Starmer allies see ‘hint of retribution’ in Burnham reshuffle 21. July 2026 (19:40) Former PM’s supporters question pledge to end factional infighting after more than half his cabinet removed or demotedAllies of Keir Starmer have questioned Andy Burnham’s pledge to end factional infighting after he removed or demoted more than half of the outgoing prime minister’s cabinet in his first reshuffle.“This was a deeply factional cabinet reshuffle,” one said. “The idea it was anything else is ridiculous.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Houthis threaten to attack shipping tankers if they use Saudi Arabian ports on Red Sea 21. July 2026 (19:27) Warning to shipping companies, on top of Iran’s chokehold on strait of Hormuz, may severely affect Saudi oil exportsMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesYemen’s Iranian-aligned Houthis have warned shipping companies that their tankers risk being attacked if they use Saudi Arabian ports, as the militia moved quickly to enforce a blockade announced the previous day.The Houthi warning for the Red Sea, coming on top of Iran’s threat to shipping on the other side of the Arabian peninsular in the Gulf, could affect the substantial Saudi oil exports that have so far been unscathed by the months-long conflict and deepen the rapidly escalating crisis in the region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Convicted killer denies murdering two friends whose remains were found near his Cornwall cabin 21. July 2026 (19:04) James Desborough told court he had discovered bodies of Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman on his land near St AustellA convicted killer accused of murdering two of his friends whose remains were found burnt and dismembered near his Cornish woodland cabin has insisted he did not kill them but had discovered their bodies on his land.James Desborough claimed he came upon one of the bodies hanging from a tree and the second lying naked in a stream. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Millions face long-term coastal flooding risk in UK without climate action, scientists warn 21. July 2026 (19:00) A ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ suggests need for large-scale movement of populations away from reshaped coastUp to 13 million people in the UK face the long-term risk of coastal flooding due to the climate crisis, scientists have warned, with a “reasonable worst-case scenario” suggesting the need for the large-scale movement of populations away from a dramatically reshaped coast.Even if today’s global pledges to cut carbon pollution are met, about 1.4 million more people will be exposed to coastal floods in 2200 and 1.7 million in 2300 due to the sea level rise driven by melting ice caps and warming oceans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Godzilla v Kong actor Kaylee Hottle dies aged 18 21. July 2026 (18:17) The deaf actor, who played a major role in Godzilla v Kong and its 2024 sequel, was killed in a car crash in MarylandKaylee Hottle, who played a major role in Godzilla v Kong and the sequel Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, has died at the age of 18.Her death was confirmed by her father, Joshua, in a video shared on Facebook. The stream was in American Sign Language (ASL) as the Hottle family is all deaf. “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take,” is the name of the video. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
India’s Cockroach movement protesters show no sign of backing down 21. July 2026 (18:13) Thousands of people again on the streets of Delhi calling for education reforms despite police violence on MondayTaru had come to the protest prepared this time. In one hand was an anti-government poster and in the other was a bicycle helmet. “We need to have protection in case Delhi police beat us up again,” said the 25-year-old, who stood among her friends. “We are not scared of them and we won’t run away, no matter what they do. We’ll stay here till they listen.”On Tuesday, central Delhi still thronged with thousands of protesters, as an unprecedented expression of dissent against the powerful ruling Narendra Modi government showed no sign of abating. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ann Widdecombe was hit on head repeatedly with hammer, court told 21. July 2026 (17:39) Joshua Kerry appears at Westminster magistrates court charged with murder of former MP earlier this monthA man has appeared in court charged with the murder of the former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe.Joshua Kerry, 28, is accused of killing the 78-year-old former Conservative minister at her home in Haytor, Devon, earlier this month, by hitting her on the head with a hammer 21 times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish hotel chain ceases operations in Cuba under pressure from Washington 21. July 2026 (17:10) Meliá group says Donald Trump’s sanctions make it ‘impossible’ to keep any of its 34 sites openA Spanish hotel chain is to cease all operations in Cuba at the end of the week due to “major difficulties” in doing business on the island under growing pressure from Washington.The latest US sanctions make it “impossible, de facto and de jure, to maintain even minimal operational stability”, the Meliá group explained in a statement on Tuesday to the Spanish stock market regulator. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Abandoned monkey found in laundry bag on London bus 21. July 2026 (17:05) Animal welfare charities say marmoset could be ‘first of many’ since new law on primate licenses and microchippingA “stressed and dehydrated” monkey has been found in a laundry bag on a London bus in what animal welfare charities warn could be the “first of many” abandonments now owners must obtain primate licenses.The female common marmoset was discovered on a 302 bus waiting in Kensal Rise, north-west London, on Friday by a passenger whose buggy was obstructed by the bag containing the monkey in a cage. The monkey has since been named Oyster after the London transport payment system. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zendaya faces backlash for wearing ancient Iranian jewellery at Odyssey event 21. July 2026 (17:01) Film star promotes Christopher Nolan film epic wearing gold artefacts dating back almost 3,000 yearsThe Odyssey is a story about a Greek king’s long journey home. But a pair of earrings worn on the new film adaptation’s press tour – and their long separation from their homeland – is sparking controversy.At a photocall in London, Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena in the Christopher Nolan film, wore a pair of earrings fashioned from Iranian artefacts dating back to 700BC. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
