54 h. ago ‘Mommy’s got her phone’: A House of Dynamite is good on nuclear threat – and great on smartphone reliance

The Netflix film graphically highlights the importance mobiles bring to both work and home life, as well as their potential to wreak havoc on a global scaleSince its release, A House of Dynamite has triggered its own fallout over how accurately the film depicts the government’s immediate response to a nuclear attack of unknown origin. Could a missile fired from the Pacific really reach Chicago in just 18 minutes? Is the decision to retaliate solely in the president’s hands?In particular, the Pentagon has challenged the film’s suggestion that US-launched interceptor missiles have only a 61% success rate at shooting down incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles, insisting that the real figure is 100% in testing. (The nonprofit Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation puts it even lower than the film, at 55%.) Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago US flight cancellations rise as Sean Duffy warns travel could reduce to a ‘trickle’

Over 2,500 flights cancelled as transportation secretary says flight reductions could reach 20% if shutdown persistsFlight cancellations and delays are set to grow as airline passengers across the United States spent the weekend grappling with those issues at major airports nationwide after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated a 4% reduction in air traffic in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown.If the shutdown continues, the FAA has instructed airlines to cut 6% of flights on Tuesday – and to do the same to 10% by 14 November. The transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, has warned that flight reductions could reach 20% if the shutdown persists, and on Sunday he predicted a “substantial” number of people in the US would be unable to celebrate the upcoming holidays with their families if the shutdown wasn’t resolved.The Associated Press and Reuters contributed reporting Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Guyana in turmoil after opposition leader arrested and faces US extradition

Azruddin Mohamed had emerged as a surprise contender in the presidential election and claims political persecutionGuyana has been thrown into political turmoil following the arrest and possible extradition to the United States of the country’s main opposition leader just two months after he emerged as the surprise contender in the presidential election that kept incumbent Irfaan Ali in power.Azruddin Mohamed, 38, and his father, Nazar Mohamed, 73, two of Guyana’s wealthiest figures thanks to their gold mining empire, were arrested on 31 October in the capital, Georgetown, in response to a formal extradition request from the US government. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Government to issue response after tens of thousands call for UK firework ban

More than 40,000 people have signed a petition calling to "limit" the sale of fireworks

Politics

5 d. ago Airports in Belgium disrupted again by suspected drone sightings – Europe live

Drone sightings reported near Brussels and Liège airports just hours after national security council meeting on the emerging threatsBrussels and Liège airports in Belgium faced disruptions overnight once again over suspected drone sightings, just hours after the Belgian government’s national security council discussed its response to the emerging threats.Both airports reported limited effect on their operations. Continue reading...

Society

8 d. ago There is a thriving shadow economy in Britain – but migrants are not to blame | Emily Kenway

While Labour is desperately trying to mimic Reform’s line on the cash economy, the blame lies solidly with ordinary people feeling the pinchAccording to politicians across all parties, something called the “hidden economy” – the shadowy nethers of the labour market, in which work goes unregulated and undeclared to the authorities – is a “menace”, full of migrants whose illegal working “undercuts British workers”, and even a threat to our national security. MPs have been so worried about asylum seekers delivering their Friday night pizza that they’ve spent parliamentary time discussing Deliveroo et al’s business models. In response, the government has repeatedly reassured us, in the somewhat Mills & Boon-style phrasing of Yvette Cooper, when she was home secretary, that it’s “surging enforcement” to tackle the problem.Solutions suggested include Keir Starmer’s digital ID cards, requirements for increased “right to work” checks, and new data-sharing agreements in which the Home Of...

Events

1 week ago Weaker forecasts will have ‘consequences’ at Budget, warns minister

John Healey insisted no decisions had been made on the final shape of the Budget to be delivered on November 26.

Events

1 week ago Judge rules Trump can’t require citizenship proof on federal voting form – US politics live

Federal judge says Trump’s directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powersUS House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated this morning that he will not bring the chamber back into session until the government shutdown ends.Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Johnson said: “We are anxious to get the house back to regular legislative session, but we have to get the lights turned back on. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have got to reopen the government. Again, it’s the most fundamental responsibility of congress is to have the government operate and work for the people. That’s the number one priority right now and we cannot deviate from that.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trump wants filibuster scrapped to end shutdown as top official rejects call to use emergency food stamps funding – live

President intervenes in stalemate as agriculture secretary says alternative funding for Snap – which runs out on Saturday, affecting 42 million Americans – would be legally impossibleWhat is the filibuster and why does Trump want to get rid of it?How will government shutdown could affect your access to food or health insuranceUS House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated this morning that he will not bring the chamber back into session until the government shutdown ends.Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Johnson said: “We are anxious to get the house back to regular legislative session, but we have to get the lights turned back on. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have got to reopen the government. Again, it’s the most fundamental responsibility of congress is to have the government operate and work for the people. That’s the number one priority right now and we cannot deviate from that.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trump calls for Senate to scrap filibuster as Johnson again refuses to bring back the House during shutdown – US politics live

Snap food benefits are set to run out this weekend as shutdown comes close to matching the record of 2018-2019US House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated this morning that he will not bring the chamber back into session until the government shutdown ends.Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Johnson said: “We are anxious to get the house back to regular legislative session, but we have to get the lights turned back on. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats in the Senate have got to reopen the government. Again, it’s the most fundamental responsibility of congress is to have the government operate and work for the people. That’s the number one priority right now and we cannot deviate from that.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Pound suffers further falls as UK’s fiscal troubles set to deepen

The UK’s independent fiscal watchdog has reportedly cut its productivity forecast, deepening the challenging facing the Chancellor.

Events

3 w. ago Government issues response to calls to lower UK energy price cap

An increase to gas and electricity prices came into effect this month

Politics

3 w. ago Boris Johnson denies UK failed to plan for Covid school closures

Former prime minister defends government’s response to pandemic but admits children paid ‘huge, huge price’

Politics

3 w. ago UK did plan for mass school closures after onset of Covid, says Boris Johnson

Former prime minister gives evidence to official inquiry and defends his government’s response to pandemic

Politics

3 w. ago UK Government borrowing surges to highest September figure in five years

Public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2 billion last month, £1.6 billion higher than the same month last year.

Politics

3 w. ago UK government 'saddened' by Maccabi Tel Aviv response to Aston Villa tickets ban

The UK Government has responded after Maccabi Tel Aviv made a decision on their away allocation for the Europa League clash with Aston Villa after the decision to ban fans

Politics

3 w. ago UK Government borrowing surges in September to highest in five years

Public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2 billion in September, £1.6 billion higher than the same month last year.

Politics

3 w. ago Government responds to calls to increase paternity leave for new parents

An 18-month review of parental leave and pay is already underway

Politics

3 w. ago SNP Government told it can't 'shirk' responsibility for Glasgow homelessness crisis

EXCLUSIVE: Paul Sweeney said Glasgow was struggling due to an inadequate supply of housing that can't meet the demand caused by more liberal SNP homelessness laws.

Politics

3 w. ago Scotland has a duty to be a good global citizen and help eradicate poverty

Writing in his regular column for the Record, the First Minister says his Government has a responsibility to fund international aid programmes helping some of the world's poorest communities.

Politics