2026/08/11 Daily Edition

Buyers of AI services are struggling to control costs and sellers are not sure how much to charge.

When Russia releases an American citizen from prison, the US normally hands someone over in return.

Malaysia's Forest City was pitched as "paradise" but last month police raided it over alleged scam operations.

Discounts confirmed near more than 40 locations across Great Britain amid biggest upgrade to electricity grid since 1960s Households living near new power pylons will have £250 a year taken off their energy bills as the UK government prepares to push ahead with more than 40 grid upgrade projects across the country. The government has promised hundreds of thousands of homes living within 500 metres of new grid infrastructure a saving of up to £2,500 on their energy bills over 10 years in return for “hosting vital infrastructure” which will help the UK transition away from fossil fuels...

British shoppers should expect to see more wonky vegetables due to repeated heatwaves.

The man accused of shooting a US healthcare executive dead in a street has appeared in a New York courtroom, as a judge ruled the murder trial will be heard by an anonymous jury.

Forced to rely on basic tools, a father and his sons are clearing the rubble of their destroyed home in Gaza.

Relatives gathered to mourn the three Nepali mountaineers, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Nima Sherpa.

Many Yemeni fishermen have abandoned the trade, seeking safer livelihoods as Red Sea becomes too dangerous.

Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi has held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran.

Elaborate deception operations and decoys are often used to deceive potential threats to the US president.

The prime minister’s money-saving policies are popular but they are yet to convince voters he can take on the big things It was last year that Martin Lewis, the money-saving guru, advised the government to find “100 small things that piss people off” and set about sorting them out. That approach has been adopted almost immediately by Andy Burnham since entering office, as he began his programme of “everyday fixes” to tackle problems that can be dealt with through minor policy tweaks...

Widows in Gaza struggle alone under displacement, burdened by loss, insecurity, and daily battles for survival.

A statement issued by the firm said "John lived a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work".

US Central Command says its helicopter hit the engine room of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

CENTCOM says helicopter fired at engine room of Panama-flagged Vela Nova as US-Iran diplomacy remains stalled.

Donald Trump labels US Democratic nominees 'jihadists' in inflammatory remarks made in the Oval Office.

Video shows the moment Israeli forces blow up the home of Farouk Ramadan, a Palestinian man who was killed in July.

In OpenAI’s latest exit, Brad Lightcap, a longtime leader at the artificial intelligence company, said he was leaving to start a new venture.

Two pick-up trucks collide in Ismailia, Egypt, leaving 18 dead, mostly children working as agricultural labourers.

Why investment by a group including Jeff Bezos would not make a marked difference to Liverpool's spending power - and might sit uneasily with fans.

As Israel tightens its blockade on Gaza, both lighters and fans have become the backbone of energy in the strip.

Despite cutting diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009, Caracas has shifted alignment in wake of Maduro abduction.

UNESCO says the figure could reach four million by 2030 unless Taliban reverses policy.

Colombia experienced a number of aftershocks on Tuesday, as efforts continued to free survivors trapped in rubble and buildings.

Iceland is preparing for a total solar eclipse with hundreds of visitors expected in the country.

Syrians gathered to celebrate after a court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia.

Paramount's CEO David Ellison warns of a California exit if the US state does not agree to talks, according to reports.

Since taking office in early May, the new Hungarian government has lost no time dismantling Viktor Orbán's legacy.

Prominent organisation charge sanctions against international tribunal trample consitutional rights, hinder their work.

At least 14 suspected illegal miners were killed and eight injured when a mine dump collapsed in South Africa.

Eclipse glasses can offer protection from harmful rays of sunlight but most high street stores have sold out.

The rulings could affect Indigenous land rights, soya farming and environmental safeguards across the Amazon rainforest.

As the nature of Russia’s war in Ukraine evolves, Baltic startups are seeking new ways to respond to the hybrid threat from Russia, hoping rapid innovation can have a deterrent effect on Moscow.

A boat carrying 90 passengers and five crew members has capsized on a lake in Zimbabe, with rescue ‌efforts under way, police say.

A former US military veteran who was imprisoned in Russia for more than four years on disputed charges and under abusive conditions was released on Tuesday. A group advocating for him said he was gravely ill and at risk of dying.

Poland says their preparations to host the Women's Under-20 World Cup remain on schedule, despite UEFA-FIFA fallout.

The US government had recently designated Gilman as wrongfully detained.

Despite previous Supreme Court ruling, Trump has sought new approach to limit the longstanding practice.

Bulgaria’s second edition of the LUNAR: Sea of Lights festival turned Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coast into an immersive open-air gallery, where digital art meets the landscape. The event featured the work of 17 artists originating from eight countries across the five resort towns of Tsarevo, Lozenets, Varvara, Ahtopol and Sinemorets. The Light Festival ran from August 7-10.

France is gripped by another heatwave as it also grapples with a record drought. Nearly 70% of the country is facing water restrictions with agriculture bearing the brunt. The production of milk has fallen significantly as extreme heat caused vegetation to dry up and the quality of dairy products, notably cheese, is threatened.

