Major

Readers remember the Sherwood Forest tree that has failed to produce leaves for the first time in 1,000 yearsAfter hundreds of years inspiring wonder in Sherwood Forest, the Major oak has died. We asked readers to share their memories of one of the UK’s most recognisable natural landmarks, said to have offered a sanctuary for Robin Hood, and the response was overwhelming, with many sharing heartfelt stories of childhood adventures.Joanna de Graaf from Leicestershire wrote: “I grew up in Nottingham and we visited Sherwood Forest quite often as a family. I can remember being so excited to actually be inside the Major oak where Robin Hood and his merry men had hidden (and, for a little girl in the 1960s, Maid Marian too). Continue reading...

• Intelligence agencies from the Five Eyes alliance issued a rare joint warning that advanced AI models capable of launching devastating cyber attacks on governments and businesses could arrive within months. • This alert follows a recent U.S. government order requiring Anthropic to suspend access to its most powerful models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, for all foreign nationals, including Indians. • The warning emphasizes that cyber risk must now be a priority for corporate boardrooms as the window for potential AI-driven threats is shrinking rapidly.

Injuries reported as bus is said to have flipped on to its side after collision on roundabout on outskirts of KidwellyPolice have declared a major incident after a bus crash in west Wales.Dyfed-Powys police said on Tuesday afternoon there had been a collision involving a bus on a roundabout on the A484 on the outskirts of Kidwelly, in Carmarthenshire. Continue reading...

Study warns AI datacenters are vulnerable to the climate hazards that their global greenhouse gas emissions bolsterAmid rising concern that the artificial intelligence boom is fueling the climate crisis, a new report has found that nearly 80% of datacenters are also exposed to extreme climate hazards, including flooding, extreme winds and wildfires.Those impacts are leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to disrupted operations, increased time offline and inflated insurance and repair costs, the research from climate risk analytics firm First Street shows. Continue reading...

• Sen. Brian Schatz, positioned to become the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, warned President Donald Trump that a Democratic majority this fall would lead to a significant ideological fight. • Schatz attributed current political shifts to voter frustration over the high cost of living and the age of the presidency, emphasizing the need to regain trust among working-class voters. • He argued that sweeping election-year agendas are often overrated, suggesting the party should instead focus on disciplined messaging regarding healthcare and cost reductions.

Engineers need to create access for cranes to lift carriages from site before track can be assessed and repairedMajor disruption on the rail line between Bedford and Luton will continue for at least a week after the collision of two trains which killed a train driver and injured 100 people.In a statement setting out the effects on some services until 28 June, Network Rail said the disaster had been a “tragic, isolated incident”. Continue reading...

Experts cast doubt on conclusion of government-funded study of factory emitting forever chemicals near BlackpoolConcerns have been raised about the conclusions drawn by a government-funded study that looked at rates of kidney cancer in the vicinity of a factory using forever chemicals near Blackpool.Pfoa, which is a known carcinogenic forever chemical that was globally banned in 2020, was emitted from the AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys, a town north of Blackpool, between the 1950s and 2012. During this period, approximately 49 tonnes of Pfoa were emitted into the air. The factory, which AGC Chemicals Europe bought in 1999, stopped using Pfoa in 2012. Continue reading...

Explore the Guardian’s tracker to see which operators are nationalised and if services are improving under public ownershipThe majority of Great Britain’s major rail operators are now in public ownership, as the Labour government continues its efforts to make the railways “more reliable, affordable and accessible”.The nationalisation of Govia Thameslink on 31 May represents the eleventh major passenger service to be brought back into public ownership, leaving five to go before the government’s deadline of completing every operator by 2027. Continue reading...

Boseley won for her high-profile, multiplatform political explainer series, Parliamen-Tea: explaining the chaos of Australian politicsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGuardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley has taken out one of the top honours at the 2026 Walkley mid-year media prizes, winning the award for innovative storytelling.Boseley won for her high-profile, multiplatform political explainer series, Parliamen-Tea: explaining the chaos of Australian politics, engaging a younger generation in national policy debate. The category recognises journalism that breaks standard structural moulds to reach and inform audiences through dynamic digital platforms and creative production formats. Continue reading...

• G7 leaders have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the international development cooperation system to move away from traditional aid models. • The proposed reforms focus on creating "mutually beneficial partnerships" designed to strengthen the economic sovereignty of partner nations and reduce long-term dependency on foreign aid. • A key component of the strategy involves mobilizing increased private sector investment to fund sustainable development projects.

Nottinghamshire tree, one of Europe’s oldest and largest, fails to produce leaves after being stressed by series of hot, dry summersThe Major oak, one of Europe’s oldest, largest and most celebrated ancient trees, has died.The huge tree, which has grown in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, for at least 1,000 years, failed to produce any leaves this year, after becoming stressed by a series of hot, dry summers. Continue reading...

Heads of state and participants from more than 80 countries at three-day event in Accra to pursue actionable commitments to reconciliation and restitutionGhana is hosting a conference to advance the continent’s push for reparatory justice after the adoption of the landmark United Nations (UN) resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.Heads of state and government, ministers, civil society representatives, historians, researchers and legal experts representing more than 80 countries are converging in the capital, Accra, for the three-day event, billed Next Steps, which starts on Wednesday. It is the first major gathering on the issue since the resolution was adopted. Continue reading...

