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Beluga whales, which Marineland threatened to euthanize in 2025, will be moved to sanctuaries in Spain or across USCanada and an embattled marine park have reached a tentative deal on the future of 30 beluga whales, ending a saga that has captivated the public and angered animal rights groups.The federal fisheries ministry announced this week that all of Marineland's belugas would be shipped to either Spain or one of four locations in the US, ending whale captivity in Canada. Continue reading...

Peter Kyle says British politics fails to reward political accomplishment and Labour risks aping Tory instabilityThe Labour party has not learned the right lessons from the Conservatives about changing leader, a senior cabinet minister has warned, saying in a swipe at potential challengers that entitlement is not a qualification".Peter Kyle, the business secretary, said he was worried that British politics rewards the wrong behaviour" and there was little credit for the work of his own department, including negotiating trade deals, rescue packages for companies and preserving British industry. Continue reading...

State election officials continue to sift through uncounted primary ballots, which could take days or even weeksThe California governor's race remained unsettled Thursday, as state election officials continued to sift through uncounted primary ballots - a process that could take days or even weeks as voters eagerly await the results.Polls indicated that British-born conservative pundit Steve Hilton was narrowly leading the race, followed by former US health and human services secretary Xavier Becerra. Billionaire Tom Steyer trailed behind the pair. Under California's primary system, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election. Continue reading...

Saudi national, 21, held on suspicion of attempted murder over incident at Manor Park student village in GuildfordA former University of Surrey student has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was shot with a crossbow in Guildford.The victim, who is in his 50s and a member of the university's campus safety team, was seriously injured in the incident and is being treated at Royal Surrey County hospital close to the scene of the shooting. Continue reading...

Trump, still negotiating to conclude the war, claims it's already over. Some Republican lawmakers have had enoughDonald Trump has two things to say about his war with Iran. The first is that it's already over. And second, a symbolic congressional vote to end it - carried by four members of his own party - is a stab in the back that could derail the peace talks he's conducting for the war that's already over.By a 215-208 margin on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives voted to direct the president to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran, the first time either chamber has passed such a measure in the little over three months since Operation Epic Fury began on 28 February. By Thursday morning, Trump was on Truth Social calling the vote unpatriotic" and blaming it on Trump Derangement Syndrome". Continue reading...

The private meeting will take place in Downing StreetKemi Badenoch has posted a message on social media saying she met Henry Nowak's father, mother and stepmother this morning. She praises their courage, and says:Henry's family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together.Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law. What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for.At best" Jenrick is a political chameleon. Others words beginning with C might also be appropriate. I still remember him begging for my vote in the leadership (he called me on the day of the last MPs round) when he described Kemi as being too of the right & he was the moderate Continue reading...

Farage's party brings in 9m largely from crypto billionaires in three months, more than twice that of Labour and Tories

Climbing support team rescue Hillary Dawa Sherpa almost a week on from when he was last seenA Nepali Sherpa guide who was believed to have died on Mount Everest has been found crawling to base camp a week after going missing - and after his funeral rites had begun.Hillary Dawa Sherpa, named after the famous climber Edmund Hillary, was last seen on 29 May but did not reach base camp with other climbing groups. Continue reading...

The country's defence minister said the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon and will not allow the return of the population'

Prosecutors say they intend to try all five killings together next year after brief arraignment in Portland

Criticism comes from across political spectrum after blow to Friedrich Merz's governmentGermany's unprecedented failure to win one of the rotating seats on the UN security council has prompted an intense round of soul searching in Berlin, and raised questions about its claims to international leadership under Friedrich Merz.The council vote on Wednesday, which elected Austria and Portugal to a two-year term along with Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe, was a blow to Merz's struggling government, which has sought to position itself as a leading European voice on the world stage. Continue reading...

