When asked to detail what would make a better life in three to five years, 60% of US adults said greater financial securityAmericans may seem increasingly divided on beliefs and values, but in a new survey of more than 30,000 adults from across the country spanning generations and economic classes, a majority of Americans agree there's a significant barrier to achieving a better life: the rising cost of living.When asked to describe what a better life in three to five years would look like, 60% of Americans said they wanted greater financial security, according to a survey that was conducted by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the WK Kellogg Foundation in mid-April. Continue reading...
Experts say growing trend on sites such as Polymarket and Kalshi could motivate people to start fires to win moneyA group of US lawmakers is sounding the alarm over prediction market platforms that allow users to bet on wildfires, as experts warn the emerging trend could raise the risk of arson.Democratic senators from six states sent a letter this week to the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent government agency regulating platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, urging it to rein in the practice. Continue reading...
Washington-Rabat ties under scrutiny as questions swirl over what led to deadly influx into tiny Spanish territoryThe cosy relationship between Washington and Rabat has long been flaunted by both sides, from Morocco's announcement this year that it would be the first African state to join Donald Trump's Board of Peace to the congratulatory message recently sent by Trump to mark King Mohammed VI's 27 years in power.The latest example landed this week. As Spain grappled with the aftermath of the sudden influx - and swift return - of more than 70,000 people into Ceuta, Morocco's monarch confirmed he had named a $1bn highway flanking the disputed territory of Western Sahara after Trump. Continue reading...
Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper will headline opening of club's first UK venue in Covent Garden next monthThe world-famous New York jazz club Blue Note will open its first UK venue in London next month.Located in the basement of St Martins Lane hotel, Covent Garden, the club promises the best of British jazz alongside world-class international artists, with a programme featuring emerging and established talent. Continue reading...
Firm lifts outlook saying it's well placed to benefit from PM's focus on new homes despite ongoing cost pressures of Iran warUK housebuilder Persimmon has lifted its outlook, saying it is well-placed" to benefit from prime minister Andy Burnham's policy agenda, despite growing costs linked to the Iran war.Despite rising cost pressures, Persimmon has lifted its outlook for the full year and now plans to complete 12,500 new homes by year-end, at the upper reach of its previous guidance. Continue reading...
Coffee chain has faced backlash over marketing promotion tied to anniversary of Gwangju massacreSouth Korean police have raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign accused of trivialising the country's 1980s pro-democracy movement.Investigators searched the building in southern Seoul on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday. No further details were released, although South Korean media reported that officers also searched the homes of the Starbucks Korea executives. Continue reading...
Some want the chancellor to exploit newly flexible fiscal rules - others want a more creative approach, such as borrowing from marketsWith just 12 weeks to go until his first budget, new chancellor John Healey is seeking ways to ramp up public investment, without busting the Treasury's fiscal rules - and some economists are urging him to be bold.As he settles into No 11 Downing Street, the former defence secretary's most immediate challenges concern day-to-day government spending. Continue reading...
Investigation by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and Legal Agenda shows Israel deliberately attacked Amal Khalil and colleague Zeinab Faraj knowing they were civiliansAn Israeli strike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured her colleague Zeinab Faraj in April was a war crime, three rights organisations said on Thursday.Investigations from Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and Legal Agenda showed that Israel deliberately and directly attacked Khalil and Faraj, with apparent knowledge that they were civilians. The organisations called for the attacks to be investigated as war crimes, while HRW called for states to halt arm sales to Israel and put targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for ongoing crimes. Continue reading...
After Ukraine failed to shoot down a single ballistic missile fired by Russia on Wednesday, the president urged allies to increase supplies of Patriot interceptorsNato is working to get Ukraine the air defences it urgently needs", its secretary general has said, after Kyiv failed to shoot down a single Russian missile in an attack on Wednesday, and as Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was seeking to significantly boost missile production ahead of winter.Speaking at a National Security and Defense Council meeting on winter resilience, the Ukrainian president did not rule out the idea that stalling missile supplies from western allies were aimed at making Ukraine, so to speak, more willing to compromise" in peace talks with Russia. Continue reading...
The 20-year-old's third calf is being monitored by officials as survival rates for the species are challenging, the zoo saidThe Toronto Zoo has announced the birth of a female pygmy hippo calf.Kindia, the zoo's 20-year-old pygmy hippo, started showing signs of labor at around 8.15am last Sunday, it said. Around four hours later, the calf's feet emerged and after 1.5 hours of active labor, Kindia successfully gave birth to the baby pygmy hippo. Continue reading...
by Deborah Cole in Berlin and Andrew Roth in Washingt on (#77FNA)
Investigators treating incident as part of professional hybrid threat scenario', says Alexander Dobrindt The Leipzig drone bomb marks a dangerous escalation for EuropeGermany's interior minister has warned that the discovery of a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig airport marks a new level of danger" for the country, as authorities examine whether the thwarted attack could have been planned by a foreign power.The discovery of a small drone carrying explosives at Leipzig airport, a leading shipping and military hub, set off alarm and caused flight diversions on Wednesday morning. German police deployed a bomb disposal robot to defuse and destroy the explosive device. Continue reading...
