Author: Andrew Rogers

Britain ranks near the bottom globally for its connection to nature, according to a major new study that surveyed 57,000 people across 61 countries. The UK placed 55th, with only nations such as the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and Spain scoring lower. The most “nature-connected” countries were Nepal, Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh and Nigeria. The study, published in Ambio, found that stronger spirituality and religious faith correlated with a closer bond to nature, while highly industrialised, urbanised, and business-focused societies tended to be more disconnected. Lead author Prof Miles Richardson from the University of Derby said Britain’s low ranking…

Enzo Maresca hit out at striker Liam Delap after his “very stupid red card” nearly cost Chelsea in their chaotic 4–3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves. Chelsea cruised into a 3–0 halftime lead through Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estêvão, and Jamie Gittens, but Wolves fought back with goals from Tolu Arokodare and a late David Møller Wolfe brace. Despite the scare, Chelsea held on to reach the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Cardiff. Delap, returning from injury, was sent off for two reckless challenges just seven minutes apart. Maresca said he had repeatedly warned the forward to stay calm: “It’s embarrassing…

A rare spider thought 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 its pale leg joints and dramatic rediscovery, was found at the National Trust’s Newtown nature reserve, accessible only by boat. Entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons made the find with just minutes left before their pickup, spotting two individuals more than a mile from the spider’s last recorded colony in 1985. Wolf spiders are ground hunters known for chasing prey, but the tiny 4mm-long Aulonia albimana also spins a delicate web, making…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min ranks second only to Lionel Messi among Major League Soccer’s top earners, with an annual salary of $10.4 million and total compensation of $11.2 million, according to new figures. Son joined LAFC in August after 11 years at Tottenham Hotspur and quickly impressed, scoring nine goals in 10 league matches. Messi remains MLS’s top earner, making $12 million in base salary and $20.4 million in total compensation from Inter Miami — not including outside deals or performance bonuses. Other high-profile newcomers include Hirving “Chucky” Lozano of San Diego ($6m/$7.6m), Jonathan Bamba of Chicago ($5m/$5.6m),…

New climate plans from more than 60 countries would cut global emissions by only 10% by 2035, about one-sixth of what’s needed to limit heating to 1.5C, a UN analysis shows. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was being made but warned of an urgent “need for more speed.” Major emitters including China and the EU have yet to finalise updated targets, while the US plan submitted under Joe Biden may not be upheld if Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris deal again. The findings come ahead of Cop30 in Brazil, where leaders must address the growing gap between…

Juventus have dismissed head coach Igor Tudor following an eight-match winless run across 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 statement read. Massimo Brambilla, manager of the club’s reserve side, will take temporary charge. Tudor, who replaced Thiago Motta in March, was Juventus’s first foreign coach since Didier Deschamps in 2006–07. A former Juve defender, he enjoyed a successful playing spell in Turin, winning two Serie A titles and reaching a Champions League final. After…

The US and China have agreed on a final deal to transfer ownership of TikTok’s US operations, treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced on Sunday. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Bessent said the agreement was reached in Madrid and will be officially confirmed when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet later this week in South Korea. The $14 billion deal gives US and international investors a 65% stake in TikTok’s American arm, with ByteDance and Chinese shareholders retaining less than 20%. Oversight of the app’s algorithm will pass to the new owners, who will control six of seven board seats.…

Camden, New Jersey, has achieved a major milestone: a summer with zero homicides. City officials and residents are celebrating this remarkable success, which reflects the impact of community policing and local initiatives aimed at improving public safety. Local authorities credit the achievement to strong partnerships between police officers and community members. Officers have focused on building trust, engaging residents, and addressing concerns proactively. Programs such as neighborhood patrols, youth outreach, and conflict resolution workshops have played a key role. City leaders say the homicide-free summer is more than just a statistic. It represents safer streets, stronger community relationships, and a…

The Co-op has instructed staff to increase the visibility and promotion of vape products in its stores to recover from a major sales slump caused by a cyber-attack earlier this year, according to internal documents. The retailer — which brands itself as an ethical, member-owned business — has launched a campaign to make vapes more prominent through new displays, in-store advertising, and an expanded product range that includes nicotine pouches. The initiative, outlined in a document titled “Powering Up: Focus Sprint: Cigs, Tobacco and Vape”, notes that the April cyber incident has left “£1m missing sales per week” and 100,000…

Apple has announced a historic $500 billion investment in the United States over the next four years. The tech giant plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Houston while expanding research and development in artificial intelligence and silicon engineering. This massive investment underscores Apple’s commitment to strengthening its U.S. operations and creating thousands of jobs across multiple sectors. Analysts say the move could have a significant impact on domestic manufacturing, technology innovation, and local economies. The new Houston facility will focus on advanced manufacturing processes and will support Apple’s growing product lineup. The company expects the plant to create…