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gb43Pollution decimates fish stocks in Welsh River Tywi, threatening centuries-old coracle fishing tradition
Coracle fishers on the River Tywi in Carmarthenshire, Wales, report a catastrophic decline in fish stocks due to pollution, with one fifth-generation fisherman catching only one fish in the three-month season. Testing by campaign group Save the River Tywi found evidence of industrial, agricultural, and human waste pollution. Natural Resources Wales has ongoing enforcement investigations, and Welsh Water plans to invest £889m in storm overflow improvements. The decline threatens the ancient tradition of coracle fishing and has led to the cancellation of the Tywi River Festival.
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Pollution decimates fish stocks in Welsh River Tywi, threatening centuries-old coracle fishing tradition
Coracle fishers on the River Tywi in Carmarthenshire, Wales, report a catastrophic decline in fish stocks due to pollution, with one fifth-generation fisherman catching only one fish in the three-month season. Testing by campaign group Save the River Tywi found evidence of industrial, agricultural, and human waste pollution. Natural Resources Wales has ongoing enforcement investigations, and Welsh Water plans to invest £889m in storm overflow improvements. The decline threatens the ancient tradition of coracle fishing and has led to the cancellation of the Tywi River Festival.
Coracle fishers on the River Tywi in Carmarthenshire, Wales, report a catastrophic decline in fish stocks due to pollution, with one fifth-generation fisherman catching only one fish in the three-month season. Testing by campaign group Save the River Tywi found evidence of industrial, agricultural, and human waste pollution. Natural Resources Wales has ongoing enforcement investigations, and Welsh Water plans to invest £889m in storm overflow improvements. The decline threatens the ancient tradition of coracle fishing and has led to the cancellation of the Tywi River Festival.
gb41UK July borrowing overshoots forecasts, squeezing fiscal headroom ahead of October Budget
Background: The UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, had reported June borrowing of £16 billion, slightly below forecast, but total year borrowing was above projections, with public debt near £3 trillion. Today: New ONS figures show July borrowing of £1.8 billion, £2.3 billion more than the expected surplus of £500 million, driven by higher welfare spending including benefits and state pension. This overshoot adds to fiscal constraints ahead of the October Budget, with economists warning of limited room for increased borrowing and potential market pressure if fiscal rules are not met. Retail sales also fell 0.5% in July, attributed to hot weather and a World Cup-induced surge in June, adding to economic concerns. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized Labour's spending, while Liberal Democrats called for action on energy bills and high street support.
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UK July borrowing overshoots forecasts, squeezing fiscal headroom ahead of October Budget
Background: The UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, had reported June borrowing of £16 billion, slightly below forecast, but total year borrowing was above projections, with public debt near £3 trillion. Today: New ONS figures show July borrowing of £1.8 billion, £2.3 billion more than the expected surplus of £500 million, driven by higher welfare spending including benefits and state pension. This overshoot adds to fiscal constraints ahead of the October Budget, with economists warning of limited room for increased borrowing and potential market pressure if fiscal rules are not met. Retail sales also fell 0.5% in July, attributed to hot weather and a World Cup-induced surge in June, adding to economic concerns. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized Labour's spending, while Liberal Democrats called for action on energy bills and high street support.
Background: The UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, had reported June borrowing of £16 billion, slightly below forecast, but total year borrowing was above projections, with public debt near £3 trillion. Today: New ONS figures show July borrowing of £1.8 billion, £2.3 billion more than the expected surplus of £500 million, driven by higher welfare spending including benefits and state pension. This overshoot adds to fiscal constraints ahead of the October Budget, with economists warning of limited room for increased borrowing and potential market pressure if fiscal rules are not met. Retail sales also fell 0.5% in July, attributed to hot weather and a World Cup-induced surge in June, adding to economic concerns. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized Labour's spending, while Liberal Democrats called for action on energy bills and high street support.
gb40UK announces sanctions over Israeli E1 settlement plan
Background: The UK has been moving toward banning imports from Israeli settlements amid cross-party pressure and alignment with EU states. Today: The UK government announced comprehensive measures against Israel over the E1 settlement plan, including sanctions on those involved in illegal settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the tender for 1,234 settlement units east of Jerusalem, warning it threatens a two-state solution, and called on Israel to halt the plans immediately. Minister Stephen Doughty called it a deliberate and destructive act. Emily Thornberry renewed calls for a ban on settlement goods, citing record settler violence. The UK currently does not ban trade with settlements but advises against involvement.
