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Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says she will “vigorously oppose” the Western Australian government’s proposed merger of Curtin, Murdoch and the University of Western Australia (UWA). She argues the amalgamation is a costly solution to problems that do not exist, and says it could create new difficulties. The proposal has prompted strong criticism from the universities and their staff, while the government says a larger institution could improve the sector’s competitiveness and attract students and investment. Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti argues WA universities are in a “race to the bottom” and says students have reported receiving a substandard education. He supports a mega-university that could serve about 120,000 students and help make the sector world-class. Hayne disputes that assessment, citing data that 90 per cent of WA university graduates find work within six months and that employers rate them among Australia’s best. She also says differences in research funding reflect, in part, the seed funding provided by other state governments, and challenges the government’s use of six-year undergraduate completion rates. She argues WA has fewer universities per capita than many other states and countries. Mark Barnaba, who will chair the steering committee advising on the business case, supports the merger. He says WA’s university sector is underperforming and argues that the potential benefits could be 15 times the transition costs, although the final figures remain to be established. He also rejects claims that the merger would cause job losses and says the process will respect the universities’ histories and customs. Opposition is also widespread among university staff. A National Tertiary Education Union survey found more than two-thirds of WA public university staff opposed mergers, including more than three-quarters at Curtin. Union representative Scott Fitzgerald says universities should serve students, staff and the community, and argues that a merger would reinforce corporatisation rather than address staff concerns. The government’s business case is expected to be completed next year, with the steering committee expected to report by mid-2027.

A father whose one-year-old daughter was among eight people killed in a shooting at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, says he is trying to remain strong for his family and community. Julius Windham visited a memorial outside the home, where mourners left flowers, candles and stuffed animals. He said he could not explain his grief but felt he needed to support his family and others affected by the tragedy. Police say the shooter was a 45-year-old grandfather who killed seven relatives and a friend of a pregnant woman before taking his own life inside the home. Authorities have not publicly identified the gunman or the victims. Windham said the shooter had not appeared distressed, adding that his outwardly cheerful manner may have concealed what was happening. Friends of the family also expressed shock and sorrow, describing the family as loving and saying the gunman had seemed like a good person before, in one friend’s words, he began “going downhill.” Erie Mayor Daria Devlin offered condolences to the victims’ families and said the community was grieving with them and would support them. Police Chief Rick Lorah declined to discuss a motive, though he suggested mental health could be a factor. Investigators are continuing to examine how the killings unfolded. Recovered video and audio reportedly captured muffled gunshots inside the home shortly before two distressed women arrived and pounded on the door. Police say the gunman came outside and shot the women, then returned inside. Investigators plan to speak with relatives and examine the women’s mobile phones to understand what they knew about events at the house. Police found the bodies of a five-year-old boy, a one-year-old girl, two other women, two young men and the shooter inside the home.

Former Liberal politician Bruce Baird was farewelled at a funeral service at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, attended by family members, political colleagues from across the aisle, and people from the communities he served. Baird died suddenly on October 2, aged 84. Among those attending were former prime minister John Howard, former NSW premier Nick Greiner, former attorneys-general Phillip Ruddock and George Brandis, opposition frontbencher Natalie Ward, and former 2GB host Chris O’Keefe. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, described Baird’s connections across politics, swimming, church, humanitarian work, and his electorate. Senior minister Bruce Clarke, who swam with Baird at Manly for many years, remembered him as intelligent, hospitable, caring, and generous. Baird’s children recalled his zest for life, warmth, and commitment to helping others. His daughter Julia Baird described him as an outgoing person who readily treated strangers as friends, and spoke of his enduring love for his late wife, Judy. She also shared her regret that the family was not with him in his final moments. His youngest son, Steve, said his father did not dwell on life’s problems and made the most of life. Former NSW premier Mike Baird highlighted his father’s courage and advocacy for refugee rights, including visits to detention centres. He said Bruce acted from conviction rather than political ambition, and that his work helped people begin new lives. Julie Bishop recalled a treasured friendship that began in parliament in 1998. A respected NSW Liberal, Baird represented the federal seat of Cook from 1998 to 2007. After retiring before the 2007 election, he was appointed by the Rudd Labor government in 2008 to chair the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council. Scott Morrison subsequently won Cook and later became prime minister. Baird was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010.

Jack Bowd, 25, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of dangerous driving causing death over a September 2024 crash on the Newell Highway near Tomingley, south-west of Dubbo. The crash killed Bowd’s friends Lochie Jacobs, 18, and Joey Urban, 19, who were travelling with him in a Toyota Hilux, as well as Sue and Graham Tait, both 57, who were in a Toyota HiAce van. Bowd was the sole survivor and is being tried before a judge alone in Dubbo District Court. The court heard that the group had been hunting when Bowd ran over one of his dogs. They abandoned the trip and headed to a Dubbo veterinary hospital for emergency treatment. Prosecutor Michelle Swift said Bowd called the hospital at about 8:34pm, estimating they would arrive in an hour. CCTV reportedly showed Bowd getting into the driver’s seat at a Parkes service station. The prosecution alleges that shortly before the crash the ute was travelling at 134 kilometres an hour when it attempted to pass a B-double truck on a bend, crossing double unbroken lines, and collided head-on with the Taits’ van. The court also heard that the three men in the ute were not wearing seatbelts and that Bowd’s blood-alcohol level, if he was driving, would have substantially impaired his ability to drive. Who was driving is the central dispute. Bowd reportedly told emergency responders and police that he had been in the back seat, and said he had stopped after Tomingley to swap places with Jacobs because the dog’s condition was worsening. The prosecution presented phone-video stills allegedly showing Bowd driving one-handed while holding a vodka drink, with the speedometer reading 160 kilometres an hour. It also cited DNA evidence from the steering-wheel airbag and an expert opinion said to undermine Bowd’s account of sitting in the rear. Defence barrister Iain Todd described Bowd’s account as honest and credible, pointing to his consistent denials and detailed statements after the collision. He also argued that mobile-phone GPS data supported the claim that the ute stopped for a driver change. The trial is expected to continue for two weeks.

South32’s Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) operation in the Northern Territory has begun consulting employees and contractors about potential redundancies. The manganese mine is facing higher operating costs and prolonged disruption from water damage. The ABC understands South32 is seeking to cut $129 million from the business after costs rose by more than 80 per cent in recent years. Tropical Cyclone Megan struck the island in March 2024, damaging the mine’s pits, a critical bridge, roads and the loading wharf. A loaded bulk carrier was pushed into the wharf during high tides, and exports from the island did not resume until 2025. The article also reports that repeated wet seasons and continuing groundwater seepage into mining pits have contributed to the difficulties. GEMCO plans to invest about $100 million in new water infrastructure over the next two years, subject to regulatory approval. South32 says an internal review prompted changes intended to improve the operation’s long-term sustainability and address cost pressures. It says it has reviewed workforce requirements and will support potentially affected staff, including by exploring redeployment where possible. Union officials told the ABC they believe office staff are more likely to face redundancies, while the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union is monitoring whether blue-collar workers will also be affected. Management is expected to provide more information by the end of the week. GEMCO’s enterprise bargaining agreement requires consultation before significant organisational changes and expires at the end of 2027. The local Aboriginal land council expects mining on Groote Eylandt to conclude within the next decade.

A man in his 60s was rescued from a grain silo at GrainCorp’s Dunolly facility in central Victoria after becoming trapped above the knee last Tuesday. Emergency services were called to the site on Thompson Street at about 3:30pm, after workers were unable to free him. The CFA’s Bendigo-based Oscar One Technical Rescue Brigade joined a multi-agency response that lasted more than three hours. Brigade captain Karl Shay said the man was distressed and in considerable pain because grain was pressing his leg against a bracket attached to an auger at the bottom of the silo. Rescuers had to work carefully: removing grain could cause more to fall onto the man. Their approach was to construct a protective wall around him, then remove enough grain from inside the barrier to free him. Metal barricades, corrugated iron and road signs were used to limit the risk of further grain collapsing around him. The CFA said the silo was about 10 per cent full. Crews from Dunolly, Maryborough and Bealiba attended, along with the specialist Oscar One unit, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police, the SES and Ambulance Victoria. CFA commander Hugh Kelly praised the agencies’ cooperation and said the incident had a positive outcome. Shay said he believed the operation may have saved the man’s life. The incident was declared safe at 7:08pm. The man was flown to Bendigo Health for observation and released the following day. GrainCorp had been contacted for comment, and a WorkSafe investigation remained ongoing at the time of publication.

A now-18-year-old man has been sentenced to five and a half years in an adult prison after raping a 14-year-old girl in her bedroom in Far North Queensland. He was 16 at the time of the offending, which occurred in September last year. The sentence was imposed under Queensland’s “adult crime, adult time” laws. After a four-day trial last month, he was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16. He had pleaded guilty to another count of indecent treatment connected with the beginning of the incident. At the sentencing hearing in Cairns, Judge Tracy Fantin heard that the offender had been drinking and smoking cannabis with another boy at the house. The girl had consumed neither alcohol nor drugs. The judge said the offender entered the girl’s room at night while she was trying to sleep. She repeatedly asked him to stop, struggled and cried, but he continued. After he left, the girl went to the bathroom and messaged a friend about what had happened. The offender later texted an apology; the girl replied that she had asked him to stop and that he had sexually assaulted her. Crown prosecutor Michael Lehane said the crimes had a devastating impact on the girl and her immediate family. Judge Fantin said the victim’s sleep, emotional wellbeing, confidence, behaviour and body image had all been affected. The defence described the offender as having caring, supportive parents and said that support would continue after his release. His parents attended court and appeared upset. The defence also said he had been expelled from school and lost his job following the incident. The judge considered the offender’s age and supportive upbringing alongside the profound impact on the victim. The rape charges carried a maximum sentence of 20 years. He must serve his sentence in an adult prison and will be eligible for parole in December 2028.

A 36-year-old man died after being stabbed in the torso on Cleeve Close in Mount Druitt, western Sydney, at about 8:25pm on Friday. Emergency workers tried to provide first aid, but he died at the scene. Police say a 13-year-old boy was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder, breach of bail and an unrelated robbery-in-company offence. A 16-year-old was arrested at a home in Cabramatta and charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Both teenagers were refused bail and were due to appear in a children’s court on Monday. The 13-year-old cannot legally be identified and was known to police. Police allege the boy stabbed the victim twice. Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said about a dozen young people were nearby when an altercation occurred. His account was that the victim, who was on his way home, had stopped to speak with young people he knew through family and friends. Another group allegedly took offence to the conversation. The victim had reportedly been planning to help some of the young people get home safely and went to an ATM to withdraw money for them. Batchelor described the killing as “absolutely senseless.” Investigators have seized mobile-phone videos and CCTV footage and expect further arrests and charges. They believe they recovered the knife used in the stabbing from a drain outside a Cabramatta unit block, although forensic testing is still pending. Witnesses described hearing screams and seeing children run from the scene; one local called emergency services after seeing the man on the ground. The victim was described as a father and family man, and police said his family was distraught. NSW Premier Chris Minns declined to comment on the specific case but expressed concern about violent crime among younger people, calling it heinous and morally objectionable and saying policies were needed to address the threat.

Tesla has applied to increase the number of Supercharger stalls in Kaniva, a small farming town in western Victoria, from 10 to 18. The proposed eight additional chargers would cost $250,000. Kaniva, with about 800 residents, sits on the highway between Melbourne and Adelaide and promotes itself as a gateway to the Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail and as the home of “Sheep Art.” Local publican Bob Cane and Windmill Cafe owner Jemma Hill say the current chargers already bring travellers into town to buy food and coffee, supporting tourism and local businesses. West Wimmera Shire Council deputy mayor Helen Hobbs also says the charging site has encouraged investment, including a new bakery with seating for 100 people. The existing Tesla site has been open for about nine months and, according to the company’s planning application, has exceeded expectations. A traffic report says between 10 and 20 electric vehicles use it each day, with activity peaking during holidays. One traveller says the chargers are essential for making the Melbourne–Adelaide journey. The proposal comes amid rapid growth in electric-vehicle sales. The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia says sales doubled in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, citing cheaper vehicles, higher fuel costs and improved charging networks as contributing factors. The council reports 4,200 charging locations and more than 11,000 connectors nationwide. University of Melbourne associate professor Milad Haghani cautions that infrastructure may struggle to keep pace if demand continues to rise, and argues investment should not wait until the increase is unmistakable. Ampol’s recent $225 million acquisition of charging network Evie is another sign of investment in the sector. West Wimmera Shire Council is assessing Tesla’s application, and residents have until next Monday to object. Cane says expanding the site would help prepare Kaniva for future demand.

