Bet365 boss pockets £280m as millions harmed by gambling
Latest figures from the Gambling Commission show that 2.7 per cent of adults in the UK (around 1.4 million people) experience problem gambling. He observed that while Coates donates millions to local causes, the NHS-funded West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic counts former Bet365 customers among its clients. Families torn apartThe Gambling Commission’s 2025 annual survey on gambling harm revealed that almost half of adults in Britain gambled in September. While it claimed that the increase in problem gambling was “statistically stable”, Will Prochaska, the Director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, disagreed. But there’s something very wrong when over a million people have a gambling problem and millions more are being harmed.
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 17:24 UTC
US will pour $115 million into counter-drone tech ahead of World Cup
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., U.S. - December 5, 2025 General view of the FIFA World Cup trophy during the draw. - Mandel Ngan/Pool/ReutersThe Department of Homeland Security on Monday said it would invest $115 million in counter-drone technologies to secure the World Cup and events marking 250 years of American independence. The US co-hosting one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, the FIFA World Cup, this summer has intensified pressure on federal officials to do more to prevent drones from disrupting proceedings. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, a part of DHS, last month gave $250 million to 11 states hosting World Cup matches to buy counter-drone technology. The drug cartels that the Trump administration have declared terrorist groups have embraced drones for smuggling and surveillance.
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 16:25 UTC
New deal for leisure provider
A LEISURE centre services provider, which runs the Henley leisure centre, has had its contract with two district councils extended until 2029. South Oxfordshire District Council extended its contract with Better, which has delivered leisure services at centres across the district for several years. It also serves Vale of White Horse, and since 2014, it has operated under a joint contract with both councils. The councils opted for short-term contracts due to the Government planning to reorganise councils in Oxfordshire in the coming years. Counsellor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Better has provided us with a good service for over 10 years and we are grateful for everything they have delivered.
Source:Express
January 12, 2026 14:08 UTC
Inspecting claim about Brigitte Bardot's reported racial hatred convictions
Snopes found substantial reporting confirming at least five of Bardot's convictions and strong — but not definitive — evidence supporting a sixth. pic.twitter.com/u76r942Hd9 — Louis Pisano (@LouisPisano) December 28, 2025Snopes readers wrote in and searched the site to determine whether the claim about Bardot's convictions was true. In sum, we found substantial reporting confirming at least five of Bardot's convictions, and strong — but not definitive — evidence supporting a sixth. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementBelow, we examine the evidence for Bardot's convictions, beginning in 2021 and working backward to 1997. This would likely refer to the 2021 charge, which Le Monde reported was for "public insults of a racial and religious nature," not inciting racial hatred.
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 14:03 UTC
How to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid: TV channel and live stream for El Clasico today
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Source:Express
January 12, 2026 13:32 UTC
When AI, unemployment, and inflation collide
Exciting economic policy tools can't resolve either problem. I've talked about the fact that I think it is going to cause an economic crash several times. My point is that the analysis of AI in economic terms remains naive. AI is becoming a source of serious systemic economic risk, is my point. Why is AI important enough for us to have to go through a recession, an economic crash, an increase in inequality, and the abuse of our planet?
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 13:07 UTC
Micah Richards ‘has bone to pick with Liam Rosenior’ over Chelsea manager’s historic interview
MICAH RICHARDS says he has a “bone to pick” with Liam Rosenior over an interview he gave nearly 20 years ago. New Chelsea manager Rosenior made a dream start on Saturday night as his side thrashed Charlton in the FA Cup. But before they got into the nitty-gritty, Richards called out Rosenior – a fellow right-back – for his prior comments about a potential England call-up. Richards said: “I’ve got a bone to pick with Rosenior. The former Manchester City star shared more thoughts on Rosenior’s Chelsea appointment, saying: “The only worry is, what do Chelsea want from him?
Source:The Times
January 12, 2026 12:39 UTC
Man Utd 1 Brighton 2: Welbeck dumps woeful United out of FA Cup with dream of trophy rescuing miserable season over
United will struggle to make the Conference League on the evidence of this FA Cup exit. The 18-year-old tried his utmost to keep United’s season alive and this latest crisis is certainly not on him. Man Utd ratings: Dalot back to his worst and Cunha in need of a rest in FA Cup defeat to Brighton MANCHESTER UNITED were dumped out of the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2014 after a miserable 2-1 defeat to Brighton. Benjamin Sesko gave United late hope with a back-post header. It is the second time Welbeck has consigned United to a season without silverware, having knocked them out of the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2015.
