Russia arrests Japanese journalist on allegations of spying 14. October 2026 (03:05) FSB security agency said reporter was arrested on island of Sakhalin, alleging he was collecting information about Russia’s defencesRussia has arrested a Japanese journalist on the far east island of Sakhalin and accused him of spying, in the latest sign of rising tensions between Moscow and Tokyo.Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova identified the reporter as Yuki Imai, from the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, adding that he had been accused of “conducting espionage activities on Russian territory”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Graduate student accused of poisoning colleague and trying to flee to China arrested at LAX 14. October 2026 (02:53) Microbiologist Aili Wang, 32, poisoned tea of colleague in Wyoming who had pending patents, prosecutors allegeA Wyoming microbiology graduate student from China has been arrested on accusations she poisoned the tea of a colleague who had pending patents and with whom she did not get along, then tried to flee the country after police questioned her.Aili Wang, 32, was arrested 6 October at Los Angeles international airport, where prosecutors allege she sought to return to China. With her were laptops, electronic storage devices and documents now in the possession of police, who allege Wang was seen on surveillance video rummaging through the desk of the victim who specialized in technology for disease treatment – research similar to work she had done in China. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jim Chalmers denies Anthony Albanese rolled him over credit card payments for tax bills 14. October 2026 (02:10) Treasurer’s comments come after prime minister revealed he intervened to delay a controversial ban on such payments to the ATOFollow our Australian politics live blog for latest updatesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastTreasurer Jim Chalmers has denied being rolled by Anthony Albanese after the prime minister personally intervened to stop a tax office ban on credit card payments a day before stopgap funding was announced.After sustained criticism of the government’s handling of the ban on tax bills being paid by credit card, Chalmers last week announced new funding for the ATO to ensure card payments could continue until the end of the financial year.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fostering in crisis: can flexible care models fix England’s child placement shortfall? 14. October 2026 (01:01) New recruitment campaign to target adults in their 30s and 40s in bid to create 10,000 new foster care places Viennetta Basterfield, 67, spent two decades fostering more than 100 children in her west London home before she and her husband handed in the reins during Covid.Her own mother had died when she was nine and she was brought up by another woman who took her in. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to dedicate her life to passing that gift on to others. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
