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• Verteidigungsminister wird von Abgeordneten des Streitkräfteausschusses des Senats befragt, nachdem es gestern im Repräsentantenhaus zu einer gereizten Sitzung kam • Melden Sie sich für die Breaking News US E-Mail an. Hallo und willkommen zu unserer Berichterstattung über die US-Politik, während Pete Hegseth am Capitol Hill einen zweiten Tag lang von Demokraten verhört wird und Senatoren ihre erste Gelegenheit erhalten, den Chef des Pentagons wegen seines Umgangs mit dem Iran-Krieg zu konfrontieren oder zu loben. • Der Verteidigungsminister lieferte sich gestern während einer fast sechsstündigen Anhörung im Streitkräfteausschuss des Repräsentantenhauses Wortgefechte mit Demokraten – und einigen Republikanern –, wo er zu den Kriegskosten in Dollar, Menschenleben und den schrumpfenden Beständen an kritischen Waffen befragt wurde.

Der Consumer Insight Tracker zeigt, dass 85 % über die Lebensmittelpreise besorgt sind und eine Mehrheit glaubt, dass sich die Wirtschaft verschlechtern wird. Drei Millionen britische Haushalte sind gezwungen, Mahlzeiten auszulassen, da Verbraucher zu drastischen Maßnahmen greifen, um mit den steigenden Kosten fertig zu werden, so ein am Donnerstag veröffentlichter Bericht von Which?. Der Konflikt im Nahen Osten und der anschließende Anstieg der Öl- und Rohstoffpreise haben dazu geführt, dass Unternehmen Preiserhöhungen vorbereiten, was die Finanzen der Haushalte weiter unter Druck setzt und das Verbrauchervertrauen beeinträchtigt. Lesen Sie weiter...

• Die Benzinpreise sind auf über 4 $ pro Gallone gestiegen und die Flugpreise sind explodiert, da die Blockade der Strait of Hormuz die Energiemärkte inmitten des US-Israel-Krieges gegen den Iran beeinträchtigt und Trumps wichtigsten politischen Vorteil untergräbt. • Mehr als drei Viertel der registrierten Wähler – darunter über die Hälfte der Republikaner und 82 % der Unabhängigen – geben nun Trump die Schuld an der Lebenshaltungskostenkrise, die Kraftstoff, Lebensmittel, Wohnraum und Gesundheitsversorgung betrifft. • Trumps Zustimmungswerte in seiner zweiten Amtszeit sind weitaus schneller gesunken als bei früheren Präsidenten nach einem Government Shutdown, Tariffs und dem gemeinsamen US-Israel-Angriff auf den Iran, wobei Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell davor warnt, dass der Krieg die Inflation anheizt.

• Fast zwei Drittel (64 %) der Erwachsenen in den USA sorgen sich darum, die Kosten für die Gesundheitsversorgung bezahlen zu können, wobei 30 % sehr besorgt sind; dies übertrifft die Bezahlbarkeitssorgen im Vergleich zu den Benzinpreisen. • Trotz anderer wirtschaftlicher Belastungen bleibt die Bezahlbarkeit der Gesundheitsversorgung die Hauptsorge der Öffentlichkeit. • Die Umfrage unterstreicht die anhaltende finanzielle Belastung der Haushalte angesichts steigender medizinischer Ausgaben.

Während sein Verteidigungsminister vor einem Hausausschuss aussagte, postete Trump ein KI-generiertes Bild von sich selbst mit einer Waffe und der Bildunterschrift „NO MORE MR. NICE GUY“. • Pete Hegseth hat bestritten, dass der US-israelische Krieg gegen den Iran ein „Sumpf“ sei, und behauptete, dass Kritiker der Operation eine größere Bedrohung für die USA darstellten als der Iran selbst, während er unter Druck geriet, Washingtons Strategie für den Konflikt darzulegen. • Bei seinem Auftritt vor dem Bewaffneten Dienste-Ausschuss des Repräsentantenhauses zusammen mit General Dan Caine, dem Vorsitzenden der Joint Chiefs of Staff, bat der US-Verteidigungsminister die Gesetzgeber, ein Budget von 1,5 Billionen USD für Militärausgaben zu genehmigen – und bezeichnete einige von ihnen anschließend als „die größte Herausforderung“ für die Kriegsanstrengungen. Weiterlesen...

Brown fordert die Polizei auf, die Verwendung öffentlicher Gelder durch den ehemaligen Prinzen zu untersuchen, und gibt an, bereits 2008 einen Kollegen beauftragt zu haben, das Thema anzusprechen.

• Ein Insolvenzberatungsunternehmen verweist auf Steuererhöhungen, Personalkosten und schwankendes Verbrauchervertrauen, nachdem die Zahl auf 62.193 gestiegen ist • Die Zahl der britischen Unternehmen in „kritischer finanzieller Notlage“ ist im vergangenen Jahr according to Insolvenzverwaltern um mehr als ein Drittel gestiegen, da Firmen mit einer „Rihe von Steuererhöhungen“ und den Auswirkungen des Konflikts im Nahen Osten zu kämpfen haben • Gastronomie- und Freizeitunternehmen haben es aufgrund des unsicheren Verbrauchervertrauens sowie steigender Steuern und Personalkosten besonders schwer, so eine Untersuchung des Restrukturierungsunternehmens Begbies Traynor.

