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UK borrows less than expected in June in boost for Burnham
The Guardian

UK borrows less than expected in June in boost for Burnham

Figure of £16bn from ONS comes after new prime minister revealed plans to cut VAT on electricity billsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government borrowed less than expected in June, in a boost for Andy Burnham as he set out plans to cut VAT on household electricity bills and promised a new direction for the British economy.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrow...

Burnham cuts VAT on household electricity bills; UK borrows less than expected in June – business live
The Guardian

Burnham cuts VAT on household electricity bills; UK borrows less than expected in June – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe removal of VAT from electricity bills is positive but it does not address the scale of the problem that British households are facing, campaigners at the End Fuel Poverty Coalition have said.Simon Francis, coordinator of the group, said:Removing VAT from electricity bills is a positive statement of intent by the new administration. But ...

Man of his word: Pope Leo speeches declared human-authored by Australian AI detection tool
The Guardian

Man of his word: Pope Leo speeches declared human-authored by Australian AI detection tool

Maps of Hope has been certified by Proudly Human, a company led by former chief scientist, Dr Alan Finkel A collection of speeches and writings by Pope Leo XIV has been certified as human-authored less than two months after Leo declared artificial intelligence the greatest threat to humanity.Proudly Human, the Australian company spearheaded by Australia’s former chief scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, un...

Gaza celebrates World Cup victory of Spanish team they took into their hearts
The Guardian

Gaza celebrates World Cup victory of Spanish team they took into their hearts

People gather at cafes and outdoor screenings to support team after Spain’s backing for Palestinian rights The Spanish football team’s World Cup win has been celebrated in the streets of Gaza, where Spain’s support for Palestinian rights and Israel’s backing for the Argentinian team turned the competition into more than a football showdown.Gathered at cafes and outdoor screenings, Palestinians def...

UK military ‘eyes innovative electric flying taxi’ as 2029 launch planned

UK military ‘eyes innovative electric flying taxi’ as 2029 launch planned

The Guardian

Vertical Aerospace says government has given £10m backing, taking its total investment in the project to £48mBritish flying taxi startup Vertical Aerospace has said the UK government has expressed interest in buying a military variant of its aircraft as it races to gain approval for flights with paying passengers.Vertical also welcomed another £10m grant from the government, taking its total UK st...

Australia news live: Perth teenager arrested after allegedly stabbing mother to death; Victorian teachers to strike on Thursday

Australia news live: Perth teenager arrested after allegedly stabbing mother to death; Victorian teachers to strike on Thursday

The Guardian

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for their hottest daytime and night-time temperatures and Thredbo also set a new hottest July day, according to ...

Holocaust survivors president says exclusion of Jews from public life has ‘disturbing parallels’ to Nazi Germany

Holocaust survivors president says exclusion of Jews from public life has ‘disturbing parallels’ to Nazi Germany

The Guardian

George Foster tells royal commission Australia’s democratic institutions fundamentally different, ‘but I can’t ignore certain disturbing parallels in the social atmosphere’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA rise in antisemitism across Australia has “disturbing parallels” with the social climate of Nazi Germany, the pre...

‘Disturbing parallels’: Holocaust survivors president says exclusion of Jews from public life similar to Nazi Germany

‘Disturbing parallels’: Holocaust survivors president says exclusion of Jews from public life similar to Nazi Germany

The Guardian

George Foster tells royal commision Australia’s democratic institutions fundamentally different ‘but I can’t ignore certain disturbing parallels in the social atmosphere’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA rise in antisemitism across Australia has “disturbing parallels” with the social climate of Nazi Germany, the presi...

Tuesday briefing: Inside Andy Burnham’s first day

Tuesday briefing: Inside Andy Burnham’s first day

The Guardian

In today’s newsletter: As the new prime minister enters No 10, our journalists take you through what it was like covering his first hours in powerGood morning, and let’s abandon all conditional tenses because finally Andy Burnham is UK prime minister and, on a day of ceremony and celebration, he pledged his government would be “a circuit breaker for Britain”.A defining characteristic of Team Burnh...

US issues ‘worldwide caution’ for American citizens – as it happened

US issues ‘worldwide caution’ for American citizens – as it happened

The Guardian

This blog is now closed – our live coverage of the Middle East crisis continues hereThe price of oil jumped in early Asian trade on Monday after the US carried out its latest wave of strikes on Iran and a vessel caught fire in the strait of Hormuz.Brent crude for September delivery rose 2.72% to $90.50 a barrel by around 0100 GMT, after briefly crossing $91 – its highest price since June.CENTCOM a...

