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State of play: What to know about California showdown to replace Swalwell after massive scandal
Control of the California congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell remained undecided in the early hours after Tuesday’s special election, as votes continued to be counted. Swalwell resigned from Congress in April following sexual assault allegations from at least five women, allegations that also derailed his simultaneous bid for California governor, which he…
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UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war fuels living costs squeeze
UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July, up from 2.6% in June, as the fallout from the Iran war pushed up energy costs and squeezed household finances again. The increase, in line with City forecasts, poses an early test for Andy Burnham’s government, which has pledged to give consumers “breathing space” from rising living costs,…
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‘It’s easy to slip into the negatives’: students on their biggest financial shocks at university
The Guardian gathered accounts from current students and recent graduates about the financial shocks that caught them off guard when starting university, alongside their practical advice for freshers. The piece matters as thousands of students prepare to begin courses this autumn, many managing money independently for the first time and facing steep living costs on…
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UK relies on heat-stressed countries for fruit and veg it could grow itself – report
The UK is exposed to future food price shocks because it relies heavily on fruit and vegetable imports from countries that are themselves more vulnerable to the climate crisis than Britain, according to a new report from the Food Foundation charity. This comes as the UK has already endured a record five heatwaves this year…
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Torrential storms and Spanish pension tax raid loom as forests fall and boardrooms burn
The UK government has confirmed that, for deaths on or after 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included in a deceased person’s estate for inheritance-tax purposes. The change, enacted through the Finance Act 2026, reverses the previous general treatment that allowed many pension pots to pass outside the…
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Sheffield Green councillor say Reform’s proposed benefits changes are ‘cruel cut’ that will damage economy
Sheffield Green Party councillor Maleiki Haybe criticised Reform UK’s proposed welfare overhaul, focusing on plans that would replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a more restrictive system and seek substantial reductions in welfare spending. Haybe, who chairs Sheffield City Council’s Adult Health and Social Care Committee, said PIP helps people meet disability-related costs including transport,…
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Tourists on pastry quest overrun scenic spot in Italian mountains
Hundreds of tourists have flocked to a remote mountain hut in Italy’s Dolomites, not for the alpine scenery but to sample a doughnut-like pastry made famous by social media influencers, reigniting concern about the impact of viral tourism on fragile natural sites. The Friedrich August refuge, perched at 2,300 metres between Col Rodella and Passo…
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Gallery: Here’s A Look At The Electrifying Pikachu Cards In Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration
The Pokémon Company has previewed the Pikachu-themed cards featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s upcoming 30th Celebration series, which launches worldwide simultaneously. The set marks three decades of the franchise and is expected to be highly sought-after among collectors, given the enduring popularity of Pikachu in trading card releases. The 30th Celebration series will…
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The Best Historical Book of 2026 Has Dominated the New York Times Best Sellers List for 14 Weeks
The historical novel “The Calamity Club” has spent 14 consecutive weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list, currently sitting at number three, cementing its status as one of the year’s most enduring literary successes. Its staying power reflects strong word of mouth and reader interest, and it is considered by some commentators a…
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The moment SpaceX Starship spotted off Christmas Island landed in Indian Ocean – video
SpaceX has released video showing its Starship Flight 13 vehicle splashing down in the Indian Ocean off Australia, marking a landmark landing for Elon Musk’s rocket programme. The footage, streamed live by SpaceX, captured the 52-metre spacecraft as it descended to the ocean surface west of the Australian mainland, near Christmas Island. The controlled ocean…