Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Australian biotech company Ceretas is beginning an 18-month clinical trial of therapeutic ultrasound to treat Alzheimer's disease in 60 patients. The technology, developed over a decade at the University of Queensland's Brain Institute, uses low-intensity ultrasound to restore brain plasticity. In an earlier phase-one trial of 12 Alzheimer's patients, 10 showed improvement in behavioural and psychological symptoms including irritability, depression, anxiety and hallucinations.

Jia Xu Dong, 41, from Como in Perth, was sentenced to nine months in prison on Wednesday for breaching bail conditions. Authorities discovered more than 100 dogs living in prolonged neglect at a property in Canning Vale on 16 December 2024, after a council ranger reported seeing dogs in need of urgent medical attention. The dogs, including groodles, golden retrievers, french bulldogs and cocker spaniels, had severely matted coats and untreated conditions such as ruptured ear drums, lesions, abscesses and dental disease. Dong admitted to owning the dogs and was charged with 36 counts of animal cruelty, pleading guilty in July 2025.

Portland Public Schools has rescinded a one-year trespass order against Allison Roberts, an Oregon mother who challenged the district's LGBTQ curriculum. Roberts had objected to a school's redesigned pride flag and an 'identity flower' assignment that asked her 11-year-old child to discuss gender identity. The district also agreed to exempt her children from certain LGBTQ-related curriculum requirements and to review its policies.

Britt McHenry, a former ESPN host who recently became a US State Department press adviser, has left her position after a confrontation at a Washington Wizards versus Milwaukee Bucks game on 21 October went viral. McHenry claims a man in the audience made vulgar comments about Winnie Harlow, the fiancée of Bucks player Kyle Kuzma, and when she objected, another man insulted her. Video shows McHenry throwing a drink and leaving the arena. McHenry alleged the first man made a gang rape remark to her, according to the Daily Mail.

A fire in a single room at the Savannah River National Laboratory near Aiken, South Carolina triggered a site area emergency at the Department of Energy facility on Wednesday evening. Officials declared the emergency at 5:07 p.m. and terminated it at 9:45 p.m. The fire produced an unfiltered ground-level radiological release, but radiological surveys detected no contamination beyond the site's boundaries. One employee was taken to hospital for minor injuries.

Federal investigators found evidence in 2016 that Rep. Ilhan Omar entered a sham marriage with Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, but prosecutors concluded any potential crime occurred outside the five-year statute of limitations. Omar has dismissed allegations that she married her brother to obtain him a green card as a right-wing conspiracy theory. A source claims a Biden-appointed US Attorney in Minnesota shut down the investigation in 2021.

Manitowoc Fire Rescue Department has opened a new Safe Haven Baby Box at Station 3, the second in northeast Wisconsin and the tenth in the state. The box allows parents in crisis to place a newborn inside anonymously; the door locks, a silent alarm alerts emergency crews, and the child receives medical evaluation before being transferred to hospital. Resources for the mother are included in an orange bag inside the box.

Honeywell Aerospace announced a $500 million manufacturing facility in Tempe on Wednesday. The 300,000-square-foot facility will support commercial and defence customers in aerospace and aviation, with production expected to grow following a defence agreement signed in March. The facility is scheduled to open in late 2028 and will create 600 permanent jobs and 1,000 construction jobs.

A camera was found in a women's bathroom on the survey ship HMAS Leeuwin while docked in Cairns on 11 October. A complete fleet audit has now been completed with no additional devices identified. Defence Force Chief Admiral Mark Hammond called the incident an 'appalling violation' of trust and said the person responsible will be held to account.

JD Vance has written to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an attempt to revive peace negotiations, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal. Trump initially denied directing the outreach but later said Vance asked his opinion and he approved. The letter, delivered via Qatari mediators on Sunday, proposes a framework for talks rather than specific peace terms, with Iran's nuclear programme on the table. The move comes as Trump has threatened renewed military strikes on Iran after next week's midterm elections, saying the US may 'do another little Epic Fury'. The outreach aims to determine whether the two nations can find enough common ground to persuade Trump to hold off on ordering what officials describe as a 'short but intense' campaign.

Adelaide Crows have announced a partnership with childcare provider Kool Beanz to develop a Crows-themed childcare centre in Mount Barker, in the Adelaide Hills. The centre would accommodate 100 children and provide a football-centric learning environment, subject to planning permission.

The Marquette Law School Poll's final snapshot shows Democratic candidate David Crowley ahead in Wisconsin's governor's race. Among registered voters, Crowley leads with 47 per cent to Tom Tiffany's 44 per cent; among likely voters, Crowley's advantage widens to 51 per cent versus 44 per cent. The poll, conducted from 14 to 22 October, has a margin of error of 4.3 to 4.7 per cent.

The Pentagon's inspector general has refused a bipartisan request to investigate recent disruptions to Starlink and Starshield satellite internet service to Ukraine. Nine senators—four Republicans and five Democrats—asked for an investigation after Ukrainian officials reported this month that connection speeds were being throttled. Ukraine relies on these services for wartime communications, and officials said the restrictions impeded their ability to intercept Russian attack drones.

Musa Toure, 20, has joined Macarthur FC in the A-League Men after leaving Danish club Randers, hoping to gain the regular playing time he needs to reach the Socceroos level like his two older brothers. His brothers Al Hassan and Mohamed are both international players. Toure said he wanted to improve his game and prove himself before returning to Europe.

Jirrbal Traditional Owners in far north Queensland are regaining meaningful access to Wooroora, a 20,000 hectare rainforest property they have been unable to use for generations due to private ownership. Conservation organisation Bush Heritage Australia is working with the Jirrbal people to purchase the land to protect its ecosystem, wildlife and cultural heritage. The purchase costs $24.7 million, with $5.3 million still needed by 24 December. Once complete, the plan is to remove fences with the neighbouring Yourka Reserve, creating a protected corridor of more than 400,000 hectares connected to national parks.

Donald Trump has been warned by a Florida judge that his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC could be thrown out if he fails to produce documents by a November 23 deadline. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett ordered Trump to compile a privilege log by November 5 and produce relevant records by November 23. The BBC's lawyers argued Trump had previously agreed to disclose the documents and that continued delays would cause them 'extreme prejudice'. Trump is suing over the BBC's editing of a Panorama documentary about the US Capitol riots.

Manchester City and Liverpool both progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals through penalty shootouts. City drew 2-2 with Brighton before winning 4-3 on penalties, with backup goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saving the final two spot kicks. Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw, with Chelsea's Wesley Fofana missing the deciding kick.

Democrat Jocelyn Brasher is challenging Republican incumbent Mike Hilgers in Nebraska's attorney general race on 3 November. Both Nebraska natives discussed their priorities in an interview on Wednesday. Hilgers says he has delivered for Nebraskans, while Brasher, who has worked in the Consumer Protection Bureau and as a former deputy Dawson County attorney, believes her legal experience can help the state.

Steve Smith has been cleared of serious neck damage after scans revealed a cervical facet joint injury. The 37-year-old was ruled out of Australia's decisive Test against South Africa in Cape Town due to the neck issue. Cricket Australia expects him to return for the home Test series against New Zealand, starting 9 December.

United Launch Alliance announced it plans to return its Vulcan rocket to service on November 13, nine months after a solid rocket booster anomaly. The return-to-flight mission will launch 40 satellites for Amazon's broadband constellation from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is critical for ULA after Vulcan suffered nozzle failures on two of its first four missions, with officials at the US Space Force losing confidence in the rocket.

League Two Fleetwood Town will face Everton at Highbury in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Fleetwood made history by reaching the last eight after beating Premier League champions Arsenal 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. Everton secured their place with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Thursday. The quarter-finals are scheduled for the week commencing 14 December.

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft, started for the Washington Wizards against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night after missing the first four games with a sprained ankle. Coach Brian Keefe placed the 6-foot-9 rookie on a minutes restriction. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points per game at BYU last season and is one of three No. 1 picks on Washington's roster.

A man has died following an incident on the A61 in Chesterfield. Police closed the road while officers remained at the scene, but the road has since been reopened.

The Trump administration is blocking shipments from Chinese biotech company BGI Group and its affiliates BGI Genomics and MGI Tech, alleging they source materials from Xinjiang or work with the regional government to use forced labour of persecuted ethnic groups including Uyghurs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will enforce the ban from Thursday. BGI Group rejected the allegations, stating it 'has not engaged in any form of forced labor' and firmly opposes such practices.

Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of deliberately driving his Toyota LandCruiser into independent MP Helen Haines outside her office in Wangaratta on 19 October, leaving her with injuries that required both legs to be amputated. Nugent has reportedly claimed the incident was accidental and that he panicked. He also denies holding a grudge against Haines, whom he says he previously voted for. Police and federal authorities continue investigating possible motives and connections between Nugent and Haines.

Alex de Minaur has reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Tour 500 event in Vienna for a third consecutive year, defeating Learner Tien 6-4 6-2 in 78 minutes. The Australian world number 10 controlled the match, winning 70 per cent of his service points and converting four of seven break points. De Minaur will next face Matteo Berrettini after Berrettini's fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli retired in their round of 16 match. The win improves de Minaur's chances of qualifying for the ATP season finale in Turin, where he currently sits eighth in the live standings, aided by injuries to rivals including world number 1 Jannik Sinner.

Defending champions Inter Milan needed two late own goals to secure a 2-0 win at last-place Venezia in Serie A, moving them level on points with Lazio at the top ahead of Saturday's derby against AC Milan. AC Milan's unbeaten league run under Rúben Amorim ended with a 4-2 home loss to Bologna, with Belgian winger Samuel Mbangula scoring a hat-trick. Juventus dropped to eighth after losing 2-0 at Genoa, while Napoli climbed above them in sixth after winning at Monza.

North Dakota's Retirement and Investment Office has launched a website allowing public access to information about the Legacy Fund, a sovereign wealth fund valued at more than $15 billion funded by oil and gas production taxes. The interactive site, required by a 2025 law, lets users explore investment holdings by country, asset class and sector. Governor Kelly Armstrong praised the website's usability, but Representative Bernie Satrom, who sponsored the legislation, said it falls short of true transparency, arguing that no previously undisclosed information has been made available.

Carlos Tevez has claimed Sir Alex Ferguson promised to secure his future at Manchester United but broke that assurance, leading to his controversial 2009 move to Manchester City. The Argentine said Ferguson told him during a pre-season tour that the club would pay out his contract and complete a permanent deal despite signing Dimitar Berbatov. Tevez felt unwanted after those promises were not honoured and Ferguson began leaving him on the bench.

Israel has revoked travel authorisation for US Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander after he was detained while harvesting olives with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Lander, a nominee from New York, discussed the incident and the upcoming midterms in a recent interview.

Ellyse Perry remains a dominant force in Australian cricket nearly 20 years after her 2007 debut, with seven Australian prime ministers having changed during her career. Teammate Phoebe Litchfield says Perry has evolved with the game and stayed ahead of it. Perry is the second-leading run scorer in WBBL history with 5,101 runs and 72 wickets across 144 appearances.

ESPN anchor Hannah Storm announced Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time and underwent a hysterectomy. She is now cancer-free but will miss covering the New York City Marathon on Sunday, which she has hosted for over a decade. Doctors advised her to take more time to recover at home. Storm previously beat breast cancer in 2024.

A man is to appear in court on Thursday charged with the attempted murder of a man in west Belfast last year, the News Letter reports.

Alessia Russo scored a hat-trick to become the highest English goalscorer in Women's Champions League history as Arsenal won 3-0 against Benfica. Russo matched Fran Kirby's previous record of 21 goals with her first-half opener, then broke the record with a second-half header before adding a third from the penalty spot to reach 23 goals.

Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo each scored from the spot in normal time, with goals coming from needlessly conceded penalties: Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo when running away from goal, and Wesley Fofana raised his arm to touch a Kostas Tsimikas corner. In the shootout, Chelsea's Valentin Barco hit the post and Emmanuel Emegha was denied by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Fofana then sent his decisive penalty high into the Kop. This was Chelsea's fifth consecutive shootout loss to Liverpool, extending a record dating to the 2007 Champions League semi-final. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola made seven changes to his starting lineup, while Chelsea named a strong team. Liverpool will face Bournemouth in the quarter-finals.

Michigan's Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers remains closely contested as Election Day approaches. El-Sayed, a doctor who would become the first Muslim US senator if elected, has drawn support from prominent Democrats including Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The race has become intensely focused on El-Sayed's identity and background, with Trump and Rogers making repeated attacks on his faith. Trump has called him a "jihadist" and suggested he would need to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate. Recent polls show El-Sayed with a slight lead, ahead by 7 percentage points in one CBS Detroit poll.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was a full participant in practice Wednesday, suggesting his latest injury may be resolved soon. Coach Jesse Minter said the fact that Jackson could do more and feel better 'raises your optimism', though the team will assess his progress throughout the week.

Conservative activists James O'Keefe and Cam Higby were charged with unlawful voting and identity theft after giving false names to poll workers during Minnesota's primary election in August. The men recorded the exchanges for a video to expose what they claim are vulnerabilities in the state's voting laws. Poll workers became suspicious and reported their behaviour.

Jacob Morley, an inmate convicted of murdering a co-worker, escaped late Sunday from Northwest Correctional Complex near Tiptonville, Tennessee. He stole a truck from a nearby farm and abandoned it Tuesday behind a strip mall in Marion, Illinois, about 120 miles north of the prison. Police have found no credible leads on his whereabouts since.

The Treasury Select Committee chairman has asked the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate potential insider trading after bank shares rose sharply before John Healey's Budget announcement. A Bloomberg report published at 10.45am on Budget day revealed the bank corporation tax surcharge would be 6 per cent and temporary, lower than the feared 8 per cent. Bank stocks including Standard Chartered, Lloyds and NatWest rose significantly before Healey confirmed the 6 per cent rise in Parliament two hours later.

President Donald Trump's Justice Department has pursued a series of headline-making cases in the week before the midterm election, including investigations into Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, charges against former FBI officials, and attempts to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey. Defence lawyers, Democrats and other critics say the timing and targets suggest political motivation. The cases largely target Trump's outspoken critics or issues important to the Republican base.

Donald Trump is campaigning for Republican candidates in Ohio and Florida as the midterm elections approach. At a rally in Chillicothe, Ohio on Wednesday, NBC News' chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake noted that the venue at Ohio University's Shoemaker Center was unusually small for a Trump rally, with a capacity of around 2,400 people rather than the typical larger arenas the president has used previously.