ABC Lifestyle presents three nutritious, adaptable ideas for children’s school lunch boxes, with recipes from dietitian and nutritionist Heidi Sze. The options offer alternatives to routine sandwiches while balancing convenience, flavour and nourishment. The pasta salad combines slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh corn, basil and cannellini beans, which add fibre and protein. It can be adapted with extra greens such as rocket. Because it is intended for lunch, the article advises keeping it chilled in a cooler bag or alongside a frozen drink. The chickpea pumpkin smash is a quick sandwich or wrap filling that uses chickpeas and leftover roasted pumpkin. The pumpkin adds sweetness and softness, while gherkins provide crunch. It keeps for several days in the fridge and can be varied according to personal preferences and available ingredients. The third idea, wholemeal pikelets, draws on Sze’s childhood memories of an after-school treat that she now makes for her own children. Spelt wholemeal flour gives them a hearty base, though regular wholemeal flour can be substituted. For a dairy-free version, cow’s milk can be replaced with dairy-free milk and butter with coconut oil. Pikelets can be served with sweet toppings such as butter and jam or maple syrup. Overall, the article offers practical recipe inspiration, ingredient substitutions and storage guidance to help families prepare appealing school lunches.

The family of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, known as Cake, has filed a civil claim seeking 1.65 million baht (about A$70,500) from Australian Simon Peter Carman, who is accused of murdering her in Pattaya, Thailand. The claim is intended to help her father cover funeral expenses and compensate for the financial support she might have provided. Her cousin said the family wants Tunchanok back, not money, while her father described his continuing grief and said he wants the law to pursue the case to its fullest extent. Carman has denied all charges and maintained his innocence in court. He reportedly said Tunchanok was responsible for her own death and refused to agree to compensation because he was not guilty. Prosecutors have charged him with intentional murder, concealing and moving or destroying a corpse, and abducting a minor for indecent purposes. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Thai legal-aid officials say the civil claim will be heard alongside the criminal prosecution, and compensation would be awarded only if Carman is convicted. The court is expected to issue decisions in both cases at the same time. Officials say the high-profile case, involving a tourist, will receive higher priority and may conclude by the first half of next year. The family is receiving assistance in applying for a government lawyer. Tunchanok was last seen alive on June 25, when CCTV recorded her entering Carman’s condominium elevator with him. Police allege later footage showed Carman moving a large suitcase on a motorcycle. Two days afterward, her body was found in a suitcase dumped near railway tracks. An autopsy found she died from suffocation. Carman has been held at Pattaya Remand Prison since his arrest in June.

Western Australia Chief Justice Peter Quinlan says character references can sometimes help courts assess an offender’s prospects of rehabilitation, as the state government considers banning them in criminal cases. The proposed ban would stop convicted offenders from presenting references from family, friends or colleagues in an effort to reduce sentences. It follows revelations that three Western Power employees provided references for a senior manager who was jailed for raping a former colleague during a work trip. Speaking to Nadia Mitsopoulos on 102.5 ABC Perth, Quinlan said the legislation had not yet been drafted and would be subject to consultation. He declined to publicly endorse or oppose the government’s policy, saying courts would apply whatever law Parliament enacted. He also stressed that judges already use discretion when weighing references and do not treat them as decisive automatically. Quinlan said a person’s good reputation may sometimes make an offence more serious—for example, if a child sex offender’s standing as a respected teacher helped enable the offending. In such circumstances, references about the person’s reputation in other areas of life may offer little assistance to a sentencing judge. However, he recalled a case involving a young man who seriously injured someone in a fight outside a pub. The offender’s employer described his shame and willingness to help him improve. The prosecution then changed its position and supported a suspended prison sentence with conditions, saying the employer had provided information unavailable from others. Quinlan said references can also show whether an offender has people willing to support them while acknowledging the seriousness of the crime. He argued that courts need ways to understand “the human being behind the offending,” while recognising that, for very serious offences, personal circumstances may not affect the outcome.

Samantha Jane Schubert, 41, has been refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court after being accused of attacking her temporary housemate with a samurai knife and taking the housemate’s car. The court heard that Schubert had known the woman and her family for some time and had been staying at the woman’s home in Gordon, in Canberra’s south, for about a month. The alleged attack took place on Saturday. According to the court, the woman raised her arm to protect herself and was cut on her left ring finger. She then retreated and called Triple Zero (000). While she was still on the call, Schubert allegedly took her car. Police arrested Schubert in Gordon at about 2:30am on Sunday and found the car nearby about half an hour later. Schubert faces charges of committing an act endangering life, recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm, taking a motor vehicle without consent, and three counts of breaching a good behaviour order. Special Magistrate Lucinda Wilson described the alleged incident as “extremely serious” and “very violent.” She also noted Schubert’s lengthy criminal history, including dishonesty and driving offences. The magistrate refused bail, citing the risk that Schubert could reoffend and her previous failures to appear in court. Wilson said she did not think Schubert would comply with bail conditions. Schubert is due to return to the ACT Magistrates Court next month.

Zak Butters has joined the Western Bulldogs from Port Adelaide on a nine-year contract reportedly worth $2 million a season, after a prolonged decision about where to continue his career. The three-time All Australian said he knew he would leave the Power after open conversations with the club at the end of the previous season, despite having a year remaining on his contract. During his final season at Port Adelaide, he considered publicly announcing his intention to return to Victoria, and discussed the possibility with his manager, Peter Lenton. He decided against it because he felt the AFL was not yet ready for players to make such announcements during the season. Butters contrasted the AFL’s rules, which generally limit official player moves to the off-season, with the NRL, where players may sign with rival clubs during the final year of a contract or earlier with permission. He said he could see a case for the AFL considering changes in the future. The Bulldogs, Geelong, Collingwood and Richmond pursued Butters, with Geelong widely regarded as a leading contender. Butters rejected claims that he or his management had told Geelong it was his preferred destination. He said he did not settle on a club until after Port Adelaide’s season ended and he returned to his family property at Darley, west of Melbourne. The Bulldogs’ appeal included Butters’s childhood support for the club. A letter from 11-year-old Bulldogs supporter Hunter Zerafa, with a 20-cent coin attached, brought back memories of attending open trainings and birthday parties at Whitten Oval. Butters said he had kept both the letter and the coin.

Laura Tingle argues that Donald Trump’s shifting statements and actions on Ukraine appear less like a coherent strategic realignment than a response to domestic political pressure, especially rising fuel prices ahead of the US mid-term elections. The article traces a series of developments: Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries; pressure on Europe over diesel reserves; a reported deal for large quantities of Russian diesel; and a US Treasury licence temporarily suspending sanctions on Russian diesel. Trump has offered little explanation for how the proposed supplies would be delivered or paid for, while analysts question whether the volumes could meaningfully lower prices. Ukraine says the deal would help finance Russia’s war, and reports that Moscow supplied missiles to Iran add to the contradictions in US policy. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the deal, Trump attacked him and called for Ukraine to get a new president. European leaders reaffirmed their support for Zelenskyy and said they would increase pressure on Russia. Some US senators, including Republicans, also condemned the diesel arrangement and urged Trump to reverse it. Trump then announced an “energy ceasefire” without details; Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continued, and neither side appeared to regard a ceasefire as in effect. Tingle’s central concern is that the US has reportedly threatened to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine and halt NATO-facilitated purchases of US weapons if Ukraine continues striking Russian refineries. These threats, made while US envoys were meeting Ukrainian negotiators, could test the resolve of Ukraine and its European allies. The article portrays US policy as contradictory and increasingly entangled with electoral concerns, with potentially serious consequences for Western support of Ukraine.

Al Jazeera reports that flash floods along Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River swept away homes and bridges, including a bridge shown being carried off by a torrent of water. The flooding forced residents to flee to higher ground. Authorities said five people were missing and six people had been rescued. The item is a brief video news report published on 12 October 2026. It does not provide further information about where along the river the damage occurred, the identities or condition of those rescued, or the circumstances of the people still missing. It also gives no details about the flood’s cause, the scale of damage beyond homes and bridges being swept away, or what emergency operations were under way. The available account therefore conveys the immediate human consequences—displacement, missing people and rescues—without offering a fuller assessment of the disaster or its aftermath. Its central message is that rapidly rising floodwaters caused serious damage and prompted residents to seek safety on higher ground. The report attributes the figures for missing and rescued people to authorities, while its headline and video description foreground the dramatic loss of a bridge. No additional statements from residents or officials are included in the supplied text.

The article explains why the North African city known as Ceuta in Spanish is called Sebta or Sabta in Arabic, and outlines the unresolved dispute between Spain and Morocco over its sovereignty. The name Sabta predates the modern dispute; Ceuta is a Spanish-language form that developed from earlier versions. The city passed through a succession of political powers, including Idrisid, Umayyad, Taifa, Almoravid, Almohad and Marinid rule. Portuguese forces captured it in 1415, ending more than seven centuries of Muslim rule. Ceuta remained Portuguese for over two centuries, but after Portugal restored its independence in 1640, the city stayed under the Spanish monarchy. The 1668 Treaty of Lisbon formally recognised Portuguese independence while leaving Ceuta in Spanish hands. Spain considers Ceuta an integral part of its territory and administers it as an autonomous city. Morocco, which has claimed Ceuta and Melilla since its independence in 1956, regards them as occupied Moroccan territories. The disagreement is about sovereignty, not current administration: Spain governs Ceuta, while Morocco rejects Spanish sovereignty. Each country draws on a different interpretation of the city’s history and geography, and the article notes that earlier political systems were not nation-states with today’s borders, so the historical record does not offer a simple resolution. The article also clarifies that using “Sebta” is not necessarily a political statement; it is the Arabic name for the city. Melilla has a different history, having been taken by Spanish forces in 1497, but it is also claimed by Morocco and is now a Spanish autonomous city. Ceuta remains strategically important because it is outside the EU customs territory while its border with Morocco is an external Schengen border. This makes it significant to migration and border policy. A reported influx of more than 72,000 migrants on July 30 and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s planned visits to Ceuta and Melilla have brought the disputed cities back into focus.

The report says Ethiopian government forces entered Adigrat, a town in northern Tigray, after rebel fighters withdrew. Adigrat is near the Eritrean border, and the development is described as heightening tensions between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. The article also notes that the two countries severed diplomatic ties the previous week. It does not provide further details about the withdrawal, the circumstances of the troops’ entry, the condition of the town, or any casualties. Nor does the brief text explain the reasons for the diplomatic break or describe responses from either government or the rebel fighters. The report is attributed to Al Jazeera correspondent Hamza Mohamed and is presented as a short news update. Its central focus is the change in control of Adigrat and the potential regional significance of the event, given the town’s proximity to Eritrea and the recent rupture in diplomatic relations. The wording establishes a connection between the military development and increased bilateral tension, but does not offer additional evidence or analysis of what may happen next. Overall, the available article provides a concise account of reported troop movements and strained relations, rather than a detailed explanation of the conflict or a broader assessment of its consequences.

Al Jazeera reports that CCTV footage captured a Russian strike on a residential street in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The footage shows the strike hitting a grocery store, followed by fires and debris. Officials said three people were killed and 20 were injured, including two children. The report provides no further details about the date or circumstances of the attack beyond its publication date, October 11, 2026, and does not identify the officials who gave the casualty figures. Its focus is the recorded moment of impact and the reported civilian toll.

