AI labels to be compulsory on authentic-looking content under EU rules 31. July 2026 (11:46) Companies must ensure people know when they are interacting with artificially generated images, audio and text designed to look realFrom apparently conspiring to steal elections to abusing staff or performing embarrassing dance moves, the last few years have seen plenty of fake content made about politicians intended to malign its targets and mislead the public.Now EU rules aim to stem the flood of this deceptive content: starting from Sunday, artificially generated images, audio and text designed to look authentic must be labelled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 18 die as 49,000 people cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco 31. July 2026 (11:43) Some drowned and others caught up in crush, official says, as incident prompts criticism of Spain from France and ItalyAt least 18 people have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after around 49,000 migrants entered the tiny territory from Morocco in a matter of hours, triggering a political crisis for the Madrid government and unleashing a barrage of criticism from other EU countries.The large influx of people arriving in Ceuta by swimming across from neighbouring Morocco or scaling the high border fence has caught the city of 85,000 off guard and resulted in what one local police association has called a “serious humanitarian crisis”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andy Burnham to set out devolution plan amid criticism it won’t benefit regions equally – UK politics live 31. July 2026 (11:25) Plan set to transform funding so English regions no longer rely on Whitehall handouts for projectsMPs Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted into Labour and had the parliamentary whip restored, just under two weeks into Andy Burnham’s premiership.The party confirmed that this followed separate independent disciplinary processes, although Labour said the leadership played no role in either decision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France to step up border controls with Spain as estimated 49,000 migrants cross into Ceuta – Europe live 31. July 2026 (11:25) PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisisWe are getting some more pictures from Ceuta, showing the people who arrived last night waiting in parts of the city with El Mundo reporting long queues at local supermarkets.But also there are reports that some migrants are choosing to return to Morocco. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK petrol prices expected to rise to highest this year as US attacks Iran – business live 31. July 2026 (11:22) Live, rolling coverage as the AA says average petrol prices could rise above 159.7p per litre mark set in MayAnother group of bankers will be looking forward to a bump in bonuses this year, after NatWest group grew the payout pool after a near 30% surge in quarterly profits.The high street lender said pre-tax profit jumped 29% to £2.3bn between April and June compared with the same period last year, after a jump in customer deposits, mortgage lending, and better economic conditions reduced the prospect of soured loans.We’re the biggest lender to infrastructure. We have the biggest SME bank. It’s important that we play our part and help get growth in every nation and the region of the UK. And that’s how I’d want to use the bank’s capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New solar panels in Great Britain at 15-year high as fossil fuel costs soar 31. July 2026 (11:00) Boom in solar farms and home installations in first half of 2026 began shortly after start of US-Israel war against IranGreat Britain has recorded more new solar power installations in the first half of this year than in any six-month period since 2011, as households turn to rooftop panels to help cut their energy bills.An analysis of the government’s official figures shows that Great Britain added 142,536 solar installations in the first six months of the year, putting it on track to top last year’s record solar additions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senators accuse Republican ‘gelatinous blobs’ of caving to Trump on Iran war 31. July 2026 (11:00) Democrats Warren and Van Hollen attack Republican ‘rubber stamps’ in Congress for ceding authority to TrumpSenior Democrats accused Republicans in the US Congress of becoming “gelatinous blobs” who won’t stand up to Donald Trump and “rubber stamps” for his war on Iran.Elizabeth Warren, a US senator for Massachusetts, and Chris Van Hollen, a US senator for Maryland, argued that the Republican-controlled Congress had surrendered its constitutional authority to the president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British-Azerbaijani man arrested in Cyprus over alleged spying on UK airbase for Iran 31. July 2026 (10:58) Rashad Sultanov, from London, suspected of conducting hostile surveillance and passing information to Revolutionary GuardsA British-Azerbaijani national has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a British airbase on the Mediterranean island and passing information to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Metropolitan police said.Rashad Sultanov, 44, from Islington, north London, was arrested on 17 July by Cypriot authorities and is being held in custody as extradition proceedings continue, the police said in a statement on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weather tracker: Wisconsin battered by rare tornado and meteotsunami 31. July 2026 (10:40) Unusual atmospheric phenomena causes widespread damage in US state, while heat continues to grip EuropeA rare and powerful tornado developed over north-east Wisconsin on Monday, lasting 26 minutes and carving a 12-mile path of destruction in western parts of Appleton and Menasha before dissipating over Lake Winnebago.The US National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF3, making it the fourth of that strength to strike Wisconsin in 2026. EF3 tornadoes are relatively rare in north-east Wisconsin, and this year’s total is already the state’s highest since 1984. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suffolk wildfire near Sizewell nuclear plant ‘stabilising’ after 24 hours 31. July 2026 (10:22) More than 100 firefighters remain at scene after Dunwich Heath blaze spread across 150 hectares and forced evacuationsFire crews tackling a large wildfire burning for more than 24 hours near Britain’s biggest nuclear power station have said the situation is “stabilising”.More than 100 firefighters have been battling the blaze in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, on the Suffolk coast since Wednesday evening. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
