Paxton admits Trump’s Iran war and US gas prices are plaguing Republicans in leaked audio 07. October 2026 (18:36) Texas attorney general acknowledged affordability was his party’s ‘biggest problem’ heading into the midtermsUS politics live – latest updatesKen Paxton, the Texas attorney general running as the Republican candidate in a competitive Senate race, admitted privately that rising fuel prices as a result of Donald Trump’s Iran war were hurting his party before the midterms in the latest leaked audio recording.Asked what issues were “dragging” his campaign at a closed-door fundraising event, Paxton replied, “It’s not tariffs … it’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” according to an audio recording shared with Axios. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LA officials document first case of a rabid raccoon in more than 50 years 07. October 2026 (18:16) Four people and a dog may have been exposed to rabies from the animal, Los Angeles public health officials sayLos Angeles county recently documented its first rabid raccoon in more than 50 years, and health officials are urging residents to never touch wild animals.The county’s department of public health announced in a statement this week that four people and a dog may have been exposed to the animal at a backyard work site in the city of Westlake Village. The raccoon appeared in ill health but was not aggressive. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Christa Pike’s lawyers hold press conference after she regains consciousness in hospital – latest updates 07. October 2026 (17:59) Tennessee prisoner awake and speaking after surviving state’s attempt to execute her last WednesdayChrista Pike is conscious and speaking after botched execution attempt, lawyers sayIn the modern era of the US death penalty, Tennessee has never executed a person who was 18 at the time of their offence – the youngest was 23. Over the past 50 years, the state sent seven men who were 18 when they committed murder to death row, but in each case the sentence was vacated.Tadryl Shipp, Christa Pike’s accomplice, held a fascination with satanic imagery. It was he who carved a pentagram in the victim’s chest, sending the local media into a frenzy. Yet because he was 17 at the time, he was barred from execution under Tennessee law; today he is serving a life sentence and had his first, unsuccessful, parole hearing in October 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting woman drugged by her husband 07. October 2026 (17:48) Sean Peers admits offence against woman who was drugged and attacked for more than two decadesA man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, whose husband had drugged her and invited other men to abuse her.Sean Peers, 38, had been due to stand trial alongside 11 other men, but admitted one count of assault by penetration on 15 September 2024 when he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street crown court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
