BBC News Briefing

1 October, 2026

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. We've got the latest from Tennessee following the failed execution attempt of a death row inmate by lethal injection. We explain why some churchgoers in an Indian state are being asked whether they're being forced to attend. And meet an unusual new recruit to Mexico's National Guard.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Christa Pike in critical condition in hospital, her lawyer says

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Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer. Credit: Tennessee Department of Correction

Executions in Tennessee have been halted for the rest of the year, the state's governor has said, following the botched attempt to execute Christa Pike - here's how it unfolded. Watch here as witnesses recount what happened. The 50-year-old is in hospital and in a critical condition, her lawyer said. An independent review into what happened has been ordered. The pause on executions could affect any additional attempt to execute Pike and could impact the planned 3 December execution of murderer Gary Sutton. Pike's case is not the first time an execution in Tennessee has been unsuccessful. In May, Tony Carruthers' was called off after staff were unable to find a vein to administer a lethal drug. He was given a one-year reprieve.

GET UP TO SPEED

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Accuser 'failed' by Cornell's health care system - lawyer

Reports say the woman told a doctor she contracted an infection "in a traumatic way", but they "didn't really follow up".

Read more >

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Netanyahu: Flight attacker underwent 'indoctrination'

Israel's PM said investigations suggest the man who stabbed his fellow pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination".

What else he said >

A close-up image of Putin's head and shoulders. He is in front of a blue background and is smiling. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie. He has thinning grey hair.

Putin issues warning to West over Kaliningrad

Russia's president said his country would use all weapons at its disposal if it considers it has come under direct attack in its Baltic exclave.

What else he said >

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California bans child marriage

About a decade ago, the practice was still allowed across all US states. California is the 18th to ban it since 2018.

Read more >

Trump is sat behind a desk, with his hands clasped on it. He is smiling and has yellow hair. He is wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Flags stand against the wall behind him.

Why demand for Slovenian website names is soaring

US President Donald Trump wants AI to be called super intelligence - or SI - the same initials used by Slovenian websites.

Why sites are being snapped up >

NEWS FROM THE UK

RAF Fairford: A UK-Iranian dual national has been arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts in connection with the airbase incident, police said.

Baby's body: The remains of a newborn found on a Welsh shoreline may have been in the water for a few weeks,