As UK swelters in another heatwave, 50-minute Chris Packham film outlines threats to security, economy and healthMPs are calling on the UK government to host a televised national climate emergency briefing in response to what has been described as the most insidious threat to our society".In November, in the first-of-its-kind, national emergency briefing", nine experts gave stark assessments in Westminster Hall of the scale of the changes needed to adapt the country to the rapidly changing climate and ecological landscape. Continue reading...
State hit by new wrongful death lawsuit by family of Jason Wilson, who died in brutally hot, un-airconditioned' cellTexas, the state with the largest prison population in the US, is coming under mounting legal pressure to address the ongoing crisis of brutal heat in its cells, as extreme summer temperatures expose inmates to suffering, illness and even death.The Texas department of criminal justice (TDCJ), the state agency that runs dozens of prisons, has been hit by a new wrongful death lawsuit by the family of Jason Wilson. The inmate was found dead in his solitary confinement cell at the Coffield unit in July 2024. Continue reading...
The negative perception of the party and its leader has grown, according to a polling expertImmigration policy (see 9.24am) is just one area where Andy Burnham faces an acute challenge when he becomes PM. Here are some of the other stories around this morning about Burnham and what he might do when he takes power.Jim Pickard, George Parker and Jennifer Williams in the Financial Times say Burnham is considering having a deputy PM based in Manchester running his No 10 North. The deputy Labour leader, Lucy Powell, is well placed to get this job, they report.Burnham is expected to spend several days a month in Number 10 North. Caroline Simpson, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, has been lined up to run the new office.But the transition team has also raised the idea that the new unit could be given political direction by the next deputy prime minister, who would be based in Manchester, according to people close to the situation.John Bew, a former No 10 foreign policy adviser, has told the Times that Burnham could face an international crisis within weeks of taking office. Bew said:I'd say there's a high likelihood of a series of quite challenging contingencies happening.One is a horizontal or vertical escalation from Putin over the course of this summer and beyond because the war [in Ukraine] is not going well for him.Some ministers are lobbying Burnham to keep their jobs. In their London Playbook briefing for Politico, Sam Francis and Megan McElroy have a good summary.Cabinet auditions continue across Westminster. Business Secretary Peter Kyle was at least direct about it, telling the Guardian's Richard Partington that I want to stay, I'll just stay where I am." He also declared Britain needs Manchesterism." In another not-very-subtle intervention, David Miliband used his foreign policy speech last night to restate his support for electoral reform (he previously backed the Alternative Vote at the 2011 referendum, while still an MP) and back a Burnham-style transfer of power out of Westminster (the Arguably substack has the full script). Just before Miliband spoke, Yvette Cooper revealed to Chatham House that she had spoken to Andy Burnham before heading to NATO - meaning she's already giving him foreign affairs advice.Potential candidates will ... have four days, from Tuesday 14 July to Friday 17 July at 4pm, to submit their nominations.Residents not already on the electoral register have until 28 July to apply to vote in time for the byelection, and until 5pm the following day (29 July) to apply for a postal or postal proxy vote. Continue reading...
At least four Britons believed to be among those who died attempting to flee blaze in heatwave-struck Almeria regionAt least 12 people have been killed and 23 are unaccounted for after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in south-east Spain as the country endures its second heatwave of the summer.The regional government of Andalucia said the victims, four of whom are believed to be British, had died while trying to flee the flames near the village of Bedar in the Los Gallardos municipality of Almeria. Continue reading...
Disturbances linked to false claims spread online by bad actors tapping into fears within the community'Scottish police have warned people to factcheck online claims before going to protests, after crowds gathered outside two homes in Glasgow this week, in one case as a result of mistaken identity.Police Scotland said that several nights of disorder in Scotland's biggest city had clearly been orchestrated by individuals who are not from Glasgow". Continue reading...
Regulators say Facebook and Instagram features such as autoplay and infinite scroll contribute to compulsive use'EU regulators have accused Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, of failing to tackle the risks of its addictive design" on the physical and mental health of users.In an official charge sheet against Meta released on Friday, the European Commission said features such as video autoplay and infinite scroll, which provides an endless stream of content, shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use". Continue reading...
by Dharna Noor with data visuals by Andrew Witherspoo on (#76WXY)
Critics accuse president of fattening the wallets of his cronies' as working Americans face higher energy ratesThe Trump administration has directly spent $2.7bn of taxpayer money on its crusade against wind power while pouring $1.125bn into boosting coal, which critics say is pushing up Americans' bills.They say the moves are evidence that the president aims to serve fossil-fuel companies like those which donated record sums to his presidential campaign, rather than the working-class Americans to whom he pledged to lower energy bills and other costs. Continue reading...