USDA confirms first case of New World screwworm in cattle in six decades, posing threat to livestock industryA flesh-eating parasite rarely seen in the US in six decades has been found in a calf in Texas, agriculture officials said, in an alarming development for the country's cattle industry.The New World screwworm fly (NWS) was confirmed in the animal in the south of the state, about 50 miles from the Mexico border, Brooke Rollins, the agriculture secretary, said late on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Plan departs from policy of bringing CDC staff back to US for treatment and offering support to all health workersFormer top US officials and other experts are urging the Trump administration to abandon plans for an Ebola quarantine and treatment centre in Kenya, as the union for workers with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls for Americans exposed to Ebola to be brought home for treatment.Soon after the US revealed it was setting up a field hospital in Kenya for the Ebola quarantine and treatment of Americans, the Kenyan high court blocked the order - but the Kenyan and US governments moved forward anyway, with the first American responders reportedly landing at the Laikipia airbase on Saturday. Continue reading...

Registrations up 7% in the month, with battery EVs recording fastest growth and Tesla jumping 45% as motorists look to cut fuel billsBritish car sales rose in May to their strongest level for the month since before the Covid pandemic, driven in part by strong growth from the Chinese manufacturers BYD and Chery.Car registrations rose by 7% to 160,662 during the month, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group. Continue reading...

Exclusive: New loopholes for developers will exacerbate extreme environmental disparities, charity coalition warnsThe poorest and most nature-deprived communities in England will be further left behind in their access to green spaces if proposed changes to planning laws go ahead, a report finds.More than 7.4 million people in England live in areas completely devoid of immediate biodiversity, including 1.42 million children under 15, the report commissioned by a number of wildlife and environmental NGOs says. Continue reading...

Pulp Fiction director writes in Sight and Sound that since the pandemic ... it seems almost impossible for a new movie to come out that I don't pick to death'Quentin Tarantino has criticised contemporary Hollywood, calling it a flavourless sausage factory".Writing in Sight and Sound magazine, Tarantino said that since the pandemic ... it seems almost impossible for a new movie to come out that I don't pick to death". He added: Flaws, implausibilities, audience pandering, miscast performers or just plain stupid shit usually torpedoes every new movie coming out of the flavourless sausage factory that used to call itself Hollywood." Continue reading...

Comments from Europe and Japan focus on immigration and statements about Britain's descent into depths of the earth'

Scientists praise moves to investigate, retract or remove controversial studies. The authors stand by their workThree scientific papers that raised questions about vaccine safety and were used by the Trump administration to justify controversial changes to US vaccine policies have over the last two months been removed, retracted or placed under investigation by the journals that published them.In some cases, the actions occurred years after scientists first raised alarms about the studies' scientific merits. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Analysis shows resort has yet to recoup Disney's investment despite record revenue and 16m annual visitorsDisney has still not recouped $4.2bn of its investment in Disneyland Paris after more than 30 years, even though the resort is now its best-performing international outpost, according to an analysis of recent filings.The sprawling theme park complex swung open its ornate iron gates in 1992 and now attracts about 16 million visitors every year. It is wholly owned by Disney and is home to two theme parks - the fairytale-inspired Disneyland and Disney Adventure World, which launched its largest-ever expansion in late March. The lavish land, themed to the hit animated movie Frozen, is part of a $2.5bn (2bn) investment by Disney, and its new chief executive, Josh D'Amaro, was on hand for the opening alongside Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...

Allegations made in Melbourne magistrates court on Thursday as Zeinab Ahmad, 31, applied for bail, a month after she was charged with slavery offences

Business secretary to meet European counterpart on Friday as EU industry leaders worry about retaliatory measures by UK

Government hopes to rush NDIS and tax changes through parliament but opposition and crossbench push for more scrutiny

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Bosses believe single booking process will drive up ticket sales for all festivals to offset funding squeezeThe Edinburgh festivals hope to launch a single box office for all the city's 11 festivals to make it simpler to buy tickets and profit from the lake" of customer data they hold.Festival directors hope a universal box office will allow them to increase ticket sales and attract a wealthy corporate sponsor, such as Mastercard, to offset deep cuts in public funding they expect to see in coming years. Continue reading...