A few details from the White House’s A.I. plan have leaked to the news media, but the administration has officially communicated almost nothing.

Baka replaces Orban appointee Tamas Sulyok, ousted weeks ago during Tisza’s campaign against Orban-era power structures.

How colonial identity, extremist politics and 'hate radio' helped turn Rwanda’s genocide into organised mass murder.

Mixed reactions persist in Washington, DC, a year after Trump deployed the National Guard to address crime concerns.

“We heard them screaming,” said one rescuer in Cali, where rescuers face a race against time to find the living.

Robert Gilman, who was arrested in 2022 for kicking a police officer while drunk, had reportedly been in a catatonic-like state.

Far be it for Football Daily to make cheap gags [wait, what? – Football Daily Ed] relating to the involvement of Amazon founder and master of the universe Jeff Bezos in a consortium buying around 30% of Liverpool FC. Will new signings arrive via prompt delivery but end up next door at Everton? How will fans rate the packaging? Etc, etc. There’s also the involvement of Eduardo Saverin, the Facebook co-founder poking his head in. Though long ago unfriended by Mark Zuckerberg, Saverin still ranked No 56 on Forbes’s billionaires list. These are seriously rich men, and among the planet’s chino class, to quote Vladimir Putin, “soccer is popular”. The Geopolitics World Cup posh seats were full of those eyeing up deals on a frontier hardly new to investors from the USA USA USA, but where there may be much more gold to strike. See Gianni Infantino’s misreading of the art of the deal as an, ahem, prime example. Having also boycotted the GWC and also being very concerned about the season to come, I sympathise with Ken Muir (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). But at least Hearts know who their manager is. Due to the absurd, months-long FA ‘investigation’ into the manager who’s clearly admitted culpability for the undisputed facts of Spygate, my club, Southampton, is in a horrid limbo. Surely it could have been done and dusted in a couple of weeks and Saints could have planned accordingly. But perhaps the FA blazers were too busy writing their letter of support to Gianni Infantino to worry about destabilising my football club” – Bob Cushion. ‘It’s 15 years of frustration here at this club,’ says Rangers boss Derek McInnes (yesterday’s Quote of the Day.) Steven Gerrard and the sole object in his managerial trophy cabinet would like a word, Derek” – David Maddock. Given the surfeit of the recent GWC machinations, the blatherings and canvassing for Gianni to do one (or not) and the less-than-sportsmanlike attitude from members of the Argentina team, can we please have a reprise of the Football Daily’s erstwhile, eventually abortive, attempt to ‘STOP FOOTBALL’? It has to be worth a thought, before VAR, PGMOL and Arsenal’s Dark Arts Department™ get to work on the 2026-27 Premier League shenanigans, surely?” – Budgie Wright. This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions...

The Yemeni government said the ship was carrying food supplies to a port on the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Iran-backed Houthis have not commented on the attack.

Paris is preparing for the solar eclipse. The last one here in France was in 1999. So this is one not to miss, especially for the astrophotographer we met.

Millions will see the sun disappear as the eclipse sweeps from the Arctic to Europe, bringing two minutes of totality.

At least 224 people have been killed in Colombia following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake which struck the western part of the country. With thousands of people still missing, authorities are warning the number of casualties could continue to climb.

Police say 17 suspected gang members and two civilians were also killed in Kebbi State.

The aerial footage shows homes destroyed down to their foundations, with burned cars still parked in some driveways.

Authorities promise tough new laws in the country, which has high levels of firearms ownership.

The new PM could bring in revenue for social care or defence with a land levy or by reforming council tax Residential property is the largest store of wealth in the UK, and has long been a target for those who believe homes should be taxed more. Real estate remains a juicy plum for Andy Burnham to pick as he searches for ways to pay for an overhaul of the social care system and higher defence spending, to name just two fiscal priorities. Yet how to tax property, or possibly the land it sits on, has vexed economists and politicians for centuries. Here we discuss the background to the debate and some of the tax options...

With over 3,950 cases recorded by the ministry of health in Gaza, the number of miscarriages between January and June has tripled compared with the previous six months. During this period, there was approximately one miscarriage for every five live births. The Observers team spoke with two OBGYN doctors in Gaza.

Despite risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea, seafarers from the Philippines are still competing for jobs.

As well as drought, Europe has also been battling wildfires this summer. Firefighters this week are struggling to control a rapidly expanding wildfire in southwestern Spain that has forced the evacuation of around 800 people. For more on that topic, FRANCE 24's Nadia Massih is joined by Alexander Held, Senior Fire Management Expert at the European Forest Institute.

Flight from Victoria to Toronto forced to return to terminal after repeated attempts to secure child in seat failed A Canadian airline cancelled a flight from Victoria to Toronto after a child refused to wear a seatbelt. The child was standing in their chair as the 6 August Porter Airlines flight taxied towards the runway, the airline said. Repeated attempts by an accompanying parent and crew to secure the child in their seat failed, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the two passengers disembark as “the aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition”, it added...