Target pensions or welfare, not banks, IMF tells John Healey 16. October 2026 (17:33) Supporters of planned tax, however, say banks were bailed out by taxpayers during the financial crisis and can afford to pay more nowJohn Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budgetThe International Monetary Fund has urged John Healey to target savings on pensions and welfare, instead of taxing Britain’s banks at the budget later this month.Helge Berger, deputy director of the IMF’s European department, was asked about bank taxes after the Guardian revealed Healey plans to tap the sector for additional revenue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Power plant attacks reflect Russian blueprint to make Ukrainian cities unliveable 16. October 2026 (17:28) Kremlin turning to punishment of Ukraine’s population in major cities as frontlines remain frozenEurope live – latest updatesAs Russian missiles and drones have systematically slammed into power plants in Kyiv and Kharkiv this week, the rolling blackouts and water outages have increasingly resembled a supposed Russian blueprint to destroy life in major Ukrainian cities seen by the Guardian.Even as Donald Trump unilaterally declared an “energy ceasefire” last week between Moscow and Kyiv, Russia continued with its methodical and devastating strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, in particular in Kyiv, in a strategy meant to punish Ukraine’s population and drive the country to capitulation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk Is Almost Single-Handedly Funding the Republican Midterms Push 16. October 2026 (17:25) Elon Musk has assembled a presidential-level field operation this midterm cycle, underscoring the extent to which he has taken over the get-out-the-vote effort for the Republican party.(Wired)
Judi Dench joins calls by The Archers cast to keep show in Birmingham 16. October 2026 (17:24) The actor, who made a cameo in the Radio 4 drama in 1989, has signed a letter urging BBC not to move studio elsewhereThe cast and crew behind The Archers, including the one-time guest star Judi Dench, have written to the BBC director general urging him to keep the recording of the Radio 4 drama in Birmingham.It emerged this week that the corporation was planning to stop recording the rural community soap opera in the city for the first time in the show’s 75-year history, after it scrapped plans for a radio drama studio. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Arsonist who firebombed Keir Starmer's home in suspected Russian plot is kicked out of Britain