Protests in Italy after death of Moroccan man under police restraint 21. July 2026 (12:09) Teargas and water cannon used on protesters after Abderrahim Fakir died pleading for help from policePolice have clashed with demonstrators during a protest in the Italian city of Bologna after a Moroccan-born man died pleading for help under police restraint.Human rights campaigners and Italy’s opposition parties have demanded urgent answers over the death on Sunday of Abderrahim Fakir, 42, who had lived in Italy since he was five years old and ran a small removals and cleaning business. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Healthy diet too expensive for one in three people globally, UN report finds 21. July 2026 (12:00) Global hunger declined for the third year in a row in 2025 but experts call for action to bring down costs of fruit, vegetables and dairy as report shows 2.69bn people can’t afford to eat wellOne in three people cannot afford to eat a healthy diet, a new report has found, prompting calls for urgent action on food affordability.There are 2.69 billion people unable to afford a diverse diet that meets their energy and nutrient needs, and it will take “immense” amounts of work to achieve the global target of zero hunger by 2030, the annual report from five UN agencies warned. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham cuts VAT on electricity bills ahead of first cabinet meeting – UK politics live 21. July 2026 (11:56) Move is expected to save households around £45 a year but former minister says plan is ‘unfunded’Burnham to cut VAT on electricity bills in first cost-of-living moveAntónio Costa, the president of the European council, said in a post on X that he held a “good” phone call with Andy Burnham last night, in which he said they agreed to “further strengthen” EU-UK relations and continue to cooperate to support Ukraine.He said there was also discussion about “common geopolitical challenges facing Europe”, which could be a reference to many things, including energy prices soaring due to the US-Israel war on Iran, Europe’s trading and security relationship with Washington, the future of Nato, the continent facing a wave of hybrid warfare, driven by Russia, or the surge of national populism and backlash against immigration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
World leaders congratulate Andy Burnham as he becomes Britain’s PM 21. July 2026 (11:48) Beyond the diplomatic platitudes global media focuses on the ‘immense’ scale of the challenge he faces in the jobUK politics live – latest updatesWorld leaders have warmly congratulated Andy Burnham on his entry into 10 Downing Street as Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, but international media largely focused on the scale of the challenges awaiting him.Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he hoped for a deeper relationship “in the service of our peoples, and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the UK and the EU” rekindled by Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Defence shares rise after Andy Burnham appoints John Healey as chancellor 21. July 2026 (11:32) Babcock and BAE Systems benefit as markets hope former defence secretary will increase spending on sectorBusiness live – latest updatesShares in defence companies have risen sharply after Andy Burnham appointed John Healey as chancellor, prompting hope among investors of increased spending on suppliers to the military.Defence stocks were among the biggest risers on the FTSE 100 on Tuesday morning after the former defence secretary was announced as chancellor after markets closed on Monday. Babcock International rose 7%, BAE Systems was up 3% and Rolls-Royce increased nearly 2% on the FTSE 100. On the FTSE 250, QinetiQ rose nearly 4%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mitie agrees £3.1bn takeover by OCS in blow to London stock market 21. July 2026 (11:10) Board of UK government contractor recommends deal with private-equity owned rivalBusiness live – latest updatesThe outsourcer Mitie has agreed to a £3.1bn takeover by its private-equity owned rival OCS Group, ending nearly four decades on the stock market and making it the latest London-listed company to be acquired this year.On Tuesday, the government contractor said its board has recommended that shareholders accept a cash offer of 221.6p a share, a 44.7% premium to Monday’s closing price. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect who sent anonymous tip to Alaska police charged with 1993 killing 21. July 2026 (11:00) Christopher Popps, 54, arrested in Michigan on second-degree murder charge in death of Patrick DearthA Michigan man suspected of having murdered a co-worker in Alaska in 1993 was arrested recently after he called in what he intended to be an anonymous tip revealing where had hidden the victim’s long missing body, according to investigators.Christopher Popps, 54, faces charges of second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Dearth, Alaska state police said in a statement detailing the latest developments in a case that had remained unsolved for more than three decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
D4vd set to appear in court over death of teen girl found in his Tesla 21. July 2026 (11:00) Prosecutors seeking to try musician, born David Anthony Burke, for murder over death of Celeste Rivas HernandezSinger-songwriter D4vd is set to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday as prosecutors aim to prove sufficient evidence exists for him to stand trial for the murder and sexual abuse of a minor, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.The preliminary hearing is expected to conclude on Thursday. The proceeding follows several delays in the case, in part due to the voluminous amount of investigatory evidence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian warship carries out rare live-fire exercise 45 miles off UK coast 21. July 2026 (10:45) Neustrashimy suddenly announced it intended to fire its guns and conducted 30-minute drill south of PlymouthA Russian warship conducted a rare live-fire exercise in the Channel 45 miles south of Plymouth on Monday, the day Andy Burnham was appointed as prime minister.The Neustrashimy suddenly announced it intended to fire its guns and requested that a British warship, which had been tracking it, retreat to a safe distance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why has Labour briefed against Ed Miliband – is it his success and popularity? 21. July 2026 (09:00) Tories, Reform, fossil fuel industry and some in his party lined up against net zero agenda as energy secretary“Whenever the Labour party feels a bit sad,” according to one close observer of the current government, speaking some months ago, “they wheel out Ed Miliband to talk about rooftop solar.”It might not have been literally true, but it often felt during Keir Starmer’s premiership as if energy secretary Miliband brought the sun. Unfailingly upbeat, with a simple message that was understandable to voters, he had a clear mission – to decarbonise the UK’s power sector by 2030 – that was seen to be progressing fast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
