Report finds regenerative approach could yield economic benefits while helping to meet environmental targets

The degradation of nature in the UK will lop nearly 5% off the country’s GDP if the private sector does not make a greater effort to halt the decline, experts have warned.

Conversely, investing in nature can produce economic returns for companies in a range of sectors, from manufacturing and construction to food, according to a report from the Green Finance Institute (GFI) and WWF.

This week, Grace is buzzing to meet former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Over the past few years, Nicola has weathered an independence referendum, Brexit, a pandemic, countless press briefings and parliamentary spats, an arrest and a divorce. So what food does she turn to when she needs some comfort?

New episodes of Comfort Eating with Grace Dent will be released every Tuesday

Bulk of UK scrap steel is exported, which industry groups say could cost up to £5bn in lost revenue and 20,000 jobs

Metals recyclers are at loggerheads with the British steel industry over a call to limit lucrative scrap exports so steel can be reused by UK furnaces.

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) claims a ban on scrap steel exports to less wealthy countries could cost £5bn in lost economic activity and as many as 20,000 jobs. Steelmakers in the UK are keen to retain the metal to melt down into new steel.

Australia’s spy agency finds Iran behind incidents including arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne

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Iran directed at least two attacks against Australia’s Jewish community, the domestic spy agency has determined, prompting the Albanese government to expel Tehran’s ambassador to Canberra from Australia.

The prime minister announced on Tuesday that the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) had “credible intelligence” to determine the Iranian government was behind the attacks against the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi in Sydney.

Departure of Cook, first Black woman to sit on central bank’s board, would allow US president to put forward a replacement

Donald Trump has moved to fire the Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook over allegations she committed mortgage fraud, the latest escalation in the US president’s attack on the central bank’s independence.

Trump wrote to Cook on Monday, telling her that he was removing her from her position “effective immediately” based on the allegation from one of his allies that she had obtained a mortgage on a second home she incorrectly described as her primary residence.

Coalition of rights groups says law covering ‘collusion’ could be abused to stifle government’s opponents

Cambodian parliamentarians have passed legislation allowing people who “collude” with foreign countries to be stripped of citizenship, a law rights groups fear will be used to banish dissent.

Rights monitors have long accused Cambodia’s government of using draconian laws to stifle opposition and legitimate political debate.