All events

geopolitical · geopolitical

Also in today’s newsletter: New York’s data centre crackdown and the new era of critical mineral diplomacy

social demographic · culture

Levy is part of a deepening rift between Washington and Brasília ahead of South American presidential election

social demographic · sports

American drivers are once again paying more than $5 a gallon for diesel, with a fresh round of hostilities in the Middle East raising the specter of more war-induced inflation.

military · geopolitical

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,450 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

social demographic · culture

Hat-trick against Fiji insufficient to promote No 8 Borthwick expects ‘fantastic atmosphere’ for game England have opted not to start the in-form Henry Pollock against Argentina on Saturday and have instead retained an unchanged starting lineup. The only alterations from last week’s 73-8 win over Fiji are among the replacements where Ben Spencer and the uncapped Northampton loosehead Emmanuel Iyogun come into the matchday 23. Even an eye-catching hat-trick of tries in Liverpool has proved insufficient to earn Pollock a promotion from the bench for this month’s third and final round of Nations Championship fixtures. The head coach, Steve Borthwick, has chosen to stick with Ben Earl at No 8 and Guy Pepper at openside flanker, with Bristol’s Benhard van Rensburg and Saracens’ Noah Caluori once again handed roles as impact subs. Continue reading...

social demographic · culture

The Egg, Bath The beloved children’s perennial is the basis for a celebration of craft, creativity and the beauty of the natural world in this charming puppetry production The Egg theatre celebrates its 20th anniversary with Tom Wentworth’s thoughtful but fitful adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved book . As Mary and her friends nurture their secret garden, animal puppets play amid the audience and flowers pop up across a green-washed stage. It’s all very charming – particularly when Cat Rock’s beautiful puppets skip, soar and dart around the theatre. There’s a plucky robin, a majestic owl and a ridiculously lovable fluffy lamb. All the puppets are frayed around the edges with the original fabric exposed; a celebration of craft and creation just as much as the beauty of the natural world. The puppets are complemented by a striking design from Kat Heath and evocative music from composer Ben Osborn. The Yorkshire Moors around Misselthwaite Manor, where Mary is sent after being orphaned, are brought to life using curtains of fabric and giant gloves with long spindly fingers, worn by actors and swaying wildly in the wind. It’s quite unusual work, which sometimes makes the young audience giggle but gradually takes a hold of the imagination. Continue reading...

geopolitical · geopolitical

Whether you’re climbing peaks or taking the family to the local park, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for every temperature, budget, and camping expedition.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Iran claims strikes on US bases, warns of wider attacks on region

natural disaster · natural disaster

The air quality in large parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota is deemed "hazardous" by authorities.

social demographic · sports

It might feel like the last thing anyone wants right now - but here is why, actually, you do want to watch the World Cup's third-place play-off.

geopolitical · geopolitical

An animal welfare charity has apologised after facing a backlash for asking Hong Kong police to help remove videos of a dog and its pups being killed in mainland China, with the group accused of undermining efforts to raise public awareness of the case. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued the apology on Wednesday night after social media users argued that taking down the videos would suppress evidence. The footage circulating online appeared to show at least four...

natural disaster · natural disaster

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday vowed to replant Fontainebleau forest after devastating wildfires blazed through at least 10% of the 20,000 hectare demain and forced hundreds of residents to flee. The historic forest, just south of Paris, draws hikers, climbers and nature lovers from all over the world every year.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Hussein Saleh describes an Israeli air attack in Tyre that killed his family, including his wife and his only child.

natural disaster · natural disaster

In Venezuela, the focus has shifted from rescue to rebuilding three weeks after devastating earthquakes.

social demographic · sports

Michael Carrick’s first signing is a surprise, but the Brazil midfielder will help the team deal with Casemiro’s exit By Opta Analyst Andrey Santos moving from Chelsea to Manchester United was not on our summer transfer window bingo card, but the Brazilian has become Michael Carrick’s first signing . United desperately needed reinforcements in midfield, especially after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s long-term injury , so deals for Santos and Youri Tielemans will be welcomed by fans. Tielemans looks like particularly good business – he captains Belgium, has made 244 appearances in the Premier League and was available for £35m – but Santos is a more curious choice. He was often a backup player for Chelsea last season as they finished seven places and 19 points behind United; he is not the finished article, and played for one of United’s rivals. Since Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago, United had only signed four players from their “big six” rivals: Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Mason Mount (all Chelsea) and Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal). Continue reading...