Hurricane Isaias, described as the first Atlantic tropical cyclone of the 2026 season, made landfall near Destin, Florida, on Friday as a Category 2 storm and caused extensive damage across Florida’s Panhandle and southern Alabama. By Sunday afternoon, around 356,000 customers in southern Alabama and northwestern Florida were still without power; outages had affected nearly 800,000 homes and businesses at the storm’s peak. Utility crews from Florida and more than two dozen other states were working to restore service. At least four deaths were linked to the storm. After moving north into Alabama with tropical-storm-force winds, Isaias weakened into a post-tropical cyclone and continued toward the Appalachians. Despite weakening, it remained a threat to the mid-Atlantic because of possible flash flooding. The article reports National Weather Service observations of maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and a minimum central pressure of 978 millibars. Damage included a sheared-off roof at a Pensacola motel, a flattened boathouse in Destin, damaged buildings and homes, and a damaged aircraft in Milton. Pensacola faced especially serious disruption: power grids and water infrastructure were damaged, residents were advised to boil tap water, and the mayor warned of critical drinking-water shortages. Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy distributed assistance as residents sought basic necessities. Pensacola International Airport was closed indefinitely because of severe damage. In Houston County, Alabama, fallen trees and power lines made travel dangerous, and officials closed all roads while an emergency flash-flood warning remained in effect. The article also documents cleanup and recovery through photographs showing residents salvaging belongings, clearing trees, and surveying damaged homes and businesses.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, with the ministers discussing regional escalation following Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, according to Saudi state media. In a Sunday Telegram post, Araghchi argued that pursuing military action while ignoring political solutions would worsen the crisis. He said regional conflicts have no military solutions and offered Iran’s help in facilitating dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and advancing a political settlement. The call took place amid heightened tensions after a deadly attack on Riyadh’s airport killed 12 people and wounded 300. US President Donald Trump said he would reconsider the US role in Yemen and was weighing renewed strikes on Iran. The article notes that these remarks differed from comments he made on Thursday, when he said Washington would not resume strikes on Iran before the US midterm elections. Despite longstanding friction, Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations have continued since embassies reopened under a Chinese-brokered agreement in 2023. That agreement ended a seven-year diplomatic rupture during which regional proxy conflicts intensified. Relations have worsened again since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran in late February. Tehran and allied forces have since attacked US military assets and energy infrastructure around the Gulf, including Saudi oil fields. The article also recalls Prince Faisal’s warning in March 2026 that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states had limited tolerance for attacks, urging Tehran to reconsider its strategy.

The supplied material is not the full Al Jazeera liveblog. It consists of the headline, a page label indicating “24 Updates,” and advertising text; no liveblog entries or supporting details are included. The headline says that an airport in Riyadh was hit again and that Tehran described a US reply as “inadequate,” framing both as developments in the US-Israel war on Iran. It does not specify which airport was hit, when or how the incident occurred, who was responsible, what damage or casualties resulted, or what US reply Tehran was discussing. It also provides no statements from officials, independent verification, or additional context. Accordingly, the material supports only a limited account of the headline’s claims and should not be treated as a complete report of the events. The page’s advertising and “24 Updates” label do not provide substantive news content. The headline’s use of “again” implies a previous airport strike, but the supplied text gives no details about that earlier incident, so none can be established from this excerpt. Overall, the available text signals a developing conflict story and reports a negative assessment attributed to Tehran, while leaving the underlying events and responses unexplained.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that Russia interfered in the 2016 referendum on whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. In an interview released Sunday by The Rest Is Politics podcast, Burnham said he had asked upon entering Downing Street whether Russia had interfered and received a clear affirmative answer. The article describes this as the first public acknowledgment by a UK prime minister that Russia intervened in the Brexit vote. Burnham offered no evidence or details to support the claim in the interview. Burnham said making the issue clear on the record could help voters in Germany and France recognize that some political activity is instigated by hostile states, particularly Russia. He also said he had discussed possible links between Russia and the far-right Alternative for Germany party with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a meeting in Berlin the previous week. In a September address to the United Nations General Assembly, Burnham had condemned alleged Russian interference in the UK’s 2019 general election. The article places Burnham’s remarks against earlier findings and disputes. A 2020 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said the UK government had not sought a detailed assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 referendum, while confirming Russian meddling in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in elections or referendums in Western democracies and has accused the UK of “anti-Russian hysteria.” The article also notes Burnham’s recent call for the UK to reconsider its future relationship with the EU, including the possibility of rejoining. He argued that leaving the bloc failed to deliver Brexit supporters’ promise of “taking back control” and instead weakened the UK economically and on immigration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a comprehensive investigation into the anonymous Israeli military whistleblowers whose testimony appears in NAZA, an award-winning documentary alleging that Israel’s military used AI-powered targeting systems in Gaza and killed civilians. In a post on X, Netanyahu urged the military chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet and the attorney general to investigate the film’s participants and consider prosecuting them for alleged information-security violations, criminal libel and damage to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests. He described the film as false, misleading and biased. The military has rejected the whistleblowers’ claims, saying strike decisions are approved by human personnel under military guidelines. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered an inquiry into suspected leaks of classified information and called for legal action against the participants to be considered. NAZA draws on testimony from 24 unnamed Israeli military whistleblowers. Its title refers to an Israeli military term for anticipated civilian casualties in air strikes. The film received a special jury prize at the Venice International Film Festival, where it was met with a reported 25-minute standing ovation, and has sparked a political controversy in Israel. Its directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have been accused of treason; Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar have threatened to revoke their citizenship. The article also describes competing responses to the film. Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate head, Tzipi Hotovely, recognized the creators of a separate film, NAZA: The Real Story, which features soldiers disputing the original documentary’s allegations. Meanwhile, 43 Israeli rights groups have defended NAZA’s filmmakers and condemned threats against them. The report places the dispute in the context of the war in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. It cites figures of 1,139 people killed and about 240 taken captive in those attacks, and at least 74,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since then, including at least 21,000 children, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the planned livestreaming of former Army Major Nidal Hasan’s execution, rejecting concerns that footage of the death could be used by violent groups as propaganda. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Mullin said he saw no elevated risk and argued that the plan reflected President Donald Trump’s hardline approach to crime. He added that people would not be required to watch the broadcast and said attacks on the United States should be met with punishment that fits the crime. Hasan was sentenced to death in 2013 for killing 12 active-duty soldiers and a retired serviceman at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. The shooting, one of the deadliest on a US military base, also injured 32 people. Police shot Hasan while responding, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. The execution is scheduled for December 3, though President Trump has said he may reconsider whether it should be shown publicly. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced the livestream plan the previous week. The proposal has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned that terrorist organizations could use the broadcast to recruit and radicalize people, and said a public execution would put US lives at risk. He also condemned Hegseth’s leadership. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski likened a public execution to something associated with terrorists and dictators, warning that it could give Hasan the notoriety and martyrdom he sought. Republican Representative Tom Barrett, who had trained at Fort Hood, also opposed turning the execution into a public spectacle, despite describing Hasan as evil. Military executions are rare in the United States and require presidential approval under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. If carried out, Hasan’s execution would be the first of a US service member since 1961.

Twelve farming families in western Victoria have each been fined A$814 after refusing access to authorised officers conducting preliminary surveys for the proposed Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West). Six additional landowners received formal warnings. The Victorian government issued the fines on August 4, 2026, under the Electricity Industry Act 2000, alleging the landholders hindered or delayed authorised activities without reasonable excuse. The farmers say access requests conflicted with agricultural work and could affect livestock, and argue they should have greater control over visits to their properties. VNI West is a proposed 480-kilometre, 500-kilovolt transmission project intended to connect electricity networks and renewable energy zones in Victoria and New South Wales. It is intended to improve reliability and support the movement of electricity between generation and demand centres. The wider project is estimated to cost between A$7.6 billion and A$11.4 billion. Its proposed route crosses agricultural areas, where landholders are concerned about towers, access tracks, easements, farm operations and property values. The article describes objections from Trent Carter, a fifth-generation sheep farmer who said surveyors sought to enter a paddock during lambing season, potentially putting his Merino sheep at risk. He plans to contest his fine. Colin and Mary Fenton, whose family has farmed their property for more than a century, cited concerns including a protected wedge-tailed eagle nest and the possible effect of the project on the property's value and saleability. All 12 fined families reportedly refused to pay and obtained an extension until October 23 after seeking an appeal with joint legal representation. Their challenge may examine whether they had reasonable grounds to deny access and whether enforcement appropriately accounted for seasonal work, animal welfare and biosecurity. The fines concern survey access, not final approval of the transmission line, which remains subject to a separate environmental and planning process. VicGrid says surveys are needed to assess land and environmental conditions, including biodiversity, waterways, cultural heritage and agriculture, and to inform project design.

The Grove, also known as the Stilley–Young House, is an 1861 residence in Jefferson, Texas, ranked third in USA Today's 10Best roundup of America's haunted destinations, according to a report by MySA. The house is a private residence that offers scheduled guided tours combining its architectural history with local stories of unexplained encounters. The two destinations ranked ahead of it were Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas and the Indiana State Sanatorium in Rockville. The best-known legend concerns a woman in white, reportedly associated with Minerva Fox Stilley, who is said to follow a recurring route through the house and pass through a wall. The article connects the detail to changes in the building's layout, including a room added in 1870 between the main house and the formerly detached kitchen, while stressing that the architectural history does not verify the apparition. Other folklore describes a man hurrying through the garden's lily beds and a mischievous presence in the den. Stories associated with the property reach back to 1882, when T.C. Burke reportedly bought the house and his family left soon afterward. More recent accounts, attributed to owners who moved in in 2002, include bedsheets being pulled away, a kitchen deadbolt locking by itself, and condensation appearing on a mirror. A visitor's tape recorder allegedly captured a voice saying, “I miss my family,” but the recording has not been independently authenticated. The article consistently distinguishes these anecdotes and legends from verified evidence of paranormal activity. The house has also undergone documented changes, including installation of an indoor bathroom and enclosure of a side porch in the 1930s. Its historic importance is supported by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; National Park Service records note Greek Revival influences. The Grove offers roughly hour-long tours, typically listed for Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, with advance reservations required and schedules subject to change.

Beyoncé’s haircare brand Cécred and philanthropic organization BeyGOOD are expanding their joint scholarship fund to the United Kingdom for the first time. In 2026, the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund will provide $250,000 to 10 cosmetology and barbering schools, with each institution receiving $25,000 to support students’ tuition and other education-related expenses. The programme will involve twice as many schools as the previous round, although the announcement does not name the participating institutions or explain how each school will distribute its funding. The expansion builds on the fund’s support for both students and salon and barbershop owners since its launch in 2024. Its initial $500,000 investment covered five US states. Half went to scholarships for 25 students at five schools, while the other half supported 25 business owners. In 2025, the fund again committed $500,000, distributing $370,000 in grants to 37 owners and $130,000 in scholarships to 46 students. Business owners also received mentoring and development resources through a partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Unlike the earlier rounds, the announced 2026 allocation is focused entirely on education. The fund’s expansion into the UK broadens its institutional reach, while its emphasis on scholarships supports people entering the hair profession. Tina Knowles, chair of the BeyGOOD Foundation board and Cécred vice chairwoman, said the initiative aims to uplift the professional hair industry and give students and salon owners tools to progress.

A long-term refurbishment at Buckingham Palace has uncovered a collection of objects concealed under floorboards and within the building’s infrastructure. The finds include battered hobnailed boots, betting slips, a cigarette carton, a water bottle, a pewter tankard, Christmas cards, a wooden junction box and newspaper pages. Among the papers were pages from a 1966 Daily Express edition reporting on the Great Train Robbery and a fragment of an 1889 theatre listing published in The Standard, now the Evening Standard. Workers also found fragments of decorative Minton tiles dating to around the mid-19th century. A particularly distinctive discovery was a sixpence ticket to a whist drive held by the palace social club on 14 April 1949, during King George VI’s reign. The collection also included blank Littlewoods football pool betting slips from 1957. A typed schedule from 1977, Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee year, outlined arrangements for a diplomatic reception. It instructed the monarch to move around the room clockwise and called for 350 British guests to be spread through the State Rooms and encouraged to mingle with diplomats, particularly in the Music Room and West Gallery. The objects are thought to have belonged to palace staff from earlier decades. They were uncovered during a 10-year refurbishment intended to replace ageing cables, lead pipes, electrical wiring and boilers, many of which have been in place for about 60 years. Vulcanised Indian rubber-covered wiring was identified as the building’s greatest fire risk and was prioritised for replacement. The work is funded through a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant. King Charles III and Queen Camilla live at Clarence House and are not expected to move into Buckingham Palace after the work is complete.

