by the judgment of analysts and the public. The polling surge has been attributed to renewed focus on law-and-order issues, following a visit by Greens and Maori Party MPs to a south Auckland gang meeting, which National seized on as evidence the left is soft on crime.

Pat Murphy is managing the Milwaukee Brewers to their first World Series since 1982, facing the Tampa Bay Rays. Murphy spent over a quarter-century coaching college baseball at Notre Dame and Arizona State, winning exactly 1,000 games. His former players say his success has not surprised them, noting his consistent approach of emphasising fundamentals, belief, hard work and preparation.

Iran's IRGC claimed that two oil tankers were set on fire after striking mines it had laid in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Tehran threatened further attacks on shipping and undersea internet cables. An IRGC spokesperson also claimed a US drone was shot down, which a US official dismissed as untrue.

Australian construction costs rose 3.2 per cent in the 12 months to September, up from 2.8 per cent the previous year, according to Cotality's Cordell Construction Cost Index. Rising plastic material prices driven by the Middle East oil crisis were the main driver, with gyprock also contributing significantly. The cost increases, combined with falling house prices, are threatening housing development feasibility as Australia falls about 124,000 homes behind its five-year target of 1.2 million new builds.

Cumbria Police's economic crime team will visit Penrith Library on 22 October to offer residents advice on protecting themselves and vulnerable relatives from fraud. The event starts at 7pm and will explain the tactics fraudsters use and how to recognise warning signs. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to fraud prevention specialists about the latest scams.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, a 31-year-old former senior constable, is on trial for murdering his ex-partner Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in February 2024. A childhood friend testified that Lamarre-Condon picked her up in a hired white van on 21 February, two days after the killings, for a journey to the NSW Southern Highlands. The friend said Lamarre-Condon kept the windows down and air-conditioning on full, making the van freezing, and was evasive when she asked how long the drive would take. He claimed he had hired the van to move furniture, though he still lived with his mother in Balmain. Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty, claiming the men were killed in self-defence.

Netflix's hit romantic comedy Nobody Wants This has released its third season, starring Kristen Bell as Joanne and Adam Brody as Noah. The new series begins with the couple moving in together after resolving tensions about Joanne's potential conversion to Judaism that dominated season two. Critics have offered mixed-to-positive responses, with some praising the season as the show's strongest instalment, while others note the ensemble cast around the central couple provides comic relief.

Hertfordshire is home to numerous historic buildings and lesser-known sites that reveal centuries of the county's past. Landmarks including St Albans Cathedral, built on the site of Britain's first Christian martyr, Hatfield House, completed in 1612 by Robert Cecil, and Knebworth House, associated with the Lytton family for over 500 years, showcase the county's architectural heritage. Hidden treasures include the Welwyn Roman Baths, dating to the third century AD, Scott's Grotto, an 18th-century underground chamber in Ware, and Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve near Hitchin.

Sabina Kucz, 50, says she was humiliated after being challenged about her miniature dachshund Bob at Lidl's King Street store in Wigton on Saturday, 10 October. Ms Kucz is neurodivergent and says Bob helps her manage anxiety during everyday activities. She alleges a staff member raised their voice, told her to leave and questioned whether the dog could provide disability support because of his appearance. Lidl is investigating.

Carshalton Ponds in Surrey drained dramatically on 16 October, and Sutton Council has admitted it does not know why water levels fell so quickly. Although SES Water stopped topping up the ponds late that week due to drought restrictions, the council said this alone should not have caused such a dramatic drop. Specialists have been called in to investigate, with a contractor due to begin work later that week.

Liberal Democrat council leaders from Bristol, Bath and North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset have called on West of England metro mayor Helen Godwin to set out a timetable for franchising bus services. Under a franchising model, the combined authority would set routes, timetables and fares, with operators bidding to run services. Ms Godwin has said she is considering franchising as a long-term option but is reluctant to introduce it within three years due to additional costs to council tax bills.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has held separate talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Norway and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg as the Trump administration pushes for peace negotiations. Witkoff met Zelenskiy in Oslo alongside Norwegian and Finnish leaders, a day before travelling to Russia. Ukraine has complained that the US has withheld vital defences, failed to provide early warning of Russian missile launches and throttled satellite links for Ukrainian drones, though the US denies deliberately hindering Ukraine's war effort. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the Oslo meeting 'made genuine progress', but efforts since early 2025 have made no significant progress and Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on settlement terms.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame announced a 10-year deal for an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s, the continent's first F1 race since South Africa in 1993. Analysts say the move could be a watershed moment for African sports, though human rights groups have raised concerns about sportswashing. F1 views Africa's population of over 1.5 billion as an untapped market.

Marcus Hayes, 37, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder and mutilation of a dead body in the death of 25-year-old Zaccari Taylor. The Lansing Police Department was called to a fight at a home on Georgetown Boulevard on 12 May 2024, where authorities say Hayes and his brother Leonard Hayes fought with Taylor. Taylor was strangled to death; the three men then took his body to another location on Malcolm X Street, where it was dismembered. Leonard Hayes was convicted earlier this year and also sentenced to life in prison, whilst Terrence Jones pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

An Ombudsman investigation found that Worcestershire County Council repeatedly failed to make direct payments on time during the 2024/25 academic year, causing a mother financial pressure. The council was late paying on three occasions, even against its own six-week timescale. The woman had to pay for her daughter's education and SEND support herself to prevent the provision being withdrawn, then seek reimbursement. The council apologised, offered £750 in compensation and changed arrangements to provide termly payments in advance from September.