Crowd cheers as artwork depicting Norman conquest is unloaded at British Museum after cross-Channel voyageLike the man whose conquest of England almost a millennium ago it recounts, the Bayeux tapestry crossed the Channel in the dead of night, in as much secrecy as possible, landing on the country's south coast early the following day.The artefact's arrival on Friday marked the first time it has returned to England in nearly 1,000 years, and British Museum staff will begin to prepare it for exhibition during its year-long loan. Continue reading...
by Megan Davies and Daniel Harris for MetDesk on (#76WX3)
Eleven reported dead as flooding also brings danger of snakes, while buildings collapse in Mumbai amid heavy rainAs the first typhoon to make landfall in China for the 2026 season, Maysak has caused devastating damage in southern and central regions. The Guangxi region received intense downpours of up to 280mm in 12 hours, causing rivers to swell and dam walls to break. By Monday morning, flooding across the city of Nanning and surrounding areas had resulted in many people being stranded on rooftops.Flood waters pose additional threats in China because of the presence of wild and farmed snakes. On Thursday local media reported that hundreds of snakes, including cobras, had escaped from flooded breeding farms. Typhoon Maysak also aided the development of two destructive tornados that swept across central China later on Monday evening. This occurred when warm air from the south, brought up by Typhoon Maysak, collided with cold air in the north. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Senator Ed Markey on why he has proposed legislation aimed at curbing datacenters, automated hiring systems and harm to childrenUS senator Ed Markey is worried about the perils of unregulated artificial intelligence.What part? All of it: the costs associated with thirsty, energy-guzzling datacenters, intrusive workplace surveillance, bias in discriminatory algorithms, AI overriding workers' judgments, and deepening economic inequality - as those who profit most from AI rake in extraordinary windfalls. Continue reading...
Prominent Eurosceptic and social conservative described as force of nature' by Farage and formidable' by BadenochThe former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78, her management has said.Widdecombe, who served as an MP and an MEP during a lengthy and often controversial political career, gained notoriety as a television personality in later life. Besides the Tories, she was also a member of the Brexit party and its successor, Reform UK. Continue reading...
Conservationists fear more nests may have been destroyed during work on Jarrow houses by council-appointed contractorSwift chicks are feared to have been thrown into a skip during house renovations in South Tyneside, despite rules that should stop the destruction of nests.The Northern Swifts Group (NSG) was alerted to the destruction of at least one nest on Tuesday, in a street in Jarrow where houses were being renovated by South Tyneside council. Continue reading...
Unesco report shows children lost out to servicing debt in 113 countries, with 18 spending five times more on loansMost developing countries spent less on education than they did repaying debt last year, according to the UN, at the same time as global aid to education is predicted to decline by up to 30%.More was spent on servicing foreign debt than on education in 113 developing countries in 2025, according to research by the UN's culture and education agency, Unesco. In sub-Saharan Africa, countries spent 3.6 times more on debt than education. Continue reading...
SK hynix, a supplier of advanced memory chips, has seen profits skyrocket thanks to the global race to build AI datacentresSouth Korean chip maker SK hynix set pricing for its mega US listing on Friday, aiming to raise $26.5bn as it takes advantage of the AI boom in what will be one of the world's biggest ever stock sales.The Asian semiconductor giant plans to issue the equivalent of about 18m shares on Wall Street's tech-heavy Nasdaq index later in the day. Continue reading...
Gigs by Gallagher brothers, Coldplay, Lana Del Rey and Beyonce gives 11bn boost to the economyBig name artists including Oasis with their highly anticipated reunion tour, Coldplay and Beyonce helped to attract a record number of fans to travel to watch live music last year, helped by a surge in overseas visitors at UK gigs.A report from the industry body UK Music estimated that 24.7 million music tourists" attended concerts and festivals last year, up 4.8% on 2024, leading to an unprecedented 11.2bn of spending across the UK economy. Continue reading...
National Audit Office says system needs to be upgraded before it is extended to ease strain on overcrowded prisonsThe rapid expansion of electronic tagging to reduce pressure on prisons will put public safety at risk without robust improvements to a system already under significant strain, the UK's public spending watchdog has warned.The number of people in England and Wales being electronically monitored has doubled to 28,700 over five years, and is estimated to rise to 22,000 tagged each year from 2027 under government plans to combat the prison capacity crisis by managing more offenders in the community. Continue reading...