The article traces the sale history and distinctive features of a home at 24 Dudley Road in Wonga Park, a Melbourne suburb. The property sold for A$420,000 on January 20, 2005, and for A$1.375 million on December 6, 2025—A$955,000 more and over three times its earlier sale price. The article cautions that the sale prices alone cannot show how much of the increase resulted from the miniature railway or other aspects of the property, which changed over time. The railway was already part of the home’s identity in 2005. The original listing described an A-frame house on a block of nearly half an acre, with views towards Mount Dandenong and a 160-metre track with a five-inch gauge. The home was advertised with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and dining areas, an open fireplace, and a separate family room. Other features included a patio, garage and workshop, carport, wine cellar and storage. By the 2025 sale, the property occupied a 1,654-square-metre block and was listed as a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with two parking spaces. Its miniature railway was described as an electric train winding through landscaped gardens, a tunnel and a timber trestle bridge. The grounds also included a large lawn, mature fruit trees, a chicken coop and views towards the Dandenong Ranges. Interior features included two living areas, vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, an entertaining deck, an upgraded kitchen, a study, an attic room, a cellar and a powered, plumbed workshop. The article presents the railway as a long-standing feature that has remained central to the home’s story across different owners and listings.

Brisbane homeowner Anton Ady has won a procedural challenge after the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (QBCC) rejection of his home-warranty claim. Ady bought the property on April 15, 2021. It had been built by Classy Homes Pty Ltd, which later went into liquidation and had its licence cancelled. Engineering investigations identified nine serious defects affecting the site and the house’s foundations, including voids beneath footpath slabs, failing retaining walls and fences, deck movement, inadequately braced steel piers and unstable soil. Repairs to stabilise the site and reconstruct the foundations were estimated to cost more than $500,000. The QBCC had rejected Ady’s claim because he did not submit its official online complaint form. But he had previously provided engineering reports during legal proceedings in May 2023. The tribunal concluded that the information he had already supplied could meet the applicable notification requirements, and that the absence of a particular form was not, by itself, sufficient reason to dismiss the claim. It also preferred the independent engineer’s evidence about the structural problems to the QBCC inspector’s assessment. The tribunal sent the claim back to the regulator for reconsideration; it did not order compensation or decide that the full claim should be paid. Any payment may fall well short of the repair estimate. The Queensland Home Warranty Scheme generally caps standard cover at $200,000, while eligible homeowners who purchased optional additional protection may qualify for up to $300,000. Thus, even the higher limit could leave a shortfall exceeding $200,000, depending on the approved claim and final costs. The QBCC is considering the tribunal’s decision, but no resolution date has been given. Ady’s claim has another chance, though the ultimate compensation and the cost of repairing his home remain uncertain.

Melinda French Gates and her daughters, Jennifer Gates Nassar and Phoebe Gates, joined other philanthropists in supporting the Women’s Health Co-Lab, an initiative that has secured more than $70 million toward a $100 million fundraising goal. Launched in September 2025 by ICONIQ Impact and Co-Impact, the fund will provide three years of unrestricted grants to 22 organisations working to improve women’s health and safety. Its focus areas are maternal healthcare, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and prevention of gender-based violence. The initiative’s grants are intended to give recipient organisations flexibility to direct funding according to their needs, rather than confining it to narrowly prescribed activities. Co-Impact worked with recipients to refine their plans and budgets. Organisers say this model can reduce administrative burdens, help groups respond to changing circumstances, and strengthen the organisations and systems that serve women and girls. The 22 recipients include six organisations focused on maternal health, ten working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and six addressing gender-based violence. Named recipients include Every Mother Counts, Americans for Contraception, Girl Effect, Ujamaa Africa and Serenas. Ujamaa Africa received an unrestricted grant of $3 million. Its executive director, Benjamin Omondi Mboya, said the funding would help expand its programmes in Kenya, Malawi and Somaliland. The article also lists the initiative’s founding donors, alongside French Gates and her daughters, and describes ICONIQ Impact’s role in bringing them together and Co-Impact’s experience in collaborative philanthropy. It argues that women’s health and safety depend not only on medical care but also on healthcare infrastructure, policy, social attitudes and economic conditions. The three-year funding model is intended to help organisations plan, provide services, train workers, advocate for policy change and reach underserved communities.

The article reports on streamer Ray’s response to allegations discussed in the third installment of Reggie’s exposé series about the Clover Boys. During a livestream, Ray addressed claims about his sexuality, his relationships with fellow creators, and his character. He said the group would temporarily scale back jokes that had become central to the controversy, suggesting they might return to that material in January while emphasizing that the friends were still on good terms. Ray’s comments about his sexuality were delivered through jokes and informal, sometimes contradictory remarks. He denied being bisexual or secretly gay, while also describing the group’s joking interactions in language that the article reproduces. The report cautions that the livestream comments do not establish whether the broader allegations are true; Ray’s response largely rejected claims about his personal life and framed his interactions with friends as joking. Ray also addressed accusations that he was greedy and a bad friend. He accepted the description of himself as greedy, saying his ambition was directed toward success. On whether he had overcome the bad-friend allegation, he was less certain, briefly saying he thought he had before qualifying his answer. Near the end of the broadcast, he said he believed he had addressed the allegations viewers raised and that the group had “beat all the allegations.” The article places Ray’s broadcast within an ongoing dispute that has unfolded through livestreams and clips shared on social media. Reggie’s exposé has prompted responses from Clover Boys members, but the wider controversy remains unresolved. Ray has publicly rejected the claims discussed during his livestream; the report does not independently verify the allegations or present a definitive resolution.

The large marsh grasshopper has returned to Norfolk’s wetlands after an absence of 86 years, with wild hatching recorded in the Norfolk Broads for the first time since 1939. The achievement follows the Hop of Hope conservation project, led by Citizen Zoo, which raised thousands of grasshoppers and released them at restored wetland sites. The species had disappeared from the region after habitat degradation damaged the wetlands it depends on. The project used pre-incubated eggs to help establish populations in suitable bog and fen habitats. Natural England’s Norfolk and Suffolk area director, Hannah Thacker, described the techniques developed by project partners as groundbreaking. Citizen Zoo’s Dr Stuart Green said the work relied on experienced volunteers and that grant funding was vital to its success. The grasshoppers are now breeding, a sign that populations may become sustainable and that the species’ regional extinction could be reversed. The reintroduction was supported by Natural England’s £13 million Species Recovery Programme Capital Grants scheme. Between August 2023 and March 2025, the programme funded 63 conservation projects across England and attracted more than £6.5 million in matching contributions and volunteer value. Other East Anglian projects include improving eel habitat in the River Bure, expanding northern pool frog sites, and restoring acid grassland and heathland in Dunwich for nightjars, woodlarks and adders. The grasshopper project is part of broader efforts to create England’s Nature Recovery Network and the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030. Further releases in Norfolk may take place if funding and suitable sites are available. The partnership includes Citizen Zoo, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, Natural England and the South Yare Wildlife Group. Natural England is also planning to extend the grant programme for up to four years, from 2026–27 to 2029–30.

Engineers at the University of Bristol have developed a flexible liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic pump weighing 0.2 grams and measuring 0.086 cubic centimetres. It uses electromagnetic forces to move conducting liquid through a flexible channel, producing flow without an impeller or piston. The pump operates at very low voltage, although tests reached about 8 amps and a maximum power draw of 0.8 watts. Reversing the current reverses the pumping direction; continuous one-way flow requires valves and supporting electronics. The researchers demonstrated the pump in several prototypes. It controlled signals that activated shape-memory alloy actuators to flap a robotic butterfly’s wings, changed the colours of a fluid-filled bracelet in 28 seconds, and helped operate a wearable fingertip device that delivered different pressure sensations. A preliminary test found that a blindfolded participant could identify three tactile modes, but the authors stress that this was a prototype demonstration, not a validated human-robot interaction study. The pump also drove a flexible jointed actuator that deflected more than 45 degrees. The work could address a limitation in soft robotics: conventional compressors and rigid pumps add weight and restrict movement. A very small pump could be distributed through a robot or wearable system, potentially supporting applications such as haptic gloves, robotic clothing, lab-on-a-chip devices, environmental sampling, and smart bandages. The pump does not itself replace every actuator; for example, the butterfly’s wings are moved by shape-memory alloy components. Published in Nature Communications on May 12, 2026, the study reports flow of up to 70 milligrams per second, blocked pressure of 3 kilopascals, and operation for 13.5 hours and 48,600 cycles with only minor drift. The prototype actuation unit costs less than 50 pence in materials. The researchers identify design optimisation, integrated valves, and simpler drive electronics as areas for future work.

The National’s Opinion section lists a political cartoon by Shadi, published on October 12, 2026. Its headline describes the cartoon as addressing Donald Trump’s decision to rule out strikes on Iran before the US midterm elections. The page identifies the subject through that headline and the tags “US,” “Iran” and “Donald Trump.” The supplied article text does not include the cartoon image, a caption explaining its visual elements, or additional reporting about the decision, so it is not possible to determine the cartoon’s specific argument, symbols or stance from the text alone. The page also links to other recent cartoons by Shadi. Their topics include student protests in France, diplomatic tensions between the UK and Israel, the discovery of an ancient Egyptian crocodile species, Iranian oil shipments, US bombers withdrawing from a British base, new US sanctions against Iran, school protests in France and an investigation into a flydubai flight. These are related-page listings rather than further details about the October 12 cartoon. Overall, the item is a brief presentation of an opinion cartoon, not a reported article. Its stated focus is the intersection of US policy toward Iran and the timing of the US midterm elections. Since the visual itself is absent from the provided content, any interpretation of its sentiment or political message should be cautious. The page’s primary function is to identify and present Shadi’s cartoon and direct readers to other cartoons, rather than to explain the underlying political developments.

Australian engineer Robert Pether has left Iraq and is travelling to Ireland to reunite with his family after being detained in the country for five years. Pether and his Egyptian co-worker Khaled Radwan were arrested in Baghdad in August 2021 during a meeting they believed was routine. The pair had been working for Dubai-based CME on a project to build the headquarters of Iraq’s central bank. An Iraqi court sentenced each man to five years in prison and ordered them to pay $12 million in connection with a contractual dispute between CME and Iraqi authorities. Both men were released from prison in June 2025, but Pether remained in Iraq because financial claims related to the case prevented him from leaving. Radwan has also since departed Iraq. Pether’s wife, Desree, said he was expected to arrive in Ireland on October 12, 2026. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the Iraqi government’s decision to permit his departure, crediting Australian officials and Irish authorities for their work and co-operation. The case drew international concern. In 2022, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Pether’s detention was arbitrary and contrary to international law. UN human rights experts also raised serious concerns in 2026 about his declining health, restricted access to specialist medical care, and the psychological effects of prolonged detention and uncertainty. Since leaving prison, Pether had relied on friends or hotels for accommodation, with costs borne by him and his family. The dispute concerned a $33 million contract awarded to CME in 2015 for the central bank headquarters project near the Tigris River. Work was suspended amid falling oil prices and Iraq’s war against ISIS, then resumed in 2018. CME said it worked for 39 of the contract’s 48 months and was paid for 32 before payments were withheld. In 2023, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Court of Arbitration ruled that Iraq’s central bank was responsible for the contractual dispute.

At the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre announced 14 translation and co-publishing projects with 10 publishing and cultural partners, extending its Kalima to the World programme into new markets. The projects will bring Emirati and other Arab works—including fiction, children’s literature, history, heritage and social subjects—to readers in seven languages: Portuguese, Macedonian, Hindi, Urdu, Greek, Spanish and English. Specific titles and publication dates are to be announced. The article highlights partners in North Macedonia, India, Pakistan, Greece and Brazil. North Macedonia’s Bata Press is preparing an Emirati novel set before the UAE’s oil-driven development. Publisher Filip Batkoski connects the project to shared Arab and North Macedonian cultural heritage, including their history under the Ottoman Empire. Indian and Pakistani organizations will support Hindi and Urdu editions, while Greek publishers Kaktos and Vakxikon are also involved. A separate agreement between the Centre and the Arab Publishers Association seeks to make more Arabic titles available to international publishers. Association president Mohamed Rashad says the initiative challenges the longstanding pattern of translating foreign literature into Arabic instead of taking Arab writing abroad. A specialist committee reviewed more than 100 books nominated by Arab publishers to select titles for a catalogue, with the Centre helping facilitate translation and funding. Brazilian publisher Leonardo Garzaro says Arabic literature can counter the tendency to view the Arab world as culturally uniform and help Brazilian readers distinguish among its countries and communities. His firm has already published nearly 15 Arabic titles, though he notes that literary merit does not always guarantee commercial success. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks and building dependable publishing relationships. Centre executive director Saeed Al Tunaiji says growing international interest offers new opportunities for Emirati writers and Arabic literature more broadly.

