-
Students and graduates now cover 84% of England’s degree costs, analysis finds
The government now funds only 16 per cent of undergraduate degree costs in England, down from 48 per cent in 2012-13, according to analysis by London Economics for Universities UK. Students and graduates are consequently expected to cover 84 per cent of the total cost, up from 52 per cent twelve years ago, representing a…
-
Labour Reels Over Pensions as Burnham Gambles on Social Care
Prime Minister Burnham signals a potential reversal of Labour’s manifesto commitment on the state pension triple lock, to fund a major social care overhaul. In the US, Tennessee prepares its first execution of a woman in two centuries.
-
Czech government faces no-confidence vote over budget deficit and PM’s conflict of interest
The Czech government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš faced a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its proposed 2027 budget deficit and concerns about his business interests. Opposition parties say the planned shortfall is excessive, while the government argues it is needed to fund investment, health care, higher pensions and public-sector pay. The draft deficit is…
-
Trump rules out joint US-China venture to develop AI
Donald Trump has ruled out a joint US-China venture to develop artificial intelligence, saying it could give Beijing access to American know-how. Speaking at the launch of a new AI-powered government services portal, he said the US was well ahead in the field and wanted to maintain that lead. His comments underline tensions between cooperation…
-
Republican Governor declares state of emergency over sky-high gas prices as he suspends state’s fuel tax ahead of midterm elections
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency and temporarily suspended the state’s motor fuel tax as petrol and diesel prices rise, partly amid disruption linked to the Iran war. The move is intended to ease costs for residents and businesses, and comes as Republicans face a difficult political outlook ahead of November’s…
-
Senate report claims Iran is using Tether’s stablecoin to evade sanctions
A Senate report led by Senator Richard Blumenthal claims that Iran has turned Tether’s USDT stablecoin into a “significant financial lifeline” for its shadow banking network, using it to evade international sanctions and fund terrorist proxy organisations. The report examined 846 sanctioned cryptocurrency wallets linked to Iran and determined that 84 percent used USDT exclusively…
-
Burnham signals he will look at the UK rejoining the EU as he mocks Brexiteers’ hope to ‘take back control’ of Britain
Andy Burnham said he would use a planned summit with EU leaders to set out options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the bloc, signalling that closer ties could be considered. He argued that Brexit had done more harm than good and contributed to a decade of division, while criticising Brexiteers’ promise to “take back control”.…
-
Monk begins TWELVE-YEAR isolation with absolutely no contact with anyone or any information from the outside world as part of extreme Buddhist training
Sogaku Taguchi, a 31-year-old Japanese monk, has begun a planned 12 years of isolation in a mausoleum at Enryakuji temple on Mount Hiei, near Kyoto. The training is intended to prepare him to become a “jishin”, a monk devoted to tending the tomb of Saicho, founder of Tendai Buddhism; he is expected to remain cut…
-
Jack Smith defends Trump investigations before Senate committee
Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, saying his team had developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump committed serious crimes. Smith said his decisions, including bringing charges, were based on the evidence and not Trump’s politics or 2024 candidacy. Republican committee chairman Chuck…
-
Death row execution set; trooper shot dead; Senate reforms college sports
Tennessee is set to execute death row inmate Christa Pike tomorrow after rejecting her clemency bid. A Kentucky State Police trooper was shot dead during a traffic stop, whilst the Senate has passed new college sports regulations.