social demographic · culture

McLaren’s changes of power unit exceeds regulations World champion is fifth in the F1 standings Lando Norris will have to take a 10-place grid penalty at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. McLaren announced on Thursday that the car of the reigning world champion will be fitted with a fourth power electronics unit of the season, one more than allowed under Formula One regulations. Norris’s first two units suffered “terminal” issues in China in March, where he did not start the race, then in free practice in Monaco last month. Continue reading...

social demographic · sports

England's defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final attracts an audience of 24 million on the BBC.

geopolitical · geopolitical

An explosion on power lines that feed a key water-pumping hub risks cutting supply to parts of South Africa’s commercial hub of Johannesburg and key platinum- and gold-mining towns to the city’s west, the continent’s biggest bulk-water supplier said.

geopolitical · geopolitical

S&P 500 Index futures are down 0.2% as of 7:47 a.m. in New York. The US intensified strikes against Iran, hitting an oil tanker near the country’s main export terminal for the first time since the restart of the blockade on the Islamic Republic’s ports.

geopolitical · geopolitical

The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that "the war impacts every sector," but Turkey advocates for a focused, separate approach to addressing security of navigation and energy supplies

social demographic · culture

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

geopolitical · geopolitical

UAE condemns Iranian attacks in Gulf states The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates issued a statment condemning Iranian attacks in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. "The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed hostile attacks by Iran targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with drones and missiles," the statement said. The statement reiterated UAE's "full solidarity" with the targeted Gulf states and "support for all measures aimed at safeguarding their security."

geopolitical · geopolitical

Iran asks Houthis to close Bab al-Mandeb Strait if US attacks power network Iran requested the Houthis in Yemen to close the Red Sea gateway Bab al-Mandeb Strait if the US attacks power network, Reuters reported.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Russia is thereby responding to the Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks on Russian regions, Leonid Ivlev said

natural disaster · natural disaster

Toronto’s skies have turned a hazy yellow as smoke blown in from wildfires blankets Canada’s largest city and sends pollution levels soaring. On Wednesday, Toronto had the worst air quality of any major city in the world, according to Swiss firm IQAir, edging out New Delhi and Kinshasa.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Overnight Israeli settler attacks set farmlands ablaze in Masafer Yatta and burned vehicles near Tulkarem.

social demographic · sports

England's poor defensive tactics, Lionel Messi's enduring brilliance, and Argentina self-belief behind 2-1 comeback win.

social demographic · culture

Nearly 40% of 2026 races at showpiece meeting affected Track layout and bugging devices for stewards on menu The British Horseracing Authority said on Thursday that it aims to introduce a series of measures ahead of next year’s Cheltenham festival to tackle a significant rise in the number of false starts at National Hunt’s showpiece meeting in recent seasons. The percentage of festival races that had a false start has climbed steadily over the last five years, from 18% in 2022 to nearly 40% at the 2026 meeting four months ago. The rate of false starts in jump racing as a whole is around 4% over the same period. Continue reading...

geopolitical · geopolitical

Kuwaiti Army intercepts Iranian drones Kuwaiti Army announced that its air defences are intercepting Iranian drones, in an official statement shared on X. تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات طائرات مسيّرة معادية، إثر العدوان الإيراني الاثم. تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش بأن أصوات الانفجارات، إن سُمعت، فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية. ويرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن… pic.twitter.com/tzsIg8JzVi — KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) July 16, 2026 "The Army General Staff notes that sounds of explosions -if heard- are due to the interceptions of the hostile attacks by the air defence systems," the statement said.

geopolitical · geopolitical

Ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s vow to return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence has raised the prospect of a dramatic comeback for her and the Awami League. Her potential return could revive the rivalry between the banned party and the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), while curbing further gains for Islamist political forces, according to analysts. Hasina, who has been living in India since her government was toppled by a student-led protest movement nearly two...