Source:Express
January 12, 2026 11:49 UTC
Ofcom launches formal investigation into X over AI chatbot concerns
The decision to launch the formal investigation was made after Ofcom reviewed available evidence “as a matter of urgency”. Ms Kendall said: “I welcome Ofcom’s urgency in launching a formal investigation today. “It is vital that Ofcom complete this investigation swiftly because the public – and most importantly the victims – will not accept any delay. Speaking before the investigation was launched, she said: “I think banning X is the wrong answer. “My fear is we will end up suppressing Grok and further suppressing free speech and we do not want to do that.”
Source:The Times
January 12, 2026 11:42 UTC
Nadhim Zahawi ‘begged for peerage’ before defecting to Reform, claim Tories
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Source:The Times
January 12, 2026 11:24 UTC
UK needs to show leadership in ‘catastrophic’ Sudan crisis, aid agencies say
CATASTROPHIC conditions in Sudan, where war has raged for 1000 days, require the British Government to improve its “inconsistent” leadership on the crisis, a coalition of 13 charities has said. In a letter to the Times on Saturday, leaders at aid agencies including World Vision, Christian Aid, and Tearfund wrote: “As the UN security council lead on Sudan, the UK has a rare platform to drive action, but its leadership has been inconsistent. “Sustained, rapid and safe humanitarian access across Sudan must be made a priority by the UK and the international community, alongside funding that reaches frontline responders so that aid reaches every community in need.”The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest in the world. Last month, the UK Government applied sanctions to four senior commanders of the RSF. Last month, the Government announced an additional £21 million funding for the crisis, taking the UK contribution to £146 million in 2025.
Source:The Times
January 12, 2026 10:35 UTC
McDonald's fights council rejection of 24-hour Northcote restaurant
McDonald’s Australia launched proceedings at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after Darebin council rejected a planning application for a 24-hour McDonald’s convenience restaurant on High Street in Northcote. The challenge moves the conflict from local planning meetings into a formal adjudication setting. For employees and jobseekers in the area, the tribunal outcome will directly affect whether the roles and hours McDonald’s has promised become reality. The planning fight also puts a spotlight on the workplace implications of a 24-hour fast food outlet. McDonald’s noted community support as part of its case, while the council’s rejection indicates there was enough concern among decision-makers to deny approval.
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 09:33 UTC
Fact Check: Project 2025 called for 're-hemisphering' in Latin America. Trump's actions in Venezuela went further
Rating:Rating: TrueContext:Page 184 of Project 2025 does use the word "re-hemisphering" when discussing Latin America. Previous Snopes reporting has detailed the deep connections between Project 2025, its authors and many of the Trump administration's decisions during his first year back in office. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementSnopes reviewed the Project 2025 document and found that Page 184 did in fact, contain a reference to the "re-hemisphering" of Latin America. "How Trump Policies Align with Project 2025 on Immigration, Federal Reform and More." "What's Project 2025?
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 09:08 UTC
Google hides 'AI-generated summaries' for certain health-related search queries because they provided misleading information
Jan 12, 2026 18:00:00Google hides 'AI-generated summaries' for certain health-related search queries because they provided misleading informationIt has been revealed that the 'AI summary ' in Google Search provides misleading information for certain health-related search queries. In response to this, Google has been found to be hiding the 'AI summary' from some search results.The Guardian reported that Google's 'AI summary' feature provides misleading information for certain health-related search queries. We are committed to broader improvements to cases where AI summaries lack context and will take action under our policies where necessary. Sue Farrington, chair of the Patient Information Forum , which provides evidence-based health information from medical experts, said millions of adults around the world struggle to access trustworthy health information. 'That's why it's so important that Google directs people to rigorous, researched health information and care from trusted medical organizations.'
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 09:05 UTC
Weekly Outings With The OBSERVER: MLK Edition
All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER’s community events calendar at SacObserver.com. Be sure to submit your events two weeks in advance to have the chance to be featured on the list.
Source:The Guardian
January 12, 2026 09:03 UTC