• Fischereibetriebe können ebenfalls Subventionen von bis zu 70 % erhalten, da die staatlichen Beihilferegeln für „am stärksten betroffene Sektoren“ gelockert wurden. • Im Rahmen eines am Mittwoch vorgestellten Notfallpakets wird die EU bis zu 70 % der durch den Iran-Krieg verursachten Mehrkosten für Treibstoffe und Düngemittel für Landwirte, Fischereibetriebe und Speditionen subventionieren. • Einzelunternehmen können von nun bis zum Ende des Jahres mit minimalem bürokratischem Aufwand bis zu 50.000 € beantragen – eine Maßnahme, mit der die EU hofft, eine existenzielle Bedrohung für Speditionen und Landwirte abzuwenden.

Climate group calls for urgent windfall tax on excess fossil fuel profits, as delegates tell Colombia conference their nations are sufferingThe Middle East oil and gas crunch will impose as much as a trillion dollars of additional costs on the global economy while petroleum companies rake in spectacular profits from elevated fuel prices, analysis has revealed.The uneven distribution of risk and reward comes amid rising concern that the US-Israeli attack on Iran is worsening inequality, poverty and hunger across a world that has become dangerously dependent on fossil fuels. Continue reading...

• East Bay man in Contra Costa County died after consuming toxic wild mushrooms amid statewide spike. • California recorded 35 mushroom poisoning cases from Nov. 18 to Jan. 4, far above average of under five yearly. • Surge prompts health warnings on foraging risks during wet weather conditions.

Exclusive: Report shows cost of first appointment rose $20 in one year, with steeper rises in Western Australia, South Australia and TasmaniaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPatients are increasingly going without medically necessary dermatological care, the head of the Consumers Health Forum said, as new report reveals the rising cost of the specialty in Australia.Dermatology is expensive and getting pricier, with an average first visit now costing an adult patient without concessions $230 out-of-pocket, while follow-up appointments cost almost $190, the report from health directory Cleanbill found. Continue reading...

• The Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Powell regarding the agency's building expenditures, marking a significant development in federal oversight. • The decision came amid broader discussions on Capitol Hill about federal accountability, with both Republican and Democratic representatives weighing in on the implications. • The outcome reflects shifting priorities in federal investigations and debates over Fed governance and spending practices.

Officials hope more casual attire for public servants will save electricity during Iran war as summer approachesPublic servants working for the Tokyo metropolitan government are being encouraged to swap their suits for shorts this summer to combat sweltering heat and rising energy costs caused by the US-Israel war on Iran.Inspired by the country’s Cool Biz energy-saving initiative, Tokyo officials hope the measure will cut dependence on air conditioning. Continue reading...

Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran could speed the EU’s green revolution – if panicking governments can hold their nerve on clean energy• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereA surge in demand for electric vehicles across Europe may be evidence of what George Monbiot greeted as the silver lining of the Iran war. Sales of electric cars in continental Europe rose by 51% in March.The International Energy Agency has called the disruption in the strait of Hormuz the “biggest energy crisis in history”, but it appears, on one level, to be accelerating Europe’s green revolution. Yet, even if car-owners are rushing to the EV showrooms, some European governments, facing a groundswell of anger over soaring petrol and gas prices, are at risk of sending the clean energy transition into reverse. Continue reading...

Firm had to repatriate almost 12,000 guests and staff, including from two cruise ships in Abu Dhabi and DohaThe Iran war has cost the travel company Tui €40m (£34.7m) so far, including repatriating almost 12,000 holidaymakers and staff, and forced it to cut its profit forecast for this year.Europe’s biggest holiday operator said that it had taken the hit in March owing to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, as it was forced to bring home 5,000 guests from two cruise ships anchored in ports in Abu Dhabi and Doha. Continue reading...

Farmers have been calling for higher prices for weeks, amid soaring diesel and fertiliser costs and limited supplyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColes has increased home-brand milk prices by up to 20c a litre, with Woolworths set to follow as war in the Middle East starts to hit Australian grocery costs.The price rise will support the company’s bottom line against pressure from higher fuel and operating costs, while some of the revenue will be temporarily passed on to dairy farmers. Continue reading...

The trend has been accelerated by the US-Israel war on Iran, leaving households – and cafe owners – glum, surveys suggestFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFor many coffee drinkers, takeaway orders are changing from a habitual purchase to an occasional treat, as elevated petrol prices and other living costs leave households feeling glum.This rapid shift in behaviour has disappointed cafe owners and surprised economists, raising an uneasy question: if takeaway coffee sales are falling, is the economy next? Continue reading...

• Oil prices dropped significantly, providing tailwinds for technology companies as lower energy costs reduce operational expenses and improve profit margins across the sector. • Constellation Research founder R 'Ray' Wang discussed the direct relationship between Big Tech performance and oil and gas pricing, highlighting how the energy market collapse supports tech stock rebounds. • The decline in energy costs removes a key headwind for capital-intensive tech operations and data centers, contributing to the broader market rally.

