Saturday, 24 October 2026today, still filling

The US State Department is reducing staffing at its embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates following intelligence that Iran has increased efforts to target American personnel in the region and beyond. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton told Secretary of State Marco Rubio that 'lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries'. The embassies will remain open and staff are not compelled to leave, unlike in Saudi Arabia where nonessential personnel were ordered to depart.

The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe is demanding action after Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk made a comment using a racial stereotype during an April transportation meeting about the Picacho Road Bridge. Video surfaced showing Hawk describing a meeting with the tribe as leaving officials feeling 'scalped'. Tribal leaders say the remark overshadowed serious concerns about the bridge closure, which has been in place since March 2025 and forces drivers onto longer detours, creating safety risks.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, was ruled out for the remainder of Friday night's game against the Indiana Pacers after sustaining a left shoulder injury. The injury occurred late in the first half when Pacers swingman Aaron Nesmith fouled Flagg hard from behind as he drove for a breakaway dunk, knocking him off balance and causing him to land awkwardly on his shoulder. Nesmith was called for a flagrant foul and received a double technical alongside Dallas guard Naji Marshall.

Brisbane Roar have dropped veteran goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, 36, from their starting team, replacing him with 18-year-old George Plusnin on his A-League debut. The Roar defeated Perth Glory 2-1 on Friday with Plusnin in goal. Bouzanis had started every game last season but was benched following poor performances in August losses to Sydney FC (4-2 in the Australia Cup) and Persija Jakarta (4-0). Roar coach Michael Valkanis said Plusnin, who has represented Australia's under-23 team, is 'a very good young goalkeeper' with 'amazing' shot-stopping ability. Valkanis insisted Bouzanis, a former Liverpool player who sometimes captained the team last season, remains an important part of the club's plans and will be ready for opportunities ahead.

Kenya has announced its second Ebola death as the country handles its first outbreak. A 65-year-old woman who was a close relative of the first patient died on Friday evening after developing symptoms in quarantine. Seven others with Ebola are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities, with eight people having tested positive while in quarantine, including four health workers.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested after a Toyota HiLux allegedly crashed deliberately into a barrier near the Gold Coast 500 supercars event at Surfers Paradise on Friday evening. A 40-year-old security guard was injured in the crash and taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. The driver fled the scene but was apprehended by police with a dog unit; the police dog bit him during the arrest, and he also required hospital treatment.

Australian Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will take leave from parliament next week and skip budget estimates hearings after he leaked a confidential letter referencing allegations against him. The letter, written by seven current and former Greens staff to party leader David Shoebridge, references 'multiple allegations of serious misconduct' dating from 2017 to 2025 concerning his behaviour around women. Steele-John has rejected an allegation that he removed condoms during sex without consent, claiming the woman was coercive and abusive, and saying a court issued a family violence restraining order to protect him.

Marston's has relaunched The Bulls Head in Birmingham under its new Grandstand sports concept following a £300,000 refurbishment. The pub is the next local venue to be transformed under the new sports-focused brand.

A traditional market in Sandwell attracts residents seeking bargains and draws on a long history in the area. Traders encourage visitors to visit and take advantage of deals available.

The Polar Express train experience is launching at Birmingham Moor Street Station for the festive season. Various ticket types are available for the journey.

Dudley Castle in the West Midlands is known for its reputation for paranormal activity, which has drawn renewed attention as Halloween approaches. The castle's haunted history has made it notable in the region.

A judge has ruled that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be called to give evidence in a UK High Court fraud trial. Businessman Selman Turk is being sued by Nebahat Isbilen over allegations he misled her regarding a £750,000 payment made to the then-duke in 2019, which was later repaid. Turk denies dishonesty and the trial is expected to begin in November.

Court documents filed in Black Hawk County show Derek Wulf, a Republican lieutenant governor candidate in Iowa, owes his parents Duane and Jackie Wulf approximately $275,000 in unpaid farmland rent since 2024. The parents filed the petition to protect their assets as a bank seeks to foreclose on Wulf's other unpaid debts. His attorney said the petition was filed weeks before the election due to an October 20 filing deadline set by the judge overseeing the foreclosure case.

Hall of Famer Robin Yount honoured late Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker by wearing one of his plaid sport coats before throwing out the first pitch at Game 1 of the World Series against Tampa Bay on Friday night. The Brewers radio broadcast team also wore similar plaid blazers from Uecker's wardrobe. Uecker, who broadcast Brewers games for 54 years, died in January 2025 at the age of 90.

At a 90-minute rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Donald Trump pledged to spend $US250 million to hire at least 5,000 new nurses for aged care facilities across America. He addressed concerns about Cuba, a significant issue among Cuban American voters in Florida, and suggested American naval forces would stop near the island as part of efforts to pressure the communist government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former Florida senator handling Cuba policy, urged those seeking change in Cuba to work toward it through partnership with the CIA.

Phillip Mullin, a 15-year-old from Alexandria, Louisiana, has become the first child in the state functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy treatment with Lyfgenia. Mullin has experienced over 100 hospital stays during his life; the disease causes abnormal red blood cells that can lead to pain, infection and stroke. At a ceremony at Manning Family Children's Hospital, Mullin spoke of enduring pain and overcoming obstacles, whilst his mother described unpacking years of fears and sleepless nights.

A Scottsdale man has been accused of attacking apartment residents and firing shots at a building after they refused to use cocaine with him. Samuel Sedgwick allegedly showed up to the apartment on 15 October while impaired and asked residents to do cocaine. When they refused, police say he told them it was 'offensive to his culture', then attacked them. Residents fought back with a hammer, and Sedgwick pulled a gun, threatening to kill them and striking one victim before fleeing.

Bruce Meyer, interim executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said the owners' proposal of a salary cap was a 'nuclear bomb' and players have no interest in such an economic system. Commissioner Rob Manfred maintains the system is needed for the sport to thrive. Baseball's labor contract expires 1 December, with management expected to lock out players immediately, potentially threatening spring training workouts and opening day.

Chandler Blanchet and Kensai Hirata share the lead at the Bermuda Championship heading into the weekend at 13-under par. Cameron Davis was the only Australian to make the cut and sits five shots behind in a share of 23rd place.

President Donald Trump said at a Florida rally that the US may carry out another military operation against Iran, which he called 'another little Epic Fury', though he did not provide details. France's foreign minister warned that further escalation between Iran and the US would have no winners and could raise oil prices significantly. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to Russia next week to meet President Vladimir Putin.

Phizz, an electrolyte tablet brand designed by Australian entrepreneur Daniel Cray and three co-founders including British neuroscientist Paul Anastasiades, is launching in Australia for the first time. The product was conceived in Melbourne and officially launched in 2015 in the United Kingdom, but has never been sold in its founders' homeland until now. The company secured a distribution deal with Woolworths after Cray met a Woolworths merchandising manager at a wedding in 2024.

A fire tore through the roof of the Travelodge by Wyndham Phoenix North near 25th Avenue and Greenway Road in Phoenix early Friday morning, less than two months after another fire struck the same motel in August. The building was vacant following the August fire, which had displaced 30 people and affected more than 50 units. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

The UK is establishing a new AI Biosecurity Lab to help protect against emerging biological threats and detect risks of future pandemics. Announced ahead of Wednesday's Budget, the lab will receive £100 million in government funding alongside £200 million in AI model credits from OpenAI and Anthropic. Chancellor John Healey said the 'world-first' unit would develop medical countermeasures for new pathogens as part of a wider package investing in AI capabilities to defend UK national interests.