Iran claims attacks in strait of Hormuz; Houthis announce blockade of Red Sea shipping route – Middle East crisis live

Iran claims attacks in strait of Hormuz; Houthis announce blockade of Red Sea shipping route – Middle East crisis live

The Guardian

Revolutionary Guard claims attack on oil tanker and two other ships; Houthis in Yemen say they are imposing an immediate maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red SeaFull report: Almost 100 troops injured in recent weeks, Pentagon admits, as Iran launches reprisals on US alliesWelcome to our live coverage of the latest developments in the Middle East crisis.Iran attacked a tanker in the strait ...

UK surrogacy law ‘creaking at seams’ as demand rises sharply

UK surrogacy law ‘creaking at seams’ as demand rises sharply

The Guardian

Experts urge ministers to update legislation to prevent intended parents resorting to riskier arrangements abroadSurrogates, parents and children are being failed by the UK’s archaic laws, which are “creaking at the seams” as demand for surrogacy grows rapidly, experts have said.Figures obtained by the Guardian show there were just under 1,000 children born to surrogates in 2025, double the number...

Wealth tax on UK’s super-rich could raise £10bn a year, Andy Burnham told

Wealth tax on UK’s super-rich could raise £10bn a year, Andy Burnham told

The Guardian

New prime minister urged to introduce 2% minimum charge on households with more than £100m in wealthA wealth tax on the UK’s super-rich households could raise £10bn a year, according to academics who urged Andy Burnham to include the measure in his plans to “make tax fairer” and pay for better public services.The sum could be raised through a 2% minimum charge on households with more than £100m in...

Gruel and graft: museum asks if you could survive a Victorian workhouse

Gruel and graft: museum asks if you could survive a Victorian workhouse

The Guardian

Revamped Ripon attraction reopens as a more immersive experience telling ‘national story’ of poverty and welfareVisitors to one of Britain’s most complete surviving Victorian workhouses won’t have to strip and bathe in someone else’s bath water. But they might get some gruel, they can sweep the yard and there are “schoolmaster” volunteers happy to tell children how to behave.“You are literally goi...

Election voting advice from AI chatbots ‘inaccurate and unreliable’

Election voting advice from AI chatbots ‘inaccurate and unreliable’

The Guardian

Research during Hungary election shows AI recommended parties not running and gave highly volatile answers to identical promptsAI chatbots provide inaccurate, inconsistent and unreliable guidance to voters asking which party they should back, a study suggests, often recommending the wrong party, not mentioning the right one, or listing parties not even running.“The results raise serious concerns a...

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother was not supported to protect her children while escaping domestic violence, review finds

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother was not supported to protect her children while escaping domestic violence, review finds

The Guardian

Interim report not able to draw ‘nexus’ between matters referred to child protection and circumstances leading to five-year-old’s alleged murder•Warning: This story contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKumanjayi Little Baby’s mother was “effectively” left alone to ...

Climate and rock art advocates take on Woodside’s ‘carbon bomb’ WA gas project in federal court

Climate and rock art advocates take on Woodside’s ‘carbon bomb’ WA gas project in federal court

The Guardian

Albanese government’s approval of North West Shelf gas extension being challenged by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of Australian Rock ArtThe Albanese government’s decision to approve one of the world’s largest gas projects in Western Australia is being challenged in the federal court, setting up a significant test of how Australia’s environment law deals with the threat of cli...

Almost 100 troops injured in recent weeks, Pentagon admits, as Iran launches reprisals on US allies

Almost 100 troops injured in recent weeks, Pentagon admits, as Iran launches reprisals on US allies

The Guardian

Iran has attacked a tanker in the strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the ship, after the US launched a tenth consecutive night of strikesMiddle East crisis live: follow latest updatesNearly 100 US service members have been injured over the last two weeks of escalating strikes on Iran, the Pentagon has said, as Tehran launched a wave of reprisals to the tenth consecutive night of attacks...

Almost 90 football fields of woody habitat were bulldozed every day in NSW – despite pledges to rein it in

Almost 90 football fields of woody habitat were bulldozed every day in NSW – despite pledges to rein it in

The Guardian

Decline in clearing of trees and shrubs offset by sharp jump in clearing of non-woody vegetationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost 90 football fields’ worth of woody habitat were bulldozed in New South Wales every day in 2024, according to new government data which shows the state has failed to rein in high rates ...