The article examines the prospects of UAE clubs in this week’s AFC Champions League Elite matches, arguing that they may be more competitive against their well-funded Saudi rivals than in recent seasons. Al Ain’s 4-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr offered an early sign of that potential, though the club has since suffered two domestic cup defeats. Coach Vladimir Ivic will look for a stronger performance when Al Ain visit Iraq’s Al Quwa Al Jawiya in Basra. The main focus is Al Wasl’s Monday home match against Al Ahli Saudi. Although Al Ahli are two-time reigning Asian champions and striker Ivan Toney has scored 11 goals in eight Saudi Pro League games, the team has lost three of those matches and is adjusting to a rebuild. New coach Marino Pusic replaced popular predecessor Matthias Jaissle and inherited a squad without influential players Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez. Al Wasl, by contrast, have lost only once in the UAE Pro League, lead the division in scoring, and won all three of their recent Adib Cup matches. The article suggests they can exploit Al Ahli’s uncertain form, with Mehdi Taremi leading their attack. The third UAE club in action, Shabab Al Ahli, face Al Ittihad in Jeddah. The match brings back memories of last season’s controversial AFC Champions League semi-final, when a VAR decision disallowed Guilherme Bala’s late equaliser and denied Shabab a place in the final. After the UAE’s Gulf Cup final defeat to Saudi Arabia, Shabab and Bala will be seeking a measure of redemption against their Saudi opponents.

Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield to extend their perfect start to the Premier League season to six wins and move three points clear of Arsenal. The match was close and tense for roughly an hour, but changed after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow card in the 62nd minute. Erling Haaland scored three minutes later, finishing first-time after having missed a major opportunity earlier. Substitute Jeremy Doku then curled in City's second, and Rayan Cherki completed the scoring; all three goals came within 13 minutes. Doku was particularly influential after coming on, while Haaland continued his strong scoring record at Anfield. The result was Liverpool's first league defeat of the season, leaving them ninth on nine points. It was also their joint-heaviest home defeat in the Premier League. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola argued that his side had played well before the dismissal and criticized the first yellow card that contributed to Gravenberch's sending-off. He nevertheless said he was proud of the players' effort and felt the team could learn from the match. Haaland described the win as a memorable occasion for City and praised the team's character and togetherness. The article also provides player ratings. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Munoz and Lewis Koumas received 7/10, while Florian Wirtz was rated 4/10. Gravenberch received 5/10, and several defenders were given 6/10. The supplied article text cuts off during Koumas's rating, so the remainder of the player assessments is not available.

Dr Mohamed Almarei has been selected as the first recipient of the Ruwwad AI Scholars Fellowship, a programme launched by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to support Emirati researchers and academic leaders incorporating AI into their work. The fellowship will fund a two-year placement at a leading international institution; recipients are also considered for MBZUAI faculty positions when they return. Almarei will conduct his placement at the University of Oxford, where he plans to apply AI to synthetic biology and improve predictions of cellular behaviour. A bioengineering doctoral graduate of Imperial College London, Almarei researched the engineering of biological systems for more sustainable bioproduction. He said meeting Professor Jean-Baptiste Lugagne and learning about his Oxford laboratory’s work was a turning point. Lugagne’s research showed how machine learning can predict cellular behaviour without requiring a complete understanding of every underlying process. Almarei now aims to develop data-driven models that can predict and control living systems, reduce reliance on costly wet-lab experiments, and support the design of more reliable and sustainable biological production systems. The article places the fellowship within the UAE’s broader push to make AI a national priority. The country is investing in research, education, infrastructure and specialised talent. Plans include a joint UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi and an ambition for the Abu Dhabi government to become fully AI-native by 2027. Almarei hopes to contribute to these efforts after returning to the UAE, bringing back expertise and strengthening national research capabilities. He also aims to produce research with economic and societal impact, publish in high-impact journals, and mentor future researchers in scientific rigour and integrity.

The article argues that electric vehicles have become a more practical and financially attractive choice for UAE motorists. Petrol prices are nearing Dh4.50 per litre, while filling up larger SUVs can cost more than Dh400. By comparison, a full EV charge at a Dewa or Adnoc public station typically costs a little over Dh80. The country’s charging network has also grown to about 2,800 points, with further expansion expected. Home charging can make the economics especially appealing, but the article says savings may be substantial even for drivers relying on public chargers. The article presents EV recommendations across several price brackets, focusing on price, range, performance, space, equipment and safety. Below Dh100,000, the compact JAC E30X is praised as a capable, well-built and surprisingly spacious affordable car, while the Polestar 2 is described as compelling value despite the examples at its advertised price being unused 2024 inventory. From Dh100,000 to Dh125,000, the Smart #3 offers brisk performance, a claimed 430km range and extensive standard safety equipment; the GAC Aion V is highlighted for its spacious cabin, claimed range of up to 510km and generous features. In the Dh125,000–150,000 bracket, the Volvo EX30 is presented as a compact, value-oriented SUV with strong safety and build quality, though its claimed range is 337km. The Kia EV3 is noted for futuristic styling, a screen-led interior, practical storage and driver-assistance technology. The supplied article text ends partway through the Kia EV3’s safety-feature description, so the remaining recommendations and conclusion are not available. Overall, the article offers a practical buyer’s guide rather than a detailed comparison of charging costs, and its model specifications and ranges are presented as claimed figures.

In this property-advice column, Mario Volpi responds to two questions about real estate ownership in Dubai. The first comes from a landlord whose Dubai Marina tenant appears to be advertising the apartment for short-term holiday stays without permission. Volpi distinguishes ordinary guests from commercial short-term letting, noting that Dubai holiday homes are subject to licensing and registration rules and that subletting requires the landlord to be informed and to agree. He advises the owner to preserve evidence, contact the tenant for an explanation, and check whether the apartment has been registered as a holiday home. He also highlights possible additional wear, building-security concerns and insurance issues, warning that rent arriving on time does not prove a property is being used appropriately. The second question concerns a former couple who jointly own a mortgaged Dubai villa, where one party wants to sell and the other refuses. Volpi recommends confirming the title deed’s ownership shares, obtaining an independent valuation, and calculating the mortgage balance and selling costs to establish the available equity. Potential resolutions include refinancing so one owner can buy out the other, agreeing to an open-market sale, or arranging another transfer subject to lender and Dubai Land Department requirements. Contributions to mortgage payments, service charges and other expenses may also matter. If the owners cannot agree, he recommends consulting a Dubai lawyer experienced in property and co-ownership disputes. The column concludes that prospective co-owners should agree in writing beforehand on what happens if one wants to sell. It states that the opinions offered are informational and do not constitute legal advice.

During Hurricane Isaias, staff at ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, Florida, moved 30 flamingos into a bathroom to protect them from the strong winds threatening their usual enclosure. A video of the birds sheltering there—honking, moving between sinks and stalls, and leaving pink feathers on the floor mat—spread widely online and was viewed nearly two million times, turning the flock into unexpected celebrities. The group included Mr. Sparklepants, a 10-year-old described as the largest and most dominant flamingo, as well as Scuttle and Mango Shrimproll, both three years old and raised by a zookeeper from eggs. The bathroom’s block walls offered protection from the storm, and staff boarded up its door after senior zookeeper Kylie Appleton recorded footage before Isaias made landfall on October 9. ZooWorld’s chief operating officer, Erika Newell, spent the night at the zoo, waking every hour to check on the animals as the storm struck the Gulf Coast. Although the birds were crowded into a small space, Newell said the arrangement suited them: the close quarters helped calm the flamingos, in a way she compared to how a snug garment can soothe a dog. The article also notes other preparations at the zoo, including putting large snakes in trash cans and sheltering male goats in the rabbit exhibit. Overall, it describes an improvised but carefully monitored effort to keep the animals safe during the hurricane.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported that the global multidimensional poverty index rose for the first time since it was created in 2010. Its 2026 report, produced with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, estimates that 1.2 billion people are living in acute poverty—51.5 million more than in the previous year. More than half of those affected are children. UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo described the increase as a “wake-up call,” emphasizing that people in poverty often face several hardships at once, including hunger, interrupted schooling, and a lack of clean water or electricity. The report cautions that population growth was a major factor in the increase in the total number of people classified as poor. It also notes that new data were available for only 13 of the 108 developing countries covered, limiting the scope of the latest assessment. Despite the global rise in the number of people affected, progress has occurred in some countries: 33 nations have halved their poverty rates over the past 15 years, including six in sub-Saharan Africa. China and Vietnam were among the countries making the most rapid progress. Most people in acute poverty continue to live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. Poverty rates and the number of people experiencing multidimensional poverty have fallen significantly in Egypt, Nepal, and Tajikistan. In Angola and Zambia, poverty rates also declined, but population growth more than offset those reductions, so the number of people living in poverty increased. The index measures deprivation across areas such as housing, sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel, food, and education.

New York’s Rikers Island jail is expected to miss its planned 2027 closure deadline, disappointing activists who have long campaigned against its conditions. Opened in 1932, the jail has faced persistent criticism for violence, unsanitary conditions, staff shortages, drug use, and broken cell doors and windows. Former mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to replace the large complex with smaller facilities, but construction has fallen behind schedule. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who took office in 2026, supports closing Rikers but has acknowledged that the deadline will not be met. Officials describe the closure as more than a construction project: they say it should be part of a wider transformation of the city’s pretrial justice system. Calls to close Rikers date back to the 1960s, prompted by dangers to both inmates and correction officers. Political momentum grew in the 2010s through campaigning by families and former inmates. A former detainee and criminal-justice advocate cited both the human and financial costs of the jail. The Vera Institute of Justice has attributed 48 deaths to New York City jails between 2022 and 2025, while Rikers’ annual operating budget is nearly US$3 billion. Vera’s president said the Covid-19 pandemic and the administration of former mayor Eric Adams contributed to delays, though she feels more hopeful about current progress. While closure remains pending, activists and city officials are calling for immediate improvements, including repairs to hundreds of broken cell doors, stronger social and educational programmes, and a reduction in the jail population from more than 6,500 to 4,000. Proposed ways to reduce the population include faster court proceedings and transferring people to other units.

The Trump administration has reversed an earlier request that US artificial intelligence developers avoid sharing unreleased models with Britain’s AI Security Institute before public release, according to a report by The Telegraph. The reversal means US companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic may give the British government early access to models for safety testing without violating the administration’s position. The change represents a softer stance toward international cooperation on AI safety and gives US developers greater freedom to work with British officials. Britain’s AI Security Institute was established after the first international AI safety summit in 2023. It evaluates the capabilities of advanced AI models and the risks that they could be misused. The report comes as governments consider how to oversee increasingly powerful AI systems. President Donald Trump has repeatedly rejected calls for binding safety requirements for developers, although a recent move by his new AI task force may indicate a shift in approach: on October 9, the task force said developers must report security incidents involving their models. Representatives for Trump, OpenAI and Anthropic had not immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment. The article presents the policy reversal as a development in the administration’s approach, while attributing the account of the change to The Telegraph.

