News for September 14, 2026
Damn it: £72m heading to Reform UK's coffers reshapes Westminster's money debate
£72m is flowing into Reform UK's coffers. The influx is reshaping Westminster's debate about money in politics.
Damn it: NATO jets down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace
NATO jets shot down a drone that crossed into Lithuanian airspace. Officials said the drone's origin is unknown. No further details were released.
Damn it: Pubs in England and Wales to accept digital ID apps to prove age
New rules announced on Tuesday let establishments accept digital ID apps alongside traditional IDs. The change broadens age verification options for venues in England and Wales.
Damn it: Drones target our train journey out of Ukraine
A long, sleek drone with four fins and a rear-mounted engine whistled by with a low, jet-like hum. The sighting occurred during a train journey leaving Ukraine.
Damn it: Why the review of Harry and Meghan's UK security is happening
A review of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's publicly-funded security is planned. The review will take place after they return to live in the UK.
Damn it: Crown symbol branded on enslaved Africans found in British slave-trade research
New research shows the Crown symbol was branded on enslaved Africans. The findings are part of a project documenting Britain's involvement in the slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries. The discovery underscores the brutal realities of colonial slavery.
Damn it: Celtic independence push gains momentum across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have joined a Celtic independence push. On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he would love to see Irish reunification.
Damn it: Harry and Meghan to undergo security review after their return to the UK
Officials will assess the level of police protection required for the couple. The review will also look at the potential dangers they may face upon returning to the UK.
Damn it: Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'Free Palestine' speech
The American rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after a speech about Free Palestine. The remarks drew condemnation from Jewish groups.
Damn it: AI kill switch may need to be mandatory, Anthropic co-founder says
Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark says labs vary in how they can shut off AI systems. He argues a mandatory kill switch could be required. The remarks underscore safety concerns as AI development accelerates.
Damn it: Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine comments
Macklemore has been pulled from Ed Sheeran's tour following his pro-Palestine comments, according to promoter Messina Touring Group. The promoter said venues on the tour wouldn’t allow him to perform.
Damn it: Immigrants held in small outdoor cages at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz, investigators find
DHS inspectors found the immigration-detention center violated basic standards for hygiene, medical care, food and safety. The findings raise concerns about detainee welfare at the Florida facility.
Damn it: Husband pleads guilty to decades of drugging and raping his wife
In court, the husband admitted to dozens of offences, including drugging and raping his wife. The victim watched from the public gallery as he pleaded guilty. The offences span a 20-year period.
Damn it: Pay-off for former top civil servant nearly £860,000
Lord Wormald received a pay-off of nearly £860,000. He left the post in February. That departure makes him the post's shortest-serving cabinet secretary in its history.
Damn it: Putin warns Europe of war if peacekeeping troops are deployed to Ukraine
Good grief: Putin warned Europe that war could follow if peacekeeping troops are deployed to Ukraine. He lashed out at the West. He said Russia posed no threat to Europe.
Damn it: UK to cap expat donations at £100k a year, backdated
Ministers are seeking a £100,000 annual cap on donations from British expats. The limit would be backdated to 25 March 2026.
Damn it: Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish leaders call for constitutional change
Leaders from Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Fein say the UK government should start preparing for constitutional change. They come from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The call signals a push for a rethink of the United Kingdom's framework.
Damn it: Staff slept while patient killed at NHS mental health unit
An inquest heard that Rolando Torres-Pena, 22, strangled Hugo Flint-Cahan on a hospital ward in east London. Reports indicate staff were asleep during the incident. The death occurred at an NHS mental health unit.
Damn it: Oasis announces second leg of reunion tour after weeks of social media teasers
Oasis have announced a second leg of their reunion tour after weeks of social media teasers. The announcement confirms more shows are planned. No dates or venues were released in the notice.
Damn it: UK service member dies in Ukraine road traffic incident
A UK armed forces member has died in a road traffic incident in Ukraine. The BBC understands the incident was not the result of hostile action.
Damn it: Burnham cancels engagements after his father's death
Burnham has canceled engagements following his father's death. He has previously said his father did not know he had become prime minister because of Alzheimer's.
Amy Hunt criticises Sydney Sweeney betting ad
Damn it: British sprinter Amy Hunt is among several female athletes criticizing a controversial betting advert featuring Sydney Sweeney. The ad has drawn backlash from women in sport. Hunt is among the athletes voicing criticism as part of the wider response.
Damn it: Iran says Saudi Arabia cancels planned Oman meeting as talks stall
Saudi Arabia, which is facing threats from Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias, called off a planned high-level meeting in Oman. Iran said the cancellation comes as talks stall.
Good grief: King Charles to host AI leaders as disaster warnings mount
King Charles is due to host AI leaders at a meeting planned weeks in advance. The urgency has grown as alarms from within the AI industry intensify.
Damn it: Ukraine’s war outlook worsens as Kyiv grapples with budget and weapons gaps
Kyiv is under ongoing drone and missile pressure from Russia. Officials warn of two major vulnerabilities: insufficient air-defense interceptors and a roughly $27 billion defense funding gap. The shortfalls threaten plans to strengthen defenses and supply essential weapons.
Damn it: What you need to know about the latest donations to Reform UK
Henry Zeffman explains who is behind Reform UK's £72m in donations. The piece identifies the donors and the funding sources.