Survey

Exclusive: poll across 15 countries finds ‘deep mistrust’, with majority doubting US would come to their aid in an attackEuropean confidence in an American “security guarantee” has hit a historic low, a survey suggests, with only one in 10 people across 15 countries seeing the US as an ally and majorities in all doubting it would come to their aid if they were attacked.The survey, published on Wednesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) thinktank before critical G7 and Nato summits in France and Turkey over the coming weeks, revealed “deep European distrust in the US”, the authors said. Continue reading...

• ScienceAlert explored the gap between sensational headlines and the actual consensus among scientists regarding the discovery of alien life. • The discussion was prompted by NASA Administrator Sean Duffy's claim that a sample from the "Cheyava Falls" rock on Mars is the closest evidence of life found to date. • The article highlights a systemic issue where media coverage often relies on a few vocal experts rather than surveying the broader scientific community.

• A Barclays survey reveals that 68% of UK business leaders plan to increase their cybersecurity spending over the next 12 months to combat evolving risks. • Despite the investment, 46% of leaders fear that the adoption of new technologies, including AI, is widening their exposure to cyber threats. • There is a significant gap in confidence, as only 29% of businesses feel prepared to respond to a major cyber incident, even though 82% believe their measures are keeping pace with tech adoption.

Conservationists say population rebound demands rethink of retention zones that allow thousands of the animals to remain in the parkGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFeral horse numbers in the Kosciuszko national park have surged, with new survey data estimating populations climbed by thousands after the New South Wales government paused aerial culling in 2025.Conservation advocates say the rebound in numbers demands an urgent rethink of retention zones that allow thousands of horses to remain in the park. Continue reading...

Households ‘increasingly gloomy’ about finances amid fears of interest rate rises due to higher fuel pricesBusiness live – latest updatesRising prices have become the top financial concern for UK households, according to a monthly consumer confidence survey, before Wednesday’s official figures, which are likely to show inflation remaining stubbornly high.Amid fears of higher interest rates owing to increased fuel prices after the closure of the strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in the Middle East, households have become “increasingly gloomy about their financial situation”, the report said. Continue reading...

Union to urge ministers to bring in mandatory minimum staffing, as ageing population increases demand for careAlmost two-thirds of nurses believe there are too few of them working in the NHS to keep patients safe and give them proper care, a survey has revealed.Understaffing and the increasingly complex medical needs posed by an ageing population are creating a “deadly mix” for patients, the Royal College of Nursing warned on Monday.64% expected to cut services this year.83% feared financial constraints will impact planned patient care and 78% worry it will affect emergency care.57% expected to cut their clinical staffing this year to save money. Continue reading...

‘Polyclass’ of 6 million people consider themselves to belong to more than one social category, researchers sayMore than a third of Britons say they have changed social class, with upper-middle and upper-class people most likely to identify as belonging to more than one class, according to a survey.Working-class people were the least likely to say they had changed class or identified with more than one, with 70% saying they were in the same social category they were born into, the study by research firm Attest found. Continue reading...