Arizona's Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that the state's first case of New World screwworm was found in a dog on a ranch in Cochise County. A local veterinarian discovered a heavily infested wound on the dog's back on 26 October, and testing confirmed the parasite. Officials said there have been no human infestations in the United States and risk to people remains very low.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation banning a dozen categories of 'unsafe AI companion features' in chatbots used by children under 18. Violations could result in lawsuits by the state attorney general, with penalties including monetary damages, chatbot shutdown and data destruction. The law takes effect on 1 January. The move reflects broader state-level efforts to regulate AI as Congress has done little, with California having passed similar legislation requiring chatbot developers to assess risks to children and submit to independent audits.

Min Woo Lee is targeting Australian Open victory in early December as a springboard for major championship success in 2027. The 28-year-old Perth golfer has returned from a strong PGA Tour season with six top-10 finishes and believes an Australian Open win at Kingston Heath would provide crucial momentum. Lee points to the examples of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, who each won two major championships in the years following their Australian Open victories.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has addressed his return to Tynecastle, describing it as 'surreal'. The match between Hearts and Rangers took place, with various talking points emerging from the clash, including injury concerns at Hearts.

Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday night, with the tie going to sudden death. Manchester City also advanced, overcoming Brighton 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 2-2. The draw for the quarter-finals has now taken place: Liverpool will host Bournemouth, City face Bradford City at home, Crystal Palace are at home to Sunderland, and Fleetwood Town will host either Everton or Newcastle. Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 on Thursday to secure the final quarter-final spot and a trip to Fleetwood, the League Two side that knocked out Arsenal on penalties.

Rangers earned a 2-2 draw at Hearts thanks to a stoppage-time header from Olwethu Makhanya on Derek McInnes' much-anticipated return to Tynecastle. McInnes, who left Hearts for Rangers in June weeks after they were pipped to the Scottish Premiership title, was booed by the home support as he emerged from the tunnel. Rangers went ahead through Kevin Kelsy in the 16th minute, but Hearts came back to lead 2-1 with goals from Cláudio Braga and Calvin Miller early in the second half before Makhanya's late intervention secured a point.

Rio Tinto has inaugurated two new lithium plants in Argentina's Catamarca province, worth $US1.4 billion ($A2 billion) combined. The Sal de Vida plant and Fenix 1B expansion will produce 25,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually using direct lithium extraction technology, which backers say is more sustainable than traditional mining. Rio Tinto aims to increase overall output in Argentina to 200,000 metric tonnes annually by 2028.

A single ticket-holder secured the £2.8 million jackpot in Wednesday's Lotto draw by matching all six main numbers. Two other players won £1 million each after matching five main numbers alongside the bonus ball. Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at Allwyn, the National Lottery operator, said the win continued a winning streak, with nine Lotto millionaires made in the space of a week, following a £4.3 million jackpot winner from the previous Wednesday.

Eddie Nketiah's first-half goal sent Crystal Palace into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win at Fulham. The goal came against the run of play, from Palace's first shot of the game. Despite Fulham dominating and missing several chances, Dean Henderson's saves, including one in stoppage time, preserved Palace's victory. The win eases pressure on manager Pierre Sage ahead of Saturday's match against Tottenham.

An E. coli outbreak linked to Brookshire Farms pumpkin patch in San Luis Obispo, California has sickened five people, three of them children now in intensive care. The farm closed voluntarily on Tuesday and announced Wednesday it would remain shut for the rest of the pumpkin season pending test results. Health officials believe all infected individuals visited between 16 and 26 October, though the exact source remains under investigation.

Bradford Council has refused plans to demolish a four-storey building at Vale Mill near Oakworth Station as part of a wider housing redevelopment. The council's conservation officer Jon Ackroyd said the unlisted building was a 'landmark presence' that should be treated as part of the Grade II listed mill complex and could not be demolished under permitted development rules. The applicant, Jonathan Heaton, had argued the buildings were in poor condition and deteriorating, and that the site would become vacant by the end of 2026, risking vandalism and complications with building insurance.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has confirmed that offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will continue calling plays for the Los Angeles Chargers after the team's bye week, despite the franchise sitting at 0-6 with the league's worst scoring average of 15 points per game. Harbaugh said Wednesday that the team remains confident in McDaniel following a self-evaluation during the break. The Chargers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in their next match.

Celtic drew 2-2 with Dundee United at home, failing to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Camilo Duran gave Celtic an early lead, but Dundee United turned the game around with goals from Zachary Sapsford and Neil Farrugia within three minutes. Liam Scales equalised after half-time. Celtic remain four points clear as Rangers drew with Hearts.

Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 3-0 at home to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time in eight seasons, recording their fifth consecutive win across all competitions. Amine Adli, Lewis Cook and Álvaro Rodríguez scored the goals. Bournemouth will face Liverpool away in the quarter-final in the week commencing December 14.

The 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix generated $71.5 million in economic impact for Arizona and $42.2 million for the state's gross domestic product, according to a study by Arizona State University. An estimated 27,330 visitors stayed an average of four nights and spent $220.64 per person per day. UCLA won the championship, beating South Carolina, Texas and Connecticut, with the three games drawing 29,811 fans combined and 9.9 million television viewers worldwide.

FMP Group (Australia) Pty Limited, which operates as Bendix, has entered voluntary administration less than a year after celebrating its 70th anniversary. Grant Thornton appointed joint administrators Tianne Nagy-Jones and Philip Campbell-Wilson on 26 October 2026, with the first creditors' meeting scheduled for 5 November 2026. The Ballarat, Victoria-based company, established in 1955, previously supplied brake components to Holden, Ford, Toyota and other local carmakers before Australia's car manufacturing industry contracted following Ford's closure in 2016 and Toyota and Holden's exits in 2017.

Mediators have presented Iran with a new draft deal to end the eight-month conflict with the US and Israel, but a senior Iranian official rejected it as containing only 'unacceptable ideas and not an offer'. Qatar's proposal sets a seven-day timeline with daily confidence-building steps for each side, potentially beginning next week with several countries as guarantors. Iran says it will not show flexibility over its nuclear programme, insisting its conditions—including an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports and lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports—must be met first. Washington wants Iran's nuclear programme included in negotiations from the outset.

More than 520,000 people voted early in Louisiana's 2026 midterm election, a 38 per cent increase from 2022. Democrats made up 42 per cent of early voters, Republicans 39 per cent, and independent voters 18 per cent. Independent voter turnout saw the largest growth, jumping 65 per cent from the previous midterm.

Aston Martin has unveiled the Valhalla Spider, a convertible version of its high-performance Valhalla coupe. The Spider uses the same V8 plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the coupe, combining a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors for a total system output of 793kW and 1100Nm. Aston Martin claims the Valhalla Spider will be its fastest open-top production car, with a 0-100km/h time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 350km/h.

Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas has returned from a season-ending knee injury and is anchoring the Nittany Lions' defence as they struggle through a four-game losing streak. The junior leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks, and has six career interceptions, two this season. With Penn State at 3-4 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play, the team must win three of their final five games for a bowl appearance. Rojas believes the team can still achieve that goal.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee for Ohio governor, confirmed Thursday that his campaign is no longer airing an attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur. The ad prompted widespread criticism after court records showed Arthur had lost custody of Acton in 1978 when her husband was charged with raping Acton as a child. A Republican-commissioned poll found the ad may have backfired, with Acton opening an eight-point lead after it began circulating.

Six people released early under a new Early Release scheme in the West Midlands have been rearrested since the initiative began on 1 October. West Midlands Police said of the 181 people released so far, six arrests have been made, mostly for breaches of their licence conditions and shoplifting. Police bosses estimate around 1,000 people will be released through the scheme by next summer.

Hobert Rupe, former executive director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, has pleaded guilty to extortion and one count of conspiracy to commit services fraud. Rupe, who resigned in June 2025 and owns two Lincoln strip clubs, was accused of using his government position to benefit the clubs in exchange for access to dancers, free drinks and sexual favours. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4.

Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, reported third-quarter revenue growth of 25 per cent to $127.58 billion, but fell short of Wall Street's average expectation of $127.97 billion. Net income fell to $26.17 billion from $34.98 billion a year earlier, partly due to an $8.7 billion loss on equity investments. The stock fell about 9 per cent to $295.20 in after-hours trading. Chief executive Sundar Pichai said the company is 'now on a half-trillion dollar revenue run rate' and noted that its Gemini artificial intelligence assistant has reached one billion users, the fastest-growing product in Google's history.

Adrian Thompson, eight, died after choking in the cafeteria at Velma Penny Elementary School in Lindale, east Texas, on 15 April. Her parents have released surveillance footage of her final moments, showing her approaching a staff member while struggling to breathe. The employee believed Adrian was sick and directed her to a rubbish bin before sending her to the restroom. Texas Rangers previously cleared school staff of wrongdoing and no charges were brought.

Victorian police have launched an urgent appeal to find two missing infants, Daniel and Ilham, who were last seen on Tuesday in Port Melbourne. The one-week-old and one-year-old require immediate medical treatment. Police believe the infants may be in the company of a family member and may have been in the Richmond area on Wednesday evening.

Victorian Police have revealed three online identities—Onepercent, Motion and Work—believed linked to tasking serious violent acts on behalf of organised crime groups in Melbourne. The handles may be connected to arson attacks on licensed venues earlier in the year. Police launched Operation Eclipse in April after venues including Bar Bambi and The George Hotel were allegedly firebombed. A 19-year-old Tarneit man was charged over an April incident involving alleged kidnapping and serious assault, and a 20-year-old, Jesse Hadchiti, was arrested in relation to the arson attacks.

Boxer Edgar Berlanga, 29, has been charged with battery and aggravated battery after allegedly striking the mother of his child on the forehead with a pistol on 18 October in Polk County, Florida. The pair were driving when an argument turned physical, with Berlanga accused of slapping the woman before retrieving a gun from the vehicle's cupholder and hitting her with its magazine well. The woman fled to a nearby 7-Eleven, where witnesses called authorities, who observed swelling and bruising on her forehead. Berlanga turned himself in on Monday and was released from custody on Tuesday. He is due for arraignment on 17 November.

A woman identified by the Daily Mail as Celine Al Jamal was escorted out of a Pinellas County commissioners meeting on Tuesday after playing a recording of the Islamic call to prayer at the podium. Board Chairman Dave Eggers interrupted after nearly a minute, citing county rules that require public speakers to deliver verbal comments rather than play recordings. When she refused to comply, a sheriff's deputy removed her from the building. Her removal sparked arguments from audience members, with Eggers telling the crowd: 'We don't allow taped things.' The meeting was held while residents addressed the board about the potential expansion of a local mosque.

Anthony Albanese's public disapproval rating has reached its highest level since he took office in 2022, coinciding with One Nation matching Labor's primary vote at 28 per cent in a new Guardian Essential Poll. The Coalition trails on 23 per cent. The survey of 1,087 Australians comes after an alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines.

A lieutenant with Princeton Police Department in West Virginia has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson in connection to a structure fire that occurred on 4 August in the 900 block of Harrison Street. Lieutenant R.M. Combs, who had been employed by the department for 12 years, was taken to Mercer County Magistrate's Office for arraignment. He has been suspended without pay.

Donald Trump faces potential dismissal of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC unless he complies with court orders to produce documents. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett has ordered Trump to provide the requested records by 23 November and compile a list of documents withheld under privilege claims by 5 November. The lawsuit concerns the BBC's editing of a 2024 Panorama documentary about the US Capitol riots.

Three people were arrested after a federal search warrant was executed on Tuesday at an apartment building on North 2nd Street in north Bismarck, yielding more than three pounds of methamphetamine. Clarence Taylor, 39, Sandra Schulte, 56, and Otis Lewis, 55, face charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to deliver meth. The investigation began in August when a confidential source told investigators about a methamphetamine trafficking operation at the building.

Cornell University faculty will vote on a no-confidence measure over the university's handling of sexual assault allegations. At an October 14 meeting, university president Michael Kotlikoff defended his leadership, acknowledged some missteps and asked faculty for more time to make reforms.

Calvin Harris has been announced as the final headliner for the 2027 Coors Light Birds Nest, a four-night concert series running from 10–13 February alongside the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. The GRAMMY Award-winning British DJ and producer will perform on 13 February at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time. The full lineup also includes Riley Green and Ashley Cooke on the first night, Jason Aldean and Josh Ross on the second, and Snoop Dogg with T-Pain on the third. Tickets go on sale on 29 October.

The Australian Taxation Office has conceded it failed to consult the business community before deciding to refuse credit card payments in response to the government's ban on card payment surcharges. ATO Commissioner Rob Heferen admitted the tax office 'jumped to conclusions' about the impact on small businesses, wrongly assuming those paying by credit card were in financial distress and failing to recognise that many use credit cards for cash-flow management. Heferen said the ATO would have taken a different approach had it held 'a more open conversation' with stakeholders from the outset. The ban was due to begin in December but was delayed following business backlash.

Chelsea maintained their strong Women's Champions League campaign with a 2-0 away win over Roma at Plough Lane. Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, brought on at half-time, scored in the 51st minute after combining with Wieke Kaptein. Kadeisha Buchanan added a second goal in the 89th minute.

Alphabet reported third-quarter revenue of $127.6 billion, up 25% year-over-year, but missed analyst expectations and saw net profit fall 25% to $26.2 billion. Search revenue grew just 12%, down from 17% the previous quarter, as Google's new AI search summaries reduced the number of advertisements the company could sell. The company also reported negative free cash flow of $9.1 billion, more than triple analyst expectations, driven by spending on AI infrastructure. Chief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi said capital expenditures would increase significantly in 2027. The stock fell more than 12% in extended trading, wiping around $500 billion from Alphabet's market value in what analysts said was the company's worst day since going public 22 years ago.

Fleetwood Mac's album Rumours, voted one of the greatest albums of all time, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Three NFL teams with losing records are deciding whether to make trades before the 10 November deadline. The Chargers, winless through seven games, have rejected trade approaches, though linebacker Khalil Mack remains a target for other teams, particularly the Bears. Receiver Garrett Wilson told the Jets he wants to stay with them but prioritises winning above all else.

