Egyptian journalists plan weekend protest over detention of six colleagues 09. October 2026 (06:00) Matsadaash staff allege torture and forced confessions after being held on charges of working for Muslim BrotherhoodEgyptian journalists are planning a new protest in Cairo this weekend after six colleagues were charged with terrorism offences amid allegations they had been tortured in police detention.Last week, Egyptian authorities arrested the journalists, from the independent factchecking and investigative platform Matsadaash, accusing them in a statement of being unlicensed and producing false news on behalf of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How a plant selfie in Colombian jungle led to ‘jaw dropping’ giant waterlily find 09. October 2026 (06:00) Species with leaves large enough to be seen from space is already critically endangered – and plans are afoot to protect itA chance social media encounter has led to the race-against-time discovery of a new species of giant waterlily that has until now been hidden in the depths of Colombia’s jungle.But the plant, which is so huge it is visible from space, is already considered critically endangered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour wins Holborn and St Pancras byelection; Polanski ‘absolutely’ intends to remain Greens leader – UK politics live 09. October 2026 (05:34) Sagal Abdi-Wali defeats Green party leader Zack Polanski to retain the Holborn and St Pancras seat for LabourActivists in Camden have suggested the Greens’ decision to back the anti-Zionism motion has cost them votes in the byelection.Councillors for both Labour the Liberal Democrats told the Press Association that voters had informed them they would not be backing the Green party after it passed the motion last weekend calling Zionism racism.It is clear now we will come a close second in this by-election. Taking the fight to Labour in one of its safest seats shows just how far the Greens have come.Voters want us to keep Labour’s feet to the fire on affordable housing, public ownership of water and the climate crisis. Greens will be there every single day, holding Labour to account and demanding the change people voted for. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport as airlines suspend flights to Saudi capital 09. October 2026 (04:28) Saudi Arabia has not commented on claims, but confirmed three killed in airport strikes earlier this weekYemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis say they have struck Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile, badly damaging a plane and leading some airlines to suspend flights to the capital.The group provided no evidence, and Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the claim. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour fends off Green party to win Holborn and St Pancras byelection 09. October 2026 (04:03) Victory by Sagal Abdi-Wali in north London seat will be a relief for Andy Burnham in high-stakes battle for the left of British politicsLabour has won the Holborn and St Pancras byelection in a high-stakes battle for the left of British politics.The byelection, called after the former prime minister Keir Starmer resigned the seat in September, was considered a two-horse race between the Labour candidate, Sagal Abdi-Wali, and the Green party leader, Zack Polanski. Abdi-Wali recieved 12,292 votes to Polanski’s 8,928. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
India’s ‘Cockroach’ party accuses government of mass detention of members ahead of weekend protest 09. October 2026 (03:55) Thousands expected to march in Delhi on Saturday, as anger mounts over controversial changes to voter lists in world’s largest democracy India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began as a satirical movement but is now emerging as a political force among gen Z’s, says authorities have begun detaining its members en masse days before a major anti-government protest in Delhi.Opposition parties, their student units, and the “Cockroach” youth movement have been holding almost daily demonstrations seeking the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a controversial revision of voter lists. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney festival 2027: 11 international dance works to headline ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ program 09. October 2026 (03:00) Making its southern hemisphere debut, Dance Reflections will feature collaborators of Rosalía, Madonna and Beyoncé – and a high-wire takeover of the CutawayGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailA “once-in-a-lifetime” program of dance works of scale will be coming to Sydney in January, including 11 international works from France, Belgium, South Africa and beyond making their Australian premiere.The program, which triples the scale of the dance offering at the last Sydney festival, will bring 174 performers and crew to Sydney, with the crowning jewel being the acclaimed French choreographer Rachid Ouramdane’s Outsider. The 2024 work features 21 dancers from the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and four elite athletes, navigating a “cat’s cradle” of high wires and slack lines, to the mesmerising, minimalist music of the avant garde composer Julius Eastman. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jim Chalmers delays ATO’s controversial ban on credit card payments following business outcry 09. October 2026 (02:45) Treasurer earmarks funds for year-long transition period for tax office, delaying ban’s 30 November start dateA controversial credit card ban for payments on tax bills will be delayed by up to a year after extra funding was announced for the Australian Tax Office.Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the move on Friday following backlash from small businesses in response to the ATO’s plan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ICE agent shoots man in New York City with five-year-old in car, mayor says 09. October 2026 (02:13) Police say man taken to hospital and mayor says child physically unharmed as he condemns ‘unconscionable’ actA US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a man in New York City on Thursday afternoon, according to the city’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani.Early reports indicated that agents had surrounded the man and a five-year-old child in his car in a residential area before firing multiple rounds, the mayor said in a statement on Thursday evening. The child was physically unharmed, according to Mamdani. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Plans for Sydney’s controversial new public square in doubt after NSW government intervention 09. October 2026 (01:59) State planning minister declares project ‘state significant’, wresting approval process away from local councilPlans for a grand new public square in centre of Sydney are in doubt after the New South Wales planning minister declared the project “state significant”, wresting the approval process away from the City of Sydney.The lord mayor, Clover Moore, released renders in August for the plaza opposite Sydney’s town hall. The design for the space, which the council had expected to be completed by 2031, include a semi-circular clearing projecting eastwards towards Hyde park, with a fountain and a grove of native trees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
