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)
World-renowned climber Nirmal Purja among 10 struck by avalanche on Pakistan mountain 31. July 2026 (13:35) Rescuers say four bodies found in search for team caught in Broad Peak avalanche, after trackers showed rapid descentThe world-renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja – a former British Special Forces member – is among 10 climbers caught in a deadly avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak.Rescuers on Friday said four bodies had been found and efforts were under way to retrieve them despite the harsh weather. Two of the dead have been identified: Pur Bahadur Gurung, a Nepali citizen, and Nadhira Alharthy, who was the first Omani to climb Everest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It ain’t the same’: inside the bitter battle to free Ben & Jerry’s 31. July 2026 (13:00) Ben Cohen says his ice-cream company has been silenced by corporate ownership – and a boycott of Magnum brands could force a saleBen & Jerry’s ice-cream in the tub is still great, but the brand’s newest chocolate-covered ice-cream bar on a stick?“It ain’t the same,” Ben Cohen, the company co-founder, told the Guardian. Sure, the chocolate coating is still thick enough, but the ice cream itself is “kinda fluffy”, Cohen said – an insult in the ice-cream world that suggests extra air was added to cut costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sainsbury’s to sell Argos to three retail veterans in £120m deal 31. July 2026 (11:47) Trio set up Swift Partners for the acquisition, allowing supermarket to focus on core food businessSainsbury’s has agreed to sell the Argos retail chain for £120m to allow it to concentrate on its core food business.The supermarket announced on Friday it was selling the catalogue shopping business to a trio of retail veterans, a decade after buying the company for more than £1bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AI labels to be compulsory on authentic-looking content under EU rules 31. July 2026 (11:46) Companies must ensure people know when they are interacting with artificially generated images, audio and text designed to look realFrom apparently conspiring to steal elections to abusing staff or performing embarrassing dance moves, the last few years have seen plenty of fake content made about politicians intended to malign its targets and mislead the public.Now EU rules aim to stem the flood of this deceptive content: starting from Sunday, artificially generated images, audio and text designed to look authentic must be labelled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 18 die as 49,000 people cross to Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco 31. July 2026 (11:43) Some drowned and others caught up in crush, official says, as incident prompts criticism of Spain from France and ItalyAt least 18 people have died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after around 49,000 migrants entered the tiny territory from Morocco in a matter of hours, triggering a political crisis for the Madrid government and unleashing a barrage of criticism from other EU countries.The large influx of people arriving in Ceuta by swimming across from neighbouring Morocco or scaling the high border fence has caught the city of 85,000 off guard and resulted in what one local police association has called a “serious humanitarian crisis”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andy Burnham to set out devolution plan amid criticism it won’t benefit regions equally – UK politics live 31. July 2026 (11:25) Plan set to transform funding so English regions no longer rely on Whitehall handouts for projectsMPs Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted into Labour and had the parliamentary whip restored, just under two weeks into Andy Burnham’s premiership.The party confirmed that this followed separate independent disciplinary processes, although Labour said the leadership played no role in either decision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France to step up border controls with Spain as estimated 49,000 migrants cross into Ceuta – Europe live 31. July 2026 (11:25) PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisisWe are getting some more pictures from Ceuta, showing the people who arrived last night waiting in parts of the city with El Mundo reporting long queues at local supermarkets.But also there are reports that some migrants are choosing to return to Morocco. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK petrol prices expected to rise to highest this year as US attacks Iran – business live 31. July 2026 (11:22) Live, rolling coverage as the AA says average petrol prices could rise above 159.7p per litre mark set in MayAnother group of bankers will be looking forward to a bump in bonuses this year, after NatWest group grew the payout pool after a near 30% surge in quarterly profits.The high street lender said pre-tax profit jumped 29% to £2.3bn between April and June compared with the same period last year, after a jump in customer deposits, mortgage lending, and better economic conditions reduced the prospect of soured loans.We’re the biggest lender to infrastructure. We have the biggest SME bank. It’s important that we play our part and help get growth in every nation and the region of the UK. And that’s how I’d want to use the bank’s capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New solar panels in Great Britain at 15-year high as fossil fuel costs soar 31. July 2026 (11:00) Boom in solar farms and home installations in first half of 2026 began shortly after start of US-Israel war against IranGreat Britain has recorded more new solar power installations in the first half of this year than in any six-month period since 2011, as households turn to rooftop panels to help cut their energy bills.An analysis of the government’s official figures shows that Great Britain added 142,536 solar installations in the first six months of the year, putting it on track to top last year’s record solar additions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
