T

The Independent

October 2026

Trump-backed Senate hopeful fires back after Democrat calls her ‘unserious’

Annie Andrewsdemocratic nominee
South Carolina, if your surgeon said that appendectomies aren’t really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel? No,
Grahamrepublican Senator
But talking about not my thing, let’s talk about what’s not your thing. Your thing apparently is not being honest with the people of South Carolina. At least I’m honest. If I don’t know something, I am glad to say it, and I’ll say it again tonight,
Annie Andrewsdemocratic nominee
National security is not my thing.”
My legal name is Graham and has always been Graham,
Grahamrepublican Senator
I’m just as qualified as you,

Brits urged to check flood risk now as country braces for winter extreme weather

An investment of £4.2 billion into new and existing flood defences aims to support the country against severe weather in the coming years.... We are continuing to step up our defences against the weather, and encourage everyone to check their flood risk, prepare a flood plan, and follow warnings to protect their home and family,
Emma Hardyminister
Climate change means that extreme weather can switch quickly, but we’re more prepared than ever before for the challenges posed by floods.”
Victoria Atkinsshadow environment secretary
Communities in fear of devastating flooding need physical and natural defences urgently, and a new website does little to tackle that.... This is why the Conservatives believe this department needs wholesale change, including bringing flood prevention under Ministerial control to get a proper grip — and accountability — on this vital issue.”

Robert Pattinson insists new film Primetime is 'not an indictment' of Chris Hansen

We’ve taken things to the dramatic extreme, and that’s how I kind of view life itself, for better or worse,
Part of the thesis of the film is this ancient practice — you had the public square, you had the pillories, you had an executioner. It reveals something about humanity. I think more than anything else."
It’s a portrait, and it’s not an indictment of Chris as a person at all and was never supposed to be like ‘oh this is who he is’,
We kind of just want to ask a question because, frankly, I don’t even know what my opinion is on it,
I can’t control how he feels but I’ve been surprised that he keeps telling people to go watch it and make up their own minds, which I’ve been delighted by as I think that’s the right approach,
I mean, it’s the script first of all. I was familiar with him, and I liked the show. I thought it was really interesting when I was younger,
I feel like most of the documentaries I made up to this point, I was kind of turning human drama into a Hollywood drama. That’s always the way I’m interested in the kind of inhabiting a subjectivity or expressing the stories of real people in that specific sort of way, but with this film I wanted to do the opposite,

‘Dereliction of duty’ not to seek closer ties with EU, Andy Burnham to tells MPs

UK PM Andy Burnham meets Germany’s Merz in Berlin, seeking closer EU ties

Andy understands why some politicians don’t want to face up to the reality that Brexit has not delivered what they once promised. But it is time for a different conversation about what our long-term relationship should be.... Sticking with the status quo and not working relentlessly to secure a good deal that boosts growth would be a major dereliction of duty.”

Trump furious as Don Jr’s ex Kimberly Guilfoyle faces the axe: report

Marco Rubio gets upset with reporters when asked about Kimberly Guilfoyle AMEX scandal

Marco Rubiosecretary of State
Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.”
Ambassador Guilfoyle has served, and will continue to serve, with integrity, honor and distinction. We are evaluating all available legal remedies to collect this debt and any other potential causes of action,

Saudi-Houthi war latest: Kingdom threatens ‘serious’ response after rebel group kills 14 in strikes on Riyadh airport

The Houthis claim responsibility for attacks that left more than 300 people wounded

National League club Forest Green to play without manager after Robbie Savage departure

Dale Vinceowner
Nobody’s in the frame, nobody’s connected to the job, at the minute there’s no vacancy,
Dale Vinceowner
We’ve got a team of coaches that, between them, have an awful lot of experience; Premier League, Championship. We think between them they’ve probably got it. But also they know the players and the club inside out,

Eliminated Strictly contestant addresses early exit from series: ‘So sorry to be leaving’

Melanie Waltersimage in gallery
To tell you the truth, no word of a lie, I thought I was going to be out last week, so an extra week with this beautiful soul,... You’re an ultimate professional in what you do. That’s why you’re so successful in what you do, and you showed me what hard work really is and what hard work really means.”
Melanie Waltersimage in gallery
I’m so so proud of you!! Sad you’re leaving, but you were beautiful, honest, heartfelt and looked flipping fab in the outfits!!! Love you!!!”
We started every day with ‘Partner, let’s have the best day ever,’ so I want to to finish this for us with a hug and thank you for every single day in rehearsals and for every single step on that floor.”

Richard E Grant never thought Celebrity Traitors blunder would be taken 'seriously'

I never thought they would take me seriously
Richard E. Grantactor
That may have been the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life. I was so thrilled to be chosen that in my excitement I said I was a traitor. I need to defuse all of the heat coming in my direction."
I think it’s the most wonderful format of a game and I love it."
Claudia Winklemanhost
Players, this has never happened before. Your first try and you got one."
Richard E. Grantactor
I am … an unfaithful traitor."
I have been annihilated. I have managed to checkmate myself, which, as far as I’m aware, has never been done."
It’s a weird thing because as an actor it is very uncomfortable to watch yourself, and if you watch yourself unscripted — which Traitors is — there’s no place to hide,

Missing Australian hiker found dead weeks after embarking on solo trekking trip in Peru

Jordan Yap from Melbourne was preparing for a 120km hike through remote Huayhuash mountain range when he last contacted friends and relatives on 14 September

With a heavy heart, we are sorry to tell you Jordan has been found, and he did not survive”.
We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,
Time is of the essence because ultimately, as much as we were saying he’s been missing since the 23rd, he’s had no contact with anyone since the 14th,
It’s a very popular trek, where you might have 200 to 300 hikers and guides per week during the busy season, so it’s very uncharacteristic no one’s seen him since day one or day two,
If any funds end up not being used for this purpose, they will be returned,

The warning signs that ChatGPT is third-wheeling your relationship — and how it could destroy it

Elinor Harveypeerage person ID=357005
A lot of people will refer back to a conversation and say, ‘Well, I ran this through Claude,’ or ‘I asked ChatGPT and they said that actually you’re the problem’ — using it as ‘evidence’ to validate their perspective,
Stephen L. Buchwaldamerican chemist (born 1955)
It’s a common misconception that arguments are solved by declaring a winner,
Elinor Harveypeerage person ID=357005
You’ve suddenly got this two against one-type model that can leave the person who’s been ambushed feeling very defensive,
Stephen L. Buchwaldamerican chemist (born 1955)
An AI-generated answer can feel unusually authoritative and authentic,
If AI is designed to tell users what they want to hear instead of challenging their perspectives, then are such systems likely to motivate people to accept responsibility for their own contribution to conflicts and repair relationships
Certainly in the last six months, I’ve seen an exponential increase — most of my clients will refer to AI at some point,
In my opinion, this is one of the fastest ways to break down a relationship, as not only does it break trust, but it leads a person to interpret and convey opinions that they do not believe themselves,

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says Putin struck power plant hours after Trump ‘ceasefire’ announcement

The deal has not yet been confirmed by Ukraine or Russia

Donald Trumppresident
Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,
The real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone,
Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side,
Thom Tillisrepublican Senator
I do believe there's a legitimate case for saying the president's not following the law,
Ukraine always FULLY supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace,
Unfortunately, Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian 'shaheds' all day today,