The Guardian

‘A true gentleman’: actors, directors and leaders pay tribute to Sam Neill

The star of more than 100 films is remembered as a champion of New Zealand’s arts, culture and environment, and a generous collaborator and friend Sam Neill, star of Jurassic Park films and The Piano, dies aged 78Sam Neill’s 20 best rolesSam Neill’s friends, peers and admirers have rushed to pay tribute to the actor, after his sudden death on Monday at the age of 78.Australian director Phillip Noyce, who directed Neill in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm alongside Nicole Kidman, told the Guardian: “S

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

More than 120 families contacted as police investigate alleged abuse by Sydney childcare worker

Police allege there are 136 victims of the man’s offending, which allegedly took place over a 16-year periodAustralia federal police have contacted more than 120 families as they investigate alleged offending by a former Sydney childcare worker.The man, 35, has been charged with 329 offences allegedly committed over a 16-year period against 136 victims. Continue reading...

general  Jul 13, 2026

NY Times World

It’s the Scent of Manure to Most, but ‘the Smell of Money’ to Them

The Netherlands has been trying to figure out what to do with manure it can no longer use thanks to environmental rules. Volatile fertilizer costs may help.

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

Oil prices leap and stocks fall amid US-Iran strikes over Hormuz

Brent crude jumps nearly 5% and Asian markets drop, with chipmakers including SK Hynix among hardest hitBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices jumped and stocks fell after the US launched a fresh wave of attacks against Iran amid an escalating standoff over the strait or Hormuz.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose 4.7% to $79.59 a barrel. Asian stock markets dropped sharply, with South Korea’s Kospi down 8% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 and China’s Shanghai Composite 2% lower

general  Jul 13, 2026

WSJ World News

Fire Tears Through Bangkok Bar, Kills at Least 27

Authorities said more than 70 people were injured in the blaze, with 45 still missing.

general  Jul 13, 2026

WSJ World News

Fire Tears Through Bangkok Bar, Kills at Least 27

Authorities said more than 70 people were injured in the blaze, with 45 still missing.

general  Jul 13, 2026

BBC World

Heavy rains and flash floods in Bangladesh leave 51 dead

Thousands have lost their homes as flash floods and landslides have hit large parts of the country.

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

More than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee Council

Suspension of family reunion route has left many stuck in conflict zones or using people smugglers to reach safetyMore than 16,000 refugees have been unable to reunite with families in the UK, leaving them either stuck in conflict zones or resorting to using people-smugglers to reach safety, according to the Refugee Council.The government suspended the refugee family reunion route last September. It allowed a person granted refugee status to apply to bring immediate family members such as a spou

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

Monday briefing: You ask the questions – is Britain ungovernable?

In today’s newsletter: Andy Beckett takes your questions – and mine – about where UK politics is at and where it’s headed, from leadership churn and policy choices to electoral reform and moreGood morning. This week, we anticipate the arrival of Britain’s seventh prime minister in the space of a decade. Barring a sequence of events too freakish to contemplate this early in the day, Andy Burnham will be declared Labour leader on Friday and invited to form a new government thereafter.Sceptical as

general  Jul 13, 2026

BBC World

The SpaceX IPO made history. Is the excitement still there?

A month on from the firm's stock market debut, the reality of how SpaceX currently makes money has seemed to come into clearer focus.

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

Struggling pub landlords given a lifeline by England’s World Cup heroes

One manager expects takings to treble during England’s semi-final with Argentina on Wednesday; while national sales are up 10%The beleaguered pub sector is getting a boost from England’s World Cup run, with some landlords reporting roaring sales as anticipation builds for a bumper night on Wednesday for the semi-final clash with Argentina.Lisa Mayall, the manager of the British Oak in Kingswinford near Dudley in the West Midlands, was jubilant after England’s 2-1 win against Norway on Saturday n

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

UNSW academic subjected to Nazi salutes in class, antisemitism commission hears

Royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion hears lived experiences of Jewish students and academicsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn academic at UNSW was subjected to Nazi salutes by students in his business class, the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion has heard.The fourth block of hearings, taking place in Melbourne this week, is examining the lived experiences of Jewish students and

general  Jul 13, 2026

BBC World

Watch: At the scene where Bangkok's deadly bar fire unfolded

The BBC’s South East Asia correspondent visits the site where at least 27 people were killed during a bar fire in Thailand.

general  Jul 13, 2026

BBC World

US launches new attacks on Iran, killing one person, state media reports

Within hours of the fresh US strikes, Iran said it had struck US military bases in Jordan and Bahrain, as escalating attacks cast strain interim deal.

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

Is the most popular song played on Australian radio stations the product of generative AI?

Josh Fawaz’s song, a cover of Like a Prayer, has raised questions over how generative AI is being used in music and whether it should be declaredAn Australian producer has gone from a little-known artist to a viral sensation in a matter of months, with his hit song catapulting onto global charts and receiving thousands of radio spins.There’s just one problem: music experts and other musicians are questioning whether he produced it. They claim Josh Fawaz’s most popular song, a cover of Madonna’s

general  Jul 13, 2026

The Guardian

Britons give classic round tomato the red card as coloured and vine varieties score

Premium cherry-on-the-vine are poised to take top spot in Britain’s £1bn-a-year tomato marketFor a long time the classic round, red tomato has dominated British salads and sandwiches, but its supremacy is coming under threat as sales of rainbow colours and the upmarket rival “cherry on the vine” take off.“Non-red tomatoes” sales are up 21% this year, a growth rate that far exceeds the overall market, according to Paul Faulkner, of Evesham Vale Growers. Continue reading...

general  Jul 13, 2026

NY Times World

Why Young People in China Are Buying Feelings

Young people in China are increasingly anxious about the future and spending on feel-good experiences and products that provide “emotional value.” A companion hiker and cosplayer show what it’s like to be part of this booming consumer market.

general  Jul 13, 2026

NY Times World

Japan Is Building a New Intelligence Agency With Help From the West

Facing threats from Russia and China, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is breaking with World War II-era limits on security.

general  Jul 13, 2026

NY Times World

It’s the Scent of Manure to Most, but ‘the Smell of Money’ to Them

The Netherlands has been trying to figure out what to do with manure it can no longer use thanks to environmental rules. Volatile fertilizer costs may help.

general  Jul 13, 2026

NY Times World

Japan Is Building a New Intelligence Agency With Help From the West

Facing threats from Russia and China, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is breaking with World War II-era limits on security.

general  Jul 13, 2026