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Powerful bombs prompted such concern about mass deaths in Gaza that Biden officials paused delivery two years agoThe Trump administration is planning to deliver powerful 2,000lb bombs to Israel as part of an upcoming arms deal, weapons that prompted such concerns about the possibility of mass casualties in Gaza that the Biden administration paused their delivery two years ago.The $2.8bn package includes 40,000 bombs, made up of 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s, according to two US officials and a person familiar with the plan who spoke on Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss the package, which is not yet final. Continue reading...

Tobacco investments raise new concerns about Dr Nicole Saphier ahead of confirmation hearingDonald Trump’s nominee for US surgeon general reported more than $200,000 in business income from a company she owns that sells dietary supplements, a loosely regulated industry that health and consumer advocates say raises concerns about her record and which some critics allege are akin to “snake oil”.Dr Nicole Saphier, who specializes in breast cancer as a radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and was formerly a Fox News contributor, is facing a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. She filed a financial disclosure and ethics agreement last week. Continue reading...

Wage growth – used to set triple-lock pension – slows to 3.9%, meaning state pension should hit £13,000 next year‘Costing billions’: is the pensions triple lock a lifeline or simply unaffordable?If the state pension rises to £13,000 next year, it will probably breach the UK’s tax-free personal allowance (currently £12,570) – the amount you can earn before paying income tax.However, pensioners who don’t receive any other income should still be exempt from paying tax if the state pension exceeds the personal allowance.In the 2025 Budget the government announced the personal allowance would be frozen at its current level up to April 2031.It also announced that pensioners whose sole income is the basic or new state pension would not have to pay small amounts of tax via simple assessment from 2027/28 if the new or basic state pension exceeded the personal allowance from that point. To date the government has not published any further details of how this is to be done. Continue reading...

New immigration policy has attracted bipartisan condemnation with Labor warning it would damage construction, aged care and agricultureFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation says it will cut the number of temporary migrants in Australia by more than 750,000 over three years, targeting international students and the family members of skilled migrants in a “net-negative” plan.But Labor has said it would cause sweeping damage to construction, health care, aged care and disability sectors, and the Liberals have cast doubt about whether any modelling underpinned the figure.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...

Follow the day’s news liveGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian households could save $5,000 a year by electrifying their homes and cars, AAP reports, and more than 30 organisations will call for incentives and stronger policies in Canberra as part of a national campaign.The campaign is linked to the international Electrify Now campaign, and follows a COP31 push to raise the global electrification rate from about 20% to 35% by 2035.There’s a role for the Australian government to send a clear signal that electrification is happening and that it’s what the future of our energy system will depend on.At the moment, federal policy is sending mixed messages.Too often we ask, “why didn’t she leave?,” when we should have asked, where would she go? We know that safe housing is absolutely critical to help women and children leave violence. That’s why we are building more than ever before. Continue reading...

Plan to give US adults $5,000 has been greeted with incredulity across the political spectrum as well as outrageDonald Trump on Sunday doubled down on his controversial pledge to give US adults a $5,000 “dividend” if his Republican ⁠party keeps control of Congress after November’s midterm elections.The plan has been greeted with expressions of incredulity across the US political spectrum as well as outraged accusations of seeing to bribe voters. The plan – which would cost more than a trillion dollars – also comes amid huge concern over the US national debt, which topped $40tn for the first time in August.Reuters contributed to this article Continue reading...

• Scientists analyzed a catalog of nearly 3,000 type Ia supernovas, which occur when white dwarf stars explode after absorbing too much matter from companion stars. • The study found evidence that dark energy may evolve over time rather than remaining fixed, challenging the standard model of cosmology. • This discovery suggests that the fundamental force driving the expansion of the universe is dynamic, which could change how physicists calculate the universe's ultimate fate.

Molar from large mammal that once lived in North America is in ‘immaculate condition’ after discovery in Bay AreaA 10,000 year-old tooth in remarkable condition from an ancient Pacific mastodon, a large mammal that once inhabited North America, was recently discovered by a California scientist.Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist, was working at a preserve in San Mateo county, when she stumbled across a peculiar rock. Continue reading...

Lutnick said $500bn of estimated $1tn needed to fund checks to all US adults could come from new visa programDonald Trump’s controversial proposal to give a $5,000 “dividend” to all US adults if Republicans maintain control of Congress in November’s elections would not be paid out from US tax revenues, according to the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick.“It’s not tax money,” Lutnick said in an interview with NBC News, adding that the administration could “earn the money that Donald Trump wants to pay out, not from the deficit and not from taxpayers”. Continue reading...

Global struggle for control of Bab al-Mandab strait threatens to turn Yemen’s on-off conflict into a forever warViolence erupts in Yemen again: why it matters globally and how it is linked to the US-Iran warNearly 50,000 people have fled a sudden advance by Houthi forces in western Yemen, with entire villages emptied and families trapped near frontline fighting with depleting food supplies, according to aid workers.Civilians in the Middle East’s poorest country have found themselves victims of a global struggle for control over one of the most important shipping routes in the world, which threatens to turn Yemen’s on-off conflict into a forever war. Continue reading...

