UK News
View All 9Sick pilot jailed for raping schoolgirl, just 12, who he groomed and drove to isolated location to attack
A British Airways pilot has been jailed for raping a 12-year-old girl after grooming her online before driving to an isolated location to carry out his vile attack. Kwame Yeboah, 30, had been employed by BA for three years, spending two years as a Heathrow-based first officer pilot. But his career in the skies came to an end after he pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in April. The paedophile was taken into custody by Merseyside Police officers following a probe into claims he had raped a child he groomed on social media in February. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Jurors heard the 30-year-old first contacted the schoolgirl on Instagram in 2025, with the girl initially telling him that she was 17 years old. By her appearance, it was "obvious" that the girl was clearly a young child, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.The pilot proceeded to send explicit images of himself to the 12-year-old and engaged in sexual conversations. Yeboah would call the child roughly twice a week to trick her into believing she was special to him, the CPS revealed.In February, the paedophile made the four-hour drive from his home in Reading up to Liverpool to meet her face-to-face.After picking her up, Yeboah drove the girl to an isolated location in Merseyside before raping her three times.Shortly after the sex attack, a friend of the victim informed her mother about the incident, who promptly contacted the police. The 30-year-old was able to be identified by officers based on information he had revealed to the girl. CRIME - READ THE LATEST:Man 'killed in most brutal way' at stone circle on summer solstice, police say as arrest madePolice took eight minutes to find Henry Nowak's stab wound before paramedics arrivedThird small boat pilot jailed for two years under new lawAfter being taken into custody, Yeboah gave a "no comment" resoibse to all questions put to him during a police interview. He was subsequently jailed for nine years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court. Following Yeboah's sentencing, Senior Crown Prosecutor Thomas Hanlon said: “Kwame Yeboah would have known early on in his contact with this child that she was not the age she initially claimed to be."She spoke about school and sent images of herself in school uniform."When he met her in person, it would have been obvious that she was a very young child.“Despite this, Yeboah deliberately took her to an isolated location where he raped her three times.“He groomed the victim into believing she was in a relationship with someone who cared about her."In reality, he was an adult man who abused his position and exploited her for his own sexual gratification.”A spokesman for British Airways said: “We’ve been sickened to hear of the despicable actions of this individual and we can only imagine the pain he has inflicted.“All of our thoughts are and will remain with the young person and their family as they try to repair the unthinkable damage and hurt they have suffered.”Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Australian man reveals how ATM glitch gave him 'unlimited' money before he blew millions of dollars in just months
An Australian man has revealed how an ATM glitch gave him "unlimited" money - before he turned himself in.In February 2011, then-29-year-old Dan Saunders stumbled across a technical fault in National Australia Bank's (NAB) ATM system while out drinking with friends.Mr Saunders attempted to transfer $200 (£100) from his credit card to his bank account - which had only $3 - but the ATM said the transaction failed.To his surprise, however, the money still appeared in his account - meaning he could have access to free cash whenever the machine underwent network maintenance - about one hour each night. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Through this loophole he was able to receive free cash without any record of the transactions being recorded.He then spent the next four months blowing his newfound millions on private jets, exclusive restaurants, luxury hotels, limousines, champagne and gambling.Mr Saunders has now reflected on his life in an interview on Australia's SBS Insight."It was like discovering fire for the first time. It was extremely addictive," he admitted.But Mr Saunders eventually turned himself into the authorities and was charged with 111 offences relating to fraud and theft.He spent 12 months in jail before he returned to work as a bartender - earning $22 per hour.He also described spending his money on his friends, purchasing them a car or a horse, which he said cost $50,000.Mr Saunders said he had a lot of anxiety about his actions, fearing he would "get caught at any time".LATEST IN AUSTRALIA:Australia social media ban isn't working, study finds in blow to Labour's internet crackdown plansSydney shark attack victim utters first three words as she wakes up from coma after great white biteAustralia sends in helicopters to shoot wild horses from the air to protect 'indigenous plants'"I had nightmares about a SWAT team storming into my home, even though I didn't have any guns," he added.He admitted his crimes to NAB in 2011 - but the bank did not respond, Mr Saunders said.He said: "Eventually, I had to do what I thought was right so I told the media about what happened to get closure."I had lost myself as a person. I didn't know who I was anymore."This led to an interview on Australia's A Current Affair - where he claimed he felt like a "rock star, but I probably looked like a fat white Kanye West".He confessed his 12-month stint jail gave him the closure he desired."It felt so good - my brain is a bit different to everyone else's," he added.He was also sentenced to 18 months of community service and ordered to pay $250,000 compensation to NAB. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
School closures LIVE as over 1,200 shut in UK heatwave with Greater Manchester schools closing early
James Holt Senior Live and Reporter, Chris Slater Senior Reporter and Ashlie Blakey Live and reporter Over 1,200 schools across the UK have shut due to the heatwave - with a number across Greater Manchester closing early. The heatwave brought record-breaking temperatures on Wednesday, with forecasters warning they could rise even higher today (June 25). Provisional figures suggest the temperature reached 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, breaking the previous June record from the summer of 1976. The heatwave forecast is set to continue on Thursday and Friday, and the Met Office said it is possible the figure could be “beaten again”. Hundreds of schools were forced to close yesterday and, on Thursday morning, over 1,200 have announced their closure - read the full list here. get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily In Greater Manchester, The Dixons Newell Green Academy in Wythenshawe announced it would be closing early on Thursday amid the extreme hot weather. Trafford Council says a number in the region will also be shutting early, while eight nurseries in the region in the Brighter Beginnings group say they will also be closing at 12pm. Read the list from our region. Have in our poll here The Government has issued advice to schools with children told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform. Some after-school clubs have also been cancelled. The Department for Education said on its website on Monday that 'during hot weather, we don't normally advise schools to close'. A number of attractions are shut in Greater Manchester as a result of the heat, with Northern Rail also confirming trains are disrupted. live blog below for the latest school closure and heatwave updates. New Updates Today06:55 BST School day ending at 1pm at secondary school in WythenshaweThe school day at the Dixons Newell Green Academy in Wythenshawe will end at 1pm for the rest of the week. A post on the school's website says: "Due to extreme hot weather, the school day will end at 1pm for the remainder of the week. Please ensure students bring water bottles and sunscreen with them to schoo. We will update you if anything changes. Thank you for your understanding." Ashlie Blakey Today06:47 BST Brighter Beginnings nurseries in Manchester to shut early again todayEight nurseries across Greater Manchester announced they would shut early on Wednesday and today amid the high temperatures. The nurseries in the Brighter Beginnings group are in Burnage, Chadderton, Charlestown, Fallowfield, Fitton Hill, New Moston, Newton Heath, Rusholme and Wetherby Street.
