The Trump administration faces continued scrutiny with election observers in California and New Jersey, the controversial demolition of the White House East Wing, and trade spats with Canada and China after an advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan caused diplomatic friction; Attorney General Letitia James's not-guilty plea in a mortgage fraud case and an investigation into Tesla's 'Mad Max' driver assistance mode also made headlines, alongside warnings against arresting federal agents in California and a podcast on whether Trump is preparing for civil war.

• Trump and Canada’s Trade Spat Spotlights Doug Ford, the Ontario Premier — New York Times World -
• Ontario to stop running anti-tariff advert that angered Trump — BBC World -
• Trump officials to send election observers to California and New Jersey — The Guardian -

• US investigates Tesla’s ‘Mad Max’ high-speed driver assistance mode — The Guardian -
• What's in Reagan advert that caused US-Canada trade talks to collapse? — BBC World -
• US and Canada spar over ad of Reagan denouncing tariffs that led to derailed trade talks — The Guardian -
• Trump to Investigate Whether China Abided by 2020 Trade Deal — New York Times World -
• East Wing of White House reduced to rubble as part of Trump’s ballroom construction — The Guardian -
• Trump Officials Float New Plan for Abrego Garcia: Send Him to Liberia — New York Times World -
• Satellite images show extent of demolition at the White House — BBC World -
• Hakeem Jeffries endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor — The Guardian -
• Virginia Democrats aim to redraw maps to help party gain seats in Congress — The Guardian -
• Letitia James pleads not guilty in mortgage fraud case — BBC World -
• Trump Administration Live Updates: Letitia James Pleads Not Guilty as Fight Over Her Prosecution Begins — New York Times World -
• Trump Says He’s Cutting Off Trade Negotiations With Canada — New York Times World -
• Canada will restart trade talks when 'Americans are ready', says Carney — BBC World -
• Trump Official Warns California Against Arresting Federal Agents — New York Times World -
• Officers in California fire on truck they say tried to back into Coast Guard base — The Guardian -
• Democratic senators call on education department to stop ICE raids by schools — The Guardian -
• Surprise sanctions look to have ended Trump and Putin’s Groundhog Day | Pjotr Sauer — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Trump backs down on sending federal troops to San Francisco — The Guardian -
• With Power Move on Rare Earths, China Plays Both Victim and Bully — New York Times World -
• The White House Wrecking Ball — New York Times World -
• Is Trump preparing for civil war? – podcast — The Guardian -
• Trump says all Canada trade talks ‘terminated’ over ad criticising tariffs — The Guardian -

International efforts to support Ukraine include allies pledging to take Russian oil and gas off the global market and Europe's persistence in military support, while in the Middle East, US drones monitor a Gaza cease-fire, Palestinian factions agreed to an independent technocrat committee to run Gaza, and a UN official described Gaza ruins as 'like Hiroshima' amid reports of signs of torture on unnamed dead returned by Israel; simultaneously, the Pentagon deployed an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean as part of Trump's militarization against drug cartels, and Lithuania closed airports due to weather balloon incursions.

• Lithuania shuts airports and Belarus border after weather balloon incursion — The Guardian -
• Pentagon deploys top aircraft carrier as Trump militarisation of Caribbean ratchets up — The Guardian -
• Warships, fighter jets and the CIA - what is Trump's endgame in Venezuela? — BBC World -

• Ukraine’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Has the Wind at Its Back — New York Times World -
• Ukraine allies pledge to take Russian oil and gas off global market — BBC World -
• UK Man is Sentenced for Pro-Russian Attack Plots — New York Times World -
• US airstrike on ‘drug boat’ kills six as aircraft carrier sent to South America — The Guardian -
• U.S. Flies Drones Over Gaza to Monitor Cease-Fire, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Palestinian factions say they agree to let independent technocrat committee run Gaza — The Guardian -
• Six Britons acting for Wagner group jailed for arson attack on UK warehouse — The Guardian -
• Scottish fire engine destined for West Bank may return after 15-month Israeli seizure — The Guardian -
• Rubio says lots of countries willing to join Gaza security force — BBC World -
• U.S. Diplomats Will Work With Troops to Maintain Gaza Cease-Fire, Rubio Says — New York Times World -
• Australia’s $20m ‘iron fist’ deal with Israel’s largest arms company signed two weeks before UN genocide finding — The Guardian -
• US secretary of state Marco Rubio says ‘Hamas cannot be involved in governing Gaza’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Who Were the 2,000 Palestinians Freed by Israel? — New York Times World -
• A Quick Route to Rebuild Half of Gaza, or Another U.S. Pipe Dream? — New York Times World -
• West Bank resistance dies amid fears of becoming Israel’s ‘next Gaza’ — The Guardian -
• Estonia, a Tiny NATO Nation, Is Cashing In on the Threat Next Door — New York Times World -
• Watch: UN official says Gaza ruins 'like Hiroshima' — BBC World -
• Europe’s Persistence in Supporting Ukraine Is Bearing Fruit — New York Times World -
• UK’s biggest weapons firm BAE grounds ‘lifeline’ aircraft delivering food aid — The Guardian -
• Gaza doctors struggle to investigate 'signs of torture' on unnamed dead returned by Israel — BBC World -
• U.S. May Seek United Nations Mandate for Gaza Security Force, Rubio Says — New York Times World -
• ‘Sacred sanctuary’: North Korea starts building memorial to soldiers killed in Ukraine war — The Guardian -
• EU fails to back frozen Russian cash loan - but vows to support Ukraine — BBC World -

