Anti-war politician flees Russia amid pre-election crackdown on dissent
The Guardian •

Anti-war politician flees Russia amid pre-election crackdown on dissent

Boris Nadezhdin, who gained prominence after standing against Putin in 2024, says he is now in FranceThe prominent Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin has fled to Paris as Moscow tightens its grip on dissent before parliamentary elections later this year.Nadezhdin, a veteran liberal politician, gained international prominence during Russia’s 2024 presidential election when his long-shot ca...

What chaos? Farage tries to distract with immigration plans – podcast
The Guardian •

What chaos? Farage tries to distract with immigration plans – podcast

Nigel Farage has promised that Reform UK would call in the navy to tackle small boat Channel crossings. Will this familiar-sounding immigration policy distract from the party’s internal problems? Plus – as we learn more about Andy Burnham’s plans for devolution, is this the biggest rewiring of the UK state since the second world war?Read about Richard Tice being investigated by parliament’s stand...

July was driest month in southern England since records began
The Guardian •

July was driest month in southern England since records began

England and Wales provisionally record driest July in nearly 200 years, Met Office saysJuly 2026 was the driest month in southern England since records began nearly 200 years ago, the Met Office has said.England and Wales also provisionally recorded their driest July since records began in 1836. Wales had its joint warmest July on record for mean temperature, and England recorded its second warmes...

Vampire-obsessed man detained after dumping animal corpses outside churches in New Forest

Vampire-obsessed man detained after dumping animal corpses outside churches in New Forest

The Guardian •

Benjamin Lewis, who believed drinking blood would prolong life, will be kept in hospital for treatmentA man fascinated with vampires and graveyards who apparently believed he would live for ever if he drank blood has been detained in hospital after being caught dumping animal corpses outside churches in a British forest.Benjamin Lewis, 48, left the bodies of sheep and deer on the doorsteps of chur...

Kevin Smith paid £5 after dropping off his son and another £5 when collecting him

Kevin Smith paid £5 after dropping off his son and another £5 when collecting him

Times of India •

Kevin Smith initially paid ten pounds for two airport drop-offs but was unexpectedly hit with two parking fines totaling two hundred pounds. These fines were charged for completing the payment within the drop-off zone. After appealing, APCOA cancelled one fine, but Mr. Smith is still contesting the second and is prepared to pursue it further if needed.

John Oliver on police surveillance: ‘Big Brother on steroids’

John Oliver on police surveillance: ‘Big Brother on steroids’

The Guardian •

Host tore into the ‘wildly invasive’ cameras, microphones and license plate readers that police use to track AmericansJohn Oliver discussed the tools that police are using to keep track of Americans on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight.In recent years, the use of surveillance technology has exploded among local police forces due to decreasing prices and federal funding, with one local mayor ...

Across the EU, immigration being used as a 'political tool' across the political spectrum

Across the EU, immigration being used as a 'political tool' across the political spectrum

France 24 •

Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Dr. Manlio Graziano, Founder and Director of Nicholas Spykman International Center for Geopolitical Analysis. Italy's temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain, following the migration episode in Ceuta, is presented less as a meaningful European policy than as a symbolic act driven by domestic politics. Dr Graziano argues that the episode reveal...

Across the EU, immigration being used as a 'political tool' across the political spectrum

Across the EU, immigration being used as a 'political tool' across the political spectrum

France 24 •

Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Dr. Manlio Graziano, Founder and Director of Nicholas Spykman International Center for Geopolitical Analysis. Italy's temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain, following the migration episode in Ceuta, is presented less as a meaningful European policy than as a symbolic act driven by domestic politics. Dr Graziano argues that the episode reveal...

EU calls for 'united action' on border protection after Ceuta mass crossing

EU calls for 'united action' on border protection after Ceuta mass crossing

France 24 •

The European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, has reiterated the EU's support to help tackle illegal migration following last week's chaos in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. The crisis has fanned anti-immigrant rhetoric by right wing politicians in Europe and sparked diplomatic tensions between Spain and some EU members, notably Italy. An emergency video conference of EU i...

AstraZeneca shares plunge over talks with US cancer drug firm on $400bn merger

AstraZeneca shares plunge over talks with US cancer drug firm on $400bn merger

The Guardian •

Bristol Myers Squibb tie-up would create world’s fourth largest drugmaker but analysts question rationale for dealMore than £15bn was wiped off the value of Britain’s biggest drugmaker, AstraZeneca, on Monday after a report that it was in discussions to take over its US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that would create a near $400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical group.AstraZeneca, run by Pascal Sor...