Heatwave live updates as 40C temperatures set to cause major nationwide travel disruption
Holly Morgan Senior Reporter Temperatures in Wales could be the hottest ever recorded as a rare Met Office red warning for extreme heat enters its second day on Thursday, marking a "severe weather event" in the UK. The warnings state that "an exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely." The red weather warning for extreme heat has been in place since Wednesday morning and remains until Thursday, 11pm. The peak of the heatwave is set to happen today when we could see temperatures climb to around 40C in parts of south east Wales. Travel delays are expected with Transport for Wales cancelling rail services this week due to the forecasted weather. Great Western Rail has also warned customers of only essential travel on Wednesday and Thursday. Extreme heat will build this week as the Met Office has warned of a "severe weather event" in Wales (Image: WalesOnline) Over 500 schools are closed across the country today. Our list of closures is being updated here. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth told the Senedd on Tuesday the weather warning covering parts of Wales is "extremely serious" as Wales is set to face its highest temperatures ever recorded in Wales over the next two days. The First Minister said: "Heat related illness can affect anyone, regardless of age or health, but the risks are greater for older people, the babies and very young children in particular. "Given the seriousness of the warning, we must ensure that vulnerable people are looked after as a priority. Checking in on family, friends and neighbours could be potentially life saving. "It is highly likely that we will highest temperatures ever recorded in Wales over the next two days. It may be tempting for some to cool off in lakes or in rivers, but I remind again, the cold water shock is a real danger when jumping in. People should never, ever swim in a reservoir." blog below for the latest weather updates. New Updates Today06:54 BST Major rail disruptionThere is already major disruption to the rail network in Wales due to the extreme weather forecast. The highest-level weather alert, originally due to expire at 9pm on Thursday, will now remain in force until 11pm. It covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan The Met Office said: "During the heatwave expected to affect a large part of England and Wales this week, the highlighted area now looks increasingly likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsius in some places." Forecasters warned the heat will be accompanied , making it harder for people to recover from the extreme daytime temperatures.
World News
View All 10Suspect in Kansas City Shootings Found Dead in Basement, Police Say
Officers found the body of a man believed to be Oscar Sanchez-Munoz, the suspect in a series of roadway shootings last week, inside a home they had already searched.
Representative Tom Kean, Missing for Months, Is Back Home in New Jersey
The congressman, who has been absent from Washington since March, answered the door of his home on Wednesday evening. He was wearing a suit and tie.
In reversal, Senate votes to block war powers resolution, delivering Trump a win
In reversal, Senate votes to block war powers resolution, delivering Trump a win Earlier, GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy clashed with Trump over an earlier measure. ByAllison Pecorin June 24, 2026, PM Hours after President Donald Trump blasted Sen. Bill Cassidy for supporting a war powers resolution that narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday, Cassidy helped to deliver Trump a victory a separate resolution aimed at reining in the president's war powers in Iran from advancing. It was a remarkable departure for Cassidy who, just hours ago, was in a shouting match with the president during a lunch between Trump and the GOP conference. Cassidy said he later received a briefing from Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Iran. Sen. Bill Cassidy speaks to reporters following a Senate Republican Steering Committee lunch with President Donald Trump at the U. S. Capitol in Washington, June 24, 2026. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Sponsored Content : 2nd ransom note sent to Tucson TV station said she died Jun 22, PM Iran updates: Iran says military's 'ready to respond' amid Trump threats Jun 21, PM Iran live updates: Pentagon seeks additional $67.
7.5-Magnitude Quake Is Largest to Hit Venezuela in More Than a Century
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that it could be far deadlier than a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in 1900.
Politics
View All 10‘I was miserable at my old school’: UK social media ban puts spotlight on hybrid learning
Ambreen Baig (left), of Dukes Education, says ‘telling today’s young people to avoid screens is like telling previous generations to avoid books’. Photograph: Teri Pengilley/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Ambreen Baig (left), of Dukes Education, says ‘telling today’s young people to avoid screens is like telling previous generations to avoid books’. Photograph: Teri Pengilley/The Guardian ‘I was miserable at my old school’: UK social media ban puts spotlight on hybrid learning Pupils say LPS Hybrid’s combination of remote and in-person classes has transformed their school experience Two years ago, Ellie Ball could barely bring herself to attend school. Today, the 16-year-old is planning to take four A-levels and hopes to study astrolaw – “It’s basically space law,” she explains – at university. The transformation happened largely through a screen. Four days a week, Ellie attends remote, on-screen lessons from home administered -wide hybrid school provider. Then once a week, the girl who in years 8 and 9 could barely force herself to take the seven-minute drive to her local state school travels alone on train and tube, alongside crowds of commuters, to attend lessons in person. “The journey takes an hour,” she said. “I don’t like it. But I do it happily because I absolutely love going to school now.” This week Ellie’s school, the London-based London Park School (LPS) Hybrid – part of the private Dukes Education family of schools – was named a World’s Best School prize finalist in the overcoming adversity category, a shortlist that also includes a Polish school helping Ukrainian refugees, an American school serving the children of poor, migrant workers, and a school in the Amazon that has become an educational hub for about 4,000 young people. Failure to plan for rising temperatures has left UK’s schools sweltering LPS Hybrid, which will shortly open a sixth form has also been shortlisted for a Tes Schools award for pupil mental health initiative of the year. The national conversation about children’s relationship with technology is becoming increasingly fraught, with schools restricting smartphones and ministers in the UK legislating a social media access ban. He added: “If the act goes ahead as it’s proposed, this will be one of the massive potential downsides. Our younger daughter also uses social media to engage with the outside world, she’s massively into books and theatre so follows all of her favourite authors and artists.
Trump describes Burnham as 'the mayor of a town' and 'extremely liberal'
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Trump describes Burnham as 'the mayor of a town' and 'extremely liberal'Close Donald Trump has given his first public reaction to the prospect of the former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham becoming prime minister. Campaigning during the Makerfield by-election, Burnham said the UK needed to avoid what he called the "polarised, poisonous politics" of the US. Asked his view of the current frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer, Trump described him as "the mayor of a town" and said he had heard Burnham was "extremely liberal". Subsection Published close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Andy BurnhamFollow Andy Burnham close panel You are now following Andy Burnham Updates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage. Donald TrumpFollow Donald Trump close panel You are now following Donald Trump Updates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
Andy Burnham in a bind over tax as he seeks to shelter middle-earners
The new Makerfield MP has tried to reassure voters they will not face big rises if he becomes prime minister
Q&A: What the Isa shake-up means for first-time buyers and investors
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Business
View All 10Africa’s Biggest IPOSparks Investor Frenzy in Dangote’s Nigeria
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Anthropic accuses Alibaba of obtaining ‘illicit’ access to Claude
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FTAV’s further reading
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Japan’s $2.3 Trillion Investment Plan Raises Fresh JGB Concerns
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Technology
View All 10GTA 6 Confirms $80 Price Tag, Ultimate Edition, Midnight Preorders and More
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement The next installment of the Grand Theft Auto series is poised to dominate 2026. Here's what we know so far. Oscar Gonzalez Contributing writer Oscar Gonzalez is a Texas native who covered video games, conspiracy theories, misinformation and cryptocurrency. Expertise Video Games | Misinformation | Conspiracy Theories | Cryptocurrency | NFTs | Movies | TV | Economy | Stocks See full bio Oscar Gonzalez June 24, 2026 p. m. PT 4 min read Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders started at midnight your local time after publisher Rockstar Games finally confirmed the new installment's price. The likely Game of the Year winner for 2026 will cost $80 when it releases on Nov. 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, according to a statement from Rockstar. Along with the standard edition, Rockstar is also offering an Ultimate Edition of the game that comes with more content, including exclusive vehicles and cosmetics, for $100. Calling GTA 6 a highly anticipated game doesn't do it justice. It's been more than a decade since the release of GTA 5, and after multiple delays, the latest entry in the GTA franchise is finally on its way. Will GTA 6 be the greatest game ever created? Who knows, but the excitement has already hit a fever pitch with three months left before launch. Preorder Grand Theft Auto 6 at Amazon What is the release date for GTA 6? GTA 6 is currently slated to be released on Nov. 19, 2026. The game was initially scheduled for a 2025 release, but was twice delayed, to a May 2026 release, then to November. How much will GTA 6 cost? The standard edition for GTA 6 will cost $80. This makes it one of the few games with a price tag above the typical $70. Mario Kart World for the Switch 2 was the first game with a regular price tag of $80 when it launched last year. A GTA 6 Ultimate Edition is also available for $100. This version comes with a collection of vehicles, weapons, apparel and customizations. Here's what comes in the Ultimate Edition: '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy & Paradise Garage '95 Grotti Cheetah Dinka Enduro motorcycle & Crest Kayak Exclusive Vapid Ganado Retro Build mods Rideout Customs & One-Eyed Willie's mod shops Classic Car Collection missions Shitzu Squalo boat Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers Personalized weapon variants PTT Youngin$ Compound activities Exclusive clothing, hairstyles, tattoos, and customization options for Jason and Lucia Rockstar says the content will unlock for players who own the Ultimate Edition as they play through the single-player campaign.
Anthropic’s White House Negotiations Are Reportedly On Track After ‘Weirdo’ Dario Amodei Was Replaced
Artificial Intelligence Anthropic’s White House Negotiations Are Reportedly On Track After ‘Weirdo’ Dario Amodei Was Replaced Amodei was reportedly hard to deal with and not a good listener. 24, 2026, pm ET Reading time 2 minutes Dario Amodei © Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Read Later Read Later Comments (1) For almost two weeks, high-ranking team members at Anthropic have been in talks with the Trump Administration, trying to get a highly restrictive export control directive lifted. According to a new report from Wired, these talks weren’t going well, and that was at least in part because CEO Dario Amodei was involved, but it’s being reported that since Amodei left the talks, things are looking up. Per Wired, the White House is now talking to Tom Brown, another Anthropic co-founder (that’s his entire job title according to his LinkedIn). An anonymous person involved in the calls reportedly told Wired “Tom Brown is not being a weirdo like Dario and can actually engage.” Amodei was reportedly hard to deal with, and, Wired’s sources claim, wasn’t being a good listener. Past reporting has claimed Amodei has a tendency to “rant” and that he “cannot control his emotions.” If you’ve ever seen videos of Amodei, including ones made in friendly circumstances, you’ll know his natural facial expression is a bit queasy, that he has a trumpet-like speaking voice, that he waves his arms when he speaks, and that he will sometimes not just break eye contact but tilt his whole head toward the ground while speaking. Judging from what’s online, Brown has an overall nervous nerd speaking style, but a much warmer and more traditionally personable version. He seems to smile easily, and his voice is much softer and steadier than Amodei’s. Wired says Brown is working on the talks alongside Sarah Heck, Anthropic’s Head of Public Policy. Her conversation style—again, from what’s online—comes across as enthusiastic and on-message, but also quite disciplined and cautious, the attributes a job as head of public policy would likely require. Anthropic needs the White House to clear its Claude Fable 5 AI model, the most advanced frontier model Anthropic makes available to consumers, for general use once again. Anthropic calls Fable 5 a “Mythos-class” model, meaning it’s made with the same core technology as Claude Mythos Preview which Anthropic deemed too dangerous to be accessed . Fable 5 came ostensibly stripped of capabilities that made it a potential cybersecurity threat, but according to multiple sources, Amazon researchers notified the White House shortly after it was released that jailbreaks could supposedly remove these safeguards easily.
Valve's Steam Machine: Pricing Set (Oof!), Preorder Lottery Open Now, Shipping Soon
The Steam Deck dominates gaming on the go, and the Steam Machine looks to conquer the living room. Oscar Gonzalez Contributing writer Oscar Gonzalez is a Texas native who covered video games, conspiracy theories, misinformation and cryptocurrency. Expertise Video Games | Misinformation | Conspiracy Theories | Cryptocurrency | NFTs | Movies | TV | Economy | Stocks See full bio Oscar Gonzalez June 24, 2026 p. m. PT 5 min read Valve Valve will release its living room PC game console, called the Steam Machine, but it won't be cheap, thanks to the ongoing memory shortage referred to as RAMageddon, which already shot up the price of the Steam Deck. The company finally unveiled the pricing for the Steam Machine, and it's not for the faint of heart. The Steam Machine will start at $1,049 for the 512GB version that doesn't come with a Steam Controller, according to the listing page Valve posted on Monday. Adding a controller to the package will bring the price up to $1,128. Willing to spend even more? With 2TB storage, the cost jumps up to $1,349 without a controller. The 2TB model with a Steam Controller will set you back $1,428. If those prices don't scare you off, join the wait list 10 a. m. ET. on Thursday, June 25. After that time, the list will be randomized, and individuals will receive a time and date to purchase the unit, which starts on Monday, June 29. Those on the wait list who don't get picked for the first batch of consoles will receive an invite to buy their Steam Machine whenever Valve gets a restock, similar to how the Steam Deck launch worked and the upcoming release of the Steam Controller. Valve says this way of handling the console's launch is its way of preventing scalpers from buying up all the initial stock only to resell them later. Those who don't put themselves on the wait list prior to the June 25 deadline will be added to the back of the wait list. The Steam Machine is Valve's gaming PC, built into a roughly 6-inch cube that's designed to connect to a living room TV. The aim is to deliver a simplified PC gaming experience for a broad audience and for game developers to optimize for a single spec as they've done with the Steam Deck. Here's everything we know about the Steam Machine. When does the Steam Machine come out? The Steam Machine will be available for purchase starting June 29, but only for those who are picked to purchase it on the launch date.
48 hours later with the Google Home Speaker, I can't stop talking to Gemini (even if it's imperfect)
Home & Office 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close 48 hours later with the Google Home Speaker, I can't stop talking to Gemini (even if it's imperfect) Written , Staff WriterStaff Writer June 24, 2026 at p. m. PT Google Home Speaker 3 / 5 Good pros and cons Pros Loud, crisp sound Gemini for Home with generative AI Intuitive controls. Cons The microphone array doesn't pick up voices when the music is loud More expensive than Nest Mini alternatives. View now at Best BuyView now at Target more buying choices Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. The Google Home Speaker was officially released as the company's latest take on a smart speaker, its first in six years. I've been testing the Google Home Speaker for nearly 48 hours, and I've got some interesting first impressions. Also: This tablet replaced both my iPad and Kindle, and it's 40% off on Amazon right now With 360-degree audio, the Google Home Speaker offers a new audio experience compared to the Nest Audio and Nest Mini, both of which feature front-facing sound. The new experience, however, doesn't necessarily mean it will be obviously better.
Science
View All 10Osteopenia is silently weakening bones in millions of people
A hidden bone-loss condition affecting millions may be preventable—and even partly reversible—with the right lifestyle changes. Date: June 25, 2026 Source: The Conversation Summary: Osteopenia is a common but often overlooked condition that causes bones to become less dense and more fragile. Because it develops silently, many people only discover they have it after a fracture or bone scan. Aging, menopause, poor diet, and inactivity can all contribute to bone loss. Fortunately, exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D, and other healthy habits can slow or even partially reverse the decline. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Millions of people are quietly losing bone strength without realizing it. Osteopenia, a condition affecting roughly 40% of adults worldwide, gradually weakens bones over time and often remains hidden until a fracture occurs. Credit: Shutterstock Around 40% of adults worldwide are affected by osteopenia: a loss of bone mineral density. This condition is extremely common particularly in postmenopausal women and elderly adults. It’s estimated that more than 500,000 fractures occur annually in the UK due to low bone density. Osteopenia itself does not usually cause symptoms and it develops silently over time. Many people may not even be aware that they have the condition until they have experienced a fracture or had a bone density test, typically recommended because of risk factors such as age and menopause. This makes osteopenia a significant but often under-recognized public health issue. Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous renewal through a process called bone remodeling. During this process, old bone is broken down (resorption) and new bone is formed (formation). During early adulthood this process is balanced, so bone resorption equals bone formation. Bone mass usually peaks around a person’s mid-20s to early-30s. After this peak bone loss gradually exceeds bone formation. Over time this leads to reduced bone density. Ageing is the main risk factor for bone loss. But several additional factors can accelerate the process. For instance, hormonal changes, especially the decline in estrogen after the menopause, can significantly increase bone breakdown. This is because estrogen helps protect bones . Around one in two women over 50 will experience a fragility fracture. Lifestyle also plays an important role. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity can contribute to reduced bone strength over time. Insufficient calcium intake and low vitamin D can limit the body’s ability to build and maintain strong bones. Certain medications, particularly long-term steroid use, as well as health conditions that affect hormone levels or nutrient absorption (such as Crohn’s or coeliac disease), can further increase the risk.
UK sees hottest June day on record as 36.1C recorded in Hampshire
This video can not be played 'No let up' - The people working in extreme heat The UK has experienced its hottest June day on record after temperatures soared to 36.1C (97F) in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of schools shut across England and Wales and transport has also been disrupted, with train passengers advised to avoid all non-essential travel. The heatwave is forecast to continue into Friday, with a further high of about 38C possible, the Met Office said. A red extreme heat warning issued BST on Thursday. Wednesday's high came between and, breaking the previous June record of 35.6C recorded in Southampton in 1976 and Camden in 1957. This new record is described as "provisional" , which now has to conduct checks to ensure the measurement is reliable. The next highest temperatures of the day were all recorded in southern England, including Wisley, Surrey, on 36C, Wiggonholt, West Sussex, on 35.9C, and Charlwood, Surrey, on 35.7C. And Wales had its hottest day of the year so far, with a high of 33.3C at Cardiff Bute Park. A searing European heatwave continues to cause deaths and disruption, with France recording its hottest day since records began in 1947, and the temperature in Paris and other areas above 40C. Among the areas covered , the east of England, London and south-east England, south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands. These regions can expect an "exceptional spell of hot and humid weather" with impacts to the general population "highly likely", according to the Met Office. It is only the second time a red warning has been issued since extreme heat warnings began in 2021. Climate change has led to more frequent and intense heatwaves, said the Met Office's chief scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher. "To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering," he added. June temperature records set in 1976 and 1957 were broken A wider amber warning covers much of England and Wales through Thursday,, external with areas as far north as Manchester expected to see temperatures reach above 30C. A separate amber warning for extreme heat, lasting from midnight on Friday, external until covers south-east England, eastern England and parts of the Midlands. And a new amber weather warning has been issued, external for between and on Saturday, covering parts of southern and eastern England. The daily air temperature record for the UK in June is 35.6C, which was reached on - but this is very likely to be exceeded in the coming days.
