The great silence: why haven’t we found aliens yet? Interesting summary. Leaves out the depressing Dark Forest theory - they're out there but have learned to keep quiet for fear of attracting predatory civilisations. Hope that's not true or we're in big trouble. www.theguardian.com/news/2026/au...

The great silence: why haven’t we found any aliens yet?

The long read: Given the size and age of the universe, it should be full of species with technology far more advanced than our own. But so far there is no trace

theguardian.com

This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadly | Sadiq Khan. Very well said @london.gov.uk ! Andy Burnham mustn't fall for the nonsense that net zero is bad for the cost of living. The reverse is the case. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadly | Sadiq Khan

Look at our blazing forests and parched cities. Green policies aren’t a ‘luxury’, and we can’t burn more oil and gas. People need the truth, says London mayor Sadiq Khan

theguardian.com

www.huffpost.com/entry/live-u...

UNICEF Says At Least 300 Children Killed In 300 Days Of Israel-Hamas 'Ceasefire' In Gaza

huffpost.com

Sussex Uni neuroscientists reveal limits of human compassion for global crises. People become less responsive as number of victims grows. Deaths abroad are processed differently from at home. Findings cld help humanitarian more effectively communicate global crises. www.sussex.ac.uk/alumni/news-...

University of Sussex neuroscientists reveal limits of human compassion for global crises

New research from the University of Sussex could help explain why people can struggle to respond emotionally to large-scale humanitarian disasters.

sussex.ac.uk

Israeli strike that killed journalist in Lebanon was war crime, say rights groups. Shocking. Israel and the relevant individuals need to be accountable, but impunity seems to be normal for such events. The call for a end to arms sales to Israel should be heeded. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

Israeli strike that killed journalist in Lebanon was war crime, say rights groups

Investigation by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and Legal Agenda shows Israel deliberately attacked Amal Khalil and colleague Zeinab Faraj knowing they were civilians

theguardian.com

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year. Not really the time to continue with cuts to humanitarian aid, is it Andy Burnham? www.theguardian.com/environment/...

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year

UN forecasters warn of worsening conditions in 45 countries currently experiencing severe food insecurity

theguardian.com

Very well said Gordon Brown. Much more needs to be done to support girls education and prevent child marriage. That is possible even for Afghan girls. But aid cuts out them at risk. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

After five brutal years of Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls need our help – and I have a plan | Gordon Brown

Even in the face of appalling repression, girls yearn to fulfil their educational potential. We must set up a global fund to help them, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brown

theguardian.com

A great initiative to prevent multinational companies avoiding tax. And, by the way, I see the news today that BP's quarterly profits have doubled to £5bn+.Time for a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies benefitting from high oil prices from Iran conflict? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on global corporate tax: a $500bn prize that states must seize | Editorial

Editorial: Donald Trump may reject the negotiations, but he cannot veto a global effort to make multinational companies answer to governments

theguardian.com

The last 5 opinion polls show Reform's lead has disappeared. They range from Labour equal to 5 points ahead. #BurnhamBounce combined with #FarageFarrago. Greens seem to be the ones losing out most. Will it last?

"Govt of PM Netanyahu, & in particular Ministers Smotrich & Ben-Gvir, aim to make Palestine disappear physically, economically, culturally & politically. Yet other govts either are choosing not to see this or lack the will to take meaningful concerted action" The Elders theelders.org/news/palesti...

Palestine must not disappear

A statement by Mary Robinson, Graça Machel, Helen Clark and Hina Jilani following their visit to the Middle East, 11-16 July 2026

theelders.org

The two most recent opinion polls show Reform's lead has disappeared and in one poll they are now 4 percentage points behind Labour. Combination of Burnham Bounce and Farage Funding issues. Are fears of a Reform Govt now in the past?

Andy Burnham could easily ignore the UK’s falling aid commitment. He would be wise not to | Halima Begum www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Andy Burnham could easily ignore the UK’s falling aid commitment. He would be wise not to | Halima Begum

The FCDO’s annual report was quietly released just as Starmer was leaving office – it continues a long-term shift from supporting countries most in need to seeking something in return, writes Halima B...

theguardian.com

Here we go again! No change from Burnham Government in stealing from the world's poorest to grab a headline. I had hoped for better. And demoting the aid Minister from the cabinet adds to the sense that this Govt is not on the side of the global South. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Funding bus fare cap from aid budget will hit world’s poorest, Burnham told

Proposal ‘throws global south countries under the bus’, says ActionAid UK directorr

theguardian.com

Labour MPs call for Andy Burnham to restore aid spending target set by Brown. YES PLEASE! www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Labour MPs call for Andy Burnham to restore aid spending target set by Brown

Thinktank urges prospective prime minister to reclaim UK’s role as an international leader on development

theguardian.com

Why @channel4news.bsky.social does Rachel Reeves have to walk up and down to be interviewed by Helia Ebrahimi? It is most disconcerting and unnecessary. If they stood still the viewers could focus better on the questions and answers!

Venezuela earthquakes - consider donating to @unicefuk.bsky.social appeal at www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donat...

Donate to our Venezuela Earthquakes Appeal

7.2 and a 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela have left children in need of support. Donate to our Venezuela earthquake appeal now.

unicef.org.uk

Here we are in the midst of a climate-change induced heatwave and unions are siding with Reform and Tories to argue against net zero! We MUST move faster to free ourselves from fossil fuels. Progressive economists reject Unite leader’s criticism of Ed Miliband www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Progressive economists reject Unite leader’s criticism of Ed Miliband

Sharon Graham is urged to withdraw her claim that the energy secretary would cost jobs if he became chancellor

theguardian.com

Half world’s children exposed to 3+ climate hazards, Unicef says. This demonstrates clearly why we must keep up pressure for climate action when some political leaders are trying to water down efforts to achieve net zero. Our responsibility to future generations. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Half of world’s children exposed to at least three climate hazards, Unicef says

Almost every child, including those from high-income countries, is now exposed to at least one hazard

theguardian.com

Households could save £200 on energy bills in plan to break link between gas and electricity prices, says thinktank. Why doesn't the Govt commit to this? Is it because they don't want to lose the revenue from windfall taxes on fossil fuel profits? www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Households could save £200 on energy bills in plan to break link between gas and electricity prices, says thinktank

Government plan to de-link gas and electricity prices aims to reduce bills for consumers after global surge in prices

theguardian.com

Horrific, unregulated, and very profitable. The companies making cash from England’s children in care | George Monbiot. Well said @georgemonbiot.bsky.social . This is a scandal - even more awful than all the other scandals of privatisation. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Horrific, unregulated, and very profitable. The companies making cash from England’s children in care | George Monbiot

Councils are sending vulnerable kids to homes ran by money-grabbing cowboys and private-equity vultures, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

theguardian.com

Blair has gone bonkers! Abandoning net zero would be crazy. It would deepen our dependence on fossil fuel markets, damage out energy security and increase energy prices. The only thing I agree with him about is his opposition to aid cuts. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump

In highly unusual intervention, ex-PM says his party’s ‘almost infinite capacity for self-delusion’ makes it likely to lose next election

theguardian.com

It is absolutely disgusting that Reform are defending their Makerfield candidate's misogynistic social media posts. Carol Vorderman demands apology from Reform candidate over ‘disgusting comments’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Carol Vorderman demands apology from Reform candidate over ‘disgusting comments’

Broadcaster describes Robert Kenyon, who is standing in Makerfield byelection, as a misogynist and a ‘cowardly man’

theguardian.com

Hundreds of children affected by UK’s halting of refugee family reunion, says Red Cross. Such a cruel policy, condemning lonely children to grave danger. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Hundreds of children affected by UK’s halting of refugee family reunion, says Red Cross

Charity estimates up to 1,360 children could remain separated from families for every month the suspension continues

theguardian.com

Wealth of UK’s 157 billionaires now = 22% of GDP. Meanwhile this week, Unicef ranked Britain 24th for child wellbeing, 28th for mental wellbeing, 35th for income inequality and 25th for child poverty among wealthy countries. Now there's an agenda for a new PM! www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...

Wealth of Britain’s 157 billionaires now equal to 22% of country’s GDP

This ‘ghost GDP’ shows how headline economic growth is increasingly disconnected from reality for most, says report

theguardian.com

Surely it is now time, while they have the chance, for the Labour Government to bring in PR for the Westminster election - a guaranteed way of preventing Reform from ever running the country?

Why would any renter, anyone on minimum wage, anyone from a migrant background, anyone who works for the NHS, anyone who doesn't want Trump's Iran war, anyone who cares about our planet, any woman, ever vote for Reform - but some of those must do?

I'm fed up with all the attacks on Kier Starmer & Labour. I don't agree with them on some things & they've made some mistakes, but they've also done a lot of good: child poverty action; renters rights; raising minimum wage; slow but real improvements in the NHS; wages rising faster than inflation...

I hate the media vox pops where journalists ask people how they voted and why. They say things like "I don't like Starmer" or "too may migrants" or "cost of living" & the media never ask any follow up questions or challenge these concepts.

There is evidence that govt & political rhetoric re immigration & asylum can exacerbate prejudice & racism, leading to increased discrimination & hostility within communities. Could this be a factor in rising antisemitism? Politicians need to change the tone and encourage empathy and solidarity.

Reform plans to rip up Renters’ Rights Act after tenants wait years for no-fault evictions ban. If you are a renter please think about this before you vote in the upcoming local elections. Why would any renter ever vote for Reform? Just don't! www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

Reform UK plans to scrap Renters' Rights Act spark fury

Reform UK has pledged to scrap the Renters' Rights Act if the party secures power. It has angered renters waiting for no-fault eviction ban.

bigissue.com