Demise of Timmy the whale inspires satirical play exploring German identity 16. July 2026 (11:40) Timmy: Hope Dies Last elevates stranded humpback into Jesus-like figure, igniting hope and grief When people in Germany organised a daring rescue mission for a humpback whale stranded on the Baltic coast in April, it briefly looked like a country stricken with political division and economic anxiety was rallying around a common cause.A new satirical play inspired by the episode, however, suggests the spectators, social-media influencers, politicians and millionaires who flocked to the seaside in support never just wanted to rescue the cetacean that came to be nicknamed Timmy, but for Timmy to rescue them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US strikes expand to northern Iran as Tehran fires on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan – Middle East crisis live 16. July 2026 (11:23) Iran reports explosions in several cities including capital while US military says it also hit and disabled tanker in strait of Hormuz US attacks oil tanker in strait of Hormuz as strikes reported in TehranReuters has reported that Benjamin Netanyahu will not travel to the US next week because the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has been postponed until the end of the month, the Israeli prime minister’s office said.Earlier Israeli reports suggested Netanyahu had been set to fly to Washington on Saturday to attend memorial events for Graham, who died on Saturday, and potentially meet Donald Trump. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘People think you’ve got 10,000 cats’: the support group for hoarders 16. July 2026 (11:00) Many hoarders are scared to seek help but one UK housing association is taking a more empathetic approachAt one end of the table sits Tony*, who showers at his local leisure centre in Birkenhead every day. His landlord won’t fix his bathroom because of his hoarding. Then there’s Sarah*, who ended up homeless with her three teenagers after their landlord evicted them because of hoarding. In her new home the problem has started again, but she says she’s petrified to ask for help in case she loses her property.Sian Cowley, 35, who has struggled with hoarding for decades, says: “I’ve lived without central heating for two years. A lot of us live without the basics like hot water, heating and cooking because we are too scared to get people in to do repairs because of the threat of eviction.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ocado chief says he won’t be a ‘puppet master’ amid apparent succession row 16. July 2026 (10:54) Tim Steiner speaks as shares in the online grocer slide nearly 15% on plunge in pre-tax profits to £17mBusiness live – latest updatesThe co-founder and boss of Ocado has insisted he has “no intention of being a puppet master” exerting control over its staff amid an apparent boardroom row over succession at the grocery technology company.Tim Steiner, who is to stand down as chief executive in 2028, suggested that any successor would be happy to work with him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK investigation to determine if TikTok fails to protect children from harmful content 16. July 2026 (10:29) Ofcom concerned platform’s age verification is ineffective, leaving some at risk of seeing posts about self-harm and suicideTikTok is under formal investigation over concerns it has failed to protect children from harmful content, the UK’s online regulator, Ofcom, has announced.The social media platform’s approach to checking the ages of users has sparked “particular concerns” at the watchdog, almost a year after measures to protect children from the worst of online content came into effect under the Online Safety Act. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Snake in a chain: lucky escape for Australian woman after bite from deadly reptile caught in bike chain 16. July 2026 (08:52) Woman in her 60s was riding on popular cycling trail in northern NSW when she ran over the two-metre-long eastern brown snake, one of the world’s most venomousA woman in her 60s is recovering after being bitten by a two-metre-long eastern brown snake that had become entangled in her bike chain in regional Australia.She was riding on the northern rivers rail trail near Burringbar, in the Tweed shire in northern New South Wales, when she ran over the snake. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK economy grew by 0.1% in May despite impact of Iran war 16. July 2026 (08:03) Rise in GDP follows a 0.1% decline in April, figures from the Office for National Statistics showThe UK economy grew by 0.1% in May, despite the impact of the Iran war on energy costs, official figures show.The Office for National Statistics said GDP rose, in line with economists’ forecasts, following a 0.1% decline in April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British girl, 15, stranded in Rome for six weeks due to new passport rules 16. July 2026 (08:00) The dual national, who missed six weeks of school, is latest of several children affected by recent Home Office policyA British girl was prevented from returning to her school in the UK for six weeks after a trip to see her grandmother in Italy because of the Home Office’s new rule requiring dual British nationals to have a British passport to get back into the country.The 15-year-old, who was stranded in Rome in April, is just the latest of a number of children and young adults hit by a new Labour government rule that came into force in February. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police release images of clothes to help identify victims of alleged Sydney childcare paedophile 16. July 2026 (07:52) AFP release images of children’s clothes found on electronic devices seized as part of investigation into Hamish Tait Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA tiny dinosaur puffer jacket could lead police to more victims of a former childcare worker and alleged prolific child sex offender.Federal police have released pictures of clothing from children they want to identify, urging parents and carers who recognise the items to come forward. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
