Leading UK retailers ‘breaking law’ by not refunding customers for returned goods, Which? finds
The Guardian •

Leading UK retailers ‘breaking law’ by not refunding customers for returned goods, Which? finds

Consumer group says online shops routinely failed to reimburse delivery costs of unwanted purchases or cost of itemsLeading retailers are breaking the law by failing to properly refund customers for returned goods, a Which? investigation has found.Some of the UK’s biggest online shops routinely failed to reimburse delivery costs when customers returned unwanted purchases, while others failed to re...

Conservation ‘gateway drug’: farmers embrace ancient craft of hedge laying
The Guardian •

Conservation ‘gateway drug’: farmers embrace ancient craft of hedge laying

Grant applications in England surge as interest grows in habitat that captures carbon and helps reduce flood riskThe ancient craft of hedge laying is experiencing a strong revival as farmers use techniques that peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries to boost wildlife, capture carbon and help tackle flooding.Hedge laying, which restores and revives mature hedges to keep them fresh, was among the fou...

UK farmer grows from 20 sheep on 18 acres to 200 sheep on 250 acres with solar grazing
Times of India •

UK farmer grows from 20 sheep on 18 acres to 200 sheep on 250 acres with solar grazing

Sheep grazing beneath solar panels provides farmers expanded land access. This innovative approach helps manage vegetation and reduces maintenance costs for solar farms. Hannah Thorogood, a sheep farmer, experienced significant flock growth due to this arrangement. Solar grazing offers a valuable opportunity for smaller and younger farmers facing land challenges. Combining renewable energy with ag...

Leak: EU Commission to pitch social media restrictions for under-15s

Euronews •

The European Commission will propose barring under-15s from social media without parental consent, plus safety-by-design rules for risky online services like AI chatbots and video games in a legislative proposal that will be published on Thursday, according to a document obtained by Euronews.

UK pay growth slows to 3.9% before crunch interest rates decision

UK pay growth slows to 3.9% before crunch interest rates decision

The Guardian •

Figure likely to dictate rise in state pension triple lock, as workers face inflation squeeze fuelled by oil price risesBusiness live – latest updatesWage growth in the UK slowed in July as workers came under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze fuelled by the Iran war, highlighting the challenge for the Bank of England as it prepares to set interest rates.Figures from the Office for Nat...

What would it take to make India’s cities better – and safer?

What would it take to make India’s cities better – and safer?

The Guardian •

After a five-storey building collapsed in Delhi, focus is on how urban areas can adapt to growing populations. Plus, Ahmedabad’s ace newspaper delivery driver goes viralRecently, I may have saved a woman’s life on the road. Somehow, this was something I had expected to happen.On that day, I saw a truck leave a construction site with a tangled wire trailing behind. I frantically looked to see what ...

France ties EU sanctions renewal to prisoner release

Euronews •

Good morning from Brussels. I’m Mared Gwyn. Today: why France is holding up the renewal of the EU’s sanctions list, and a teaser of Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the European Union speech.

Australia news live: Gold Coast mayor swears at journalist and storms out of press conference; crocodile assaulted at Perth zoo

Australia news live: Gold Coast mayor swears at journalist and storms out of press conference; crocodile assaulted at Perth zoo

The Guardian •

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, says there is optimism that steel making will continue in his state, after the closure of a major blast furnace at Whyalla was announced yesterday.Speaking to ABC News Breakfast from Whyalla and donned in some hi-vis, Malinauskas says there was disappointment, heart...

Athens is turning an old airport into Europe’s 2nd-largest park with 70% green cover and recycled building waste

Athens is turning an old airport into Europe’s 2nd-largest park with 70% green cover and recycled building waste

Times of India •

Athens is set to unveil Ellinikon Park, a visionary urban greening initiative built on a repurposed airport lot. This expansive project seeks to offer city dwellers a refreshing escape with lush greenery and water features designed to effectively reduce temperatures. By incorporating recycled materials and native flora, the park aims to lessen its ecological footprint. The grand opening for this m...

Meet scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan, first Indian American to win Arthur M. Bueche Award

Meet scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan, first Indian American to win Arthur M. Bueche Award

Times of India •

Sethuraman Panchanathan, an Indian American engineer and former NSF director, has been named the 2026 recipient of the National Academy of Engineering’s Arthur M. Bueche Award. He is the first Indian American and Arizonan to receive the honour, which recognises his work in science, technology policy, translational research and expanding opportunities nationwide.

2 brothers found dead in Hong Kong flat had withdrawn from social contact

2 brothers found dead in Hong Kong flat had withdrawn from social contact

SCMP •

Two brothers in their fifties who were found dead in their Hong Kong flat had largely withdrawn from social contact and were financially supported by their parents, the South China Morning Post has learned. The exact cause of death has yet to be confirmed by postmortem examinations. No suspicious circumstances had been identified at this stage, the force said on Tuesday. An insider said the bodies...

2 socially isolated brothers found dead in Hong Kong flat, no foul play suspected

2 socially isolated brothers found dead in Hong Kong flat, no foul play suspected

SCMP •

Two brothers in their fifties have been found dead in their Hong Kong flat, police have said, with a source noting that they had social avoidance tendencies and had been financially supported by their parents. The exact causes of the deaths have yet to be confirmed by postmortem examinations. No suspicious circumstances had been identified at this stage, the force said on Tuesday. The bodies were ...

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

SCMP •

A US government watchdog released its first report on Monday on the impact of the Iran war, acknowledging the military’s advanced weapons shortfalls and offering the first public look at the damage to American aircraft, bases and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. Much of the information about Operation Epic Fury has been previously reported over the past six months, but the Pentagon inspecto...

Price of Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Price of Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

SCMP •

A US government watchdog released its first report on Monday on the impact of the Iran war, acknowledging the military’s advanced weapons shortfalls and offering the first public look at the damage to American aircraft, bases and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. Much of the information has been previously reported over the past six months, but the Pentagon inspector general’s report offered...

Price of Fury: report details Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Price of Fury: report details Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

SCMP •

A US government watchdog released its first report on Monday on the impact of the Iran war, acknowledging the military’s advanced weapons shortfalls and offering the first public look at the damage to American aircraft, bases and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. Much of the information has been previously reported over the past six months, but the Pentagon inspector general’s report offered...

‘I was being polite’: prominent athlete continued texting Alan Jones after alleged assaults due to his reputation, trial hears

‘I was being polite’: prominent athlete continued texting Alan Jones after alleged assaults due to his reputation, trial hears

The Guardian •

Witness tells court he sent Jones friendly messages after two alleged assaults because he had been generous to himListen to the podcast Alan Jones on TrialGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA prominent athlete who has accused Alan Jones of twice kissing him without consent has told a Sydney court he continued to text the broadcaster after the alleged assaults because Jones ...