Everyone

• A letter to the editor emphasizes the critical role of active citizen participation as the November elections approach. • The author argues that while voting is a primary way to shape the country's future, civic engagement must extend beyond simply casting a ballot. • This call to action highlights the necessity of continuous public involvement to ensure democracy functions effectively and all voices are heard.

• IBM has issued a warning that the high costs of AI infrastructure and cybersecurity are consuming a significant portion of corporate technology budgets. • The report highlights a shift in spending patterns, where the financial demands of implementing generative AI are "draining" funds from other IT initiatives. • This trend matters as it indicates a potential imbalance in tech investments, forcing companies to prioritize AI capabilities over traditional digital maintenance.

• Senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for over three weeks, sparking widespread public interest and speculation regarding his current health status. • Attention has intensified following reports of recent 20-minute conversations between McConnell and his congressional colleagues. • Experts, including Indiana University professor Brad Fulton, note that while public curiosity about elected officials is normal, leaders still deserve a degree of medical privacy.

• A new POLITICO poll reveals that the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement is not a monolith, consisting of individuals with diverse political ideologies and opposing views. • The grassroots effort played a significant role in supporting Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory and provided momentum for candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. • The findings highlight a broad, fragmented coalition united by health concerns but divided on how to achieve systemic change.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a policy direction to reclassify 14 specific peptides, though the exact regulatory mechanics are still being finalized. • The current challenge is that none of these 14 peptides have undergone the formal FDA approval process, which requires phase 1 through 3 clinical trials and manufacturing validation. • This shift matters because it highlights a gap between how patients typically use these peptides and the rigorous safety and efficacy reviews required for a New Drug Application.

Cape Verdeans in Britain feeling ‘incredibly proud’ after team’s hard-fought draws against Spain and UruguayWorld Cup live – latest updatesFor as long as she can remember, 13-year-old Lauryn struggled to find a map that included Cape Verde. Now, to her great delight, the tiny African island nation is finally centre stage.“Seeing our country shown across the world at the World Cup makes me feel incredibly proud,” Lauryn says. “After the first match, everyone was talking about Cape Verde. People saw the talent and the skill of our players.” Continue reading...

• The "Europe 2031" scenario has gone viral following the G7, warning that Europe currently controls only 5% of global AI compute. • This doomsday projection suggests the continent is falling dangerously behind in the global AI race, sparking debate among policymakers and critics. • To combat this gap, the EU unveiled the €200 billion InvestAI fund at the Paris AI Action Summit in early 2025.

• Professor Neta Crawford of the University of St Andrews argues that the US-led military actions against Iran were unnecessary and have caused widespread global harm. • Crawford highlights a critical but often overlooked consequence of the conflict: the significant military emissions produced during warfare, which contribute to global climate degradation. • The discussion, conducted with Srijana Mitra Das at Times Evoke, questions whether the conflict in West Asia is truly over or if its effects are continuing to spread.

Thanks to rushed deadlines, financial pressure and overworked staff, titles are going to market before they’re ready – and then sliding from view immediatelyA Sydney author – I’ll call her Rebecca – vowed never to write another book after the deranging experience of publishing her first. She’s using a pseudonym because one day she might change her mind; the notoriously small Australian publishing industry does not tend to look with favour on authors who complain.When Rebecca was proofing her debut – a work of nonfiction published by one of the big five – she discovered that a pivotal chapter had been cut. “I thought it was a mistake, that it had somehow been left out of the papers they’d sent,” she says. “Turns out they’d deliberately excised it and thought I wouldn’t notice.” Continue reading...

Any sense of relief offset by doubts over durability of agreement and feelings of betrayal by Trump administrationMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn the rural town of Sirik, in southern Iran, temperatures over the past week have climbed to 45C (113F), and residents were still queueing to fill buckets of water days after US strikes reportedly damaged two drinking water facilities serving nearby villages.Amid water shortages and the looming fear of war came news of a possible deal between the US and Tehran. But for those struggling to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, the announcement brought little relief. Continue reading...