World leaders are being urged to agree on concrete action at the United Nations biodiversity summit, COP17, in Yerevan, Armenia, as a UN review finds countries off track to meet the nature goals they adopted in 2022. The pact set 23 targets for 2030, including reducing pollution, protecting threatened species and conserving 30% of the world’s land and oceans. A draft review says existing pledges would cover only 27% of land and inland waters and 12% of oceans. Greenpeace International’s An Lambrechts says the summit must deliver a “clear course correction” rather than repeat existing promises. Astrid Schomaker, executive director of the UN biodiversity convention, says the goals remain reachable, but only if governments make significant changes. One obstacle is reforming incentives that support environmentally harmful industries, including agriculture and fossil fuel production. About 10 heads of state are expected to attend a leaders’ meeting before formal negotiations begin. Financing is expected to be a major source of tension. Countries are behind the commitment to mobilise US$200 billion annually for biodiversity by 2030, including US$30 billion a year in international finance for developing countries. The Cali Fund, launched in 2025 to raise US$1 billion annually from corporations, has attracted only US$6,000 so far. Meanwhile, progress towards reducing harmful subsidies by US$500 billion a year has been limited. UN figures indicate that about US$30 is still invested in activities that damage nature for every dollar spent protecting or restoring it. Businesses and financial institutions, including Nestle and H&M Group, have called for incentive reform, pointing to US$2.6 trillion in annual public spending that rewards practices that deplete ecosystems. The article frames COP17 as a test of international cooperation: negotiators must address funding and policy failures while demonstrating that governments can still unite to protect nature.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Oct. 11 for an investigation into the anonymous Israeli military sources who contributed to the documentary *NAZA*, and asked that they be prosecuted, according to a statement from his office. The film draws on testimony from 24 unnamed whistleblowers who allege that the Israeli army used AI-powered targeting systems in ways that led to the deaths of numerous civilians in Gaza. The documentary’s title refers to an Israeli military term for civilian casualties anticipated in airstrikes, derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning “collateral damage.” *NAZA* won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival and received a reported 25-minute standing ovation. Its claims have provoked a political storm in Israel. Netanyahu described the film as “false, misleading and biased,” saying it defames Israel and its army internationally. He has previously said he would support legislation to strip citizenship from people who “defame” soldiers. The Israeli army has categorically rejected the accusations and questioned the reliability of the anonymous contributors. The article places the dispute against the wider context of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Gaza’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, reports that more than 74,000 people have been killed. The article says the figures are considered reliable by the United Nations. Overall, it reports Netanyahu’s response, the documentary’s allegations and reception, and the army’s denial without independently resolving the competing claims.

Jim Cramer describes the pressures making him reluctant to invest in the current market: earnings expectations appear high, international conflicts and political uncertainty are producing negative headlines, and concerns about data-center spending are weighing on Nvidia and other AI-related stocks. He also points to France’s debt and budget problems, the possibility of further restrictions on data-center construction, and rising long-term Treasury yields, which he fears could further damage the housing market. With data-center investment providing much of the economy’s momentum, he questions where the market’s next source of energy will come from. He acknowledges that investors with short horizons might reasonably consider sitting out October, but argues that this is different from investing for retirement. Cramer says he regularly contributes to an S&P 500 index fund and does not trade that money. He worries that skipping one contribution because of headlines could become a habit, ultimately leaving him with less saved. His decision to keep investing rests partly on his expectation that Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will work to bring inflation down, even if that means higher rates, and on his belief that disciplined, regular investing is essential. Despite disliking some of the stocks he must own through the index and recognizing the market’s difficulties, Cramer concludes that long-term investment has worked for him before and that he believes it can do so again.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said artificial intelligence could produce major scientific breakthroughs in physics, biotechnology, chemistry and materials science within the next two to three years. Speaking at the DBS Asia Future Forward Conference in Singapore, he described AI’s progress in scientific research as accelerating and argued that its long-term capabilities may be greater than people currently expect, even if its short-term impact is sometimes overstated. Chew’s comments come as ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, expands its AI research beyond consumer-facing applications. The company’s Seed research team introduced Protenix-v2 in April, a model for predicting and designing biomolecular structures that could support drug discovery. ByteDance is also exploring collaboration with scientists, Chew said, while AI continues to shape TikTok’s content creation, recommendations, search and moderation. The article places ByteDance’s work within a wider industry push to apply AI to science. The previous week, the U.S. government, Meta and Google announced participation in a $1.8 billion initiative to develop models that predict cell behavior and potentially accelerate biological research and drug discovery. Chew also stressed the need for safeguards as AI systems become more capable and autonomous. He raised questions about aligning models with human values and warned that users might grant AI agents extensive permissions without understanding the consequences. For example, an agent authorized to make purchases could buy more than its user intended. He further warned that increasingly capable AI could lower the cost of fraud and other cyberattacks, creating greater security challenges for companies and platforms. Overall, Chew presented scientific discovery as a particularly promising AI application while emphasizing the parallel need for ethical alignment and cybersecurity defenses.

China’s central bank and private investors are buying gold at a record pace, driven by both geopolitical concerns and the lack of appealing domestic investment alternatives. The People’s Bank of China has extended its gold-buying streak to 23 months, adding about 23 tonnes in September, its largest monthly purchase in nearly three years. Meanwhile, China imported more than 1,000 tonnes of gold worth $158.8 billion in the first eight months of 2026, surpassing its total imports for all of 2025. The PBOC’s purchases reflect Beijing’s effort to diversify foreign-exchange reserves and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasuries. The freezing of Russia’s central-bank assets after its invasion of Ukraine highlighted the risks of holding reserves abroad, while gold stored domestically is less exposed to such restrictions. China has also reduced its Treasury holdings to an 18-year low. Household demand is supported by gold’s safe-haven reputation and weak alternatives. China’s property market remains in a prolonged slump, stocks have underperformed the U.S. market this year, and low borrowing demand has pushed domestic bond and deposit returns down. As a result, gold’s opportunity cost is relatively low for Chinese investors. Government plans to deepen China’s domestic gold market may also be contributing to central-bank purchases. Chinese demand has helped support gold prices despite higher U.S. yields, which typically weigh on the non-yielding metal. Gold prices fell more than 8% in September after reaching a record above $5,500 an ounce in January, but analyst Aakash Doshi expects a recovery to $4,750–$5,500 by the end of the first quarter of 2027. China holds 2,387 tonnes of gold, making it the world’s fifth-largest holder, but its reserves remain below a third of U.S. holdings. A recovery in Chinese property or equities, a weaker yuan, higher domestic interest rates, or easing geopolitical tensions could reduce demand; analysts say those shifts do not appear imminent.

IKEA has launched a UK peer-to-peer marketplace for buying and selling used IKEA furniture, expanding on its Buyback & Resell service introduced in 2021. Sellers can list eligible IKEA home-furnishing products, with the platform offering suggested prices, product photographs, measurements, descriptions, assembly instructions and care information. Sellers may receive cash or a digital IKEA refund card with a 15 per cent bonus. Mattresses, appliances, food, modified or recalled products, and furniture from other brands are excluded. The launch responds to growing interest in resale and affordability. Research commissioned by IKEA found that more than a quarter of UK adults would find pre-owned furniture more desirable if it came with a personal story. The article also reports that 63 per cent of UK consumers bought through resale platforms last year, and that marketplace prices average 60 per cent below those of comparable new products. IKEA presents the service as a way to meet changing household needs and ease pressure on budgets during the cost-of-living crisis. The article, however, questions whether resale meaningfully changes IKEA’s environmental impact. It notes that buying used can reduce landfill waste, manufacturing emissions and demand for virgin resources, but says IKEA reportedly introduces around 2,000 new products each year and is frequently criticized as a “fast furniture” brand. An Ingka Group spokesperson describes the marketplace as complementary to IKEA’s sales of new products, rather than a replacement. The article also cites a 2024 Greenpeace investigation alleging that manufacturers supplying IKEA sourced wood from old-growth forests in Romania’s Carpathians, including protected areas. IKEA said it was committed to responsible sourcing. The company’s stated goals include halving value-chain emissions by 2030 compared with 2016 and using only renewable and recycled materials by 2030. The article concludes that IKEA appears to be expanding its second-hand business without abandoning its fast-furniture model.

The 18th Lumière Festival opened in Lyon to a full house and will run until 18 October, bringing classic cinema to audiences across the metropolitan area. Nearly 450 screenings are planned at around fifty venues over nine days. This year’s programme highlights filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, who are scheduled to receive the Lumière Award on 16 October. On the red carpet, festival guests were asked to recall their earliest cinema memories. German director Fatih Akin remembered seeing Bruce Lee in The Chinese Connection as a child, describing the experience of watching it on Super 8 as intensely exciting. American filmmaker Todd Haynes recalled Mary Poppins, which he saw at the age of three and says became deeply embedded in his imagination. Hong Kong director Tsui Hark cited Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, which he watched alone in a cinema at 14 and which influenced his own career. Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is attending to present Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ang Lee’s film that brought her to a worldwide audience. The festival will screen a restored version of the film for the first time in France. Zhang also praised Lyon after exploring the city and said she hoped to return. The wider programme celebrates cinematic heritage through restored films, talks, special screenings and retrospectives devoted to the Coen brothers, American director Norman Jewison, Italian filmmaker Ettore Scola, Tsui Hark and Todd Haynes. Silent cinema is also featured, including a restored Metropolis screening accompanied by a symphony orchestra on 15 October. The festival will culminate in the Coens’ award presentation and an overnight tribute to their films at Halle Tony Garnier the following day. The event concludes on 18 October.

The article presents 2027 as an especially timely year to explore the United States by train, as the country marks 200 years of commercial passenger rail travel. It describes how railways once connected distant cities and helped shape the American travel experience, and argues that trains offer a distinctive way to see landscapes that can be missed when flying or driving. The article acknowledges that the US rail network is less extensive than Europe’s, but highlights a range of long-distance routes, regional services and heritage railways. Among the suggested journeys are the daylight-only Canyon Spirit between Denver and Salt Lake City; Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, which follows parts of the Route 66 corridor; and the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. It also notes upcoming Airo trains on the Pacific Northwest’s Cascades route and the Mardi Gras Service between New Orleans and Mobile. For a more historic experience, it recommends heritage lines such as Colorado’s Durango & Silverton, the Cumbres & Toltec, Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road and West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad. The bicentennial will bring exhibitions, special rides and events at museums, historic stations and heritage railways. The article highlights museums in Baltimore and Pennsylvania, Omaha’s Durham Museum, and architectural tours at Los Angeles Union Station. It also suggests railway-themed accommodation, including restored Pullman carriages at Chattanooga’s Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo, former railway buildings such as the Asher Adams in Salt Lake City, and converted railcars and cabooses in Idaho and New Mexico. Overall, the article serves as a travel guide, outlining ways to combine scenic rail journeys with railroad history, events and unusual places to stay.

This Euronews page presents the morning news bulletin for October 12, 2026, updated at 7:00 GMT+2. It introduces a short video roundup intended to help viewers catch up on important stories from Europe and elsewhere. The description says the newsroom covers breaking and developing news across world affairs, business, politics, culture, entertainment, and travel, providing context to help audiences understand a fast-moving news cycle. It also characterizes Euronews’ coverage as independent and shaped by a European perspective, and promises a clear, reliable overview for viewers wherever they are watching. The supplied page text does not include a transcript or details of the stories actually reported in the bulletin. It does display numerous related-video headlines, including items about evacuations after flooding in Nepal, attacks in Ukraine, protests in France and Portugal, an earthquake in Panama, EU comments on sanctions against the International Criminal Court, and a planned operation for Pope Leo XIV. These appear as recommendations or other page content, so they should not be treated as confirmed contents of the October 12 morning bulletin. Overall, the page primarily advertises and describes a video news roundup rather than providing a standalone written report.

Rents rose across Europe between the second quarters of 2025 and 2026, but increases were exceptionally steep in Romania and Croatia. Eurostat recorded a 3% average rise across the EU, compared with 43.5% in Romania and 40.1% in Croatia. Since overall inflation was 9.5% in Romania and 4.8% in Croatia, rents in both countries increased by more than 30% in real terms. Slovenia had the EU’s third-largest increase, at 10%. The article explores possible explanations, including public-housing rent changes, while noting that experts question whether these changes alone can explain Romania’s figures. Adriana M. Soaita suggests that new or renovated properties entering the market may have contributed. In Croatia, officials cite higher social rents in Zagreb; a University of Zagreb professor also points to investment-driven housing, vacant apartments, a new tax on vacant homes, and more higher-quality units entering the rental market at above-average rates. Turkey recorded the highest rent inflation among EU candidates and EFTA countries, at 49.6%, though its gradual increases and inflation above 30% mean its real rent rise was lower than Romania’s and Croatia’s. Double-digit or notable increases also occurred in several other countries. By contrast, Italy was the only one of the EU’s Big Four economies above the EU average; Spain, Germany, and France recorded smaller increases. In Belgium, Estonia, Finland, and Luxembourg, rents declined in real terms. Croatia’s August annual figure was much lower than its quarterly comparison because of a sharp index jump between July and August 2025. Experts describe broader pressures behind rising rents: competition for scarce rental homes, demand outstripping supply, demographic and economic factors, and constraints on housing supply. Higher borrowing costs since 2022 have pushed some would-be buyers into private rentals. Investors increasingly treat housing as a financial asset, adding to concerns about affordability and rental-market pressure.

