Americas

Canada stops using ‘avalanche dogs’ for rescues in Rocky Mountains, stirring outrage

• Parks Canada is ending its Banff rescue dog programme.
• Leroy helped track 156 people and find 57 lost in the wilderness.
• More than 5,000 people have signed a petition to restore the programme.

Parks Canada is ending its canine search and rescue programme in Banff National Park this month, prompting public criticism over the loss of a safety resource. The decision comes amid wider federal public service cuts, though the agency says search and rescue will continue by other means. The…

Hold the rate. The Fed can’t pump oil.

• The Fed held its target rate at 3.75 to 4 per cent.
• Two policymakers voted for a quarter-point rise.
• The authors argue that an energy shock calls for caution on rates.

The US Federal Reserve held its target interest rate at 3.75 to 4 per cent on 28 October 2026. The decision passed by 10 votes to two; the dissenters favoured a quarter-point rise. The Fed said inflation remained elevated and that it needed more information before deciding how…

3 Rock Songs That Make You Want To Slow Down for a While

• “Simple Man” urges patience and appreciation of life’s essentials.
• Pink Floyd’s “Time” encourages reflection on how time is spent.
• “Going to California” offers a gentle musical pause.

The article recommends three rock songs for moments when life feels rushed, presenting them as reminders to pause, refocus and consider what matters. It says Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” encourages appreciation of life’s simple pleasures and patience, while Pink Floyd’s “Time” prompts reflection on how people spend their…

Thousands of “ghost students” use AI to steal millions in student loans, DOJ says

• Five people face charges over alleged student aid fraud.
• More than 830,000 accounts were flagged as potentially fraudulent.
• Stolen identities could leave victims facing debt and credit damage.

The US Department of Justice has charged five people in what it describes as a large-scale scheme using stolen identities to obtain federal student aid. Officials say the alleged fraud relied partly on artificial intelligence, and the case marks the first broad federal crackdown on so-called “ghost students”.…

Syria fuel protests, Iran attack plans and Alaska Senate controversy

Living costs fuel unrest in Syria as Trump weighs options on Iran; a report alleges a scheme to confuse Alaska voters. Anime spending hit a record, Macklemore’s Paris concert called for Palestinian solidarity, and Sheffield’s sewage storage project nears completion.

2026’s Secret ‘Robin Hood’ Movie Suddenly Drops on Streaming After Bombing in Theaters

• The Uprising arrives on Peacock on 6 November.
• The film made $8.2 million against a $20 million budget.
• US Robin Hood marketing drew criticism and failed to lift its profile.

The Uprising, a historical drama starring Andrew Garfield, will stream exclusively on Peacock from 6 November after a brief and poorly performing cinema release. Its swift move to streaming skips the usual paid rental period, and the film’s US marketing as a Robin Hood story drew criticism and…

Watermelon Pictures Co-Founders Talk Future Plans & Growing Hollywood Support For Palestinian Stories: “We’ve Been Seeing A Renaissance With A Lot Of The A-Listers”

• Watermelon Pictures plans to broaden its global reach.
• Its Gaza doctors documentary won an audience award in Egypt.
• The co-founders report stronger Hollywood interest in Palestinian stories.

Watermelon Pictures co-founders Badie and Hamza Ali say they plan to expand the company’s reach while continuing to back Palestinian and other underrepresented stories. They describe growing support in Hollywood, including interest from prominent actors, and say the success of their films is helping bring these stories to…

3 Early 90s Country Songs That Are Still Perfect for a Halloween Playlist Today

• Three early 1990s country hits suit a Halloween playlist.
• Alan Jackson’s song imagines Hank Williams as a ghost.
• Garth Brooks’ video was banned by two country music channels.

Three early 1990s country songs are presented as fitting choices for Halloween playlists, each using ghosts, haunting imagery or a stormy story to create an eerie mood. Their examples show how country music of the period could move beyond upbeat themes and draw on supernatural ideas and tense…