Philadelphia has appointed Adrian Jordan, formerly the vector control crew chief for the Department of Public Health, as its first rat abatement manager. The new role was created after City Council urged officials to address rodent infestations, particularly in the Lower Northeast. Jordan will oversee strategy to tackle quality-of-life issues attracting rats, working with multiple city departments and conducting surveys in affected neighbourhoods including Castor Gardens and Oxford Circle.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon plans to spend roughly $43,000 on new furniture for her office, including a desk, conference table and chairs, according to records seen by the New York Times. Her office told Congress the current furniture is worn out and cannot fit the department's new, smaller office space in downtown Washington. McMahon, who is seeking to permanently shut down the Education Department, claimed the office relocation would save taxpayers $4.8 million annually. The education department's press secretary defended the spending, saying new federal offices need furniture just as private sector offices do, and that the administration is saving taxpayers millions through education cuts overall.

A deadly train crash near Toledo on Wednesday has killed at least 68 people, the second major rail disaster on Spain's Madrid-Seville line this year. The crash comes less than nine months after a collision near Adamuz that killed 46 people and was attributed to poor maintenance. The disaster has shifted focus in Spain's election campaign away from housing, the issue Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had centred on, to questions about his government's management of public infrastructure and crisis response. The conservative People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has demanded an investigation and suspended campaign activities for two days. Political analysts say the tragedy has reshaped the electoral contest, giving the opposition grounds to challenge the government's competence just four weeks before the election.

The Taoiseach has called for a new initiative to prompt engagement with 'hard evidence' on different constitutional frameworks for Irish unity. The proposal aims to challenge all traditions to participate in the debate.

Police have issued a dispersal order in Dronfield during Halloween following concerns about anti-social behaviour. The Section 34 notice runs from 18:00 GMT on Friday to 06:00 on Sunday and covers Gosforth Fields, Sindelfingen Park and the surrounding area. Officers can direct groups of two or more people to leave if they are involved in anti-social behaviour or if police believe they are likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others. Derbyshire Police urged residents to report any anti-social activity.

Google has released Gemini 4 Carbon, its latest frontier AI model, claiming it ranks first on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index benchmark ahead of Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6 Astra. The model offers improvements in coding, agentic tasks, and cybersecurity, with particular strength in finding vulnerabilities and generating secure code. It is currently available only to select cybersecurity defence companies but will eventually expand to other partners through Google's Fairwind Program.

The Interior Department is developing a plan to close East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., on 15 November for a redesign led by golf-course architect Tom Fazio. President Trump announced the project on social media, saying the revamped course would reopen in roughly 15 months. The closure and renovation plans have triggered a lawsuit from the DC Preservation League and two golfers, and a judge has temporarily blocked the government from removing further trees after more than 400 were felled in one weekend.

GWM's Tank 500 SUV has received a new update in China with enhanced luxury features, though an Australian launch has not been announced. The refresh adds dual 15.6-inch digital displays, new seating features including thigh extenders and fold-out tables, and 296 total hardware and software upgrades. Australia may fall two updates behind China, with no confirmed timeline for when these improvements will reach the local market.

Operation Desert Guardian, Arizona's first statewide unified command targeting drug, human and weapons trafficking, has led to more than 2,900 arrests, nearly 10,000 pounds of illegal drugs seized and 127 firearms confiscated in its first year, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. The operation was established by Governor Katie Hobbs in March 2025 and brings together 15 state, local, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal networks responsible for smuggling fentanyl and other illicit drugs, human trafficking and weapons smuggling.

The Little Waitrose store in Headington, Oxford, has closed for refurbishment and essential maintenance. Shell, which operates the small supermarket inside one of its garages, said it is grateful for customers' patience while work is ongoing. The store shut on 25 October and is expected to reopen at the end of November. The main Waitrose in Headington and a nearby Shell Co-Op in Cowley remain open.

St Laurence's Church in Caversfield held its last regular outdoor service of the year on Sunday, 25 October, ahead of All Saints Day on 1 November. The service included a fire show performed by Graham Hearn and a light party. Peter Wright, rector of the Bicester Team of Churches, said All Saints Day is a 'red letter day' when the church remembers those who 'shone like lights' and were prepared to give their lives for their faith, and praised the 'people of all ages' who attended and enjoyed the fire show.

Two Welsh restaurants have been named finalists in the Best Kebab House in Wales category at the British Kebab Awards. Tandoorz in Cwmbran's Fairwater Square reached the finals just over a year after opening, and Keyif in Penarth, established in 2018, also made the shortlist. The awards, now in their 15th year, received over 6,000 nominations and 40,000 votes, with 283 businesses across the UK reaching the finals. Public voting is open until 31 January 2027, with winners announced on 23 February at a ceremony in London.

A hacker group calling itself the Department of Peace obtained personal information on more than 41,000 Department of Homeland Security employees and released it online Wednesday through the transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets. The leaked data includes names, job titles, phone numbers, email addresses and office locations of staff from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and other DHS agencies. According to multiple outlets, the hacker group accessed the information through Okta, a single sign-on service used by DHS. The database, called Icepick, also contains details about internal surveillance and undercover operations. An Okta spokesperson told Wired the company had no evidence its systems were compromised. DHS said it was aware of the breach and working to address it. The leak is the third major US government data breach in recent weeks, following breaches at the FBI and Defense Department.

San Carlos Apache police are searching for 18-year-old Stevie Ironshell, accused in a homicide in the Hallelujah Square area on Wednesday morning. Police have not disclosed who was killed or the circumstances of the death. Ironshell should not be approached, police say.

Gosport Borough Council has launched a new corporate plan focused on creating more jobs, improving transport links and providing affordable housing. Council leader Cllr Zoe Huggins said the borough has among Hampshire's lowest employment levels and better transport connections will be crucial to attracting and retaining businesses and workers. The strategy includes six priorities: regenerating the town centre and waterfront, growing the economy, improving services, protecting the environment and heritage, and supporting healthier communities.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has agreed to investigate potential safeguarding concerns relating to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Donaldson's service as a councillor between 2005 and 2011. Donaldson, 63, was recently jailed for 15 years for child sex offences against two victims, including rape, committed between 1985 and 2008. The council will review its records and establish a confidential process for witnesses to come forward with evidence about his behaviour during his time in office.

At least eight passengers on easyJet flight U23116 from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt to Glasgow were struck by severe vomiting and nausea during the overnight flight on 22 October. The outbreak occurred as the aircraft crossed Dutch airspace, prompting crew to alert easyJet's Flight Operations Centre. The aircraft landed safely at Glasgow Airport at approximately 2.45am, where medical staff and airport operations teams met the flight to treat the affected passengers.

Novak Djokovic's bid for a record 19th appearance at the ATP Finals was damaged by a surprise defeat to Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors in Basel on Thursday. The 39-year-old lost 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-5), his first loss to Struff in nine meetings. This came two days after Djokovic defeated Ugo Humbert 4-6 6-3 6-4. Djokovic is now 11th in the race to Turin, 319 points behind ninth-placed Rafael Jodar who holds the final qualifying spot.

Hayden Panettiere, 36, the actress known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on 16 August from an accidental drug overdose. Police in Greenville, South Carolina have now closed their investigation, confirming the death was accidental based on the medical examiner's determination. The coroner's office found toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine in her system. She was found unresponsive at an apartment where her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present. Authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, investigated the circumstances. It remains unclear whether federal authorities continue any separate investigation.

Homelessness among employed workers in Victoria has surged 42 per cent over four years, driven by record inflation and rising rents. A Council to Homeless Persons report found that more than 4400 full-time workers received homelessness assistance in the past year, representing 13 per cent of people accessing homelessness services in the state. Workers earning $74,100 cannot afford private rentals anywhere in Victoria, whilst those earning $130,000 spend more than 30 per cent of their income on rent in Melbourne.

A green space next to Holly Hill Leisure Centre in Fareham could make way for new padel courts operated by Padel4All. Fareham Borough Council's Executive will consider the plans on Monday, November 2. The company already operates a centre at Park Lane Recreation Ground, which is running at around 80 per cent capacity.

Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils are drawing up public space protection orders (PSPOs) to restrict balaclava-wearing in public spaces. Police describe the problem as 'substantial' and say it involves predominantly young males engaged in drug dealing and carrying weapons. Nottingham has already introduced similar restrictions, allowing officers to request removal of balaclavas if they 'reasonably believe' they are being used to conceal identity for criminal purposes; non-compliance could result in £70 fixed penalty notices or court prosecution with fines up to £1,000. Exemptions will apply to balaclavas worn for religious, cultural, health, work, weather or personal safety reasons.

Storm Boelo brought severe disruption to Scotland over the weekend, with winds of up to 84mph and a third of a month's rain to some areas. A 60-year-old man died after being hit by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway, and two women were hospitalised in a similar incident in Perth and Kinross. More than 600 homes were still without power on Wednesday, with over 500 engineers working to restore supplies, though some homes may remain off overnight.

South Africa's bowlers suffered on day two of the third Test at Newlands, with Kagiso Rabada battling stomach cramps and Marco Jansen dealing with stiffness. Rabada, announced as the world's No.1-ranked Test bowler on the day, took 18 wicketless overs for 81 runs and left the field three times. Australia reached 4-330 in reply to South Africa's first-innings 329, taking the lead and control of the series decider.

Chelsea continued their unbeaten start in the Women's Champions League with a 2-0 win over Roma. Substitute Ellie Carpenter scored six minutes after coming on in the second half, with defender Kadeisha Buchanan adding a second goal near the end. Chelsea remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Indiana's parole board has unanimously recommended that Governor Mike Braun deny clemency for Jeffrey Weisheit, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend's two children, 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch, in a house fire in Evansville in 2010. Weisheit is scheduled for execution by lethal injection on 5 November. The children's mother, Lisa Lynch, told the board that clemency should be reserved for those showing genuine remorse and valuing human life.

Blackpool and The Fylde College is surveying residents and businesses on a £65m multiversity campus planned for the town centre near Blackpool North railway station. The development is expected to open in September 2028 and accommodate around 3,000 students, apprentices and staff. The college says the project aims to make higher education more accessible and help people gain skills and qualifications.

Chancellor John Healey has announced a new 'Founders' Relief', offering startup creators a 10 per cent capital gains tax rate on up to £10m of lifetime gains when selling their company. At the same time, he halved the lifetime allowance for Business Asset Disposal Relief from £1m to £500,000 for other business owners. The Treasury says three-quarters of existing claimants will be unaffected, though small business leaders questioned whether the changes represent support for entrepreneurs.

Utah filed criminal charges against prediction market Kalshi and its chief executive officer Tarek Mansour and chief operating officer Luana Lopes Lara on Wednesday, accusing them of violating the state's strict anti-gambling ban. The charges include counts of illegally promoting online gambling and profiting from illegal activity. Kalshi called the charges a 'crazy overreach' and said it looks forward to defeating the case in court as it did in Arizona. The move escalates a nationwide battle between states and the federal government over who regulates prediction markets, with the Trump administration's Commodity Futures Trading Commission having sued Utah to block the state's enforcement actions.

A woman in her 40s died after being found with multiple stab wounds at a unit on Rockvale Road in Armidale, NSW, in the early hours of Thursday. NSW Police were called around 2.15am and attended the scene, where paramedics treated the woman but she died despite their efforts. A 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

Chipotle reported mixed third-quarter results on Wednesday, with sales rising 9.6% to $3.29 billion and customer traffic growing, bucking broader industry trends. However, the chain's restaurant-level operating margin fell to 23.3% from 24.5% as costs climbed. CEO Scott Boatwright said the company has 'high confidence' in fourth-quarter performance. Menu prices have risen cumulatively throughout 2024, reaching about 2.7% impact in the third quarter and expected to hit about 3% in the fourth quarter, driven by higher beef, freight and labour costs.

Porcus People Limited, a Todmorden-based artisan sausage and charcuterie maker, is suing Calderdale Council for £575,106 in damages. The firm claims a food safety investigation into its air-dried ham was 'egregious, flawed and unmerited', resulting in a 10-day closure and unjustified product restrictions. Calderdale Council denies liability, arguing it had no common law duty of care to shield the business from financial loss when acting to protect public health.

Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was awarded the United Arab Emirates' First Class Order of Zayed II on Wednesday for his actions during an attack on a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv on 30 September. Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe; Machchhar suffered a compound depressed skull fracture but opened the cockpit door to let crew and passengers inside. Passengers and crew then restrained al-Hammami and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Authorities believe the attack was an attempted suicide mission targeting Israel's Ben Gurion airport, inspired by the September 11 attacks.

Kayla Marie Christensen is accused of leaving her four-year-old daughter at Love's Travel Stop near Neosho, Missouri at around 3 a.m. on Friday. When police questioned her, she allegedly claimed her only children were her two young sons. Officers also allegedly found drug paraphernalia in her car and discovered both boys were not properly strapped into car seats. Christensen was arrested and charged with first-degree child abandonment, two counts of first-degree child endangerment, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of failing to restrain a child properly.

Scientists are raising concerns about microplastic contamination in common beverages and foods. Tea brewed from plastic bags releases 555 to 2,498 microplastic particles per cup, compared to 0.3 to 2.4 particles in loose-leaf tea. Disposable instant noodle buckets, which appear to be paper but are lined with plastic, also leach microplastics into hot water. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, placental tissue and arteries, and research suggests they may increase cardiovascular risks and cause cellular damage.

Usdaw has called for Government action to save 11,000 Poundland jobs after the rejection of a solvent offer left the retailer at risk of collapse. The union is urging intervention to protect thousands of livelihoods.

The Federal Trade Commission has demanded that nine companies—Walmart, Target, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Delta, United and JetBlue—provide information on whether and how they use consumers' personal data such as location, browsing history and income to set individual prices, wages and job offers. The FTC will use this data to publish a study intended to inform regulators and lawmakers about personalized pricing and wage-setting practices. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency will 'scrutinize the opaque methodology' companies may use to determine prices and worker pay.

Logan Denning, 42, and seven-year-old Briggs Niewenhuis died on Saturday in a crash near Corsica when a Chevy Silverado collided with a Chrysler minivan Denning was driving. Four other children in the minivan were injured and taken to hospital. The driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries. Funerals for both will be held at the Corsica-Stickney gymnasium.

Birmingham's first-ever drag and burlesque festival is set to take place on the opening weekend of the Christmas market next month. The festival marks a new cultural event for the city.