AMD has announced that FSR 4.1, its latest upscaling technology, will come to Xbox Series S and X consoles and handheld devices including the Xbox Ally X. The technology will also reach older Radeon RX 6000-series graphics cards and laptops with Ryzen AI processors. FSR 4.1 can improve performance in over 300 supported games by rendering at lower resolution and using machine learning to maintain image quality.

Campaigners have handed a petition with more than 290,000 signatures to Downing Street calling for an end to fines and prosecution of families whose children with suspected special education needs and disabilities (SEND) do not attend school. The campaign, started in 2022 by Susan Liverman and Maddie Roberts, is backed by actor Anna Maxwell Martin, who said the current system is 'cruel and unnecessary' and that fining families 'doesn't work in improving attendance figures'. A Department for Education spokesperson said it was 'taking action to transform the system'.

Paul Robinson, a two-time Albion promotion favourite, has become a weekly guest on the Baggies Broadcast podcast for the Express & Star. Robinson discussed his former team-mate James Morrison, who is now managing West Brom, outlining his vision for Morrison's journey as boss.

The US government is set to announce certification of Boeing's 737 Max 10 jet on Tuesday after years of delays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce the decision during a visit to Boeing's manufacturing plant in Everett, Washington. The 737 Max 10, which can seat up to 230 passengers, was introduced in 2017 to compete with Airbus's A321neo. Boeing expects to make first deliveries in 2027.

Instacart's parent company Maplebear has settled a federal investigation for $5 million, with the Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging the company discriminated against American applicants. The company will pay $1 million in penalties and up to $4 million to affected applicants who applied between December 2023 and February 2026. The agencies said Instacart made American applicants mail physical applications rather than use its standard electronic process, and favoured hiring foreign workers through employment-based green card programmes.

The KMP Batumandi ferry caught fire as it approached Merak Port in western Indonesia on Tuesday. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely within an hour. The vessel, which had departed from Bakauheni in Sumatra, was about two hours into its journey when flames were spotted near the stern. One passenger reported thick smoke and diesel leaking from the ceiling. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is being investigated by port authorities and rescue agencies.

Police thwarted an attempt to steal underground BT cable in Full Sutton, East Yorkshire at 3.50am on Tuesday, October 20. The offenders were disturbed and left the scene in a 4x4 pickup. Humberside Police said the force has seen an increase in underground cable theft across the county, which causes significant disruption to communities.

Bluesound has added native Apple Music integration to BluOS, its multi-room audio platform, as a free software update available from 20 October. Apple Music subscribers can now stream directly to Bluesound speakers and compatible equipment from brands including NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, DALI, Cyrus and Monitor Audio, without routing audio through AirPlay 2. Users control playback via the BluOS Controller app and can stream to individual rooms or grouped devices.

Semafor reported that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss urged staff to investigate Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Anonymous CBS News staffers complained to the outlet about the directive. The report triggered criticism from progressive figures and media commentators.

Sir John Gillen, a former senior judge, is reviewing the legal framework governing trial of the facts cases in Northern Ireland, a process used when accused persons are found unfit to face conventional trial on mental health grounds. The review was announced following the trial of Eleanor Donaldson, wife of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson, who faced a trial of the facts after being deemed unfit. Gillen said he wants to examine whether victims are being sidelined in such cases and expects to deliver an interim report by February 2027.

Eastbourne Borough Council has announced that the seafront bandstand will close on Friday 23 October ahead of Storm Austen. The Met Office is forecasting winds of 50 to 60 mph, though The Argus reports gusts could reach 70 mph. Sections of the promenade will also close due to the risk of high winds and heavy rain. Two high tides at 9.46 am and 10.05 pm are expected to generate large waves that could break over pedestrian areas. The council said it would reopen the bandstand as soon as possible.

JustWatch, the 12-year-old streaming search guide used by 50 million people, launched JustWatch TV on Tuesday. The service offers free ad-supported content and an ad-free tier for $3.99 per month, plus movie rentals. It features content from 30 partners including Paramount, New Regency, and Fremantle, and is available in 12 markets including the US, UK, Canada, France, Australia and Italy. The ad-free subscription also includes a $49.99 lifetime option, available for a limited time.

Leeds City Council has rejected a planning application to convert the upper floors of a city centre building into three apartments. The site at 15 Merrion Street, near the Grand Theatre and Wrens pub, was deemed too noisy for residents. Environmental health officers said the applicant had not demonstrated how future occupants would be protected from noise in the high-noise environment.

Emergency services attended a crash on the M11 northbound between junctions 8 and 9 near Stansted Airport on Thursday morning at about 7am. The collision involved two vehicles and left one casualty in the care of the ambulance service, with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The crash caused significant delays, with reports of up to 70 minutes of delays and around eight miles of congestion. The crash occurred on the northbound carriageway, though initial reports mentioned both northbound and southbound disruption in the area.

A decision on 210 new homes at Queens Meadow Business Park in Hartlepool has been deferred to allow decision-makers to consider a legal query. The application from Hellens Investments (Washington) LLP was recommended for refusal by planning advisors, who noted the development was 'highly likely' to increase noise complaints against neighbouring Tata Steel. The deferral concerns whether the decision would comply with Hartlepool Development Corporation's constitution.

