One small pen for one giant fee: Buzz Aldrin’s mission-saving felt-tip up for auction
The Guardian •

One small pen for one giant fee: Buzz Aldrin’s mission-saving felt-tip up for auction

Sotheby’s expects second man on moon’s marker, crucial to Apollo 11 return, to reach astronomical sumThe felt-tip pen Buzz Aldrin used to fix a broken circuit breaker and escape from the moon in 1969 is up for auction in New York on Wednesday.The dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen – used by the second man on the moon to save Neil Armstrong and himself from being “stuck on the moon for ever” – h...

Starmer shares tributes and offers ‘full support’ to his successor in his final PMQs before stepping down – UK politics live
The Guardian •

Starmer shares tributes and offers ‘full support’ to his successor in his final PMQs before stepping down – UK politics live

Lindsay Hoyle thanks Starmer for his leadership, particularly in regard to ‘his steadfast support for Ukraine’Tell us: what do you want from the next Labour leader and UK prime minister?Labour should ditch the triple-lock pensions promise to help tackle the UK’s straitened public finances, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has urged. Heather Stewart has the story.I’m afraid...

Trump threatens strikes on Iran's bridges and power plants
France 24 •

Trump threatens strikes on Iran's bridges and power plants

President Donald Trump on Tuesday reimposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and threatened to hit power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations, in the latest U.S. escalation of the conflict.

Middle East live: US military launches fresh 'wave of strikes' on Iran

Middle East live: US military launches fresh 'wave of strikes' on Iran

France 24 •

The US military on Wednesday launched a fresh "wave of strikes" on Iran, CENTCOM announced. News of the strikes came after an Iranian government spokesperson said more than 30 civilians were killed in US air strikes targeting the country’s southern region in “recent days”. Tehran was quick to retaliate with Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain all reporting attacks. Follow our liveblog for the latest update...

German wildfire spreads as unexploded bombs keep firefighters 1km away

German wildfire spreads as unexploded bombs keep firefighters 1km away

SCMP •

Unexploded munitions were hampering efforts by firefighters to tackle a blaze in a national park in northern Germany, local officials said on Wednesday. Old munitions buried in the soil from an abandoned military training ground have forced them to stay at least 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) from the flames, officials from the Mecklenburg Seenplatte district said. “Emergency services cannot actively p...

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition to begin formal talks

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition to begin formal talks

The Guardian •

Nobel laureate María Corina Machado will not lead negotiations over new elections, contrary to expectationsThe interim government of Venezuela has announced it will begin formal talks with the opposition aimed at “strengthening democracy” in the country.The move is backed by the US, which says it is seeking a “democratic transition” in a country still recovering from the twin earthquakes that kill...

Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure | First Thing

Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure | First Thing

The Guardian •

US president says power plants and bridges could be targeted, which would probably constitute war crimes. Plus, the bear that raided an elderly couple’s fridge, and a stolen cat involved in a bank robberyGood morning. Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target civilian infrastructure including power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal. Trump made...

First Thing: Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure

First Thing: Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure

The Guardian •

US president says power plants and bridges could be targeted, which would probably constitute war crimes. Plus, the bear that raided an elderly couple’s fridge, and a stolen cat involved in a bank robberyGood morning. Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target civilian infrastructure including power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal. Trump made...

Senate expected to grill Todd Blanche over Epstein files and cases against Trump’s political rivals in confirmation hearing – live

Senate expected to grill Todd Blanche over Epstein files and cases against Trump’s political rivals in confirmation hearing – live

The Guardian •

Trump’s nominee for attorney general – also his former personal defense lawyer – will face questions from senators as he attempts to take the top justice department roleSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe president is awake and posting about ICE on his own social media network.Writing on Truth Social, Donald Trump said ICE agents are doing a “great” job and that crime is “way down” in the US...

How elephants turn footsteps into messages

How elephants turn footsteps into messages

Times of India •

Through the ground, elephants send and receive vibrations, a unique way of communicating that surpasses traditional airborne sounds. Their anatomy, featuring sizable middle ear components and eardrums, allows for the efficient transfer of low-frequency signals to the cochlea. Intriguingly, they can also close their ear canals at will, amplifying their ability to perceive these low frequencies. Thi...

‘Collective failure’: French press digests World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain

‘Collective failure’: French press digests World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain

The Guardian •

L’Équipe laments ‘mentally sunk’ players iin DallasOuest France front page reads: ‘End of American dream’French fans’ expectations of their national team had been at an all-time high: a semi-final on Bastille Day, Kylian Mbappé a hero, a squad unbeaten. Across the country, bars had been packed with viewers spilling on to pavements, ready to crack open the fireworks ahead of hopes for the final.But...

Hong Kong police arrest 5 over national security after raiding 2 bookstores

Hong Kong police arrest 5 over national security after raiding 2 bookstores

SCMP •

Hong Kong police have arrested five people and seized books during a raid on two independent bookshops, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source told the SCMP that national security police searched Have a Nice Stay bookshop in Prince Edward and Greenfield Book Store in Mong Kok on Wednesday. Officers seized books and made multiple arrests during the operation. A force spokesman said the ...

Hong Kong police raid 2 indie bookstores, arrest several over national security

Hong Kong police raid 2 indie bookstores, arrest several over national security

SCMP •

Hong Kong police arrested multiple people and seized books during a raid on two independent bookshops on Wednesday, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source told the SCMP that national security police searched Have a Nice Stay bookshop in Prince Edward and Greenfield Book Store in Mong Kok. Officers seized books and made multiple arrests during the operation. Both shops are independently...

Starmer faces final PMQs before stepping down – PMQs live

Starmer faces final PMQs before stepping down – PMQs live

The Guardian •

Lindsay Hoyle thanks Starmer for his leadership, particularly in regard to ‘his steadfast support for Ukraine’Tell us: what do you want from the next Labour leader and UK prime minister?Labour should ditch the triple-lock pensions promise to help tackle the UK’s straitened public finances, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has urged. Heather Stewart has the story.I’m afraid...

#ICE suspends traffic stop operations after second fatal #shooting

#ICE suspends traffic stop operations after second fatal #shooting

France 24 •

It's the second shooting involving #ICE agents in just a few days. A 26-year-old Colombian delivery driver was shot dead after #US #immigration officers after he was mistaken for another male subject of an arrest warrant. Both incidents are fuelling criticism of #Trump's agressive immigration crackdown.

「検察なめんなよ」検事の刑事裁判 取り調べの動画が法廷で

NHK World •

大阪地検特捜部の取り調べで「検察なめんなよ」などと迫り、罵倒し続けたなどとして特別公務員暴行陵虐の罪に問われている検事の2回目の裁判が開かれ、机をたたいたり大声を上げたりする様子が記録された取り調べの動画が法廷で流されました。

'Protection of children is state's responsibility': Pak lawmaker seeks social media ban for under-16s

'Protection of children is state's responsibility': Pak lawmaker seeks social media ban for under-16s

Times of India •

A Pakistani lawmaker proposed banning social media accounts for children under sixteen. This resolution aims to protect minors from online dangers and psychological distress. The proposal urges federal legislation and parental consent for account creation. Pakistan's Telecommunication Authority must enforce age verification systems. This move aligns with global efforts to regulate children's socia...