Thames Valley chief says he may join Police Federation in court if Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers are freed from prisonThe chief constable of Thames Valley police has said he will consider joining legal action against the government if it fails to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers.The Police Federation is contemplating going to court in its attempts to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison. Continue reading...
by Lucy Campbell (now); Nadeem Badshah and Taz Ali (e on (#77FPC)
This live blog is now closed.The geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the strait of Hormuz have been agreed by Iran and Oman, and a joint announcement is being finalised, provided no third parties interfere, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday.Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway. Continue reading...
by Andrew Roth in Washington and agencies on (#77G0M)
Joint statement with Oman is being finalised, but Tehran says deal alone would not guarantee waterway's securityIran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the strait of Hormuz, and a joint announcement is being finalised provided certain third parties do not interfere, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday.Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway. Continue reading...
University says it has new information' about academic career of Jason Arday, the youngest black professor in its historyJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, is to face investigation by the university after it said it received new information" about his qualifications and career.Cambridge initially defended Arday - the youngest black professor appointed in the university's history, with a compelling life story of educational disadvantage - as the victim of a vile campaign". But as questions mounted over Arday's own claims, the university's leaders felt that Cambridge's reputation was in danger. Continue reading...
Data shows victims of torture and trafficking among those prosecuted for crossing Channel by irregular meansMore than 1,100 people, including survivors of torture and trafficking, have been convicted of illegally arriving in the UK since 2022, according to freedom of information data.The Home Office introduced the offence of illegal arrival in 2022 in a bid to deter those planning to come to the UK by small boat or by other irregular means such as lorries. Continue reading...
Sheikh Hasina, 78, plans a December comeback two years after being ousted in a bloody uprising led by studentsBangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return home by year-end, even though she faces a death sentence.They may put me in a cell. They may kill me. Anything may happen, but still I have to go," said the 78-year-old, speaking two years after a student-led uprising toppled her government. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#77FZJ)
Initial evidence suggests the drone, which was found near Ukrainian cargo planes at the German airport, came from RussiaThe armed drone found at Leipzig airport on Wednesday may not have exploded, but the fact that it got inside the perimeter, close to Ukrainian cargo planes, raises obvious concerns for the security of international aviation.Though the identity of the culprits is unknown, the initial evidence points firmly towards a Russian-orchestrated plot. It is the first time that a drone with explosives has been found in Europe far from the Ukrainian border. Continue reading...
Ukraine shoots down most drones but no ballistic missiles in overnight attack that mainly targeted civilian facilitiesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has blamed allies for not delivering air defences fast enough after Ukraine failed to shoot down a single Russian missile in a deadly overnight attack that killed at least 17 people and injured dozens more.Preliminary data from the Ukrainian air force showed its defences shot down 98 of the 115 drones fired by Russia overnight, but no ballistic missiles. Continue reading...
Police arrested a woman in central London after four men were found with stab wounds in the shopping and entertainment districtWorkers at the 2 Chairs Grooming Room said one of the victims ran into the shop and took his shirt off, revealing a large gash on his back.Two of the four men stabbed this afternoon have been discharged from the hospital, the Metropolitan Police posted on X. Continue reading...
Hits on two towns among deadliest bombings since start of June ceasefireAn Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon killed one person and injured 11, the Lebanese ministry of health said, in one of Israel's deadliest bombings since the start of the June ceasefire.Israel carried out an airstrike in the town of Tebnine, hitting a cemetery, the Lebanese health ministry said. It said the town of al-Mansouri, in south Lebanon, was also bombed, forcing families to flee. Continue reading...
Assassination attempt demonstrates Ukraine's ability to continue clandestine operations deep inside Russian territoryThe head of a leading Russian drone manufacturer has been critically injured in a car bomb near Ekaterinburg, in what appears to be the latest in a series of assassination attempts targeting figures linked to the country's war in Ukraine.Vladimir Tkachuk, the founder of the private drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, was rushed to intensive care on Wednesday after a bomb planted beneath his Mercedes exploded, according to Russian state media, citing emergency services. His bodyguard was killed in the explosion. Continue reading...