The future of the Queen Hotel on Burnley Road, Holme Chapel, has been thrown into doubt after plans were submitted to Burnley Council to convert it from a pub with living accommodation into a three-bedroom house. The pub has been marketed for sale for over five years without attracting a buyer, with only two viewings and no offers despite price reductions. The applicant argues that changing habits in the hospitality industry and economic challenges facing smaller pubs have made the business unsustainable.

Liverpool came from two goals down to defeat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield, extending their perfect record in this season's Champions League to three wins from three. Villarreal took an early lead through Georges Mikautadze in the fourth minute after Virgil van Dijk's error, then doubled their advantage when Sergi Cardona finished a slick move. Alexis Mac Allister headed in from Kostas Tsimikas' corner to reduce the deficit, and teenager Rio Ngumoha set up Ronald Araujo's equaliser just before half-time. Mac Allister scored again after the break from Ngumoha's work, before Florian Wirtz added a fourth. Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi struck late to make it tense, but Liverpool held on. Ngumoha, at 18 years old and 54 days, became the youngest Liverpool player ever to score or assist in the Champions League.

Two Hampshire roads will close for utility works starting Monday, October 26. The Drove in Twyford will close between Segars Lane and Manor Road for up to five days to allow SGN to carry out new gas supply works, with an alternative route via Segars Lane, Queen Street, B3335 and Manor Road. Part of Bounty Road in Basingstoke will close between its junction with a point opposite No. 35 and a point approximately 20 metres away for up to three days as Circet UK Ltd conducts works, with traffic diverted via Victoria Street and Winchester Street. Both closures will operate 24 hours a day, with both companies providing access to adjacent premises and notifying those directly affected.

An award-winning puppet production about the historic Kindertransport is running at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. The show, 'Kinder', uses table-top puppetry and shadow play to tell the story of Babi, a Czech-Jewish girl travelling across Europe, discovering how small acts of kindness can change lives. Performances take place on 20 and 21 October.

Suffolk County Council's Cabinet has approved a study into six potential options for a new River Orwell crossing near Ipswich to support the A14, a major route between Essex and Suffolk. Options include a new bridge or tunnel to reduce pressure on the existing Orwell Bridge, a direct link to the A12 south of Copdock combined with an alternative river crossing, a northern bypass around Ipswich, a town centre crossing, and smaller improvements such as junction upgrades and better traffic management.

Five pigs escaped onto the A127 near Southend between Halfway House and Dunton on Sunday, 18 October, forcing the road to close from 2pm for about two hours. Essex Police said the animals were shot to prevent harm to the public and that they sought advice from the Animal and Plant Health Agency about the risk the pigs posed. Animal rights group PETA criticised the use of lethal force, with vice president Elisa Allen saying 'there's usually a way to round up frightened pigs without resorting to lethal force' and calling for those found negligent in letting the animals escape to be held accountable.

Wok Wraps will temporarily close its Beach Street outlet in Felixstowe from November 2 for two weeks due to building works. Customers can visit the company's alternative premises at 27 Beach Station Road, described as being 'just across the car park, on the next street down'. The closure is part of wider plans for Beach Street, which has announced 'lots of exciting plans for the future' including improvements to the site, new spaces and new businesses.

Manchester City face AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday at 8pm at Etihad Stadium. The match is broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK, with streaming available through HBO Max. City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed Antoine Semenyo is unavailable until December with a knee injury, though Erling Haaland, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O'Reilly may be available after picking up minor injuries in their recent win over Ipswich Town.

A blocked pipe beneath Holt Road in Horsford, Norfolk caused human waste to spill into Will Minns' garden on Friday morning, leaving his family unable to flush their toilet for 12 hours. Contractors from Anglian Water arrived that evening, but five days later the sewage remained. Mr Minns said he will have to replace his lawn and patio, with Anglian Water scheduled to return on 20 October. The contractor told him the blockage resulted from 'wrong stuff being flushed down the loo'. Anglian Water said it took the incident 'extremely seriously' and attended the same day to clear the blockage.

Akiane Kramarik, 32, told Sean Hannity on his podcast that she vanished for nearly seven hours when she was 5 years old in Missouri, prompting her family, neighbours and police to search for her. Kramarik said she experienced what she described as a journey through another realm during the disappearance, which she recalls lasted longer subjectively than the seven hours that elapsed according to her parents.

Anna Stembridge has been appointed England netball head coach through to the 2027 World Cup in Sydney. The former Wales international previously led England from 2011 to 2015, securing a first series win over Australia in 2013. She took over as interim coach in March after Jess Thirlby's resignation and will lead the Roses, who finished fourth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Copeland Police has issued 22 Notices of Intended Prosecution following 11 speed camera van deployments in Distington this year. The force said enforcement activity will continue in the area to address persistent speeding concerns raised by residents and to support road safety.

Lancashire Police launched Operation Holcroft, a new scheme against misogyny in football, at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday. Officers said that 'violence, harassment, and misogyny will not be tolerated' in football, with more than half of female fans facing sexist treatment at matches.

The Orionid meteor shower will peak this week, with up to 20 meteors visible per hour in ideal conditions during the peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The shower is caused by debris from Halley's comet and is visible in both hemispheres. A large moon will dim visibility until after it sets late at night.

