Bird of the Day, theme 'Peek ABoo'

Today's Bird of the Day; daily community event. Theme: #PeekABoo.

Harry Potter fans prompt reroute of UK‑Ireland undersea cable over Dobby burial site

A £430m Wales‑to‑Wexford cable route was adjusted after objections over a beach used as a filmed burial site linked to Dobby.

Kevin Smith to write Star Wars/Marvel crossover, Hope Assembles

Kevin Smith and artist David Marquez set for a five-issue Star Wars/Marvel miniseries, Hope Assembles, launching Jan 2027.

Hotel prices jump as Europe readies for Aug 12 total solar eclipse

Rooms in Reykjavík reportedly doubled and Spanish bookings surged as travellers snap up spots for the Aug 12 total eclipse.

Image Comics announces new Warren Ellis graphic novella

Image Comics will publish a new Warren Ellis book, marking his return five years after the publisher cut ties over accusations of sexual coercion.

Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies after weeks-long illness

Jackie, the livestream-famous Big Bear bald eagle, died after a mysterious illness; fans and conservationists mourn

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug 12, 13

Perseids peak overnight 12, 13 August; a new moon aids dark skies, and a solar eclipse is visible in parts of Europe.

Star Wars: Zero Company preview praises XCOM-style tactics

Hands‑on previews from Bit Reactor vets highlight deep turn‑based combat, RPG writing, and strong character hooks.

Bashar al-Assad and Atef Najib sentenced to death in Syria

A Damascus court sentenced Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher and cousin Atef Najib to death in absentia over 2011 crackdown war crimes.

Yale study: Medicare for All would save over 114,000 lives and $1 trillion a year

New Yale analysis estimates Medicare for All could prevent about 114,000 deaths annually and cut roughly $1 trillion per year.

Meta glasses banned from courts in England and Wales

Court Service says Meta smart glasses will be confiscated at court entry and returned afterward.

Super Mario Bros speedrunners 0.1 seconds from a perfect run

Top competitors say just six frames separate current world records from a frame‑perfect Super Mario Bros speedrun.

Blue Jays-Red Sox game delayed after confusion over outs and a ruled run

Play paused ~16 minutes after umpires and scorers disputed a run and the number of outs in Toronto-Boston

AI-generated Charlie Brown strip about property taxes draws ridicule

An AI-created Peanuts-style comic showing Charlie Brown complaining about property taxes drew widespread mockery

UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC accuse FIFA of deception over World Cup plan

European, North American and Asian confederations say FIFA misled federations about a proposed sale of World Cup stakes

Congo Ebola outbreak surpasses 2,000 deaths

DR Congo reports at least 2,000 deaths and about 4,381 confirmed cases, the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record

Amber heat health alerts issued across much of England

Amber health alerts in place as a fifth summer heatwave pushes temperatures into the low‑to‑mid 30s Celsius across England

Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller leak

Alleged images of a Legend of Zelda 40th‑anniversary Switch 2 console and matching Pro Controller circulate online

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Legacy Edition released

Aspyr shadow-drops War in the North: Legacy Edition on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch and Switch 2; $19.99 launch price

PM asks Justice Secretary to block early release of PC Harper's killers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham tells the Justice Secretary to explore options to keep PC Andrew Harper’s killers in prison

Jared Kushner bought $125M Albanian beachfront from alleged trafficker, report says

Report alleges Kushner purchased $125 million of Albanian beachfront linked to an alleged cocaine trafficker; project now faces probes and local protests.

Spotify to label AI Persona artist profiles and exclude them from recommendations

Spotify will badge AI‑generated artist accounts and by default remove their music from algorithmic and editorial recommendations.

The Great Silence, why we haven’t found aliens yet

Guardian longread surveys the Fermi paradox, Rare Earth ideas and why decades of searches for extraterrestrial tech have found nothing

Jac Caglianone hits 2-run homer off Tarik Skubal in Dodgers debut

Caglianone crushed a two-run shot (410 ft, 110.8 mph) to give Kansas City an early lead over the Dodgers

Jung Hoo Lee delivers go-ahead solo homer for Giants vs Astros

Lee’s 382-ft solo (35° launch, 105.6 mph) put San Francisco ahead in the 5th inning

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition gets new story trailer ahead of Switch 2

Bandai Namco releases a 'Story Spotlight' trailer for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, due Aug 28 on Nintendo Switch 2.

Great British Sewing Bee, Series 12 'Sports Week' airs tonight

Series 12 episode features a pattern challenge to make men's swimming shorts as 'Sports Week' gets underway on BBC Two.

Reacher Season 4 premieres on Prime Video Aug 12

Alan Ritchson returns as Jack Reacher; the first three episodes of Season 4 arrive on Prime Video Aug 12.

England set to eliminate hepatitis C

England is on track to meet WHO targets after treating ~80% of known cases; deaths from HCV have fallen 36% in a decade