Three-quarters of Americans think Trump isn’t focusing on top US issues – poll 30. July 2026 (16:46) Trump’s overall approval rating slumps to 34%, according to new CNN poll, as midterms testing Republican power loomThree-quarters of Americans believe Donald Trump is not paying enough attention to the country’s most important problems, and two-thirds think he places himself above the needs of the US, according to a new poll.The CNN survey, conducted by the market research company SSRS, comes less than 100 days before November’s midterm elections in which the president’s Republican party is widely expected to lose control of one or both chambers of Congress. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US government map of Africa mislabels every country at global conference 30. July 2026 (15:59) State department ‘takes full responsibility’ for erroneous, widely shared chart displayed at Aids conference in BrazilA US government map of Africa mislabeled every country during a state department presentation at a global conference in Brazil this week, causing a stir among attenders who took screenshots and posted them online.Reuters viewed a video of the presentation given at the Aids 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, which shows the errant map displayed halfway during a presentation about the state department’s new health agreements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It was a big shock’: new border rules left couple stuck in Kraków after living in UK for 80 years 30. July 2026 (15:10) Maria and Czeslaw Krupa, who arrived as children of displaced Polish veterans, told they have no post-Brexit rights to return home to BuryTwo Polish citizens who have lived in the UK for nearly 80 years after their parents fled the second world war have spoken of their terrifying experience after being told they did not have post-Brexit rights to return to the UK.In May, while visiting Poland, they learned that although they had been welcomed as refugees after the war, they now needed special post-Brexit paperwork to return to their home in Bury. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe burns: a visual guide to the wildfires 30. July 2026 (15:00) Ferocious flames continue to rage in parts of France and Spain, with no sign of abating. We chart the destruction in graphics and picturesThe hellish infernos that have torn through parts of France and Spain have caused deaths, the evacuation of 330,000 people from their homes, widespread destruction and clouds of toxic smoke. Records have already been smashed and with the fourth heatwave of the European summer setting in, there are few signs of the waves of wildfires ending.France has already surpassed the worst previous year for the size of the area burned, with August, usually the hottest month, yet to come. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fifteen elephant deaths at Kenya park may be due to cyanide poisoning 30. July 2026 (14:46) Analysis of samples collected from carcasses found traces of toxic chemical compound, says Kenya Wildlife ServiceThe recent deaths of 15 elephants near a park in southern Kenya in the past month were likely caused by the animals ingesting pesticides used on nearby tomato farms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said.Erustus Kanga, the agency’s director general, told Citizen TV that analysis of samples collected from the carcasses had found traces of cyanide, a chemical compound used in farming as a predator control poison and a pest fumigant, also used by poachers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Only the Middle East crisis is preventing a drop in UK interest rates 30. July 2026 (14:44) Bank’s wariness about inflationary pressures from the conflict lie behind decision to hold steady at 3.75%Business live – latest updatesThere is a threat of high inflation coming to the UK, but only from the conflict in the Middle East which could keep oil prices high for much longer than was expected when Donald Trump first began attacking Iran.It is the war that makes the difference between a benign outlook for inflation and one that puts it back on a rising trajectory, top UK central bankers believe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airbus fined £6.4m for breaching rules on export of sensitive technology 30. July 2026 (14:41) Manufacturer self-reported the offences to HMRC in the tax authority’s largest out-of-court settlementAirbus has been fined £6.4m in the UK after the European aerospace company admitted to multiple breaches of rules designed to stop sensitive goods such as military hardware falling into the wrong hands.The company, which sits at the heart of the European defence industry, said it had paid the settlement to the UK’s tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, after self-reporting breaches that occurred before November 2022.Failing to keep accurate records of transfers of controlled technology as per the conditions of three of their Open General Export Licences (Ogels).Multiple occasions failures to keep registers in relation to Ogels.Failing to keep accurate records contrary to the conditions of one of their Ogels.A failure of licence conditions on a standard individual export licence (SIEL). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Uncertainty shrouds Blanche’s nomination to be Trump’s next attorney general as key Republicans postpone vote – live 30. July 2026 (14:39) Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had demanded further assurances about the settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue ServiceSign up for the US Breaking News emailA new poll out this morning shows Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive candidate for in the Democratic primary for US senate in Michigan, with a sizable lead over US representative Haley Stevens, the moderate in the race.A poll from Emerson College, a nonpartisan outfit with no ties to either campaign, found 54% intended to vote for El-Sayed compared to 39% for Stevens. Of the 6% still undecided, more were leaning toward El-Sayed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four people found dead on small boats after trying to cross Channel 30. July 2026 (14:37) Three women and a man died off coast of France after attempting to reach UKFour people have died while trying to reach the UK in small boats after one of the busiest days for Channel crossings this year.Three women were found dead on a boat off the coast of Dunkirk on Thursday morning, the French coastguard said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Record absence of world’s oldest head of state reignites health speculation 30. July 2026 (14:36) Cameroon’s president has not made statement or been seen since leaving for ‘brief private stay’ at Swiss hotel on 7 JuneA record 53-day absence of the world’s oldest head of state has renewed speculation in his native Cameroon about whether he is dead or alive, even though discussing his health is illegal in the country.On 7 June, 93-year-old Paul Biya departed for Switzerland for what officials described as a “brief private stay” alongside his wife, Chantal. Almost two months later, neither the president nor the first lady have addressed the country or been seen publicly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