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UK announces sanctions over Israeli E1 settlement plan
Background: The UK has been moving toward banning imports from Israeli settlements amid cross-party pressure and alignment with EU states. Today: The UK government announced comprehensive measures against Israel over the E1 settlement plan, including sanctions on those involved in illegal settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the tender for 1,234 settlement units east of Jerusalem, warning it threatens a two-state solution, and called on Israel to halt the plans immediately. Minister Stephen Doughty called it a deliberate and destructive act. Emily Thornberry renewed calls for a ban on settlement goods, citing record settler violence. The UK currently does not ban trade with settlements but advises against involvement.
Background: The UK has been moving toward banning imports from Israeli settlements amid cross-party pressure and alignment with EU states. Today: The UK government announced comprehensive measures against Israel over the E1 settlement plan, including sanctions on those involved in illegal settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the tender for 1,234 settlement units east of Jerusalem, warning it threatens a two-state solution, and called on Israel to halt the plans immediately. Minister Stephen Doughty called it a deliberate and destructive act. Emily Thornberry renewed calls for a ban on settlement goods, citing record settler violence. The UK currently does not ban trade with settlements but advises against involvement.
gb39Badenoch urges quick decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields as consultations close
Background: The UK Labour government under Andy Burnham faces decisions on North Sea oil and gas projects, balancing manifesto pledges, industry pressure, and climate commitments. Today: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for an immediate decision on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields, accusing Labour of stalling. Consultations for both developments have closed, and ministers are set to decide, seen as a key environmental test for PM Andy Burnham. Badenoch argued that delaying has prevented gas from Jackdaw reaching homes by winter and criticized the government's lack of commitment. The decision could create 3,500 construction jobs and 880 long-term jobs, but environmental activists raise climate concerns.
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Badenoch urges quick decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields as consultations close
Background: The UK Labour government under Andy Burnham faces decisions on North Sea oil and gas projects, balancing manifesto pledges, industry pressure, and climate commitments. Today: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for an immediate decision on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields, accusing Labour of stalling. Consultations for both developments have closed, and ministers are set to decide, seen as a key environmental test for PM Andy Burnham. Badenoch argued that delaying has prevented gas from Jackdaw reaching homes by winter and criticized the government's lack of commitment. The decision could create 3,500 construction jobs and 880 long-term jobs, but environmental activists raise climate concerns.
Background: The UK Labour government under Andy Burnham faces decisions on North Sea oil and gas projects, balancing manifesto pledges, industry pressure, and climate commitments. Today: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for an immediate decision on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields, accusing Labour of stalling. Consultations for both developments have closed, and ministers are set to decide, seen as a key environmental test for PM Andy Burnham. Badenoch argued that delaying has prevented gas from Jackdaw reaching homes by winter and criticized the government's lack of commitment. The decision could create 3,500 construction jobs and 880 long-term jobs, but environmental activists raise climate concerns.
gb38UK, Canada, Australia condemn Israel's closure of World Central Kitchen strike probe as 'shameful'
The UK, Canada, and Australia issued a joint statement on Friday condemning Israel's decision not to pursue criminal investigations into the April 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, calling it 'shameful' and 'too little, too late.' The three countries criticized the timing of the announcement on World Humanitarian Day as 'particularly egregious' and urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law. Poland also expressed disappointment and summoned Israel's ambassador, while Australia summoned Israel's ambassador in Canberra. The Israeli military acknowledged 'serious failures' but found no 'reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct.' The World Central Kitchen and aid groups demanded an independent investigation, and the incident has intensified international criticism of Israel's accountability for civilian deaths in Gaza.
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UK, Canada, Australia condemn Israel's closure of World Central Kitchen strike probe as 'shameful'
The UK, Canada, and Australia issued a joint statement on Friday condemning Israel's decision not to pursue criminal investigations into the April 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, calling it 'shameful' and 'too little, too late.' The three countries criticized the timing of the announcement on World Humanitarian Day as 'particularly egregious' and urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law. Poland also expressed disappointment and summoned Israel's ambassador, while Australia summoned Israel's ambassador in Canberra. The Israeli military acknowledged 'serious failures' but found no 'reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct.' The World Central Kitchen and aid groups demanded an independent investigation, and the incident has intensified international criticism of Israel's accountability for civilian deaths in Gaza.