Sophie Molineux, Australia's T20 captain, was the most expensive player purchased at India's Women's Premier League auction, bought by UP Warriorz for INR 1.1 crore ($A164,000). She will play under the captaincy of Meg Lanning, her former national team skipper, during the January to February 2027 tournament. The Lucknow-based franchise also secured Australian allrounder Grace Harris for $45,000 and retained Phoebe Litchfield for $179,000, giving them four Australians in total.

Dolores Huerta, the civil rights leader and labour organiser who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, has died at the age of 96. Though born in New Mexico, Huerta had deep ties to Arizona, where she coined the phrase 'Sí, se puede!' during a 25-day fast in 1972. Arizona politicians including Senator Ruben Gallego, who counted her as a mentor, praised her legacy.

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is expected to be out until at least January with a shin injury. The 23-year-old Slovenian has not featured since the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton on 16 September. The injury is separate from the shin problem that ended his 2024-25 season and ruled him out of pre-season. Manager Michael Carrick confirmed the extended absence, saying the club is working through a healing process without surgery. Sesko will miss crucial fixtures including meetings with Liverpool and Arsenal. United are reportedly considering transfer options in January to address their lack of an orthodox striker.

UCF beat the second-ranked BYU Cougars 39-31 in double overtime on Saturday. However, video from the stadium captured UCF fans chanting a discriminatory phrase about Mormons before the game. The Big 12 Conference fined UCF $100,000, stating that discriminatory behaviour has no place in the conference. The fine will be directed toward student education initiatives.

Hasan Piker, a left-wing streamer, mocked ICE agents injured during Operation Metro Surge at a Minneapolis campaign event alongside Rep. Ilhan Omar on Monday night. Fellow Minnesota Democrats including Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar condemned Piker's remarks. Omar's campaign defended her attendance, saying it was to mobilise young voters.

A national study led by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute surveyed more than 100 Australians about their use of food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash. Researchers found that promotional offers like free delivery and percentage discounts encouraged users to order unhealthy foods, with people prioritising deals over nutrition. Study lead author Jess Morrison said participants associated the apps with 'treat' foods and did not pay much attention to nutrition information. Convenience also drove app use, with people ordering after long work days or when they had forgotten to buy groceries. The findings have prompted calls for government intervention, with Morrison advocating for measures such as restricting promotions on unhealthy foods and ensuring online platforms are covered by kilojoule labelling regulations.

England have made six changes as they attempt to end a two-match losing run against the USA in New Jersey on Friday. Head coach John Mitchell has brought in Holly Aitchison at fly-half, with Flo Robinson making her first start at scrum-half. Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Mackenzie Carson are also promoted, whilst Ellie Kildunne stays on the bench despite her standing as the Red Roses' star player. Mitchell said the selections were designed to 'refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth'.

Anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson has been convicted of harassment causing fear of violence against two Daily Mail journalists. Robinson contacted the reporters and posted messages about them on X after the Daily Mail published a story accusing him of stoking race riots during unrest in the UK in 2024. Robinson claimed he only intended to pressure the outlet to remove a picture of his ex-wife. The jury reached its guilty verdict by a 10-2 majority after 11 hours and 25 minutes of deliberation. He will be sentenced in December, with a maximum sentence of up to 14 years if the offence is deemed racially or religiously aggravated.

Burger Barn in Superior, Nebraska has opened, offering a menu of custom burgers made with different sauces and cheeses, alongside baskets and soft serve ice cream. Co-owner Candance Pavusa said the restaurant is the only soft serve ice cream location in town and emphasises customer service as central to the business. The restaurant operates an online ordering system and loyalty programme that offers customers a free order of fries after ten purchases.

King Charles visited the Bahamas Boxing Academy in Nassau on the second day of his Caribbean tour and was given a black T-shirt depicting him as a boxer, complete with crown, gloves and shorts. The King laughed at the gift, created by Jermaine Gibson of the All-Out Boxing Club, and told the giver it was 'really good'. Charles watched young athletes training, including 16-year-old Jayda Burrows, who trains for two hours most days after school.

The Renfrew Bridge, which opened last year across Scotland's River Clyde, has been forced to close for months after Storm Boelo damaged its electrical systems. The bridge's Renfrew-side operating systems sustained serious water damage when the storm brought high winds and heavy rain over the weekend. Renfrewshire Council said the closure would last 'a number of months' while repairs are carried out, though the outlets differ on the bridge's cost: the Daily Mail reports £117million, while the Daily Express states around £50million.

A 70-year-old British grandmother has drowned while attempting to rescue her 10-year-old granddaughter from the sea at Cavalleria Beach on Menorca's north coast. The incident occurred around 1pm on the family's last day of holiday, when the girl got into difficulty on an inflatable boat in strong currents and began drifting towards a rocky area. The grandmother's husband and daughter also tried to reach the child as winds nearly reached 30mph caused the inflatable to overturn. The grandmother died despite emergency responders' efforts; her husband recovered her body from the water. Other beachgoers used a rope to pull the daughter and granddaughter to safety.

The FCC will vote on November 19 on rules that would allow state and federal prisons to use cellphone signal jammers to block contraband phones used by inmates. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says jammers are needed because thousands of illegal phones have entered prisons, allowing inmates to order hits and coordinate gang activity. However, incarcerated journalists argue the move is a response to their use of phones to report civil rights violations, citing a 2024 DOJ investigation into Georgia's prisons.

Terry Bradshaw, the 78-year-old analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, believes Fox will replace him after his contract expires following the 2029 Super Bowl, despite recently signing a two-year extension. Bradshaw said he is 'supremely confident' on air but expects the network will want to move on regardless of his performance. He has no plans to announce his retirement publicly to avoid receiving a tribute when his tenure ends.

Patrick Clancy is suing his ex-wife Lindsay's doctors for wrongful death, alleging they overmedicated her while treating postpartum mental health issues. His lawyer claims Lindsay will testify that she told her doctors about homicidal and suicidal thoughts before she killed their three children, five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson and eight-month-old Callan, in January 2023. Lindsay's lawyer disputes this, stating she never told healthcare providers about homicidal ideation toward her children and never indicated she would testify in the lawsuit.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are leaving the UK after King Charles reportedly considered stripping their titles. The Duchess of Sussex, who moved to the UK with her family in August, is set to appear as a judge on the Australian version of Junior MasterChef in 2027, requiring her to be away for weeks. Reports suggest Meghan has struggled to adapt to life in the Cotswolds and is considering an extended stay in California over Christmas, while Harry reportedly wants her to give Britain more time.

Fans fear that Harry Potter actress Emma Watson may have had her Instagram account hacked after she posted three low-resolution photos from the upcoming film Wicker with only emojis as a caption. The 36-year-old, who is studying for a DPhil in literature at Oxford University, rarely posts on social media and prefers to keep her life private, prompting concern among followers.

Portsmouth Water disrupted water supplies in parts of Chichester, Walberton and Slindon during essential maintenance work on Thursday and Friday, 29 and 30 October.

Alaska's US Senate race has been thrown into turmoil by allegations surrounding a spoiler candidate who shares the name of the sitting Republican senator, Dan Sullivan. The race is ranked as a toss-up and could affect the balance of power in Congress. Alaska's electoral system, which uses a jungle primary and ranked-choice voting, has drawn scrutiny over how the duplicate name might affect the outcome.

Following discovery of the emerald ash borer in Bismarck in August, the city's Forestry Division has launched a long-term management plan. Over the next four to five years, roughly half of the boulevard ash population will be removed based on tree condition and public safety, with the remaining trees treated with insecticide. The city has approved $500,000 from its general fund reserve for removals, employees, chemicals, equipment and replanting. City Forester Christy Ames-Davis said spreading the removals over several years will reduce sudden neighbourhood impact while allowing staggered losses. The city remains committed to replanting trees, with a detailed plan still being finalised. Infected wood will be taken to the landfill and processed through a tub grinder.

Brighton lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup at the Etihad Stadium. Manager Fabian Hurzeler said Manchester City were 'lucky' in the match. Brighton face five consecutive away fixtures.

Children's YouTube star Ms Rachel declared herself 'livid' over police being called to a Florida youth soccer game involving a three-year-old Black boy, calling it racist. Bodycam footage reviewed by outlets shows a league official telling police the boy's parents caused a disturbance after the official held the child out of a game to give other players experience. Ms Rachel has not responded to requests for clarification.

Audrey Morris, owner of Propagation Station in Superior, Nebraska, transformed her plant hobby into a thriving business and community gathering space. Morris said the shop started as a personal passion and gave her a chance to connect with the community. She believes plants support mental health and well-being, offering 'a little bit of peace for the mind' and helping people develop routines. Morris experienced this benefit after losing her father, and now wants to share that sense of peace with customers. The shop stocks varieties ranging from easy-care plants like snake plants and pothos to rarer finds such as monstera mint and fire stick cactus. For newcomers unsure how to care for plants, Morris recommends hardy varieties that are 'a lot harder to kill'.

The United Nations General Assembly voted Wednesday to condemn the US economic embargo on Cuba for the 34th time, but support fell sharply to 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions—down 35 votes from 2025. The decline marks the lowest support since 1995. Several countries that previously supported or abstained on the resolution shifted their positions, including Colombia, which voted against after supporting it last year, and Germany, Italy and Latvia, which abstained for the first time in 34 years.

Australia and 35 other countries will compete at the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May 2027. Canada will make its debut while North Macedonia returns after an absence since 2022. Ireland and the Netherlands have confirmed they will boycott again over Israel's participation, which the Israeli broadcaster KAN has confirmed. Spain, Slovenia and Iceland have until December to decide whether to take part.

Prince William recently admitted on The Graham Norton Show that he had tried to remove Travis Kelce from a selfie he took with Taylor Swift and their two children at the 2024 Eras Tour at Wembley. On his New Heights podcast, Kelce said he understood William's reasoning, joking that the Prince likely worried their relationship might not last. The photo went viral when Swift shared it on Instagram and marked the first time either had publicly posted the other on social media.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Ukraine and Russia plan to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi, possibly as early as 10 November, a week after the US midterm elections. A US team is expected to lead the summit, which would be the first face-to-face negotiations since President Trump lifted sanctions on Moscow. Zelensky said the talks would initially take place at 'technical level' but could pave the way for a trilateral summit involving Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a general election within the next 12 months, after opposition parties speculated he would go to the country early. The next election must be held by August 2029. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have suggested Burnham may call an election sooner than he claims, citing political volatility and questioning his mandate.

The Vatican Museums has unveiled an exhibition of eight Mercedes-Benz popemobiles used by popes since 1930, tracing a century of papal transportation. The exhibition, 'A Century of the Popemobile', opened to the public on Thursday and features vehicles from Pope Pius XI's first automobile in 1930 to modern versions. Pope Leo XIV met with Mercedes-Benz executives to thank them for their partnership, noting that the popemobile has evolved from simple transport into 'an instrument of encounter' allowing popes to connect with the faithful.

Ernie Johnson, 70, announced Wednesday that he will step down as host of Inside the NBA at the end of the current 2026-27 season, his 37th in the role. Johnson said the decision was entirely his own and that he is not retiring from broadcasting but rather 'cutting back' to spend more time with his wife of 44 years and five grandchildren. He cited heart issues as a contributing factor, including bypass surgery 14 months ago, and said that preparation for the show has become 'more of a challenge than it is a joy'. Johnson will continue working on March Madness coverage and other projects for TNT and CBS, and recently started a production company called 32 Bowties. Charles Barkley has previously indicated he will also leave at the end of this season, describing himself and Johnson as a 'package deal'.

Anthony Williams, 33, is on trial at Cambridge Crown Court denies 14 counts of attempted murder following incidents on 1 November 2025. He is accused of stabbing 10 people on a Doncaster-to-London LNER train that made an emergency stop in Huntingdon, and of attacking three people in Peterborough on 31 October and a boy at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London. Williams has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wounding with intent relating to the train attack and to other wounding offences. CCTV footage shown to jurors depicts Williams moving through the train in a black hoodie, trousers and cap before producing a knife, and passengers including Stephen Crean attempting to restrain him and using a frying pan to fight back.

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced on Wednesday a policy that will allow compounding pharmacies to produce six unapproved peptide compounds without FDA enforcement action. The peptides—BPC-157, Epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax and TB-500—are promoted in the wellness industry for muscle-building, injury healing and energy-boosting. FDA scientific staff members opposed the move and had limited input in drafting the policy, according to six people familiar with its development. Kennedy, who describes himself a 'big fan' of peptides and says he has used them to treat injuries, justified the change as advancing patient choice and providing a controlled alternative to unregulated online peptides. The government will accept public comments for two weeks before finalising the policy.

Vladimir Putin has called Elon Musk a genius for deploying thousands of satellites into orbit, saying he is in close contact with the SpaceX chief executive as Russia develops its own satellite internet network called Rassvet. Putin made the remarks at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday, noting that Musk has more than 5,000 satellites in orbit while Russia is only taking first steps with its project. Putin said the two countries maintain close contact to ensure their satellites do not interfere with each other in orbit. Rassvet, Russia's Starlink alternative built by private aerospace company Bureau 1440, currently has 31 satellites in orbit, far fewer than Starlink's 11,000 satellites. The comments come after Ukraine accused SpaceX of restricting military satellite access earlier this month, which Musk said involved closing a loophole in civilian Starlink use.

Hyrox has entered a strategic partnership with World Triathlon, the sport's global governing body, in pursuit of Olympic and Paralympic status. The agreement recognises hybrid racing as an official discipline within World Triathlon, with three formats: ultimate, fast and ultra. Hyrox co-founder Christian Toetzke said the partnership was 'a monumental step toward that vision'. However, the move has drawn criticism from some within the triathlon community, with Olympic champion Alex Yee's poll showing 82 per cent of his followers opposed to the partnership after a couple of hours.

Israel held an election that delivered an unclear result. Both outlets note the outcome recalls past political events, with The Examiner and The Advocate drawing parallels to Australia's political landscape in September 2010.

The Budget includes business rate relief that will exempt 70,000 more businesses from paying business rates, with exceptions for vape shops and betting shops. Dan Price, Labour & Co-op candidate for the first mayor of Cheshire and Warrington, has welcomed the measures. He has pledged to introduce Business Improvement Districts across Cheshire, with two years of fully funded support before long-term business funding, using the Mayoral Investment Fund of £21.7 million per year.

