Police admit ‘missed opportunity’ before Manchester synagogue attack 23. July 2026 (14:38) Greater Manchester chief constable says crucial data on phones seized from Heaton Park synagogue attacker was not examinedGreater Manchester police have apologised for a “missed opportunity” to act before an attack on a synagogue.The force’s chief constable, Sir Stephen Watson, said the phones of the Heaton Park synagogue attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, were seized by officers but crucial data was not examined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Barclays CEO Jes Staley faces US congressional panel over Epstein ties 23. July 2026 (14:36) Staley is latest high-profile figure to testify before House amid investigation into Epstein, convicted sex offenderFormer Barclays boss Jes Staley is due to be questioned by US lawmakers on Thursday in a closed-door interview about his past ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Staley, who spent more than three decades at JPMorgan Chase before joining Barclays in 2015, is the latest in a series of high-profile figures to appear in front of the House committee on oversight and reform as part of its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial over child sex-trafficking charges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Poorest children in England 40% more likely to be hospitalised for lung infections 23. July 2026 (14:14) Exclusive: Analysis of NHS England data reveals stark impact of air pollution in deprived areasChildren living in the poorest areas across England are 40% more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory infections, an analysis of NHS England data shows, with experts raising the alarm on the impact of air pollution on young people’s health.The analysis, based on data obtained via freedom of information requests by the charity Impact on Urban Health, revealed 1,941 out of every 100,000 children living in the most deprived fifth of England were admitted to hospital for respiratory illnesses in 2024-25. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two Russian men jailed in Angola for terrorism and spying 23. July 2026 (14:08) The men were convicted over alleged plan to stage coup and organise deadly demonstrations over fuel prices last yearTwo Russian men have been found guilty by an Angolan court of terrorism and spying, after being accused of planning a coup and helping to organise deadly demonstrations in the southern African country last year.Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin were sentenced to eight and 11 years in jail respectively. They had denied the charges, claiming they were in Angola for cultural and business activities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
R James Woolsey, embattled ex-CIA director under Bill Clinton, dies aged 84 23. July 2026 (14:02) Woolsey died of a stroke at Washington home after facing ‘Havana syndrome’ reported by some government officialsR James Woolsey, a national security expert who led the CIA for two turbulent years after his appointment by Bill Clinton, has died. He was 84.Woolsey, who became CIA director in early 1993, died on Tuesday at his home in Washington, according to several newspapers. Conchita Sarnoff Woolsey, his wife, told the newspapers that he died from a stroke. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amish Shah wins in Arizona Democratic House primary in blow to establishment 23. July 2026 (13:46) Shah will face Republican Jay Freely, a Trump-backed former NFL kicker, in November for battleground seatAmish Shah won the Democratic primary on Wednesday in a hotly contested congressional district in Arizona, delivering another defeat to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which backed a rival, as more voters reject the preferences of party leaders in Washington.Shah, an emergency physician, will face Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker who was endorsed by Donald Trump in his primary, in the fall. Before becoming political opponents, Feely and Shah were part of the same team — the New York Jets. Shah was a doctor on the sidelines, while Feely was the kicker. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 20,000 evacuated after intense wildfire in France 23. July 2026 (13:46) Reception centres open to thousands of evacuees after blaze begins in pine forest 45km west of BordeauxEurope live – latest updatesMore than 20,000 people, including thousands of tourists from campsites and other holiday accommodation, have been evacuated as a “particularly intense” wildfire advances on the Atlantic coast of south-west France, authorities have said.The blaze, which began in dense pine forest near the village of Saumos about 40km (25 miles) west of Bordeaux and just north of the bay of Arcachon, a popular tourist destination, had burned 2,400 hectares (5,928 acres) in less than 24 hours, firefighters said on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dubai offers £600 rewards to residents who lure friends to visit as tourist numbers plummet 23. July 2026 (13:28) Residents eligible for dining and hotel packages if they can persuade family and friends to city spurned by visitors amid Iran war Middle East crisis – live updatesDubai is offering to pay residents who attract family and friends to visit the emirate in an effort to revive tourist numbers that have plummeted since the city was drawn into the US-Israel war on Iran.The Dubai Invite scheme, an initiative of the department of economy and tourism, allows residents of the United Arab Emirates to nominate friends and relatives and then to receive benefits worth more than 3,000 UAE dirham (about £610) if they visit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU fines Google €890m for competition breaches over search and apps 23. July 2026 (12:00) Firm told to treat third-party services that appear in its results in ‘fair and non-discriminatory manner’Google has been fined a total of €890m (£760m) by the EU for breaches of online competition laws by its search and app store services.The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said Google had broken the Digital Markets Act by giving priority to its own services, such as shopping and hotel deals, in search results over those of its rivals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teenage girl and woman die after group gets into difficulties in sea off Essex beach 23. July 2026 (11:45) Three others in group, believed to know each other, are in hospital after incident at West Mersea A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after several people got into difficulty in the water at an Essex beach.A third person remains in hospital in a serious condition, and two other people are in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Essex police said in a statement on Thursday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
