Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 4,000
World theguardian.com + 1

World

World
Police revise Ann Widdecombe murder timeline Investigators say former UK MP attacked nearly a day before being found dead, early arrest ends with release
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
World
Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 4,000 Official figures show thousands injured and missing, UN appeal and frozen-asset dispute frame the recovery
bnonews.com theguardian.com
World
Ukrainian drones hit Russian refineries and Azov Sea port Authorities evacuate residents after petroleum fires in Taganrog and Azov, Moscow claims hundreds of interceptions as fuel shortages persist
theguardian.com euronews.com
World
Wildfire in southern Spain kills 12 Almería heatwave fuels rapid spread through woodland and evacuations, suspected fallen power line turns routine maintenance into disaster
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
World
NOAA warns El Niño is rapidly strengthening Forecasters see high odds of very strong event by autumn, Europe tallies heatwave deaths as governments scramble for cooling and grid resilience
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
...

United States

JWST spots methane haze on WD 1856 b Jupiter-sized planet orbits a white dwarf after surviving stellar death, eight-minute grazing transit forces bespoke atmosphere modelling
arstechnica.com
Police search Waymo robotaxi after report of underage riders San Mateo incident highlights in-cabin camera monitoring, driverless transport turns policy triggers into law enforcement calls
businessinsider.com
Meta withdraws Muse Image from Instagram Reuters says automatic opt-in let Meta AI generate images from public posts, a privacy backlash arrives faster than the rollout
theguardian.com
Trump administration narrows Endangered Species Act harm definition Habitat protections rolled back to allow logging and mining, rule change shifts extinction risk away from permit applicants
theguardian.com
Gaby Hinsliff says Andy Burnham must learn to handle Donald Trump Labour’s Gaza split collides with NATO spending promises, foreign policy comes with numbers nobody wants to price
theguardian.com

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous
Speedboat capsizing near Phu Quoc kills at least 15 Indian tourists Rescuers pull 21 people from water off Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, tourist transport safety again hinges on what inspections miss
independent.co.uk
Miscellaneous
Mikel Merino sends Spain into World Cup semi-finals Late substitute punishes Belgium after Courtois injury, one spilled shot becomes the margin
theguardian.com
Miscellaneous
Ryanair passenger nearly pulled through shattered window, engine debris damages cabin as flight turns back to Thessaloniki Airline statement describes window dislodging and normal landing
hd.se theguardian.com
Miscellaneous
Paul Gambaccini reveals Alzheimer’s diagnosis BBC Radio 2 presenter says he will keep broadcasting, a career shaped by institutions that once treated him as disposable
theguardian.com
Miscellaneous
London Marathon ballot draws more than one million applicants Organisers stage two-day 2027 race with 100000 places, charity and school entries grow as access shifts from luck to institutions
standard.co.uk
...

Media

Media
Meta withdraws Muse Image from Instagram Reuters says automatic opt-in let Meta AI generate images from public posts, a privacy backlash arrives faster than the rollout
theguardian.com
Media
OpenAI releases ChatGPT 5.6 after White House delay Trump administration sought limited access over cybersecurity concerns, frontier AI distribution becomes a policy lever
theguardian.com
Media
CBS faces fresh claims of 60 Minutes editorial meddling Daily Beast says Bari Weiss reassigned Nigel Farage segment, Farage by-election campaign runs on videos without journalists
thedailybeast.com
Media
Discord restores accounts after AI moderation bug More than 8,000 users were banned for harmless images, automated enforcement again outruns human review
techcrunch.com
Media
Netflix rethinks binge releases Viewer drop-off and long gaps between seasons weaken series loyalty, short-form rivals turn attention into a per-minute auction
techcrunch.com techcrunch.com
...

Politics

Politics
Maia Sandu nominates Vasile Tofan as Moldova prime minister Pro-EU businessman gets two weeks to secure parliament, accession timetable collides with cabinet churn
euronews.com
Politics
Trump administration narrows Endangered Species Act harm definition Habitat protections rolled back to allow logging and mining, rule change shifts extinction risk away from permit applicants
theguardian.com
Politics
Trump fires remaining Election Assistance Commission members Agency certifies voting systems and maintains national mail registration form, midterm election machinery loses its federal standards shop
theguardian.com
Politics
US Justice Department threatens election officials with prosecution Harmeet Dhillon letters warn states over noncitizen voters on rolls, voter data fight expands into DHS cross-checks after court losses
independent.co.uk
Politics
ICE agent fatally shoots driver in Houston Agency says vehicle was used as weapon during targeted operation, FBI takes over as video evidence becomes central
theguardian.com
...