At least eight passengers on easyJet flight U23116 from Sharm el-Sheikh to Glasgow reported vomiting mid-flight on Wednesday evening. The crew alerted operational command and arranged ground support as a precaution. The aircraft descended through Dutch airspace before landing safely at Glasgow Airport at around 2:45am. EasyJet said some passengers indicated the illness may have been related to food consumed at their hotel before the flight, and that no medical assistance was required.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson, has been found guilty of harassing freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber, causing them to fear violence. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in south London found the 43-year-old guilty by a majority of 10 to 2. Prosecutors said the pair were forced to leave their homes or employ extra security over fears of a 'vigilante' attack. Yaxley-Lennon faces a potential prison sentence of ten years.

Billy Allison, 36, of Solihull, is on trial at Stafford Crown Court accused of murdering Matthew O'Gara, a 44-year-old pub owner, with a punch to the neck at Ricco and Loren bar in Lichfield on 24 May. Allison denies murder but has admitted manslaughter. The prosecution says he delivered a 'very, very hard' punch with 'the stance and skill of an experienced fighter', breaking several bones in Mr O'Gara's neck and splitting an artery, causing a massive haemorrhage at the base of his brain and cardiac arrest. The court heard the attack was 'completely unprovoked and senseless' on a man Allison did not know.

Kathleen Kennedy, the former president of Lucasfilm, has been appointed to oversee the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. She replaces Peter Rice, who recently became chief content officer at Netflix but will remain as an executive producer. The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Burnley have appointed 50-year-old Fabio Celestini as head coach four days after sacking Nicky Hayen. Celestini, who led FC Basel to the Swiss Super League title and cup double in 2024-25 and most recently managed CSKA Moscow, will take charge of a Clarets side in 22nd place in the Championship with just one league win this season.

The Government's Autumn Budget includes support for households and businesses in southern England. Nearly 100,000 Southampton households will receive £100 payments for energy costs, with further help through extended VAT cuts on electricity and frozen fuel duty. Gas standing charges are being removed and business rates relief is being extended to retail, hospitality and leisure properties. However, Hampshire County Council warns it faces a £199m budget shortfall by 2027/28 and says government help is essential to close the gap.

Romesh Ranganathan has revealed that his wife Leesa was targeted by an online troll who called her a 'race traitor' for marrying him. The comedian said he receives racist messages every day, but the abuse recently became more personal when his wife received the abusive message on Instagram. Ranganathan said he felt responsible for the abuse his wife suffered because of their marriage.

Cross Lane near Great Barr primary school is closed for water works until November 2. The closure is expected to remain in place through early November.

UK finance minister John Healey has raised taxes on banks, gambling, savers and landlords in the first budget of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. The measures will fund a £100 payment to about 20 million households in lower-valued homes to ease rising energy bills, costing £2.6 billion, and a freeze on fuel duty rates until at least July, costing £1.4 billion. Healey also plans to tighten value-added tax rules for online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, and provide property tax relief to small businesses.

Conservative influencers James O'Keefe and Cam Higby were charged with felonies for unlawful voting and identity theft by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty over events at Minnesota polling places on 11 August. The men dressed in costumes and used the names of registered voters whilst attempting to demonstrate vulnerabilities in Minnesota's 'vouching' system, which allows registered voters to vouch for up to eight others in their precinct. They did not actually obtain or cast ballots, and poll workers reported their suspicious behaviour to election officials. Moriarty said they intentionally misrepresented their identities to election judges, violating state voting laws, though neither man signed the required affidavits.

During the peak of the 2025 Los Angeles fires, approximately 7 million residents were exposed in a 24-hour period to airborne lead concentrations that exceeded 80 times the normal background level, according to a study published in Science Advances. Researchers from the California Institute of Technology found that smoke from the Eaton Fire contained more lead, arsenic and halogens than typical wildfire smoke, with the toxic compounds linked to burning vehicles, building materials and electronics. The researchers said urban fire smoke differs fundamentally from wildfire smoke, and that as climate change drives more fires into cities, monitoring and emergency response systems will need to adapt.

Christa Pike, 50, survived a failed lethal injection execution in Tennessee on 30 September and has returned to prison. Former Knoxville police chief Phil Keith recalled that Pike was 'ruthless, without any remorse, almost giddy' when describing to investigators how she murdered her 19-year-old Job Corps classmate Colleen Slemmer in January 1995, appearing to brag about the crime. Governor Bill Lee said Pike's death sentence is unlikely to change unless determined otherwise by the courts, despite her attorneys calling for her sentence to be commuted to life without parole following the failed execution.

A study published in Nature Climate Change has found that Antarctic Intermediate Water, a vast ocean layer spanning the southern hemisphere at 500 to 1500 metres depth, has undergone rapid change since 2016. The layer, which acts as a 'climate buffer' absorbing heat and carbon dioxide, remained stable from 1995 to 2015 but has become saltier, denser and deeper as sea ice reaches record lows. University of Melbourne associate professor Bishakhdatta Gayen, the study lead, said this transformation is occurring in two decades rather than the thousands of years such shifts typically take.

Activists have found more than 100 listings for childlike sex dolls on Amazon, which are illegal to possess in Australia with penalties of up to 15 years in jail. Many listings target Australian buyers via Amazon's US domain despite not offering direct shipping to Australia. Australian Federal Police Commander Jo Cameron said the dolls can desensitise users to harm against real children and contribute to exploitation.

Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has ruled out selling the franchise despite a federal investigation into his business empire and his recent sale of his stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea Football Club. In an exclusive interview with the California Post, Walter said 'We're going to keep the team no matter what' and expressed hope of winning another World Series next year, pledging a commitment to winning 'for 10 years or more'.

Stockton Council has rejected a Conservative attempt to re-examine a planned £8m investment in SEND (special education needs and disabilities) services. The call-in, which sought to challenge the decision-making process around the investment, was voted down at an executive scrutiny committee meeting by Labour councillors and independents. Conservative councillor Steve Dodds alleged the process lacked proper scrutiny, saying Labour were 'asleep at the wheel', though Conservatives stated they did not oppose the investment itself.

Sunny Express on Malpas Road in Newport has had its premises licence suspended for one month after a 14-year-old bought a vape there during a Trading Standards test purchase. The council's licensing committee heard the shop had received complaints about selling alcohol to underage customers in May. Licensing officers found the shop's Challenge 25 policy—which requires staff to ask for identification from customers who appear under 25—was being applied ineffectively. The shopkeeper, Thisa Sachithanantham, disputed the findings, saying he knew his regular customers and that they were aged over 20.

An eight-year-old's chocolate crackle stall at Hyde Park was shut down by authorities for lacking a permit. The girl was selling chocolate crackles for around $1 each, cordial for 50 pence, and her own artwork. She had planned to donate part of the proceeds to homeless people.

Residents of Altair Waterfront apartments in Perth have raised concerns about privacy and light pollution from a 36-metre SkyVista Observation Wheel erected at nearby Langley Park. The wheel has 125,952 LED lights and can hold 144 people. At a City of Perth council meeting, resident representative Clive Elliot questioned why the 123 households were not consulted before approval, citing light spill, noise and safety concerns. The city's chief executive said the wheel was assessed as a low-impact commercial activity 100 metres from the apartments and that resident notification was not legally required, though Elliot asked whether the council had a moral obligation to consult.

A jury has found that missed opportunities in his care contributed to the death of former footballer Colin Flatt, 81, who died on September 7, 2021. The 10-person jury identified failures including his release after being detained under the Mental Health Act, an absent referral to a rapid assessment team, and missing handovers between care providers. Mr Flatt was moved between three hospitals and two care homes between May and September 2021, during which he displayed increased confusion, agitation and aggression.

Developer Blackburne has proposed an 85.25-metre, 24-storey luxury apartment tower for Scarborough's beachfront, doubling the area's discretionary maximum height of 43 metres. The development, called The Esplanade Residences, would contain 82 apartments across two sites at The Esplanade. Blackburne argues the height is justified by other high-rise buildings nearby, including the 29-storey White Sands and the approved 3 Oceans towers. The application states the design 'has been considered by the SDRP on two occasions and has received support for the scale and form of high-density development proposed'.

A medication used for decades during pregnancy has been determined to cause harm. The drug's effects are said to have affected three generations of families.

Beckenham's Christmas lights face potential cuts unless volunteers can raise £20,000 from the community and local businesses. The volunteer-led Beckenham Christmas Lights Committee, now chaired by Charlotte Henderson, has no council or central government funding. Henderson has pledged there will be lights this Christmas but warns they may be smaller than hoped.

The internationally acclaimed Balloon Story exhibition arrives in Perth for the first time, opening at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 20. Half a million sustainable balloons, made from natural latex, will be sculpted into immersive installations. Visitors can expect to spend about an hour to 90 minutes exploring the exhibitions, which are designed for all ages with no minimum age requirement and free entry for children under three. Tickets go on sale from noon on Thursday.

Jacob Stenka, a 32-year-old police service dog handler for Nebraska City Police Department, was arrested after his Alaskan malamute named Austyn was found dead on July 26 near Nebraska City High School. A veterinarian determined the dog died from heat exhaustion, with temperatures reaching 99 degrees that day. Court documents show Austyn was left in a kennel in direct sunlight with minimal water and no shade while Stenka was away for two to three hours. An investigator concluded the death could have been prevented.

Leeds Knights defeated Sheffield Steeldogs 4-1 at home, extending their winning streak to four games and moving up to fifth in the NIHL National standings. The victory marked their continued resurgence after a tougher than normal start to the 2026-27 season.

A doorman at The Star in Gosport refused entry to a veteran wearing a Remembrance Day poppy on Sunday 25 October, telling him it was political. JD Wetherspoon denied operating a poppy ban, saying heightened security measures were in place due to local demonstrations. The pub has since placed notices in its venues clarifying its support for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which raised £55,867 last year.

Neil Chiddy, 49, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for 25 years at Bristol Crown Court for non-recent rape and sexual offences against a woman and two children in Wiltshire and the Bath and North East Somerset area. A jury convicted him following a trial in July of two counts of rape of a child, one count of rape of a woman, two counts of indecent assault, three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual assault against a child. Chiddy was arrested in the West Midlands in November 2022 after a victim disclosed the abuse to their family and police.

The Chancellor announced in the Budget that the tax-free trading allowance will treble from £1,000 to £3,000 in April 2027. The change will benefit up to 1.4 million people who earn extra income through side hustles such as selling items on platforms like eBay and Vinted, dog-walking or tutoring. An estimated 400,000 people will see their tax bill reduced, saving an average of £380, while about 100,000 will no longer need to report their trading income to HMRC. The increase comes as side hustle culture has boomed: last year 2.6 million people made money selling goods online, compared to just 450,000 in 2024. From April, anyone earning more than £3,000 annually from side hustles will need to inform HMRC, provided their total income exceeds the £12,570 personal allowance.

Central Florida faces increasing rain chances heading into the Halloween weekend. Friday and Saturday will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible, though not a complete washout. Sunday brings the highest chance of rain, with coverage reaching 60 to 80 per cent and the potential for heavy downpours, particularly along the coast. Temperatures will remain mild, ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s.

The trial of eight Afghan migrants accused of 42 combined offences against two girls aged in their early to mid-teens in Norwich has been moved from Norwich Crown Court to Southwark Crown Court. The charges, spanning August 2023 to May 2025, include rape, conspiracy to rape and human trafficking. The trial, expected to last 12 weeks, will now begin from May 4, 2027, at the earliest, following concerns over Norwich Crown Court's ability to accommodate the defendants, all of whom are in custody and have denied the charges.

Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has accused Ryanair of discriminatory and threatening behaviour towards his family at Dublin Airport. Sangakkara alleged that staff made a racist comment, telling him 'people like you with your kinds of passports should expect this treatment'. Ryanair stated that Sangakkara refused to provide required visa documentation during immigration checks. Sangakkara has submitted a 2,000-word complaint to the airline.

Randy and Kit Cassingham were among around 200 passengers ordered to leave the MV Odyssey in Cambodia on Tuesday after operator Villa Vie Residences announced it was suspending operations. The company cited extraordinary increases in fuel costs following the US-Israel war with Iran. The Cassinghams had paid approximately $1 million for what they expected to be at least a 15-year voyage, having boarded the ship in Belfast in October 2024. Despite being given just seven hours to pack and receiving no assistance from the company, they told media outlets they have no regrets and would reboard if the cruise restarted.

Josh Downs has requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old wide receiver did not deny the report, telling reporters he is 'open to whatever'. His request follows the Colts' roster overhaul, which included trading franchise players Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The team, which fired general manager Chris Ballard last week, is 2-5 this season.

Zoey Campbell-Lowndes, a Manchester teacher, is fighting for her life in a Dubai hospital after losing her unborn son at 30 weeks pregnant and undergoing an emergency Caesarean section. Her condition has deteriorated significantly; she is in an induced coma with failing liver and kidneys, and has suffered two episodes of internal bleeding requiring blood transfusions and dialysis. Her family say her birth insurance covers the baby but not maternal medical emergencies, and medical bills have exceeded £100,000. Nearly £80,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe appeal.

A moped burst into flames in Hazel Court, York on Wednesday afternoon, with the fire spreading to a nearby fence. Firefighters from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Acomb station were called shortly before 1.50pm and extinguished the blaze using a hose reel jet.

Two children were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after a crash involving a bus and a pedestrian with a pram in Preston on 28 October at around 4pm. Police said no one was injured in the incident, which occurred on Fishergate Court.

Heather Furlong and David Hill from Worcester are supporting Acorns Children's Hospice's Autumn Appeal after the charity helped them following the death of their daughter Sophia. A routine scan during their twin pregnancy revealed that Sophia had developed only half a heart. She was born by caesarean at 36 weeks, weighing four pounds and four ounces, and died in her father's arms at seven weeks old. Acorns Children's Hospice provided the family six additional days with Sophia in a temperature-controlled room, during which Ms Furlong was able to bathe her daughter, play music and spend time with her outside.

A new mural titled 'The Stage That Raised Us' has been installed at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux Falls, designed by local artist Jenae Porter. The mural, which features musical imagery and architectural patterns, was created with ideas and artwork from local youth and residents. It was installed in early October on the theater's exterior north wall, funded through city improvements to the venue.