Eight orangutans have been released into the wild in a reserve in western Borneo after being rescued from intense wildfires that threatened their habitat. The group comprises three mothers, their three daughters, and two adult males. Indonesian wildlife authorities rescued 46 orangutans before fires swept through their habitat in August and September. The released animals are part of a critically endangered species. The report does not say what happened to the other rescued orangutans, provide details about the reserve, or explain how the animals were assessed or prepared for release. It presents the release as a conservation response following the fires, without further information about the extent of habitat damage or the longer-term prospects for the orangutans.

Australian rock band Powderfinger has announced an 18-date comeback tour, its first since the group broke up 17 years ago. The Brisbane-based band, which confirmed its reunion the previous week, will begin the tour with four performances in Brisbane next September, followed by 14 shows in Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. Every concert will take place in a “stadium sized big-top” tent. In a statement, the members said they were “absolutely ecstatic” to reunite, explaining that although they had received many suggestions to tour again, the timing had not previously felt right for everyone. They also expressed gratitude to longtime fans and welcomed newer listeners who have never seen the band perform. Powderfinger said fans often associate its music with treasured, joyful memories, and described the tour as a chance to share more joy and make new memories, alongside established and emerging Australian acts. The schedule, with performances only on Friday and Saturday nights, resembles the approach taken by Oasis on its world tour the previous year. No performances outside Australia have been announced. During its career, Powderfinger released seven studio albums. Its 2000 album, “Odyssey Number Five,” was voted the best Australian album of all time by listeners of ABC music station Triple J in 2011. The album included “My Happiness,” which Triple J listeners voted the sixth-best Australian song of all time in 2025. Other well-known songs include “On My Mind,” “These Days” and “Sunsets.” Since the band split, singer Bernard Fanning has continued as a solo artist, while bassist John Collins has opened two of Brisbane’s largest live music venues.

The article reports growing criticism of President Donald Trump’s plan to import diesel from Russia while the war involving Iran is driving up global energy prices. Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and further shipments that could eventually total millions of tonnes. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the figures to state news agency Tass and said exports might reach three million tonnes per month. The article says the US Treasury is understood to be suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April, though other Russian assets, including funds in American banks, remain frozen. Seven senators—four Republicans and three Democrats—argue the arrangement violates US law and urged Trump to reverse course. They cited the 2022 ban on Russian energy imports, intended to prevent US money from supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that should end. Other critics include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. However, Republican Thomas Massie supports lifting sanctions on petroleum products, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the deal can proceed through existing legal channels. The plan comes as fuel costs become a political concern ahead of the US midterm elections. The article connects rising prices to supply disruptions caused by the US-Israel war with Iran and notes the particular impact on agricultural states, where farms and transport depend on diesel. The US average diesel price is reported at $6.28 per gallon, below a recent record of $6.53. Analysts question whether Russia can supply the promised volumes and whether those shipments would meaningfully reduce US prices, given national consumption of about 3.6 million barrels a day. Separately, Trump said Russia and Ukraine had reached an “energy ceasefire”; Zelensky welcomed the announcement, while Moscow had not responded.

Nebraska ranchers are facing sharply higher operating costs and falling cattle prices, prompting some to reconsider their support for President Donald Trump. Rancher Yvette Mannon’s difficulties began with a wildfire that destroyed 1,600 acres of grazing land and 13 miles of fencing. Replacing the fence cost more than $300,000, with steel prices elevated in part by tariffs. Lost pasture also forced her to deliver hay by tractor as diesel prices rose amid the Iran War. The Trump administration’s announcement that it would import 300,000 metric tons of duty-free beef came just before the annual period when many calves are sold, and cattle prices fell soon afterward. Mannon, a Trump voter, described the decision as a betrayal of the administration’s “Buy American” message. Other producers report pressures from fuel and fertilizer costs, tariffs on equipment and building materials, and uncertainty over foreign beef imports and Mexican cattle. Agricultural economist James Mitchell says these factors have hurt cattle markets, which are also turning down after a particularly profitable period driven by low supply and high demand. Jake Wolfinger, who runs a 5,500-head feedlot, says lower cattle prices mean losses of potentially hundreds of dollars per animal. Though frustrated by Trump’s intervention in the market, he remains broadly supportive of the president. Duane Kimball likewise acknowledges rising costs but says it is unfair to blame the administration for every difficulty. Jim Jenkins, a longtime Trump critic, argues that administration policies and uncertainty are harming Nebraska agriculture. While some ranchers may signal their dissatisfaction at the midterm elections, many Trump supporters continue to give the president the benefit of the doubt. The article portrays a politically divided but economically strained farming community, with Republican leaders announcing relief measures as frustration grows.

An intensifying El Niño pushed sea surface temperatures in the Pacific’s Nino3.4 monitoring region to 29.70°C in September, a record for that region, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The reading exceeded peak temperatures during the major 1982/83, 1997/98 and 2015/16 El Niño events, despite the current episode not yet having reached its expected peak. Forecasters have warned it could become the strongest El Niño observed, although Copernicus cautions that it cannot yet make that determination. Because climate change has raised ocean temperatures over time, comparisons with earlier events are complicated; a newer index that accounts for this background warming suggests the current event is not yet stronger than previous ones. Japan’s weather agency, using a different approach, said El Niño conditions had reached their strongest intensity on record, illustrating that agencies do not all interpret the phenomenon on the same scale. The article places the Pacific record in the context of broader global heat. September’s global average sea surface temperature reached 21.05°C, surpassing the previous September record from 2023. The month was the world’s second hottest September on record, with average surface air temperatures 1.63°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average. The article notes that countries committed under the 2015 Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, but the UN has said that long-term threshold will be exceeded within years. Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said the current run of months above 1.5°C could continue into 2027 as El Niño strengthens. Scientists say cutting fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to limiting the duration and scale of the overshoot. Experts also warn that El Niño could help push global temperatures to a new record in 2027. The recurring climate pattern warms the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and changes winds, pressure and rainfall worldwide, increasing drought and flood risks while adding to human-caused warming.

NATO’s top military commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, is expected to warn Russia that the alliance is able to counter an attack. At a security conference in Warsaw, he is due to explain his “theory of victory,” a framework officials say is grounded in NATO’s existing deterrence and defence plans. The statement is intended both to signal resolve to Moscow and to reassure NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank, rather than to disclose significant new details about closely guarded defence plans. The planned intervention comes amid growing Western concern about what officials describe as a Russian “hybrid” campaign of sabotage and interference targeting countries that support Ukraine. Recent incidents, including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport, have heightened fears that Moscow is escalating its activity. NATO says such actions can be dangerous and may cause significant loss of life, while the alliance has struggled to respond to threats in the grey zone below open conflict. NATO describes itself as defensive and says it has no intention of attacking Russia. Its civilian head, Mark Rutte, has urged allies to remain calm and continue supporting Ukraine, arguing that Russia knows the alliance is stronger. At the same time, European security faces uncertainty. The Pentagon is reviewing US force deployments in Europe, with possible reductions under consideration and a decision expected toward the end of the year. European countries are already seeking to strengthen their militaries amid doubts about the reliability of US support under President Donald Trump. The article places Grynkewich’s warning within this broader context of Russian pressure, NATO deterrence, and uncertainty about the future US military presence in Europe.

At least 72 civilian gold miners were killed in air strikes on Saturday at Jabal al-Uqaydat, a remote mining site near the disputed Sudan-Egypt border, according to the Sudanese rights organisation Emergency Lawyers. The group accused Egypt’s air force of carrying out the attack, but AFP said it could not independently verify the account, and Egypt had issued no official comment. Emergency Lawyers said the casualty figure was preliminary and that efforts to document and confirm deaths were continuing. Two survivors told AFP that an aircraft appeared over the site at about 8 a.m. and struck repeatedly. Miner Abdelaziz Youssef said the plane struck five times, killing many people, and that workers fled up a mountain fearing another strike. Sharaf Ali said thousands of people were at the remote site and scattered in different directions after the attack, making the death toll difficult to establish. Both described seeing bodies, with others feared trapped under rubble far from urban help. The incident was reportedly the second air strike on Jabal al-Uqaydat this year. In June, 23 workers were killed in an attack reportedly carried out by Egypt. Egypt’s army did not claim those strikes but said it had conducted a large-scale operation against illegal gold mining within its territory, detaining 223 people, including 136 foreign nationals. The border region includes the resource-rich, disputed Halayeb triangle. Emergency Lawyers said Saturday’s attack occurred in Sudanese territory and alleged that repeated attacks reflected Egyptian efforts to assert control over Sudan’s natural resources. Egypt has not publicly commented on the latest accusation. The article places the event within Sudan’s war, which it says has killed more than 200,000 people since April 2023 and driven people into dangerous gold mining. Gold and illicit trade along the porous border are also linked to conflict financing, smuggling and human trafficking, while Egypt views the war near its long border as a security threat.

Slovenian voters narrowly rejected a government bill that would have expanded the powers of parliamentary inquiry commissions, delivering a setback to Prime Minister Janez Jansa’s reform agenda. In the binding referendum, 51 percent voted against the proposal and 49 percent supported it, with 99 percent of votes counted. The bill would have required people summoned to testify before an inquiry commission to appear immediately, while preventing them from challenging the summons in court until the commission had finished its work. Opponents argued that the measure could force witnesses to reveal sensitive information and accused the government of effectively creating a “political police.” They have characterized Jansa’s wider reform program as authoritarian. Despite expectations of low participation, turnout was reported at 53.7 percent of eligible voters—the highest ever recorded for a referendum in Slovenia. The article places the result in the context of Slovenia’s recent political changes. Jansa returned to power after liberal former prime minister Robert Golob was unable to form a government, following his party’s narrow victory in March parliamentary elections. Jansa, described as a political veteran and admirer of US President Donald Trump, has promised a “cheaper state but with better quality.” His plans to reduce public-sector jobs and funding for rights groups have drawn criticism from opponents. Before the referendum, Golob warned that the vote was a test of the resilience of democracy in the EU member country. The result therefore represents both a defeat for the specific bill and a challenge to Jansa’s broader political program.

Hurricane Simon skirted Mexico’s Pacific coast as a powerful Category 3 storm, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain and dangerous surf to coastal communities. Although it weakened from Category 4 strength, its maximum sustained winds were still reported at 120 mph. On Sunday evening, the storm was about 45 miles south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, moving northwest at only 5 mph. Forecasters expected its most damaging effects near Puerto Vallarta from around midnight into Monday morning, with the west-central coast facing the possibility of a direct hit. The National Hurricane Center warned of catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge, destructive waves, flooding and mudslides. Rainfall totals could reach 10 to 20 inches in many locations, and as much as 30 inches in parts of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. Jalisco suspended classes in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating people from at-risk areas. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents in Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Michoacan to shelter, follow civil-protection guidance and avoid road travel until officials declared the danger over. Authorities patrolled Puerto Vallarta and used megaphones to direct people away from the waterfront, while businesses boarded up and hotels evacuated guests. Yet some residents and tourists were still outside or arriving, and visitors described being unprepared and uncertain about the danger. Hotel worker Víctor Martínez said people were taking the threat more seriously because the region had experienced a devastating hurricane before. The article also notes that the Pacific hurricane season had been active: Simon followed Hurricane Polo, which struck Mexico the previous week and later caused flooding in the southwestern United States.

