Online ‘ghost stores’ capitalising on Christmas and Black Friday sales to lure shoppers, ACCC warns
Consumers advised to be sceptical about sales season discounts as AI makes it even harder to detect scamsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSo-called “ghost store” operators are taking advantage of Christmas and Black Friday to lure shoppers to their websites, as the consumer regulator warns Australians that artificial intelligence is making it even harder to identify deceptive retailers.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) considers ghost stores – which falsely market themselves as local brands – to be “scam adjacent”, as some send imitation products from overseas and others fail to deliver anything at all.... [Continue Reading]
Australia’s emissions from fossil fuels down as electricity from renewables passes 40%
While greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.2% or 9.9m tonnes last financial year, new policies are needed to meet the 2035 targetSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereAustralia’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.2% last financial year, in what the Albanese government says is the largest annual drop due to reduced fossil fuel use outside the Covid-19 pandemic.About half of the 9.9m tonnes reduction was due to an increase in solar and wind generation pushing coal-fired power out of the system, according to new government data to be released on Thursday. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
At least 13 dead as fire engulfs Hong Kong high-rise residential buildings
Authorities call blaze a level five alarm as flames engulf several high-rise buildings in a northern Hong Kong estate. [Continue Reading]
Palestine Action’s legal challenge against UK government ban begins
Cofounder Huda Ammori says the ban is 'one of the most extreme attacks on civil liberties in recent British history'. [Continue Reading]
Russia-Ukraine ‘peace plan’: What’s the latest version after US-Kyiv talks?
Moscow is reportedly unhappy with changes to a controversial US draft plan which leaked earlier. [Continue Reading]
The Tourism Slump Squeezes Navajo Nation Parks Like Monument Valley
Things were looking up last year at pandemic-battered Navajo Nation parks. Then their lifeblood, foreign visitors, slowed to a trickle. [Continue Reading]
Trump Administration Will Raise Prices for Foreign Visitors at National Parks
The increases come as more and more international travelers are choosing to stay away from the United States and amid turmoil at the National Park Service. [Continue Reading]
Is batting getting harder in Australia?
After Australia and England played out the first two-day Ashes Test in 104 years, chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt looks at the reasons why and asks if the rest of the series could be played on fast forward. [Continue Reading]
Second arrest after boy shot in city centre
Two boys, 15 and 16, are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. [Continue Reading]
Attack on house treated as racially motivated hate crime
Police say windows were smashed at the property on Ormeau Embankment while racially-motivated graffiti was sprayed on the walls. [Continue Reading]
'Classical music isn't boring': How Rosalía's new album is inspiring young musicians
The singer's latest, Lux, has got us talking about classical music. Its popularity might surprise you. [Continue Reading]
UK growth forecasts lowered from next year
Downgrades to productivity means the economy is set to grow at an annual rate of 1.5% on average over the next five years. [Continue Reading]
Properties worth more than £2m face new tax
The surcharge begins at £2,500, rising to £7,500 for properties valued at more than £5m. [Continue Reading]
Reeves reduces workplace pension tax break
Some pension savers face a hit to the amount of money they can put into their pension without paying national insurance. [Continue Reading]
When will the two-child benefit cap be lifted?
Since 2017, some benefits have been limited when parents have a third child or more, so how does it work? [Continue Reading]
At-a-glance: Key measures from this year's Budget
Rachel Reeves is delivering her second Budget since Labour’s return to power – here’s what you need to know. [Continue Reading]
Man Utd prepared to let three players leave on loan including former Arsenal starlet
A number of players could be leaving in January. [Continue Reading]
Amazon issues urgent warning to all 300,000,000 customers not to fall for these five attacks
T'is the season to be jolly – but also to be scammed, with criminals cashing in on the fact we're all online shopping. [Continue Reading]
EastEnders shock as Lauren makes horrifying discovery after child is injured in early BBC iPlayer release
Lauren's devastating realisation [Continue Reading]
Wicked’s love scene between Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey was cut for being ‘too passionate’
'It was romantic and beautiful, but a little too passionate.' [Continue Reading]
'Violence against women is a men's problem', says Cairns
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said violence against women is a "men's problem", adding that the problem will not be fully addressed until more men join the fight against it. [Continue Reading]
Thirteen dead as blaze engulfs Hong Kong residential complex
A fire in a Hong Kong residential complex killed 13 people and injured 15 others. The blaze rapidly spread through bamboo scaffolding, leading to the evacuation of 700 residents. [Continue Reading]
Ex-Countdown champion detained in hospital after attacking rival player with knife
John Cowen, who has schizophrenia, to remain in hospital for ‘indefinite duration’ after attack on player at tournamentA former Countdown champion has been detained in a hospital for treatment after attacking a rival player with a knife during a tournament.Preston crown court heard that John Cowen, 31, ran across a room in Blackpool to attack a fellow player, Thomas Carey, before being restrained by attenders. The space had been hosting a Focal Countdown Group event, where former Countdown champions and contestants faced fans in spelling and number challenges. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
How does freezing tax thresholds affect your own tax bill?