Major legal developments include the death of Yugoslav General Nebojsa Pavkovic convicted of war crimes, a Tennessee man's execution raising questions of sustained cardiac activity, a woman receiving a rare whole-life sentence for murder in France, and the capture of a suspected drug kingpin; additionally, US sanctions were imposed on Colombian President Petro over drug cartels, Britons acting for the Wagner group were jailed for arson on Ukraine aid warehouses, and complex poker and illegal gambling frauds involving NBA stars were uncovered.

• Nebojsa Pavkovic, Yugoslav General Convicted of War Crimes, Dies at 79 — New York Times World -
• Suspected drug kingpin captured after audacious escape from house arrest — BBC World -
• US imposes sanctions on left-wing Colombian President Petro — BBC World -

• Tennessee man’s heart still active nearly two minutes after execution, lawyer says — The Guardian -
• Sex offender who sparked summer riots seen boarding London-bound train after release error, police say — The Guardian -
• Woman gets rare whole-life sentence for murder of French schoolgirl — BBC World -
• French biathlon star Julia Simon found guilty of theft and credit card fraud — The Guardian -
• Drug-Smuggling Submarines on Display at Latin American Naval Base — New York Times World -
• ‘Vicious and frenzied’: the fatal attack on Walsall hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte — The Guardian -
• Spectacular downfall of Georgia's ex-PM accused of having $6.5m in his flat — BBC World -
• After the Mexican Cartel Comes, They Pick Up the Pieces — New York Times World -
• British rapper Ghetts charged with fatal hit and run after collision in London — The Guardian -
• 'Mind-boggling' poker fraud used X-ray tables, high-tech glasses and NBA players — BBC World -
• NBA stars and mafia among dozens arrested in illegal gambling crackdown — BBC World -
• ‘Kill crew’ allegedly sent photo of kidnapped Sydney woman before murdering her, police say — The Guardian -
• Man charged over deadly Palisades fire pleads not guilty in Los Angeles court — The Guardian -
• Neo-Nazi Case in UK Highlights Threat From Extreme-Right Wing Terrorism — New York Times World -

Plaid Cymru's historic byelection victory in Caerphilly signaled a significant blow to Labour, prompting MPs to warn Keir Starmer about potential local election wipeouts, while King Charles and Pope Leo prayed together in a groundbreaking moment, and Prince Andrew is in advanced talks to move out of Royal Lodge amid controversy, with Rishi Sunak also named in a China spy case witness statement.

• Cutting cash Isa limit will not boost stock market, MPs warn Rachel Reeves — The Guardian -
• Rishi Sunak only politician sent witness statement in China spy case — The Guardian -
• Local election wipeout would see off Starmer, MPs say after Caerphilly rout — The Guardian -

• King Charles and Pope Leo Pray Together in Groundbreaking Moment — New York Times World -
• Prince Andrew in advanced talks about moving out of Royal Lodge, reports say — The Guardian -
• ‘Ukraine’s future is our future’, says Starmer, as he vows coalition will take Russian oil and gas off market to choke funding – as it happened — The Guardian -
• No 10 accepts people are ‘disappointed with the pace of change’ as Plaid Cymru celebrates Caerphilly byelection win – as it happpened — The Guardian -
• Caerphilly byelection a triumph of positivity over division, says Plaid Cymru leader — The Guardian -
• NatWest boss warns against higher bank taxes as lender’s profits rise 30% — The Guardian -
• Plaid Cymru ousts Labour in Caerphilly byelection — The Guardian -
• Digested week: At least poor old Andrew’s still a prince – and has his garden | Emma Brockes — The Guardian -
• Bank of England finance chief Afua Kyei tops list of influential black Britons — The Guardian -
• Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins died from stab wound to the neck, inquest told — The Guardian -
• Labour Party Suffers Crushing Defeat in Wales Special Election — New York Times World -
• Dash for gold helps drive retail sales in Great Britain to three-year high — The Guardian -
• Plaid Cymru’s victory in Caerphilly points to a new kind of electorate — The Guardian -
• Caerphilly result is blow to Labour and Reform – and shows parties who cannot adapt will be crushed — The Guardian -
• Faceless figures and mysterious music: ghost stories from English Heritage sites — The Guardian -

Liberals accused Labor of secrecy in Australia for withholding PM's letters, Brazil's Lula announced his bid for a fourth presidential term, and Cameroon's election crackdown led to deaths and arrests as the opposition leader claimed a stolen vote; meanwhile, Ireland's presidential polls predicted a landslide for Catherine Connolly, Guinea faced shock over a high election fee, and Australian servicewomen launched a landmark sex abuse class action against the military.

