Ban on veggie ‘burgers’: plant-based products may lose meaty names in UK under EU law

The European Commission is expected to announce a significant reduction in the scope of its 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, according to a senior Member of the European Parliament. This decision has sparked concerns among environmental campaigners, who argue that it undermines the EU's green deal and its commitment to combating climate change.

The UK has imposed sanctions on four senior commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) due to their alleged involvement in mass killings of civilians in El Fasher. These sanctions include asset freezes, while the UK has refrained from taking action against the RSF's key backer, the United Arab Emirates, or its chief commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador following accusations that Russian-linked groups have conducted cyberattacks on its air traffic control system and attempted to influence the upcoming 2024 general election. These actions have been characterized by Berlin as hybrid attacks, prompting plans for coordinated countermeasures with EU partners.

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in October, primarily influenced by the ongoing repercussions of a cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and uncertainty surrounding the government's budget. This decline highlights the fragility of economic recovery in the UK amidst external shocks and internal challenges.

Kim Leadbeater, the MP leading the assisted dying bill, has criticized the House of Lords for proposing over 1,150 amendments, which she describes as unnecessary and cruel, aimed at delaying the legislation. One particularly contentious amendment suggests that terminally ill individuals should be filmed during the assisted death process.

Otters, once rare in urban areas of the UK, are increasingly spotted in cities like Lincoln and London, showcasing a remarkable conservation success story. Recent sightings include an otter dragging a large fish along a river-boat dock in Canary Wharf, highlighting their return to urban environments after decades of conservation efforts.

The United States has proposed a plan that envisions Ukraine joining the European Union by January 2027, as stated by a senior official amid intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia. Concurrently, Ukraine has reported regaining control of two settlements in the Kharkiv region and pushing back Russian forces in Kupiansk, a strategic railway hub.

The UK government has announced a new strategy aimed at addressing violence against women, with a focus on changing attitudes among boys and young men. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and promote healthier relationships from a young age.