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Scaring monkeys? Detecting bedbugs? Meet the elite working dogs – in pictures
A new photography book, *Working Dogs: Through the Lens of Love and Duty* by John Fabiano, published by Smith Street Books, showcases dogs performing specialised roles around the world, from herding livestock to rescuing avalanche victims. The Guardian gallery features a selection of these images alongside Fabiano’s first-hand accounts of the months he spent travelling…
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My abusive and aggressive partner left me but O2 insists I meet him in person
A Guardian Money reader sought help after her O2 family phone plan left her needing to remove her abusive ex-partner and his children’s numbers from her account, but O2 insisted the only way to do this was for the pair to join a joint call or meet in person. Despite her fear of contact with…
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How misconceptions and woeful PR allowed Musk to shred USAID so easily | Jeremiah A Carew
A former USAID official argues that poor public understanding of the agency’s work, combined with weak communication of its achievements, made it an easy target when Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) moved to dismantle it in January 2025. The writer contrasts USAID’s low public profile with Nasa’s carefully cultivated national prestige, arguing that…
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Solar cuts ‘at least £400 from bills in even the cloudiest British areas’
Households in even Great Britain’s cloudiest regions can save more than £400 a year on energy bills by installing rooftop solar panels, according to new analysis, as rising wholesale energy prices and falling installation costs make the technology increasingly worthwhile nationwide. The findings come as Britain sees record levels of solar uptake, with more new…
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The night in 1970 that shaped the rest of Elton John’s life: “I didn’t come down for two days”
Elton John’s landmark 1970 US debut at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles is widely regarded as the turning point that launched him into stardom, transforming him overnight from a promising young British musician into a rising star. Playing on 25 August 1970 as a support act for headliner David Ackles, John delivered a performance…
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Price rises gather pace in UK shops amid higher energy costs
Price rises in UK shops accelerated to their fastest pace in two years in August, according to a British Retail Consortium survey, as higher energy costs and strong AI-driven demand for chips pushed up the cost of food and electronics. This adds pressure on households already grappling with rising bills and comes as a fresh…
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Dry weather sewage discharges soar as water companies face scrutiny
Suspected illegal discharges of raw sewage into England’s rivers and seas during dry weather have risen sharply in 2026, according to Environment Agency data obtained via freedom of information requests, despite regulators’ promises of tougher enforcement. Such discharges are illegal because dry-weather sewage releases are more toxic, as rivers have less flow and no rainwater…
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Apple’s Tim Cook steps down, Meta accused of dodging accountability
TalkFuse briefing: Tim Cook hands Apple’s reins to John Ternus, while the Guardian says Meta escaped too lightly after its $18bn child-safety settlement; also, D4vd’s legal team quits his murder trial, Rush extend their comeback tour, and Ed Sheeran crew injured in Detroit.
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Star Wars Zero Company studio furloughs most staff amid Steam success
The studio behind Star Wars Zero Company reportedly furloughed the majority of its staff even as the tactical strategy game ranked among Steam’s current bestsellers, highlighting how commercial success on launch offers little protection from cost-cutting in the games industry. The apparent contradiction between a chart-topping release and widespread staff cuts underscores the financial pressures…
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Chalmers is betting data centres will help save Australia’s economy. In reality, we’re dumb landlords set to get a very poor return
The Albanese government is treating Australia’s data centre boom, worth over $130 billion by the end of the decade, as a key driver that will help rescue the country’s sluggish economy. However, the article argues this optimism is misplaced, as the actual economic payoff is likely to be far smaller than promised, with Australia positioned…