Sheng Thao, the former mayor of Oakland, California has been indicted by a federal grand jury, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The indictment comes seven months after an FBI raid on Thao’s home and two months after she was recalled by voters in Oakland. The anonymous source interviewed by the Chronicle added that the…

As Los Angeles’s deadly wildfires continue to burn, a group of survivors is taking aim at the industry most responsible for fueling climate disasters: fossil fuels. Residents impacted by the blazes lamented during a Thursday conference call losing their homes and communities and called for litigation and policies that could force big oil to pay…

Millions of consumers will be protected from “nasty surprises” from Friday as new rules take effect that mean telecoms firms must tell people upfront – in “pounds and pence” – about any future price rises. It means mobile phone, broadband and pay-TV companies are now banned from imposing mid-contract price increases linked to unknown future…

Calorie labels on menus and food packets encourage people to choose healthier options but only to the tune of 11 calories – the same as a single Pringle crisp. That is the finding of a study into how effective menu listings are at prompting consumers to select less calorific food. “Our review suggests that calorie…

New South Wales police are investigating after cars were set alight and vandalised with antisemitic graffiti outside a home in Sydney’s east where a prominent member of Australia’s Jewish community used to live. The house in Dover Heights was also doused with red paint just before 4am on Friday. Residents said they believed the attack…

Houston has found itself with a problem after drug-eating rats invaded the city’s police evidence room, according to officials. Last Friday, a handful of city officials including Houston mayor John Whitmire, police chief J Noe Diaz and Harris county district attorney Sean Teare gave a press conference in which they announced new efforts to clear…

The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of choosing war over negotiations to bring an end to the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes. The US treasury department said in a statement that under Burhan’s leadership, the army’s…

Firefighters battle flames during the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, U.S., Jan. 7, 2025. Mario Anzuoni | Reuters Climate-related natural disasters are driving up insurance costs for homeowners in the most-affected regions, according to a Treasury Department report released Thursday. In a voluminous study covering 2018-22 and including some data beyond that, the department found…

Actors and directors have been paying tribute to the director David Lynch, who died this week at the age of 78. The death of Lynch, whose works include Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, was announced by his family on Facebook earlier on Thursday. “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer…

Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish are reported to be headlining this month’s benefit concert to raise money for those affected by the California wildfires. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the lineup for the FireAid benefit concert also includes Jelly Roll, Lil Baby, Tate McRae and Gwen Stefani. Acts also listed yet not officially confirmed by…