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has raised over 50 billion yuan ($7.40 billion) in its first major funding round. • The investment has propelled the company to a valuation exceeding $50 billion, as reported by The Information on Tuesday. • The deal's investor structure was specifically designed to ensure the founder maintains control over the company.

• England defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining a calf injury during a training session on Sunday. • The Newcastle United full-back's absence comes on the eve of the tournament, forcing manager Thomas Tuchel to make a last-minute change to his squad. • This injury represents a significant blow to England's defensive options and tactical preparations just before the campaign begins.

• Imperial College London has secured two major research grants to co-lead landmark AI innovation programmes in partnership with institutions in Singapore. • The initiatives will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate the pace of chemistry discovery and enhance the reliability of software systems. • This collaboration highlights the growing intersection of AI and scientific research, aiming to solve complex problems in materials science and computing.

• Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations ever to compete in the World Cup, secured a major shock result by holding European champions Spain to a draw. • Spain struggled throughout the match, with Ferran Torres hitting the crossbar from point-blank range during a "wretched afternoon" for the favorites. • The result highlights a continuing decline for La Roja, who have faced surprise group stage exits and consecutive round-of-16 defeats since their 2010 World Cup victory.

All departments will be affected but biggest cuts are in news, with job losses expected to run into the hundredsBBC News is braced for a major round of job cuts to be revealed within days, in an announcement that will kick off a brutal cost-saving drive designed to save £500m across the corporation.The cuts could come as soon as Wednesday, with staff already told to expect a high number of redundancies. Job losses could run into the hundreds. Continue reading...

• UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and Manchester City star Phil Foden connected over their shared experience of missing major sporting events in the United States. • Aspinall is currently sidelined due to an eye injury sustained during his first title defense against Ciryl Gane last year. • Foden is also absent from the U.S. after failing to make the England squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

• Actor Raghava Lawrence has hinted at a potential entry into politics following significant public support and requests from individuals to join his movement. • While he did not explicitly confirm electoral plans during media interactions, Lawrence stated that a major announcement regarding his decision will be made soon. • He expressed his intention to move forward with the blessings of superstar Rajinikanth and noted his readiness to face political attacks and criticism.

• Union Minister J.P. Nadda announced in Shimla that India has become the world's fastest-growing major economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. • Nadda highlighted 12 years of governance characterized by significant economic reforms, infrastructure expansion, and improved welfare delivery. • The statement underscores the government's focus on decisive policymaking to maintain India's global economic trajectory.

• Ukrainian forces launched a massive wave of hundreds of drones targeting Russian oil and gas facilities overnight and into Friday morning. • The strikes specifically targeted energy sites, aiming to disrupt the infrastructure that fuels the Kremlin's economy and military operations. • These attacks represent a strategic effort to deplete President Vladimir Putin's "war chest" by cutting off critical energy exports and revenue streams.

• Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced roster changes involving key player movements for the upcoming season. • Forward Tai Baribo was traded to D.C. United on December 17, 2025, while defender Kai Wagner transferred to Birmingham City on January 2, 2026. • These transactions signify a shift in squad compositions as teams adjust their rosters through trades and international transfers.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India is the fastest-growing major economy, with GDP growth projected to remain robust at 7%. • This economic growth is being driven primarily by strong domestic demand and ongoing structural reforms. • The announcement was made during a summit presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron, which included leaders from G7 nations, Brazil, China, Kenya, South Korea, and the IMF.

• New national surveys indicate that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats agree on 112 key policy issues, contrasting the deep division seen in Congress. • A significant 82% of respondents support overturning the Citizens United ruling via a new Constitutional amendment to restrict corporate and PAC spending in elections. • These findings suggest a substantial gap between the ideological stances of elected officials and the actual preferences of the general American public.

• A new analysis by Press Gazette, utilizing Similarweb data, reveals that 80% of the top 50 US news websites experienced a traffic decline in May. • More than half of these major newsbrands saw double-digit year-on-year traffic drops, indicating a significant downward trend in digital readership. • This decline occurred despite consistent reporting and updates regarding the ongoing US conflict in Iran, which typically drives high engagement.

• Major equity indexes rebounded on Thursday, recovering from sharp losses experienced during the previous trading session. • The recovery was driven largely by gains in tech stocks and investor indifference toward President Donald Trump's warning that the U.S. "will be hitting Iran" tonight. • This bounce back suggests that market participants are currently downplaying geopolitical tensions and specific corporate concerns, such as Oracle's data-center spending.

• The UK, Australia, and Canada have launched a major new international fund designed to scale civil society initiatives and address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • The fund will invest in grassroots projects aimed at rebuilding trust and reducing community divisions, integrating civil society efforts directly into broader diplomatic strategies. • UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Middle East peace is too often viewed solely as a matter of international diplomacy, necessitating this shift toward community-led stability.

• On June 9, major US stock indices weakened during the early trading session, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping 0.79% to 25,724.55 and the S&P 500 falling 0.32% to 7,382.36. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average showed slight resilience, edging up 0.08% to 50,828.49, while other indices reversed their earlier gains. • This volatility follows a consensus warning from four major investment banks highlighting significant risks currently facing the stock market.