Brazil attorney general says meddling ‘cannot be tolerated’ after Trump funding plans revealed 01. October 2026 (20:34) Jorge Messias calls Guardian report ‘an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty’, as nation prepares to go to pollsBrazil’s attorney general has said foreign meddling in his country’s institutions and democracy “cannot be tolerated” after a Guardian report revealed how the Trump administration was pushing to direct funds to a campaign against the Brazilian supreme court.Writing on X, Jorge Messias called the report “an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty”. “The information is especially serious in light of Brazil’s electoral process and the recent episodes of external pressure on our institutions,” Messias added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour figures uneasy about Healey’s ‘underpowered’ approach to budget 01. October 2026 (20:33) Chancellor faces challenge of volatile global headwinds and soaring energy costs at home as some insiders worry lack of clarity could trigger fresh market shockSenior Labour figures are privately voicing unease about John Healey’s approach to his crucial first budget this month, against the backdrop of volatile global markets and soaring energy costs.The chancellor’s work has been made significantly harder by the global bond sell-off, which continues to raise the cost of government borrowing, and ever increasing energy prices as Donald Trump continues the US war with Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tennessee suspends executions as Christa Pike’s lawyer says failed lethal injection leaves her in critical condition 01. October 2026 (20:33) Independent inquiry ordered after failed execution of Pike, who was convicted of 1994 murderChrista Pike: what we know so far about Tennessee woman’s failed executionTennessee’s governor on Thursday said it was “deeply disturbing” that his state botched the execution of a death row prisoner who remained alive and snoring 40 minutes after receiving a double dose of the lethal drug that should have quickly killed her.Bill Lee, a Republican, has suspended all executions in the state until at least the end of the year and ordered an independent inquiry after Wednesday night’s failed attempt to put to death Christa Pike, who was convicted of murder, at the execution chamber in Nashville. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Total class act’: Marie-France van Heel is poised to be a very different PM’s wife 01. October 2026 (19:56) The former marketing executive is expected to play a big role in promoting the UK and could be the most influential spouse in No 10 in yearsSarah Brown called Gordon her hero, Samantha Cameron insisted David was “incredibly funny”, while Akshata Murty said Rishi was her best friend. When Marie-France van Heel spoke about her husband, Andy Burnham, in a rare public interview a decade ago, she joked that she had noticed his “good looks … and monobrow”.The spousal humanising of a party leader is a well-worn political tool, but van Heel is likely to be a very different prime ministerial partner. The former senior marketing executive is poised to play a more significant role in promoting Britain than any other spouse in the last two decades, stepping up her political engagements after stepping back from her own corporate career. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