NASA's aging infrastructure can't handle Artemis launches without $1 billion in upgrades, watchdog warns
A new report from NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) warns that launch facilities at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia are approaching capacity as demand accelerates across the agency and the private sector. Support infrastructure — such as roads, electricity, and gas and fuel pipelines that laid the foundation for KSC's network of launch pads built to support the Apollo program in the 1960s — are being increasingly stretched 's Artemis missions, SpaceX, Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and other users. "Based on current launch projections, Kennedy and Wallops are expected to operate near capacity in the 2028 to 2029 time frame," states the report, which was released on Monday (June 22). Though it credits NASA for already taking steps to address these issues, agency officials estimate it will take at least $1 billion to complete all the necessary upgrades, of which only $250 million was provided as part of NASA's funds allocated in last year's 2025 H. On Florida's Space Coast, the assessment encompasses launch facilities at KSC as well as Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), which saw an increase of NASA-supported launches from 31 in 2020 to 109 in 2025, according to the report. Wallops, where there are fewer and smaller launch pads, doesn't traditionally see as many missions compared to KSC. But the Virginia site has experienced an even sharper jump, percentage-wise, over the same timeframe — from three launches in 2020 to 17 in 2025 (a 467% rise). By 2030, NASA expects traffic at both sites to increase by another 150% or so. And NASA officials told auditors that raw launch counts don't fully capture the strain on infrastructure, because launch campaigns require days or weeks of support activity before liftoff. The report outlines launch infrastructure shortcomings at both facilities, but notes that Wallops' challenges have been partially mitigated . Wallops generally hosts small and medium-lift launch vehicles, like Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket and Rocket Lab's Electron, but has taken steps to support Rocket Lab's upcoming Neutron, as well as Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket, which is expected to launch from the site sometime this year. The major launch pads in question at KSC and CCSFS include Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A) and LC-39B, used , respectively; Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40), also used by SpaceX; SLC-41, used by ULA's Atlas and Vulcan rockets; and SLC-36, used 's New Glenn rocket. SpaceX has transitioned to launching its Falcon 9 rocket primarily from SLC-40 and has reserved LC-39A for Falcon Heavy launches while construction of the first Florida launch tower for its Starship rocket is underway at the same pad.
This is the largest and most detailed image of our Milky Way — with over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems
In just over one day, Euclid was able to create the largest and most detailed photo of this region of our galaxy ever made. The image, packed with 60 million stars, could help scientists hunt for extrasolar planets, exoplanets, in this region known as the galactic bulge. Euclid is designed to study dark energy, the mysterious force that drives the accelerating expansion of the universe, . That means the space telescope is powerful enough to distinguish individual stars in the central bulge of the Milky Way. Other telescopes fail to do this because they are too blinded . The largest high-resolution photo ever made of our Milky Way galaxy's center in visible light. It was taken on March 23, 2025 's Euclid space telescope. (/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA, CFHT, image processing by J.-C. Bertin (CEA Paris-Saclay))Euclid was requested to monitor the central bulge of the Milky Way to assist astronomers in the hunt for exoplanets because this is the perfect region for so-called "microlensing" events to occur. "To catch microlensing, you need to observe parts of the sky that are crowded with stars, such as close to the center of our galaxy," team leader Jean-Philippe Beaulieu of the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris in France said in a statement. Microlensing is a weak form of gravitational lensing that occurs when objects with mass cause the very fabric of space to warp. When light from a background source passes through this warping of space, its path is curved. This can be used to study the background source; for example, scientists have used it to great effect with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study some of the most distant and early galaxies. However, the curvature of light from background sources can also be used to detect faint objects like planets. The location of Euclid’s new image of the galactic bulge is visible on Gaia’s map of the entire sky. (/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA, CFHT, ESA/Gaia/DPAC, image processing by J.-C. Bertin (CEA Paris-Saclay))Spotting planets using microlensing requires one star to pass in front of another and act as a gravitational lens. The presence of a planet causes a tiny perturbation in the lensing of light from the background star. Bertin (CEA Paris-Saclay); Milky Way artist impressions: ESA/Gaia/DPAC, Stefan Payne-Wardenaar))Despite Euclid's study of the central bulge pointing the way forward in observing new microlensing events, there are no such events in the data from the ESA spacecraft.
Environment
View All 10One in six babies in England live in overheated homes – analysis
Babies are at risk of overheating as they are less able to regulate body temperature. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Babies are at risk of overheating as they are less able to regulate body temperature. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian One in six babies in England live in overheated homes – analysis More than 70,000 babies living in hot homes as climate change drives record temperatures One in every six babies in England are living in overheated homes, causing sleep disruption and serious health risks, according to new analysis. The National Housing Federation (NHF) and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) found that more than 70,000 babies are living in overly hot homes as climate change drives record temperatures across the country. A rare red warning for extreme heat was issued for parts of England and Wales this week, with hundreds of schools closing their doors as temperatures were expected to hit record levels. In total, an estimated 1.6 million children are living in overheated properties, according to analysis of English Housing survey data. This carries serious health risks for children under five, especially babies, who are less able to regulate their temperature and manage dehydration. It increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in newborns, with parents advised to keep rooms between 16C to 20C, something which can be impossible to do during heatwaves. James Grant, who lives in a 1930s house in east London and has a one-year-old son, said he had boarded up the windows in his son’s nursery to keep the heat out during the hottest part of the day. “Every time I wake up in the night, my first thought is to look at the temperature on the baby monitor. It has got over 30C in there at night,” he said. “In the morning when it’s cooler, we open up all the windows to get some air through but I only got it down to about 25C this morning.” He said the heat had disrupted the baby’s sleep and exacerbated issues with dehydration. “Over the next couple of days as it gets hotter, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said. Most of England’s homes are built to retain heat, and lack cooling features common in warmer countries, such as shutters or air-conditioning. A poll -quarters (71%) of parents experiencing overheating in their home said it disrupts their children’s sleep, affecting an estimated 1.1 million children.
