The Guardian
World Cup 2026: Mexico v England buildup, France battle past Paraguay, Morocco march on – live
⚽ All the latest news and reaction from the World Cup
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Kylian Mbappe has pulled level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot charts. Both icons have seven after the Frenchman tucked away the winning penalty against Paraguay.
Erling Haaland (5), Harry Kane (5) and Vinícius Júnior (4) all have the chance to close the gap in the next 24 hours. And also look out for Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (4) creeping up on the rails.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 10:49
The Guardian
Mourners vow revenge on Trump at funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei
New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei remained absent from public view as three of his brothers stood beside their father’s coffin
Calls for the killing of Donald Trump were made beside the coffin of the assassinated former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei at a packed prayer hall in Tehran on Sunday.
Iran is staging a week of mass funeral processions for Khamenei, who was killed along with other members of his family on the first day of the US and Israeli war on 28 February. The funeral was delayed due to the war.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 10:40
NPR Topics: News
Paul Pelosi in hit-and-run in California, car left with major damage, authorities say
The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was involved in a hit-and-run in California that left a parked car with "major" damage, authorities said Saturday.
5th July 2026 10:288 people, including 4 children, injured in July 4th shooting
A 21-year-old woman is in critical condition, and 4 of the injured are juveniles between the ages of 6 and 14, according to he police.
5th July 2026 10:11
The Guardian
Americans declared independence from a tyrant once. And we must do that again | Claire Finkelstein
America’s founding 250 years ago was a warning cry against leaders like Trump. Our past is a guide for how to handle our present
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, marking the official birth of the new nation, it is worth remembering some of the reasons the document offers as just cause for making war on the British monarchy.
“No taxation without representation” is the slogan that is best known as the core complaint of the colonists, a reference to the colonists’ objections to the 1765 Stamp Act and a series of taxes levied by the British crown thereafter over which Americans had no means of objecting in parliament. But such taxes were not the only provocation to war.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 10:00
The Guardian
Is there a rat hiding in your toilet? Are you sure? Really sure? | Polly Hudson
Imagine lifting the loo lid and finding two beady eyes staring up at you. Impossible? An urban myth? It happened in my own family!
Knowledge is power, in all cases except this one. I used to think that tales like the one I’m about to relate were urban myths. I was definitely happier then, in the days when there was still the possibility of experiencing another moment’s peace.
Not a friend of a friend, or a colleague’s auntie’s neighbour, but a member of my extended family, a fully trusted source, recently went to the loo upstairs in her home, lifted the lid, and found a rat in the bowl staring back at her. Obviously, she slammed down the lid, packed her belongings and immediately emigrated. (Kidding, miraculously.)
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 10:00
The Guardian
At least eight shot, including four children, in New York’s Coney Island
Incident took place late in the evening on Independence Day, reports say, with woman said to be in critical condition
At least eight people, including four children, were shot and injured during the US Independence Day holiday in New York City’s Coney Island neighbourhood, ABC News said on Sunday, citing the New York City police department (NYPD).
Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 10.37pm on the Brooklyn neighbourhood’s West 31st Street, the NYPD said in a statement to ABC News.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 09:54
The Guardian
Nigel Farage did not declare gifts from crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraud
Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick says Farage accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell before becoming an MP
Nigel Farage did not declare gifts and benefits provided by a crypto entrepreneur who has previously been convicted of fraud, Reform’s economic spokesperson has admitted.
Robert Jenrick said on Sunday that the Reform leader had accepted staff, security and accommodation from George Cottrell, but claimed they were personal gifts provided before he became an MP and so did not need to be declared.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 09:40
The Guardian
Manchester United target Andrey Santos but Chelsea value midfielder at £50m
Newcastle also linked with £50m-rated Brazilian
Chelsea need to sell to help Xabi Alonso rebuild squad
Manchester United are targeting the Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who is valued in the region of £50m.
After missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United were forced to look elsewhere as they seek to rebuild their midfield under Michael Carrick, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott also of interest to the club’s hierarchy. The Brazilian is behind Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández at Stamford Bridge and the Blues need to bring in funds in order to aide new head coach Xabi Alonso’s ambitions to strengthen.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 09:13
The Guardian
Sleuthing sheep, Young Sherlock and a new Poirot: how amateur detectives took over our screens
From the Sherlock Holmes spin-offs to The Sheep Detectives, DIY sleuths are on the case all over TV and cinema. But where did the trope of the outsider who outsmarts the professionals come from – and how do these depictions compare to reality?
On Television you don’t have to be a cop to solve crime; the police can just hire you as a consultant. All you need is the uncanny ability to solve each and every mystery in time for the next episode. You might be a retired detective (Monk, Ridley, the many Poirot spin-offs) or a bestselling mystery writer (Murder, She Wrote, Castle) or a vicar (Grantchester) or a convicted fraudster seeking redemption (White Collar, Wild Cards). You could be a faux psychic (Psych, The Mentalist), a human lie detector (Lie to Me), or a private investigator (all the Sherlock Holmes adaptations and spin-offs, and Shonda Rhimes’s The Residence). Or even, in the case of Death Valley, a retired actor widely known for playing a detective on TV).
The trope of the “consultant”– a hyper-talented investigator who isn’t part of the police, but teams up with them to solve crimes – is widespread, so much so that the pop-culture website TV Tropes gives it its own page: “No badge? No problem!” But recently the evergreen character has enjoyed a boost.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 09:00
The Guardian
England at the Azteca Stadium: a potted history – in pictures
England return to the Azteca Stadium for the first time in 40 years as they take on co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 of the World Cup. We take a look at the games the Three Lions have played in this iconic setting. And yes, Maradona is featured
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 09:00
The Guardian
The strangest show on earth: lightning, imperial hubris and a boring tour of Trump’s rhetorical back alleys | David Smith
Would we get a 21st-century Gettysburg address? Or YMCA, gripes about his legal woes and boasting about Iran?
The astronomer Carl Sagan once described the earth as a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. “Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot,” he wrote.