• Liberals accuse Labor of secrecy for withholding PM’s letters to ministers – despite Coalition doing the same — The Guardian -
• From government spin doctor to Cameroon president's main rival — BBC World -
• Once Australia’s second priciest city, Melbourne has become more affordable. What happened – and will it last? — The Guardian -

• Mining giants must pay rent tax so Australians don’t miss out on critical minerals cash boom, MPs say — The Guardian -
• Brazil's Lula, 79, to seek fourth term as president — BBC World -
• Shock at $100,000 fee to contest Guinea elections to replace junta — BBC World -
• We won't accept a stolen vote, Cameroon opposition leader tells BBC — BBC World -
• Two dead and dozens arrested amid Cameroon election crackdown — The Guardian -
• Ireland votes for next president as polls predict landslide for Catherine Connolly — The Guardian -
• Author of EPBC Act review ‘bitterly disappointed’ with Coalition’s stance – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Australian servicewomen launch landmark sex abuse case against military — BBC World -
• German bid to close migrant boats loophole could face delay — BBC World -
• Women launch class action against ADF alleging widespread sexual violence, misogyny and harassment — The Guardian -

The **US saw a 3% annual rate increase in prices for September, while Meta was found in breach of EU law over an ineffective complaints system, the US expanded facial recognition technology at borders, and a US student was handcuffed after an AI system mistook chips for a firearm**; additionally, NatWest's boss warned against higher bank taxes despite rising profits, and counterfeit weight-loss jabs were seized in a factory raid.

• US expands facial recognition technology at borders to track non-citizens — The Guardian -
• More than £250,000 of counterfeit weight-loss jab products seized in factory raid — The Guardian -
• US prices rose at a 3% annual rate in September, slightly beating forecasts — The Guardian -

• US student handcuffed after AI system apparently mistook bag of chips for firearm — The Guardian -
• Meta found in breach of EU law over ‘ineffective’ complaints system for flagging illegal content — The Guardian -
• Drax faces lawsuits over claims workers developed asthma from wood dust — The Guardian -

A missing Picasso was found in Spain, while a **lost Salvador Dalí painting sold for £45,700, and German police seized fake Picassos** in a multi-million euro raid; meanwhile, homemade chilli paste caused rat poisoning cases in Queensland, attacks on people with albinism continued, a New Zealand teenager required surgery after swallowing 100 magnets, and scientists demanded cancer warnings on bacon and ham; also, Napoleon's soldiers were found to have died from unexpected diseases, a Warsaw Ghetto survivor passed away, and London's oldest Islamic bookshop faced closure amidst changing retail landscapes.

• Homemade chilli paste products linked to cluster of rat poisoning cases in south-east Queensland — The Guardian -
• Why Bill Gates did a cameo in an iconic Indian TV drama — BBC World -
• Attacks on people like me happen every time my country has an election — BBC World -

• Napoleon’s soldiers who died in Russian retreat had unexpected diseases, study finds — The Guardian -
• A Pilgrim Route in Norway: Berries, Bogs and a Viking King — New York Times World -
• Nepal’s Gen Z Sees Little Hope at Home — New York Times World -
• A Missing Picasso Is Found, and a Small Spanish Town Loses Its Air of Mystery — New York Times World -
• Warsaw Ghetto survivor who resisted the Nazis dies — BBC World -
• Surgeons remove up to 100 magnets from New Zealand teenager’s intestines — The Guardian -
• Still life that never moved: mystery of missing Picasso painting solved — The Guardian -
• Scientists demand cancer warnings on bacon and ham sold in UK — The Guardian -
• Lost Salvador Dalí painting bought for £150 sold at auction for £45,700 — The Guardian -
• The Rad pack: David Beckham leads country menswear trend — The Guardian -
• 'It became one of the children' – Kenyan family on adopting orphaned cheetah cub — BBC World -
• ‘It would be a great loss’: London’s oldest Islamic bookshop at risk of closure — The Guardian -
• German police seize fake Picassos in multi-million euro forgery raid — BBC World -
• Prosecutor has ‘small hope’ of recovering Louvre jewels thanks to gear left by thieves — The Guardian -
• Not to be: Hamlet rages in Stockholm against the political closure of a cultural institution — The Guardian -
• What’s in a name? West End casting directors raise concerns about trend for big stars — The Guardian -
• Fire Engulfs Bus in Southern India, Killing 20 — New York Times World -
• Huge noise then I yelled to get out - Louvre attendant recalls shock of heist — BBC World -
• Ecuador's president says he was target of foiled chocolate and jam poisoning — BBC World -
• Weather tracker: Tornadoes and Storm Benjamin lash northern France — The Guardian -
• Slow-motion footage reveals secrets of snake bites — BBC World -
• German Company Launches Ad After Its Lift Is Used in Louvre Heist — New York Times World -
• India trials Delhi cloud seeding to clean air in world’s most polluted city — The Guardian -
• Artist sues for co-author credit on Chris Levine’s queen portraits — The Guardian -
• Louvre heist lift-maker seizes the moment with new ad campaign — BBC World -
• Staghorn and Elkhorn Coral Are Functionally Extinct Off Florida, Researchers Say — New York Times World -