81 m. ago When trains are pricier than planes, there’s a heavy social, financial and environmental cost

In this week’s newsletter: Whether it’s a holiday or work trip, railway travellers find themselves burdened by astronomical prices – and the environment is left footing the bill• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereIf I want to get from Barcelona to London, I face what should be a simple choice: either I take the plane, and pump out about 280kg of pollution that heats the planet, or the train, and spew just 8kg.That is not the calculation travellers are presented with, nor is it the one they care about most. Because while the plane ticket would cost €15, an analysis from Greenpeace found this summer, the train ticket would cost a galling €389.Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research showsGlobal use of coal hit record high in 2024Overconsumption and ruin: before and after images visualise how tech could harm our planet Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago MPs deliver 'grim' verdict on Labour's oil and gas strategy amid 'heaving job losses' warning

Labour ministers have been warned the “scale-up of clean energy is progressing more slowly than the decline of the oil and gas sector” with jobs being lost as a result.

Events

2 h. ago Tropical Storm Melissa trudges through Caribbean as forecasters warn it will quickly intensify

Tropical Storm Melissa is plodding through the central Caribbean, with forecasters warning it could soon strengthen and brush past Jamaica as a powerful hurricane

Events

5 h. ago Alaska Airlines flights are grounded nationwide for the second time this year over an ‘IT outage’

Alaska Airlines advised passengers to check their flight status before traveling to the airport

Politics

6 h. ago 'Massive crimewave' is heading for Britain and the public WILL be in 'danger', Tories warn in wake of Labour's plans to lock up fewer criminals

Tory Robert Jenrick said an official report showed probation officers 'won't be able to cope' with huge numbers of criminals handed community punishments instead of jail.

Events

7 h. ago Rachel Reeves urged to hike taxes on HOLIDAYS at the Budget with new green levies on flights to plug £30billion black hole

The Chancellor should consider a range of levies on aviation to ensure the sector pays 'its fair share' towards Britain's Net Zero targets, according to a new report.

Economics

8 h. ago Target to slash 1,000 jobs as retailer deals with stagnant sales: ‘It will be difficult’

The job cuts will affect 8 percent of approximately 22,000 corporate employees as the retailer looks to reverse stagnant sales

Economics

8 h. ago Public facing multiple environmental threats in local areas, analysis finds

Friends of the Earth said 47 of the 50 worst areas in the country for air pollution are represented by Labour MPs.

Events

8 h. ago Airport expansion puts UK climate targets in ‘serious jeopardy’, MPs warn

Ministers have not provided evidence economic growth from expanding airports provides enough benefit to outweigh environmental harm, a report says.

Events

8 h. ago Tech companies not doing enough to stop phone theft, say MPs

Many of the stolen devices end up being shipped overseas.

Politics

8 h. ago Urgent warning after supplements ‘linked to liver damage and weakened bones’ being sold online

POTENTIALLY dangerous doses of popular vitamins and minerals are being sold on online marketplaces, according to a new investigation. Supplements containing as much as 12.5 times the recommended safe upper limit could be putting consumers at risk of "some really harmful side effects", experts warn. Consumer organisation Which? looked at vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin...

Events

8 h. ago CHRIS PHILP: PM's weakness has left victims of crime unprotected and criminals emboldened

Theft from the person is up five per cent, while robberies targeting businesses have rocketed by 55 per cent, leaving shopkeepers and small traders exposed. Pictured: File photo

Events

8 h. ago Oliver Glasner admits 'deja vu' as Crystal Palace rue missed chances in Larnaca defeat

The Eagles managed just one shot on target in the match despite having the lion’s share of possession

Politics

8 h. ago Prince paranoid? Andrew 'is convinced King Charles is trying to force him out of Royal Lodge and give it to Queen Camilla'

The disgraced prince, 65, is refusing to move out of the lavish 30-room property near Windsor Castle , despite pressure from MPs and the public to relocate to a more humble home.

Politics

9 h. ago Stewart and Thelwell confronted as furious Rangers fans held back by security during airport altercation

The duo have been targeted once more as a pair of Ibrox followers turn up the heat

Events

10 h. ago Govt forced to water down affordable housing targets as London property market 'in crisis', minister says

Govt forced to water down affordable housing targets as London property market 'in crisis', minister says  Sky News

Politics

10 h. ago Plastic pollution could linger on ocean surfaces for over 100 years, researchers warn

Micro- and nanoplastics found in arteries, brains and sexual organs

Events

11 h. ago Pride of Britain viewers in tears as winner targeted by sickening bullies

The annual Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards left viewers in floods of tears after one winner shared their emotional story and called out the bullies that threatened his life

Events

11 h. ago Marc Guehi transfer twist as Liverpool target's agent jets out for 'meeting'

Marc Guehi was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool on deadline day, but Crystal Palace pulled the plug on a £35m deal at the last minute

Events

12 h. ago US senior officials warn Israeli political factions not to disrupt Gaza ceasefire

Marco Rubio says bill passed by rightwing MPs to establish Israeli ‘sovereignty’ over occupied territories ‘threatens’ peace dealThe parade of senior US officials traveling to the Middle East in recent weeks is a clear warning from the White House to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli political factions to not disrupt the recent Gaza ceasefire – including by an annexation of the West Bank – or face a serious rift in relations with the US.As the shaky ceasefire came into effect last week, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner quickly rushed to the region for consultations. Now they have been followed by secretary of state Marco Rubio and vice-president JD Vance as Trump deploys his top allies to tamp down on internal strife within Israel’s fractious Knesset. Continue reading...

Events