Government-ordered review reveals routine ostracism' of Jewish staff and patients in health serviceThe NHS is taking action to tackle antisemitism after a government-ordered report found that Jewish patients and staff face routine ostracism" in the service.Anti-Jewish hatred in the NHS means some patients hide their identity and staff suffer in silence", a review by Lord Mann, the government's adviser on antisemitism, has found. Continue reading...

The state's commissioner for children and young people raised the alarm about cycles of ineffective referrals to voluntary services and closed reports in 35 cases of children who died after interactions with the system

No service expected on Circle or Piccadilly lines with Metropolitan and Central lines also badly affectedA London Underground drivers' strike has brought another day of transport disruption to the capital on Thursday.Transport for London (TfL) had urged the RMT union to call off the strike, the second 24-hour stoppage this week in a dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week. Continue reading...

NSW police appeal after comprehensive class action loss in 2025 when force admitted music festival search of Raya Meredith was unlawful and unjustified

Light from nearly 4m galaxies measured as it twisted and travelled through intergalactic space

High court dismisses organisation's injunction attempt against designation as a hate group

Success would establish for first time that a betting firm had duty of care to customers with signs of problem gamblingThe widow of a gambling addict who took his own life after falling 18,000 into debt begins a legal claim on Thursday against Betfair that could have far-reaching consequences for the UK's gambling industry.Luke Ashton, 40, from Leicester, died in April 2021 after suffering from a gambling disorder that led him to place thousands of bets with the company, which sent him promotional free" bets.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Protest over killing of Nowak and his treatment by police was attended by several far-right leaders, anti-immigrant influencers and known fascistsSome of those who attended a protest in Southampton on Tuesday night were ordinary members of the public, appalled at the killing of Henry Nowak and his treatment at the hands of the police - who handcuffed him after a false accusation of racism by his killer, Vickrum Digwa.But the protest, which turned violent, was also attended by several far-right leaders, anti-immigrant influencers and known fascists. Eleven police officers and a police dog were injured as protesters threw bricks and bins at riot officers. Two people have been arrested. While the violence occurred after many of the speakers at the protest had left, some leading figures could be seen in clashes with riot police. Continue reading...

Silenced, a documentary about violence against women, opened the Sydney film festival on Wednesday

Conservation groups say work has begun in protected coastal area, while prime minister insists project will bring jobs and investment

Islamic State-linked militia blamed for raids in North Kivu as governor says three patients with disease fled clinicsRebel attacks around a town that is one of the centres of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have left more than 30 people dead over the past few days, complicating the response to the disease.At least 10 people were massacred in raids on three villages around the city of Beni, in North Kivu, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

Sultanate says talks with Tehran are limited to lawful management of waterway, but Washington has doubts about neutralityOman is resisting US pressure to break its links with Iran, and insists it has only been negotiating with Tehran on a future management system for the strait of Hormuz that would be compliant with international law. The aim would be to implement any regime after consulting the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO).Traditionally Oman, a longtime US ally that shares stewardship of the strait, has adopted the role of a back-channel mediator allowing it to remain neutral in disputes that have led to fissures in other parts of the Gulf. Continue reading...

This blog is now closed. See our full report on the latest Middle East newsThe Kuwaiti defence ministry said it intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones launched by Iran today.A drone and missile attack on Kuwait's international airport killed one person, which Kuwaiti authorities identified as an Indian national. It is the first reported death in a Gulf state since the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April. Continue reading...

Commonwealth's barrister tells federal court they will return diary to former political staffer but it must be declassified first

Stunning rebuke to president as lawmakers vote 215-208 for measure forcing him to seek congressional approvalThe US House of Representatives delivered a stunning rebuke to Donald Trump over his war on Iran on Wednesday, as representatives backed a move to force him to seek approval from Congress or withdraw US forces.The House voted 215 to 208 in favor of the war powers resolution, as four Republicans voted with Democrats. The dissident Republicans were Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Tom Barrett of Michigan. Continue reading...