German state prosecutors including units working on extremism and terrorism prevention take over investigation into Leipzig incidentFor what it's worth, DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer said the German logistics firm was studying the overnight incident which also involved an object clashing with one of its planes near Leipzig.We've got plans for cases like this, and we'll try to make sure that the influence on our customers will be as low as possible," Meyer said during a quarterly results call earlier this morning, Reuters reported. Continue reading...
by Shah Meer Baloch, Josh Halliday, Raphael Boyd and on (#77FNB)
Exclusive: Rukhsar Ahmed was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week despite being on police bail in the UKA former Pakistani state minister has been arrested on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s, the Guardian can reveal.Rukhsar Ahmed, who was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week after five years out of office, is on police bail in the UK after his arrest in July 2024 on suspicion of rape and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang. Continue reading...
by Hannah Al-Othman North of England Correspondent on (#77FNC)
Police say man, 35, was known to nine-year-old girl, who was found seriously injured in industrial estate in ArbroathA man has been charged in connection with the death of a nine-year-old girl on a family camping trip in Scotland.The girl, from West Yorkshire, was found seriously injured just after midnight on Monday morning at the Elliot industrial estate in Arbroath, Angus. Continue reading...
Exclusive: cases of Afghan man, Ukrainian man and Saudi woman show repeated nasogastric tube insertions and lack of legal representationOne hunger striker in an immigration detention center was force-fed for almost six months.One detained immigrant with mental health problems was about to be force-fed, until his attorney intervened and stopped the process.Read part one and part two of our Ice force-feeding series Continue reading...
National Autonomous University of Mexico says applicants must take test in person after online debacleMexico's largest and most prestigious university has announced that about 58,000 students will have to resit their entrance exam after abnormally high test results raised suspicions of widespread cheating.The National Autonomous University of Mexico (Unam) said the exam would take place in person after its first attempt at a fully remote online version led to a debacle and thousands of annulled results. Continue reading...
Energy minister says Australian households and energy reliability will be protected by new federal legislationEnergy minister Chris Bowen says the federal government will override state governments that oppose new national rules on datacentres, with commonwealth legislation forcing new AI datacentres to be powered by renewable energy and banning those fuelled by gas.Bowen said he expected his counterparts in Queensland and the Northern Territory - who had protested the new federal rules at a meeting last week - to be unhappy with the move, but said the Albanese government was committed to powering the AI revolution with renewable energy. Continue reading...
UN forecasters warn of worsening conditions in 45 countries currently experiencing severe food insecurityAbout 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the end of next year by the rapidly developing El Nino weather system, according to forecasting.This is in addition to the hundreds of millions of people already facing dangerous levels of hunger, owing to years of drought in parts of Africa and pressure on food prices from the war in Iran. Continue reading...
Emergency services were seen outside Hilton's home in Miami on Tuesday night after members of the public reported seeing Hilton harm himselfThe celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has been hospitalised after livestreaming footage of himself self-harming on TikTok.Emergency services were seen outside Hilton's home in Miami on Tuesday night after concerned members of the public reported seeing Hilton harm himself in a graphic video streamed live on TikTok. Hilton's TikTok account was suspended minutes later. Continue reading...
Flurry of articles has raised eyebrows and drawn response from Kemi Badenoch defending stance on net zeroNobody can deny that the UK is getting warmer and high temperatures are becoming a clear threat to homes, nature and food security," read the lengthy news report, which explored the devastating effect of British wildfires on families in recent years.The article's conclusions, written after the wildfires in Suffolk last week, were no surprise given the UK's changing climate. However, the fact that the piece appeared in the Telegraph, the rightwing title that has been a leading critic of green policies, did raise eyebrows among some readers. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: The past week shows how quickly images, rumours and right-wing political opportunism can eclipse the facts on the groundGood morning. Last week, an estimated 72,000 migrants began crossing into a tiny Spanish enclave on the tip of Morocco. Within 24 hours, most of them had headed home. At least 88 people died after attempting the crossing, according to local officials. This isn't the whole story of what happened over the last week, but the facts are worth remembering.At an emergency meeting yesterday, EU interior ministers sought to draw a line under Ceuta, insisting that the passport-free Schengen area had never been at risk from the arrival of migrants at this scale. Despite this, much of the media coverage has suggested that events in Ceuta represent a territorial threat to Europe, sparking calls for greater security across the region's borders.Environment | Eight of the biggest oil companies amassed profits of more than $90bn (67bn) in just three months as the Iran conflict sent energy prices soaring and the emissions-fuelled climate crisis caused deadly heatwaves.UK politics | Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an ideal birth", the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.Middle East | Jordan is convening an emergency meeting over an imminent" threat of an Israeli takeover of the most important Muslim site in Jerusalem, with the potential to trigger a religious conflict".Ukraine | Russian strikes in and around Kyiv killed at least 14 people, injured 27 and damaged warehouses, emergency service officials said. Some reports put the death toll at 15.Ceuta | Hundreds of people have gathered in the northern Moroccan town of Fnideq, near the border with Spain's Ceuta, flashing photos of their missing loved ones to passersby in the hope of tracking them down. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian