The Guardian

Maryland police arrest alleged bank robber wielding stolen cat: ‘Tried to use her as an accessory’

Police say suspect stole three-and-a-half-month-old tuxedo kitten Magnolia before attempting to rob a PNC bankIn this day and age, law enforcement agencies worldwide are accustomed to dealing with cat burglars – but now a Maryland police department is saying it grappled with a cat-wielding bank robber.The Prince George’s county police department said its officers arrested a man suspected of stealing a cat and then taking the animal with him to a PNC bank branch in the local community of Beltsvil

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv to announce new defence initiatives as Ukraine and Russia exchange strikes – Europe live

In Brussels EU ambassadors will be trying to work out the details of the 21st sanctions package for RussiaHere is your daily briefing on Ukraine from Warren Murray:European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv today with plans to announce “new initiatives to integrate our defence industries,” a day after both European and Ukrainian armies were involved in the Bastille Day parade in Paris. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Starmer faces final Cabinet and PMQs as Burnham nears Labour leadership finish line – UK politics live

The outgoing Labour leader will have final talks with his senior ministers in No 10 before taking his last PMQsGood morning. Everyone likes a leaving do and today it’s Keir Starmer’s, or at least his parliamentary one. If the colleague who is going is someone you like and admire, then the chance to see them thanked and celebrated is welcome. And if the colleague who is going is someone that you don’t like, or who has stayed too long, then that’s even better. At a good leaving do, there are also

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Andy Burnham urged to overhaul ‘timid and limited’ elections bill

Ex-minister who helped write draft calls for bolder action on voting reform, crypto donations and social mediaThe government was “timid” and “incremental” when deciding what to include in its elections bill, a former minister who helped write it has said, as she urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, to go further.Rushanara Ali, who resigned as democracy minister last August, said the draft legislation still contained big gaps when it came to voting reform, cryptocurrency donations and

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Brisbane child accused of school stabbing allegedly faced ‘racist’ abuse, court hears

Alleged attack may have been motivated by a social media post, police prosecutor tells courtFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Brisbane child accused of stabbing a fellow student was allegedly subjected to months of “racist” abuse and threats, a court has heard.The 16-year-old child was arrested after allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old schoolmate on Tuesday. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

England risks building new ‘death traps’ as experts warn of overheating crisis

Vulnerable people more at risk as research finds only half of local authority plans require cooling strategiesEngland risks constructing a new generation of “death trap” buildings that can fatally overheat unless the government tightens standards and prioritises climate safeguards, planning experts have said.Fears are growing about the plight of vulnerable people in heatwaves, with research this week suggesting that 2,700 people had died in the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales. Yet on

general  Jul 15, 2026

WSJ World News

Australia Plans to Govern Use of Water, Power for AI

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that legislation for the artificial-intelligence industry is expected early next year.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Wednesday briefing: ​Do MPs have the will to stop mega-donors interfering in UK politics?

In today’s newsletter: The representation of the people bill has become a test of whether ​Britain can curb the surge in billionaire‑backed ​donations trying to influence how we run the countryGood morning. I’m Hettie O’Brien, and I’ll be arriving in your inbox regularly from today, rounding out the First Edition team alongside Libby and Michael.I’ve spent much of my time at the Guardian writing about who is pulling the strings in Britain: I enjoy illuminating knotty subjects for our readers, ex

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

University of Melbourne ‘sharply’ changed protest policies after pro-Palestine sit-ins, commission hears

Royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion hears of response of universities to incidents on campus Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe interim vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne (UoM) says pro-Palestine sit-ins on campus led to the institution “quite sharply” changing its protest policies and that further restrictions could arise.Prof Glyn Davis appeared before the royal commission into anti

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Heating oil customers to get up to £350 compensation for cancelled orders

Watchdog says about 1,700 people were affected during a price surge triggered by the Middle East crisisHeating oil customers whose deliveries were cancelled when the war in the Middle East caused a price surge are to receive compensation of up to £350 each following an investigation by the UK competition watchdog.As the crisis unfolded, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was investigating heating oil suppliers after complaints that existing orders were being scrapped, with custo

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Japan officials hunt bear that raided couple’s fridge amid string of break-ins

Officials set up traps and electric fences after 14 break-ins recored in one town in two weeks, amid fears of a repeat offenderAuthorities are searching for a bear that sneaked into the home of an elderly couple and raided their fridge amid concerns it may be behind 14 break-ins across a Japanese town in the past fortnight.On Monday evening, Mitsuo Matsubara, 87, was confronted by a large Asiatic black bear when he went to investigate a noise in his kitchen. His fridge was open, and food was str

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Icac inquiry raises questions over whether taxpayer funds were used in alleged illegal political donations

Catholic Schools NSW’s alleged donations to Liberal party show the need to ensure public money is spent for approved purposes, expert saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn education funding expert says alleged donations by Catholic Schools NSW to the Liberal party, under investigation by the state corruption watchdog, show governments need to check taxpayer funding was “being spent according to its purposes” and no

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Melbourne council votes to scrap Lime ebikes for failing to meet ‘bare minimum standards’

City of Yarra councillors end trial, claiming the company has not done enough to stop dumping and misuse of share bikesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastShared ebikes will disappear from some inner-city Melbourne streets after a council scrapped its agreement with Australia’s largest electric bike operator.The City of Yarra on Tuesday voted to end its memorandum of understanding with Lime, terminating its almost six-y

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Minister breaks ranks with Victorian premier by calling for explanation for alleged wrongdoing on project

Melissa Horne describes allegations of improper government interference on a hospital project as ‘alarming’, after Jacinta Allan said report was wrongFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Victorian minister has broken ranks with Jacinta Allan over allegations involving the CFMEU, describing a report about alleged improper government interference on a hospital project as “alarming” and asking a senior official for assura

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

For Argentina, a World Cup Semifinal Against England Isn’t Just Soccer

Wednesday’s contest for a spot in the final carries the weight of a 1986 contentious clash, a war over the Falklands and a national mythology built around Diego Maradona.

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

Missing From Prince Harry’s UK Trip: A Reunion With Prince William

Harry is clearly repairing his relationship with King Charles III, but the rift with his brother remains unresolved.

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

As Argentina Tries to Win the World Cup, the Rest of Latin America Cheers Against It

Rather than rally behind the tournament’s last Latin American team, other countries in the region are confronting Argentina’s fraught claims to its own identity.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Barnaby Joyce claims Australia is a ‘Christian nation’ and says many First Nations people would agree

One Nation MP refines party’s view on national identity as he accepts award for ‘political courage’ at anti-abortion gala organised by Joanna HoweFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Barnaby Joyce has claimed First Nations people would agree with him that Australia is a “Christian nation”.The New England MP made the comments at an anti-abortion gala – where he accepted a prize for “political courage” – in Sy

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

China economic growth falls sharply, missing target

Weak demand domestically and the impact of the Iran war on oil prices overshadowed the country's strong exports.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Liberals re-examine gender quotas in slew of proposals to make party ‘fit-for-purpose political machine’

Angus Taylor has stated his opposition, but discussion paper’s authors warn ‘if we want a different outcome, we need to be prepared to do things differently’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Liberal party is canvassing views on gender quotas among possible interventions to increase the number of women in its parliamentary ranks, which it says is critical to the long-term survival of the movement.The idea has re-em

general  Jul 15, 2026