The Guardian

‘We did pull the levers’: emotional Starmer defends his record

In his final PMQs the prime minister offers Andy Burnham – and the England team – his full supportPolitics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has defended his record as prime minister in an often emotional final outing at prime minister’s questions, which largely avoided political jibes in favour of tributes and questions, many about the World Cup.Answering the very last question, his voice breaking at times, Starmer paid tribute to those he had worked with over his two years in office, which wil

general  Jul 15, 2026

Washington Post World

Man killed by ICE came to Maine seeking better life for young daughter

Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was living in Biddeford, a small city in southern Maine, where he worked as a cleaner and food delivery driver. He had a partner and a 3-year-old daughter, neighbors said.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Joe Biden to publish memoir of presidency after November midterms

Promise Me, America to cover everything from economy to decision to drop bid for re-electionFormer president Joe Biden will publish a memoir this fall, publisher Little, Brown and Company told the Associated Press.Promise Me, America, which Biden says will touch upon everything from the economy to his decision to drop his bid for re-election, is scheduled to come out on 17 November. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Venezuela government to launch formal talks with opposition members

The opposition says the aim of the talks is to strengthen the democratic institutions and the electoral system.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Muslim man stabbed multiple times in Utah over his religion, police say

Arrested suspect tells police he ‘intends to kill Muslims’ after alleged attack on kiosk worker at West Valley City millA man was arrested in Utah for stabbing a Muslim ⁠man multiple times and ⁠stated that he targeted ​the victim because of the victim’s religion, police said in court records on Tuesday.Police said the suspect told them he “intends to kill Muslims” and that ⁠he constituted “a substantial danger to the public if released based on his violent actions ... ideologies and pre-planned

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

How Democrats’ datacenter push in swing states is risking their midterm hopes

Polls suggest many Democratic voters oppose the projects as party leaders champion AI investmentSarah Brabbs used to be a fan of Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer.“I have her book; I appreciated her stewardship and guidance during the pandemic,” Brabbs, who has voted Democrat for basically her entire life, says. “I will never not appreciate who she was during that time.” Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham urged to drop ‘flawed’ plans that may let developers bypass environment laws for £1

Exclusive: allowing firms to dodge biodiversity protections by paying into levy will harm nature and economy, say 100 experts in letterThe UK government has been accused of “rushing through” planning changes that could give developers permission to “trash” nature for as little as £1.A letter signed by more than 100 conservationists, scientists, celebrities and businesses, including the actor and writer Stephen Fry and the broadcaster Chris Packham, has urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Bur

general  Jul 15, 2026

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” – has a sale price estimated by Sotheby’s at between $800,000 and $1.2m. The lucky bidder will get the

general  Jul 15, 2026

Washington Post World

Wildfire smoke is filling the skies. See where air quality conditions may be worst.

Around 100 million people in the U.S. may face unhealthy air quality. See where smoke is headed.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition to begin formal talks

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 killed more than 4,700 people. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Italy's Meloni suffers surprise setback in close vote on electoral reform

The defeat triggered opposition calls for Meloni to resign ahead of next year's general election.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

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

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 similar comments in March. Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities wo

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Heatwave prompts Italy's delivery riders to strike for extra rights

Delivery riders in Milan, Bologna and Florence want to protect their health and their wages.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

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

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 the night was unexpectedly subdued, streets cleared early. On Wednesday morning, the French media w

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Iran threatens to block more trade routes as US launches fresh strikes

President Donald Trump vowed to strike Iran's bridges and power plants next week if the country does not return to talks.

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

The Vague Clause That Helps Explain the U.S.-Iran Fight Over the Strait of Hormuz

The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has done little to calm tension, in part because they disagree on what it actually means.

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

Australia to Impose Energy and Water Guardrails on Data Centers Amid A.I. Boom

The country will also seek to protect the rights of creators of work used to train artificial intelligence models, as it aims to impose parameters on the growing industry.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Trump intelligence pick Jay Clayton to face senators in confirmation hearing

Clayton, if confirmed, would replace Bill Pulte, whose position as acting intelligence chief has prompted outcryJay Clayton, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, will face senators on the intelligence committee Wednesday morning in a confirmation hearing to become the nation’s next intelligence chief.Clayton, if confirmed, would replace Bill Pulte, whom Donald Trump installed as acting director of national intelligence last month. Pulte’s position atop the American intelligence

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

Australia to Impose Energy, Water Guardrails on Data Centers Amid A.I. Boom

The country will also seek to protect the rights of creators of work used to train artificial intelligence models, as it aims to impose parameters on the growing industry.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

China’s economy grows at one of its lowest rates on record

Worse-than-expected expansion of 4.3% in three months to June comes amid concerns over lopsided economyBusiness live – latest updatesChina has posted worse-than-expected growth figures for the three months to June, with the economy expanding just 4.3% – one of its lowest quarterly readings on record.The rate, which came in under the government’s target of 4.5-5%, was one of the weakest since reporting on official quarterly GDP figures began in the early 1990s. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026