Wildlife & Coasts: A Cornwall trial found a floating “looming eye” buoy cut seabird bycatch by 59%, while a bird-shaped kite reduced it by 71%, offering low-tech protection for fishing nets. Big UK Event: Glasgow is set to host the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition for the first time, bringing global water leaders to the Scottish Event Campus from Oct 4–8. Music Round-Up: James Blunt drops new single “Circles” ahead of Airplane Mode; Skepta announces album The Fork and Knife; Kodaline’s final record We Were Only Young gets an 8/10 review; Enter Shikari plans to go dormant after 2027. Northern Ireland Culture & Tension: Drumcree/Garvaghy Road talks have failed again, with residents and the Orange Order still locked in a standoff. Lifestyle & Transport: UK new car registrations rose 12.1% in September, with EVs surging; meanwhile Brits are calling for bus-and-train loud-music fines like those in Singapore. Health & Society: Councils warn Scotland’s plans to move social care under NHS control could have serious impacts. Money & Homes: A bond selloff is pushing up mortgage costs, with some deals set to treble payments. Arts & Books: Barbara Kingsolver’s Partita and Ben Eastham’s The Floating World lead this week’s literary fiction picks.