Ex-White House counsel says Epstein accuser’s testimony ‘lacked inherent credibility’ 30. July 2026 (20:14) Kathryn Ruemmler was blasted by family of late Virginia Giuffre after House committee transcripts were releasedSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A former White House counsel and former general counsel of Goldman Sachs, who has faced scrutiny over her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, told a House committee this month that some of the allegations made by one his most prominent accusers “lacked inherent credibility”, according to newly released transcripts.Kathryn Ruemmler’s name appeared thousands of times in records related to Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, that were released earlier this year by the US Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Saudi Arabia prepares sea and possible land offensive against Houthis 30. July 2026 (19:50) Yemeni sources say Saudis concentrating forces for what could be attack in central YemenSaudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthis by sea and possibly by land in central Yemen, Yemeni sources believe, in a move to break the chokehold on its oil exports through the southern Red Sea.Saudi forces have been seen withdrawing from the east of Yemen in what could be preparation for a land offensive. At the same time, Riyadh is trying to organise a naval coalition to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican congressman Max Miller faces backlash over domestic abuse allegations 30. July 2026 (19:45) Ohio representative is accused by his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend of abuse as he campaigns for re-electionUS politics live – latest updatesThe Ohio representative Max Miller is facing growing pressure to resign over a series of domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife and former girlfriend.The Republican congressman, 37, who represents Ohio’s seventh congressional district, has denied accusations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and former girlfriend Stephanie Grisham, as he campaigns for re-election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian missile destroys US firm’s Kyiv drone factory 30. July 2026 (19:40) Strike on Terminal Autonomy plant appears to be first time in the war that Moscow has targeted a US companyA drone factory in Kyiv destroyed by a Russian ballistic missile on Friday was owned by a US corporation registered in Delaware, in what appears to be the first time Moscow has targeted a US company in the conflict.Terminal Autonomy makes precision “deep-strike” drones with guidance systems that are resistant to Russian jamming signals, according to a person familiar with the company. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fifa could draw US Congress inquiry over ‘smash-and-grab scam’, top Democrat warns 30. July 2026 (19:24) Jamie Raskin targets football body’s proposed commercial sell-off and links to Trump administrationUS politics live – latest updatesFifa could face a sweeping US congressional investigation into its expanding financial and political ties to Donald Trump and his family if Democrats reclaim the House of Representatives in November, a senior party figure has warned.Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, accused global football’s governing body of a “smash-and-grab scam of colossal proportions” after it proposed a multibillion-dollar privatization of its commercial operations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis 30. July 2026 (19:16) Donations to top US provider have dropped to four-year summer low with less than a day’s supply of type O positiveThe American Red Cross has declared the second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low.On Monday, the 145-year-old non-profit said that as the United States’ largest single provider of blood products, it now has less than one-day national supply of type O positive blood – the most commonly transfused blood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More prisoners in England and Wales are recalled than released for first time 30. July 2026 (18:31) Returns for breaches of licence conditions rose 31% in the first quarter of 2026, adding to pressure on prison placesMore people were recalled to prison than were released during the first three months of 2026, the first time on record the “recall rate” has surpassed 100% in England and Wales.Between January and March 2026, 12,977 people were released from prison while 13,193 people were returned to prison for breaching their licence conditions, up 31% from last year, new Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data showed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump says he may ‘temporarily’ drop bid to make Blanche attorney general 30. July 2026 (17:49) US president’s former lawyer has been struggling to persuade some Republican senators to back his nominationDonald Trump has threatened to “temporarily” shelve a bid to permanently install his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche as US attorney general amid resistance in US Congress.Blanche, currently serving as acting attorney general, has been struggling to persuade a handful of Republican senators to back his nomination for the role. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% as inflation fears mount 30. July 2026 (17:47) Split vote comes as Iran war is rekindled and oil price climbs back above $90 a barrelBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of England has kept UK interest rates on hold as it warned that a further escalation in the Iran war could drive inflation above 4% next year, adding to cost of living pressures on households.Against a volatile backdrop in the Middle East conflict, the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by six to three to keep its key base rate at 3.75%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s war with the US is not its only conflict as internal crises mount 30. July 2026 (17:24) Government fears social discontent on ‘most important battlefield’ of economy and livelihoods as war takes its toll amid anti-state dissentIran, in the midst of an escalating five-month war with the US, continues to stumble from one internal crisis to another – whether it is over public executions, the rising cost of living, the alleged bias of the state broadcaster or even the post-midnight destruction of pavements outside liberal-leaning Tehran cafes. Very little that happens in Iran, cultural or political, momentous or trivial, does so uncontested.But there is now a growing threat of a long diplomatic deadlock, forged by mutual distrust in which neither side believes the other will stick to any agreement. That impasse has occurred as the war broadens, drawing in Yemen, Iraq and now Egypt. In Iran, at least, the advocates of escalation are winning. As a result, a convergence of Iran’s conflicts, internal and external, becomes more likely. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
