2 h. ago Report says world's biggest arms producers increased revenue by 5.9% last year to record level

A new report says that the world’s biggest weapons-producing companies saw a 5.9% increase in revenue from sales of arms and military services last year as demand was fed by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as countries’ rising military spending

Politics

60 h. ago National guard shooting suspect to be charged with murder as Trump steps up immigration crackdown – US politics live

US attorney for DC says charges upgraded to murder in first degree after national guard member dies; US president says he will ‘permanently pause’ migration from ‘third world countries’ Full report: Trump says he will ‘permanently pause’ migration from ‘third world countries’Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, this morning announced that charges against the suspected shooter were being upgraded.Pirro told Fox News on Friday morning: “There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree.“Washington DC is considered a safe zone,” Donald Trump declared on Tuesday, veering off topic at the national Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. “This was one of the most unsafe places anywhere in the United States. It is now considered a totally safe city.”A day later, two national guardsmen from West Virginia were shot in a busy area a few blocks from the White House in downt...

Politics

61 h. ago After a teddy bear talked about kink, AI watchdogs are warning parents against smart toys

Advocates are fighting against the $16.7bn global smart-toy market, decrying surveillance and a lack of regulationAs the holiday season looms into view with Black Friday, one category on people’s gift lists is causing increasing concern: products with artificial intelligence.The development has raised new concerns about the dangers smart toys could pose to children, as consumer advocacy groups say AI could harm kids’ safety and development. The trend has prompted calls for increased testing of such products and governmental oversight. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago The Guardian view on city living: an urban species is still adapting to our new environment | Editorial

UN figures show that four-fifths of the global population now live in major settlements. We’re still figuring out how to copeCities have existed for millennia, but their triumph is remarkably recent. As recently as 1950, only 30% of the world’s population were urban dwellers. This week, a United Nations report suggested that more than 80% of people are now urbanites, with most of those living in cities. London became the first city to reach a million inhabitants in the early 19th century. Now, almost 500 have done so.Jakarta, with 42 million residents, has just overtaken Tokyo as the most populous of the lot; nine of the 10 largest megacities are in Asia. The UN report revealed the scale of the recent population shift to towns and cities thanks to a new, standardised measure in place of the widely varying national criteria previously used. The urbanisation rate in its 2018 report was just 55%.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a ...

Politics

3 d. ago Alternative sweetener used in thousands of every day products is linked to liver disease, finds study

A common sweetener used in sugar-free products could increase the risk of developing deadly liver disease, concerning research has suggested.

Politics

3 d. ago Jakarta overtakes Tokyo as world’s most populous city, according to UN

The rankings were changed after the UN used new criteria to give a more accurate picture of the rapid urbanisation driving the growth of megacitiesJakarta has overtaken Tokyo as the world’s most populous city, according to a UN study that uses new criteria to give a more accurate picture of the rapid urbanisation driving the growth of megacities.The Indonesian capital is home to 42 million people, according to an estimate by the population division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in its World Urbanisation Prospects 2025 report published this month. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Amazon attack warning ahead of Black Friday as 300 million customers at risk

An urgent warning follows a recent report confirming that hackers and cybercriminals are targeting some of the world's biggest brands

Events

5 d. ago Ukraine ‘supports essence of peace deal’ following Geneva talks, Ukrainian official reportedly says

Official tells Reuters news agency sensitive issues still to be discussed between Zelenskyy and TrumpIn other EU related news, a top European court on Tuesday ruled that an EU nation had to recognise a gay marriage recorded in another member state, after a complaint by two Poles married in Germany.The couple, one of whom also has German nationality, were living there and married in Berlin in 2018, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).The spouses in question, as EU citizens, enjoy the freedom to move and reside within the territory of the member states and the right to lead a normal family life when exercising that freedom and upon returning to their member state of origin.“Sweden’s defence needs to be strengthened against threats such as robots, drones and helicopters. The best way to guarantee peace and freedom is to invest in defence. The orders also contribute to growth, jobs and security of supply. It also improves the possibilities of increasing production capacity in the defence...