EU, UK lead push for electrification as “powerful weapon” against fossil fuels
Share: X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Print Dozens of governments led a rapid electrification of the world's economy, billed as a "powerful weapon" for cutting reliance on planet-heating fossil fuels. At a high-level summit in London's Mansion House on Tuesday, energy ministers and business leaders were joined -general António Guterres in calling for faster action to curb demand for oil, coal and gas , industry and transport with clean electricity. Electrification - which spans measures such as switching from petrol cars to electric vehicles - has emerged as a key priority in climate and energy policy circles this year. COP31 co-hosts Türkiye and Australia have made a global target for electricity to meet 35% of final energy demand by 2035, up from around 20% today, the main plank of this year's action agenda for the UN summit. Reaching that level is necessary to keep the 1.5C warming limit within reach, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Turkish COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said earlier this month that the host nation would work to forge “a strong global coalition that is ready and determined to act” and promised to facilitate access to technical assistance. Log in here → Upgrade to keep reading For 15 years we’ve rigorously reported on the decisions shaping our climate. Upgrading to a paid subscription is how readers like you help keep this work going. £40/quarter → Or £130/year — best value. ×Log in to your account Forgot your password? Dozens of governments led a rapid electrification of the world's economy, billed as a "powerful weapon" for cutting reliance on planet-heating fossil fuels. At a high-level summit in London's Mansion House on Tuesday, energy ministers and business leaders were joined -general António Guterres in calling for faster action to curb demand for oil, coal and gas , industry and transport with clean electricity. Electrification - which spans measures such as switching from petrol cars to electric vehicles - has emerged as a key priority in climate and energy policy circles this year. COP31 co-hosts Türkiye and Australia have made a global target for electricity to meet 35% of final energy demand by 2035, up from around 20% today, the main plank of this year's action agenda for the UN summit. Reaching that level is necessary to keep the 1.5C warming limit within reach, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Turkish COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said earlier this month that the host nation would work to forge “a strong global coalition that is ready and determined to act” and promised to facilitate access to technical assistance.
UK records its hottest June day and France its hottest day ever as heatwave sweeps Europe
The Met Office issued a rare red extreme heat warning for 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Guardian View image in fullscreen The Met Office issued a rare red extreme heat warning for 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Guardian UK records its hottest June day and France its hottest day ever as heatwave sweeps Europe Temperature of 36.1C (97F) recorded in Hampshire, while two-thirds of Europe’s population experience temperatures above 30C The UK has broken its all-time temperature record for June and France has recorded its hottest day ever for the second day running, as a heatwave affecting more than 90 million people sweeps across swathes of Europe. As the UK and France registered record-breaking temperatures, the World Health Organization warned that the extreme temperatures are “putting lives at risk”. Europeans grapple with scorching June heatwave – video View image in fullscreen A tourist is fanned -Royal gardens in Paris, France. Photograph: Michel Euler/APTemperatures bolstered 36.1C (97F) in Gosport, Hampshire, according to provisional data from the UK Met Office. Earlier in the afternoon 35.8C (96F) was logged at Wiggonholt in West Sussex. France recorded its hottest day since measurements began in 1947 as the temperature climbed slightly higher than the record set one day earlier. The national weather service, Météo-France, said the country’s national heat index, an average of the day- and night-time highs measured at 30 weather stations across France, hit a new record of 30C (86F), the latest in a series of never-before-registered highs. The previous record of 29.4C (84.9F) was set during the heatwaves of August 2003 and July 2019. UK heat mapThe previous June record for the UK of 35.6C (96F) was set in Camden Square in London in 1957 and was reached again in Southampton in 1976. The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK is 40.3C (104.5F), reached on at Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Much of western Europe continued to swelter under extreme heat. At least 94 million people, most of them in France and Spain, were expected to experience temperatures above 35C (95F), according to AFP calculations. Across Europe, more than 350 million people – nearly two-thirds of the population – were exposed to temperatures of more than 30C (86F), the news agency added. In Spain, the national weather agency said the daily average temperature on Monday was 28.08C (82.5F) and 28.17C (82.7F) on Tuesday – the highest ever recorded for June, while France expanded the number of departments under red alert.
Did Colombia’s energy transition just come to a halt?
Share: X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Print Christopher Wright is the principal analyst at CarbonBridge, a decarbonisation consulting firm. Less than two months ago, Colombia hosted the world’s first international conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. This weekend, however, it appears that Colombia’s first ever leftist presidency has ended. Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who was last week strongly endorsed , will not only take the reins of government but also steer the future of Colombia’s energy transition. As the world’s sixth-largest coal exporter, and fourth largest oil exporter in Latin America, Colombia plays a critical role in the world’s energy markets. However, this role had shrunk under President Gustavo Petro’s administration, as it sought to proactively shift the country away from its fossil-fuel based economy, ahead of a potential oil and gas production shortage over the next decade. That could all change as De la Espriella’s takes power. Calling himself the Tiger (“El Tigre”), he has promised to focus on deregulation, exploit oil extraction "to the maximum” and leverage the energy sector as a key “engine of growth”. Colombia's world-leading energy transition Over the last four years, Colombia has embarked on one of the most rapid and holistic energy transitions anywhere in the world. Shortly after coming to power in 2022, the government of Gustavo Petro halted new oil and gas exploration contracts, suspended all hydraulic fracking pilots, and pledged to end the development of new unabated coal power plants. While many of these moves faced domestic and legislative challenges, they were widely praised in climate circles around the world. Log in here → Continue reading with free access For 15 years, Climate Home News has rigorously reported on the decisions shaping our climate. Join the community of readers who make this work possible. Join free and keep reading → It takes less than a minute. ×Log in to your account Forgot your password? Christopher Wright is the principal analyst at CarbonBridge, a decarbonisation consulting firm. Less than two months ago, Colombia hosted the world’s first international conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. This weekend, however, it appears that Colombia’s first ever leftist presidency has ended. Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who was last week strongly endorsed , will not only take the reins of government but also steer the future of Colombia’s energy transition. As the world’s sixth-largest coal exporter, and fourth largest oil exporter in Latin America, Colombia plays a critical role in the world’s energy markets.