Donald Trump took the stage on Saturday night imagining himself the master of the universe, not the temporary custodian of a country born around the same time as the hot-air balloon. The last decade was proof that “divine providence” had made Trump president for America’s 250th anniversary of independence, his aide Stephen Miller posted on social media.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 08:39
NPR Topics: News
Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after Trump requested his release
A pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained in China in October has been released, less than two months after U.S. President Donald Trump brought up his case when meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
5th July 2026 08:30
The Guardian
‘Attack on civil society’: why Viktor Orbán’s favourite thinktank is in crisis
MCC Brussels received lavish funding from Budapest, but Hungary’s new PM is launching an investigation
Under glittering chandeliers in a neoclassical ballroom, guests took their seats. It was 10am and scores of people had gathered at a private members’ club in Brussels for a conference to mark 250 years of American independence, organised by Viktor Orbán’s favourite thinktank in the EU capital, MCC Brussels.
Opening the one-day event, the MCC director, Frank Furedi, said the 250th anniversary had “really escaped the attention of a European audience” in a speech that lauded the founding fathers before launching a sweeping attack on Europe’s “incompetent political class”.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 08:20
The Guardian
World Club T20 and shorter ODIs among ICC options in radical overhaul of calendar
ICC exploring fixed windows for each format
Continental championships among ideas up for debate
The International Cricket Council is exploring a radical overhaul of the global calendar with discussions surrounding multilateral series, the creation of continental championships, a World Club Championship for T20 franchises, fixed windows for each format and possible changes to the length of one-day internationals.
Talks between the 12 full members will take place at the ICC’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh on Wednesday as part of a strategic review being managed by the consulting firm McKinsey.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 07:00
The Guardian
Football is at the centre of the universe in Brazil in a way it is not in the US | Rodrygo
Huge parties take place when the national team play but people in Brazil cherish a good game, whoever is playing
The World Cup atmosphere, which, for many of us, is one of the most infectious feelings there is, has, in the US been confined to the stadiums, the surrounding streets and fan festivals. This has been played out before and comes as no surprise. Football has limited traction in North American culture.
This highlights how different it is being in the US to being in Brazil, where I am now after following the national team in North America. Football’s extremely important role in Brazilian culture explains why the national team at the World Cup is the centre of our universe.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 07:00
The Guardian
A footballing deepfake: how Bruno Fernandes fell victim to an unlicensed betting operator
Illegal online casinos are producing fake BBC stories and AI-generated videos in an attempt to deceive customers
Respect of copyright law has never ranked highly in the list of priorities for unlicensed sports betting operators. Crests of famous clubs and photographs of star players are routinely used to promote brands which could not care less about image rights and trademarks, because these operators know any kind of enforcement is impossible.
Illegal gambling platforms operate almost exclusively from offshore jurisdictions where the anonymity of their ultimate beneficial owners is protected by local regulations and, to further darken the picture, the use of multiple shell companies which exist only as entries on a registry hidden from public view as well. Cease-and-desist letters will be ignored. Legal action? Against whom? You can’t sue ghosts.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 07:00
The Guardian
Trump hails ‘golden age of America’ in speech marking nation’s 250th anniversary
In late-night campaign-style speech in Washington DC, US president vows to take the US ‘to new levels’
Donald Trump has hailed the “unmatched achievement and unlimited potential” of the US in a triumphalist address marking the country’s 250th anniversary.
In a late-night campaign-style speech in Washington DC on Saturday, the US president claimed his country was “just getting started” as he vowed to take it “to new levels”.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 06:20
The Guardian
Oche addicts: how Kenya fell back in love with darts
Darts development organisations and win for David Munyua at PDC World Darts Championship have turbocharged a resurgence in interest in the sport
Peter Wachiuri pumped his fists as he sensed victory at the Jacaranda showground in the Kenyan city of Nakuru. Leading his opponent, James Kamama, in the final of the main event, Wachiuri approached the oche again, picked a dart from his left hand, leaned forward with an intense gaze on the dartboard, and threw double 10.
“Game shot!” the announcer’s voice boomed across the hall. Cheers erupted in the crowd, gospel music played out of the speakers and Wachiuri launched into a celebratory on-stage dance.
Peter Wachiuri and James Kamama pose for a photo after the final of the main event
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 06:00
The Guardian
Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel
Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says they may be connected to a rocket launch
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Six pieces of suspected space debris found washed up on north Queensland beaches could be “space balls” that are often left over from rocket launches, according to one expert.
The Australian Space Agency confirmed on Sunday it was working to determine the nature and origin of the mysterious objects, which police said were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 05:52Weather woes impact July 4th celebrations as National Mall briefly evacuated
Americans celebrated 250 years of independence this Fourth of July, although severe weather put a damper on the proceedings in several parts of the country.
5th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
‘He hadn’t been trying to scare us. He’d been trying to kill us’: how stalker neighbours turned our dream home into a nightmare
We were busy doing up a dilapidated Welsh farmhouse when a young couple bought the land next door. They seemed odd yet basically harmless – but their increasingly troubling behaviour soon escalated into a full-blown campaign of terror
Richard: Bryn stood under a dripping hedge, waving like we were long-lost cousins reunited at a funeral. “Welcome to paradise!” he shouted as I stepped out of the camper, my raincoat flapping in the wind.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
Roll up, roll up! Older generation find joy and fearlessness in circus
Juggling, trapeze and hula hoop classes for over-50s are taking off as people rediscover their inner child and tap into health benefits
Rumman Talukder’s favourite circus trick is called the Mermaid. Every Sunday, the 60-year-old IT consultant drives from his home in Stanmore to a circus school in Ware to practise it. Hanging from a trapeze by one arm, with his back arched and his legs wrapped around the rope, he says it makes him feel “strong and graceful”.
“My wife thinks I’m mad but in the run-up to turning 60, I decided I wanted to challenge myself; to find things not normally associated with people my age,” he says.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
Make Ed Miliband chancellor, ex-chief Treasury adviser tells Andy Burnham
Nicholas Stern joins growing number backing Miliband, saying he has vision and experience to revive economy
A former chief economic adviser to the Treasury has called on Andy Burnham to appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor, arguing the energy secretary has a “bold” vision to revive the economy.
