NHS makes morning-after pill available for free across pharmacies in England 29. October 2025 (01:01) Those in need of free emergency contraception no longer have to see their GP or attend a sexual health clinicThe NHS has made the morning-after pill available for free across pharmacies in England in an effort to reduce a “postcode lottery” of access to emergency contraception.Almost 10,000 pharmacies are now able to offer the pill without charge, saving those in need of free emergency contraception from having to visit their GP or to get an appointment at a sexual health clinic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Beachside apartments deemed ‘affordable’ cost $1,000 a week. Is the NSW policy helping renters or developers? 29. October 2025 (00:46) Developers flock to build ‘affordable’ housing – but are poised to reap benefits while tenants could pay 50% of post-tax income in rentFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA small block of units on Clovelly Road built in 2021 was granted extra floor space so the developer could add five affordable units, taking the total development to 13. The Sydney units, three minutes’ walk from the beach, with parking and a bus stop outside, are in a highly desirable spot.But “affordable” they are not. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Five more prisoners freed in error after sex offender’s release from Essex jail 29. October 2025 (00:09) Union says staff shortages and confusion over early release schemes are driving a rise in mistakesFive other prisoners have also been released by mistake in the same week a convicted Ethiopian sex offender was allowed to walk free from an Essex jail, says the prison officers’ union.The disclosure of further mistakes highlights the intense pressure on prison staff, according to the Prison Officers’ Association (POA). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Dreadful wrongs’: WA governor apologises to Noongar people for 1834 Pinjarra massacre 29. October 2025 (00:03) Between 15 and 80 Binjareb Noongar people were killed in the massacre which was led by the then WA governor, James StirlingWarning: This article contains historical records that use racist and offensive language, and descriptions of events that will be distressing to some readers. It also contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost 200 years ago, a state governor led a massacre of at least 15 Aboriginal people.On Tuesday, Western Australia’s current governor, Chris Dawson, went to the massacre site, south of Perth, with a different intent. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police investigating death of elderly man at Sutherland hospital after gas supplies allegedly sabotaged 28. October 2025 (23:20) New South Wales police say ‘an investigation is under way following the death of a man at a Sutherland hospital’ early on Tuesday morningPolice are investigating the death of a 72-year-old man at a Sutherland hospital, which occurred after a woman had allegedly sabotaged gas supplies at the facility.New South Wales police on Tuesday charged a woman, 42, with cutting Kareena private hospital’s non-medical gas supply and water mains at 12.20am that day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bureau of Meteorology told to make changes to new website after Queensland premier criticises ‘flawed’ update 28. October 2025 (23:14) Federal environment minister admits controversial BoM site refresh ‘not meeting many users’ expectations’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe new Bureau of Meteorology website is “not meeting many users’ expectations”, the environment minister admits, saying he has hauled in the BoM’s top brass to make some changes.The federal opposition is also calling for a redesign and review, after the weather website’s recent refresh annoyed many users, drawing a large number of complaints about its accessibility and usefulness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Air traffic controllers receive $0 paychecks as government shutdown stretches 28. October 2025 (22:58) Nearly 11,000 air traffic controllers, deemed essential workers, did not receive wages for two weeks of workAir traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees have missed their first paycheck as the federal government shutdown rolls through its fourth week. They remain required to work.Nearly 11,000 air traffic controllers, who are deemed essential workers, received a $0 paycheck on Tuesday, equating to two weeks of unpaid work. Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, warned at a Tuesday press conference that another missed paycheck could be financially catastrophic for employees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Potentially diseased lab monkey on the loose after truck crash in Mississippi 28. October 2025 (22:47) Several rhesus monkeys escaped after the interstate crash, but all but one were reportedly ‘destroyed’ by late TuesdayA group of potentially diseased lab monkeys escaped after a vehicle crash on a main interstate highway in Mississippi.A truck carrying rhesus monkeys was involved in a wreck on Interstate 59 on Tuesday afternoon, according to a Facebook post from the Jasper county sheriff’s department. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man deported to Laos despite US court order blocking his removal, attorneys say 28. October 2025 (22:31) District judge told Ice to keep Alabama man in US while he showed what judge called ‘substantial claim’ to citizenshipImmigration officials have deported a father living in Alabama to Laos despite a federal court order blocking his removal from the US on the grounds he has a claim to citizenship, the man’s attorneys said on Tuesday.US district judge Shelly Dick last week ordered US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to keep Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath, 44, in the United States while he presented what the judge called his “substantial claim of US citizenship”, court records show. He was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but was granted lawful permanent residence in the US before his first birthday, according to court filings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shutdown stretches into 28th day as Senate again fails to pass spending legislation 28. October 2025 (21:44) As funding for food aid program is about to be exhausted, Congress fails for 13th time to advance Republican billAir traffic controllers receive $0 paychecks as government shutdown stretchesThe US government shutdown stretched into its 28th day with no resolution in sight on Tuesday, as the Senate remained deadlocked over spending legislation even as a crucial food aid program teeters on the brink of exhausting its funding.For the 13th time, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-backed bill that would have funded federal agencies through 21 November. The minority party has refused to provide the necessary support for the bill to clear the 60-vote threshold for advancement in the Senate because it does not include funding for healthcare programs, or curbs on Donald Trump’s cuts to congressionally approved funding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
