Author: Liam Porter

This observatory has probably been the most transformative astronomy project of the 21st century, but there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of it. Just last week, for instance, the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City debuted a new “space show” called Encounters in the Milky Way—and this often overlooked spacecraft is its scientific superstar. But you’re more likely to know about actor Pedro Pascal’s narration in the show than you are to be familiar with the single space mission that serves as the presentation’s backbone.The observatory is called Gaia. And, like…

new video loaded: Israel and Iran Continue to Exchange Attacks Into ThursdaytranscriptBacktranscriptIsrael and Iran Continue to Exchange Attacks Into ThursdayThe strikes highlight the risks to civilians in Israel and Iran after days of fighting between the two countries.“I’ve been traveling to Europe, but my flight has been canceled and I had to travel through a land border, and I’ve been traveling for 28 hours now. Probably need to travel another 24 hours to reach Istanbul because of the war situation. I come from Isfahan, and the situation in Iran is quite terrible now. I hope that this war ends soon.”Recent…

In its biggest ruling of the term, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee law that prohibits some medical treatments for transgender youths, shielding similar laws in more than 20 other states. Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, describes the three factions of justices in the 6-to-3 decision.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a conference marking the 75th anniversary of the International Finance Division of the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2025.Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesThe Federal Reserve sees inflation rising again to top 3% this year amid the uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s trade policies and intensifying geopolitical risk.Federal Open Market Committee participants said at their June meeting that they expect the core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, to increase at a 3.1% rate in 2025, higher than their prior forecast of 2.8% in…

Garmin’s new top running watch, the Forerunner 970, has very big shoes to fill as it attempts to replace one of the best training and race companions available. Can a built-in torch, a software revamp and voice control really make a difference?The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.The new top-of-the-line Forerunner takes the body of the outgoing Forerunner 965 and squeezes in a much brighter display, useful new running analytics and more of the advanced tech from Garmin’s flagship adventure watch the Fenix 8.These upgrades come at a…

Getty ImagesDivya Talwar & Sarah BellBBC NewsMaternity services at two Leeds hospitals have been downgraded from “good” to “inadequate” by the healthcare regulator, because their failings posed “a significant risk” to women and babies.Concerns from staff and patients around quality of care and staffing levels were substantiated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) during unannounced inspections at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust.England’s regulator has now issued a warning notice which requires the trust to take immediate action to improve. Neonatal services have also been downgraded from “good” to “requires improvement”.Over the past six months, the BBC has spoken to…

Bayer Leverkusen are in talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign defender Jarell Quansah, a source told ESPN.Negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, with Quansah having signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool last October.The 22-year-old centre-back joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of five, making his senior debut for the club against Newcastle United in August 2023.Quansah enjoyed a successful breakthrough campaign under Jürgen Klopp in 2023-24, making 33 appearances in all competitions.Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah could join Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)However, the England youth international — who is representing his country at…

Teklemariam BekitEditor, BBC TigrinyaAFP via Getty ImagesFor many Eritreans, the hopes of the early days of the presidency of Isaias (left in 1994) have been dashed 30 years laterOnce hailed as part of a new generation of reformist African leaders, Eritrea’s president, who recently marked 32 years in power, has long defied expectations.Isaias Afwerki now spends much of his time at his rural residence on a dusty hillside some 20km (12 miles) from the capital, Asmara.With the cabinet not having met since 2018, all power flows through him, and like a potentate he receives a string of local officials and…

Frank GardnerBBC Security CorrespondentGetty ImagesPeople gather outside the UK parliament protesting against Israel’s attacks on IranIs this, some will be wondering, 2003 all over again? In 2003 Britain joined the US in a highly controversial military campaign against Iraq in a quest to rid it of its supposed arsenal of “weapons of mass destruction”. These turned out to have all been destroyed years previously.As America’s closest but junior ally, Britain is almost certain to be affected in some way by what happens now in the Middle East. If Donald Trump decides to commit US forces to help Israel eliminate Iran’s…

Confidence among UK consumers has improved but remains fragile in the face of expected petrol price rises amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to a leading index.The latest snapshot from the data company GfK says sentiment improved by two points in June but remained in negative territory at -18, well below the -12 of a year ago. A reading above zero indicates optimism; below indicates pessimism.The last time the headline index, which is closely watched by the government and the Bank of England, was positive was in January 2016, when it was at 4. It has had double-digit…