Second wave of early prison releases under way in England and Wales 13. October 2026 (09:13) About 2,000 criminals are being freed this month to ease overcrowding, while probation union considers strike actionThe second wave of early prison releases has begun, with hundreds of offenders walking out across England and Wales under the government’s controversial plan to ease overcrowding.About 2,000 criminals, including domestic abusers and violent offenders, are being freed this month, with another 3,000 to follow in stages over the next year. The total was reduced from 6,000 after an intervention by Andy Burnham. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The return of the prodigal son? Why speculation is rising over Josh Frydenberg’s future 13. October 2026 (09:09) The spectre of a leadership alternative is hardly helpful for Angus Taylor. But would Frydenberg do a better job?Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcastA reasonable query for Liberals at this point is: if Josh Frydenberg is the answer, what is the question?There was a whiff of weariness in some corners of parliament this week, as the former treasurer and deputy Liberal leader happily stoked another round of “Josh for Canberra” speculation. With more rumoured comebacks than Oasis, Frydenberg’s latest foray into the national political arena saw him bouncing around TV, radio and podcast interviews to promote his new book, and pointedly refuse to rule out trying to rejoin the parliament. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man and woman charged after baby boy found dead in Adelaide motel 13. October 2026 (09:09) South Australia police say infant was aged between six and seven months old and had been ‘deceased for a period of time’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man and a woman have been charged after a baby boy was found dead in a motel.Benjamin Nicholas Houghton, 40, and Yue Ning Lieu, 42, are in custody after police discovered the child during a welfare check at a Glen Osmond motel in Adelaide’s south on Saturday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Latin American organised crime ‘may operate in 16 European countries’ 13. October 2026 (09:00) Cocaine seizures in Europe are up more than fivefold in 10 years as a host of cartels take root. A four-month Guardian investigation reveals the true scale of a continent-wide shiftA four-month investigation by the Guardian has revealed that the surge in cocaine trafficking to Europe is directly linked to the expanding presence of Latin American criminal networks in Europe, where they have forged close ties with local mafia organisations.The investigation, utilising databases, police and intelligence agencies, along with interviews with judges, prosecutors and experts from eight countries, shows that cartels and factions from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico and the US are active in at least 12 European countries. Between 2014 and 2024, there was a 471% rise in the quantity of cocaine seized and more local laboratories processing cocaine derivatives were dismantled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bacon, eggs and Bowie: how year 12 English students tackled ‘human strength and vulnerability’ in HSC paper 13. October 2026 (08:56) Tens of thousands of high school students across New South Wales sit the first test of their final examsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“How does the composer of your prescribed text offer you opportunities to examine assumptions about human strength and vulnerability?”This was the bamboozling English question tens of thousands of year 12 students sat down to answer on the first day of their final school exams. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Healey should ‘stay the course’ and repair UK finances, says top IMF economist 13. October 2026 (08:49) Fund upgrades UK’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 1.3%, but says it is likely to ‘edge down’ next year IMF warns global economy ‘could soon test the limits of resilience’John Healey should “stay the course” and continue repairing the UK’s public finances, the International Monetary Fund’s top economist has said, after the fund lifted its growth forecast for Britain.Little more than a fortnight before Healey’s first budget, Silvana Tenreyro, the IMF’s economic counsellor, said the UK “stands out” among G7 countries in having a plan to narrow its deficit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coastal erosion in England has claimed at least 183 homes in past 16 years 13. October 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Homes demolished along east coast after being deemed too vulnerable to live in, figures revealSeaside communities along the east coast of England have lost at least 183 homes to coastal erosion and landslides over the past 16 years, figures obtained by the Guardian reveal.After councils judged properties across the Yorkshire and East Anglian coasts too vulnerable to remain safely occupied, the homes were proactively demolished. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Same-sex couple sue over Slovakia’s refusal to register marriage 13. October 2026 (08:00) Case of couple who wed legally in Austria exposes clash between EU court ruling and national restrictionsA same-sex couple are suing authorities in Slovakia for refusing to register their Austrian marriage, testing whether a landmark EU court ruling can turn recognition abroad into legal security at home.Their fight exposes a clash between European obligations and national restrictions – and what that means for LGBTQ+ people living under Robert Fico’s populist-nationalist government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Card surcharge ban used as ‘cover’ for larger price increases by Australian businesses, experts say 13. October 2026 (07:13) ‘Round-up’ pricing in items such as coffee suggests increases are exceeding the typical 1.5% surcharge feeFollow our Australia politics live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBusinesses are using the recent ban on credit card surcharges as “cover” to pass along much larger price increases to customers, experts say, as cafes and restaurants struggle to cope with climbing costs and rising interest rates.Credit card surcharges, typically worth about 1.5% of the transaction, were banned from 1 October, as part of a Reserve Bank-led reform aimed at improving transparency for customers and, ultimately, lowering bank fees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel kill five people on Mexico’s Pacific coast 13. October 2026 (06:29) Security forces use helicopters to rescue dozens of people as the two storms damage infrastructure and cause flash floodingAt least five people have died after Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel pummelled Mexico’s Pacific coast, causing flooding that downed trees and electricity poles, blocked roads and inundated homes.Simon claimed the life of a 71-year-old man who died when a wall collapsed in Chilpancingo in the southern state of Guerrero, governor Evelyn Salgado said at a press conference. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
