Retail sales slumped 0.9% in January, down much more than expected

Hours before his arraignment, federal prosecutors indicated they would seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if convicted of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, highlighting his intent to incite political resistance against the industry. Mangione is expected to plead not guilty to a four-count indictment, including murder via firearm. Prosecutors argued that his actions were designed to amplify an ideological message, while defense attorneys condemned the death penalty pursuit as a "barbaric" political stunt....

SummaryAnthony Seibold sees Tom Trbojevic as a key player for Manly's revival as he returns from injury against Penrith, drawing comparisons to NRL champion Greg Inglis. While recruitment discussions, including a potential deal for Jamal Fogarty, are on the horizon, Seibold's immediate focus is on breaking a four-game losing streak following Trbojevic's absence. Despite his injury history, Trbojevic is in peak condition and ready to contribute, with Seibold emphasizing the importance of teamwork beyond individual...

Farmer Hadi Saheb in Iraq has turned to groundwater to cultivate his wheat fields in the Najaf desert, a response to worsening drought and desertification. This government initiative allows farmers to lease desert land at a low cost and provides subsidized irrigation, leading to a significant increase in harvests. However, experts warn that the reliance on groundwater, which is depleting faster than it can be replenished, poses a risk to long-term agricultural sustainability, indicating a...

An analysis of the EU Transparency Register reveals that several small public affairs and law firms in Europe are actively lobbying for major oil and gas companies, contributing to pollution concerns. Despite fossil fuel clients accounting for only 1% of the industry’s revenue, many of the top spenders in influencing EU policymaking are linked to these companies. The findings, published by the Good Lobby nonprofit, highlight the extent of lobbying efforts within the fossil fuel...

SummaryA judge has invalidated tuition increases and French language requirements for out-of-province Canadian students, determining that the Higher Education Ministry failed to provide adequate data to support its assertion that these students were not integrating into Quebec society. McGill University's principal and vice-chancellor, Deep Saini, warned that raising tuition rates for these students could lead to "serious consequences" for the institution. This ruling underscores the legal challenges surrounding educational policies affecting out-of-province students in Quebec....

Spending watchdog warns A government spending watchdog has raised concerns about the £6.5bn in subsidies allocated to the Drax power plant in North Yorkshire, questioning whether this funding provides value for public money amid ongoing sustainability issues. Over the past three years, the government has distributed approximately £22bn in public funds to support businesses and households that utilize biomass pellets as fuel, including the significant sum for Drax. The watchdog's assessment suggests that future funding...