Opinion

Opinion
Gaby Hinsliff says Andy Burnham must learn to handle Donald Trump Labour’s Gaza split collides with NATO spending promises, foreign policy comes with numbers nobody wants to price
theguardian.com
Opinion
Andy Beckett: Britain’s public wants change but Westminster keeps calling it too risky Defence spending arguments target benefits, five prime ministers later the veto still works
theguardian.com
Opinion
Donald Trump claims he swayed FIFA red-card decision Gianni Infantino points to judicial process as ban overturned, US still lose 4–1 to Belgium
theguardian.com
Opinion
Ravi Holy: King Charles recasts defender of the faith role Sovereign grant report calls him protector of faith space in multifaith Britain, critics argue over a line with unclear authorship
theguardian.com
Opinion
Tom Kean Jr returns after months-long absence Arwa Mahdawi contrasts congressman salary continuity with US paid-leave scarcity, lowest-wage workers left to self-insure crises
theguardian.com
...

Europe

Europe
UK heat holds above 30C into next week Met Office records 35C in May June and July for first time, heat-health alerts timebox strain on services rather than weather
independent.co.uk
Europe
Anne Widdecombe dies aged 78 Former Conservative minister became Reform UK spokesperson and Brexit campaigner, a media career outlasts ministerial office
independent.co.uk
Europe
European Parliament moves to exclude end-to-end encrypted chats from CSAM scanning regime Narrow votes split major groups and build odd cross-bloc coalition, governments still hold the next veto
euronews.com
Europe
Italy expels two Russian military attaches Arrests of former Italian intelligence agents widen espionage case, military-aid details become the contested commodity
euronews.com
Europe
US strikes hit Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz El País says Trump links attacks to shipping security after merchant vessel incidents, Europe watches oil and risk premiums move first
independent.co.uk english.elpais.com
...

North America

North America
Fidji Simo steps down from OpenAI full-time role Applications CEO cites extended medical leave and moves to advisory position, leadership churn hits as ChatGPT growth cools and IPO talk persists
businessinsider.com techcrunch.com
North America
Eight men indicted over alleged White House UFC drone plot Prosecutors describe explosives-laden drones and sniper plan for Freedom 250, event security turns into a multi-state manhunt
theguardian.com
North America
New York City evacuates Midtown high-rise after structural failure signs Conversion of office tower into luxury apartments triggers frozen zone, prior complaints sit beside overnight stabilisation work
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
North America
Planned Parenthood restores Medicaid billing Clinic closures and fewer screenings follow a year of funding disruption, states quietly backfill gaps while federal fight continues
independent.co.uk
North America
Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner denies sexual assault allegation Reporting cites therapist emails and messages but no police report filed, party faces late campaign test of what it will tolerate
theguardian.com theguardian.com
...

Latin America

Latin America
Brazil rescues domestic worker held in servitude for decades Labor prosecutors describe isolation and unpaid work across three generations, compensation deal doubles as evidence of how hard households are to police
english.elpais.com
Latin America
Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara vanishes after prison release El País reports authorities removed San Isidro Movement leader days before sentence end, Havana offers exile while keeping custody opaque
english.elpais.com
Latin America
Cuba suffers another nationwide blackout Third island-wide outage in six months as fuel shortages persist, surgeries and transport disruptions track grid failure
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Latin America
Mexican authorities arrest Cuautla officials over alleged cartel ties El País describes Operation Swarm targeting municipal capture in Morelos, markets and tax offices become the prize not just the streets
english.elpais.com
Latin America
Haiti massacre reconstruction shows gangs expanding into rural areas Guardian investigation documents at least 70 killed in Jean-Denis attack, state collapse in Port-au-Prince spreads along roads and farming communities
theguardian.com
...

Asia

Asia
Typhoon Bavi drives mass evacuations in eastern China Storm disrupts Taiwan and Japan travel before expected landfall near Wenzhou, shutdown logistics become the first line of defence
independent.co.uk
Asia
Hong Kong lets dogs into hundreds of restaurants Decades-old dining ban lifted with leash and hygiene rules, etiquette workshops emerge to make permission workable
independent.co.uk
Asia
China shoe factory fire kills at least 28 people State media reports blaze at Huiteng Shoes in Jinjiang Fujian, accountability orders follow televised rescue response
bnonews.com euronews.com
Asia
Monsoon landslide kills children at Rohingya camp school in Cox’s Bazar Rescuers search for more buried as Bangladesh relocates families from risky hillsides, a million refugees remain in camps as repatriation stalls
independent.co.uk
Asia
K2 Airways cargo plane disappears near Karachi Wreckage recovered in Arabian Sea as search continues for five crew, radar data shows sharp turn and rapid descent after navigational problem report
independent.co.uk
...

