Scientists issue urgent warning about chemicals, found to cause cancer and infertility as well as harming environment Scientists have issued an urgent warning that some of the synthetic chemicals that help underpin the current food system are driving increased rates of cancer, neurodevelopmental conditions and infertility, while degrading the foundations of global agriculture. The health burden from phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and Pfas “forever chemicals” amounts to up to $2.2tn a year – roughly as much as the profits of the world’s 100 largest publicly listed companies, according to the report published on Wednesday. Continue reading...

When north Cornwall residents’ water turned black and gelatinous in 1988, they were urged to mix it with orange squash when drinking. This powerful film lays out the effects of the toxic H2O – and their long struggle for justice

Medical officials say 17 people killed in Khan Younis area and 16 in strikes on Gaza City Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed 33 people and injured many more, according to medical officials, in one of the most serious escalations of violence since the US-backed ceasefire came into effect last month. Officials at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis said they received the bodies of 17 people, including five women and five children, after four Israeli airstrikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people. In Gaza City, medical officials said two airstrikes killed 16 people, including seven children and three women. Continue reading...

The health organisation is to lose almost a quarter of its workforce in 2026, reducing its ability to help countries facing disease outbreaks

Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30 Governments failing to shift to a low-carbon economy will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and will face stagnation and rising inflation at home, the UN’s climate chief warned on Monday at the start of the Cop30 climate talks. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, addressed the gathering of ministers and high-ranking officials from nearly 200 countries, in a stark portrayal of the price of failure on the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Eyewitnesses Say Muhammad al-Halaq Stood With His Arms Folded, Posing No Threat, When a Single, Deadly Shot Was Fired. The Soldiers Later Appeared to Celebrate. The IDF Said the Incident Is Under Revi...

Far from being distant from the Reform UK Leader, insiders told Byline Times that the former MEP convicted of bribery was one of Farage’s closest aides, while we reveal how Gill worked on the Kremlin’...

From mooted Whitehall cost-cutting to the bigoted views of Reform, parents of children with special needs see the latest threats, and we are mobilising, says Guardian columnist John Harris

Findings suggest since 2004 ONS failed to properly account for fact it received more data from larger employers The UK’s gender pay gap has been underestimated for more than 20 years, according to research that could raise fresh questions about the quality of data used to inform key pay decisions across the UK. The findings, released in the British Journal of Industrial Relations on Monday, suggest that, since 2004, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) had failed to properly account for the fact that it received more data from larger employers, when it reported its annual survey of hours and earnings (Ashe). Continue reading...

The IPC’s findings that a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza are starving should mark an urgent turning point in this war

Academic Heather Scott has been told by Home Office that being ‘acutely ill’ is not an exceptional circumstance The Home Office is threatening to ban a Canadian academic from the UK after she was unable to renew her visa in time during a mental health crisis. Dr Heather Scott has lived in Britain since she came in 2011 on a study visa. The renowned academic, whose area of research relates to Victorian cemeteries including Highgate, Brompton and Abney Park, is required to be based in London. Continue reading...

Mina Holland’s book about parenting her seriously unwell daughter sheds light on the complicated psychology at play, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

Mood is tense and subdued after nearly 21 months of Israeli offensives that have displaced almost the entire population

I’m still waiting for sufficient reassurance that the plans match Labour’s manifesto promises to disabled people, says Marie Tidball, co-chair of the disability parliamentary Labour party

Vicky Foxcroft’s move could presage wider rebellion over changes to disability benefits

UK government declined to conduct Wales-specific impact assessment for plans, despite calls from first minister Disability benefit cuts planned by the UK government will disproportionately impact the lives of people in Wales, campaigners have said. Research released by the data analytics company Policy in Practice last week estimated that 190,000 people – 6% of the population – could have their incomes slashed by up to 60% by the end of this parliament if eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) is tightened as proposed in a March green paper. Continue reading...

Over five-year period Oksana Shahar – who cares for her son – was paid a small amount more than carer’s allowance earnings limits allow It was three weeks after Christmas when the bombshell letter arrived. Guy Shahar and his wife, Oksana, looked at each other in stunned disbelief. They had followed the Guardian’s investigation into the carer’s allowance scandal that has left thousands of families with crippling debts and criminal records. Not once did they think they would join them. Continue reading...

Action urgently needed to save the conditions under which markets – and civilisation itself – can operate, says senior Allianz figure The climate crisis is on track to destroy capitalism, a top insurer has warned, with the vast cost of extreme weather impacts leaving the financial sector unable to operate. The world is fast approaching temperature levels where insurers will no longer be able to offer cover for many climate risks, said Günther Thallinger, on the board of Allianz SE, one of the world’s biggest insurance companies. He said that without insurance, which is already being pulled in some places, many other financial services become unviable, from mortgages to investments. Continue reading...