The Guardian

Controversial NDIS bill undergoes ‘substantial’ amendments as Labor and Coalition strike deal

David Pocock says legislation still includes ‘indiscriminate cut’ impacting hundreds of thousands of participants The government’s controversial NDIS bill will undergo “substantial” amendments after Labor and the Coalition struck a deal, with some of the changes attracting heavy criticism from the Greens, the ACT senator David Pocock and the disability community.Sixty-three government amendments across both houses will be introduced as part of backroom deals to pass the bill on Tuesday night, th

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

Childhood Friends, Adopted From India, Discover They’re Sisters

Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen were adopted from India by families in the Netherlands and grew up less than 100 miles apart.

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

Six Years in Provence: An Ancient Castle and a Feud Over a Troublesome Bridge

In a picturesque village, the mayor closed a road, setting off a storm with residents and the owners of a castle that once belonged to his family.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Top Democrats tussle in Florida primary but progressive liberalism not on menu

Politics that worked for Democratic candidates in New York, Minnesota, Michigan won’t cut it in red Florida, analysts sayIf primary elections elsewhere this summer were tussles between progressives and moderates for the direction of the Democratic party’s political future, Tuesday’s contests in Florida could not be more different.In a former swing state that has in recent years become reliably red, moderate Democratic candidates Alex Vindman and David Jolly are heavily favored to become the part

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Virginia teacher and firefighters feud over whether a python started schoolhouse fire

Authorities blamed Nanner for knocking over a heat fixture, but Brittany Jacobs contends it was trying to escape blazeThe snake didn’t start the fire. So says a Virginia science teacher who owns a python that was found outside its enclosure in a middle school classroom that caught fire recently.Authorities, meanwhile, have publicly blamed the fire on the snake, named Nanner, alleging the python knocked over a heat fixture in her owner’s classroom, igniting a blaze that caused damage at Bedford c

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

A Mother’s Quest to Rescue Her Son From Russian-Occupied Ukraine

They made a risky bid to reunite after three years of separation, illness and deprivation — the kind of ordeal suffered by many thousands of families torn apart by the war in eastern Ukraine.

general  Aug 18, 2026

Washington Post World

Russians pull billions from banks, fearing Kremlin will seize deposits for war

Russians are withdrawing billions, causing liquidity problems for banks and undermining the Kremlin’s ability to issue bonds to finance the fight in Ukraine.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley tightens hold on Hugo Boss

Frasers Group increases stake in German fashion house to 48%, after buying Harvey Nichols chain last weekThe retail billionaire Mike Ashley has given the latest indication that his summer shopping spree may be far from over, after he increased his stake in the luxury giant Hugo Boss to nearly half. Ashley’s Frasers Group, which last week bought Harvey Nichols department stores for a reported £40m, increased its shareholding in the German fashion house to 48%, falling short of taking full contro

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Hayden Panettiere's ex Wladimir Klitschko says family in 'profound shock and grief'

The former heavyweight boxing champion shares a child with the Heroes actress, who died on Sunday.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Family of missing 18-year-old hiker ‘absolutely devastated’ as search continues in rugged NSW terrain

Lily Hooper has not been seen since leaving for a hike in Nattai national park, south-west of Sydney, on 12 AugustGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe family of missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper say they are “absolutely devastated” that she hasn’t been found after a multi-agency search.On Tuesday, search efforts for the teenager continued through the dense tree canopy and rugged terrain of Nattai national park, about 90km south-west of Sydney, for a seventh day

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel – UK politics live

Burnham has announced a range of policies aimed at relieving pressure on financially squeezed households and businessesDisabled bus pass holders in England will be able to travel for free at all hours from April next year, the government has announced.Currently, disabled bus passes are valid for travel only on weekdays from 9.30am to 11pm unless local authorities fund an extension, as Greater Manchester did earlier this year when Andy Burnham was mayor. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Zambia's president wins second term with 60% of the vote

Hakainde Hichilema says he was “truly humbled” by the victory and promised to work for all Zambians.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Ukraine launches over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas – Europe live

Russian-controlled regions, including the occupied Crimea, also reported heavy attacksUkraine launched over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas overnight, continuing its massive attacks on targets in Russia after even larger weekend strikes.Drones are believed to hit a warehouse of Russian e-commerce company Wildberries and other facilities near Moscow, Reuters reported. At least three people were injured in attacks. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Man charged with manslaughter after dog-bite death in Wakefield

Man to appear in court charged over death of 55-year-old man who was bitten by dog on footpath on SaturdayA 55-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man who was bitten by a dog on a footpath.West Yorkshire police were called to reports of an altercation on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Russia warns UK of ‘consequences’ over reports Ukraine using British drones in attacks

Ministry of Defence rebuffs threats, saying UK ‘committed to providing equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion’Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time.Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Indian student leader ends hunger strike after 16 days

Devendra Nath Mahto was part of a larger protest which began weeks ago, demanding exam reforms in Jharkhand state.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Victoria moves to expand definition of ‘corruption’ before state election

Former Ibac head welcomes potential change that could capture actions that currently cannot be used to make corrupt findingsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Carroll has committed to changing the definition of “corruption” before the Victorian election in a move a former anti-corruption boss says could have captured the conduct of senior government figures had it been in place earlier.The Victorian premier announced on Tuesday said it was his intention to introduce t

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

China censors public mourning as it holds former premier's funeral

While hailing Zhu’s legacy, authorities are wary that the nostalgia could lead to criticisms of Xi’s rule.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Wetherspoons pubs ban playing music or taking calls on phone speakers

Chain tells customers to ‘pipe down’ and use earphones instead, calling its venues ‘an oasis of tranquillity’The pub chain Wetherspoons has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after growing complaints about the noise.The company announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem in recent years”. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman

Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrenderBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have risen again after the two-month window to negotiate a peace deal in the US-Israel war on Iran expired on Monday with no end to the conflict in sight.Iran said on Monday that it would take a more aggressive stance if talks with the US failed, while Donald Trump demanded Tehran “put up the white flag of surrender” in an interview with Fox N

general  Aug 18, 2026