<ul><li>World governing body set to raise millions from venture</li><li>Uefa hits out at proposal and could take legal action</li></ul>Fifa has announced plans to sell the commercial rights to its tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors in a controversial move that triggered an immediate backlash from Uefa, leading European clubs and politicians. Uefa released a strongly worded statement accusing Fifa of “attempting to sell the soul of football” and is believed to be considering its legal position, while sources at numerous elite clubs were highly critical of the proposal in private. Andy Burnham, the UK’s new prime minister, condemned the move. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/28/fifa-plan-sell-world-cup-commercial-rights-uefa-hits-out">Continue reading...</a>

World governing body set to raise millions from venture

Fifa accused of ‘selling the soul of football’ over $20bn World Cup commercial rights sale plan

Move comes after the presenter has faced allegations of bullying, but there is no suggestion it is relatedNaga Munchetty is to leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the television show to become co-presenter of Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show.The current 5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, announced on Tuesday’s programme that they would step down in December. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jul/28/naga-munchetty-leave-bbc-breakfast-for-radio-5-live">Continue reading...</a>

Move comes after the presenter has faced allegations of bullying, but there is no suggestion it is related

Naga Munchetty to leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years for Radio 5 Live

Torbitt admits to two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to his parliamentary expensesA GB News pundit has admitted fraud in relation to his parliamentary expenses when he was a Labour aide.Matthew Torbitt, a prominent political commentator who once described himself as “Britain’s favourite lefty”, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at a hearing at Thames magistrates court on Monday. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jul/27/gb-news-pundit-matthew-torbitt-admits-committing-while-labour-aide">Continue reading...</a>

Torbitt admits to two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to his parliamentary expenses

GB News pundit Matthew Torbitt pleads guilty to fraud while Labour aide

In opening statements, state argued Meta’s own research showed it harmed teens while firm’s attorneys pointed to transparencyThe long-awaited trial between the social media company Meta and the state of Tennessee began proceedings on Monday. Attorneys for Tennessee told a jury in Nashville that Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, disregarded internal research about its platform’s impact on teenagers, while the company sought ⁠to maximize profit from those young users.During ⁠opening statements in a seven-week ​trial in state court, the state’s lawyers said Meta researchers repeatedly flagged teenagers’ compulsive use of the platform – leading to eating disorders, depression and self-harm. But despite those warnings, Meta did not ⁠disable features such as autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll which, the lawyers said, were designed to keep teens on Instagram as long as possible and increase the number of ads they viewed. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/27/meta-tennessee-trial-jury">Continue reading...</a>

In opening statements, state argued Meta’s own research showed it harmed teens while firm’s attorneys pointed to transparency

Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee lawyers tell jury

Coming to fame in The Goodies, Oddie was later known for his wildlife expertise and presented BBC Springwatch<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/27/bill-oddie-the-comedy-legend-tragically-undervalued-by-the-bbc">Bill Oddie: the comedy legend tragically undervalued by the BBC</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/gallery/2026/jul/27/bill-oddie-a-life-in-pictures">Bill Oddie – a life in pictures</a></li></ul>The writer, comedian and conservationist Bill Oddie has died aged 85. Having come to prominence with the comedy group The Goodies, Oddie later established himself as an authority on wildlife, presenting television series including the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch.Oddie’s agent paid tribute to his “intelligence and wit”. In a statement, David Foster said: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country’s best-loved birder. Bill was a multitalented celebrity – wildlife presenter, broadcaster, comedian, writer, songwriter, musician and conservationist. Yet it was never fame that he valued. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/27/bill-oddie-naturalist-and-broadcaster-dies">Continue reading...</a>

Coming to fame in The Goodies, Oddie was later known for his wildlife expertise and presented BBC Springwatch

Bill Oddie, naturalist and broadcaster, dies aged 85

Gibraltar-based Ros Astengo inspired four men to report sexual assaults carried out by Allan Grimson in 1990sRos Astengo, a journalist based in Gibraltar who usually focuses on politics and social issues, had qualms when she began investigating the case of the suspected serial killer Allan Grimson as he neared release from prison after serving more than 20 years.She worried that she might reopen the scars of survivors of Grimson – but also that she could be putting herself in the “crosshairs” of a dangerous man who had sexually assaulted and battered two young men to death in the late 1990s when he was a Royal Navy petty officer. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jul/27/murderer-stay-jail-journalist-fight-justice-allan-grimson">Continue reading...</a>

Gibraltar-based Ros Astengo inspired four men to report sexual assaults carried out by Allan Grimson in 1990s

‘I knew what he had done to those boys’: murderer to stay in jail after journalist’s fight for justice