Military intelligence officer admits witnessing killing of woman believed to have left explosive device outside oligarch's homeThe case of a suspected bomber accused of targeting a Ukrainian oligarch has taken another murky turn, after details of her subsequent murder were revealed in court with evidence suggesting the involvement of Kyiv's intelligence agencies.French police last week named Anastasia Berezovska as the person captured on CCTV leaving a rucksack outside a Monaco apartment block. It blew up, injuring the Ukrainian businessman Vadym Iermolaiev as he emerged from the building with his partner and their 13-year-old child. Continue reading...
Albanese has attended the Indigenous cultural festival every year since 2019 and committed to be here and engaged with you' each yeah he remains in office
Hollywood actor signs recording deal with Decca after decades of composing pieces inspired by his Welsh childhoodAnthony Hopkins says he has achieved his first desire" of signing a record deal, with his debut single being released on Friday.The 88-year-old Hollywood actor's first album, Life Is a Dream, will be released next month by Decca Classics . It is a collection of pieces he has composed over six decades.Life Is a Dream will be released on 21 August Continue reading...
by Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent on (#76WPB)
Ministers consider bringing e-cigarette laws in line with tobacco as data shows 20% of teenagers have tried vapingVapes could be sold in plain packaging as part of a range of proposals to stop them being marketed to children.The UK-wide plans also include limiting device colours to white, black or grey, and keeping vapes out of sight in shops, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. Continue reading...
by Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent on (#76WPA)
Presenter, 77, says for now life goes on as normal and I continue to broadcast' as he shares diagnosis received in 2025The longtime radio and TV broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.The 77-year-old presenter, who has been a regular on the BBC since the 1970s and has one of the most recognisable voices on British radio, shared a statement revealing the diagnosis he received in 2025. Continue reading...
Iran responds by targeting US-allied Kuwait and Qatar and accusing US of striking near its sole nuclear power plantThe US has launched new airstrikes against Iran, hours after Donald Trump threatened to escalate the conflict unless Iran stopped attacking ships in the strait of Hormuz.Iran, which was burying its former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, responded by targeting US-allied Kuwait and Qatar and accused the US of striking near its sole nuclear power plant. Continue reading...
Outgoing PM has not ruled out drawing up honours list when he stands down, despite previously opposing itKeir Starmer has signalled he could hand out resignation honours when he leaves Downing Street, despite pledging three years ago he would not do so when he eventually stood down.The prime minister twice declined to rule out drawing up a list of honours when he stands down in just over 10 days' time, to be succeeded by Andy Burnham. Continue reading...
George Cottrell's mother, Fiona, at centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donationsPolice are investigating donations worth 500,000 made to Reform UK by the mother of a convicted fraudster and ally of Nigel Farage.The investigation concerns two donations of 250,000 made by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George has often accompanied Farage to Reform events and media appearances. The May 2024 donations are under investigation over whether they were intended to conceal a donation by an impermissible donor. Continue reading...
Father Ted co-creator detained by armed officers at Heathrow airport last year over gender-critical posts on XThe Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been paid 25,000 in compensation by the Metropolitan police and received an apology after his arrest over his gender-critical social media posts.Linehan, 57, was detained by armed officers at Heathrow airport last September after a 10-hour flight from Arizona. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Source close to co-claimant Prince Harry says he is protective of social campaigner and will not see her out of pocket'Doreen Lawrence, the social justice campaigner, will not foot any of a multimillion-pound bill for the failed attempt to sue the publisher of the Daily Mail, the Guardian understands.Lawrence, the mother of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, whose case was the subject of a long-running Daily Mail campaign from the late 1990s, was one of seven claimants defeated in court over claims the Mail titles used unlawful methods to source stories. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Call for ministers to tighten bill amid Nigel Farage funding controversiesLabour MPs are to rebel next week over the government's reforms to political funding, pushing ministers to introduce tougher measures including a ban on cryptocurrency donations and much lower spending limits.MPs on the all-party anti-corruption group are canvassing support for four amendments to the representation of the people bill that would significantly tighten the government's plans. Continue reading...
Reporting suggests FBI involved in seizure of Ismael El Mayo' Zambada Garcia from Mexican territory in 2024Mexico has launched an investigation into whether the US lied about its involvement in the capture and secretive transfer of a top Sinaloa cartel member in 2024, in what would be a potential violation of the country's sovereignty.The US has long denied it played any role in the operation to detain the drug lord Ismael El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, a founder of the Sinaloa cartel, inside Mexico. Recent reporting by the local media outlet Pie de Nota, however, suggested that the FBI was involved in his capture. Continue reading...
