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Sudden shifts from wet to dry weather, or vice versa, may foil typical drought and flooding prevention measuresRising temperatures may trigger a dangerous increase in “hydroclimatic whiplash” in rivers that would make traditional approaches to flood and drought planning insufficient, a study has found.As temperatures rise owing to the worsening climate crisis, rivers will experience increasingly rapid transitions between heavy downpours and long dry spells – called hydroclimatic whiplash events – because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, intensifying rainfall extremes. Continue reading...

Leadership hopeful to also say tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy billsWes Streeting’s pitch to be the next Labour leader will include a plan to increase high-skilled immigration to the UK, arguing that Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US.In a speech this coming week, the former health secretary will also say that tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills. Continue reading...

Lisa Nandy says discussions are taking place about how to ‘keep this country safe’ after John Healey’s resignationUK politics live – latest updatesCabinet ministers have been asked to look for more money in their departments to fund an increase in defence spending after the resignation of the former defence secretary John Healey.The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, told the BBC that her department was among those still in conversations with the Treasury about finding further sums for defence. Healey resigned last week over a far smaller than expected settlement for the defence investment plan (Dip). Continue reading...

Before the conflict began, inflation was at 2.4%, but the closure of the strait of Hormuz has affected energy pricesUS inflation jumped to 4.2% in May, the third consecutive monthly increase since the start of the Iran war and a three-year high, as Americans continue to face steep oil prices.Prices have increased sharply over the past several months, rising 3.3% in March before going up to 3.8% in April. In February, before the conflict began, inflation was at 2.4%. Continue reading...

JPMorgan Chase leads 65 banks making decisions incompatible with restraining rising temperatures, researchers sayThe world’s largest banks committed $906bn in financing to the fossil fuel industry last year, an “unfathomable” increase in investment locking in years more of coal, oil and gas production as the world continues to overheat, a new report has found.The surge in new fossil fuel lending, up $64bn or nearly 8% on 2024, shows that the world’s largest 65 banks are making decisions incompatible with international agreements to restrain rising global temperatures, according to the coalition of environmental groups behind the new analysis. Continue reading...

Shadow minister says the Coalition must treat minor party as an opponent, not an enemy. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live politics blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action.James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, has told 7.30 that One Nation’s increased prominence should bring increased scrutiny. He says the party is not the Coalition’s enemy but “an opponent”. More coming up. Continue reading...

Community programs are more effective at reducing violence than simply making arrests, advocates sayHomicides in the US have fallen dramatically in recent years after a spike during the Covid-19 pandemic, but now some advocates for community violence intervention programs worry federal funding cuts by the Trump administration will reverse that trend.In April 2025, more than $800m in grants was cut from the Department of Justice’s office of justice programs aimed at preventing and responding to gun violence, among other causes. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Some fear raising rate for people aged 18-20 will exacerbate unemployment while others point to lack of evidenceRising rates of youth unemployment have created a split at the top of government over how fast it should meet its promise to give young people the full minimum wage.Peter Kyle, the business secretary, is understood to believe now is not the time to give 18- to 20-year-olds the full minimum wage, which Labour promised to do in its manifesto. Continue reading...

Americans are growing frustrated with Trump’s handling of the economy as cost of living soars ahead of midtermsUS inflation increased at its fastest pace in three years in April, driven by higher energy prices amid the war with Iran, and cementing economists’ views that the Federal Reserve could hold interest rates unchanged well into next year.Surging price pressures are eroding household income and could restrain consumer spending and economic growth this quarter. Income at the disposal of households after adjusting for inflation dropped for a third straight month in April, other data showed on Thursday. Given the soaring cost of living, Americans are growing frustrated with Donald Trump’s handling of the economy. A Reuters/Ipsos survey last week showed the president’s approval rating fell to nearly its lowest level since he returned to the White House, hit by a drop in support among Republicans. Trump won the 2024 presidential election in large part because of his promise to lower inflation. Continue reading...

