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Rooney books vanish from UK shelves as Bangladesh arrests recruiters

Al Jazeera reports the award-winning author's novels are being withdrawn in Britain, with the Financial Times saying she pulled them from sale; the shelves, meanwhile, say nothing.

On air: Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:55 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Al Jazeera: “Sally Rooney’s books pulled from UK over Palestine Action support”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 3:55 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Al JazeeraSally Rooney’s books pulled from UK over Palestine Action support
Al JazeeraBangladesh arrests two for luring locals to fight for Russia in Ukraine

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Britain this afternoon, the argument over Sally Rooney's novels has a new wrinkle: the Financial Times reports that she withdrew the books from UK sale herself.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHerself? So I've been hunting a thief for a morning, and the thief is the author.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe BBC and Al Jazeera frame it as a withdrawal over her support for Palestine Action.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWhether she pulled them or the shops did, the shelves are empty.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo a free speech row, and nobody can find the speech.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDale, a book on a shelf has never been the speech.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNow, in Dhaka, police have arrested two people accused of luring Bangladeshis to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorPolice say twenty Bangladeshi citizens have been killed after being used as bait to locate enemy positions.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTwenty people. That is a grim one, and I hope the arrests lead somewhere.