Flash floods kill five and destroy villages in central Nepal 16. October 2026 (10:51) Landslide blocks river and triggers downstream flooding, while summer temperatures persist in PortugalFlash floods have swept through Nepal’s central Gorkha district after a pre-dawn landslide on 11 October blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, triggering severe downstream flooding. At least five people have died, and almost 100 have been rescued. Two villages in the worst-affected Chumanubri rural municipality were reportedly destroyed, with homes, roads and bridges washed away. Part of a hydropower station was also damaged.After river levels surged from 2 metres to nearly 8.5 metres within hours, the national disaster risk reduction and management authority reported that 204 homes were damaged, and more than 650 people had been affected. More than 100 foreign trekkers were stranded in the popular hiking region. The floods come just two months after catastrophic flooding and landslides devastated parts of the country on the border with Tibet, leaving thousands dead or missing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jenrick claims Farage has done more to stand against racism than ‘almost anybody’ 16. October 2026 (10:40) Reform MP defends leader after ITV footage shows official warning Farage he is ‘protecting’ candidate over racist David Lammy commentsRobert Jenrick has sought to defend Reform UK against fresh allegations that it hosts extremists by claiming that Nigel Farage has “probably done more than almost anybody to stand against racism and the far right”.The remarks came after Farage was berated by a Reform official for “protecting” a mayoral candidate who was accused of making racist remarks about the former Labour deputy prime minister David Lammy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ofgem could force energy suppliers to pay rivals if they lure customers with cheaper deals 16. October 2026 (10:14) Regulator for Great Britain weighs up reintroducing market stabilisation charge to prevent firms going bustEnergy suppliers could be forced to pay a charge to rivals if they lure customers with cheaper deals, as the industry regulator for Great Britain attempts to prevent suppliers going bust this winter.Ofgem has published a consultation on a proposal to reintroduce the market stabilisation charge (MSC), which aims to prevent suppliers failing if there is customer exodus, as it frets over the impact of sharp swings in energy prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)