The UK, Canada, and Australia issued a joint statement on Friday condemning Israel's decision not to pursue criminal investigations into the April 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, calling it 'shameful' and 'too little, too late.' The three countries criticized the timing of the announcement on World Humanitarian Day as 'particularly egregious' and urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law. Poland also expressed disappointment and summoned Israel's ambassador, while Australia summoned Israel's ambassador in Canberra. The Israeli military acknowledged 'serious failures' but found no 'reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct.' The World Central Kitchen and aid groups demanded an independent investigation, and the incident has intensified international criticism of Israel's accountability for civilian deaths in Gaza.
gb33Prince Harry and co-claimants ordered to pay £34.5m legal bill in failed privacy case
Background: Prince Harry, Elton John, and other public figures lost a privacy case against Associated Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering by the Daily Mail, and the court was determining legal costs. Today, a High Court judge ordered the seven claimants to pay up to £34.5 million in legal costs to the publisher, criticizing their conduct as 'unreasonable to a high degree' and ruling that costs be assessed on an indemnity basis. The claimants must pay an initial £9.54 million by next Friday and have until October 2 to appeal. The judge also noted that the £34.5 million costs claim appears excessive and expressed concerns about the reasonableness of the costs, but declined to impose a ceiling. The claimants had insurance covering up to £16.2 million of ANL's costs, leaving them potentially liable for an additional £18 million.
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Prince Harry and co-claimants ordered to pay £34.5m legal bill in failed privacy case
Background: Prince Harry, Elton John, and other public figures lost a privacy case against Associated Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering by the Daily Mail, and the court was determining legal costs. Today, a High Court judge ordered the seven claimants to pay up to £34.5 million in legal costs to the publisher, criticizing their conduct as 'unreasonable to a high degree' and ruling that costs be assessed on an indemnity basis. The claimants must pay an initial £9.54 million by next Friday and have until October 2 to appeal. The judge also noted that the £34.5 million costs claim appears excessive and expressed concerns about the reasonableness of the costs, but declined to impose a ceiling. The claimants had insurance covering up to £16.2 million of ANL's costs, leaving them potentially liable for an additional £18 million.
Background: Prince Harry, Elton John, and other public figures lost a privacy case against Associated Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering by the Daily Mail, and the court was determining legal costs. Today, a High Court judge ordered the seven claimants to pay up to £34.5 million in legal costs to the publisher, criticizing their conduct as 'unreasonable to a high degree' and ruling that costs be assessed on an indemnity basis. The claimants must pay an initial £9.54 million by next Friday and have until October 2 to appeal. The judge also noted that the £34.5 million costs claim appears excessive and expressed concerns about the reasonableness of the costs, but declined to impose a ceiling. The claimants had insurance covering up to £16.2 million of ANL's costs, leaving them potentially liable for an additional £18 million.
gb30Rewilded Somerset estate stays green during drought, highlighting climate resilience
Aerial footage of the National Trust's Holnicote estate in Somerset shows that rewilded areas with restored rivers and wetlands remained green during five summer heatwaves, while surrounding countryside turned brown. Project managers say this demonstrates nature-based solutions can protect against drought and wildfires, contradicting claims by some commentators that rewilding causes wildfires. The National Trust is calling on the government to invest more in nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
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Rewilded Somerset estate stays green during drought, highlighting climate resilience
Aerial footage of the National Trust's Holnicote estate in Somerset shows that rewilded areas with restored rivers and wetlands remained green during five summer heatwaves, while surrounding countryside turned brown. Project managers say this demonstrates nature-based solutions can protect against drought and wildfires, contradicting claims by some commentators that rewilding causes wildfires. The National Trust is calling on the government to invest more in nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
Aerial footage of the National Trust's Holnicote estate in Somerset shows that rewilded areas with restored rivers and wetlands remained green during five summer heatwaves, while surrounding countryside turned brown. Project managers say this demonstrates nature-based solutions can protect against drought and wildfires, contradicting claims by some commentators that rewilding causes wildfires. The National Trust is calling on the government to invest more in nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
gb29UK retail sales fall 0.5% in July after June surge
UK retail sales volumes declined by 0.5% in July, following a downwardly revised 0.7% increase in June, as consumers brought forward demand due to earlier promotions. Sales rose 1.6% year-on-year and remained 0.1% below pre-pandemic levels.
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UK retail sales fall 0.5% in July after June surge
UK retail sales volumes declined by 0.5% in July, following a downwardly revised 0.7% increase in June, as consumers brought forward demand due to earlier promotions. Sales rose 1.6% year-on-year and remained 0.1% below pre-pandemic levels.
UK retail sales volumes declined by 0.5% in July, following a downwardly revised 0.7% increase in June, as consumers brought forward demand due to earlier promotions. Sales rose 1.6% year-on-year and remained 0.1% below pre-pandemic levels.