Trump names intelligence chief Jay Clayton as new White House AI czar 04. October 2026 (15:44) Calyton said AI was a ‘gamechanger’ but it also posed ‘a threat’ during his DNI Senate confirmation hearing Donald Trump on Sunday named Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, to serve also as the new White House AI czar.Clayton, who leads the US’s 18 intelligence agencies, previously served as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan and led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After a deadly paper mill explosion, a community in Washington state looks to a key House race 04. October 2026 (15:00) In a district shaken by the deaths of 11 workers, Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces a stiff challenge to keep her seatOn a misty morning in May in south-west Washington state, Laura Oltmann, a 41-year-old dietitian, had barely clocked in when an unfamiliar overhead announcement echoed through the hospital.“We get overhead pages for different types of emergencies. But this one, we don’t get very often,” recalled Oltmann. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia strikes Kyiv bridge as German chancellor visits Ukraine in show of support 04. October 2026 (13:53) Attack happened shortly after Friedrich Merz arrived in city, on unannounced visit intended to underline Germany’s backingRussia has struck another major bridge in Kyiv as the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, arrived in the capital in a show of support for Ukraine.A Russian drone hit Kyiv’s key Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, marking the fourth consecutive day that Russia has targeted bridges used by thousands of residents commuting between the city’s two banks. Video footage showed cars driving across the bridge as the drone plunged into the roadway and exploded in a burst of fire. Two people were injured in the strike, said Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Court quashes block on mothers and children in Gaza joining families in UK 04. October 2026 (13:00) Immigration court judge finds ‘unsafe journeys’ policy was applied unlawfully to two familiesA decision by the Home Office to block mothers and children in Gaza from joining their families in the UK has been quashed by a court.Families abroad who have had their applications approved to reunite with loved ones in the UK usually have to undergo biometric checks, including fingerprinting and facial images at a visa application centre. But the VAC in Gaza has been closed since October 2023 and it is difficult to get out of the territory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump sets off on midterm blitz – are his trademark rallies a liability for Republicans? 04. October 2026 (13:00) Rallies have been mainstay of president’s brand but even some in his own party fear voters are sick of the sight of him“Get your asses in that car.” That was Donald Trump’s order, he later recalled, to his motorcade after foul weather grounded Air Force One in Texas on Thursday. The 85-mile dash to Oklahoma at nearly 100mph was proof that nothing can keep Trump from a Trump rally.Which might not be the good news for Republicans it once was. As the US president embarked on a 32-day campaign blitz aimed at helping them defend narrow congressional majorities in next month’s midterms, some fear that he is driving them towards an electoral wipeout. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republicans say they hate communists. So why do they like Donald Trump? 04. October 2026 (13:00) Trump supporters may be surprised to learn the state takeover of means of production is not driven by the leftAmericans will never accept the Democratic party’s slide to the left, or so desperate Republicans are hoping.With the midterm elections fast upon us, Zohran Mamdani’s promise of a few city-run bodegas in New York City will scare the bejeezus out of middle America. Disgust over the democratic socialists’ unicorn-and-puppy promises of a world without capitalism will keep the Republicans in power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses Tucker Carlson of ‘verging on defending Hitler’ 04. October 2026 (12:53) Former Tory minister defends UK decision to enter war in podcast with US rightwinger and Putin sympathiserThe former Tory minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has found himself defending Britain’s decision to fight against Adolf Hitler after inviting the US rightwinger and Vladimir Putin sympathiser Tucker Carlson into his home for an interview.During the encounter, Carlson repeatedly suggested the west was to blame for inviting aggression from Russia and said of the prospect that Britain could have lost to Hitler: “Who cares?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pennsylvania health officials brace themselves as measles outbreak expected to spread 04. October 2026 (12:00) Most counties don’t have their own health agencies, and some specific population groups have low vaccination ratesPennsylvania is bracing for a wave of measles cases, with some public health officials concerned that it’s “only a matter of time” until the disease spreads beyond the outbreak’s epicenter.Last week the state reported its fifth measles-associated death amid 943 confirmed cases across 39 counties. The outbreak comes amid concerns that public health in the US has been hit by increasing vaccine skepticism, especially due to the power and influence of controversial health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Costa’s coffee shops return to profit with iced drinks and matcha on the menu 04. October 2026 (11:50) Costa Ltd reports operating profit of £20m in year to 31 December 2025 after losses of £13.5m in 2024Costa’s main coffee shop arm has returned to an operating profit after revamping its high street outlets and broadening its menu with iced drinks, matcha and fresher pastries.The chain, which has 2,700 outlets in the UK and Ireland out of 4,000 globally, and employs about 20,000 people, also opened a net 50 new outlets in the UK last year – its first net increase in several years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Friedrich Merz begins unannounced Kyiv visit as Russia continues strikes on Ukraine’s capital – Europe live 04. October 2026 (11:49) German chancellor tours city with president Zelenskyy after Moscow strikes city’s North Bridge this morning amid his arrivalMerz travelling to Kyiv this weekend is an important display of support, especially as the bombardments intensify.
As Pjotr Sauer also noted in his report: Western diplomats say publicly that they intend to remain in Kyiv, mindful that leaving would hand Moscow a propaganda victory and risk creating the impression that Ukraine was being abandoned. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
