One Nation’s AI video is vile and tired – but the ensloppification of Australian politics doesn’t stop there 08. October 2026 (16:00) The inflammatory clip shows the wild west of online politicking created by unrestricted access to AI – and why watchdogs need more powers to do something about itGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s new AI-generated campaign video is a new low – even for them.The video – reportedly played at the party’s Victorian campaign launch over the weekend – is an AI-generated collection of racist tropes, depicting a man who appears to be African brandishing a machete, an apparently Middle Eastern man with an explosive vest, a South Asian man in a turban talking about “mass migration” and an Indigenous elder talking about people receiving “money … on the basis of need, not identity”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian opposition cries foul as Meloni’s electoral reform passed in secret ballot 08. October 2026 (15:42) Parties vow to challenge law in court, arguing that extra reward for those with 42% of support distorts public representationEurope live – latest updatesA controversial overhaul to electoral law that critics say is aimed at boosting Giorgia Meloni’s chances of clinging on to power in elections next year has been given final approval by the Italian parliament.Meloni, the Italian prime minister, says the new system, which introduces a fully proportional model, including bonus seats for any coalition that wins the most votes, will bring about greater political stability, while opposition parties argue that it mainly serves the interests of those in power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s attempt to ban CNN, Politico, and MS Now from White House to be heard in court – live 08. October 2026 (15:04) Federal judge who issued temporary restraining order on the media ban will hold hearing at 11am ETSign up for the US Breaking News emailThe federal judge who issued a temporary restraining order, pausing Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House, is set to hold a hearing at 11am ET today.Timothy Kelly, a Trump-appointee, previously blocked the president from carrying out the ban for two weeks. Today we’ll see whether that pause is extended on the administration’s latest attempt to strip access from members of the press whose coverage it claims to be negative and inaccurate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Medium-term borrowing costs for UK government hit 19-year high 08. October 2026 (14:47) Investors offload global bonds amid fears of rising inflation, increasing pressure on John Healey ahead of first budgetBusiness live – latest updatesMedium-term borrowing costs for the UK government hit a fresh 19-year high on Thursday, as investors continued to offload global bonds amid fears of rising inflation.Recent dramatic moves in government bond markets have been driven by international factors, but will increase the pressure on John Healey ahead of his first budget as chancellor on 28 October. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Christa Pike is ‘up and walking’ for first time after failed execution, lawyer says 08. October 2026 (14:32) Recovery marks a dramatic turnaround for Pike, who remains in hospital after a botched execution in TennesseeChrista Pike is “up and walking” in hospital, her lawyer said, just more than a week after she survived two lethal injections during a botched execution in Tennessee.The recovery marks a dramatic turnaround after Pike was declared brain dead on Monday, before waking up and beginning to speak on Tuesday. Her ordeal has shocked many in the US and overseas and galvanized critics of the death penalty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three sisters who drowned in Brighton took their own lives, inquest finds 08. October 2026 (14:20) Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters from London visited late mother’s former home shortly before their deaths in MayThree sisters who drowned in the sea in Brighton collectively decided to end their own lives, a coroner has ruled.The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from London, were recovered from the sea off Brighton in the early hours of 13 May.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Polls open in Holborn and St Pancras byelection – UK politics live 08. October 2026 (14:20) Voters choosing replacement for Keir Starmer, who announced he was standing down last monthThe UK’s military is too focused on global commitments at the expense of domestic defence, meaning the government’s planned increase in defence spending is likely to result in even greater waste, a thinktank report has warned.According to an analysis by researchers at the Transition Security Project, Britain has the most overseas-oriented military among European nations, with almost a quarter of the defence budget spent on commitments across five continents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can Sánchez convince Spanish voters he is their best hope for fairer housing? 08. October 2026 (14:16) Recent death of 87-year-old woman likely to focus attention on crisis in run-up to election at end of NovemberEurope live – latest updatesEven before María del Carmen Abascal died on Wednesday night, a mere fortnight after her eviction from the Madrid flat where she had lived for most of her life, the frail 87-year-old woman had become the enduring face of Spain’s housing crisis.Her plight – and the wider issue it embodied – had led to street demonstrations, the creation of a protest camp in the middle of the Spanish capital, and spurred the socialist-led government to propose emergency measures to facilitate and protect access to housing. When rightwing and far-right parties voted down those measures in congress last week, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, responded by announcing a snap general election for the end of November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Racial and religious hate crimes at record high in England and Wales, data shows 08. October 2026 (14:02) Offences targeting Muslims increased most in 12 months to March – up 15% – while antisemitic hate crimes rose by 10%UK politics live – latest updatesRacially and religiously motivated offences have reached record highs in the UK, as the government’s main Islamophobia partner says attacks on mosques are increasing in severity.New Home Office figures show police recorded 146,825 hate crimes in the year ending March 2026 – a rise of 7% in the past year. Offences targeting Muslims increased the most – up 15%, from 4,479 to 5,132 – while antisemitic hate crimes rose by 10%, from 2,874 to 3,162. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anne Carson wins Nobel prize in literature 2026 08. October 2026 (13:44) World’s most prestigious prize for literature goes to Canadian poet known for genre-crossing works including Autobiography of RedThe Nobel prize in literature has been awarded to the Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson, the Swedish Academy has announced.The academy cited the author’s “bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