Myanmar's representative to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, made an emotional appeal on 28 October for the international community to stop its silence over the country's crisis. Appointed by the previous democratically elected government before the 2021 coup, Moe Tun said the world had 'failed the people of Myanmar again and again'. During his speech he held up a scarf bearing the names and ages of those killed in the struggle against the junta now ruling the country.

A planned six-day ceasefire in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky has held for its first day and night with no violations reported by either side. The localised truce began on Tuesday and is due to last through Sunday to allow a humanitarian operation to deliver food, medicine and water to about 2,000 remaining residents and to open exit corridors for those who wish to leave. If the ceasefire holds, it will be the first significant truce since Russia's full-scale invasion began more than four and a half years ago.

Alvin Hellerstein, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York since 1998, has died at 92. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, Hellerstein was overseeing the criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are charged with conspiracy to commit torture. Hellerstein repeatedly rejected President Donald Trump's attempts to move his criminal case from state court to federal court. During his nearly three decades on the bench, Hellerstein also presided over lawsuits stemming from the 9/11 attacks, cases involving Harvey Weinstein and other high-profile matters. His cases will be randomly assigned to other judges.

Jon Lovitz dismissed claims by Crystal Hefner, Hugh Hefner's widow, that he was the Playboy Mansion's 'No. 1 customer' and 'one of the biggest pervs' in Hollywood. Lovitz said: 'Any time someone says I'm No. 1, it's a compliment.' Hefner responded by calling Lovitz 'misogynistic' and criticising his suggestion that Hugh Hefner's generosity should silence her criticism.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has warned his side to be adaptable ahead of their trip to Burnley on Saturday. Pompey are unbeaten in four games with ten points earned, whilst Burnley are third-bottom and have parted ways with head coach Nicky Hayden after a 4-1 loss at Lincoln. Burnley have appointed Swiss coach Fabio Celestini as their new manager ahead of the match.

The Johnny Cash Roadshow is touring with its Prison Unleashed Era production, coming to Nottingham. The show focuses on material from Cash's prison recordings era.

A High Court judge has ruled that the Secretary of State's decision to ban an Orange Order parade from the Garvaghy Road was lawful. The judge referenced police intelligence suggesting dissident republican guns were already on the road ahead of the decision. Nationalist and socialist councillors in Derry welcomed the ruling.

Christian Horner revealed that his wife Geri Halliwell inadvertently helped finance his racing career before they met. The former Red Bull Formula One boss was sponsored by a cake company that initially bet on Dennis the Menace products but found massive success with Spice Girls-branded cakes sold in supermarkets including Asda and Sainsbury's. This unexpected boost allowed the bakery to continue sponsoring Horner's career for years.

Alan Nesbitt of Sunderland was banned for 14 months and fined £120 after admitting to driving on the A19 with benzoylecgonine in his blood exceeding the legal limit on 27 February. Darren Wheelhouse of Darlington was banned for 16 months and fined £120 after pleading guilty to two drug-driving offences involving cocaine on 10 March. Both men appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on 23 October.

Rishi Sunak and Labour MP Sam Rushworth have united in opposing the proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm, which would see 23 turbines at least 200 metres high built on moorland between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale on the North Yorkshire and County Durham border. Both MPs say the damage to the surrounding landscape and environment would outweigh the renewable electricity benefits. Sunak expressed particular concern about the visual impact on Swaledale, Wensleydale and the nearby Coast to Coast Walk, and warned that construction could damage peatland.

Martyn Jones, 57, was caught by a speed camera on the M50 in Worcestershire driving at 80mph on 25 January, breaking the limit by 10mph. He appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court on 28 October and was disqualified for six months. His lawyer told the court Jones had been speeding because he was stressed after a break-in at his business. The judge noted she was sorry to hear about the break-in but explained the disqualification was necessary as he had reached 12 penalty points on his licence following three driving convictions since 2023.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information to trace Marley Ward, 35, wanted in connection with an alleged assault. Police say he may be in York or Selby. Ward is described as a white British man of average build, around 5ft 10in tall, with closely cropped dark brown hair and light brown eyes. Anyone who sees him is urged to call 999 immediately, or contact police on 101 with reference number 12260210772.

Astronomers have discovered a large object in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune, that may be a new dwarf planet. Named 2026 ED138, the object measures between 600 and 1,500 kilometres in diameter and orbits about 46 astronomical units from the sun. It was spotted by Matthew Holman at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in October 2026 using data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, though archived images show it was photographed as far back as February 2016. The object's position against the Milky Way's disk had kept it hidden until now.

Worthing Borough Council's joint overview and scrutiny committee will meet on Wednesday, 4 November to examine how the town centre could be improved. The review follows concerns from residents and businesses over disruption from the Worthing Heat Network project and the general condition of the high street, as well as impacts from major developments planned at Union Place, Teville Gate and the Grafton car park site. Representatives from councils, businesses and other organisations will discuss ways to work together more effectively to improve the area as a destination for tourism and commerce.

FIFA generated roughly $5 billion in ticket and hospitality revenue from the 2026 World Cup in North America, far exceeding its $3.3 billion estimate and contributing to overall World Cup revenues of $15 billion. The expansion to 104 matches, 40 more than the 2022 Qatar tournament, boosted income. Fan organisations including the Football Supporters Association criticised ticket prices as 'scandalous' and 'extortionate'. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, stating FIFA is a non-profit organisation that reinvests World Cup revenue into football development globally.

Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town eliminated Premier League champion Arsenal from the English League Cup on Tuesday in a penalty shootout, in what both outlets describe as one of the biggest upsets in the competition's 66-year history. More than 80 places separate the teams in the English football pyramid, with Arsenal's squad valued at approximately £1.6 billion compared to Fleetwood's £3 million. Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor, less than a year into his first senior managerial role, said he was trying not to cry after the victory.

Hospital units dedicated to paediatric intensive care are closing nationwide. Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana, ended its paediatric intensive care services in October, joining hospitals in Oregon, Missouri, Illinois and California that have recently shuttered such units. As hospitals cut costs, many are converting paediatric beds to neonatal or adult services, centralising paediatric intensive care in medical hubs. Elizabeth Mack of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that critically ill children cannot be expected to travel long distances for care. Hospitals cite low patient volumes and difficulty recruiting paediatric subspecialists, who earn less than adult-focused doctors, alongside lower reimbursement for treating children and higher equipment costs.

European and UK stocks closed higher on Thursday after the European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve both held interest rates steady. The FTSE 100 rose 0.3% to 10,722.07. The ECB maintained all three of its rates unchanged, warning that rising energy prices posed risks to both inflation and growth. The moves came as investors also absorbed Chancellor John Healey's first Budget earlier in the week.

English rugby's governing bodies say they are committed to expanding the Premiership with English clubs rather than Welsh sides. Reports emerged that the Welsh Rugby Union was interested in joining a cross-border competition, but Prem Rugby and the Rugby Football Union insisted their priority is to support domestic teams. The Premiership is aiming to expand from 10 to 12 sides by the 2029-30 season.

Matteo Berrettini gave an awkward on-camera interview at the Vienna Open when asked about Lorenzo Musetti's recent Lyon title win. The 2021 Wimbledon runner-up initially asked 'Is it live?' before offering a restrained response through pauses and awkward laughs. Internet speculation has suggested the two Italian teammates may have fallen out, with rumours linking the rift to Berrettini's recent breakup with dancer Vanessa Bellini.

Cotswold Wildlife Park has named three new Humboldt penguin chicks Peggy, Pat and Phil, drawing inspiration from the television series EastEnders. During feeding time, bird keeper Laura Spooner demonstrated that each penguin in the colony has distinct personality traits, with some confidently engaging with visitors while others remain more timid. The park uses feeding sessions to educate visitors about the penguins and their lives in the wild.

Apple has restored the illuminated Apple logo to the rear of the MacBook Pro after removing it from the 2016 redesign. The new 14-inch and 16-inch models feature PROLED XDR displays with OLED technology, which enabled the logo's return by eliminating the need for a traditional backlight. The logo's brightness is tied to the display brightness setting. The new MacBook Pro starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model, with pre-orders now available and launch on Friday, 6 November.

Norfolk is set for calmer weather after Storms Austen and Boelo, but fog could become the next hazard. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for west Norfolk, including King's Lynn and Downham Market, with disruption expected until 10am, including delays to bus and train services. High pressure building across the UK will bring lighter winds and dry conditions, but clearer skies and light winds overnight could allow fog to develop.

Ovee, a new South Asian restaurant, has opened in Thompson Close, Harpenden, replacing its predecessor Cinnamon. The eatery promises a 'modern British dining experience' and serves classic South Asian dishes. The restaurant has a bright, modern interior with attentive staff. It is open from 5pm to 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday and 5pm to 11pm Friday and Saturday.

Waitrose has issued a customer notice about a price reduction on James May's award-winning gin. James Gin Asian Parsnip is reduced from £36 to £28 this week at the Oxford branch on Botley Road, saving customers £8 a bottle. The gin, which May developed with co-founder Gus Colquhoun, has won numerous international awards including gold at the World Gin Awards.

The Seabirds pub in Bridlington has reopened after a £313,000 refurbishment. The investment came jointly from the licensee D&A Pub Group and Admiral Taverns. The pub now features a new menu with traditional pub favourites, a Sunday carvery, redesigned bar and carvery areas, and an expanded drinks selection including cask ales and premium lagers.

A petition backed by almost 15,000 people calling for continuous dualling of the A1 in Northumberland has been delivered to Downing Street. The Northumberland A1 Safety Alliance organised a five-day walk from Berwick to Newcastle to gather support for the campaign, which comes after eight deaths on the road in 2026, including 22-year-old Erin Bennett killed in a crash near Felton earlier this month. Local leaders say dualling must be a top priority, particularly after a new Government pledge to stop key regional investment projects being overlooked.

Neymar has been handed a two-match suspension by Brazil's sports tribunal for covering his mouth during a confrontation with Bahia midfielder Rodrigo Nestor in Saturday's 1-1 draw. He was sent off in the incident and will also serve a one-match ban for accumulated yellow cards, missing Santos' next three matches. The tribunal found him guilty of violating the Vinicius Junior rule, introduced to combat inappropriate on-pitch behaviour. Neymar and Santos can appeal the ruling.

The government has announced a further £200 million in funding for Leeds railway station, taking total investment to more than £300 million. Three new entrances and nearly 40 per cent more ticket barriers will be built, with upgrades to be delivered by 2030. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment would turn the station into 'a station this city can be proud of'.

Two Sussex theatres have been shortlisted for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards, which celebrate outstanding theatre buildings and their contribution to communities across the UK. Chichester Nest is among the nominees, whilst Seaford Little Theatre is in the running for the Great Amateur Theatre award. The ceremony takes place on Monday, November 2 at Central Hall Westminster.

Animal charities have criticised the UK Government's latest budget for failing to include support for pet owners struggling with rising costs. More than half of British households own a pet, and the RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index shows 56 per cent of owners are concerned about affording vet bills while 18 per cent worry about pet food costs. The RSPCA and Dogs Trust had called for VAT relief on pet food and veterinary care, along with funding for pet food banks.

Google is rolling out an update to Chrome's autofill that uses artificial intelligence to pull information from users' Gmail accounts. The feature can suggest details such as flight confirmation numbers, tracking information, order numbers, and addresses by searching through a user's inbox. Users can control what information enhanced autofill accesses through Chrome's settings or disable it entirely, and sensitive data remains encrypted.

Hearts drew 2-2 with Rangers in a Scottish Premiership match featuring Derek McInnes' return to Tynecastle as manager. Kevin Kelsy gave Rangers an early lead, but Claudio Braga and Calvin Miller scored in quick succession after the break to put Hearts ahead. Olwethu Makhanya's header equalised for Rangers in the 89th minute, and Sterling could have won it for Hearts in the final moments but Reus made a save on the line.

Xreal has launched its Aura smartglasses, the first wearable to run on the Android XR platform developed by Google and Samsung. The glasses, which weigh under 95 grams, are now on sale at $1,099 through the end of the year, down from an earlier preorder price of $1,279. They tether to a separate compute puck for battery and processing power.

Two people have been fined £100 each by Westmorland and Furness Council after posting evidence of themselves fly camping and lighting an unauthorised fire in the Lake District. The pair were caught in a Public Space Protection Order area at Blea Tarn, Little Langdale. The council said the evidence used against them had been posted on social media by the individuals themselves.

Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, disappeared while hiking Ice Mountain in Chaffee County, Colorado, over the weekend. Weather turned from rain to heavy snow on Saturday as they were on the nearly 14,000-foot peak. They were found near each other in a basin at West Apostle Mountain on Wednesday, about half a mile from their intended route. Authorities said foul play is not suspected and will conduct autopsies before determining what happened.

Emergency services attended Maryport Harbour in Cumbria at around 4.31am on Wednesday 28 October after reports that two people may have been attempting to enter the water. Cumbria Police had already brought the situation under control by the time rescue teams arrived. No injuries were reported.

The weight limit on Enslow Park Bridge in Huntington, West Virginia has been reduced from 33 tons to nine tons because of the bridge's deteriorating condition. Three Cabell County school buses serving Meadows Elementary, Huntington Middle School and Huntington High School can no longer cross the bridge. Students in the Enslow Park neighbourhood now board buses on the opposite side of the bridge instead of at their homes, though buses continue to run on similar schedules. Cabell County Schools Director of Transportation Lance Eastham said the district worked with drivers to minimise inconvenience. One resident, Jan Click Maxey, expressed concern about the impact on working families. The city of Huntington said the bridge is scheduled for replacement, though no timeline has been provided.

Kaegan Solet, 47, has been indicted on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder by a Terrebonne Parish grand jury in connection with a 12 September stabbing attack in Houma, Louisiana. The charges relate to the deaths of Verna Mae Verdin, Letha Verrett, Paul Verrett and Krissy Lynn Parfait, and the wounding of a six-year-old child. Solet remains jailed without bond and is scheduled to enter his plea at an arraignment on 19 November.

Micha Boon, 37, from Glasgow, suffered two ischaemic strokes last year after her symptoms were repeatedly mistaken for migraines. She experienced months of neurological problems including head pain, dizziness, confusion and fatigue. Even when she developed classic stroke symptoms—slurred speech, facial weakness and difficulty swallowing—health professionals continued to attribute them to migraine until a second call to paramedics led to her diagnosis at hospital. She has since been diagnosed with two congenital heart conditions that can increase stroke risk.

Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate and former Health and Human Services secretary, leads Republican Steve Hilton by 24 percentage points in the California governor race, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California conducted in mid-October. The poll shows Becerra at 61 per cent support against Hilton's 37 per cent among likely voters. Hilton is endorsed by Donald Trump. The California Post has endorsed Hilton, citing his campaign proposals including no taxes on income up to $150,000 and lower fuel taxes.

Chancellor John Healey's first Budget includes a £100 one-off energy payment for around 20 million UK households in council tax bands A to D, to be paid into bank accounts from January. The Scottish Government will receive funding through the Barnett formula and has confirmed it will pass the payment on to Scottish households. The Budget also removes the 4% tariff on kerosene to help 142,000 Scottish households relying on heating oil, and allocates £600 million to Scottish public services over three years, though Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth described this as a real terms cut of £650 million due to inflation.

A man in his 40s was stabbed in Birmingham and died despite paramedics' efforts to save him. Police have launched a murder investigation.

Kimi Antonelli is on the brink of becoming Italy's first Formula One world champion in 73 years. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver would be the first Italian to win the championship since Alberto Ascari's second title with Ferrari in 1953. Antonelli, whose father was also a racing driver, said of Ascari: 'I know that he was the last Italian champion. And it was a long time ago. A very, very long time ago.'

A man in his 40s was stabbed to death on Coventry Road in Small Heath, Birmingham on 28 October at around 1.15pm. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in custody for questioning. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Nottinghamshire Police say someone could die at the abandoned Debenhams building after finding new access points. The building, which closed in May 2021, has been repeatedly breached by youths despite a closure order. Police are working with the site owners and Nottingham City Council to strengthen security.

Clocks in the US will be set back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, returning to Standard Time. Health experts warn that the time change disrupts sleep cycles and routines, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health citing increased risks of heart attacks, workplace injuries, and motor vehicle accidents in the days after the change. Mental health experts say nearly 40 per cent of Americans report worsened mood during winter months, and recommend people prone to seasonal depression begin preparing four days in advance by gradually shifting schedules by 15 minutes daily, maximizing natural light exposure, exercising, and maintaining social connections.

Poundland, which operates around 600 stores nationwide, faces potential collapse within days after three independent directors overseeing its emergency sale are set to resign. According to Sky News, the dispute with majority owner Gordon Brothers centres on rejecting a takeover bid from Martin Property Group. The move increases the likelihood of insolvency proceedings, which could result in the business being broken up and sold in parts rather than continuing as a single retailer. Poundland employs more than 10,000 people.

The Associated Press has launched The AP Voter Poll, a survey of verified voters designed to explain voting patterns and motivations behind election results. Launched in 2025, the poll blends methodologies from AP VoteCast (2018–2024) and traditional exit polls, involving phone and online interviews across all 50 states and in-person interviews at polling places in 15 states on Election Day. The survey aims to show how major voter groups voted, which issues motivated them and their views on candidates. Results will begin appearing at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, 3 November, with additional findings published throughout the night. SSRS, a nonpartisan research firm, conducts the poll for the Associated Press and ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media, NBC News and MS Now.

A crash on the A12 London-bound carriageway near Feering at junction 22, Witham north, is causing severe delays for drivers. Queues are stretching back towards junction 24 and extending for around eight miles. The M11 northbound is also affected between junction 8 for the A120 and Stansted Airport and junction 9 for the A11 at Saffron Walden, with all traffic being held.

Three capybara pups were born at Edinburgh Zoo on 28 October to parents Luna and Rodney. The healthy triplets, spotted by keepers, are staying close to their mother. They will have their first health check in the coming weeks, when keepers will determine their genders and names. The births follow baby Bru, born in May, who became viral on social media and was the first capybara born in Scotland in 18 years.

Dalmahoy in Kirknewton is to host the Scottish PGA Championship in 2027 as part of its centenary celebrations. The venue is closely associated with the Arnold Clark PGA in Scotland, the Tartan Tour's flagship event.

Comedian Peter Serafinowicz has announced additional dates for his first-ever solo UK tour next year, following huge demand. Performances include a date in Nottingham.

Cambridgeshire County Council has pledged up to £2 million to tackle long waiting times for education, health and care plan (EHCP) assessments. The funding was approved on 20 October and will support a 12-month recovery programme prioritising the longest-waiting and highest-risk cases. Under law, assessments must be completed within 20 weeks, but rising demand has caused significant delays.

A man in his 80s has died in hospital following a two-car crash in Great Bentley on Plough Road on October 23. The collision involved a white Skoda Superb and a black Mercedes Benz. The driver of the Skoda was taken to hospital with injuries initially not thought to be life-threatening, but died on October 26. Essex Police are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage to help their investigation.

Police in the West Midlands are appealing to identify a man in connection with thefts of a phone and computer equipment. Officers would like to speak to the man in case he has information about the incidents.

Leeds railway station is to receive a £303 million upgrade, including an additional £200 million in funding announced in the Budget. The investment aims to ease congestion, improve accessibility and future-proof the station for future growth. Key improvements include a new central overbridge, three additional entrances, expanded concourse space, an extended Platform 14, and nearly 40 per cent more ticket barriers. The station currently handles more than 27 million passengers annually, with eight in ten West Yorkshire rail services starting or ending there. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the investment would make Leeds station 'modern, welcoming and built for the people who rely on it every single day'. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin described it as the 'beating heart' of the region's transport network and said passenger numbers are forecast to increase by almost 12 million annually by 2043.

Down champions Clonduff will face newly-crowned Tyrone champions Edendork in Saturday's Ulster Club SFC preliminary round at Páirc Esler in Newry. Edendork won their first-ever Tyrone title in a replay against Errigal Ciaran, whilst Clonduff claimed the Frank O'Hare Cup for the first time in 26 years. Both teams are unfamiliar with the Ulster competition: Edendork enter for the first time, and Clonduff have not played in Ulster for over two decades after years of Kilcoo dominance from Down.

The Renfrew Bridge, which opened in May 2025 across the River Clyde, will close for several months after Storm Boelo caused extensive water damage to electrical systems in one of its two operating plant rooms. The bridge will remain open to allow river traffic to pass. Renfrewshire Labour councillors are demanding a special council meeting to investigate both the bridge damage and the council's failure to activate flood defences during the storm.

Ethiopia has received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four S-400 air defence batteries, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. The acquisition strengthens Ethiopia's military capability amid ongoing conflict in Tigray and tensions with neighbouring Eritrea. Abiy said the warplanes arrived ahead of schedule under an existing agreement with Russia, and described Ethiopia as the first sub-Saharan African country to own this 'advanced combat technology'.

England rugby league player Mikey Lewis says the team still has a 'fighting chance' of reaching the World Cup semi-finals despite slim odds. England must beat Papua New Guinea in their final pool match on Friday, then require Tonga to beat Samoa by enough to create a 68-point swing in England's favour. Lewis, who scored two tries in England's 82-0 victory over France last week, said the squad believes it can achieve the target.

Two homes in Sidcup and Bexley, three miles apart in south east London, were targeted by burglars within a week in October. On 23 October at around 6.46pm, residents in Cold Blow Crescent, Bexley, heard smashing glass from their kitchen and discovered the rear door's glass panel broken; CCTV showed a man breaking the glass before fleeing when the resident screamed, and a police dog unit lost the suspect's trail at the A2. A property in Wren Road, Sidcup, was burgled between 19 and 27 October; residents returned from holiday to find their rear door's lower glass panel smashed and two bedrooms searched, though it is unclear if anything was stolen.

Jason Smith, 24, of Beech Walk in Dewsbury, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin. Police stopped a car on Valley Road in Bradford at just before 6pm on Monday and recovered Class A drugs later confirmed to be heroin with a street value of just over £9.3 million. Smith was remanded in custody and will next appear before Leeds Crown Court on 1 December. A 44-year-old Dewsbury man was also arrested and released under investigation. The seizure is part of an ongoing investigation into drugs offending in Kirklees and Bradford being handled by the Kirklees Precision serious organised crime team.

Hertfordshire County Council may call on the Department for Transport to reduce the national speed limit on country lanes to 40mph. Currently, most rural roads in Hertfordshire have a 60mph limit despite being single track with high hedges or tight bends. The council's executive member for environment, transport and growth said the move would be part of the council's forthcoming speed management strategy and could apply nationwide without requiring individual signs to be changed.

Australia's netball coach Stacey Marinkovich is out of contract at the end of 2027 but says she is focused on preparing the Diamonds for next year's World Cup rather than worrying about her future. The Diamonds beat New Zealand 68-58 in their final Constellation Cup match on Wednesday, though Australia lost the four-game series 3-1. Australia and New Zealand will share the No.1 ranking when World Netball releases the standings in December.

Kim Kardashian allegedly had a gun held to her head during a 2018 trip to Uganda with then-husband Kanye West, according to biographer Jonathan Van Meter's new book. The executive producer of 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' told Van Meter that West became 'paranoid and agitated' at a remote filming location and convinced local police that people were trying to drug him, leading them to raid rooms. During the incident, one policeman allegedly held a gun to Kardashian's head. The producer said she obtained a private jet to evacuate her crew.

Two senior figures from Australia's immigration system have criticised the government for insufficient consultation on migration policy. Philip Ruddock, immigration minister from 1996 to 2003, and Abul Rizvi, former deputy secretary of immigration, spoke at Parliament House on Wednesday, saying the community has been left behind in the debate. They said regular community consultations, including with business groups and community organisations, help create public understanding even when agreement is rare.

Australia's consumer price index rose to 4.3 per cent in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported. Housing costs have remained flat, offering relief amid broad-based inflation driven by fuel prices up nearly 24 per cent, video games and leisure items up 15.5 per cent, and other rising costs. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock attributed inflation to the Middle East oil shock, the artificial intelligence investment boom, and domestic capacity pressures.

A YouGov survey commissioned by the Australia Institute shows Australians are shifting trust away from the United States toward regional neighbours. Only half of those polled consider the US a friend, while 42 per cent perceive it as a threat. Indonesia and New Zealand are now rated as more trusted partners than America.

The Mayor of the East Midlands has welcomed the Autumn Budget, which sets out plans to give mayors more control over locally raised money.

The government has introduced Founders' Relief, offering a 10 per cent capital gains tax rate on lifetime capital gains for entrepreneurs. However, stringent conditions mean many small and medium-sized businesses will not qualify. Founders must own at least 25 per cent of shares since the company started trading, hold them for five years, and the company must have a turnover of at least £10 million and employ at least 15 full-time staff, whilst meeting demanding growth and innovation tests. This replaces the current Business Assets Disposal Relief, which will be restricted from April 2027 to £500,000 of gains at a rate of 18 per cent.

Jeremy Clarkson was banned after making jokes about Formula One driver Franco Colapinto's nationality at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Clarkson's Farm presenter joked to Sky Sports that the 23-year-old Argentinian driver was serving a grid penalty 'because he is Argentinian'. The comments drew criticism in Argentina, with some calling them xenophobic. Colapinto's management described the remarks as 'completely unacceptable', whilst Alpine, the team Colapinto drives for, distanced itself from Clarkson's views.

Chancellor Healey's Budget included modest measures to support businesses, including higher thresholds for retail business rates and improved capital allowances, plus increases to mileage rates. The Chancellor introduced 'Founders' Relief' for high-growth businesses and avoided increasing Capital Gains Tax rates. However, the Budget did not address family farm tax policy, inheritance tax on pension pots, or the £5,000 employer's national insurance threshold, and deferred major spending decisions on defence and welfare.

One year after Tanzania's October 2025 election sparked deadly protests, families are still seeking justice. A government inquiry recorded 518 deaths, though Human Rights Watch suggests the actual toll is higher. DW research has documented apparent use of excessive force by security forces. The violence followed an election in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 per cent of the vote after the main opposition candidate, Tundu Lissu, was arrested and his party barred from contesting.

The Chancellor has reversed proposed restrictions on cash ISAs for those aged under 65, reversing an initial proposal that would have limited annual investments to £12,000. The decision was welcomed as it avoids potential knock-on effects on banks' liquidity and mortgage availability. However, savers face an offsetting tax increase: the income tax supplement on savings will double from 2 per cent to 4 per cent from April 2027, meaning basic rate taxpayers will pay 24 per cent on savings income, higher rate taxpayers 44 per cent, and additional rate taxpayers 49 per cent. The government also adjusted the penalty regime for lifetime ISAs.

All train lines are blocked at Stevenage Railway Station following an emergency services incident near the railway. Train services are delayed as a result of the incident.

Trowbridge Weavers Market drew a record 1,100 visitors on Saturday, 24 October, after being moved entirely into the Old Town Hall because wet weather made its usual outdoor setting in Fore Street too dangerous. The market also welcomed a record 48 traders. Organiser Peta Knott said the response was remarkable given the time of year and challenging weather conditions.

A man attempted to kidnap a 24-year-old woman walking with an elderly friend at a garage near Diamond Head in Oahu around noon on Monday. Video shows him grabbing the woman and carrying her towards his truck before she broke free and fell to the ground. Bystanders shouted at the man to release her, and he fled the scene.

A Blackpool man has been found guilty of 26 counts of child sex offences, including crimes against a victim under 13. He will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday, December 11.

Brooklyn Meyer will return for a fifth season with South Dakota State University women's basketball. She had initially announced plans to join the volleyball team, but a U.S. District Judge's ruling this summer allowed NCAA athletes an additional year of eligibility. Meyer has scored over 2,000 career points and was named Mid Major Player of the Year last season.

A 19-year-old man has been hospitalised with multiple broken bones following a head-on collision on the A338 near East Hanney in Oxfordshire at around 4.55pm on Monday 26 October. A grey Toyota Yaris and a silver Toyota Proace van were involved in the crash. Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone with dash-cam footage of the collision or the vehicles beforehand. No arrests have been made.

Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed she will return as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping, with Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson also reprising their roles. The actress, 36, spoke of the 'emotional' reunion on the Call Her Daddy podcast, describing the experience as 'unbelievable' and noting the original crew returned alongside the cast.

A chimney fire broke out at a Buckinghamshire village pub with a thatched roof. Firefighters contained the blaze before it could spread to the roof, according to the landlord, who thanked them for their quick action.

