1+ min ago (612+ words) Letters: Dr Robin Lovell-Badge and Prof Emma Robinson respond to an editorial on using new technologies to reduce the reliance on animal experiments Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research Dr Robin Lovell-Badge and Prof Emma Robinson respond to an editorial on using new technologies to reduce the reliance on animal experiments I write in response to your editorial on animals in research (The Guardian view on animal testing: we can stop sacrificing millions of lives for our own health, 23 November). I am supportive of many aspects of the strategy to aid the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to replace the use of animals. However, much of this is geared towards regulatory testing, where the goals are more readily achievable, rather than for discovery science. All scientists working with animals in the UK have…...

2+ min ago (548+ words) The discussion over UPFs distracts from the real public health problem: meat and dairy products, writes Noah PraamsmaIt's time to clear up the confusion over ultra-processed foods (We know ultra-processed foods are bad for you " but can you spot them? Take our quiz, 21 November). Yes, eating UPFs made from animal products (like chicken nuggets and cheese in a squeeze bottle) can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, but UPFs from plants (like cereal, canned beans and even veggie burgers) can actually help keep you healthy.More and more leading health organisations agree that a more nuanced approach to UPFs is necessary. The American Medical Association recently passed a resolution that "supports and promotes public awareness and education about the differences between healthful foods and unhealthful ultra-processed foods. The American Heart Association also recently released a…...

2+ min ago (735+ words) Erica Averion responds to a report about Floridians being stuck in temporary jobs because of their criminal recordsI was incredibly saddened to see your article detailing how trapped so many Floridians are by their criminal records (Florida workers with criminal records trapped by temp agencies, report finds, 18 November). My work often takes me into Florida's prisons, where I help people prepare for their strongest possible futures upon their release. But a record quickly creates barriers to finding a job after prison, pushing many people toward exploitative temp agencies like those highlighted in this piece.One way to solve this issue is to automate the record-sealing process. While Florida technically has a process for expunging eligible records after a predetermined amount of time, the time and money it takes prohibit those who need it most from accessing it. Thirteen states and…...

3+ min ago (360+ words) Victims who died range from "juveniles to adults" in attack on banquet hall in Stockton, county sheriff"s office says Four people have died and eleven were wounded after a shooting at a family gathering in northern California on Saturday night, police said. The victims who died, who range in age from eight to 21 , were taken to local hospitals, Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff"s office, said. "What we have confirmed at this time is that there was a banquet hall where a family was celebrating." San Joaquin County Sheriff"s office said on social media that "approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased", adding that information about the shooting was limited. The sheriff"s office said detectives were "working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy…...

7+ min ago (149+ words) Floodwaters continued to rise on Sunday in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, and the neighbouring Gampaha district, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of residents from low-lying areas. Officials reported nearly 200 people dead and hundreds still missing after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island.Sri Lanka's capital hit by floods as cyclone death toll nears 200Indonesia and Thailand floods death toll passes 600 with hundreds still missing Continue reading... Floodwaters continued to rise on Sunday in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, and the neighbouring Gampaha district, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of residents from low-lying areas. Officials reported nearly 200 people dead and hundreds still missing after a powerful cyclone triggered heavy rains and mudslides across the island. Sri Lanka's capital hit by floods as cyclone death toll nears 200 Indonesia and Thailand floods death toll passes 600 with hundreds still missing...

24+ min ago (829+ words) Tory special needs reforms upended council finances, but Labour's plan to rebuild public provision won't come cheap if it's done properlyThe crisis over special educational needs and disabilities in England is not just a question of cash. Children and parents spend months and years battling for support to which the law entitles them, schools lack the funding to meet needs, and specialist provision is inadequate. An adversarial system shunts families towards tribunals that councils almost invariably lose.Tory reforms created obligations for local authorities but did not adequately fund them " allowing ministers to duck responsibility. The result has been financial chaos, with the overall overspend on special educational needs and disabilities (Send) predicted to reach "6.6bn by next March, and keep rising. Taking responsibility for funding away from councils and handing it to the Department for Education is the right move....

28+ min ago (427+ words) Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah was still in is plans after he was left out for the win against West Ham Mohamed Salah still in Liverpool's plans, says Arne Slot Egyptian left on bench in win at West Ham "Mo will have a very good future at club' Arne Slot played down the significance of his decision to leave Mohamed Salah out of Sunday's Liverpool's 2-0 victory at West Ham. Salah had been selected for every league game for which was available since a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium in April 2024, when J'rgen Klopp was still manager, but Slot was keen to stress that this does not mean that the Egyptian's time at the club is coming to an end. "I get this question a lot," Slot said, referring to occasions when he's omitted Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak " who scored his…...

30+ min ago (139+ words) " Updates from across seven 6pm GMT Sunday games " The Super Bowl Shuffle at 40 | Mail Graham Hello, football fans! What a treat week 13 has been already. Chicago being a Super Bowl contender certainly wasn't on my bingo card but football is like a box of chocolates. Delicious. The action continues with a selection of seven games at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first): (6-6) Carolina Panthers v Los Angeles Rams (9-2) (3-8) Cleveland Browns v San Francisco 49ers (8-4) (8-3) Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans (6-5) (4-7) Miami Dolphins v New Orleans Saints (2-9) (2-9) New York Jets v Atlanta Falcons (4-7) (6-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Arizona Cardinals (3-8) (1-10) Tennessee Titans v Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)...

34+ min ago (205+ words) Barcelona midfielder faces lengthy spell out Blow to Spain's chances in second leg of final The three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmat" has been ruled out of Spain's Nations League final second leg at home against Germany after fracturing her left fibula in training. The Barcelona midfielder, who has topped the Guardian's list of the 100 best female footballers in the world for the past two years, fell awkwardly during a session on Sunday and tests have revealed a broken leg. Catalan media suggested Bonmat" would be out for "a minimum of two months" as she heals from the injury, which could rise above three if she requires surgery. "Aitana Bonmat" finished the morning session at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas in pain after a bad landing in an accidental action," the Spanish Football Federation said in a statement....

41+ min ago (1096+ words) Exclusive: PM hits back at critics as he insists Rachel Reeves right to impose "26bn worth of tax rises at budget Keir Starmer: Labour is getting on with the job of economic renewal Labour's economic plan will take years to deliver in full, Keir Starmer has said as he tries to regain the narrative after a turbulent response to last week's budget. In an article for the Guardian, the prime minister hit back at his political opponents, insisting the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was right to impose "26bn worth of tax rises. He also promised a long-term plan that he said should be judged at the end of the parliament. Starmer's comments form part of a broader intervention designed to bolster his and Reeves's position after days of arguments about whether the chancellor had needed to put up taxes to their highest levels…...