Nobel prize in medicine 2026 awarded for research on mysteries of brain 05. October 2026 (11:52) Three scientists to share 12m Swedish kronor prize for their work on ‘light-gated ion channels and optogenetics’The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2026 has been awarded to three scientists for their work on investigating the mysteries of the brain.Karl Deisseroth of both Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stanford University, Peter Hegemann of the Humboldt University of Berlin, and Georg Nagel of the University of Würzburg have been awarded the prize “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mixed start for pre-Cop as just two non-Pacific leaders accept Australian invitation to climate summit 05. October 2026 (11:52) Anthony Albanese joins about 4,000 people in Fiji for preparatory meeting for year-ending Cop31 UN climate summitSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThe Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has declared it is “important that Pacific voices are heard” after landing in Fiji on Monday to attend his first UN climate summit since becoming prime minister more than four years ago.Albanese joined about 4,000 people in Nadi for a preparatory meeting for the year-ending Cop31 UN climate summit in Turkey while facing criticism from his political opponents at home. Pre-Cop meetings are usually small and bureaucratic affairs, but this meeting has a double purpose: it is being held in the Pacific after Australia and regional leaders argued it would help bring global attention to the plight of countries most at risk from the climate crisis.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK considering tariffs on Chinese car imports to align with EU, reports say 05. October 2026 (11:43) Move would strengthen Britain’s case to be included in new legislation to protect European manufacturingBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK is considering whether to impose tariffs on Chinese car imports to align itself with the EU and strengthen its case to be included in new legislation designed to protect the European manufacturing sectors including autos and chemicals.It is understood the EU has raised the question of tariffs with the UK as part of the discussions on the upcoming “Made in Europe” legislation, known as the Industrial Accelerator Act. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shadow chancellor to address Tory conference as he claims slashing red tape could cut cost of new houses by £50,000 – UK politics live 05. October 2026 (11:38) Andrew Griffith makes speech today as Reform UK accuses party of copying policies they ‘announced weeks and months ago’Tories to pledge to scrap Environment Agency and Natural EnglandThe Conservatives would legislate to force the Scottish government to allow a new power station to be built in Scotland, Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, is saying.Bowie is speaking at the conference this morning and, in comments released in advance, he says:The SNP’s effective ban on new nuclear energy in Scotland flies in the face of common-sense.No part of Great Britain should be missing out on plans for new nuclear renewal.Look, we are a broad church; it’s not a purity test.But when people vote for our party, they often, as they did previously, they like the things that we stand for, but they were extremely frustrated with our inability to deliver those in government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Quebec poised to elect separatists to power for first time more than decade 05. October 2026 (11:30) Parti Québécois promises to hold independence referendum in Canada’s French-speaking region by 2028Voters in Quebec are going to the polls in provincial elections which will probably result in victory for a party that has promised to hold a referendum on independence from Canada within the next two years.If polls are correct, the Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the government of the province of roughly nine million, the first time that the separatist movement will have gained power in the French-speaking region for more than a decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sass Jordan, Canadian rock singer-songwriter, dies aged 65 05. October 2026 (11:22) Musician who had hit albums with Racine and Rats later became a judge on six seasons of Canadian IdolSass Jordan, the singer-songwriter who became a significant success in Canada’s rock scene in the 1990s before starring as a judge on Canadian Idol, has died aged 65.No cause of death has been given. A statement on social media said she died on 2 October “surrounded by her loving family … She remains in our hearts, an inimitable force of nature. An irreplaceable being of light and joy!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coach services could be cut due to record diesel prices, UK operators warn 05. October 2026 (11:04) Rising fuel costs are pushing hundreds of firms out of business, threatening school transport, firms sayBusiness live – latest updatesCoach operators have said record diesel prices could force cuts to services including school transport, as hauliers warn rising fuel costs are pushing hundreds of firms out of business.The average price of diesel on UK forecourts hit a fresh record of more than £2 a litre last week, as the war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global fuel supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor launches legal action against police over Epstein raids 05. October 2026 (11:00) Former prince to challenge whether Thames Valley police acted lawfully over searches relating to his arrestAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking action against Thames Valley police to challenge the legality of search warrants that led to his arrest earlier this year, a judicial spokesperson has said.A private high court hearing is due to take place before Mr Justice Hilliard on Thursday to determine whether documents related to the the former Duke of York’s call for a judicial review can be made public; with Thames Valley police in opposition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Head of Jewish Greens says she may leave party over ‘Zionism is racism’ vote 05. October 2026 (11:00) Vivien Lichtenstein says she believes motion is unhelpful as anger grows over Zack Polanski’s absence for voteUK politics live – latest updatesThe head of the Jewish Greens has said she may leave the party after it voted to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism and calls for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state.Vivien Lichtenstein said that while opinion among Jewish members of the party was split on the motion passed at its annual conference in Brighton on Sunday, she said she believed it was unhelpful and it was “possible” she might quit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez calls snap election after housing law fails to pass 05. October 2026 (09:22) Election called after rightwing parties voted down emergency legislation aimed at tackling housing crisisEurope live – latest updatesSpain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has announced a snap general election three days after rightwing parties torpedoed the emergency legislation his minority government had put forward in response to growing public anger over the country’s housing crisis.Sánchez, who has been in office since 2018, used a televised address to communicate his decision, which had been widely expected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
