The Guardian

St Kilda pier wins peak Victorian architecture award as judges praise playful and ‘deeply civic’ design

State government project among range of works celebrated for community-centred design that goes beyond utilityThe reimagined St Kilda pier has added more accolades to its burgeoning trophy cabinet, taking out some of the top gongs at the 2026 Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian awards.The $53m Victorian government project redesigned by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, alongside Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime, took home the Victorian architecture medal on Friday,

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

‘The purpose of the rule is fascism’: scientists fight back against planned Trump research cuts

Stand Up for Science founder says proposal to control how grants are spent would ‘dismantle US science ecosystem’While waiting to board her flight home at Ronald Reagan Washington national airport recently, Colette Delawalla was reviewing a list of possible impacts from a proposed Trump administration rule on controlling federal money, including grants for research.Delawalla, the founder of the group Stand Up for Science, had just completed a three-day visit to Capitol Hill, where she met one by

general  Jun 19, 2026

WSJ World News

U.S. Launches Trade Probe Into Germany Over Drug Pricing

The investigation comes after Berlin said it would require drugmakers to offer bigger discounts on medicines.

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Macron calls for vigilance as western Europe faces second heatwave of year

More than half of France’s population under severe weather warning with temperatures expected to exceed 40CMore than half of France’s population is under a severe weather warning as large swathes of western Europe endure the second extreme heat event of the year with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for “extreme vigilance from everyone”, asking citizens to “take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people” and follow government advice. “W

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Venice’s new mayor seeks to raise day-tripper fee to up to €50

Simone Venturini says proposal aimed at discouraging arrivals in ‘periods of heightened tourist pressure’Venice’s new mayor has said he hopes to raise a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as €50 (£43).Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals “during periods of heightened tourist pressure”. Continue reading...

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Fifa urged to drop Saudi oil giant Aramco as activists target World Cup

Fifa has defended its Aramco sponsorship, saying revenues are reinvested back into football at all levelsAs scorching temperatures beat down on World Cup soccer games across North America, climate activists – including former and current professional athletes – are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.“Sport, especially football, has the power to influence and inspire billions of people,” said David Wheeler, an English former pr

general  Jun 19, 2026

WSJ World News

Israel-Hezbollah Clashes Put Iran Deal Under Early Pressure

Talks between the U.S. and Iran were called off amid the escalation, threatening to derail progress on a deal to end the war.

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Over-reliance on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, study finds

Depending on AI can also potentially decrease the ability to discern misinformation, research saysA new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the latest research to find that relying too much on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, and potentially decrease our ability to discern misinformation for ourselves.As AI tools are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, manipulated images and misleading headlines are becoming more common. AI can be part of the solution,

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Datacenters driving US clean energy growth while still threatening climate

As datacenters’ connections to electric grids are held up, big tech is forced to throw money at producing its own powerDatacenters are driving unprecedented growth in the US clean energy industry, paradoxically boosting a sector that was sputtering before the artificial intelligence boom even as AI’s rollout creates immense environmental challenges.However, observers caution that while the centers are propelling wind, solar, and other clean energy companies, datacenters remain a climate nightmar

general  Jun 19, 2026

WSJ World News

Russia’s Central Bank Cuts Key Rate After Economy Contracts

The Bank of Russia lowered borrowing costs for a ninth straight meeting, saying further reductions are possible following an economic contraction it sees as temporary.

general  Jun 19, 2026

Washington Post World

Four Israeli soldiers killed as combat in Lebanon imperils U.S.-Iran deal

U.S. and Iranian officials postponed negotiations planned in Switzerland on Friday about the details of their peace agreement as it faced a major test.

general  Jun 19, 2026

BBC World

Boy, 12, wins hearts after trying to check sick chicken into Ethiopian hospital

Markos's beloved hen was not responding to any treatments - so he did the only thing he could think of.

general  Jun 19, 2026

NY Times World

Israel Launches Airstrikes in Lebanon After 4 Soldiers Are Killed

The violence involving Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants added to pressure on the U.S.-Iran deal, which calls for fighting to stop on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

general  Jun 19, 2026

BBC World

Billionaire Ambani's Jio announces what could be India's biggest share sale

India's largest telecom operator is expected to raise around $4bn (£3.02bn), according to media reports.

general  Jun 19, 2026

NY Times World

‘Game Changer’? Too Soon to Tell. But Ukraine Flexed in Striking Moscow.

The drone attack that sent plumes of smoke rising over Moscow intensified Ukrainian hopes of bringing the war to Russia.

general  Jun 19, 2026

WSJ World News

U.K. Government Bond Yields Rise as Burnham Looks Set to Challenge Starmer’s Leadership

Investors worry that Burnham as leader could favor increased public spending, higher taxes and possibly more government debt.

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

US veteran dubbed highway ‘angel’ for using combat first aid to save crash survivor

Marine veteran James Brown rescued a driver with a piece of metal lodged in his legA US military veteran and trucker recently used his battlefield medical training to save the life of a fellow truck driver whose leg was impaled by a piece of metal after a crash, earning him official recognition as an “angel” of the nation’s highways.As the organization honoring him tells it, James Brown was driving for Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Melton Truck Lines through torrential rain – as well as low visibility –

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

What would ‘change’ look like if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister?

From public ownership, to devolution and the cost of living, the policies of the potential Labour leadership challenger will face intense scrutinyUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield sets up a battle for Downing Street. Allies of the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor want him to be installed as prime minister as quickly and painlessly as possible, while those close to Keir Starmer want the Labour leader to fight on.If he does become prime minister, Burnham will b

general  Jun 19, 2026

The Guardian

Labour peer and Reform MP clash over ‘brown people’ and domestic abuse

Thangam Debbonaire and Sarah Pochin argue in Sky News interview at Makerfield byelection countUK politics live – latest updatesThe Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire has clashed with Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin at the Makerfield byelection count, asking the MP: “You don’t like being on television with brown people, do you Sarah?”The row erupted during a testy interview on Sky News that included an exchange about the £5m personal gift that Nigel Farage accepted from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Chr

general  Jun 19, 2026

WSJ World News

U.S. and Venezuela Join Forces to Target Armed Gangs in Key Mining Region

The government in Caracas, newly friendly to Washington, is trying to lure American investment into its most mineral-rich areas.

general  Jun 19, 2026