Nicholas Stern, a professor at the London School of Economics who was a senior figure in the Treasury during Gordon Brown’s tenure, said only Miliband had the experience and the strategic vision to accelerate investment and rebuild public trust in the state’s ability to “get things done”.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
‘A genuine wildlife emergency’: everything you need to know about the arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia
What is the virus? Where did it come from? Are humans at risk? What does it mean for the agricultural sector and wildlife? Experts answer your questions
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A deadly strain of bird flu, known as H5 bird flu, has arrived on the Australian mainland.
The federal agriculture minister, Julie Collins, confirmed in late June that a brown skua – found sick in Western Australia – had died from the H5N1 virus. The skua is a wild migratory bird.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 04:50
The Guardian
‘They ate the shrimp, they even ate the crab’: Thai fishers count the cost of a voracious invader
Huge numbers of blackchin tilapia, a fish native to west Africa, are wreaking havoc among Thailand’s river ecosystems. Experts – and some chefs – are seeking sustainable solutions
The menu at Kor-Tae seafood restaurant, in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, is filled with Thai classics – from tom yum talay, a fragrant hot and sour soup, to spicy larb salads. But the restaurant’s chef is also experimenting with a more controversial ingredient: blackchin tilapia.
“People are hesitant, but once they try it – [they say] it’s delicious,” says owner Adisorn Jamsuksaward, who has been offering the non-native fish free of charge to friends who request it.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 04:00
The Guardian
Walk in the footsteps of gods, heroes and monsters: five trips to mythical Greece
Discover where supplicants consulted Apollo in Delphi, the infant Hermes hid stolen cattle and where Poseidon created a love nest for a sea nymph
Some stories never get old. The poems and songs from Greek mythology – tales of tragedy, love and loss, war and revenge, jealous gods, magic and monsters – have been retold through the ages for good reason. Like all stories that really resonate, they deal in the flawed nature of humankind.
To the ancients, though, they were far more than legends; they explained the universe. From the Earth’s origins and the stories of constellations to ideas of justice and morality, they shaped the arts and sciences, and carved a shared cultural identity. Visiting Greece today, it’s clear how deeply rooted the myths still are in modern culture. From the capital (named after wise Athena) and beyond, this is a country steeped in legends.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 04:00Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married in ceremony officiated by Adam Sandler
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were married as they celebrated their wedding with hundreds of guests Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
5th July 2026 02:44
The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Trump repositions himself as peacemaker in long call with Putin
Ahead of Nato summit in Turkey, Zelenskyy also tells Trump ‘there is a real prospect to end this war’. What we know on day 1,593
US president Donald Trump had a 90-minute phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin, during which the US leader offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, a Kremlin aide has said. The aide, Yuri Ushakov, said Trump made the offer during a call with Putin on Saturday in the context of Trump’s participation next week at a Nato summit in Turkey. “The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis,” Ushakov said. Ushakov described the conversation as “business-like and quite constructive” and said Russia sought “a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia’s fundamental approach”.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke to president Trump. Writing on his Telegram account, he described the conversation as “very good”, including a discussion on the war’s 1,200km frontline. “There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning,” he said. Zelenskyy said he and Trump agreed to continue discussions at the upcoming Nato meeting. But Ushakov accused Kyiv and its European allies of “counting on extending and even escalating the conflict”, referring to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian targets, mainly linked to the oil industry, which have triggered fuel shortages in several Russian regions.
Ukraine has denied Moscow’s claim that Russian forces had captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, a stronghold for Kyiv’s troops in the eastern Donetsk region and a key target for the Kremlin. A Ukrainian army spokesperson told AFP the city remained under its control, while Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s announcement as “a lie”. He said on social media: “If Kostyantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war.” “The situation remains difficult,” Ukrainian army spokesperson Andriy Kovalyov said, but Kostyantynivka “is under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces”.
Putin, wearing a military uniform, had thanked troops on Friday for seizing Kostyantynivka, a town with a prewar population of 78,000 that Moscow has been trying to take control over for months. Kovalyov admitted that small groups of Russian troops have been infiltrating the town but insisted that fighting was ongoing. Moscow’s defence ministry, however, said: “Russian troops are in all parts of the town.”
Russia said on Saturday that Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Putin’s home town, as well as striking a port near Finland and falling on the historical Peterhof complex – a giant estate of gardens and a palace – without causing damage. Moscow vowed to respond, saying it downed almost 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 of Kyiv’s Flamingo missiles overnight. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said: “Air defence forces shot down 72 drones, one of which crashed in Peterhof. There were no casualties or damage.” The Ukrainian attack came after a Russian strike on Kyiv this week killed 30 people, amid other strikes.
Zelenskyy also claimed Kyiv struck the Kronstadt naval base in St Petersburg. Ukraine has been increasing strikes on Russian territory – hitting as far as the Urals far away from the frontline – in recent months, in retaliation for Moscow’s dragging offensive.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defence had shot down 62 drones headed for the Russian capital. Moscow said one person was killed in the border Bryansk region and another in Russian-annexed Crimea. Authorities in the border Belgorod region said “infrastructure facilities” had been damaged by the attacks, leading to “disruptions to electricity and water supply”.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 02:06
The Guardian
Founder of prominent underground church released from prison in China
Ezra Jin, founder of Zion Church, lands in the US and reunites with family who are ‘overwhelmed with joy’
The founder of one of China’s most prominent underground churches has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States.
Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, landed in the US on Friday evening. He was one of dozens of church members who were detained in a sweeping crackdown on Christians in October.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 01:40
The Guardian
Wallabies were brave and brilliant against Ireland but still miss some key ingredients | Daniel Gallan
If Australia can keep playing with the same amount of ambition, skill and speed they showed in Sydney, they will trouble anyone in the Nations Championship
Did anyone inside the sold-out Allianz Stadium, or watching around the world, really expect Ben Donaldson to slot the game-winning kick at the death? A few minutes earlier, when his team still held a slender five-point lead, he had the ball on a tee a little closer to the poles and a little further away from the right touchline. That effort curled across the face of goal and never threatened to sneak inside the upright.
