The Guardian

David Shrigley London exhibition will find the funny side of old masters

Dulwich Picture Gallery show to feature British artist’s work hung next to paintings by Dutch and Flemish greatsThe contemporary UK artist David Shrigley will apply his trademark arch humour and distinctive artistic practice “in dialogue” with old masters of Dutch and Flemish painting in a major new solo exhibition in London.The celebrated visual artist will explore the 17th-century paintings with his own new works “responding to” and hung alongside original masterpieces by artists including Jan

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Shares in humanoid robot firm Unitree surge 600% on Chinese stock market debut

Company’s robots have gained global fame via videos of them performing martial arts and as dancers for pop starsUnitree, the world’s biggest humanoid robot maker, has made a spectacular entry on to China’s stock market, with its shares surging by more than 600%.The Chinese company’s robots have gained global fame via viral videos of them performing martial arts, running at Olympic speeds and serving as backup dancers for pop stars. Continue reading...

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Peta Murphy called for gambling reform three years ago. Her husband says Labor’s changes fall ‘well short’

The government’s gambling ad changes are expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday night or Thursday morning with the Coalition’s supportThe husband of late Labor MP, Peta Murphy, said the government’s gambling reform “falls well short” of what she called for in 2023, lamenting that its shortcomings were due to the “considerable lobbying power” of the wagering, sporting and media industries.Rod Glover said he had “mixed emotions” about Labor’s reforms which are expected to pass parliament by Thur

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Dan Sullivan lead in Alaska primary for US Senate – US politics live

Incumbent Sullivan is running for third term while Peltola is fighting to flip seat and aid Democrats retake control of CongressThe Guardian’s Chris Stein has more on the Alaska primary:Dan J Sullivan is a retired schoolteacher and US Forest Service employee living in the town of Petersburg in south-eastern Alaska, who is running as a Republican for the US Senate. Dan S Sullivan is a Republican US senator, who has represented Alaska since 2015.Both candidates will appear on the ballot, one name

general  Aug 19, 2026

BBC World

Alleged sexual assault by local official and businessman sparks outrage in China

Both men are arrested after the alleged assault on a woman at a karaoke bar during a business event.

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Labor thinks it can win elections defending super. For Hanson, it’s just another way to deprive Taylor of political oxygen

Despite leading in the polls, Hanson is allowed to offer thought bubbles instead of actual policyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAll sides of politics are feeling the heat from Pauline Hanson.On Tuesday, the One Nation leader pulled the rug out from under the Coalition by announcing a policy to slash tobacco excise by 75%, to deal with surging illegal sales. The policy was remarkably similar to one Liberals and Nati

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war fuels living costs squeeze

Higher energy costs push up CPI but jobs slowdown could deter Bank of England from raising interest ratesUK inflation rose to 2.9% in July as the impact of the Iran war on energy prices triggered a renewed cost of living squeeze for British households.Underscoring the challenge for Andy Burnham’s government to give “breathing space” to hard-pressed consumers, the Office for National Statistics said inflation rose from 2.6% in June. Continue reading...

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

SpaceX Starship the talk of remote Australian island as Elon Musk’s engineers sent to retrieve it

Christmas Island locals who woke to see the spacecraft floating off the coast hope global attention will encourage touristsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEngineers from Elon Musk’s SpaceX are on their way to a remote Australian island to retrieve part of a Starship that dived into the Indian Ocean.The spacecraft – now floating off the coast of Christmas Island – was launched in Texas on 24 July, in the 13th test of

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

In cutting joint drills, Trump has given South Korea’s president what he wants. So why does Seoul look so uneasy?