Cassandra Santos, 37, has been federally charged in federal court with assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and three counts of child neglect in Indian country. The charges stem from three separate incidents on the Spirit Lake Reservation between July and September 2026. In the first incident, Santos struck a young child with her vehicle while backing out of a parking space at the Crow Hill Recreation Center during a prayer service. The child was airlifted to hospital in Fargo with a closed fracture of the right femur, crush injuries and abrasions. Witnesses told investigators Santos had been drinking that day; she told investigators the collision was not intentional. In separate incidents months later, Santos allegedly left her own children unsupervised while intoxicated.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Jaden McDaniels to a one-year, $40 million contract extension through the 2029-30 season. The deal gives the team cost certainty as it manages future salary caps around maximum contracts for star guards Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. McDaniels, a 6-foot-9 small forward in his seventh year, posted career highs in 2025-26 with 14.8 points per game, 41.2% three-point shooting and 83.5% free-throw shooting.

Salvio Marongiu, 31, a self-employed Italian who runs Salvio's Pizza from a converted horsebox, veered into oncoming traffic on Sir Alfred Munnings Road in Costessey on 16 June last year. His Volvo collided head-on with a Nissan driven by Abigail Wright, who was carrying her partner and two children aged eight and six. Wright sustained serious injuries including fractures to her arm and wrist requiring extensive surgery; she told police the collision 'happened so quickly I had no time to react'. Marongiu pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. A roadside breath test after the crash recorded a reading of 50, above the legal limit of 35, though the court was told the Crown cannot prove he was over the limit. Marongiu was unable to explain why he had been distracted before the crash and was himself taken to hospital with a broken nose.

A 120-place special school for autistic children in Malvern will not open until September 2029, the Department for Education has announced, delaying the project by two years from its expected September 2027 opening. Worcestershire County Council's education chief accused the Labour Government of 'financially kneecapping' the county's education system through the delay. The council had rejected a £5.7 million Government offer to abandon the scheme in February.

NatWest has ordered its UK workforce to increase in-office attendance to two days a week from February 2027. Some 13,000 remote-first workers currently attend the office only two days a month. Trade union Unite said the move is a 'kick in the teeth' for staff, particularly those in lower-paid roles in technology, security and data analytics, and would increase travel and childcare costs.

Cherwell District Council has confirmed it will scrap proposed overnight parking charges in Banbury and Bicester after backlash from residents and businesses. The council had planned to introduce a £1.60 charge for parking between 18:00 and 08:00, but paused the scheme after concerns about its impact on local economies and evening trade. The decision was announced at a full council meeting on 19 October and will require formal approval from the council's executive.

Perplexity has updated its Computer platform to run fully locally on Apple Silicon Macs with at least 36GB of RAM or more. The update uses either Qwen 3.6 or PPLX Pro models, processing AI tasks, planning, reasoning and file handling on-device without sending personal data to the cloud. Users can access native Mac apps including Notes, Messages, Mail, Keynote and Numbers. For users with less powerful machines, Perplexity offers Hybrid Compute, which works on Macs with 24GB of RAM by combining local and cloud models. The feature is available now for Perplexity Pro, Max and Enterprise subscribers.

Mark Duffy, a former Sheffield United player, has left his position as Southport manager less than three weeks after taking the role. Both outlets confirm his departure, though neither provides details of the reasons behind his exit or what prompted the quick decision.

The Detroit Pistons staged an epic comeback to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA's regular-season opener on Tuesday. Detroit erased a 22-point deficit with a 23-0 run in the fourth quarter, the largest come-from-behind win against Boston in 30 years. Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, but Jayson Tatum struggled with 13 points on poor shooting.

Simon Richardson, 35, is accused of murdering head teacher Michael Mullins, 56, who was cycling home when struck by a black Volvo on 20 April. At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, the jury heard that Richardson later swapped the Volvo for a silver transit van, which police spotted on the M60. When officers approached, he sped off at up to 50mph in 30mph zones. The van was stopped on Co-Operation Street and Richardson fled on foot; he was later found crouched behind another van. He denies murder, manslaughter and dangerous driving.

Germany's far-right AfD has launched an inquiry after hackers released over 400,000 internal emails and sensitive documents from the party, including correspondence from co-leaders Alice Weidel and Alexander Gauland. The leak reveals security gaps within the party and contains material of potential political significance. Meanwhile, Weidel is expected to present the party's EU policy at the European Parliament, which Politico reports does not initially seek to exit the bloc but rather downsize its powers and budget.

Christine Ash, 69, was found collapsed on a footpath at Nacton Foreshore near Levington on 12 October and died two days later at Ipswich Hospital. A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive, and Suffolk Coroners' Court heard no evidence to explain her sudden death. Assistant coroner Dr Daniel Sharpstone returned an open conclusion.

National Savings and Investments has raised the rate on its three-year Green Savings Bonds to 4.73 per cent, up from 4.45 per cent. The bonds, launched in 2021, allow savers to support green government projects while earning guaranteed returns. The minimum investment is £100, with a maximum of £100,000 per person.

David Hey, 40, has been jailed after wielding a zombie-style knife at police officers who entered his Hartlepool home searching for a missing teenage girl. During the incident, which lasted around ten minutes, Hey threw water from a kettle and a glass ashtray at officers, then attempted to use a sofa as a barricade before police used a taser and arrested him. The court heard Hey was 'terrified' about being taken into custody and had experienced mental health problems including depression and anxiety.