Paris prosecutor investigates alleged bullying in government departments after suicide attempt

Paris prosecutor investigates alleged bullying in government departments after suicide attempt

The Guardian •

Internal inquiries also opened after two suicides and two attempted suicides of staff in departments connected to PM’s officeThe Paris state prosecutor has opened a preliminary inquiry into alleged workplace bullying after the attempted suicide of a staff member in a department connected to the French prime minister’s office, France Inter radio has revealed.The public radio station reported on Mon...

500 Hong Kong students get taste of military life as PLA summer camp returns

500 Hong Kong students get taste of military life as PLA summer camp returns

SCMP •

About 500 Hong Kong students are getting a taste of army life, with the PLA garrison launching its annual summer camp to instil patriotism and discipline, and teach military skills, among young people. Among the new recruits is Lo Wan-lung, a Form One student at Salesian English School who is attending the two-week camp for the first time. Attracted by the chance of weapons-related training, the y...

Kmart sells out of low-cost rival to Meta camera glasses across Australia amid warnings of ‘privacy nightmare’

Kmart sells out of low-cost rival to Meta camera glasses across Australia amid warnings of ‘privacy nightmare’

The Guardian •

Expert says people face being filmed without their consent as $89 Anko smartglasses sell out in stores and onlineGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKmart has sold out of Anko-branded $89 camera glasses across Australia, which a digital rights expert says presents a “privacy nightmare” as people face being filmed without their consent.As of Monday, the clear-lens, black-rimm...

Alan Jones argues ‘rivalry’ and ‘treachery’ but after decades wielding the sword of public opinion, he’s the one on trial

Alan Jones argues ‘rivalry’ and ‘treachery’ but after decades wielding the sword of public opinion, he’s the one on trial

The Guardian •

His legal strategy was apparent from the very first. Jones will, it was explicitly stated, seek to undermine the ‘credibility and reliability’ of his accusersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlan Jones has enjoyed decades as the centre of attention, as the wielder of power.The booming voice, the vast radio audience, the bully pulpit of an eponymous TV show, the great and ...

Most Sydney road tolls to keep rising after Transurban accused of blocking reforms

Most Sydney road tolls to keep rising after Transurban accused of blocking reforms

The Guardian •

Handful of tollroads to get one-off price cuts but WestConnex toll to keep rising at least 4% a yearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe cost of using Sydney’s biggest toll road will continue to rise at least 4% a year after the multinational private operator was accused of blocking the state government’s push for sweeping reforms.Only a handful of Sydney’s motorways will...

A military base, a displaced people and Trump’s China fears: Burnham’s Chagos test

A military base, a displaced people and Trump’s China fears: Burnham’s Chagos test

SCMP •

Bertrice Pompe was born in Diego Garcia, situated in the Indian Ocean halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia, in 1971, making her one of the last Chagossians to enter the world on an island that her family would soon be forced to leave. “Some families, like brothers, sisters, were separated,” she said. “Some went to the Seychelles, some to Mauritius … close family, brothers, sister, mother, father...

South-eastern Europe faces heatwave energy crunch as Romania detonates Danube rock to increase water flow – as it happened

South-eastern Europe faces heatwave energy crunch as Romania detonates Danube rock to increase water flow – as it happened

The Guardian •

Explosives used to move a large rock and let more water flow to cool nuclear power plantMore must be done ⁠to strengthen the European Union’s borders at critical points, ⁠European Commission president ⁠Ursula ​von der Leyen told Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez ⁠in a letter.In the carefully-calibrated letter, first reported by Reuters and a number of Spanish media, von der Leyen was quoted as ...

Hungary's nuclear crisis tests new PM Magyar's leadership

Euronews •

Record-low Danube water levels have forced Hungary's Paks nuclear plant into partial shutdown, cutting output as demand surges. Former governing party Fidesz is seizing on the outage to question the still-new government's competence.

Myanmar: Ousted leader Suu Kyi makes rare appearance with Red Cross representative

Myanmar: Ousted leader Suu Kyi makes rare appearance with Red Cross representative

France 24 •

Former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with an representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on August 3rd. The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was taken into detention in early 2021, when a military coup ousted her elected civilian government. Since then, her location and condition have been largely unknown to international officials and the public.

Sunday Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle dies aged 66

Sunday Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle dies aged 66

The Guardian •

Tributes paid across industry to provocative journalist who died after short illnessWriter and broadcaster Rod Liddle, a prominent columnist for the Sunday Times and the Sun, has died after a short illness.Liddle, whose provocative style attracted both praise and criticism, also wrote for the Spectator magazine and earlier in his career edited BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He was 66. Continue rea...