President Lee Jae Myung has long pushed for stronger homegrown defences, yet Donald Trump’s move has sparked alarm in some quartersAt their first summit, in August last year, South Korean president Lee Jae Myung told Donald Trump: “If you, Mr President, become the peacemaker, then I will assist you as the pacemaker.”The remark at the Oval Office captured the thrust of Lee’s approach to the North: dial down the military posturing and make repeated peace overtures to revive dialogue, even if they

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Catholic schools chief denies wiping critical evidence after performing factory reset on phone, Icac hears

Dallas McInerney tells inquiry he wiped data from his devices over the weekend after receiving a security warning from his bankThe chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW has denied he performed a factory reset on a work phone and iPad to wipe critical evidence for an investigation into allegations of corruption in the New South Wales Liberals, an inquiry has heard.On Wednesday, Dallas McInerney revealed he had performed the factory reset over the weekend after giving evidence to the NSW Indepen

general  Aug 19, 2026

BBC World

Thai teen found in suitcase died from suffocation, police reveal

New evidence sheds more light on the death of Tunchanok Donholma, who was allegedly murdered in June.

general  Aug 19, 2026

BBC World

Families' agonising search for answers as thousands still missing in Gaza

Ten months after a ceasefire was declared, thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are still reported missing.

general  Aug 19, 2026

BBC World

French civil servant drugged us to make us urinate on ourselves, say accusers

More than 200 women accuse Christian Nègre of drugging them to make them urinate - two share their stories.

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

UK relies on heat-stressed countries for fruit and veg it could grow itself – report

Food Foundation sounds alarm over supply risks and price shocks as about 40% of Britain’s food is importedThe UK is vulnerable to food price shocks because of its dependence on imports of fruit and vegetable from countries even more exposed to the climate crisis, researchers say.Much of Britain has sweltered under a record five heatwaves this year and endured drought and wildfires, with the hot, dry conditions damaging crops and reducing yields of domestic produce. Continue reading...

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

NSW judge says anti-Israel graffiti case went ‘haywire’ when vandalism was labelled antisemitic

Mohommed Farhat spray-painted slogans and torched a car in Woollahra. He pleaded guilty but supreme court judge says case appears to be a ‘miscarriage of justice’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFor almost two years, Mohommed Farhat has been in prison after he pleaded guilty to 15 offences in connection with property damage, including spray-painting “Fuk Israel” on cars in Sydney’s east and setting another vehicle alight in late 2024.This week, the New South Wales supre

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

John Irvin, British film-maker who directed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 86

The director’s BBC hit opened the door to Hollywood action films including Hamburger Hill, The Dogs of War and Raw DealJohn Irvin, the British film-maker who directed the Bafta-winning BBC miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, as well as films including Hamburger Hill, The Dogs of War and Raw Deal, has died aged 86.Irvin died “peacefully at home” on 11 August, surrounded by his family, his producer Claire Evans confirmed to the Guardian. Continue reading...

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Camilla found it ‘difficult’ keeping king’s cancer diagnosis private before announcement

In video celebrating Maggie’s cancer charity, queen recalls ‘longing to let it out’ on visit to centre in 2024The queen has spoken for the first time of how difficult she found it to keep King Charles’s cancer a secret before it was announced publicly.Camilla found herself “longing to let it out” during an official visit to a Maggie’s cancer support centre in 2024, after Charles had received his diagnosis but before the news was released. Continue reading...

general  Aug 19, 2026

NY Times World

In a Faltering Chinese Economy, Working-Class Stories Strike a Chord

Poems, essays and books written by working-class writers have garnered recognition in recent years — as well as increasing government attention.

general  Aug 19, 2026

The Guardian

Tourists on pastry quest overrun scenic spot in Italian mountains

Alpine communities hit out after influencer videos draw huge queues to Friedrich August refuge in DolomitesHundreds of people overwhelmed a mountain hut in the Italian Dolomites, not for the panoramic views but in search of a creamy pastry, reigniting the debate about social-media-driven tourism.The visitors ventured en masse to the Friedrich August refuge – perched at 2,300 metres (7,500ft) above sea level, between Col Rodella and Passo Sella in Val di Fassa – some reportedly waking up at dawn

general  Aug 19, 2026

BBC World

South Korea shortens war games with US citing Washington request

It comes after Trump announced plans to curtail joint exercises with South Korea, citing a "very good" relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

general  Aug 19, 2026