A man in his 30s has been bailed after arrest on suspicion of rape in a car park on St Faith's Road in Old Catton, near Norwich Airport, on 19 October. Police received a report at 3.15am that a woman had been raped in a parked car. The man was also arrested on suspicion of theft and fraud by false representation, and is being released pending further investigations.

Jane Leeves, best known for her role as Daphne Moon on the sitcom Frasier, has released a new memoir titled Daphne & Me: My Life on Frasier (And a Bit More). The book details her time on the iconic sitcom and how the show changed her life. It is co-written with her daughter Isabella Kathryn Coben.

Apple Corps Ltd., which oversees The Beatles' business interests, has announced plans for an expanded version of The Beatles Story museum opening in central Liverpool in 2028. The new venue will move from the docklands to the former St. John's Market, a 100,000-square-foot site near Lime Street train station, and will feature immersive technology, original artifacts and reconstructed sets. The opening is timed to coincide with Sam Mendes' quartet of feature films about the band members.

North East musician Sam Fender has confirmed a 2027 stadium tour, starting with two nights at Newcastle's St James' Park on 3 and 5 June. The tour will visit Cardiff, London's Wembley Stadium for two nights, Edinburgh, Manchester for two nights, and Dublin's Marlay Park, before a European festival appearance in Belgium. Tickets will be available through a pre-sale starting 28 October.

A drone strike on Amiet Market in Abyei, a border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, has killed at least 153 people and ignited a fire still burning the day after the attack. Yohanna Akol Ngor, the Abyei administration's caretaker information minister, blamed Sudan's military for Monday's strike. A senior Sudanese military officer said the army targeted fuel tankers arriving from South Sudan bound for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and denied targeting civilians. The U.N. condemned drone attacks in the area, saying civilians including women and children had been killed, though it did not identify who carried out the strikes. The death toll was expected to rise.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) declared a critical incident on Tuesday after experiencing record patient numbers at its emergency departments. The trust, which runs Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre, saw more than 100 patients waiting for treatment and over 200 medically safe patients remaining in hospital beds. A&E attendances rose by 2,000 in September compared to the same month the previous year, with the trust recording three of its highest attendance figures in history over a fortnight. The trust attributed particular pressure to high numbers of cardiology patients requiring intensive care. Sky News reported that the critical incident has since ended after waiting numbers dropped significantly, though patients still face prolonged waits.

A review of 19 studies involving nearly 16 million people published in JAMA Network Open found that people with ADHD face roughly a 70% higher overall risk of early death compared to those without the condition. However, taking prescription ADHD medication appears to lower this risk significantly. The increased mortality risk spans both unnatural causes, such as suicide and injury, and natural causes including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Police in Telford are appealing for information about two separate assaults. On 9 October, three men were injured during an altercation involving five other men at Telford Shopping Centre around 8.30pm; the injuries were caused by an unknown object. On 14 October, a driver was assaulted by a motorcyclist at traffic lights on Castlefields Way around 4.45pm after the rider struck him in the face, causing minor injuries.

Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park, near Ipswich, is running a full programme of animal talks from 24 October to 1 November, with admission included. The talks begin at 10.30am with a guinea pig introduction, followed by sessions on moon bears, camels, polar animals, brown bears, capybaras, pigs, lemurs and lions. The park, which won gold in the VisitEngland awards earlier this year, will be decorated with pumpkins and spooky scenes for the October half term period.

Mark Allen, the Antrim snooker player, has admitted he is considering retiring from professional snooker after his first-round defeat to Jordan Brown at the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday. Allen had checked out of a mental health clinic where he had been receiving treatment for ten weeks to compete in the tournament. In an emotional post-match interview with TNT Sports, he spoke candidly about his struggles, describing himself as 'in a bad place at the minute' and admitting he was finding it difficult to envisage a future in the sport.

A man in his 40s died in hospital several days after being involved in a road collision on Astley Lane near Nuneaton on 12 October at around 5.45pm. His blue Ford Focus collided with a silver transit van. He received advanced life support at the scene and was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, where he later died. A second man was also taken to the same hospital with injuries not believed to be serious. Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them on 101.

The Buttermarket in Redruth, Cornwall, has received two national architecture awards at the 2026 RIBA Awards in London: the inaugural RIBA Conservation Award and the RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize. The historic market, built in 1825, was restored for £4m by community interest company Redruth Revival and transformed into a modern food hall, shopping hub and events space in 2024. The restoration was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England and Cornwall Council.

An independent panel has recommended a 2.6 per cent increase in North Yorkshire councillors' allowances, linked to the consumer price index inflation rate. The basic annual allowance would rise from £17,964 to £18,431, costing the authority an extra £23,604 per year. The council's executive will consider the proposals on 27 October, with a full council decision on 18 November.

Sean Cregg, 37, a custody nurse at Loddon Valley police station in Reading, denies gross negligence manslaughter over the death of William Cameron, 38, on 7 January 2020. The Old Bailey heard Cameron died of a heart attack caused by alcohol, methadone and other drugs. Cregg told the court he believed Cameron was unconscious because he was being 'obstructive' and thought he was 'OK', though he later said 'I wish I had done more'. The prosecutor suggested Cregg came to that conclusion before carrying out full medical tests and argued that having different clinical assessments for patients in custody versus hospital was 'extremely dangerous'.

