Profits boost for defence firms as governments increase spending 30. July 2026 (13:46) Shares in Rolls-Royce jump by 5.5% after it lifts earnings guidance, while BAE Systems also upgrades profit forecastsBusiness live – latest updatesRolls-Royce and BAE Systems are expecting higher profits as governments around the world boost their defence spending.Both companies lifted their earnings guidance on Thursday morning, citing commitments from governments to increase investment in defence systems. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First Thing: US government borrowing costs hit new high as strikes on Iran resume 30. July 2026 (13:23) Federal Reserve votes to hold its key interest rate steady, sending stocks tumbling. Plus: the origins of Coca-Cola may have been foundGood morning. US government borrowing costs have hit their highest level since 2007 after the Federal Reserve voted to hold its key interest rate steady, feeding fears it may not move fast enough to tame a rise in inflation. Kevin Warsh, the central bank’s chair, said the Fed would “not waver” in its commitment to tackling rising prices.The decision to leave rates on hold has spooked investors, who are worried about the US economy’s ability to absorb a rise inflation, caused by Donald Trump’s war in Iran. US inflation cooled to an annual rate of 3.5% in June after Washington and Tehran agreed a brief ceasefire – but this has since ended. US stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, with the blue chip S&P 500 index closing down 1.5%. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 2.2% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq was down 1.7%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Let them eat SUVs: Trump White House orders fleet of luxury cars as Americans struggle 30. July 2026 (13:00) Americans are facing a deepening affordability crisis but at least Trump and co have ... 250 new Cadillac EscaladesThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayGas prices are up almost a dollar a gallon since the day Donald Trump took office; mortgage rates just hit their highest level in nearly a year, and over the weekend a prominent economist said the Iran war is costing the average US household more than $1,200.Americans are struggling through a deepening affordability crisis caused largely by Trump’s ill-fated war against Iran. They are in need of a boost, something to lift the spirits. Perhaps the president could give a speech, letting the people know that we are all in this together. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Book returned to Australian library – 150 years overdue 30. July 2026 (12:59) The book, Antiquities of Athens, was handed back to Kiama library by a man who found it bricked into a wallAn Australian public library has had a book returned an estimated 150 years late after being found behind a wall during a home renovation.The book, Antiquities of Athens, published in 1858, was returned to the library in the seaside town of Kiama, south of Sydney, by a man who had found it inside a tea crate bricked into a sealed fireplace Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jenrick claims Reform UK ‘entirely confident’ it followed all electoral rules when accepting donations – UK politics live 30. July 2026 (11:48) Jenrick questioned about latest George Cottrell revelations Q: What did you want the police to do about Zack Polanski and the anti-Farage message. Do you think he should have been arrested or jailed?Jenrick said it was “not for me to tell the police how to do their jobs”. But there have been many examples of people being arrested for social media posts, he said. He went on:It does seem curious that in this case the police have chosen not to take action.We’ll see whether they take action against the individual who posted the original tweet, who wore the T-shirt. I’m hearing today that the police may have closed that investigation as well. [See 9.20am.]This has been going on for for a long time, but we are entirely confident that Reform followed all electoral rules at the time when the donations were made.Of course, we’ll participate with any inquiries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Excess deaths caused by heatwaves in England ‘almost double’ so far this year 30. July 2026 (11:39) UKHSA estimates 2,877 heat-associated deaths during heatwaves in May and June, almost twice the number in summer 2025The number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves has almost doubled so far this year in England compared with 2025, the UK Health Security Agency, has said.There were 2,877 heat-associated deaths during the heatwaves in May and June this year, a report has estimated, almost double the figure reported from the UK heatwaves in June to August last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US borrowing costs hit 19-year high as Fed holds interest rates 30. July 2026 (10:54) Bank’s chair pledges to keep up fight against inflation but decision brings fears of a failure to keep paceBusiness live – latest updatesUS government borrowing costs have hit their highest level since 2007 after the Federal Reserve voted to hold its key interest rate steady, feeding fears that the central bank may not move fast enough to tame a rise in inflation.The yield – or interest rate – on the 30-year US Treasury bond rose 14 basis points to nearly 5.24%, a 19-year high, after the Fed announced its decision to hold its main rate at between 3.5% and 3.75% for the fifth meeting in a row. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Major incident declared in Suffolk as 90 firefighters tackle wildfire on heathland 30. July 2026 (10:01) Several people evacuated after ‘large-scale, wind-driven’ fire breaks out at Dunwich Heath near LeistonA major incident has been declared as firefighters battle a large heathland fire on the Suffolk coast.Suffolk fire and rescue service was called to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday, and crews remained at the scene on Thursday morning. About 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze, while several people had been evacuated. Leiston is about 5km away from Sizewell B, but firefighters have said there is not thought to be any danger to the nuclear power station at this time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Grey lump with orange wings’: hummingbird hawk-moths descend on UK gardens 30. July 2026 (10:00) Boom in migrating moth sightings put down to hot weather, strong winds and food scarcity in Europe He had just sat down to dinner in the garden when a speedy visitor whizzed by – a “grey lump with orange wings”, recalled Luke Burstow, from Sussex. It was a hummingbird hawk-moth, a flying insect that migrates to the UK from continental Europe and north Africa.“I was like: ‘Wow!’,” said the software project manager. “I didn’t even know they existed.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shell’s profits more than double after jump in oil and gas prices 30. July 2026 (09:08) Environmental groups renew calls for windfall tax to support households following Q2 earnings rise to $9.84bn Shell more than doubled its profit in its second quarter of the year, as Europe’s biggest oil and gas company reaped the benefits from the jump in oil and gas prices triggered by war in the Middle East.The FTSE 100 company’s net profit hit $9.84bn (£7.4bn) in the three months to June, more than double compared with the same period last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