Cross-party group backs call from science and technology committee to look at alternative options, citing serious mistrust'A second parliamentary committee has urged Labour to scrap Palantir's 330m contract with the NHS, increasing pressure on the next prime minister over government deals with the US tech company.MPs on the health and social care select committee want the NHS to cut ties with Palantir and find a replacement for its system, which is supposed to unify and analyse huge amounts of often highly sensitive NHS health data. Continue reading...
Businessman stands trial over death of Maltese journalist killed by bomb in her car after she reported on corruptionMoments before the explosion that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia, the journalist screamed in panic, a witness has told the trial of the man accused of ordering her murder.Caruana Galizia was killed in 2017 by a remotely detonated bomb placed under the driver's seat of her car, after writing a series of reports on political and financial corruption in Malta. The government's handling of the investigation led to mass protests and ultimately to the resignation of the Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat. Continue reading...
by Seham Tantesh in Gaza and Julian Borger in Jerusal on (#76WER)
The local truckers association has said it may suspend operations, after several eyewitnesses decried the murder of Ahmad EsleemA Palestinian driver bringing food aid from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) into Gaza has been killed by an Israeli soldier, according to eyewitnesses and the local truckers association, which said it may suspend operations in protest.Ahmad Esleem was shot in the head on Wednesday when an aid convoy stopped because of a breakdown to one truck soon after entering Gaza, according to three accounts. Israeli soldiers ordered the drivers to dismount and one of them shot Esleem in the head when his hands were raised. Continue reading...
Britain expands heat alerts while estimates suggest June's death toll could surpass 20,000 across continentThe UK is sweltering through the peak of its third heatwave of the year as countries around Europe struggle to recover from an early onslaught of baking summer heat.Punishing temperatures pushed higher by fossil fuel pollution have broken records across the continent in recent weeks. Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, scientists confirmed on Thursday, accompanied by high global ocean temperatures that could cause mass-mortality events" for some species. Continue reading...
Recep Tayyip Erdoan presented engraved revolvers - with bullets - to his guests in Ankara, causing security concernsWhat does a world leader do with a gun and six bullets? That was the conundrum Nato leaders faced after the Turkish president offered them each a revolver after the Ankara summit.Keir Starmer was the first to mention the highly unusual gift presented by Recep Tayyip Erdoan to his guests. On the flight back from Ankara, where Nato leaders had gathered for two days, the British prime minister said he and others had received a revolver engraved with their names. Continue reading...
President ordered investigation after fictitious federal body allocated funding and office space, triggering renewed scrutiny of corruptionA fictitious federal entity that was allocated 1.3 billion naira (705,248) in Nigeria's 2026 budget has precipitated a political storm in Africa's largest democracy in the run-up to January's general election.The fake agency came to light last October when Femi Gbajabiamila, the president's chief of staff, wrote to the police alleging that his signature, along with official seals and reference numbers, had been forged by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who was claiming to have been appointed by the presidency to head the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC). Continue reading...
Demonstrations at 18 sites set up as radical transformation plan put to board of Europe's biggest carmakerVolkswagen's proposal to slash up to 100,000 jobs and close factories faces a major test on Thursday as it is formally put to its supervisory board, with protests planned at all plants in Germany.IG Metall organised demonstrations involving shop stewards and union council members at 18 sites at Europe's biggest carmaker, including at its headquarters. The influential staff union told the chief executive, Oliver Blume, that he could not pass the buck for failures of recent years on to the workforce". Continue reading...
Highly unprecedented anomaly' meant 135 people given incorrect scores and wrongly informed of promotionsThe air force has canceled the promotions of dozens of service members after discovering what it said was a grading error in a test of their security knowledge.The isolated and highly unprecedented anomaly" was announced in a press release on Tuesday, which said 135 airmen and women had been awarded incorrect scores on the security forces specialty knowledge test (SKT) and been wrongly informed they had earned promotion. Continue reading...
Some stations in Spain recorded temperatures of up to 44C after western Europe experienced the warmest June on recordA high temperature warning has also been issued for a dozen counties in the Republic of Ireland, PA reported.Irish national forecaster Met Eireann said temperatures could exceed 27C during the day with overnight temperatures staying above 15C. The agency warned of water safety issues, heat stress, and uncomfortable sleeping conditions as a result. Continue reading...
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