A thinktank has urged for the immediate introduction of taxes on self-driving cars in the UK to mitigate job losses and increased congestion, projecting that widespread adoption could threaten hundreds of thousands of private hire jobs, including 121,000 in London. The report forecasts that by 2050, the rise of highly automated driving could increase road miles by 24%, while a proposed AV charge matching the social cost of congestion could generate £47 billion annually. Despite acknowledging the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles, the report warns that ministers should act now to address the impact on England’s 417,000 taxi and private hire drivers before a substantial constituency of AV owners forms.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner faced criticism for their amateurish approach to negotiating a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, with the media highlighting Kushner's incompetence and Witkoff's flattery towards Putin. During their visit to Kyiv, which coincided with a pause in hostilities, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy joked about their presence, but soon after their departure, Russia resumed attacks, resulting in at least four civilian deaths. The article notes that since the war's beginning, Russia has sustained approximately 1.5 million personnel losses and has lost significant territory, with Ukraine regaining 11,500 sq km (4,440 square miles) in its counteroffensive efforts.
Labour MP Catherine Atkinson will use a payout of approximately £5,000 from the Mail on Sunday, which falsely accused her of concealing her state school education, to fund scholarships for local law students. The "Catherine Atkinson future lawyers award" will provide £500 each year for at least 10 years to first-year law students educated at state schools in Derby. Atkinson emphasized the importance of removing financial barriers in the legal profession to ensure that talented individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue careers in law.
Fighters from the Iran-backed Houthi group have taken control of territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial trade route between Asia and Europe, while proclaiming they will target Saudi Arabian vessels. As Saudi Arabia increasingly relies on the Red Sea for oil exports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict has escalated, displacing at least 46,000 people in Yemen, according to the United Nations. Despite Houthis' claims of not threatening international shipping, their actions could significantly impact global trade and oil prices.
Ireland's leftwing president, Catherine Connolly, known for her vocal criticism of Donald Trump, is set to meet him during his two-day visit, which begins with a meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin. While many in Ireland hope Connolly will express her discontent with Trump's policies, especially regarding immigrants and the Middle East, others worry about the potential economic ramifications of provoking the US president. Trump's visit will also include heavy security at locations such as Phoenix Park and his golf resort in Doonbeg, amid planned protests that could attract thousands to central Dublin.
U.S. officials declared an end to a record-setting cyclospora outbreak, although its origin remains unknown. Additionally, Medicaid will allow states to use 'tiers' to assess medical frailty, and researchers found that platinum-based chemotherapy in childhood is linked to mutations that age the liver. Cancer medicines continue to experience shortages across the U.S., according to a recent survey.
Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shared his top MLB picks for Saturday, September 12, 2026. The article also features various betting hubs for college football and NFL, providing insights and predictions for upcoming games, including the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants on September 13. Additionally, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina were set to compete in the US Open finals on September 12, 2026.
Darren Conway, a 52-year-old man from the UK, pleaded guilty to 11 charges related to sexual crimes against another man's unconscious wife, including voyeurism and possession of extreme pornography. Between 2023 and 2026, he solicited naked images of sleeping women on at least 10 occasions, and police are investigating whether more victims exist, as footage found on his devices may indicate additional offenses both in the UK and overseas. Conway, identified as a member of an online sexual offending forum established in 2025, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30.
Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94, just two days after attending her brother King Harald V's funeral. Harald, who passed away at 89, served as king for over 35 years, and Astrid's funeral will be held at state expense while flags will be flown at half-mast across Norway, as confirmed by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Princess Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V and had a long-standing dedication to the care and inclusion of vulnerable people in society, despite facing recent health challenges, including pneumonia treatment in March.
Lettuce prices have plummeted dramatically this summer, dropping 6.2% from July to August after a cyclospora outbreak led to decreased demand, which also resulted in over 19,500 confirmed cases and more than 1,000 hospitalizations. The crop was linked to iceberg lettuce that was recalled, and prices had already dropped 16.4% in July, totaling a decline of roughly 2.2% from August 2025 to August 2026. While lettuce prices may be stabilizing, other costs remain high, with diesel prices reaching over $6 per gallon for the first time and gas prices rising by an average of $1.10 compared to last year.
In an exclusive interview, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discusses his 25 years of AK Party rule, marking his rise from Istanbul mayor in the 1990s to his current presidency since 2014. He emphasizes Turkiye’s expanding geopolitical influence, highlighted by recent defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and critiques the US-Israel stance on Iran while supporting Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Erdogan also notes that European Union accession is no longer a priority for Turkiye amid its significant economic transformation.
