Saudi Arabia said the Houthis had directed a drone attack at Mecca, an allegation the Iran-backed group denied. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a condemnation of the attack.
Mecca holds the highest religious significance in Islam and is the destination for the yearly Hajj pilgrimage. Further details are expected as events unfold.
Earlier reports and follow-ups on the same developing story.
Chain restocks stores in operation named after singer of I will Survive after US owners release funds Poundland’s under-fire US owners have released funds to help the stricken discount chain restock shelves temporarily, keeping hopes of a rescue deal alive in the run-up to crunch talks with the government. In an emergency resupply effort codenamed “Operation Gloria” by senior Poundland staff, about 16m grocery items were dispatched to 600 shops in the UK and Ireland over the weekend. Continue reading...
Community union Acorn is helping people fight unfair bills, AI decision-making and housing injustices as cost of living crisis deepens Yasmin didn’t expect to find herself sitting across a negotiating table from executives at one of Britain’s biggest water companies. But her growing frustration with her water bills had led her to launch a national campaign. The 34-year-old single mother from Manchester had endured unexplained charges and a nine-month wait for a water meter. She went to the community union Acorn to propose a campaign that would in time force four large water companies into negotiations. United Utilities eventually apologised for its handling of her case and credited £250 to her account. Continue reading...
Courts have issued stinging rebukes to president’s ‘blatant’ financial ploys as pro-democracy groups defend ‘government of laws, not of men’ pillar Donald Trump’s legal and political ploys to increase his wealth and boost Republican electoral prospects have fueled lawsuits by non-partisan groups, prompting federal judges to issue stinging rejections to some of the president’s schemes. Several lawsuits were filed in 2026 against Trump’s schemes to benefit his bottom line by reducing potential tax liabilities, boosting his Truth Social platform financially by offering big investors early access to his posts, and helping Republicans by using federal funds to pay for highly partisan ads touting Trump’s record in the run-up to the midterm elections, in which Republicans suffered a heavy defeat. Continue reading...
From Aldi candles to Quince’s cashmere jumpers, cut-price versions of high-end sellers have gone mainstream. But is it fair? For fans of the festive season nothing is more Christmassy than lighting a super-sized botanical candle with its trim of orange slices and berries. But as the notes of cinnamon and clove fill the room will you be burning money spent on the White Company’s £95 “winter indulgence” candle that customers describe as the “scent of Christmas”. Or have you followed TikTok’s advice and bought the Aldi “dupe” for £25. Continue reading...
EV makers have had to contend with flip-flopping regulatory support from Washington over the years.
Flight disruptions lingered two days after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded departures nationwide for more than four hours.