British and Irish governments ‘should negotiate paramilitary disbandment in Northern Ireland’ 13. October 2026 (18:17) Report finds ‘window of opportunity’ for formal process involving loyalist and republican groupsThe British and Irish governments should engage with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to negotiate their disbandment, according to a report.A “window of opportunity” exists to establish a formal transition mechanism for loyalist and republican groups, provided certain conditions are met, it said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hundreds of early-release prisoners in England and Wales not being tagged, say MPs 13. October 2026 (18:03) Serco denies tagging failures as police and probation officers struggle to cope with influx of released offenders Hundreds of prisoners released early across England and Wales, including stalkers and violent offenders, are not being tagged, MPs have said, despite promises of the “toughest supervision in British history”.As the government begins releasing a second tranche of 650 offenders to relieve prison overcrowding, police and probation officers have said they are struggling to cope with a new influx of offenders who are supposed to be monitored in the community. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kimberly Guilfoyle steps down as US ambassador to Greece after alleged misconduct 13. October 2026 (17:50) White House asked Guilfoyle, who is alleged to have sought a bill payment from a Trump donor, to resign from postUS politics live – latest updatesKimberly Guilfoyle is stepping down as US ambassador to Greece after weeks of reports that she sought payment from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials.The decision, announced by the White House on Tuesday morning, ends the diplomatic career of one of Donald Trump’s longest-standing political allies. It came after the US president and Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, were reported to have grown furious over the allegations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britons travelling to Europe told not to apply for delayed Etias visa waiver 13. October 2026 (17:21) Abta advice comes as more than more than 150 websites offer service of securing entry to Schengen zoneBritons travelling to Europe have told not to apply for an Etias visa waiver, with more than 150 websites touting the service despite its introduction being delayed.Non-EU citizens, including UK travellers and those from other visa-exempt countries including the US, Australia and Canada, will soon need to pay €20 (£17) for an electronic waiver to enter the Schengen zone under the European travel information and authorisation system (Etias). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia did try to interfere in Brexit referendum, head of MI5 confirms 13. October 2026 (17:15) Ken McCallum says Kremlin attempted to influence vote through social media and TV reports but had little impactRussia did try to interfere in the Brexit referendum through social media and television reports, the head of MI5 said on Tuesday, but he added that did not mean the Kremlin had any impact on the result.Ken McCallum endorsed comments by Andy Burnham, who raised the issue over the past two days, though he said continuing to debate it had given the Kremlin a needless propaganda victory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Shocking and sobering’: UK bird populations fall to lowest level on record 13. October 2026 (17:08) Nearly half of species are in decline, with farmland birds and seabirds the worst hit, conservation bodies sayWild bird populations in the UK have fallen to their lowest level since records began, figures show, with nearly half of species in decline.Figures produced by leading nature conservation bodies for the government show that average populations across 132 native breeding species fell by 19% between 1970 and 2025, with farmland birds and seabirds the worst hit in recent years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family and sexual violence rates against Australian children rise sharply as researchers warn of ‘manosphere’ 13. October 2026 (17:00) Study authors say increase cannot be attributed to any one factor and list income inequality and growing awareness as other likely reasonsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe sexual assault of Australian children has accelerated sharply since the pandemic, surprising researchers who expected rates to have fallen but instead found attacks on boys had risen 15.7%.Researchers expected rates to have dropped in line with other countries around the world and warn the troubling findings show an urgent need to prevent the suffering of children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AFL tells Sportsbet to stop using players in AI generated content 13. October 2026 (16:00) Exclusive: Gambling firm working with AFL ‘on the evolving use of AI in our content’ as it deletes video depicting Lachie Neale saying ‘I want to thank me for believing in me’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe AFL has told its official gambling partner, Sportsbet, to stop featuring its high-profile athletes in AI-generated social media content without their permission.Sportsbet has also been told to delete AI videos depicting AFL stars delivering lines from movies, television shows or speeches to react to real events. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Flying foxes in NSW and Victoria face mass starvation amid food shortages 13. October 2026 (16:00) Rescuers respond to surge in callouts for the vulnerable bat species, which usually feeds on blossoms and tree nectarGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFlying foxes are starving en masse across New South Wales and parts of Victoria, with wildlife rescuers responding to a surge in reports of “exhausted and emaciated” adults and skeletal pups.Most reports involved grey-headed flying foxes, listed as vulnerable under federal environment laws and which usually feed on the blossoms and nectar of native trees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Allies did not warn Kyiv of Russian ballistic missile strikes, says Zelenskyy 13. October 2026 (15:51) Ukrainian president’s comments on ‘particularly vile’ strikes come after US threatened to halt intelligence sharing Europe live – latest updatesUkraine received no early warning from its partners about a Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv in which five missiles hit civilian infrastructure, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.The Ukrainian president described the attack on Monday as “particularly vile”. He emphasised that receiving intelligence from Ukraine’s western allies “helps saves lives, and this is one of the most critical issues”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