Lancashire Police are appealing to find Connor Hoyle, 28, in connection with a robbery at a shop on Ullswater Road, Lancaster on 4 October, and four shoplifting offences at Tesco Carnforth between 15 and 22 July. Hoyle is described as 5ft 9in tall with short blonde/brown hair and blue eyes, with connections to the Lancaster and Carnforth areas. Police have warned the public not to approach him and ask anyone with information to call 101.

Clitheroe Castle's historic bandstand is undergoing a £600,000 refurbishment as part of a wider £2.3 million investment in the castle grounds by Ribble Valley Borough Council. The work includes repainting the bandstand, resurfacing its stage and repaving its distinctive tiered steps, with completion expected in November. The bandstand will be officially reopened next year when the full programme of works is finished.

Lincolnshire Police are investigating thefts from gaming machines at BJs Leisure World in Ingoldmells and have released CCTV images of a man and woman they wish to identify. Anyone with information can contact PC Sleber on 07795443100 or email oliver.sleber@lincs.police.uk, quoting reference 26000481720.

Esta High died at Leeds General Infirmary in November 2023 after doctors missed opportunities to diagnose bacterial meningitis and start antibiotic treatment, an inquest jury has found. The girl was admitted with a high temperature and vomiting and tested positive for Covid. The jury concluded that Esta died of natural causes contributed to by neglect, and that different care would probably have saved or prolonged her life. Lawyers for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted there had been missed opportunities to diagnose the infection and give antibiotics.

Plans have been submitted to Bromley Council to transform a former caravan and motorhome site in Crystal Palace Park into a temporary community sauna and office base for the Crystal Palace Park Trust. The sauna would operate for five years with capacity for up to 50 people at a time, though operators anticipate around 200 visitors daily. All structures would be removed after five years and the land restored to public open space.

Wirral Council is inviting feedback on a plan to collect green bins every three weeks instead of fortnightly, following the introduction of weekly food waste collections. The council says people are using their green bins less for non-recyclable waste, making three-weekly collections more efficient and saving around £1.2m a year. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from residents, with most opposing it, citing concerns about hygiene and waste disposal. The consultation runs until 25 November.

Libya's eastern parliament, aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, unanimously approved a 2019 maritime agreement with Turkey on Tuesday, reversing its 2020 rejection of the deal. The memorandum of understanding, originally signed between Turkey and Libya's Tripoli-based government, defines maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean Sea. The approval marks a strategic shift as Turkey has cultivated closer ties with Haftar's eastern-based administration. Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and the EU have rejected the agreement, with Greece saying it violates international law and Cyprus calling it 'illegal, null, and void'. Egypt claims it infringes its sovereign rights. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has defended the deal as 'entirely legitimate'.

A fundraiser has raised over £32,000 for the families of three fishermen whose vessel, the Kilda, disappeared off the coast of Lewis on 13 October. One crewman, Douglas Craigie, 49, was found dead; Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing. The Western Isles Fishermen's Association set up the appeal to support the families, who include young children.

Prince Harry has told GQ that he wants to 'reconcile' with his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, calling it the 'most important thing' amid the ongoing royal rift. The 42-year-old's comments come after he and his wife Meghan returned to Britain with their children this summer. Buckingham Palace has said their return will not change their status as non-working royals.

Gregg Wallace, 62, is considering a new move into YouTube films exploring iconic figures, he announced on social media on 20 October. The former MasterChef judge stepped away from the BBC show in late 2024 following an investigation into allegations of historical misconduct. The BBC substantiated 45 out of 83 allegations spanning 19 years between 2005 and 2024, and confirmed it would not work with him again. Wallace has denied engaging in sexually harassing behaviour and said he was cleared of the most serious accusations, while apologising to anyone he may have upset.

Two men—a 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from Westminster, London—have been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation relates to Iran and that it is 'highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement' in activity at RAF Fairford on 27 September. The 24-year-old was initially arrested near the air base that day; the 25-year-old was first arrested on 1 October in Westminster. Seven men were arrested initially; five others remain on police bail. A warrant of further detention granted at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday allows the two men to be held without charge until 27 October.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Republican lawmakers in an October 16 letter that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible to enter the 2027 WNBA draft because they are "both men". The response did not define what the league considers a woman, despite lawmakers requesting such a definition. Freedom and White had announced plans to enter the draft while saying they identify as women. White said he plans to explore legal avenues against the WNBA.

Fargo Police used a drone to document a gathering of more than 100 vehicles on private commercial property over the weekend, capturing exhibition driving and property damage. The vehicles dispersed before officers arrived at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, 10 October. Exhibition driving is prohibited under North Dakota law and Fargo city ordinance, and those involved may face trespassing charges.

Stephen Sexton, 39, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend Joanna Derkacz, 37, at her home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, in December 2023. He denies the charges, as well as behaving in a coercive or controlling manner. The prosecution alleges the relationship was toxic and abusive, with Sexton displaying jealous and controlling behaviour. Derkacz had told police days before her death that Sexton was 'very controlling' and 'narcissistic'. The court heard he had tried to strangle her and had broken her mobile phone and laptop in fits of anger.