Growing fleet of datacentres last year used 22% of the country’s electricityEnergy demand by datacentres in Ireland has added hundreds of euros to household electricity bills in a pattern that could be replicated across Europe, according to a new report.The centres have “drained” €715m (£620m) from the Irish economy and increased household bills by a cumulative average of €360 between 2015 and 2023, said the report commissioned by Friends of the Earth Ireland and Beyond Fossil Fuels. Continue reading...

• 68% of UK firms plan to increase cybersecurity spending due to rising security concerns. • The increase in spending is driven by the adoption of new technologies, including AI, which 46% of business leaders believe is increasing their exposure to cybersecurity risks. • Fewer than three in 10 businesses are confident in their ability to respond to a major cyber incident, highlighting the need for improved cybersecurity measures.

• Singapore Airlines has announced plans to explore opportunities to increase flight frequencies on the Singapore-Amsterdam route starting after October 2026. • The airline aims to expand its capacity and connectivity between these two major hubs to meet travel demand. • This move signals a strategic effort to strengthen its European network and enhance operational efficiency in the long term.

State department says Afrikaners in ‘emergency refugee situation’, a claim previously rebutted by South AfricaThe US government has said it will increase the number of white South Africans it admits as refugees this year from about 7,500 to 17,500, claiming that “unforeseen developments in South Africa created an emergency refugee situation.”Since starting his second term in office last year, Donald Trump has repeatedly made false claims that white Afrikaners are racially targeted and face a “white genocide”, which South Africa’s government has furiously rebutted. Continue reading...

• Citigroup announced plans to expand its Asia-Pacific prime brokerage division by approximately 10% this year to attract more hedge fund clients amid growing regional activity. • The hiring push targets capturing increased hedge fund business in APAC, a key growth area for the U.S. bank's securities services. • This move aligns with broader bullish sentiment in Asian financial markets, particularly in tech and AI sectors driving stock gains.

Workers told to be realistic about outcome of union talks as corporation aims to make savings with job cutsBBC staff have been told their bosses will forgo a pay rise this year but fear the freeze will lead to a meagre increase for the rank and file, who have been urged to be realistic about the outcome of union negotiations.Employees have been told that the corporation’s executive committee – its 12 highest-paid bosses including the director general, who were paid almost £5m in total last year – will have their pay frozen this year amid a £600m cost-cutting drive. Continue reading...

• ByteDance has announced a 25% increase in artificial intelligence infrastructure spending for 2026 as part of a major strategic push to strengthen its competitive position in the AI sector. • The investment boost reflects ByteDance's commitment to scaling compute resources, data centers, and AI development capabilities to support its existing platforms and emerging AI products. • The spending increase positions ByteDance alongside other major Chinese tech firms in ramping up AI investments amid intensifying global competition with US technology companies.

• A KPMG study indicates Singaporean respondents have grown more reliant on AI tools, leading to positive efficiency improvements. • Usage trends reflect broader adoption in daily tasks, with respondents reporting tangible productivity benefits from AI integration. • The findings underscore Singapore's proactive AI embrace amid national strategies for technological advancement.

• Kansai Nerolac Paints posted a 7.3% rise in Q4 FY26 net profit to Rs 109.9 crore, reflecting steady demand in the paints sector despite mixed market conditions. • The results highlight resilience in core operations, with revenue growth supported by volume increases in industrial and decorative segments. • This earnings beat underscores the company's strong market position amid rising input costs, offering positive cues for consumer goods stocks.

• The Union Cabinet approved increasing the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, adding four additional judicial positions. • This expansion aims to address growing judicial backlogs and improve the court's capacity to handle pending cases more efficiently. • The move is seen as a significant step toward reducing case disposal timelines and strengthening India's judicial system.

• U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) reported Q1 2026 net income of $1,945 million, up from $1,709 million year-over-year, with earnings per share rising 14.6% to $1.18. • Total net revenue reached $7,288 million, driven by 3.8% average loan growth, 1.7% deposit growth, wider net interest margins, and stronger fee income. • The company announced a pending acquisition of BTIG for up to $1 billion in cash and stock, plus performance-based earn-outs, to expand its capabilities.

