World News Hub

Pioneer of ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism now says phrase unhelpful

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Exclusive: Prof Simon Baron-Cohen says his language was misunderstood and it is a myth that autistic people lack empathyThe scientist who pioneered the “extreme male brain” theory of autism has said he regrets characterising the condition in this way because the phrase lends itself to misunderstandings.Prof Simon Baron-Cohen’s theory that autistic people strongly tend towards systemising over empa...

Australian aged care firm accused in class action of charging residents for high teas and classes they couldn’t use

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Arcare says it’s unable to comment on the federal court case in which it’s alleged it illegally charged feesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastResidents at one of Australia’s largest aged care providers have launched a class action lawsuit alleging fees for services such as high teas and exercise classes were illegally charged to clients who cannot use them due to immobilit...

Cutting language courses puts social mobility at risk, say UK experts

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Exclusive: University moves and falling exam entries fuel concerns about opportunities for working-class pupilsCutting language courses at universities and schools risks undermining social mobility and vocational skills, former education secretaries and experts in the UK have warned.More than 70 languages academics were among 500 staff at the University of Exeter to be told last week they were at ...

Nancy Pelosi’s husband could face charge after hitting parked car in California

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Paul Pelosi could face misdemeanor charges over crash that left car with ‘major’ damage, authorities sayThe husband of former House speaker Nancy Pelosi was involved in a hit-and-run car crash in California that left a parked vehicle with “major” damage, authorities said on Saturday – and he could face misdemeanor charges.Paul Pelosi was driving his brown convertible on Friday in Yountville, a tow...

Gaza protests against two Democrats spark outcry and debate on tactics

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Incidents involving California state senator Scott Wiener and New York congressman Dan Goldman underscore Israel-Palestine conflict’s role in US electionsTwo recent incidents involving US congressional candidates on opposite coasts have blown up into major controversies, underscoring how the Israel-Palestine conflict has transformed US elections – and illustrating how aggressive protest tactics ca...

Empty reservoirs, ladybirds and sunstroke: remembering the UK heatwave of 1976

The Guardian • 2 months ago

As Britain reached its hottest June temperature on record, readers recall the summer when temperatures hit 36CThe recent heatwave in the UK broke the previous June record of 35.6C, recorded during the 1976 heatwave.In Lingwood, Norfolk, a provisional temperature of 37.7C was recorded on Friday 26 June, breaking the previous record reached on 28 June 1976 and on 29 June 1957. Continue reading...

Man claiming world’s smallest penis says he’s booked enhancement surgery after public’s help

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Michael Phillips says he suffers from micropenis – but he’s now fundraised enough to increase his member’s girthA US man who has staked the uncontested claim of having the smallest penis in the world says he has booked a procedure to enhance his member at least somewhat after soliciting the online public’s financial support for that purpose.In a brief interview on Saturday, 38-year-old Michael Phi...

British swallowtail split from European cousins much earlier than thought, study finds

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Finding that Norfolk butterfly has been distinct subspecies for 200,000 years could transform conservation approachThe endangered swallowtail butterfly Papilio machaon britannicus, which is only regularly found breeding in Britain on the Norfolk Broads, has been a distinct subspecies for at least 200,000 years, according to a study.Smaller, darker in colour and much rarer than the continental swal...

Calls for killing of Trump at funeral of Iran supreme leader Ali Khamenei

The Guardian • 2 months ago

New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei still absent from public view as his three brothers stand beside father’s coffinBeside the coffin of the assassinated former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei at a packed prayer hall in Tehran on Sunday there were calls for the killing of Donald Trump.Iran is staging a week of mass funeral processions ⁠for Khamenei, who was killed along with other members of h...

At least eight shot, including four children, in New York’s Coney Island

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Incident took place late in the evening on Independence Day with one victim said to be in a critical conditionAt ⁠least eight people, including four children, were shot and injured during the ⁠US ​Independence Day holiday in New York City’s Coney Island neighbourhood, ABC News ⁠said on Sunday, citing the New York City police department (NYPD).Police officers responded to reports of a shooting ​at ...

Nigel Farage did not declare gifts from crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraud

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick says Farage accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell before becoming an MPNigel Farage did not declare gifts and benefits provided by a crypto entrepreneur who has previously been convicted of fraud, Reform’s economic spokesperson has admitted.Robert Jenrick said on Sunday that the Reform leader had accepted staff, security and accommodation from G...

Mourners vow revenge on Trump at funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei

The Guardian • 2 months ago

New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei remained absent from public view as three of his brothers stood beside their father’s coffinCalls for the killing of Donald Trump were made beside the coffin of the assassinated former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei at a packed prayer hall in Tehran on Sunday.Iran is staging a week of mass funeral processions ⁠for Khamenei, who was killed along with other m...

