Trump defends $1.8bn slush fund that is holding up Todd Blanche confirmation 31. July 2026 (16:39) President calls for former personal defense lawyer to be ‘immediately approved’ as attorney generalDonald Trump has defended controversial plans for a $1.8bn slush fund even as they threaten to derail the nomination of his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche for US attorney general.Blanche “should be immediately approved” by the US Senate, the president declared in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday morning, defending the payout scheme proposed by his officials in the Department of Justice as it holds up Blanche’s confirmation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Second police official in St Paul alleges sexual harassment by mayor 31. July 2026 (16:08) Kaohly Her is accused of inappropriate conduct and creating a ‘sexualized work environment’ by senior officialsUS politics live – latest updatesA second senior police official in St Paul has alleged sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct by the Minnesota city’s Democratic mayor, Kaohly Her, following confirmation that an inquiry into her behavior was launched earlier this year.The new claims were reported on Thursday by the Minnesota Star Tribune, which said it obtained further details of the mayor’s alleged actions that gave rise to the original complaint by Axel Henry, the police chief of St Paul. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Daughter of British couple killed in Spanish wildfire rejects claim they ignored order to leave 31. July 2026 (15:39) Exclusive: Danielle Kirton calls on Ed Miliband to help her get answers about why evacuation order came too lateThe bereaved daughter of a British couple who died in a Spanish wildfire is calling on Ed Miliband to get answers from Spain’s government about why her parents were not told to evacuate until it was too late.Severe wildfires have burned across Spain and France since early July, killing people, destroying thousands of homes and forcing more than 300,000 people to flee. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump to meet cabinet at Camp David as Iran war drags on – US politics live 31. July 2026 (14:26) President grapples with finding a resolution to Middle East conflict that has pushed up gasoline prices ahead of vital midterm electionsSign up for the US Breaking News emailA new survey of voters in 18 congressional toss-up districts by the Working Families Party showed voters, and especially independents, want candidates who challenge the political system.The survey found 80% of voters agreed that elected officials care more about wealthy donors and powerful interests than people like them. When given a choice between a generic candidate who is an experienced elected official who focuses on “practical reforms” who gets funding from established groups and party donors, or a “political outsider who says the system is broken” who calls for changes to the status quo, the outsider wins by 14 points in the poll, including among independents and moderates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK petrol price hits Iran war high, adding to pressure on households 31. July 2026 (14:25) Average pump price reaches 160p a litre, while diesel is up 14.5p to 179p and forecast to go to 185p soonBusiness live – latest updatesThe price of petrol has hit a new Iran War high at UK forecourts, adding to the financial pressure on millions of households about to embark on their annual holiday.The RAC said that in “very unwelcome news for drivers” the average pump price had reached 160p a litre, reversing the drop down to 151p in early July that followed the announcement of a fragile Middle East ceasefire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hull funeral director who left bodies to rot in mortuary jailed for 20 years 31. July 2026 (14:15) More than 80 loved ones spoke of horrors of learning about Robert Bush’s crimes, including mother of a miscarried babyA funeral director has been jailed for 20 years for leaving dozens of bodies – including a miscarried baby – “rotting” in his mortuary and giving bereaved families the wrong ashes.Robert Bush, the owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Services in Hull, pleaded guilty to 67 offences spanning 12 years and affecting hundreds of families, including 30 counts of preventing a lawful and decent burial. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top Democrats accuse Republicans of becoming ‘gelatinous blobs’ on Iran war | First Thing 31. July 2026 (14:11) Senators Warren and Van Hollen attack Republican ‘rubber stamps’ in Congress for surrendering authority to Trump. Plus, could AI take your job? Some workers in China already know the answerGood morning.Senior Democrats accused Republicans in the US Congress of becoming “gelatinous blobs” who will not stand up to Donald Trump and “rubber stamps” for his war on Iran.What else is happening in Washington? Trump has said a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. However, briefings from both sides exposed disputes over its implementation that could prove difficult to overcome.What has Blanche said? Blanche has already said publicly that the payout fund to compensate victims of so-called government weaponization is not moving forward amid bipartisan backlash. But Cornyn and Tillis had sought assurances in writing, something Blanche has refused to do. Cornyn also sought to clarify the terms of the tax immunity portion of the agreement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Huge great white spotted traveling up US and Canada as shark sightings surge 31. July 2026 (14:00) Contender, largest tagged male great white, heading north as overheating oceans alter range of several shark speciesThe largest tagged male great white shark in the Atlantic Ocean has been identified traveling up the US and Canada coastline amid a surge in sightings of sharks that are increasingly shifting their movement patterns due to the overheating of the oceans.The great white shark, named Contender, is nearly 14ft long and weighs more than 1,650lbs. The hulking fish has been pinged in several locations off North Carolina and Maine as he headed north for the summer, with Contender’s last known location located off Nova Scotia in Canada on 11 July. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Archbishop of Canterbury vows to support £100m pledge helping communities affected by enslavement 31. July 2026 (13:38) During her first visit to Ghana, Dame Sarah Mullally expressed regret and said the controversial fund symbolises the Christian belief in repentanceAt a former British castle where thousands of enslaved Africans were held before being shipped across the Atlantic, the archbishop of Canterbury expressed “lament” for the Church of England’s involvement in transatlantic chattel slavery and reaffirmed her commitment to a controversial £100m fund for affected communities.Dame Sarah Mullally made the comments on Thursday during a visit to the Cape Coast castle, a 17th-century fortress that was built by Swedish traders, but occupied by the Danish and the Dutch, before the British seized it in 1664. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chinese super embassy in London to go ahead after high court challenge dismissed 31. July 2026 (13:37) The Royal Mint Court residents’ association tried to fight decision to grant planning permissionUK politics live – latest updatesConstruction of a new Chinese super embassy in London can go ahead after the high court dismissed a challenge to the government’s decision to grant planning permission.The Royal Mint Court residents’ association (RMCRA) brought legal action against the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
