The Guardian

HCA workers push for higher pay and more staffing amid billions in profits: ‘I’m struggling’

Largest for-profit hospital system and operator in the US reported $6.8bn in profits, while employees find it difficult to make ends meetUnion workers with HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital system and operator in the US, are holding picket protests across the country as they push for pay and staffing increases in a new contract.The hospital system has over 300,000 employees in the US and the UK, with 22,000 US workers represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business ties

Two advisers have links to a venture fund co-investing in US defense companies that benefit from federal spendingPete Hegseth’s appointments to a key Pentagon advisory body include two men with ties to the venture capital fund where Donald Trump Jr is a partner, which has lucrative investments in military and space technology.Defense Policy Board appointee Marc Andreessen’s firm, Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s largest venture capital firms and known by the name “a16z”, co-invests a

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Hotel prices in Europe jump before total solar eclipse

Rooms in Icelandic capital Reykjavík cost double usual rate, with Spain also enjoying strong bookingsEurope’s total solar eclipse: the best place to see itHotel prices have surged in key European cities, as hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to see the first total eclipse visible from the continent this century.Iceland’s capital Reykjavík has seen one of the biggest jumps in hotel room prices, being one of the few accessible locations to see the full eclipse before evening light descends on

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Democratic progressives and establishment set to clash in more primaries – US politics live

Tuesday’s competitions in Wisconsin and Minnesota follow similar battles for the direction of the party, including last week in Michigan where progressive Abdul El-Sayed triumphedSign up to the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Democratic primaries for governor in Wisconsin and US senator in Minnesota will once again see left-wing candidates face off against more traditional ones.President Donald Trump departed on a secret military flight from Turkey last month

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes

Verdict relates to atrocities committed during the country’s 14-year civil war in which about 500,000 people diedA Syrian court has sentenced the country’s former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the 14-year civil war, in which about half a million people died.The two men fled to Moscow after being ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December 2024 which toppled the dictatorial regime in just 11 days. Conti

general  Aug 11, 2026

Washington Post World

Rescuers scramble to find survivors as death toll in Colombia’s powerful earthquake rises

Dogs and drones have been deployed to search for those trapped under collapsed buildings, with local authorities reporting at least 150 deaths from the nation's strongest earthquake in a decade.

general  Aug 11, 2026

NY Times World

Russian Civilian Deaths Are Growing Rapidly as Ukraine Expands Its Air War

The higher tempo of Ukrainian strikes has fueled discontent among Russians, but it is far from clear that it will change the Kremlin’s calculus about the war.

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Meta glasses banned from courts in England and Wales

Exclusive: Court service says anyone trying to enter buildings with glasses will have them confiscated and returned when they leaveCourts in England and Wales have joined a number of restaurants, theatres and pubs in banning Meta glasses, amid a mounting backlash against what has been described as “spyware”.Last month courts in New York announced a ban on the controversial glasses, which can record video footage while being worn. Continue reading...

general  Aug 11, 2026

BBC World

Watch: Family escapes home during Colombia earthquake

At least 132 people are dead and a state of emergency has been declared after Colombia was hit by one of its largest earthquakes in years.

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Minnesota primaries could mark change of path for Democrats and Republicans

From progressive and moderate to election deniers, state sees wide spectrum of candidates in test of direction for both partiesMinnesota voters on both sides of the aisle are weighing the direction of their parties – and their chances of winning over the general electorate – in marquee statewide races on Tuesday.On the left, Peggy Flanagan, the state lieutenant governor and a progressive, faces off against Angie Craig, a US representative, for the Democratic bid for US senate in a race punctuate

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

‘Fiercely independent’ South Carolina votes on Lindsey Graham’s Senate successor

Republicans, including Graham’s sister Darline, expedite campaigns to replace late senator in special primary raceIn the race to replace the late US senator Lindsey Graham, 10 candidates have been barnstorming South Carolina diners, church halls and recreation centers, compressing a normal year of campaigning into about a fortnight.The Republican party is staging a special primary election in the state on Tuesday to choose Graham’s replacement. His sister, Darline, who has been serving as interi

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Wisconsin considers democratic socialist for governor amid US wave of progressive wins

Francesca Hong is Democratic frontrunner in four-way primary race to lead the swing state, a test of anti-establishment sentimentWisconsin voters will decide on Tuesday whether to nominate a democratic socialist for the state’s highest office in the latest test of an anti-establishment wave among Democratic primary voters.Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist state lawmaker, emerged as the frontrunner in a four-way race to succeed Tony Evers, the Democratic governor who is not seeking another t

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

The return of the caspian tiger: how a species feared extinct has come back to Kazakhstan

The wild capture and release of a female big cat into a nature reserve is the first step towards reintroducing a population that hasn’t been seen for 70 yearsOn 31 July, “Umit” – which means hope in Kazakh – was released into a nature reserve on the edge of Lake Balkhash after more than a decade of careful planning to return the caspian tiger to the region. With this release, Kazakhstan became the first country to restore its tiger range after they had been thought extinct, with the last reliabl

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Luigi Mangione due to appear in New York court over healthcare CEO’s killing

Prosecutors allege 28-year-old gunned down Brian Thompson outside Manhattan hotel in 2024Luigi Mangione, who is accused of the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is due to appear on Tuesday morning at Manhattan state court.Mangione’s appearance comes less than a month before the start of his highly anticipated 8 September trial. Prosecutors allege that Mangione gunned down Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on 4 December 2024. Continue reading...

general  Aug 11, 2026

BBC World

Trump hid in catering truck in secret plane swap over Iran threat, reports say

The US president was moved from the old Air Force One to a military plane as he left a Nato summit in Turkey last month, US media say.

general  Aug 11, 2026

BBC World

Ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia

The ex-president is convicted of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war.

general  Aug 11, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham rough-sleeper pledge at risk from failures in housing ex-prisoners, charity warns

Analysis finds nearly one in six people leaving jail last year in England and Wales were released into homelessnessAndy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping is under threat from a failure to find accommodation for a growing number of newly released prisoners, a charity has warned.An analysis by the social justice charity Nacro has found that nearly one in six people leaving jail in England and Wales last year were released into homelessness, reaching the highest rate for five years. Continue r

general  Aug 11, 2026

BBC World

Russia using North Korean missiles to strike Ukraine, Zelensky says

Ukraine's president says strikes in Zaporizhzhia - which killed at least six and injured 19 - involved ballistic missiles from Russia's ally.

general  Aug 11, 2026

NY Times World

The Eclipse Is Coming, and Iceland Is … Mostly Ready

Rooms were booked years ago, and officials have been making plans. But there’s no telling where, exactly, Icelanders might go to find the best possible view.

general  Aug 11, 2026

NY Times World

Spain’s Complex Ties With Morocco Fuel Speculation Over Ceuta Migrant Surge

Rumors swirled that Morocco, perhaps spurred by Israel and the United States, organized a recent border disaster. That unproven speculation, experts said, was exacerbated by the region’s complicated history.

general  Aug 11, 2026