Independent MP Helen Haines in critical condition after ‘attack’ outside Wangaratta office, PM says 19. October 2026 (11:15) Anthony Albanese says his thoughts remain with Indi MP after arrest of driver at the scene on Monday afternoonHelen Haines updates: PM says person in custody after alleged attack on Helen Haines – follow liveThe independent MP Helen Haines has been critically injured in an alleged attack involving a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in regional Victoria.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed on Monday night that a man is in custody after an alleged attack on Haines that was now being investigated by the Australian federal police (AFP), Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than half of UK first-time buyers paying more for mortgage than they did for rent 19. October 2026 (11:10) Hamptons says figure of 56% is highest in at least a decade, with mortgage rates rising since start of Iran warA majority of first-time UK buyers now pay more towards their monthly mortgage bills than they used to pay in rent, the estate agent Hamptons has found.Last month 56% of first-time buyers said their monthly mortgage bills exceeded their previous rent, the highest proportion in at least a decade, according to Hamptons. They paid £39 more on average. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three deaths from float crushes raise safety concerns over Japanese festivals 19. October 2026 (11:08) Deputy mayor of Saijo died after becoming trapped under float, days after two similar incidents elsewhereThere is mounting concern over the safety of Japan’s traditional festivals after the death of a senior local official who was reportedly crushed beneath a float at the weekend, days after two men died in similar incidents in another part of the country.Akihiro Nabae, the deputy mayor of Saijo, in western Japan, was carrying a giant float with other participants in a festival on Saturday when he became trapped beneath the structure, Agence France-Presse reported. Nabae, 62, was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, local media said, adding that no one else was injured. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says 19. October 2026 (11:03) Ukrainian president accuses Washington of ‘denial of reality’ in ongoing row with Trump over apparent support for MoscowUkraine did not receive a warning from the US about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, reviving concerns that Washington is withholding intelligence in order to bully Kyiv into capitulating to Moscow.Yuri Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said on television on Monday morning that Ukraine had not received a warning before a Russian missile barrage hit power plants in Kyiv at around 11pm. Earlier, a Ukrainian government official had told the Guardian the US had not warned the capital about the impending missile strike. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
U.S. Political Money Funnels to Indian Bots to Lure Voters 19. October 2026 (11:02) At least three dozen videos of people on the street expressing support for a Democratic candidate appeared millions of times on social media. It was unclear who paid for them.(New York Times)
