The Guardian

US promises $1bn in security aid to Colombia as new rightwing president pledges drugs crackdown

Trump ally Abelardo De La ‌Espriella vows to start ‘profound transformation’ of country’s destiny as he is sworn inThe ​Trump administration plans to provide $1bn in security assistance to the ⁠government of Colombia’s new ​rightwing ‌president, the US state department announced, soon after Abelardo De La ‌Espriella was sworn in and used his inaugural speech to pledge a vigorous fight against drug trafficking, as well as austerity measures to restore confidence in the economy.De La Espriella, 48

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

She Is Russia’s Richest Woman. Her Business Empire Is Going Up in Flames.

As Ukraine repeatedly strikes warehouses of the e-commerce site Wildberries, Tatyana Kim, its billionaire co-founder, faces her biggest test yet.

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

Pellet Guns, Sticks and Tear Gas: How India’s Police Halted a Youth March

A New York Times analysis details the July 20 crackdown on unarmed protesters in New Delhi that has provoked public outrage and accusations of excessive force.

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

Their African Islands Were Set to Be Decolonized. Then the U.S. Bombed Iran.

The inhabitants of the Chagos Islands were expelled by the British 60 years ago. Refugees were anxious to return this year, but their hopes have been caught in a morass of geopolitics.

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

Whirling for 7 Days and Nights, in Search of Ecstasy

Hundreds of people attended a seven-day retreat in the Turkish countryside seeking transcendence through sema, the spiritual practice of whirling.

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

What to Know About Wildberries, the Company in Ukraine’s Cross Hairs

Ukrainian drones have increasingly targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, which many Russians rely on as the country’s largest e-commerce business.

general  Aug 8, 2026

NY Times World

Punjabi Soldiers Who Fought for Britain in World War I Are Recognized for First Time

Nearly 10,000 Punjabi soldiers who died in World War I have been added to casualty records for the first time.

general  Aug 8, 2026

The Guardian

Germans hogging the sunloungers? Poll finds Italians and French are worse

British and Germans themselves share stereotype but other nationalities are likelier to put out towels – or umbrellasGermans are sunlounger hoggers, or so the longstanding stereotype goes. But not only is that cultural trope mostly confined to British – and, even more so, German – perceptions, surprising new data reveals that in fact Italian and French holidaymakers are the ones most likely to use their towel to stake their claim to a sunlounger.A poll by YouGov of Europeans holidaymakers found

general  Aug 8, 2026

WSJ World News

A Lost Civilization Is Baffling Experts and Rewriting China’s Origin Story

The otherworldly beasts and enigmatic masks of Sanxingdui still enthrall China, decades after the unearthing of ceremonial pits.

general  Aug 8, 2026

WSJ World News

Russia’s Hottest Startup Is a State-Backed Sanctions Evasion Network

Founded less than two years ago, A7 says it handles nearly 20% of payments in Russian foreign trade, or more than $100 billion annually.

general  Aug 8, 2026

BBC World

Scale of devastation shocks US city's fire-seasoned residents

One Spokane resident tells the BBC she realised the immense danger when she heard the fire had jumped over the river.

general  Aug 8, 2026

The Guardian

Remains of 56 people found decomposing at Chicago funeral home

Officials describe ‘deplorable conditions’ at home run by pair linked to crematory closed due to mishandled remainsThe remains of 56 people were found improperly stored and decomposing on Thursday at a Chicago funeral home run by a couple who previously operated a crematory that was similarly shut down because of mishandled remains, authorities said.Illinois state officials, meanwhile, suspended the license of one of the funeral home’s directors, alleging bodies were being kept in an unrefrigera

general  Aug 8, 2026

BBC World

He's been frozen on Everest for 30 years, now 'Green Boots' may finally be coming home

For decades, an Indian man's lime shoes have been a grim trail marker for many climbing the world's highest peak.

general  Aug 8, 2026

The Guardian

Helicopter fighting Utah wildfire crashes with two people onboard, officials say

Rescuers not yet able to reach scene of crash near Richfield in central Utah, prompting fears for two missing peopleA firefighting Sikorsky S64 helicopter with two individuals onboard crashed on Friday morning in central Utah, according to federal aviation authorities.The US Forest Service initially declined to comment on the condition of the helicopter’s passengers, asking the public for “patience while we focus on response efforts” in a statement. Continue reading...

general  Aug 8, 2026

BBC World

'I ran because I knew I would die': Russian drones target medics in Ukraine

Ukrainian emergency workers warn of growing Russian attacks on hospitals and ambulances.

general  Aug 8, 2026

The Guardian

Senior managers at St Basil’s aged care, where 50 died from Covid, can’t remember it all. Grieving loved ones can’t forget

Konstantin Kontis and Vicky Kos were compelled to testify at a coronial inquest resuming on the sixth anniversary of the tragedyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQuiet sobs could be heard in Melbourne’s coroner’s court, as several families attended to finally hear from the pair who were the most senior managers when, throughout July and August 2020, almost a quarter of the 188 residents at St Basil’s aged care home died from Covid-19 or neglect.Following multiple failed

general  Aug 8, 2026

WSJ World News

Iran Sees an Opening to Kick the U.S. Out of the Gulf

In talks on the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has vowed to block U.S. Navy ships from using the waterway.

general  Aug 8, 2026

The Guardian

David Brat bound for Australia as diplomat confirmed as next US ambassador

Former Republican state congressman, who once argued Christianity and capitalism should merge, confirmed by US Senate to fill long-vacant roleGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer Virginia congressman David Brat has been confirmed by the US Senate to be the next US ambassador to Australia, after the role had been left vacant for 18 months.Brat’s confirmation was among more than 70 votes pushed through the Senate by Republicans on Friday, Washington time, before the su

general  Aug 7, 2026

BBC World

The phone book that led us to Assad's spy chief in hiding

How we tracked down "The Spider" who was once one of the most-feared men in Syria.

general  Aug 7, 2026

The Guardian

Wasted medicine in England could fill 75 swimming pools a year, pharmacy group says

Industry body calls for more regular reviews of repeat prescriptions to tackle ‘growing problem’The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in one year could fill 75 swimming pools, according to a pharmacy group.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024-25. Continue reading...

general  Aug 7, 2026