The Guardian

The pianist from the audience at La La Land in Concert was a global feelgood story – but all was not what it seemed

Two orchestra members from the Sydney performance allege tensions behind the scenes were the cause of pianist failing to appear after intermissionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen an audience member stepped in for a pianist at a Sydney performance of La La Land in Concert last month it made global headlines.During the intermission of the concert at Darling Harbour Theatre on 30 May, the two-time Oscar-winning composer and conductor Justin Hurwitz appealed to the 2,0

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Labor tax critic deletes anti-immigration AI video reposted from rightwing nationalist account

Fund manager Geoff Wilson says he did not watch full video and deleted it after ‘inappropriate associations were identified’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe fund manager Geoff Wilson, a prominent public critic of the government’s tax changes, has deleted an inflammatory AI-generated video he reposted from a rightwing nationalist account portraying Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers taking money from white Australians and giving it to recently arrived migrants wearing

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Trump abruptly cancels plan to sign bipartisan bill aimed at lowering cost of housing

President is demanding Senate approve Save America Act, which would dramatically change voting regulationsSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump abruptly shelved plans to sign a broad bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing on Wednesday, demanding Congress approve his controversial legislation to overhaul US election rules and regulations.The president is pushing the US Senate to approve the Save America Act, which would dramatically change voting regulations

general  Jun 24, 2026

NY Times World

The Wife of Spain’s Leader Is Accused of Graft. It May Actually Help Him.

People close to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez keep being investigated for corruption. Analysts say weaknesses in the latest case could help him discredit the others.

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

German swimming lake criticised for ban on non-German speakers

Policy at Heidesee lake in Halle introduced after cases in which visitors ignored rules and lifeguards’ instructionsAn open air swimming lake in the eastern German city of Halle which has refused entry to bathers who don’t speak German has been told it must lift the ban or face possible legal action.The Heidesee lake, a natural lake in a flooded former open-cast mine, recently introduced a check at the entrance to filter out visitors whose German was deemed not good enough to follow safety instr

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

‘Instant connection to the past’: how the Major oak affected those who saw it

Readers remember the Sherwood Forest tree that has failed to produce leaves for the first time in 1,000 yearsAfter hundreds of years inspiring wonder in Sherwood Forest, the Major oak has died. We asked readers to share their memories of one of the UK’s most recognisable natural landmarks, said to have offered a sanctuary for Robin Hood, and the response was overwhelming, with many sharing heartfelt stories of childhood adventures.Joanna de Graaf from Leicestershire wrote: “I grew up in Nottingh

general  Jun 24, 2026

WSJ World News

Canada Eyes Arctic Projects to Ramp Up North’s Resource Potential

The projects mark the latest step by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government to accelerate infrastructure projects aimed at capitalizing on its natural resources, and the construction of new trade corridors to sell its goods to non-U.S. markets.

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Keir Starmer to stay on as MP but unlikely to want cabinet role

Spokesperson says departing PM will serve out remainder of his term representing Holborn and St PancrasUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer will remain the MP for Holborn and St Pancras after standing down as prime minister, Downing Street has confirmed.Starmer’s spokesperson said he was not expecting to take a role in Andy Burnham’s cabinet if offered one, though some MPs have suggested Burnham could make Starmer foreign secretary. Continue reading...

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

A decade after the Brexit vote, Europe has moved on even if Britain hasn’t

In this week’s newsletter: As the EU consolidates,​ t​he UK faces renewed debate ​over the long‑term shape of its relationship with the continent• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereThe morning of 24 June 2016, the day after Britain voted to leave the EU, dawned grey and overcast in Brussels, after a stormy night. As the Guardian’s correspondent in the city, after a few hours’ sleep, I hurried to a breakfast briefing with Conservative MEPs at a smart hotel in the EU qu

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Dior mashes up laid-back ‘indie sleaze’ with elegant luxury

Jonathan Anderson’s golden touch is on display in Paris with mix of metallics, brooches and ripped jeansFashion brands were tuned to the weather forecast in Paris in the run-up to the menswear shows this week – and aware temperatures would reach 40C on Wednesday. This weekend a decision was made – the Christian Dior show, originally scheduled for the afternoon, would be moved to 9am, to avoid the heat of the day.The change in time certainly made the experience more palatable – as did (in possibl

general  Jun 24, 2026

WSJ World News

‘Ominous and Feared’ Cuban Spy Chief Dies

Ramiro Valdés was one of the last surviving revolutionaries who took power with the Castro brothers in 1959.

general  Jun 24, 2026

NY Times World

Israel Says It Has Trapped Hezbollah Fighters Underground in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military says thousands of troops have surrounded a large tunnel network in southern Lebanon. The standoff is at the center of intense clashes in the area recently.

general  Jun 24, 2026

BBC World

Air conditioning creates political divide as France records hottest day

France is being forced to re-think its longstanding reservations about air-conditioning as temperatures soar.

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Top army general who was last US soldier to leave Afghanistan abruptly steps down

Gen Christopher Donahue, commander of forces in Europe and Africa, is leaving after just 18 months in the jobThe army’s commander of its forces in Europe and Africa – who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 – is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday.Gen Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa and commander of Nato’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish his command on 2

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Driven to succeed: meet London’s youngest black-cab driver

Bahrain Mujagata is just 21 years old and balances taxi driving with university studies and acting classes“I’ve got T-shirts older than you!” The joke draws laughter from a table of black-cab drivers gathered in the Astral cafe on Regency Place in Westminster. Around the table, cabbies swap stories accumulated over decades behind the wheel: picking up the England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst, ferrying senior politicians around London, and navigating the capital long before smartphones and satnavs

general  Jun 24, 2026

WSJ World News

Opinion | Iran and America’s ‘Boots on the Ground’ Psychosis

Is Trump’s bad deal the result of a self-induced paralysis or a fear of Nixon?

general  Jun 24, 2026

WSJ World News

The Inbox for Britain’s New Leader: a Sclerotic Economy and Angry Voters

If he succeeds in becoming Britain’s next prime minister, Andy Burnham’s biggest challenge will be to get the economy growing faster.

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Gracie the giraffe who loves to wander found safe after search with community help

Local sheriff’s office appealed for citizens to keep their eye out for Gracie’s ‘rounded ears’ – to distinguish from any other missing giraffesFor almost two weeks, residents of a rural Texas county have been looking, mostly up, for a missing giraffe called Gracie that wandered off from a private game ranch.On Wednesday, it appeared the free-roaming mammal’s odyssey was over, after it was reportedly found safe a “little farther out than expected” from its hill country home. Continue reading...

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

Camp Mystic files for bankruptcy after 28 people died in 2025 Texas floods

Camp owners said total debt exceeds $10m in chapter 11 filing after catastrophic flood last JulyCamp Mystic, the Christian summer camp in Texas where 28 people died in a catastrophic flood last July, has filed for bankruptcy, according to court records.In a Chapter 11 filing, submitted Wednesday in the southern district of Texas, the camp’s owners said that the camp’s total debt “exceeds $10m”. Continue reading...

general  Jun 24, 2026

The Guardian

The Warriors come out to Broadway with Lin-Manuel Miranda musical

Miranda and Eisa Davis’s concept album based on the 1979 film is to be realised for the stage, co-directed by Jenny Koons and Hamilton’s Andy BlankenbuehlerLin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis’s concept album based on The Warriors, the cult novel and film about warring New York gangs, is to become a Broadway musical next year.The album, Warriors, was released to critical acclaim in 2024 and followed the eponymous Coney Island clan’s odyssey back to the Bronx after being falsely accused of killing t

general  Jun 24, 2026