The Guardian

Cuba edges toward breakdown as power cuts and US meddling push society to brink

As Cuba swelters under six-month oil blockade imposed by US, tempers are fraying and unrest is growingWhen Cuba’s national grid collapses, as it did for the third time in 10 days on Tuesday, a collective groan spreads across its cities and people wonder, again, whether the island’s antiquated electricity system may soon become unrecoverable.The 777-mile Caribbean island of 9.5 million people has been sweltering under a six-month-long oil blockade imposed by the US, part of a pressure campaign to

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Most Forest Fires in Canada Are Simply Impossible to Put Out

Half of Canada’s wildfires are in remote areas with no road access. Impossible to fight, they are often left to burn.

general  Jul 18, 2026

BBC World

Russian online retail warehouses hit by deadly Ukrainian strikes

Drones targeted Wildberries facilities near Moscow and in Tambov. Ukraine's leader called them "major logistics facilities" supplying "sanctioned components".

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

In Bangladesh, Argentina’s Soccer Team Finds a Huge Fan Base

Bangladesh has never qualified for the World Cup. But every four years, many in the country adopt Argentina’s team as their own.

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

What will Keir Starmer do next?

Outgoing PM has joked about cookery classes and cutting hedges, but does the international stage beckon?As his time in Downing Street comes to an end, Keir Starmer has been joking with friends about what he might do after he stands down as prime minister.He has teased that he might take a cookery course. “He needs it, he only makes two meals,” one friend said. Another not entirely serious suggestion was cutting his father-in-law’s hedge in the expectation that if he did well, he could graduate t

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

White House backs Argentina players over Falklands banner in World Cup semi-final

White House Fifa taskforce chief defends Argentina footballers, saying US believes in free speechThe White House has backed Argentina’s footballers who displayed a banner supporting their country’s claim to the Falklands Islands after their World Cup semi-final victory against England.In a fractious match in Atlanta on Wednesday, some players held up a banner after Argentina’s 2-1 win that said: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” – using the country’s term for the South Atlantic islands. Continue rea

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

Andy Burnham considers radical shake-up to cut energy bills

Labour leader examining proposals to overhaul gas standing charges and make heat pumps cheaper to run than boilersAndy Burnham is considering radical plans that could cut household energy bills by £130 a year and make running a heat pump cheaper than a gas boiler.In his speech on Friday as he became the new Labour leader, Burnham promised to reduce the price of “essentials”, and a cost of living package is expected to be one of his first announcements in Downing Street. Continue reading...

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Iran War Live Updates: Fighting Intensifies With Strikes on Critical Infrastructure

In the days since the cease-fire unraveled, the U.S. and Iran have expanded the scope of their attacks, with reports of water facilities and other structures coming under fire.

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Freedom Convoy Leader, Under House Arrest, Wants to Visit the White House

Prosecutors say Tamara Lich wants a “blank cheque” for international travel, including a cruise, arguing that she is trying to profit from the very protest that got her sentenced.

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

Poultry sector growth plan risks UK national security, campaigners warn

Government’s food security push is said to rely on animal feed imports with vulnerability to supply chain shocksThe government’s planned poultry sector growth plan is a risk to national security, campaigners have warned.Earlier this month, the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, told the Groundswell agriculture festival that the key to improving food security was consuming more homegrown produce, and said this was why the government had set up the Farming and Food Partnership Board, whose memb

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

Arizona teen hailed for helping save woman with dementia wandering in 103F heat

Fire crew in Gilbert to honor Royal Cothrun, 14, for helping elderly woman who became disoriented amid heatwaveAn Arizona fire department is formally honoring a 14-year-old boy who recently helped save an elderly woman with dementia after she wandered miles off course amid potentially lethal temperatures, saying the teenager demonstrated “heroism … quick thinking and compassion”.Royal Cothrun was riding his bicycle in June in the town of Gilbert when he encountered Theresa Morgan as she struggle

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

ICE, datacenters, voter suppression: key issues expected to draw thousands in US to protests

Demonstrations planned across the US this weekend will focus on three issues likely to define the midterm electionsThousands of Americans are expected to take to the streets this weekend in mass protests around issues likely to define the midterm elections: widespread violence from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, voter suppression and datacenter construction.The protests – some recently planned in response to last week’s ICE shootings, others an annual event with new urgency

general  Jul 18, 2026

BBC World

Laos says it can't determine cause of tourist deaths linked to methanol

Officials say they have no evidence of poisoning over the 2024 deaths because autopsies were not conducted.

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Here’s the latest.

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Lamine Yamal, Soccer Star and Son of African Migrants, Personifies a Changing Spain

As he prepares for the World Cup final, Lamine Yamal, 19, is at the heart of a national debate about what it means to be Spanish in an increasingly multicultural society.

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Iqaluit, Canada’s Most Northern City, Gets Its First Bus Line

Jacinto Marques left Angola for Canada’s frozen edge. Now he’s running a bus service in Iqaluit, the largest, and only city in Canada’s Arctic.

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Israel Counters Iranian Spying by Warning Against Recruitment

The Israeli authorities have enacted a broad array of countermeasures to contain what they describe as online recruiting efforts by Iranian agents.

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

Why is Trump risking midterm disaster by resuming an already unpopular war with Iran?

Less than a month after hailing a ceasefire, Trump resumed strikes on Iran, a move experts warn could prolong the war and hurt Republicans ahead of midtermsFor half a century, Donald Trump has performed a public high-wire act based on high-stakes risks and shattering time-honored norms to get what he wants.The approach has paid off handsomely, helping him survive multiple bankruptcies to reach billionaire status and numerous legal and political scandals to be elected US president twice. Continue

general  Jul 18, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham must shift UK mood on racism, chair of Operation Black Vote says

Incoming PM must seize chance to stop race discourse deflecting from class inequalities, says David WeaverAndy Burnham has a historic opportunity to shift the national mood on racism, the chair of Operation Black Vote has said.In an interview marking the 30th anniversary of the influential nonpartisan civil rights organisation, David Weaver, the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), said Burnham must seize the chance to change a UK political culture where race and migration discourse is used to d

general  Jul 18, 2026

NY Times World

Indian Activist on Hunger Strike Is Forcibly Removed by Police

The activist, Sonam Wangchuk, started his strike last month as part of a protest over educational mismanagement that has affected millions of students.

general  Jul 18, 2026