From little acorns … to his 1,000th article for the Guardian country diary 17. October 2026 (14:00) As Mark Cocker approaches a landmark for the world’s oldest column in an English-language newspaper, he is still inspired by powerful encounters with natureIn the autumn of 1987, Mark Cocker sat in a field near Norwich and watched a jay burying acorns for the long winter ahead. He described the scene in his first country diary for the Guardian. Thirty-nine years on, some of those jay-planted acorns will be mature oaks now, and Cocker is completing his 1,000th diary for the world’s oldest column in an English-language newspaper.In his next diary, he will reflect on the changing birdlife around Flint Clough, in the Peak District, where he first marvelled at rare birds aged 12 after devouring bird books in his bedroom. As a boy, he would find cuckoo, golden plover, ring ouzel and twite, a once-common bird which is now virtually extinct in England. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
CDC to send ‘disease detective’ to help tackle Pennsylvania measles outbreak 17. October 2026 (14:00) State has confirmed six measles-related deaths and county at center of outbreak lacks its own health departmentThe county at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is at a clear disadvantage because, local officials say, it lacks its own health department and it will now get special assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,222 measles cases, up from 86 the week before. Six measles-associated deaths have also been confirmed by the state. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Encryption Is Getting Squeezed From All Sides 17. October 2026 (14:00) Canada’s planned surveillance law is the latest grim step in a series of threats to encryption that are spreading around the world.(Wired)
UAE agrees with Saudi Arabia to re-enter Yemen conflict amid Houthi gains 17. October 2026 (13:57) United Arab Emirates will reportedly resume payments to Yemeni forces as gains by Iran-backed Houthi fighters alarm Gulf state rulersYemen civil war: what sparked latest escalation and who is involved?The United Arab Emirates has agreed to re-enter the Yemen conflict by resuming payments to some government forces fighting Iran-aligned Houthis in the south, according to sources in Yemen. In return, Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide air cover for the anti-Houthi force.The new cooperation agreement is the first tangible signs that the deep rift between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over Yemen’s future is starting to be healed – if only because the advance by Houthi forces across Yemen has alarmed all the rival Gulf state rulers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police officer who fantasised about rape, watched porn on duty and exchanged up to 90 'highly sexualised' messages a day with 12 women is sacked
Pope Leo being released from hospital today as doctors say 71-year-old is fit for discharge after lung cancer surgery