Thames Valley Police's Cherwell unit has seized seven e-scooters, four e-bikes and one quad bike in Banbury using new Section 165 and Section 59 powers. The action followed concerns raised by residents at a community forum about anti-social driving. New Section 59 rules came into force in June, allowing police to seize vehicles without first issuing a warning.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that veterans who filed claims against Vetlink Solutions will begin receiving restitution checks. The company allegedly misled veterans and illegally charged disabled veterans fees to file Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims between January 2019 and March 2024, despite lacking accreditation to do so. Vetlink paid $1.2 million into a restitution fund. Eligible veterans who paid the company and submitted claim forms by 10 September should expect checks this week.

Peter Braithwaite, 31, was sentenced to 40 months in prison after robbing a Morrisons supermarket in Jarrow, South Tyneside, on 8 July. He entered the shop with his face painted as The Joker, filled a trolley with groceries and left without paying. When staff tried to stop him, he brandished a knife with a six-inch blade and threatened them with comments including 'do you want to die?'. Police arrested him at his home nearby with the knife and stolen goods. At Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Jamie Hill KC described it as 'a terrifying incident' for the staff involved.

Meta says it may delay its new business terms beyond November 20th as publishers raise concerns about the company's ability to train AI models on their content. The company's communications head Andy Stone said Meta will not make policy changes without full consultation with industry groups. The terms were originally due on October 30th but were already delayed to November 20th following backlash.

Police in Cumbria seized two vehicles after finding they lacked required documentation. Officers from the Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team seized a Toyota from a residential street in Silloth that had no insurance, no valid MOT and had been declared off the road. The registered keeper was present during recovery and was 'understandably unhappy' with the decision. In a separate incident, Eden Police seized a vehicle in Alston that had reportedly been driven without tax, insurance or a valid MOT since 2022. Police warned that driving without correct documentation could result in fines, loss of the vehicle, court summons and recovery costs.

Chancellor John Healey announced in the Budget that 20 million UK households in council tax bands A to D will receive a one-off £100 payment to help with energy bills this winter. The £2.6 billion scheme will be paid directly into bank accounts and aims to create 'breathing space' for households during the coldest months. The government also extended the VAT cut on electricity bills to July next year and said standing charges on gas bills will be scrapped from next year for about 23 million homes.

Two men, one in their 20s and one in their 30s, have been arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. Police were called to a commercial premises in Haymarket, Norwich, at around 4.30pm following reports of suspected drug use at the location.

A planning application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for a temporary construction compound near Drax Power Station to support the Scotland-England Green Link 2 (EGL2) project. The two-gigawatt high-voltage electricity connection will link Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax using subsea and underground cables, allowing renewable energy to flow between Scotland and England. Construction company BAM seeks permission to use 2.06 hectares of agricultural land east of Wren Hall Lane, approximately 400 metres from the power station, to store materials and equipment. The site would be used between December 2026 and March 2027.

Websites for GP practices in Bath, Swindon, Wiltshire and Dorset became unavailable on Wednesday afternoon due to a national issue affecting a website supplier. The NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board confirmed that patient records and clinical systems were not affected, and that GP services remained open with appointments continuing as normal. Alternative online consultation routes were available for most affected practices.

Hasan Piker, a socialist political commentator and Twitch streamer, is suing conservative commentator Scott Jennings for $72.5m for defamation. Piker alleges that Jennings misrepresented his comments on a podcast and social media in August, falsely claiming Piker advocated the lynching of Black people. Piker says he was sarcastically mocking an extremist position held by another commentator, but that Jennings used an edited video that removed context to make it appear these were Piker's own views.

A 15-year-old has been questioned by Eden police after online footage allegedly showed him driving a motor vehicle on a public road. He was interviewed in connection with taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, driving without a valid licence and driving without insurance. Police officers said such behaviour is taken seriously and those involved will be held accountable.

Police attended TK Maxx in Worcester city centre on Wednesday afternoon after reports of three 12-year-old girls shoplifting. West Mercia Police recovered all items involved and issued words of advice to the girls, taking no further action.

Dolores Huerta, the pioneering labour organizer and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez, has died at 96 in Bakersfield, California. She spent decades organizing strikes and boycotts to improve pay and working conditions for agricultural workers in the 1960s and 1970s, earning her a place as one of the nation's most influential labour leaders. Huerta coined the phrase 'Sí, se puede!' ('Yes, it can be done'), which became a widespread rallying cry and was later adopted by Barack Obama for his 2008 presidential campaign. Earlier this year, she revealed that Chavez had sexually abused her on two occasions in the 1960s, allegations that prompted organizations across California to remove Chavez's name from schools and public monuments.

South Dakota authorities have identified victims in three fatal crashes over the weekend and into Monday. Angel Yani Perez Bilbao, 43, of Yankton, died when his SUV left Highway 52, struck a metal guide-wire support, and rolled on Saturday evening. Sean Hanlon Walker, 30, of Wyoming, died in a single-vehicle crash near Faith on Sunday. A Moody County collision on Monday night killed four people: Arthur Anthony Wilber, 88, of Minnesota, driver of a Ford Ranger travelling the wrong way on I-29, and three Flandreau Public School students whose names have not been released. The students were in a Dodge Caravan driven by a 15-year-old; the vehicle was hit by both Wilber's Ford and a semi truck. Authorities noted that none of the occupants except the semi driver wore seat belts.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he did not attend Chancellor John Healey's Budget speech on Wednesday because he feared another physical altercation with an MP. Farage claimed he had been involved in a 'physical altercation' with an unnamed MP at the State Opening of Parliament in May, and that his parliamentary prayer card—used to reserve a seat—had been removed on Wednesday. Liberal Democrat Caroline Voaden later said on social media that Farage had shoved her out of the way, and that she was still waiting for an apology. A House of Commons spokesperson said Farage's prayer card was removed because it lacked a valid date stamp.

The UK Government will fund £9.1m towards creating a new directly elected mayor for the Thames Valley region, spanning Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon. Chancellor John Healey announced the funding in his autumn budget statement. The 13 councils in the region will now develop a detailed proposal ahead of a consultation planned for the new year.

The Peachcroft Roundabout in Abingdon will close overnight from 29 October to 12 November for resurfacing work. Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive will shut between 8pm and 6am each night. The work completes underground infrastructure installation and highway upgrades linked to North Abingdon housing developments.

London Liverpool Street station's only passenger lift will close from November 22 for a full overhaul lasting until mid-February 2027. Network Rail will carry out the work after the lift experienced faults in recent years and has not undergone significant work for almost two decades. Alternative step-free routes will remain available, though passengers may face longer journeys, and Stratford station is offered as an alternative interchange.

The Budget increased machine gaming duty for betting shops from 20 per cent to 25 per cent. The British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea warned the rise will have a 'devastating impact' on racing, potentially costing the sport £57 million annually. He predicted reduced prize money, job losses and possible racecourse closures, with hundreds or thousands of betting shops at risk of closing.

Tour de France general director Christian Prudhomme and Grand Depart GB 2027 managing director Paul Bush have been awarded honorary degrees by Edinburgh Napier University for their role in bringing the race's Grand Depart to the city next summer. The event will be the first time the Tour de France has come to Scotland in its 124-year history. The opening ceremony will take place on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on June 30, with the first stage beginning in the Old Town on July 2.

South Korea's communications regulator has fined Apple 20.8 billion won ($15.5 million) and Google 42.9 billion won ($32 million) for violating the country's Telecommunications Business Act. The Korea Media and Communications Commission found both companies required developers to use their payment systems, charged a 26 per cent commission for third-party payments, and restricted external payment options. The regulator also determined that Apple charged South Korean developers higher commissions than overseas developers and that both companies delayed app reviews without clear explanations. Both firms have been ordered to allow external payment links and improve their app review processes. Apple has said it disagrees with the ruling and is considering legal options.

Microsoft reported record quarterly revenue of $92.3bn and net income of $36.6bn for the quarter ending 30 September, beating analyst expectations. The results were driven by 48% growth in Azure cloud infrastructure, which generated $33.2bn in revenue—the first time Microsoft has disclosed Azure's quarterly revenue in dollars. The company is also investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with capital expenditures rising 30% to $45.2bn. Microsoft announced the results days after offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as part of cost-cutting measures.

Bar Meze, a Turkish and Greek Mediterranean restaurant and bar, has opened at 50 Market Square in Witney. The restaurant opened on 26 October and offers Greek and Turkish food, meze (small appetiser dishes), and drinks. Its menu includes cold meze such as hummus, tzatziki, mixed olives, stuffed pepper and couscous, as well as hot meze like grilled halloumi, salt and pepper squid, falafel and borek.

The Government announced that the small business rates relief threshold for retail, hospitality and leisure firms will rise from £12,000 to £18,000, with around 70,000 more businesses expected to stop paying rates. The National Living Wage will increase by 3.9 per cent to £13.21 an hour from April, and the 5p fuel duty cut will continue until July 2027. Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the rates relief but warned the minimum wage rise would be challenging for employers. Graham Lamont, chief executive of accountancy firm Lamont Pridmore, cautioned that the support may not offset rising employment costs, particularly for larger businesses employing graduates. Cumbrian politicians offered mixed views: Carlisle Labour MP Julie Minns said 47,960 homes in her area would receive £100 towards energy costs, while Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron accused the Government of pressing ahead with 'cuts and tax hikes to our rural communities'.

Plans have been submitted to convert an empty warehouse in Northallerton into a six-court indoor padel centre with café, fitness facilities and therapy rooms. The former North Yorkshire Timber Company depot would feature four doubles courts and two singles courts, accommodating up to 20 players at any one time. The applicant is in discussions with franchise operator Vida Del Padel, established in 2024, to operate the centre.

Worcester Bosch has welcomed Budget measures announced by Chancellor John Healey to reduce pressure on household energy bills. Ed Thomas, head of government and external affairs at Worcester Bosch, said direct support for energy bills and an extension of VAT zero-rating would help households, though measures would only limit rather than prevent expected rises. He also welcomed a proposed Cost Control framework and the removal of 'green levies' from bills, though he said the Chancellor's longer-term ambition to bring UK energy costs in line with Europe could prove more significant.

A seven-week-old kitten called Mickey has undergone eye removal surgery after being injured in an overcrowded house full of cats near Banbury. The colony contained around 35 kittens and more than 25 unneutered adult cats in poor conditions with scarce food and common illness. Cherwell Cats Protection, which rescued the animals, says many of the other kittens may need similar treatment and is seeking donations.

Veteran TV chef Rick Stein, 79, describes himself as a 'naturally disorganised' person but says the process of cooking brings him structure. He explains that conquering disorganisation through cooking is part of its pleasure for him. Born near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, Stein co-founded The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall in the Seventies and became known through BBC cooking and travel shows before his debut series Taste of the Sea in 1995. He has published a new book, Rick Stein's Cookery Course, which draws on 60 years of culinary experience.

Jeremy Clarkson's name has been floated as a potential candidate for the first elected mayor of the Thames Valley, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands. Council leaders across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon submitted plans to the Government this week to create the new mayoral authority. There is no suggestion Clarkson has been formally approached.

Plans have been submitted to convert an empty warehouse in Northallerton into a six-court indoor padel centre. The former North Yorkshire Timber Company depot would feature four doubles courts and two singles courts, alongside a café, sports shop, physiotherapy studio and hot and cold therapy rooms. The applicant is in discussions with franchise operator Vida Del Padel, established in 2024. There are currently no padel facilities in Northallerton, with the nearest courts in Leeming Bar and Darlington.

The Back Lane Tavern in Woodstock has been ranked twelfth in travel site Big 7 Travel's list of the 25 best Sunday roasts across the UK. The pub offers choices including 36-day aged beef, Cotswolds lamb, slow-cooked pork belly and a vegetarian wellington, all served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and seasonal vegetables. The Hawthorn in Haworth topped the ranking, with Kyloe in Edinburgh second and The Camberwell Arms in Southwark, London, third.

Oxford ranks third in the UK for new companies putting 'AI' in their names, after Cambridge and Altrincham. Research by business lawyers LegalVision found that 31 of the 4,048 companies registered in Oxford since January 2023 included artificial intelligence in their name, a rate of 76.6 per 10,000 new companies. Across the UK, 3,183 AI-named companies were registered between January and September 2026, up 29 per cent on the same period last year. Experts have warned that adopting an AI-related name can come with legal risks.

Reddit has announced a significant redesign of its homepage feed, splitting it into two options: a For You feed featuring algorithmic recommendations tailored to user interests, and a Following feed showing only posts from subreddits users have joined. The For You feed aims to help users discover relevant communities and conversations they might not otherwise encounter. The platform will initially open to the For You feed but will remember which feed users last viewed and default to that on subsequent visits. CEO Steve Huffman framed the change as part of Reddit's efforts to improve personalisation and drive discovery, with the company also experimenting with video and audio versions of posts and exploring new ways for users to navigate the platform and offer feedback on recommendations.

A £1 million EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker ticket bought in Thurrock on 13 October remains unclaimed. The National Lottery is searching for the ticket holder, who has until 11 April 2027 to claim the prize. If the prize is not claimed within 180 days of the draw date, the money and interest will go to National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.

Historians have confirmed the George Inn in Somerset as the UK's oldest licenced pub, dating to the late 14th century. However, several Oxfordshire pubs can trace their histories back equally far or further. The Bear Inn, regarded as Oxfordshire's oldest, dates to 1242, though its current location on Alfred Street began using that name in 1801 when the original High Street building was converted to housing. The Barley Mow in Clifton Hampden, a Grade II-listed building, dates to 1352 and is among the oldest surviving inn buildings in the county. The Turf Tavern in Oxford claims to date to 1381 and has hosted notable figures including Tony Blair and Stephen Hawking.

The Sir Charles Napier pub in Chinnor has improved its food hygiene rating from one-out-of-five in February to four-out-of-five following a September inspection. The former Michelin-starred establishment had been found to need 'major improvement' in food safety management, but inspectors later found its hygienic food handling and facilities 'good' with 'generally satisfactory' safety management.

Christian Horner has revealed a royal encounter with Queen Elizabeth II in which she questioned him about a Formula 1 driver feud. The Red Bull Racing team principal shared the story in his memoir, Drive, recounting a lunch with the Queen and Prince Philip. The Queen asked about the public dispute between Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, enquiring: 'So what's happening to your two drivers?' and 'And why is the Australian chap so upset?'