LONDON (AP) — The British government has discreetly relaxed certain restrictions on Russian oil in a move aimed at shielding households from rising living expenses following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. A new trade license that took effect on Wednesday allows the import of Russian crude that has been processed into jet fuel and diesel in other countries, including India and Turkey. The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s decision to close the

The United States has announced a further 30-day extension of a sanctions waiver that permits the purchase of Russian seaborne oil, aiming to support “energy-vulnerable” nations affected by the conflict involving Iran. The decision reverses earlier indications that no additional extension would be granted. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the department issued a new 30-day general license after the previous waiver expired on Saturday. The measure allows temporary access to Russian

The countdown has begun for Q-Day — the uncertain but inevitable moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to swiftly crack the encryption that protects most of today’s online communications. Researchers have understood this theoretical danger since the 1990s. Recently, however, Google cautioned that some encrypted systems could be vulnerable as early as 2029 — a projection that sharply shortens the preparation window many cybersecurity experts once assumed they had. If accurate,

From far-flung islands and untamed moorland to tranquil canals and vast, star-filled skies, these six destinations capture the very essence of England in summer. Summer in England has a gentle, heady charm. As daylight lingers late into the evening, London’s parks fill with picnickers and festival crowds, while the golden stone of Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds radiates warmth beneath the afternoon sun. Each year, the summer solstice once again casts its ancient spell over Stonehenge. Yet

WASHINGTON (AP) — American and Nigerian forces have killed a senior Islamic State leader in Nigeria during a joint operation conducted on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced. In a late-night social media statement, Trump disclosed the mission carried out in Africa’s most populous nation but provided limited operational details. He identified the militant as Abu Bakr al-Mainuki and described him as the Islamic State group’s global second-in-command, saying he had attempted to conceal

Homo erectus, a prehistoric human species, was the first of our ancestors known to leave Africa. It spread across multiple continents and survived for nearly 2 million years. Despite its long history and wide reach, the species remains one of the most puzzling chapters in human evolution, largely because usable genetic material has been extremely difficult to recover. Researchers have now extracted ancient proteins from six teeth discovered in China, uncovering for the first time a molecular

A record-setting and deadly heatwave sweeping across South Asia has driven temperatures to perilous levels, disrupting everyday life for hundreds of millions of people and intensifying concerns about the fragility of one of the world’s most densely populated regions. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are among the countries experiencing temperatures far above seasonal norms, with some areas nearing or surpassing 45-50 degrees Celsius (113-122 degrees Fahrenheit). Recommended Stories • list 1 of

Turning 50 this month, Kraftwerk's single Radioactivity stands as a landmark recording that gradually evolved into the German electronic innovators’ most overtly political statement. From the quivering opening moments of Radioactivity – the crackle of a Geiger counter, swelling synthesizers, and sharp Morse code tapping out the title – it is clear that something transformative is unfolding. The centrepiece of Kraftwerk’s fifth studio album, Radio-Activity (1975), feels at once like a

In May 1917, three children in Portugal announced that they had witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary in a rural field. The messages they said they received would later be interpreted as prophecies that shaped anti-communist feeling during the Cold War. Decades later, in 1992, a witness described the reported “miracles” to the BBC. On 13 May 1917, 10-year-old Lucia dos Santos and her younger cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were tending sheep near Fátima when they claimed to see a

Cambridge South station, whose opening was postponed, is now set to welcome passengers in late June – and it will make history as the first station to carry full Great British Railways branding, according to the government. Located next to the city’s Biomedical Campus, recognised as Europe’s largest centre for medical research, the new station will provide direct rail connections to London, Brighton and Stansted Airport. It will also offer as many as nine services per hour into central

Passengers have started leaving the cruise ship linked to the hantavirus outbreak, Spain’s Ministry of Health confirmed, as part of a carefully coordinated international repatriation effort. The vessel, MV Hondius, docked early Sunday at the Spanish island of Tenerife with 147 people on board. Small boats were used to transfer passengers from the ship, which remained anchored off the Port of Granadilla, to the island. Once ashore, passengers boarded waiting buses that transported them directly

The island of Brijuni, once a secluded retreat for Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, is now open to visitors and offers one of the most remarkable backstories among European holiday destinations. Located near the Croatian city of Pula, the island forms part of Brijuni National Park. Here, guests can see genuine dinosaur footprints, a car once used by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit, and exotic animals that were presented as diplomatic gifts by world leaders. For many years, the island was

A US trade court ruled on Thursday against Donald Trump’s recent 10% global tariffs, determining that the sweeping measures were not warranted under a trade statute from the 1970s. The US Court of International Trade sided with a group of small businesses that had challenged the tariffs, which came into force on 24 February. The decision was issued in a 2-1 vote, with one judge dissenting on the grounds that it was too early to grant judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. The small businesses

Sorry. Sorry to interrupt. Sorry I’m late. Sorry about the rain. Sorry for everything just mentioned. In the UK, “sorry” is more than an apology; it is a cultural reflex – a compact, five-letter safety valve deployed to cushion requests, ease tension, plug conversational silences and prevent the ultimate social offence of appearing rude. It is hardly surprising that icons of exaggerated politeness like Paddington Bear and Mary Poppins come from Britain. On average, Britons say “sorry” around

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is continuing his campaign against intoxicated passengers who disrupt flights. As far back as two years ago, the head of Europe’s largest low-cost airline suggested that airports should limit alcohol sales to no more than two drinks per traveler before departure. He has now gone further, arguing that airport bars should completely stop selling alcohol during certain hours of the day, particularly in the early morning. The 65-year-old executive, who has led Ryanair

The robotics entrepreneur who helped bring the Roomba vacuum into millions of homes is now pursuing a new idea: a plush robotic companion that could one day stand in for a cherished dog or cat, trailing behind you and adjusting to your everyday routines. On Monday, Colin Angle introduced a four-legged prototype of this artificial pet, known as the Familiar. About the size of a bulldog, it features wide, gentle eyes and rounded ears and paws reminiscent of a bear cub. The creature can stretch

Heathrow’s newly appointed chair has begun discussions with airlines and billionaire property developer Surinder Arora in an effort to calm a dispute that risks causing further delays to the £49bn proposal for a third runway at Europe’s busiest airport. Philip Jansen, who took up the role earlier this year, is believed to have met with major carriers and with Arora, who is promoting a rival £25bn expansion blueprint, to explore compromise solutions in an ongoing disagreement over costs and

Israel’s armed forces have announced new evacuation directives for residents of several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including locations outside the areas currently held by Israeli troops, despite an existing truce intended to pause hostilities with Hezbollah. In a statement posted Sunday on social media, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, urged civilians to leave immediately. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes at once and move at least

WASHINGTON, May 2 - Bankrupt low-cost airline Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday, becoming the first airline failure tied to the ongoing Iran war, after it was unable to win creditor backing for a proposed U.S. government rescue package. The shutdown marks the first airline collapse linked to the sharp rise in jet fuel prices during the two-month conflict, a development that will eliminate thousands of jobs. The failure also represents a setback for President Donald Trump, who had

NEW YORK (AP) — Two years ago, Foo Fighters were on the verge of a major comeback in New York City. That summer, they took the stage before a packed crowd at Citi Field in Queens — a ballpark that can hold nearly 42,000 people — but their explosive performance was abruptly halted by severe weather. Heavy rain and dangerous lightning created unsafe conditions, forcing the show to end early. In hindsight, the interruption felt symbolic; the following two years would prove turbulent for the group.