A Trace analysis found that revenue from fining white-collar criminals is drying up – due to presidential pardonsThis story was originally published by the Trace, a non-profit newsroom covering gun violence in America. Sign up for its newsletters here.Since his return to office last year, Donald Trump has pardoned dozens of white-collar criminals. He’s also forgiven their fines, penalties and restitution, to the tune of billions. Some of that revenue was supposed to go to a fund to help victims of violent crime – and the organizations that serve them are feeling the pinch. Continue reading...

Health secretary and chef Robert Irvine claim Americans could eat healthier and more cheaply if they shopped betterSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe first episode of the new Secretary Kennedy Podcast, produced by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), opens with this quote from guest Robert Irvine, who creates meal plans for the US military: “We talk about food being expensive. If you’re buying expensive food, it’s expensive. But if you’re buying food and you know what to do with it, it’s not expensive.”The episode is titled Fixing America’s Food System – Robert Irvine, and features a 45-minute conversation with the HHS secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, the host of the show, and guest Irvine. Best known as a celebrity chef, Irvine has collaborated with the US military to launch Victory Fresh, a program that offers healthy grab-and-go meals on military bases, during the Biden administration. The program’s Biden-era origins are never acknowledged during the show. Continue reading...

Scheme cutting bills by up to 25% expanded to cover 10,000 firms, but they will not be paid until next yearRachel Reeves has announced an expansion of support for the most energy-intensive UK businesses, as they face soaring bills as a result of the Middle East conflict.The chancellor said the long-promised British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) would be expanded to cover 10,000 companies, up from the 7,000 originally announced. Continue reading...

Consumer spending on travel is down for the first time in five years while card spending edges up in MarchUK consumers have cut back on travel spending for the first time in five years, as they worry about the rising cost of living amid the Iran war.Overall consumer card spending increased 0.9% year on year in March, down from February’s 1%, according to data from Barclays. Continue reading...

Governments spending $2.13bn annually on low quality food in public settings, report saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastReptile remains, believed to be from a crocodile, have been found dumped on the side of the road in Adelaide.A spokesperson for the state’s environment and water department confirmed in a statement that department staff had “collected the remains of a reptile at Waterloo Corner.” They said:The remains, which were dumped on the side of the road at Coleman Road, will be analysed in an effort to confirm the species and any other information.“It is not currently known how the remains came to be located at the site.A different approach can increase the use of fresh, local produce, redirect spending to Australian farmers and producers, support the people working in public food service kitchens, and generate real benefits for Australia.Better public food procurement is not about spending more, it’s about spending smarter. The evidence is clear, public support is strong, and the solutions exist. Given the threat to our food system caused by the global fuel and fertiliser crisis, now is the moment for leadership. Continue reading...

NSW government urged to investigate if transport department refused to share cost of sensors that would detect a person entering coupling areaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe potentially life-saving safety upgrades to Sydney’s light rail, which a former Transdev employee has alleged were cancelled in order to save money, would have only cost about $2.2m, according to the whistleblower.The New South Wales government has been urged to investigate whether its transport department declined to share the cost of installing sensors that would detect a person entering the coupling area between two joined trams after a fatal incident in 2023. Continue reading...

• Truckload markets are tightening faster than anticipated, with freight costs now projected to increase 16–17% year over year in 2026, according to C.H. Robinson's April freight market update. • Capacity constraints and carrier attrition are driving the acceleration in transportation costs across North America. • The tighter capacity environment signals sustained pressure on logistics expenses for shippers as supply chain challenges persist into the second quarter.

PM appears to draw comparison between Russian and US leaders and calls for plan to restore shipping through strait of HormuzKeir Starmer has said he is “fed up” with the effect that Donald Trump’s actions in the Middle East are having on the British public, while appearing to draw a comparison between the US president to Vladimir Putin.Speaking to ITV’s Robert Peston on Thursday, the prime minister said: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.” Continue reading...

Charity says it dealt with 75 incidents last year involving 100 or more animals living in one propertyThe cost of living crisis and an increase in people experiencing mental health difficulties have led to a rising number of multi-animal rescue incidents in England and Wales, an RSPCA superintendent has said.The animal charity this week had to confirm that a shocking photograph of more than 250 poodle-cross dogs found at a property in the UK was not faked with artificial intelligence. The RSPCA took in 87 of the dogs and the remainder went to the Dogs Trust, another charity. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Transdev undertook ‘coupling project’ after teen trapped between carriages in 2023. Trial restarted after second fatality, ex-employee claims, while Transdev denies ‘assessment’ ever shelvedThe company that operates Sydney’s light rail investigated safety upgrades following a fatal incident in 2023, but cancelled the project due to its cost before a second person died, a whistleblower alleges.After the first death, Transdev successfully trialled sensors that would detect a person entering the coupling area between two joined trams, according to the former employee who requested anonymity. But the project was stopped before another death in 2025, they said. Continue reading...