New UK sanctions powers will enable action against supporters of illegal Israeli settlements 14. October 2026 (18:51) Global human rights commitments adopted by government extend reach to enablers of unlawful activityThe UK is expanding its sanctions powers to freeze assets and target entities enabling illegal Israeli settlements, obstructing humanitarian aid or unlawfully holding prisoners.The statutory instrument introducing the global human rights and international humanitarian law sanctions adds three new grounds to the 2020 regime: serious violations of international humanitarian law, obstruction of humanitarian assistance and serious violations of the right to liberty and security of person. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Plan unveiled to increase share of land farmed organically in England to 10% 14. October 2026 (18:49) Government says ambition for 2036 will be good for food and climate resilience, but concerns remain over fundingThe government has set an ambition to increase the share of English land farmed organically to 10% by 2036, but concerns remain over how the transition will be funded.Currently, just 3.4% of England’s agricultural land is farmed organically, one of the smallest shares in Europe. France, for example, farms 10.4% of its land organically, and aims to increase this to 18% by 2027. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cornell president acknowledges he knew about fraternity sexual assault but didn’t follow up 14. October 2026 (18:30) Michael Kotlikoff addressed his administration’s handling of the 2024 allegations as he faces calls for his resignationMichael Kotlikoff, the president of Cornell University, has spoken to the New York Times about sexual assault allegations at the school, acknowledging for the first time that he knew a student had reported being sexually assaulted in November 2024, but did not follow up with the Jane Doe involved in the months after learning about the alleged assault.He also revealed that he did not know she had dropped out of Cornell until she filed a lawsuit last month.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sir Trevor Phillips urges CBS News colleagues to give critics blunt riposte 14. October 2026 (18:20) Phillips sought to buck up his fellow London bureau colleagues during a contentious staff meeting on TuesdayThe veteran British broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips had some strong words of advice for his CBS News colleagues when facing off against critics who question the editorial integrity of the network: “Why don’t you just fuck off and let us do our jobs?”Phillips made his blunt suggestion during a contentious meeting of the network’s London bureau on Tuesday, during which the foreign editor, Shayndi Raice, went on a lengthy tirade criticizing unnamed staffers for suggesting that editorial oversight amounted to “interference” and informing colleagues that disobeying editors would be insubordination and “legal grounds for firing”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in UK due to Palestine Action support 14. October 2026 (17:50) Irish writer of Normal People says she can no longer receive royalties from British sales and she cancelled UK trip due to fear of arrestSally Rooney has said she is being forced to withdraw her books from sale in the UK because of her support for the banned organisation Palestine Action.The Irish novelist, whose books include Normal People and Conversations With Friends, said her public support for the direct action group meant she could no longer receive royalties from UK sales. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pope Leo’s recovery from lung cancer surgery ‘progressing as planned’ 14. October 2026 (17:48) Pontiff has begun walking in his hospital room and is eating normally after operation to remove growth, doctors sayPope Leo’s recovery from a lung cancer operation is progressing as planned, his doctors have said, as the pontiff received good wishes from around the world, including a letter from Britain’s King Charles.Leo, who had a cancerous mass removed from his right lung late on Tuesday, began walking in his hospital room after respiratory therapy on Wednesday. He was eating normally, his doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritoria said in a statement issued by the Vatican. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Campaigners decry slow progress in repaying victims of carer’s allowance crisis 14. October 2026 (17:35) Only 1.04% of estimated 230,900 cases reviewed in first five months of £75m three-year schemeCampaigners have urged Andy Burnham to step in after it emerged just a handful of the tens of thousands of unpaid carers who unknowingly racked up huge debts when welfare officials unlawfully changed benefits guidance have been repaid.The first official update on the carers allowance reassessment exercise launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in April confirms that progress in cancelling wrongful overpayments has started slowly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Container ship sinks near strait of Hormuz amid surge in Iranian attacks 14. October 2026 (17:35) Second vessel also reportedly sinking as uptick in strikes suggests Iran trying to close waterway before US electionsA container ship has sunk near the strait of Hormuz and a second cargo vessel was reportedly sinking amid the sharpest uptick in Iranian attacks on shipping since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.The surge of attacks suggests Iran is trying to fully close the strategic waterway in a deliberate attempt to frustrate Donald Trump’s efforts to bring down fuel prices before the US midterm elections on 3 November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mont Blanc, the ‘roof of Europe’, loses more than a metre of height in a year 14. October 2026 (17:33) Peak of French mountain now 4,807 metres high and fluctuates year by year due to changes in Alpine climateEurope’s highest peak shrank by more than a metre last year, data has shown.Mont Blanc in France now stands 4,807.47 metres above sea level, a team of surveyors from the Haute-Savoie regional department said on Wednesday, putting “the roof of Europe” 1.29 metres lower than in 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boy, 17, accidentally shot dead with air rifle at Hampshire house party, inquest told 14. October 2026 (16:51) Connor Bell died of his injuries after his friend Jack Beechey, 18, pulled the trigger, mistaking it for the safety catchA 17-year-old boy died after he was accidentally shot in the head with an air rifle by his friend at a house party, an inquest has been told.Connor Bell had been drinking at a friend’s house in Basingstoke, Hampshire, on 8 November last year when Jack Beechey fired the fatal shot by mistaking the trigger for the safety catch, the inquest heard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
