Mercury, lead and methanol found in counterfeit beauty products seized across UK

30 October 2026 at 13:35

Copies of popular cosmetics and skincare products more likely to contain toxic substances, Trading Standards warns

Mercury, lead and methanol have been found in counterfeit beauty products seized across the UK, Trading Standards has said.

There is a rising problem with fake beauty products, with scammers selling copies of popular and expensive brands. Cosmetics, skincare and perfumes are now among the watchdog’s most commonly investigated fakes.

‘Scattergun’ budget will still leave Britons facing higher energy bills, says thinktank

The Guardian - World news

By: Phillip Inman

29 October 2026 at 09:10

Healey’s attempt to provide ‘breathing space’ gives rich almost as much as poor, says Resolution Foundation

John Healey delivered a “scattergun” budget that did little to boost living standards and left Britain facing “a painful second half” of the parliament, a leading economic thinktank has warned.

The Resolution Foundation said on Thursday that measures to ease household gas and electricity costs would still leave energy bills higher this year than during the last energy shock.

Cambodian police and soldiers helped guard abusive scam compounds, Amnesty alleges

The Guardian - World news

By: Oliver Holmes in Bangkok

29 October 2026 at 06:00

Survivors tell rights group that serving officers who worked as guards administered electric shocks and beatings

Cambodian police and military officers worked as private security guards in scam compounds where thousands were forced to work in the online fraud industry, according to a report by Amnesty International.

The global rights group alleged they worked for security companies as part of a system that enabled slavery and rape in the compounds, with some guards using electric batons to keep people trapped.

‘I earn £126,000 – but nothing’s left at the end of the month’: readers react to the budget

The Guardian - World news

By: Sarah Marsh

29 October 2026 at 08:32

From a young chef and a single father to business owners and a pensioner, Guardian readers reveal how John Healey’s measures will affect them

What the budget means for you

Louie, 24, a chef living in London, says a lot of people have “written off the idea of even considering getting a property” in their 20s.

How will John Healey’s energy support package affect you?

The Guardian - World news

By: Jillian Ambrose

29 October 2026 at 05:00

Chancellor’s ‘new course’ includes a £100 one-off payment, low-carbon upgrade loans and an end to standing charges

John Healey has unveiled a package of support for households being buffeted by “global economic storms”.

“I’m setting a new course to get energy costs down in line with Europe,” the chancellor said in his maiden budget. In the long term, he hopes that changes in how Britain covers the cost of renewables and grid upgrades will “drive down all aspects of energy bills”.

Budget 2026: Healey hikes taxes on banks and landlords to fund £100 handouts to 20m households

The Guardian - World news

By: Heather Stewart · Jessica Elgot and Richard Partington

28 October 2026 at 20:09

Few surprises as chancellor uses low-key speech blaming ‘global economic storms’ for stoking energy prices and cost of living crisis

John Healey raised taxes on banks and landlords to fund a £100 winter handout for 20 million families as official forecasts made clear there is no end in sight for the cost of living crisis.

In his first budget, the chancellor blamed “global economic storms” for the grim outlook, as the war in Iran drives up oil and gas prices.

Budget winners and losers: pensioners and households gain as banks and betting shops hit

The Guardian - World news

By: Hilary Osborne

28 October 2026 at 17:37

How the Burnham government’s first attempt to ease cost of living pressure pans out for key stakeholders
Budget 2026: key points at a glance

Every budget has its winners and losers, and John Healey’s first as chancellor was no exception. While some gained from tax breaks and rule tweaks, others will either pay more, or had their hopes of reforms dashed. Here are some of those with reason to cheer, or sigh:

US lawmakers demand action on overcharging at 7-Eleven, Dollar General and other chains

The Guardian - World news

By: Barry Yeoman

28 October 2026 at 15:20

Democrats urge FTC to tackle ‘systemic failure’ of biggest convenience and dollar stores over pricing practices after Guardian investigations

Thirty-four members of Congress are calling on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate reports of widespread overcharging by some of America’s most-recognized brand-name retailers.

The 28 October letter to the FTC comes in direct response to Guardian investigations of four of the nation’s largest dollar-store and convenience-store chains. Both investigations revealed pervasive mismatches between shelf labels and register prices.

Uber faces Australian class action over sexual assaults, harassment by drivers

The Age - Latest News

By: Elias Visontay · Adam Hegarty

27 October 2026 at 13:01

The managing law firm’s class action callout follows a flood of legal actions in Australia and abroad concerning Uber’s handling of driver misconduct claims.

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