• During a heated Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand directly challenged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over rising Iran war costs, specifically questioning reports of a potential $200 billion additional spending request. • Gillibrand pressed Hegseth on the lack of evidence that military operations have made Americans safer, arguing the massive spending burden conflicts with domestic economic pressures and inflation affecting citizens. • Hegseth defended the campaign as a necessary and "defined mission" with strategic objectives, comparing it to long-term conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting growing Washington tension over war costs and direction.

Elusive nightingale ‘doing well’ at Northward Hill, Kent, but experts cite concerns around loss of habitatThe dawn chorus at RSPB Northward Hill in Kent is a riot of sound: the melodic robin, the two-tone cuckoo, the whitethroat’s scratchy warble. Even the garbling geese and mooing cows from the neighbouring Thames marshes add to the symphony.But in late April one energetic singer hogs the limelight. For a few weeks after arriving from West Africa, the nightingale spends the night – and early morning – in complex song. As it searches for a mate and marks its territory, its song is at times as sweet and tuneful as a soul singer, at others as frantic as a car alarm. Continue reading...

• A majority of Americans express concern over rising healthcare costs and support increased federal tax spending to address these challenges, according to the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index released March 17, 2026. • The poll demonstrates bipartisan support for government action on healthcare affordability, reflecting widespread concern among the U.S. public about escalating medical expenses. • Americans also show increased trust in government handling of childhood vaccination decisions, signaling broader public confidence in health policy interventions.

• Berkshire Hathaway's cash and equivalents surged to $168 billion at the end of Q1 2026, its highest level in over a decade, as Warren Buffett continued to reduce equity holdings amid concerns over elevated asset valuations. • The conglomerate reduced its Apple stake by 8% during the quarter and trimmed Bank of America holdings further, citing a lack of compelling investment opportunities in current market conditions. • Investment income from fixed-income holdings generated $3.2 billion in the first quarter alone, demonstrating how Berkshire's massive cash reserve is now earning meaningful returns in a higher-rate environment.

• China's military conducted unannounced exercises Friday involving naval destroyers and fighter jets near Taiwan's east coast, hours after the US approved a $619 million weapons package for the self-governing island, defense officials on both sides confirmed. • The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued formal diplomatic protests, characterizing the US arms sale as a violation of the one-China principle and warning of "serious consequences" for continued military support to Taiwan. • Taiwan's defense ministry said it is prepared to defend against any military aggression and praised the US commitment; regional analysts warned the escalating military posturing raises risks of unintended conflict.

• The White House is ramping up pressure on Cuba for political change following Operation Absolute Resolve, which successfully extracted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. • US military presence is expanding across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on combating drug-trafficking by transnational criminal organizations like Mexican Cartels, MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and Haitian gangs, topping the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment. • Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa seeks stronger US military ties after a failed 2025 referendum on foreign bases, while Paraguay ratified a State of Forces Agreement allowing temporary US troop deployments for training.

Guardian readers describe how their lives have been upended by cost hikes stemming from Trump’s Iran warWith the US and Israel’s war on Iran now in its seventh week, with a fragile ceasefire in place since earlier this month, Americans are continuing to feel the effects at the pump as global fuel prices rise.For several readers who spoke to the Guardian, the impact has forced difficult trade-offs – from accessing essential medicines and groceries to facing the brink of homelessness amid an already rising cost of living. Continue reading...

Data from 22 police forces shows spending has more than tripled since the ban came into force in 2024Police spending on kennels and veterinary bills in England and Wales has more than tripled since the XL bully ban came into force, with some forces recording an almost 500% spending increase since the new law was enacted in 2024.Data from 22 police forces obtained via freedom of information requests showed police spending had soared from an average of £137,400 per force in 2022-23 to £423,136 in 2024-25. Continue reading...