-
China condemns UK nationalisation of British Steel from Jingye
China has strongly condemned the UK government’s decision to nationalise British Steel, calling the move a breach of Beijing’s rights and warning it could deter Chinese firms from investing in Britain. The dispute broke out just days before Andy Burnham was due to enter Downing Street as prime minister, and it left his incoming government…
-
Push for a 500-fold increase on the levels of controversial ‘forever chemicals’ on Australian berries: ‘Why are we the human experiment?’
A proposal to allow a 500-fold increase in permitted residue levels of the chemical isocycloseram on berries sold in Australia has sparked criticism from health and consumer advocates, who argue the public is effectively being used as guinea pigs for a substance with limited long-term safety data. Isocycloseram, sometimes grouped with so-called “forever chemicals” due…
-
Effort, spirit and moments – but do England lack all-round quality?
England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina has renewed doubts over whether resilience and individual brilliance are enough to make the team genuine tournament winners. Thomas Tuchel praised England’s mentality after their quarter-final victory over Norway, but questioned their ability to control matches, and the late collapse against Argentina left them without a first men’s…
-
U.S. Attacks Bridges, Collapses Tower At Key Port As Iran Campaign Expands
The United States and Iran exchanged further strikes targeting infrastructure and military sites as fighting over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. Washington said it had struck Iranian surveillance, logistics, weapons-storage and maritime facilities, while Iran targeted the wider Gulf region; the conflict’s focus on the strait has disrupted shipping and pushed up oil prices. US…
-
TV tonight: Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston’s great new sitcom
BBC One’s new sitcom Ann Droid, airing tonight, sees Diane Morgan add another memorable comic creation to her repertoire, following Philomena Cunk and Mandy. The show pairs Morgan’s deadpan humour with Sue Johnston’s performance as a grieving, sceptical widow, blending genuine warmth with themes of loneliness, and marks a notable new offering in the evening’s…
-
Japan relaxes royal succession rules – but ban on female emperors remain
Japan’s parliament has approved reforms intended to address the shrinking size of the imperial family, allowing it to adopt distant male relatives aged over 15 and permitting female royals to retain their status after marrying outside the family. The changes matter because the current male-only succession line is close to running out, but the legislation…
-
Australia Protests Lenient Charges as Laos Methanol Poisoning Case Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
Six backpackers, including Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones from Melbourne, died from methanol poisoning in Laos during November 2024. Authorities in Laos are reportedly preparing to pursue only minor c
-
Chinese operatives allegedly breached US voter records, Trump claims
President Trump’s primetime address on election security drew attention largely for its uneven broadcast, with ABC, NBC and CNN’s news divisions declining to air it live on their main channels while Sinclair-owned local affiliates preempted programming to carry the White House’s own feed. During the speech, Trump criticised the networks that refused to broadcast it,…
-
Olympic cyclist admits to driving despite ban after crash that killed wife
Australian Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, breaching a five-year ban imposed after the 2023 car incident in which his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins, died. The case matters because prosecutors are seeking to have the new offence considered alongside Dennis’s existing good behaviour bond, potentially putting his suspended prison…