Consumer group Which? has raised concerns that tinned mackerel is increasingly being substituted with jack mackerel due to overfishing, which provides a lower quality product that contains roughly half the omega-3 fat of traditional mackerel. Major brands like Princes and Lidl have switched to jack mackerel while maintaining similar prices, a practice described as "skimpflation" that may leave shoppers unknowingly disappointed with the taste and nutritional value. The Marine Conservation Society has labeled North-East Atlantic mackerel stocks as "red" due to unsustainable levels, prompting manufacturers to change their sourcing practices.
At least two people were killed and 12 injured, including a 12-year-old boy, when Russian jet-powered drones attacked a petrol station in Kyiv, marking one of the first such strikes on a gas station since the war began. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating that Russia has struck around 300 petrol stations, primarily in frontline areas, and emphasized the need for increased protection against drone strikes. The escalation in drone attacks has been part of a broader strategy by both Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine targeting logistics and energy infrastructure in Russia in response to ongoing assaults on its civilian facilities.
A decision on the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea will be delayed until after the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on October 8, as the Greens accuse Labour of concealing their stance to avoid criticism during the campaign. The Jackdaw and Rosebank projects combined are projected to provide up to 10% of the UK's oil and gas output at peak and could generate £336 billion in economic damage from carbon pollution. Labour's manifesto committed to banning new drilling licenses in the North Sea, although existing licenses are being sought for approval, prompting concerns among party MPs and environmental campaigners.
Israel's military announced the destruction of a Hezbollah underground complex in southern Lebanon using over 1,000 tonnes of explosives, which caused seismic activity similar to a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, affecting areas up to 40 km away. The complex contained a command center, dozens of rockets and missiles, and was considered strategic infrastructure built over two decades with Iranian support. The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 4,383 deaths in Lebanon, including 395 women and 259 children, while Israeli casualties stand at 40 soldiers and four civilians since the fighting escalated on March 2.
Apple has launched preorders for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which started today. Customers can receive trade-in incentives of up to $1,200 when exchanging their old devices for the new models. Additionally, a 9-course game development e-degree is currently on sale for $20, providing an affordable learning opportunity in gaming technology.
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt has elected 39 new MPs, some of whom have controversial backgrounds, including a former Stasi officer, a convicted pornography actor, and several individuals under criminal investigation for connections to neo-Nazi groups. Two of the MPs are being investigated for allegedly trying to revive the banned rightwing extremist organization Artgemeinschaft, with one also facing weapons-related legal issues. This scrutiny arises as the party's leader, Ulrich Siegmund, made contentious remarks linking arms production to their planned deportation strategy, prompting criticism from political opponents.
Dozens of bodies have been recovered from a ferry fire in the western Palawan province of the Philippines, raising the death toll to 35, with 54 people still missing and 43 survivors. The ferry, carrying 134 people, caught fire while traveling from Manila to Palawan, with two explosions reported as a possible cause of the blaze. The 53-meter vessel had a capacity of 306 passengers and 27 crew, and the incident highlights safety concerns in the country’s ferry transport system.
The U.S. is experiencing the worst measles resurgence in decades, leading to growing concerns about the reliability of the CDC amidst falling vaccination rates and politicized health data. Public health experts, including former CDC officials, are alarmed after Pennsylvania attributed two measles deaths to the disease and the CDC removed these deaths from its website following challenges from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This situation raises fears about trust and coordination between state and federal health officials, potentially impacting public health response to measles and other diseases like flu and COVID-19.
Commemorations are being held across the U.S. to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people; main ceremonies are taking place in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The New York ceremony included attendance from several political figures, with family members reading the names of victims, alongside remembering over 600 firefighters who succumbed to illnesses from toxic exposure following the attacks. Public remarks emphasized the long-term consequences of the attacks, including the initiation of the "War on Terror," the impact on America's global reputation, and significant financial costs from ensuing military conflicts.
Emma Kamio, a small business owner in south Wales, was denied a remortgage by Lloyds in April 2026 due to "adverse media," which she said has severely impacted her family responsibilities as her daughter, Leona Kamio, awaits trial related to Palestine Action protests. Since Palestine Action was designated a "terrorist" organization, over 2,700 people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act during related demonstrations, highlighting a systemic issue of debanking faced by pro-Palestine voices in the UK. Notable individuals, including politician George Galloway and writer Tariq Ali, have also reported their bank accounts being closed without explanation due to their opinions on Palestine.
