Police warn Widdecombe murder speculation is ‘unhelpful and distressing’ 12. July 2026 (22:07) Politicians should not comment before facts established, says ex-chief constable, as Farage calls killing ‘premeditated murder’Senior police figures and politicians have warned against speculation during the murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, after detectives said there was “nothing to suggest” political motivation following an intervention from Nigel Farage.Devon and Cornwall police said on Sunday the killing was not being treated as terrorism nor as politically motivated. Officers said they remained open-minded about the motive and urged the public not to speculate, warning it was both unhelpful to the investigation and distressing for Widdecombe’s family. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two men die after going into sea to rescue children at County Durham beach 12. July 2026 (22:01) Youngsters confirmed safe but men pronounced dead after being brought out of water at Seaton Carew, HartlepoolTwo men have died after going into the water at a beach in County Durham to try to help two children who had gotten into difficulty, police said.Officers were called at about 3.45pm on Sunday after concerns were raised about two youngsters in the water at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform would have received a fraction of £26.7m donations haul under a £100,000 cap, analysis shows 12. July 2026 (20:44) Exclusive: Party’s average registered donation was £137, 496 last year, almost six times that of Labour or ToriesReform UK would have held just 15% of the donations it received last year if a proposed £100,000 cap on political donations had been in force, according to analysis shared with the Guardian.The analysis by Friends of the Earth using Electoral Commission data highlights the party’s reliance on a handful of wealthy backers in advance of a showdown over political funding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Martha Lillard, last known US polio survivor using iron lung, dies aged 78 12. July 2026 (20:37) Lillard, of Oklahoma, contracted polio when she was five and slept inside cylindrical metal device to help her breatheThe last known US person living with polio and relying on an iron lung has died aged 78.Martha Lillard, who contracted polio at age five and spent most of her life dependent on an iron lung machine that helped her breathe, died on 26 June in Oklahoma, according to an online obituary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Spanish PM accused of racism in remarks about French football team 12. July 2026 (19:39) Political leaders in both countries rebuke Mariano Rajoy after he writes team ‘does not have any French players’The former Spanish conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy is facing growing accusations of racism after writing in a World Cup newspaper column that the French national team “does not have any French players”.Rajoy, who was in office from 2011 to 2018, pondered Spain’s looming semi-final showdown with France in an article for the online newspaper El Debate on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bull bison tosses Yellowstone tourist 8ft in air, with run-in caught on video 12. July 2026 (19:33) Man reportedly seriously injured by the bison, described as ‘agitated’ and ‘charging anything’ by photographerAn enraged, 2,000lb (900kg) bull bison hooked a tourist and tossed him 8ft into the air at a campsite in Wyoming’s Yellowstone national park on Friday – an encounter captured by a professional photographer who said the animal was “agitated, pissed off and charging anything and everything”.The tourist was reported to be seriously injured by the male bison while walking with his grandson through the Bridge Bay campground, south of Fishing Bridge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labrador rescued after ‘eating discarded cannabis’ on Ben Nevis hike 12. July 2026 (19:02) Owner Christina Bluhme feared the worst after Tokyo began to lose consciousness while climbing the UK’s tallest mountainA dog has been rescued from Ben Nevis after falling ill from eating cannabis discarded on the mountain trail.Christina Bluhme was halfway up the UK’s highest mountain last weekend when her black labrador, Tokyo, lost the use of her legs and began drifting in and out of consciousness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scrapping early release for sex offenders could leave no capacity in jails, says David Lammy 12. July 2026 (19:00) Exclusive: Deputy PM says opponents have ‘no solutions’ to possible collapse of justice system in England and WalesDrugs, drones and heat: Amber Rudd and David Lammy begin search for answers to prisons crisisOpponents of plans to release rapists and sex offenders early from prison have “no solutions” to halt the criminal justice system’s possible collapse, David Lammy has said.Under pressure from Labour MPs – including the former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips – to curb the early release scheme, the deputy prime minister said failing to implement it could leave no capacity across jails in England and Wales in November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Georgia teen to appear in plea hearing over 2024 school shooting that killed four people 12. July 2026 (18:42) Colt Gray, now 16, expected to change plea after pleading not guilty to 55 criminal counts in Apalachee shootingThe teenager accused of killing two students and two teachers during a 2024 shooting at Apalachee high school in Georgia has been scheduled to appear in court later in July for a “non-negotiated” plea hearing, according to records.Documents filed on Friday in Barrow county superior court in Winder, Georgia, show that Colt Gray is expected to change his plea at a hearing on 24 July, with the court scheduled to hold proceedings for both the plea and sentencing, as the Associated Press reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Back to the future as young England fans embrace fashion of the noughties 12. July 2026 (17:47) For many watching their team beat Norway at a south London nightclub the look was as important as the gameThe Carpet Shop nightclub in Peckham, south London, is ordinarily packed with rowdy crowds at the weekend. But Saturday night’s liveliness was not congregated around the DJ on the dancefloor, the crowd was at the sold-out venue for England’s victorious quarter-final game at the 2026 World Cup, and the young spectators were there for the fashion as much as they were for the football.Luke Grandon and Mattia Guarnera, both 27, are “massive” football fans, and their love for the game is expressed in their outfits. “I have a massive collection of vintage football shirts,” said Guarnera, wearing a white polo shirt with “LOVE” printed on the back from a limited-edition World Cup-themed collaboration between Lyle & Scott and the British artist Reuben Dangoor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
