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GuardianOct 11Preview

Houthi attack on Riyadh airport forces swift rethink of Trump’s new strategy

US president’s plan to park the wars in Iran and Yemen, while blaming Ukraine for diesel prices, looks unsustainableMiddle East crisis live - latest updatesThe reckless missile attack on King Khalid international airport in Riyadh on Saturday did not just export the death and misery inside Yemen to Saudi Arabia, it also left Donald Trump forced to reconsider his diplomatic and political strategy designed to take him into the midterm elections next month.The US president’s plan had only been unveiled on Friday. He said it was the result of “a world problem” – spiralling diesel prices – which he blamed on Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attacks on Russian oil refineries. He was going to keep the political temperature down on his war of choice in Iran and its spillover in Yemen until after the midterms. Continue reading...

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GuardianOct 11Preview

Readers reply: Why are national anthems almost always orchestral?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsThis week’s question: Why is a child saying ‘Na-na, na-na-na!’ so annoying?Why are national anthems almost always orchestral? When – and by whom – was it decided that brass and strings best represent a country’s identity? Where are the power-pop or folk varieties? Ross Gomes, by emailSend new questions to nq@theguardian.com. Continue reading...

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BBCOct 11Preview

UK launches flood taskforce to prepare for extreme winter weather

The Environment Agency has warned approximately 6.3 million homes and businesses in England remain at risk of flooding.