The German parliament has narrowly passed a motion urging tough restrictions on immigration that was highly controversial because it was backed by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party. The motion was brought by the conservative opposition CDU-CSU and backed by, among others, the AfD, breaking a longstanding taboo on cooperation with the anti-immigration party. MPs…
Genetic diversity in animals and plants has declined globally over the past three decades, an analysis of more than 600 species has found. The research, published in the journal Nature, found declines in two-thirds of the populations studied, but noted that urgent conservation efforts could halt or even reverse genetic diversity losses. Dozens of scientists…
Lloyds Banking Group has revealed plans to shut another 136 branches, weeks after a policy allowing customers to do their in-person banking across any of its three brands sparked fears that bosses could close up to a quarter of its high street sites. The move will cut the group’s branch network by a further 15%,…
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is to complete a hat-trick of Hamlets with another version of the play unveiled as part of its spring 2025 programme. James Ijames’s Pulitzer prize-winning play, Fat Ham, is not a straightforward adaptation of the Shakespeare play, but rather a production that “both echoes Hamlet and finds a language beyond…
Two of England’s privatised water monopolies, the South West Water owner Pennon and United Utilities, have said they will increase dividend payments to investors, as they prepare to raise household bills. The companies said they had accepted the regulator Ofwat’s final determination of what they may charge customers – removing the possibility of an appeal…
The bishop of Liverpool has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by two women. John Perumbalath denies the allegations from 2023, which come months after the Church of England was embroiled in an abuse scandal that triggered the resignation of the archbishop of Canterbury. Perumbalath said police had investigated the allegations but taken no…
Vets need to stop “profiteering” by giving dogs and cats preventive flea treatments that are wiping out insects and songbirds, according to a well-known scientist. The standard practice in the UK at present is to advise that customers take a preventative approach, treating their pets every couple of months even if they don’t have fleas….
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Trump invites Netanyahu to be first foreign leader to visit White House Andrew Roth Donald Trump has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to be the first foreign leader to visit the White House, in a major concession to a US ally who is…
The first step towards creating a Celtic rainforest – a now extremely rare habitat that once covered large swathes of the west coast of Britain – has been completed in Devon. More than 2,500 native trees have been planted so far this winter at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Bowden Pillars site, above the Dart valley and…
Orcas have a taste for shark liver and prey on great white sharks in Australian waters, researchers have confirmed by using DNA analysis. In October 2023, the maimed carcass of a 4.7m great white shark washed ashore near Portland, in southwest Victoria, missing its liver, digestive and reproductive organs. Two days earlier, citizen scientists witnessed…