Prime minister to give speech on the government’s technology policy this morning Good morning. Two weeks today, it seems more likely than not that Andy Burnham will be taking his seat as the new MP for Makerfield. A byelection win is not certain, but the campaign is definitely going his way. Keir Starmer has been saying he won’t just stand aside and let Burnham replace him as Labour leader, but these briefings are being received with a hefty dose of scepticism.The unnamed minister quoted in today’s Times splash gives a more realistic guide to what is happening. They say:Keir has entered his legacy era. The conversations are now all, ‘What is announceable in time before Makerfield?’No one doubts the huge potential of tech to change lives. But we have to decide who that change is for. This government’s choice is clear: the tech revolution must work for everyone, not just a privileged few.We’re backing British businesses to lead the way, driving growth and investment that turns into more jobs and stronger communities. And we’re using tech to bring opportunity to every corner of the country – helping people into work, tackling inequalities, boosting skills and building a fairer future.The tool will provide a 24/7 resource for people, offering guidance on topics such as career development, job searching and applications. The trial will last for around three months, to gather data and feedback on how people are using the service so that it can be adapted and improved as necessary. Continue reading...

The policy memo issued last week requires many foreigners to obtain green cards through their home countriesA new policy memo issued last week by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), requiring many foreigners in the US to leave the country and obtain green cards through their home countries, has sparked confusion and fear among hundreds of thousands of visa holders and families, as well as immigration advocates and lawyers.Multiple Guardian readers, speaking anonymously out of fear, said the memo threatens to upend lives they have spent years building in the US – from careers and homes to marriages and long-term plans for stability. Continue reading...

Aditya Chakrabortty on the Labour leader’s predicament – and if he may be the last prime minister of the two-party systemIn these highly polarised times, dunking on the prime minister – and this PM in particular – is the one thing that seems to unite people in fury, disappointment and loathing. So as he rolled his sleeves up to address the nation on Monday morning, after one of the worst election results in Labour’s history, Keir Starmer had quite the job on his hands.The Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty was watching – and wincing. “There are times when I watch Keir Starmer promising he’s going to change,” he said. “He looks to me like a guy on the verge of divorce, holding flowers from the nearest petrol station and saying: 'Trust me. Honestly, it’s going to be different this time. Honestly, love, stick with me.’” But why does there seem to be such antagonism towards the Labour leader – and can anyone guide the party out of the mess they have found themselves in? Continue reading...

Shock and fears for future, including homelessness, after landlords rushed to issue section 21 notices before 1 MayIt was 2pm on 30 April when Carl Kansinde Middleton received a “no fault” eviction from his landlord in Brighton – just 10 hours before section 21 notices were officially banned under the Renters’ Right Act.“As we were getting closer, I really thought I was safe,” he said. “It just never occurred to me that it would just come right on the last day – I truly felt blindsided. Continue reading...

Judges have been fired or taken buyouts, and those remaining say they toe the government lineDavid Koelsch, a former immigration judge based in Maryland, was in Minneapolis visiting his mother and sister the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. He drove to Nicollet Avenue, parked a few blocks away, and walked toward the scene.“I didn’t go there to protest. I didn’t bring a sign. I didn’t bring anything. I just went to stand and bear witness,” Koelsch said. Continue reading...

Simon Dudley fired after his comments were condemned by prime minister and families of fire victimsReform UK’s housing spokesperoson has been sacked his role after he described the Grenfell Tower fire as a “tragedy” but said that “everyone dies in the end”.Keir Starmer had called on Nigel Farage to sack Simon Dudley, a former head of Homes England, after his comments, which were condemned by Grenfell families and others. Continue reading...

Party’s housing spokesperson made comments while criticising safety regulations brought in after 2017 tragedyCampaigners for Grenfell families have called on Reform UK and its housing spokesperson to apologise after he said the tower fire was a “tragedy” but that “everyone dies in the end”.Simon Dudley, a former head of Homes England, had announced in February that he was joining Reform, as Nigel Farage said he was planning to bring more “experts” onboard to advise the party. Continue reading...