Brock Purdy has joined Tom Brady as only the second quarterback to start a season 6-0 with 15 or more total touchdowns and two or fewer turnovers. The 49ers star reached a career passer rating of 105.6, the highest in NFL history, during San Francisco's 23-17 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday. Purdy has completed 1,460 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and one rushing touchdown this season, with two interceptions.

Plans to turn a vacant Crewe shop at 240 Edleston Road into an adult gaming centre have been recommended for approval by planning officers, despite objections from Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith and Crewe Town Council. The application will be considered by the southern planning committee. Objections centre on concerns about gambling addiction, the impact on the high street and inadequate parking.

A barn owl with an injured wing was discovered in a cardboard box on the doorstep of Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary on October 20. The sanctuary is appealing for information about how and where the bird was found, as this would help staff understand its injuries and plan its care. The cardboard box had an address in Sandsend on it.

Sam Altman won dismissal of a civil lawsuit filed by his sister Annie Altman in January 2025, accusing him of sexually abusing and raping her between 1997 and 2006 at their family home in Missouri. The judge dismissed the case after Annie Altman refused to appear for an independent medical examination despite warnings this would result in dismissal. Sam Altman denies the accusations.

A nationwide recall has been issued for 22 vials of compounded tirzepatide, the active ingredient in weight-loss drug Zepbound, and one NAD+ injection vial by Apothecary Pharma over potential contamination. The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the products could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, though serious harm is considered unlikely. The pharmacy had previously received a warning letter in December over deficiencies in sterile drug manufacturing practices.

A 30-year-old U.S. citizen, Ernesto Rascón, was killed by Mexican authorities during a warrant execution after allegedly shooting his dentist, 42-year-old Amed de Jesús Preciado Hernández, on 15 October in Nogales, Sonora. According to authorities, Rascón became agitated when the dentist refused to see him without an appointment and later ambushed him in a parking lot, shooting him multiple times. Rascón allegedly blamed the dentist for leaving a tooth loose. When Mexican Criminal Investigation Ministerial Agency officers attempted to apprehend him at a home in Agua Prieta, he opened fire on them. The officers returned fire, killing Rascón. Two officers were injured in the confrontation—one with a head graze wound and another with a leg injury—and both were treated and released.

Three vehicles have driven the wrong way on major A-roads in Teesside within a week, months after a fatal head-on collision killed seven people. The incidents occurred on 12, 14 and 15 October. Two of the drivers were arrested: two 16-year-old boys whose Renault Megane collided with street furniture on the A66. One pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and will be sentenced in November; the second was arrested on suspicion of drug offences and bailed. The third incident involved a VW Passat driving erratically and dangerously against traffic on the A19.

The UK Government has approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation about its future. Owner Adura said the project could deliver around 6% of UK North Sea gas production. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said it will 'support the country's energy security with homegrown gas this winter'. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the decision will 'protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm', but stressed it would not hinder the Government's renewable energy targets. The project was originally approved by the previous Conservative government in June 2022 but was overturned by Scottish courts following a legal challenge from environmental campaigners.

Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper, 32, and her husband Matt Kaplan, 42, have welcomed a baby boy. Cooper announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday without revealing the child's name or birth date. The couple married in April 2024 after meeting over Zoom in 2020.

City of York Council is planning to introduce parking restrictions including double yellow lines and a clearway across five roads in Osbaldwick and Murton Way to tackle obstructive parking and improve junction visibility. The proposals have attracted 20 formal objections and a petition with 541 signatures, with concerns raised about impacts on local businesses and St Thomas' Church. A council transport meeting will decide on the plans on Thursday, 22 October.

The BBC has announced that BBC Scotland will move solely to BBC iPlayer from spring 2025 as part of changes that will also take BBC Three and Radio 4 Extra online. Scottish Culture Secretary Mairi McAllan called the proposal 'wholly unacceptable' and said she would lodge complaints with media regulator Ofcom. The channel closure will result in ten job losses in Scotland.

A 22-year-old woman, Erin Bennett, died in a three-vehicle crash on the A1 near Felton in Northumberland on Sunday. She was the eighth person killed on the road in Northumberland this year. Council leader Glen Sanderson has renewed calls for the road to be upgraded to dual carriageway and for safety improvements at key junctions.

Sioux Falls is hosting multiple Halloween events this weekend. Downtown Sioux Falls will hold its annual Trick-or-Treat on Sunday, with more than 30 businesses on Philips Avenue handing out treats from 1 to 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the city's Parks and Recreation Department is running Sioux Spooktacular events at Jacobson Plaza, including a decorated skeleton display, roller-skating party, and trick-or-treat trail beginning Friday.

Liverpool is to open a new 100,000 sq ft Beatles museum in 2028, a major expansion of the Beatles Story, which currently operates at Royal Albert Dock. The museum will move to the former St John's Market shopping centre near Lime Street railway station. Ownership will pass to Apple Corps, the Beatles company, making it the band's first official fan experience in their home city. Apple Corps will also renovate St John's Beacon, Liverpool's second-tallest building, as a separate Yellow Submarine-themed attraction with panoramic views. Paul McCartney described the plans as "extraordinary", while Ringo Starr called Liverpool "music city".