Iran’s supreme leader absent from funeral of father Ali Khamenei

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Three sons of killed ayatollah were seen beside coffin during ceremonies drawing huge crowds in TehranThree sons of the former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside his coffin and those of ⁠four other family members ⁠on Sunday, but Mojtaba, ​the son who has succeeded him as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make an appearance.State TV showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying b...

Baptism record at Manchester Cathedral offers insight into Black Mancunian life in Georgian-era England

The Guardian • 2 months ago

A parish entry reveals an argument that proved pivotal to the abolitionist cause, at a time when an estimated 20,000 Black people were living in the countryWhen the abolitionist Thomas Clarkson gave a sermon in 1787 at Manchester Cathedral – during the city’s first mass meeting against the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans – he saw a “great crowd of black people standing round the pulpit”.H...

NSW Labor toughens pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor points to ‘unstoppable’ momentum for reform

The Guardian • 2 months ago

State Labor conference passes motion committing to higher taxes on some clubs and moratorium on licenses for new machines Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion which passed the NSW Labor conference wit...

Ofsted drops ‘clumsy’ and ‘offensive’ guidance linking autism and extremism

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Training document used to teach inspectors updated after campaign by celebrities including Chris PackhamOfsted, the body responsible for safeguarding in education in England, has dropped guidance for inspectors that linked autism and extremism after an outcry from celebrity campaigners.An education minister has disclosed that an updated training document “no longer includes reference to children w...

Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says they may be connected to a rocket launchGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSix pieces of suspected space debris found washed up on north Queensland beaches could be “space balls” that are often left over from rocket launches, according to one expert.The Australian Space Agency confirmed...

NSW Labor toughens pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor says ‘momentum for real reform unstoppable’

The Guardian • 2 months ago

State Labor conference passes motion which would commit to 50% of machines being removed from operation in next 10 yearsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion which passed the NSW Labor conference with ...

Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan says coalition with One Nation ‘not even being talked about’

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Anthony Albanese mocks ructions on conservative side of politics and says three rightwing parties are caught up in ‘race to the bottom’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal frontbencher Dan Tehan says he does not want to be in a rightwing coalition with One Nation, despite senior colleagues urging closer ties with Pauline Hanson and polls suggesting her rise will make ...

NSW Labor adopts tougher pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor says ‘momentum for real reform unstoppable’

The Guardian • 2 months ago

State Labor conference passes motion which would commit to 50% of machines being removed from operation in next 10 yearsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales premier Chris Minns will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion which passed the NSW Labor conference with unanim...

Could Farage quit? Questions swirl over Reform UK leader’s future

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Farage is under pressure over £5m gift, byelection losses and rise of rival Restore but allies say exit speculation is ‘wishful thinking’“Of course he’s tired. He’s just done two months campaigning every day on the road, it would be weird if he wasn’t. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to quit,” says one friend of Nigel Farage who has spent time with him in recent weeks.Westminster has been ablaze ...

Make Ed Miliband chancellor, ex-chief Treasury adviser tells Andy Burnham

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Nicholas Stern joins growing number backing Miliband, saying he has vision and experience to revive economyA former chief economic adviser to the Treasury has called on Andy Burnham to appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor, arguing the energy secretary has a “bold” vision to revive the economy.Nicholas Stern, a professor at the London School of Economics who was a senior figure in the Treasury during ...

NSW Labor to adopt tougher pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor says ‘momentum for real reform unstoppable’

The Guardian • 2 months ago

State Labor conference expected to pass a motion which would commit to 50% of machines being removed from operation in next 10 yearsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales premier Chris Minns will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion expected to pass the NSW Labor confer...

Coalition criticises Labor over electricity prices as Bowen rejects ‘hypocrisy’ – as it happened

The Guardian • 2 months ago

This blog is now closed.Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian Space Agency has confirmed that “suspected space debris” thought to contain hazardous chemicals has been located north of Townsville.Queensland police said four objects were located on Friday and Saturday in the Forrest beach area and 50-metre exclusion zones had been enforced around each object. Cont...

Australia news live: Tehan criticises Labor for rising electricity bills as Bowen points to Coalition ‘hypocrisy’; suspected space debris washes up near Townsville

The Guardian • 2 months ago

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian Space Agency has confirmed that “suspected space debris” thought to contain hazardous chemicals has been located north of Townsville.Queensland police said four objects were located on Friday and Saturday in the Forrest beach area and 50-metre exclusion zones had been enforced around each object. Co...