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Lithuania and Poland plan evacuations around vulnerable Suwalki Gap
Lithuania and Poland are developing evacuation plans in preparation for potential Russian military action, focusing on the strategically vulnerable Suwalki Gap—a 60-mile corridor that NATO military leaders consider the alliance’s critical weak point. This bilateral preparation reflects growing concerns that Russia could attempt to isolate Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from the rest of NATO by…
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AI index ranks Victoria as the Western world’s worst-run regional government
An AI-based index compiled by economist and former BlackRock Australia boss Maurice O’Shannassy ranks Victoria as the worst-run state or regional government among 366 jurisdictions in the Western world. The result highlights concerns about how regional administrations manage public finances and maintain accountability, though the ranking reflects O’Shannassy’s analysis rather than an official assessment. The…
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Obama and Tom Hanks have an inspirational chat: best podcats of the week
The article recommends five podcasts available this week, spanning Barack Obama’s conversations with guests to investigations of scandals, rumours and family histories. Obama’s new Audible series, made through Higher Ground, discusses books that have inspired him; its first episode features Tom Hanks talking about parenting and family through Marilynne Robinson’s *Gilead*. The other picks include…
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David Kynaston’s history challenges swinging Britain’s image of 1965-66
David Kynaston’s latest instalment in his comprehensive history of postwar Britain reveals a more complex picture of 1965-66 than the popular cultural narrative suggests. Whilst the era is typically celebrated for the Beatles, miniskirts and Carnaby Street, the book demonstrates that racism, bigotry and class division remained deeply embedded in British society. The 700-page volume,…
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Nature spaces ‘need to be next to where people live’
Conservationists are campaigning for more wildlife-rich green spaces to be created within urban communities, arguing that nature should be accessible without people having to travel far from their homes. Research indicates that many people lack access to parks, woodlands or wetlands within a 15-minute walk, despite evidence that time spent in nature significantly improves health…
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Blanche defends barring three news outlets from White House access
President Trump has banned three media organisations—CNN, MS NOW, and Politico—from White House access, with Attorney General Todd Blanche defending the measure on ABC News by characterising it as a response to a “national security problem” caused by false reporting and overwhelmingly negative coverage. The three outlets have filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, which…
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Bomb officers find replica device at New South Wales Parliament
A late-night security alert at New South Wales Parliament was triggered by a device on Nationals MP Geoff Provest’s office door or window. Bomb disposal officers attended and identified it as a non-functional, 3D-printed replica; the incident matters because security staff followed emergency procedures before confirming there was no real threat. The object had reportedly…
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Burnham unveils free care service plan funded by inheritance tax rise
Andy Burnham has proposed establishing a National Care Service modelled on the NHS, providing social care free at the point of use to address what he characterises as a crisis in the sector. The plan would be collectivel
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Getting river pollution investigated like ‘pulling teeth’
An oily substance has been contaminating Bristol’s River Avon for years, causing visible pollution and killing local wildlife, but residents say the Environment Agency (EA) has been difficult to engage. Nicola Irvine first reported the pollution to the EA in July 2025, describing an unpleasant smell and rainbow-like film on the water’s surface, but the…