UK falling behind on tackling microplastic pollution, scientists say

Researchers call for urgent action as fragments of plastic found in human brains and pollute food, water and air

The UK is falling behind on international efforts to tackle microplastics, scientists have said, as the pollutants continue to infiltrate food, ecosystems and human bodies.

The tiny fragments of plastic have been found in human testicles and brains, and they burrow into plants, inhibiting their ability to photosynthesise. The impact on human health is largely unknown, but they have been linked to strokes and heart attacks.

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Aviation industry is ‘failing dramatically’ on climate, insiders say

Professionals call for a fundamental transition including controlling flight numbers

The aviation industry is “failing dramatically” in its efforts to tackle its role in the climate crisis, according to a newly formed group of aviation professionals.

They say they are torn between their passion for flying and their concern for the planet and are calling for a fundamental transition of the industry, including controlling flight numbers.

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Ukraine war: Russia closes Moscow airports after drone attack – BBC

  1. Ukraine war: Russia closes Moscow airports after drone attack  BBC
  2. Russian drones hit Kharkiv after Ukrainian attacks temporarily close Moscow airports  BBC
  3. Ukrainian drones attack Moscow, halting flights ahead of major military parade  CNN
  4. Ukraine war briefing: Second night of Moscow drone raids, Kursk substation hit  The Guardian
  5. Ukraine drones attack Moscow, disrupt Victory Day planning in Russia  ABC News
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Australia toxic mushroom trial: Sole survivor Ian Wilkinson testifies – BBC

  1. Australia toxic mushroom trial: Sole survivor Ian Wilkinson testifies  BBC
  2. Surviving guest recalls becoming deathly ill after lunch  The Age
  3. Erin Patterson was ‘very reluctant’ for fatal mushroom lunch guests to look in her pantry, court hears  The Independent
  4. The timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trial  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  5. Mushroom lunch’s sole surviving guest details deadly meal and its aftermath as trial of Erin Patterson continues  The Guardian
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The Post wins Pulitzers for Trump rally shooting stories, editorial cartoons – The Washington Post

  1. The Post wins Pulitzers for Trump rally shooting stories, editorial cartoons  The Washington Post
  2. The New York Times Wins 4 Pulitzer Prizes  The New York Times
  3. The Times’ Gustavo Arellano is Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary  Los Angeles Times
  4. New York Times wins 4 Pulitzers; ProPublica wins public service medal again  Politico
  5. The Wall Street Journal, ProPublica and Reuters Win Pulitzer Prizes  WSJ
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Many in US and western Europe think ‘third world war likely within five to 10 years’

Exclusive: Poll before 80th anniversary of VE Day finds tensions with Russia seen as most probable cause

Eighty years after the second world war, polling shows many Americans and western Europeans believe an even more devastating third global conflict could break out within a decade, with tensions with Russia seen as the most probable cause.

As Europe prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the YouGov polling also showed large majorities felt that events during and before the second world war were relevant today and must continue to be taught to younger generations.

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India’s leader Modi touted all was well in Kashmir. A massacre of tourists shattered that claim – AP News

  1. India's leader Modi touted all was well in Kashmir. A massacre of tourists shattered that claim  AP News
  2. Not revenge or retaliation, but a paradigm shift  The Hindu
  3. Militants’ denial of Pahalgam atrocity blame was predictable  Asia Times
  4. Dozens killed as gunmen massacre tourists in Kashmir beauty spot  CNN
  5. Cover fire for terrorists: Indian envoy to Ireland issues stinging reply to biased editorial on Pahalgam by Irish Times  The Tribune
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New Zealand’s prime minister proposes social media ban for under-16s

The draft bill is modelled on Australian laws and would force digital platforms to verify the age of users or face heavy fines

New Zealand’s prime minister has proposed banning children under 16 years old from using social media, in an effort to protect young people from harms such as exposure to violent content and cyberbullying.

Christopher Luxonsaid on Tuesday the draft law would force social media companies to verify users were at least 16 before allowing them to create an account, or face fines of up to NZ$2m ($1.2m).

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Rwanda says talks underway with US to host deported migrants

Foreign minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirms talks on agreement that appears to bear hallmarks of policy pushes that failed in UK and Australia

Rwanda confirmed on Monday that discussions were “underway” with the United States regarding a potential agreement to host deported migrants.

Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, told state media on Sunday that the talks were in the “early stage.” When asked by the Associated Press on Monday, he confirmed the talks.

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Trump: ‘There Are 21 Israeli Hostages Alive in Gaza – Plus a Lot of Dead Bodies’ – Haaretz

  1. Trump: 'There Are 21 Israeli Hostages Alive in Gaza - Plus a Lot of Dead Bodies'  Haaretz
  2. Israeli airstrike on central Gaza school compound housing displaced people kills 22, as military operation intensifies  CNN
  3. Updates: Israel kills 40, ‘world complicit’ in starvation of Gaza children  Al Jazeera
  4. IDF, Shin Bet attack Hamas terrorists in central Gaza Strip  The Jerusalem Post
  5. Reported impact snapshot | Gaza Strip (30 April 2025)  ochaopt.org
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Trump called for 100% tariff on foreign films a day after Jon Voight proposed ‘limited’ tariffs

Actor was assigned by Trump to come up with a plan to save Hollywood, but his proposal only included tariffs ‘in certain limited circumstances’

US president Donald Trump announced his 100% tariff on films “coming into our country produced in foreign lands” one day after meeting with actor Jon Voight to discuss his proposals to bring film production back to the US – which only suggested that tariffs could be used “in certain limited circumstances”.

The Midnight Cowboy and Heat actor, who was appointed a “special ambassador” to Hollywood by Trump, has been meeting with studios, streamers, unions and guilds for months to develop a plan to lure film and television productions back to the US. Production companies often seek more cost-effective locations or tax incentives in other countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy and Spain.

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