NHS Blood and Transplant has opened England's largest donor centre in Reading, the first in the country to offer blood, plasma and platelet donations under one roof. The 11,000 sq ft centre at Reading Bridge House opened on 20 October, with plasma donations beginning on 12 October and whole blood collections from 19 October. Platelet collections are expected to begin before the end of the year. Frances O'Callaghan, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, described it as 'a new chapter' and said the centre would allow donors to choose the donation type most suitable for them.

Christopher Orr, 21, from Upper Heyford near Bicester, was sentenced to 46 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months at Oxford Crown Court for dangerous driving in Banbury on 27 December 2024. He was also banned from driving for 12 months. Orr had pleaded not guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis at Banbury Police Station on the same day.

During a full council meeting at Cherwell District Council, Green Kidlington councillor Ian Middleton challenged Labour councillors to hold the Government to account over its stance on Israel and Palestine, during a debate on racism and antisemitism. Mr Middleton criticised the Labour Government for allowing the supply of fighter jet parts to Israel and questioned what steps the Cherwell Labour group were taking to challenge Government policy.

Cherwell District Council's Green Group has publicly rejected a national Green Party policy that labels Zionism as racism, saying the motion is counterproductive to fighting antisemitism. Four councillors issued a statement saying they are not required to support all national party policies, whilst opposing the Israeli government's actions. The rejection comes after the Liberal Democrats' national leader ruled out partnership with the Greens over the policy.

Nineteen-year-old Lily Milner from Keighley has completed her first marathon at the Altra Yorkshire Marathon after months of training. Her achievement comes ahead of a family milestone: the Milner family will run the Manchester Marathon together in aid of the British Heart Foundation, inspired by her father Stephen Milner's triple heart bypass and heart valve replacement 12 months ago. Lily's mother Anne Milner said she was immensely proud of her daughter for completing such a demanding challenge at a young age.

Joe & The Juice is moving closer to opening on Parliament Street in York city centre, with workers spotted inside the former Size? shop and scaffolding erected around the building. The Danish chain, which has over 500 stores worldwide and was founded in 2002, will serve juices, shakes, coffees and sandwiches. The planning application shows the café will have 65 seats across two floors.

A decision on redeveloping the 1960s Manor Leisure Centre and swimming pool in Whittlesey has been delayed until December. The main contractor went into administration in May, pushing back the planned November start date. Work to fix the swimming pool has also proved 'much more serious' than anticipated, requiring a fresh planning application and value-for-money report.

The Beatles Story is relocating from the Royal Albert Dock to the former St John's Market in Liverpool city centre in 2028, quadrupling its size to 100,000 square feet. Apple Corps, the company established in 1968 to oversee The Beatles' creative and business interests, will operate the site as its first official Beatles fan experience in the city. The expanded attraction will use immersive technology, original artefacts and reconstructed sets to guide visitors through the band's Liverpool origins, their formative years, and their rise to global fame. A Yellow Submarine-themed experience will open at St John's Beacon tower.

The Plough Inn in Long Wittenham, South Oxfordshire, a Grade II listed pub from the 17th century, has been listed for sale for £95,000. The traditional, family-run riverside pub includes a restaurant, bar, lounge, games room and three letting bedrooms, plus a beer garden running down the bank of the River Thames. The sale includes a four-bedroom owner's accommodation and features a marquee for events and moorings on the river.

Veeno, a Sicilian wine bar and restaurant, opened at the Treadmills development in Northallerton on 15 October. Owned by husband and wife Chris and Sherryl Fernandes, it is the first North Yorkshire location for the venue and has created around ten jobs. The bar serves Italian dishes, pasta, pinsa flatbreads and desserts, with wines sourced from the Caruso family's vineyard in Marsala, Sicily.

Paul Cooper, a former Cleveland Police officer from Wynyard, has launched It Stops Now, a national campaign demanding urgent action over police suicides and the pressures officers face. The campaign, formed in partnership with bereaved families, serving and former officers, academics and mental health professionals, follows figures published by the Police Federation of England and Wales in January 2026 showing more than 100 suicides among police officers and staff between 2022 and 2025, of which 47 of the 70 officer suicides involved officers under investigation. Cooper says action is needed today to support officers facing trauma, investigations, injuries and loss of career.

The Vale & Downland Museum in Wantage has won Sustainable Medium Business of the Year at the Oxford Climate Awards 2026, held at Oxford Town Hall. The award recognises the museum's environmental efforts. The museum, which has documented the history of the Vale of White Horse since 1972, also won the Green Growth Award and a £5,000 grant in March for using sustainability to drive growth.

Norfolk Natural Living, a British perfume brand founded in 2019, is opening its first northern shop at 50 Stonegate in York. The brand offers vegan, cruelty-free fragrances, aromatherapy and home products made with botanical ingredients and essential oils. Founder Bella Middleton said York's independent shops and character made it 'a wonderful fit' for the business.

Thames Water's creditors have announced plans to appoint Lord John Hutton, a former business secretary, as independent chair of the water supplier if their rescue bid is approved. The move is intended to avoid nationalisation. Lord Hutton would oversee the company's 10-year turnaround programme.

Ripon Grammar School has been ranked 42nd in The Daily Telegraph's national league table of selective state schools, scoring 38 out of 40 points. It was the only grammar school in the North and Yorkshire to make the top 50. The school received the Telegraph's highest 'very good' rating, reflecting strong A-level results above national and local averages, alongside a broad co-curricular offering in sport, music, drama and pastoral care.