Rachel Reeves is freezing tax thresholds in an attempt to plug the hole in the public accounts. Find out how it affects your tax billBudget 2025 – live updatesThe chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced that income tax thresholds will be frozen until the 2030-31 tax year.Freezing tax thresholds results in “fiscal drag” – a phenomenon where people are dragged into higher tax bands when they get pay rises. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Departing Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘the canary in the coal mine’ for Republicans, says former House speaker – US politics live
Kevin McCarthy says exit of the Trump loyalist turned critic is a sign of broader trouble for RepublicansDonald Trump has no public events scheduled today. On Tuesday he left Washington to spend the Thanksgiving break at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.On Air Force One yesterday, he spoke with reporters briefly about a number of issues, including reports that the president would reveal a new healthcare proposal soon. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves scraps two-child benefit cap and confirms council tax changes as OBR apologises for leaking details
Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were published ahead of budgetAt a glance: the key points from the budgetPaul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, has rejected the concerns raised by the Resolution Foundation (see 9.54am) about the rise in the minimum wage rates. Asked about the thinktank’s comments, Nowak told Times Radio:I don’t accept those concerns ...First of all, that recommendation is based on the Low Pay Commission, which brings together employers, unions, independent experts, they’re tasked with making a recommendation on the minimum wage, which balances getting money into people’s pockets and the impact on unemployment.... [Continue Reading]
Two London councils enact emergency plans after being hit by cyber-attack
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster city council investigate whether data has been compromisedAt least two London councils have been hit by a cyber-attack and have invoked emergency plans as they investigate whether any data has been compromised.The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City council, which share some IT infrastructure, said a number of systems had been affected across both authorities, including phone lines. The councils, which provide services for 360,000 residents, shut down several computerised systems as a precaution to limit further possible damage. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Putin trying to negotiate an end to Ukraine war as he cannot win it on battlefield, says EU’s Kallas – Europe live
EU’s foreign policy chief says ‘there’s one aggressor and one victim’ in conflict amid US push to end the warIn case you missed it, US president Donald Trump defended his peace envoy Steve Witkoff overnight after Bloomberg reported that he allegedly advised Putin’s aide Ushakov on how to speak with Trump and conduct the talks.Trump did not appear too bothered by it, though. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘I didn’t even know this type of attack existed’: more than 200 women allege drugging by senior French civil servant
In a case echoing the Pelicot trial, dozens of women allege they were given hot drinks mixed with a diuretic to make them urinate. Three of them speak out hereWhen Sylvie Delezenne, a marketing expert from Lille, was job-hunting in 2015, she was delighted to be contacted on LinkedIn by a human resources manager at the French culture ministry, inviting her to Paris for an interview.“It was my dream to work at the culture ministry,” she said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Europe reimagines rearmament at sea, learning from Russia’s war on Ukraine
Zelenskyy’s co-production agreements across the continent are kindling the fires of the naval defence industry. [Continue Reading]
India-China in new spat over Arunachal Pradesh: What’s it all about?
Tensions are reignited after Arunachal-born Prema Wangjom Thongdok is detained at a Chinese airport. [Continue Reading]
Thief caught on camera stealing 8ft tall Christmas decoration
The masked cyclist is shown taking the nutcracker soldier from outside a bar in the capital. [Continue Reading]
Twenty-four Nigerian schoolgirls released over a week after abduction
Nigerian officials dispute reports that some 250 children remain missing after another mass school kidnap. [Continue Reading]
What we know about the Hong Kong apartment fires
At least 13 people have been killed in the huge blaze, but what caused it is still unclear. [Continue Reading]
Henry Zeffman: Early release of OBR documents is totally surreal
The Budget is already out there, thanks to the Office for Budget Responsibility, which has published the details in error. [Continue Reading]
Paul Doyle pleads guilty to Liverpool parade crash that injured more than 130
Paul Doyle broke down in tears as he admitted seriously injuring fans at Liverpool's victory parade. [Continue Reading]
Isas, cars and pensions: How the Budget affects you
The Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will affect you and your finances. Here's how. [Continue Reading]
Women are pretending to be men on LinkedIn for more visibility
'Visibility is only one piece of the puzzle.' [Continue Reading]
Take it from a disabled person – Motability isn’t about free cars
A WAV has been fundamental to my freedom and independence, enabling me to go to work and pursue my hobbies. [Continue Reading]
13 killed as fire engulfs Hong Kong towers
The death toll from a massive fire at high-rise towers in Hong Kong has risen to 13, while an unknown number of people are still trapped inside. [Continue Reading]
HSE apology over 'failings' at inquest into girl's death
An inquest has opened into the death of a 16-year-old girl at University Hospital Limerick. [Continue Reading]
High-rise fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district kills four, injures three
A high-rise fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district killed four people and injured three, with residents trapped as the blaze spread along bamboo scaffolding. [Continue Reading]
Trump backs Witkoff after leaked call appears to show envoy advised Putin aide on Ukraine peace plan
The US president reacted to the leaked transcript aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, stating that Witkoff "got to sell" the deal to both Russia and Ukraine, adding, "That's what a dealmaker does." [Continue Reading]
Strikes in Belgium disrupt public transport and flights over new 2026 measures
Belgium held a nationwide strike as unions protested the 2026 budget, halting public transport and grounding flights while demanding changes to pension and welfare plans. [Continue Reading]
Rightwing influencers spin anti-Muslim rage in Michigan for social media reach
In Dearborn, provocateurs have held anti-Islam rallies, attempted to burn the Qur’an and rile residents for clickbaitWhite nationalist and rightwing agitators recently descended on Dearborn, Michigan, to hold an anti-Islam rally at which they attempted to burn a Qur’an and manufacture controversy over the city’s large Arab-American population. But the protest has been dismissed by local leaders as a cheap publicity stunt aimed at generating money and clicks for far-right influencers.But there is little doubt the Michigan city has become a repeated target for the publicity-hungry far-right because it holds the US’s highest percentage of Arab-American residents. Similar provocateurs have... [Continue Reading]