Business rates to be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and music venues in England 23. July 2026 (08:46) Burnham says relief for vape shops and other ‘non-positive’ businesses to be reviewed as part of £100m plan to fund cutPubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills from next April under a plan from Andy Burnham to support local high streets, in his latest measure to tackle costs for working people and communities.The prime minister said the £100m package would be fully funded including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to communities, such as vape shops. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Cockroach’ protests: India’s Modi promises to punish corrupt officials in bid to quell anger 23. July 2026 (07:49) Prime minister says ‘those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared’ as exam leaks scandal spirals into widespread anger with his governmentNarendra Modi has said he will set up “fast track courts” to expedite the punishment of corrupt officials who leaked examination papers,as India’s prime minister seeks to quell the youth-led “cockroach” protest movement that has rocked Delhi and challenged his government.In his first public remarks on the movement, Modi said on X “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth … Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pauline Hanson says domestic violence prevents police from dealing with ‘real crime’ in unearthed interview 23. July 2026 (07:47) One Nation leader labels family violence leave ‘ridiculous’ and decries ‘woke’ support of women’s rights in November podcastGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson has described paid leave for those experiencing family and domestic violence as “ridiculous”, and suggested the issue is taking police away from “real crime”, calling for the family law system to be “wound back”.In an unearthed interview, the One Nation leader said the advancements of women’s rights in the family law system over the decades had become “broken” because they favoured women and were now “suppressing the males all the time”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Total solar eclipse books out hotels two years in advance in New Zealand city 23. July 2026 (06:59) Dunedin will be the focal point, having last experienced such an eclipse in 1163 – before any humans reached New ZealandHotels are booking out two years in advance in the New Zealand city of Dunedin as it prepares for the region’s first total solar eclipse in more than 850 years.At 4.17pm on 22 July 2028, the moon will pass in front of the sun, casting a roughly 100km-wide shadowy band across parts of southern New Zealand. Everywhere within that band – from tourist hotspot Queenstown in the west to Dunedin city in the east – will be plunged into daytime darkness for 2 minutes and 51 seconds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I would rather be poor’: man says money cannot compensate for partner’s death after failed cancer diagnosis 23. July 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: Darren Rosheski won NHS payout over partner Helen Dutton’s death from rectal cancer after GP misjudged her symptoms“I remember the doctor, after he’d examined Helen and found a large lump in her colon, saying ‘it’s very sinister – we need to bring you in to be investigated.”Darren Rosheski is recalling the moment a consultant doctor at Tameside hospital broke the news to his partner, Helen Dutton, that her symptoms – which also included back pain, passing blood and altered bowel habits – were so worrying that they needed further tests. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US senator wants urgent answers from Barclays over Jes Staley’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein 23. July 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren says it is unclear how bank failed to uncover former CEO’s links with sex offenderThe leading US senator Elizabeth Warren has called for urgent answers from Barclays over what she claimed was its “apparent failure to meaningfully investigate” ties between the bank’s former boss, Jes Staley, and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.In a letter sent privately to Barclays’s chair, Nigel Higgins, and seen by the Guardian, Warren – the most senior Democrat on the US senate banking committee – said it was “deeply unclear how Barclays, supposedly investigating Staley’s connection to Epstein, failed to uncover this decades-long relationship”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game 23. July 2026 (06:00) Scientists believe sunfish-smashing behaviour could be form of entertainment or to help younger whales feedOrcas have been observed ramming into giant fish so hard that the prey explode, possibly as a form of gory entertainment.On several occasions, orcas were observed to hold sunfish in their jaws while a second whale smashed into the target at high speed, causing it to break into thousands of pieces. Since the fish had already been killed, scientists suggested the behaviour may represent a form of play. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Husic says Labor must show ‘it’s got steel in the spine’ on gas export tax after PM resists policy change 23. July 2026 (06:00) Follow liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSelf-reported domestic violence incidents declining in NSW but deaths and hospitalisations fail to fallNew data shows self-reported domestic violence incidents in New South Wales have declined, but the number of women and children murdered or hospitalised in domestic and family violence incidents over the past eight years has not significantly budged.The decline in self-reported violence is significant because it reflects underlying levels of violence in the community, not just what is reported to police. It suggests that, despite rising reports of domestic violence to police, domestic violence in the community is not increasing and may be trending down.There’s a strong perception that violence against women is rising, which is understandable given increases in police-recorded incidents, heightened media attention and greater public awareness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police officer fatally shoots man in Madison, Wisconsin, sparking protests 23. July 2026 (03:27) Shooting happened on street in popular neighborhood lined with restaurants, bars, shops and homes A police officer in Madison, Wisconsin, shot and killed a man Wednesday in an incident that was captured on cellphone footage, sparking local protests.John Patterson, the Madison police chief, acknowledged the shooting at a news conference, but stressed footage circulating was just one perspective of what happened. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Red Sea tankers as US launches 12th night of strikes on Iran – Middle East crisis live 23. July 2026 (02:41) US military says it is degrading Tehran’s ability to threaten ships in strait of Hormuz; Houthis say tankers violated their blockade; US signs nuclear deal with Saudi ArabiaTwo people have been killed in a US strike at the Shalamcheh border crossing in south-western Iran, the country’s Students News Network is reporting, citing a security offical.A little earlier Iran’s Mehr news agency was cited as quoting a provincial security official saying a US missile attack near a passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh crossing with Iraq had caused no casualties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