• Republicans are attending the second day of their first-ever midterm primary convention on September 10 in Dallas, Texas. • Donald Trump is expected to speak at the event after floating a $5,000 payout proposal. • Representative Mike Lawler is attempting to attract Democrats and independents in a district that Kamala Harris won in 2024.

Critics call bid for Republican votes ‘bribery’ and point to potential $1.2tn cost added to existing national debtDonald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said during the unprecedented Republican midterm convention in Dallas. “It will be called the Trump dividend.” Continue reading...

Speaking in Dallas, the president raised ethical concerns with an apparent $1tn offer to the electorate. Plus the US citizens who are finding Scotland to be an irresistible lureGood morning. Donald Trump has pledged to pay every adult citizen in the US $5,000 if Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections. The outlandish proposal, which would cost over $1tn, immediately raised ethical concerns.Trump made the promise during a marathon speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas in which he assailed Democrats as “radical”, defended his unpopular war in Iran, and urged voters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot”. Trump claimed, without evidence, that his second term had been “the most successful two years, financially and every other way, in the history of the presidency”.Why did the Republicans hold a midterm convention? Republicans are gambling that the GOP’s first midterm convention can salvage their threatened House majority. However, Donald Trump’s dismal approval rating drove many competitive candidates to skip the two-day event entirely.What has Trump said about the former attorney Michael Cohen? The US president has said he would consider pardoning Michael Cohen, the former fixer whom he once branded a “rat” for testifying against him. Cohen was Trump’s personal lawyer, but flipped in 2018, and pleaded guilty to federal crimes including facilitating a hush payment to the pornography star Stormy Daniels and lying under oath to Congress.How many people has the US killed in its campaign? Late Wednesday, US Southern Command announced the latest strike in the Caribbean Sea, saying it killed three people. That brought the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the US military to at least 230 in 69 strikes.What has the US announced about Ecuador’s gangs? The US has designated Ecuador’s Los Tiguerones gang as a terrorist organisation. Rubio said the gang was linked to narcotics trafficking, as well as attacks on civilians, law enforcement officers and journalists. “We are talking about terrorists who, in many cases, possess weapons and equipment resembling the national armies of certain countries,” he said. Continue reading...

Vice-president suggests payment would not go to all and would be paid for by tariff revenues despite supreme court rulings against much of Trump’s programUS citizens will receive $5,000 if Republicans win midterms, Trump claims Sign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Vice-president JD Vance appeared to partially row back on Donald Trump’s outlandish claims that every adult citizen in the US would receive $5,000 if the Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections.In a nearly two-hour speech, Donald Trump capped off his first night remarks at the GOP midterm convention by pleading with Republicans to “pretend that I’m running”. The president centered himself in the battle to control Congress, and acknowledged that candidates are more successful when he is on the ballot. He offered an ominous outlook if Republicans fail to retain power.Throughout his remarks, Trump also tried to campaign on behalf of Republicans in competitive midterm races. While he made fun of Ken Paxton’s clothing choices and the way he speaks, he praised the Republican nominee for US Senate in Texas as “the single greatest attorney general” in the state’s history, while also branding his opponent James Talarico as a “disaster”.Earlier, Democratic senator John Fetterman made a surprise virtual appearance at the Republican midterm convention, delivering a video address supporting Dave McCormick, a Republican senator in Pennsylvania. Fetterman, who has increasingly broken with his party since his election in 2022, said in the video that he would always reject “extremes and socialism”, repeating an oft-used Republican critique of the Democratic party’s increasingly popular left wing.Meanwhile, several Republicans who are facing tough races have chosen not to attend the convention in Dallas. This include Susan Collins, the five-term incumbent senator from Maine, and Dan Sullivan – the Republican senator from Alaska who is facing a tough contest against former Democratic congresswoman Mary Peltola. Continue reading...

In two-hour address, president asked voters to ‘pretend that I’m on the ballot’ despite being deeply unpopular among electorateDonald Trump said every adult citizen in the US will receive a dividend of $5,000 if Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections, while delivering a historically long convention speech in Dallas in which the president assailed Democrats as radical communists and defended his unpopular war in Iran.“If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000,” Trump told the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, claiming the payment was possible “because of our tremendous strength and success economically”. Continue reading...

Analysis of two skeletons reveals tooth wear and traces of psychoactive substance in what may be earliest known evidence for human drug takingWhat may be the earliest known evidence for human drug taking has been traced to ancient Indonesian foragers who sucked on mind-altering nuts as long as 25,000 years ago.Analysis of two exceptionally rare skeletons from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi revealed dramatic tooth wear and traces of a psychoactive substance in the individuals’ remaining teeth, suggesting they routinely sucked on hard, abrasive betel nuts. Continue reading...