A man died Saturday after entering the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in northern England and being attacked by a tiger, South Yorkshire Police said. Emergency medical personnel were called to the park near Doncaster at about 1:35 p.m., but the man died at the scene. Police said the tiger was not injured and remained inside the enclosure. The park was evacuated, and officers stayed at the scene that evening while investigating. Yorkshire Wildlife Park said it was working with authorities to determine what had happened. The article describes the park’s “Land of the Tigers” attraction, which opened in 2011. The purpose-built, two-acre reserve houses endangered Amur tigers, also called Siberian tigers. A raised walkway allows visitors to observe the animals in woodland and grassland areas and near a waterfall pool. The report also gives examples of other incidents involving people entering tiger enclosures. In 2024, a woman jumped a fence and taunted a tiger at the Cohanzick Zoo in New Jersey. In 2016, a zookeeper was fatally attacked by a Malayan tiger at a Florida zoo after entering the enclosure’s night house, according to a medical examiner’s investigation. In 2012, a man entered the Bronx Zoo tiger enclosure by jumping over two fences, one electrified, and was severely injured in what police described as an apparent suicide attempt.

Pope Leo XIV, 71, is expected to undergo surgery this week to remove a nodular lesion found in his lung during recent medical checks. He said the lesion was detected at an early stage and was “circumscribed,” and that he decided to proceed with surgery on his doctors’ advice. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pope would be hospitalized in the first days of the week. He is expected to receive treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which has a special apartment for the pope. Recovery is expected to take about a week. The article explains that a lung nodule is a small abnormal area that may appear on imaging and can be either benign or cancerous. Dr. Stephen Liu of Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center said nodules are common and may look similar on scans regardless of whether they are benign or malignant. When warranted and safe, surgical removal can provide a definitive diagnosis. Italian Association of Medical Oncology president Dr. Massimo Di Maio said doctors would need to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant and, if malignant, whether it has spread. He noted that treatment could include chemotherapy or radiation, depending on what is found, while emphasizing that he has not treated the pope and was speaking generally. Leo has a planned Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It is unclear whether surgery and recovery will affect the itinerary, though the pope said he planned to make the trip. The article describes him as physically active and reports no previously known health problems; Di Maio said physical fitness is a helpful starting point for coping with treatment. It also contrasts Leo’s situation with that of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died in April 2025 after a stroke following a prolonged hospitalization for respiratory problems and double pneumonia. Francis had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was young.

Flash floods swept through Nepal’s Gorkha district over the weekend, destroying a bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. Video footage showed powerful water striking the structure until it collapsed and was carried downstream. The article reports that at least five people remain missing. More than 80 people were rescued from dangerous currents, and six others were rescued from the landslide-prone area of Jagat, according to Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s social media post. The flooding is described as the second major natural disaster to hit Nepal in two months. On Aug. 26, a glacier collapse triggered an avalanche and deadly flooding in the Himalayas near Nepal’s border with China. That disaster killed more than 1,400 people, while thousands more were still missing, according to the article. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, a senior official in Gorkha district, said authorities had responded to help affected villages. He said residents living along riverbanks downstream had been asked to evacuate and remain safe. The article focuses on the bridge’s destruction and the ongoing rescue and safety response, while noting the broader context of recent disasters in Nepal.

Italy’s new “Schools Decree,” due to take effect next summer, bars students from covering their faces in class, limits classrooms to 30% foreign-born pupils and allows fines for parents who fail to attend required Italian lessons. The government presents the measures as tools for integration and equal opportunity. The article asks whether Western democracies can require assimilation and whether Italy’s approach might foreshadow similar debates in the United States. Experts quoted disagree about the risks and value of stricter integration policies. Heritage Foundation director Nile Gardiner describes mass migration and what he calls “Islamification” as a major threat, warning that European cultural changes could reach the United States. Other commentators say requirements such as learning the national language and keeping faces visible in classrooms can be reasonable, but question whether rules aimed at visible practices address the causes of social separation. The article situates Italy’s policy within a broader European trend: Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands have adopted or considered measures concerning integration, religious symbols, language instruction and civic participation. Political scientist Daniel Schatz argues that the debate increasingly concerns whether states may set firm conditions for membership in national communities, rather than simply dividing along left-right lines. University of California, Irvine professor Sara Wallace Goodman discusses Denmark’s cross-party immigration consensus and the concern that parallel societies may develop when communities live apart from wider civic life. The piece also recounts longstanding British concerns about segregation and reports Gardiner’s interpretation of a viral video from a London market as evidence of separation. At the same time, experts caution that coercive policies can be restrictive or destabilizing and that clothing rules alone cannot address barriers to participation, institutional failures or organized efforts to discourage integration. The article concludes, in the supplied excerpt, with an argument that integration requires a clearly communicated shared language, political community, history, freedoms and responsibilities; its final sentence is cut off.

A man died after entering the Siberian tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, England, on Saturday. Witnesses told The Telegraph that before the attack he behaved erratically, appeared to pray and bow toward the tiger, and may have tried to take selfies. Scarlet Hogan said he seemed detached from reality and described him getting down on all fours to pray. Hogan and her boyfriend, Anthony Hunt, also said a mother visiting the exhibit with her two children tried to pull him back as he moved toward the enclosure, but he overpowered her and jumped in. The mother reportedly told them she had heard him saying something religious. Other witnesses described seeing the man dancing earlier in the park, including one who said he had been listening to music through AirPods. Marie Miller said he seemed to be enjoying seeing the tiger before entering the enclosure. Video shared online showed the tiger biting and clawing at the man as he sat on the grass and attempted to fend it off. Hogan said the witnesses froze and that the last thing she saw was the tiger’s jaw on his neck. South Yorkshire Police said the man, whose identity has not been publicly released, was pronounced dead at the scene. The park put a black screen around the enclosure and closed for the rest of the weekend. Yorkshire Wildlife Park said its emergency response procedures had been activated and that it was working with authorities to establish what happened. It emphasized that visitor, staff, and animal safety remained its highest priority. The park also confirmed that Altai, the tiger involved, was safe and would not be euthanized as a result of the incident.

DW reports on the testimony of two high-ranking Iranian security defector sources, identified by the pseudonyms Omid and Reza, who describe how Iran recruits, indoctrinates, monitors and deploys members of its security apparatus. Omid, a former special-forces commander, says his academy controlled cadets around the clock and that an elite circle of officers planned abductions and killings of opponents inside and outside Iran. He supplied DW with records, images and other material about his training and security facilities. A second source, Reza, formerly with Iran’s Information Ministry, corroborated key details. DW says it verified substantial parts of the accounts, while withholding identifying details to protect the men and their families. Iran’s Supreme Leader’s Office did not respond to DW’s request for comment; the Berlin embassy rejected the allegations and conclusions without addressing them individually. The sources describe the privileges available to senior officers—including financial benefits, business contracts and segregated housing with schools, hospitals and mosques—as inseparable from extensive control. Officers’ travel, family life, children’s schooling and prospective spouses are reportedly monitored. Political scientist Saeid Golkar argues that such separation from ordinary society enables more effective indoctrination and makes security personnel less likely to resist violence against fellow Iranians. Reza says he once supported the Islamic Republic but turned against it after witnessing repression. Both men say the January 2026 killings of protesters, amid shortages, inflation and an internet shutdown, horrified them and helped prompt their decision to speak to DW. Omid denied shooting protesters or ordering subordinates to do so, though DW could not verify that claim; he acknowledged witnessing demonstrators being killed. The article also describes command centers where officials allegedly combine CCTV, drone footage, reports from personnel, social-media posts and intercepted communications to monitor protests. The supplied article ends mid-sentence while describing the use of plainclothes agents.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly alleged that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, making him the first British leader to do so openly, according to the article. Speaking on The Rest Is Politics podcast, Burnham said he asked about possible Russian involvement when he entered Downing Street and received a clear answer that there had been a link. He offered no evidence of the Kremlin’s efforts to influence the vote, in which 52% voted to leave the European Union and 48% to remain. Burnham said that documenting foreign interference is important as voters in Britain, Germany and France confront political activity he described as being instigated by Russia. He also relayed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s view that the far-right AfD party is clearly linked to Russia and, in Merz’s belief, funded by it. Burnham said Russian misinformation and disinformation are circulating in German politics. The claims contrast with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 2020 statement that there was no evidence Russia influenced the referendum. A 2020 report by the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee criticized the government for failing to fully assess the potential impact of Russian state media and online troll accounts on the vote. The committee also said the Kremlin had sought to influence Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum. UK intelligence agencies say Russia continues to use disinformation, cyberattacks, sabotage and espionage to undermine public trust, with artificial intelligence often aiding these efforts. Russia denies meddling in other countries’ elections and referendums. The article also describes changing British attitudes toward Brexit: YouGov polling has shown a majority believing the decision to leave was wrong since mid-2022, and the share expressing “Bregret” reached 60% last month. Burnham has called for political consensus on Britain’s future relationship with the EU and has suggested he might campaign for rejoining. EU officials, as well as France and Spain, have welcomed a more positive tone from London. However, London School of Economics professor Iain Begg cautions that rejoining would revive political divisions, be difficult for both sides and take years.

The article reports that US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering removing Kimberly Guilfoyle from her post as US ambassador to Greece. The possibility follows a series of reports alleging that Guilfoyle engaged in improper and potentially illegal conduct both before and during her tenure in Athens. The article does not describe the specific allegations or establish whether they are true. A senior US official, speaking anonymously because the matter involves internal deliberations, said Trump and Rubio were “extremely p***** off” about the reported conduct. The official said the administration was likely to decide what action to take during the week after the Monday Columbus Day holiday. The State Department’s inspector general is also looking into reports of questionable conduct, though the article provides no details about the scope or status of that inquiry. The official said Rubio was particularly angry. He had visited Athens the previous week, when Guilfoyle attended most or possibly all of his events. She greeted him on arrival with a bear hug, even as the allegations were circulating. The report presents the potential dismissal as under consideration, not as a decision already made. It offers no response from Guilfoyle and does not independently substantiate the claims, instead attributing the account of the deliberations and Rubio’s reaction to the unnamed official.

The South China Morning Post presents a roundup of five stories from its weekend coverage, intended to help readers catch up on news from Asia and elsewhere. The headline signals a varied selection: a China-savvy spokeswoman associated with Donald Trump, emergencies on Hong Kong hiking trails, a museum replica prompting US-China collaboration, and Malaysian doctors avoiding Borneo. The introduction notes that the roundup draws on reporting published the previous weekend and invites readers to subscribe for more coverage. The supplied article text gives details only about the first item. It reports that US President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia as his new press secretary, describing her as a “devoted fan” who lived in Beijing and speaks Chinese. A photograph caption identifies her as the subject of a handout image. The excerpt does not provide further details about Zacharia’s background, the circumstances of her appointment, or the other four stories listed in the headline and introduction. As a result, the roundup’s full scope can be identified, but its reporting and conclusions on those other subjects cannot be summarized from the text provided. The piece is a brief editorial guide to selected weekend stories rather than a detailed report on any one event.

Pope Leo XIV condemned capital punishment as “inadmissible” in a social media post marking World Day Against the Death Penalty. Drawing on Catholic doctrine revised by Pope Francis in 2018, Leo said the death penalty violates human dignity and that public safety and justice can be achieved through detention systems that preserve the possibility of redemption. The article notes that earlier Catholic teaching allowed capital punishment in limited circumstances, while Pope John Paul II increasingly argued for its abolition. Leo did not directly refer to the U.S. military’s plans for an execution. His statement came shortly after the Pentagon announced that Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. If carried out, it would be the U.S. military’s first firing-squad execution since 1945. The Pentagon is also considering livestreaming the execution, a proposal that has drawn criticism. President Donald Trump said he had not decided whether to approve the livestream plan, which was pushed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Vice President JD Vance expressed doubts that it would proceed and said he would not watch. Several lawmakers, including Republicans, also objected. Sen. Thom Tillis described public executions as characteristic of oppressive regimes and said one should not take place in the United States. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin likewise criticized the proposed broadcast. He said the Church totally opposes the death penalty, which he characterized as incompatible with human dignity and ineffective as a deterrent. Parolin also called turning an execution into a spectacle unacceptable. The supplied article ends mid-sentence while quoting his remarks.