Owners of Brombil Reservoir, a "blue lagoon" in Margam, warn against public entry due to safety risks, littering, and damage. The site, which went viral on TikTok, now charges £2 to deter unauthorized visits and fund clean-up efforts.
LeBron James expressed gratitude to the Los Angeles Lakers for his eight-year tenure, as the NBA club wished the all-time leading scorer well in his upcoming free agency. James led the Lakers to a 2020 title and holds the record for most career regular-season games played.
Over a million young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training (Neets), a growing problem for 16-24 year olds. While other European countries recovered post-Covid, the UK has not. Guardian reporter Sammy Gecsoyler explores the demoralizing impact of AI and remote job applications on their prospects.
Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh suggests the party may need a rebrand to win back voters, as the Coalition hits a new polling low of 17% in Newspoll, with Labor leading at 33% and One Nation at 29%.
Ten years after the Brexit vote, analysis shows severe economic costs for the UK. The pound remains below pre-referendum levels, growth has slowed significantly, trade faces friction, business investment and productivity have stalled, and employment has suffered, with public support for Brexit fading.
The World Bank forecasts global economic growth to slow to 2.5% this year, citing the Middle East war, rising inflation, and borrowing costs. The report highlights potential disruptions to oil flows, increased fertilizer prices, and a widening gap between developed and developing nations.
A record 1.92 million patients in England await diagnostic tests (e.g., CT, MRI, ultrasound scans), with over 400,000 waiting beyond the 6-week target, sparking concerns over delayed diagnoses and worsening health outcomes.
UK car sales reached their highest May level since before Covid, with a 7% rise to 160,662 units. Chinese brands like BYD and Chery saw significant growth, alongside Tesla. Electric car sales led the surge, accounting for over 27% of the market.
UK car sales rose 7% in May to 160,662, the highest for the month since before Covid. Chinese brands like BYD and Chery saw significant growth, alongside Tesla. Increased demand for EVs is driving compliance with ZEV targets, despite lobbying for weaker regulations.
Scotland's high court trial backlog has nearly tripled to ~1,000 cases, driven by complex organised crime and historic sex abuse cases, causing system-wide pressure and delayed justice for victims, witnesses, and the accused.
Experts warn that the world is heading for a major financial crisis, potentially worse than 2007, due to incompetent handling by governments, particularly the US under Donald Trump. Accumulating US debt, potential AI bubble burst, and geopolitical instability are key risks.
UK public sector borrowing hit £24.3bn in April, the highest for the month since 2020, driven by increased spending on benefits and debt interest payments. Retail sales also fell, highlighting economic challenges.
UK retail sales volume fell 1.3% in April, the steepest monthly decline in a year, as motorists cut fuel purchases by over 10% after stocking up in March due to the Iran war. Excluding fuel, sales dropped 0.4%.
Jerome Powell's tenure as Fed chair will be remembered for defending the institution's independence against President Trump's attacks, despite mixed economic outcomes.
American consumers hit all-time lows in confidence in May, per the University of Michigan survey, as years of inflation, economic disruptions, and geopolitical shocks leave lasting scars, despite the annual inflation rate cooling.
Student loan defaults are showing up on consumers' credit reports for the first time since the Covid pandemic, a new blog by the New York Fed shows.
East Midlands electric car club helps residents and cuts emissions – but the need for a volunteer-led scheme reflects a much wider problemIn the aftermath of the Covid pandemic Miriam Stoate, a regenerative farmer from rural Leicestershire, noticed that too many people in her small village in England’s East Midlands were struggling to get around.Although there were plenty of cars parked in Tilton, too often she found some of the village’s residents did not have access to one when they really needed it. Continue reading...
Five-year strategy released with traditional courses vulnerableResearch aims to underline game’s ‘contribution to our society’Golf Australia is preparing to defend the country’s public courses against re-zoning attempts as part of its five-year strategy released on Friday, even as participation growth skews towards non-traditional venues like simulators and driving ranges.The sport reported annual growth in adult participation of 10% over the past five years, sustaining a boom that began during the Covid pandemic. Continue reading...
A TikTok user, Malina Lee, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after a commenter noticed neck asymmetry in a video. This incident highlights how social media platforms and their algorithms can aid in early medical detection, though it also points to broader issues within the healthcare system.
Finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Washington as the IMF prepares to cut growth forecasts. The US-Iran conflict has triggered a major energy shock, fueling inflation and threatening global economic stability.