Middle East

Middle East
Iran and US continue strikes Hormuz traffic nears standstill as Iran reports hit near Bushehr nuclear power plant, only two tankers transit as ships go dark
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Middle East
Trump declares Iran ceasefire over Fresh US strikes follow Hormuz ship attacks, Nato backs operation as Gulf bases face retaliation
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
Middle East
Bombs explode near Damascus Four Seasons during Macron visit Syrian authorities report 18 wounded as president meets Ahmad al-Sharaa, Western outreach runs through blast cordons
euronews.com theguardian.com
Middle East
Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body Technocratic NCAG slated to take over civilian administration, disarmament and Israeli control still decide who rules
independent.co.uk euronews.com
Middle East
Iran confirms US warning about alleged Israeli plot against negotiators Reports describe Islamabad talks as a moving security operation, ceasefire diplomacy depends on who can restrain allies
euronews.com
...

Africa

Africa
UN Human Rights Council labels neglected tropical diseases a human rights issue DRC Ebola outbreak spreads as conflict and aid cuts disrupt containment, Geneva resolution meets field reality in Ituri and Kivu
english.elpais.com
Africa
Unesco says 113 developing countries spend more on debt service than education Donor aid to schooling falls as repayments hit 35-year high, private creditors can still block relief deals
theguardian.com
Africa
Egypt files complaint to FIFA after World Cup loss to Argentina Federation cites VAR failures and double standards, tournament governance meets a commercial incentive to move on
independent.co.uk
Africa
Liberia charges five after cocaine seizure at Monrovia airport Shipment was disguised as Maggi seasoning cubes and linked to earlier consignment, parliament probes delay in naming suspects
theguardian.com
Africa
Archaeologists uncover Byzantine-era settlement in Egypt’s Dakhla oasis Ministry highlights church streets and ostraca records, tourism pitch rides on catalogued daily life
theguardian.com
...

Economy

Economy
Meta breaks ground on Alberta data centre Province pairs project with new gas power plant and promises lower transmission bills, AI infrastructure arrives as a utility scale political bargain
globalnews.ca businessinsider.com
Economy
Virgin Media fined by Ofcom for blocking customer cancellations Record penalty follows findings of deliberate call-dropping and retention incentives, switching rules tighten after years of friction
independent.co.uk bbc.com
Economy
EasyJet moves toward Castlelake takeover US fund offers £5.5bn and promises EU-compliant control structure, workers hear little beyond respect statements
theguardian.com bbc.com
Economy
Alberta and Ottawa propose new oil pipeline to British Columbia coast Global News says costs and shipper commitments remain unresolved, last westbound expansion ended up taxpayer owned
globalnews.ca globalnews.ca
Economy
Trump defends billion-dollar crypto windfall while in office Disclosures detail family ventures and foreign-linked deals, enforcement rollbacks coincide with a booming access economy
independent.co.uk news.bitcoin.com
...

Technology

Technology
Police search Waymo robotaxi after report of underage riders San Mateo incident highlights in-cabin camera monitoring, driverless transport turns policy triggers into law enforcement calls
businessinsider.com
Technology
Humanoid robots remove pig gallbladders in teleoperated surgery trial UC San Diego team adapts low-cost Unitree bodies for minimally invasive tools, recalibration pauses show what cheaper hardware shifts onto staff
arstechnica.com
Technology
SpaceXAI releases Grok 4.5 Token pricing undercuts Anthropic Opus while claiming near-frontier performance, EU access still delayed
the-decoder.com techcrunch.com
Technology
Meta launches Muse Image for Instagram and WhatsApp Free use capped before subscription, ad creation and Marketplace tie-ins ride on casual photo editing
techcrunch.com
Technology
China weighs export curbs on top AI models Ministry talks with Alibaba ByteDance and Z.ai signal tighter gatekeeping, Europe’s cheap model option could vanish into security review
the-decoder.com
...

Science

Science
JWST spots methane haze on WD 1856 b Jupiter-sized planet orbits a white dwarf after surviving stellar death, eight-minute grazing transit forces bespoke atmosphere modelling
arstechnica.com
Science
LARES-2 delivers most precise Earth frame-dragging measurement Laser-ranged retroreflector sphere cuts uncertainty to about 0.2 percent, a satellite built to be boring becomes a physics instrument
arstechnica.com
Science
IERS says no leap second in December 2026 UTC-TAI offset stays at 37 seconds, timekeepers avoid another one-second discontinuity
datacenter.iers.org
Science
Brown University professor switches exam format after AI cheating suspicions Take-home midterm average of 96 gives way to in-person final average of 48, credential value hinges on proctoring capacity
arstechnica.com
Science
University of Edinburgh catalog ranks viruses by pandemic threat Ars Technica reports human-to-human transmission is the dividing line, most scary spillovers never learn to spread
arstechnica.com arstechnica.com
...