NSW land-clearing up 16% in 2024 as conservation groups say Minns government failing to rein in habitat loss

NSW land-clearing up 16% in 2024 as conservation groups say Minns government failing to rein in habitat loss

The Guardian

Decline in clearing of trees and shrubs offset by sharp jump in clearing of non-woody vegetationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost 90 rugby league fields’ worth of woody habitat were bulldozed in New South Wales every day in 2024, according to new government data which shows the state has failed to rein in high ra...

Australia news live: ‘millions’ in cash being moved in unmarked, un-armoured Hyundais, union says; Victorian teachers to strike on Thursday

Australia news live: ‘millions’ in cash being moved in unmarked, un-armoured Hyundais, union says; Victorian teachers to strike on Thursday

The Guardian

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for their hottest daytime and night-time temperatures and Thredbo also set a new hottest July day, according to ...

Not enough water for UK’s datacentre plans, trade body says

Not enough water for UK’s datacentre plans, trade body says

The Guardian

Industry says government’s failure to address cooling demands means AI growth plans are ‘fatally flawed’The UK will not have enough water for future datacentres, the water industry has said in stark criticism of the government’s AI growth plans.Datacentres rely on large amounts of water to manage the heat generated by densely packed servers. Cooling towers, chillers and humidification systems make...

Australia news live: ‘millions’ in cash being moved in unmarked, un-armoured Hyundais, union says; spare undies warning for Games athletes

Australia news live: ‘millions’ in cash being moved in unmarked, un-armoured Hyundais, union says; spare undies warning for Games athletes

The Guardian

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for their hottest daytime and night-time temperatures and Thredbo also set a new hottest July day, according to ...

Australia news live: Pauline Hanson says Trump had ‘a great way’ of dealing with migrants; Nine newspapers announce redundancies

Australia news live: Pauline Hanson says Trump had ‘a great way’ of dealing with migrants; Nine newspapers announce redundancies

The Guardian

One Nation leader says Trump’s methods dealt with people ‘using all these ploys to stay in the country’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for the...

Australia news live: Pauline Hanson says Trump had ‘a great way’ of dealing with migrants; Nine newspapers announces redundancies

Australia news live: Pauline Hanson says Trump had ‘a great way’ of dealing with migrants; Nine newspapers announces redundancies

The Guardian

One Nation leader says Trump’s methods dealt with people ‘using all these ploys to stay in the country’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set July records for the...

Tropical Storm Bertha heads for land as Hurricane Fausto forms in eastern Pacific

Tropical Storm Bertha heads for land as Hurricane Fausto forms in eastern Pacific

The Guardian

Bertha could bring heavy rain on US Gulf coast, with its center located 110 miles south of Panama City, FloridaTropical Storm Bertha formed Monday evening in the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Panhandle as it drifts erratically toward populated coastal areas, bringing a threat of heavy rain, storm surge and damaging wind gusts.Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto formed f...

Weather warnings as another tropical storm develops along US Gulf coast

Weather warnings as another tropical storm develops along US Gulf coast

The Guardian

Tropical Storm Bertha could bring heavy rain on US Gulf coast, with its center located 110 miles south of Panama City, FloridaTropical Storm Bertha developed along the US Gulf coast on Monday evening, bringing the threat of heavy rain and storm surge flooding as Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened off Mexico’s south-west Pacific coast.The center of Bertha was located about 110 miles (180 km) south ...

Trump exploring additional tariffs on Canada for wildfire smoke impacts in US, White House official says –as it happened

Trump exploring additional tariffs on Canada for wildfire smoke impacts in US, White House official says –as it happened

The Guardian

This live blog is now closed.Donald Trump to impose 50% tariff on most Canadian goods, White House saysSign up for the Breaking News US emailWhile speaking to reporters on Sunday, Donald Trump acknowledged the three US military casualties as the strikes on Iran continue unabated.“Well, we feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots, were out there fighting that Iran cann...

Australia news live: Qantas apologises for four-hour wait on Sydney tarmac; Nine newspapers announce redundancies

Australia news live: Qantas apologises for four-hour wait on Sydney tarmac; Nine newspapers announce redundancies

The Guardian

Airline says communication ‘could have been better’ after about 250 passengers waited hours for flight to Denpasar to leave. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered at the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.Ski areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek set ...