Author: Andrew Rogers

Britain ranks 55th out of 61 nations for its connection to nature, according to the first global study of how people relate to the natural world. Researchers from the University of Derby and Austria surveyed 57,000 people worldwide and found Nepal to be the most “nature-connected” nation, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh and Nigeria. At the bottom of the list were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and Spain. The study, published in Ambio, found that societies with higher levels of spirituality or religious faith were more connected to nature, while highly urbanised, wealthier, and business-focused countries were less…

Enzo Maresca criticised Liam Delap for a “very stupid red card” after Chelsea’s wild 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves, warning his young side they must “grow up” fast. Chelsea looked in control with first-half goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Estêvão, but nearly threw it away after Wolves mounted a spirited comeback. Delap, returning from injury, was sent off just 17 minutes after coming on, picking up two yellows in quick succession. “I told him four or five times to keep calm,” Maresca said. “He plays for himself sometimes and struggles to listen. It’s embarrassing — two yellows…

A rare wolf spider species thought to be extinct in the UK has been rediscovered on the Isle of Wight, delighting conservationists. The Aulonia albimana, newly nicknamed the white-knuckled wolf spider for the pale joints on its palps, was found during a survey at the National Trust’s Newtown nature reserve, an area only reachable by boat. Entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons made the remarkable find just minutes before their collection time ran out. The spider, last recorded in 1985, is tiny — adults measure just 3.8–4.4mm — and its hunting behaviour remains largely unknown. The species was discovered in…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min is Major League Soccer’s second-highest-paid player, earning $10.4 million in salary and $11.2 million in total compensation, according to new figures released after the summer transfer window. Son joined LAFC in August after more than a decade with Tottenham, scoring nine goals in 10 regular-season games. He ranks just behind Lionel Messi, who earns $12 million in salary and $20.4 million total from Inter Miami. Messi recently agreed to extend his deal through 2028, while new Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul earns $1.5 million in salary and $3.6 million total. Other major MLS arrivals…

New UN analysis shows that climate plans from over 60 countries would cut global emissions by only 10% by 2035—far below the reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5C. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was too slow: “We have a serious need for more speed.” Major emitters including China and the EU have yet to submit final plans, while the US pledge made under Joe Biden may be abandoned if Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris deal again. The findings come ahead of Cop30 in Brazil next month, where leaders will be urged to strengthen pledges and boost…

Juventus have dismissed head coach Igor Tudor following an eight-game winless streak in all competitions, the club confirmed on Monday. “Juventus FC announces that it has today relieved Igor Tudor of his duties as coach of the men’s first team, along with his staff,” the club said in a statement, a day after a 1-0 defeat to Lazio. Reserve team coach Massimo Brambilla will take temporary charge. Tudor, appointed in March to replace Thiago Motta, was Juventus’s first foreign manager since Didier Deschamps in 2006–07. A former Juve defender, he spent nearly a decade at the club as a player,…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law aimed at improving student literacy across the state. The legislation introduces several measures designed to strengthen reading skills among students from elementary through high school. The law reflects California’s commitment to educational reform and ensuring all students have access to quality learning resources. Newsom emphasized that literacy is a key foundation for academic success and future opportunities. “Every child deserves the tools to read, learn, and thrive,” he said. Under the new law, schools will implement updated reading programs and assessment tools. Teachers will receive additional training to support students who…

The US and China have reached a final agreement on the sale of TikTok’s American operations, treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced on Sunday. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Bessent said the deal was completed in Madrid and will be formally approved when Donald Trump meets Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week. Valued at about $14 billion, the deal gives US and international investors a 65% stake, while ByteDance and Chinese shareholders will retain under 20%. Oversight of TikTok’s algorithm will shift to the new owners, who will control six of seven board seats. Bessent said the agreement…

The Co-op has instructed staff to give greater prominence to vape products in stores as part of an effort to recover sales lost after a major cyber-attack earlier this year, internal documents reveal. The retailer’s new plan, titled “Powering Up: Focus Sprint – Cigs, Tobacco and Vape,” outlines measures to boost visibility of vaping products through eye-catching displays, increased advertising, and a wider range of stock. The document, seen by The Guardian, says that cigarette, tobacco, and vape sales have not recovered to pre-hack levels, with “£1m missing sales per week” and about 100,000 fewer transactions. The April cyber-attack forced…

The U.S. economy is showing unexpected signs of acceleration, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. Recent data indicates growth in both the service and manufacturing sectors, driven primarily by domestic demand. The service sector reached a three-month high, signaling increased activity in areas such as retail, hospitality, and professional services. Analysts say this growth reflects strong consumer confidence and steady spending patterns. Manufacturing also recorded a modest rise, bolstered by orders for domestic products and supply chain improvements. While the growth was smaller compared to the service sector, it indicates that businesses continue to adapt to challenges. Economists highlight that…