Nigeria’s parliament has officially banned all visits to South Africa due to ongoing violence against immigrants, particularly Nigerian citizens, with the ban extending to virtual engagements as well. Nigerian authorities reported that at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in various attacks since 2022, contributing to significant concerns about the safety of their citizens abroad. Since the onset of migration tensions, South Africa’s government indicates that nearly 90,000 people have been repatriated or deported, while home countries estimate this number to be around 178,000.
Phra Wachirayan Wi, a 66-year-old abbot of the Wat Phutthaisawan temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand, was arrested on suspicion of embezzling approximately $2.8 million intended for the monastery and was found with a 47-year-old woman filmed in a compromising situation. Police discovered that roughly 89 million baht ($2.7 million) meant for renovations and 2.8 million baht for religious items did not reach the temple's accounts, leading to further investigation into the misuse of funds and the seizure of assets valued at about 215 million baht, including 16 kg of gold bars. This incident follows a previous scandal involving the clergy that generated public outcry, prompting calls for increased oversight of temple finances.
Dementia patients in Australia have been advised against seeking home care due to fears that the government’s aged care algorithm may result in a downgrade of their funding. Documents reveal that soon after the algorithm’s November launch, concerns were raised about its impact, including cases where individuals received less support despite increased care needs, with one example citing a man advised not to pursue a reassessment for his wife, risking inadequate care. The Older Persons Advocacy Network reported instances of preventable deterioration and even deaths linked to the algorithm’s failures, highlighting a significant over-reliance on automated decision-making without sufficient clinical oversight.
The Albanese government has suspended plans for new packaging laws aimed at reducing plastic waste, citing concerns over potential cost-of-living impacts for consumers. The proposed laws, which had the backing of a 2023 agreement between federal and state governments, would have required producers to reduce waste and increase recycling, addressing the issue of packaging, which makes up 59.5% of all reported litter. The decision has led to widespread outrage among environmental groups and industry stakeholders, as many argued that the responsibility for packaging waste should fall on businesses rather than consumers.
US President Donald Trump suggested that the war with Iran would end immediately after the midterm elections on November 7, citing Iran's inability to sustain its military efforts, while promising that oil prices would drop once the conflict was resolved; however, Brent crude prices recently surged to over $100 per barrel. Middle East expert Mohammad Ghaedi noted that Iran is using limited missile attacks against US naval vessels to exert pressure without triggering a full-scale war, and Tehran seeks a return to a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding which is currently complicated by Israel's political situation. Concerns about rising gas prices potentially harming Republican electoral prospects loom, as the White House contemplates expanding military action against Iran post-election.
Houthi forces have seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, including the crucial Bab al-Mandeb shipping gateway, following their capture of the port city of Mocha, significantly undermining the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. This development is alarming for global trade, as approximately 12 percent of global trade and a significant portion of the world's energy supplies historically pass through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, especially after the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has responded by increasing the capacity of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline to seven million barrels per day, a 21 percent increase from before the conflict escalated, while the Houthis continue to target Saudi oil tankers.
MPs voted 286 to 270 against a bill that would legalize assisted dying in England and Wales, effectively halting the measure before the next general election. This decision reverses previous support for a similar bill passed by the Commons in the last parliament, which was approved by 330 votes to 275 and 313 to 291 in subsequent readings. Proponents of assisted dying expressed disappointment, arguing that public support for changing the law is strong, and noted a lack of campaign lobbying compared to prior attempts.
The first known series of footprints from an adult Tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered in North Dakota, consisting of a 23-foot-long trackway with four three-toed footprints that date back 66.5 million years. Each footprint measures about 3 feet long, with a stride of approximately 13 feet, and research estimates the T rex was walking at a speed of 3.5-4.5 mph. Three of the footprints are set to be airlifted to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science later this year, marking a significant find in understanding the behavior of T rex.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now reached its seventh province, South-Ubangi, with 6,942 confirmed cases and a death toll of 3,349, surpassing previous records for the country. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is currently the deadliest and largest in DRC’s history, with ongoing challenges in health infrastructure and rising cases particularly in North Kivu and Upper-Uele. Authorities have identified 38 contacts of a confirmed patient, who had traveled from the capital of Tshopo province, and have placed them in quarantine to prevent further spread.