‘I have no regrets’: Ex-federal officials flock to California

SACRAMENTO, California — The ongoing government shutdown is leaving federal paychecks and jobs in limbo. California’s smelling a recruitment opportunity. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign to recruit former federal workers has yielded a steady stream of job applications since its launch in March, at the peak of the Elon Musk-led job cuts that saw tens of … Read more

Japan’s parliament elects nation’s first female prime minister

“Political stability is essential right now,” said Sanae Takaichi. TOKYO — Japan’s parliament elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister Tuesday, a day after her struggling party struck a coalition deal with a new partner expected to pull her governing bloc further to the right. Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a … Read more

Reform council leader says she has launched hunt for ‘cowards’ behind leaked video

The leader of Reform UK’s flagship local authority has told her fellow councillors that she launched a hunt for the “cowards” who leaked a recorded meeting in which she said those who disagreed with decisions would have to “fucking suck it up”. Bitter divisions among Reform members of Kent county council, one of 10 controlled … Read more

Housing market slows amid fears Reeves will increase property taxes

Post-summer bounce in activity fails to materialise as buyers and sellers, in the south especially, opt to ‘wait and see’ The UK’s housing market is showing signs of slowing down amid speculation that Rachel Reeves could announce tax increases on property in next month’s budget. In a sign of growing caution among house hunters, figures … Read more

Don’t cut London’s affordable housing quotas, Labour MPs urge ministers and mayor

Exclusive: Housing secretary and capital’s mayor face calls from within party for rethink on homebuilding plans Labour MPs are urging ministers and the London mayor to drop controversial plans to reduce affordable housing quotas in the capital in order to boost homebuilding. MPs have said they are concerned about the proposals being drawn up by … Read more

B&M ousts finance chief as it warns again on profits after £7m accounts error

Discount retailer looks for successor for Mike Schmidt, who is stepping down as chief financial officer The discount retailer B&M has ousted its finance chief after reporting a £7m accounts blunder that will cut its annual earnings – its second profit warning within two weeks. The company told investors it looking for a successor to … Read more

Millions exploited by ‘menopause gold rush’ amid lack of reliable information, say UK experts

Women’s health academics at UCL call for national education programme to combat misinformation and unregulated advice Millions of women are being exploited by a “menopause gold rush” as companies, celebrities and influencers take advantage of a “dearth” of reliable information on the issue, experts have said. Healthcare companies and content creators saw menopause as a … Read more