This one was more of a challenge. Just about the toughest challenge a right-footed kicker can encounter. He struck it better but started it too far to the right without the requisite bend. And as the ball sailed wide, it seemed to carry with it the story of Australia’s afternoon. Brave and brilliant, frenetic and entertaining, but ultimately still missing some crucial ingredients as they went down 31-33.
Continue reading... 5th July 2026 01:38Heat and severe storms damper July 4th celebrations, leave thousands without power
While millions of Americans across the Northeast experienced record-setting temperatures, thunderstorms in the Midwest downed trees, ruptured power lines and made transportation treacherous.
5th July 2026 01:29Relay for America runs flag from San Francisco to D.C. in message of unity
Relay for America ran the American flag from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., this week to commemorate America's 250th birthday. They did it nonstop for 20 days and nights for more than 3,000 miles on a mission of unity heading to the Fourth of July. Tony Dokoupil has the story.
5th July 2026 01:14What we know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding so far
The vows have been exchanged, the party is over, and slowly, details are emerging about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. Lilia Luciano reports.
5th July 2026 01:11Some turn to drone shows on 4th of July as a cleaner, quieter alternative
While many in the U.S. light fireworks on the Fourth of July, some towns are turning to drones as a cleaner, quieter alternative. Mark Strassmann gets a preview in Texas.
5th July 2026 01:08Trump delivers ominous warning to political opponents at America 250 event
On Saturday, President Trump is slated to speak on the National Mall, but on Friday, he gave a speech at Mount Rushmore that jumped from praise for America to a warning about what he called a threat to its future. Nikole Killion reports.
5th July 2026 01:04July 4th military flyover display halts D.C. airport operations
It's hot and pricey out there in much of the U.S. this July Fourth weekend, but it's not stopping people from traveling. 72 million are expected to be on the move, a new record, with some potential new headaches. Kris Van Cleave has the details.
5th July 2026 01:01A look at the Great American State Fair, complete with a rodeo, flyovers and food
There's no one way to celebrate American independence, but in Washington, D.C., attendees from across the country visited the Great American State Fair. Kelly O'Grady has more.
5th July 2026 00:59Life-threatening weather amid July 4th celebrations
Millions are out celebrating America's 250th birthday with events planned from coast to coast. But in many places, including in Washington, D.C., they are also battling heat and storms. Lana Zak reports, and Rob Marciano has the forecast.
5th July 2026 00:57Secret Service special agent in charge on America 250 security: "I think we have a great plan"
The security in Washington, D.C., for America 250 events involves miles of fencing, TSA-style airport screenings, bag checks, metal detectors and a long list of prohibited items. Nicole Sganga has more details.
5th July 2026 00:56Eye Opener: America celebrates 250th birthday as Swift-Kelce wedding grips NYC
Celebrations across the U.S. commemorate the Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday. Meanwhile, Swifties are thrilled by the nuptials of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener.
5th July 2026 00:43The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule and how to watch
With 104 World Cup games being played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, it's like "a Super Bowl every single day for five weeks," U.S. team captain Tim Ream told CBS News.
5th July 2026 00:26Pope Leo spends July 4th at migrant cemetery in Italy, meets with U.S. ambassador
After the pope's visit to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, the U.S. Embassy said the ambassador to the Holy See gave Leo a commemorative baseball, an apple pie and a U.S. World Cup jersey.
4th July 2026 23:007/4: CBS Weekend News
Holiday celebrations are underway despite a dangerous heat wave; high security is in place for Fourth of July events.
4th July 2026 22:30
The Guardian
Cow corner: cricket match abandoned after runaway bull stops play
Match at Burnopfield near Newcastle called off after 800kg young bull escaped from farm and stormed playing field
A cricket match had to be abandoned after a runaway bull stormed the playing field and charged at players.
The North East Premier League fixture at Burnopfield Cricket Club near Newcastle was called off on Saturday evening despite efforts to remove the animal from the ground.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 22:25
The Guardian
Trump tries again to delay $5m sexual abuse payout to E Jean Carroll
Lawyers file request days after US supreme court declined to hear an appeal, with payout topping $5.8m with interest
Lawyers for Donald Trump have requested more time to pay a $5m civil judgment to magazine columnist E Jean Carroll from 2023, days after the US supreme court declined to hear an appeal.
In a new filing, the president’s attorney said that since his former lead counsel, Justin Smith, took up a position as a federal judge last month (a post he was nominated to by Trump), his new lead counsel, Josh Halpern, needed more time “to become completely familiar with the facts and procedural circumstances” of the case.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 21:41
The Guardian
Female US rower completes historic solo journey from California to Hawaii
Kelsey Pfendler set out to become first US woman, youngest woman and fastest woman to solo over 2,400-mile journey
A Grand Canyon river-rafting guide who aimed to become the first US woman to row solo across the mid-Pacific has completed a record-breaking journey from California to Hawaii.
Hundreds of people gathered to cheer on Kelsey Pfendler as she pulled into a Honolulu harbor on Friday night on her 21ft rowboat, Lily, after nearly a month-and-a-half at sea, local media reported.
Guardian staff contributed
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 21:06
NPR Topics: News
In Mount Rushmore speech, Trump veers from U.S. exceptionalism to warnings about communism
President Trump ushered in America's 250th anniversary with a darkly political speech that swerved from the typically apolitical, unifying speeches past presidents have given to mark Independence Day.
4th July 2026 20:34
The Guardian
Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt’s western desert
Well-preserved fourth-century quarters reveal details of daily life, urban development and economic activities
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era city in the western desert.
The fourth-century quarters had residential and religious structures, including a basilica-style church in the Dakhla oasis. Archaeologists also found coins, pottery fragments and tools.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 20:32
The Guardian
Norfolk Island’s unique corals under triple threat from disease, El Niño and now government-approved dredging
Exclusive: Most of the island’s corals are likely to be species that have not been formally described by science, researcher says
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Scientists fear unique corals that fringe Australia’s remote Norfolk Island could disappear because of a triple threat of disease, El Niño and a federal government plan to dredge a neighbouring shipping channel.
