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Is Israel really isolated? Polls and diplomacy point in opposite directions
President Donald Trump’s suggestion that more countries may join the Abraham Accords has renewed debate over whether Israel is becoming internationally isolated. The article contrasts worsening public opinion and criticism from parts of the Western political establishment with Israel’s continuing or expanding strategic relationships, arguing that diplomatic and polling evidence point in different directions. Former…
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One of Australia’s most wanted and alleged Comanchero bikie associate is arrested by cops at airport eight years after going on the run
Daniel Toutounji, 37, an alleged associate of the Comanchero motorcycle gang, was arrested at Sydney International Airport after returning to Australia following about eight years abroad. The arrest ends a long-running police search and brings him before the courts to face serious organised-crime and drug allegations. Police say the case began with a 2018 raid…
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup adds three choices
Samsung has introduced three new Galaxy Z foldable phones, each aimed at a different type of user. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is positioned for productivity, photography and larger-screen work, while the standard Fold8 focuses on reading, gaming and video; the Flip8 expands access to apps and AI tools on its outer display. The phones…
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SEN MIKE LEE: Trump proves America can stand up to a power-mad foreign court
The article argues that the Trump administration’s sanctions and visa restrictions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) demonstrate a defence of US sovereignty against what its author portrays as an overreaching foreign institution. Written by Senator Mike Lee, it frames the measures as part of a longstanding American resistance to outside powers influencing US policy…
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Lidia Thorpe’s little-known ex-tradie son, 35, makes debut speech to parliament as part of Victoria’s controversial Indigenous treaty
Andrew Thorpe, the 35-year-old son of Australian senator Lidia Thorpe, has made his first speech to the Victorian parliament as part of the state’s contested Indigenous treaty process. His emergence marks a notable moment given that he has kept a low public profile compared with his mother, who is one of Australia’s most prominent and…
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Christine Vachon, Ewan McGregor & Sarah Brocklehurst Among Names Set For Edinburgh Film Festival’s 2026 Industry Programme
Edinburgh Film Festival has announced its 2026 industry programme, running alongside the festival from 13 to 19 August. The programme brings together prominent filmmakers, actors and executives for talks, networking and discussions intended to support connections across the Scottish, UK and international film sectors. Events begin on 14 August with a networking brunch, followed by…
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‘It’s more than backcombing a beehive!’ How tribute acts got massive – and put the live music scene back in the black
Tribute acts are thriving across the UK, filling festivals and music venues by offering audiences familiar songs at far lower prices than concerts by original artists. The trend is helping financially strained live-music venues and creating lucrative careers for performers, while also raising questions about the personal demands of impersonation and whether original musicians are…
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Creepy Twins, Religious Fanaticism and a Loaded Gun Collide in Tense Chamber Drama ‘Godhead’ — Fantasia
Mark H. Rapaport’s new thriller “Godhead” premiered at Montreal’s Fantasia Festival, where it was warmly received for its escalating tension and unsettling chamber-drama approach. The black-and-white film follows a rural Catholic priest visited by two strange twins who claim to be fulfilling a prophecy, bringing religious fervour, concealed motives and a gun into an increasingly…
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Chris Hemsworth’s Biggest Action Franchise Is Officially Returning to Netflix
Netflix has begun filming Extraction 3, continuing its successful action franchise starring Chris Hemsworth as black-ops mercenary Tyler Rake. The news matters because the series has become one of Netflix’s major original film successes since launching during the pandemic, with the third instalment also supporting plans for a broader shared universe. Director Sam Hargrave confirmed…
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Left-wing MPs invited Hamas-linked activist to address them in Parliament just weeks after he was sanctioned by the US
The article reports that several left-wing MPs invited an activist alleged to have links to Hamas to speak in Parliament, weeks after the United States imposed sanctions on him. The report raises questions about the vetting of parliamentary speakers and the political consequences of hosting individuals accused of associations with a proscribed militant group. The…