SpaceX rocket launch causes stunning ‘jellyfish cloud’ visible off US east coast 14. October 2026 (20:15) Expanding plume of fuel exhaust crystalized in the sky and reflected sunlight off frozen particles after Florida launchA SpaceX rocket provided a stunning pre-dawn display over Florida as a massive, luminescent “jellyfish cloud” spread for miles, caused by an expanding plume of fuel exhaust crystalizing in the sky and reflecting sunlight off the frozen particles.The phenomenon occurred shortly after Tuesday’s 6.33am ET launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying cargo to the International Space Station. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russell Brand was ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator, court told 14. October 2026 (20:01) Comedian faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six womenRussell Brand was a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator who boasted about wanting to have sex with 5,000 women, a court has heard.The 51-year-old comedian is accused of having an “insatiable desire” to get what he wanted and treating women as a means to an end. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Southern California beach closes after sighting of great white shark ‘exhibiting aggressive behavior’ 14. October 2026 (19:40) Two-mile stretch of Huntington Beach closed after sighting at location popular with surfers and swimmersA popular southern California beach was closed after a great white shark was reportedly spotted “exhibiting aggressive behavior” on Tuesday afternoon.The Huntington Beach fire department said there was a “credible report” of a 10-12ft great white shark circling near a lifeguard tower, which is considered aggressive behavior according to the city’s marine safety division’s “shark response protocols”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
India’s cockroach protesters defy Modi’s crackdown – The Latest 14. October 2026 (19:40) A fresh wave of protests by India’s youth-led Cockroach movement has been met with a brutal crackdown by Narendra Modi’s government and the closure of a historic protest site in Delhi. Two of the movement’s leaders have been imprisoned for five days for violating suppression measures. The protests, which began over frustration about education and unemployment, are now focused on voting rights. Modi’s government denies claims it is seeking to disenfranchise millions of voters. But its treatment of protesters has been criticised by the UN and Amnesty International and raised concerns that India is sliding further into autocracy. Lucy Hough speaks to South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen – watch on YouTube Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Student protests in Albania turn violent as demonstrators clash with police 14. October 2026 (19:21) Government building and two banks set on fire as tens of thousands take to streets over education costs and corruptionTens of thousands of students have taken to the streets of Tirana, the Albanian capital, setting alight a government building and two banks and hurling stones at police during a protest over rising education costs and corruption.Police responded with water cannon and teargas to disperse protesters who started a fire at the ministry of education building, overturned bins and smashed the fronts of local businesses. A branch of Raiffeisen Bank near the education ministry also caught fire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Archers cast ‘angry’ at BBC decision to scrap new Birmingham studio 14. October 2026 (19:12) Ben Norris says cost-cutting measure that means show will be recorded outside its home city risks ‘extraordinary burden’ for crewA cast member of The Archers has said its actors have been angered by the BBC’s decision to axe the show’s new studio, in a move that could lead to it being recorded away from its home in Birmingham.Ben Norris, who plays Ben Archer in the world’s longest-running soap opera, said the decision risked having a real impact on the quality of the show and placing an “extraordinary burden” on its crew. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s ‘incoherent’ approach to China plagued by lack of expertise, report says 14. October 2026 (19:00) International alliance of China-sceptic legislators warns of risks inherent in misjudging bilateral relationshipThe UK’s approach to China is “beset by incoherence” and plagued by a lack of senior expertise, according to a report warning of the risks inherent in misjudging the bilateral relationship.An audit by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), an international grouping of China-sceptic legislators, says past engagement with Beijing has often exposed the UK to the risks of interference without delivering the opportunities promised. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Manchester City staff invited on government trade trip to India 14. October 2026 (19:00) Exclusive: Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig invited City representative on trade trip organised by business secretaryA club representative from Manchester City was invited on a government-backed trade delegation to India this week, despite the club being found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules.Andy Burnham’s successor as Manchester mayor Bev Craig took a representative from the club to Delhi and Mumbai on a trip organised by business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, where she and other northern mayors have been promoting British trade and tourism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