Politics

6 d. ago Scotland's pothole problem is now so bad that some roads are lethally dangerous

Cars may be much safer but the state of our roads and a reduction in traffic police have combined to produce an alarming increase in fatalities

Politics

9 d. ago Rangers accounts revealed as Danny Rohl to be handed cash in January despite near £15million loss

The latest figures do not include this summer's transfer spend but show record revenues and a decrease in operating costs

Economics

1 week ago US economy added a surprising 119,000 jobs in September, two

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the report after the longest government shutdown in history

Politics

1 week ago Israel accused of war crimes over expulsion of 32,000 refugees from West Bank camps

A report by Human Rights Watch claims the IDF carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing

Events

1 week ago World Cup 2026 playoffs draw: Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia v Republic of Ireland, Italy v Northern Ireland – live

Live updates as the draw is made in SwitzerlandWho has qualified | European tables | Mail BillyTell us: have you bought tickets for the World Cup?Here is some reading on how Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland made it into the playoffs. Plus a bonus Scotland match report after they sealed the place at the World Cup in dramatic style.“As an ROI supporter, I hope we get a home match against a theoretically weaker side,” writes Martin. “I dream of beating Spain in the final. I fear it’s all going to end in tears, starting about an hour from now.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Japan government report expresses alarm at ‘new world order’ of these three ally nations

Japan warns of emerging security environment in ways not seen since the Cold War

Politics

1 week ago The death of the author: More than HALF of British novelists believe AI will replace their work entirely, study finds

Britain boasts some of the best authors in the world - but they could soon be replaced by AI, a disturbing report reveals.

Culture

1 week ago ‘It gives everyone a lift’: Scotland’s World Cup qualification unites a nation

Excitement is palpable as Tartan Army to head to football’s biggest stage for first time in 28 yearsThe prognosis from the north Glasgow primary schools squad had been bleak. “Everybody says Scotland are going to get pumped,” my eight-year told me as he left football training on Tuesday evening, with a realism born of experience even over his short life.But three hours later, Scotland fans across the nation and beyond were catapulted beyond euphoria as their team qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time in more than a quarter of a century after a bum-squeaking, breathtaking 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Wilson treble helps Wales thrash North Macedonia to boost World Cup dream

Wales saved their best until last, securing the best available berth in the World Cup playoffs with an emphatic demolition of North Macedonia that should worry any visitor to Cardiff next March. The performance and result understandably left Craig Bellamy reaching for superlatives.“I said to the players at the end, I am not a perfect person, I haven’t come across anyone who is,” said the Wales head coach. “But maybe I take a little bit of that back because that was as close to a perfect performance as I’ve seen. That was incredible.” He was not exaggerating. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago More than a quarter of the world has NEVER used the internet: Shocking report reveals how 2.2 billion people remain offline

It might feel like everyone is constantly online, but the UN has revealed that more than a quarter of the world's population has never used the internet.

Events

2 w. ago England win every group game without conceding after Kane’s double sinks Albania

For Thomas Tuchel, there was an unmistakable circularity, a pleasingness to the narrative arc. The England head coach began his tenure with a World Cup qualifying victory against Albania at Wembley last March. And he finished the first phase of the mission to add a second star to the shirt with another one – by the same scoreline in Tirana.It is surely worth taking a moment to digest the headline numbers. This was England’s eighth qualifying win out of eight and an eighth clean sheet. Never before has a European team gone through World Cup qualification – playing at least six ties – without letting in a goal. It is a record to fire hope, which has sent out a message. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Scotland lose in Greece but Denmark stumble takes World Cup qualification to decider

The most extraordinary upshot of an extraordinary evening was that Scotland’s dream of qualifying automatically for the World Cup remains alive. Steve Clarke has Belarus to thank for that, their surprise claiming of a draw in Denmark leaving Scotland in precisely the position they had sought before this clash with Greece. If Scotland beat Denmark in Glasgow on Tuesday, they will top this section.The dust might just have settled on this fixture by then. Scotland trailed by three at one point before hauling themselves back into proceedings against a Greek team who finished with 10 men. Greece’s win by the odd goal in five was a merited one but, after a silent wait for full time in Denmark to arrive, the Tartan Army celebrated. Clarke and his Scotland players did not seem to know how to act, which was totally understandable. For all the shortcomings laid bare here, the spirit summoned was quite striking. Clarke’s task in the coming days is to combine that with far more assuredness, esp...

Politics