More or Less

Experts including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe warn that while being struck by falling space debris is currently less likely than a lightning strike, those odds are shifting as more objects reenter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on reentry.

The Guardian reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is arresting more people than ever after changing tactics. Following public backlash against highly visible 'siege'-style operations, the Trump administration adopted what is described as 'soft feet' operations, making agents less conspicuous. The report says ICE is now, in effect, everywhere, and that immigrants are being detained within roughly 90 seconds of being stopped.

A new Carbon Brief analysis finds that running an electric vehicle in the UK costs about nine times less per mile than driving a petrol or diesel car, largely due to lower charging costs compared with fuel prices. The finding is drawing attention as drivers face high fuel costs and consider switching to electric vehicles ahead of the UK's phase-out of new petrol and diesel car sales.

Quebecers head to the polls as the Parti Québécois, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, closes its campaign promising a potential sovereignty referendum. Analysts flag an 'unprecedented' scenario in which the PQ could win a majority with less than a third of the popular vote under the province's electoral system. The leader said 'history will be made' as voters weigh a separatist government that critics say Quebec cannot afford.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said in Delhi that the party will continue its banner-less protests at Jantar Mantar as a people's movement. He clarified that AAP will not join the INDIA bloc's planned protest the next day, saying the party will keep fighting on behalf of citizens. The announcement highlights AAP's decision to act independently of the opposition alliance.

The Restore Britain party lost in a whole host of elections, with commentators noting the party responded in a dignified and humble way, saying it was happy to keep learning and growing. The remark came alongside a comparison with Reform UK, which also lost multiple contests but drew criticism for a far less gracious reaction, prompting discussion about how the two parties handle defeat.

Major technology companies are rapidly expanding the use of guarantees to back debt financing for AI datacentres and chips, issuing up to $300 billion in commitments in less than a year, according to analysis shared by economist Adam Tooze. The commitments largely stay off the companies' balance sheets, raising questions about hidden leverage in the AI buildout and how much risk the industry is actually carrying.

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk has beaten its KHL opponent, prompting reaction from the losing side. Player Luzenkov said his team 'scored one goal less' and noted that they got going again in the third period, insisting there are no fitness problems. The comment highlights frustration at a narrow loss while defending the squad's physical condition after the defeat to Neftekhimik.

Russian consumers are turning to mobile internet less frequently, according to a report by TeleSpunik covered by Russian telecom media. The finding is drawing attention in a country where mobile connectivity has become central to daily life, particularly after restrictions and shutdowns of mobile data in various regions. Observers are discussing what the decline means for telecom operators and user habits.

Jeffrey Archer, the former Conservative politician turned bestselling novelist, has died at the age of 86, the Guardian reports. The author of hits such as Kane and Abel and Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, Archer served as an MP and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party before his writing career made him one of Britain's most widely read authors. Tributes and reactions are pouring in worldwide.

Brazil's Bolsa Família programme is set to increase from October, with reports noting that workers on the minimum wage under CLT contracts could receive less than programme beneficiaries in the same month. Separately, INSS retirees are expected to see higher payments from November. The comparison between benefit levels and minimum-wage earnings is drawing attention and debate in Brazil.

A man who shot and killed a thief during an attempted robbery in the Cuneo area of Piedmont is at the centre of a legal controversy. A five-hour ballistic examination, which reproduced the fatal shot, concluded the rounds were fired from less than 14 metres away. Separately in Parma, an attempted supermarket theft on Via Emilia Est was stopped, but the thief turned on the person who intervened. The cases are reigniting debate in Italy over self-defence laws.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced snap parliamentary elections for November 29 after parliament voted down the government's decree on renter protection. The defeat of the housing measure triggered the early vote, shaking up Spanish politics less than two years after the last general election. Reactions are pouring in as parties prepare for a sudden campaign.

A gardening discussion is circulating about the trade-offs between money, labor and time in growing a garden. The argument: cheap or free gardening demands more labor, while low-labor gardening demands more patience, so a cheap garden with little work requires a great deal of time. The observation is resonating with people reflecting on how gardeners, like many others, often want instant results rather than gradual ones.

Japanese media are publishing guides to grass cutting (kusayari) as the season picks up, with Infoseek running a roundup of three recommended herbicides for tackling tough weeds with less effort. Readers are comparing products and looking for easier ways to manage overgrown gardens and land during peak summer growth.

A wildlife documentary focusing on the Philippines' most dangerous predators is drawing heavy attention from nature audiences worldwide. Viewers are engaging with the film's look at the country's fierce animals and unique ecosystems, and the piece is currently topping wildlife viewing charts globally, reflecting strong interest in the Philippines' less-known predatory species.

Meta and Microsoft have reportedly reduced their internal use of Anthropic's Claude AI, shifting work toward their own in-house AI tools. The move suggests the tech giants want to rely less on a direct competitor's model for everyday tasks and development. Observers see it as a sign of intensifying competition in the AI industry, with companies keeping sensitive work inside their own ecosystems rather than outsourcing to Anthropic.

Max Verstappen has secured a victory that prevents his first win-less Formula 1 season since 2015, according to a RaceFans statistical review. The win also marks the first victory for the Red Bull-Ford partnership. The piece rounds up key numbers from the race, including milestone stats for drivers and teams as the season reaches its closing stages.

Spain's government has moved to prohibit vulture funds from purchasing housing at less than 70% of its value, a measure aimed at curbing speculative bulk buying of homes. The announcement, reported by El País and tied to debate in Congress, is drawing attention amid Spain's ongoing housing affordability crisis and pressure on lawmakers to act.

A hiker describes returning to the valley after a long day in the mountains, where grey evening light makes the forested slopes and jagged rock faces look more archaic and the paths seem smaller and less significant. The account captures deep exhaustion in the legs and the sombre mood of dusk settling over the terrain after a demanding outing.