A failure to manage sediment and pollution washing into bays from cattle farming, cleared land along with wastewater has been blamed for widespread disease and outbreaks of algae over the corals.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 20:00
The Guardian
The moment I knew: I woke up and couldn’t see out of my right eye. Hours later, she helped me record an album
Rebecca ‘Darl’ Ritchie ticked all the boxes for musician Jack Ceriani. Then one morning his eye ruptured – and she was a calming force
Find more stories from the moment I knew series
About eight years ago some mutual friends put Darl and me in touch, thinking we’d be a good match. We’d talked on the phone a bit, but hadn’t found the time to meet in person. I lived in Busselton, Western Australia, and she lived about a 30-minute drive away.
Then on St Paddy’s Day my mates and I invited some friends around to the Star hotel, which was what we called our share house at the time. It was a bit of a bachelor pad with a bar set-up, and I made some really bad mojitos. But when Darl arrived, they improved a lot – she knew what she was doing behind the bar.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 20:00
The Guardian
British wildcard Arthur Fery fights back to beat Zizou Bergs in Wimbledon epic
World No 114 wins 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)
Fery needed treatment three times for nosebleeds
This place has always been home for Arthur Fery. He grew up a mile away from the Wimbledon grounds and went to school nearby. His mother, a former tennis player, is a member here. As a child he would spend his summers strolling the grounds: watching and wishing, inhaling this rarefied air, dreaming of the day when everyone here knew his name.
On a sun-baked Saturday evening, that moment finally arrived. The queues for seats stretched around the block and barely moved all day. Up in the high-rise flats overlooking court 18, residents leaned over balconies and pressed faces up against windows. This year’s Wimbledon finally has a homegrown hero to exalt, and it came after the longest match of the tournament so far: a five-set comeback that stretched credulity and announced the 23-year-old world No 114 as the next big star of British tennis.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 18:48
The Guardian
Tens of thousands march in London for annual Pride parade
More than 35,000 people from about 600 groups made their way from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall via Piccadilly
Tens of thousands of people marched through central London for the annual LGBT+ Pride parade.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, joined the crowd as they proceeded through the capital on Saturday afternoon.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 18:06
The Guardian
Tour de France 2026: Jonas Vingegaard in yellow after Barcelona team time trial
Vingegaard leads Visma–Lease a Bike to stage one win
Ganna second for Ineos; Pogacar third for Emirates
Jonas Vingegaard stunned Tadej Pogacar, the defending champion, by taking the first yellow jersey of the 2026 Tour de France after his Visma-Lease a Bike team won the opening stage of this year’s race, a 19.6km team time trial in Barcelona.
Two years after a life-threatening crash, Vingegaard, who won this year’s Giro d’Italia, looks back to his best. “It feels amazing to have the yellow jersey again,” said the Dane, the Tour champion in 2022 and 2023. “It’s been three years and it’s one of the most beautiful jerseys in cycling. It’s the perfect start for our race.”
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 18:05
NPR Topics: News
Trump addresses nation and fireworks light up National Mall after storm delay
President Trump lauded America's storied history on Saturday night in a speech marking the 250th anniversary of its independence, while also praising his war in Iran, railing against "communists," and vowing to restrict mail-in ballots.
4th July 2026 16:42This week on "Sunday Morning" (July 5)
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley.
4th July 2026 16:41
The Guardian
Beyoncé releases surprise new track for Fourth of July weekend
Morning Dew (Donk) reportedly conceived for Beyoncé’s second album B’Day, which will be reissued for its 20th anniversary in September
She popularised the shock drop in 2013 with the surprise release of her self-titled album. And on Saturday, Beyoncé did it again, dropping a new song out of the blue.
The singer released the new track, titled Morning Dew (Donk), on the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Reports say the track was initially intended for her second album, B’Day, released in 2006.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 16:40Who were the last residents of Liberty Island?
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognized works of art in the world, symbolizing American progress and the welcoming promise of immigration. Lady Liberty stands on a 15-acre island, now crowded by tourists — but once, a small group of residents called the island their home.
4th July 2026 16:31Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles match with sister Venus
Serena Williams cited a knee injury behind her decision to withdraw from a doubles match at Wimbledon.
4th July 2026 16:11Flying "Old Glory" and the history of America's most iconic flags
The iconic American flag is recognized around the world, representing the ideals and image of the nation. Author and photographer Roland Miller joins "CBS Saturday Mornings" to showcase some of the most famous flag moments in American history.
4th July 2026 16:10DNA technology leads to identification of Revolutionary War soldier
The remains of a Revolutionary War soldier were identified as a young man from Maryland just before America's 250th anniversary.
4th July 2026 16:09
The Guardian
Three children dead after boat capsizes during storm in Wisconsin
Officials rescued seven other people after a sudden storm led to a boat sinking on Geneva Lake
Three children died after a boat capsized on Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake during inclement weather on the eve of the US’s semiquincentennial celebrations, and seven other people had to be rescued by emergency responders, according to officials.
A recreational motor boat with 10 passengers, including four children, sank on Friday afternoon as the boat “attempted to navigate to safety as weather conditions deteriorated” amid an intense, sudden storm, the city of Lake Geneva police department said in a statement.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 16:04
NPR Topics: News
Move over Chutes & Ladders: Schisto & Ladders has educational value plus worms
Spread by parasitic worms that can infect via a splash of water, schistosomiasis causes debilitating symptoms. It hits kids hard. A board game teaches how to prevent it.
4th July 2026 15:51Pope Leo XIV celebrates America's 250th birthday, receives Liberty Medal
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, celebrated America's 250th birthday with a speech, praising the nation's tradition of welcoming immigrants. The National Constitution Center also awarded the pope with a Liberty Medal.
4th July 2026 15:40Revolutionary War soldier's identity revealed after 250 years
After 250 years, a soldier who fought for the birth of the nation has finally been identified and recognized for his service. Bradley Blackburn has more.
4th July 2026 15:29
The Guardian
‘The situation is terrible’: aid workers on life in Sudanese city pummelled by drone strikes
El Obeid becomes key battleground in war between Sudan’s armed forces and their paramilitary enemies, the RSF
Fatima has lost count of the number of drone attacks on the besieged city of El Obeid in Sudan, but said the attacks this past weekend were the most violent so far.
The drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people, including students, she said. “Over the past few months, seeing 40 or 45 drones is the norm. You can literally count them,” said the aid volunteer, whose name has been changed for fear of retribution.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 15:14
The Guardian
Elon Musk posted twice as often on UK race and immigration as about SpaceX in IPO run-up
Guardian analysis of X feed shows how keen world’s richest person was to air his views and ‘interfere’ in British politics
Elon Musk posted about race and immigration in the UK on his social media network X twice as often as he did about SpaceX, which he also owns, in the run-up to the aerospace and AI company’s initial public offering.
A Guardian analysis of Musk’s posts, replies and reposts between 31 May and 12 June has shown the extent to which the social media activity of the world’s richest person, who lives primarily in the US, has focused on UK politics.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 15:00
The Guardian
UK woman, 21, arrested in Thailand after allegedly stabbing boyfriend to death
Officers found body of 34-year-old man in luxury rental home in Pattaya area, local media says
A 21-year-old British woman has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly fatally stabbing her boyfriend, according to local media reports.
The Bangkok Post reported that on Thursday morning local time, officers found the body of a 34-year-old man, who operated a cannabis farm, in a luxury rental home in the Pattaya area, a beachside region two hours from Bangkok known for its large expat population and nightlife.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 14:51Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals
On this edition of CBS Mornings Deals, we show you items that will help improve your everyday lifestyle. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com.
4th July 2026 14:45
The Guardian
Pride in London – in pictures
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community gather to celebrate the annual parade in London
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 14:32
NPR Topics: News
China's military promotes 2 new generals after anti-corruption purge thins ranks
The shake-up is believed to be an effort to ensure the military's loyalty to the Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.
4th July 2026 14:07
The Guardian
Overcrowded and underfunded: Trump’s cuts to national parks threaten the US’s ‘best idea’
This summer, Yosemite national park has been rife with traffic jams and throngs of visitors. Can these popular national treasures withstand a future of strained resources?
On a crisp, sunny morning at the end of June, dappled light filtered through the canopy of an ancient grove of giant sequoias, casting a tranquil backdrop for a mule deer as it ambled across the trail. Families from around the world gazed up at the towering trees in awe, speaking in hushed tones and different languages.
Experiences like these draw more than 4 million people to Yosemite national park each year. But as an increasing number of visitors come to take in the dramatic vistas, camp under the stars or feel the mist cascading off its thundering waterfalls, Yosemite’s landscapes are being pushed to their limits.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 14:007/4: CBS Saturday Morning
Americans are celebrating the Fourth of July and America's 250th birthday amid a sweltering heat wave. Plus, Taylor Swift's wedding, a Revolutionary War soldier is finally recognized, and former Liberty Island residents speak out.
4th July 2026 14:00
The Guardian
German riot police clash with protesters hoping to block far-right AfD conference
Thousands of police deployed to Erfurt in central Germany as party holds conference on key Nazi date
Riot police have clashed with opponents of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party on the streets of Erfurt in Germany, where thousands met to block roads and prevent AfD delegates from attending the party’s biennial national conference to elect its leadership.
Police reported 20,000 protesters were demonstrating in the eastern city, where Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to be re-elected as the party’s co-leaders in the run-up to crucial regional elections in which AfD could win power at state-level for the first time.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 13:17
The Guardian
‘All men are created equal’: America has lost its values. It’s time to go back to the founding text | Ted Widmer
As the US celebrates 250 years, the Declaration of Independence has been curiously absent. Yet its language on the consent of the governed is more relevant than ever
It’s America’s birthday. Ear-splitting pyrotechnics will be heard across the land tonight, as they were a few weeks ago, after the cage fight at the White House. On 24 June, the administration launched the Great American State Fair, with “spectacular flyovers” from fighter jets and stealth bombers. Six 18-wheel “Freedom Trucks” are barreling down the highways, bringing history-lite pop-up displays, mainly to red states. Later this summer, we will hear drivers revving their engines, deafeningly, as they leave skid marks around the National Mall during the Indy car race scheduled for 22 August. It’s gonna get loud.
But one guest is apparently not invited to the party. The Declaration of Independence, the reason we are convening, has been curiously absent from the lead-up. That feels strange for a document that essentially rewrote world history.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 12:00
NPR Topics: News
Opinion: America is still a work in progress
Poets like Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes have written movingly about America.
4th July 2026 12:00
The Guardian
Mexico’s kidnapping crisis: 'How can they hold a World Cup?’ – video
As England prepares to take on Mexico in the Fifa World Cup, another battle is playing out just beyond the Azteca Stadium. More than 130,000 people have been forcibly disappeared in Mexico as cartel violence surges, leaving thousands of families searching for answers. They say the authorities have failed them and are demanding justice. The Guardian follows two families as they confront the police and challenge the government, determined to use football's biggest tournament to expose Mexico's disappearance crisis.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 11:01
The Guardian
America’s 250th birthday celebrations are a mess. Here’s how we should mark the day | Dave Schilling
Instead of a UFC event and poorly attended state fair, how about ditching the electoral college and a new season of Game of Thrones?
I hate birthdays, especially my own, which is ominously arriving next month. I used to love them, back in those days when I had something tangible to look forward to: getting my first car, graduating high school, my first legal alcoholic drink, a new Star Wars film that’s actually good. That time is long gone. I can do all those things I listed, plus I haven’t seen a good Star Wars movie in more than 20 years. What am I even celebrating at 42? A slightly paunchier waistline? A larger bald spot? If the present you’re getting me isn’t a free Turkish hair transplant, I don’t want it. I don’t relish being 42, but imagine if I were 250?
America (the country, not the band) turns 250 this weekend, and we’re all meant to celebrate that fact on the Fourth of July. Millions of dollars have been poured into marking the occasion, though few of the events hold much appeal for me. I didn’t watch the UFC event; I have no desire to watch a bunch of cars driving around in circles, and the PragerU Freedom Truck hasn’t even come to my town. I couldn’t even get to finally see Vanilla Ice live in concert. Like every birthday, a lot of money has poured into a day where no one has any fun.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 11:00
The Guardian
Taylor Swift wears Dior wedding dress for marriage to Travis Kelce
In coup for Dior, couple wear French haute couture designed by Northern Irish creative director, Jonathan Anderson
Your English teacher and your gym teacher wore Dior: Jonathan Anderson, the Northern Irish creative director of Dior, has been revealed as the designer of haute couture wedding looks for Taylor Swift and her new husband, Travis Kelce.
