The Guardian

Senate confirms Trump pick Erica Schwartz as new CDC director

Schwartz, president’s third pick to lead top US public health agency, confirmed in 51-44 Senate voteDr Erica Schwartz was confirmed by the US Senate as director ‌of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a rare win for the Trump administration after a string of failed attempts to fill senior health posts.Schwartz was confirmed ⁠51-44 by senators. She is Donald Trump’s third pick to run ​the CDC. Continue reading...

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Cambridge professor Jason Arday resigns amid accusations of plagiarism

Sociology professor to stand down after university announces investigation into his qualifications and career• Playbooks, plagiarism and a pig’s head: new claims surrounding a star Cambridge professorJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, has resigned after the university announced he was to face a new investigation into his qualifications and career.Arday, who had been dogged by a growing series of questions over his academic work and credentials, issued a

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

US to shut five consulates as critics fear China could fill diplomatic vacuum

State department informs Congress of planned closures in Canada, Grenada, Japan, Indonesia and CameroonThe US state department is to shut five foreign consulates and missions across Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean, drawing criticism that it is leaving a diplomatic vacuum at risk of being filled by China.The US Congress has been served notice of the impending closures, which are being justified on cost grounds and follow a reassessment of the US’s bilateral relationships with a rang

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Iran and Oman reach understanding on coordinates of route through Hormuz, Iran ministry says

Joint statement is being finalised, but Tehran says deal alone would not guarantee waterway’s securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIran and Oman have reached an understanding on ⁠the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the strait of Hormuz, and ⁠a joint announcement ⁠is ​being finalised, provided certain third parties did not interfere, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil ⁠Baghaei said on Wednesday.Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman wo

general  Aug 5, 2026

BBC World

Ex-leader Hasina gambles on return to Bangladesh despite death penalty

The 78-year-old has been convicted of crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a 2024 uprising.

general  Aug 5, 2026

BBC World

Watch: 'Scariest night' as Ukraine fails to intercept Russian attack

Kyiv's depleted air defences meant many of the missiles were not intercepted - like the one that hit Anastasiia's home.

general  Aug 5, 2026

BBC World

Youth protests have weakened Modi, Indian activist who went on hunger strike tells BBC

The "cockroach" movement was one of the biggest public displays of dissent against India's prime minister in years.

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Judge signals Trump’s defamation lawsuit against Wall Street Journal may be dismissed again

Obama-appointed judge seemed unmoved by Trump attorneys’ arguments in case also naming MurdochA federal judge in Florida seemed skeptical of arguments from Donald Trump’s legal team on Wednesday over whether the court should allow a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal to move forward.Trump sued the Journal and News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch over a July 2025 article about a “bawdy” letter reportedly from Trump that was included in a 2003 birthday book for disgraced financie

general  Aug 5, 2026

BBC World

After deadly Kyiv strike, Ukraine warns interceptor shortage is costing lives

Without Patriot interceptors, Ukraine's skies are wide open and people are fully exposed to Russia's missile barrages.

general  Aug 5, 2026

WSJ World News

Negotiators Close In on Deal With Iran to Open Hormuz

A draft agreement would give Tehran oversight of ships entering the Persian Gulf but wouldn’t let it levy tolls or service fees.

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Cambridge announces investigation into professor accused of plagiarism

University says it has ‘new information’ about academic career of Jason Arday, the youngest black professor in its historyJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, is to face investigation by the university after what it called “new information” regarding his qualifications and career.Cambridge initially defended Arday – the youngest black professor appointed in the university’s history, with a compelling life story of educational disadvantage – as “the victim

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Top Democrats set aside qualms and embrace progressive Abdul El-Sayed

Democrats ‘united by a common purpose: putting a check on Trump’, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sayAbdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primaryWhat we learned from midterm primary electionsLeading Democrats quickly papered over whatever qualms they had about progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed after his win in the Michigan Senate primary was confirmed on Wednesday, instead welcoming the former public health official as their champion against Republican nominee Mike Rogers.The state is now

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

More than 1,100 people convicted of illegal arrival in UK since 2022

Data shows victims of torture and trafficking among those prosecuted for crossing Channel by irregular meansMore than 1,100 people, including survivors of torture and trafficking, have been convicted of illegally arriving in the UK since 2022, according to freedom of information data.The Home Office introduced the offence of illegal arrival in 2022 in a bid to deter those planning to come to the UK by small boat or by other irregular means such as lorries. Continue reading...

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Exiled PM vows to return to Bangladesh despite execution threat

Sheikh Hasina, 78, plans a December comeback two years after being ousted in a bloody uprising led by studentsBangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return home by year-end, even though she faces a death sentence.“They may put me in a cell. They may kill me. Anything may happen, but still I have to go,” said the 78-year-old, speaking two years after a student-led uprising toppled her government. Continue reading...

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

The Leipzig drone bomb marks a dangerous escalation for Europe

Initial evidence suggests the drone, which was found near Ukrainian cargo planes at the German airport, came from RussiaThe armed drone found at Leipzig airport on Wednesday may not have exploded, but the fact that it got inside the perimeter, close to Ukrainian cargo planes, raises obvious concerns for the security of international aviation.Though the identity of the culprits is unknown, the initial evidence points firmly towards a Russian-orchestrated plot. It is the first time that a drone wi

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Mexican influencer shot dead while streaming live on social media

César Gastélum was filming outside a fast-food outlet in Sinaloa state when he was killed by a motorbike driverA popular Mexican influencer has been shot dead while doing a live stream on social media outside a restaurant in Sinaloa state, where lethal cartel violence has become widespread.César Gastélum, who had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok and was known for making comedy videos, was filming with two friends outside a fast-food restaurant in the city of Culiacán. The three were dressed in

general  Aug 5, 2026

WSJ World News

Putin Overhauls War Effort in Ukraine as Russia Seeks Momentum

The Kremlin appoints new commanders after Russia’s military faces growing criticism for its slowest gains in years.

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Suspect in Washington state wildfire was questioned about blazes last year

Aaron Farinacci is accused of starting the Old Trails fire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee The Washington state man accused of starting a wildfire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee around Spokane was previously questioned in connection with two fire investigations last year, according to court documents.Authorities allege that Aaron Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, started Old Trails fire, one of three major wildfires burning in Spokane county in north-eastern

general  Aug 5, 2026

NY Times World

Iran Says It Is Nearing Final Agreement With Oman on Strait of Hormuz

The agreement on an acceptable route for ships to pass through the strait would effectively ratify Tehran’s control over the crucial waterway.

general  Aug 5, 2026

The Guardian

Trump is pioneering the role of commentator-in-chief when issues grow thorny

The president is constantly assigning motives, identifying heroes and villains, and telling his audience what to thinkThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayFrom Charles Barkley to Thierry Henry to John McEnroe, the path from the arena to the commentary box is well trodden, and plenty of politicians have made the transition from elected office to the TV studio. One man, however, insists on doing both at the same time.Donald Tru

general  Aug 5, 2026