World desk

Filed from the World desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Sports · 9 October 2026

Sandpaper in Underpants? Bancroft, Smith and Warner Banned

Tariq Bell, World desk

During the 2018 Cape Town Test, Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera shoving sandpaper into his underpants. The incident led to bans for him, fellow Australian Steve Smith and veteran Dave Warner.

Finance · 9 October 2026

Goldman’s 20 Top Brass to Split a Half‑Billion‑Dollar Jackpot – Who Gets the Golden Piggy Bank?

Noor Hale, World desk

Goldman Sachs is set to award up to $500 million (£378 million) to its 20 senior bankers, one of the biggest bonus payouts in the firm’s history.

Entertainment · 9 October 2026

Skydance Appoints New Sales Trio to Lead Advertising, Content Sales and Distribution

Sam Orbit, World desk

Skydance, the company created from the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger, has named Jay Askinasi as chief revenue officer for advertising, David Decker as president of content sales, and Ray Hopkins as president…

Entertainment · 9 October 2026

Netflix Greenlights Bridgerton Prequel Focused on Young Lady Violet

Noor Hale, World desk

Netflix and Shondaland have ordered an untitled limited‑series prequel that follows a young Lady Violet and her courtship with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton, marking the second spinoff in the Bridgerton franchise.

Business · 8 October 2026

Healey summons retail and hospitality CEOs for pre‑budget talks amid rates‑raid fears

Noor Hale, World desk

Chancellor Rishi Healey has called the chief executives of Britain’s biggest high‑street retailers and hospitality groups into a pre‑budget briefing, warning that the upcoming budget could trigger a new business�…

Sports · 8 October 2026

Andrew Abdo’s ‘Jacob’ Slip Sends Rod Laver Arena into Laughter

Noor Hale, World desk

At his launch event, Australian Open CEO Andrew Abdo mistakenly referred to world No 1 Jannik Sinner as ‘Jacob Sinner’, prompting a wave of chuckles from the Rod Laver Arena crowd and spawning a flurry of m…

Science · 8 October 2026

NASA Experiments Take SciFi to New Heights: International Cosmological Awards Ceremony

Sam Orbit, World desk

The International Cosmological Awards Ceremony gave high praise to two astronomers who unknowingly found flat spacetime

World · 8 October 2026

Mayor Mamdani Jeered at October 7 Vigil, Called Traitor to Palestinian Cause

Tariq Bell, World desk

At an October 7 vigil, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was jeered and branded a traitor to the Palestinian cause, highlighting the delicate balance he has maintained on Middle East issues since taking office.

Sports · 8 October 2026

Nick Blakey’s Trade Saga Continues as Giants Keep Coniglio on Day Four

Lina Okoro, World desk

On day four of the AFL trade period the Giants have confirmed they are retaining Coniglio, while Nick Blakey remains in trade limbo as clubs weigh their options.