Burnham urged to drop ‘flawed’ plans that may let developers bypass environment laws for £1 15. July 2026 (14:00) Exclusive: allowing firms to dodge biodiversity protections by paying into levy will harm nature and economy, say 100 experts in letterThe UK government has been accused of “rushing through” planning changes that could give developers permission to “trash” nature for as little as £1.A letter signed by more than 100 conservationists, scientists, celebrities and businesses, including the actor and writer Stephen Fry and the broadcaster Chris Packham, has urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, to immediately halt the rollout of environmental delivery plans (EDPs). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One small pen for one giant fee: Buzz Aldrin’s mission-saving felt-tip up for auction 15. July 2026 (13:57) Sotheby’s expects second man on moon’s marker, crucial to Apollo 11 return, to reach astronomical sumThe felt-tip pen Buzz Aldrin used to fix a broken circuit breaker and escape from the moon in 1969 is up for auction in New York.The dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen – used by the second man on the moon to save Neil Armstrong and himself from being “stuck on the moon for ever” – has a sale price estimated by Sotheby’s at between $800,000 and $1.2m. The lucky bidder will get the broken piece of circuit breaker, too. Both come from Aldrin’s personal collection. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Venezuela’s interim government and opposition to begin formal talks 15. July 2026 (13:46) Nobel laureate María Corina Machado will not lead negotiations over new elections, contrary to expectationsThe interim government of Venezuela has announced it will begin formal talks with the opposition aimed at “strengthening democracy” in the country.The move is backed by the US, which says it is seeking a “democratic transition” in a country still recovering from the twin earthquakes that killed more than 4,700 people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Collective failure’: French press digests World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain 15. July 2026 (13:28) L’Équipe laments ‘mentally sunk’ players iin DallasOuest France front page reads: ‘End of American dream’French fans’ expectations of their national team had been at an all-time high: a semi-final on Bastille Day, Kylian Mbappé a hero, a squad unbeaten. Across the country, bars had been packed with viewers spilling on to pavements, ready to crack open the fireworks ahead of hopes for the final.But the night was unexpectedly subdued, streets cleared early. On Wednesday morning, the French media were still digesting the disappointment of defeat in a World Cup semi-final, praising Spain’s performance in Texas while struggling to comprehend Les Bleus’ fall from a high. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bank of England governor would have put off Farage meeting had £5m gift been under investigation 15. July 2026 (12:55) Exclusive: Andrew Bailey says he does not regret meeting Reform UK leader to discuss cryptocurrency regulationThe Bank of England governor has said he would have put off a meeting with Nigel Farage last autumn had the Reform UK leader’s £5m gift from a crypto billionaire been under investigation at the time.Andrew Bailey said he did not regret meeting Farage to discuss the Bank’s plans for cryptocurrency regulation last September, months before the controversial donation from the Thailand-based investor Christopher Harborne was revealed by the Guardian in April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s economy grows at 4.3%, one of its lowest rates on record 15. July 2026 (12:48) Worse-than-expected figures for three months to June come amid concerns over lopsided economyBusiness live – latest updatesChina has posted worse-than-expected growth figures for the three months to June as its economy expanded by just 4.3% – one of its lowest quarterly readings on record.The rate, which came in under the government’s target of 4.5% to 5%, was one of the weakest since reporting on official quarterly GDP figures began in the early 1990s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Patient records stolen in cyber-attack on Australian healthcare provider 15. July 2026 (12:41) Partnered Health says personal information and medical details and notes were breached in the attack on 21 clinicsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThousands of medical records and patient information stored with one of Australia’s biggest healthcare providers have been breached in a cyber-attack.Partnered Health, owned by private equity firm Quadrant, said 21 clinics across several cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra have been affected by the breach which occurred on 23 June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Arrest of American who has given $1m in aid to Palestine prompts fears of ‘growing repression from Trump’ 15. July 2026 (12:00) Extradition request for James ‘Fergie’ Chambers sparks concerns that US government is conflating humanitarian aid with terrorismThe arrest in Ibiza and US justice department extradition request for a wealthy American donor to lefwing causes in connection with alleged material support for Hamas is sending ripples through leftwing circles in Spain and being closely monitored in the US for potential “chilling effects” on support for Palestine.Spanish authorities detained James “Fergie” Chambers Friday and are now holding him without bail in Madrid. A hearing is scheduled on whether he can be released on bail for Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lithuania warns Russia could be planning ‘targeted’ attacks on critical infrastructure – Europe live 15. July 2026 (11:59) Lithuania’s president says Russia could be looking to escalate against one of the Baltic countries or PolandMeanwhile, the Kremlin has rejected Lithuanian president’s warnings about a potential Russian attack on critical infrastructure (10:06), dismissing them as “horror stories” intended to “prepare public for further militarisation.”Reuters reported that the Kremlin said these comments were merely a “pretext for further deployment of Nato military infrastructure to Baltic states.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer faces final Cabinet and PMQs as Burnham nears Labour leadership finish line – UK politics live 15. July 2026 (11:56) The outgoing Labour leader will have final talks with his senior ministers in No 10 before taking his last PMQsTell us: what do you want from the next Labour leader and UK prime minister?Labour should ditch the triple-lock pensions promise to help tackle the UK’s straitened public finances, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has urged. Heather Stewart has the story.I’m afraid we are not going to be able to open comments today for staffing reasons. If you want to contact me directly, it is probably best to get me on on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