Photographs have not yet been released, with Swift’s team in charge of timing, but a Dior statement confirmed that Swift is the first bride for whom Anderson, who joined Dior last year, has created an haute couture gown.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 10:29
The Guardian
This is how we do it: ‘I fell in love with my lover’s husband – and now we’re a trio’
Jonathan met Sadie when she was dating his wife. Now the two women share him – but he insists that they are the ones in control
• How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously
When he suggested we stop seeing each other because he developed feelings for me, I told him: ‘This is too special to give up’
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 10:00
The Guardian
‘I filled a white ceramic bowl and carefully placed the fish inside’: Rashid Sheriff’s best phone picture
The Indian photographer dunked his iPhone underwater to get this shot of his pet
Rashid Sheriff’s fascination with photography and drawing originated in his school days, though “due to various limitations and circumstances, I couldn’t pursue those interests”, he says.
For the past 18 years, Sheriff, who is from Kerala, in south-west India, has been working in Qatar as an auto electrician. Smartphones, however, have allowed him to return to his passions once again.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 10:006 presidential speeches that shaped American history
These six presidential speeches are some that have most reverberated through the ages, and whose impacts are still felt today.
4th July 2026 10:00
The Guardian
Esther Freud: ‘My parents died within four days of each other. I was engulfed’
The novelist on grief, being a terrible liar, and wanting to join the circus
Born in London, Esther Freud, 63, is the daughter of Bernardine Coverley and Lucian Freud. She trained as an actor and, in 1992, released her debut novel, Hideous Kinky, which was made into a film starring Kate Winslet in 1998. Freud’s work has been translated into 13 languages, and her 10th adult novel, My Sister and Other Lovers, is out in paperback. She has three children with the actor David Morrissey, and lives between Suffolk and London with her current partner.
What is your greatest fear?
Decline.
NPR Topics: News
'Cautiously optimistic': Swing voters describe their view of America at 250
As America turns 250, voters from our Swing Shift project talk about the state of the country. Their views ranged from "uncertain" and "concerned" to "excited" and "cautiously optimistic."
4th July 2026 09:00
The Guardian
The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues review – stomping blues and anti-Musk politics make this another late triumph
(Polydor)
Continuing the rejuvenated sound of 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, there’s touching vulnerability from Keith Richards while Jagger confronts war and autocracy
Mick Jagger recently launched the Rolling Stones’s 25th album declaring, “The thing about this record is, the Stones are a rock band that also has the capacity to do ballads, country music or dance music. So we don’t get stuck in one kind of style.” The same could be said of numerous bands, but what the singer was probably driving at was that the Stones have always been able to do all this while sounding utterly like themselves. Nobody else has been able to assemble their quintessentially just-shaky Jenga tower of sound, which often sounds like it could fall to pieces at any moment but somehow never does.
They have certainly also made their share of albums that sounded like they’d been phoned in from the cricket, but Foreign Tongues continues the creative renaissance that began with 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, which at the time was their first album of original songs in 18 years. Once again, producer and occasional musician Andrew Watt captures the rejuvenated band’s joy of playing in a room together – and, as guitarist Keith Richards put it recently, kicks their asses when needed. Perhaps drummer Charlie Watts’ death five years ago has sharpened the founding pair’s awareness that their band may not last much longer, so they may as well go down blazing and have fun while they do so.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 08:45
The Guardian
How many teeth do caiman have and what makes cats purr? The kids’ quiz
Five multiple-choice questions – set by children – to test your knowledge, and a chance to submit your own junior brainteasers for future quizzes
Molly Oldfield hosts Everything Under the Sun, a podcast answering children’s questions. Do check out her books, Everything Under the Sun and Everything Under the Sun: Quiz Book, as well as her new title, Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 06:00
The Guardian
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide – this remarkable profile is as fascinating and exhausting as its subject
You’d think there was nothing new to learn about the glamour model-turned-tabloid sensation. You’d be wrong…
‘Boobs,” says Katie Price, expressionlessly. “I always wanted a boob job. Always wanted them bigger.” Price, 48, places her tiny, tanned hands on the mountainous upper region of her pastel pink sweatshirt, under which lurk the latest results of this glandular restlessness. “I never wanted natural. I wanted stuck-on,” she says. “I wanted fake.” And so it came to pass. Now, 17 or so operations later, here she is, fidgeting on a beige sofa as she discusses the surgeries (“the pain!”), the insatiable ambition, the breakdowns, the flammable thongs, the still-bewildered ex-husbands and all the other stuff that has helped turn her into one of Britain’s longest-running soap operas; every bit of self-generated drama catapulting us, speechless, into the next instalment.
The new four-part series Katie Price: Nothing to Hide (Wednesday, 9pm, Sky Documentaries) promises several cliffhangers of its own. Here, it bugles, is a “revealing portrait” that will “go beyond the headlines”. Oh God, we think, as Price’s eyebrows disappear behind yet another nimbus of synthetic fog (the woman vapes like a furnace). Not again. We have read the unreadable memoirs, endured myriad “tell-all” documentaries and suffered any number of hand-wringing tabloid “exclusives”. Could there really be anything left to know about the woman who has, we are told, “sold every aspect of her life”? The answer is yes, actually, and it is, remarkably, as fascinating and exhausting as its subject.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 06:00
The Guardian
I fell in love with ballet as a young girl – now it’s keeping me active in my eighties
The first time I saw a show, I felt like I had discovered a new language. It’s since become one of my greatest pleasures
When I was a young girl living in suburban London in the early 1960s, I was looking for ways to find excitement. The first time my mother took me to see the London Festival Ballet (now the English National Ballet), I felt a sense of rapture as I realised that the body could say things words could not.