Weather
View All 9Amber warning of extreme heat affecting South West England
This page has an accessible alternative. What do the warning colours mean? Red warning Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Amber warning There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property. Yellow warning Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations. It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered . Follow alerts in the app UK weather warnings Thu 25 Jun Red weather warning Fri 26 Jun Amber weather warning Sat 27 Jun Amber weather warning Sun 28 Jun No warnings Mon 29 Jun No warnings Tue 30 Jun No warnings Wed 1 Jul No warnings We are experiencing issues. These warnings may be out of date. Extreme heat × Wed 24 UTC+1 Today An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely. Keep yourself safe ; drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun. If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. Keep yourself safe whilst enjoying the water in this weather : enter the water gradually, avoiding jumping or diving straight in, to reduce your risk of cold-water shock, go to a lifeguarded beach or a supervised swimming area, and, if you, or anyone else, get into difficulty in the water, float on your back. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays , or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If using public transport, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself safe; carry water with you, take a small hand-held battery powered fan, if you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air, dress in light fabrics in light colours to help stay cooler, keep an eye on fellow passengers for signs they may be struggling.
Red warning of extreme heat affecting South West England
This page has an accessible alternative. What do the warning colours mean? Red warning Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Amber warning There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property. Yellow warning Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations. It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered . Follow alerts in the app UK weather warnings Thu 25 Jun Red weather warning Fri 26 Jun Amber weather warning Sat 27 Jun Amber weather warning Sun 28 Jun No warnings Mon 29 Jun No warnings Tue 30 Jun No warnings Wed 1 Jul No warnings We are experiencing issues. These warnings may be out of date. Extreme heat × Wed 24 UTC+1 Today An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely. Keep yourself safe ; drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun. If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. Keep yourself safe whilst enjoying the water in this weather : enter the water gradually, avoiding jumping or diving straight in, to reduce your risk of cold-water shock, go to a lifeguarded beach or a supervised swimming area, and, if you, or anyone else, get into difficulty in the water, float on your back. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays , or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If using public transport, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself safe; carry water with you, take a small hand-held battery powered fan, if you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air, dress in light fabrics in light colours to help stay cooler, keep an eye on fellow passengers for signs they may be struggling.
Today: Sunny, Minimum Temperature: 20°C (69°F) Maximum Temperature: 33°C (91°F)
This video can not be played Today will be a hot and humid day with plenty of sunshine and just the odd patch of cloud developing here and there. Tonight will begin clear and dry, however cloud and showers will push in later in the night, these heavy and thundery. Tomorrow is expected to be dry, hot and sunny with some areas of cloud moving in at times, particularly in the evening. Outlook for Saturday to Monday Not as hot as in comparison to previous days on Saturday but remaining warm for many. Plenty of sunshine and only a minor risk of the odd thundery shower in the afternoon. Sunshine and light showers on Sunday. Monday will see variable cloud and sunny spells. These warnings are given a colour depending on a combination of both the impact of the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring. Potential of bad weather situations causing disruption to travel and activities Increased potential of bad weather situations causing disruption to travel, risk to life and property Dangerous weather is expected, take action to keep yourself and others safe Report for Littleborough, Rochdale GanymedeReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported , Cheshire East MeanderingManshipsReported , Rochdale EarthstarReported by Earthstar
Friday: Thundery Showers, Minimum Temperature: 16°C (61°F) Maximum Temperature: 32°C (89°F)
This video can not be played Today will be a hot and humid day with plenty of sunshine and just the odd patch of cloud developing here and there. Tonight will begin clear and dry, however cloud and showers will push in later in the night, these heavy and thundery. Tomorrow is expected to be dry, hot and sunny with some areas of cloud moving in at times, particularly in the evening. Outlook for Saturday to Monday Not as hot as in comparison to previous days on Saturday but remaining warm for many. Plenty of sunshine and only a minor risk of the odd thundery shower in the afternoon. Sunshine and light showers on Sunday. Monday will see variable cloud and sunny spells. These warnings are given a colour depending on a combination of both the impact of the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring. Potential of bad weather situations causing disruption to travel and activities Increased potential of bad weather situations causing disruption to travel, risk to life and property Dangerous weather is expected, take action to keep yourself and others safe Report for Littleborough, Rochdale GanymedeReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported , Cheshire East MeanderingManshipsReported , Rochdale EarthstarReported by Earthstar
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