Spain’s Sánchez to make statement amid speculation over early election – Europe live 05. October 2026 (09:04) PM may call a vote to address national housing crisis after parliament rejected two of his government’s emergency relief measuresSánchez opens by saying that just over three years ago the electorate chose a progressive government following “the path of transformative ambition and social justice” that his government has been on since 2018 – despite various “unprecedented” emergencies and international challenges.He very clearly sums up his government’s achievements and work of the last few years, so I think it’s pretty clear what’s coming next. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British Jews more likely to identify as Zionist since 7 October attacks, research finds 05. October 2026 (09:00) Percentage who feel ‘very emotionally attached to Israel’ rose to 51% in June 2025, up 13 points from before Gaza warBritish Jews have become more likely to identify as Zionist, consider emigrating to Israel, and feel a close attachment to the country since the 7 October attacks, research has found.A study from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) titled “October 8 Jews: The Impact of October 7 on British Jewish Identity”, by Dr David Graham, found the percentage of British Jews who identified as Zionist rose seven points to 66%, between 2022 and 2025. By June 2025, the numbers who felt antisemitism in the UK was a “very big problem” had tripled to 50%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rowan Atkinson to bring Mr Bean, Blackadder and more to West End in new show 05. October 2026 (09:00) The actor will perform famous TV sketches – as well as new material created with Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Howard Goodall – in Rowan Live, which opens in FebruaryRowan Atkinson will return to the stage next year to play Blackadder, Mr Bean and other comic characters from across his career in a West End show, Rowan Live. The production, which will have a short run of 30 performances, is to feature new routines as well as his famous sketches from TV shows including Not the Nine O’Clock News.“It is 40 years since I last did a comedy sketch show in the West End,” said Atkinson. “I thought it would be fun to perform again the sketches that began it all for myself and [writer] Richard Curtis, and in which my most well-known characters originated, alongside some surprise new material written especially for this show.” He and Curtis will be collaborating once more with Blackadder writer Ben Elton and its composer Howard Goodall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BT to buy broadband supplier TalkTalk, saving 900 jobs 05. October 2026 (09:00) UK’s fourth-biggest broadband provider has been seeking a buyer for several yearsBusiness live – latest updatesBT has agreed to buy broadband supplier TalkTalk out of administration in a rescue deal that saves 900 jobs.The company said it had struck a deal to acquire TalkTalk and its wholesale business PlatformX Communications on a debt-free basis, in a move that is expected to cost it £400m. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia experiences second hottest September on record as El Niño and climate crisis combine 05. October 2026 (08:20) Alpine areas also experience record-breaking heat with snow depth recorded at zero in Kosciuszko national parkGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia had its second hottest September on record last month as global heating and a strengthening El Niño combined to break a string of heat records around the country.Bureau of Meteorology data showed the minimum night-time temperatures across the continent were also the hottest for any September, on a record that goes back to 1910. Averaged temperatures ranked in the top five warmest Septembers for every state, and the sixth hottest for the Northern Territory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alleged flydubai attacker left Australia without finishing engineering course, university says 05. October 2026 (07:52) RMIT confirms co-pilot was a student as Australian authorities examine his time in country between 2015 and 2017An Australian university has confirmed a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack an Israel-bound flight studied at its Melbourne campus, but left before completing his qualification.Disaster was narrowly averted on 30 September when passengers and crew intervened to stop the alleged attempt of the co-pilot, identified by media outlets as Hammam al-Hammami, to take control of a flight to Tel Aviv with 182 people onboard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California woman arrested and accused of spying on Taiwan president’s son for China 05. October 2026 (07:39) The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, at Los Angeles International Airport before she left for China, the agency saidUS authorities arrested a California woman on Sunday, accusing her of spying on the son of Taiwan’s president at the behest of Chinese officials, the FBI said.The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before her planned departure to China, the agency said in a statement. Authorities charged Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
