China’s economy expanded 4.3% year-on-year in Q2, the lowest rate since the end of 2022, as the Iran war, lackluster domestic demand, and a lingering real estate slump weighed on growth. Though the country’s exports have been churning along at an extraordinary pace — China shipped a record $412 billion ...
Saudi World Cup fans forced to pirate games after BeIN blackoutSaudi World Cup fans forced to pirate games after BeIN blackout
The Scene Soccer fans in Saudi Arabia have been unable to legally watch World Cup matches, after restrictions were placed on the Qatar-owned platform that holds the exclusive regional broadcasting rights. It’s unclear why the kingdom — which is preparing to host the 2034 World Cup — has blocked access. ...
US trial could reveal who paid hackers to target Exxon climate critics: ‘on the edge of our seats’US trial could reveal who paid hackers to target Exxon climate critics: ‘on the edge of our seats’
Oil giant has denied involvement, but climate activists are closely watching court case against Israeli private investigator for answers A group of American climate activists are closely watching a US court case that could reveal who hired hackers to target their inboxes a decade ago. In 2015, a set of ...
The Mitch McConnell mystery is solved. But it doesn’t look good for America | Moira DoneganThe Mitch McConnell mystery is solved. But it doesn’t look good for America | Moira Donegan
The senator is alive, a key requirement to maintain one’s job in the US Senate Like any good proof-of-life photo, it featured that day’s newspaper. After a nearly month-long disappearance, when it was clear that he had been rushed to the hospital but not clear why or in what condition, ...
‘People are picking the dumbest fights’: the tortured history of America’s culture wars‘People are picking the dumbest fights’: the tortured history of America’s culture wars
In a new book, Isaac Butler goes back to the 1980s to trace how battles started against the arts, from Piss Christ to Mapplethorpe, and looks at what we can learn for today Isaac Butler is limbering up for an event at Politics and Prose, an independent bookshop and venerable ...
‘Please don’t lose another pound!’: Ozempic is upending the wedding dress industry‘Please don’t lose another pound!’: Ozempic is upending the wedding dress industry
The ubiquity of GLP-1s is wreaking new havoc on bridal designers who must scramble to accommodate rapid weight loss In bridal stores across the world, solicitous sales assistants are being trained to ask a new, blunt question: “Are you planning on losing a drastic amount of weight?” Wedding season’s new ...
Over 1,600 energy department webpages on utility bill savings removed as US temperatures soarOver 1,600 energy department webpages on utility bill savings removed as US temperatures soar
Guardian analysis found the removals coincided with the Trump administration’s push to weaken efficiency rules As millions of Americans prepare for another brutal heatwave, it’s now harder to find information about ways to stay cool while saving energy and keeping utility costs down. At least 1,662 Department of Energy webpages ...
Iran threatens to block more trade routes as US launches fresh strikesIran threatens to block more trade routes as US launches fresh strikes
US President Donald Trump vowed to strike Iran’s bridges and power plants next week if the country does not return to talks. ...
I still feel pain of ’98 but this can be different for England, says ShearerI still feel pain of ’98 but this can be different for England, says Shearer
England’s defeat by Argentina at the 1998 World Cup still burns deep for Alan Shearer, but he explains why this team can take their chance to change their lives forever. ...
‘When she turns eight they will take her’: rising number of Afghan girls being sold into child marriage‘When she turns eight they will take her’: rising number of Afghan girls being sold into child marriage
Afghanistan is seeing a resurgence in underage brides and mothers as desperate families sell their children in order to eat Sima* is 18, but has already given birth four times. Her youngest is a newborn, the eldest is four. Sitting with her children in their mud-brick room in Badghis province, ...