A high-quality pirated version of the summer’s hit movie was leaked on Elon Musk’s X platform and viewed more than 3m times before being removed A leaked copy of The Odyssey has been taken down from Elon Musk’s X platform but only after a post flagging it gained millions of views.A high-quality pirated version of the film went viral at the weekend after an account linked to it saying “Someone uploaded ‘The Odyssey’ full movie on X. Can you believe it?”. The post flagging the film was viewed more than 3m times before the account hosting the apparently leaked film was suspended by X. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/27/unauthorised-version-of-christopher-nolans-odyssey-shared-on-x">Continue reading...</a>

A high-quality pirated version of the summer’s hit movie was leaked on Elon Musk’s X platform and viewed more than 3m times before being removed

Unauthorised version of Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey shared on X

Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, died after a ‘short illness’Ronnie Le Drew, best known for operating the puppet Zippy on the classic children’s television programme Rainbow, has died aged 78 after a short illness. The news was confirmed by the British Puppet Guild, of which Le Drew was president.The Canadian-born British puppeteer was also known for working on 1986’s Labyrinth alongside David Bowie as well as 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors and various Muppet movies including in 1992’s The Muppet Christmas Carol. He worked on various iterations of Sooty, alongside Harry and Matthew Corbett, usually as Sweep, Sooty’s sidekick. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/jul/27/ronnie-le-drew-puppeteer-zippy-sweep-and-david-bowie-goblins-dies-aged-78">Continue reading...</a>

Canadian-born British operator, president of the British Puppet Guild, died after a ‘short illness’

Ronnie Le Drew, puppeteer behind Zippy and David Bowie’s goblins, dies aged 78

Speaking to the Dish podcast, it is unclear which films he was referring to, though the Spider-Man and Odyssey star said he was ‘super proud’ of both of thoseSpider-Man and Odyssey star Tom Holland says that some of his films are “shit” and that people “shouldn’t” see them.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNKdo2uOAus">Holland was speaking on the Dish podcast</a> and was asked by co-hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett about his experiences promoting his movies. Holland responded by saying: “When you’re doing press for movies that you’re really proud of it’s really easy because when they ask you questions about why should people go and watch this movie, you’re not lying to anyone.” <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/27/tom-holland-says-some-of-his-films-are-shit-and-people-shouldnt-see-them">Continue reading...</a>

Speaking to the Dish podcast, it is unclear which films he was referring to, though the Spider-Man and Odyssey star said he was ‘super proud’ of both of ...

Tom Holland says some of his films are ‘shit’ and people shouldn’t see them

The Paramount-Warner Bros merger is being fought in the US and UK. Britain’s culture secretary knows the risks and can intervene. She shouldThough it has yet to become front-page news in the UK, you should know about the proposed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jul/22/paramount-skydance-takeover-warner-brothers-eu-approval">Paramount-Warner Bros merger</a>. It threatens to inflict immense harm on the British public. As actors and public figures who have spent our careers in the arts in Britain – working with British crews, on British stages and sets – we have a responsibility to the public who support, enjoy and consume the art we make.The UK is being threatened by a media merger that would harm our workers, our culture and the public – but we can stop it. We are encouraged by Lisa Nandy, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, who recently sent letters to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a43dd16065c5aec12a4e409/260630_P-WBD_Redacted_Minded_To_Letter_to_Paramount_Skydance_Corporation.pdf">Paramount Skydance</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a43dc99fa72f76532a4e414/260630_P-WBD_Redacted_Minded_To_Letter_to_Warner_Bros._Discovery_Inc..pdf">Warner Bros Discovery</a>, as well as a statement to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-06-30/hcws162">parliament</a>, indicating that she is “minded to intervene” in Paramount’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://deadline.com/2026/06/paramount-warner-merger-uk-government-minded-to-intervene-1236970972/">$110bn takeover</a> of Warner Bros.Alan Cumming, Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong are actors working in the UK and Hollywood <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/ng-interactive/2026/jul/27/tv-cinema-paramount-warner-bros-merger-benedict-cumberbatch-alan-cumming-benedict-wong">Continue reading...</a>

The Paramount-Warner Bros merger is being fought in the US and UK. Britain’s culture secretary knows the risks and can intervene. She should

A TV and cinema calamity could be disastrous for what you watch and what you know. Act now to stop that | Alan Cumming, Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong

While the new PM’s slick social media operation can help him bypass the hostile press that devoured Starmer, he will still need friends in the fourth estateAfter a week in Downing Street where Labour’s previously flatlining position in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jul/27/andy-burnham-social-care-politics-live-latest-news-defence-nhs-reform-uk-tories-updates">the polls has at least showed signs of having a pulse,</a> Andy Burnham is still just about enjoying a prime ministerial honeymoon. But he has been in politics long enough to know that the largely friendly media coverage that he has received so far won’t last for ever.Indeed, within hours of becoming prime minister, some familiar predators were circling as they tried to decide whether to attack him for being too leftwing, too insubstantial or simply offering more of the same. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/27/andy-burnham-master-social-media-hostile-press-social-media">Continue reading...</a>

While the new PM’s slick social media operation can help him bypass the hostile press that devoured Starmer, he will still need friends in the fourth estate

Burnham is master of his message for now. But he should know this: media foes will offer no respite | Tom Baldwin

From BBC drama The Rapture on the climate crisis to Apple’s Criminal Record on the rise of the far right, culture often sees what politics fails toIn the BBC’s new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/26/the-rapture-review-apocalyptic-drama-bbc-one-iplayer">apocalypse drama, The Rapture</a>, the UK is engulfed in a terrifying heatwave. I watched a preview of the programme in May, while preparing to interview the lead actor Ruth Madeley. I thought at the time: “This will be much more frightening when it chimes with the real life weather, bad luck for them that it’s not coming out for a couple of months.” But, by the time of meeting Madeley the following month, we were already in the middle of a heatwave that would lead to the highest ever recorded June temperature in the UK. The whole encounter made the show feel even more prophetic. She was in a central London hotel, air-conditioned inside, but all the door handles and surrounding street furniture – benches segmented by metal arm rests, to make life just that little bit harder for homeless people – had got way too hot. It was like playing The Floor is Lava, except instead of “floor”, “everything”. It surely can’t hit the screens at a more apposite time than this, I thought, failing to predict that by late July we’d be in heatwave number three, and France would be on fire.The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16006629/CHRISTOPHER-STEVENS-scathing-one-star-review-Rapture-anti-Christian-BBC-conspiracy-drama-unconvincing-shoddy.html">Daily Mail’s</a> reviewer was upset that Christianity was portrayed “as a bastion of anti-science nutjobs and fundamentalists” in the show, wondering rhetorically whether the BBC would ever create such a drama about a “Muslim imam”. Peculiar thing to get upset about, I thought, since the religion is really more of a symptom of, or even a garnish to, the central atmosphere of engulfing heat. It’s like complaining that cats get a bad rap in the 1974 film<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/02/feelgood-movie-towering-inferno"> The Towering Inferno</a> (yes, there is a cat in it). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/27/predicting-the-future-why-tv-writers-better-than-politicians">Continue reading...</a>

From BBC drama The Rapture on the climate crisis to Apple’s Criminal Record on the rise of the far right, culture often sees what politics fails to

When it comes to predicting the future, why are TV writers better than politicians? | Zoe Williams

The Hallmark Channel’s ropey version of The Odyssey is going viral for its star-studded cast. Christopher Nolan’s film only looks better by comparison <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/christopher-nolan">Christopher Nolan</a>’s version of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/the-odyssey">The Odyssey</a> is far from the first committed to screen. As early as 1911, Italian director Guiseppe de Liguoro made a silent version entitled L’Odissea. Readers of a certain age may remember watching the futuristic animated series Ulysses 31 throughout the 1980s. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/19/o-brother-where-art-thou-revisiting-the-glory-and-silliness-of-the-coen-brothers-classic">O Brother, Where Art Thou?</a> is based on The Odyssey. So too, if you squint as hard as you can and discount the Goofy Goober song, is the first SpongeBob SquarePants movie.However, the pre-Nolan adaptation that has the biggest legacy is arguably Andrei Konchalovsky’s two-part version, made in 1997 for the Hallmark Channel. This is the adaptation that has been doing the rounds in recent days, clipped up on social media (the full version is highly discoverable on YouTube) and catching the eye of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/joyce-carol-oates">Joyce Carol Oates</a>, who spent much of Thursday night <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/JoyceCarolOates/status/2080484224369389942">tweeting</a> very enthusiastically about it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/27/the-odyssey-andrei-konchalovsky-hallmark-channel-1997-bernadette-peters-vanessa-williams">Continue reading...</a>

The Hallmark Channel’s ropey version of The Odyssey is going viral for its star-studded cast. Christopher Nolan’s film only looks better by comparison

Joyce Carol Oates thinks the 90s TV adaptation of The Odyssey is the best. I beg to differ | Stuart Heritage

End of News Feed

Ozlo’s first major update to its sleep earbuds introduces longer battery life, improved connectivity, enhanced audio, and new sleep features as the startup continues the product line once abandoned by Bose.

Ozlo’s first major update to its sleep earbuds introduces longer battery life, improved connectivity, enhanced audio, and new sleep features as the start...

Ozlo’s Sleepbuds 2 build on Bose’s sleep earbud legacy

According to NASA, two of the three reaction wheels that control the spacecraft's alignment have failed, and there are problems with one of the spacecraft's thruster systems.