I was yearning for more, and that night at the Royal Festival Hall, I saw glimmers of the world out there waiting for me. Watching the dancers, I felt something shift in me. It was like discovering a new language, one that I immediately wanted to speak.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 06:00
The Guardian
My very own Greek Odyssey: a sailing trip to the island of Ithaca
A quest for the settings that inspired Homer – and Hollywood’s latest blockbuster – turned into a personal voyage of discovery
Swimming ashore from the boat I can see a narrow shingle beach covered in driftwood. There are logs, bamboo canes and the sundried planks of an old shipwreck. The steep climb up the hill behind is not easy. I skirt thick clumps of thorn and abandoned ancient olive trees, scrambling over jagged outcrops of limestone. Every time I curl my fingers into a rocky niche I think about snakes. The only residents, however, are spiders. Their webs are strung between the trees, and so thick and strong that I grab a stick to slash through them. No one has been here for a long time.
Near the hilltop I stumble on a ruined stone building. Who lived here, I wonder? And where have they gone? A few steps further and the land abruptly ends in a vertical white cliff that plummets into an improbably blue sea. Far away, in the haze, there is a stack of Ionian islands and one of them, I know, must be Ithaca.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 06:00
NPR Topics: News
Cape Verde's historic World Cup ride ends after pushing Argentina to the brink
Cape Verde didn't win a match at the World Cup, and somehow, that didn't seem to matter. The African team's debut on this stage was unforgettable.
4th July 2026 05:44
NPR Topics: News
Dayslong funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei begins in Tehran
Khamenei, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, was killed in an airstrike on Feb. 28 at the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
4th July 2026 05:04
The Guardian
Blind date: ‘I made him take a few too many selfies…’
Lily, 26, a PhD student, meets Brodie, 24, a chef
What were you hoping for?
Love, passion … marriage. Failing that, some good craic and a free dinner.
The Guardian
Hunting the tardigrade: one small step in sequencing DNA of all life on Earth
As this year’s invertebrate of the year competition launches, we join scientists studying last year’s winner
Witek Morek is closely inspecting an old brick-and-flint wall on the Cambridgeshire campus of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
“We are going to use a very advanced tool designed by bioengineers and evolved over millions of years – the human hand – and grab some moss, and put it in an envelope,” he says.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
Meera Sodha’s vegetarian recipe for Beijing-style courgette pancakes with hot honey cucumbers | Meera Sodha recipes
A spicy, umami-rich salad provides sweetness and crunch alongside these simple Chinese-style courgette pancakes
This week marks nine years since I started writing this column, and here’s something I’m excited by: that we’ve only just scratched the surface when it comes to our collective knowledge about Asian cuisine. When it comes to Chinese food, for example, we might know a fair bit about, for example, Cantonese or Sichuan food, but what about Fujian or Hunanese? There are still so many riches to discover and excellent meals to be had. Today’s offering is a small token in that vein: a simple vegetable pancake made with courgette, known as hutazi and straight from the homes of Beijing. I’ve taken the liberty of embellishing it with some hot and sweet cucumbers.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
Burning flags, busty blondes and bison skulls: 48 photographs that capture America at 250
From the gold rush to civil rights, the moon landing to 9/11, the US has always understood, mythologised and sold itself through the power of the still image
The United States was founded in 1776, but did not begin to see itself until the autumn of 1839, when daguerreotypes, the first form of photograph, reached American cities. You could argue the US began again on the morning it could look at its own face.
At first photography seemed to answer the democratic promise of 1776. A portrait was no longer reserved for the rich; almost anyone could now leave a trace of their existence. The gold rush became one of the first great American dramas to find the camera: ordinary diggers squinting into the lens, looking beyond it for gold. A more emblematic American scene can scarcely be imagined: what would be called the American Dream, a lottery everyone plays and very few win. The myth was not that they all found gold – it was that the search itself made them American.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 05:00
The Guardian
Fight them for the beaches: the real villain of Europe’s overtourism is big business | Adam Almeida
From Albania to Portugal, privatisation of the coastline is bringing locals out on to the streets. For them, the economic benefits are few and far between
Few scenes better capture the essence of a European summer than the terminals of our airports in the early hours of the morning. Britons necking pints like a football match is on, German couples eagerly murmuring about their cycling tour across Croatia, and passengers sleeping peacefully on corridor floors. This holiday season, millions will embark on an annual pilgrimage to the hotspots of Mallorca, Corfu and Albufeira to enjoy a much-anticipated break in the sun.
But it’s increasingly likely that they will face some kind of hostility there. In Barcelona, demonstrators might spray them with water pistols or tape off the entrance to their hotel. In Tenerife, visitors might see “tourists go home” graffiti on the side of the road as they drive their rental car down to the beach.
Adam Almeida is a writer and researcher living in London
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 04:00
The Guardian
Malta’s ‘trial of the century’ revives interest in murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia
Investigative journalist had enemies in high places and accused, Yorgen Fenech, is establishment figure from powerful family
On the steps of the courts of justice in Valletta, there is a bronze statue of Malta’s late president. A bundle of papers in one hand, Guido de Marco stands on a plinth, looking out at passersby in the busy street below.
Every morning since Wednesday this week, his daughter has walked up the steps of the same courthouse, in dark glasses and smart clothes, a bundle of papers in her hand. A sought-after criminal lawyer, Giannella de Marco is representing the man accused of ordering the 2017 murder of the investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, in a case that continues to dominate public debate nearly nine years after the event.
Continue reading... 4th July 2026 04:00Maps show this July 4th could be hottest ever in parts of U.S.
Extremely dangerous heat, coupled with humidity, could result in heat index readings of 100 to 115 degrees from the Midwest to the East Coast, forecasters said.
4th July 2026 02:22Feds seek lower prison term for $100M New Jersey deli fraudster — but some reasons why are hidden
James Patten is the third person who will be sentenced in the stock manipulation scheme related to Hometown International, a company that owned just one deli.
4th July 2026 01:04Trump announces pardons for pollution violators prosecuted for "fixing their car"
CBS News previously reported President Trump was weighing pardons of a slate of people convicted of emissions and clean air-related violations.
3rd July 2026 23:42