News Briefs.

Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket are gaining popularity in the US, raising concerns about their potential impact on gambling addicts. These platforms allow users to bet on the outcome of events, from sports to elections. Although they are…

Children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has urged MPs to prioritise pleasure over learning in children's reading. He argues that fostering a love of reading in early years is crucial for a child's development. Cottrell-Boyce made the remarks during a parliamentary hearing…

The iconic cannon from the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly has been traced to a museum in Spain. This cannon was famously used by Clint Eastwood's character to blast a bridge, killing several soldiers and allowing…

Labour MPs have been urged by two senior ministers to end anonymous briefings against colleagues. Yvette Cooper and Jonathan Reynolds made the plea, emphasizing the need for mutual support within the party. The call comes amid reports of internal divisions…

Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in Beijing for a state visit, marking his 25th trip to China. The Russian leader's visit comes shortly after a visit by former US President Donald Trump. Putin has stated that relations between Russia…

Spain's former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under criminal investigation for his role in a €53m bailout of the airline Spanair. The investigation centers on allegations of influence-peddling. Zapatero, who served as PM from 2004 to 2011, has…

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield byelection. The party has announced that no other candidates were shortlisted for the election, which is expected to take place on 18 June.…

A New York federal judge has ruled that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are barred from making arrests at three Manhattan immigration courts. The decision, handed down on Thursday, aims to prevent ICE from detaining individuals and their…

The UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport has stated that there must be consequences for criminality, following rape allegations made by three women against their onscreen partners on the reality TV show Married at First Sight. Former Channel 4…

The recent trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has shed light on the inner workings of the AI industry. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, sued the company and its CEO, Altman, over governance and control issues. The trial revealed…

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will investigate the death of Nicholas Stone, a retired NHS worker, following contact with police at a protest in Bristol. Stone died after becoming unwell during a demonstration against the far-right Bristol Patriots…

Canadian environmental groups are expressing concern that the development of a pipeline could harm orcas in the region. The pipeline, part of a larger push by Canadian officials to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, may violate laws protecting endangered species. Southern…

Voters in six states are casting ballots in primary elections, with a key contest in Kentucky. Representative Thomas Massie, a senior Republican, is facing a challenge from a Trump-backed candidate. Massie has been a vocal critic of former President Donald…