Author: Andrew Rogers

Britain is one of the least “nature-connected” countries in the world, ranking 55th out of 61 nations in a global study examining how people relate to the natural world. Researchers surveyed 57,000 people and found that the UK lags far behind countries such as Nepal – ranked highest – followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain. The study, published in Ambio, found that societies with higher levels of spirituality and religious belief tend to have stronger connections with nature, while those focused on economic growth and business…

Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back after Chelsea’s chaotic Carabao Cup win over Wolves, labelling Liam Delap’s dismissal “very stupid” and urging his young team to “grow up.” Chelsea led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estêvão, but Wolves fought back after the break through Tolu Arokodare and a David Møller Wolfe brace, making it a nervy finish before Jamie Gittens sealed a 4-3 victory. Delap, returning from injury, was sent off after two rash challenges in seven minutes — a decision that infuriated Maresca. “After the first yellow, I told him four or five…

A tiny spider thought extinct in the UK has been found again on the Isle of Wight, thrilling conservationists. The Aulonia albimana, now nicknamed the white-knuckled wolf spider for its pale leg joints, was rediscovered at the National Trust’s Newtown nature reserve, a site reachable only by boat. It was last recorded in Britain in 1985. Entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons made the discovery with just minutes left in their survey. “To find a species thought lost for 40 years is thrilling,” said Telfer. The spider, only 3.8–4.4mm long, lives on open, sunlit turf. The habitat had been restored…

Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min has become Major League Soccer’s second-highest earner, with an annual salary of $10.4 million and total compensation of $11.2 million, trailing only Lionel Messi of Inter Miami. Son joined LAFC from Tottenham in August and quickly impressed, scoring nine goals in 10 matches. Messi remains the league’s top earner, making $12 million in salary and $20.4 million total under his current deal, which Miami says has been extended through 2028. Messi’s new Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul earns $1.5 million in salary and $3.6 million total. Other major summer signings include Hirving “Chucky” Lozano…

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 warming to 1.5C, the UN has warned. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was too slow and urged countries to “accelerate now.” Major emitters including China and the EU have yet to submit final pledges, while the US plan under Joe Biden is unlikely to continue under Donald Trump. The findings come ahead of Cop30 in Brazil next month, where leaders will discuss how to get climate action back on track. Analysts said weak pledges…

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,” read a club statement, released a day after their 1-0 defeat to Lazio. Massimo Brambilla, coach of Juve’s reserve side, will step in as interim manager while the club searches for a permanent replacement. Tudor, appointed in March as Juventus’s first foreign coach since Didier Deschamps in 2006–07, had initially impressed by guiding the team to…

Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical leader, has announced its plan to acquire Avidity Biosciences in a deal valued at $12 billion. The acquisition is expected to enhance Novartis’s presence in the biotech sector and expand its research and development capabilities. The move signals Novartis’s strategic focus on innovative therapies, particularly in areas where Avidity specializes. Avidity Biosciences is known for its expertise in antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, a technology with potential to target serious diseases. Industry analysts say this acquisition strengthens Novartis’s pipeline and positions it as a key player in the rapidly growing biotech market. Novartis CEO highlighted that the acquisition aligns…

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

San Francisco city officials have approved a $60 million investment to develop a 350-unit affordable housing project near the 16th Street BART station. The initiative aims to tackle the city’s persistent housing shortage and provide more options for low- and middle-income residents. The project is part of a broader effort to expand affordable housing in San Francisco, where high costs and limited supply have made homeownership and rentals increasingly out of reach for many families. City planners say the new development will create much-needed housing while supporting community growth. Located near a major transit hub, the project offers residents easy…

The Co-op has instructed staff to increase the visibility and promotion of vapes in stores as part of a bid to recover sales lost after a major cyber-attack earlier this year, according to internal documents seen by The Guardian. The retailer, known for its ethical branding, is expanding its range of vape products and nicotine pouches, introducing eye-catching new displays and advertising across its 2,000 grocery outlets. The move forms part of an internal recovery plan titled “Powering Up: Focus Sprint: Cigs, Tobacco and Vape”, which acknowledges a loss of about £1m in weekly sales and 100,000 fewer customer transactions…