T

The Independent

October 2026

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,
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)
It’s a common misconception that arguments are solved by declaring a winner,
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,

Burnham warned ‘steady as she goes Budget’ would mean ‘chunky cuts’ to public services as inflation bites

Leading think tank IFS the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned chancellor John Healey against making the Budget ‘a work of fiction’

Andrew Griffithshadow chancellor
Higher borrowing costs and Andy Burnham’s unfunded spending commitments have swallowed up his headroom and created upward inflationary pressure.... Labour
If John Healey sets out spending envelopes for public services that he would not be willing to live within, his plan for meeting the fiscal rules will not be credible,
A choice to leave spending totals unchanged would implicitly be a choice to cut some budgets and allow the quality and/or quantity of some public services to fall.”

Pennsylvania shooter who killed 8 was family’s patriarch, slain toddler’s dad says

Rick Loraherie Police Chief
They knew something was going on at that house,
Words can’t even explain what I’m going through right now,
They were a lovely family. Who would have thought this would ever happen?”
Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,
Forever In My Heart.”
I think that was a front for him,
But I want our community to understand the gravity of what happened and the profound impact this tragedy has had on those involved and on our community as a whole,

Trump’s new press secretary has a history of pushing bananas conspiracy theories

[W... W]hy doesn’t Fox News do a ‘feature’ on what a pedophile Podesta is,
Katie Zachariawhite House press secretary
Did you notice Trump drinking bottled water last night during his announcement? He drank at least 2-3 times. I have not seen him do that at his speeches or rallies. It reminds me of Q posts 765, 767, and 847. Or was it a signal for something else; by land or by sea.”
Joe Biden46th President of the United States (2021–2025)
Pedo Podesta. #pedoPodesta.”... The radical left Hollywood elites are sick pedo cannibals. Change my mind.”
Democrats want to mask and rape your children. That’s their satanic platform,
Donald Trumppresident
She was previously involved in my Campaigns, assisting in key Swing States, where we won 7 out of 7. She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,

New York shop says Kelly Clarkson tried to buy item not for sale, defends itself after ‘8 million’ attacks

Kelly Clarkson slams New York store for treating her 'like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman'

Kelly Clarksonthe Brooklyn retail store
Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,
But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in ‘Pretty Woman.’ For sure, check it out,
Yesterday, Kelly Clarkson visited us in Brooklyn and inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows we host here,
However, the negative experience Kelly described on twitter would resonate with anyone who has ever felt judged in a shop,
Imagine our surprise when our small local business was suddenly attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store,

Other Mommy tops the box office with $27.5m, with Social Reckoning at $5.5m

These movies that are topical in nature, sometimes they resonate with the culture, sometimes they don’t,
Jim Orrcollege basketball player (1972–1972) Stetson
No matter how you look at it, everybody turned out for it. It wasn’t just one particular demographic,

John Stamos shares health update on Beach Boys singer Mike Love: ‘He insists on being on stage’

Mike is a fighter. Despite doctors, family and friends urging him to focus on his health, he insists on being on stage. He says he needs his band, the audience, his friends and drummer surrounding him to lift him up.”
John Stamosactor
The Mike Love we see tonight may not be exactly the Mike we’ve always known. But he’s still every bit the Mike we love. His lyrics, optimism, unforgettable hooks, and more than 7,000 concerts have brought joy to generations. What he’s given me personally is immeasurable,
John Stamosactor
Maybe the hardest part of loving someone is becoming so accustomed to the miracle of having them there that you forget it’s a miracle at all,
John Stamosactor
I’m boarding a plane to Nashville to play with the Beach Boys at the Ryman Auditorium, struggling to put my feelings into words,
He’s made me a better musician, entertainer and man,
I never imagined how deeply it would affect me to see someone larger than life face something so human and fragile,

Georgia family of 5 dead in apparent murder-suicide

Brannen Pruettepolice Chief
It’s my understanding the call was placed by the wife, the female victim. She called and was complaining about the husband who was in the house smoking, and she said he was killing her with the smoke,
Fred Colecoffee County Sheriff
We’re a close community, and we’re going to take care of each other,
Fred Colecoffee County Sheriff
Five individuals lost their lives, and their family and friends woke up hurting today,
Investigators believe this was an apparent murder-suicide involving the immediate family members who reside in the home,