• McLaren is investing £450 million into its Woking manufacturing and research center to overhaul its product strategy. • The investment will create 1,000 UK jobs, including roles for agency and indirect workers. • This expansion occurs as other UK automakers face pressure from Chinese competition and tariffs, such as Jaguar Land Rover cutting 4,000 positions.

New roles at Woking-based manufacturer will include positions for indirect and agency workersThe British supercar manufacturer McLaren is to create 1,000 jobs in a welcome boost to the UK’s struggling automotive industry.The carmaker is creating the jobs as part of a £450m investment in its technology centre in Woking, near to the plant where it manufactures all of its vehicles. Continue reading...

The president’s substantial holiday gifts to four White House aides were made public via financial disclosures released by the administration Donald Trump gave sizable holiday gifts to four White House aides, according to new financial disclosures released by the administration, including $45,000 to executive assistant Natalie Harp.Communications adviser Margo Martin and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris also received $45,000, while director of Oval Office operations Walt Nauta received a $20,000 gift. Continue reading...

The documents are available through an online portal that was launched three days before the 25th anniversary of September 11New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has released more than 170,000 pages of municipal records involving the impact of the September 11 attacks on air quality health, as well as the city’s response.Mamdani announced the documents and an online portal for accessing them on Tuesday. The release comes alongside the settlement of two lawsuits pursued by 9/11 Health Watch, which fought for access to these long-withheld documents. Continue reading...

In partnership with DWP, firms such as John Lewis and M&S plan to offer 18- to 24-year-olds placements of two to four weeksUK retailers plan to create up to 100,000 short-term placements for young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) over the next three years to give them a first step on the ladder to paid work.In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 40 retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Pets at Home, Asda and the John Lewis Partnership, will offer Neets aged 18-24 placements of two to four weeks to gain “the skills and confidence needed to take their first step into work”. Continue reading...

Carmaker, which is battling Trump tariffs and fallout from cyber-attack, wants to reduce 34,000-strong UK workforceBusiness live – latest updatesJaguar Land Rover has announced thousands of job cuts as it grapples with tough conditions in the car market, Donald Trump’s tariff wars and the fallout from a cyber-attack.Britain’s largest carmaker, which is owned by the Indian conglomerate Tata, on Monday confirmed the anticipated cuts, saying it wants to reduce its 34,000-strong UK workforce by about 4,000 over two years, as part of an effort to save £1.7bn. Continue reading...

Protest using 10 coffins to symbolise struggling manufacturing industry to take place in BrusselsJob losses in EU manufacturing will rapidly increase unless Brussels stops the “colonisation” of industry by Chinese component manufacturers, a leading industry trade body has warned.Eurometal predicts 300,000 job losses in manufacturing in the rest of 2026 because of expanding competition from China, which is now enjoying a record €1bn-a-day trade surplus with the bloc. Continue reading...

Under-pressure carmaker will shed 15% of workforce and halve its product line in sector’s biggest ever restructureThe car company Volkswagen has confirmed that it will shed 100,000 jobs by the end of the decade after being hit by US tariffs and fierce competition from Chinese rivals.The German manufacturer said management and unions had agreed as part of a sweeping cost-cutting plan to cut a further 50,000 positions by 2030, bringing total job losses in the pipeline to 100,000. Continue reading...

Office for Students made decision to punish University of Sussex with fine last year after claiming it breached free speech regulationsEngland’s higher education regulator has apologised for a string of mistakes in its decision to punish the University of Sussex with a record fine that was later overturned by the high court.The Office for Students (OfS) tried to impose a £585,000 fine against Sussex last year after claiming the university breached free speech regulations involving its former professor Kathleen Stock. It was forced to back down in April after a judicial review initiated by Sussex found the OfS “had closed its mind” and acted with bias. Continue reading...

Police say two lorries were driven into industrial estate in Runcorn and attached to trailers holding about 800 barrelsThe famous tagline “Guinness is good for you” applies only when the drink is bought and paid for, police have said, after thieves made off with more than 70,000 pints worth.Officers believe two lorries were driven into a depot in Runcorn on Monday, each attached to a waiting trailer holding a combined total of about 800 barrels before being driven away. Continue reading...

Cull of animals that eat native shrubs, causing spread of fast-igniting grasses, to go ahead despite fierce oppositionLocals and tourists have long fawned over Catalina Island’s mule deer population. For nearly a century, the ungulates have roamed the land’s waterfronts and woodlands, so comfortable around humans that it is not uncommon to spot deer roaming downtown Avalon.But that sight will soon disappear, after a judge this week paved the way for the island’s conservancy to kill nearly all the island’s 2,000 deer. Continue reading...

• On September 2, 2026, the Indian stock market declined, with the Sensex ending 373 points lower at 76,570 and the Nifty falling below the 24,000 mark. • Major losses were seen in key stocks, specifically Asian Paints and HDFC Bank, contributing to the overall market downturn. • Simultaneously, Emkay Wealth Management reports that gold and silver remain attractive long-term investments despite short-term volatility, citing strong central bank demand and interest-rate expectations.