Target pensions or welfare, not banks, IMF tells John Healey
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

Supporters of planned tax, however, say banks were bailed out by taxpayers during financial crisis and can afford to pay more now

• John Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget

The 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.

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British food and drink exports to EU collapse by more than a third since Brexit
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

NFU analysis of official data shows falls in exports to UK’s largest trading partner since 2019 include 70% for sugar and 74% for egg products

Exports of British food and drink to the EU have collapsed by more than a third since Brexit with eggs, chicken and potato producers badly hit, new figures show.

Analysis by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) of HMRC data shows a sharp fall in exports in the year to July compared with the same period in 2019, with sugar dropping the most, down 70%.

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Elon Musk reveals ‘world’s first flying car’ at Tesla event
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

The Tesla Roadster 2 drove up a curved ramp before using SpaceX rocket thrusters to fly, flip and land

Elon Musk has revealed Tesla’s latest model, which he claims will be the world’s first flying car, using technology from his aerospace company SpaceX to “basically fly like a rocket”.

The billionaire, who hosted a demonstration of the Tesla Roadster 2 at the SpaceX rocket development and testing facility in Texas, said the sports car could go from 0 to 60mph in a record time of less than a second and had thrusters.

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‘We should all be worried’: calls grow to limit London rollout of robotaxis
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

Protest planned at Wayve HQ as Uber drivers fear for their future and city’s politicians demand TfL should have power over licences

For passengers in Britain who want to try the latest ride, robotaxis are eagerly awaited: more than 100,000 are on Uber’s waitlist in London after the first UK services started in September.

Others view them with trepidation. “I think we should all be worried,” said Florentina Ghiuzan, an Uber driver from Essex. “I was shocked TfL approved it so soon. I knew change would come. But I thought it would come with a solution for us.”

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Elon Musk reveals ‘world’s first flying car’ at Tesla event
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

The Tesla Roadster 2 drove up a curved ramp before using SpaceX rocket thrusters to fly, flip and land

Elon Musk has revealed Tesla’s latest model, which he claims will be the world’s first flying car, using technology from his aerospace company SpaceX to “basically fly like a rocket”.

The billionaire, who hosted a demonstration of the Tesla Roadster 2 at the SpaceX rocket development and testing facility in Texas, said the sports car could go from 0 to 60mph in a record time of less than a second and had thrusters.

Read more...

Pornography with strangulation and incest to be banned in England and Wales next month
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

Campaigners welcome legislation which follows recommendations by 2025 review into pornography regulation

Pornography that depicts strangulation and incestuous relationships will be banned in England and Wales from early November, the government has announced.

The content will be outlawed from 6 November after cross-party pressure prompted ministers to announce new legislation earlier this year.

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‘It’s really not a drama’: Carrick sticks to the script after Martínez storm
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

Manchester United head coach produced a masterclass in dialling down emotion before a tricky trip to Leeds

Michael Carrick returned his most impressive performance precisely when required as he took questions in the midst of the first crisis engulfing him as Manchester United’s manager.

His team are bombing in the league after the club’s poorest start since 1986 and out of the Carabao Cup, and after Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Atlético Madrid Lisandro Martínez showed up ruptures at United by calling out the director of football, Jason Wilcox.

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Battling Gloucester hold champions Bordeaux to kick off Champions Cup in style
Posted on Friday October 16, 2026

• Gloucester 36-36 Bordeaux Bègles

• Will Trenholm makes vital impact off bench for hosts

A new Champions Cup season is only just under way but already the defending champions Bordeaux are having to battle for everything. The French visitors, chasing a third consecutive crown, were forced to weather a furious effort from a revitalised Gloucester in an outstanding contest and ultimately had to settle for a draw to complete a highly eventful visit to England.

Four visiting players, including Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were held up for four hours on arrival by UK Border Control for failing to have a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA), but stopping their star winger on the field tends to be slightly harder. The French international, in his familiar red scrum cap, darted over for two sharp tries but could not quite prevent the Cherry and Whites from from claiming a share of the spoils.

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