The Guardian

At least 18 die as thousands of migrants reach Spain’s African enclave of Cueta – Europe live

PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisisAt least 18 people died as thousands of migrants breached the Spanish-Moroccan border in Cueta yesterday, prompting concerns about a fresh migration crisis and questions over the implications for the European Union.A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil force, which polices Spain’s borders, said ⁠the migrants were “massively entering from the sea” t

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Gina Rinehart threatens ABC with legal action over Race Around the World program

Hancock Prospecting says chair Kim Williams among those ‘on notice’ for failing to remove program that joked about turning Rinehart’s insides into a sausage rollGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action over crude comments aired on the national broadcaster, including a joke about mixing her guts into a sausage roll.The four-minute film, titled A Very Relaxing Video, aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July and c

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

BP puts North Sea oil and gas business up for sale

Move, which would end decades of production in area, comes as new CEO tries to simplify firm and cut debtBusiness live – latest updatesBP has put its North Sea oil and gas business up for sale, as it looks to end decades of production from the region.The oil major announced on Friday morning that it had launched a formal process to market its North Sea business for a potential sale. The move comes as BP’s new chief executive, Meg O’Neill, tries to simplify the company and cut its debt levels. Co

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

BP to sell North Sea business; AI companies lead record surge on Korea’s stock market – business live

Live, rolling coverage as British oil company looks for buyer amid political dispute over future drilling licencesGood morning, and welcome to our live coverage of business, economics and financial markets.BP has put its North Sea oil business up for sale, saying it will try to find a buyer amid a political dispute over whether the UK government should allow more drilling.The UK has been our home for more than 100 years and will continue to play an important role in our future. We’re proud of th

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

‘Extremely scary findings’ show climate crisis is supercharging Europe’s wildfire weather

Latest study says global heating has made hot, dry and windy conditions in Spain at least 20 times more likelyThe extreme heat and drought stoking huge wildfires in Spain and France were made far more likely by the climate crisis, a scientific analysis has found.Global heating made hot, dry and windy weather at least 20 times more likely in Spain and twice as likely in France, experts from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium calculated. The finding is the latest to pin the blame for t

general  Jul 31, 2026

WSJ World News

French Inflation Climbs on Firmer Energy, Services Prices

Double-digit energy inflation drove the headline number higher, but services prices also accelerated, a sign that higher oil-and-gas costs due to the Iran war could be affecting prices elsewhere in the economy.

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

‘Rob has the bucks cash’: NSW Liberals used Reformers funds to pay for ‘personal expenditure’, Icac hears

Robert Assaf separately tells anti-corruption inquiry money funnelled through lobbying firm to create ‘maximum benefit from a tax perspective’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA group of young conservative Liberal power brokers accused of soliciting illegal donations used some of the funds to pay for a bucks night, one of its members has told a corruption inquiry.The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Calls grow ‘to flunk’ Portugal’s education minister amid exam marking fiasco

Fernando Alexandre’s push to digitise marking process deemed a failure with some students and parents contemplating legal actionPressure is growing on Portugal’s education minister to resign amid student and teacher protests over his handling of this year’s national school exams.Fernando Alexandre is accused of failing to take responsibility for what critics say is an unprecedented and chaotic school exam season affecting children aged 14 to 18, prompting student protesters to call for him “to b

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Fury as UK’s only all-female chess team promoted – then told they must recruit a man

She Plays to Win face losing one of their female players after being told team must include a maleThe UK’s only all-female chess team have been promoted to the game’s top tier – only to be told they will have to add a man to their squad.She Plays to Win Lionesses A Team have fallen foul of a rule designed to boost female participation in the sport. Continue reading...

general  Jul 31, 2026

NY Times World

A Whale Gave Birth. A Drone Was There to Capture the Spectacle.

A wildlife photographer noticed a humpback whale displaying unusual behavior off Australia’s east coast, then something extraordinary happened.

general  Jul 31, 2026

WSJ World News

Korea Leads Asia’s Tech Rally; Yen in Focus

Strong U.S. tech earnings revived enthusiasm for artificial-intelligence spending, while the yen weakened further after the Bank of Japan stood pat.

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Forced out of Australia’s military due to his sexuality, David says an apology is ‘long overdue’ for veterans like him

Exclusive: ADF personnel who were discriminated against for being LGBTQ+ are owed a national apology, federal government toldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA national apology should be issued to LGBTQ+ veterans and service personnel who experienced discrimination at the hands of the Australian Defence Force, according to recommendations to the federal government.David Gibson, who was discharged from the military in

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Friday briefing: Why attacks on hospitals from Ukraine to Lebanon now happen with impunity

In today’s newsletter: ​The legal protections once considered foundational ​in conflict are now routinely bypassed​,​ with healthcare personnel treated as legitimate targetsGood morning. While you were asleep, Donald Trump claimed a deal had been reached for the “complete disarmament of Hamas” in Gaza. His announcement, characteristically, does not yet seem watertight, with briefings from both sides revealing points of contention, and as such is being treated with caution by some world leaders.A

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Middle East crisis live: Trump claims Gaza deal reached; Iran targets US bases in Kuwait

Response from Hamas and Israeli officials suggest Gaza deal still faces obstacles; Tehran launches drone strikes at Kuwait in retaliation for recent US attacksTrump claims agreement for ‘complete disarmament’ of Hamas in Gaza but support uncertainSaudi Arabia prepares sea and possible land offensive against HouthisDonald Trump claims a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, but many hurdles and conditions remained in the Palestinian territory.“The

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

HSBC to pull out of Australian retail banking market

London-based company to sell local loan portfolio to Blackstone, but will continue private and institutional banking servicesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe London-headquartered HSBC is closing all Australian branches over the next 18 months after selling its local mortgage and personal loan portfolio to global asset giant Blackstone.The transaction will end HSBC’s decades-long retail presence in Australia, alth

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

Drones offer alternative to balloons for weather research

Pre-programmed flights gather data at different altitudes then return to bases to recharge and downloadWeather happens in the boundary layer, the atmosphere from ground level to a few thousand metres, but this can be difficult to study in detail: weather stations are too low, and aircraft are expensive. Instrumented weather balloons are the traditional solution, and thousands are released every day. But these are at the mercy of the wind and use irreplaceable helium.Drones offer an alternative a

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

British YouTuber Yung Filly acquitted of raping fan in Perth but could face retrial with jury hung on three charges

Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos was found guilty of two counts of assault and not guilty of three of six counts of rapeA British musician and YouTube personality on trial for allegedly violently raping a fan in a Perth hotel has been acquitted of three sexual penetration charges.But the jury found rapper Yung Filly guilty of two assault offences over his September 2024 encounter with a 20-year-old woman after a show. Continue reading...

general  Jul 31, 2026

The Guardian

‘Nobody from the Labor party has contacted me’ about $15bn CFMEU corruption claim, expert says

Geoffrey Watson criticises Victorian government as union administrator warns of ongoing criminality on construction sitesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIntegrity expert Geoffrey Watson SC says “nobody” from the Victorian Labor government has contacted him about his bombshell report alleging corruption in the construction union which he estimated cost taxpayers at least $15bn, as its administrator warned “criminalit

general  Jul 31, 2026

BBC World

UK rapper Yung Filly found not guilty of raping woman after Australian show

The rapper had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman after performing in Perth in 2024.

general  Jul 31, 2026

BBC World

Rushdi Abualouf: If Hamas disarmament plan holds, it could mark first credible step to ending Gaza war

While the plan is progress, it was met with little enthusiasm by Palestinians let down by many years of collapsed agreements.

general  Jul 31, 2026