According to NASA, two of the three reaction wheels that control the spacecraft's alignment have failed, and there are problems with one of the spacecraf...

The robot NASA hired to lift a orbital telescope is tumbling out of control

Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-California ) has proposed a bill that would direct federal regulators to establish minimum national safety standards for autonomous vehicle operators.

Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-California ) has proposed a bill that would direct federal regulators to establish minimum national safety standards for autonomous ...

Waymo, robotaxi operators face fresh scrutiny over emergency response failures

Ina and David Steiner inspired the ire of high-level eBay executives after occasionally criticizing the company in their newsletter. In 2019, a plot was concocted to intimidate the couple into halting their negative coverage.

Ina and David Steiner inspired the ire of high-level eBay executives after occasionally criticizing the company in their newsletter. In 2019, a plot was ...

eBay reaches $56M settlement with e-commerce newsletter writers it terrorized in 2019

Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever. From smarter bookmarking tools and neighborhood marketplaces to digital pen pals and nature journals, here are the latest App Store finds worth adding to your Home Screen.

Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever. From smarter bookmarking ...

These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era

HBO Max, like other streaming platforms, is rethinking content discovery as large libraries are making it hard for viewers to find something to watch and as audiences become accustomed to short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

HBO Max, like other streaming platforms, is rethinking content discovery as large libraries are making it hard for viewers to find something to watch and...

HBO Max embraces vertical video with a new ‘Shorts’ feed

The investment comes after speculation that Saudi Arabia may take Lucid Motors private -- which the EV maker has denied.  

Saudi prince buys 5% stake in Lucid Motors

The decision arrives as the breakneck pace of data center construction has grid operators scrambling to generate power. 

Data centers may face temporary power cuts to prevent blackouts on largest US grid

After reporting better-than-expected Q2 results, PayPal said it remains focused on its AI-driven turnaround, but would consider a deal that creates more value for shareholders.

After reporting better-than-expected Q2 results, PayPal said it remains focused on its AI-driven turnaround, but would consider a deal that creates more ...

PayPal leaves the door open to a higher takeover offer following earnings beat

Users get an X Visa debit card, which they can immediately add to Apple Pay and use to make instant peer-to-peer transfers within the app without fees or limits. 

Users get an X Visa debit card, which they can immediately add to Apple Pay and use to make instant peer-to-peer transfers within the app without fees or...

Elon Musk’s X Money app is rolling out in the US

Similar to the smartphone and desktop apps, the web app will support calling features such as screen-sharing and reactions.

WhatsApp now lets you make calls using its web app

Since launching last year, the startup today has more than 8 million people using the open source or hosted version of its models, and now generates annual recurring revenue of $21 million.

Since launching last year, the startup today has more than 8 million people using the open source or hosted version of its models, and now generates annu...

Fish Audio raises $52M seed to build AI voice models for creators and enterprises

The rollout of the program comes as Apple has been struggling with supply chain issues related to "RAMageddon," which refers to the industry-wide shortage of memory chips that is driving up the price of hardware. 

The rollout of the program comes as Apple has been struggling with supply chain issues related to "RAMageddon," which refers to the industry-wide shortag...

Apple launches ‘Upgrade’ device leasing program in partnership with Klarna

Recursive’s emphasis on self-improving AI systems means much of the budget that would traditionally go toward headcount and operations is put straight into compute, as the company seeks to automate its own product development process. 

Recursive’s emphasis on self-improving AI systems means much of the budget that would traditionally go toward headcount and operations is put straight in...

Recursive Superintelligence signs $410M compute deal with Amazon

Granola debuts an Apple Watch app for in-person note taking.

Granola launches an Apple Watch app

Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles will be available on Freenow, the mobility network that Lyft acquired in 2025.

Lyft and Baidu enter London’s robotaxi battleground as testing begins

Cursor says India is now its third-largest market globally and plans to expand local hiring and enterprise sales.

Cursor makes its biggest India push yet ahead of SpaceX acquisition with localized pricing

Anthropic founder and CEO Dario Amodei made his views clear about open-weight models and China's growing AI capabilities. 

Anthropic’s Dario Amodei responds: doesn’t oppose open-weight models, but fears Chinese AI

Companies without their own models — or without a layer of AI infrastructure known as AI gateways to separate their prompts from the model itself — will be in trouble, Nadella says.

Companies without their own models — or without a layer of AI infrastructure known as AI gateways to separate their prompts from the model itself — will ...

Satya Nadella says companies that trust one AI for everything may not survive

Fusion power startup Thea Energy snagged a $20 million award from ARPA-E to scale production of its high-temperature superconducting magnets.

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