The Middle East is Japan's main source of crude oil, from which naphtha is extracted and used to make items including printing ink and plasticsTakeaways, supermarkets, and bakeries in Japan are running out of plastic bags, trays and food service gloves amid widening shortages of the key plastic ingredient, naphtha, due to the Middle East crisis.The food sector accounts for nearly one-third of Japan's annual plastic use of more than 8m tonnes, and price rises and shortages are hitting hard across the industry and beyond. Some outlets have begun offering perks to customers who bring their own bags, plates or containers. Continue reading...

El Dorado blaze that burned 22,744 acres and claimed the life of a firefighter was ignited by an illegal device

Research suggests NHS trusts with higher empathy ratings also benefit financially and have improved staff wellbeingPatients and staff fare better at hospitals that rank highly on empathy, research suggests, with institutions also benefiting financially by spending less on agency staff, locums and consultants.The finding comes from the first study to rate NHS trusts in England according to an empathy score that is drawn from information on the organisation's culture, leadership behaviour and practitioner empathy, among other factors. Continue reading...

Advertisements for non-existent jobs aim to draw in people with access to classified or sensitive informationChinese spies are targeting UK government and military staff on job websites including LinkedIn to try to get access to classified or sensitive information, MI5 has warned.A bulletin has been released by the Five Eyes powers - the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand - highlighting an aggressive" online recruitment strategy where spies for Beijing military intelligence pose as workers acting on behalf of private businesses or thinktanks.Security clearance holders, especially those who specialise in defence, foreign affairs and security and intelligence.Military personnel, including those stationed in the Indo-Pacific region, who have knowledge of regional capabilities and general activities.People with either indirect or peripheral access to government information, including academics, journalists, freelance writers, thinktank employees or anyone with links to the defence, security, policy and economic sectors. Continue reading...

Senior police figures are pushing back against politicians they accuse of stoking tensions over Henry Nowak's murderPolicing could be driven back to the 1960s by false claims officers are biased against white people, the leader of Britain's black officers has said.Ch Insp Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, spoke out amid growing concerns that politicians such as Nigel Farage were stoking tensions around the murder of teenager Henry Nowak by making baseless and provocative claims. Continue reading...

Fears that push for ballroom spending could jeopardize $70bn funding for immigration enforcementSenate Republicans on Wednesday formally dropped their attempt to spend $1bn on security improvements for Donald Trump's White House ballroom, as it became clear the president's demand for the money could jeopardize long-term funding for immigration enforcement.The Senate judiciary committee had last month included funding for security improvements related to the new ballroom in a broader measure that would authorize $70bn in spending for agencies involved in Trump's mass deportation campaign through the duration of his term. Continue reading...

Actor sentenced to probation for incident in which he attacked three men and yelled homophobic slurs, according to witnesses

German director says he recognises actor should have been better protected during filming of Wrong MoveGerman director Wim Wenders has withdrawn from circulation his 1975 film Wrong Move, because of a scene featuring a child actor topless who was 13 at the time of filming.The director said in a statement released on Wednesday: Streaming, TV and distribution partners have been instructed to no longer make the film publicly accessible." Continue reading...

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra lead the field as votes continue to be counted

Democrats say appointment of Bill Pulte could doom bipartisan agreement to renew section 702 of Fisa

Operation will use specially built container to protect fragile 11th-century embroideryAs the Bayeux tapestry wends its way across the Channel in a top secret operation there will be no jolts, no bumps, no shakes or vibrations - unlike the voyage of William the Conqueror whose 1066 victory at Hastings the artefact recounts.Nothing has been left to chance," Catherine Pegard, the French minister of culture, told a gathering to mark the historic loan, which will be physically achieved with the tapestry, which is really an embroidery, transported in a specially constructed cradle within a container, the minister said. Continue reading...