US pauses Iran attacks for second night after Trump advised to halt bombing 26. July 2026 (20:45) Top military officials say campaign has reached its limit of effectiveness and warn of dwindling stocks of munitionsThe US has paused strikes on Iran for a second night as top military officials advised Donald Trump to halt his bombing campaign, and diplomatic negotiations have continued to avoid a return to all-out war.Trump is said to be weighing up diplomatic and military options in the nearly five-month-old conflict, with Benjamin Netanyahu expected to visit the White House on Tuesday. The Israeli prime minister is a vocal critic of Washington’s negotiations with Iranian leaders and has pressed for the US to continue its strikes against Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump ‘border czar’ says ICE officer in Maine killing should not have cleared vetting 26. July 2026 (20:02) Tom Homan comments on officer’s eligibility to serve after reports that agent’s two ex-wives had accused him of abuseTom Homan, the Trump administration “border czar”, on Sunday said he did not believe the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer at the center of a recent fatal shooting in Maine “should have ever cleared vetting”.Speaking to CNN’s State of the Union, Homan was asked by host Dana Bash about the officer’s eligibility to serve following reports that two of his ex-wives had accused him of abuse.The Associated Press contributed reporting Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Industry star David Jonsson to play Black Panther in Marvel sequel 26. July 2026 (19:27) Director Ryan Coogler announces British actor in lead role alongside co-stars Letitia Wright and Winston DukeThe British actor David Jonsson has been unveiled as the new Black Panther by the film’s director, Ryan Coogler.Jonsson, 32, known for roles in Industry, The Long Walk and Alien: Romulus, will play the son of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa in the third Black Panther movie. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Katy Perry ‘deeply appalled’ over White House using her song in Iran war video 26. July 2026 (19:19) Singer rebukes Trump administration after it uses her song Firework over footage of missile striking Iranian naval shipPop star Katy Perry has condemned the Trump White House after it used her hit song Firework in a TikTok video showing US military strikes on Iranian targets, saying she never approved the use of her music.The White House video, which featured Firework playing over footage of a missile striking an Iranian naval ship, has amassed more than 6 million views. The post was captioned: “Iran has been warned.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
England’s north-south life expectancy gap grows despite record longevity 26. July 2026 (19:00) King’s Fund report finds men and women live, on average, for 80 years and nearly 84 years, but gains are in southThe north-south divide in life expectancy in England has grown over the past decade, with people in northern regions facing more illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, but also suicides and deaths related to alcohol and drug misuse.Provisional figures show life expectancy reached an all-time high in 2025, with men and women in England living, on average, for 80 years and nearly 84 years respectively, but the gains were overwhelmingly in the south, the King’s Fund said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
India’s Cockroach Janta party protest victory signals trouble ahead for Modi 26. July 2026 (18:42) Ally forced to resign, with opposition parties reinvigorated and strongman leader’s grip over media channels rockedEven the night before Narendra Modi accepted the resignation of his education minister, India’s prime minister appeared confident that the largest mass uprising to take place in his 12 years in power would do little to rattle his government.Addressing his “young friends” in a late-night Instagram selfie reel on Friday, he thanked the people – who were mobilised en masse across the country, shouting anti-government slogans – for their “thoughtful suggestions”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Water supply failure leaves Gatwick without working toilets 26. July 2026 (17:59) Airport’s bars and restaurants also unable to serve drinks to passengers because of lack of running waterA water supply failure at Gatwick left passengers without access to working toilets or bars and restaurants.Passengers posted online that they were unable to get hot drinks, wash their hands or fill up water bottles at the airport in Sussex. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Berlin Pride van and knife rampage an ‘Islamist terrorist attack’, say German authorities 26. July 2026 (17:48) Hunt ongoing for main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, after fatal attack in Tiergarten park close to LGBTQ eventA deadly van ramming and knife rampage near Berlin’s Pride festival was an Islamist terrorist attack, German authorities have said, with a hunt ongoing to find the main suspect.One person was killed and 29 were injured after a man drove a minivan into a crowd of pedestrians, then stabbed people with what appeared to be a machete. The attack took place in the Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate at around 10pm local time on Saturday, close to one of Europe’s biggest LGBTQ celebrations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Joy in Greece as Mount Olympus joins Unesco list of world heritage sites 26. July 2026 (17:39) Mythical home of the ancient Greek gods designated alongside the D-day landing beaches in NormandyAfter a 12-year wait, Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the ancient Greek gods, has been inducted into a hall of more modern fame as Unesco announced it would be added to its world heritage list.Greece’s highest mountain made the list alongside the second world war D-day landing beaches in northern France and the ancient Japanese capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara. South Sudan’s Boma-Badingilo landscape, host to one of the world’s largest land mammal migrations, also won a designation - a first for the east African country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Jersey governor signs law banning surveillance pricing to protect shoppers 26. July 2026 (17:08) New law prohibits retailers from using personal data to charge different prices for identical productsNew Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill recently signed a new law prohibiting businesses from using shoppers’ personal information to charge different prices for identical products, making her state the third in the US to ban the practice.The Fair Price Protection Act passed by New Jersey’s legislature seeks to protect consumers from surveillance pricing, in which retailers can use data including online activity, location and purchasing history to arbitrarily change prices for individual shoppers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
