Former Irish Olympic swimming coach and child abuser George Gibney to be sentenced 11. October 2026 (11:38) Gibney, 77, will face justice for abusing athletes in the 1970s and 80s after decades of effort to track and extradite himMore than half a century after he started sexually abusing children, and enjoyed prestige as Ireland’s Olympic swimming coach before fleeing to the United States, George Gibney is to face justice.The 77-year-old is to be sentenced at the central criminal court in Dublin on Monday for abusing four young female athletes in the 1970s and 1980s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Houthis warn passengers against using Saudi airport after deadly attack on Riyadh 11. October 2026 (11:30) US president Donald Trump says he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed HouthisThere’s been a strong condemnation of this morning of the Houthi’s deadly strike on Saudi Arabia’s largest airport. Global leaders say attacks on civilians must stop.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by Saturday’s strike. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘She was swaying, zoning out’: UK pets poisoned in record numbers by illicit drugs 11. October 2026 (11:30) Toxicology helplines report 42% increase in calls involving animals poisoned by drugs and nicotineA record number of pets are ingesting recreational drugs and requiring veterinary care in the UK, figures shared with the Guardian reveal.Last year, the UK’s only emergency poison centre for animals received its highest ever number of calls involving animals poisoned by cannabis, cocaine, magic mushrooms and nicotine, and it is on course to do so again this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Surgeon faces deportation as Home Office revokes refugee status for Syrians 11. October 2026 (11:00) UK classifies Syria as safe to return to despite UN refugee body’s adviceA Syrian plastic surgeon is facing deportation from the UK after the Home Office revoked his refugee status, declaring it is now safe for him and his family to return to their home country.Despite Foreign Office guidance advising against all travel to Syria because of the “volatile” security situation, the government has classified it as a safe place for refugees to return to. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man accused of child rape set to become police chief in small Louisiana town 11. October 2026 (11:00) Republican Christopher Paul is running unopposed for seat despite allegations he raped two girls 20 years agoA candidate for police chief in a small Louisiana town candidate is on course to be elected unopposed despite two charges of child rape pending against him, leaving his community to weigh whether to convert the position into an appointed office rather than one determined at the ballot box.Christopher Paul, a Republican who on 6 August signed up to run for chief of police in the south-western Louisiana village of Elizabeth, was arrested on 8 September on allegations that he raped two girls in 2005 and 2006. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After RAF Fairford incident, how big a threat to the UK is Iran? 11. October 2026 (11:00) Although there is scepticism about Tehran’s capabilities, it has become clear it wants Britain to feel it poses a riskBritain may have been only peripherally involved in the bombing of Iran that Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu started, but in the past fortnight it has become clear that Tehran wants to pose a threat inside the UK in response.In the aftermath of the confused incident near RAF Fairford, western officials are weighing up whether to warn publicly that Iran now has US military targets in Europe on its mind, such as the air force base in Gloucestershire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Under tremendous strain’: CIA analyst turned spy novelist on a fraying US-UK alliance 11. October 2026 (10:00) David McCloskey’s new book depicts a calamitous collapse of the ‘special relationship’ – could things get darker still?The “special relationship”, the time-honored emotional bond between the US and Britain that has sustained through war and peace, is in trouble.The ties of history, culture and language that have bridged an ocean and bound the two countries politically for generations are fraying as perhaps never before – strained relentlessly by Donald Trump, who has gleefully sacrificed traditional alliances and diplomatic niceties on the altar of his “America first” agenda. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Missing Australian hiker Jordan Yap last seen on remote trail found dead in Peru 11. October 2026 (09:45) Family and friends say Melbourne man should be remembered for ‘immense joy he brought to so many people’s lives’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian trekker who was last seen on a remote South American hiking trail has been found dead, his family have said.Jordan Yap, 30, last made contact with friends and family on 14 September ahead of a planned 10-day solo trek along Peru’s Huayhuash mountain range, 400km north-east of Lima. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Halloweenmas’: how the spooky one-nighter turned into a month-long spectacular 11. October 2026 (09:00) Welcome to Halloweenmas, weeks of themed fun and gifts – from costume parties to decorating trees – without the stress, rules or cost of ChristmasThe tree is up, the wreath is hanging on the front door and you’ve just opened your advent calendar. All told, it’s beginning to feel a lot like … Halloween.If it sounds like the stuff of nightmares then that’s the point: Britons are increasingly decorating their homes with ghoulish versions of Christmas traditions. Think of it as Halloweenmas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It was a terrible thing’: Panama declares state of emergency as quake aftershocks rattle communities 11. October 2026 (08:56) More than 100 aftershocks as high as magnitude-5.8 recorded after two quakes toppled buildings and prompted evacuationsPanama’s government has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as the aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that roiled the country shook communities for hours.Officials did not attribute any deaths to Friday’s 7.7- and 6.6-magnitude earthquakes, but reported damages in all 10 of Panama’s provinces and two Indigenous territories. Continue reading...(The Guardian)